> Dream of the Outcasts - Flight
>  by spectrumSprint
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter I: Clamor's Gift
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter I: Clamor’s Gift


“You must flee from Canterlot. Run, and hide! Quickly!” 
The words echoed in Reverie’s mind as she dashed out into the castle courtyard. As the mint-green alicorn filly galloped at full speed, she tried to concentrate on a teleportation spell. 
Suddenly, a bright light flashed from the throne room, followed by a deafening explosion and a scalding shockwave of heat that tossed Reverie skyward. Disoriented, she struggled to steady herself with her wings. Her futile efforts caused her to crash, landing in a crumpled heap against the topiary, breaking her left wing. Flecks of dirt and leaves stained her long pink mane and a bloody gash replaced the cyan four-pointed star on her flank. She clenched her teeth, trying not to yell in pain as she scrambled to her feet. 
A shrill, defiant cry echoed from within the castle, gripping her in terror. She would be next. Bright green sparks of magic erratically fizzled about her horn as she desperately tried to calm her mind to cast the spell. 
“Come on, come on…” she panted. 
The glow around her horn intensified, and in a flash, Reverie disappeared from the castle grounds, reappearing at the gates of Canterlot, the castle burning miles away. 
Exhausted, she collapsed on the dirt path. She did it. She escaped. Yet a feeling of dread still clung to her. Something was amiss. 
A moment later, she sensed somepony approaching. She slowly lifted and turned her head. To her horror, she saw a unicorn’s silhouette standing underneath the city gates. As immense magical energy burned about his horn, the shadowy figure stepped slowly towards the fallen alicorn. 
“No… please…” she pleaded. 
A blinding light filled her eyes as searing pain consumed her body. She fell, gasping and writhing in agony as she struggled against her bed sheets. 

