> The Darkest Hour
>  by Anemptyshell
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Awake to the Dark
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was lost in an endless expanse. It continued long out of sight in all directions. Not that that mattered, since here there was no light. It was here, like that of a storm-driven sea, my mind was left lost in turbulence I’d not known before. It was as if the world had been cast into the primordial darkness, what came before all and what will swallow us all once more. My memories were fuzzy, with more blotches of color than retractable events. Though, one image was still quite vivid, the moon, overhead, and the shadows that crept along its surface. Then everything faded to black. Where once more the colors and the moon replayed for me in the dark again. 

In a realm where nothing was purveyed a single sound, called out to me. A rhythmic thump, slow but growing in frequency. I crawled, or slithered, in the dark, it all felt the same. As I moved forward the thumping grew louder, faster, frantic. I continued forward and then the thumping stopped.

“No, no please.”

I yelled into the dark.

My eyes snapped open and I twisted about in mock battle with a foe left to the deepest recesses of my mind. I now lay under the blanket of stars. The twinkling tapestry did wonders for my frayed nerves. Here there were lights, that cast away the troubles of my nightmare. Though I pondered if it were a nightmare at all, it felt far too real for my liking.

Dark and dreary trees swayed listlessly in the cool night breeze. The grass underneath me tickled as I squirmed in place. A clearing, field, forest, any manner of location fit the bill, a somber one at that.   

“Where am I?”

The thought struck no sooner than the words crossed my lips. I was outside, that was obvious, but why was I out here at all? I pulled myself up and felt a tight pinch on my back as something caught under my rear. I let out a short hiss and flopped forward. 

“What the heck?”

Then I saw it, the limb to my right, stuck out in front of me as ballast to pull myself right. That was all well and good, except for the whole, it wasn’t my limb thing. No hand, way too much ashen grey hair, even the joints felt wrong. I scrambled to my feet. Those weren’t feet, nope, those were hooves, I think, make that four limbs that weren’t mine. A stellar way to start the day, or night?

“Oh crap, no, no, no,” I screamed as I tripped over myself. I stumbled over a fleshy sheet that clung to my back. I waved at it and found it no looser than when I’d traipsed upon it. Hair everywhere, fur then, I guess. Four legs, quadruped, tail, and then there was the matter of the new feeling of something spread from my back to the ground. Shakily I prodded the rumpled appendage with a hoof. A light jab, the feeling traveling up the limb and causing a shudder. I could feel it plain as day.

I twisted and growled, screamed, and flailed as I tried to claim the right of my body. No, not mine, whatever this was, it wasn’t mine. 

“Wake up, wake up, come on, please.” 

I planted a hoof hard into the side of my face. The keratin mass landed true, and I yelped as the undoubted bruise throbbed down my cheek.

“Ow.”

I could only muster a dull acceptance of the new sensation. I sighed and let my head hang. I traced circles in the grass with a hoof and focused on breathing. I was awake, that much was clear. It didn’t answer any of the questions that followed that reality, but it was at least a starting point. 

A rustling from behind me gripped my heart with terror. I couldn't even look back at whatever drew forth from the dark. My heart pounded in my ears. I closed my eyes. My body shook, as the rustling gave way to the soft plodding steps of whatever beast had come to end me. Or whatever monster caused this to begin with. 

I could feel its breathing behind me. Calm, steady, it moved with little hurry. I was easy prey I guessed. Why would it waste any effort on the crazy mutant? I grit my teeth as I waited for it to strike. The steps stopped. Why couldn’t I wake up?

The death blow came, it was gentle, a limb rested across a shoulder. My ears, or the ears this body had swiveled in puzzlement. My whole head followed suit, as I cracked an eye open slowly. I would see the face of my hunter it seemed. I wouldn’t die in the dark at least. The dream I'd had only minutes ago played back in the recesses of my mind. The dark was suffocating.   

I was left stunned. Clad in drab blue armor and paler blue fur, it was another mutant. An equine mutant at that. Was that what I looked like? The muzzle was shorter and wider than I recalled any horse having. The eyes though were the real breath-taker. They took up at least a third of the face. The dull yellow orbs blinked back their surprise.

“Sir, are you alright?”      

“I-uh,” was all I could salvage as I continued to stare down the horse soldier. 

“A thestral?” 

The soldier drew back his limb with a vengeance and took several steps back. The tides had turned in my favor. That is to say, the look of rapt fear on the soldier’s face disqualified the hunter and prey mentality completely. Nature made no sense, the pecking order seemed to lack any consistency at all.

“Thestral?” I whispered. 

“My apologies sir, I heard screaming, please forgive my ignorance.”

I scratched a hoof tip against my temple and looked back behind me in search of whatever monstrosity had the soldier ready to bolt. There was nothing, just me, me, and the trees. The trees, me, and a mutant horse soldier. So, that left one option.

“You’re forgiven?”

I wasn’t sure what to forgive, but the offered apology seemed to at least settle the soldier’s nerves. That was good, I think?

“Thank you, sir, you’re most generous.”

I blinked again. I’d lost any semblance of decorum and took a step closer to the soldier. He seemed to stiffen at my approach but didn’t make to flee. I looked about the clearing and sighed. 

“You wouldn’t happen to know where I am, would you?”

“Sir, not too far from Everfree Palace, sir.”

That was certainly a name, didn’t tell me anything useful, but baby steps. I took a deep breath and nodded. 

“Would you mind leading me there?” I asked. 

The soldier saluted. “Yes sir.”

And just like that, I was off to a castle in a new body following a militant mutant horse guy. It was still better than the dark, if only a little

The walk itself was mundane, I managed a staggering trot, I guess that’s what you’d call it. I was surprised at how sensitive my hooves were. You’d think they’d be a numbed clump of bone or hair or whatever. The center of each hoof tinged and fretted over grass and stone. The textures, and the shape all distinguished without looking. It was like my palms were strapped to the bottom of a pair of boots.

The soldier gave me a wide berth, a few paces ahead of me, his head forward, even as his eyes reflexively peered back at me. The stallion was nervous. His whole frame tensed with every step I took. All I could do was allow him the comfort of his glide through trees and bush. I woke up a beast of burden, but I was being treated like a caged tiger. I bit at my lip as I stumbled over another root. 

I hadn’t expected a sharp tooth to nip right into my lip. I stifled a yelp. The guard already seemed ready to bolt. No reason to scare him further. However, the gentle line of blood on my lip begged attention. I was a horse mutant. Why the hell would I have canines? I ran my tongue over my top row of teeth. Flat but ridged molars ready to mush. A horse's mouth if ever there was one. You know except for when I reach the front set of teeth and golly gee, there they were. A very real, very sharp set of canines. It was like a feral wolf or other predator. I gave the soldier a wary glance and rubbed my tongue between my mutant horse predator teeth. 

I took a deep breath and repressed my desire to scream and run headfirst into a tree. Today sucked, but my thoughts trailed off as I tried to remember anything before waking here. All I got was blotches, color with no definition. My brow furrowed as I strained to recall anything, anything at all. Well, everything but the dark. The hair on the back of my neck spiked as the thought continued to coil through my psyche.          

I felt sick, my stomach turned as I glued my eyes to the ground. I found nothing, just me here and now. I knew I wasn’t a mutant horse, but the question remained, what was I before? I shook my head. Time would heal the fractures in my head, I hoped. No, that wasn’t enough, I prayed, to whoever could hear me, I prayed. 

“Please help me, take me home, please help,” I muttered under my breath. My ears were pulled to one side as I dragged behind the weary guard. If I were lucky, I wouldn't end up on a chopping block or something. What was that word again, the one the guard used when he first saw me? 

Thetaral? Themessal, no, The, the stroll? Thestral? That sounded right. I had no idea what it meant, but judging from my freakish form, winged, fanged horses were not the norm. That could be a problem. I needed an out or a shield to make sure I was not tonight’s bout in the pit of monstrosities. Stupid mutant death games. I wonder if they get free food like in old Rome.

 An eyebrow arched as the thought settled. I remembered Rome. That was something. Did I live there or die there? Why Rome? “Why?”

“Sir?”

I looked up to find my guide had stopped. He stood staring at me, the walls and turrets of a castle a scenic image as the armor of the soldier glinted in the nightlight. The castle was old. The cracks and ivy that draped the side, felt Anglo Saxon if I had to guess. Dawn of the sixteenth century, all we needed was some rowdy Scotts, and we’d have a war on our hands or hooves now if it mattered.

I jerked my gaze away from the castle wall and blinked away the trail of consciousness I’d just fallen into. Rome, Anglo Saxon? Why those? What about me? Why was everything making no sense?

“Sir, are you okay?” The soldier had come a few feet closer and waved over at me. He seemed to be pouting of all things. Why was he pouting, I was the pouter here, I take no substitutes.

“I’m fine. I just, the castle reminds me of home,” I said and shrugged away my loose thoughts. I could dream up my past once I survived the night. Who knows, I’m lucky they’ll just stone me or lock me in some damp hole. Which honestly didn’t sound so bad. At least I’d get a chance to sleep off this fog in my head. 

“Well, it is Her castle. I’m sure you’ll feel right at “home.” The guard snorted and turned about, stomping forward like the ground had wronged his mother. I take it back. I couldn’t out pout this moody beast. If all the mutants were like this, I’d be the king of happy or some nonsense by the end of this. All rainbows and sunshine. 

  The castle gate was, of course, a drawbridge, I mean, it didn’t go over water, but it sure fell forth like one. Someone wanted to drop the door badly. There we had it. Everyone around here was moody as can be. I don’t want to be king happy, I like my brooding, it was mine, and these monsters stole that from me too.

The castle door was guarded, of course. A quartet of guards much like the stallion leading me, dull blue armor, stoic pouts, and spears. So the mutants had weapons that wasn’t good, not good at all. I sucked in through my teeth and puffed out my chest. If I’m some beast horse monster, I might as well try to look intimidating. Maybe I could bluff my way out if I looked like a wild monster. 

I let out said breath and imagined the nets and spears that would follow such thoughts. I was really in the pot. come one…

“Come on, come on, who?”

I couldn’t recall my name. Like static over a ruined tape, it just fizzled and crackled in my head. No name, no memory, just mutants and death, certain death.

“Welcome to the Castle of Her Majesty, Queen Nightmare Moon.”

My guide announced as we passed the spear beasts and entered the castle well and properly. Oh boy, and did we enter a castle, a gaudy one at that. Inside Gargoyles, who thought that up? Oh, and blue matching blue for the walls and silken tapestry that ran to the massic stairwell. A split stairwell at that, geez, talk about cliche.

“I am welcomed, I guess,” I said. 

The guard snorted and covered a smirk. Oh, the scaredy-cat could smile, good, win his trust, then exploit it to survive the night. This could work.

“As the newest guest and exalted Thestral race, I would be most surprised if Her Majesty would not wish to meet one of her chosen.”

The guard ground his teeth with each word. Somebody had anger management issues. Did they have an HR department? Though I guess a Matriarch wouldn’t allow such means. A group of upset guards and peasants always led to revolt. Now there’s an idea. I’d put that in the back pocket if I had pockets.

“I um, I see, well, I mean--”

“I would not keep Her Majesty waiting, sir.”

The soldier’s eye twitched as he pointed to the far wall at the crossing of the stairwell. Well, there goes the easy route, queen time it was. The foyer front hall wasn’t empty, of course. There were guards galore, and a few butlers and maid-like mutants hopped, skipped, and flew about. Some of them had wings. So, that was a good sign. I wasn’t a completely hideous freak. You know, barring the fact these horse flies had feathers. I didn't have feathers. What’s up with that? 

“Well, up we go.” 

I put on a fake smile. I don’t think the soldier bought it. But if he didn't, he said nothing. So instead, he followed me from behind as I climbed the stairs. I was meeting this Queen Nighty Moon or whatever one way or another. 

“Please stop at the door so that I may notify Her Highness of your late arrival.”

My smile tightened further as I reached the top of the stairs. The soldiers at the big queenly door seemed a whole lot less pleasant than the stallion who’d led me here in the first place. The nasty scowls were one thing, but unlike the rest, these two were much more similar to me. They even had featherless wings like myself. They had the fangs, and oh boy on the other side, those looked messy and throat rippy. I gave a curt wave, and the two Thestral horse knights snorted and turned their ire to my escort. The not flying thestral monster lowered his head and bowed.

The first guard was a maroonish color, with bright orange eyes and a white mane that hung loose to one side of his helmeted head. Or, I mean, mane, I guess. The other was a mossy green with a shortcut, so short that without his tail, you'd never guess his teal mane would be so lively. He fixed his gaze on my follower. The guard returned the look without a word. I felt very awkward between these lean, mean monster machines.    

“I have brought a thestral lost in the forest to Her Majesty's home as a thestral such as himself deserves his dues.”

The last word hung like a noose at the gallows. There was no love here, none whatsoever. A fun time all around. 

“And why was he,” the guard pointed to me, “Out alone in the forest, Sabre?”

Oh, so he has a name. But of course, he did. Everyone did. Everyone except me.

“I don’t know. I stumbled on him in a clearing to the west. He seems quite confused. I thought Her Majesty might have words of wisdom for a lost thestral, such as he. In all her benevolence.”

A second noose joined the gallows. The question was, who’d be left hanging when it was all over?

“I have lost my memory, and I awoke to find I could recall nothing, nothing of my past or my dreams for the future.” 

Half-truths weren’t lies, only a shortcut to salvation. I puffed out my chest again and glared over at the bat horses. They returned it with gusto. 

A moment of silence, a test of wills. Let it be so, naives, I shall smite you with my ocular fury. En Guarde. When the guards finally broke their gaze, I felt a crawl run down my spine. The guards were smiling. A toothy smile at that.

“Got some spunk in this one. Good, those pompous asses up in the rafters are starting to get annoying.”

“Lost his memory too, could be any kind after that. The Queen would mold such a fine thestral with such easy clay.”

The two guards seemed all too happy to tell us everything. Sabre looked like he might vomit. If I were honest, I felt worse than he looked. I had a very unfortunate feeling about this Queen of theirs.  

“I’ll do my best to impress her,” I said and felt my wings fidget. That was new. Since when did those things work? I could barely get them not to drag. Now they want to get real. Even my not body was out to get me. 

“Very well, proceed, earth pony, go on Sabre, announce your discovery like a good like a cretin. Grovel, and maybe her majesty will give you a boon, a nicer shift perhaps, or a week of scrubbing troughs, bet that makes your night.”

“That would be most gracious of her majesty,” Sabre said between clenched teeth. I don’t think gracious means what he thinks it does. 

The guards chuckled, and in unison, they pushed open the doors to the throne room. And there she was, atop a throne, the Queen of Thestral monster bats, Her Majesty Moon Night Mare or whatever.

“Come forth, guest, lay bare, and bow before your Queen.”

I nodded and stepped forward. Time to play politics with a  queen. Oh, boy, was I out of my depth. I took another step forward and masked my terror with ambivalent horror. It’s totally different. 

“My my, what have we here?” The queen asked. 

“Your Majesty.” Sabre bowed low, muzzle firmly in the carpet. A dark red carpet clashed with all the blues and greys. This place needed an interior designer like a starved man needs bread. That aside, I bowed as well.

“I found this young Thestral in the mists of the Everfree. He seems to have lost his memory, and I believed it only appropriate that you claim him as your right and law.”

“Claim?” I whispered. 

“Rise my little ponies, let me gaze upon my newest noble of the night.

I gulped. I think I want the dark, at least the dark wasn’t a massive, black horse with horn, wings, and teeth like a shark. Her mane trailed about her like a constellation and though pretty was otherwise secondary to the Cheshire grin said queen wore with absolute glee.

“Now my little thestral, tell your queen thy name. Then we can right the wrongs of your wanderlust, yes?”

Oh shit. Name, come on name, name? What’s in a name?”
> So, I too Shine Bright
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

My eyes flitted about as I struggled to find an answer that wouldn’t get me killed. A name, damn, of all times to lose yourself, I needed a name. Alright brain, what do we got? We know that the soldier is named Sabre, we know the Queen is Night Moon or whatever. A lot of nouns, nouns, and irony. So, that in mind. I need to come up with something quick. Sabre seemed to notice my dilemma. I swallowed hard and watched as the queen eyed me up. 

“My queen, in all your grace, I think your newest servant may lack a proper answer as of his missing memory.”

Sabre gave me a sad look and watched as his queen scoffed. 

“The mind has many tricks, and even those lost in their madness retain the beginnings of their being. I have enough faith that a thestral would keep more than their baser instincts intact, amnesia or no.”

No pressure then. What was it that I could use, nouns, actions, points of reference? I woke up from the dark and gazed at the stars, panicked. I mouthed an oh as something struck a chord. I just hope the queen liked it.

“Stargazer, your majesty, I’m Stargazer.” 

I planted my face to the carpet once more as I bowed to hide the welling terror that could very well be the last thing I felt at all. I hope I was wrong about the mutant pony horse death games. 

“Stargazer, I see,” The queen mused. 

I looked up and gulped. She idled a look at one of the massive windows. A window that looked deep into the eternal cosmos above. The stars danced and the moon glowed softly. It was peaceful, a night to remember.

“A fine name indeed. Very well young Stargazer, we accept thine name and thusly claim you in the name of mine whims and for my purposes whatever they might be. A noble pursuit indeed.”        

 She looked down on me like an expectant child. My body felt numb as I nodded in understanding. “Of course, my queen. As you say.”

I had no idea what she meant, or what any of this meant. My mind was awash in frantic screams for help. Silent screams fell on the ears of none.

“Excellent, I’m glad we’re of like minds. Now, as fine a time it would be to learn all there is of my newest vassel. I still have much work this night.”

Queen Nightie turned to Sabre, who had sagged into morbid despair. 

“I will for now entrust Stargazer to your hooves, Light Sabre. You will be in charge of getting him settled and prepared for his future part. I will afford him with lodgings in the east wing, see to it he makes it there. Now, dismissed.”

That last command was not to be trifled. Both I and my new handler rose with accordance and fled like a tiger was out our rear. Heck, she might very well have been one all things considered.

The two guards from before gave us knowing looks. The mossy one snickered as we retreated. 

“Looks like you got a promotion Sabre, good for you.” 

“Not now, Lucid,” Sabre said as he pulled me forward. 

So off we trot, to the east wing I guess. I could feel the tension in the air, the solemn look on Sabre’s face. It really wasn’t his night I guess. 

“You okay?” I asked.

“Do I look okay?” Sabre hissed. 

I drew back and slowed my pace. I was of the mind he might need a little space. I’d be upset too If Moonie uprooted my prospects and made me an amnesiac's babysitter. Would it be baby, or foal, or? I shook away the thought. I was losing myself to another tangent. Focus, I needed to focus. 

Sabre seemed to notice the distance between us and shook his head. “It’s not your fault,” he said. 

I wasn’t completely sure he wasn’t talking to himself. It may not have mattered. We walked from one hall to another, maids and guards spattering the palace with life and movement. That said, it still felt too quiet.

When Sabre finally stopped in front of a door, I say “a” door not to indicate a select door, I say it because every single door looked identical. So it might as well have been nothing but a door, one of too many for me to count. In short, I was super lost and feared I might spend the rest of my life in a labyrinth of halls and doors, forevermore.

“Sir?”

I snapped out of my imaginary hell and noted a rather perplexed-looking Sabre, still waving a hoof about my face. 

“Sorry, what were you saying?”

Sabre eyed me for a moment and then pointed to the door behind him. “This will be your room, for the time being, the palace has many guest rooms, so we’ll need to get a plaque or some such made for finality’s sake.”

Well, that would help with the whole lost all-time thing. I wiped a hoof over my brow and smiled back at Sabre. “Great, thanks.”

Sabre snorted. “You’re a strange one, sir.”

“Why’s that?” I asked. 

“Well, amnesia aside. You’re by far the most jittery and least socially perturbed of the thestrals I’ve met.”

I blanked and felt my mouth dry up. “I’m sorry,” I offered with a nervous chuckle. 

Sabre rolled his eyes and turned back to the door. With a single swift push, the door opened to my new lodgings. They were well, nice. One would expect a room of any kind in a place to be nice. It was clean, spacious and unlike the halls and throne room not washed-out shades of purple, grey and blue. So, more pleasant than anywhere else I’d been today.

“Neat.”

“That’s all sir, neat?”

Sabre was giving me another weird look. I’m not sure what the thestrals had done to him, but it was pretty clear I was not walking in lockstep. That could become an issue. I doubted everyone would take the whole amnesia excuse for every action I took. I would need to in short order learn what m new peers were like, or this could end very badly. With a plan in mind, now I just needed some research material.

“Um, Sabre, could I ask you something?”

The guard seemed taken aback by my request. I offered a shrug to which he leered at me like he was looking for something unseen. 

“Ask.” 

I licked my lips and looked down the empty east wing hall. “You wouldn’t happen to know where a library might be, would you? I was thinking I’d try to jog my memory.”

Sabre seemed to mull the request over before relenting and hoofing me to follow him. “This way, sir.”       

Step one, complete. Now, all I needed was some books, history ones would be nice. Culture would be useful as well. Step two as it were. Then the final step was to make it back to my room and hope with all my soul this cram session would pay off.

“That wasn’t your name, was it?” 

I jumped wings akimbo in a waffled flap. I could feel my heart in my ears and it was going more than a mile a minute. Sabre grinned over at me. There were no eavesdroppers in the hall at least. We don’t need any snitches at this time thank you.

“I--I don’t know what you mean.”

The words barely strung together as my throat went bone dry. One wing was refusing to go back to my side and I tossed a glance at the nearest window. 

“Stargazer, simple and obvious. If I didn't buy it, do you think the queen did?”

If I could, I’d have willed myself into the ground. I gave the window another look and sighed. It wouldn’t do me any good. 

“So what now?” I asked. 

“We go to the library,” Sabre said with a shrug. 

My head shot up, “Wait--you, we, what?”

“You asked.”

Sabre started at a placid stride and it took me a minute to rally any senses and shuffle off after him. Sabre marched with a smile if only a concealed one. I was pretty sure guards weren’t allowed to feel happy. None of the other ones we passed did. My thoughts spiraled into a cycle of hope and folly. All Sabre had to do was rat me out and I would be up a creek with no paddle. 

Several more minutes passed as we returned through hall after hall. Unlike the East wing, the hub center of the palace seemed to define what was where with a little more clarity. The smell of food, that of the dining hall, the rabble of busybodies in their studies or courts, and last but not least, the library, dust, and paper tasted in the winds.

“And here we are, sir.”

“Thank you, uh, Sabre.”

I offered a hoof. Sabre’s brow rose but after a brief respite, just long enough to make me ponder a faux pas before he bumped a hoof of his own to mine and waved for me to follow him into the library proper.

“So, sir, what is it you wanted from our archives?” Sabre asked. 

Row after row of books, tomes, scripture, and scrolls filled a room worth fifty of my room. It was awe-inspiring and just the saddest bit intimidating. Apart from the reading material, there were plush seats, tables, and desks and as per the rule of library etiquette, a single very annoyed-looking librarian sorted through this or that. 

“Well, I mean to say, If I’m going to regain my wits and serve the queen in all her stellar glory, I might want to read up on current trends, proper courtly squire work, and the whole of it. You know, so I don’t embarrass myself.” 

I offered a smile and found it near impossible to meet Sabre’s gaze. For his part my guard, if he is mine, maybe rent-a-guard, not sure. He rolled his eyes and pointed down a series of shelves.

”Might want some culture of bat as well. You’ll end up more than embarrassed at this rate. That’s if you even make it that far.”

It was nice to know I had his undying support. Well, since he suggested it I won’t any the more suspicious. Step two was all but checked. I let out a yawn and pawed, hoofed? At an eye as the night started to catch up to my near-constant state of fear. 

“Sabre.”

The guard turned back from his musings of quality not get killed literature. And nodded. 

“You wouldn't happen to know what time it is would you?”

“About two in the afternoon, why?”

I blinked, Sabre blinked in response. I blinked again. I locked my jaw closed with all my might while struggling not to bite my tongue at the same time and screamed inward so hard my face turned an unhealthy shade of purple if my muzzle was anything to go off of. For a solid twenty seconds, I screamed, and when I finished. I let out a single sniff, refilled my smile, and nodded to the guard. Who by his own stalwart nature managed to hold back the clear face of object humor. He was laughing at me, the bastard was holding back laughter. I hated today, I hated the day that was not day. The moon was out, why was the moon out at two effing o’ clock. 

“Right, two, got it, thanks,” I managed in a rasp. “Lead on.”

So began my perusal through the endless archives and other literary pursuits. The systems the library itself had in use were simple enough. Section key, genre, alphabetical, sub-genre, easy enough once you had a go of it. That and having Sabre giving directions made it all the easier. I only managed two shushes and three baleful glares from the matron of this fair of knowledge. It was almost relaxing enough to forget the rest of my day. You know, until I realized that even all the knowledge in this realm of fantastical mutants couldn’t replace the empty tome of my mind. 

It was during this debacle I learned something most beguiling. Amid my searching, I accidentally tripped over, well I just tripped. My collision however was with another patron, a guardmare, that’s what a female was I think. I knocked the book she was looking at right from her, I’d say grip, but she wasn’t holding it. 

The shock on my face was doubly present on hers. You’d thought I’d landed on her baby or something. What followed was similar to Sabre’s introduction at that. She stumbled back and apologized, not even making eye contact. She simply not grabbed, her book and floated it away right behind her. So, in short, these crazy feudalistic mutant alien horses have psychic powers too. I was all the more fearful of their many secrets. 

“You okay sir?” Sabre helped me up and seemed to be panning the room and the sudden chilly quiet. It wasn’t the kind of quiet that befalls a library. It was, something else. A shiver ran down my back as I too looked about. 

“I think we have enough,” I muttered to my paranoid companion. 

“I believe you’re right, sir.”

That decided I made a beeline straight for the checkout. That was a mistake. 

“What a disaster that was.”

I had to near freezeframe to prevent the sudden collision with some jackov who jumped in front of me like he was itching for a coffin. I did manage to stop just shy of the speaker. When I did take note of him, I was bemused to see it was well, one of me, another Thestral that is. His sudden traffic violation had me on my back hoof, and he was loud. Now, I of course mean volume, but even his victorian suit top was loud. That aside, I got why guards had armor, but the longer I’d been out, the more it felt odd that most denizens of the palace wore clothes or the top half anyway. Well, except the maids, they went the extreme mile, no that it left much to the imagination either way.  

“You poor thing, that dreadful horn-brained nag had the gall to trip a distinguished noble and then run off like the whole of the room did not see her malicious attack.”

All I could muster was a slack jaw as the thestral, in all his conformist,  fancy rich jerk glory raved on. 

“I’m sorry?” I said.

“Oh no, no, no my friend she will most assuredly be the sorry one as it were. But enough of our lessers. I do believe you are a fresh face here at the palace. So allow me, Bright Pitch, to be the first to welcome to the hallowed halls of Thestral Pride.”

“Well, I in fact do feel welcomed, you are most talented at that, I’d say.” 

I’m rather confident that the librarian caught my lie like a slap to the face judging by the look she was giving me from behind my new loud-mouthed acquaintance.

“I’m glad to hear as such. We don’t have many new nobles these days, a pity all the more. But we can discuss more over tea, yes?”

It was now that I am certain Bright Pitch was functionally blind. As I could not nope any harder if my life depended on it. I struggled in Pitch’s grip as he swung a limb over my shoulder and began to walk me to the door. 

“Bright, do you mind if I can you Bright, Listen I’d love to, but there is just--” 

As I struggled to think up anything that would get this loon off me. I was saved by my night knight in mild mirth. “Sir, I do well not to remind you, that her highness wished to see you shortly. I would fear your new friend's health should he delay her request.” 

I had never seen someone freeze and disentangle themselves from another being of any species faster than Bright pulled himself away from me. 

“Oh my, my apologies, I hadn’t meant to hold you from her highness. At least your mudblooded servant is diligent in his work,” Bright said before making a brisk trot toward the door. 

I leaned over and nudged Sabre, who seemed rather pleased with his work.

“Thanks.”

He nodded and motioned back toward the librarian who too seemed rather pleased. “You still need to check your books out, sir.”

I nodded and with that step two came to a swift conclusion. I’d managed to learn a thing or two outside of the books as well. Now, came step three, a dull afternoon of reading and hoping not everyone I talked to would be either crazy, terrified, or capable of ending me with a thought, or even better any combination of the three.

Well if nothing else, I had Sabre and that was as good a start as any.

I still wish I had psionic brain powers though. That’d be sick. That thought lingered in my head till we made it back to my room where I could collect my thoughts and do some deep diving on what nuclear fallout created this nonsense fairytale I’d woken into. The stars still hung high, or no higher I suppose than when I’d woken from my nightmare, though I had a feeling that stars or not, there were still plenty of shadows left to hide from.
> I Am Who I Am, and Nothing More
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

All these words and none of it made any sense. My bed was littered with half a dozen open tomes and some, well I’d call them notes but seeing as writing with hooves is hard, they were just another metric of the pounding between my eyes. Hours, hours of reading the fine print in books about an absurd society, and all I’d learned, well honestly I learned a lot, for instance, the mutants went by ponies as a species and had half a dozen subspecies. The thing that I learned that mattered though was, where I’d been before I was here, in Equestria, and what a name that was. I wasn’t where I’d been before. Here there be magic and magic means forces that render physics a suggestion. 

My head throbbed as I lay on the comfy bed in my palace room and pondered if the denizens of Equestria, the name soured my throat, had aspirin. 

It was an actual night at this point, Sabre had been dismissed to do whatever it was he did when not following me about and I was left with nothing but books, my thoughts, and the ever-present worry I’d long since lost my mind. 

“What even is my life now?” I asked the world at large. 

My response came in the defiant gurgles of my empty stomach. I rolled over on my side and mumbled threats at the demanding bodily need. I looked over to the closed apartment door and tried to retrace my steps from earlier. If I made it back to the center of the palace I might luck out and make it to the dining hall, if they even served catering outside of the queen’s personal affairs. The issue would be getting back. I let out a sigh and kicked about, knocking several books from the bed.

All hope seemed lost, I would die lost and forgotten in a maze of halls and sorrow. I rubbed a hoof over my throbbing head and again cursed my day in general. 

Then a knock at my door had me bolt from my bed and crumple to the floor. I wasn’t expecting anyone.

“What now?” 

I pulled myself up and slowly made my way to the door only for a second rapping to cast another throb down my spine. 

“Yes?” I asked as I pulled the door wide. 

I was met with a maid, who looked ready to die. Her eyes to the ground, a slight tremble when I spoke. I more felt than imagined just how scummy that made me look. The maid slowly lifted a missive of some kind and offered it to me. 

“For you, sir.”

The second I took the letter, the maid dashed off at breakneck speeds. Gee, glad to know I left an impression. I rolled my eyes, reshut my door, and, back to said door, I unfolded the delivery. 

My eyes darted across the words and stopped only when the words themselves were set tight in my mind. The queen had called me for dinner. It seemed she meant it when she said he wanted to learn more about me. I felt my fur mat itself to the back and sides of my neck as I played out that meal. I licked my lips and limped my way into the bathroom. I did all I could to ignore the mirror over the sink. I doubted I’d recognize the face anyway. Instead, I took to the shower, it wasn’t fancy and barely large enough to fit me, but it’d do. I figured I’d at least look presentable when I marched down death row.

It was during this time I learned washing a body’s worth of fur was a pain. I don’t think I did that before now, so whatever that meant I guessed it was another step in relearning my past. I kept the shower as short as I could and washed only what was convenient. I’d work on full-body hygiene when I had more than a minute to gather my wits and actually care for such an answer.

“What am I even doing,” I asked myself as I stepped out of the shower and aimed for one of the fluffy white towels prepped to the side on a wicker rack.

“Making an ass of yourself,” I replied with a humorless chuckle.   

So I dried and brushed myself down the best I could and another knock at my door. Now as long as it wasn’t the hit squad of pony land, It’d be a wonder. When I answered lo and behold I wasn’t struck dead. I shook my head, these negative thoughts were getting almost as annoying as the thumping in the back of my skull. 

“Good evening, sir.”

Sabre looked less on the verge of an aneurysm since he’d departed. A few hours did him a lot of good. He even managed a smirk.

“Evening. I take it you’re here to walk me to my date.”

The smirk grew, I joined in with a grin of my own as I struck a pose. 

“Is that what we’re calling it, sir?” he asked. 

“It sounds a lot less intimidating that way.”

Sabre shrugged and ushered me out of my room. “If you say so.”

“So, back to looking after me, kinda thought you’d be begging for a replacement. By the way, sorry about all this,” I said and waved about mindlessly. Sabre didn't answer. We passed another duo of guards and I swear I could feel the heat of their gaze on the back of my head. 

“Not your fault,” Sabre said once we’d rounded the corner. I wasn’t so sure about that, even if it was only by accident. Today, tonight, was at least partially my fault. 

“If I wasn’t thestral,” I said with a grumble. 

That was one thing those books certainly made clear. The history of Equestria was nonsensical, magic or not. There were holes and holes in those holes. But, ignoring that, the fact Queen Nightmare Moon and her Thestrals of the night were at the top of the food chain, and seeing as I had fangs and leathery wings, that meant I was too. 

“Sir!”

The look Sabre gave when he turned to me sent a shudder up my spine. The snarl the eye twitch, the desperate look around as he stopped us. It made me look about too if only to avoid that look of his. 

“You should watch what you say, especially in front of the queen’s chosen.” Sabre jabbed me in the chest. “You’re an odd one, and amnesia or not, such thoughts could get you in a lot of trouble.”

I heaved a sigh and nodded. He wasn’t wrong and that’s what made it all the worse. None of this was adding up, not one bit.

From that point on, the walk to dinner was a quiet one. A silence that was all too deafening in a castle where everything was a single thought away from anarchy. When we did reach the dining hall and found the door closed, and several guards at their posts. I felt my stomach lurch. The guards seemed all too happy to ignore us as long as they could. 

“Her majesty, requested,” Sabre pointed over his shoulder at me. “Her newest thestral ward join her for dinner.”

One of the guards tutted under his breath and nodded to the others. “Open the door. Her guest has arrived.”

So the doors were pulled forth and there it was, if not the opalescence was nothing to resplendent, and the table was set and flush with the ilk of the night. At least a dozen other thestrals were already sitting and speaking amongst themselves. Nightmare herself was at the head of the table and in some discussion with one of her sycophantic underlings. A place I’d joined, and oh the joy that brought me. I edged my way into the room, alone, Sabre watching as the doors closed behind me. I was now trapped in a cage with very hungry lions. 

I sized up the table and wondered if seats were assigned or if I could hide as far away from the hostess as I could. My ruminations were interrupted by none other than the illustrious queen, who to my anxiety noticed my indecisiveness.

“Ah, young Stargazer has arrived. Hail, to my newest vassal. Come, I have a  seat prepared to my left, so as to ensure we can discuss your new position.” 

Once again, she wore a grin like a shark, Queen Nightmare gestured to a seat directly to her left. I could feel myself shaking as my introduction had all eyes on me. The nobles, the staff, the guards, and most assuredly the queen herself. 

I nodded and slowly made my way to my seat, I could hear the murmurs amongst my hew peers as they asked one another about my appearance. It seemed that while I was expected, the actual depth of my arrival had been less than detailed to the others. Yet they whispered, even as I took my seat to the queen’s left and I wilted under the sudden pressure upon my every scrutiny. 

“Good evening, your majesty.”

I offered a seated bow of sorts, to which the queen was all too pleased.

“Yes, it is, as are all. Shall we begin our meal, and of course your upcoming future?” Nightmare asked and as if on cue the first course began as the kitchen staff entered from a side door, food aplenty in tow. 

“I’m at the edge of my seat, your majesty.”

“As one in such a position should be. It is never a chance that one be born to greatness. As a thestral, you have been given that opportunity. That is of course if all is as it should be? Only foals would welcome one to their table without first learning their place and of whom they are. Wouldn’t you agree, young Stargazer?”

Nightmare leaned in and eyed be like a snake watching a caged rat. My limbs tensed, and my wings seemed to lock themselves to my sides as I swallowed hard. Nightmare’s eyes were vexing. Teal orbs with pupils like a beast. 

“Yes?” I managed between shallow breaths. 

“Do you know that upon my acolytes' have been searching for your origins, I found little to nothing? I had in good faith thought I may yet reward you with your past. As queen, it is my duty over my domain. Yet, even now, I have nothing but a name, a face, and questions. That is peculiar, is it not?”

My mind had gone blank. This was it, I would die I was so going to die. I couldn’t even muster the force to lift a hoof in resistance.

Nightmare’s horn began to glow and as it did, I felt my rear which had been planted hard into my seat suddenly rise. I levitated above the table as Nightmare continued to glare at me.

“I--”

“You will stay silent, worm. Lest I tear thine tongue from your mouth.”

Nightmare looked out upon the rest of the table. There was silence and silence in abundance. Let it not be said that ponies, mutants or not, knew when submission was the only hope for their survival. 

“There are few means to conceal one’s self as thy have. Perhaps an assassin, to debase my throne to another? Mayhaps thou art as thy claim, a thestral lost, mind and purpose bereft and stolen away. Or, the most likely a fake, a liar, and an insect in faux flesh. Are we close, changeling?”

And just like that, I was lost. I kind of got the paranoia of the first and even understood the unlikely nature of the second. The last option though, well frankly I had no idea what she was on about. So floating, silent and worried she might just snap my spine with her crazy magic powers. 

“Well, drone, what say you?”

“What’s a changeling?” 

I don’t think that was the answer Nightmare wanted. That is if the sudden violent shakes I was accosted by as I flew hither and thither as the magic queen of the night growled in anger. 

“You thinking thou can lie to me. That I can not rip your mimicry from thine flesh? I will show the world your true face and then, only then shall I flay your carapace, for your disgusting rendition of my subjects.” 

I thought I might vomit as the whiplash had me limp front the force of Nightmare’s telekinetic grip. “I’m sorry.” I mewled when the shaking finally stopped. 

“Now, let us show the stars your true face.”

Nightmare’s horn glowed deeper the energy crackling as it buzzed through the air. I closed my eyes and prepare for whatever spell she had in mind. Seconds passed and nothing, then a few more, I still heard the hum of Nightmare’s power and the heavy breathing of the madmare. There was still nothing. I managed to open a single eye and saw Nightmare look at me, no longer in a blind rage, but in contemplative confusion. 

Then as suddenly as I had been ripped from my seat, I was deposited once more. I pressed my back as hard into the seat cushion as I could. “Your Grace?”

“This is most vexing, an unbecoming spit in mine eye. What games at hoof, with those fools? In the ruins of Canterlot, what is thine play?”

I had a very real suspicion this was no longer about me, and that if I valued my life, I would pretend I didn't hear her. When Nightmare did return to herself she gave me another look, this one with little to none of the fire from before. The room itself felt lighter as if the collectively held breath off all present released as one.

“I’m sorry?” I offered. 

“Nay, it seems I have misjudged you, Stargazer. You are no changeling, I know not your intent, but you are of genuine flesh. As such, you have the chance to prove your worth as any other thestral. That settled, Let the banquet begin.”

Thus, the feasting began, if not only so those present had something other than the scene that just played out to ponder. I was still shaking in my seat as a servant brought me water and a light salad. My stomach made a loud protest to my lack of food to digest, and even as my heart continued to race, I mindlessly shoveled what was before me into my mouth. Even when one question is answered five more take its place.

“So, your highness, what can I do to prove myself, as you desire?” I asked. 

If I’m going to stagger out a life in this castle of crazy, I would at least like to know what my job is. For her part, Nightmare toyed with her food, eyes distant. She must have been more affected than I was with the whole, not a changeling thing, whatever it meant.

“On the morrow, you will rise and be put under the tutelage of one of my faithful servants. A thestral named Solemn Mind. He will teach thee what is expected of you as a vassal under my command. You will have your chance to prove thyself like every thestral before you.”

That said, the queen rose from her seat and made her way to an offset door to the side of the main entry. Someone was waiting for her, though outside of the sickening levels of pink and a scowl that gave Nightmare’s glare a run for its money, I hadn’t seen such a mare before. I hoped I never would, ever.  

So, dinner passed and the other thestrals gave me a wide berth. The whispers continued but none present looked openly hostile. When I finished what I could, of the seemingly endless courses of food. I made my way free of the dining hall and slowly limped my way back to my room. Either I’d find my way back or be lost in the labyrinth of halls. Both would be acceptable outcomes at this point.

“Why me?”
> Secrets in the Night
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The morning, the one in the middle of the night, came too early. The knock-on my door had me groan and stumble face-first out of bed. I barely managed the latch on the door when a hoof kicked my door free and nearly took my head with it. I blinked the blearily sleep from my eyes and leered at the thestral that stood in the doorway. He scuffed and waved a hoof in my face.

“Shameful, how does one of divine blood waste so much of our glorious night looking like that? Shameful, clean yourself now. We are burning starlight.”

This was definitely Nightmare’s flunky, I knew they were coming, but that didn't stop the sneer I gave as I turned about and went to the bathroom. “Jerk.” 

When I finished my morning routine and reentered my apartment living space. I found the thestral from before turning his nose up at the books I’d checked out yesterday. I was left baffled at his professional level insufferability.

Solemn Mind, that was his name if I recalled correctly. A stone gray coat and cobalt mane and mustache. He fit the name and the nightlife to a tee. I offered a curt cough, to no avail. I tried a second and still no response, not even an indignant response. 	

“Sir?” I asked.

I tapped the older stallion’s shoulder and watched him jump several feet into the air wings agate. I blinked, head tilted ears flat against my head. When he landed, he turned about-face flushed with fury. I shrugged, he overreacted, sue me. On second thought, he seems like the type who might make good on that.

“You would startle me out of my summary ponderences. Shameful.”

I restrained a groan and instead shrugged. I didn’t understand how one ponderenceses but if it meant being deaf, he could keep it. Solemn coughed into a hoof and looked back to the books still splayed about my room.

“You have quite the collection of literature, I see.” Solemn picked up the nearest example. A hardback copy of “The Night of Reverence.” A telling of modern history. It didn’t really explain why we were under a starlit sky 24/7, but it did tell of the night Nightmare Moon bested her evil sister and banished her to the sun. A startling and sobering level of power if true. 

“I like reading and what better than her majesty’s triumphs to fall asleep to.”

Solemn sniffer and set the book back down. “Come now, colt, we have much to do if we are to make you a useful pawn in our queen’s noble pursuits.” He motioned for me to follow as he headed back to my door. 

“After you, sir.”

Canterlot, that name from last night or later night, however you tell the time when it looks the same outside all day long. Moon dials or magic, either way, this Canterlot could be very interesting. 

“Sir, may I ask a question?”

Solemn had led me further into the palace depths, once again I was lost. There were fewer and fewer ponies about the deeper we went. The guard at some point had also changed. Once a mix of all the races, now it was thestrals and thestrals alone. The hair on the back of my neck sat on end as I tried to blend into the ground, 

“Speak,” Solemn said. 

“What is Canterlot? Nightmare mentioned it when she thought I was a changer or when she thought I was fake. I don’t really get why she got so mad.”

Solemn stopped midstep. His wings twitched as he slowly looked back over his shoulder. Before, his scowl and glare were that of a disappointed father. A genetic defect, I bet. Now, his body trembled and his eyes, left, looked far beyond me, past everything. I was left looking over my shoulder in response. There was nothing, just doors, the starlight and shadows, so many shadows. 

“I…Sorry?” I said.

“The shadows, she’ll hear you. The Lady of Hearts.”

Solemn was talking, but what he said, was for him alone. He slowly started moving forward, still peeking past me to the shadows in every corner. I hadn’t meant to drive the stallion insane, at least not like this. 

“Who?” I whispered.

The Lady of Hearts? Another name to add to the endless list of me knowing nothing and no one willing to talk about it. Well, I mean the nobles might talk and Nightmare might, and maybe even this Lady of Hearts, but the conversation would be a little too final for my liking. The staff was spooked when I walked by and the guards weren't paid enough to chat about geographical or political despondence. 

“So, what are we learning today?”

Solemn was still muttering under his breath as we came to a door in the far reaches of the eastern wing. He opened it wide and leaped in as fast as his legs could offer. I came in like a sane person, pony, whatever, and shut the door behind me. 


I‘d barely heard the tumbler in the door before Solemn turned on me with a vengeance. Eyes ablaze he snorted and stomped about like a terse bull. 

“Sir?”

“How dare you, how dare you offer up our lives like that. What were you thinking? She could have heard us, you. You may lack your wits, but don’t throw away your life. Shameful, You braindead cretin.”  

So, Solemn was angry. All I could do was let him fret. It’d offer a chance for him to slip and give me something to work with. None of my books even mentioned Changelings or Canterlot. It was like a fever dream. It didn’t make sense.

“Let me make this as clear as I can. Leave the name of that accursed mountain and its ruins be. They are not to be spoken, If you were not in need of education and rehabilitation, I would have reported you for such treacherous thoughts. Shameful!”

Oh my, was that a clue. Jeepers, something sounds suspicious if you asked me. I’ll need to keep watch my mouth, lest Solemn’s warning becomes all too serious. A mountain, and ruins, it sounded like fantasy one-o-one.

“Do you understand?!”

It wasn’t a question, Solemn had completely invaded my personal space and jabbed my chest with every syllable. 

“I do.”

I did, but understanding and adhering are two different things. I wanted nothing to do with any of this nonsense. Queens and soldiers, always night, my brain throbbed as I slid back against the door behind me. My vision swam as I watched Solemn stare at me. The world turned on head.  

“Wha— Can Y— getting He—” The words bobbed in and out of audible. I could taste blood. Everything was dark, so very very dark. It was so cold. Then there was nothing. 

Beeping, rhythmic beeps as I drifted to the surface. It called to me, even as the darkness fell away, beep, beep, beep. My eyes snapped open. I struggled to sit up, I was panting even as I pulled about. My forehooves wouldn’t budge. They were held in leather straps. My body convulsed as I yanked at my restraints. 

“Let me go.”

The beeping grew faster. I growled, wings ripping the sheets and pillow behind me to bits. The fluff and feathers scattered and floated about as I pulled. My forelegs burned, and as suddenly as my anger overcame me, it faded. I was left huffing and hissing as the tears and blood spattered on the restraints stung. 

“Let me go,” I whispered as the beeping slowed. 

Then the door to the room opened. I looked over and shook my head.

“I heard screaming, sir.”

Sabre stood there, hoof on the rapier he had at his side. He hadn’t had that yesterday. He peered about before noticing my straps. He released his grip on his blade and trotted up to the side of the bed, eyes glued on my bloody limb. 

“Sir?” Sabre asked. 

He didn’t need to, he knew it and so did I. 

“The dark,” I said. 

Sabre tsked and turned about. No sooner had he left that a nurse came running in. The look on her face when she saw the shredded linen and blood stains was almost too dramatic to be real. The apologies as she dabbed up the blood with an alcohol-dipped rag and her shudders with every movement I made. 

“I’m sorry.”

The nurse gulped and stepped back. Another non-bat was scared shitless. I could feel a deep heat in my chest as I turned to look at her better. A pegasus, bright pink, easy blue eyes, and blonde mane in a neat white nurse cap. There, she was cowering like a beaten dog. She doubled as I struggled to breathe. 

“Beg pardon, sir.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry for the sheets and pillow, the blood, I’m sorry you had to deal with it. I’m sorry you’re scared.”

The heat died as I gave up and lay down, torn up, cot and all. 

“I accept your apology.”

I turned to the nurse's brow furrowed as I pouted. She stood there, still shaking but, her eyes, they weren’t avoiding mine, she was smiling and my brain hurt. What the hell did Nightmare do to this place?

“Surprised?” 

Sabre had taken to leaning in the doorway. He shrugged, and I slowly sat back up. The nurse had slowly moved up to continue cleaning up the blood. 

“Shouldn’t I be? Everything seems so bleak, full of fear, and the dark.”

One day the stars would blink their last and the dark would swallow us all. I remember reading that in a book. I blinked, I remembered a book? But where, when. My head throbbed. It was like trying to dig through broken glass. Bloody, messy, it hurt, and worst of all, it answered nothing. 

“Why am I strapped to the bed?” I asked. 

“The staff said you were kicking and screaming in your sleep. You passed out, no idea why. Your tutor seemed boggled. So, as my charge, you’d imagine my surprise when you fell to pieces as soon as you’re out of my sight, sir.”

I chuckled and looked up to the starch white ceiling. I was a mess, wasn’t I? Though, I learned something useful so it wasn’t a waste. I sighed and thought of poor Solemn, I scared him twice in less than ten minutes. He wasn’t paid enough for his help. I’d apologize next time I saw him. 

“You can undo the straps, miss, He’s fine. Right sir?”

“Of course not, sir guard, I am but a blithering beast ready to pounce,” I offered, baring my fangs and hissing.

“Of course sir, my mistake.”

The nurse had chosen to ignore us both and undo my straps. The skin and fur were raw and friction burns laced my ankles. Should teach me to fight leather with fire. 

“Thank you.”

The nurse nodded and stepped back. So, this was the limit to my apology, quiet submission rather than frightened complacence. Was it any better?

“We’d better depart sir, you have a sullen tutor to contend with.”

“Oh, by all means.”

The second I pulled myself from the bed to my hooves, my sores hissed in protest. I regretted everything. Sabre snorted as I slowly limped alongside him and into the medical center’s hall. This palace had everything.

“This way sir, Solemn Mind is waiting.”

I leaned over as close as reasonably I could to my guard. “Sabre.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Why is everyone afraid of Canterlot?”

Sabre stiffened and slowed his trot. I slowed as well, which wasn’t hard when you were hopping from hoof to hoof to manage the burns.

“It’s not safe, so stop digging.”

That wasn’t ominous, not one bit.

“Shameful, I can not believe, he passed out, after his mindless banter. This is unacceptable. He will cease these actions at once.”

“Well, Solemn seemed okay, I guess.”

“Oh calm down, would you, he’ll be fine. He’s thestral we thrive and conquer.”

I felt something in me weep. There, he was as bombastic as last time, which was odd since he was attempting to calm my tutor.

“Solemn, Bright, I’m sorry to keep you waiting,” I said with a smile from down the hall. The acoustics were well above the need to draw their attention.

“See I told you, he’d be fine. He even has his mudblood guard with him. All is well. Yay for my brilliant deductions.”

Two days in a land with no light, and my circle of associates was already full of weirdos. Just my luck, or is it? Too many questions, but they could wait for now. Now was ‘learn to be a bat’ time. If I could manage not to split upon my freshly cut legs.

“What is the meaning of your episode? It was not proper nor necessary.”

“So, he had a fall, wouldn’t be the first and undoubtedly not the last,” Bright said, jauntily circling around Sabre and me as we walked on. 

“I’m fine, I‘m not sure what happened, but I doubt it matters. So, Solemn, what is my first lesson of Thestralness?” I asked. 

“That’s not a word sir,” Sabre informed me.

“Maybe we should start with diction then?” I said.

I laughed, and Bright joined me. I don’t think he even got the joke. He really was a bit batty.

“I had something more… interesting in mind. If you would be so kind as to follow me. I would normally request a study deeper into the palace, but after your episode, I believe something a little closer to the medical wing may be in order.”

“As you say, oh wise teacher,” I said and limped after the older bat. Both Bright and Sabre followed behind. Well, Sabre behind Bright who was behind me humming to himself as we went. 

“Why are you following us, Bright?” I asked. 

“Because I believe fate is a hoof, and as such I must trace it to glory.”

“I doubt that, and honestly I doubt you’ll have any glory in a study listening to Solemn berate me for a couple of hours. 

“You never know, perhaps I will assist in teaching you the way of our glorious ancestors. Doesn’t that sound fun?”

“A spirit that I find most proud, for such desires are left barren to the world at large. Shine like the stars above, all of you.” 

I was caught off guard by Solemn’s well wishes. Just a few minutes ago he was ready to bite my head off, now he sought to grant us hidden wisdom. I bit my lip, this time with my canines in mind. We’d reached the study just in time for me to throw myself onto the nearest couch and let my throbbing forehooves rest. 

Solemn coughed into a hoof and gestured for Bright to follow suit. The manic noble joined me on the couch and seemed abuzz with energy. His wings were shaking as he watched Solemn like a hawk. 

“So, let the lessons begin, my young students.”

Sabre had taken post at the door, but the flickering of his ear seemed to prove he was more interested than he’d let you think. Oh dear, I wonder how Solemn might react to knowing a mudblood, as Bright called him, was free to sample their boundless knowledge. 

“First, we will discuss the history of the Everfree and how we tamed its dark violent wonders. So, the lessons began and bit by bit, the pieces fell into place.
> A Generous Reminder
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Three days, three days of lectures, essays, etiquette. And enough shame to drown a small country. Solemn Mind was relentless. My poor feeble brain couldn’t take much more of this onslaught. I wanted in for sure, the tidbits on the past I did get spoonfed were tantalizing, but otherwise, I felt more like a pretty princess learning the ABCs of the aristocracy. I had at least learned my way from my room to the major junctions of the palace. Even now, I was on my way to another glorious day of learning. To one side, Sabre walked beside me stonefaced as we passed another group of thestral guards. To my other side, was the ever-vocal Bright Pitch, oh and could he talk. It was nice to some degree to have at least someone other than Sabre to chat with.

“So, I told them, that if they weren’t going to wrap it properly, to stop buying the silk altogether, such a waste I’ll tell you,” Bright said with a daring wave to his imaginary horror. Feigned despair he could barely hold for a solid two seconds before bursting into a self-inflicted fit of laughter. A contagious one at that, seeing even I chuckled. 

“You do know how to make a scene, Bright,” I said. 

“Oh come now, there’s no reason to waste such fine material on such mediocrity. I will have excellence or die trying.”

Sabre nudged me as Bright once again returned to the world of his frantic little mind. “We’re here, sir.”

So we were, right back to Solemn’s commended study. The shuffling of papers and murmurs of a deranged old bat meant he’d beaten us here. I offered a gentle knock at the door and waited for my tutor to come to grips with himself.

“Yes, yes, come in.” 

So, I did. I entered to Solemn pacing back and forth tutting all the while. He may have said come in, but he didn’t even notice Sabre, Bright and I enter and make ourselves comfortable. Well, Bright and I got comfy, Sabre did his whole stand guard thing. The older bat didn't even look up when Bright gave him a nice loud greeting. Solemn just murmured something that was indistinguishable from the rest of his under breath monologue. 

“You think he’s okay?” Bright asked. 

A great question, one that I had less of a guess than he had. So, for the next minute or two, we waited. We sat, and watched the mind of our elder consume itself, right up until he stopped mid-stride and cursed something fierce.

“For the love of Faust, Stargazer, we have little time.”

Bright and I exchanged a bemused look. Solemn as he stared at me his brow lined with stress and worry alike. I leaned back and tried my best to avoid his grim leer. 

“Sorry, what?” I asked.

Solemn took a step back and huffed. A hoof massaged his brow as he all but collapsed back on his rump. 

“Our blessed queen is sending her to evaluate my efforts. This is far too soon, the stars above, this is staggeringly more stress than I care to put you under. I apologize, Stargazer, this is unfortunate.”

I gave Bright another side-eye, but it seemed he was also lost. I could feel Sabre’s tension from behind me. I hoped he didn’t tackle Solemn, that would be a mess and a half. 

“Who? Solemn, what are you on about?” I asked. 

“Her Majesty's Right hoof, her personal aide and bane to all those who work under Queen Nightmare’s eminence.”

“Oh, you mean Ms. Rarity, I like her, she is also so sharp,” Bright said.

“Sharp indeed, and more than happy to slice you into ribbons. One word from her and the queen is all too happy to deal with any problems. This is most assuredly not a moment to be anything less than perfect.”

I looked over my shoulder and noted even Sabre looked uneasy. I’m not sure what to expect from someone with that kind of power, the Lady of Hearts maybe? Either way, Solemn was right, though perhaps a bit melodramatic. I really didn't want to make it this long only to be sent to the firing squad. 

“Well, that sounds fun and all. So, what exactly is she looking for, or more precisely what do we need to do?” I asked. 

“She wishes to evaluate the state of your tutelage as well as your memory issue. While neither is expected to be flawless, it is without a doubt far too soon to enlighten you about the true life of a noble. Why the upper echelon would eat you alive.” 

“Gee thanks.”

I rolled my eyes as my perturbed tutor began pacing once more. He wasn’t wrong, but still, tact stallion, tact. This Rarity sounded like a scary mare, Lady of Hearts or not. I swallowed hard as the ticking of the aloft antique clock made its rounds. 

“So when?” I asked.

“Sirs, you have company.”

Thanks, Sabre, really appreciate the heads up. I really should learn better. So, walked in the subject of our undivided attention. Ms. Rarity was a prim and proper mare, with dark purple mane, a snow-white coat, and a look so cold I could feel the air in the room drop ten degrees. She had a nice accented work coat, the type only the leading bureaucracy might wear in these hallowed halls. That all boiled down to nothing compared to the most striking part about her. She had a horn, as in no fangs, no leather, no ear tuft, just a horn.  

She tossed her nose high and frowned at our trio. I rubbed at my suddenly very tight throat. Bright, in his paramount and bold nature, stood and gave a dramatic bow, a grin stapled to his face. I could almost feel my eyebrow rocket into the ceiling. 

“Good morning, Ms. Rarity, you’re looking as pretty as always.”

My other brow joined the first. I almost laughed as Bright placated himself before this unicorn mare. She, on the other hoof, seemed less than enthused by Bright’s ego message. Sabre seemed pleased if nothing else. That grin he wore was relentless.

“Mr. Pitch, please cease all your,” Rarity sniffed hard. “Personal Proclivities. This meeting is an important and royal affair.”

Bright’s smile dipped a tab but he saluted all the same and sauntered back around to stand next to Sabre, leaving Solemn and me as her only targets. I stumbled over the sofa I’d been sitting on and took a post next to Solemn, who looked grave indeed. He paled at least one shade and had stood at attention like he was in boot camp. I attempted the same if only for his benefit.

“Ms. Rarity, I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting you so early, not with your no doubt tireless schedule.”

Solemn bowed and watched as Rarity for her part tut before turning her gaze to me. She approached slowly eying me up and down like one may view a particularly offensive speck of scum. My attempts to evade her prying eyes were fruitless as she circled me before coming to a stop where she’d begun. 

“Stargazer, if I’m correct?”

“You’re correct,” Solemn nodded along.

“She is,” I nodded along with Solemn.

I am,” Rarity said, her frown adding another centimeter to her already taut brow. “The thestral with no past.”

“That’s pretty catchy, like a celebritaunt. Your wit astounds, madam.” 

I bowed low, my eyes never trailing from Rarity’s own. A stark blue ocean of repressed rage. She may want to see someone about that. When I rose back up, Rarity offered a single hum in response. Anything else may have given Solemn a heart attack with the way he was shaking in place. 

“Quite, now, as to not waste all our time. I will get straight to the point. I have been tasked with testing your level of competency. That is to say, your worth as a noble of Queen Nightmare Moon’s court.” Rarity said.

I righted myself and nodded along. It was exactly what Solemn had said it’d be. The issue and if I am at all honest, all four ponies here knew I was not ready for this. I also had a gut feeling Nightmare knew it as well. This means, either she still thought I was some form of traitor or spy, or it was a test deeper than it appeared. 

“Then, by all means, my lady, administer away.”

“Your decorum is already underwhelming. You do realize, that manner and appearance are a large part of court etiquette, do you not?”

Rarity was asking me but glaring at a shrinking Solemn. I took a single deep breath and placed myself between Solemn and her oh-so grumpy taskmaster. I leveled a glare of my own at the curt mare, who seemed untaken by my defense.

“Stargazer,” hissed trying to push me aside, which still cowering. It wasn’t very effective, not that’d I’d have moved even if it was.”Move.”

“What, may I ask, are you doing?” Rarity asked. 