…

She awoke, panting, her face covered in sweat. The same nightmare again. 
Her tired eyes flickered open and were greeted by the familiar sight of her bedroom, which was sparsely decorated with drab paintings and a cracked vase filled with dead tulips that crumbled under the hot breeze drifting in from the windows. Sunlight streamed in through a break in the curtains in a feeble endeavor to illuminate the room, managing only a dreary glow on the splintered wood floor. The sheer heat and humidity clawed at Reverie’s patience as she turned to her nightstand, where a glass, a mirror and crystal ball sat. 
Telekinetically bringing the half-empty glass of lukewarm water to her lips, she glanced at a small mirror on the table, and saw an adolescent mare, face obscured by a long, tangled, light pink mane. Two decades had passed and she had hardly grown at all. She sighed. The dreadful blessing of the alicorn at work again. 
The door burst open, and Clamor, her draconequus friend, ran in. 
“Today’s a big day, Reverie!” he declared. 
“Mmm hmmm,” she mumbled as she sipped the water. 
The adolescent draconequus chuckled as he hovered through the air, confetti and balloons appearing where he went. 
“Come on, Reverie! Get excited!” 
“Whoo hoo,” Reverie groaned. She wandered out the room with Clamor following. 
“You can’t go out looking like that, Reverie! Not on your special day!” Clamor said, drifting alongside her. 
Summoning a comb, toothbrush and toothpaste, he magically animated them about Reverie as she descended the staircase to the living room. Within seconds, her messy mane was straightened, gracefully flowing as she continued her steady gait down the stairs. As the toothbrush’s fervent strokes ceased, she gargled the rest of the water in the cup and spat apathetically to her right, where Clamor was ready with a bucket to catch the minty mess. He snapped his fingers and the tools vanished in a puff of pink smoke. 
“Don’t forget to wash your face, too!” Clamor chimed. A large blob of water materialized over Reverie’s head, drenching the unsuspecting alicorn. The draconequus laughed heartily. 
A frown crept into Reverie’s face, but vanished immediately as she contained her frustration. 
Typical Clamor. 
She turned to her well-meaning friend, humoring him with a half-hearted smile. She retrieved her saddle bag and a cotton sun hat from a nearby closet.
“Aren’t you going to have anything to eat?” Clamor asked.
“I’m alright, thank you. I’m not hungry at the moment,” she responded, as she made for the door. “May I get some help with this?” she said, motioning to her wings. 
“Oh. Yeah. Sure.” Clamor focused briefly, made a wiping motion with his hand and the delicate alicorn wings slowly vanished. He felt a burning sensation at the end of his fingers, which he ignored as he set about the task. 
“Thank you.” Reverie opened the door and walked out. 
“Oh, by the way, happy…” Clamor started. 
The door closed behind her. 
“…birthday.” 
The smile vanished from his face. Crestfallen, he sat down on the living room couch and stared out the window, eyes following Reverie until she disappeared down the road. He sighed and lay down on the couch, staring at the ceiling. 
More than twenty years have passed since they left Canterlot. Since then, she had spent life adrift in her despair. Some mornings, he had to drag her out of bed. Other days, it seemed as if she had forgotten she was alive. Even the wildest of his cheery shenanigans failed to arouse a reaction from her. So he waited. He would wait days, sometimes weeks, hoping that the tide would bring her back as he drowned in its waters himself. 
Waiting was suffocating. She should never have to feel like this. 
Especially on her birthday. 
He sat up, setting his creative draconequus mind to the impossible task of restoring the hope in Reverie’s heart. 
A night out at a gourmet restaurant? No. 
A beautiful new dress? No. 
Fantastic, brilliant jewelry? No. 
These were paltry, material things, fleeting pleasures that would bring little more than some temporary, artificial joy to heartbroken Reverie. He needed something more. 
But what? 
He glanced to his left, where three photographs sat in their dusty little frames, above the fireplace. 
The first one showed Reverie when she was a filly, holding on to an odd egg, covered in splotches of vibrant colors. In another, she stood alongside Celestia and Luna in Canterlot castle. The last depicted young Reverie and Clamor standing at the entrance of the royal garden labyrinth, laughing. 
Though something melancholy clung to the smile she bore in all three photographs, the happiness she felt then was real. He could feel it then. 
An idea emerged as he reminisced. Clamor turned to the center of the room and extended his hands which began to glow. A purple wisp of light appeared in the air, gradually intensifying in size and brightness. 
Suddenly, a debilitating pain burned in his right arm. He recoiled in agony, clutching it as the sensation slowly disappeared. The glowing light fizzled into feeble sparks that vanished in the air. He panted, battered from exertion. Fear seized the young draconequus; he sensed a familiar presence lurking, struggling for the same control over the canvas of reality. 
“No… not you…” he thought as dread clouded his senses. Disoriented, he fell back onto the couch. A headache pounded in his head as he lowered his arms. Malefic visions swirled about his imagination. He closed his eyes and tried to clear his mind. 
As the last spark faded, the illusions began to fade from his mind and a thought emerged. 
Reverie. 
Two decades he waited, idly watching her descend deeper in despair. Twenty years too many. He could not fail her this time, not on her special day. 
Chaotic energy flashed violently from his hands. He sensed the same malevolent consciousness beginning to invade his thoughts. 
“No. Not even you…” he growled. 
Summoning his courage, he continued his efforts. 
“…can stop me now.” 
The purple light rematerialized in the air, glowing brighter than before. 
“For her sake…” 
He gritted his teeth as searing pain possessed his entire body. 
“…I won’t give in.” 
A small portal appeared before him. He managed a smile. It was a start. But he had a long way to go. 
“I will do anything to see her smile again.” 