“What you tasked me with. I am being noble. If I fail your test, it’ll be because of me, not Solemn, so with all due respect, keep your eyes on me and off of my tutor.”

My blood was boiling. I couldn’t put words to it, why was I suddenly so invested in Solemn’s well-being, and why did Rarity make me want to protect him? I’d called her out, but had no plan whatsoever. The back of my head ached, but I had more pressing matters.

“Are we a knight now? have you come to slay the big bad dragon and defend the honor of your teacher?”

Rarity cracked the faintest shadow of a smile as I stood my ground. I nodded along and smirked back at the so-called dragon. 

“Something like that.”

Rarity clucked her tongue and nodded. “Noble intent, a passing grade. So, let’s move on shall we?”

I was taken aback by her response. A passing grade, for nobility? I mean it was the other kind of nobility, but still. My blood hadn’t settled as Rarity pressed on with her tests. Neither had my headache, it continued to pound away in the back of my skull.

“We are aware your mental state has been impeded to some degree. I would still expect one noble to be, to know the lands he inhabits. Wouldn’t you?”

“I would,” I agreed. 

“So then, what have you learned? What and where, perhaps the current history, legends of old?”

I blinked in reproach. In her questioning, there had been something strange. The look she’d held up till now, was fleeting, but for the barest of moments, I thought I saw a spark of something shine. As I looked again, the shimmer of interest had vanished, and once more, Rarity’s gaze was one of cold indifference. 

That so, I had a deep unease. I’d learned a lot of Equestrian current history, some of its past, and still. I didn’t believe those were what she was pining for. It all felt off, something was not as it seemed. A trick by the queen, or something of Rarity’s machinations? I wasn’t sure, but it was there, I was certain.

“I’ve learned much, but less than I’d like. However, I have a feeling you're looking for something less humdrum than names and places.”

I was asking a lot, by being so bold. The air felt thick and my throat was dry as I squirmed under Rarity’s gaze. If I was wrong, no, I didn't have that luxury. I’d been begging for the chopping block since I arrived, what was so different with this test?

“Oh, do go on,” Rarity said, flicking a hoof to motion me on.

“I know, that there is more than one Alicorn. I also know, that the Everfree may have been the first and current home of royalty, but it wasn’t the only.”

No sooner had my words left my lips than the room went chill. Rarity watched, not a motion or word to be had. Solemn had gone from shaking to still as the grave. Even Sabre and Bright had been left sullen. My heart pounded in my chest, the rhythm mirroring that of my now-increasing headache. 

I’d done it, I hope the executioner's ax was at least sharp. The thought of multiple attempts sent a shiver up my spine. A fine gamble indeed, good job me.

“I see,” Rarity looked over my shoulder at Solemn, who’d risen from the floor. “You have quite the interesting student. One who may be suited for real nobility, should he prove himself of such like minds.”

That was it, without a single look back, Rarity swept through the room and away, to whatever else the queen’s right hoof did. I suspect a lot of paperwork. I looked back over my shoulder at Solemn, who seemed lost in thought. Perhaps the ramifications of Rarity’s parting words. They seemed less than assuring, if not particularly ominous.

“So, I passed?” I asked. 

“Passed might be a strong word, sir,” Sabre said. He seemed amused if nothing else, super glad my potential execution was so much fun.

“I think Ms. Rarity was pleased, she always scolds me, but she didn't even look back at you when she left. That’s worth celebrating.”

Bright had bounded his way right over the sofa with a single flap of his wings and stood brash and bold before me. He bopped against my shoulder and smiled as always.  I didn’t have a response to his upbeat praise, I wasn’t even sure if it counted as praise at all. Yet, here Bright Pitch was ready for tea and biscuits, as always. 

“You’re nuts, you know that?” I asked. 

“That’s what my dad keeps telling me,” Bright said with a shrug. 

“Fair enough, Bright. Fair enough.”

“I fear you may be celebrating all too soon, my young students. I fear that you may not be aware of what comes next.”

“You make it sound as if we should expect something untoward, sir?” Sabre said, taking a step away from his post at the door, a hoof reaching for the rapier at his side. 

“I may be indeed. I was not sure you'd meet Ms. Rarity’s standards. I have been proven wrong in those fears.”

Solemn eyed Sabre, Bright, and I. He then made his way past the three of us and solely closed the study door. “Thus, I believe our true education may begin.”

“Sir?” Sabre asked. 

“That sounds spooky,” Bright said as he bounced forward onto the sofa. He leaned over the side tail wagging with his excitement. 

“And that would be.”

Solemn took a long hard breath and tapped the door to ensure it was closed properly. “We’ll start from the beginning. We’ll start with the name of the sun, Celestia.”  

“The sun?” Bright, Sabre, and I asked in unison.

“Or more precisely the mare trapped in its glowing incandescence, and hidden away so that all might forget its warmth.”

“Solemn.”

“Sir, this sounds—” Sabre started only for me to stop him. 

“Like treason. If I’d hazard a guess, it certainly wasn’t in any history books.”

“Gosh, is that true?” Bright asked. 

“I was there when it happened, many of the nobles and military brass were there when Nightmare Moon bested Celestia and sealed her sister away, as to rule uncontested.”

“And thus, the eternal night,” Sabre finished. 

“And the ruins of their fight were left, in Canterlot, correct?” I asked. 

My heart was racing. I hadn’t even noticed I'd taken several steps forward. My wings shook as I felt something click. It was all adding up, this whole place felt like a house of glass. So why was it that everyone felt so afraid because a despot reigned supreme? I’d thought Nightmare a foreboding ruler, a domineering one, but to do as Solemn claimed. It felt so, transparent. IT had been right there the whole, time. In my state of amnesia, I’d been looking for the obvious answers, even as the truth dangled before me. 

“So, why are you telling us this? This doesn’t sound like something our “queen” would want disclosed to her servants,” Sabre said. 

“It took a long time to earn the station I have. A place where I could gauge the merit of those in the courts. Too many selfish and greedy souls make up those in Nightmare’s thrall. So, when one might be an exception to that rule, It is my designation to test them.”

“Test them for what, Solemn? I asked. 

The old bat seemed on the verge of screaming, his whole body tense as she scanned the room, and pressed against the door behind him with a back leg to ensure it was still very much closed. Sabre didn’t look much better, a hoof still rested on his weapon. 

I didn't feel much of anything. I had begun to understand what Solemn was implying. Something dangerous, something that three days ago, he’d nearly panicked on the way to the deeper sanctum of the palace. The day I’d passed out. 

“You scope out potential rebels, you’re with the resistance, the ones in the ruins of Canterlot, aren't you?” 

“I am.”

“And so is, Ms. Rarity/”

Bright hummed as we all turned to him. 

“What, she spoke in some sort of code the entire time she was here. I thought it was weird, but I’m not the queen’s right hoof and all/”

“You knew?” Solemn said.

The old stallion seemed ready to crumple as he stared at the unashamed insight of the only teal noble here. Bright didn't even sound surprised by any of this, he just sat there leaning over the sofa smiling as if nothing had happened at all.

“Well this changes, some things,” Sabre said. 

“The only question left is, with all I’ve said. Will you join us?” Solemn asked.

A rebellion is one to rouse the sun and dispose of a corrupt ruler. That sounded super dangerous. What happens if we decline, Solemn surely had some means of protecting his secrets. Either I lived supplicant to a tyrant or fought and potentially died to remove said tyrant. 

It wasn’t much of a question. Sabre seemed to have come to the same conclusion. The only outlier was Bright and quite frankly, even if he declined, I don’t think he’d rat us out. I don’t think he’d even think of it. 

That was almost too wistful. Yet it had me chuckle all the same. It wasn’t going to be easy, it hadn’t been from minute one. What the hell, I had nothing to lose. 

“I’m in,” I said. 

“As am I,” Sabre agreed.  

You could see the relief wash over Solemn as he fell back on his haunches and breathed the breath he’d been holding since he’d asked us to help him. 

“I’m in too.”

My neck snapped to the side as I watched Bright throw up a hoof in rally. I hadn’t been the only one, both Sabre and Solemn were staring, slack-jawed at Bright Pitch. He did what now? I couldn't even grasp the level of nonchalance Bright showed in deciding to fight against the same group he’d been a part of long before I showed up. 

“You what?” I asked. 

“I’m in, it sounds like an adventure, besides You and Sabre are doing it, and you guys are my friends, friends help friends, mudblood or not.”

He smiled over at Sabre who seemed trapped between surprise and irritation. I then started to laugh. A full belly laugh that had me join Solemn on the floor. I couldn’t stop even as I clutched my sides. Bright seemed all too happy to join in and even Sabre submitted to a chuckle. 

So there we had it, we were rebels now. It certainly was an interesting way to end my first week in Equestria. It seemed a tad quick, but I suppose a blank canvas is much easier to paint into the form you’d like than it is to paint anew on a finished piece.   

 “Rebels, it is then.”
> A Plot Under Starlight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It had become a rather gripping feeling on the back of my neck. In a palace of shadows, a group of nobles, servants, a guard, any and all potential eavesdroppers, lookout, or traitors. Solemn hadn't given us too much in terms of what the rebellion was up to. We were in enemy territory, so basically the same domain, except now I had a whole list of phrases and opinions that would get me killed instead of just irritating the wrong pony running about. Sabre seemed none too different. He was already a guard, so looking over his shoulder and leering at everyone who passed was part of his job. That all said, watching Bright strut along with like nothing was happening was unsurprising but still quite a jarring comparison to our others. 

"This is just like one of my novellas, and I can barely stand it. I need to get a quill to ink soon before losing this euphoric high. I feel like a new series inspired by my new life as a rogue. Oooh, this is so exciting."

Bright rambled on, though I'd stopped hearing anything after he'd mentioned writing novellas. It was an odd feeling, like when one was caught in a catch twenty-two. If not, this deserved a deep dive to pull my mind off of my ever-growing paranoia. 

"Wait, wait, wait, Bright, you write?" I asked. 

Bright managed to pull himself from his ever more detailed daydreams. He snorted and bumped my shoulder. "Of course I do," Bright said. He then pointed to his side. "I do have a cutie mark for it, you joker."

I looked to Bright's hoof, and sure as well, I'd typically say sunshine, but seeing as how that's a bit of a myth here, starlight will make an excellent replacement. The glow of a star then surrounded a quill over a scroll. It suited Bright, If I were honest. 

"I more meant that I'm surprised a noble would need to work for a living," I said. 

"Well, I mean, its hardly works. After all, it's my passion. Also, of course, I have to earn my bits, I might be a noble, but I'm not a court presence or anything."

Once again, Bright had a fair point. He could very well do as he pleased. However, I needed to revisit the library to see if I couldn't find one of Bright's works without telling him. If he were going to write, then I would critique. It would be a good distraction until Solemn decided what we could and couldn't know. 

"I enjoyed Last Gallop, if you don't mind my thoughts, sir."

I turned and mouthed off my stupor. Sabre was vainly trying to hide his smirk. It was official no one made sense anymore. It seemed I was left in the dark on more than my new position as junior matriarch slayer. 

"Oh, really, thanks, Sabre. I'm always happy to hear my words reached some pony's heart. It makes it all worthwhile."

"Okay, I get it, let's all make fun of the guy who doesn't even remember what his," I pronounced, the following slowly hooves waving in tandem with the words. "Cutie mark even means. It's all good, and I get it."

The truth was, I'd barely noticed it after my arrival. It had been the second day in Equestria that I saw it for the first time. I'd kept my lips sealed on that fact until I'd learned what it was. Knowing didn't help much. I looked over my shoulder to my flank, seven stars that formed the shape of a star themselves. The center stars a light teal, while the others share a uniform yellow. It fit the name I came up with, at least. I did luck my way through day one. The way ponies treated their cutie marks had me a bit jumpy. The second, someone asked me what mine meant. I was in trouble. It certainly wouldn't win me any trust to answer poorly. 

"So, Star, what's your special talent?"

God dang it, Bright. I planted a hoof a tad too hard to my face. 

"Nothing important."

I attempted a deflection as we turned the cornerback to the main foyer of the castle. Here there was an overhead glass dome that allowed the whole area to be bathed in the calm light of the moon and stars. I smiled up even as my mind raced. 

"Of course, it's important. It's a part of what makes you, you," Bright said, stepping out and in front of me with a withering frown, withering for Bright anyway.

He's right, sir," Sabre said, joining the pick on the doomed amnesiac. Now, I had to give some an answer, great.

Sabre and Bright looked up and out into the sea above. I pointed up to the stars. There that's my talent. Let's hope they filled in the blanks themselves. 

"The stars, what about them?"

I had to bite a hoof lest I yell to the heavens. In a room filled with other ponies. I had never felt the desire to strangle another creature before. I don't think I have much of a fighting spirit or spite in me. However, whatever I did have, it clawed at Bright Pitch with its gnashing might. 

"Astronomy?" Sabre asked dryly.

Something about the way he'd said it made me recoil. "No," I said, turning back to Sabre. I pointed a hoof at him and then back to the stars. "Following the stars."

I don't know why I said that. I don't even know what I meant. It was out there all the same now, following the stars. It was more esoteric than I'd like, but I can't change that directly. Whether it is accurate or not, it was my answer for now.

"Wow, that sounds neat, romantic too. I bet the Lady of Hearts would like it too. She always looks so serious," Bright said with a pout.

"Sir," Sabre had passed me in a flash and planted a hoof over Bright's muzzle. "Mind your tongue. She is not to be trifled with."

Oh, look, I was the last in the loop for this too. Ever since Solemn mentioned the 'Lady of Hearts,' I'd done a bit of digging on the topic and came up with a grand total of not and zilch. I'm super glad everyone else already knew. It made my efforts all the more redundant.

"Okay fine, I'll bite," I said. 

Sabre and Bright turned their attentions to me. "Who is she?" 

"Who?" Bright asked, even through a face full of the hoof.

I planted my hoof to my own face. Sabre, however, seemed to realize what I'd meant as he suddenly became very aware of our surroundings. He scanned the foyer. It wasn't overly filled, but there were enough guards and busybodies to have him on edge.

"Not here, sir."

That was the end, no further discussion on the topic. I understood what he meant but still, hardly a satisfying answer. The three of us quickened outpace as we headed off back towards the eastern wing. 

On any other day, Bright would be off to his chambers when he wasn't inviting himself in for tea. If we were lucky, we'd have a chance to decompress there. These ponies and their tea time, what could you do?"
  
It was during one of these tea-time discussions that, behind lock and key, windows were drawn, and my questions resurfaced. Who was The Lady of Hearts?

"So," I asked. 

"She's one of Queen Nightmare Moon's super-secret confidants. Everyone in the court knows of her and fears her a whole lot."

Bright nodded away like a sage of wisdom. It was a start anyway. Sabre looked less than happy that we were still on about it. He squirmed in place next to the window. He refused to take a seat before the rebel thing. I could at least see the principal of the matter then. Now, he was being pedantic. 

"She's one few see and less return from seeing," Sabre offered. He continued to fidget in place, eyes drawn to the shadows in the room's corners.

"I saw her once."

Bright's smile dipped as he lost himself in thought. 

"And?" I asked. 

"She seemed super sad. She was all cloaked up when she came around a corner. I'd just dropped a manuscript and was in the middle of picking it all up when I looked up to find the Lady looking over what I'd dropped. I apologized, of course. There was no sense bothering any passerbys. Since she was looking down and I was on the floor, I got a look at her face. She looked like she'd been crying."

I hadn't noticed I'd scooted forward, and my fine china was shaking in my hoof. Bright hadn't stopped looking down into his own cup. I don't think I was a fan of somber Bright, and it made everything feel super dim. 

"And, what praytell did she look like?" Sabre asked. 

"She was pretty, the type you hear about in romance novels, that type of effortless pretty that no real mares can do. She even bent down and picked up a few of my pages."

"She helped you?" I asked. 

Bright shrugged. "Only for a second, before something drew her attention and she took off, she handed me my work first, then she was gone like a ghost. "

"Well, that's vague. She was pretty is, nice and all, but what about features?" 

Sabre stepped forward and placed a hoof on my shoulder. He shook his head, and I nodded along. I sat back in my seat and let my eye wander. Bright gave us something better than squat, all I'd known ten minutes ago.

"She said Sorry as she left."

"Well, at least she has good manners," I said.

"That's just it." Bright looked up from his tea and shook his head wildly. When he stopped, I could see traces of tears in the corner of his eyes. He leaned in over the table. "I don't think she was apologizing to me."

"Huh."

Sabre took a deep breath. "It's more than I've heard. No guard I've met has seen the lady, I wouldn't doubt some of the thestrals of seeing or tending to her, but us regular guard, not once."

"Okay, well, that aside, anything else we can do while we wait on Solemn to tell us something worth knowing?" I asked. 

"Oh, how about Canterlot. That's where the rebels are, right. That's what all the other nobles say. They say we should blow the side restraints and let the whole thing tumble down. Not sure how they'd do that without somepony noticing, but they bring it up all the time."

"Gee, your peers, have such joyous conversations, don't they?"

Bright snorted halfway through spinning his tea. He had to choke back the liquid falling back in place and a coughing fit. I choked down my drink in response. Between the two of us, Sabre was left rubbing his face in despair. 

"That's why I spend all my free time with you guys. It's so boring talking with all the other nobles. They're always plotting, and plotting is lame if you don't actually do anything."

"He's not wrong, sir," Sabre acquiesced.   

"Well then, let's put action to our plots and plot some action."

Sabre promptly slapped the back of my head. It was earned and deserved, but I regretted nothing. If fine art meant a slap or two, I could live with that.

"Shame on you, sir."

"So, what's the plan, stealing secret files, poisoning the water supply, the fabled honeypot?" Bright's smile grew with each suggestion.

"Whoa there, bud, a bit overkill for the first day, right Sabre?"

"Maybe, maybe he's on to something?"

Sabre began to pace about a hoof to the chin and eyes ablaze.

One day in, my friends are long gone. I cracked my neck to the side and yawned. I needed to get a clock for my room. It was about the only thing it didn't have. My attention recollected when Sabre turned about-face and stomped a hoof hard enough to rattle our teacups. 

"Sir, I might have an idea. A means to ease our newfound status into tangible results."

Now we're talking. I stood up and waved a hoof to continue. "Yes?"

"Well, Nightmare is still waiting on your tutelage, correct?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

"Graduation has come early, sir."

My eyes widened as I took a step back and gulped.

"Oh no!" 

"Oh, that sounds super espionagey. I'm in."

"So…"

"We're going to court!" Bright cheered. 

"Shouldn't we talk to Solemn first?"

"Aye, sir." Sabre nodded.

"Oh well then…."

Sabre flung open the door. 

"Where are you going, Sabre?"

Sabre looked over him should a glint in his eye. "To deliver your missive, sir."

My eyes narrowed. "You wouldn't."

"Apologies, sir, I can't hear you from down the hall."

"Oh, for the love of—"

 My chase was cut short when a Bright sized wait grabbed my back leg, and I fell on my face. I could feel one ear twitch as I pulled myself back to my hooves. I turned on Bright, who whistled whimsically, eyes averted. 

"Et Tu, Bright, et tu?"

"I have no idea what you're on about, Star."

So it was thusly that I was betrayed by the two ponies I called my friends. Oh, woe is me, woe is me. They may have just signed my last will and testament.

I sighed and fell back on my haunches. "I'd never catch him at this point."

"Nope," Bright said once again, sipping at his tea. 

"Great, I'm gonna play chicken with a goddess, back to square one."
> Your Place Among the Stars
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let all who see my final stride to my inevitable death take note. Be not a friend to those who, on day one of pledging the downfall of an empire, let you meet a similar fate. The guards and servants alike gave us little mind, oh, only if they knew. Sabre strode behind me, rapier clinking against his side as he went. Solemn, my tutor and recruiter the same, begrudgingly walked ahead. He seemed stuck between revulsion and an upset stomach. Bright hadn't followed. There was little he could have done, so he rested on his laurels as I met my fate. They would hear my screams through the halls, as I now mere meters from her highness' doors did I march. 

"Sir, you look ridiculous." 

Sabre's thoughts broke me from my internal diatribe. My pout hadn't left my face since I'd been walking from my chambers. I will give Sabre this if nothing else. He got things done quickly. I was surprised Solemn agreed. Though if I were to judge him by his own mannerisms, he was doing this at a begrudging ask. 

"Says the guy who will get me killed," I hissed under my breath. 

"It will be fine, sir. This is intel, not a coup."

"I'd keep those thoughts to yourself," Solemn said from ahead. 

He was right, and if he could hear Sabre, then any passersby most likely could as well. There would be no pretty end to that fiasco. It was at that point our march was at an end. We stood in front of queen Nightmare night's study. It made sense she did personal calls away from the court, but did she really have to have them at the exact opposite wing of the castle? 

The guard gave our trio a dubious look. I returned it with gusto. "Appointment?" one of the guards asked. It felt more like an order, but it was an ask for now.

Solemn stepped forward and stood tall, his wings only twitching slightly. "Appointment for report, Solemn Mind, Noble house DeNoir, and guest."

The guards looked at each other, one rolling his eyes and nodding. "Proceed, though your dog will need to wait outside."

I didn't need to look to feel Sabre's icy glare. He kept his tongue, though, which meant, for the moment, we'd at least get our hoof in the door.

"Of course," Solemn said. 

With that, the guards stepped aside, and Solemn led the way, slowly opening the door to Nightmare's inner chambers. I slowly followed behind and tried not to meet the guards' eyes as I went. I could feel my skin crawl as the door closed behind us. 

Nightmare's study was a tasteful sort. Expensive tapestries hung with care, several large bookcases brimming with subjects of every kind. The centerpiece was a richly poised desk that gave off the faint scent of maple. The fireplace beside it crackled and sputtered in the dull light of the room. The lack of windows certainly did little to illuminate the suite. Though I suppose a ruler needs to take certain precautions, crazy matriarch or not. 

The mare in question says behind her desk, eyes glued to a spread stack of papers, quill flowing just shy of her head, the ink already dried upon it. Solemn said nothing, and I took his lead. He stood and waited as Nightmare continued to scan the papers. After several minutes, she let forth a grunt, slapped a hoof hard into offensive parchment, and finally looked up from her work. She blinked several times before our presence seemed to register. 

"Ah, Solemn Mind, I'm glad you're here. I apologize for the wait. However, those defunctary fools in the treasury have had mine in a vice all night. They are lucky they are in the position they are, lest I rend their flesh and bone alike."

Solemn said nothing nodding along with her majesty's woes. 

"And, of course, your newest student, Stargazer, if memory serves."

I nodded. I wasn't sure if we were even allowed to talk at this point. Nightmare rested her quill in a shiny metal holster to the side of her work and smiled. 

"I must say, you've done admirably with such little time if yon Solemn Mind has deemed you worth review. I am pleased."

Solemn kneeled. "Of course, Your Highness. I live to serve."

"I only aim to be worthy of such praise." I also kneeled, and court etiquette had been one of my weaker skills from our lessons. I chewed on my inner cheek and suppressed the bile in the back of my throat as best I could.

Nightmare tapped the desk, and both Solemn, and I rose. She leaned back in her seat and let her toothy grin grow wider. Her canines sparkled in the firelight. "As you shall." 

Nightmare reached for a small silver bell on the far side of the desk and rang it twice. A pair of maids scampered in from a supposed secret entrance in less than a heartbeat. They certainly had not arrived from behind us. 

"Tea, for my guests and me."

The maids said nothing, curtsied once and vanished to their mistress' bidding. That done, Nightmare returned her gaze to Solemn and me. I managed a side-eye in Solemn's direction. He had managed to keep his composure thus far, not even the wing twitch from our way here, and he looked almost statuesque with his undeterred attention. 

While we waited for refreshments, I would ask my newest servant several questions. After our last supper, I have come to ponder your placement in full."

Here they come. Solemn and I had both expected this. We'd come up with dozens of potential questions and even more answers. We could only hope they'd be enough.    

"Of course, Your Majesty."

I took a single step forwarded and waited for the interrogation to begin.

"I shall start. I am in wonderence to what skills you possess that could best serve my whims. Thy name and cutie mark give a hint but no finite definition. This was one of Solemn Mind's most poignant goals. I hope between you both that you have answered most satisfactory."

Her question was a fair one. A leader is still a leader, and as such, one must surround themselves with those who can do the task at hand. An interview as such was a reasonable start. It was also one of the first Solemn, and I discussed. We'd done so even before his proposal. Bright had been quite enraptured by that discussion. 

"Well, firstly, allow me to divulge my cutie mark's meaning. As is clear, my cutie mark fits firmly in your infinite and wondrous night. My mark is one for direction, to guide your lost herd back from wherever they stray."

I would have cringed at my own dramatics should that not have resulted in a fate most foul. Nightmare, however, seemed quite taken by my bullshitery. Though I suppose any stroking of her ego was to her liking. 

"A star cartographer it is then? Even as I dazzle the sky with my whims?"

We had her attention and intrigue. I took a deep breath and felt my mind go blank. The fact Nightmare can alter the sky at large meant mapping the world with stars was complicated, to say the least. It wasn't impossible, though, so all I needed was—

My thoughts were left to the wayside as Solemn stepped forward to give his thoughts on the matter.

"It is, of course, know that your artistic prowess with the sky above is unparalleled. However, there are, of course, exceptions taken, such as Polaris, the north star."

Nightmare nodded, though her smile did falter. "This is true."

"It is with these exceptions and an eye for patterns I can, within a certain margin, better decipher your craft. It is, of course, known that such a caring and dedicated ruler would never lead her astray with intent." I said, jumping onto Solemn's nudge. 

Please buy it, please, please buy it. I wanted to wilt as Nightmare seemed to mull over my answer. She seemed to cast her glance from me to Solemn and then to the fire beside us. After a full minute of silence, our salvation was foretold by the arrival of tea. 

Once more, the ghost maids appeared with a trolley of tea and an assortment of light snacks and pastries. This drew the queen's attention, and the icy chill on the back of my neck warmed just a bit. 

"Ah, tea, lovely." Nightmare said, magicking the trolley beside the desk and waving the maids away. To whom were gone in a blink. "Please, gentlecolts, help yourselves. As you do, I would say that your skill is as useful as you make it sound. I believe Blueblood, the sniveling wretch he is, would have a need for such skills. While he cartographers the lands, my skies are lost on the poor whelps meager wits."

The way she spoke of this Blueblood was less than pleasant, even though her smile and the taste of an eclair I'd taken to nibbling on, though my stomach was hardly apt for it. It was at least a momentary withdrawal of certain death. 

"An excellent idea, my queen. The horned dolt could use any help at all. I am surprised he can dress himself most days, even as he reproachfully sits in court."

So Solemn was putting this Blueblood guy on blast too. I'd try to be civil, should I meet him, kindred souls and all that. It must suck to have everyone around you hate you.

"I would be honored to assist him or any other in your name."

I offered a quick toast as I waited for the tea to cool. Nightmare indulged in a tip of her cup. It was nice. Bonding over the suffering of a third party felt like politics now. That settled, Nightmare circled back to me. 

"That settled, I shall have a servant collect you tomorrow to introduce you to the wayward spawn of the sun. If only he were more like my niece."

The hiss at the end of 'sun' was enough to send a crawl down my back. My ears flicked back as I tried not to shrink as she leered at the imaginary stallion in question. 

  "Next, we would like to ask what has become your past? We have already verified that you are no brazen changeling. To that end, we will admit fault. However, we have found nothing of your prior existence, which is still of concern. We are a noble ruler, thus will give you the chance to satiate such thoughts. So, what say you?"

Nightmare leaned forward, eyes narrowed. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears, my throat had tightened up, and I wished I were anywhere else. 

"I, um, my past," I couldn't quantify any serious thoughts and looked at my hooves lest I mean Nightmare's judgemental gaze. 

"He has not yet relearned his entire past. He has, however, remembered bits and pieces. Names, locations, a spare thought from whence he came. It has created a notable lead to follow, Your Majesty."

Thank the high heavens for Solemn. Nightmare sat back in her seat and looked back at my tutor with the interest of a speck in the wind. For his part, Solemn held himself better than I, though he has had a lot more practice. 

"A lead, you say?" Nightmare asked. 

Yes, my queen, we have discussed it in length. We've even gathered some points of reference, like his birth date and age. Those are certainly an excellent start. I've taken it upon myself to document such findings here."

Solemn pulled from under his wing a manilla folder that seemed to have a collection of whatever Solemn had dreamed up. He obliged his queen and gently sat it on the desk before her. She eyed it for a moment and nodded. 

"Very well, I shall grant you a bit more time. Solemn Mind has dutifully gone beyond his post. Thusly, a boon I shall grant, for now."

I might vomit. I managed a bow and looked over at an all to, pleased with himself Solemn, he indeed played the game well. 

"I would like to discuss more, but I have more work that needs my attention. I shall have your findings looked over, and with luck, your past will be found, and you shall be left to live with my blessing upon you. For now, you have your orders, be off and have a wonderful night."

Once again, more of a command than a request, but I couldn't be bothered to care. I bowed again and followed Solemn as he led us out and free of the hooven fury of the oh-so-wonderful Nightmare Moon. 

The guards gave us a look. Then returned to attention. Sabre had taken post across the hall and seemed at least a little less tense when we made to leave. We made it a hundred paces out before I heaved the biggest sigh I'd ever managed. 

"Survival."

"Anything new, sir?" Sabre asked. 

I milled over Nightmare's conversation and blew a raspberry. "A niece?"

"Ah, you caught that as well. I find that particular as well. It is one thing to discuss a niece, and it's another to reflect upon Blueblood in the same breath."

"That and I'm to meet Blueblood tomorrow. So there is that. Maybe he knows something?" I asked. 

"He might. He certainly has no reason to aide Nightmare's rule," Sabre said.

"Neat, so I'm done with life for today. Sleep awaits."

"It's not that late, sir."

I turned and looked up to Sabre like one who just heard the dumbest factoid ever might in such regard. "I'm going to bed."

Sabre rolled his eyes. "Yes, sir."

Solemn seemed lost in thought as he began talking under his breath. 

"Solemn?" I asked, tapping his shoulder. 

"Oh yes, yes, sleep. You do that. I have some reading to do." 

That said, Solemn was off, and thus the night of many heart palpations came to an end, and with it, another string of questions to my never-ending list.

"So, who is Blueblood, by the way?"

Sabre grunted. "A pain in the flank."

I tutted and patted my guard's shoulder. "Now, now, we need to all get along."

"He's a noble from before Nightmare. A unicorn noble, which if you ask me weren't much better than the thestrals are."

"Huh, how long was that?" I asked. 

Sabre shook his head. "Not long enough. Though if nothing, I bet Her Highness has taught the walking ego a little humility."

"Well, we can certainly message said ego if it nets us a few big ones."

I smiled and increased my gait just a tad.

"If you say so, sir."

Thus we made our way across the palace and back to my domicile, where I could get a few hours of sleep with any luck. If Bluelblood were that far up his plot, I'd need it. 
> Of Noble Pursuits and Ends
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I stood knee-deep in something I hoped was water. I feared I was wrong. It was dark in all directions. There was only the vacuum. I felt my chest tighten as I mindlessly wandered the pitch-black pool. The slush of water and my breaths were the only things to distinguish anything. I could have been walking in place for all the good it did me. No matter how long I walked, nothing changed. My heart had sped up, and my breath hitched with every step through the thick, eerily warm liquid. Then the sloshing stopped. My legs held firm in place even as I writhed to move forward. I could feel the water rising up to my thigh, my chest, and it wasn't stopping. 

"No, no, stop, please, stop."

I railed and shook, but the water kept climbing. I could feel it brush against my lips. I wretched as the acrid taste touched my tongue. It wasn't water, and I had to hold my head as far back as I could lest it wrapped itself across my nose. I could feel the tears as they rolled down my cheeks. My eyes had been brought beneath the surface, though as blind as I was, it held little else than a clear omen of my encroaching end. 

"I'm sorry."

Those were my last words, in the dark, as I was pulled beneath and even deeper darkness consumed me entirely. I couldn't discern up from down anymore. I sunk my lungs burned my limbs flailed to no avail. There was nothing but me, and soon, there wouldn't even be that.

"Sir! Are you alright? Sir!"

I shot up from the tangled mess of sheets and the blush carpet of my room's floor. My heartbeat had my chest a piston as I gasped and heaved. The dark was back. I'd thought them gone since my first days in Equestria. I heard the knocking at my door but gave them little mind. I slowly managed to kick the heap of limb and cotton free and slowly crawled towards the bathroom. I was shaking even as I managed to stand. My chest hurt, and the streaks down my face, sweat, and tears complimented the bags last night had left. I was disheveled but alive and not currently dying alone, covered in who knows how much blood. 

"Sir, I'm coming in."

It was nice to hear Sabre was up and attem' this morning. I took several deep breaths and plodded from the bathroom sink mirror to my apartment's one and only entry. I undid the latch and let the door swing wide even as a charging Sabre ran shoulder first. 

Sabre managed to curtail his momentum before plowing right over me. I smacked my lips and stepped aside to allow my companion free entry. Even as he examined me, the look on Sabre's face had me groan internally. I was in for a nagging, fun. 

"Morning," I said as Sabre entered, and I shut the door behind him. 

"Sir."

I shook my head and let the guard leer me down. "Just a nightmare. The normal kind, not the queen of the land kind. Sorry if I concerned you."

Sabre looked over the mess I'd left on my bed and back to me. "A normal nightmare doesn't leave you screaming, your face caked in sweat, or your cheeks still fresh with tears. Whatever that was, sir, it was not normal."

"Well, normal for one may not be normal for another." 

I shrugged and watched Sabre swallow back his rebuke. I was taken by the ticking of my clock as Sabre, and I fell into a thick silence. It was just past seven in the morning. A bit earlier than I'd of liked, but not so early as to ruin my morning or new night. It was far easier to disregard it as was. 

"You're a bit early this morning," I said. 

"You had a messenger to receive. We were never given a time of arrival. So, best to be early than late, sir."

"Fair enough. have they arrived?"

Sabre shook his head, his gaze never leaving my own. My body was still shaking as the adrenaline I'd awoken to calm. I could still almost taste the blood in the dark. I needed something to rouse the senses before my mind became too fixated on what I'd awoken from. That thought pulled me from my stagnation and right for the coffee pot. 

"Coffee?" I asked. 

"No, thank you, sir."

Sabre was really on the sirs this morning. I really upset him. It couldn't be helped. So I started the caffeine machine and watched as it boiled and hissed. Several minutes passed, and I acquired my drink. Sabre stood against the wall and watched me like I might just up and fall through the floor. 

"What was it?" Sabre asked. 

"Hmm?" I hummed through a mouth full of coffee.

Sabre pointed to the bundle of sheets on the floor beside my bed. "What was the nightmare. What had you screaming?"

"The dark," I said, matching his wilting gaze with an apathetic one of my own. "Alone, in the dark."

"Just the dark?" Sabre asked. He didn't seem to believe me. I didn't really blame him. I wouldn't have believed it myself unless I lived it, or dreamt it, whatever the case.

"I drowned in the dream as well, if that helps." 

"No, sir, it really doesn't."

I had to cough back a laugh as I'd gone and nearly inhaled my drink. I offered a hapless shrug and nodded in Sabre's direction. 

"I didn't think it would."

Sabre seemed to mull over my words. However, before offering a rebuttal, a single loud knock on the door drew our attention. I waved toward the door. Sabre was the guard here. He certainly would need to check any new arrivals. I don't think he cared much for my dismissal. I didn't blame him for that either.

Sabre, however, proceeded to the door and opened it to whoever was a knocking. I would be amiss if I didn't give the courier credit for his duty. When tasked by Her Highness and all her bipolar demands, I'm sure one does as told. I took the chance to tame my mane. Bedhead would be most unbecoming when one is to deal with a noble or ex-noble. I could have gone the day without playing politics, but that was not my say at this point. 

"Sir, a messenger from Her Majesty to lead you to a meeting you have scheduled."

I could feel the unamused sarcasm like a jackhammer to the skull. If the messenger did, they certainly didn't say anything. I couldn't see them from my spot by the bed, but I doubt they cared one way or another. 

"I'll be there in a second, thank you, Sabre."

I could play the pompous ass if Sabre played the disillusioned vet. I was lucky my mane hadn't been that messy, to begin with. I took a deep, agonizingly slow breath and walked to the door. 

The messenger seemed antsy, bright yellow coat, dull blue mane, and wings brought in so hard he might be straddling the line of self asphyxiation. I offered the colt. I don't think he was a stallion. If he was, he was the most baby-faced pony I'd seen yet. I didn't have much to compare, outside of some pictures in the books I'd read. Most of those were hoof drawn, do even then, it wasn't precisely a glance, and you'll know it deal.

"I hope I didn't keep you too long," I said, offering the messenger a hoof.

The colt took a step back, eyes shifting between Sabre and myself. I didn't respond just stood my hoof still out. It took a minute before the colt seemed to realize what I was doing. 

"Oh, geez, um, I'm sorry, sir."

The colt shakily lifted a hoof to gingerly tap mine. The second he withdrew it, he seemed ready to faint on his hooves. It took Sabre gently placing his own hoof on the scared colt's shoulder to rouse some semblance of a spine.

"It's fine. Thestral as he is," Sabre looked in my direction. I shrugged. "He's not going to hurt you."

"A glowing endorsement, thank you, Sabre," I said and stuck my tongue out in response. 

"I'm, uh, sorry?" The courier said. 

We had the poor lad confused. I shrugged and pointed down the hall. 

"I'm ready as I'll ever be," I said and walked past Sabre and the courier who scurried to get in front of me. A meeting with Blueblood without even a shower, this should be interesting.

"This way, sir," the courier said and was off like a light. The colt was quick, if nothing else. Both Sabre and I had to trot just to keep up. 

The walk itself wasn't anything of note. The lower we went, the less immaculate Castle Night looked down one hall down a flight of stairs. I at least came up with a name for the place, saying the area lacked the grandiose style Nightmare made sure to cast across everything she touched. Everything, except here, in her deepest nethers. We came to a stop in front of a large iron door. The two guards, neither thestral, seemed about as alert or interested as the wall behind them. 

The courier came to a stop and waved at the door. "Your stop, sir."

"Thank you…"

I looked at the colt expectantly. It took him a second, but his mile-a-minute hurry seemed to catch up with him, and he actually scuffed the floor in realization.

"Speedy Step, sir."

"Well then, thank you, Speedy. You've been a wonderful guide."

I leaned over to Sabre and whispered. "Do you have any money on hand? I left the bit bag I was given when I got my room, well in my room."

It was at that moment I thought I saw something die in Sabre, even as he reached into a small inlet on his armor and offered a few bits to the still waiting Speedy. 

"Thank you, sirs." 

Speedy was off, though his step seemed a little peppier. In front of our destination, the guards still seemed relatively impartial to our arrival. I wondered if they'd taught themselves to sleep, eyes opened. I waved at one of them and watched as he slowly looked in my direction. I offered a chaste smile and watched him turn to Sabre, his brow creasing just a bit tighter. 

"The Queen has alerted Blueblood of a meeting with one Stargazer."

"Aye," The guard responded. 

"Is he in?" Sabre asked. 

"Aye."

"May we enter?" Sabre asked, taking a step forward. 

"Wait."

The guard held a limb up blocking Sabre, who seemed rather bored with the trivial pursuits of the morning. I think he was still mad about the nightmare thing.

The second guard reached out and hammered on the metal door. There was the sound of a chair falling and a series of curses as a slit near the top of the door pulled wide. A set of bright blue eyes, complemented with bags that even I thought were unseemly, looked out and stopped on me. The owner of said eyes muttered something before the visor closed and a heavy tumbler turned. 

The second the door was wide enough for us to enter, an exasperated voice called out. The guards stepped wide, and Sabre went for the bar serving as a latch on the unseemly chunk of metal. It was, if not directly, prison adjacent. I'd need to ask about that.

"Hurry, I don't have all day."     

I nodded as I passed the guards, who had fallen back o the facade as statues, Sabre at my heel. To say the accommodations, Nightmare had so graciously offered Blueblood were sparse would be an understatement. It wasn't a cell. It had a window to the stars, a reasonably plush bed and rug, and maps. I don't just mean one or two, or even a single wall full. The entire room was mapped on maps, land, sea, and sky. I blurred them together as the thousands of hoof-drawn mountains, rivers, and plains made a tapestry of pinpoint precision. 

"Sabre, I think I might die of irony?" I said. 

"Sir?"

"I am utterly lost in a world of maps and atlases."

"Ha," a hoarse pronouncement of the jaded laugh had my hair on end.

There he was, at his massive wooden table, one that took up the whole sum of the center placement. A wooden table where the stallion worked, etched in markings and chipped fillings. A place where no matter how upper-crust our new acquaintance may have been, now or in times past. This instrument tossed away all formality and boiled the pony who wielded it down to who they were.

The stallion in question was far more collected and far less composed. A coat like ivory, sullied in ink marks, a bountiful golden mane shelved at the ends, and the same bright blue eyes bore the weight of tireless attrition. Blueblood was a stallion without a place, a middling of a prideful posh noble, and a stalwart, stubborn creator. I was left flat hooved on how to react. I had come in ready to taunt the apparent stuck-up brat. I don't think that stallion was here or had been for some time.       

"Well?" Blueblood asked even as he eyed his newest series of lines. He pressed his head to the table and watched the simple etchings without sparing us a single glance. 

"The Queen sent us to assist with mapping her stars."

I wasn't positive about what would come of this. I was less sure how I'd be any help at all. Yet, here I was bowing to Nightmare's will. That was to say, for the moment.

"Yes, yes, the Gazer stallion of her royal court," Blueblood said and finally drew himself up from his line, watching and casting an unamused look my way. "I have no need of your assistance. If the queen," the inflection present on the word was like a sledge to the face. It lacked any polite interpretation, something I could understand. "Wishes to send one of her flunkies to oversee my work, then please find the door. If you're still lost, it is back the way you came."

I sniffed, puckered my lips, and nodded. I would have to give him that one. His wit was still pristine even if the rest of his abode was not. A stallion might just respect. 

"Touche, you've bested me, sir. However, as much as it may pain the both of us, you know I can't just leave."

"Pah, fear is no means to an end."

Blueblood had returned to his line gazing and hadn't even noticed he'd said anything at all. A quick trip to the gallows, I'd no doubt. A notably good reason for him being here was far safer than amid Her Royal highness' servants and underlings. 

"I'd agree. Wouldn't you, Sabre?" I asked. 

"Yes, sir."

"Agree to…" The prince slowly turned back to his guests and tensed like a would coil. He watched the both of us, eyes suddenly dilated, his body shaking. "I see."

I rolled my eyes and ambled further into the room. "Calm down. I'm no rat. This wasn't a trap, and yes, I meant what I said."

Blueblood gave no tell. He was simply stunned one moment, then muzzle to muzzle with me the next. I didn't recoil even as the anguished eyes of the lost noble stared back into my own. Sabre made to separate us, but I motioned for him to wait. Thus for the next minute or so, there Blueblood and I stood. When he finally stepped back, he again looked all too tired. He limply fell to his haunches and shook in silent turmoil.

"A thestral?" Blueblood asked.

"An amnesiac thestral," I answered. 

"A thestral who has very poor survival instincts, sir."

I ignored Sabre and watched Blueblood as he sat deflated. Like the guards that kept him locked away, he looked like he would sleep eyes wide open. Though, unlike his 'protectors,' it was not from boredom. A state of fear stressed to the ends of his own sanity. The stallion before me was nothing like that of Sabre's warnings. He was far more and far more dangerous. When pushed to the edge, only then will even the most craven of souls lash out for survival. 

I walked up to the collapsed stallion and offered a hoof. "A friend if you'd have one."

Blueblood looked up at me. He blinked slowly, his shaking breath a little more steady. I smiled down at the broken pule of what was once Blueblood, the noble of Equestria. That stallion wasn't here, however. So, I waited for the new Blueblood. He could take his time. I didn't mind. Minutes passed, and he continued to watch me blearily. I continued to offer a hoof.

"Well?" I asked. 

"A friend, a thestral?" Blueblood asked. The word thestral cut thin as some semblance of sense was regained in the stallion's mind. 

"An amnesiac thestral, who could really use a map to find oneself. Up for that challenge, oh cartographer of the sun?"

"Are you insinuating there is a map I can't draw?" 

I reached out once more. "Prove me wrong."

Blueblood took my hoof and was pulled back to all fours. He leered at me and smiled. 

"Well, gazer of stars, I accept your challenge. I will not be made a fool by a noble of the night, mindless and hopeless as you seem to be."

I laughed as Blueblood made way for his table of wonders. "Have at it."

Sabre joined me. "Was that wise?"

I shrugged. "No idea, but one can't have too many friends, and I think that stallion could definitely use a few."

Sabre looked back over to the revived plottings of the noble that once disgusted him. Then to the noble he'd found not too long ago, lost and alone. Sabre shook his head and smiled, if only just a bit.

"Perhaps you're right, sir."

"Good, then let's learn to cartegraph."

And on that day, that is precisely what we did. Though it was night, Sabre did very little, and Blueblood kept yelling at me. It was fun. Even now, a light shines in the dark.
> Such Passive Lunacy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Wow, Star, you actually made friends with that weirdo?" Bright asked as he jauntily paraded around me as I cradled a large atlas. 

Since everything in my new life here at Nightmare's emporium for tyranny and existential dread, I'd thought I might as well plot for the future. A feeling Solemn seemed to share. In almost twenty minutes, the older stallion hadn't looked up from his own tome.

Yesterday with Blueblood had been insightful if a tad awkward. I chewed on a lip as I turned the page I'd spent the last few minutes pretending I really understood. I hadn't been completely lying when I'd told Nightmare and Blueblood, for that matter, that I could read the stars. I don't know if it was the cutie mark or something from my past, but the twinkling lights above seemed obvious. It was like following the dots on a map or the currents of a river. It all had meaning if one sought it. 

However, this insight did not mean I was nearly precise enough to compete with Blueblood's experience. I shook my head as I thought back to the faux-noble. I hoped that one thing had struck me, though, something Sabre saw too. 

"Hey, Sabre?"

The guard looked up from the book he'd chosen to skim as he sat against the door closest to the study door. He was starting to lighten up a little. How embarrassing. I suppose it was only natural, the degradation of skill with disuse, the shame. 

"Yes, sir?"

"Blueblood, you saw it yesterday, right?" I asked. 

"Oh, saw what, something scandalous? Hold on, I'll take notes. I need some new material for my books. A wayward noble, lost and alone, what has become of him? Oh, the horror."

Bright scooped up a scrap parchment and leveled a smile that he swept between Sabre and me. I sighed and shrugged. Sabre chose to focus on his book. To meet that stupidly cheery face was an easy way to letting Bright have his way. 

"Which part, sir?" Sabre asked. 

I chuckled to myself. What, does Sabre take me for a fool? I really shouldn't answer that. We both knew exactly what I meant. Bright might want notes, but it all boiled down to a single question. Yesterday had been a start, but to what end seemed undefined. 

"Forlorn as Blueblood is, That look in his eye never left. Even after we started working with him. You saw it, right?"

Sabre looked up from his book and adjusted his helm. "Fear, sir."

Sabre shook his head. Blueblood had let us in, had let us be, but those eyes. He'd been left to rot long enough to forget how to look any other way. It was unsettling. My skin itched from just recalling it. I don't even think he knew he did it. 

"How long has he been down there?" I asked. 

I doubted asking the stallion in question would get me anywhere. It was a slow and steady game here. I had time, and so did he. I looked back down at the atlas page I'd stopped on. The fabled ruins of Canterlot. The atlas didn't have any further description of the locale as is. Got to administer the truth somehow. It'd be nearly impossible to erase all completely. Even if they brought the city down and the mountain, it'd never be completely forgotten. I mean, it might be in centuries, but in the immediate, it would take more effort than I believe Nightmare would both expending as of now. 

"Not long after Nightmare rose, sir. So, a few years at this point. One moment atop the mountain, now dwelling even beneath the dregs."

Sabre made to grip the noble in hoof a little tighter. His jawline set as the memories of wherever and whatever he'd been doing when things fell set an accord on his mind. I chewed at my bottom lip as I studied the single afar image of Canterlot's ruins. The ruins where not once have I heard directly report on the supposed rebels that dwelled within. 

"He is currently locked away," I said with a dismissive wave.

"No, he's not."

I looked up to Bright, tapping a pencil on the table. He seemed all too pleased that'd he gotten a response. I cocked a brow.

"Explain."

"Young Bright is quite right. The exiled noble is more than able to leave his abode. Nightmare does not see him as a threat and thus cares little for anything that is not his maps. He has chosen to stay tucked away in his little workshop. A pity as that is."

Solemn had finally risen from the book he'd eagerly stuck his nose in. Bright nodded along, and I was left all the more puzzled. If solemn was right, I would bet on his honesty. Then Blueblood seemed all the more confusing. 

"That aside, how goes your browsing, Stargazer?" Solemn asked.

"Solemn, what is our end game?" I asked. I closed the atlas and peered over the table at my senior. To which he squirmed, eyes glancing back down at his own reading. 

"To save Equestria. To bring back the day, allow all ponies a sense of peace." Solemn said. The old bat offered a smile that never reached his eyes. 

"A canned answer, I'm sure, but I meant our immediate goal. What is the end game for all of us, for those here and now?"

I leaned over the table and scowled at Solemn, who, in return, buried his face back in his book. I reached down, pulled the book from his hooves, and growled. 

That earned a laugh from Bright, but that wasn't what mattered. Solemn tried and failed to retreat as I crawled atop the table altogether and flared my wings. 

Why was it so hard to get any straight answers in this damned palace? Why was everyone so obsessed with keeping me blind? Why was I always in the dark?

"Gazer!" Sabre had taken up my rear and seemed none too happy himself. 

"What?"

"Calm down, sir." Sabre laid a hoof on the table, tilting it slightly towards himself. 

I groaned and closed my wings. "I'm leaving."

Sabre made to follow.

"No, I want some air and alone time."

So I was off, down the hall round the bend and towards the first available gate out to the broader castle grounds. The stars spun and glittered. Even as I fell on my back ad stared up at their endless dance. I'd made it far enough in that I could find a tree to lounge underneath and not be stared at by the gatekeepers. 

It was too much, ever since I woke up. It was one mess after another. No one made sense. Nothing felt accomplished. I was pulled about like a puppet. That was all so much, but the worst part was that I didn't even know which direction I wanted to go. 

"What are you doing?"

I slowly sat up and found myself staring up at one of Nightmare's soldiers. Cyan coat, lack of leather or fangs, oddly bright rainbow mane for such a terse scowl. The mare watched me like you might an ant. I found it hard to continuously meet her gaze like I was a child being scolded by a parent.

"I'm sorry?" I wasn't sure what I did, but the less I was hassled, the better. 

"Why are you hiding in the court, sir."

The sir sounded a lot more like you worthless piece of crap, but what did I know. 

"Stargazing?" I pointed up above us. 

"Name!"

I shrugged at the mare. "Stargazer, and you are?"

The mare stepped forward and leveled a glare that could melt ice. "Lefttenant of Her Royal Highness' elite guard. Rainbow Dash."

The name fit, and the title seemed impressive, but for the life of me, I'd left any interest back in the study. This mare had picked a fight with a wall, and to that matter, why had she even approached me at all? On second thought, did it even matter?"

"You're the new noble, the one found in the Everfree, correct?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Rarity was right."

I cocked a brow. The plot thickens. "Oh, how so?"

"You're nothing like the other nobles, nothing like the nobles before them either. But, it's your look. It's wrong."

I was officially lost. I cocked my head and blinked back at Leftenant Rainbow Dash. My look, what the heck. "Rarity said what about me?" I asked. 

"You're sure you're not a changeling?" Rainbow asked. 

"I don't even know what that is, outside of what Queen Nightmare told me at that first supper. I apologize, but I honestly don't understand. My look, ma'am?"

Rainbow tsked and turned about to leave. This mare didn't seem like the talkative type as is. That suited me just fine. I flopped back and landed once more on my back.

"Light."

I barely caught the word as Rainbow took to wing. Her final phrase was the only thing she left behind. It was all too much. I shut my eyes and drifted into a fitness slumber.   

A spark in the wind, an unfortunate little thing. It knew nothing, sought nothing. It simply was. I followed as through the dark it fluttered by. I felt my heart flutter with each twist, every breeze, and through the cold.

I blinked. Had it been cold before, the spark didn't seem to mind. Then the ground crunched under my hooves. I shivered in the snow? Had the been snow before? The spark fluttered on, and I was behind it. In the cold and snow, it was then that the spark settled atop a crystal. A luminescent pink crystal amongst the snow and ice. The spark dared move no further. So there I remained. 

The crystal's light grew brighter, and the spark along with it. Now, I could see in the dark for the first time in this new light. For the first time that I could recall, I wasn't in the dark. As suddenly as the light began, as the snow drifted to the ground, the crystals shone, first the pink then another not too far away, a brilliant orange than a blue not far from the last. Colors poured into the dark, the dark churned, it writhed, and then screamed.

I woke with a start. The sound of something heavy falling beside me. I turned to find Bright on his back. I licked my dry lips and stood. I didn't even want to know. 

"Oh good, you were really going stir crazy." 

Bright rolled back to his hooves and mimed the enormity of my supposed tossing and turning. Which was all the more since I couldn't remember what I'd dreamed. All that remained was a spark. I scrunched my brow as I tried to relive what my mind had conjured up. After a moment, I had little choice but to concede that the demons in my head were only fought and lost in my subconscious. A pity, really. 

"So, you feeling any better?" Bright asked. He stood a tad too close and stared at me with intense focus. "You kind of lost it back in the study.

"How long was I gone?" I asked. 

Bright shrugged. "Like an hour."

I sighed. "Yeah, I think I just needed a break. I ran into a crazy mare before I fell asleep. It certainly didn't help."

That was when I realized to whom I was speaking. I could feel the tree trunk at my back even as I backpedaled with all my might. My legs kicked up dirt as Bright realized what I'd said. I was doomed. 

"A mare, you say, do tell Star."

He closed in for the kill. Once simple earnest contentment, his smile now a mad Cheshire grin that reached cheek to cheek. 

"No, bad Bright Pitch. I did not mean like that, you twisted fiend."

Now, I was talking like one of his characters. Was this some dark magic? Had I been none too aware that even reality bent to the pin of this mad purveyor of literary might? It was impossible, had I been cast into the depths of Tartarus to be a slave to this, a friend turned deathcaller. What a twist.

"Was she cute?" Bright asked. 

"No, not really, more like super intense."

I'd stopped kicking up a mess. The groundskeepers would be none too pleased. 

"Oh, whatcha mean?" Bright asked, pulling back and falling to his haunches and watching me expectantly. One fluffy ear pointed up in enraptured intent. 

"She was on Nightmare's elite or whatever. Rainbow something?"

Bright's jaw dropped. It was my turn to stare in surprise. 

"You met the Rainboom, the fastest flyer in the Everfree?"

I could feel my forehead ache as I tried not to recoil at Bright's sudden volume. He was grinning, eyes sparkling in wonder. Writing a whole sonnet on his intrigue, if I had to guess.

"I mean, yes? I'm not sure what any of that meant, but I met the mare, yes." She said something about Rarity and thought I had weird eyes.

A light bulb lit up in my head as something strange tickled the back of my mind. "Wait, she was a pegasus. Doesn't that make her like second-best by default?"

Bright shook his head so hard it left me dizzy. "Of course not. Rainbow Dash is a legend around here. She managed to impress the queen so much that she jumped right to the top of the pecking order. In like, ten seconds flat."

"Oh, well, not sure I get that, but okay," I said and stretched. I took a second look to the heavens and then chinned back towards the gates. "We should probably get back."

Bright nodded and trotted away, not a care in the world. I owed Solemn an apology, if nothing else. I really needed to find a better outlet for all this pent-up frustration. Maybe something with crystals? I stopped mid-step and let that thought sit wide for examination. Why in the world did the word sit so heavy in my head. I was losing it, completely and utterly driven mad. I only stalled for a moment more before returning to my walk. The thought of crystals still harmonizes with the deepest depths of my mind.  

"Come on, star, hurry up," Bright called from the gateway. The guards gave him serious side-eye as we waved me over. 

"Yeah yeah, I'm coming." The question was, where was I going. 
> On Which You Stand
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Two centimeters. You realize that by scale, that can be miles of difference. Pay attention," Blueblood raved. Legs were thrown up as he railed against my attempt at a local map. 

"I mean, yeah, but it's not that big, someone like the castle and forest. How often does anyone even go browsing the supposed, super dangerous forest of death?" I asked. 

"Bah, such naivety, maps are a tool for survival, voyage, and trust. If you create a map one then uses, and it is wrong, it is not absolutely certain, you break that trust."

Blueblood was off his rocker. The anal-retentive tantrum had me silently screaming at the has been recluse. The last three days of visiting him had me drawing and redrawing a small slice of land. Degree and precision are his favorite edochts. I get it, but I can see why no one comes to visit Blueblood. He really needs a sedative or something. 

"Okay, I get it. How am I going to draw the stars if I can't draw very traceable and replicable lines and dots? I apologize. Oh, great master of the map."

Blueblood tapped a hood to his chest and struck a pose only a pony of the upper echelons could. The dazzling white smile certainly gave it some authenticity.

"Prince, prince of maps if you please," Blueblood said.

I snickered and bowed. "My thousand pardons his divine provenance of locations across the realm. I humbly request thine forgiveness." 

Blueblood ate it up and throughout a hoof in a grand flourish. "I will forgive your transgression. For that is what friends do."

Blueblood's smile faltered as the last few words caught in his throat. He dropped his noble facade, and eyes down, he shuffled back to his own work. I had to bite my tongue not to apologize. I don't think he needed one, not from me. 

"Trottington, area, woodlands, seven-point three miles. Position three…"

Blueblood's words were lost to mutter as he scanned his notes. Sabre hadn't moved or seemingly noticed anything a miss. If he did notice, he kept it to himself. I sighed and turned back to my own work. 

"Right, um, let's see," I said to no one in particular. 

The atlas' I had opened held the local area, the castle schematics, the forest, and the town nearby. Ponyville, maybe I'd take a chance and see how the regular citizen lives. It'd shed a little more light on Nightmare's rule if we were lucky. 

I also had one open to the grand north, near Yakyakistan. It was a barren land of ice. Every text I'd read of the area offered the same descriptions. Ice, snow, yaks nearby, and the occasional windigo sighting. That was all and all there was. I felt my brow crease as I scanned the portrait again. It was several centuries old, over five hundred, and yet. I could swear something was missing. I felt an inkling in the back of my head. A pounding that reached a pitch every time I looked back to that image. 

"Hey, Blue?"

No response. Blueblood simply mumbled something and continued his measurements. I cleared my throat. And tried again. 

"Blue, hey, Blueblood."

The unicorn blinked and wiped a hoof over his eyes. Once done, he slowly looked over at me. The bags under his eyes had gotten a bit better since the first time I met him, if only just. I bit my cheek as he stared back at me without a word. 

"I have a question on the history o this area," I said and pointed to the tundra. 

“Yakyakistan?” Blue asked. 

"No, the lands before it, the barren ice fields. It feels like maybe I'm missing something. It just looks off, you know?"

Blueblood cocked a brow and stepped over to give my finding a look. He hummed and leaned a bit closer, eying the book hard. "Missing?" he asked. 

"Yeah, just kind of incomplete. I dunno, maybe, I'm just losing it."  

Blueblood took a step back and scoffed. "I can't say. I don't see anything. Mayhaps you ask your stars, yes?"

"Ask the?" The words died on my tongue. Blue had a point. Maybe it's all about perspective. It couldn't hurt if it got this niggling feeling to stop. "Maybe I will."

"Sir."

I looked back at Sabre to find him looking to Blueblood's chambers to find them wide open and a very vexed looking Solemn to be standing eyes dancing from me to Sabre and back to the entryway and those guards outside it. 

"Good morrow, apologies or intruding. I hope your host of these walls will permit a moment. I have a word for my young student as it stands." 

Blueblood barely noted Solemn before waving him off. "Do as you like, but don't touch my work."

"Of cource not, sir," Solemn said and motioned for me to follow him. Sabre took up the rear as soon as I'd cleared the doorway. The guards outside gave a single cursory look and then returned to their uncanny statue-esque focus. 

We walked for several minutes in complete silence, except for our hoof steps and the clink of Sabre's armor. When Solemn finally stopped, his earlier trepidation had shifted to an uncomfortable squirm. 

"Yes?" I asked. 

"Well, I may have just received an interesting missive, as it were. One from our out-of-town friends, if you recall of whom I speak." Solemn cast a look over his shoulder and danced in place. The tension in his brow seemed ready to split whole. 

"Our friends." I nodded. "About time. I was starting to think your takes were that of a mad stallion. Good to know I'm the crazy one."

 "Was that ever in question, sir?" Sabre asked. 

"I dunno. Bright can be a tad much, some days." I said. 

"Gentlecolts, please. I would rather we discuss this in solitude, but unfortunately, neglecting your own goings-on, the noble court is gathering tonight. I, of course, will need to attend. As such, if and when you see Bright, do let him know that tomorrow we will need to gather to dissect the news in its totality, yes?"

Solemn's breaths were harsh as he once again looked about the empty dungeon way as if expecting ghosts.

"Should I go?" I asked. "To the summit, I mean?"

"No, you'd gain little from it and have more pressing matters. As our little congregation goes on and more are let in if only through the periphery, it is essential we not let any the wiser."

"He's right."

Sabre had managed to rally beside me without a single clink or clang of his armor. A bat I may be, but of the night and shadows, I was not. The same armor had been too happy to signal our journey not a minute prior. 

"Right, the whole act normal bit, how fun. I get it. Thanks for the heads up, Solemn."

"Quite. I'd best be off before your friend back in his quarters elicits queries and questions." 

Not managing more than a nod, Solemn was off before I had some much as an inking at another witticism. That had to be against the rules. Banter had rules, I think.

That done, I returned to Blueblood and the ever waiting criticism he no doubt has planned for my every etch. It was odd in reflection, using hooves to hold a quill. The frog seemed almost vacuous with how readily it stuck to any surface should I need it to. It certainly beats having the taste of a quill on my tongue should I have written that way. In this reflection, I watched the fluid motions of Blueblood's work with his horn. Every movement was so fluid and precise. 

He'd seemingly noted my staring and offered a raised brow in countenance. I shrugged and looked back to the map summary he'd already managed. He huffed and twirled his quill in the air as he regarded my own work. 

"Stargazer."

Blueblood pointed to my atlas' page once more with his favored quill.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"It comes to my ponderance as to your exact fixation on the lands between our northern neighbors and our own northern territories. It is in these thoughts I have come to a single conclusion. Beyond reasonable doubt, you are on the hunt for something very particular."

I nodded along. "I suppose so. What of it?"

"Simple, whatever you are so confident is there, must be a target erased like so much of our last millennium by our oh so benevolent queen. May her reign last forever."

I rolled my eyes. "You don't have to play politics with me, Blue; you don't like Nightmare. You have all the reasons in the world not to. To tell you the truth, I'm not all too thrilled with her rule either."

"Of course, you're not. What else would you be here, alongside me, if you did? A punishment I'm sure was least on your own thestral desires. A noble plagued with the task of dealing with a forgotten knave."

Blue tapped along his work table and turned back to his work. He didn't raise his quoll once more. He simply stared, lost in whatever mental deluge he kept returning to. I planted a hoof to my muzzle as I once again lost the cartographer to his past. 

"Blue, seriously. You need to quit assuming the worst here. I am here for my own means, yes, But I return because you'll be left with shadows and doubt if I don't. A pair of friends no self-respecting noble should ever keep. I said we're friends, and I meant it."

Blueblood didn't answer, though I saw his brow soften a bit. That was better than nothing as it was. I could little but pick away at Blueblood's shattered ego and hope he'd loosen up. If the stick up his plot was thicker, he'd have apples growing on one end. 

Several minutes passed in silence, though the tension had lapsed for the moment. The silence was ended by a cough from Blueblood, who'd looked back over at me. I absently looked between my various books and left my quill to the side. 

"You never answered my earlier question."

"Didn't I?"

In truth, his questions all kind of blended into one deeper monologue. 

"I asked of what you are searching, in the frozen wastes of yours. Your fixation seems a tad too cohesive to be simple curiosity."

I oh'ed in silence. I glanced back to the atlases I had open and rolled my tongue as I measured my answers, the truths, and half-truths. 

"I had a dream. It, I dunno. It just feels like this is related. I have no idea why. It just feels like something is calling to me."

Blueblood balked. "A dream, you're languishing on a dream?"

"Yeah, I suppose I am."

"Sir?" Sabre asked from behind me. I had just realized I hadn't told him either. My dreams were becoming a bit of a problem, it seems. 

"Crystals. There were crystals, and they lit up when I came near. It was dark, and the dark disappeared when I got to them. It was comforting, I guess."

"Luminescent crystals, and a fading dark. Hmm, that sounds familiar. How strange, coming from a mind-addled bat, very strange indeed," Blueblood mused.

"Agreed," Sabre said.

"Oh great, they're bonding."

I watched the two banes of my day share a smirk. I expected a few jabs here and there from Blue, but this was unfair. Sabre was officially a traitor, the jerk.

"Is that not what friends do?" Blueblood asked. 

He had me there, all the more reason to focus. A thought just occurred. Blueblood was a very blunt proponent of Nightmare's unjust rule. He didn't bother to try to hide it at all. If he weren't helpful and a shut-in, I had a little donut. He'd have been smited by now.

"Hey Blue, what are your thoughts on the resistance?"

I could hear Sabre choke back a curse. His whispering wasn't very well-practiced. He really should be better at silence with his job and all. Perhaps the guards outside would give lessons. I'd have to ask them on our way out later.

"You mean that band of do-nothings, led by that self-righteous fool Shining, pah, a token attempt by a band of ineffective curs."

I chuckled as he vehemently cast those he'd almost certainly relate to aside like trash. The look he'd given when mentioning Shining, whoever that was. There was a story there.

"Well, that's quite the damning declaration."

"Yes, well, your attempt at recruitment has been far more persuasive than the meandering talk of justice and harmony. So, bully to you, for at least trying to be subtle."

I could feel my ear twitch as I was floored by Blueblood's assurances. He'd not even bothered to look my way as he did. He'd stood hoof to the chest, chin in the air as he lambasted the Night and the Resistance in a single stride. That, however, was barely a footnote as he so nonchalantly called my allegiances out with such certainty.

"I, um, I what?" 

I couldn't even form a response. I sat jumbled mind and word alike.

"What, surprised?" Blue asked, his coy smile relapsing my surprise with baffled aggravation. I wasn't even sure what he was playing at anymore. 

I'd have asked Sabre, but he seemed as stunned, just staring a hole in the back of Blueblood's head, mouth ajar.

"Oh, come now, I'm not simple. I may not keep abase with all the goings-on above, but you're not exactly the most shrewd of souls. Though, It means little rather I'm right or wrong. Was it Shining who sent you? Are you even a bat, I wonder? Not one of his bugs, no, far too awkward and honest for that. My friend, you truly underestimated my genius. I am Prince Blueblood, of the Solar court, wrought with Celestia's blood. I am no fool."

I didn't respond. I simply sat and stared over at the almost glimmering unicorn who declared himself without pause or worry. Where was this stallion minutes ago? We were nearly a completely different pony. I was beginning to see why Nightmare held him in such ill repute, why she tossed him into a cellar and why he'd survived this long as it was. Prince Blueblood was a whole other kind of dangerous.   
  
"Blue, I, um, well."

"As I said, it matters not whom you align with. In this hovel, all that matters is my work. So, worry not. I have no mind to toss you to the wolves, as it were."

That was reassuring. The moment gone, Blueblood returned to his work without a second thought. The gusto and high of his performance did seem to drive his focus all the more. On the other hoof, I had no idea where to begin decompressing what I'd just witnessed. 

"I do have one question, however," Blueblood said. 

"Okay?" I asked. 

Blueblood gently returned his quill to its well. "Whose Idea was the friendship ploy. Did Shining think such tricks would work? I would dare say he'd know me better than that. Perhaps the bug? I have a feeling she'd not be so base. To whom, then?"

"Who did what?" I asked. 

Blueblood's face was an unmoving mask. He wore the stalwart look well. The face of a politician at work. Another proof of his noble background. He watched me as I stumbled tongue over thought and tried to rally any answer that'd actually settle the affair.

"No need for charades now. To whom do I owe the congratulations for such a cruel knife to my back. So tell me who, now."
> Where One Walks in The Moonlight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blueblood was hissing. He glared at me even as I squirmed under his interrogation. I could see Sabre in my periphery. He slowly made his way forward. He was comfortably in Blueblood's blindspot, but Sabre played it slow. His eyes flickered between mine and back to Blueblood. I felt the rough swollen feeling of my dried tongue. I attempted to smile but only amassed a terse grimace. Blueblood blew out his nose and leaned in closer. 

"Who, after everything I've done, who'd seek my aid? Why won't you just leave me alone? I won't go back. I can't. The stallion I was is gone, so quit tormenting me."

He wasn't talking to me, yes, but those words weren't for me. He shook and stomped and growled. Sabre had stopped, though still ready to jump the raging stallion should he need to. When Blueblood managed some level of composure, no matter how skin-deep it was. He returned to glaring at me.

"No one. I wasn't sent by anypony for you. It's okay, Blue. I promise."

I raised my hooves in surrender. Blueblood's puzzlement reached his muzzle as he scrunched up in thought. His look faded to one far away, lost in whatever machinations he had built, from turmoil and guilt. 

"Who sent you? Tell me, I need to know, I need to know who still hates me.

Blue's anger had seeped away. He'd fallen back on his haunches, and his glare had become a pleading stare. He desperately sought something, anything, to validate himself. In those eyes, I saw fear, a practiced fear. His mask had cracked, and he feared what was underneath. 

"I'm sorry, Blue, no one is after you. I don't hate you. You're safe here. I promise friends to have each other's backs. I have yours if you need it."

"Why? Why can't I just be left alone? It's what I deserve, Prince Blueblood, the worthless blood, the rejected son. I just want to be alone."

"I can't do that, Blue. I can't just leave you down here," I said. 

I rested a hoof on Blueblood's shoulder. He didn't say anything instead of resting his gaze on his hooves. He was still shaking. The adrenaline spike had taken its course. There we sat, a pair of misfits if there ever were any. A thestral noble who wanted nor needed a title. And an ex-noble who hated what his titles had become. We sat, Sabre had relaxed, and time ran its course. 

"A foal's tale."

I tilted my head. Blueblood's voice was barely a whisper. 

"What?" I asked. 

Blueblood slowly shook his head. An exhausted chuckle followed. 

"Your snow, those wastes. I recall a foal's tale about a city lost in the ice. A mad king and a heart of crystal. It might just be what you're searching for."

"A story, why would that help?" I asked.

"Because Nightmare Moon was a foal's tale too, sir."

I looked over to Sabre, who scowled back. I had a feeling Sabre wasn't much of a reader. When fiction and non-fiction are more suggestions than legitimate tags, I'd be upset too.

"Your guard is correct. Why should it be only one story that holds truth? A city lost in snow, and a crystal, might be what you're looking for."

Blue looked up at me. Then stood and motioned to the door. 

I nodded and started off. "Come on, Sabre, our friend, needs a nap."

"Sir."

So, that settled, Sabre and I took our leave. I was starting to take it personally that just about every conversation I have leaves me walking away feeling worse than the last. I hoped Blueblood would be okay. I had no doubt he'd keep his thoughts on my allegiances to himself. Though, learning the name of the rebel leader was an interesting tidbit. It seems whoever this Shining was, he and Blue were not on the best of terms. To be honest, it seemed every bridge he could burn, Blue did. My friend certainly has been reborn anew. I had a feeling that he was right when he lamented the death of who he'd been before Nightmare's rule.

"Hey, Sabre."

"Sir?"

"Who is Shining?"

I heard Sabre suppress a groan behind me. It seems this Shining was more than just some random righteous sort. As we made it back from the musty stole halls of the dungeons to the more sanitary halls of the palace at large. I am still waiting for Sabre's response. We passed a pony here and there, but all in all, whatever Solemn had gone to today It had consumed most of the staff and security. It was almost haunting now that the halls were so bare. The sound of hooves on marble and the echo from around each corner had the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. 

"Sir."

"Yup," I said over my shoulder. 

"He was the captain of the guard, sir."

I blinked and mumbled in surprise. The answer made sense. The fact he'd not been executed on day one spoke volumes. The fact he'd grown a faction large enough to have spies in Nightmare's ranks said to his wit and charisma. 

"Makes sense."  

"What now?" Sabre asked. 

An excellent question indeed. One thought that I'd rationed out back in Blueblood's abode. If he had half a night left, let's spend it somewhere fresh. We would be off to Ponyville, let the rabble throw their stones, and learn just how bad the citizens really had it. If I had to guess, bad. It could be worse than bad. Who knows, Nightmare could surprise me. Oh, the goosebumps of suspense were aplenty. 

"I thought a visit to the town nearby might be interesting. What say you, Sabre, up for a little Trieste and adventure?"

I looked back over my shoulder and bobbed my eyebrows in excitement. 

"This will end poorly. Sir."

My guard had come up alongside me and looked unenthused. Every party needs a pooper and all that. He was probably right, though. It'd be something new, at least. 

"It beats sitting here doing nothing."

Sabre rolled his eyes and lamented to himself. "If you say so, sir."

Thus, our adventure would begin.

The march out of the castle was almost too simple. The lack of all but the skeleton of the normally highly guarded front gate was uncomfortable. A moment in time when if a rebel force wanted in, they'd almost be welcomed. Nightmare's systems and priorities for defensive measures were genuinely lost on me. 

The guards that were at the castle entrance gave Sabre and me a cursory look but nothing more. I wasn't going to make a stink of it. A sound system would require documentation of who has come and who has gone. Why was it? I feel like I'd make a more impactful and successful tyrant than our oh so precocious queen? I don't think I'd deal well with the stress, so many lives, so many ponies to complain about everything. It was no wonder. Nightmare was utterly insane. The path from the castle itself was well-trodden and even had a nifty sign here and there pointing down the correct direction. 

The further we got from the castle, the more tense Sabre became. He seemed to almost shake in place whenever we paused. It was less than confidence-building. 

"You okay?" I asked as we came to the fourth notated sign on the forest path. 

"It's been some time since I've left the forest. The towns and cities across Equestria are less than happy with Nightmare's rule and laws. They might not be happy with a thestral parading about. It is unnerving." 

Sabre took a deep breath and looked back towards the castle. I couldn't say his worries were unfounded. It made sense, but with a bit of luck, I'd be able to turn that fear around. It was far easier to hate a group that avoided the citizens. It is far easier to make a connection as an individual. That and I was sick of the castle as a whole. I mean, talk about smothering. 

"It'll be fine. What are they gonna do, hang me from the gallows?"

Sabre didn't answer. I ignored the chill up my spine and continued forth towards Ponyville. The notes I'd seen about the town claimed it to be a pleasant place to visit. So, let's focus on the positives and less on guillotines.

The rest of the walk was a silent affair. The rustle of a bush here, the snap of a twig there. Yet the forest threw nothing to challenge our trek. So, when the final line of trees came to view, the dark, dreary Everfree was left to its own devices. 

No sooner had I crossed the threshold than I took a deep breath and held my head high. I had escaped the all-consuming presence of Her Royal Highness. 

"Ah, freedom," I said. I turned and grinned at Sabre, who seemed none the more relaxed. No, instead, he looked past me to the target of our tromp. Ponyville sat bustling with life. The moonlight cast the whole of the town in a gentle blue glow. Ponies of all kinds trot about on their ever-present schedules. Homes and businesses lined wide, well-kept streets, and life went on, as it had in the sun, so it continued in the night. 

"Shall we, Sabre?"

"If you say so, sir."

It was almost instantaneous. The gentle peace and chatter vanished. As Sabre and I took to the streets, the happy small talk became whispers. I could feel the eyes on the back of my head, the pointing, and the moody atmosphere that grew with each step. 

I let them do as they pleased. I offered a wave as we passed one ground and a pleasant greeting to the next. My hellos weren't returned, but I continued on nevertheless. The worst stare, though, was Sabre as he tried to burn a hole in the back of my head with all his might. 

"You're glares aren't helping Sabre."

"I'm aware, sir," Sabre said. He seemed to grind his teeth as we went. "This was a bad idea. We should go back."

I looked back and scoffed at my companion. "Oh, come on, we've been here—" My words were cut off as I walked into something that grunted. Well, first impression time, I just hope it's better than knocking someone for a loop. 

In fact, I'd knocked my unfortunate wall. The pony in question was a mauve mare with a two-toned pink mane. She rubbed her head as she looked back up at me. I offered a smile and a hoof. "Sorry about that," I said. The mare seemed to take me in for a moment before flinching away from my offered limb. I was taken aback. The stares and whispers were all well and good, but to recoil, that was a bit much. 

"Are you okay, ma'am?" I asked. My smile felt a bit heavier as the mare managed to pull herself up and slowly back away from me. 

"Fine." She said before turning about a trotting away. She offered several looks back at me until she turned the bend and was gone. 

"Well."

"I warned you, sir," Sabre had walked up beside me and nudged me. The ponies on the street seemed very far from happy with the scene. I sighed and conceded.

"Fair enough. You were right. Nightmare is a hop, skip, and a jump away. It'd be only natural a small town right off the edge of royal ground would have the most to suspect and the least reasons to assume the best."

  "It's not your fault, sir. Are you ready to go?"

I wasn't really. Going back is to run, fear, and let Nightmare's shadow drown me in her control and tyranny. Thestrals might be Nightmare's favorite breed, but it doesn't mean every thestral favors her. I was undoubtedly that exception, if nothing else. 

"No, I won't run."

"Sir?" 

I started off, head held high. The daggers in my back can stick where they may. If I couldn't sway at least one average pony, how was I gonna help the rebels? They'd be way more suspicious of a thestral, so I'd need to prove myself if I was to help save the day. 

My attention was shattered when a voice called me out. I blanked and looked about to find a mare marching my way. I'd missed her first comment, but it wasn't a pleasant one judging by Sabre's reaction. 

"You saw what he did. Do your job and arrest the bat." the mare said and pointed at me. Sabre looked between the mare and me before groaning to himself. 

The mare in question was irate, her bright orange mane bobbing as she marched forward, still pointing at me. I'd wager her a farmer, judging by her carrot mark. That had to be pretty hard given the lack of sun. I'd be pretty pissed as well in her shoes. 

"I'm sorry?" 

I wasn't sure what I'd done, but any excuse seemed to be the flavor of the night. It was only a matter of time till one too many whispers boiled over into frustrated confrontation. The mare didn't even look my way. She had eyes for Sabre and Sabre alone. 

"He just attacked Cheerilee. He should be in chains."

Sabre just met her rage with a tired look of his own. He watched as she stomped forward, looked up at him, and huffed, inches from my guard.

"Why am I not surprised. One of Nightmare's dogs is too afraid to do their job."

"Ma'am," Sabre hissed through clenched teeth. 

It was about this time I stepped in between Sabre and the farmer mare. "Leave him out of this. If you have an issue with me, then take it up with me."

I snorted, wings flared. I glared back at the mare, who returned it heartily. The two of us matched and stared for nearly a minute before the mare finally found her tongue. 

"Business with you, don't make me laugh. All you bats do is take our crops, our land, our sun, take, take, take. Then you throw Cheerilee to the ground and thank you're above the law. Well, I'm not gonna stand for it. You and your dog are nothing but greedy monsters, just like your queen."

"You know, it's funny. I'd almost agree with you. Nightmare certainly took a lot. But the thing is." I leaned down to meet the mare muzzle to muzzle. "You don't know the first thing about me. You have no idea who I am, what I think, or what I want. So, leave my friend out of this. If you want to yell at me, fine. If you want to insult me, fine. But I draw the line at calling my friend a dog. So, back off!" 

I stomped forward, and the mare took a step back. I didn't stop. I stamped along, and the mare stepped back. Her rage had sputtered out to fear. The street had gone entirely silent as the onlookers watched with bated breath. 

"I'm not Nightmare, I'm me, and the more you blur the line, the more like Nightmare you become. A bully all your own."

I yelled. I wanted the crowd, hell the whole town, to hear. I wasn't welcome here. I got that. I can understand why the townsfolk had genuine grievances and very few outlets to speak their mind. I had little doubt any other noble would have seen this mare locked away or worse. When you bottle years worth of fear and anger, something is bound to burst one way or another. My stress had been ready to blow, and I'd been here weeks. These ponies had every right to be mad. But I wasn't letting them take it out on Sabre. They wanted a scapegoat. Well, here I was.

"Brute."

The silence shattered as one townspony yelled.

"Liar," Another pony said. 

The dam broke, and more insults, a flood of concerns and anger poured down upon me. Let them yell and curse and blame. A mob is rarely sensible. 

"Sir," Sabre pulled me back and away from the carrot mare who looked ready to explode. Sabre seemed very concerned. He scoured the crowd, a crowd that was moving forward from nearly every direction. Then the food and trash started flying. 

"I may have overdone it, yeah?" I asked. 

"This way," Sabre said and pulled me toward an alley between two businesses, where the crowd was least dense. 

So we ran. The crowd had stalled for a moment, then they descended on us from behind. The alley had slowed their pursuit. That was only a stopgap, however. So we ran, from passage to ally, street to street. The crowd was yelling as they followed hot on our trail. The buildings became scarcer as we neared the town limits. Where the houses became tree hucks and tombstones. I glanced about as the gravesites seemed to stretch in all directions. 

I just wanted to getaway. Away from the castle, away from the politics, away from the fear, and away from Nightmare Moon. Yet, I was lost in a graveyard, running from a mob, all because I was a fucking bat. Sabre was just ahead of me, which made the stabbing pain in my chest worse. I felt my chest contract as the weight of the night fell upon my withers. 
   
"Shed." 

Sabre pointed to a run-down hut that sat amidst the stone effigies. The crowd hasn't too far behind. We were hidden only by the crown of a hill in the endless sea of grey. I managed a steady breath and nodded. 

"Shed."

So to the shed, we fled. We'd only just shut the shoddy door as the crowd crested the hill themselves. All we could now was wait and pray. Though to whom I should pray was beyond me. I'd take anyone willing to listen. 

"Please help," I whispered as the mob stalled and started to spread out in their search. It certainly wouldn't take much brainpower to try the only building in sight. 

"Help?"

My breath caught in my throat as I turned from the door to the interior in whole. Tools, straps, chisels, and a workbench. Oh, and a stallion who'd been engrossed in whatever book he now had set on the dusty weed-covered shed floor. 

Sabre had a hoof gripped tight to the hilt of his rapier. The pegasus was grey, like completely grey, grey coat, deeper grey mane and tail, and charcoal eyes. A pair of eyes that had locked with mine. 

"You're in my shed." the stallion said. 

Sabre nor I made any move. The grey stallion shrugged. "What's the hang-up?"

"Hang up?" I asked. 

The stallion nodded and stood. Sabre pulled the first inch or so of his blade free. 

"No need for that, soldier. It was just a bit of gallows humor."

The conversation was interrupted by nagging on the shed door. "Come out now. We know you're in there."

My mouth ran dry, the chalky stone vapor in the air not helping any. I took a step back from the door as the banging continued.

"So loud. At this rate, they'll raise the dead. Which is all the more a bother. I worked hard keeping them in the ground."

The stallion stepped past me and to the door. The hiss of Sabre's blade being drawn did little to steady my nerves. This was not good, not one bit.

"Calm down. I'm coming."

The banging stopped as the grey stallion yelled through the shed's thin walls. 

"Spade, that you?" a voice from the other side asked. 

"No, I'm the guy who killed Spade, skinned him, and made his pelt into a nifty coat for when it gets a bit chilly."

I restrained a choked balk as the stallion waited for the mob outside to digest his straight-faced sass. Sabre had lowered his weapon and seemed lost in the scene the stallion Spade had conjured up. 

"Faust, dang it, Spade, no needed that image."

That had me struggle to withhold a laugh. What a mood killer. The anger had vanished from the pony on the other side of the shed door. 

"Can I help you?" Spade asked. The speaker for the mob. 

"You haven't seen anypony come through here, have ya?"

My body tensed, Sabre had readied his weapon, and Spade gave me a cursory look before returning his attention to those outside. The seconds ticked by as the stallion seemed to weigh his answer. 

"Do the memories of lifeless eyes of those I bury count?" Spade asked. 

I could hear the cringe from the other side. Several seconds passed as the mob whispered amongst themselves. Spade cracked a smirk as we waited. 

"No, Spade, they don't. Have you seen a bat come through here?"

Spade smacked his lips a couple times. I could feel my heartbeat in my ears. Sabre had taken a step closer to Spade. The grave keeper didn't seem to mind. I mouthed for his help. The grey stallion rolled his eyes and turned back to the door. 

"Can't say I have. Though judging by all the racket. You sound ready to lynch one. I expect a bonus for cleaning that mess up."

The mob went quiet once more. After a few seconds, the mob leader responded. "Yeah yeah, whatever you say, Spade. Go back to cuddling your chisel, you mad pony."

"Love you too."

That said, Spade walked back to where he'd placed his book. The crowd sounded as if they were dispersing. Spade settled down, picked his book back up, and went back to reading as if nothing had interrupted him.   

When several minutes had passed, the rumblings of the mob went silent. Sabre sheathed his blade, and I finally recalled how to breathe. Spade looked up and sighed. 

"You're still here?" he asked. "Actually, I'm curious. How'd you get the torch and pitchfork treatment? Must have made quite the scene."

"Oh right, uh, that," I said and rubbed the back of my head. "Kind of a long story."

Spade shrugged and closed his book. "I have time."

It just so happened. At the moment, so do we.
> Once Reaped, Now Planted
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spade nodded along as I finished the current abridged foretelling of my story. I left out certain bits and pieces, but this gent had saved my bacon. I could at least give him an explanation for why I'd barged into his reading nook. Spade hadn't spoken up through the whole thing, just sat there and listened with a singular focus. I respected the patience of pegasus, if nothing else. 

"So, they started chasing me like I'd been caught red hooved in some nefarious act," I said, finishing my retelling.

Sabre had taken to staring out the splits and holes in the shack's cracked and creaking wooden walls. The majority of the mob had moved on, though one or two citizens still hung about. Maybe they thought we'd dived into a coffin for a quick nap. It was hardly the worst-case scenario. I felt myself sag and sighed to the starry heavens above.

"Well, that's quite the story. I can't speak to thestrals this or nobles that, but never met somepony, so run headfirst to the nearest grave."

Spade nodded to himself and cast a look over to Sabre. Who hadn't even taken notice of my ending our story. "If you were all that bad, you wouldn't have an earth  pony so worried about you not dying and whatnot."

"You're a strange one, you know that?" I chuckled and plopped onto my back. I gazed up at the tin roof and felt the tension in my limbs lighten.

Spade shrugged. "Just a shovel for the dead. Here at Sweet Apple Cemetary. I like the quiet and the smell."

I cocked a brow. "Smell?"

"It still smells like apples. Used to be a bit of an orchard, a good family with lots of honest work. Then eternal night hit, and the trees just couldn't keep up."

"Oh…"

I didn't really know where to go from there. Another victim of Nightmare's endless self-indulgence. That list was starting to get silly. I threw my hooves up and groaned. 

"They were a good family. The Apples formed Ponyville a few generations back," Sabre said. I hadn't noticed him looking over as Spade, and I spoke. He looked snorted and stamped as he recounted the past. "They deserved better."

Spade nodded. "Poor Granny Smith was the first hole I dug. I wish it'd been my last. I made sure to make her spot nice and pretty. Chiseled the apple flourishes myself."

I sat up. I found myself looking about the shack again. The workbench was starting to make more sense. "You chiseled the tombstone?"

"Every one of 'em. I dig the hole, make it pretty, I visit every service and remember every name. If you forget, that's when a pony really dies."

"Wow."

That was all I could muster. Sabre didn't fare much better. He took his helm off and offered the grave keeper a bow.

"Nothing special. I just want to give everypony a smile here. It might be a place of the dead, but that doesn't mean all the good times died too."

It was official. This was the strangest pony I'd ever met. He could manage such thoughtful words while looking like he'd kicked a puppy. 

"So weird," I said with a shake of my head and a smile. 

"Takes one to know one, Mr. Charisma. That crowd sure thought so."

I raised my hooves in defeat.

"Coast is clear."

Sabre had returned to looking out at the cemetery. The last stragglers had given up, and now, all there was were the dead and us three in the shack. Not exactly the best company to keep, but I'd apologize to the dead when we left. I'd apologize to Ms. Smith too. I couldn't speak for anypony else, but I wasn't going to sit on my butt and do nothing about it.

Spade must have noticed my pooling anger. He smiled and sluggishly trotted over and plopped himself beside me. That had me blink. But the sudden pull as Spade brought me into a hug had left me utterly floored. 

It was all the worse when Sabre laughed for all his training and stoic nature. The big stupid heart pony pointed and laughed at my face as Spade patted my shoulder. 

"It's not your fault. Besides, you seem like a decent guy. I think the Apples woulda liked you. Thestral or not. "

So there I sat, one pony hugging me, the other holding his sides in mirth. It was every day in this crazy place. Equestria was crazy, top to bottom, utterly, maddeningly crazy. The fact I liked it meant I was most likely a little crazy too.

"So, I appreciate the hug and all, but it's getting awkward. I also don't want you burying my guard over there. He might end up suffocating on his own stupidity," I said and offered a light pat on Spade's back. "Besides, I think we owe each other a proper introduction."

"Oh, good point."

Spade separated himself from me and scooted back to his original lounging spot. I turned and gave Sabre the tersest glare I could conjure. It didn't have the sobering effect I would have liked, but he did manage to collect himself in short order. 

"I suppose I'll start. The name's Sturdy Spade. My friends call me Spade. So please, by all means. I work at Sweet Apple Cemetary and like to nap and read. Oh, I like stonework. It's super relaxing. I'm not a complicated pony, just a pegasus who likes to get dirty."

I nodded and clopped my hooves together. "I can respect that. So," I cleared my throat and struck a pose, one blue might have taken. "My name is Stargazer. I am an amnesiac thestral who was made a noble on a fluke. I've been dabbling in cartography and have a pension for meeting the oddest ponies I can. I apologize for derailing your night, and thank you for helping us out earlier."

Spade nodded once, and we both turned to Sabre. He was back to his attentive self and looked rather tired, if I was honest. 

"Corporal Light Sabre, of the Royal guard. I am also the trusted handler of one, Stargazer. It is an honor to meet you, and I too offer my thanks."

Sabre finished with a salute. This earned a salute back. Spade seemed all to play along. The lethargic stallion had a knack for making everything as easy as possible.

"A strange night to make a couple new friends. But don't worry, I won't tell the ghosts. You never know what a jealous spirit might do. Hauntings, possession, angling all of your artwork a quarter centimeter off-center. That last one could drive you mad."

"Riiiight," I said.

"Sir, we should probably go. We had plans with Solemn when the Court ended," Sabre said. He had slowly opened the front door and waited as I clambered back to my hooves.

"He's right. It's been a pleasure, Spade. If you're ever up at the castle, feel free to drop by my rooms or whatever you call them. A friendly face is always appreciated."

I offered a hoof, and Spade tapped it with a hardy clack. "Sounds like a party. Maybe I'll take you up on that one of these days."

That settled, I followed Sabre out the door and waved back at Spade, who returned with a wave of his own. I was mentally exhausted. First Blueblood and now Spade. I was all over the place today. Though if Solemn had anything to say about it. I hadn't even got to the complicated part. One can only hope.

The return trip was far less chased out of town and more walking back after a disappointing day. Spade had been a good sport, though, if nothing else, there was one pony in town who gave me a chance. The Court was most assuredly done by now, which meant the real night would begin. It also meant things were very well gonna get more complicated.

It was a surprise when we were met at the gate. Her lady Rarity stood scrunched up, scowl scanning the horizon. I mouthed my surprise to Sabre, who seemed just as confused. He also went full cautious on-guard. He tapped the hilt of his sword as we made it to the gate. 

"Busy day?" Rarity asked. 

I offered a shrug as I did everything in my power not to meet, Rarity's own unscrupulous stare. I could feel her dark blue eyes boring a hole through my head. I gulped down what little spit I had and waited. 

Rarity huffed and readjusted the collar of her business attire. "I was surprised to hear our newest noble missed the Night Court. A shame, really. How does one learn if they skip out on the actual experience?"

I shrunk on the spot and felt my coat stand on end. If Rarity was this upset, I can't imagine how mad Nightmare was. Solemn said it'd be fine. This was not okay, not fine at all. The guards behind Nightmare's favorite unicorn took a measure of stiffening up and readying their spears. This did not sit well with Sabre, who shook, hoof still tapping the pommel of his blade. 

"Now, now, gents. We do not use violence when a lesson can be learned. Well, Stargazer, where did you wander off too, as it were?"

Rarity's guards wilted as soon as she'd spoken. She hadn't even needed to raise a hoof. She spoke, and they obeyed. She might be the third most powerful mare alive. The first went to Nightmare Moon and the second to this mysterious Lady of Hearts. I hadn't met her yet, I hoped, but if reputation means anything.

"Well, I was working with Blueblood, you see." Rarity snorted, jaw tightening as I spoke. I had to look away just to stop my body from shaking. "I saw a map for the local town." Rarity stamped the ground, and her glare darkened further. The air seemed much heavier all of a sudden, and it looked like Rarity's guards had fallen back. That can't be right." 

"You visited Ponyville." The hiss at the end of Ponyville had me flinch like I'd been caught cursing by my mom. "Go on."

I nodded. 

"Right so, I walked through town until the locals pointed me to a town staple. We ended up at Sweet Apple Cemetary. Um, the history seemed nice?"

I offered the largest fakest smile of my life. Rarity didn't react. For a minute or so, we simply looked at one another. When Rarity did come too, she hmphed once, turned on ear, and started back into the palace proper.

"We're done here," Rarity said.

That was that, and her guards followed, and Sabre and I were left at the gate alone. I heard the thump of Sabre falling onto his haunches. I found my body had completely locked up. I stood shaking in place. Nightmare herself commanded fear and awe. Rarity, she inspired something else together. 

"My room?" I asked.

Sabre nodded. "Yep."

So off we were to any such sanctuary that would leave us free of those who were more than capable of ending Sabre and me, with ease if I had to guess. We hadn't shut my door behind us two minutes before a knock had me jump in place. I'd worked too hard t not to die to go and break my record now. 

"Who is it?" I asked. 

"Star, you home?"

Bright didn't bother waiting for a response. He simply threw the door wise and strode in a big stupid grin and all. Solemn offered a mumbled apology as he followed behind. I was glad Solemn had found time to chat tonight. Because I had a few words for him, he nearly got me killed by the world's scariest unicorn. 

"Solemn."

The thestral managed a nervous cough and took a seat beside Bright, who seemed to be bouncing in his seat. Sabre took a position between the seating arrangement in my apartment and the door. He'd caught my meaning, good.

"Would anypony care for some tea?" I asked. 

"I would," Bright said. He was making it increasingly hard to be mad. 

"That sounds lovely, Star, thank you." Solemn affirmed. 

"Great." 

So, I did exactly as I was asked. I made tea, bags, and boiling water the whole shebang. It was an easy, relaxing chore, but that was just fine. The moment the pot whistled. I took up a tray with cups and small biscuits the staff seemed to refill every time I stepped out. I placed everything on the table in the lounge area and offered everyone the sum they desired. 

"By all means." 

"Thanks," Bright said as he helped himself to a biscuit. 

Solemn, however, seemed more cautious with his consumption. He managed a cup of tea for himself and nodded to me. Everything was nice and cheery, it was no doubt. I certainly didn't feel a constant twitch in my left wing. I didn't offer a toothy smile every time Solemn looked up from his drink. The older thestral squirmed in his spot all over tea. 

"Star, I must apologize."

Solemn let out a sigh and looked up at me. I shrugged and took a sip of my own tea. The declaration had also grabbed Bright's attention. In less time than I could conceptually take in, the writer had had a somber look in his eye. 

"For what?" Bright asked.

"For what indeed?" I asked. 

Solemn sat his tea down with a clink. He steadied himself and matched my look with a veteran politician's poker face. The mask he wore was one of genuinely mastful craftsmanship. "Today has been quite the debacle. The summary of the Court gathering in reference to yourself was not as understanding as I assumed. I had no idea Her Majesty would take note of such. Though, that is hardly all of tonight's surprises. A myriad of our own making, I am afraid."

"You mean the Resistance?" I asked. 

Solemn nodded. "I do."

"Go on," I said and waved eagerly.
> Ramifications and Other Assorted Details
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I received a missive upon waking from our friends atop the mountains. This much, you know. However, the context of their request has become all the harder as of now. For that, I apologize. I hadn't predicted Her Majestey's seeming fixation on her newest noble. Thusly, we are trapped in a very finite schedule that will make or break our not so far off future."

I pursed my lips and rubbed my hooves across my temples. If it wasn't one thing, it was another. I watched Solemn flinch at my uncomfortable stare. Bright seemed intrigued in his own way. I doubted Sabre felt much better about this than I did, though I could only guess as the noble knight was placed at an angle outside my sightline. Solemn had my full undivided attention, so Sabre's remarks could wait for the time being. 

"So, mind explaining what upset Nightmare so badly? I mean, I can almost see her being annoyed at one of her pet projects being hidden away. But to be upset enough that you're worried we are in any more danger than any other day is unnerving." 

I took another sip from my tea and tried to stiffen the twitching in my ears. Solemn nodded along and parsed out his own thoughts even as I spoke. 

"I felt much the same before she stalled my exit as the Night Court ended. She had looked almost pleasant until she'd cornered me. It wasn't a very long nor very constructive conversation. Though as the topic at hoof was your whereabouts, I'm sure the depth of said topic ultimately still holds weight in your mind."

"You're talking around the topic. Solemn, just tell us already. This will he, won't he schtick is super played out, you know?" Bright said, prodding Solemn on the snout. "We're all waiting for the climactic reveal."

I tossed my hooves in Bright's direction in overt agreement. Solemn gave a polite cough and continued his explanation.


--- 


"I'd meant to leave as soon as possible so as to deliver the news from above to you all. I hadn't made it to the throne room door before I felt a shadow envelop me in the shade. I'd no sooner turned about that I was staring eye to eye with a terse alicorn."

"Solemn Mind, leaving so soon?" Nightmare asked. I was caught unawares, it seemed. 

There she was, all the same. I hadn't even heard her descend from her dais. I felt a lump hang low in the back of my throat as I tried to put on a welcoming smile.

"As swiftly as it pleases, Your Highness. My time is yours."

It seems my smile hadn't gone over as well as I'd have liked. Nightmare had narrowed her eyes, a chill running from my neck to the base of my tail. The alicorn, all the same, continued to watch my squirming. 

"If that is so, perhaps you can assist us with a ponderance. Thou are of sharp mind and tact. Surely such a quandary would be well within your powers, yes?"

Thus caught off guard for the second time in as many minutes, I nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, Your Highness. If it is within my power, I will answer any question you may have." 

I knew going in it was a trap. Nightmare knew I knew, and still, she let me play the lackey and waited patiently for my answer. It was the same game she played with the Court at large. She rarely knew less than any other and more often knew more than she let on. Since her return from the moon, it had taken her time, but she had taken to ruling like a fish to water. 

"Then this shall be but a swift delay for us both. My question is simply, where was my newest noble, your student, this night?"

My heart dropped. I felt my mouth mime words for a brief moment before I found my voice. The queen seemed to take some semblance of amusement from this. The tiniest smirks could be seen at the edge of her lip as I rallied my sense. 

"I apologize, My Queen, but Stargazer is, as of my current knowledge, still with Blueblood finalizing the first of your star maps. If not there, then finishing the reading, I had him assigned." 

"So, he did not arrive at court tonight?" Nightmare asked. She rubbed her chin, looking away as if digesting my response. I knew she knew, and she knew I knew. The cycle of which she seemed to relish like one might enjoy delicate seasoning. 

"No, My Queen." 

I knew it was the wrong answer the second, Nightmare's gaze returned to me. Her bright blue slits peered past the veil of mortal senses and froze my body and my soul. To the seeming eternal state of such a being, my life was little more than an instant. I was and then wasn't without much more than a cursory notice. 

"Might I ask why?" Nightmare's voice was barely above a whisper as she craned her neck down to level herself with me. The sneer at the end of her question had me writhing in place. 

"It did not seem appropriate—"

Nightmare's hoof rose, and I went quiet mid-thought. 

"It did not seem appropriate? Would claim that a noble of whom I laid claim as my own should not be present for my Noble Court?" 

By the end of her question, she'd gone from a whisper to a growl. If any nobles had remained in her throneroom prior, they were gone now. It was Nightmare Moon, her guards, Lady Rarity, and myself. Thus I was on my own. 

"I thought his lack of experience would have left him woefully ill-prepared to serve you in a meaningful manner."

Nightmare recoiled to her full height and stomped a hoof into the floor with a resounding snap. The flawless tile of the throneroom was no longer as such. A meter-wide spiderweb of cracks snaked out from beneath her hoof. I gulped silently as she looked down upon me. I thought at that moment I might die from her gaze alone. 

"And who are you to determine what level of merit I seek? Who are you to speak above my authority? How am I to judge the merits of Stargazer if he is not present for my judgment? Tell me, Solemn Mind, as you speak with such insight."

"I simply wanted him to be his best self for you. I'm sorry, I was wrong."

I was shaking in place. My breath hitched between every frantic inhale. Nightmare continued to glare down at me, unblinking as I pondered what complete incineration would feel like. Painful, but for how long would such pain last?

"I have half a mind to put you out of my misery here and now. However, such an act would only seek to delay my request longer. I expect exceptional service from my servants. If this were any other crime, we would not be having this discussion. You will bring forth the young lost Stargazer to next week's Court along with his first star maps. Fail in this request, and you shall not be given another chance. Am I clear, cur?"

I sunk back further with each word, and she stepped forth to meet me. This could not possibly come at a worse time. My thoughts went back to the letter I'd received at night's start. The same letter I'd burned after reading. Such things could not be left to chance. Should any be found, the punishment Nightmare had prepared at this moment would seem merciful indeed. 

"Solemn Mind!"

My attention returned in full as I nodded emphatically. "Yes, your Majesty, I understand completely. It will not happen again."

With naught but a scoff, the alicorn of the night turned and left. Lady Rarity had stepped out at some point, and even her guards had made sure they'd given their ruler a wide birth. I had little time to do more than shake off the adrenaline spike and leave as quickly as possible. There was still much to be done. 


---


"Thus, I made my way back to my rooms to gather my wits. It was on my way here that I found Bright Pitch on course for this very locale."

Bright nodded and patted Solemn's shoulder. "Yep, fun times, it seems."

"Beats being chased through Ponyville and then getting threatened, I think, by Rarity. That settled, what of our friends from afar?" I said. The tea and biscuits had been finsiehd during Solemn’s retelling and that no distraction for the pièce de résistance. 

"Very well. The missive was brief though their interest in new recruits, one being a thestral of all things, was clear."

Solemn let forth a restrained chuckle as he reread the letter in the frayed layers of his mind's eye. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing, as it were.

"And?" Sabre had stepped closer. The fear Solemn might run was all but gone. So, his need to watch the door was moot. He took a sear to Solemn's other side, leaving him boxed by an irritated Sabre and an all too excited Bright. 

"As of their writings, they were, as I said, interested in gathering any new allies they can. They were more interested in Star's particulars, being who and what he is. The amnesia notwithstanding, of course."

"So, what, they want a meet and greet?" I asked. 

Solemn shrugged. "Of a sort, I suppose. They wish for us to make our way to Canterlot. So to decide the best course of action for their newest trump card. "

My head tilted, and my ears splayed as I ran solemn's words in my head. "Trump card, laying on a bit thick, aren't they?"

"A lack of Thestrals who understand just what has become of Equestria, sir," Sabre said. He looked between Solemn and me and growled to himself. It wasn't just the rebellion that had thestral problems.

"So what, one in a million?" I asked. 

"More like just us, Star. I mean the three thestral amigos." 

Bright laughed at his own joke. Solemn's look was one of pained agreement. I was starting to see why the rebels were having such a hard time. No spies on the in-crowd would make any meaningful attack difficult at best and near impossible at worst. 

"Okay, so what's the plan?" I asked. 

"That is where we may run into some issues. For we are to arrive in Cnaterlot next week."

Solemn sighed, messaging the side of his head and leaning over the table. 

"So?"

Solemn looked back up at me. He looked tired, bags under his eyes, bloodshot, and weary. The older thestral seemed ready to collapse. 

"On the same day, Nightmare wishes you to join the Night Court."

My jaw hit the table as I joined Solemn in laying across it. The stars were aligning to spite me at this point. My past was a blur, my future uncertain, and even my present nothing but one near-miss after another. I grumbled and let Solemn move on. 

"It seems we are at a loss. If we bide our time too long, the resistance may not be in a position to meet us at all. If we travel abroad, it will likely earn us the title of traitor. A miserable set of circumstances. One of my own creation. I would not blame your spite at this point. It is not your lives that should be in jeopardy for this old fool's miscalculation."

"Hardly, sir," Sabre said. 

"Not really," Bright agreed. 

"I blame Nightmare Moon. None of us asked for this eternal night crap. You are hardly the bad guy here."

I sat back up and looked over at the window. The brilliant diamond-studded sky, stuck in swirls of color and light. I managed a half-smile as I let the scene drive away the stress and complications of the night. It was all just another hurdle, a challenge to overcome. 

"As that may be," Solemn said. 

I held up a hoof cutting him off. "Nope."

"Star," solemn said, voicing rising in volume. 

"Nope. No more blaming. Instead, we have one week to come up with a plan. So, pull your head from your plot, and let's get to some actual work, yeah?"

"Sir," Sabre agreed. 

"The suspense is already killing me. The dramatic aspirations are overwhelming," Bright had leaped to his hooves and danced in place. 

Solemn looked ready to argue. The brow of my mentor creased in a series of folds that seemed bent on devouring one another. After a moment of silent debate, the older stallion relented and nodded along. 

"It seems we've little choice as of now."

"Good, now all we need to do, is not die in the meantime."

"So, what is the plan?" Bright asked.

I threw my hooves up. "No idea. That's why I have you three."

I laughed. Sabre planted a hoof to the side of his face, and Solomon looked away lest he catches the stupids. Then it struck me. A sudden impromptu thought. The conversation with Blueblood. The one after Solomon had been by. 

"The snow. The place under the shadows," I said.

"Sir?"

"It's just a thought. Sorry, I recalled something Blue had said earlier. The place we discussed, the one missing from the atlas."

"The what now?" Bright asked. 

"A place where crystals bloomed in light, deep in the snow and ice. It was something like that. I dunno. It was a dream, I think. A nightmare maybe, I'm not sure." 

"And this may help us?" Solemn asked. 

"No idea. Blueblood seemed interested. Who knows, maybe it means something. Maybe it has something to do with why I woke up in the woods, or maybe, I'm just losing my mind."

"Well, as you said. We have a week. Who knows what we might learn in that time. For now, perhaps we should retire. It has been a stressful night indeed."

Bright and I agreed. Though Sabre said nothing, he'd taken to giving me an odd look as the other two stallions rose to adjourn for the night.

"You okay?" I asked. 

Sabre didn't respond, instead standing and joining the other two as they exited. I frowned but let them go. Sabre's look still etched into my head. I collected the tea set as soon as the door had shut behind them. It was probably nothing. 

I looked back out at the stars and sighed. It was only going to get more complicated from here.

"I need some sleep." 

The clock marked it as just past nine. So, maybe I could muster a shower first. Cemetery shacks aren't exactly the cleanest places to hide, and the trek itself had earned me some sweat stains. The thought of the crystals still buzzed around in the back of my head. I'd need to check back with Blue tomorrow. He might have found something or might have some fresh ideas on what to look for. If the place actually existed, that is. My dreams have been a one-stop-shop for the odd and unsettling. 

I caught a shadow playing across the stars in my periphery as I turned towards the bathroom. When I looked back, I found nothing. I rubbed a hoof over my eyes and muttered to myself as I returned to my task. 

"That's it. I'm losing it." I said as I entered the bathroom, and with one last look back, I closed the door. If It were important, I'm sure it could wait till morning. They should have come up with some new words for early and late-night when it came to this whole no-day thing. The vernacular involved would likely drive me mad if my dreams didn't.
> A Path Unwalked, A Tale Untold
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

There I was, Nightmare Moon, leering down at me, even as I kissed the floor. This morning far too early if you asked me, I heard a knock at my door. It worries me that I am getting far too used to that noise. Five minutes later, and with a very antsy squire escort, I was in the single solitary room in the castle I dreaded. I now knelt in the throne room. I should have expected it after Solemn's worries from last night. My stomach churned. I was glad I hadn't eaten yet. The squire and guards by the entry had left and closed the doors to the chamber with a resounding thud. It was just me and Queen Nightmare Moon. A none too pleased queen at that.

"Your Majesty?" I asked. 

She continued to stare down at me. I could feel the itch in my hind legs, the insatiable urge to bolt. I was staring into the eyes of an apex predator, fangs or not. I was still a prey animal, a herd animal. The type of beast safest in a crowd. 

Nightmare finally tutted and sat back on her throne. I released a held breath and waited. Sabre hadn't even shown up. It'd been so early. I attempted a smile only to find my mirth die the second Nightmare noticed. 

"Rise."

I did so, and I still felt tiny. Nightmare tutted again, and horn lit. She lifted a file that had been hidden beside her throne. I tilted my head, ears a flop as she skimmed through the contents. She kept the papers angled away, leaving me none the wiser. 

"Do you know why you have been summoned, gazer of stars?"

I mustered what little focus I had and nodded. "It has to do with my absence from you glorious court, Your Highness."

"To an extent, yes. I had also wished to see the preliminary work on my stars. For the first, I am distraught. If the second hadn't been so well documented, I might have tossed you up to see my stars first hoof."

I understood the threat. That part made sense. However, for the former, the documents, I was at a loss. Yet, there she sat, flipping from page to page, not even looking in my direction. So, there I waited. The jitter in my hind legs had now entered my forelegs. I was close to performing my own rendition of the peepee dance. I'd do it, too, if it meant I could leave. 

"Your lines could use a bit of work, and I found one or two stars that are angled too far to one side of the other. That aside, the work is well within expectations. It seems that the rat in the dungeons is quite the teacher. I may even send a missive to applaud him. I bet that would make his day, yes?"
It was rhetorical. Nightmare must get off on knowing she'd broken Blueblood so thoroughly. That aside, I hadn't been close to finalizing a draft. My lines were terrible at that. That could leave naught but one outcome. Did I just get rescued by Blue of all ponies? I mean, I considered him a friend of alike. I was never really sure if he felt the same. If I was right, I'd need to apologize for doubting him. 

"He is quite the instructor. I must thank you, Your Highness, for introducing me. It was more grace than I deserved," I said, bowing again. 

"But of course. It is a queen's duty to bring wonder and awe to every subject. Your apprenticeship under the rat has born fruit. So, to that, I applaud your effort. I expect the next draft to be without flaws. So, to that end, I relay any punishment for yesterday's transgression."

"Thank you, My Queen."

The jitters had lessened. I was about to get off scot-free. I found the tidings of a smile even as I turned to leave. Nightmare hummed again and cleared her throat. I stopped mid-turn and looked back to the alicorn, who smirked at me. 

"You're quite the strange stallion. I have yet to find nary a detail of your past. To that front, have you recovered any more of your past, knave?"

Just like that, my happy feeling was gone. I paced in place as I scrounged for anything I might use to satiate the alicorn. It then hit me. I had at least one card to play. 

"I have Your Highness. I had a dream, one that placed me back from wince I came. I don't know the exact location. However, I know it was far north, near the Yak lands. It is perhaps why finding my origins has been so difficult. I may have more humble beginnings than even I suspected."

"Is that so? Interesting, thou art quite the strange stallion indeed. Now, go. I believe the rat will be waiting. I also expect you at next week's court precessions. Am I clear?"

"Crystal, your Highness. I wouldn't dream of missing it."

That said, I retreated with as much grace as one can muster when they were face to face with an unstable super powerful dictator. When I exited, I found none other than my royal babysitter, to my surprise. Sabre stood against the wall facing the throne room and seemed positively dripping with good tidings. 

"Morning," I said. 

Sabre took a deep breath and nodded. "Sir."

I could tell I had an ear full coming in the near future. I smiled all the same and started off to the dungeons. Sabre was right behind me, glaring a hole into the back of my head. The walk was a quiet one. In fact, we made it almost the entire way to said dungeons when I turned the corner to meet a face full of fur. I reeled back and fell on my haunches with a startled yelp. 

"Sir?" Sabre asked as he rounded the bend. 

I did pay him much mind. I had something far more interesting on hoof. I had, it seems, run into a mare. A tall, pink mare. One draped with a shawl and hood. Our collision had knocked her hood off, though the mare seemed more impressed with the files I'd knocked from her telekinetic grip. She didn't say a word. She instead collected her things and mumbled something to herself. It was only as she went to sidestep me that I noticed a single pink feather sitting in her place. I blinked and slowly reached down and hefted the feather in my hoof. 

"Sir?" Sabre asked once more, following the withdrawal of the mare as she left. She'd drawn her hood once more and was gone in an instant. 

"Odd."

It took a deep breath, tucked the feather underwing, and started back to the dungeons. I had a niggling feeling I'd seen that mare before. Whatever it was, it was lost to me. So, feather secured, I decided I'd look into it later. It felt like I was missing something. 

"I'm fine, just got startled," I answered Sabre. 

"If you say so, sir." 

It was left at that. While I was still left a tad befuddled, the rest of our walk was as nondescript as a jaunt to the old gaol can be. Blueblood, for his part, was not at his table. He was neither at his bed nor the washroom. In fact, the unicorn wasn't in his room at all. I was left befuddled again. Why does everypony keep doing that? 

I leaned back out of the rooms to the nearest guard. "Excuse me, sir, not trying to be a bother, but where did Blueblood go?"

The guard yawned and grumbled something about bats under his breath. I chose to ignore it for now. "Your buddy departed a while ago. I don't know where only when."

I looked back over at Sabre, who was leering at the maps strewn about the chamber. Then I looked back to the guard, giving me a fierce stinkeye. 

"Aren't you supposed to be guarding him?" I asked.

The other guard snorted.

"We guard the room, the maps, and the like. The pony living in em' can do as he pleases. That is unless he starts tearing the room apart or such."

My jaw hung wide. "You guard the room?"

The guard nodded. "Yes."

"Not the pony?"

He nodded once more. "Yes."

"Huh. Thanks, I suppose. Have a nice day."

That said, I darted back into the rooms. There was nary a note, no indication of where the crazy bastard had gone. Sabre had chosen to lean against a wall and watch me grind my teeth. Here I was ready to apologize and thank him, and he up and vanishes.

"I mean, come on. The one day, I need to see the jerk, and he finally gets over his anxiety and depression. I call hacks. He's cheating. He has to be."

"At what, sir?"

I stop and look back at Sabre. "Excuse me?" I ask.

"Cheating at what, sir?"

"At— He's— Gah!"

I fell to my haunches and waved nondescript as I fumed. I earned a Sabre smirk as he watched me sulk. One big bother, I tell you. That makes two jerks today, all one big hassle. So there I sat for several minutes. I wasn't really quite sure where to go from here. I could hunt down Solemn, but that would do little. We'd need a concrete plan, which would mean everypony having their ducks in a row. 

At the point of me getting bored and fed up with sitting here doing nothing, I began to leave and let Blue work alone. That at this moment, I was face to face with said stallion. One who'd just walked back into his lodgings without a care in the world. 

I say that, but judging by his face, he was not having a super night. His head hung low, and the books in his magical grip barely hovered over the floor. The poor stallion heaved a sigh and let the books plop to the ground. 

"Uh, hey, Blue. You okay, there?" I asked. 

Blue looked up, and blue a dangling bang out of his face. In all, he looked as if he'd been up all night, or up not infinitely but a twenty-four-hour period of the night. Time makes no sense anymore. I really hated the eternal night thing. 

"I've been better."

"Well, hey there, buddy, you're alone in that?"

Blue snorted and managed to sit up like a big boy. "Is that what you call it? I suppose I am less alone than prior. I have Sabre at least to heed my woes."

I flinched. I looked back to Sabre, who shrugged.

"As is, I am actually quite grateful for your continued companionship. It has been so long since I had anypony's attention I became convinced none had any to pay me. Well-deserved poverty, tis how I found my place in these hallowed halls."

"Blue, it's a dungeon. You live in a dungeon."

"But live I do, in the depths where I belong."

"Well, that aside. I wanted to thank you for, well, keeping me from the gallows. You didn't have to fix those star charts. But, thank you all the same. I owe you for that."

I managed a smile which Blue reciprocated. It was strained, and the stallion looked ready to fall face-first into the relaxing sleep fulfilling stone below him. 

"Of course I did. That is what friends do, yes. I could hardly enjoy the company of a corpse, now could I?"

I shrug. "Not really, unless it was reanimated, or a ghost maybe."

"Yes, well, We'll never know. As you are still quite alive, and I forbid you from dying. So, that is that."

I conceded, my smile a little less stressed. It was thus that Prince Blueblood has forbidden my untimely demise. It seems fate conspires still. Blueblood himself seemed a mite bit more alive as well. He'd managed to correct his failing bang and plant the books he'd brought to his spot on his work table. 

"On the topic of maps, charts, and various schematics. I have finally confirmed my theory." 

Blue waved me over. He had several sketched but incomplete map forms for the tundra land as well as northern Equestria and southern Yakyakistan. He'd taped them together and planted several of my still in progress star charts above those. Then with pins and yarm, roped off a segment in the center of the triad of maps. 

"Is that what—"

"Yes, yes it is, now hush. I have more, not just estimations. I have dimensions and distinct controlled variables. I'm mapping a land forgotten by time."

"Blueblood had transformed from utter mess to gidd school filly in the blink of an eye. I took a half step back. I was scared it was contagious. 

"Which means?" I asked. 

Blue's leg shot out and pulled against him and, with his free hoof, pointed to the marked spot on the merged maps. "It means your dreams and the folk tales of old are the same. They are both correct. An empire that faded away. A land of crystals. It. Is. Incredible."

"Huh, that's, well, I'm not sure what that is. A place hidden in shadows. What do we even do with this info?" I asked. 

"Tell me, Star, what of your prospects with Shining and his felled forces?"

I coughed into a hoof and pulled myself from Blue's grip. "That's a bit personal and a tad presumptuous, isn't it?"

"That poorly, disappointing."

"Hey, I didn't say that."

"You're leaving, yes?" Blue asked, stepping away from his table and staring me down. 

"I, what?"

"One week hence, you shall be called forth to the halls of the Night. Held to a standard that even your tutor knows you aren't prepared for. You've few other choices. It is leave and risk death or stay and guarantee it."

I blanched. "There's no guarantee I'd die."

"Maybe not this week, but what of the next? Time is never on the side of those who skulk in secrets. You'll run eventually."

I stomp and scowl. Blue sits there in smug self-adulations. Sabre seems unphased, and I had half a mind to him enjoying this all the same. 

"How do you even know about any of this?" I asked. 

Blueblood tskd and rubbed his chest tuft. "Gossip was one of my strengths prior to Nightmare's rise. I may be a recluse, but there is little in the way of news I don't collect. So, you'll be leaving, yes?"

I growled and stomped again. "And if I do?"