…

Reverie wandered about Rosetown, a quiet, quaint town, one of the oldest in Equestria. The roads wove in and out of vast stone buildings that danced about the hills. Colorful shops lined the road, displaying eclectic merchandise that glowed with the personality of their sellers. She passed bakeries, boutiques, wineries, art galleries and jewelry stores. Yet the vivid scene blurred into a haze of colors in her unconscious eyes. She drifted down time-scarred sidewalks, footsteps erratic in pace and unsteady in balance. She took random turns, periodically stopping to glance up at the sky.
Her stroll led her to the center of town where a beautiful pentagonal fountain once stood. Reverie closed her eyes and saw it again with perfect clarity. It was the highlight of Rosetown; the renowned artist Terra Cotta had adorned it with ornate sculptures of carefree seaponies frolicking in a busy sea of fish, coral and seaweed. Six nozzles transported the water, five affixed to each side, with a large one in the middle. The five lesser spouts sprayed the water in an elegant arc to the center pump, from which the water periodically erupted a hundred feet in the air. 
Before the fountain was replaced, Reverie enjoyed tossing a bit or two in the water, and making a single wish: for ponykind to return to the way they were: genuine, kind and innocent. Even if it was childish, that little bit of optimism sustained her. 
She opened her eyes. A dark purple tower with a metal antenna now occupied that same space. At the end of the antenna sat a large red sphere with a malevolent glow. The new government of Equestria had installed these structures all around the country. These spires emitted a wave of magical energy that rendered teleportation impossible. Only with the permission of the officials that manned these structures could a unicorn teleport within Equestria. They reassured that this was a security measure to prevent unicorn criminals from evading the police, though Reverie and Clamor have always suspected the real purpose was to cripple threats to emperor’s throne. Rebels did exist under his ruthless rule, but their forces paled in comparison to the might of the now militarized Equestria. 
The growling of her stomach interrupted her gloomy contemplation. She walked to the corner of the plaza, where the Sunrise Café stood. 
As she entered, her senses were flooded with the scent of cinnamon buns, the flowery décor, and the excited chatter of ponies. Locked in thought, Reverie stumbled about her new surroundings before plopping down on a bench. The soft pitter-patter of hoofsteps followed by he cheery voice of Daisy, the café hostess, snapped her out of her drowsy state.
“Welcome back to Sunrise Café, Miss Reverie! Table for one?” 
Reverie nodded sadly. Her solemn demeanor did little to discourage the white earth pony. 
“Follow me, then!” she chimed. 
Daisy skipped across the restaurant to a vacant table, her curly yellow mane bouncing along as she went, with Reverie trudging along behind her. She was about to sit down when a silvery voice caught her attention. 
“Slow morning, Reverie?” 
Reverie turned around and saw a familiar face. Sitting behind her was an aged, light brown mare, with a braided, scarlet mane and melancholy brown eyes. It was Terra Cotta. 
Reverie turned back to Daisy. “I will have the usual, please. Can you bring it to this table here? I would like to sit with my friend.” 
Daisy’s smile broadened. “Of course.” She sauntered off to the kitchen. 
Reverie trotted over and sat across from Terra Cotta, who was swirling her cup mug of coffee. “It’s been a while, huh, Reverie?” she said, not lifting her eyes from her cup. 
“I have been gone for about a month now, if memory serves. Do you have any news?” 
Terra Cotta frowned. “It’s always the same. More death tolls and horror stories.” She gestured to the television in the corner, which was broadcasting a news broadcast on a war against the dragons. 
“It’s strange, isn’t it?” The artist continued. “Several years ago, the moment ponies saw a dragon, they would flee in terror. And they were certainly right to do so.” She waved her hooves about, as if possessed, eyes alight with creative lucidity. “Scales like shields, teeth like swords, and claws like daggers. Magic and might alike amounted to mere irritation. They were feared, revered and invincible!” 
She took a sip of coffee. “Twenty years is all it took to change that fear to brutality, twenty years of misplaced ambition. Now we stand before them, as angry as we were once afraid, blasting away, watching gods fall, their scales torn like paper, celebrating as we conquered our tyrants.” Her eyes darted to the floor. “Sometimes I wonder if ponykind was better off living in terror instead of becoming the terror themselves. The younger ones here won’t remember, but I miss how things were when Celestia was still…” 
She stopped herself. “Sincere apologies. I’m rambling as usual. I shouldn’t bombard you with my musings.” 
“No! Not at all.” Reverie replied. “I understand exactly how you feel.” She looked down, trying to hold back the tears welling up in her eyes. “I understand…precisely.” 
“Pomegranate crunch coffee cake and a super-strong espresso!” Reverie’s head perked up at the sound of Daisy’s jubilant, sing-song voice. “Enjoy!” 
“Thank you.” Reverie replied. 
Terra Cotta glanced out the window. “I should probably get going and let you enjoy your brunch. If you want to talk again, you know where to find me.” 
“Of course.” 
Terra Cotta stood up from the table and slowly walked out of the restaurant. 
Reverie apathetically nibbled at the coffee cake, unable to work up an appetite. She gulped the espresso in one go and sighed. 