"That's simple. I'll be joining you. How else will we rewrite history? We shall map out our own legacy. Imagine what we could find in the lands of shade and snow?"

"What?" I was caught entirely flat hooved here. I wasn't really sure where to go from here. One second, Blue is prying at my plans. The next, he's charting out destiny or something. On one hoof, he's right. Staying here is not a long-term option. On the other, would Shining and the rebels even be interested in a supposed lost city? Was this a new El Dorado or the dream of a pair of lost souls? I really hoped it was the former. 

"I will be joining you and your gaggle of compatriots. That is settled."

Was it, though, was any of this? This went from a three pony escape to a four, where one is hopped up on some mapping high. I don't even know if Solemn would allow it. Actually, he'd have little choice, as Blueblood knows enough to make our chances even slimmer. So, four it was, and so it shall be. 

"I guess it is," I said, sagging down in defeat. 

"Good," Sabre said. 

"Good?" I asked. 

"Can't let the love birds become star-crossed loves, now can I, sir?"

I didn't even look up. "Go Screw yourself, Sabre."

"If he's so busy pairing us off, he's clearly too poorly equipped for such a feat," Blueblood said before whistling and returning to his books. 

Sabre went quiet. I fell silent as well, lest the prince wields his silver tongue to destroy my ego as well. I did crack a smile and mouth several unbecoming taunts to my dutiful guard. Thus we returned to the daily trudge. That was until Blueblood fell asleep standing up. Sabre and I helped him to bed and left early. It wasn't like we had anything better to do. Solemn and Bright would need to be filled in. Oh, I can hear Solemn's wails of protest even now. The poor bat might pop a blood vessel. I think Bright would enjoy the extra company all the same. 

I hoped the potential lead on a stronghold, allies, or something to the north might cushion Solenn's mad dash to lunacy. All in all, it was more productive than kissing Nightmare's big fat flanks. One week to go.
> The Hours They Wane
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Five days until the deadline, Solemn had taken Blueblood's ultimatum rather well. Though if our little band got much better, we'd be hard-pressed to vanish into the night. Bright had been all for it, which wasn't anything unexpected. Now, we were left with prep and rote memorization. During these affairs, Sabre, Bright, Solemn, and I discussed the exit and the many ways it could go terribly wrong. We'd leave the night before, Nightmare's deigned night in court. Solemn had even snuck out a response to Shining this morning, rousing hour. I felt my muzzle crinkle as I once again cursed the verbiage of this perpetual witching hour. 

All of that aside, a question had been tucked away in the back of my mind since yesterday's date with Blueblood. One that only rose back to mind when I'd found a particular pink feather on my floor when I woke. I'd forgotten I'd tucked it away, and there it lay a dash of color in the more subtle tones of my apartment.  

"Solemn, I have a question, one not directly involving the many ways we might die in the not-so-distant future."

The fretting stallion had just finished or tried to finish explaining to Bright what it meant to be summarily eviscerated meant. It was far too many details. Bright's mood did not sour a single iota as Solemn ranted.

I think the old noble was thankful for the respite from Bright's infallible means to make even the worst of fates only a minor inconvenience. "Yes, Star, go on."

"Do you know a pink alicorn, or know of them, I mean?"

Solemn breathed in and pawed at his ear. "I'm sorry, I must have misheard you. Do I know of whom?"

I rolled my eyes. "A pink, winged unicorn, like that of our ever benevolent ruler. The only one I'd known of until yesterday. Is this news, or am I just missing something?"

"Missing something, dangerous, sir."

Sabre said, not even looking up from the documents. Solemn had him reading for the guard details on our night of exit. Solemn still looked somewhat taken aback. Sabre seemed to think it something to be wary of was all the more bemusing since he'd missed this oh so deadly perturbance of mine not seconds behind its finale. 

"Oh, good. So, you're clearly not doing an excellent job at being a guard then. You know, since I met her yesterday, on route to Blue's chambers."

"Solemn looked to the ceiling and whined. "You did what?"

Sabre had finally looked up from his documents. His pupils had shrunk to half as he stared my way. "You did what?"

Bright snorted and nudged my side. "Somepony must be smooth. Not just anypony meets the Lady of Hearts. Nice job, Star."

"Wait, that was the Lady of Hearts?" I asked. My jaw joined both Sabre's and Solemn's on the floor. 

"Of course, who else would it be?" Bright asked. "I mean, she's not very social and doesn't stay at the palace much, but I've seen her in passing once or twice."

I turned to Solemn. Who was now no longer staring at me but Bright. "This is the same mare you warned me of the first day we met, right?"

"The one and the same," Solemn said. 

"Well, what makes her so scary. She didn't look all that evil or whatever when I saw her. She looked more distracted than anything."

"If the rumors are to go on. She's the one who hunts down traitors and rebels," Sabre said.

"Oh?" I asked. 

"More than rumors, I'm afraid," Solemn said. He pointed at me, eyes narrowed as he lowered his voice. "I've heard the horror stories, seen the injured and dead. She may not seem it to you, but she is a monster as true as the moon above us."

"So, you think she'll be mad I grabbed a fallen feather she left behind?" I asked.

"You took a feather?" Solemn asked. 

"That's so cute. Star is trying for a starcrossed lovers angle. That's daring indeed."

I found myself at a loss. I tried to blink away the stupid look on my face, but once again, Bright comes from left field to batter all reason into a smattering of paste. The fact the others seemed to find it one part amusing and another disquieting was no help. 

"Do what now?" 

He's reciting an old courting rite that pegasi used long before Nightmare's reign. A tradition in which the pegasus, or pegasi, would bequeath their beloved with a feather, enchanted to never ware or wither. A mark of their everlasting love and the like, sir."

"Just that, yes, bravo Light Sabre, exactly that." 

Solemn seemed more interested in the fact our local guard knew the historical meaning behind Bright's joke than the meaning itself. That said, the context really didn't sit to face. I took a fallen feather, lost when I ran face-first into the mare. 

"Right, okay then. So aside from our fair Lady of Hearts and Blue's choice to join us on our journey to Canterlot. We've decided on supplies and a time. So, the routes are all that's left, right? That and actually not dying on the actual journey."

Solemn sighed and closed the files he'd been looking through. "As of the moment, yes, though, I am still plagued by your's and Blueblood's tale of lost land in the ice of the north. If it is true, that place would be ancient. At least a thousand years passed, if not more. Of all the times for Nightmare Moon's obsession with deleting the past completely to play against us. I say fie to those fools who willingly let our past die." 

"Yeah, that is a bit of a bother. I trust Blue, though. If there is anything that unicorn knows, it is maps and geography. It's almost scary at some points."

Sabre nodded. "Anal Retentive doesn't begin to describe it."

"Then there's the dreams you spoke of. The ones that gave you the idea to search the frozen north. I know little of such things, but it seems too impeccable to be mere happenstance. Would; don't you agree?" Solemn asked. He tapped the tabletop, and I nodded in kind. 

"Yeah, most likely. Whatever they are or were, it feels too convenient. I almost worry they are the queen messing with my head. She can do that, right?"

"Yep, the queen can peer into almost any sleeping mind." Bright Pitch said, wrapping a limb around my withers and populating with the other at the nearest window and the moon beyond it. A shiver ran down my spine as the celestial body stared back at us. 

"Almost?"

"There are means to defend against such acts if one is skilled in magic. That is why the rebels have not been completely culled as of yet. That, combined with the fact that she can only view one mind works to our advantage." 

"Great, now I can't even trust my sleeping mind."

"As opposed to trusting your waking mind, sir?" Sabre asked. 

Thus we fell back into our studies. The plan was set, and hopes were as high as one could hope for. The clock was ticking, and my heart pounded in tandem with it. Time seemed to stall, falling to a painful creep. Two more days dragged by. Though upon midday night, the crawl became more of a sprint that accompanied the pair of guards that stood before Sabre and me on our jaunt to eat. The irritated look on both of the thestral guards didn't help much. 

"Can I help you?" I asked. 

The two guards exchanged a look of decisive disinterest. Sabre had taken to stepping up and eying the two as well. They seemed even less interested in my guard if that were possible. My ears flicked as we waited. When the two did decide to speak, they certainly made it right to the point. 

"You're Stargazer, correct, sir."

That wasn't a question. The first thestral stepped forward and sneered. Sabre did not like that. I wasn't too keen myself. It was at this moment that a thought struck me. This had all the makings of a snuff film. The issue is, I have no idea why I knew that. I wasn't even entirely sure what a snuff film was, just that the flags going up in the back of my head screamed it at the top of their lungs. Which still barely rang louder than all the alarms. 

"Yes?"

"Sir, we need you to come with us."

"Under whose orders?"

Sabre pushed me behind him and met the closer stallion muzzle to muzzle. The thestral guard seemed all too happy to meet him halfway. The second thestral guard rolled his eyes and pushed between his partner and Sabre. 

"Under the direct order of Lady Rarity. I suggest you not keep her waiting. I've seen far more important nobles than you not live to regret her wrath."

"Oh gee, that makes me feel so much better," I muttered to myself. "Fine, lead the way, gents. Like you said, don't want to keep the lady waiting."

Sabre looked over at me like I'd gone and grew a second head. I wasn't terribly happy myself. However, Rarity hadn't given any reason to earn her wrong side, and if it was something that serious, I neither think I'd be asked nor that Nightmare Moon wouldn't have sent for me or came and got me herself.   

"Follow," the politer of the guards said. 

The atmosphere as we walked left me jittery. Sabre was worse. He seemed a single ear flick away from pulling his blade out and stabbing something. I really hope he didn't do that, in public, at least. It's a lot easier to hide a body without a dozen witnesses.

When we arrived at our destination, it was at a guest room in the west wing. It wasn't too far from Soelmn's chambers the one or two times we met there directly. The guards didn't say anything. They simply took posts to each side of the door and watched as I gave a tentative knock at the door. 

"Enter."

That was Lady Rarity, all right. That voice wasn't one you could mistake. The inflection either, I felt colder from just hearing her speak. Sabre and I did as told and opened the door. The room wasn't much different from my own chambers. A simple and clean foyer led to the main living area. On one of the room's couches was Lady Rarity, sitting, a teacup floating just shy of her lips. She gave me a cursory glance and motioned for Sabre and me to join her. The second we'd made it in, the door was closed behind us. 

"Good, the others have been waiting."

I went to ask about her unnecessarily cryptic greeting. When I was met with Bright leaning over the couch opposite Rarity waving merrily. There was something wrong with that stallion, I swear. 

"Hey Star, Sabre, how are you two today?" 

I offered Bright a short wave and looked back to Rarity, who seemed unamused by the energetic thestral as he seemed ready to bounce off the walls. "You allowed him sugar in his drink, yes?" I asked. 

"I did and thusly regret my error. I apologize," Rarity said, giving Bright a stink eye before looking to the next of her guests. 

"It seems we've all been brought here. An arrangement of interesting presumptions. I am glad to see you, both," Solemn said. The older noble took a still sip of his drink and shook his head in dejected fatigue. 

"Agreed."

Blueblood sat beside Solemn and looked less pleased than you'd hope. He sat forehooves crossed and glaring down at his own cup. This was bad. That much was obvious, coincidence be damned, more like a setup if I'd ever seen one. 

"Right, so, nice to see you again, Lady Rarity," I said.

"Please, have a seat. I promise this won't take long. 

So, I did just that. As usual, Sabre forwent a seat on the sofa and stood behind it, to my right. EH was still itching at his blade's hilt. I had a feeling he'd either not need it or have the chance to draw it should this become a less pleasant meeting. 

"So, let us begin," Rarity said, taking another sip at her drink. 

"Lady Rarity, surely this is some sort of misunderstanding."

Solemn said before being cut off by a single raised hoof. Lady Rarity was not here to chat. She was here to dictate. I swallowed hard. The thought of the door behind us opening for a plethora of guards and Nightmare marching in played across my mind. 

"So, you aren't a band of hapless rebels planning to abscond before the week's end? You aren't seeking to make your way to Canterlot in hopes of joining the ex-captain of the royal guard and his motley crew of insurgents? You would have me believe that my network of contacts is wrong, that I gathered you here tonight to waste both our time?"

"I, I, Lady," Solemn lost all control of his vocabulary. This was not good. 

"Fie to all of this. You pulled me away from my chambers, so you could play inquisitor?" Blueblood asked. He was the only one in the group who looked more angry than fearful. He pointed a hoof at Rarity and sneered. "This whole facade is a waste of our time. So, quit hiding behind that mask of yours and get to the point."

"Blueblood," Solemn hissed. 

"Very well, as you wish, Sir Blueblood," Rarity looked unperturbed by Blue's outburst. If anything, I could almost faintly see the curve of a smile. 

"So, what happens next?" I asked. 

Rarity sat her teacup down and tutted hoof on her chin. I could hear my heartbeat, or maybe everypony's heartbeats. The room felt all the more enclosing. I still awaited the marching guards and the very real chance of summary execution. 

"You will gather what you need, and leave, tonight. You've precious minutes before the queen's informants deliver the same information I collected. I'm afraid the Lady of Hearts will be the first to act. You," Rarity said and pointed to me. "Have gained her interest, for what I've no idea. So, in just a moment, I will leave this room. You will quickly decide what needs to be done, and then you shall act. Is that understood?"

"Wait, what?" I asked. 

"Lady Rarity is trying to protect us, silly. That was pretty obvious. I mean, why else would she tell us what's happening," Bright said, still bounding in his seat. 

"Very astute, sir Bright Pitch," Rarity said. She then rose and started toward the door. 

"Why are you helping us?" I asked. 

"Sir, we don't have time," Sabre said as Rarity passed him. 

"Your guard is correct. I have my own reasons. Let us leave it at that. So, I suggest you act quickly. The clock is ticking as it is."

So with that, Rarity left, closing the door behind herself and leaving a room of stallions very, very confused. Bright wasn't confused, and Blue seemed more angry than confuzzled. So, Solemn, Sabre, and I were confused. 

"What do we do?" I asked. 

"We move, now," Blue said, standing and huffing. "Gather yours, and meet by the southern gate. Come now, gents, the charlatan has spoken."

There was something to Blue's anger. It felt far too broiled over to be the heat of the moment. Either way, he was right.

"Right, right, everypony, move."

Sabre placed a hoof on my shoulder as I blinked away the shadows in the corner of the room. Solemn jumped to his hooves, and Bright was right behind him. I shakily stood and watched as my friends made their way out of the room and to the halls beyond.

"We need to go, sir."

"Right, southern gate. First, we grab my saddlebags, then we leave."

I more muttered to myself than to Sabre. We were in for it now. The shadows seemed to creep even as we made it to the halls. They sat at the edge of my vision. I took a deep breath and started on a trip back to my apartments. This would very likely be the last time I ever saw them. Sabre had already stored his in my rooms as well. It made the grab and dash from before simpler. It was even more convenient now. The whimsey of hindsight. The clock had struck twelve, and the hour marked our only chance at freedom.
> Everfree Never Caged
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"That's everything, right? Please tell me that's everything?" I yelled across the room. Sabre and I made it back to my rooms with little dally. That didn't mean the severity of our situation didn't settle on my mind like an avalanche burying me in a panic attack and hot hooves. 

"Sir, please."

"Crap, crap, crap."

I scanned the room for the tenth time. We didn't have time for mistakes. Did I forget anything? I must have. We needed to leave and leave now. The sound of one hoof clapping pulled me from my inner turmoil. The sound and the following sting across my cheek. Sabre stood in front of me, scowling. 

"Sir, we need to leave now. Get it together."

I coughed into a hoof. "Yes, right, you're right."

I stuttered as I brought my other hoof up to rub my cheek. Hooves hurt like hell. Sabre already had his pack on. His was light. I guess being a guard in a racist castle didn't pay well. I followed as he threw the door wide, and we trotted, as a hurried but not overly so. We certainly didn't need any extra attention if Rarity was being honest with us. I had a feeling she was. There was something about the way she looked at us. It was distant, yes, but never cold. 

"South exit, right?" I asked. 

"Yes, the others will be waiting. Take the next left."

Sabre pointed his muzzle ahead. We skirted around a trio of nobles who snorted in distress when an earth pony all but ran them over. I offered a wave behind us as the persnickety group yelled after us. We passed one guard, but no response. We passed two more, not a peep. We were so close. We were gonna make it. 

On some level, I'd miss the castle. It was dark and dreary and far too large for the amount of those who worked and lived here. That was all just a part of what made the castle what it is. It was, in a sense, my home, not the home I wanted, but one all the same. I might not remember what came before I woke up in those woods, but I know that I wouldn't forget the last months for anything. They were just as much a part of who I was now. 

These sad tidings were interrupted as a hoof jabbed my side. The sudden action had me jump, wings fluttering mindlessly as I did so. The attacker was not a guard at all, not even mine. Blueblood stood brow raised as I fell to earth. Sabre had only just stopped, several meters ahead. He was not amused. 

"Really now, Stargazer, we don't have time for such antics," Blueblood said and pointed to Sabre. "We have places to be."

I swiped at Blue, only for him to duck out of the way. "Right, my reaction totally had nothing to do with you."

Blue smiled back. "Glad we agree, now move. We've nary a second to waste."

Thus our now trio continued on. The low lights grafted permanent shadows in every corner. Every pony we passed could, at any second, yell for us to stop. We made it to the main foyer, where a pair of curved stairways were the focal point, and we'd made it around the left bend behind the stars in question. We hand a single turn at the foyer entrance and a straight path to the southern checkpoint. 

"So close."

I hissed between grit teeth. My heart was so loud even my own words were nearly drowned out. Bright and Solemn were nowhere in sight. I hoped they'd made it to the gate. We turned the corner. This was it. 

Then I heard it, the sound of many hooves pounding down the stairs behind us. 

"Stop!"

It wasn't one or two guards. It wasn't a misdirect or happenstance. Rarity had been dead on the money. A dozen guards, all thestral, royal guards, were headed our way. The vanguard pointed at us and demanded we cease once more. 

I'd never moved as fast as I did at that moment. My lungs burned, my knees ached, and my heart continued to pulse in my throat. The checkpoint was mulled about by a pair of half-awake non-thestral guards. That meant they were less likely to know what was going on. It was that chance that allotted us precious seconds. 

It was the fact we came sprinting down the hall that Bright Pitch and Solemn Mind, who had struck up a light banter between the guards and themselves, granted us a chance. I whistled as we approached. Solemn looked up to me and then to the parade behind me. I could see him cursing long before we could hear him. 

"Go!" I said as I passed our two companions. The gate guards blinked in surprise and barely had time to stand before the five of us were out the door. 

"Hold them."

One of the guards behind me shouted. The gate guards only looked over all the more confused. They didn't get paid enough for this. We were in the open. We were on the road, and right behind us, the striking talons of a foul beast. They were still behind us, and they sounded all the angrier.

The heavens and the moon's gentle light replaced the stone, greys, and blues. The trees and grass whipping passed as we ran.  

"Where?" I asked. 

"Cursed royal battalion. We have at least twenty to our backs," solemn growled. 

"Cut through the forest?" Blueblood asked?"

"Dangerous, almost as bad as the bats to our back," Sabre answered.

"We don't have many options."

Solemn looked ready to burst. We rounded the bend. We were lucky we had the headstart we did. For a moment, the guard lost sight, and that was the only advantage we had at the moment. We couldn't outrun that many trained soldiers. Sabre and maybe Bright could, but the rest of us, not a chance.

"Hey, look, a cart."

Bright said from his position at the head of the herd. The bastard had enough energy for three points at least. I'd never heard of him hitting the gym. I wish I'd thought to now that I thought about it. 

"Bright, that's--" 

My words died in my mouth. The cart, and more so the puller of said cart, had me double-take. There it was. However, Spade walked modestly, a plethora of large pottery clattering along in his rickety old wooden cart. 

"Oh, Star, Sabre, better slow it down, lest you run yourself to the grave," Spade said as we neared him. I wanted to plant a hoof to my face, but I needed all four for running. "What's the rush, see a ghost or something?"

"Guards, running, right behind."

I managed through gasping breaths. We didn't have time to stop, but we didn't have any plan. The guard certainly wasn't going to care. The fact Spade knew us could get him in trouble, too, if left alone. 

"Oh, you really are a pro at getting chased out of places, aren't you?" Spade said with a subtle smile and wink. "Guess I have to save you again. Get in the pots."

"Do what?" Blueblood gasped.

"Star, you know this pegasus?" Solemn asked. 

I trotted over to the cart. We had a minute at most. I pulled my weight up and grabbed the rim of the largest pot I could. I pulled the wooden top free and peered into the empty vessel. 

"Get in the stupid pots, now," I said before hefting myself in and pulling the top up and over my head. 

"Sounds good," Bright said. I could feel it as she hopped up behind me. Then another pair of hooves. It was heavier, I guessed Sabre. 

"For the love of Faust," Solemn swore, and then another pound of flesh joined the jar hunt. Then the final slower shifting of weight. Blueblood did not sound happy. 

The cart shifted and slowly moved forward. Seconds passed, and there was silence. I could hear Spade whistling a woeful tune as he moved, and the carriage moved with him. 

Then more seconds. I could barely move in my new and perhaps last shield from the iron hoof of Her Majesty the Queen. Then the sound of many heavy things made the cart tremble harder. Spade didn't even stop whistling. He just plodded on, our lives perhaps dependant on his stalwart motion. 

"Halt!"

The cart came to a slow stop. All we could do now was listen and pray. 

"Yes, sir?" Spade asked. 

"Who goes there, state your reason for haberdashing around in the Everfree?" the guard, I assumed the leader, it was undoubtedly the one who'd just yelled. 

"Sturdy Spade. I run the Sweet Apple Cemetary in Ponyville."

"I see."

I could hear the shuffling of bodies. The cart was being or already was surrounded. 

"What brings a grave digger to the Everfree?"

"I do stonework, the graves, and whatnot. The castle sometimes hires me to fix pottery and the like. I also collect fertilizer from the edges or empty lots of the cemetery. Dead bodies really make for great produce. It's a living."

"That's quite a few pots, jars, and vases," the lead guard said. He hummed for a moment, I don't suppose we could give your pots a once over." 

My gut tucked in. I was starting to tremble. If they saw the pot moving, it was all over. I bit down on a hoof to steady my focus. The trickle of iron on my tongue didn't sit well with my already brewing stomach. 

"I guess. Though, I'd suggest holding your breath. The fertilizer will hit like a train if you go in unprepared. You need to remember that the best soil is the worst smelling. I'm not a farmer, but I've picked that up over the years."

"Yes, well," the guard leader said.  
I could feel the weight shift in the back of the cart. There was tapping on pots and muttering under breath. My heart felt like it'd burst. My stomach churned. Acidic bile hit the back of my throat. There was a heavy knock on the side of my pot. 

The top of the pot rose. A shadow loomed overhead. I heaved, and the shadow above drew back. The top half fell over the lip of my shelter. 

"Oh buck, what in the name of the night was that. I think I'm gonna be sick."

The weight jostled the cart and then disappeared altogether. 

"Told ya. The stench alone is enough to push up daisies."


A shuffling of hooves below and the felled whispers of the guards granted a moment of reprieve. Then the lead stallion groaned. "What, you've seen this one before? In the name of the queen, fine. You are as you say. So feathered peasant or not. I will give you a chance to prove your loyalty to the crown."

"Oh, that's sporting, sir, thank you," Spade said. A poker face Spade may have, but his sarcasm was horrible. I could feel the faux-sweetness, and it tasted awful. 

"We are on the hunt for a quintet of traitors. They came this way, don't bother saying you didn't see them. They came through this path, so which way did they go."

More bodies shifted about the cart. They'd boxed Spade in. I had to hold my breath just to keep from panting. 

"The thestrals and their guard or whatever?" I felt the weight in my front hitch. "Cut through the thickets there. It's a straight shot to town from there. I thought they seemed in a massive rush. I kinda hoped it was a manicure. The venom of those things is worth a mint. Easier to get from the mauled than the beast itself. It's good for dyes too."

There was a curt choking. "Yes, well. I suggest you hurry. Lest you end up the mauled."

"That'd be a bother."

The guard leader, it'd be nice if I knew the rank. Yelled to the troops, and as suddenly as they came, the herd was stomping through the brush. It wasn't ideal, but it was better than nothing. It'd buy us a little time. Enough time for a dip in the nearest lake, river, stream, hell, I'd take a puddle. The scent of my breakfast coated my belly in a layer of greenish-brown slop. It was almost enough to have me repeat my folly. 

"Well, that was fun," Spade said. The wagon shifted and started moving again. "You can come above. They're out of sight and hearing distance by now. They are not the smartest bunch. Oh, and the vomit was a nice touch. I thought they'd have us there."

I slowly pulled my head from the pot and leered down at Spade, who'd started whistling again. This tune was a tad less depressing. Thought that was quickly countered by my filth. The others popped out their pots one by one. Spade stopped long enough for us to dismount, but It did little for the whole not getting close to the stallion who was coated in oats and omelet. 

"So, mind filling me in?" Spade asked, unhitching himself from his cart. 

"We're freedom fighters," Bright announced with a flourish and a bow. 

"Rebels on our way, far from this vile place," Solemn added. 

"Neat," Spade said, walking over to the path not traveled by the thestral goons. "So, we can cut through here. It'll bring us out past White Tail Wood. Then we'll have a direct line of sight to Canterlot."

"Us?" I asked.

"I just conned a bunch of royal guards. They'll come for me, whether I was honest or not. So, it looks like death do us part."

"Neato, we got another partner in crime. I am so turning this quest into a multi-book series. Now all I need is a name."

"Yes, well, a name will wait. The pegasus is right. My maps show a direct crossing of White Tail and a path to the old Centerway. Let's move. The longer we stand around, the worse Star's new cologne gets."

That earned a few snorts. "Yeah, yeah, just remember this is the smell that saved your lives. You're all quite welcome."

I threw my nose to the sky. It made the smell a bit more bearable. Spade shrugged and ducked into the brush me right behind.

"If you say so, sir."

Sabre took his normal place behind me, with maybe a hoof or two extra. I can't believe these guys are my friends. I blame the school system. 

"So, Sabre, you know this sturdy Spade, yes?" Solemn asked. 

"Course they do. He was the guy who saved their butts back in Ponyville. Remember? That wasn't that long ago. You going senile on us, Solemn?" Bright asked.

"Of course not. Heavens forbid such rubbish. If you hadn't noticed, we've been a tad busy. Thank you very much."

"You have some lively friends, Star."

Spade looked back my way. I scoffed and avoided meeting his gaze. 

"Friends indeed, and yes, yes they are."

"Between the four of you, this walk is going to be the death of me," Blueblood said. 

"Or the manticores, timber wolves, normal wolves, crocodiles, hydras, or the ever allusive cockatrice."

Bright punctuated every name with a dart, duck, or dash. He scanned the treeline and otherwise seemed just happy to be here. 

"Quite," Blueblood agreed. 

"It was bold of you to help us, and all on the spot as it was. I apologize for the inconvenience," Solemn offered Spade. The pegasus shrugged. He was making a habit out of that. Mayhaps our dour friend has a hero complex?

"None needed. I help those who need it. A dry eye is all the reward I'll ever need. Star needed help, so I helped. You needed help, so I helped. I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but that is half my job."

A snort had me look back to Sabre, who tried very hard not to smile. A secret he and I might very well take to the grave. I sooner than him if I went around killing his super-serious vibes and the like. 

"So, we're off, Canterlot, here we come."
> A Shining Star Fell Long Ago
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

There was a certain finesse one much use to run through the dark forests and groves along the equestrian highway. The former highway, that is. One does not travel high in Nightmare's Equestria. There is nothing above her, except for maybe her ego. So in the dark, we scampered, a group of six stallions, on the road to rebellion. It was by now, we all agreed. Nightmare knew they'd managed to evade her first wave of pursuers. Solemn darted and jumped at every shadow. Sabre seemed ready to slice the next woodland critter that ran through the bush in two. It was nerve-racking but not mind-losing levels of fear and excitement that ran through my veins. I'd felt such fear at points. Meeting Nightmare was one. The shadows in my mind that seemed to follow me wherever I went were another. 

The others didn't seem all that bothered, or rather, they were far more subtle. Bright, who'd rarely seen the countryside and the farther depths of nature in and of itself, seemed in awe of everything we passed. It at least mellowed the tension to some degree. Blueblood had buried his face in his maps. He chartered every step we took. He seemed more annoyed than frightened, though many share anger when facing their fears. Spade, he was the odd one. He appeared at peace with all of it. He'd joined us out o happenstance of all things and seemed right at home. 

It was this tranquility that drew me to pester the humble pegasus, escape of the mad god-queen or not. "Spade, uh, you okay? We put you on the spot back there, with your cart. It wasn't very fair on you, ya know?"

Spade contemplated my question before blowing a raspberry and shrugging the whole thing off. "No, not really. It's fine, more interesting than watching the dead. I mean, right up until they rise from their graves. Then things get interesting, a lot of clean up after the fact, blood is kinda hard to get off stone, surprisingly."

I found my knitted brow closing even further as I flounder between looking at the grave keeper and those around us. The rest of the company didn't seem all that engaged, but still. Spade's Pokerface yielded nothing. 

"Okay?"

I withheld my actual questions. I certainly didn't need the thoughts of zombies and ghouls running about in my mind. That might actually be worse than Nightmare's band of flunkies if true. I really hoped he was kidding. 

"So, mid filling my in, what are we doing and going and such. I mean, clearly, you're on the run, but where and why?" Spade asked.

"High treason, to Canterlot, save Equestria. Star dreamed up a lost city and said it'll help. So, that once we find the Resistance."

Sabre answered, eyes glued on every bush we passed. A hoof gently tapped the pommel of his blade all the while. A concise answer from a moody source. 

"Something like that," I agreed. 

"Oh, neat. I could use more vitamin d, so I'm in."

Spade matched Sabre's simplicity and pragmatism with his own. They were starting to multiply. So long as we didn't get any more Brights, we'd survive, I hoped. We'd passed into Whitetail a while back, and thus, most of the fauna we met were too small or cravin to be a threat. There was still the odd wolf or bear that made the area their home. So, Blue had made us take the long route just to be safe. I mean, oh sure, we were being hinted at anyway, but yeah, taking up more time and energy was totally an intelligent play. 

I didn't say anything at the time, but I had a feeling Blue was holding back. He quickly flipped between multiple maps when he thought no one was looking. It was a tad disquieting. To what end were the games afoot? 

"Yo, Blue, nice maps, what four, five at a time, cool beans. It must get confusing jumping between them, yeah?" I asked. 

I saddled up beside Blueblood, who barely registered my existence with a single side-eye. He muttered something under his breath before telekinetically lowering the map he currently had in front of himself to the side. 

"Perhaps for another, yes. If you must know, I am matching topographical overlays with weather pattern routes, hunting grounds, regularly patrolled policing areas, and the everchanging lines of construction and deforestation. In all, and in all, one should strive for accuracy. When one gives to the fullest, one receives to the fullest."

Blueblood tapped a hand to his chest and smiled fondly. "Oh, is that so?" I asked. 

"An old adage from my father, even before this whole Eternal Night business. A turn of phrase I wish I took to heart sooner."

Blueblood's hoof and his smile dropped. He kicked a pebble out of his path as we walked. I found my tongue bare. I couldn't really relate. No memory and lack of knowing where I was from meant no connection to such memories. I could only do with those I've made since I made it to the palace. There was plenty to pull from there. 

"Sorry, Blue didn't mean to," I let the thought die. I did and thus, will have to simply accept what came of it. Not meaning to and not doing are two separate things. 

"I have lots," Spade said. 

"Beg pardon?" Blue asked. 

"A lot of phrases. I had a lot of em' to chivvied. A lot of families had em' before the sun went down. I have them all memorized. A pony doesn't really die, not until they're forgotten. So, I remember them all. It makes ponies happy like they're all just as important as they were before their friend or family died."

"Oh, that's quite thoughtful. I dare say, my father's memory will outlive me with little doubt. He was the sort worth remembering. So, I plan to pass down his lessons, even those I failed to learn."

Thus, I started a whole mood. Spade and Blue at least seemed at peace with each other's company. It was a friendly draw from the dark and the walking and my aching hooves. If we got lucky, we'd get to the mountains before passing out from exhaustion. Bright had the forethought to pack a tiny hoof-held clock. The little wooden ticker would give us some degree of comfort. It even had a slider tally for am and pm. I had a feeling that was added after the fact. Most clocks these days had them, from what I'd seen. It was borderline useless to have a watch without one. One could lose their mind with so few means to know how long you had been awake or not. So the march went on. 

"So, Solemn, care to shed a little more light on the workings and members of the Resistance. Shining Armor leads them that we know. Is there anything else going in we should know about?" Sabre asked. 

The question cut through the group like a plague. In a single moment, Solemn had everypony's undivided attention. At the palace, such news was real hush-hush. The walls have ears. Here in the middle of nowhere, well, the risk might be a necessity. Though if anypony was around to hear us, it'd be too late to worry about.

Solemn nodded. "A fair question and one that has answers deserved in full. Though I am only privy to so much, I will tell you what I can."

Sabre nodded in kind. 

"Oh, this is gonna be good," Bright said, clapping in excitement.

"It better be," Blueblood said. The unicorn tightened his telekinetic grip on his maps and hid the entirety of his face behind it. That whole Shining Armor thing was gonna need a deep dive at some point too.  

"Very Well. The simplest introduction would be that of Shining Armor. The commanding officer of the Resistance, the ex-captain of the Royal Guard, and a soldier and hero to Equestria. When Nightmare Moon rose, he fought. Celestia or not, he never stopped fighting. That was years ago. The Nightmare, having bested Celestia, felt little fear for a band of weak mortals. So, she let Shining live, live in the smaller of the city he failed. She believed it would be far more painful for him to live knowing he could not win than simply killing him."

Solomon licked his lips and shuddered. I could see the map in Blueblood's grip shake. Sabre had stumbled at least twice as we walked. Even Bright looked pensive. This was all well and good, but it didn't really explain much. 

"Up until recently, Shining had all but lost hope. That was until we received help from an unlikely ally. One even the Nightmare is wary of. The same that she feared you were. A fake as it were, Star, a changeling."

"At the dinner," I said. 

This time, the flinch was unavoidable. Sabre shook in place. Blueblood had crumpled the map as he stared over at Solemn. He sneered so hard he sounded as if he were some angry hound. If this was their reaction, I feel less surprised by Nightmare's own tantrum. In my research, I'd seen nearly nothing of changelings. I had assumed it had been a euphemism at the time. 

"So, the rumors were true."

Spade hummed along. The unshakable grave digger pondered aloud. This earned a side-eye from Solomon, but otherwise, he was left to himself. 

"So, changelings?" I asked. 

"Exactly what you'd believe. A species of shapeshifting parasites. They steal the emotions of others to feed themselves, sir," Sabre said. His words could cut through nary anything, thus rendering the weapon at his side mostly superfluous. 

"Well, that sounds dangerous?"

"Danger comes in times of hardship. It comes more in times of change. So why not merge the two? Marks it easier to keep track of, if you ask me."

"Space, please quit talking, now, thank you," Solemn said. "He's not solely wrong, however. As is, the changelings have been invaluable. Only since their aid has, we made any lasting impact on Nightmare's reign."

"Oh, that's nice," I said. 

"Even if their queen is nearly insufferable."

That earned a raised brow. It sounded like she'd gotten under Solemn's skin more than once. I'd need to swap stories with her if that were the case. That aside, it seems like until very recently, the rebels have been stuck just surviving. The fact that Nightmare had left Shining alive and alone was intriguing. It made almost no sense, a risk where one need not be. 

"To think that braggart would fall for such a ploy. If you ask me, at least Shining Armor was no coward under the sun."

Blueblood sounded on the verge of yelling to the heavens. His eyes pinpricks as he spoke. No sooner had he started than he ceased. The shaking didn't quell, but his words stopped almost too quickly. A stray thought perhaps, one he didn't want to be shared? 

"So, at least the changelings are making a difference. That's respectable if nothing else."

Bright's words were slow. He'd lost any semblance of a smile or pep. He instead had cast his face away from the group at all. It left his words bitter. He sought a silver lining or hoped he could fake one. He wasn't wrong. A war is not won in a day, and sometimes it takes compromises you never thought possible. The changelings were on our side, so it only made sense to give them a chance. I certainly wasn't going to go in hating someone I'd never met. I can't speak to any of the others, well, Spade seemed unconcerned, and Bright wasn't the type for spite. I just hoped Blue and Sabre could hold it together for as long as we're up in Canterlot. We'd be in, out then to the north as quickly as we could. 

"For now," Sabre added. 

"Anything else?" I asked. Solemn seemed to pontificate the question for longer than I'd have liked. Why was everyone so apt to keep secrets?

"I'm not sure. I have no idea how Shining will feel towards the plan you and Blueblood have conjured up. It's farcical at best. Even if it ends up correct, we have no way of knowing if it will even yield anything useful."

"It will," I said. 

"How can you be so sure, sir?" Sabre asked. 

"History is drought with dreamers. Was Nightmare not a myth mere years ago?" Blueblood asked. The unicorn takes a spot next to me. It was nice, a little solidarity when we really needed it.

"Stories are always based on reality," Bright said, sidling alongside Blue. There was a ghost of a smile on his lips yet. Bright was still in there somewhere. 

"I've seen them. I've seen the crystals. I've seen them hidden in the shadows. I won't let myself believe those are all just flights of fancy."

I held my head high. This was the road to our future. I wasn't going to give up without a fight. Shining's approval or not. There was something in the north, something real. I could feel it in my bones. 

"That sounds good enough for me," Spade said, slowing to match up opposite Blueblood's side. It seemed that Saber and Solemn could shove all that pessimism up their plots. All hail, team Northern Crystal.

"Yes, well, I suppose we'll see how it goes. It seems that may be sooner than you think. 

Solemn pointed forward. We'd made it to the base of Mount Canter. It was a lot bigger up close. A lot more insurmountably huge if I was to describe it now. I suspect the pathway itself was narrow to better combat ground-bound assaults. It was just that much more of a shame that most species on this rock could fly. 

I blanked and looked over my shoulder to my own wings. A sudden thought struck me like lightning. I found myself slack-jawed as the others began their way up the path. I looked to Spade, who had started whistling a meandering tune. I looked to Solomon, who looked lost in thought. I looked to Bright, who was still looking up to the high peaks of Mount Center and the mountainside city of ruins we were headed for.

All these species could fly, and I hadn't even, not once, in the months here. I'd never learned to fly. I hadn't even learned to glide. I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand straight as I imagined how that conversation would go. I'd been here this long. Solemn might tan my hide at this point. Spade and Bright, though, who knows. Those two were all over the place. Sabre would never let me live this down. 

I took a deep breath. "Future me problems, first we climb—" The mountain loomed overhead once more. "First we climb, that."  

"Star, you okay?" Bright called. I'd fallen behind and had drawn the eye of my friends, who watched me as I slowly plodded over.

"Afraid of heights?" Blueblood asked while trying very hard to hide a smirk, the cheeky bastard.

"Of course not," I said. 

"Then what's the problem?" Blue asked.

"Not the heights, just the landing should the heights of this world decide to leave nothing under hoof."

Bright chuckled. "That's poetic. I'm going to steal that one."

"Well then, best make it to the city as quickly as we can, lest the ground gives way beneath you, sir," Sabre said from ahead. 

I huffed and nonetheless sped up just a bit. The sooner these narrow roads were behind me, the better.
> The Crown Jewel Left Tarnished
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Seven, I counted seven very pointy pieces of metal. They were impossible to ignore since they've been inches from my face for the last two minutes. Those were just the ones I could see without turning. The spears I could understand. The whole sentiment behind them was half the reason we'd climbed a mountain in the first place. No, what got me was those holding the spears. I'd been informed of their existence, so it wasn't the fact they were here. It was the fact that they were bugs, big, chittering, almost uniform bug ponies. They were the Changelings. 

We'd hiked miles up a mountain road, and now some odd half-mile from the dilapidated gates to Canterlot, we were ambushed. We hadn't seen or heard them until it was too late. Now, Solemn had taken up explanations with whichever was in charge. I couldn't have pointed them out if my life depended on it. Black chitin, fins instead of manes, and wiry flittering wings. 

"Some nerve," Blue tutted. A spear jabbing at him for his troubles. Blueblood looked more irritated than threatened at the moment. To be honest, so did Sabre. 

In fact, our noble guardian seemed to be assessing how likely he could draw his blade and skewer the two closest spear-wielding changelings to himself. Spade had struck up a conversation with the changeling most relative to himself. If anypony could, I suppose it'd be the guy who hung out with the dead. 

"As you can see, we are here in direct concourse with Shining Armor's blessing."

Solemn said as he and the changeling he'd talked to moved back towards the group. Bright offered a wave, though more subdued than his usual theatrics. It seems there was a survival instinct in his head somewhere. 

"Captain mentioned new arrivals. We've seen your face before. The others," the changeling pointed to the rest of us. "More bats, very concerning."

"That's racist," I said. I got poked for it, but as of mountain climbing o'clock, I didn't really care. Everypony made things far more complicated than anything needed to be. 

"Well, yes, I can see why you'd think so," Solemn agreed, leveling a glare at me. "We are more than happy to acquiesce to whatever means you may need."

"Hmmm, we'll have Captain decide. You will wait here. We will not be long."

That said, the bug took off and buzzed out. This left the rest of us with a dozen changelings who seemed uncertain if they should continue holding us at spearpoint. The fact that Solemn was left undetained eventually convinced them to keep close and on edge but allowed us the right to breathe without risk of stab wounds. 

"So, I don't mean changeling the topic, but if you're shapeshifters and you have no reason or need to change anymore, more or less, are you really even changelings anymore?"

I was baffled. Spade looked an antsy armed soldier to his face, an existential question when it may very well cost him his life. The face of the changeling, heck, all the changelings didn't fare much better than my own. Yet, Spade stood a single brow raised as the changeling he'd asked looked to his comrades for a bailout. 

"That's a great question, Spade. Oh, you think we should come up with another name for them? I bet between all of us, we could have it figured out before the captain guy shows up."

Bright was in on it, and the changelings looked between offense and bewilderment. It was probably the only place they could go. It was undoubtedly where I ended up. This whole ordeal was a test of my tenuous grip on sanity. 

"For your safety, please do not ask our Queen such things. A death by the spear would be much less painful," one of the changelings, an older ling? A more senior soldier if his gruff reverbs were anything to go on. He also seemed to favor his left hind hoof a bit. 

"I'd heed that warning," Blueblood said. 

"Smart one, the unicorn, it seems," the same older changeling smirked. Blueblood nodded in kind before muttering something under his breath and looking through his saddlebags. The closest changeling soldiers readied their spears even as Blue pulled out a pencil and some scrap paper. He gave the soldier a wry smile before he began jotting whatever had his interest down. Hell, I'd believe he pulled his items out just to keep our captors on edge.  

The time passed in relative silence from there. It was all the same to me. The break allowed my legs to recover somewhat from the trek up the mountain and the last march before that. It was only as we stopped that the fatigue set in.

When the Captain and his comrade did return, it hadn't been that long, to be honest, but sitting around waiting to know if you were gonna get stabbed or not kept the seconds to a crawl. The Captain, however, was unimpressive. He looked like the other changelings, though much smaller. The constant fighting kept the rest big, or maybe they have castes? If they had a distinctive hierarchy like other insects, the fact some are larger than others would make sense. That, however, did not explain the Captain nor his clear nervous ticking as he meandered behind his escort. 

"Interesting," Sabre said. 

The other changelings, however, parted to both sides giving the Captain a wide berth. Several shot knowing glances as they watched the approach. When the new arrivals stopped, the escorting guard joined the others to one side, and the Captain was left, staring at the ground. 

"Sir, these are the new arrivals. They claim to be the party Sir Armor requested. We leave such things to your judgment, sir."

The escort stood at attention, rest flared forward. He spoke in an even tone and was concise and to the point. The issue was that I'd spent months with Sabre tailing my every move. In that time, I'd learned a few secrets behind their mannerisms. I'd got good enough at reading my escort that I'd even started reading the little signals the guards back at the castle used. 

They all accumulated in something all too obvious to myself, Sabre, and maybe Blue. However, the unicorn was still scribing away on whatever he'd started a few minutes ago, so I doubt he was paying that much attention. 

This changeling, he did not care for the Captain more than that. I was almost positive he downright hated him. Something the Captain seemed to know as well. The smaller changeling cleared his throat and, for the first time, actually looked at our party eye to eye. 

"Thank you, Hetesiris."

Hetesiris, the escort, didn't so much as shift his weight. Instead, he left whatever the Captain's duty here was to Captain. This was something again that left the whole of the congregation silent and nervous. 

"Solemn Mind, I'm glad you're all right. I know you've been gone a while, and it's nice to know you didn't get captured or worse."

Solemn stepped forward and peered long and hard at the Captain. Several seconds ticked by, and the changeling folded under the discerning glare of my mentor. 

"Thorax? I don't mean to be rude, but last time I checked, your brother was the Captain of the Changeling Guard."

The words were more like a sledgehammer to the face. Thorax, as it was wilted to the point of nearly bowing. He shook in place as he looked anywhere but at Solemn. This only led to the scholar sidling up closer. His glare and fallen to a wistful glance. 

"Thorax, what happened?"

Thorax didn't reply. The poor guy seemed ready to cry. I had no idea if changelings could call for that matter. The whole insect thing was stuck to my forethoughts like glue. After a minute of non-answers, the escort, Heresteris, stepped forward. 

"Captain Pharynx died in the line of work, sir."

"Oh."

That was all Solemn said. It was decidedly both an apt and definitive response. Thorax was, in fact, crying now. The guards were no longer being subtle with their leers of defiance. Whomever this Pharynx was, he was a big deal to the changelings. The fact that Solemn had pulled Thorax into a hug laid claim to just how exceptional this dead Captain was. 

"Anypony else a bit lost?" Spade asked. 

I offered a shrug. "No idea, really."

For several minutes that was the sum of the meeting, Thorax cried in Solemn's hooves, and the other guards scowled with a fury. When Thorax managed to calm himself, Solemn helped the poor bug.

"When?" Solemn asked. 

Thorax stomped a hoof grinding the dirt and debris into powder. 

"Not long."

"I see, of course. I'm sorry, my friend."

Thorax didn't respond. Heresteris, however, decided things needed to progress. 

"Sir, what of the arrivals."

The venom in those words had me flinch. Thorax didn't acknowledge the remark. Instead, he nodded to Solemn. 

"The Queen and Sir Armor are waiting for you. I'll escort you."

Thorax looked over to Heresteris. "You and the others can return to your duties. I wouldn't want to waste any more of your time."

The guards seethed as Thorax turned, and Solemn led the pack. We followed. It was strange for all the anger. Thorax looked more sad, and not just because of his brother. He looked at Heresteris like he was a trapped animal, something to pity, not resent. I could have been reading too deep into it. I didn't know these ponies? The changelings were their own race, which surely meant their customs.

"That was interesting, sir."

I looked back to Sabre, who still had a hoof on his rapier. He did not look amused. To that fact, this might be one of the only times he looked mad. It left me feeling relatively small. I'd hate to see what it did to someone he hated. 

"The price of war," Blue said from beside me. He'd finished with his jotting and looked back to the guards we left behind. "All the more pity. They clearly valued their former Captain quite a bit. One of the few that did not need to command respect. He earned it."

"That doesn't explain Thorax, though," I countered. 

"No, no, it does not. A story I very well doubt it a pleasant one," Blue agreed. 

"It stories from the heart that is most needed, yet rarely shared."

Bright had wiped a trail of tears from his cheek. It seemed that Thorax's breakdown had touched home on the writer. I'd like to claim it was as simple as that. That such poetic romanticization of the world could alter its course. I'd like to, but I can't. Nightmare Moon's rule was proof enough for that. The fact that my mind was still plagued with little before I arrived at the Everfree. The world was passed such bright times. That's why I came to Canterlot, to begin with. In search of light, no matter how small.

The rest of the walk to and through the seriously guarded gates wasn't much of a hassle. The guards, even those here, still gave Thorax some less than friendly looks. It was rather irritating, yet he simply shook it off and waved at the other changelings like he'd not been crying ten minutes ago. 

"So, besides, your 'promotion' has anything thing else of note happened?" Solemn asked Thorax. The bug hissed at the word promotion but otherwise kept it together. 

"Unfortunately, it gets harder and harder to gather enough supplies to sustain our efforts. Every time we get even the smallest victory, it always comes at a price."

Solemn pursed his lips as we passed some non-changeling rebels. This time it was us thestrals that got baleful looks and whispered threats. Guess our whole crew was nothing but outcasts and weirdos. I only add weirdo because from what I could tell, Spade's isolation was his choosing and Bright was a socialite, even if an odd one. 

"How fares the nursery, with you having taken up a new position," Solemn waved a hoof in uncertainty."

"I still go by whenever I get the chance. They need all the help they can get."

Thorax managed a meager smile as he let himself get lost in thought. 

"So, not to interrupt, but we haven't really been told what to expect now that we're here. I don't want to assume anything or disrespect the work here. I was just hoping for details before diving into the deep end, ya know, Captain?" I asked. 

Thorax blinked himself back to reality and looked over his shoulder at me. The bright blue of his whiteless eyes left me coughing back a shudder. 

"That's okay. Everyone deserves a little forwardness. I can't afford to let anyone go in blind. Not ever. Oh, and it's acting Captain. I'm just filling in until our real Captain comes back." 

Thorax seemed to have lit a fire under his own rear. The anxious changeling had a glint in his big blue's that matched his bravado nicely. The last bit though somber, was said with a certainly that vastly outweighed anything I'd heard him speak thus far. As soon as it had sparked, however, it died back down. Thorax scuffed a hoof on the broken cobble. 

"Sorry. I didn't mean to get all mad there."

Between him and Bright, I was going to end up with diabetes. Those two could in themselves be considered a bioweapon. I chuckled as we made our way toward what was once a castle. It had holes and smashed-out windows galore. If what I read and was told later was confirmed. This was where Celestia fought Nightmare Moon after she returned from her banishment. 

It was now more of a memorial symbol for those who wanted the day back gathered. A place to house the disquieted. A time bomb. Worst case scenario, Nightmare just blows the whole city off the mountain whenever she gets bored with the entire rebellion. 

"It was beautiful once. The city, the castle, all of it."

Blueblood trailed a hoof around the castle's silhouette. His eyes sparkled as he looked over at me. I nodded. 

"I have no doubt it was. Maybe one day, it'll recapture that beauty."

"We'll have to get the day back first. I mean, the endless midnight shift is fine and all. But, all my hard work is lost in the dark. Do you know how long it takes to carve a quality gravestone, how exhausting it is?" Spade asked. "It leaves you bone-tired."

"Gaaah!"

I planted a hoof to my face. Spade smiled and increased his pace, and left me there with a Blueblood who seemed more amused by my reaction than Spade's terrible joke.

"We'll get it back. That's what heroes do. I can't right our epic if we don't win," Bright said, smiling a toothy, Fangy grin.

"No, I don't believe you can," Blueblood said. 

The castle drew up faster than one would think. The massive husk of what was once the crown jewel of the nation was still awe-inducing, even dilapidated. It sat in contrast to the Everfree Palace. A tall, decorated affair, to the straightforward, pragmatic sort we'd left. 

"They'll be in the throne room. We use it more like a staging area now, but it was the throne room. I suppose as long as the Queen sits on the former throne, it is a throne room. She doesn't really do that often, but she deserves one all the same. They both do."

Thorax had settled back into his own chitin. The walk had done pretty well at steadying his nerves. Though even now, he seemed one spook from hitting the ceiling. I offered the 'acting captain' a smile as we stepped into the castle on the whole.   

The path to the throne room was a straight shot. Though it didn't need to be to mistake the massive ceiling-high double doors. A pair of doors that were firmly closed with a half dozen guards stationed next to and around them. 

"Fancy," Spade said, tipping the guard he passed a bit. 

I had to stifle a snort. Bright openly giggled, and even Blueblood and Sabre had to hide their own smirks. The guard, for his part, shrugged and tucked the bit away. 

The party came to a stop in front of the throne room doors. Solemn and Thorax stepped forward. The guards eyed us warily. 

"Acting Captain Thorax, reporting with approved arrivals by order of Sir Armor."

The guards looked at one another and looked back. The guard closest to Thorax smacked his lips. "One moment."

The second guard, a unicorn, lit his magical appendage, and slowly the door creaked open. The guard stepped through, and the door closed behind him. 

"You know, we've been doing a whole lot of waiting today," Bright said. 

"Could be worse. You could be lined up back at my shack. I'd make the gravestones nice and pretty, just for the lot of you."

"For the love of Faust, Spade." Blueblood huffed. 

"I would appreciate that. Thank you, Spade."

Sabre offered Spade a hoof, which he clopped with his own. The door peeled open as I contemplated what course my life was before all this led me here. I was beginning to think maybe I was a criminal or something. These crazy ponies were killing me. 

"Enter. The unicorn guard from before said, retaking his original spot and this time keeping the door open. 

"Thank you, sir," Solemn said, and with that. We entered Canterlot Castle's throneroom. To meet with the Queen of changelings and the shining shield of Equestria's old guard. I couldn't explain why, but I was just as nervous entering this throne room as I was when I entered Nightmare's. It felt like deja vu, or maybe Jamais vu. It was hard to tell. 

No sooner had we past the threshold than the door creaked closed once more. There was no turning back now. I just hoped this meeting with royalty went better than the last.
> A United Front
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compared to the outside of the castle and the city that surrounded it, the castle throne room was in somewhat surprising condition. The windows were boarded up, and several more minor breaks in the walls and ceiling had been hastily repaired. But still, one would think these basic repairs would at least be offered to the rest of the castle for a more fortified base of operations. The summary of the room, however, left its old purpose behind. The room had several large desks piled high with papers and files. More than a dozen occupants were dashing back and forth. From once upon a time, a matriarchy beloved, to a bureaucratic mess, a room lost of splendor to purpose. 

"Busy day?" Blue asked. 

"They all are," Thorax answered. The bug looked about the room before stepping in front of a rather frantic changeling. The stopped changeling gasped and looked like he'd woken from a chance in the middle of nowhere. 

"Chaste, have you seen Sir Armor? I have some guests that just arrived for him."

Thorax pivoted and pointed at our group. Chaste gave us a long look. He still seemed to be blinking back whatever mindless routine we'd interrupted. 

"Should be here, in back, not sure. We're too busy, far too busy."

With that, Chaste dashed away. Thorax offered a dejected hiss and motioned for us to follow him deeper. The deeper we went, the more hectic the motions became for those trying to sort their workload. I was left wondering what files a ragtag rebellion needed to sort through. I daunted it was all vital or even relevant intel. In the end, it didn't really matter, but the nature of the affairs would be a question for later. 

"So, why are you sorting old papers?" Spade asked. I voiced a silent cry for help. He would just ask. I mean, in hindsight, I wasn't surprised. 

"Some of it is undoctored history records, the kind Nightmare isn't a fan of. The rest are citizen records and schematics for Canterlot and the surrounding towns. Those lost in the dark and those who have family just vanished deserve to know what happened. The only way we can do that is to know where who, and how."

"That's a noble pursuit. Captain Armor's one of the few who could do it," Sabre said. 

"It was the Queen's idea, actually. Sir Armor focuses on the outside, while our Queen focuses on internal affairs. Too much-split attention, and you can miss what is important." Thorax said. He chuckled when Sabre was left, face scrunched in surprise. 

"Thorax."

Our collective attention was pulled to the very back of the room. Where on a scuffed throne, piles of papers meters high, a large, regal-looking changeling sat. Green eyes glued to Thorax, who shook in place. This could only be one pony, ling, both? The Queen of Changeling, Queen Chrysalis. She would strike a presence almost as concerning as Nightmare if she didn't have bags under her eyes and a mug of what I assumed was coffee levitating inches from her face. 

"My Queen."

Thorax bowed. The rest of us slowly followed his lead. We certainly didn't need a sleep-deprived erovore mad at us. Neither Blue nor Sabre seemed happy to supplicate themselves but did so all the same. 

"Who," Chrysalis pointed to the rest of us. She took a long drag of her coffee and let out a blessed sigh. The second she ceased, she looked back down at us, leering at each of us one by one. "Are these ponies?"

"My Queen, these are the guests' Sir Armor contacted from the Everfree. Solemn Mind is a known informant." 

Solemn looked up, still mid bow. "Your Majesty."

Chrysalis seemed to regard the name with tutting of her tongue before ultimately nodding. "That name does sound familiar. The others?" Another drag from her mug, and she motioned for Thorax to continue. 

"Allies Solemn enlisted while using our new entail. "Two thestral stallions, a unicorn, ex-noble, a non-thestral night guard, and um?" Thorax looked back at Spade.

"I caretake the Ponyville home for the recently and still very much dead."

"Oh." The Queen smirked. "This one seems out of place, no?"

"He wasn't expected to be joining us, Your Majesty. In our exit from the Everfree, he assisted us in losing Nightmare's pursuing enforcers."

Solemn's wings twitched as Chrysalis leaned forward. A toothy smile reminiscent of one Nightmare Moon wore when she'd thought up a new twisted mind game to play. Solemn had taken note of the strange level of concurrent insanity among royalty, pony or no, and looked ready to keel over just to avoid similar stress levels. 

"Interesting. Now, the next question is, where oh where is my dearest Shining. He always seems to vanish just before his turn on the seat looms. He has the same habit with the bathroom as well. He only needs ut, just as I make my way to its use. I'd thought it a quirk of pony stallions, but I've not met another half as dense since." 

Chrysalis lamented, waving her mug dramatically hither and thither. She slumped back on her throne and sighed louder than necessary. It may just be me, I certainly couldn't tell, but the others all looked boggled. I wasn't sure why, if anything, Chrysali's current lack of decorum was relieving to some degree. She didn't have a tree up her plot like Nightmare Moon. Yet, all but Thorax looked taken aback. Solemn the worst of us. His jaw had locked as he all but shook in place. I don't mean a subtle tremble either. This was whole-body vibration. 

"Sounds like he needs more fiber in his diet," I said. 

The looks I got from most of my friends were a bit overdramatic. Spade and Thorax were the only two not staring at me over my rebuttal.

"That's exactly what I said. But no, the troops get his rations, and he lives off protein bars and hard tack. I didn't even know anyone still made hard tack. I swear if he wasn't so delectable. I'd beam him over the head with one of those hockey pucks they pretend are food."

"I say go for it," I said with a chuckle. "Some guys just have to play the martyr. How's he gonna potent anymore if he's half-dead and backed up."

"Stargazer, shut up, now!" Solemn hissed. It was almost a scream, but I doubt he had it in him to make a scene before Chryssalis even if he clearly wanted to.

"Nonsense. This thestral here," Chrysalis pointed to me. "Is some of the better conversations I've had this night. If the rest o you ponies were half as observant, I doubt Nightmare Moon would have won her initial gambit all those years ago."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

I grinned at Solomon as hard as I could. He did not look very impressed. 

"That said, I believe there are more pressing matters to attend to. Isn't that right, Shiny?" Chrysalis asked. She'd looked past our lot, and our gazes followed. A Bedraggled but rather imposing stallion smiled back. 

The unicorn's white-coated was tapered in sweat and dirt. His messy dual-tone blue mane seemed wrought with grease. It wasn't the look of the homeless or slovenly, just the overworked and athletically driven. It was his gaze that held my attention. His bright blue eyes had an intensity, and behind that intensity, a deep sorrow.

"Yes, dear," Shining waved off Chrysalis' question and looked to Solomon. "I hope your trip here wasn't too exhausting. It's been too long since you found your way home, Solemn. I can't imagine the last two years were relaxing ones."

"No, sir, but very productive, all the same."

Solemn tapped a hoof to his chest and smiled back at his boss. Shining walked forward. Our group parted to let him through, though he stopped just shy of Solomon himself.  

"It seems so. If all of your friends are any indication."