… 

Daybreak, a Captain of the Royal Guard, awoke before the crack of dawn in his bedroom at Canterlot Castle. He looked to his left and saw his crystal ball sitting there. 
“It’s been a year since I’ve heard from her. I do hope she’s alright,” he thought. 
The bright yellow unicorn stallion yawned, rolled out of bed and marched over to the marble balcony and waited. His bright orange eyes scanned the scene beyond the castle grounds to behold a familiar sight: towering walls of steel skyscrapers obscuring the sky and menacing black spires with violet bulbs crackling with malevolent energy.
A few minutes later, the sun was visible in the distance, but the seasoned warrior frowned. Glory eclipsed by the city, its light bled through the gaps in the sinister construction.
“Good thing I’m being sent to the Scorched Mountains,” he thought. “The sunrise must be spectacular from such a height.” 
When he was a simple guard, he often volunteered to participate in missions in foreign lands. His superiors would praise his diligence, but Daybreak’s efforts concealed a simple truth: he relished the opportunity to travel. Through the years, he traversed valleys and mountains, creeks and oceans, plains and wastelands alike, savoring every moment out of combat by immersing himself in the world’s wonders, natural and civilized. 
Ironically, his commitment to duty and spectacular command of magic helped him ascend the ranks until he eventually became a captain of the Royal Guard, which meant less time adventuring and more time deliberating in meeting rooms. He hadn’t stepped out of Equestria even once since the promotion.
But today, the Council suddenly ordered him to the front lines. “What sort of situation in dragon territory is so dire that the Royal Guard would call upon me?” he pondered. 
Without letting his imagination cloud the call to action, the unicorn prepared himself for the journey. Turning to his personal armory, he telekinetically brought out a crimson suit of power armor and attached it to himself piece by piece. Mechanized steel boots whirred to life, powered by electricity and his magic, and fastened themselves to his legs. Next, he brought out the body component, which wrapped itself about Daybreak’s body. As the armor clicked into position, he pressed a button on an electronic display on his front right gauntlet. The completed high-tech suit activated, lined with veins of light that glowed dimly in the room. 
A robotic voice sounded: “MagiTech Battle Armor activated.” 
“Run systems test.” Daybreak commanded. 
“Initializing diagnostics test…” responded the voice. 
A small orb in the center of the armor began to glow. “Magic power converter working at 92% efficiency.” 
The bottom of Daybreak’s boots flickered with a orange light. “Propulsion hooves and arcane blaster ready.” 
A small cylindrical object emerged from his front left gauntlet, humming with energy. “Laser cutter operational.” 
As the laser cutter retracted back into the suit, metal components emerged from the collar of the armor, spinning and clicking into place around his head, forming a sturdy helmet. “Engaging helmet diagnostics.” 
A small microphone emerged to the right of his face. Daybreak heard the voice focused about his ears. “Headset microphone and audio activated. Connection to network achieved.” 
A sturdy visor slid down, completing the full face helmet. A digital interface appeared before his eyes. “Radar engaged. Night-vision mode functional. Wireless connection successful.” 
“Armor holster awaiting weapon.” Daybreak then brought out a large rifle and slid it into the holster on his right hip. “S-13 Equestrian Hex Rifle detected. Scope re-calibrated. Ammunition: 8 shells. Commencing infusion of magical energy. Ammunition successfully charged. Weapon ready.” 
The visor slid back up and the helmet unfurled. Daybreak started towards the door. 

…

Reverie sat back on the park bench and looked around. Rows of roses, red, pink and white lined the stone paths of the park. A pack of colts ran on the field to her right, kicking around a red rubber ball. To her front sat another fountain of Terra Cotta’s design, a large half-sphere lined with a complex labyrinth of detailed, exotic flora. She looked up. Whispers of the setting sun clung to the sky, its amber aura bleeding into a deep blue. Magenta clouds congregated, slowly drifting in from the east, foreboding a midnight downpour. She closed her eyes, letting the sounds wash over her. Melodies of the birds, percussion of hoofsteps and whispers of the wind filled her ears with the serene symphony of nature.
Terra Cotta sat to her left. “Ponies like you are rare today, Reverie,” she said. 
Reverie opened her eyes. “How do you mean?” 
“It’s hard to see a pony so in touch with the aesthetic.” 
Reverie nodded slowly. 
She continued. “We live in a world where success comes at the cost of others. We’ve become so talented in the trade of destruction that we’ve forgotten how to create. Everypony is so obsessed with what they perceive as progress that they can’t appreciate the serenity of nature, the euphoria of music, the wonders of art.” 
“Are you still bitter about having your fountain replaced by that ugly tower at the town center?” Reverie joked. 
The brown mare smiled. “Perhaps a little. But I do mean what I say. You seem to be one of the few ponies disconnected from the herd mentality, someone who can see beyond the nonsense our new government spouts over the television.” 
Terra Cotta turned to her friend and continued. “Have I ever told you about the story behind my fountain in Rosetown? Young mares such as you may not have ever heard it before.” 

She closed her eyes and began to recite a poem. 


A spirit of truth 
Benevolent soul 
Joyfully defy 
The evening’s toll 
With a selfless heart 
And sworn devotion 
Unite and cleanse 
The world’s commotion


“It’s my favorite poem, a fairly recent one. Admittedly, these verses are pretty simple; they represent a basic retelling of pony history.” 
“Yes. It’s the legend of the element bearers from centuries past,” Reverie responded casually. 
Terra Cotta’s eyes widened for a moment. “That’s correct… The fountain was inspired by that particular story. Seeing as you know the story, you’ve probably presumed that it represents the unison of the five elements with the sixth.” 
“Magic.” 
“Yes. It’s more than simply magic: it’s the power of true companionship that drives these legends and unveils the true potential of ponykind.” 
Terra Cotta looked to the sky. “Something about this particular poem struck me as unusual. The poem has an active voice. The poem is more than a mere retelling of history; it’s a call to action. The author does more than celebrate the legend, he implores for us to carry the spirit of the tale in our hearts.” 
She looked into Reverie’s eyes. “You are a strange young mare, Reverie. You possess wisdom and knowledge that exceeds your years. I feel there’s more to you than I know now, but it’s not my business to intrude. For now…” 
She stood up, looking skyward again, watching a leaf drop from its branch, carried by the wind. 
“For now, it’s just nice to have someone who understands.” 

… 

“Captain Daybreak, you have been granted clearance for teleportation from Canterlot to the Scorched Mountains for three hours.” 
“Understood.” 
“Good luck.” 
“Thank you.” 
The headset went quiet and the helmet unfurled. Daybreak lay back on the warm grass in the Canterlot garden, drifting in and out of sleep. Why go now? He would rather savor what was left of an otherwise relaxing day. 
“Don’t you have anything better to do, Captain Daybreak?” a clear voice called. 
Daybreak opened his eyes and saw a blue unicorn clad in a purple cape adorned with stars. 
“Perhaps, say, a skirmish with the scaly brutes beyond these borders?” he continued in the same official tone. 
Daybreak sat up and grinned. “Oh, don’t mind me. I’ll be on my way, sooner or later, Royal Councilor Comet.” 
A smile crept into Comet’s face. “See to it that you do.” 
Suddenly, a squad of pegasi stormed through the sky, blazing a smoky path southward. 
“Reinforcements for the front lines?” Daybreak asked. 
Comet frowned. “That’s none of your business.” 
“Tight-lipped as usual, aren’t you?” 
Comet quickly scanned his surroundings then leaned in close to Daybreak and whispered, “The general suddenly ordered fifty pegasi to scour the southern regions. I don’t know what they’re looking for, but it seemed urgent.”
A bead of sweat slid down Daybreak's forehead. Comet stood back up and turned towards the castle. “You better be off now. Somepony will think you’re up to something.” 
Daybreak looked down in worry. “Yeah. Give me a moment to get something from my room,” he said as he rose to his feet. 
“Be careful, alright?” said Comet, looking weary. 
“Always.” Daybreak said, turning to the castle, hooves pounding against the ground as he raced back to the castle. 