Shining's smile fell as his gaze stopped on Blueblood. They wore a chaste smirk of his own. He tucked his chin up and waited. Shining took a step closer. Chrysalis had leaned forward on her throne, smiling in anticipation. 

"Something the matter, Captain?" Blue asked. 

"Blueblood. What exactly are you doing here?"

Blueblood faked a gasp. "Why, I'm here at the request of my dearest friends. They simply begged me to come along. How could I, in good conscience, say no?

Shining's eyes narrowed. "More like you need a new host to leech off of. What did Nightmare Moon get a stain on your favorite jacket?"

"Stop."

I stepped in between the two unicorns and offered both a sneer. 

"Don't antagonize him, Blue," Shining smirked. "That goes double for you, Captain. Blue came to help, even knowing he'd be working under you. You two don't have to like it, but Blue is vital to a plan we cooked up. One that might turn the tide of this whole stupid war."

Shining's brow rose, and Chrysalis stifled a snicker. "A war-winning plan," Shining asked.

"Yep, Star and Blue have been at it for weeks. It's a doozy, too, a real ancient mystery. It kind of reminds me of a Daring Do story, except not canceled, due to Eternal Night travel restrictions and work-related problems."

"Bright, please," Solemn said. He offered Shining an encouraging smile. "It is true the two believe they have a plan of sorts that might be useful."

"My my, Solom Mind, you truly did find an interesting bunch. Even if you and these other two are among the most hated ilk in Equestria. I dare say, even the ancient times of windigos had less spite and ire."

Chrysalis smiled. I had to blink away the comment. Solemn seemed happy enough to ignore it, and Bright didn't even seem to notice. By the stars above, that stallion either had the thickest skull or the emptiest. I wasn't sure which.

"Chryssie. That's no way to treat our comrades."

"While I certainly applaud your hypocritical reaction, Shining. I do have a question that I would stake my life on that everypony present has been asking silently for the last few minutes. If you are, of course, willing to indulge me."

Through grit teeth, Shining turned back to Blueblood and managed a terse reply. "Ask."

"It is the nature of your relationship with yon Queen. May her reign be eternal?" Blueblood offered Chrysalis a deep bow. 

"A charmer, I see. That at hoof. Shining is my consort. As of early last year. What blissful times those were. Though I suppose if you go back in time, every minute is more blissful the less Nightmare in her brash stupidity has power."

"Consort!?" the whole group asked. Well, all but Bright who simply swelled in delight.

"Yes, my husband as of your pony laws," Chrysalis said. She nodded and looked to Shining, who shook his head dejectedly. 

"Never one for tact, Chryssie."

Shining offered our group a conciliatory shrug.

"Why should I spare thought to those under our rule. In these times, deference to deception only matters when we can take advantage of its use. If we are to break down the stigma built up about our subjects, we must be honest. Is that not what you told me some months back when we rescued those miners. The ones who took a single look at my children and me and fainted?"

"Yes, I did, but that wasn't what I meant. I just meant that there are means to be subtle about us. You don't have to make it sound like it's all business."

Shining had stepped passed our group and had proceeded up the dais. Chrysalis waved him away with indignation. "You think so little of me? I merely saw no reason to delay the answer. They were clearly seeking."

"Should we come back later?" Spade asked hoof raised. 

"No, sorry. It's just been kind of hectic."

Shining deflated and stepped up beside the throne and gave his wife a quick kiss on the cheek. I was left bemused, Sabre and Solomon were left comatose, Bright was clapping, and Spade looked like he couldn't care less. The only standouts were Thorax, who clearly knew, and Blueblood, who just rolled his eyes and smirked. 

"So, not to kill the mood. But we're here, and I believe the Queen said she was due for a break. We still have no idea what's going on, and my brain is running on fumes as it is, so" I rolled my hooves in rotations. 

"Right, sorry." Shining offered another peck to the Chrysalis' cheek. "You can go rest. I'll deal with this."

Chrysalis rose from her seat and stretched. "Very well. Do call if something interesting comes up. This secret plan, the thestral and the noble have planned has my intrigue."

"Right."

This time Chrysalis leaned forward and planted her lips hard on Shinings. The rest of us chose to politely find the nearest thing, not the two lip-locked lovers. I had found a scorch mark on the wall nearest the closest boarded-up window. 

When Chrysalis snorted when she pulled back and looked our way. She took pride in her ability to leave the rest of us floundering. She was mad, perhaps as equally mad as Nightmare. However, her madness was all her own. Nightmare was just insane and paranoid. Chrysalis was clearly talented in befuddlement and obfuscation. 

Then as suddenly as she'd laid claim to her stallion, she was off and out the side door beside the throne. Shining gave a curt cough into a hoof and took a seat on the throne. 

"My my, Captain, you certainly know how to pick them. Though I always thought you'd end up with my cousin."

"Blueblood!"

The games were over. The look Shining had was one not of irritation. The flames of the war marked his face in harsh contrast to his prior inflection. His eyes were wrought in ice and chivvied in shadows. His horn hummed as he dared his target to try something, to try anything at all. Blueblood sat back on his haunches, fore hooves up. His smirk was replaced with the same tiredness he wore when he was left stumped in his work. When the map simply sat before him unfinished, and no matter how he tried, it became no less incomplete. 

"Apologies."

Blueblood offered in a whisper. Shining huffed and sat back on his throne. His arm stopped humming, but the look in his eye held firm. He turned that look on me. I did not care for that look one bit. 

"Stargazer, that's your name, correct?" Shining asked. 

"It is, sir."

Shining sighed hard and rubbed a hoof over his forehead, just below his horn. "I hope you understand what it means to be here tonight. Disregarding Blueblood, the fact Solomon was so adamant about you and your friends, so determined to bring you here. That is quite the endorsement. So, please, do make me regret agreeing to his request. I trust Solomon as much as any of my allies. But still, I can't go trusting everypony with reckless abandon."

I looked to Solomon, who offered a tired smile. The poor old bat looked ready to collapse. The stress alone had him already frayed on the edges. This whole summons meant that much to him. That we meant that much to him, I couldn't help but smile to. 

"I do, sir."

"Do you also understand that almost no one here has that same faith or trust? Thestrals have done a lot of awful things in Nightmare's name. To be frank, you'll have to prove yourselves pretty hard before anyone else gives you a chance. They won't attack you. They wouldn't risk my or, much more likely, Chrysalis' fury. But that won't stop the rumors, the insults, and dirty looks."

"Pshaw, Solemn, Star, and I are awesome. We'll have them eating out of our hooves in no time. We're going to save the day, all of us, together, and that's the truth," Bright said.

"I've seen enough tears. I've seen plenty of anger. It's about time we made some better memories, some smiles, and laughter."

The damn broke, and I laughed. A full belly laugh as Spade and Bright stood in front of me. Spade had his jaw locked in defiance. Bright's smile was blinding. They both had their eyes locked with Shining. The rebel leader saw Spade and Bright, then me laughing, and found himself joining.   

"They'll stand by us as we stand by them. You taught me that, sir," Sabre said. He'd fallen in beside me, in full salute."

"Sir?" Thorax said. The silly little bug had stepped back into the conversation after introducing us all. Shining nodded. "If you could teach ponies to accept us. Then we should try to accept the thestrals too. They've done lots of bad. They've hurt a lot of ponies and changelings." A shadow cast deep across Thorax's face. The edging of tears and the grit of the dirt under his hoof. An icy air that could compete against Shining's own. "But, not all of them. My brother respected everyone who fought, no matter what side. So, I want to as well."

"As much as I dislike you, personally. I was offered a chance to give back to those who offered me a second chance."

Blueblood bowed. His eye caught on us, not the throne. "I want to prove that trust was warranted. So, I will do everything I can to spread such trust, for their sake, not mine."

"Sir," Solemn said. 

"I know," Shining answered. He stood from his seat and offered a bow of his own. "I believe you, all of you. Whatever your reasons, whatever your past. I believe you will do exactly as you've said. So, prove it, show the rest of Canterlot, show the rest of Equestria. You'll have my support the whole way."

I saluted. "Thank you."

Sabre saluted once more. "Thank you, Captain."

Bright wrapped leg around my neck. "We will."

Spade nodded. "We'll prove them dead wrong."

Blue stood from his bow and smiled. "But of course."

"No, thank you, all of you." Shining fell back in his seat. "So, how about that plot of yours, Star. Let's hear it."

"Okay, so it all started with a dream."
> Set In Motion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, you believe this missing city could stop Nightmare Moon?" Shining asked. We'd only finished summarizing each of our last few weeks. It went well, all things considered. That was right up and until Blueblood and I started explaining our plans for the city in the north. Even now, Shining seemed less than convinced. Solemn was still iffy on the plan as well. That was understandable. When your dreams are based on folklore and strange visions, you'd be perfectly within reason to think the speaker is mad. Yet, I was unfettered, and Shining response seemed to drive Blueblood all the more readily into the plan. It was a spite world-saving adventure. A weird flex if you asked me, but who am I to judge.

"I do, sir, I really do," I said firmly. 

"Was Nightmare Moon not a story a decade ago? It would be remiss of us to simply wave such stories away as of now. The world will only change if somepony moves to change it. Isn't that right, Captain?" Blueblood asked before Shining had a chance to reply.

"That's fair. I can't just wave away anything as of late. Nightmare Moon was a foals tale. The changelings were rumors. Tirek was a walking monument to ponykind, pretending everything was perfect and harmless. The fight between him and Nightmare was an awakening if nothing else."

"Who?" I asked.

"Tirek, a massive, crazy magic-eating centaur. Nightmare and he fought a while back. Too bad Nightmare caught him early on. He hadn't regained all his power yet." Bright added.

"It wasn't pretty." Sabre agreed. 

"So, back on the subject. What do we know about this supposed city in the snow?" 

Shining looked tired. The overworked rebel leader seemed to be shaking off the fatigue the longer we went. It was almost funny how alike he and Blue looked when they were thrown into their element. 

"Not much. We know its supposed location. I had visions of crystals, glowing ones. Crystals that held back an all-consuming shadow. A shadow that had a spark in it. I thought I heard a voice at some point, but I have no idea what it said."

That last part was more literal than I liked. Unfortunately, we had only the barest hopes of this city even existing. If it did, we had no way of telling if the city actually had the weapon, tool, or magic power to beat Nightmare Moon and save the day. 

Shining nodded. "I'm not surprised. Nightmare has methodically destroyed all references to not only Celestia but anything from over a thousand years ago as well."

I scoff and wave dismissively.   

"Trust me, I'm well aware."

"Sir, if there's a chance?" Thorax said from his spot to Shining's right. 

"Maybe we put a pin in this planning thing and get some rest. All of you seem dead on your hooves. It's not like this hidden city is going anywhere."

Spade looked about the group with a placid serenity. Of all those present, he's the only one who seems fit and ready. Sabre and Shining were just trotting through it, and Thorax was emotionally spent, if nothing else. 

"He has a point, Shining. Perhaps we should rest while we have the chance."

Solemn looked ready to collapse. He eagerly smiled at his commanding officer with the piteous plea of a politician that had spent way too long pretending everything was acceptable. I could certainly use the sleep. 

Shining inhaled, closing his eyes for a moment before letting the air back out. He nodded slowly. "That might be for the best. If nothing else, you've all had a busy day. Some time to reflect and catch your breath can't hurt."

The visible slump of the group was unmissable. Everypony whose name wasn't based on digging implements all but managed to keep themselves standing. Even Shining seemed to relax back in his seat atop the dais. 

"Thorax, would you mind finding our guests some free rooms. After that, you're dismissed for the night, Captain."

The title had Thorax shake on his hooves. The emotions were hidden behind a clearly forced nonchalance. A cracked mask, held together by sheer will. The changeling was ready and willing to cry in Solomon's hooves but stalwart and disciplined in front of his king? If Shining was with Chrysalis, he'd be a king or consort or whatever term the changelings preferred. 

"Yes, sir."

Thorax marched past my group and trotted off toward the closed doors. That was to say, everypony but Solomon. The old thestral didn't move from his spot before the ancient throne. I gave him a quizzical look, one he answered with a tired smile. 

"Go ahead. I already have lodgings and still had a few things to discuss with our dear Commander. I'll make my own way shortly."

I rolled my eyes and followed the others. The workers, the ones still filing and organizing the various files and documents, had stopped briefly as we passed. No doubt, they'd heard at least some of our conversations with both Chrysalis and Shining. That being the case, the silent, heavy stares did little to satiate the worries that lay bare in the back of my mind. Nightmare, the crystal city, everything in between. 

Their judgment, no matter how unfounded, had me recall Ponyville. The thoroughly ingrained disgust and hatred. The thestrals had done most if not every pony and changeling I passed wrong. Nightmare ruled through fear, but pushing someone too far into fear leads to either rage or despair. In this case, it might be a little of both. 

I tried not to look, but I could still feel their eyes. I could feel the shadows, too. They crept in at the edge of my vision. A shiver ran up my spine as I hastened my pace. The others waited at the throne room doors. They'd already been opened, and the guards on duty looked in, watching my every move. My head was throbbing by the time I joined the rest of my friends.

"You okay, sir?" Sabre asked. 

I tsked, "I'll live."

"Course you will. None of us are gonna let you die," Bright said, stepping up beside me and dramatically throwing a hoof over my withers. "So, don't go trying, okay?"

I had to restrain a humorless chuckle and instead nodded. "Okay, Bright, whatever you say. You damnable optimist, you.”

"Good."

That was that, and Bright would hear nothing else on the matter. So we followed Thorax through the castle interior. It was nearly universal, the stares and whispers. The way the guards shifted in place and gripped their weapons all the tighter. We weren't welcome. Shining had been right on that matter. We'd have to prove useful before any of the rebels and vagabonds even give us the time of night. The refugees, the ones outside, might still throw us to the wolves even if we did prove helpful. It was damned if you do, damned if you don't. They could just toss us out and let Nightmare do the rest.

"Pay them no heed, Star. It is unbecoming to let their ire sink so deep," Blueblood stood tall, head held high as we passed another group of rebels. It was almost laughable. The way Blue of all ponies could throw on a noble's mask after the way he was back in the Everfree. I suppose the nostalgia might have gotten to him. This had been his home, after all.

"If you say so."

Sabre hip-checked me. His gaze was not a pleased one. I offered a shrug, and he bumped me again. "What?"

"Blueblood is right, sir. You're dwelling on it. You shouldn't."

"Are they wrong, though, wrong to stare?" I asked. 

"No, no, they aren't."

I bumped Sabre this time. "Gee, thanks."

"Please, give your bodyguard some credit. Let them stare, let them tense and whisper. I've dealt with that for as long as I can recall. But who was it that was so willing to pull me from my own seclusion? What daft, obnoxious, overbearing, and preachy bat sought to will me back from the metaphorical edge?"

Blueblood had pulled alongside me on the side opposite Sabre. The two boxed me in and stared me down harder than any rebel had. Blue was right, well, as right as he can be. I was many things, but preachy, really, me? I didn't have a response, not the one they wanted. I didn't even have the one I needed at the moment. The dress had finally caught up to me. The last few weeks had been a daze. The repercussions are a future me problem. Well, here I was, the future me doing just that and failing spectacularly.

"That was all, Sabre. I just followed his lead."

That earned a double side swipe from my so-called friends. Why was everypony on the hit Stargazer train as of late? I'd have bruises by the time I woke at this rate. I had managed a small smile all the same. 

"Thanks, guys, really."

Blue huffed and threw his nose to the sky. "That's what friends do, correct?"

"We do, yes," Sabre answered. 

"Speaking of, we really need to talk about you and Shining at some point. You two seemed ready to kill each other back there."

The look on Blue's face as he tripped over himself was a spirit lifter. It was almost like he thought we'd forget or something.

The cartographer quickly rose and glared at me. "That is none of your concern. My past is not the subject that matters right now. We have a quest beholden to us at the moment."

"So, a friend asks about these things, right?" I turned to Sabre and nudged him. 

Sabre rolled his eyes and sped up, leaving me and a still glaring Blueblood in the dust. The rest of the walk was a stale experience. Several more minutes of passing shattered stained glass windows and dust-covered carpets. The moon beamed down in rays of white light. An ominous gaze sent shivers down my back. 

When we arrived at a quartet of accessible rooms, Thorax left us to divvy who would be where. Sabre and I took one. The others each got a space of their own. That settled, Thorax excused himself and our party made their own means of rest. 

"How bad?" Sabre asked after closing the door to the guest room. 

The room itself was in good condition. This far in, everything was musty but ultimately perfectly serviceable. A pair of beds, a bathroom, and a window looking into the central courtyard. It reminded me somewhat of my room back in Nightmare's castle. I doubted Nightmare's first desire was to trash every empty, unused space in the castle. 

"Hmm?" I asked.

"You've been a mess since we left the throne room. How bad is it, sir?"

I rolled my eyes and pulled my pack onto the floor beside one of the beds. "I'll live."

Sabre gave me a long chilling stare before moving to the free bed and almost robotically removing and checking his gear. A soldier through and through. I flopped onto my chosen bed and let the mattress pull all the stress away. The bed was quality, the type that conformed to your body and left you all the cozier.

"Living and being alive is not the same thing, sir."

Sabre laid the sir thing on thick. We'd run from Nightmare and joined a rebellion, yet, sir this and sir that. It might have been ingrained harder than his military training. I chose to leave it be. I did not have the energy for an argument right now. 

"What if we're wrong. What happens if we look for the city of crystal and find nothing. What then?" I asked. 

I was asking myself more than anything. A question that hung in the air. I hadn't given it much thought before now. Another future issue. I would have doomed everyone else for my mad ramblings if we were wrong.

"Then we move on. We find another way. We never stop fighting."

Sabre's answer wasn't targetted either. It was just two stallions talking to themselves. There wasn't a conversation in sight, no heart to hearts here, no siree. Sabre was a soldier. He was bred for battle. I was, well, I wasn't sure. I had random trivia and a mad case of Nyctophobia. If this all went belly up, I doubted there would be a second chance. I couldn't put it into words, but the shadows, the ones that crawled across my vision. They were almost comforting in a way. When I saw them, it only redoubled my belief that my dreams weren't just dreams. It was believed or accepted that I was a complete loon. I wasn't a fan of the latter. 

"I won't die a slave. I made up my mind on that long ago. When the sunset for the last time. When the night came, when the world fell to Nightmare, I wasn't ready. I surrendered, like the rest. That was one of my many, many regrets. I won't regret this. I won't regret finding you in the forest, not ever, Star. I've made up my mind."

That said, his things were packed away. Sabre climbed into bed, and that was that. So it was as he said, that was that. I was lucky. I had friends like Sabre. I don't know if I deserved them, but here they were. They followed me to what could be their deaths. That feeling had my gut twist as I closed my eyes and buried my face into a pillow. My head was still pounding as I tried my best to fall asleep. I had more future problems to do with when I awoke, so until then, I wanted to sleep. 

So, that is precisely what I did. The shadows drew in, and I disappeared into the dark. The all-consuming darkness was the first thing I saw when I wound up here in Equestria. My past was a ripped-up portrait. A puzzle where none of the pieces had rhyme or reason. I couldn't speak to any of that, to who that I was. However, this me had a purpose, which was something the dark couldn't take.

"Soon." A voice said in the dark. That wasn't my voice. I tossed about in the darkness. 

"Who, what?" I asked.

"Crystals, soon."

"What?" I was lost in the dark. The voice was coming from everywhere at the same time. I could hear my heart beating in my chest. My head throbbed harder. I yelled into the dark. The voice didn't answer. I was alone, or so I hoped. The last time I thought I'd heard a voice, it certainly hadn't been the one from just now. The first had been a feminine voice. This one was much deeper and held a certain sorrowful cadence. 

So much for the future me. Present me wasn't having any better luck on the things to worry about list. If the voices in my head wanted crystals, I might need to rethink my discovery of the lost city in the far north. I might also need a therapist when this was all said and done.
> The Chase Was On
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two days passed in relative peace. Well, relative to what would come. It made sense. We needed supplies and time to catch our breath. So, when Shining had told us to wait, we did. No, the waiting was fine, the company, though. It was a mixed bag. Shining, Chrysalis, and Thorax were more than accommodating. Thorax had taken to tour guide, I think, solely to relay his status to anyone and everyone else. 

Solemn had a better reception than Bright or myself. Sabre had been off with the changing guards doing whatever guards do, besides following you wherever you went. Bright had been getting stories from the rebels, the few that would answer him anyway. Blueblood had been forced to sidle up alongside Shining and his lieutenants for information and schematic layouts. Blueblood had thought ahead and had brought several schematics for the Everfree Palace. Spade well, seemed none too perturbed by any of the goings-on. He'd been sucked into this whole thing at the last second yet rolled with everything like he'd been there since the start. 

I, well, I watched the rebels leer and sneer at me at every chance. I watched them make silent threats and whisper amongst themselves. This was mainly the regular ponies. The changelings seemed slightly less volatile. I suppose they'd had the same treatment, if not worse, before the sunset. I didn't really know what to do with the time I had. I'd been left reliving my last dream over and over. The voice, as fresh as the second it spoke in my mind. It sent a chill down my mind every time I replayed it. 

Thorax had almost taken Sabre's position of following me around. He didn't say out loud anyway why he had latched on to me. If it was anything to go on, Thorax wasn't very popular. I'd heard more than one conversation about his brother. Pharynx was a hero, so brave, a hero. It started to grate on me, and I'd just got here. I couldn't imagine how bad it ate away at Thorax. So, I let him join me, he showed me around, and for the most part, we just talked. I'd have almost been relaxing if I wasn't plagued by what was to come.

It was the third night or sleep time? When it all went awry. Because, of course, it did. I was ripped from my dreamless slumber with a sharp pain in my side. Then another. I hissed and swiped at my attacker. 

"Sir, Get Up!"

My sleep-addled mind had me slowly stir. I pushed myself to a seated position and mumbled some unintelligible sleep talk. I was met with another prod to the side. I hissed and opened my eyes properly. 

"Okay, I'm up."

"Sir, get your things. We have to go now."

Sabre's command finally broke through my brain fog. I turned to find Sabre fully geared and repeatedly glancing between me and the door.

"Sabre, what?"

Sabre held up a hoof. "No time, sir, Canterlot castle is under attack. We have to go now."

I jolted up and scrambled out of bed. "it's what?"

"Nopony has said so, not since I woke minutes ago, but I believe they're after us."

I restrained a wail. Nightmare, it seems, was more vindictive than I thought. She had known where I was going and had taken all the time she needed to make our pursuit all the more insane. Faust help us if she'd come herself. 

"For the love of," I said as I scrambled to throw my pack together. This was the point where not wearing layers helped. We'd gotten most of our gear together already, so hopping up and throwing the rather hefty pack on my back only took a minute. 

Then Sabre ushered us out the door. Lo and behold, the others were already in the hall. I suspected Sabre had woken them first or attempted to wake me for longer than I'd been aware. Blueblood, in particular, looked both the most anxious and the angriest. 

"Everypony, ready?" Sabre asked. 

Affirmed by the others, we were off. We weren't following the path to the main foyer or the throne room. That made sense. The issue was, where were we going. The sounds in the distance were not comforting. Yells, screams, the sounds of explosions and crumbling stone. If it had ever been in doubt, the languished cries we were moving away from wiped away any suspicion of Nightmare's assault. 

"This is nonsensical."

Blueblood growled from ahead of me. He and Sabre had taken the lead. Blueblood seemed on the verge of kicking a wall. It was not my wish to wake the beast from his slumber. Yet, here I am, aloof to his rage. 

"You think so?" Bright asked. 

"Left," Sabre said. The group turned into a stairwell. A stairwell that went down, very down. So down the lower levels were lost to the dark. It was precisely the stairs that horror stories emphasized as ones you should not be going down. 

"Spooky, I like it."

Spade said with a dour chuckle. I rolled my eyes, and whether I wanted to or not, we made to climb down only to have a voice call from behind us. 

"Wait."

I cursed under my breath as I nearly jumped out of my skin. I leered at the stallion as clad in his own armor, he struck a defining presence. It was none other than Shining himself. Oh, what glory and luck. 

"Shining?"

He nodded, and both Solomon and Thorax turned the corner. There was a hoofful of Shinings soldiers as well. "We don't have long. So, I'll keep this as simple as I can. I'd given instructions to a messenger when the attack began. It seems Light Sabre received them."

"Of course, Captain," Sabre said, pulling to full attention. 

"The stairs ahead of you lead deep into the mountainside into a series of crystal mines. From there, there's a secret exit on the other side of the mountain. You can go from there. Thorax, are you ready?"

Thorax nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Ready for what?" Bright asked. 

Shining looked over his shoulder as a series of explosions sounded from back the way we'd come. "Thorax will be guiding you through the caverns. We only have a few who know it exists and less than no the direct route."

"Maze of death, very minotaurs, I dig it," Spade said, followed by a brow wiggle.

"So, it'll be the seven of us?" I asked. 

"Six," Solemn corrected.

"Wait, Solemn--"

The older thestral held up a hoof. "Now, now, you young heroes hardly need an old bat like me slowing you down."

"Sir, surely--"

"No, my purpose was intel and ally management. I am not a hero. I'm a diplomat. The lot of you have my unwavering faith. So go before it's too late."

I wanted to protest, to argue we could all make it. The shouts and crackle of spell flinging begged to differ. We were out of time, and if we were going to get to the far north, we'd need to go before we wasted our one chance. 

"Are you sure?" I asked. 

"I am. I'm proud of all of you. You'll find this city of yours, Star, I haven't a doubt in my mind. Now, for the last time. Go, go save the day."

Shining stomped once. "You heard him, gents. I can't say for certain if there's a magical crystal city where you're going. But, If there is one, then find it. We'll hold the line until then." 

That said, Shining motioned for him and his forces to go back the way they came. Solomon followed, sparing a look back and a sad smile. The old bastard better not get himself killed. I'd learn necromancy just to bring him back and scold him for failing in his duties.

"So, everyone ready to go?" Thorax asked. 

"As we'll ever be," Blueblood huffed. "That stupid fool is going to get himself killed. He always had to play hero, even back when my cousin took an interest in him."

"Okay, well, um, follow me then, please."

Thorax took the lead, and we followed him into the belly of the mountain. We'd managed to get this far without the forces of Nightmare Moon catching up. That was a good start. We were swallowed in the dark and left Canterlot Castle behind. We left Solomon behind. My gut felt like lead the deeper we went. It was Solomon who'd gathered this band of morons, so it didn't sit right that he stayed behind.

"Are we okay with this? The idea of leaving no pony behind comes to mind," I asked.

"Would it matter?" Sabre asked. 

"No, not really," Spade agreed. 

"This isn't a fairytale, Star." 

I was caught off guard by Bright wrapping a hoof over my neck and tutting. "You're not worried about Solomon? Come on, he's our friend."

"Who said I wasn't upset?" Bright asked. 

"For the love of Celestia. Star, we do care, each of us to some degree. Stop creating cyclical conundrums none of us have a say in. Solemn stayed by his own merit. A respectable pro of any pony. So, focus on what we can control."

Blueblood leered over his shoulder at me. He'd lit the tip of his horn to help with the dark of the stretching stairwell. The light glinted off his eyes, giving them a subtle glow. The others fell into a silence. While I was left to chew on the situation. I wanted to yell, but I didn't. I wanted to stomp and buck, but I didn't. I wanted to save the day, but I haven't.

When we reached the bottom, the magic light Blue had been using was no longer necessary. The sum of the cavern that stretched out before us was lit well with glowing mushrooms and the refracted light of the crystals covering the walls, floor, and ceiling. In all directions, shimming incandescence was awe-inspiring. It was mesmerizing. 

"Wow, this is amazing."

Bright trotted about prodding the shrooms and gems he passed.

"You really shouldn't touch those. Heaven knows if they're poisonous," Blueblood said.

"I'd hope not. We've been cultivating the mushrooms and crystals in these mines for months. I'd hate to think we poisoned our friends and allies."

Thorax shuddered at the thought as he prodded a nearby shroom tentatively. The look on Blue's face was between guilt and amusement. For all his pleasantness, Thorax wasn't very perceptive when it came to sarcasm and idiom. He, as I see it, trusts too easily. It was as if he was so desperate for acceptance he went out of his way to believe everyone around him. 

I pat Thorax's shoulder. "Blueblood was kidding. That said, what's the plan, oh humble guide of mine?" 

Thorax perked up just a bit. "Right, so first we'll bank a left at the rose-colored stalagmite and then--"

"I'm afraid I can't let you do that."

Oh gee whiz, it looks like something else has come to rain on my parade. We get to within an inch of getting out of Canterlot Scott free, and boom, plot twist. I wasn't angry, nope, not the least bit irritated by the infinite quandary that was my life. 

"No."

Blueblood gasped. He took a half step back and shook his head in distress. The object of his response leisurely walked through the path we'd tried mere minutes before. My heart jumped in my throat as I connected the dots. Blueblood's reaction was reserved compared to the initial responses that ran through my mind. 

"Buck!"

I managed not to yell at the top of my lungs. Whatever messed up, god was screwing with us. He had a sick twisted sense of humor. There as if nothing was amiss, stood the pinkest alicorn on Equis. The Lady of Hearts herself. Cadence, the same mare I'd bumped into not long ago in the halls of Nightmare's capital. 

"Language," Cadance said. Her voice was restrained. It seems I wasn't the only one having vocal urges that would be rude at best. 

"You'd think I'd be surprised. I'm not, but you can think it. It's princess Un-not-refreshed," Spade said, earning a look from almost all present, Cadance included. 

"I'm sorry?" Cadance said.

"You know, double negative. The opposite of Cadance is refreshed, so I used a roundabout instead of your real name. I guess it was less obvious than I thought, my bad."

Cadance shook her head. "I see, back to the matter at hoof. I'm afraid your journey ends here. Queen Nightmare requires your group back in Everfree. So, if you would kindly--"

"No!" I said. 

"--Come with me." Cadence finished. She hadn't even stuttered over my interruption. 

"No can do, My Lady. We're on a mission," Bright said.

"I'm aware. I'm sure the Rebels have all sorts of plans at work."

Sabre stepped forward, placing himself directly in front of the bemused alicorn.

"Our answer stands," Sabre said, drawing his rapier, eyes never leaving his would-be opponent. Cadence sighed in response. 

"I would really recommend you do this the easy way. It'll be far less messy."

"Cadance, please. If there was ever a time to honor our aunt, adopted or not--"

"Silence."

Cadence's ample use of vocal augmentation, something Nightmare took great pains to use as often as possible, nearly blew Blueblood out of his shoes. The rest of us were left Stockstill as the now very irate Cadance glared over at her cousin. 

"Cadance."

"Enough, Blueblood, I've tried to help you see. I've begged you to rise up. Yet, here you are with the lowest of the low, a pawn in a game you can't win."

In Blueblood's appeal, it seemed he'd drawn Cadance's full attention. So, while the getting was good, a good idea was ideal. I scanned the cavern, heart pounding a mile a minute. There were just the five of us, that and crystals, lots of crystals. 

"You'd rather I a pawn in Nightmare's game, an accomplice in her evils?" Blueblood asked. He'd made it back to all fours and joined Cadance in a glare-off. 

This wouldn't go on forever. Think Star, think. Five of us, one path in, one out. Five? Wait, that didn't sound right. 

"Since when did the scion of Canterlot grow a spine? You were all too happy to stay blind in the basking rays of the sun." 

Cadence stomped, her horn lighting up, for whatever high-level spellcraft she had that we certainly didn't. Blueblood didn't budge. My mind had caught up with me. I managed a jaded smile. Five, there were six in the caverns.   

"You're right. I was a worthless fraud. I still am, but at least when the light faded, I didn't close my eyes and pretend it'd always been dark."

"You have no idea, what I've done, nor who or what I am."

Blueblood's fire died and what was left was a very tired, somber stallion. One that reminded me of the day I'd met Blueblood, the shell of a stallion who woke up to who he'd been and what that had meant. 

"All this for a stallion, all of this, over a broken heart."

"ENOUGH!"

Cadence roared, and her horn throbbed with power. The sum of the path between her and us was filled with a very hefty chunk of carbon. Everything stopped. The crystal that had blocked Cadance's wrath had left everypony stumped. Well, I was left puzzled and more impressed. 

"We need to go, now." 

Thorax flew down from the cavern ceiling where he'd patiently cut through the stalactites overhead. Some of his brother's fire might be left in the runt of his litter. Thorax looked ready to cry but was still overhead, ushering us deeper into the caverns. Even as the others put two and two together and Thorax managed to get us moving, the howls of rage from Cadance's side of the blocked path were unmistakable. It wouldn't take her long if I had to guess to get through. If nothing else, her level of raw power would break through eventually. 

"Go, go, go!" Sabre said as we ran. 

Thorax buzzed ahead of us, unable to stay still. The twisting paths of the deeper labyrinth were starting to blend together. Yet, there Thorax went as if nothing was amiss. I couldn't help a smile. Blueblood, for his part, looked shellshocked, a sentiment I did not envy.

"Up ahead," Thorax pointed. 

Our group came to a stop at a dead end. Thorax landed and beamed. 

"Okay, now what?" Bright asked. 

"They'll never find our bodies," Spade offered. 

Thorax landed and pressed a hoof into the side of one of the larger crystals covering the wall. There was a sound like shattering glass, and the crystal vanished. It was replaced with a new path. A path barely big enough for a pony at a time. A floodgate if I'd ever seen one. Not a half-bad fake either. It might even buy us enough time not to be spattered throughout the cave by a very angry demi-god.

"I have to hold the glyph to keep it open. So, one at a time, no pushing."

Thorax waved from us to the path. So we went. Bright, then Spade, Sabre, me, and finally Blueblood bringing up the rear. Thorax put his free hoof in front of Blue as he went to pass.  

"Um, Blueblood."

Blue gave Thorax a listless look. "Yes?"

Then Thorax wrapped his free leg around Blue's neck without warning and pulled him in for a very awkward and poorly timed hug. "I can taste your fear and sorrow, even your regret. I just wanted to let you know it'll be okay. You're not alone."

Then Thorax drew back and let a stunned Blueblood pass, his seconds behind. The path's deterring wall replaced itself, and though snug, we moved forward, and while I can't speak for the rest, I prayed Cadance didn't find us anytime soon. 

We now had two angry alicorns who wanted our plots. All things considered, we're better off than we have any right to be. I suppose having an Erovore around wasn't all too bad either. Thorax had really saved our bacon today. It might have helped Blueblood as well. 

"Next stop the bitter cold of a forsaken speck of ice in the north's tundra. It's no El Dorado, but hey, it could be worse." 

"L what, O?" Bright asked from ahead of me. 

I blinked. Why did I know that name? Where did that come from all of a sudden?

"Nevermind that, less talk, more move," Sabre ordered. So we complied.
> The Game of Light and Shadows
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The exit was just as Shining said, a path hidden in a thicket on the other side of Canterlot Mountain. A cozy little oasis in greener pastures. I really hoped Shining and Chrysalis were okay. They were fighting the good fight. What would have constituted dawn had barely drawn as we gathered outside the hidden exit and sorted what little goodwill we could. We were drowsy, musty, confused, and not sure how to take the last hour or so as a whole. Thorax was living off the high of outwitting an alicorn, an ego boost he earned in total. Blueblood was eying his charts and maps, muttering to himself as he did so. While he planned our new route.

Bright had sat down and started jotting in a notebook. I could guess what he was using for inspiration. I swear to him and his fantasies. Spade had carved flowing flowery prose of fighting even in overwhelming odds. It made me smile, even if the subject at hand was a tad too soon for writing ballads of the dead. Sabre, he stared out at the open valley and hills below. A compass in hoof pointed due north. Our destination, one we knew little about and had to pray, Nightmare hadn't already fully sussed out. 

A thought then hit me, one I'd thought about a few times, but now, it could be problematic if left completely unparsed. That thought atop the rest of my frayed nerves, I took a deep breath and turned to Bright. 

"Hey, Bright, question."

"What's up?" Bright asked, never looking up from his writing. 

"Flying, and my lack thereof."

I could see the neurons firing as Bright slowly placed his pencil down and turned to me. The growing grin on his face was regret enough for me. I felt myself press my back into the tree behind me and braced myself. 

"Yes."

"Would you?" I asked. 

Bright leaned forward. "Yes?"

"Could you teach me how?" I asked. 

"Ha Ha, Yes!"

Bright, to emphasize his glee spread his leathery wings and hovered several meters off the ground as he grinned like a mad pony down at me. This earned the attention of our group and the ire of Sabre. I had a feeling he'd been waiting for this. 

"Get down, stay low and out of sight." 

Sabre hissed and swiped at Bright, who shrugged, still grinning, and promptly fell back to earth none the more concerned. He offered a wink to Sabre, whose left eye was a twitch. 

"What was that about?" Spade asked.

"Flying, and my inability to do it."

Spade looked back to Bright and Sabre, who'd ended up in a hushed argument, Thorax somehow playing mediator. 

"Could've asked me, you know?"

"Yeah, true," I agreed. 

"Could have asked Throax too."

"Well, yeah, I mean." I trailed off. 

"Face it, Star, you trust Bright, and you trust him to teach you. If anything, I doubt me or Thorax would have just sat there and let Bright put you in danger."

"Dang, Spade, you make it really hard to regret my actions, you know that?"

Spade nodded once and looked up to the tree line. "My Dad would beg to differ."

"I'm sorry?" I added. I shuffled in place, trying to process Spade's propensity for dark jokes and weighing them against harsh realities.

"Don't be. It wouldn't change his mind either way."

"Will you two act your age? This spat has gone from stupid to vitriolically obnoxious in no time flat. I mean, get it together," Blueblood had decided Sabre and Bright's disagreement had gone on long enough and looked about ready to beat them with the nearest tree branch. 

"Now, come on, I know tensions are a little high, but taking it out on each other isn't going to solve anything."

Thorax flittered between the three upset, or two upset and an amused Bright Pitch, stallions castling looks at one another. Spade and I simply watched and let the trio burn themselves out. This might be the only respite we get for a while, so let them get it all out of their system while they can. 

"You ever get the feeling you're surrounded by idiots?" I asked. 

"Every day," Spade said with a sigh. 

"You know what, you're right. We better keep moving. No telling what patrols are out. The mountain is compromised, and we don't have time to sit on our flanks and wait for Nightmare or Cadance to hunt us down."

Sabre walked back to where he'd placed his bags and, in a single flick of the hoof, had them over his shoulder. "We're moving out. You have a coarse, Blueblood?"

Blueblood rolled his eyes. "I do, not that. That would have stopped you from marching us into who knows what, all the same."

"Glad, we're on the same page."

"This is going to be one heck of an adventure, I can just tell," Bright said, tossing his own pack back on. He looked over at me. "We'll start Flying lessons next time we find a hole to hide under. You have too much to catch up on."

"Great, sounds fun."

I listlessly tossed my own bags back on, and one by one, our five stallion squad slowly made our way forward. Sabre and Blueblood taking the lead. Everything aside, I couldn't get the feeling it was darker than I recall. The sky seemed a little less bright, the shadows a little bit heavier, and the crawl on the back of my neck a bit less my imagination.

"So, oh brilliant navigator, what's the timeline looking like?" Thorax asked. 

"Trepidacious, there are quite a few factors I can't account for. If things went perfectly, they won't, but if they did. We're looking at three to five full nights and or days if one wants to use language that doesn't leave you with a migraine."

"That's not bad," Bright said.

"The more likely pace is a week at best."

"Still." I offered. 

"Seven days, we're also being hunted," Sabre said flatly. 

"So, should I start on our gravestones now or wait until we're mane deep in manure?"

Nopony responded. There wasn't one to be had. Two whole weeks of dipping and dodging everyone we came across. It wouldn't be long before every night guard across Equestria was looking for us. That meant towns and cities were more or less entirely out of the question. That also meant supplies were whatever we could forage or lucked out on. I already missed my bed, my sweet, soft, beautiful bed.

"So, do we have a destination for tonight picked out?" I asked.

"My Queen!" 

Thorax had stopped mid-stride and, with the exuberance of someone not on the run from a psychotic despot, shouted to no one in particular. His cry made the group stop dead in our tracks and look about like we expected our untimely demise to rain down upon us from every direction at once. 

"Chryssie's here?" Bright asked, sliding up beside Thorax and looking at the same apparent nothing Thorax had his gaze fixed to. 

"If she is, I don't see her," Blueblood said, joining the other two in looking into the night. 

"No, not here. She was. Sorry, I guess none of you would really know. She's talking to the Hive. It's in our minds. It keeps us all connected. It keeps hope alive."

Thorax rejoined us in reality and scuffed a hoof through the dirt in mild embarrassment. That only earned him a side hug from Bright Pitch, who seemed enthralled by the idea of a universal hivemind. It made sense. It wouldn't be the first time the changelings seemed to space out for no reason. They really were bug ponies, and here I thought that'd be insensitive. I hadn't thought to ask about it back in Canterlot. It was hardly the most significant thing on my mind.

"Makes sense," Spade said.

"If what I managed to learn back in Canterlot was any measure, there's far more to it than a simple means to communicate long-distance and silently."

Sabre had known because, of course, he did. Sabre was also right when it came to the usefulness of the mind speak. He was all for learning what tactics and intel were fresh on the platter in the ruins we just left.

"So, she's okay?" I asked. 

"Queen Chrysalis and Sir Armor are both well. The attack was less an extermination and more a distraction. That's what she thought, anyway."

"Three guesses as to whom they were really after."

"It doesn't make sense. Why waste so much effort on the five of us? Why are any or all of us worth so much effort? We're missing something. There's more to this than petty vengeance or pride. Nightmare Moon is many things, but she isn't stupid."

Sabre was not happy. His questions didn't stop there. He wasn't wrong either. There was an angle to all of this. Nightmare would want us caught, but to waste so much effort and so many lives on nabbing a hoof full of runaways. It seemed everyone was thinking the same thing. Did it have to do with Cadance, or was she just a pawn. No, she was more than a single disposable piece in whatever game Nightmare was playing. 

"So, back to my question. Did we have a destination to reach before we all collapse, or were we just bee-lining it straight for the border?"

We'd have time for conjecture later. We needed to keep moving. Blueblood seemed to agree as he started off without so much as looking back. "Less a final destination and more a distance measured. The more ground we make, the less we need to make later."

"Fair enough."

So we were off again. The fact Thorax could keep tabs on our friends and keep them in the know on where we've trotted off to was all the better. For once, the endless night was also an advantage. The magically gifted and Thestrals who might be on the hunt may be able to see in the dark, but the rest were as blind as the rest of us. The further north we made it, the thinner the forces at play would be. If we were lucky and Nightmare hadn't completely sussed us out, the easier it all be as we went. It all spun round and round in my head. It was all what-ifs and here's hoping. Dipping from one cluster of trees to another, hopping from shrub to shrub. The hours seemed to slow to a crawl as the tension had time to weigh in the back of my mind. 

The company was the only thing keeping me from falling entirely into a panic. I had a feeling I'd have gone out even if it was me alone, in the end. The dreams were compelling, and the voices they call to me as much as they spoke to me. I just wish they'd actually tell me what they wanted and stop with the mind games.

"Six hours, we've been walking for six hours, and it feels like we've gone nowhere at all," I groaned. My hooves were killing me. At that time, Bright and Spade had given me a basic run down on the flight, which was pleasant enough. It wasn't exactly a practical lesson, but knowing something is better than knowing nothing at all. 

"Six hours, really. You're positive on that?" Blue asked. 

"Yep."

"And how might that be, I wonder?" Blue was grinning at me.

"The stars, I mean, that was kind of the point of me taking tutelage under the prince of maps and lin measurements." 

Blue seemed nonetheless smug all the same. "Lessons that clearly paid off. You're welcome for that, by the way."

"Still, it's useful all the same," Thorax said. "I couldn't tell the time without a watch or moon dial. The fact both of you are so talented really is amazing."

"Careful, Thorax. We don't want to feed their egos, lest we swell their heads."

Sabre met Blueblood's gaze, who'd gone from smug to dissatisfied in less than a breath. The change wasn't lost on Thorax or me either. It was a tentative line between confidence and anguish for or navigator. The fact Thorax could taste the changes even before they became apparent was only just faster than one could see it in his eyes. 

"Right, of course," Blue muttered and returned to reading his maps. 


The glare Thorax affixed Sabre with was flinch-inducing. It was sharp enough that I doubt Sabre's blade of choice could cut deeper. The soldier was left to retreat and look elsewhere. That, while amusing, showed just how tough Thorax could be when he needed to. In the days we'd been in Canterlot and the pieces I'd picked up about Pharynx and Thorax's past. 

It was a tale as old as time. Pharynx was strong and dutiful, a pillar of the Hive. A changeling Thorax looked up too and strived to stand beside. Then well, Pharynx was still only mortal. Those were shoes few would wish to fill, and yet, all the same. Even if it was against his will, he thought himself so unworthy. Thorax was placed in his brother's position. A position no one believed him worthy of, no one but Shining and Chrysalis, who refused to replace him when he begged to be relieved of his new responsibilities. He wasn't the only one who said as much either. Yet, here he was, still standing, even with others who might crumble under such intense pressure. 

"Sorry, Sabre, but it is impossible. So long as Thorax is here, humility is the flavor of the day. He might beat us like Cadance, should we fall out of line."

I nudged the changeling, who blush might not be the right word. It was the closest thing I could articulate, though. Bug anatomy is weird. It did seem to bring the mood up a notch or two. I even caught Blue smiling behind his papers again.

So day one on our journey came and went. The fact we kept clear of roads meant we saw near to no one as we went. That was a small blessing considering what we escaped hours earlier. It made sense, though. It'd have taken as long to have those under Nightmare's thrall to learn of us. Tomorrow, however, would be a whole other story. We made camp in a small clearing wrought with thickets and briars. The natural deterrents could at least give us some warning if something came bumping in the night. We planned rotations for lookout. A system that had Bright and Sabre on the first watch. The former because his blood might as well be espresso and Sabre because he wouldn't allow any other order. 

So while I lie under the stars. I found sleep a harsher ordeal than facing down Cadance. Perhaps it was my desire to hear the voices in my dreams again. I was so wound up that I couldn't find it in me to rest. Yet, the dark came for me all the same. It was less falling asleep and more being consumed by it. I was confident that whatever it was, it wasn't natural.

"Keep going, little pony. The shadows await. If you fall, Luna will follow."

Oh great, now there are three of them. I was about ready to change course to the nearest asylum. This new one sounded a second from cracking up. Then there was this Luna, a pony, a metaphor. I had no idea. As I thought before, it wasn't natural.
> Confrontation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Is this really the best use of our time?"

Sabre sat beside a giddy Bright, who was, in turn, watching a spectacle befall before him. I was flying or trying to. My wings flapped, flapped, and flapped some more. I'd make it a meter or two off the ground and then prompt a fall on my butt. Spade stood nearby, offering what guidance he could, but here I was flightless, like the majestic penguin. 

"Come on, come on."

I huffed and puffed, and there I went falling again. You'd think flying would be more instinctual. Nope, lots of muscle memory and air currents. Oh sure, once you get it, it sticks, but the attempts getting there. A lot of dirt and sore bottoms. 

It had been three days, three days of skirting the coast of every town and hamlet we passed. We'd seen scout flyers a few times and a patrol here and there, but the pony hunt felt kind of weak, all things considered. Though I suppose they only had a direction to follow, if they'd known where we were headed directly, I doubt we'd have it half as lucky. I'd wager the oh-so-loving queen of these lands would have an army marching and every nook and cranny full of spears and spells. We'd be dead in short, and that topped sore bums by quite a bit. 

"Probably not, but it's way more fun."

Bright smiled on, and that was that. Sabre surrendered to his iron-clad logic. So, that is what happened. I flapped, they swatched, and I silently judged them all for it. That was until Blueblood entered the fray. The hidden little grotto we'd made camp in for the night was nestled right next to a clearing. That clearing is where I practiced falling with style. Blueblood took a single look, snorted, and then turned to Sabre and Bright. 

"Is this really the best use of our time?"

"That's exactly what I asked," Sabre mused. 

"The answer goes back to yourselves, you voyeuristic sadists."

My decree was heard and sowed a bit of shame into my derelict friends. Well, every one by Bright who shrugged and returned to his favorite rerun, me falling again. Spade had all but used up his well of wisdom and was now hovering near my zenith and pointing out how his muscles bent and twitched and all the bodily functions muscles on flight-giving limbs should have. It wasn't helping much, but it was better than me going in blind. 

"Come on, Star, you need to angle down if you inclining. Otherwise, your body builds drag, which is why you fall. You know? You have to really want it. Your desire can't be a simple flight of fancy."

"Hate, hate so much," I said between haggard breaths.  

"Less hate, more proper breath control. You'll pass out if you don't measure your intake. The higher you go, the less air circulates. Or, as I like to say. The higher you go, the more likely you'll fall to your death if you get the hiccups."

Spade pat my shoulder and motioned for me to follow. 

"We'll stop for today. Still plenty of ground between us and this fairytale hideaway, and I'd like to keep it between us and not on top of us."

Sabre smirked. "You're twisted, you know that, right?" 

Spade didn't even acknowledge the statement. I had to assume the truth was just too much to bare for his fragile soul. It turned out flying was hard, but what wasn't hard? Walking in a straight line for hours on end. That was cake. 

---

My ears pricked. Sabre had us all squashed, and we crept through the brush slowly. Every single step was in hyper-focus. It was almost in opposition to the last few days on consistent travel. We'd made it more than halfway to the north. We'd been moving better than even Blue expected. So, I had to wonder why karma hated me. 

"Comb the area. The hounds have the scent of the mapmaker and the traitor playing a soldier. We find them. We find the rest. Keep it simple and thorough. The queen wants them alive, but she left in what condition they're into us. So, beat but no bleed."

So, there we had it. I never understood why the military trained their officers in monologues and yelling while hunting someone you clearly knew was on the run. It made it all the easier to avoid their ire. I supposed it could be an intimidation tactic, but if it was, it sucked, and they needed new strategies. 

There were more than a dozen of the night guard and three bloodhounds. The things were leaping, smelling everything, and steadily creeping in our direction. It looked like confrontation was the name of the game. I looked over to find Sabre jiggling the pommel of his sword, his whole body was tensed, and his eyes were trained on the Night Guard officer. It seemed the hunter was being hunted. The odds weren't great even if Sabre got the pounce on the head. This beast had a dozen more, and that's only if the metaphor didn't devolve into hydra territory. They could have more reinforcements in the wait.

I hadn't expected the looks on Thorax and Blueblood. They looked almost as wound up as Sabre. I knew Thorax had seen fighting and had defended himself before, but he'd never seemed proud of those moments. His frame shook as he spread his legs and lowed himself to pounce. Blueblood on the other hoof. I wasn't so surprised he was willing to fight, but more so that I'd never considered if Blue could fight. I mean, really fight, bot some back alley scuffle. If the flicker of light that arched up his horn was anything to go by, he was very ready and willing. 

The hounds drew closer, and armor clanking and heavy breathing followed. The foliage we'd used as concealment wouldn't work once they were on top of us. I could feel the tension and taste the blood yet spilled. The shadows clawed at my vision, and I felt sick and restless. I found myself grinding my teeth.

Dark, the breathing and panting of the dogs. Dark, the sound of my own heartbeat. Dark, the sound of metal and leather. Dark and the sound of growling. It was so dark, I could hear it all. I listened to the tearing of flesh and the surprised yelp of the guards and their dogs. It was a haze, the sound of laughter, neither mocking nor manic. It was the laugh of one catching the sight of a disaster. The laugh of something other than pony. A pony, not even Nightmare Moon, could laugh in all this mania, laugh as the world burned. 

Then there was light. I blinked. The surrounding road, the one the Night Guard had occupied, was quiet. I sat in the middle of the dirt. The laughter had stopped. It was over before I'd even known it began. The guards were, strewn about. Most of all were still breathing but were incapable of retaliation at this point. I looked about the roadside in the confused stupid I'd been roused from. It wasn't until I found my friends standing, their eyes wide, staring at me, then the points connected. It seemed not all of it. Not all of the dark was in my head. 

"What happened?" I asked.

The others didn't immediately answer. They seemed dumbstruck. Sabre was the first to recover, though he stilled seemed at a loss. I tilted my head, ears erect as I waited for some explanation. Sabre took a single step forward. 

"What was that, sir?" he asked. 

"What was what?" I asked. 

"When the guard spotted us. It was like you walked through the ensuing struggle. You seemed untouchable. It was uncanny at best. Your eyes didn't focus on anything you simply dodged about like you were something else entirely. You never even through a kick. You just, I don't know. It wasn't natural, sir."

"Oh?"

I didn't know what to say. I walked through the fight, how I'd thought I was having a panic attack. What Sabre described was undoubtedly not a panic attack. The others seemed to draw out of their own daze. Bright and Spade seemed to shrug it off. Both gave me an odd look but didn't pursue it any further. When Blue finally spoke, he did not sound happy. 

"I've come to expect the bizarre. This whole adventure is an odd if not interesting pursuit. I've come to find this strange group of ours to become comforting, if not aggravating. I am at a loss for what mad dance you dragged up in the face of death? So, for the sake of our fellowship, answers are needed."

It was a fair request. I'm sure I'd have asked the same in his position. The shadows seemed to stalk me, always on the edge of my vision. I'd come to simply ignore them. They were merely another facet of my life here. Then there were my mind-boggling dreams, the voices, the crystals, none of which made a lick of sense. I'd like answers as well. 

A groan from one of the guards had me jump. Answers would come. My friends deserved the full summary of my slowly degrading sanity. Those answers could wait until we weren't neck-deep in some sure-to-rise, quite livid guards who wanted us beaten senseless, to begin with. 

"Right, that's fair, Blue. However, can this wait until we're somewhere a little less covered in Nightmare pawns and the like?"

The others looked about at the guards. And submitted to my request. I doubt any of us wanted or needed to be surrounded by crazy bloodlusted thestrals. It wasn't at the top of my vacation places anyhow.

This was gonna be a long walk and an even more extended talk.

---

"They were getting worse, sir?" Sabre loomed over me, teeth-gnashing as he stared down at me. I felt very small at this moment. The armor and blade at his side didn't help. I'd done exactly what I said I'd do. We'd taken a side route and looped back around, and past the area, we had fought off the Night Guard. We were as safe as we could be for the moment. 

Well, I wasn't very safe at the moment. Sabre looked ready to pound me flat, Blue seemed less than pleased, Bright seemed sad, for Bright, and both Thorax and Spade seemed confused and concerned. All in all, I expected worse. 

"Sir!" Sabre repeated slowly and perhaps too loud for our circumstances. 

"I mean, it depends on the dream, I guess." I offered a choked laugh, one that died on the tongue. Sabre continued to be all gloom and doom, and I continued to be very small.

"These dreams of yours, they seem dire. Your arrival was peculiar, your memory loss convenient, but this makes it intentional."

Blue, as direct as always, accounted pointedly jabbing a hoof with each thought. 

"You think he's lying?" Bright asked. 

Blue shook his head. "Not exactly."

"Well, I believe Star. He's nothing but try to make things better."

"So, you have no concerns about his dreams?" Blue asked. 

Bright sagged a bit. "I mean, they're kinda, not great. The thing with the guards was a bit spooky. But still. I don't think he's been lying. Stargazer is Stargazer, through and through."

Bright, refusing to doubt his friends. It was sweet, maybe misguided, but that earnestness was Bright from beginning to end. Blue rubbed his temple. Blue wasn't wrong either. My past and these dreams, there's something to it all. 

"Blue has a point. What if someone or something did this to me. What if who I was, isn't who I am. How would I even know?"

"Sir."

Sabre smacked me upside the head. I yelped and rubbed the spot as Sabre took a few steps back and waited. The silence was telling. The group as a whole was burin out every brain cell we had, with even less time we had left. 

"So, what now?" I asked. 

"We head north," Sabre said flatly.

I balked. "After all this," I said, pointing to everywhere and nowhere at all. 

"Where else would we go?" Blue asked. 

"We have a mission," Thorax spoke up for the first time since my tale wrapped up. 

"Who else will save the day?" Bright asked. 

"I'm here under duress," Spade said with a wink. 

"You guys are hopeless."

I didn't know what else to say. These crazy, unorthodox, insane, absolutely irreplaceable fools were going to die, just on the off chance. I'm not out of my mind. How did anyone respond to something like that?

"Besides, the voices have my interest. If you are being strung along, the question is who and why? Why the north, why a fairytale city hidden in the snow? That alone is worth finishing this jaunty stroll if you ask me."

Blue tossed his mane back and held his chin high. Some habits wouldn't die, no matter how long you were a hermit. Sabre seemed attentive to the idea as well. 

"Yep, and once we save Equestria, I'm gonna make it a novel series and show it to everyone everywhere. It's gonna be epic."

"Ew, creatives. Help, I need monotony and the promise of death. I refuse to go bankrupt on Bright's bit," Spade said, feigning collapse. 

"They're right," Thorax had me in a hug faster than I had time to process it. "We're in this together. That's what a hive does."

"Can't breathe," I wheezed as Thorax crushed the sorrow from my chest. 

"Sorry."

Thorax released me, even if his stupid uplifting grin didn't fade. That settled that, I guess. We're all crazy, and half of these stallions were turning this into a cash cow. I'd have been impressed. If this were anyone else.

"Okay, but Blue has a point. We don't really know what's going on up here. "I tap the side of my head. "This could be a trap, or a demon or something. There are multiple voices. Who knows which ones are honest and which aren't."

"Time will tell. We have to see the crystal city before making any assumptions about who is or is not trustworthy."

"The thing with the guards was still pretty weird," Spade said. 

"Yes, yes it was."

"We have a couple more days ahead of us. We're burning starlight." Sabre took a single deep breath, turned on his hooves, and started marching.

"Always on the move," Blueblood said and followed. The rest of us fell in lockstep as our journey continued. At this point, at least I'd gotten all those dreams and stuff off my chest. It might make figuring them out easier. 

The night carried on, one night close to its end and another to come. The significant snows of the north hung clear beyond the horizon. The moon continued to bare down and watch our every step. The nightmare on the march behind us. 

"My my, whatever will you do, little pony."

I yelped as the voice, like a whisper behind me, pondered. Thorax looked back at me. I coughed into a hoof. 

"Sorry, It's just the voices in my head."

"Another one?" Thorac asked. 

I shook my head. "The last voice, the one from my last dream. It's the hardest to hear, like a whisper, a whisper lost to time."

"Joy," Blue called from ahead of Thorax and myself. "Two minutes later, you're already talking to your imaginary friend."

"What'd they say?" Thorax asked. 

"Go on, don't be shy. I'm not hiding anything."

"It's narrating, sort of, or giving voice to my thoughts. If they're my thoughts at all."

"All three ghosts of Hearth's warming eve. Watch out. If everything goes to plan, that last one might be requisitioning a commission."

Spade started tp hum, seeming to mull over whatever imaginary request he thought he voices in my head might make. 

“Gee, Spade, glad to know you got my back.”

"Interesting. And the other two?" Blue asked. 

"Just the one, for now."

"Good, keep it that way."

Sabre sounded drained. Even as he marched, I could tell. If it weren't for his training, I don't know how much longer he'd be able to keep this pace up. He took double the night watches and was always ahead of the herd. That didn't even account for whatever happened with the Night Guard earlier. I sighed and picked up my pace a bit.

"The question is, why are so many interested in little old you, Stargazer? For now, Even I'm at a loss for those answers. Good luck. All of you will need it."

"Ominous," I mumbled. Why couldn't anything be simple? At least the other voices kept to the sleeping world." 
> Powdered White, Stained Red
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The chills crept in. The north was upon us. We were knee-deep in snow, and the towns and cities of Equestria were behind us. That didn't mean we were safe, however. The clash of steel. The shouts of battle. My breath caught in my throat. There was no darkness this time. Though that feeling of being lost was still very present in the back of my mind. 