…

Reverie exited the park and started down the street, ready to retire for the night. With the sun disappearing into the horizon, the afternoon heat gradually faded as the evening began. 
She turned on the last corner before home to see a large group of ponies gathered on the street around her house. 
“What in Equestria’s name…” 
Violently flashing lights shone from the windows of her home, with the crowd watching intently. The crackling of intense magical energy and the worried chatter of ponies assaulted her ears as she made her way through the crowd. 
“Clamor!” Reverie yelled as she made her way through. 
Suddenly, the light show ended. As the crowd dispersed, mumbling the remainder of their worries as they left, she ran to the door. Finding the door to be locked, she fumbled through her saddle bag for the key. 
“Clamor! Are you alright?!” 
She plunged the key into the lock and opened the door and dashed in. 
“Clamor!” 
On her first step, her hoof failed to find the floor and she sank. As she fell, she felt as if she was spinning as the world around her swirled into a mess of colors bleeding into each other. 
“Clamor…” she groaned as her vision began to fail.
As she blacked out, a familiar voice soothed her fear. 
“I’m here, Reverie.”
Reverie opened her eyes and saw the main hall of Canterlot Castle. Had she been teleported to the castle? 
She looked around her. The hall was adorned with all sorts of party decorations. Tables piled with bowls of punch, small hors d'oeuvres and exquisite desserts sat along the wall. Unmanned turntables sat in the middle of the room. A gigantic five-tiered cake sat at the far end, intricately patterned with icing flowers. Atop the massive pastry sat a fine fondant sculpture of herself. Far above her hung a large banner with the words “Happy Birthday Reverie”. 
These sights struck her as odd, not just her surroundings, but the perspective in which she beheld them. She looked at herself. 
She gasped. 
Her body had become that of a little filly, complete with missing cutie mark and stubby wings. 
She hadn’t been teleported.
“This is… my eighteenth…birthday…” she whispered in awe. “But how?” 
“Don’t question it, Reverie!” a young voice chimed. 
She turned around and saw a young draconequus standing at the doors of the main hall. 
“Clamor?” 
“This was when you were happiest! Your first birthday in Canterlot, and the eighteenth ever! Your entry into marehood, well, if you weren’t an alicorn, that is. You were so excited to celebrate with royalty and become a princess.” 
“I don’t understand, how could you…” 
“Don’t try to understand it! Just live this moment again with me. The moment when you were truly happy… agh!” Clamor twitched and clutched his hand. 
“Clamor…” 
Young Clamor looked down at his feet uneasily. 
“I know how you’ve felt, through those last years in Canterlot and in hiding here in Rosetown…but…” 
Clamor's eyes darted back up at the alicorn,. “We can forget all of that. We can let go of everything, past and future, and enjoy this beautiful memory. Let’s celebrate without a care in the world, even if it’s just for one evening!” 
“Clamor…” Reverie stammered, tears streaming from her eyes. She wiped them and smiled brightly. “Thank you.” 
Clamor snapped his fingers and the turntables came to life, filling the room with loud electronic dance music. The gates of the hall burst open, and ponies of all types streamed in, flooding the room, including Princess Celestia and Luna herself. Clamor somersaulted through the air, summoning fireworks as he went. Reverie danced nonchalantly, tossing her inhibitions away as she lost herself to the infectious rhythm. Young Clamor joined her, grasping her hoof, and the two twirled about the dance floor. 

…

“Keep it up, Clamor.” Clamor muttered, outside of the dream.
Body numb with agony, he managed a weak smile when he saw Reverie giggling. She was fully immersed in his pocket reality. 
He heard a faint voice coming from Reverie’s bedroom.
“Reverie…? Are you there? I think they may be coming for you… stay hidden!” 
He immediately ignored the voices he heard. Locked in extreme focus weaving the fabric of reality, Clamor had felt his mind intersect with the other presence vying for the same control, spirit defiled by its malevolent imagination. Thoughts and visions that were not his drifted in and out of his mind, leaving the call from the bedroom to fade amongst the sounds and sights that clouded his senses. 
“Keep it up, Clamor.” He repeated. 

… 

As “night” approached in the recreated memory, a soft, romantic track played. Clamor and Reverie had sat down for dinner, where they sampled all of her favorite foods: a delectable cheddar cheese quiche, roasted tomatoes on freshly baked garlic bread and a fresh spinach and zap apple salad drizzled with lavender-infused vinaigrette, complemented with punch and playful conversation. 
As dinner concluded, Princess Celestia strode up to a microphone and announced: “Thank you everypony for coming to Canterlot Castle to wish Reverie a happy eighteenth birthday! Let us have a toast for the new mare!” 
Glasses flew into the air by hoof and by magic. 
“To Reverie! May her entrance into adulthood mark the beginning of a lifetime of wonderous adventure.” 
“To Reverie!” cheered everybody. 
“Thank you, everypony.” Reverie said, blushing. 
As Clamor brought a cup of punch to his mouth, his hand started quivering, and the glass fell to the table, broke on impact and left a large red stain on the white tablecloth. 
“Sorry about that.” Clamor said. 
“Are you alright, Clamor?” Reverie asked, concerned. . 
“Oh, no problem. My hand just slipped; I’m fine,” Clamor said hurriedly. 
Her blood ran cold.
“Clamor, please let me out of here.” Reverie pleaded. 
“But…” 
“Let me out!” 
The draconequus hesitated at first then obliged her request. 
The illusion of past Canterlot Castle began to blur and fade, colors melting away to reveal their living room. Reverie gasped: lying on the couch was a battered and broken Clamor, body blackened by magic-inflicted burn marks. Deep, bloody gashes lined his outstretched hands as he unwove the pocket reality. 
“Clamor!” she shrieked. She ran and embraced the draconequus. 
“Hi…Reverie…” Clamor panted. 
The alicorn was beside herself with grief. Tears streamed from her face and fell onto the bloodstained floor. “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry, Clamor…” 
Clamor stared vacantly at the ceiling. “Why… why are you… sorry?” 
“You’re in so much pain... all because... because of me!” 
“Oh, this? It’s just-” Clamor groaned. “Just a little scratch.” 
“I’ve been so selfish. I never realized-” 
“It’s fine, Reverie… It’s nothing.” Clamor looked into the alicorn’s teary eyes, and managed a tired smile. “As long as you were happy on your special day.” 
A loud knock and a booming voice interrupted them. 
“Miss Reverie! This is the Royal Guard!” 
Reverie turned her head. “The Royal Guard? Why are they here? Have they found us?” 
“Open this door immediately!” 
Clamor stayed silent, as a troubling thought crossed his mind. “Was this my doing? Did I bring them to us?” 
“You have 10 seconds to comply!” 
“Come on Clamor, we need to get out of here!” Reverie whimpered. 
“1…2…3...” 
Clamor slowly shook his head. “I’m too weak… Reverie…leave me and run.” 
“4…5…6…” 
Reverie embraced Clamor. “I’m staying with you.” 
“7…8…9…” 
“Reverie…” 
“10!” 
A large white pegasus blasted open the door with a powerful kick. He held a large, complex rifle in his hooves. He was backed by two other pegasi, a scrawny orange one with a pistol in his teeth and a bulky dark blue one holding a transceiver. 
Reverie wiped her tears and stepped forward, horn energized with magic. 
The large white one spoke in an official tone. “Calm yourself, Miss Reverie. We received word that some dangerous magic had been performed at this location. You will need to come with us…” 
His eyes opened wide as they connected with Clamor, but the terror quickly vanished from the guard’s face as he noticed his physical condition. “A draconequus? Change of plans, then. Hurricane. Call HQ and arrange transportation for Class S criminals. I think we’ve found our target.” 
“We’re not going anywhere.” Reverie growled. 
“Very well.” The pegasi activated his rifle, which began to glow green with magical energies.
“Watch out, Reverie!” Clamor called out. 
Reverie focused and blasted the weapon out of his hand with a green bolt of energy and telekinetically tossed the guard aside. 
“Recalcitrant fool,” the guard muttered as he struggled to his feet. 
The orange pegasus began firing at Reverie, who quickly summoned a force field. Bullets bounded off the barrier, dropping uselessly onto the floor. She retaliated with an explosive burst of magic at her opponent’s feet that knocked him straight into the ceiling. Unconscious, the pegasus fell limply to the floor. 
The white pegasus began charging the rifle and took aim. Reverie braced herself, preparing another force field. The rifle unleashed a powerful, oscillating laser. As the beam contacted her shield, Reverie suddenly felt pain resonate through her horn and into her head. The barrier broke and the alicorn fell backward in a crumpled heap. As she struggled to stand up, she attempted once more to gather energy for a spell. 
Wasting no time, the white pegasus dashed forward, tackled her and secured hoofcuffs on her. 
“Troublesome unicorns,” he muttered. 
Reverie gritted her teeth. An uncanny numbness came over her horn; she found herself unable to use magic, her horn feebly glowing from the attempt. 
“Don’t bother,” the guard said calmly as he secured another set of cuffs around the draconequus’s limp arms. “I’ve negated your magic temporarily with my nullification laser. Don’t fret. We can arrange something a little more permanent when we arrive in Canterlot.” 
A minute later, two more pegasi arrived, dragging Reverie out of the house. The fallen alicorn struggled uselessly against her bonds, tears streaming from her eyes. As the white one came for Clamor, the draconequus lost consciousness, overwhelmed by exhaustion and blood loss. 