Sabre's rapier was at work, like a painter on a canvas, his sword the brush, the Night Guard's blood the ink. It was a solid contrast to the gentle white of the fresh snow. 

Three, he'd already taken three from the battle. One had a series of puncture wounds through one wing and several more lacerations across his side. The second held a leg bent to an unnatural angle. I could see his rage, even through his tears. They were still pointed, misguided, but still very real ponies. The third, Well, he'd not be an issue ever again. The hole was concisely placed in the center of his throat. A gentle red washed down his leg and pooled on the snow below. I felt myself shudder. Whatever I'd done before had left the guards injured, but this was the first death I'd seen up close. 

The sound of the flat metal on flesh was grotesque and oddly satisfying. Spade had handled two on his own, a shovel to the face, trained soldier or not, it was gonna hurt. I'm pretty sure he'd given one some level of brain damage. 

Blue had a shield up, protecting himself and Bright. The ex-prince was no slouch, but neither was he a warrior. If his boasts were true, he knew basic combat arts and wasn't half bad with a poleaxe. But, this was not a duel. This was a battle. So, he and Bright sat aside. 

Thorax wasn't a fighter either, but that little bug could dip, dodge and dive like the best of them. He'd taken to wearing out the flyers, keeping them distracted and otherwise breaking their guard. I, however, simply stood amid the chaos. I felt no fear, anger, or need to battle or flee. It was an odd unexplainable calm. It was as if I knew I was in no real danger. If I could feel fear at the moment, it would be at my apathy. 

The third voice pooped in every once in a while. It's been a day and a half since it made itself known. It poked and prodded, pushing me forward. It was almost desperate, even if it hid such thoughts behind a Vanier of corny jokes and whataboutisms. Bright and Blue found it fascinating. Spade found it funny, and Sabre seemed to age a year every time I mentioned it. 

"What am I becoming?" I asked myself. 

Four left. The odds were improving. I still felt nothing. The dark ebbed at my vision but never consumed it. I felt my wings twitch. I took a step to the right and watched as one of the flyers crashed down beside me. Spade had thrown his shovel like a javelin, knocking a surprised thestral, who took said shovel to the face. May I never land on the wrong side of my morose pegasus companion. I wouldn't survive. 

"What a way to go," I said and prodded the collapsed Night Guard. His body shivered, but he didn't rise. "Hmmm," I mused. I reached down and unclasped the wing blades of the flyer. Most of the aerial forces, in fact, had on. I mean, it wasn't really my scene, but an insurance policy couldn't hurt. You know, supposing I snap back to reality. 

"Star!"

The shout had me spin on end, wing blades in hoof. Sabre looked unhappy. I could imagine many reasons for that. I was several of them. Sabre pointed me towards the shielded Blue and Bright. One of the flyers was dive-bombing the pair. Blue's shield was impressive, above-average if his boasts were true. The issue here was the same as the one in my hoof. The tips of wing blades are made of mithril, a metal meant to weaken and break the magic. 

"Well, crap."

So, I did what I could do. I ran. The wing blades were wrapped to my pack, more wrapped around for the moment. As I ran, I could feel my blood pulse through my legs and wings. I felt an odd mirth, a broken pleasure. Not of the violence or heroic theatre. No, it was the feeling of chaotic rebellion. The face of Nightmare Moon, the rage she felt, the folly of the guards. It all felt so completely absurd. 

"Blue, lower the shield. Bright get some distance. Move, move, move."

The more mana those blades eat, the less valuable Blue would be as a backup. I wasn't even sure what I was gonna do, but I sped on all the same. Bright was dancing in place, his hoof tips barely pressed against the slush as he readied for his chance. Blue took a deep breath. The steam rolled across his muzzle and hard as his shield was hit once more. 

"Parasyte."

Blue growled between breaths as the flyer pulled back. The shield dropped, and like the summer, Bright was gone. The little thestral zipped away wings wide, eyes smiling even as he hid a growl of his own. I unfurled and flapped my wings. I may not be able to fly, but I could use the extra lift to assist with the cold, wet mush beneath me. The flyer seemed to puzzle the change in tactic for a moment. That was more than enough time to let out the loudest roar I could as I glided atop the snow. The flyer gave me an odd look. His attention had been pulled. That was his first mistake. 

His second was assuming Blue was no longer a threat. The magic bolt soared true and managed a stunning hit to the side of our foe. He fell, wings still out and holding him to an uneven glide as he fell to the snow. The white blanket meant the Nightguard was fine. He was dazed as he made it back to his hooves. His third mistake was not getting back in the air. He turned to Blue. He snorted and pawed at the ground. He never even saw it coming. I'd decided that valor was overrated, and like any untrained peasant, I rammed into the soldier head first. I was atop him in an instant. I planted myself atop his prone form and belted his with repeated stomps to the chest and head. He brought up his hooves to deflect the blows. The issue was with my pack's extra weight. He was only able to squirm as I rained down blow after blow.

"Enough, Star. The tool is broken. No more use from this one."

Blue tsk'd, and with one more flash of his horn, the thestral beneath me went limp. I lifted myself up and readjusted my bag, the pack shifting hard to my rear and had me stumble away as I tried to correct myself. A sleep or knockout spell, I guessed. It really amounted to the same thing. 

"Well, well, so the wayward bat can fight. I'm impressed, well impressed by your standards. A win is a win after all."

The voice said. I took a deep breath and rode out the anger that stormed within me. My feelings had returned, and my apathy abated for now. It had a source, but judging by the voice's reaction. It wasn't the one at play here. That left the other voices, my own insanity, or maybe even Nightmare Moon. The questions piled without end. 
  
"The voice is back," I said with a sigh.

"Oh, what'd they say, huh?"

I attempted with all my might to jump out of my skin as Bright leaned in over my shoulder. The bastard did it on purpose too. He grinned happily all the same. 

"Surprised I helped take down, ugly over there."

I pointed to the incapacitated thestral in the snow. 

"You know, even the ones who aren't dead might die of hypothermia," I said. 

"True, but luckily for this one." Blue nudged the unconscious thestral. "My spell will wear off with time to spare. So, if they're wise, they'll find shelter. If they aren't."

"They'll follow us deeper," I agreed. Blue looked down at the thestral and shook his head. It didn't sit well. None of this sat well at all. 

"Now, now, no time for regrets, I'm afraid. You've come this far, and the Nightmare follows. If you give up, you die."

"Oh great, the voice is idly threatening me."

It was enough to make me sick. My guts churned, and the dark flecked across my sight. Bright rested a hoof on my shoulder. Then he turned and whistled. My ears flicked back. Did he really have to do that right next to me? Who am I kidding? Of course, he did.  

"Thorax, you good?" Bright asked. 

The gentle buzzing of insect wings signaled our favorite bug's arrival. If he was joining us, it meant one of two things. Either we won, or Sabre and Spade would need a hero's burial. The snow might even do it for us. 

"Oh goodness, you two don't look so well."

"Those damnable wing blades have exhausted my mana. That's all. I will be fine with time," Blueblood assured. "Now, I believe Star could use a hoof or two."

"I'll be fine," I huffed. 

My mind raced. My stomach wouldn't settle. I could feel myself grind my teeth. This stupid chase made me ready to bash my head on a rock. It was in these thoughts that I felt a gentle heat settle on me. 

Thorax's horn glowed gently as he pulled me into a hug. "It's fine. You can lean on us." the glow felt nice. It reminded me of sunlight. I breathed out and let my anger dissolve. 

"Thanks, Thorax."

"Of course, there's no reason to thank me. I'm just doing what I can for our little Hive."

I couldn't resist a laugh. "What about your queen? What about that life, huh?" I asked. I nudged the bug who pouted. 

"Queen Chrysalis wants me here. She wants you to succeed. You're here, champions, which means you are part of the Hive."

"I could get behind that. I bet the actual Hive is digging glory," Spade said. He and Sabre had made their way over. So at least we wouldn't need to bury anyone. That's a load off my back. 

"It really is," Thorax agreed. 

"So, we set, or?" I asked. 

"Are you alright, sir?" Sabre asked. 

I looked around at the others, who, while tired and bruised, didn't look ready to keel over. The snow was getting heavier, though. We'd need to find some shelter soon, lest we freeze to death. If it wasn't one thing, it was another. 

"We're close, at least. Not bad time, all things considered. If these are all the Night Guard we meet, it'll mean for certain that Nightmare isn't positive where we are going, which means she most likely doesn't know why either."

Blueblood said, eying the horizon. I shrugged and pulled myself free from Bright, who had taken to hanging from my neck. "Well, guess we'll find out tomorrow. We won't make it if we get lost in a blizzard."

"He's right. Shelter, for now, ancient magical invisible crystal cities later."

Sabre started off, Spade right behind him, his shovel still over his shoulder. I felt a chill up my spine. I looked about at the thestral and Nightmare supporters. They weren't all dead. A part of me wondered if that was a poor choice. The one I'd beaten twitched in the snow. I had a feeling blueblood's spell wouldn't last too much longer. 

"Coming Star?" Thorax asked from ahead. 

I nodded and trudged through the snow. This was almost over. The dreams had become so much more vivid. The closer we got, the greater the pull. Tomorrow will answer all of this. We'd find the city and save the day. I couldn't let myself imagine any other outcome. I don't think I'd recover if this was a goose chase. This was our chance, and I'd be damned before I let Nightmare win. The flecks of shadow danced in my vision. The dark could follow me all it liked, but the darker it was, the brighter my dreams shone. 

"My my, getting sentimental, are we? Better hurry along, little pony. Time is of the essence, I'm afraid. I'm afraid I'll have to depart for a while before I go. I would like to thank you, you've been quite a little hero. Oh, Lulu, you must be absolutely furious by now. Always had a temper that one, even back. The voice stopped mid-thought and coughed. "Well, never you mind that. Until we meet again, good luck. I'll be watching."

Then it was quiet. The voice was a strange one. They seemed so distant, yet far closer than I'd care to know. It was tiring. Even as it preached, it felt so fragile. A single interruption and I have no doubt It wouldn't have the energy to continue. It said we'd meet again, and some part of me was interested in hearing it again. If this all went as planned, maybe even the voices in my dreams would finally give me some answers. I couldn't go on being an amnesiac forever.

So, we stumbled through the ice and wind. The tundra was primarily rocks and plains. Oh, and lots of snow. We'd need to get creative to find someplace to rest. It was in these pursuits that Thorax stalled, frozen in mid-step. His wings buzzed as he hummed. When he finally unfroze, he seemed less than thrilled.

"Your Majesty?" Sabre asked. 

"Yes, but the message was Sir Armors. He wished for an update. Things have not improved since we left. The Refugees have had to hide in the deeper crystal mines. The crystals disrupt magic to a degree, making it harder to spook them out. The Castle is the only place in Canterlot still operational. The Night Guard has started scattered attacks against our Hive. The Lady of Hearts had declared she plans to kill our queen. We really need to hurry."

"Well, you heard the Captain, we have a kingdom to save. Let's move, double time."

Sabre was off like a bolt. The rest of us struggled to keep up with the ever-stubborn Earth stallion. The chill swept on, and it wasn't just the ice. One way or another, this would be over soon. I coughed into a hoof. I almost gasped when I saw specks of the blood-spattered in my hoof's fur. That wasn't good. 

I let the bloody hoof rest in the back of my mind. I had better and more important things to do right now. I'm sure it was just the cold or the fighting. We've been run ragged. It; 'd been an hour or so when Spade yelled over his shoulder. 

"Found an outcropping. Large boulders, it even has a roof. It might be our best chance, for the time being."

"Sounds good to me," Bright said.

"Any objections?" Sabre asked. The collective silence spoke volumes. "Alright, let's get some rest while we can. Who knows how long the storm will last."

"Yeah, the storm, Spade's jokes, and Blue's incessant map folding," I said. 

"It is not indecent. I simply wish to maximize my pack's space."

Blue huffed. 

"If you say so."
> Long Lost, Long Found Again
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once again, the ice storm came, the crops wilted, and the citizens starved. The heart of the land was stone. The shadows themselves bent to stave off the howls of the Wendigo. Then time itself ceased. The world was gone, and those in the shadows were drowned in a neverending sleep. 

Shadows that now consumed me. I felt for nothing, yet I knew it was there. Once again, I found myself alone in the dark. I heard memories not my own and felt the chill of ice on my flesh. There were no crystals, yet, the glow they'd given still shone. It called me, beckoned me deeper. I heard my hooves on something as I plodded along. The sweet hums of light ease the unabating suspense in my chest. 

"Fear not."

A voice in the dark soothed. The calm melodic tones swayed my mind, even as I questioned its origin. I was well aware of the dream itself but could do little more than observe its transgressions. 

"You seek the King in the dark?" The voice asked.

I sought who? I'd heard nothing of the sort. "I seek crystals, the crystal kingdom." 

There was no reply. The voice was gone, and I was alone. It only occurred then that I was no longer in the dark. I stood in a ring of light. The crystals aligned. Six brightly colors beacons, each a differing color. It was peaceful until one light was summarily extinguished. That left five, five lights to guide my way. So they did, to a throne of jet, atop a dais of precious gems. An empty throne. 

"King in the Dark?" I asked myself. 

"Beckoned by the crystals?" 

It was the third voice. A deep, haunting voice, one that more commanded than asked my goings on. Then, I was lost in the dark once more. I drifted until a sharp jolt awoke me from my dreams, my visions? I wasn't sure anymore. 

I sat up, my eyes refocused on the world around me. Bright stood over me, hoof out to prod me again. The others were up as well. The snow had passed, it seemed. The last leg of our race was here. I slowly stood and pushed Bright away from me. 

"How long was I out?" I asked. 

"Three hours, sir."

Sabre was looking out to the pristine white fields, a hoof gently tapping his rapier's pommel. He seemed ready to bolt. I wasn't the only one to notice. Spade shook his head and pointed to Sabre. 

"What, see a ghost out there?" Spade asked. 

"More concerned with the living," Sabre said, looking over his shoulder at the rest of us. "We need to move. No sense, wasting our chance."

"Ready and waiting," Bright said with a salute. 

"We can't be more than a few hours out of sight. This city hid in the snow, better exist. Or I will form one, just to tear it down brick by brick."

"We can't have anyone ruining Blue's impeccable geographical contributions, can we? What would we do without his maps?" I asked. 

The death glare I received was prize enough. I threw my pack over my shoulder and adjusted the straps. Thorax hovered above us, peering around the snow. He seemed just as nervous as Sabre, or maybe excited. 

"You okay, Thorax?" I asked. 

"I can taste it."

Thorax twirled in the air and looked down at the rest of us. A big goofy grin passed on his face. I had no response to that.

"Taste what?" 

Bright certainly had one. Thorax zipped down and to the entrance of the alcove beside Sabre. The ex-guard took a healthy step to the side as Thorax danced in place. 

"The whole hive can feel it. The buzzing is palpable."

"Feel what?" Spade asked. 

"Love, a lot of it, but it's all muffled. The Queen seemed suspicious. But, it so much, enough for the whole hive."

"Where?" Sabre asked. 

Thorax pointed out at the horizon. The exact direction we'd be going. Chrysalis might be right. That is odd, and how do you muffle love?

"We're moving."

Sabre didn't even wait to see if we followed. He simply up and trotted on. Thorax was right behind him, fluttering above the snow as he hummed happily. Spade and Bright made up the second row, and Blue and I took up the rear.

Thorax's sudden erovore senses had me concerned. At the same time, it could be a boon. If there was a bunch of love ahead, it could be the crystal lands. It could be proof that my dreams weren't delusions. It could, at the same time, be the exact opposite. 

"Thorax," I called. 

Thorax did a mid-air flip and circled back to join Blue and me. Blue had his nose squarely in one of his maps. It wasn't the map we'd made for this journey. That was odd as well. The closer we got to our goal, the stranger my friends became. 

"What's up?" Thorax asked.   

"How does one muffle love?" I asked. 

"Oh, well, that really depends. It could be forced or false love. Oh, the distance, of course, can weaken the feelings. Oh, so can time, and I suppose certain magic could, though I don't know why anyone this far into nowhere would need magic like that."

"What about the crystals below Canterlot? The muck with magic, don't they?"

Thorax nodded along. "Up close, sure, gems are used to absorb and hold magic in various ways."

"I can attest to that," Blueblood said. He'd looked up from his map and eyed me warily. "What is going through that head of yours?"

"Well, if this place is made of crystal, maybe it is muffling the love or whatnot. I mean, there's that or their king."

"King?" Blueblood. Had drawn closer. Thorax looked almost as curious. "What king?"

"I had another vision while I was asleep."

"Oh, what happened this time?" Thorax asked. 

"A king-sized problem, I'd wager."

Spade was now walking backward and smiling proudly. 

"Oh, maybe he's supposed to be the new king of this place we're going to. They called to him in his dreams, beckoning him to lead them to salvation."

"Not even close," I said, crossing my forelegs in a big old 'x.'

"Ahhh, lame."

"So?" Blue asked.

"The long and short of it. There's a king. I saw a bunch of magical rainbow gems, and the voices questioned why I was there."

"Odd," Thorax said.

"Yep."

Bright agreed. 

"You think this king is why you've been summoned. Perhaps they are the ones causing these dreams?" Blue said. 

"Maybe."

If it was the king, then who was the third voice. The first one, the one that talked to me while awake, seemed to know something of my past. I think the third voice, the deep one, might be the king. The second one, though, felt familiar, but I'd never heard it before my dreams. It was all sorts of confusing. Though we'd find out by the end of the day. Then we just had to literally beat Queen Crazymoon and save the day. 

The next hour or so was left in relative quiet as we hiked. Blueblood still seemed concerned. He'd sneak a look at me every few minutes. It was very disconcerting. I left him to be, though. We all wanted answers. Thorax and I both had slightly more detail on what was coming, but that was all.

At the two-hour mark, we started up a rather steep incline. A perfect spot for our group flyers. So, that should be me, it wasn't, but it should be. Spade lazily flapped along, Bright flew circles around us, and Thorax had barely touched the ground since this final march began. I'd given it a couple tries, but it would only last a minute or two before I fell back to earth. 

I would be lying if I wasn't getting antsy. It was like waking up on Christmas day. I blinked as I tried to place that reference. Christmas, the word was familiar, but as to the deeper meaning, it was lost on me. A trend, it seemed. It was enough to give one headache. 

The cliffside was coming to an end, and the slope's peak was in sight. Thorax and Bright noticed, too, as, without a word, they both flew up and over. They better not spoil the view for the rest of us. It'd earn them an excellent whapping if they did.

While the rest of us climbed, the other two didn't return. It was quiet above. Sabre must have thought so too. He'd drawn his blade and redoubled the speed of his ascent. Spade had also pulled his shovel free and followed behind Sabre. 

"For the love of Faust, what now?" Blue asked the heavens above. 

"Aliens, robots, zombies?" I asked. 

That earned a swat to the back of my head. I regretted nothing. It was either terrible jokes or blind terror. I had little in between.   

At this point, I'd noticed Sabre and Spade had made it over the slope head. It was still quiet. My blood ran cold. Blueblood didn't look much better. Fifty hooves out. 

I licked my lips and tried to control my speeding heartbeat. My wings had closed tight against my barrel. Every crunch of snow under hoof only added to the worry. We were maybe ten hooves out. This was it, whatever it was. 

I stepped up and over the snowclad hill. I'd felt my heart skip a beat. Then I saw it. Each of my missing companions stood looking down, down, and into a frost-hemmed bowl. In the center, of which was my dream's promise. A land hidden in the snow. Covered by a pulsing red dome. A city of crystal. It was here. It was real. All I could do was stare. 

"Buck, yes! Gaze down upon my glory! I Bucking found a fairytale city! I am Blueblood. I am the greatest cartographer alive!" Blueblood yelled at the top of his lungs before devolving into hysterical laughter. 

"Well, that killed the mood," Spade said. 

It was like Blueblood's outburst broke the spell the city below had us under. It was also an unspoken understanding that while Blueblood wasn't wrong, none of us would ever admit it. Thorax looked almost as ecstatic as Blue, in fact. He still buzzed in the air, tittering and spinning about. I guess we know where that hidden love was. 

"Unbelievable," Sabre said with a whistle. The Earth stallion had fallen onto his haunches as we tried and failed to collect ourselves. 

"I'm wondering how Nightmare missed this place. It's huge," Spade asked. 

"Don't care. We did it, Thorax. Tell EVERYONE!"
I ordered the jazzed changeling. "Aye-aye," Thorax said before returning to his dancing about. If nothing else, Chrysalis and Shining had earned some good news. 

"This is so exciting. I can practically hear the books flying off the shelf already."

Oh good, Bright rejoined reality. I was afraid he'd be stuck looking like a slack-jawed dork. You know, more than usual. 

"We can celebrate once we get there. Enough gawking, more walking."

Sabre was back to full soldier mode. He'd even resheathed his favorite phallic symbol. He was right, though. We had an ancient hidden city to explore. 

"Tally ho," Bright said before diving past Sabre and starting the descent to the valley below. The valley with a mysterious city that had been lost to time. 

"Move it, ponies, move it." 

Blueblood barreled past us and took the lead ahead of Sabre. I managed a snort and followed. Spade and Thorax darting above us. My heart was still pounding, but now, I didn't want it to stop. This was it, this was it.

The rest of the travel down was a rushed, adrenaline-spiked rush. The fact it is a lot easier to go down a mountain than it is to scale it, and we were down in a third of the time. The crisp air in the bitter cold had my throat rubbed raw, but even that couldn't dour my mood. I would relish the cold if it meant we got to the city perimeter sooner. 

One thing became apparent when one wasn't high atop a mountain peak. The Crystal kingdom was much more extensive and farther away than it seemed. That, however, was but an idle discovery, one that could be accounted for later. There was another discovery at hoof. The dark red dome that encompassed the kingdom wasn't an aesthetic choice. 

"Who could manage such a shield? It seems improbable. The only pony I've ever heard of even coming close to such a feat is back in Canterlot."

Blueblood had finished riding the high of his success and now seemed very concerned. That concerned me since if he thought it was a big deal, it probably was.

"Maybe an alicorn," Bright suggested.

"Or Crystal batteries," Thorax offered.

"My bet is on chronostasis," Spade said. 

"Regardless, the question is, can we get through?" Sabre asked.

"Most likely."

I blanched. "Really, doesn't that defeat the point of a shield or whatever the dome is?"

Blueblood rubbed his forehead. "If I have any measure on this. I believe the dome is used more as a regulating weather system, seeing as the tundras this north are wild and mostly untamed. As well as a means to obscure themselves from any prying eyes."

"I agree. It doesn't seem like a repulsion field," Thorax agreed. 

We were still a bit out, but knowing we wouldn't run face-first into a force field was a good feeling. It did have one wonder why they needed to hide. Then I recalled Nightmare Moon and thoroughly agreed with the dome's existence. 

I see the gates, I see the gates."

Bright whooped as he pointed to the entry point. A pair of large purple columns marked the furthest post outside the dome. Beyond it was a much larger pair of crystal pillars that rested just inside the dome. While it was a bit hard to make out. I thought I may have seen somepony moving about past the archway. 

Ten minutes of walking later and we stood at the dome's wall. It was mere inches away, and the gate in full behind it. Now, while I wanted to enter, Faust forbid giving up here. No, the reason no one had crossed into the city proper was the half dozen guards pointing spears at us, either magical glowing ones or the more pragmatic wood and metal. They all wore matching grey and pink trimmed armor. Armor that looked quite a bit older than Sabres. The lead, or officer, I wasn't sure. Had a feathered fin atop his helm, the other having no such decorations. The guards had not moved to exit the city but looked ravenous for an excuse. 

"So much for hospitality, huh?" Spade said. He said this, mind you, while tapping his namesake against his withers with intent. 

"Where's the love now, Thorax?" Bright asked. 

"Deeper within, a lot deeper."

I rolled my eyes. "Okay fine." I stepped forward, and the guards tensed. "I'm here to see your king. He is expecting me."

This had an effect on the guards. All but the one with the feathered fin retreated, well, more pulled back to be out of the way. The guard who hadn't left tilted his head as he seemed to check and recheck me over and over again. 

"Why would King Sombra call forth an outsider?" He asked.

"We want to bring back the day."

The guard stumbled back, eyes wide. The other guards had retreated a bit further. They were whispering amongst themselves. I certainly had their attention now. 

"You seek to dethrone the tyrant Luna?"

"Well, we call her Nightmare Moon, but yes."

"That's why we journeyed here, to seek aid," Sabre said. He seemed far less intimidated by the now flabbergasted crystal knights. He joined me, cracking his neck from side to side. 

The lone guard looked back to his allies, then back to us. "Just the six of you?"

"Yes."

The guard stood back up and regained some level of decorum. "Come, if the king does await you, then he will hold court in the palace."

I took a step forward, stepped into the dome, and entered the city in my dreams. This was it. We'd really done it. It hadn't felt authentic before like I would wake at any second. Yet, here I was, here we were.

The others followed my lead. One by one, we left the tundra behind and found ourselves in a place lost to time. 

The guard placed a hoof on my chest. "If you are lying, you will not live to regret it if you're lucky. If not, you'll wish you'd frozen to death in the lands you'd walked to find us."

Well, there went my joy and wonder. I nodded and felt myself repeating a mantra as we moved deeper into eh city proper. 

"Please don't be another Nightmare, please don't be another Nightmare."

I'd had my fill of tyrants. Please be bluffing. The others looked more trepidacious as well. Though we hadn't met King Sombra yet, these were tough times. Sometimes, a bluff would weed out the vile and deceitful. Yeah, that sounded about right. Who knows how long it's been since they had tourists? 

"Follow." The guard said, and with that, we began our trek to the throne of the north. 

"Welcome to the Crystal Empire."
> Set in Stone
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Crystal Empire, as it was apparently called, was nothing if not honest to the name. Gems littered the land like weeds. The buildings, the sidewalk, and the decorations all incorporated their seemingly infinite wealth of shiny rocks. It was enough that the glow of the moonlight through the barrier that surrounded the empire lit everything in a pale pink aura. We'd made it to what we assumed would be ruins or a clue or something, but here we were getting a tour of a kingdom that seemed forgotten by the outside world. My friends had various views of their own. Sabre seemed twitchy, Spade seemed bored, and Bright jumped about like a flea on a hound. Then there were Thorax and Blueblood. They both seemed awed and beguiled at the same time. 

It was hardly their fault. We were being marched to the center of the empire, right to the enormous old spire of doom, the castle of the King, King Sombra, to be exact. The name didn't breed confidence, and the looks we got from the locals weren't helping. Though the fact these Crystal Ponies seemed to shimmer like their namesake was neat, however. 

"So, What's your king like?" I asked, the guard ahead of us. 

"He's kept the dark at bay."

I looked about in mock surprise. "You don't say?"

The guard didn't answer. That guard heritage shone almost as much as his armor. It reminded me of Sabre when he got in a mood. 

"Is he a good ruler?" I asked. 

"He's done everything in his power to keep us safe since our return."

"Return?" Spade asked from beside me. 

"You may ask the King once we arrive."

That was that the guard had no intent on giving us anything to work with. The sightseeing was dampened by what was to come from the frying pan to the fire. My blood ran cold and not from the northern breeze. 

"You okay?" Thorax asked. 

"Nope," I answered. 

"Then you're still sane."

Sabre's eyes darted from window to window, roof to roof. We were being watched. That seemed obvious. The question was, by whom and why? Thorax patted me on the shoulder and offered a reassuring smile. It helped a bit, but the shill through my bones was still very present.

"How many?" Spade asked. 

"By my count, eight," Sabre answered.

"I counted nine." 

Blueblood mused. 

"Eleven," Bright added with a laugh. 

"Fourteen, unless you count the group of foals tailing us."

Spade tsk'd. I blinked and looked back down the road. I didn't see any foals. I didn't see anypony at all. There were the viewers across the street and those that looked out from their homes, but none behind us. If I didn't know any better, I'd think the others were out to give me a panic attack. 

"No one was counting the children. That'd be silly." Thorax said, sticking his tongue out at Spade, who lunged to grab it. Which caused Thorax to trip over himself in his retreat. Spade shook his head and offered the fallen changeling a hoof. 

"Dead on your hooves and off, a pity that."

"Yeah, yeah, you got me," Thorax contested.

"Please don't fall behind." The guard yelled over his shoulder. 

"Someone's grumpy," Bright yelled back. 

Sabre jabbed Bright in the side. "Don't antagonize the local militant, please."

"By the way, who's watching us?" I asked. 

"The better question is who isn't," Blueblood whispered back. 

The conversation more or less died there. The castle wasn't a ways off, but with the locals being all allusive and the guard being incredibly unhelpful. We'd hit a dead end until we met with Sombra. I just hoped he was less abrasive than those under his employ. 

When we did reach the castle and its gigantic spire, a spire that seemed to be generating the same shield that consumed the same kingdom. In comparison, the royal suite beneath it was paltry. We knew where the budget for construction went. The castle was connected at the base to the tower and seemed refined, if not dull. The decor was simplistic, and the court garden was regulated to the leaf. If Sombra had any say on these matters, it pained a fascinating picture. At least the outlines of one, I couldn't finalize my thoughts until we met his Royal Highness face to face. 

"They kind of overdid the whole crystal thing, you know. I mean, it's pretty, but after a while, it all just blends together."

I snorted as Bright pointed between the seemingly endless variations of precious stone. Well, precious anywhere else, I doubt the crystal ponies even noticed the rocks anymore. Thought with them shining like gems, I wondered what magic was at play to alter their physiology to even do that and why.

"A little bit, yeah," Spade agreed. "You might say they've been beating a dead horse."

The Gravekeeper seemed ready for a nap. He was the only one not on edge, which was a bit disquieting all by itself. Then again, that same pegasus had gone along with this whole fiasco, more on a whim than anything. It was amusing in a way. He told terrible jokes and kicked butt. He didn't ask for anything and went out of his way to keep morale up. I knew a good pony, a great friend, and one of if not the strangest anyone.

"Stay where you are," our tour guide commanded. We'd made it to the gate, and the guard that had been leading us was joined by several others. They stepped away and whispered amongst each other for a moment before we were ushered forward.

"Please remove all items from your ponyage, and place it to the side."

"Beg pardon?" Blue asked. 

"We will hold all your belongings until your meeting with the King has finished. Cooperation is non-negotiable. The amount of force for said compliance is your decision, however. Belongings to the side, please."

It was with a heavy heart I started unloading my pack and winterwear. The others seeing me comply, slowly followed behind. Sabre and Blue, however, looked very not okay with any of this. Blue just looked pissed beyond words. To watch Sabre remove his namesake from his side was like watching an orphan find out their puppy died.

"This is absurd," Blue said between grinding teeth. 

"Irrelevant, though I fully agree," Sabre replied.

In the end, the guards got what they wanted, our supplies, one shovel, one rapier, a smaller shovel, maps and books, pencils galore, and of course, one set of armor, all Sabre. He was still heartbroken about that, but it was all the same. It was strange. I was so used to seeing Sabre in his armor that the few times I'd seen him without it felt surreal. 

"I miss my shovels," Spade said, giving his crafts pony tools a longing glance."

"Is everyone in our group a materialistic foal? I asked."

"I'm not," Bright waved a hoof in the air. 

"I didn't even have much to take to begin with. I'm glad I didn't wear my armor, though. That thing is super uncomfortable," Thorax seconded.

"Glad to know how you really feel, sir."

The look Sabre gave would melt steel beams. The guards gave each of us a pat down before, one by one, we were ushered further into the hallway. I mean, it made sense, it was invasive, but this was royalty after all. It wasn't as if every ruler on Equis was a nigh immortal psychopath with more power in her left hoof than her entire Night Guard combined. 

That thought sat with me as I pondered how we'd actually escaped and, more so, how we were still alive after the first miracle. If I drudged too far into this rabbit hole, I might never have been seen again. A pity that Stargazer will be missed. 

Once all of us were checked, we made our single-way file out and around what was the cylindrical shell of the castle. As the Crystal Spire was the centerpiece, everything was built in a pentagram with off-shooting halls and chambers. We'd made it half up the clockwise inner sanctum before we came to a stop. There were a pair of grand doors embedded in the spire's side. These were not made of crystal. Instead, the couple was a heavy set of embossed metal. I couldn't say which metal, but with how thick they were, I doubt it mattered. It'd take Nightmare herself to blast those slabs apart, or maybe a huge angry dragon. 

"We have reached the throne room. You will stand and wait until you are otherwise told to move. I will be alerting His highness of our arrival. He knows you are coming, as too why, that will be between our King and you."

That said, the guard did precisely that. He approached the guards guarding the door, gave him a nod, and in he went. The guards guarding the entrance that the other guard not guarding the door entered gave our group a weary look, and I gave myself a mental tongue-twisted headache. 

The second passed in silence. It could have been minutes or hours, and I'd have believed it. I might even have accepted both at the same time. When the doors opened once more, I let out a deep breath. The guard looked shellshocked. I was guessing his introduction didn't go well. 

"Send them in," The shaken guard said as he deftly turned past our group and was gone instantly. So, we walked forward and into the throne room. 

This would be the third throneroom I'd ever been in. It was also the most regal of the three. The Canterlot throneroom was a cluttered mess. The Everfree throne toom was more of a gothic amphitheater. This, however, the Crystal throneroom, was a place to marvel.

Carved into the heart of the spire, the throne itself was a uniquely grafted seating arrangement. A massive inlet of jet surrounded by a prismatic stone inlaid behind it. It was like the throne was slowly consuming all the light around it. It struck a pose amidst all the blues, pinks, purples, and whites. The chandeliers set a mood of sophistication high above us. The room lacked windows but made up for it with walls etched in murals. I would assume of some historical or local significance. The scarlet red carpet that led up to the throne itself was a nice contrast to the black and perhaps a tad chilling presence of the thone or the one sitting on the throne. 

Not an alicorn, nope, no all-powerful god here. The stallion who occupied the seat was, however, no less striking. He might have been more gaze stealing than his throne. A dark grey stallion with a windswept silky black mane stared across the room at us. It was hard to match his look, as his eyes were alight with a swirling mix of red and green. The colors seemed to bleed out into whipping purple mana trails to each side of his face. That would be intimidating enough, but the fact he was in full plate mail armor and had fangs that would give any thestral an inferiority complex didn't help.

He may not have been Nightmare Moon, an alicorn, or actively our enemy, but friendly he was not. Though Crysalis wasn't precisely the most kindly mare I'd met, she was a pleasant royal to be around. So, maybe we'd get lucky. 

"Interesting."

The first words uttered by Sombra were followed by the sound of metal slamming behind us. The King watched us as we slowly approached. He gave little in the way of what might be going through his mind. So began the court of Sombra. 

We came to a stop some ten hooves out where the guards to each side of the throne bay our stall, and so we did. A few seconds of awkward silence later, one of the guards took a single step forward. 

"Bow."

That command did not hit well. In fact, it hit so poorly that I was surprised that Sabre or Blue didn't beat the guard to death right then and there. When we didn't move, the guard lowered his spear, a crystal spear of all things. The head was the shaft was wood of some variety. 

"Sargent."

Sombra looked to the guard in question. You could see the sudden terror in the eye of the Sargent who'd approached us. I shuddered in solidarity. It was a deep-seated fear that carried quite the weight behind it. 

"Your Highness."

"You and Corporal Saffron may leave us, now."

The guards didn't even look back. The two made a hasty retreat and thus left our sextuplet to the hungry gaze of another terrifying royal. 

"Who speaks for you, outsiders?" Sombra asked. 

Sabre made to step forward, but I beat him to the punch. It took two heavy steps forward and looked up to Sombra, who did little more than raise his brow.

"I do, Your Highness."

"Strange."

I blinked. "Your Highness?"

"You would use titles, but no bow, to a king?"

His question was a fair one from his perspective. I almost laughed at the summary of all we'd been through conveyed in something as simple as a bow. 

"We've had some very poor experiences with Royalty, Highness.

"You speak of Luna, correct? The blasted mare has the nerve to turn the world on its head for her own amusement. If I had not looked into the goings on outside my walls. I'd have thought it that fool Discord."

That made two instances of someone speaking on this Luna, the first of someone named Discord. If what Sombra was asserting of Discord's power was a bit unnerving. This was a future problem, a very future problem if I had anything to say about it. 

"I'm afraid I don't know a Luna, Your Highness, just a Nightmare Moon."

That earned a chuckle and a fanged smile, not one of mirth either. "I see. She tossed away her name along with her sister. I must say, I can almost respect that."

That was a red flag as I took a step back. An action that Sombra didn't miss. His smile grew just a bit wider as he leaned forward.   

"So, what is it your band of adventures seeks, asylum, protection, or perhaps something less pitiful? Perhaps you seek my aid, perhaps you sought my kingdom out, perhaps you saw it in a dream?"

It took everything I had just to remain standing. The color drained from my furred flesh, and my heart had nearly stilled. My reaction was answer enough. Sombra's smile looked ready to tear passed his muzzle. 

"You weren't the only one given such dreams. Not some months back, they began, did they not? Mine showed a land drenched in darkness and the sparks of their hope dying. Then a single spark conjured more, and those sparks became kindling. A small fire that left Equestria and made its way to my door. I had thought them some trick by Luna or warning of what was to come. It was not a prediction. It was a promise, was it not, Stargazer?"

My voice died in my throat, my tongue shriveled up, and I kind of wanted to cry. I might very well have, had something bumped my side. Sabre had taken to my side and looked very unhappy, very unhappy indeed. 

"And, that means, Your Majesty?" 

You could hear the restrained anger with every syllable. 

Sombra leaned back and settled back into his throne. "That is simple, little guardian. It means destiny has set upon this stage, all the actors for its newest performance. The question is, whether it is a tragedy or a comedy?"

"It seems to me that you and Stargazer are thusly linked. Two actors in this play, correct?" Blueblood asked. 

"Indeed, little unicorn, our parts are still left to the imagination. Tell me, boy? Did they ever speak to you? In your dreams?"

I took a deep breath and nodded. 

"How many?"

It took a moment for me to find my voice. Sombra's piercing gaze trailed my every movement. "Three. One of them, one of them was you."

"Ha!" Sombra marked into the rafters. A joyless shout of exasperated triumph.

"I don't get it," Bright said flatly. 

"That's because there was no joke," Spade responded. 

"So, tell me, brave adventurers, what was your final goal? What were you promised?"

"We want to stop Nightmare Moon, to bring back the day."

Sombra huffed. He looked back to the chandeliers above. The poise and veracity simply vanished as he gazed into space. The wavering green and purples that swirled about his eyes seemed to lessen as he pondered to himself. 

"Is this some twisted joke, to think they may call upon the Elements, or perhaps not? What would Harmony drop at my door, to what end?"

I'm reasonably sure we weren't supposed to hear any of that. I don't even think Sombra knew he was speaking aloud at all. I didn't really know what any of it meant, but Sombra seemed lost in a daze. 

Then as suddenly as it began, Sombra's attention returned to his guests. He looked to us and us to him. He scowled and shook his head. 

"I know not what the fates have planned, but I see little reason for me or my empire to be involved. This is a matter of the harlots your kind once called Princesses. If Luna has bested her sister, she has won the right to rule."

"But, the sun, the day, you said it was already set in motion, the dreams?"

"Silence!" Sombra snapped his scowl, not a decidedly angry snarl. "Do not lecture me on fate, boy. Why should I help? What matter of it mine, that those who would have stolen my throne as well have been divided my space and time."

"Coward," I said. I looked back up at the fuming King. "A coward is what you are. You'd rather hide in your empire, behind a bubble, than once more be a part of the world. I was sent here because my dreams showed me a spark, a light that shone and lit crystals in their wake. It is clear that light was not you. Perhaps, our dreams were just that, dreams."

"Star!"

Thorax nudged my shoulder. He and Sabre trying to pull me back. I shrugged them off and stomped forward. "But, you know what, even if they were. I'll find another spark."

I looked over my shoulder at my friends. "We'll find another way. Because unlike you, we're not afraid of the dawn."

Sombra was not happy but also speechless. I wondered how long he'd gone without being contested. If I had to guess, far too long. I turned on hoof and marched back toward the throneroom doors. I was seeing red. My blood boiled and howled. This was not the end. I wouldn't let it end here, not after everything. They deserved better, the ponies, the changelings, the crystal ponies, all of them. They all deserved better. 

"You dare!" I heard Sombra yell from behind me. Then the doors to the throne room opened. There in masse were two dozen of Sombra's soldiers. It was then that I realized the weight of my words. 

"Seize them. Then throw them in the dungeons. Now!"

Then a pair of those ordered guards grabbed me. I could hear the others shouting behind me. "My friends deserve better, too."
> What Makes Us Strong
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hours had passed since my friends, and I were rounded up and tossed in the cells beneath the Crystal Palace. Lo and behold, my surprise when the cells were made of crystal as well. I was beginning to worry this was due to a lack of other materials. Wood or stone might be a nice change of pace. If nothing else, It was less dreary than a prison cell should be. It had no leaks or creaks, no roaches or rats. It was clearly cleaned and could have been far more unpleasant overall. I expected at least a skeleton or two. 

So here I sat staring out the cell door at the hall beyond. The continued clop of hooves behind me reminded me that Sabre was still pacing. He'd been walking almost as long as we'd been in the cell, from one end of the small apartment to the other. Occasionally, I could almost make out what he was muttering under his breath. I didn't need to, though. I had an active imagination and context to shape it. 

Across the hall, Blueblood and Spade sat in their own cell. By choice, Blueblood had spent years hiding in his rooms in the Everfree dungeons. A place he'd rarely left up until recently, the boring compliance he wore as he sat back to the wall was a well-used expression. 

Spade wasn't much different. He barely took note of the cell at all. He stood in the center of the cell and seemed asleep on his hooves, eyes still wide open. The rest, even if not the rest the group wanted, was better than none at all. 

"Two hundred and six."

Bright called from the cell directly beside my own. Bright had taken to counting each and every time one of Sombra's soldier's marched down the hall. For six hours, that number felt a bit high. On that same note, I doubted the guard had anything better to do. That was the trick with isolated societies under an iron hoof. There was minimal crime and little outside persuasion. 

One might ponder what Sombra would ultimately do with us. We could spend the rest of our days rotting in these cells, or maybe he'd have us executed. He might even just toss us out and let the elements handle everything. If we had none of our supplies, we'd be hard-pressed to survive the night. 

These were options, all possible, all within reason. So when an opportunity that wasn't reasonable happened. I was left bemused and confused. The ground shook just a little. A stray pebble jumped in place. The shake was followed by a muted boom. Something was wrong if it was loud enough to be heard in the dungeon and strong enough to shake the kingdom's bedrock. I was proven correct when I noticed the sudden surprise of the guard. That guard ended up running back down the hall and passed us about the way we'd entered earlier in the day. 

"That's odd," Spade said. It turned out he wasn't asleep or was a very light sleeper. 

"Yep," Bright agreed. 

A second boom, another shake, this one a bit stronger and closer. 

"So, any guesses?" I asked. 

"Sombra throwing a fit," Blue said. 

"Maybe Shining and Chrysalis coming to save the day," Bright shouted. 

"No, The Queen is still in Canterlot. I told her what had happened earlier. I'm sorry," Thorax said with a long sigh. 

"The apocalypse," I said with a shrug.

"Shh," Sabre had stopped pacing. He was now very close to the cell door eared, pressed as close to the outside as he could get. Another boom, another shake. Sabre's ear twitched as he listened to the hall and whatever was making the noise above. 

"Somepony is coming," Sabre said. He was tensed up, like a spring set to explode. I'd' hate to see what'd happen if a guard got too close to the cell door. 

The stride was measured, a consistent pace, clip-clop, the hooves, heavy, and the slight chink of metal meant the approaching pony was armored. The guards had helms and barrel armor but no greaves or boots. That meant the approaching pony was not just any guard. Another boom, another shake. The approaching pony didn't stop. Their stride was unwavering. 

Then the walking stopped. The walking stopped because the pony in question had come to a halt right in front of my cell. Sombra looked none too pleased. He looked bordering on biblical. There was another one of those words that didn’t seem to make sense. A fragment of my past, something that, like me, wasn’t from Equis, or so I thought. The aura radiating off Sombra was thick enough to choke on. His horn was seared red, and if not for his explicit attention to detail and life of politics, I would bet his gaze alone would render the cell door to ash. 

"Stargazer."

I was surprised. Even Sombra's tone was measured with an immaculate level of care. I would have been impressed if the scenario had been different. So instead, I flippantly ignored the monarch and turned to Sabre. Sabre, for his part, was trying his hardest to out-anger the loathsome king of Crystal. 

"So, no guesses then, Sabre. The others already made their bets."

"No, sir, I don't."

Sabre hadn't so much as twitched in my direction. His voice was low, and the quaking of his jaw implied very much he'd instead be yelling. Yet, he managed to restrain himself more or less. Sombra ignored Sabre and was being ignored, for that matter. Though if it were possible to be more angered than he was right now, I couldn't imagine it. 

"What have you brought to my door?"

What have I brought to his door? A question for the ages, but the booms were starting to make sense. There was basically no one outside of the Crystal Empire that knew where it was that wasn't currently within its wall. Thorax had told the Hive, but this wasn't them. So that left only one other faction that might be on the hunt. 

I smiled. A gentle smile of satisfaction. "Oh?" I asked. 

"What have you done!"

Sombra stomped, and the crystal beneath his metal-clad hoof shattered like glass. I had to blink away the impression such a feat left. It reminded me of Nightmare Moon, if I were honest. Speaking of Nightmare Moon. Another boom, and the ground shook again. 

"You sound worried, oh mighty king."

Sombra turned to Sabre for the first time since he'd arrived. "You would mock me, knave? It is not I who is locked in your dungeon."

“That hasn't stopped the booms, has it?" Spade asked from behind Sombra. It seemed that whatever patience the king did have left was spent. He turned back to me. 

"Who is the pink alicorn knocking at my door?"

 "Cadance?" I asked. 

"Who?" Sombra hissed. 

"Nightmare's right hoof, I guess. She must have been stalking us for days now. I'm honestly surprised she found the empire at all. All's the pity, really. This place was enchanting before her arrival. I doubt that'll last."

I could see the numbers running through Sombra's head. What I hadn't expected was the toothy grin Sombra had by the time his calculations concluded. "Is that so?"

"Probably," Bright said from his spot by his cell door. 

"Perhaps those visions were less misguided than I thought."

Sombra tapped a hoof to his chin. It was my turn to do some math. The sum total of which amounted to something being very, very wrong. Sombra waited, much as I had for him. He seemed all too happy to let me work the problem out myself. 

"What pray tell, would happen should I simply hoof you over to this 'Cadance' pony. I'm sure Luna is far more concerned about you than I as of the moment, yes?"

I did not like where this was going. I didn't seem to be the only one. The cell itself seemed colder. Blueblood and Spade were now at their own cell door, watching intently. I had to imagine Thorax and Bright were as well. The hall was silent as the grave. 

"I thought as much. Luna was always so single-minded."

"That wouldn't solve your problem, though," I said. 

"It'd only delay the inevitable," Blueblood added. 

"Nightmare doesn't do, half measures, Sombra."

Sabre growled at the king, whose smile waned if only briefly. 

"And you see me keeping Luna's most wanted as a wiser decision?" 

I nodded. "I do."

Sombra leaned in and whispered. "Do tell."

"Why would Nightmare be so obsessed with my friends and me if we weren't a threat. Would you waste so many resources on a ragtag band of nobodies if they were truly powerless?" I asked. Sombra leaned back. 

"So what makes you so dangerous, Stargazer. Your dreams, the same dreams that have you now prisoners at my mercy?"

It was time to get to the core of this little game Sombra had going. I wasn't the smartest stallion here. But something had nagged me since I'd been thrown into the dungeon. Sombra had let slip something earlier, something I doubt he even noticed. 

"What are the Elements, Sombra?"

There it was, a spark. A deep seeded unparalleled gut-wrenching fear. I'd hit the nail on the head, and Sombra's reaction spoke volumes. The look that followed was a whole other book, and maybe it's countless sequels. 

"Tools, a weapon, to shatter kingdoms. The weapon Luna and her infernal sister used to send my empire through space and time. The same tools that Nightmare Moon would no doubt fear. A fear you brought forefront to her attention. You have no idea what the fire you play with could do. Do you, boy?"

"Not a clue," I answered. 

"So, the spark yet lives, I see."

Sombra's visage of power and rage gave way to a very tired stallion, one carrying far more than any pony should alone. The raging greens and purples around his eyes dimmed. The look Sambra gave was one that few could understand. I certainly didn't, but for all his bravado, Sombra wasn't an alicorn. He was a pony, a strong one, but still very mortal. 

"You could help us. You could stop Nightmare and free Equestria. You could prove you’re more than the king you think you are. Sombra, this doesn't have to end with all of us dead and gone. Nightmare can be beaten. There's a reason our dreams called to one another."

I sounded desperate. Hell, I felt desperate. I might not be a king, and perhaps I wasn't as alone as Sombra, but I'd be damned before I pretended I wasn't afraid. I was terrified. I feared what Nightmare would do, what Cadance would do, what Sombra could do. 

"The voice in the dark," Sombra said.

"Sombra, what are the Elements? What do they do? Where are they?"

I pressed my head to the door's bars. Sombra looked to me, an expression of disdain, but for whom, I couldn't say. The shaking and explosions were getting louder and longer. Our chance was slipping us by. 

"Why would I care for Equestria or your opinions?" Sombra asked. 

"Because you're afraid of being alone."

Sombra turned back to Blueblood, who'd spoken before I could. 

"What would you know of solitude?"

“Because a year ago, It was all I knew and all I deserved. I lived in a prison of my own making. because there was nothing worth seeing left in this world. I was alone and afraid. I was my own prisoner. I was wretched and deserved it. When Nightmare came, she claimed the world and a noble of the sun, somepony like me, had no place in it. That stung, but what followed was worse. All my power and wealth gone, and all that was left was me. It turns out, those who’d I thought cared for me, valued me, that me, myself was not worth the trouble."

Blueblood's gaze didn't waver. Sombra snarled but did not interrupt.

" I was arrogant and brash and selfish to no end. Who would bother sticking by somepony like that? In hindsight, I don’t even blame those that left me. That, however, was then. That was months ago. Something changed, something I can’t rightly explain. 

 Blue pointed past Sombra to me. I offered a smile, if only barely.

“They, Stargazer, Light Sabre, Bright Pitch, gave me something I'd thought long lost. I no longer believed I was worth knowing, worth giving a chance. I feared my past had all but consumed me. Then, when others would have left me, they didn’t. Day by day, they returned and, minute by minute, shattered the world I thought I knew. Their generosity showed me a path forward. There was still a choice to make. So, Sombra, make one and quit with this roundabout farce."

"Alright, Blue, that was awesome. That’s our navigator," Bright said. "I won’t pretend I had it all that bad. I mean, I’m a thestral, one of Nightmare’s chosen. These years when somepony like Blue was falling apart, I was being lifted up. I was taught Thestrals were the best, and since I was a thestral, that meant I was the best. But it never felt real. So, I wore a mask, I was the proud noble at court, and only really me at home, alone. We all hide away part so ourselves. But it only takes a little honesty to see past the cracks, to learn who you truly are. The longer I hid who I was, the worse I felt. So when I saw Star and Sabre for the first time, I took a chance. Then, for better or worse, they accepted the real me, and the fake me disappeared. So, come on, Sombra, take off your mask. It’s no fun hiding in the dark alone."

There these crazy ponies were backing my play at the drop of a hat. The explosions probabaly dind’t hurt though. I truly didn't know what I felt at all. Sombra clearly didn't either. 

"Way to knock em dead, Bright. Heck, I'm not sure how to follow these two," Spade said and waved a hoof dismissively in Blue and Bright's direction. "I'm not some fancy hero or a noble on a quest to free the world. I dig holes. I see more tears than most. But it was back when this whole dark age thing started. I saw a filly and her family crying over the grave I just dug and the tombstone I'd just chivvied. It was as simple as it is true. It was then that I made a promise. I saw a family, the family that stuck the first shovel in the dirt of my home. I saw them pack up and leave. I watched their home become a cemetery. I promised I'd do my best to cheer everyone on. I'd devote myself to seeing their smiles. IT was the least I could do. So, If you truly love your people, isn't that what you’d want to?"

Sombra growled, his eyes and horn lighting up once more. "Who are any of you to reach down to me? What do you know of the burdens of the throne?"

The silence was palpable. That was until a hoof reached through the cell bars and waved for attention. The only non-pony didn't stop until Sombra moved to stare at the changeling. I couldn't see Thorax from my position. I could, however, see Sombra, and he looked murderous. 

"You, bug? Speak your last."

"Oh, um, sorry. I don't know what it means to be a king or Queen. But, the Hive, we all know what our Queen feels. When she's happy or mad, sad, or tired. We all feel it. That's what being a Hive is. Changelings were alone for a long time. The Nightmare, the eternal night. That changed everything. Mostly for the worse, but a few things for the better."

What is your point, bug?" Sombra seethed. 

"My Queen, she found love, a mate, a purpose beyond just the Hive she had. She helped it grow, but it wasn't just changelings now. It was ponies too, and griffons and even a dragon or two. The Hive grew because a single pony showed Her Majesty a little kindness. So, maybe if we all do the same, things will be better one day. Being angry doesn't make you feel better. I can taste it. I can taste your fear and sorrow too. There's no shame in any of it, you know?"

Sombra stood silent, then he reached back a hoof and brought it to the cell door with a sickening crunch. Thorax's scream and Bright's gasp were not helping. Sombra took a step forward, and he entered the cell. 

"Enough of this madness."

"Sombra!"

My heart went to my throat as I leaped back in front of the cell bars. Sabre had yelled and screamed at the top of his lungs. Sombra had clearly heard it too. The king slowly retraced his steps and looked over to the one who'd called to him. 

"Does the traitor have something to add? The one who left his station, the one who plays a soldier, do you have something to say?" Sombra asked. Sombra's voice was oddly calm, though the look in his eye was still very disconcerting.

I expected Sabre to yell or rave or something. Instead, he took a deep breath and took a step closer. Sombra raised a brow. 

"You're not wrong. I hate that fact, but you're not. I left my station. I lied and hid and aided known conspirators. I did all of that. I did all of it because of my values, not despite them. I may be many things, Sombra, but I am no traitor. I pledged myself to Equestria, not to Nightmare Moon. I betrayed my beliefs and country when I allowed myself to work for a tyrant. These ponies are giving you a chance to be more, to prove why you deserve to be king. I have no idea why, but they are. I trust them more than I hate ponies like you. All of them have stayed by me, risked their safety and hopes for a dream. A dream that led us here. So, if you need proof of my loyalty, fine, open this cell. If you need a pound of flesh, then you can take it from me. If it keeps them safe and their dream alive. Then, by all means, do what you will. I'll die with no regrets. Can you say the same?"

Sombra said nothing. He looked between Sabre and me and back over his shoulder at the cell he trashed. 

"So, Sombra, what will you die for?"

"Yet, no spark. Alone in the dream, a spark alights the world," Sombra said.

"A spark I followed here. A spark that lit the crystals, the same ones that led me here. So if there isn't a spark, then make one. What do you have to lose? You saw it all too. You saw my, no, our dream. Someone believes in us, the voices. You heard them, too, right? I heard them. I heard yours. So please, hear mine now."

I was breathless, and my cheeks damp with shed tears. I stared at Sombra, and he at me. I don't know how long passed. I didn't really care. Then a boom that rocked the dungeon shook us from our trance. That last one wasn't close. It was at the door. The shield, barrier, or whatever had kept the cold at bay wasn't stopping this.   

Sombra cursed and stomped and hissed. Then his horn glowed softly, and the cell doors opened. Sombra said nothing, just trotted past us and back the way he'd come. I sighed and, without a word, followed. I could hear the others behind me. I didn't need to check. There was nothing left to say. 

Tomorrow we'd deal with Nightmare Moon. Here and now, Cadence was calling. It would be rude not to answer. No sooner had we climbed the stairs to freedom than everything was drowned in chaos and bodies, ponies running, and the sounds of battle. 

"Stargazer, follow. We'll need everything you know of this alicorn if we are to save my kingdom. We'll need far more if we are to save yours."

Yes, yes, we would.
> When The Winter Winds Call
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

War had come to the Crystal Empire. Since the rise of Nightmare Moon, they'd remained hidden in the ice and snow. Thanks to yours truly, even if indirectly, they had been found, and now, those that sought me and my friends laid siege to the ancient kingdom. The explosions and shaking we'd felt underground were multiplied a dozen times over by the time we reached the castle gates. Magical volley after magical volley. Dozens of unicorns under Nightmare's banner and commanded by a very irate Cadence were doing a number to the shield that cloaked the city-state. I could feel my teeth chatter in my skull as I looked to the war front. We were too far off to make out individuals, but the numbers were not mistakable. There must have been hundreds in total. Unicorn magi, thestral flyers, earth pony shock troopers. This was a proper tour of force. Then Cadence alone was worth a hundred soldiers on her own. 

We'd gotten lucky in the crystal caverns under Canterlot. She'd been caught off guard in a location unsuited for her magical prowess. This was not those caverns; there was no catching her off kilter. I felt sick. What was to come was not pleasant; judging by Sombra's sneer, he was none too pleased himself. The guards and castle staff were running about like headless chickens. Dozens here and there, what passed for the Crystal Empire's military might was gathering if slowly. If I had to guess, we were outnumbered several times over.

"This Cadence, who is she, what are her skills, her domain, her weaknesses?" Sombra asked. He gave me a measured look and returned to eying his far-off enemy. 

Cadence wasn't hiding. In fact, she had put herself s close to the barrier as she could. We'd had no trouble entering once the guard had let us through. This seemed an exception and not the rule. The forces of Nightmare Moon had surrounded us but had made little in an attempt to actually cross the barrier's threshold. 

"My cousin is a puppet, a leftover from Celestia's rule. I don't know what Nightmare did, but it was clearly enough to break Cadence. She's not the mare I once knew. Now she's a monster, a tool to slay Nightmare Moon's enemies. A truly sickening affair."

Blueblood matched Sombra with a sneer of his own. It was almost amusing how alike they were at the moment. Two upstart nobles with a chip on their shoulder. Blueblood would know Cadence better than most, especially before the Eternal Night. 

"She didn't come to court much. She seemed kind of scared of the nobles, actually. She always looked so sad when you got to see her at all."

Bright frowned, forehooves crossed as he squinted at the foreign army. 

"She's the Alicorn of Love, though to what end is unknown, sir."

Sabre had taken his usual spot to my side. He was also back to the 'sir' thing. Here I thought we'd been making some leeway on that nonsense. Sombra tutted and looked back at the spire that towered above us. 

"Love, you say? How quaint."

"Yet, Love is a battlefield, and here we are," I said. 

"I really want my shovel," Spade said. 

"Anything useful to add on this insipid mare?" Sombra asked.

"She's emotionally unstable," Thorax offered. 

"That's a start," Sombra said with a nod to the bug. 

 "So, what exactly are the defenses of your empire, Sombra?"

Sabre leered over my shoulder at Sombra, who in turn reframed from giving Sabre any satisfaction. Sombra took a deep breath, and the aura that enveloped his eyes grew. His horn, like a fire poker, seared the air around it. 

"You mean besides me? Are numbers are few, but I have not spent these last years sitting on my laurels. I have prepared should Luna come to claim my throne. So, let us see what this Cadence of love can do against my machinations."

Sombra pointed to a nearby servant. "Wake the golems, and find my captain."

The servant bowed and rushed off. I had a feeling things were going to get very complicated very quickly. The air itself seemed to whip about in an imagined frenzy. The thunderous battery that threatened the shield above and the countless soldiers waiting for its inevitable fall did little for my frayed nerves.

"Golems, you believe such crude creatures can turn the odds?" Blueblood asked. 

"Hardly. They are mere pawns. A means to buy time for true efforts to bear fruit."