…

Clamor awoke to the sound of clacking train tracks. Through his blurred vision, he managed to make out the bars of a cell, and a window beyond them, pitch black from night’s embrace. A dim lamp dangled from the ceiling, bathing the room in a nauseating yellow light. He blinked rapidly to bring the scene into better focus. 
A quiet voice sounded behind him. “You’re finally awake.” 
Clamor turned around to see Reverie, lying on a small, hard mattress in the corner. 
“How are you feeling?” she asked. 
Clamor smiled, and clutched his arm. “I’ll make it. Don’t you worry.” 
The two sat in silence for about five minutes. The only sound to be heard was the steady clacking of the train as it barreled down the tracks. 
Reverie lowered her head sadly, staring at the floor. “I guess this is how it ends then.” 
Clamor sighed. “It’s my fault. I led them straight to us, and now we’re on our way to be executed.” 
Reverie shifted about the bed. “It’s alright.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “I’m also to blame.” 
“Reverie…” 
The alicorn leapt from her seat and wrapped her arms around the draconequus. 
“I’m so sorry, Clamor. I’ve been so selfish, sulking about, not thinking of how you felt all this time.” 
“It’s alright.” 
Reverie sat back and took a deep breath. The alicorn wiped her tears as she said in a determined voice. “I’ll be strong. I’ll move forward.” 
“To where? The guillotine? The gallows?” Clamor joked. 
They exploded into laughter. The sort of sorrow-drenched laughter that those fated to die enjoyed, not to distract themselves from their inevitable fate, but to defy it in grim celebration of the precious time that remained. 
As their joyous uproar subsided, they embraced each other once more. 
“Reverie?” 
“Yes, Clamor?” 
“Happy birthday.” 
Reverie smiled. “Thank you.” 
Another second passes and another grain of sand falls. Somewhere in the endless sea of despair, an alicorn spreads her wings in ascension. Locked in the warm embrace of her closest companion, they were aloft with the hope lost in years past. 


End of Chapter 1