Sombra was off, and I dejectedly followed. This time, instead of going low as with the dungeon, we ascended, a race to the top of the spire. I hadn't imagined the grandeur I'd felt when I saw the city for the first time. The height and magnitude of climbing the Crystal Spire only added to the majesty below. If the enemy weren't at our door, this would be a breathtaking sight instead of a soon-to-be breath taking view. 

"Sir."

Sabre gave me a cross look. I sighed and shook my head. It wasn't like we had much choice at the moment. We either fight, or we sacrifice all those who got us this far. The others seemed to realize just how precarious this was. We made it out of one prison to be caught in a larger one. I really hoped Sombra knew what he was doing. 

"So, where are we going?" Bright asked. 

"Up," Spade affirmed. 

"What's up?" 

In that single instant, all party members, excluding Sombra, of course, felt compelled to look to Bright Pitch; even in such trying times, the poor misguided fool walked straight into disaster. He had challenged Spade to a battle he could never win. We all saw it coming. We all felt the call to action. It was inevitable. May his soul rest in peace. 

"Not much. How are you?"

There it was. Spade smirked as Bright knit his brow thinking through what just happened. Then like a bolt of lightning, he was laughing. The poor bastard was laughing at an ancient joke that was cliche before even Sombra's time. I would think, though, that asking Sombra might not be the best choice at the moment. The rumble of the barrier reminded us plainly of why we were, in fact, going very, very up. 

"Sombra, what exactly are we doing?" I asked after another several minutes of stairs and burning thighs. The last week or so of walking was good, but with all this climbing, the stairs sucked. I needed to get in shape. 

"You will see, there is a reason we are yet unmolested by our enemy."

"The whole mystery thing is well and good but can hardly help if you continue to play coy. This whole debacle has been nothing but one headache after another."

Blue had a point, one crisis, then another and one after that one, and one before the one before. It was just a line of dominos, falling in a never-ending tidal wave of survival. The fact Blue looked even more haggard by the endless precession of stairs didn't help. 

"The fact you are no longer behind bars and breathing should be enough incentive to show some gratitude and decorum, sun noble."

"A lack of bars does not mean we are free, Sombra. The army at your door should be decorum breaking enough for you to stop treating us as your enemy, sir."

I flinched. Sabre was throwing his 'sir' thing at someone new. That was not promising for our alliance. I mean, him dropping the 's' word on me was one thing, but I doubted Sombra would play along. At that time, the end of the spiraling stairs reached their zenith, and the lovely sight of flat land beckoned to my sore hooves. 
 
"We've Arrived."

Sombra gave no ceremony as he scrambled up and onto the top platform of the spire. At this height, one could conscience the true beauty and bounds of the Crystal Empire. You could gaze forever from one border to the other. It left me in awe of its majesty and dreading what may befall it too soon. 

My companions, too, were lost. If we had seen anything from the cliffs in the distance, the same we'd first laid eyes upon this glorious gem, hidden in the blanket of ice, we'd seen nothing still. It was quiet, a somber quiet, one that befits the storm that surrounded us. At this peak, we also saw the totality of Cadence's army. A scurrying undulating black mass that stood in contrast to the surrounding white. Ants, they were ants ready to invade a buffet they'd not known about nor cared about. They only desired to satiate their hunger, their bloodlust. It made me sick to think what I'd brought down upon all the denizens of these lands. No matter what anyone might say, it was my fault. This was my path. I was the guide to this haven. So, I will stand at the gates of Tartarus and be judged, and if that were necessary, so be it. 

"I've never felt so much love, all-consuming, satisfying."

Thorax had chosen a different jewel to oggle. In the center of the platform, there was a pedestal that held a gently rotating, radiating crystal, one in the shape of a heart. The same Heart that was even now projecting the very dome that sheltered Sombra's domain. Thorax was drooling as he watched Sombra slowly circle the Crystal Heart, huffing himself as he went. 

"You okay?" I asked Thorax.

"So much love," The changeling managed to wipe the trickle of saliva that tickled his chin. His ravenous stare, however, could not be so easily erased. 

"This is the very literal Heart of my empire. A magic that denied the furies of nature as it does the furies of my enemies. A heart that even now is breaking. A fact that is very problematic," Sombra announced. 

 "A Catalyst capable of channeling the will of the very people. Such a tool is both inspirational and terrifying."

Blueblood was now inspecting the Heart. He seemed almost as perturbed as Sombra did at this moment. I swallowed hard as another shallow crack snaked from the Crystal Heart's center. It took one guess as to whom was responsible. 

"So, what's the plan then?" I asked. 

"I hope he didn't walk us up here just to tell us how utterly doomed we are."

Spade leered at Sombra, who barely noted the comment. I was, however, with Spade. There had to be more to this. No matter how magical a single gem was, it would not save the day alone.

"The Crystal Heart is, as the noble said, a generator. It is an engine for our survival. At present, it consists of my subject's softer emotions. They're love and joy, hope and laughter. All that needs to change is the fuel. That is one fuel source."

"So, what's the other?" Sabre asked. 

"In times like these, in the face of war. The only fuel that matters is the will to survive, the very darkness in oneself, the type of darkness that will be buried by history."

Sombra smiled, fangs bared as he looked from the Heart to the foes below us. A chill ran up my spine as he did so. I understood what he meant. History would pave the winner as the hero and the loser as the villain. It would hardly matter how that victory came about as long as it did, in fact, occur. The question was, if the pleasant emotions were the shield, what would the blade in the other hoof be? If not enough to best Cadence, we'd have thrown away said protection for nothing. 

"There's more to it than that. If it could save us all alone, you wouldn't have bothered with us at all. So, what is our part to play here?" Sabre asked. 

He had placed himself between our group and Sombra. He may not have had his rapier or magic as Sombra did, but it was clear that Sabre didn't rightly care. 

Sombra shook his head. "My golems can hold the line for the insects that believe themselves my equal. The alicorn, however, will need another deterrent. The very one that drew her here, to begin with."

"Bait, that's your master plan? You'll throw us to the wolves and hope that they will have little appetite for your crown once stuffed?" Blue growled. He jabbed a hoof at Sombra, who once again shook his head and snorted. 

"No, not bait, a trap. You've missed my point completely. For those chosen, for those seeking the spark, you are most uncreative. A pity that truly a waste of potential."

Sombra let Blue and Sabre throw their worst sneers and jeers his way. Even as they did, I started to parse whatever hidden joke Sombra was revisiting as I glanced past us and the barrier beyond.

"Oh dear, the Heart. You're going to feed it, a heart that consumes love."

"A heart that devours, a heart that does not discriminate. It normally has a restrictive consumption rate that can be removed should it need."

"You tricky bastard. That's a fierce, if not an impressive, level of forethought. Bravo, good sir, bravo," Spade said. He nodded along and clapped to Sombra's approval.

"Thus why you're here, the part you will play, to best a foolish god."

"So, we're to sit here and hope that Cadence is so blinded by her goals that she walks right into a trap, one that seems tailor-made for this exact purpose? Do you truly believe she's that foolish?" Sabre asked. 

"I do, though it hardly matters. At the level the heart functions now, it would be nearly invisible to all but those already aware of its power."

"What about when you release its fail-safe? I doubt it'd be nearly as innocuous, right? What then?" I asked. 

"A matte of timing. When the Heart opens wide, this entire platform will become a vacuum, one that will rip and tear your emotions from you, one that will bleed you dry. All we need is for the love goddess to be on the platform when that happens.

I looked passed Sombra to the gently spinning Crystal Heart and back to Sombra. I clucked my tongue. Sabre and Blue still seemed rather upset all the same. Spade seemed down for or at least understanding of what Sombra planned. Bright had stopped listening and was more interested in standing far too close to the edge of the platform, the railing damned, and pointing out all the shops and city sights he could make out. And Thorax, he just looked hungry.

I shrugged. "Fine, if you think it'll work, then I'm game."    

"Excellent. I'm glad we could see eye to eye on this."

"Oh look, marching rocks. So cool. I want one." Bright yelled down at the, in fact, marching rocks. Sombra's golems were up and running, and there were quite a few. They were three times the mass of any pony and lacked things like fear or fatigue. All they needed was magic, which wasn't exactly lacking at the moment. Cadence's forces still outnumbered us four to one, but numbers may not matter, excluding Cadence herself. 

"The things I could carve into those living tombstones. The epitaphs we could make together. It would be beautiful." Spade was now the one drooling. 

Everyone save Bright made sure to give Spade a bit more space. We'd leave him to his daydreams for now. I think he'd earned them if by no other merit than the fact I didn't want to know what terrible thoughts he was cooking up.

"Right, well, golems aside. How exactly does this Heart of yours even function? Not to mention wouldn't your mere presence here hark to your schemes?" Blue asked. 

 "That's precisely why you will be attracting the alicorn. I will make a show of being elsewhere. Thus, leaving you to your supposed fate," Sombra said. The look of smug satisfaction did not bode well for our success. 

"And the Heart?" I asked. 

Sombra waved off my question. "I have already removed the spells keeping the Heart in check. It will take some time before it reaches critical consumption levels. You will simply need to delay your demise until then."

"How will we even know?" Thorax asked.

"I assure you, it will be nearly impossible to miss. You need only ensure the alicorn is here and you are not. A task even a foal could accomplish."

"It is pretty simple," Spade agreed.

"The barrier will also dissolve not long from now, whether we had used the Heart or not. As is, I will be departing. The best of luck, chosen."

The mad cackle Sombra let belt as he descended the stairs was enough to kick something. This had better work for everyone's sake. 

"I hate him," Sabre said through his seething. 

"Agreed," Blueblood added with a hmph.

"Hey, the barrier," Bright pointed up to the dome's epicenter, where it was clearly and distinctly dissolving. 

"Stargazer! Blueblood! Little Insect! Come. Out. And. Play!"

Cadence had noticed as well. The chill down my spine left even the now invading cold of the blizzard that had been held at bay by the Crystal Heart nice and toasty. 

"Found You!" Cadence's voice carried on the winter winds.

“Oh, Buck.”
> A Leap of Fatih
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whether Sombra's scheme was of sound mind was no longer a question of concern. His mental health was debated, and Cadence's state of mind was universally agreed upon by all voting bodies. The sum of said bodies was me and my companion compendium. All we had to do was stand there and be as conspicuous as we could be. This involved very little, as standing atop the tallest tower in the city, which was a glowing beacon of love and harmony, did most of the work for us. 

"You think she's seen us?" Thorax asked. 

It was a naive hope to believe otherwise. It was, in fact, a thought of abject insanity. The beam of hissing arcane death that buzzed maybe two hoves left of our curious bug was proof enough of that. 

If the second and third beams, closer by a margin, weren't enough secondary proof, the speeding rocket of pink was undeniable. 

"There you are!" 

Cadence's announcement was enough to make one regret all recent life choices and pray that whatever came after life was no crueler than one's untimely demise might be. I was tugged hard to one side as I debated such thoughts by a cursing Sabre. 

"Move, call out her spells, and keep active."

Orders were orders, though Blue and Bright didn't seem to need any advice. A moving target was eye drawing, and a moving target with enough wit to drive you up a wall was attention-keeping. Bright was making his presence known. 

"You seem mad, Candy, did Thorax humble Nightmare's favorite toy?"

The roar that followed was second only to the pitched line or bright pink fire that sent Bright flying away like a bat out of hell, and Cadence was right behind him. Scratch that. She was catching up quickly. She'd have already had him if she was in any reasonable state of mind. It was confidence-boosting to realize she was so preoccupied with deadifying Bright that she'd forgotten she could just grab him out of the air. 

"Woo, that one was close."

Bright shouted as another gout of flames seared the tips of his feathers. Or, more precisely, the leather equivalent, if it had one.  

"Cadence!" Blueblood had taken to the center of the spire and glared at his deranged cousin. Cadence stopped her pursuit at the drop of a bit. She matched Blue's glare with one of her own. Both had their horn alight. I gulped as Blueblood sneered. "How far you've fallen. That even a wretch like me is disgusted by your addled assault. It is almost laughable how you, the once beloved gem of Canterlot, are now nothing more than a rabid dog."

"Is that so?" Cadence asked. The swirling mana burst in the air as the alicorn started at a slow trot toward her heckling cousin. Blueblood didn't give an inch.

"Acutely."

Cadence laughed, a shallow harsh whinny that lacked even a semblance of mirth. "Says the coward who hid himself away as the world changed forever. The frivolous waste of flesh that had nothing but his own bitter resentment and himself for company. Where was this spine when Nightmare came for me? Where was my supposed cousin when I was left in the dark?"

I shuddered and tried very hard not to draw any attention at all. The others, even Sabre, were left in pregnant silence. Yet, even then, Blueblood did not move. Cadence was atop him, their horns inches from one another. 

"You're not wrong, and by no means will I pretend that I stood my ground as you had. I threw myself into the dark happily while you were dragged kicking and screaming. On that, my dear cousin, you and I agree wholly. That said, I stand now, before you, and no amount of dark with change that."

Blueblood sighed. His horn flickered, and the light died. "That said, I will not fight you. You deserved better; even now, twisted as you are, you are my family, the only family I have left. A bond I will not shatter, for Nightmare, or any other."

The sound of metal on flesh rang out over the Crystal Empire. The sound of a body hitting crystal followed in quick succession. Cadence stood over Blueblood as he shook his head and lay on the ground. He'd barely had the chance to regain his wits when another metal-clad hoof kicked hard into his exposed stomach. The wheeze Blueblood heaved was sickening. 

"Then you will die, as much a coward now as you were the day the sun fell."

"No, he won't."

Thorax let a blast of magic fly from his horn, hitting Cadence in the back of the head. It, however, did little more than stagger the alicorn. Who turned with a snarl. "Little bug."

Thorax's legs were shaking, but he hissed back with all the gumption the changeling could muster. It wasn't a very intimidating sound but more surprising than one would think. 

"He's not a coward. He doesn't even hate you. All that you've done, and he still doesn't hate you, even now."

Thorax's voice carried even against the winds of the encroaching snow and ice. Cadence stalled, if only for a heartbeat. The Crystal Heart thumped behind her, the catalyst had begun to spin faster, and the light surrounding it grew brighter. If Cadence knew or cared, she didn't show it. I just hoped it stayed that way.

"Then what, praytell, does my worthless cousin feel," Cadence asked. 

Thorax shook his head. "Many things, sorrow, familial love, but mostly, above all, he pities you. He pities what you've become."

"Thorax, move!" Sabre yelled. 

He was too late. Cadence's horn writhed in a whipping storm of magic. Her typical blue aura had darkened to a nearly black affair. A single pulse and a spell met their mark. Time seemed to slow to a crawl. I watched Sabre leap forward, Bright flying in from Cadence's blindside. Spade had placed himself between Cadence and the Crystal Heart. And I, I hadn't moved at all. I stood and watched, mouth agape. 

"Thorax!"

"Blueblood!"

Thorax stood untouched by Cadence's attack. Instead, Cadence had found her blast firing high and away from her target. Blueblood, prone or not, had managed to trip up his cousin. His horn shimmered, and his aura wrapped around Cadence's hind hoof like a vice. The alicorn was left stunned for only a moment before she violently shook her constrained hoof. The aura died out, and Blueblood smiled from his place behind the raging alicorn. 

"How dare you!"

Cadence had no further time to regard her cousin as Bright plowed into her from the side, sending the alicorn bouncing like a stone across the platform. The Crystal Heart was a blur in motion as it spun in place. The whir was audible even over the wind and our unorthodox battle. Spade had glanced back over his shoulder. He seemed struck between maintaining position between Cadence and moving away as fast as the pegasus could. 

Thorax took the brief reprieve to move to Blueblood, who was made to stand. Sabre was furious. He rushed Cadence, who had reorientated herself and seemed a second away from a meltdown. That was something she and the Crystal Heart had in common. 

I hissed and galloped away to join Sabre. Bright was a second behind me. The others would play defense. We only had to stall a little bit longer. That said, I felt Cadence hadn't even begun to fight. The look on her face, the storming aura that seemed to darken further as she regained her footing. She didn't even twitch as a dark beam of magic arced forward in a line left to right. Everyone either ducked, dodged, or was flung away by the attack. I barely managed to weave beneath the spell and hoped those behind me had handled it. Sabre hadn't even slowed. He leaped over the beam and hit the ground running. His blade was free and aimed for Cadence's throat. 

"Star, go low. I'll hit high," Bright said, coming up to my side. The aerial advantage had cleared him of the last spell, and Bright looked unamused for what might be the first time. His brow sat heavy, and the twitching frown he wore felt out of place on my thestral comrade. 

"Right."

The air felt oddly thick, the cold had dissipated, and both my heart and the Crystal behind me thumped in tempo. I'd contemplate Bright's emotional well-being once Cadence was dealt with. If, if she was dealt with. I really hoped Sombra didn't screw us. 

Sabre was on Cadence hard. Swing and a miss, stab, half-step, and stab again. Sabre was a blur of motion and his sword sliced through the air. Cadence seemed unphased as she danced around Sabre's barrage, eyes trained past him and the ones who'd roused her ire.

"Eyes forward," Sabre said. He feinted to the side and stepped forward for a lethal blow. The blow fell short, and Cadence flexed a wing and tossed Sabre's hoof aside. We were seconds out. We could do this. The spark hadn't burned out yet.  

Thorax had helped Blueblood up and was leaning into the unicorn as he favored one foreleg over the other. I barely had time to catch that before being forced to swivel in place and avoid another spell. Cadence had blasted Sabre off his hooves and sent him sliding toward the edge of the spire. 

I bit my lip, and the taste of iron titillated my tongue. I sped up. My legs burned, but I paid them no mind. Bright arrived first, soaring down in a divebomb. Cadence pivoted around it and hooked Bright in the side of the face. He dropped hard and settled on a second before I rammed forward, meeting Cadence headfirst. Even with all my speed and a direct hit, the alicorn barely budged. I moved her less than three hooves back. I was left blinking as she returned the favor. 

Cadence's wings flared, and with a single push, I could feel my hooves dig into the Crystal beneath me. The traction barely slowed me as I was flung back with Cadence's second flap. 

"Pitiful. Any of you would dare pity me after everything I've seen. You have no idea what horrors rest in the dark. This whole pathetic joke ends here."

I had a feeling she meant it too. She looked to me, to Spade, Blue, and Thorax, and then behind her to Sabre, who was still lying inches from the spire's lip. Cadence started walking. I cursed and pressed myself to my hooves. The world was blurry, and my body throbbed. 

"Cadence!" I yelled. 

"Perhaps an example will help educate you. An awakening of sorts. You six have caused enough damage, I think. Isn't that right, corporal"

"Star, the heart," Thorax yelled. I chanced a single look back. The Heart was darkening. The energy was out of control. 

"Rope!" 

I blinked, and there it was, a length of rope. Spade had tossed it over with a single hoof. The other end in his other hoof. I didn't even consider it. The length had a loop at the end, and Cadence had plenty of need for it. 

"By the stars, Spade," I mumbled to myself. He'd been plotting from the start. 

It was scary, what a gravedigger could think up. He had looked tired and sad. Not that he looked defeated. It was the exact opposite. He seemed to have come to terms with everything all at once. As Blueblood had pitied Cadence. Spade's eyes held something more profound, a darker sorrow. That would have to wait, however. We had work to be done.   

Cadence had reached Sabre and had planted a hoof hard into his side. Sabre twisted and swung blindly as his captor. I hadn't even noticed I'd held my breath until I let loose a guttural cry. This managed to get both Cadence and Sabre's attention. 

Cadence smirked with the ease of flicking away a grain of rice. She pushed Sabre over the spire's side and toward the city beneath. 

"No!"

I was seeing red. The world wreathed itself in shadows. Cadence is the only thing other than myself. Cadence sneered. I rammed into the alicorn for the second time. She'd already planted herself in place. The sound of shattering behind me was barely a hoof note in the sudden game of dominance Cadence, and I had found ourselves in. 

A game I had no intention of playing. As suddenly as I'd pressed forward, I relaxed, and Cadence stumbled forward. The moment she did, I plied past her and dove over the edge of the Crystal Spire. 

"All you've done is prove us right," I yelled as I leaped. 

I spun in mid-air and saw Cadence stunned by the pivot, and I managed a tap from my eyes to my hooves and back up to Cadence. She followed my example and no sooner had she complied than she was suddenly pulled off balance and out of sight. 

This was stupid, a really dumb stupid plan. Cadence gone, my tunnel vision found a new focus. Sabre was still falling. He was doing everything in his power to halt his momentum, not that gravity really cared. I'd managed to dive, my wings twitching at my sides as I pushed myself as hard as terminal velocity would allow. I was catching up, but just as quickly, so was the ground. The spire was tall and massive, and it is with that fact that I was even attempting something so mind-bendingly stupid. I flared my wings and flapped as hard as I could. The added velocity was nice, but I was still too slow. At the pace I was going, even if I reached Sabre, we'd have no tie to pull up. I wanted to scream. My body was wrecked with anger. The shadows still pulled at my vision, and all I could do was watch. 

Who had I been kidding? I could barely fly. I'd be lucky If I could save myself at this point. Sabre needed me, and I was stuck helpless in a free fall, and all I could do was watch. as the world shook.

Sabre needed me. The world was bathed in fire. 

I felt the heat in my neck. Sabre believed in me. 

I was sent plunging faster as the shadows grew darker. To hell with it. I could still see it in the distance. The dark reached out, but the light never truly faded out. I could always see straight ahead. The dark called at my vision, but it could never truly seize it all.  

If I was plummeting to my death, I was doing it my way. Sabre was approaching. A second explosion above was followed by a shriek like the damned had risen from, Asphodel. I rocketed forward. Sabre had seen me coming. He seemed confused and then very confused. I opened my forelegs wide and slammed into Sabre. The shriek reached an apex, and then, there was silence. I pulled up with everything I had. My wings felt as if they might rip off. The wind sheered at my coat, and the empire below prepared to embrace us. The sudden arc as my trajectory changed almost had my grip slip. I was no longer nose to the ground but belly down. I was still coming in hot and heavy, but I was slowing. Sabre said something, but it was lost in the wind. I could barely see. The world felt both all too clear and incoherent at the same time. 

"Pull up! Pull up! Pull Up, damn it!"

I chanted to myself. My wings dragged hard but did not fold. The ground was coming up fast. I braced myself as best I could. Sabre at least had his recovered armor. I wasn't that lucky. 

Then the ground embraced us. I was left winded by the sudden impact. Sabre landed first and was ripped from my grip. He fell off behind me, and then my head met Crystal. The Crystal reminded me that it was a lot harder than my head. 

The world swam. My left side spun and landed me on my back. Then the the shadows came, and the world went dark. The last thought I managed was wondering if I'd receive my darwin award before or after I reached Elysium.
> The Bitter Beauty of a Broken Heart
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Such foolishness. Dragged into the dark by your own diligence. I know not that I should pity you or congratulate you for your actions." The voice mused. It seemed to be talking at me, not to me. Yet, there I sat in the dark once more. 

The voice hummed. After the last time, I was surprised when it spoke to me awake. It'd warned me then it would be gone for a while. In truth, I'd prefer fewer voices in my mind rather than more. Sombra was a known factor now. I'd be surprised if he would be up in here again. If he did, I could at least direct any confusion in the waking world. I wanted to rub my head, to let the dark recede. The last minutes of the waking world were a haze. I know I jumped after Sabre, and we landed hard. If I was in the dark, that meant I was alive. I hoped. 

"You really are quite the dramatic hero, aren't you?" The voice asked. 

"Cadence."

I muttered, trying to find myself in the dark. The shadows left direction meaningless. I needed to wake up. Cadence was still out there. "Damn it."

"Now, now, you've nothing to fret about. As much fun as your little battle atop the Spire was, it would seem, you're luck hasn't left you completely."

I cocked a brow or tried to. While apparently not so secret, the metaphysical plane with all the hitchhikers I'd drudged up still left physical reactions a bit odd.

"What?" I asked. 

"Oh, why tell when I can show? Though, this might pinch a bit and will leave me woefully exhausted. So, pay attention."

The dark swirled about like a twister pulled itself from the clouds above. A pool, crystal clear and brightly contrasted with the remaining dark. I was drawn to its edge. The water rippled and revealed the Spire top, and the moment I leaped from the tower. The scene did not follow. It instead hovered above the remaining occupants and watched as Cadence shook her head sadly. 

"Selfish, isn't he?" Cadence said and turned back to my other friends.

"Selfish?" Bright asked. He barely took note. The thestral had bared his fangs and was pacing back and forth in a slight arc around Cadence.

"Well, he did take the easy way out and left you with me. If you'd like, you're more than welcome to join him." Cadence stepped to the side and motioned to the Spire's lip. "By all means, I swear not to move a muscle if you wish to follow your oh-so-fearless leader."

I convulsed. I wanted to look away, to dispel the pond and the thoughts it left crawling under my skin. I wasn't the only one, either. Bright and Blue both looked equal parts appalled and furious. Spade was shaking, though his face gave nothing away. 

"Monster!"

Thorax shouted. The changeling leaped forward, wings buzzing as he shot across the Spire, hissing and sputtering. Cadence frowned and fired a volley of arcane bolts at Thorax, who weaved like a fly dodges about one's swatting. 

"Says the love thief."

Thorax didn't slow. He'd managed to avoid Cadence's lazy attack and retaliate with several of his own sickly green magical blasts. Cadence didn't even attempt dodging, instead letting them splash against her shields as she raised them. 

"I'm no thief. I only take what is given freely. The only thief here is you. You horde love, watching it turn to spite. The bile seeps into your mind and soul like poison. You and Nightmare Moon, both."

"Enough!"

Cadence grabbed Thorax out of the air, and if looks could kill, Thorax and I would be dead thousand times over. Thorax struggled but to no avail. The air was sucked from his lungs as Cadence's magic hold squeezed. The others were left watching as our fearless Captain of the Hive writhed and gasped. 

"I promised I'd get you, little insect. Now that I have you, I'd like to introduce you to the boot. I'll crush you and your queen under hoof and finally be done, finally be free. I'll finally be free. He'll finally be free."

Cadence's sneer gave way to a dejected sigh. Her crushing hold on Thorax didn't loosen, though Cadence's eyes now stared down at her distorted reflection on the spire floor. I had to blink back a surprised flinch. 

Blueblood had started at a limp towards his cousin. He seemed lost in thought. His brow etched a hard line as he moved but never attempted an attack. "How pathetic."

His words returned Cadence to reality. She looked up, body shaking as Blueblood stopped halfway between the Crystal Heart behind him and Cadence. Blue didn't even waste another glare of his own. 

"What was that, coward?"

Cadence's aura had flickered back to life. The gross black mass bubbled around her as if boiling the air itself. Blueblood shook his head but, otherwise, made no attempt to flee his unstable cousin. 

Cadence didn't even notice when her magic grip on Throax fell. He had been left forgotten, wheezing and coughing to the side. Cadence slowly stomped toward Blue, each step cracking the Spire floor as she went. 

"I said, you're pathetic, dear cousin. All of this…." Blueblood pointed toward the golems and Cadence's soldiers to the spiral to Thorax. "…All of this, over a fate you never had, of a time that no longer exists. Even now, you pine for someone you lost a long time ago."

"You know nothing! You have no idea what it means to lose the one you love! To lose what we'd shared! You'll see, we'll see. Once this is over, I can finally wake up! You have no idea!" Cadence's cries shook the world. The ground beneath her gaze way ultimately as she pushed off, and like a forward missile, wings flared, eyes were pinpricks as she only had eyes for Blueblood, her magic snapped and whipped around her like a misbegotten shadow, a monster all her own.

Blueblood closed his eyes and fell forward. Cadence scraped the air above him as she found herself too fast to halt her momentum with any grace. Her scream would haunt my dreams as she plowed forward. I watched as she ground her hooves hard into the ground, crystal shards as she came to a stop only meters from the Crystal Heart. Speaking of, the Crystal Heart looked ready to burst. The swirling mass of magical energy burned hot enough for steam to sizzle around its podium as the fresh snow fell. 

"What?" Cadence asked. 

She'd been so focused on her targets that the Crystal Heart had been disregarded outside of the spinning and light. Now, Cadence stood blinking as she took in the magical force pouring out of the artifact. 

"You know, I get that some guy broke your heart and all. That had to hurt. But, if I'm honest, I think this will hurt a lot more."

Spade walked up to the Crystal Heart and, with little fan fare, turned on the hoof and bucked the absolute hell out of the very relic we'd been defending. I found myself speechless. A position Cadence did not take. 

The second Spade's hooves met the gem, the whole thing shattered. That wasn't the part that left both Cadence and me stunned. No, what followed was a never-ending cascade of power. A vacuum that pulled and grabbed and ensnared all the magic it could take hold of. Spade had flown the coop the second his hooves landed back on the ground. Cadence was not so lucky. The mare simply hadn't processed what was happening nor why. The confusion was enough for the cascading tide of the broken Crystal Heart to sink its claws into the most significant source of magic on the Spire. 

"What!" Cadence shouted as she came back to reality. The suction was grinding her hooves into the ground and etching out a sickening hiss as it went. Cadence pulled back, muscling herself away from the imploding force. "No! No! No! No!"

The others who'd watched with surprise, well, everyone but Blue, studied the event with bored exasperation. Bright's eyes were dancing as he oohs and aahs. The sparking snaps and pops added a bit of a light show on top of the whole magical snare.

"There's a heart attack joke in here somewhere. But I'd be more interested in the whole magical siphon thing. I didn't even know gems could do that." Spade said as he landed beside Blueblood and clicked his tongue in thought.

"The regular assortment of such gems could not, not on this scale and certainly not an alicorn's magic. This Heart of Sombra's is quite a unique specimen. Speaking of the Heart."

Blue stepped forward and observed Cadence as she struggled to make ground on the Crystal Heart's ever-gnawing hunger. After a moment, he took another few steps forward and leaned down towards the crawling Cadence. She was a meter or so from the siphons range and three or so out from Blueblood.

"You can't do this, Blueblood. We're family." 

Cadence reached out towards Blueblood, who shrugged. 

"As I recall, I'm a coward, a cretin, and scum. If all these are true, the scummy cowardly thing to do would be to leave you to your fate. However, I have come to another decision. You've proven to be a threat to myself, my friends, this kingdom, and all of Equestria. Above all, you are a threat to yourself."

"Blue…blood, please."

Blue's horn began to glow. "One day, cousin, when this is all over. I hope we can once more stand side by side. Until that day, until the sun rises once more. I can offer nothing more than the promise and love I once held for you, Celestia, and all those that suffered because of my cowardice. For that, I'm sorry."

There was a flash. A beam of blue light poured from Blue's horn. Cadence could do little but scream in rage as the beam slammed into her face and shattered her grip. The alicorn fell back toward the Crystal Heart, the two halves still floating over their pedestal. The second Cadence made it to the center. A transient light, like a prism in the sun, shot out and into the sky. When the light faded, the Crystal Heart was whole once more, and Cadence was nowhere to be seen. The heart glistened and gleamed, and the shield that had been shattered before long ago whirled back to life with a twinkle. They watched as it reformed its dome and split the fighting ponies and golems at the kingdom's edge.

I had to imagine Sombra would have something dour to say about that. He seemed an eternal grump if our interactions were to go on. 

"Well, that was different," Thorax said from his place where he'd been tossed by Cadence moments earlier.

"I know, right? It was wild," Bright said.  

Blueblood shook his head and started toward the Spire's stairs. 

"Spade, Bright, Thorax. To find our friends, you'll make it faster flying than I will. I'm doubtless that our friends are many things, but dead is not one."

"Blue, are you sure?" Thorax asked.

Bright placed a hoof on Thorax's shoulder. He smiled at the changeling, a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Let him go. We have our orders. Besides, I would kick Star's butt if he died. I mean, after all the crazy stuff we've had to do. It would be unforgivable. My pride won't allow it." Bright pressed a hoof to his chest, and with wings out, he took to the sky. Spade and Thorax are not far behind.

Blue shooed the three away as he started down the stairs. The others shared a long look before disappearing from sight. Bright's declaration was foreboding if nothing else. There was some noble pride in him, after all.  

The pool vanished, and I was once again in the dark. 

"Damn!"

"Oh, come now, your friends saved the day. Chin up. You've still a long way back. One alicorn down, one more to go. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm due for a nap."

The voice was gone. I was alone in the dark. Except, I could feel eyes on my back. When I looked, however, there was nothing. I shuddered, or as close as I could, trapped in the shadows of my mind. It trailed me even as I circled about. There was nothing, but I could feel it all the same.  

I managed a small smile. "My friends are crazy. Lucky for them, I am a bit mad as well. One night immortal down, one very menacing goddess of the night to go."

The dark rumbled, and I could feel something take hold. Then there was light.   

My eyes snapped open, and the shadows receded. 

"Ow," I croaked. 

"See, told you he's fine."

Bright Pitch, in all his glory, was a tad too close for comfort. He smiled down at me as I shifted my weight about. I was hoping nothing was broken. I'm lucky my head hadn't shattered on landing. The rest of me hurt was like hell, but nothing was unresponsive. 

"Define fine?" Thorax said.

"Well, I could be digging a pair of holes right now. So, better than that."

Spade said with a sagely nod. The jerk was leaning on his favorite shovel and flexing his brow. The suggestion was noted. We'll see how he likes it next time someone is thrown about like a ragdoll. I'd need to borrow his poor shovel. I doubt he'd have it any other way. 

"Not much of a metric."

Blueblood stood off to the side. A panting Sabre leaned heavily on his less-than-thrilled friend. Well, it looked like we both skirted death. Today was full of surprises. 

"Hey, Blue."

I waved to the brooding stallion. "I'm sorry about Cadence."

"Beg pardon?" Blue asked. 

"Long story short, that voice in my head before we made it to the empire came back and showed me a play-by-play on how you beat her. I'm sorry it came to that."

"I'll see her again when we save this rotten little rock we call home. 

"Totally," Bright said, jumping to a salute in solidarity. 

"Next time, we toss Blueblood over the cliff," Sabre said. Even as he said it, I could see a smirk curl up his lip. That was until he was jabbed in the side. The soldier winced but said nothing. He had it coming, really. 

"So, what next?" Bright asked.

I took a deep breath and froze. For several seconds all the cogs in my mind sputtered to a stop. I looked to Bright and then around at the others. They all stared back. I dropped back entirely on my back and pointed to the stars above. 

"We save the day. Though the how is still a bit iffy." my audience looked less than enthused by my nonanswer.

"Well, perhaps I can be of service."

Everyone's eyes turned to see a spotless Sombra strut up, looking at us with a smug smile. He gave Sabre and me an extra look and rolled his eyes. "I assume it was you who I have been told multiple times fell from the heavens. An act in and of itself I find ridiculous. The fact that both of you survived it is interesting."

"You're welcome," Sabre said cooly. 

Sombra turned to me. "You did well. If nothing else, you've earned a bed and a doctor. Once you're in better health, I may have a legend that could perhaps assist with your crusade."

"A legend?" Bright asked. The thestral was in Sombra's face faster than I could process the thought. He may have even beaten his words to the very bemused king in their race.

"The same legend that once sealed the dread god Discord away. I spoke of them before. Yet did not tell you the whole story. The Elements of Harmony. Now come, we have much to do." thus, Sombra was off. The crystal ponies had begun to exit their homes. It seemed that whatever happened to Cadence's soldiers, they were not in the empire any more. The dome's magic, no doubt. A parade of golems followed their master. That was until several broke off from the pack and with no time to consider it. My friends and I were hoisted up onto the golem's backs. We were ushered toward the palace. The whispers and stares were almost as jarring as the applause. The gathering crowd clapped and stomped as we passed. 

I smiled and waved as we went. Who knew falling off a tower to save your flightless friend who'd been kicked off said tower by a demi-god would get you famous? You learn something new every night. 

> A Story in the Stars
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When the precession had made it back to the palace proper, my friends and I were left behind by the golems as they returned from whence they came. The flesh and bone soldiers also seemed to give us a wide berth. It was quite the reversal after our arrival some hours ago. I couldn't speak for anyone else, but I was exhausted. If I wasn't still feeling the high of the adrenaline rush I'd had from leaping from sickening heights, I'd probably have passed out by now. 

Though he'd made it back minutes before us, no one questioned where our new royal ally had wandered off to. The only place a stallion like him would be, at this point, on his big shiny throne. It was a mirror to the first time we'd spoken, and hopefully, this time wouldn't end with someone locked up.

No one spoke as we retraced our steps toward the throne room. There wasn't much to say. We'd done what needed to be done, and now all that was left was besting the real big bad and saving the day, literally. Spade seemed pleased with himself. If anything, he and Sabre were the only two not trudging along at a snail's pace. 

When we did find our way back to the Crystal Empire's seat of authority, lo and behold, Sombra sat, a teacup levitated beside him as he flipped through a stack of papers by hoof. He didn't even look up as we approached. The guards, however, stiffened up a bit. I smirked at one, a brow raised in silence curiosity. The guard tried very hard to look anywhere else without moving from his post or his head from the forward position. It wasn't all that successful if the sweat on his neck was any indication. 

"Now, with one alicorn dealt with, we have some time to gather our wits and strategize. The Crystal Heart can hardly be expected to house two alicorns, no matter how convenient such a trick might be. So, outside of our initial meeting and follow-up discussion in the palace's lower chambers--" Sombra said, eyes still glued to whatever papers he was rummaging through. 

"You mean dungeon," Sabre corrected. 

"The lower chambers, yes," Sombra agreed. 

"So, Elements?" Bright asked. 

"Yeah, whatever these supposed magical super weapons are," Spade said with a scoff. 

"A set of six gems, a set of which was last in the hooves of the ruling alicorns of Equestria. One of which is the tyrant you seek to topple. A tyrant who has had years to find them if she did not already have them under lock and key. A set of which without your plan has little chance of success."

Sombra took a long drink from his tea and hummed as he eyed one document and then replaced it in the stack he was making his way through. The room fell into silence. The news wasn't surprising. I'd be far more worried if Nightmare didn't seek out a weapon she knew very well could beat her if they ended up in her enemy's hooves. No, the issue was the where, in her palace, maybe, in some super secret vault in the middle of nowhere, perhaps. No, Nightmare is way too egotistical and paranoid to leave something like these Elements to chance. That didn't really narrow the potential hidey hole by that much. Even if we could prove it was within the Everfree, that didn't mean we could find them without getting caught. 

"I assume you have a plan then?" I asked. 

Sombra finally looked back up from his papers and eyed me warily. "Of course. I wouldn't waste my time with these pursuits if there was no hope of success. It is plain to see that the fact the Elements were not involved in desolating my home as they were in the past means one of if not more of several clear factors. One, the elements were destroyed, the least likely explanation. Two, my kingdom and thus the element of surprise, is still in effect. This is likely true if we judge Luna's vassel and her response to my empire. Three, Luna was aware of the Emire's return but could not use the Elements s she no longer meets the requirements for said Elements. Then and finally, She did not have access to the Elements and thusly could not use them even if she met said requirements. This final explanation is unlikely. I doubt Celestia would have held such a weapon if it could end this farce Luna calls her night."

"Or, she had other plans for the Elements from the start."

All eyes turned to Blueblood, who had let his eyes wander into space as he seemed more interested in pondering his question than actually addressing the group. Sombra hummed and glared at the unaware Blueblood, who considered all the harder. 

"Blue," Bright elbowed the unicorn, rousing him abruptly from his pontifications. 

"Huh?" Blue asked dumbly as he returned to reality. 

"Other plans?" Thorax asked helpfully. 

"Oh, yes, quite. My apologies. I meant that aunt- Celestia might have tucked these fabled weapons away for just such an occasion. That is if we assume Nightmare Moon hasn't found and either hidden them or destroyed them herself."

"Why would she do that when she could have just blasted Nightmare and settled this back before the never-ending night?" Spade asked.

"Maybe she couldn't or wouldn't. If Sombra is to be believed, then Celestia may have had an issue with besting 'Luna,' as it was."

"That seemed within Celestia's purview and supposed position of the benevolent matriarch of Equestria. A bleeding heart that was unprepared to do what must be done," Sombra said. The vitriol thoroughly stomach churning. 

"Either way, we're still no closer to possessing these Elements," Sabre said. 

I nodded. "True." 

"Is that true, though?" Sombra asked. 

Okay, it was clear that Sombra knew something. That, or he just really liked having the final word. It could be both, if I was honest. We were missing pieces, we had a goal and knew what tool would enable said goal, but the where and how were still very much up in the air. There was an even bigger question at play, though. If these dreams Sombra and I had been having were supposed to guide us in besting Nightmare. Why wouldn't they just give us these Elements of Harmony or at least tell us where to look? Why take us across Equestria just to have us turn around and march back? It didn't add up.    

"You've noticed it, haven't you, Stargazer? This whole roundabout farcical battle at my gates. Whatever force has ear wormed its way into our dreams seems to have a far deeper plot at play. If not, they'd have simply gathered the Elements and been done with this game."

"Yeah, clearly, whatever their game is, they forgot to tell us the rules. We're wandering blindly through one event after the next. I don't like it."

"Yet, we play our parts all the same. As we will continue to do for the time being. I wish to see what trite direction these oh-so-far-thinking puppet masters have in mind next. That said, I believe it is time for us to retire for the night, yes?"

Sombra had a point, and honestly, I'd take any excuse to catch a few at this point. I was numb from the neck down. If I could feel my body, I'm sure the pain alone would have knocked me out. The others weren't much better. Cadence hadn't pulled any punches in our little scrap. I hope a while in her new cage might wake her up from her insanity. 

"Isn't that a bit reckless?" Sabre asked. 

Dang, it Sabre. Shut up and let me get some sleep, you skeptical jerk. He wasn't wrong, but we had few leads and fewer options at this point.

"What would you suggest then, guard?" Sombra asked.

Sabre didn't respond. I doubt he had any better plays. None of us were at our best right now, but the reality was that Sombra was right. The King of Grump might be somewhat, if not overwhelmingly, abrasive, but he was no foal. The worst that could come from seeing what these visions of ours had in mind. I mean, nothing was forcing us to do as they bid. 

"I see, very well then." Sombra pointed to one of the guards at the throne doors. "Show our guests to their rooms. They've earned that much."

"Gee, thanks. Glad we earned such praise."

Sabre snorted at Spade, who was giving Sombra a smile that seemed ready to tear his cheeks open with how wide it spread. 

"You won't hear me complaining. Besides, Queen Chrysalis will worry if I put off letting her know we're still safe. I'm sure she and Sir Shining Armor will be most appreciative that we bested Cadence," Thorax said. 

"Yeah, probably," I said. 

Thus we were waved away by Sombra. We followed the crystal guard like a herd of zombies as we were brought to a hall of doors that opened to a set of equally empty but functional bed chambers. I didn't mind the lack of commodities. It had a bathroom and a bed, which was all I needed. The bed's siren call was nearly irresistible after tonight's nonsense. 

"Well, Good night," I said over my shoulder as I closed the door behind me. I swore if my sleep was dreamless, I was going to start thinking these voices were watching us a lot closer than I found comfortable. That, combined with the fact one of these dream visitors could replay the past as if watching a film, left me far more self-conscious than I was happy with.

That didn't stop sleep from claiming my exhausted body. It didn't stop the dark from closing in. It had little in the way of control on the shadows, the darkness, the quiet. I was almost afraid the voices did hear Sombra's plot and thusly left us to flail helplessly. A fear that was left all the worse by the void around me. I had to wonder in these moments, out of everything that could terrify me, everything that could go wrong, why the dark was no longer among them. When one is swaddled in it almost every night, one will grow used to it. I don't think I liked that thought or the reality it spoke to. 

So, I sat and waited. There was little else to be done. I would either be left alone until morning or someone would speak. I just hoped that Sombra and I didn't end up in a shared dreamscape. That would be kind of awkward. 

"Hello!" I said into the void. My voice echoed back and then back again. 

"Hello?" a voice called back. This time it wasn't an echo. The voice was strained but was recognized as the feminine voice from before. It was faint as if calling from far away. Though in the void, it carried just enough to be intelligible.

"This is Stargazer. Can you hear me?" I asked. 

I wasn't sure I needed to add my name, but it can't hurt to be specific when all is dark. I let the words sit in the air and waited. It seemed it took a moment for the words to go between, a bad signal if I'd ever heard one. 

"Stargazer?"

The voice asked. It felt rhetorical, but screw giving that to chance. 

"Yes, Stargazer, who are you?"

I deserved some answers. I'd been patient and did everything these voices asked. For once, it was my turn to make demands. I was no one's pawn. I was done with that life. If I was gonna help stop Nightmare Moon, I was doing it on my terms. Well, mine and my friend's terms. I'd need to ask them for their terms before next time. I'd say I'd get it in writing, but how would I even share such a contract with a disembodied voice in the dark confines of my mind? 

"I'm sorry," the voice answered.

That had me reeling. If I could look incredulous in total darkness, I managed it. If not, I did it anyway. It took me a moment to wipe the speculation from my voice. 

"Sorry for what?" I asked. 

"I'm sorry for all the ways you and all my little ponies have suffered. I never wanted to hurt anypony. I just wanted to be loved."

I could feel my brain overheating as I tried with my might to make sense of this voice's reaction. I'd never heard such a voice before, so why would they need to apologize--

My thoughts ground to a sudden sharp stop. A new question deleted every other thought. It was something Sombra had said or something he'd repeatedly said. It was a gamble, but it was at least something I was willing to wager. This could end poorly. It might even be a trap, but no pain, no gain, and all that. 

"Luna?" I asked.

"You know my name?" she asked. 

Dear Faust. It really was her, or it might be. A cynic might wonder if it was Nightmare Moon, but I don't think it was. It was too weak, too heartbroken. Nightmare had never shown this level of self-control, this level of humility. I don't think her ego could manage it. I didn't ultimately know for certain, but I had a hunch. I was also left wondering then how was Luna in my dreams.

"I've heard you in my dreams before. But I didn't have a name until tonight. It's the name Sombra called you, not Nightmare, he said Luna. He'd never even heard the name Nightmare Moon before tonight. So, now I have to ask. How?"

The silence was nerve-wracking. Had I scared her off? Was it Nightmare Moon? Was this all some sick joke?"

"That is a long story, young Stargazer. A tale of two sisters and how one was consumed by jealousy and envy."

"I've got time."

I left it at that. I would not budge. I was getting an answer here and now. It was several minutes before the voice spoke again. 

"As you wish."

So that night, as I slumbered. I was told the story of two sisters. I was told of Discord, the Crystal Empire, and the younger sister's internal doubts and sorrow. Luna simply spoke uninterrupted, and the tale of Nightmare Moon played out before me. I'd asked for answers, and I achieved that goal to a point. I was left with quite a few more after the fact, but it was beyond me to hold that against Luna. 

"Luna?" I asked once she finished her tale. 

"Yes?" 

"All that being said, I am thankful for you telling me your story. But I am curious, why are you here, in my dreams, in the dark?"

It was the only question that I couldn't resist asking. Time was difficult to process in my dreams. The dark didn't help. I had a feeling in my gut, that I didn't have long till I woke. I suppose Sabre's paranoia was starting to get to me. Him and his blasted guard training. 

"I'm sorry, Stargazer. But I'm afraid I lack an answer to such a question. I have spent centuries stuck in the mind of Nightmare Moon, a prisoner in my own body. To what ends or means I am given this freedom is beyond me. Though I will admit, I have enjoyed it all the same. You are a very gracious listener, young thestral."

"Thank you," I said with an unseeable smile.

It wasn't the answer I wanted, but I believed her. I had come to accept that Luna and Nightmare Moon may share a body, but they were distinctly not one another. If Nightmare Moon were this capable of subterfuge, she'd never have lost to Celestia, to begin with. 

I could feel a tug. I inhaled hard as the dark started to retract. "I'm waking up, Luna." My voice was more panicked than I meant it to be. I might rouse from my slumber, but Luna, she'd still be here, in the dark. That didn't sit well with me at all as I tried to cling to the void.

"Worry not, young Stargazer. I enjoyed our time. I look forward to when we meet next. Here in the dark, in the realm of dreams. Mayhaps we can share another tale when next you slumber."

Then the void was gone. I was sat up in bed, doused in sweat hooves reaching for the dark that was no longer there. Things just keep getting more and more complicated. Then a thought struck me. It was hard enough that I was sure Sabre would follow suit with it once I told the others. Hell, Sombra might join him. It'd be a nice bonding moment for those two. 

"Stars above, what next?" I asked no one in particular. The answer was a sharp knock on my door. "Screw you, karma." 

That said, I made my way out of bed. Another night, another soul to save.
> A Part of Something Much Larger
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The room sat in silence. All around the dining room table, mid-breakfast, an affair that should have been far more relaxing than it was, and after not eating a decent meal the last few days, I'd have thought we'd at least make it through the second course. That said, the looks I was getting from the others were less than appreciated. 

Well, perhaps not everyone, Bright looked more amused than anything, and Spade seemed as uninterested as always. I could even swear to him mumbling a joke about blue moons. I wouldn't have been surprised. No, the looks of those two were well within reason. Now for the others. Thorax looked stressed. He held his head in his hooves and stared down at his oatmeal like he'd seen someone's ear bubble to the surface. I felt Chrysalis would want a word or two when that was all said and done. 

Blueblood, well, quite frankly, I wasn't sure if he was relieved, livid, or still asleep. He seemed to stare out at nothing, lips twitching as he did so. Now, the other two were a picture-perfect team. They had me locked in a three-way stare-off, where when one blinked, the other waited. I entertained the thought of Sabre beating me to death with the silverware, if only for a moment. Sombra, his weird eye aura, was back, and his horn looked heated enough to melt steel beams. All in all, it seemed like they took it better than I expected. 

"Luna?" Sabre asked.

I nodded. "Luna."

"Luna!" Sombra growled. 

I nodded. "Luna."

"Luna!" Bright shouted, drawing Sabre's ire for a moment.

"You're positive?" Thorax asked. 

"Yep."

"It's a trap," Sabre said cooly. 

I shook my head. "Considered that. It didn't make sense, not in context. I honestly can't imagine Nightmare having that much insight into my mind, or we wouldn't have made it this far. Could you picture Nightmare of all ponies sitting on this info and doing so little?"

"We just fought and bested her top assassin," Sabre said, hooves to the heavens. 

"Technically, you and I did nothing. We were gone when the others bested Cadence."

"He's right," Spade said. 

"Have you all lost your minds?" Sabre slammed his hooves onto the table hard enough to shake the whole of it. That Earth Pony power was on full display. Considering the table could easily host twenty was impressive. 

"Sabre."

"Enough."

It wasn't a request. Sombra had let us argue without saying anything. Until now, he'd managed to reign in the crazy eyes and was staring at me with a leveled but measured intensity. His horn still looked prepped for a meltdown, but one step at a time. 

"Sombra, you can't--"

Sabre was cut off by Sombra's hoof rising. Sabre looked taken aback but held his tongue. Sombra looked at me and took a deep breath. "I believe, Stargazer. Lest you forget, I have had several similar visions. I had one last night, in fact. One that mirrors but does not corroborate Stargazer's own. 

"Oh?" Bright said. The thestral had whipped out a notepad at some point. We needed to stop feeding that stallion's delusions at some point. He'd end up owning the rights to our likenesses at this rate. 

"Go on," Spade added. 

"My vision was far less vivid, but it leads to some rather unfortunate conclusions regarding Stargazer's dream. As it stands, my dream conveyed an echo from my past, a scene of Luna and her blasted sister when they confronted me all those centuries ago. When the scene finished as history had intended. Luna did not dissipate. Instead, eyes still focused on where I'd been during the conflict, she changed."

"Changed?" Sabre asked. 

I had a feeling everyone knew precisely what he meant. There wasn't much room for guesswork. Sombra had priorly never seen Nightmare Moon in person. He'd only seen what his visions had shown him and heard what we'd had to say. At this point, I believe he understood why Luna was no longer whom he'd known and that Nightmare Moon was something all too different. As much as I'd like to assume Luna and Nightmare were utterly absent from what made one and what made them wholly separate. I'd be a fool to believe it didn't start from within. 

"Her form twisted in shadows, her eyes like a maligned beast. A wholly vitriolic aura, self-serving and arrogant. A form I wish I had no means to gauge. That said, I'd be mindless to not see something of myself in those dark reflections. A feeling I do not hold lightly."

"That's because you hold them darkly," Spade offered with a shrug. I cough back a snort. Bright had to hide a grin, and Sabre seemed at war with an inner demon. Sabre really needed to get a hold of his ridiculous sense of humor. I just couldn't put my hoof on where the line between morbid and funny was for my loyalist guard.

"Perhaps," Sombra said. 

"Well, at least you are self-aware enough to know the difference. That puts you leaps and bounds further within reality than the twisted farce that Luna has become."

It was the first time since I'd expressed my dream of meeting with Luna that Blue had voiced his thoughts. He still seemed somewhat distant, but all the same, he'd snapped back to reality in some regard. It was getting eerie with that lost look he'd been wearing. 

"True," I agreed.

"Your thoughts are noted, ex-prince of the sun," Sombra said. He tutted at Blue, who let out an indignant huff. Nobles will be nobles, ex-noble, or exiled kings withstanding. 

This was all so open-ended. If we agree, Luna is a separate entity that wants to help. Then we'd be shattered, and the March Hare ignored her. If this was Nightmare Moon, then that added a whole new layer to just how badly this could fall apart. At some point, I wanted to have Thorax play proxy so I could pass on what I was planning to the Rebels. I had little doubt they had thoughts as well. I wouldn't pretend to understand the nigh immortal class of beings from Equis, but Chrysalis seemed to know more than most. If she wasn't an immortal like Luna and her sister, she was at least long-lived. She might know something we could use to prove if Luna was really 'Luna.' 

Then there were the Elements. I was really sick of the day-night terminology thing. My brain just couldn't displace them from one another. Sombra seemed sure of their ability to save the day, literally. 

"Thorax."

The Changeling blinked and looked at me. "Yes?"

"You've been talking to Queen Chrysalis, keeping those back in Canterlot up-to-date. If they're still in Canterlot. This all seems so convenient."

I huffed and slumped in my seat. There were no middling circumstances here. There was either good or bad, hope or despair. The last few weeks were catching up with me. It made me feel sick. My mind seemed to ring at a nearly imperceptible pitch. I could feel it in my ears. 

"I am."

Thorax's response seemed strained. He looked about as ill as I felt. If I had to guess, Chrysalis wasn't happy. I didn't blame her. This whole mess was back-to-back insanity. 

"Would it be possible to talk to her or for you to speak for her? I won't pretend I know the lengths your hive mind goes. I think we need everything we can muster before this whole thing reaches a head. 

"It is possible, yes, though unconventional. While I could speak for Her Majesty. There is an easier way for a non-Changeling to speak through the Hive."

"There's a bit if ever I saw one," Spade said with a wink. 

"Like I said, it is unconventional," Thorax emphasized. 

"By all means, Thorax, the floor is yours."

"That's a bit dramatic, don't you think?" Blue asked. 

"Yes, yes it is," Spade said, nodding along. 

"Right, anyway."

I motion for Thorax to continue. He coughs into a hoof and nods once. 

"It is possible to have a non-Changeling to enter the Hive. For instance, Sir Armor is within the Hive proper and has been for a while. For it to become as permanent as Sir Armor's example, you must be indoctrinated by the Queen. That said, a normal ling can give temporary access. A skill which, given our current situation, has been vital in maintaining clear lines of communication."

"Indoctrination?" Sabre asked. Sombra had his brow raised as well. I'll give them that the term comes off a little cult-like, but it wasn't like every Changeling had the power to brainwash anyone they met on the street. Besides, Thorax had a point with the lines of contact. It fit the theme of the secret underground resistance they had going. 

"I mean, it's like a special intimate ceremony. A rite of passage, being granted a place in the Hive is an honor. If you're given such a chance, it means both the Queen and the Hive have accepted you, Changeling or not."

“Interesting,” Sombra said. That was that. Sabre seemed perplexed but otherwise dropped the subject. Even Sabre didn't have the heart to browbeat Thorax, bless his wholesome soul.

"Well, intimate cultural customs aside. I think we best get Canterlot's thoughts on the whole Crystal Empire and Elements of Harmony debacle. I'm sure Shining and Chrysalis will have thoughts. I'm sure Thorax has gotten an earful, eh?" I said. 

Thorax leaned back in his seat and sighed. "You have no idea."

"So, how does it work?" Bright asked. He was practically standing in his own seat, leaning so far in he looked ready to fall face-first into a platter of fresh pastries. 

"It isn't super hard, but it can be a bit disorientating for those who haven't been in the Hive before. But before we get to that part. Anyone interested will need to join hooves. I mean, you technically need a connection to the joining host. But the joining will happen as long as one of you is touching me and the rest are even tirciarily touching someone touching me. Oh, you also may want to close your eyes. Otherwise, you might throw up."

My brow creased as I reviewed Thorax's directions. "So, we're hosting a seance? I asked. The similarities were a tad concerning. 

"A what?" Thorax asked. 

"A means to talk to the dead," I said. 

"Ponies can do that?" Thorax asked, joining Bright in the stand over our food club. I swear no one had any manners anymore. They agreed if the look of the rest of the group was anything to go by. 

"Supposedly," I offered. 

"Or so some would claim. The actual likelihood of such a power being within the bounds of magic is dubious at best. If it were so readily available, It wouldn't be in question, to begin with, would it?" Blueblood asked. 

Thorax deflated and fell back in his seat. "Oh."

"Sorry."

Thorax shook his head. "It's not your fault, Star."

Blueblood patted Thorax's shoulder. "Shall we begin then?"

So one by one, those who sought to hear what Chrysalis had to say happened to be everyone present. I was surprised Sombra had joined. He did so silently and with some seeming internal conflict. But all the same, his hoof found perch among the rest. Then eyes closed, we waited. Thorax didn't seem to do anything, so we sat there in silence for several seconds, none the wiser. Then, I felt it. A niggling sensation, like a stray thought you couldn't quite find the words to express. No, that wasn't quite right. It was almost like static, a wall of noise that seemed to lack any direct meaning in itself. 

I wanted to open my eyes, to add something to the sound, but in the confines of my mind, it left me feeling uneasy. Then something broke through the static. A thought, a thought that was clearly not my own. It had no voice, yet, it was clear as day. Thorax, I recognized it, I don't know how, but it just felt like Thorax.

"Can you hear me?" Thorax asked. Or, more precisely, though. The term hears almost seemed contradictory to the presence in itself. It was different even from the voices that came with my visions and dreams. Those had a more immediate urgency, a weight behind them. Thorax felt like an afterthought on a literal level. 

"Can I?" I thought.

"Oh good, Star, you're in." Thorax smiled. The thought felt happy, like one that made you smile. Was I smiling, too? Could you smile in the metaphysical plane of thought alone? 

"Hello?" A new thought asked. It took a second, but I knew the feeling of somber coherence could only be one pony. This whole thing was giving me a headache. Thorax wasn't kidding about the disorientating thing. 

"Spade, nice of you to join us."

Thorax was taking a weird level of enjoyment in this. Though, he did say something a few minutes ago about this being super intimate, or at least the Queenly version. If that was intimate, this had to be at least a bit meaningful to Thorax. 

"Present."

That was Sabre, as matter-a-fact one could be when dipping into the psionic parallels of telepathy. It was somewhat reassuring, in a strange sort of way.   

"This is quite odd," Blueblood added. I could practically feel the eye roll from here. 

"Oh good, glad you made it," Thorax thought. 

"I'm here. Sorry got distracted trying to notate this whole thing. This is so exciting. I can't imagine many ponies getting to feel this connected to one another. I love it."

I didn't need sight, sound, or thought to feel Bright Pitch vibrating in his seat. The pure exhilaration his every thought exuded was palpable. Never have I found another soul so happy to do his job, or would his writing be a hobby? He was technically a noble before this, well off enough that he didn't understand normal job mechanics. He was a little younger than m e sure, but his child-like glee was still a bit much at times.

"Star."

"Yes?"

"We can hear you, Star."

"Oh."

It occurred to me just how much time I spent thinking to myself. This was gonna be a pain. Not to mention an exercise in self-control. 

"I see?" 

That was Sombra. The sheer volume and dread the thoughts embodied would be unmistakable even among a crowd of fifty thinkers, maybe even a hundred. 

"We can still hear you, Star," Spade said. The smirk in the thought had my eye twitch, even while closed. 

"Damn it."

"Language," Thorax said with a tsk. 

"So what now?" Sabre asked. 

"We converse."

That thought was new. It was vibrant and held a deep feeling of material love and authority. So, Chrysalis by any other name. 

"My queen," Thorax thought. I imagined a bow following it. Or was that Thorax projecting the idea? My headache was getting worse. 

"Captain, it is a pleasure to hear from you once more, even if we spoke only an hour ago. The guests you brought this time are interesting and welcome. All of them, Even if the darker thoughts of the allotted King of The Crystal Empire are rather bitter."

"I'm sorry, my Queen. I didn't actually think he would be joining us."

"I see. Anything to add, King Sombra?"

"This foray into shared consciousness is for the collective sake of our kingdoms. I would be at fault to ignore such a meeting."

I could feel Chrysalis crack a smile, one I had a feeling was in both the waking world and this Hive Mind plane. I could also feel the scowl Sombra returned. 

"So, shall we begin then? Stargazer."

Oh great, now I am the center of attention, super. "Well, firstly, it is a pleasure to speak with you once more, Your Majesty. Will your other half be joining us?" I asked. 

"I'm afraid Shining will not be here. We can hardly spare both of our time as is."

"That makes sense. So, well, we'll start with the recap. So, we made it to the Crystal Empire, met Sombra, got thrown in prison by Sombra, then were let out to be used as bait by Sombra. Bait, by the way, that worked, and oh boy, was Cadence mad. Then Sabre and I fell off a tower and nearly died. The others beat Cadence. And Sombra only then suggested that the weapon that beat him, the Elements of Harmony, might be able to best Nightmare Moon."

I took a metaphysical breath. The rest were silent. Though I could feel Sombra's glare trying to borehole through my head. 

"There's more," Chrysalis said. It wasn't a question or cue to continue. 

"Also, Nightmare Moon is actually Luna, who was Celestia's sister who may or may not be trapped in her own mind by Nightmare Moon, who has, through whatever means, assumed control of her body. I spoke with her last night in one of my dreams."

"I see."

An answer that could have more meanings than I've had hot meals. Most of those meanings were usually a bad thing too. 

"My Queen?" Thorax asked. 

"This complicates things. If Luna is as you say, we take that for a certainty. Then killing Nightmare Moon would also mean killing a potential ally, an alicorn, no less. That could be ultimately better or worsen our situation depending."

"How so?" Sabre asked. 

"If both Nightmare and Luna die, then who would move the moon? Who would call forth the day? Who would subdue the many who willingly follow Nightmare Moon? Who would bring back Celestia? Many things need to be accounted for. If there is a possible means to undo all Nightmare Moon has done, we must consider its worth and price."

"I've thought the same," Blue thought.

"As have I." Sombra agreed. 

"Well, that's fair. But, there is a more immediate question on hoof."

"The Elements?" Bright thought, loudly, I might add, more an internal scream than just a thought. Though, that might just be me assuming the volume, filling in the blanks.

"The same, yes." Chrysalis mused. The cheek was real with this one. 

Do you have any ideas on where one might find such a helpful evildoer slaying magical weapon of justice? I pondered. 

"If we did, would we not have tried using it?" Chrysalis' cheek was gone. 

"Sorry." I offered with a dreary chuckle. 

"That said, we shall investigate the Elements more thoroughly now that we have confirmation that they exist and are a potential end to this pointless tyranny."

"Agreed. If I were to surmise the jewels and their location. I would be amiss not to assume they are well within Luna's or, more precisely, Nightmare Moon's grasp. She would be leaving it to chance otherwise. A chance only a fool would take."

"Oh, so this should be easy then?" Spade thought with an imaginary bow. 

"If only." Sabre thought. 

"I will ask Solemn to look into potential vaults in the Everfree. We shall also rescower what remains of the Canderlot Castle Archives. If we happen across any leads, we shall notify you immediately. Though I suspect this will not be so easy."

"No, I doubt it will," I thought. 

"Oh yes, before I forget, I would also like to thank you for besting that pink harlot for her actions against my subjects. You will be rewarded properly once the other monster is felled. Your tale shall be etched in history."
"Wow, you really didn't like Cadence, did you?" Bright asked. 

"No, no, I did not."

"For now, all we can do is prepare what we can and begin our return journey. Even if you find something, if no one is there to wield these Elements, it will be all for naught." 

Blueblood had a point. I was certainly not going to enjoy slumming through the ice and snow again. At least it'll be less likely to have us assaulted by Nightmare's soldiers. Or, now that I think about it. We might be more likely to be attacked. We'd see it coming this time, though I'm not a fan of hurting or killing a bunch of brainwashed fanatics. 

"Star."

"Yes, Sabre?" 

"We can still hear you."

"Damn it."
> To Seek The Lady of Dreams
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You're doing what now?" I and the others had managed to gather supplies and better thermal gear for the week-long hike we were about to rewalk, and boy, was I happy about that. All the snow and ice and cold and snow and ice. What I hadn't expected was the fact Sombra was waiting for us at the barrier's gate. The gate had been reinforced by half a dozen golems, which was a reasonable precaution. But that wasn't the significant bit. No, that was the fact that the oh-so-great King of the north had, in fact, stated without request he would be joining us.

Now I knew he was invested in besting Nightmare Moon and was a ride-or-die sort, but him leaving his kingdom for an extended tour of Equestria was not the first plan I'd deem as sane or sound. Yet, here he was all the same. 

"I can not leave this task to chance. I will be accompanying you from here on. You will need every advantage you can to survive what follows."

"He makes a good point," Spade said. 

He did, in fact, make a good point, but it still didn't mean it made sense. "But the empire," I gesture behind me.

"I have advisors and generals for such tasks. If my empire would fall in a week of my absence, then it brought such a fate down on itself."

"Also a good point," Blueblood said from behind his maps. 

"Star."

"Yes, Sabre?"

"As much as I detest it, Sombra's assistance and magic could be integral in defeating Nightmare Moon. For the time being, we are at an impasse, and any and all assets we can use to break down the wall that stands before us is an asset worth consideration."

"Your toy soldier speaks the truth."

Sombra seemed to take great pride in the scowl Sabre managed in retaliation. These two were gonna be the death of me. The question is, after, who would be the death of those remaining. I gave up. It was clear I was outvoted here. Sombra was a cold, calculating ruler and an apt magician. This may be what my dreams were leading us to. Not a solution but a necessary ally. 

We knew more than we did before making our way into the snow, the cold, ice, and snow. We even had Cadence nice and situated, which I count as a worthwhile use of our time. That left us with the matter of where were we headed. We were clearly headed back to Equestria, probably Canterlot and eventually Everfree, but to what ends?"

"I take it you have a destination in mind?" Blue asked. 

"After we return to Canterlot and I've had the chance to search its withered husk?" Sombra asked.

"Yes?" I answered. 

"Then yes, I, in fact, do."

"Do tell, I need all the notes I can get before the mojo mo-goes somewhere else."

Bright Pitch had a pencil in his hoof as he stared down our resident dark horse. Sombra attempted to match Bright's look with one of his own. The issue was that Bright had the remarkable ability to cease the need for blinking when it came to his passions. It made my eyes water just watching him. When Sombra lost this stare, it was always a matter of when not if. He returned to looking anywhere and everywhere else. 

"The only natural place left to look. The Everfree Palace. If it is as Blueblood and Chrysalis have recounted. The forest grounds will be the most obvious place to search for our trump card. A means to our ultimate ends."

"Right into the belly of the beast," I said with a sigh. I had to wonder, was it just me, was I the only sane pony left. Or, was I the only insane one, so mad, in fact, I'd come back to being very, very sane? One can only ponder and pray he is both wrong and right. 

"I wonder, would Luna know anything of the Elements' whereabouts?" Sabre asked. 

"If she and Nightmare Moon share a mind, then maybe," Thorax said with a meek smile. 

"Well, we'll find out the next time I manage to find her in the eternal darkness that is the dreamscape.

"Agreed, thus will be your objective each and every time we rest for the night."

Oh great, two minutes in, and Sombra was already disregarding my authority. The authority In was happy imagining I had. Stupid King and his absurd candid intensity. But it couldn't be helped. Someone had to do it, and of course, that pony had to be me. 

Thus we were off. It was surreal seeing the remains of the battle held only days gone. The bodies were fresh and horrific due to the cold, another reason to hate it and everything about it. The shattered stoned, and broken corpses painted a scene I'd have happily lived without. Bright and I were the only ones, however, to seem put off by the battlefield. It was at that moment I realized just about everyone present had seen their fair share of death. I felt queasy just thinking about it. The scent was swallowed by the winds, which was one mercy. Bright had taken to the skies where there were no dead people. I considered joining him, but after my sky drop the other day, I didn't want to push my luck.

"You okay, Star?" Thorax had slowed down to match my pace. He offered a smile, pulling me from my thoughts. 

"Define okay?"

"Star."

Thorax rested a hoof on my shoulder. I shook my head and let his hoof drop away. 

"No, seriously. Everything, everything we've done, it is all insane. I mean, yeah it was my idea, but was it, though?" I asked. 

"I don't follow."

Thorax wouldn't, I suppose. He'd been in the mud far longer than I had. It left me feeling numb. The shadows played across my vision, and I made no attempt to stop them. 

"These dreams, me waking up with no past, all the ponies I've met, just the right ponies for a hail mary. All of this feels like it's been set up from day one. I feel like I haven't had a single decision that wasn't preordained by powers I don't even understand."

"And that's a bad thing?"

I blinked, and Thorax continued.

"You woke up with no past true, but look what you did with your future. You've made friends and found others who care about you. You've decided to fight for everyone. You might have been guided, maybe even set up. I don't know. I do know that no matter what, I set all this in motion. It led to me meeting you and Bright, Blue, Sabre, Spade, and even Sombra. A meeting I wouldn't give up for the world. I was in a really dark place before I met all of you. I was sad, scared, and out of my depth. I had the Hive and My Queen, but even so. I felt so alone after my brother died."

"Thorax."

I pulled the bug into a hug. It was like watching a three-legged puppy. It was bordering on impossible not to hug it. 

Thorax let the hug linger for a moment before pulling free. "But ever since I met all of you. I've felt so much less lonely. I don't want to go back to the way I was. I can't. I have friends who need me, and so do you."

Thorax jabbed me in the chest. "So don't worry about the questions you can't answer. Focus on what you do know. Okay?"

I was left subdued. I didn't have an answer, So I let Thorax push me forward and hustle us to catch up with the others. As much as I'd like to stop asking questions, I couldn't. I may not be who I was before waking up in the Everfree. I may not even want to return from where I came from, but I deserved answers. I deserved to be complete. In the meantime, however, Thorax had a point. I would wait to find those answers once the immediate impossible task I'd set out on first was settled. I wouldn't risk Thorax or any of my other friends' lives for my own selfish gain. They deserved better than that. 

 What followed was the brilliant all, consuming numbness of bitter cold and a need to move forward. We were days out from Canterlot with a headstart who knew what Nightmare would do. It was almost more chilling than the tundra before me. She had us, maybe not in a literal sense, but we were stuck playing detective while she played Gestapo. I hope once we finally settled, Luna would or could reenter my dreams. 

The unsettling truth was that it could easily be a ploy, a feeling my gut said was wrong, but my brain had other thoughts on the matter. If Luna did know or had some idea where these Elements were, then all the better for it. If not, well, hide and seek was always fun. 

The others seemed as lost in thought as I was. Bright had landed once we'd passed the last of the dead. The winds and sheer were apparently quite the discomfort for fliers. I'm all the more glad I didn't join him. I'd have died from hypothermia or worse.   

The dead aside, I wondered if the combined forces of the rebellion and the Crystal Empire stood a chance if it came to an all-out war. With Cadence subdued, it would be a matter of besting just Nightmare. Her forces were rallied by fear and zealotry. If they knew we'd already beaten one alicorn, how many might join the cause? Even if we did fight and did win, I can't imagine anything but a total bloodbath. Then there was the whole move the moon bit. If we defeated and killed Nightmare or imprisoned her, whichever. We'd be no closer to bringing back the day. Though, that would be a matter of time and not one of potential alicorn mauling. 

The hours that passed were a monotonous affair. Though when we did stop, a sense of skin-tingling excitement hung in the back of my mind. The looks I got from Sombra and Sabre added to the giddy panic that plagued my every step. The chance to reach out to Luna could make all of this worth it. 

"So, dream spelunking then?" Blue asked. 

I nearly jumped out of my skin. The unicorn had managed to slide up beside me without my notice. His smile was unmistakable that it was no accident, the stupid jerk. 

"If we're lucky. Now that Luna has made herself known, we'd be daft not to at least ask her for help." 

I offered a deep sigh. Blueblood seemed none the plussed by any of it. He'd already beat an alicorn, so it was not like he had anything to prove at this point. It was nice, though, in some way. Blueblood had really come around since a few months back. He was irritable, anti-social, and dripping with self-hate. I doubt many would even recognize the stallion next to me. 

His smile was genuine, not the type one might politely wield in public. He was teasing me instead of stuffing his face in one of his maps. He gave with little interest in taking. I elbowed the stallion and shrugged. 

"Right, well, Mr. Hermit, not all of us can seal away our crazy alicorn cousin in a magical jewel heart, now can we?"

"No, I suppose we can't. But should you ever need assistance in such a field, I believe I have thoroughly proven my expertise, yes?" 

"Oh right, because it was you that laid the trap and nearly blew up half the kingdom. Oh, wait, no, that was me," Spade said from his place, pitching the tent. He didn't even look our way. He simply hammered the nail in and smirked when Blueblood scoffed. 

"He has a point," I said. 

"Fine, WE proved our expertise," Blueblood put a hoof on my shoulder. "That said, you're not alone. If Luna does have a lead, we'll pillage the coffers of Luna's evil half and leave her blind and dumb. You have my word. You can rely on us as we rely on you."

"Everyone is just so wholesome today, huh?" I asked. 

"You realize we all heard your conversation with Thorax, yes? The winds carry much in the cold and dark. With that in mind, I can speak for the rest when I say, Thorax is right. No matter where you came from or how you're here now and that is what counts. You've given more than you think since your arrival. So, rest assured, I'm all too happy to give back."

I roll my eyes. "So, is everyone gonna line up to assure me. Because I'm going, to be honest, I don't think my sanity could take it."

Blueblood punched my side. "As I said, all too happy to give back. Especially when you go about being a snide little foal."

"Love you too, Blue."

"Tents are ready," Sabre shouted. 

"Thank the stars."

I trotted off, leaving Blueblood to turn his nose up. The more he changes, the more he stays the same. I appreciated that all my friends were willing to put up with this quest of ours, but still, there was something more to it. Like Polaris, we have a direction but no destination.

The creeping suspicion and paranoia could only be driven off for so long. The shadows danced like the embers of the bonfire Sabre had started. I shivered, and for once today, it wasn't from the cold. Our meal was simple and quiet. Sombra seemed especially unnerved. I was surprised he wasn't demanding royal treatment or something. He'd walked without complaint, assisted with procuring wood for the fire, and ate without comment. He seemed almost lost in his head. As if he weren't here at all. The only proof this wasn't some life-like golem was the look he gave me as the meal ended. A look wrought with a weight no one being should have to carry. A weight he and I shared. 

"Good night, everyone. Let's hope my dreams prove helpful."

I said before leaving to slumber. This might be the first time since my arrival in the Everfree, where I wanted to dream. The first time the void would be welcomed. One of these days, I'd find out why these dreams plagued me. Though that would have to join the evergrowing mountain of questions that needed to be answered. Tonight, I would dream of Luna.
> A Light In the Distance, A Shadow Close Behind
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

So it came, as ever, the writhing maw of oblivion, the wrought and reviled gates of my mind lay open and bare to all who wish to join me. A dark perspective I feared many might surmise, but wasn't that the point? In the dark is where I slumber. I have since my arrival, and I bare no illusion it will change any time soon. That could all be laid aside for the time being. I had a goal, an invitation to one who might ironically bring the forever stalled dawn. 

I am still determining how long I waited. I had no means to measure such things. When something did change, I was left shaking in place. From the dark, a form took shape. She bled through the veil of my mind like a ghost. Princess Luna had arrived. To say I was relieved would be an understatement. I could hardly sit still. This could very well be the feather that tipped the scale in our favor. 

"Good night, Stargazer."

Luna stood, eyes landing anywhere but on myself. She sounded a lot less anxious than she looked. The bags under her eyes were odd, considering where we were. Though, my lack of understanding of magic in general, or the greater depths it held, left me silent. I offered a smile and a wave. It seemed this time. Luna was more substantial, more solid. 

"Your Majesty. You have no idea how happy I am to see you."

Luna all but jumped out of her skin. She had to withhold something, I had no idea what words danced across her tongue, but it was clearly something for her thoughts alone. "Nay, young thestral. I am not worth such sentiment."

My lips, or the ethereal thought that claimed to be my lips, puckered as I flinched at her reaction. I could only imagine just how rare such thoughts were. A passenger in her own body, run by a man mare in a quest for a world that only ushered in a slow death for all. 

"My words stand, Princess. No matter what has come or may still, you have given your subjects, not those of Nightmare. Your subjects, something that we have so desperately sought."

I pointed at Luna, who recoiled in surprise. She looked me in the eye for the first time since her arrival. She looked at me through unshed tears. I did not buckle. I could not afford to. 

"And what praytell is that?" Luna asked. 

"Hope. A chance to fix everything. I didn't know what it would entail or if we would succeed, but you hold the key to your cage, Princess. We seek the Elements of Harmony, but we need to find out where Nightmare has hidden them. We  hoped you might have a clue or even a simple guess to their whereabouts."

"The Elements!" Luna shrunk away. 

This time, I did, in fact, know why. The elements were what had locked her away so long ago. One piece of history Nightmare left untouched. She wanted the world to know what her sister did and what it cost her upon the Nightmare's return. 

"Sombra thinks they may be the only way to end this night and return the sun."

I had no interest in playing games. Sombra, Sabre, even Blueblood. They would play this far too close to the chest. They would hide bits and pretend things were less or more than they were. I couldn't do that. There were countless different ways this dream could end. For instance, there was the chance this Luna was just a ploy. Maybe Luna refuses to help, perhaps she doesn't know anything of use, or maybe she does. Treating Luna as the enemy, though, could only worsen the odds. She, the real Luna, had suffered enough, whether this was her or not, more so than all but perhaps Celestia herself. She deserved to be treated the way Thorax would, with compassion. Or, maybe, as earnestly and free as Bright. I'm sure they'd both have plenty to say. 

They were not here, however, so all I could do was try. "I think he's right. I also think it might be the only way to save you."

Luna looked taken aback. Her frown had deepened. "You would trust such a shade? You would trust he who plunged so many into his own twisted darkness?"

It was Luna's turn to point at me. I did not flinch away. Since we'd met, Sombra had given bits and pieces of his past and his banishment. It was clear he was not a pillar of unsodden virtue. However, he was also self-aware enough to know where he went wrong. It was clear that things had changed both in his and the Empire's banishment. Sombra was prickly, short-tempered, and arrogant. There are things no one would or could deny, not even Sombra himself. He was also a beacon that his subjects flocked to. A leader and a mage capable of facing down nearly any foe. I'm sure there were realities where Sombra bested Nightmare in a battle to the death. I was also sure there was plenty of the reverse. This, however, was not one of them, not if I could help it. 

"As you have led your life, he led his own. He, much like myself, was plagued with visions in his sleep. He, even now, travels with my friends and me. He is risking the Empire he has protected from Nightmare Moon to give us a fighting chance. Perhaps in the past, he was exactly as you say. Tonight, however, he is not."

"You are so certain?" 

Luna's sails faltered, and her glare tapered away to anxiety once more.

"I am."

Luna took a deep breath and slumped. "Very well."

"So, you will help us?" I asked.

Luna nodded. "Tis the only way of that, Sombra and I agree. The fact is, Nightmare has never once hidden the Elements. She has never needed to."

I blinked, head-tiled ears splayed. "Huh?"

"For without the worthy heirs to such powers, the elements are naught but a fairytale, rocks of which are no more magical than any other. They reside in the Everfree, as they have since my sister placed them there long ago."

Luna hadn't noticed, but she'd started to cry. The shadows had also begun to wane. Time was up; If it was Luna's doing or my own, I had no idea. The shadows danced; with them, Luna and I were cast into solitude. My eyes snapped open. I bolted upright, and my head met something hard and unyielding. 

"For the love of." I jolted back, hoof covering my throbbing forehead.

"Star!"

"Y-yes, Sabre? I asked through a hiss. My hoof tenderly messaged my forehead. 

"That hurt."

Sabre was rubbing his own head, though, without all the whining.

"Sorry."

There was a brief silence, with me still tenderly rubbing my head. I was always told that the one who headbutts takes less damage than the one headbutted. If that were true, Sabre hides it far better than I could imagine. 

"Star."

I sighed and sat back upright. "Ye ?"

"Did you dream?"

I nodded. "Yep."

"And?"

"I'd rather gather the others first. No sense in telling the story six separate times, right?" I asked with a wistful chuckle. 

Sabre shrugged and left the tent. It then occurred to me. I must have been flailing like mad if Sabre needed to enter the tent. Even if true, it didn't really matter. There was plenty to do and a whole lot of walking to be done. 

Sabre stood staring into the fire. Spade was poking said fire with a stick, and Thorax was in a daze. I guessed he was talking to the Hive. He tended to do that privately, but since he let us browse the deeper confines of biological telepathy, he seemed less wary about doing it in public. So, with a throbbing head and wistful sigh, I departed the nice warm tent and returned to the outcropping we'd set up for the night. 

Blue and Sombra were missing; judging by the candlelight in Bright's tent, he was most likely writing or drawing something. It was a fire hazard, but he insisted. The air was cold but not sharply so. I took a deep lungful of the chilly breeze and let the night sky dance across the horizon. It was soothing. It made me forget the cold and the encroaching battle for the fate of Equestria. For just a few seconds, there was not but the lights that dazzled and delighted above. For just a moment, there was serenity. 

"You're up."

I was pulled from my revelry by the arrival of our oh-so-chipper King. Oh yes, the scowl on his face was almost flat, a good moon indeed for his Majesty. I offered a shrug.

"It seems so, though where for art our cartographer? I bare news from the Princess of The Stars. We  make haste for the dreary depths of The Everfree."

"What are you doing?" Spade asked. The camp, for the most part, was giving me odd looks. A bunch of party poopers, the lot of them. 

"Being dramatic, it would seem."

"And as if brought upon the winter winds, lo and behold the Noble of the Atlas, of the mighty maps he doth weave was found." 

I said with a dramatic wave and a broad toothy grin. It seemed Blue had decided to join us after all. Just in time too. I needed a "morning" pick-me-up after that nasty bump on my head. Blue snorted and took a spot by the fire. Sombra's scowl had returned in full. That was good. I feared for his health. 

"Did you dream?" Sombra asked. 

"I did, and we have some good news and some mind-numbing news. So, which do you want first?" I asked. 

"Oh, the good news, if you don't mind. My  Queen would appreciate a bit of fortune. The is in Canterlot are not good, not good at all."

"Well then, that's not foreboding or anything. So, how many stones are you gonna need to order? I have a really generous sale in bulk."

Thorax grumbled and halfheartedly pushed Spade, who hadn't even looked up from the fire. Sabre offered Spade a curt nod. To which Spade smirked.

"You guys are awful," Thorax said. 

"At being awful, yes, I would agree," Spade countered. 

It was then that Sombra cleared his throat and returned everyone's attention to the bigger picture. That and Sombra's spook them a bit. I know he disturbs me.

"Star."

Sombra waved in my direction. I nodded and cleared my throat. 

"First things first. I can confirm the location of the elements, sort of."

Sort of?" Blue asked. 

"They are, in fact, in The Everfree. In fact, they aren't hidden at all, apparently. So, that makes things a little easier, right?"

"That fully depends on what else you were told," Sabre said.

"Well, they're apparently petrified or something and only power up when the worthy users are present or something. It makes about as much sense as anything lately has. Though, right?"

I offered a nudge to Sombra, who swatted my leg away. The King looks lost in thought. It seemed something I said struck a chord of some kind. 

"Well then, what's left is retrieving these stones and delivering them to the necessary users. Simple enough, right?" Bright, who'd been listening from his tent, said. He seemed excessively giddy as he jotted down everything we'd told until now. 

"Would it not be prudent to know who possesses whatever criteria the Elements require first? If  we go in blind, we could lose our chance completely."

Blue had a point. The broader question was to who do we seek and what decides who those rightful users are. At some point, those were Celestia and Luna. Those two weren't up for the job, so we would need more details to condense our search.

"That will not be necessary."

Sombra had rejoined us in the land of the living. His words were final. He demanded no quarter and gave none. The words left me edging away from the King. 

"Beg pardon?" Blue met Sombra's cool gaze with a glare to freeze the snow. We had the makings of a war of attrition on the horizon. A battle to watch at a very safe distance. "Who praytell is that?"

"I believe the chosen have already been selected. Would this daft crusade of ours not have been started if whomever other than Luna had been staging such an affair from the beginning?"

"That's the point, is it not? We don't know who has set this path before us. We can only say that among those that have been giving dream vision, you and Luna are not the architect of this mission of ours."

"Was there not a third, if memory recalls? I have been told of three voices, not just the two. The third must then, by default, be the beginning of this story. Or, perhaps even above theirs is another to whom we owe this endeavors creation."

Sombra and blue were nearly muzzle to muzzle as they leered at one another. The rest of our fellowship had gathered next to Bright's tent and were happy to let them sort this nonsense themselves. We'll need an outlet for the undo, likely balding stress levels placed upon us. 

"So, by all means, name this third if you are certain of their intentions."

"To whom walks unseen beside Stargazer is less important than the clear path they have guided us to. A path and order my dreams have helped shape. Whi e I do not converse with the fallen Princess, I see other things, pieces to a puzzle left unfinished."

"Wait, you've had another vision?" I said. I had leaned so far forward I'd nearly fallen on my face. Finally, something new. 

"I don't recall saying I'd ever stopped. Mine are simply less theatric when compared to your own," Sombra confirmed.

"Oh gosh, why didn't you say so," I said. I blew the somber King a raspberry, to which he scoffed. He did that a lot, actually. If I had to guess, he used it to dissuade himself from having fun. Now that I think about it, Blue did that much, as did Sabre.

"So then, Sombra, what did your dreams foretell?" Sabre asked. 

Sabre's forehooves ground into the snow-covered dirt. If  Sombra saw or cared, he didn't let it show. The rest of us, however, was all too happy to give Sombra the limelight. I c certainly could go five minutes without someone asking me to think about the existential dread that is my reality. 

"Even before you arrived at my gates. I had shared several visions with Star, as you know. Those, however, were few. My greater insight was into six lights that burned away the dark. They shed light where none was found. Six lights I'd seen before. The Elements, as you've no doubt assumed. At first, I thought these visions were nightmares of my past. I did not connect them to the other visions at all, not until you six came traipsing into my throne room. Five of you, as loathsome as I am to admit it, seemed drenched in the same light as in my dreams. You became a reminder of what my Empire lost."

"Huh, actually, now that you say that—"

"Five? You claimed six lights, but only five are present among us? If  we are to believe what you are claiming at all."

I smacked my lips. Sabre had rudely interrupted me, but that aside, he got to my point far quicker. Even if it did cost him his manners. Sombra looked away from the group. His jaw clenched as he deliberated his response. The ground beneath Sabre had been indented at least a full inch past the snow. The whole sum of the camp seemed drought with an eerie chill, one not brought with the wind or frost. 

"Only five," Sombra said. 

The pressure only grew as the fire crackled, and everyone looked between one another in an unsure delineation. If Sombra was being honest, which at this point seemed likely. Then he implied that five of the ponies among us were viable candidates for the Elements of Harmony. A set of artifacts the Princesses used long ago. It was quite a bold claim that was both heartening and breathtaking. It was a bit disconcerting, at the very least. 

"Which ones? And out of us, who is what?" Spade asked. 

The gravedigger was used to the awkward and tense atmosphere, unlike most. He watched families come to terms with reality and their own grief. He saw many at their lowest. Sombra and Sabre may have seen violence and even death, but was that the same? Did it hold the same weight?

"Is it not obvious?" Sombra whispered. The King seemed perplexed by the response, the looks on everyone's faces, the uncertainty of everything. I chanced a glance around the campfire. Sombra said the five were bathed in light. 

Then I started to laugh. I l laughed so hard I had to catch myself from falling on my back. The others looked at me like I'd lost my mind. To be fair, maybe I had, but I laughed all the harder for it. 

It may have been my imagination, but for a split second, I thought I saw the slightest smirk on Sombra's lips as everyone watched me. When I managed a second glance, the smile was gone, if it had ever been there. 

"Star, uh, you okay?" Bright asked. 

I waved a hoof weakly in his direction as I tried to calm my laughing fit. 

"Has the stress finally shattered the poor stallion's wavering sanity?" Blue asked. 

"No."

Thorax turned to Sombra, head cocked. "How can you be sure?"

"Because he's seen it."

Thorax redoubled his confusion. "Seen what?"

"Th-the, light. The lights, Sombra said, he saw lights."

I wheezed as my laughter subsided. 

"You have?" Sabre asked. 

"He has."

Sabre gave Sombra a healthy dose of side-eye. 

I nodded all the same. "I have."
> To the Beat of a Drum
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Star, explain, now!" Blueblood said. The poor stallion was somewhere between panic and rage. The whole not in the known thing hit too close to home. I raised my hooves in surrender, even if I had to hold back more laughter while doing so.

"Someone's grumpy," I said.

I was rewarded with a very unhappy Blue stomping over and jabbing a hoof into my chest. "What are these lights you and Sombra are on about?" 

Blue's questions were parroted by the solidarity of the others. All but Sabre, who seemed lost in thought. Sombra, for his part, seemed all too happy to let me explain. He'd had enough side-eye for one day. If I had to guess. 

"Well, they're not literal, if that helps."

"Well, here I was, hoping my diet was working," Spade said. The pegasus offered a half-hearted wing flex before letting the limb fall limp. "Guess not."

"Okay, point taken."

I clear my throat. I wasn't sure how any of it worked. I know I'd been making jokes, but honestly. I only sort of got any of it myself. I wasn't even sure Sombra knew anything more than the basics himself. He may have seen them used, but that wasn't exactly the same as learning the ins and outs of their mechanisms or magic. 

"Okay, so as far as I can tell. The Elements are a set of magical items that can only be used by a chosen individual or group. That we can all agree on, yes?"

A series of affirmative nods and grunts had me ready to continue. I clucked my tongue. "So, the important part and what Sombra was talking about is the requirements needed to activate them. You know, like a passcode or particular knowledge. Instead of those, it requires a certain set of character traits that they judge to become usable."

I look to Sombra, who nods silently. We were on the same page so far. Let's see how long it takes for me to jump chapter, novel, and genre on this magical hoo-blah.

"Six lights mean six characteristics to earn the Elements powers. Lights that have been clear to me, and Sombra as well, it seems. I didn't know what they were until now, but it all lines up in hindsight. I also, on some level, thought the lights were normal or there because of my visions or something. I was wrong, and I'm sorry for keeping it to myself."

"Oh, poor, confused, mentally unstable, talks to voices in his head, Stargazer." Bright Pitch had come around and wrapped me in a back hug, patting me on the head as he went.

I could feel my eye twitch as the others chuckled, snorted, grinned, and any combination of the three. I wanted to be mad, but it all boiled into just accepting Bright was too precious for this cruel dark world. He was also so socially oblivious I literally could not imagine this was half as condescending as it felt. 

"Thanks, Bright. Now please let me go."

"Are you sure?" Bright asked with another pat on my head. 

"Yes."

And just like that, Bright leaped away and glided over time back to his spot by the fire. I took a single deep breath and tried to bring back any authority I'd had on the subject not a minute prior. The grins of my friends did not help. 

"You saw us bathed in a strange light and thought nothing of it? Sabre asked. 

I scratched my head and scoffed. "When you say it like that, I feel kind of dumb."

"It was, and you are. Though, it was hardly your fault. Why would you know about its importance? To any other, it would seem madness," Sombra said. It was the closest thing to the compassion I've gotten from Sombra yet. I might cry. 

"That's fair," Thorax said. The Changeling looked ready to jump. I bet the chat with Chrysalis will be interesting after this Elements talk. 

"Still, an omission that seems all the stranger. If we can use these Elements, that doesn't mean Nightmare Moon will make it easy. We are really in the thick of it at this point. It would be nonsensical to just assume we'll be able to skip right in and blast Nightmare and be done in time for dinner," Blueblood said. 

"Right, well, we've gotten a bit off track. So," I said. 

The others silenced themselves once more. All but Sombra huffed. I waved his way. He was the expert here, the oh so wise King of the North.  

"The first five are all known qualities. The known elements are, Honesty, Loyalty, Kindness, Generosity, and Laughter. Each is also accounted for if what I witnessed a millennium ago is any relation. Such frail emotions, but powerful nonetheless."

"Okay, so if what you've been saying is correct, we embody these Elements well enough to use them?" Bright asked.

"Each of you embodies a single Element. While one might possess the qualities to use more than a single Element like Luna and her infernal sister did, the same is not currently the case. One Element for each of you."

"So, who is who?" Thorax asked.

I tut the poor Changeling. "That's easy."

"Is it?" Sabre asked. He pointed a hoof in my direction and then leveled it at the others one by one. "Then you won't mind me taking my own guess, right, sir?" 

Sabre dropped the 's' word like a sledge. I flinched and submitted his request. I'd be surprised if he got them wrong. They weren't that subtle.

Sabre pointed to Bright Pitch first. "Kindness." His hoof moved to Thorax. "Generosity." Then he moved on to Spade. "Laughter." His hoof moved to Blueblood. "Loyalty." Finally, he pointed to himself. "That would leave me with Honesty."

The others look between each other. I exchanged a look with Sombra, and Sabre turned back to me. "So, how close was I?" 

I grin. "One out of Five isn't bad, all things considered. I at least get where you're coming from."

"Only one, really?" Thorax asked.

"Yep."

Sabre exhaled hard and relaxed a margin. I suppose with that stick up his butt, deflating must be one heck of a feat. Spade had taken to whispering to Bright, who was snickering to himself. Sombra looked pleased all around, which I was undecided on. It that was a good thing. 

"So, who was the correct one?" Bright asked. 

"Spade."

Spade held up a hoof in laxidazical victory. "Yay me."

"So, if Spade is Laughter, which boggles the mind. Whom are the rest of us?" Blueblood asked. The unicorn was holding himself in a diligent manner like you might in some fancy noble party. His shaking hooves on the other hoof spoke of a different Blue. A Blueblood who was a hair's breadth away from a panic attack. The stress of this whole discussion was way out of proportion. Yet, here they were, glowing lights and all. 

"Okay, so following Sabre's lineup. We have Bright Pitch. Who is the one and only Element of Honesty? Then we have Thorax, our resident Element of Kindness. We have Spade's already detailed. Blue." The stallion shook in place. "Is the Element of Generosity. "Blueblood seemed dazed as he mumbled under his breath. Then that leaves Sabre."    

"Loyalty," Sabre finished. 

"Bingo, and thus the five have been revealed. Oooo, so spooky and prophicial. Look at me and my ability to see your very soul."

I devolved into laughter as the others digested their decreed Elements. Sombra seemed ready to continue, as did Blue, who swapped between whatever was going on in his head and a child who wanted to ask a question to which he didn't want the answer.

"That leads us to the sixth."

Sombra looked into the fire. The rest of us sat in deep silence. The excitement or mystery of the Elements is replaced with a question beyond the first five. The truth was, I needed to figure out what or how one is supposed to discover such a thing. No dream or glow had given any hint on that account. That along with Sombra not knowing either meant we were going in blind. 

"The sixth Element is said to be the key to accessing the Elements in full. The other five cannot be used without the sixth. This means we will have to discover its secrets before we reach the Everfree. We will only have a single chance."

"True, Nightmare Moon, is vain and paranoid. We will only get this opening before she retaliates and deals with such a threat in the most gruesome manner."

Blueblood's face sagged. In the light of the fire, the stallion looked a decade older. Whatever thoughts were plaguing him, were not helping. The others looked to be doing better. Bright was scribbling on a notepad, and Spade might have fallen asleep. I expected that, if not yet, Thorax would recount the conversation to his queen. I'm more than positive Chrysalis or Shining would have thoughts. 

"Luna," I said. None of the others acknowledged my thought. Sombra barely moved, his breath short, the air slightly steamed in the winter winds. 

I was beginning to think the only reason I was here was to play messenger between the waking world and the dreamscape. If not me, then who? Luna seemed suspicious of Sombra at best. The others didn't have these dreams or the voices. Two of which were now named, both Sombra and Luna having already given face to their dream voices. The third though, that one was still a complete dud. Since the fall back in the Crystal Empire, that voice had gone completely silent.  

"So, we wait for our possessed princess to solve our problems? I can't say I agree with such a plan. What are we if we are reliant on others to move forward? Solemn, bless his soul, Chrysalis and Captian Armor, Luna, and the other voices in Star's visions. I, for one, am sick of being a passive party in this fight. I will not be powerless! I will not fail again!"

There it was. Blueblood was red in the face and all but snarled by the end. The rest of the group was taken aback. Some more than others, I'm looking at you, Sombra and Sabre. I swear sticks up the rectum was becoming contagious. 

More than that, Blue had a point. What heroes would we even be if the mind-controlled princess was the one pulling the strings? A mind control inception for one part. We knew what we had and what we needed. Luna may or may not know what we didn't. But does that mean we should rely so heavily on her knowledge? In some recess of my mind, the idea that Luna was a ploy still wriggled and writhed. 

"The cartographer is correct. We will not be mindless sheep led by a potential wolf. I have played along with these visions long enough. If I must, I will best this petulant monster, this supposed Nightmare."

Sombra was up and attem. He stood tall and proud, looking down upon us like the royalty he was. My friends and I bested Cadence, but who was it that led an army? Who was it that had, up until our arrival, undermind everything Nightmare thought she had? Both Sombra and Blueblood were done bowing to the will of others. I couldn't help but smile. 

"I will not fail Candace a second time. I promised myself she would be free of this horrid Nightmare that plagued her, that plagues us all. I will not play prisoner anymore."

Blueblood had stood as well and emulated Sombra to a tee. The two of them no longer feared the dark. The shadows writhed and twisted even now, but the light would not fade. I stood and nodded to the two upstarts. It seems Luna will have to wait. 

"Agreed. We have too much riding on this to let the final steps be taken in our stead," Sabre stood hoof on the hilt of his favored blade. He lacked the regality, but the crisp well-practiced salute stood ear to ear with the others. 

"Sounds good. I've always preferred doing everything by hoof anyway. If you do it yourself, you won't have any regrets. I give the dead what they are owed. Every grave dug, every tombstone chivvied. I suppose it's time the living got the same."

Spade almost looked severe. His vocal range could use a little work, but he stood firm at the trees that once covered the acres his cemetery now inhabits. He flexed his shovel on one shoulder and gazed up into the stars. 

"Oh, I'm so excited. Here comes the climactic finale. Time to kick some butt," Bright cheered, taking to the air and hovering about like a hummingbird on the hunt for nectar. His smile seemed to glint in the fire, and the shadows seemed to dip slightly lower. 

"For the Hive, for Equestria, and for Pharynx. I might not be a good fighter. But I'm still a captain, just like Sir Armor. I'm gonna do them proud, no matter what."

Bright had pulled Thorax into a hug, as the Changeling bordered on tears. That settled it. It was unanimous. From here on, we did this our way. We were a team. We got this far. I wasn't about to stumble at the finish. Not when I had so many shoulders to lean on. It was one thing to look for answers, one thing to let others guide your actions. Tonight, we carved those answers ourselves. We took our own steps forward. My body was shaking. I could feel it in the air. It was time to change the world or die trying.

"Tomorrow is a brand new day. No more nights. The dawn is coming," I shouted into the frosty night. Let that travel on the winds right back to Nightmare. Let her know we're coming. Let her know we aren't afraid. 

"Well said," Blue added. 

"So, all that being said, how do we figure out the last Element?" Spade asked. 

I shrugged. "I don't think we need a name for the Element as long as someone embodies it. Ya know?" I asked. 

"The fact both you and I can see whatever power pours from those who possess such a talent. It will be much more of a game of whom than what. Though a thought returns to me. A clue perhaps?" Sombra asked, a little too loud. 

"Really?" Bright asked, flittering over Sombra and staring at him upside down. 

"A spark, I believe it was."

"The Fire?" Bright asked. 

"No, not the fire. A spark that will ignite whatever it is we are searching for."

"What makes you think that?" Spade asked. 

Sombra shook his head. 

"It's just a hunch, right?" I asked with a wink. 

"Something to that effect. It will remain to be seen. But it is more than nothing. Thus, a goal to strive towards." 

"Then, a spark we shall find," Blue said. The others consented in the affirmative. 

A spark? A light? A guiding star? Oh hope so fickle, I wonder where you are?
> The Final Hour Comes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The return trip from the frozen north had been almost eerily quiet. No, ambush or waiting army. I had half expected to see Nightmare Moon herself waiting at the border. Even now, it felt like the Moonlight tracked my every movement. The warmer weather was welcomed if nothing else. If I never had to trudge through the snow again, I would find myself grateful. Both Sombra and Sabre had been on edge since the moment we made it back into Equestria's embrace fully. It made me nervous. I'd taken to flying or trying to as long as I could throughout the quiet walking. 

Sombra had only driven Cadence's forces back, and yet, there was no sign of those same forces since. It screamed trap, yet, we neared Canterlot undeterred. My every inch itched with the stress. But there was something else beneath that. The feeling of excitement one might have as the holidays loomed ever closer. If I hadn't been hovering a few meters off the ground, I'd be dancing from hoof to hoof. 

"Star."

I looked behind me to Sabre, who motioned from me to drop. I acquiesced and, stuttering every other flap, landed at a half trot. Spade chuckled as he passed me. 

"Oh sure, mock the aerially impaired. Real nice, Spade."

"Just doing my part," Spade said. 

"Star."

I roll my eyes and look back to Sabre once more. "Yes, Sabre?"

"This doesn't feel right. Where is everypony?"

"Maybe they are regrouping or fortifying the Everfree?" Thorax offered. 

"No, not the patrols or checkpoints. I mean, anypony. We haven't seen a single soul in almost two days. Something is wrong."

"I agree. This poses poorly for our objective."

Sombra leered passed Sabre at me. His eyes glinted in the dark. The bright red contrasted nicely in the nightlight when there wasn't a constant blizzard, fear of a blizzard, or even the word blizzard in use.

"Yeah, I've noticed. There's something in the air, like smoke, just before a fire. It has my stomach doing flips," I said. I could almost hear the alarms. 

"So, what do we do?" Thorax asked. 

"Maybe we should have brought Sombra's army of rock monsters," Bright said. The bouncy thestral was jogging backward at the front of the group. The jerk spent all his extra energy doing laps around the rest of us. 

"Not possible." 

"Why not, Sombra?" I asked. 

"My Golems are powered by a network of highly tuned crystal generators. To take them out of the Empire would drain their energy far too quickly. It is an impractical ploy. If not, why would I have not simply marched into the Everfree long ago and crushed Nightmare Moon under hoof like the narcissistic fool she is?"

"Good point. A counterpoint, Why didn't we take a completely different path back across the border. You know, in case the Queen decided to wait us out?" Spade asked. 

"Not possible. The north has very few safe paths in or out. If we used a lesser tread path, there was a greater risk of injury or death. Not to mention how much longer it would take. The citizens of Equestria do not deserve to hide scared and in the dark any longer than necessary."

Blueblood had his face buried in one of his maps and, even so, was still keeping pace. It was like he could see right through those precious maps of his. As well as expertly avoiding any trip up or pothole any other traveler would no doubt trip and falter. 

"So what, we walk right into the monster's maw?" I asked. 

"Yes, that is exactly what you will do. In fact, you'll parade yourself right to Her Majestie's gates. Oh, what a sight it will be."

"Oh sure, we'll get right on—" 

The words died in my throat as I placed the Voice to the suggestion. 

"Wait, when did you?"

"Shh shh shh, no need to get upset, my friend. I know you've missed my company, but I haven't been sitting idle. I'll have you know."

"Star?"

Sabre asked. The soldier knocked a hoof against my side. I barely noticed. I was far too busy learning how to facehoof in the metaphysical realm of my mind. The shadows had lurched into sight as the Voice had returned. I hadn't heard a peep since the playback in the Crystal Empire, but no, pop right back up like nothing had happened.

"Oh, come now, you look absolutely silly making that face. You'll end up having an accident at this rate. You know very well you missed me, and how could I blame you?"

"The voice is back," I said aloud. 

That had a near-instant response, with the group gathering around like it was story time. Sabre had his brow knit so tightly together it was impossible to tell where the stress began or the brow itself ended. Bright hung just above me, smiling like a mad colt. I contemplated swatting at him but couldn't be bothered. 

"And?" Blueblood asked. He'd finally pulled his eyes from his maps, and the bags certainly didn't soften my worry for the sullen unicorn. 

"They said we should make a direct path for the Everfree. As in right down the main street and through the gates."

"Are they mad?" Sombra asked. 

"I am quite giddy, actually. How are you?" 

"For the love of. They claim to be sane. I wouldn't bet on it."

"You wound me, Stargazer. I have had nothing but your best in mind since the day you woke into this eternal night. I assure you, my plan is sound. Why don't you ask Queen Chrysalis if you don't believe me? She and I have hatched quite the plan, as it were."

"You what?" 

I'd stopped midstep. My eyes pulled to Mount Canter looming in the distance. I suddenly missed the cold of the north. 

"Star?" Bright asked. 

"Thorax."

"Yes, Star?"

"Call, Chrysalis, now. Like right now."

"Um?" Thorax looked at the others but found no further enlightenment.

"The voice is claiming to have talked with Chrysalis."

The others looked stuck between worry and indifference. Sombra hummed, tapping a hoof to a chin as he dissected my explanation. 

"Right, Do you?"

"I think all of us will need to be present for this," Sabre said, placing a hoof gently on Thorax's shoulder. The Changeling fell onto his haunches. 

"Okay."

The group gathered around, each recalling the last time we'd entered the Hive Mind. A mixture of peace of mind and stimulated concentration.

"Oh, watching all the pieces come together is also so exciting," The Voice said with laughter. I could almost envision them jumping about in childish glee. 

My eyes closed, and the material world faded away.

"Everyone present?" I thought. 

Each of my friends accounted for themselves. That left only two more conversants. 

"Captain." Chrysalis sounded tired. Her thoughts were sluggish and seemed to skip about. "I take it this is an emergency?" 

"My Queen. Stargazer insisted. He claims you've spoken with the Voice from his dreams." Thorax's soft deflective tone was like that of a child getting scolded. 

"Stargazer?" Chrysalis asked. 

"Is it true," I thought?

Do you assume me a liar? "Of course it is. After all, I've done for you. Shame on you, Stargazer, shame."

"Everyone heard that, right?" I asked. 

"Yes, Star, yes we did," Spade thought. 

"So this is the pony behind the curtain?" Blue thought dryly. He felt almost as tired as the Queen did. 

"I am of a sort, yes. That is, however, not the point of today's meeting."

"The stranger speaks true. We have little time for such trivialities."

"My Queen?"

The sudden sharpness of Thorax's thoughts embedded a deep seeded terror. It left a chill running down my back, metaphysically, that is. The others seemed to agree if the sudden deafening silence was to mean anything. 

" The Voice thought, "The floor is yours, Chrysalis," the tone infantile. It ebbed like a yawn, barely aware or interested in the formality of where we were or whom they were talking to.   

"This Voice, as you call it, visited my dreams not two nights prior. At this time, it and I came to an agreement. A plan that will soon commence."

"And that was?" I asked. 

"Star, my dear friend, what do you think would happen if you made your way to Nightmare's palace and all her soldiers, mages, and other assorted murderously inclined followers were there to greet you?" The Voice asked. 

The question was followed by a series of images and depictions of all the potential ways such an event might go down. Stabbed, beaten, blasted, burned, crushed, captured, and tortured were a few choice examples. 

"Yet, you told us to march to the gates, correct?" Blue asked. 

"I did, and that, my fair Blueblood, is all due in part to Chrysalis and her righteous rebels. It is no secret Nightmare Moon has quite the ire saved up for Canterlot's remaining residence. She only leaves them because she sees them as nothing but the rabbling masses. A non-threat, as it were. What if that were no longer the case?"

The Hive Mind was silent, devoid of even a stray thought. I felt my body shudder back in reality. A feeling that echoed through the silent mindscape. It was like a ripple, one that was amplified by the others and their own state of mind. 

"War."

Sabre's solemn decree was a door to the return of the static that ran through everyone present. All except, The Voice, Chrysalis, and Sombra. The former seemed amused, the latter disinterested. Chrysalis was a collage of emotions, so thoroughly mixed that no one thought or feeling bubbled to the surface. 

"The very same, yes. But you see, that is the beauty of it."

"If War is beauty, I am a master artist and lovable scamp. Oh, wait, bad example."

Spade's joke fell flat. The pegasus hummed in regret. 

"So, what's the endgame then?" Bright asked. 

"Simply put. If Nightmare Moon has no other choice but to entertain us and yet can not leave her throne, for the risk of you and your allies making it to the Elements, then an opening is bored into her overwhelming defense. If she brought the Elements with her, it would show fear and weakness. A thought the putrid narcissist could not bare. So she is left with only one option. She must wait, unguarded for what you may attempt. A pincer attack in twenty-four hours. We will grant you a single opportunity for you to finish this damned night once and for all."

Chrysalis shared visions of the Nightmare stuck on her throne alone and afraid. It roused a bit of amusement. It helped with the heavier themes this conversation had taken. That did not mean that all was well.  

"My Queen, please, there must be another option. What if you or Sir Armor were hurt or worse? What would we do without you?"

Thorax's thoughts were rife with such abundant fear I felt my own hooves shaking. There were no images,s but they weren't needed. A rainbow of feelings whirled by in a twister of terror. The others, for the most part, didn't fare much better. Even Sombra seemed tense as Thorax wracked himself with what-ifs and could-be.

"Captain," Chrysalis paused a moment and softened her thoughts. "Thorax, we all have a part we must play. You ask what you would do without my rule. Yet, I have no such worries. For I know that my Hive and my ponies are strong. Even if I were not here, I have no doubt that you would fight on, and one way or another, no matter what may come of it. You will survive, and you will conquer. Nightmare Moon's nights were always numbered. That I am assured of."

The gentle maternal radiance of the Changeling Queen was that of a warm embrace, of soft consuming safety. Chrysalis had no need to demand respect or loyalty. For The Hive were her children, and they followed their own love for their All-Mother. 

"My Queen."

Thorax could muster nothing more. He was left surrounded by Chrysalis' will and her undeterred fighting spirit. 

"Such conviction is admirable."

Sombra let his words sit as the rest of the group recovered from Thorax and Chryalis' moment. I almost believed I felt a little mirth in the old king's words. Perhaps that was only the feedback from Chrysalis' unrestrained sincerity. 

"It is, yes. Such is what happens when you rule. You either become a saint or a tyrant,"

The Voice sighed, attaching a plethora of images of others sighing as well to it. It certainly dragged me back to the less-than-simple plans at present. 

"So, you plan to paint a target on your back and hope that Nightmare Moon sends out her armies to destroy you. In which, while you are doing so, we sneak in and usurp the throne, and huzzah, all is well. The world is saved. Let the dawn come forth. That about cover it?" I asked. 

"No."

Chrysalis left no room for debate. I could feel the fire in her grow. The bright fury of her mind, the Hive itself, was staggering. I felt my lungs desperate to retain my breath as everything became Chrysalis, every Changeling in solidarity. 

"We will crush Nightmare's forces, and by the time we march on the Palace, you will have bested the foul Queen and freed Luna, if possible, so we may return light to a bleak world. This is a matter of when, not a matter of if."

"Well, I'm sold."

Spade said before leaving the Hive Mind altogether. 

"I can't tell. Was that sarcasm, or?" I asked. 

"It's Spade, so probably both. I didn't sense any negative emotions before he left."

Neither did I, Captain."

Well, that's two erovores out of two. I'll just leave Spade to Spade. 

"I believe we all mirror Spade's intent, if nothing else. The plan is dangerous, but it may be the only choice we have at present," Blue thought. "As for now, I believe we should prepare for what is to come. This may be the last chance to rest before meeting with the Queen. I wish you the best of luck, Your Majesty."

This Blueblood followed Spade and departed the Hive Mind. 

"Oh, I should write all this down before it gets fuzzy. I can't wait to write the climax, and ooo, the epilogue will be fun too."

And like that, Bright was gone. It was a relief to see at least one of us was keeping it together. Heaven's above, know what we'd do if Bright got all mopey. 

"A fate we have no business visiting, sir." 

"I was doing it again, wasn't I?"

"Yes, yes you were."

Sabre followed the others. 

"My Queen, I'll make you proud."

Thorax's mind felt sturdier than before. The doubt was replaced with determination. An image, not a memory of Thorax, standing side by side with another Changeling. The bright purple of Thorax's companion is a deep contrast to Thorax's own subtler presence. 

"If only Pharynx could see what you've become. Go forth, Captain, and crush our enemy into the dust. For the Hive."

"For Equestria," Thorax finished. 

Then He was gone. The image of him and what was undoubtedly his brother lingered even after he'd left. I then had to puzzle if his leaving would boot the rest of us. As I was still here, it didn't seem so. A puzzle for another day."

"That would be my doing, Stargazer. I couldn't have you and the dread King Sombra leave before I had my final say. That would not do at all."

"You can do that?" I asked. 

"It appears they can," Sombra answered. 

"I will make this brief. What follows tonight will change Equestria and Equis as a whole forever. I would be terribly disappointed if I had to wait another thousand years for a would-be hero. It'd take at least that long before I could pull another wayward soul from the aether."

"Do what now?" I asked. 

"Never you mind. Focus on tomorrow. If you win, we may finally get to meet face-to-face. Consider that incentive as for you, Sombra. You may have left the bitter cold of the north but have yet to thaw. I'd work on that before it's too late."

"You dare?"

Sombra's thought boomed over the mindscape. It left my metaphysical ears ringing.

"Enough. We have accomplished what needs to be done here. I will see you both once this is done. Now, I believe it is time for you to leave."

Chrysalis' Voice soothed the soul. Like a lullaby, I felt myself drift off. Then as, suddenly, My eyes snapped open. I blinked away the spots that danced across my vision. I stood where I'd been before the meeting with Chrysalis. 

The others had spread about, doing whatever they could while they waited for Sombra and I's return. It was only then that I noticed Sombra had lagged behind. I looked about the tree-paved path and back to Sombra. A few seconds passed, and the king finally returned to the waking plane. 

"You okay, I asked. 

Sombra didn't answer. He brushed past me and off into the trees. I hope we do not need to track him down now. We already have plenty on our plate. The clock was ticking. Tomorrow, one way or another, this would all end. 

"Tomorrow," I whispered under my breath. "Tomorrow."
> To Face Your Demons
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Upon the night, they march to the house of demons in the dark. A poet I may not be, but yet these visions beckon me. A forest fraught with the darkest dread, yet they shall not bow not one of head. A prison key doth hold all sway, and from its lock will come the day. 

So we ambled through the lanes of Ponyville. The dreary town is even more so with all the citizens hidden away. It seemed Chrysalis had let the word spread. I couldn't help but stifle a laugh. Spade chuckled right along with me. I wasn't sure what the joke was, but Spade certainly did. The surreal quiet, the darkened homes, and the restless roads. A straight path right to the Everfree and Nightmare beyond. 

I could feel my skin crawl as we passed home and store alike. Even Bright Pitch walked in quiet contemplation. Spade offered waves and muted greetings to ponies I didn't know. His peers and neighbors, those he wanted to protect. 

Since the night prior, Sombra hadn't said a word. Though I'd caught him giving the rest of us odd looks. The tension was palpable and didn't help the oppressive feel of the town closest to the Everfree. A town that knows all too well what eternal night really means.

I couldn't feel my legs. If I focused too long on them, I feared I might start running and never stop. Well, until Sabre caught me and beat some sense into me.

"Sabre."

Sabre looked back from his spot at the front of our fellowship. "Yes?"

I took a deep breath. My jaw quivered as I tried to meet Sabre's gaze. "I'm scared."

"Good."

I had recoiled at his answer. The quiet had left the others free to listen in. If the others had thoughts on the subject, they didn't voice them. "Excuse you?"

Sabre shook his head and looked back toward the ever-enclosing horizon of the Everfree. "Yeah, good. You'd be crazy not to be. Fear is good. It keeps you alive. Nightmare Moon thinks it is a bludgeon, a weapon to force her will. It's not. It's a shield, a defense against the worst there is. So, good, be scared, just don't give in to the fear."

I blinked, my brain trying to conjure some sort of response. Yet as hard as my mind fumed, nothing was produced but smoke and sputters.

"He's right. You see lots of fear, all kinds of it. I've seen more fear while tending the graves than I'd care to admit. Some of it was mine, but that made the difference. I'd crush it all under my shovel if I could. The folks around here deserve it."

Spade waved idly as we passed some sort of bakery. In its heyday, it would have looked like some whimsical gingerbread house. It was all the pity that day had long passed.

"Fair," I conceded.

"Besides Star, was it not you who pulled me from my despair some time ago? You simply couldn't leave me be. Now, look at me, marching off to fight the night itself."

Blueblood had sidled up to me and jabbed me in the shoulder. He didn't have any maps, no charter or atlas to look at. We were home, and he knew well where to find that on a map. I offered a nod. I thought we'd managed to round off all the empowering speeches. But ponies will be ponies, which meant being too wholesome, even in the dark.

"It'll be okay. Look, here comes the Everfree, and then we save the day."

Thorax pointed to the tree line, some thirty meters out. There was no going back from here. The Voice's parting words from last night rang in my head. With a single chance, a star pulled down to bring back the sun. I hid a smirk at my own analogy. I was giving myself way too much credit. All I did was make some friends. Anyone could do that.

Chrysalis had alerted Thorax some hours ago that the mission was a go. By this point, either She and Shining had pulled Nightmare's toy soldiers off to battle. Or we would be walking right into the noose. It was better not to think about it.

"So, Nightmare no doubt has the Elements with her. That means all we have to do is, um, magic?" I said. 

I received a swat at the back of my head by Blue, to Sabre's approval. 

"Did you even attempt to think that through before speaking?" Blue asked. 

"I mean, we have the users, and the Elements are semi-sentient magic artifacts that have untold magical powers. So ya know, they'll do whatever they want. They'll know or whatever when we get there. Right?" 

This time Sabre swatted me.

"As far as we know, the sixth Element activates the rest. So, as long as we have the sixth user, we should be fine," Bright said, waving in dismissal.

"As long as we have the sixth Element, you mean," Blue said.

Blue would have swatted Bright if the thestral hadn't taken wing and left Blueblood sneering up at him.

"Sombra."

The dour royal stared into the forest, almost lost in plain sight. I tapped him on the shoulder, returning him from the wince he came. 

"Sombra."

"We shall see in time."

These were the first words he offered all day, and they were hardly optimistic. So we were off. The main path through the Everfree was as exciting as the trip through Ponyville. The birds chirped, and woodland critters scurried about. The group continued bickering about the Elements and where they may be found or used in hushed whispers. I was more concerned with Sombra. He looked pale, even for him. The magical hues that covered his eyes in the Crystal Empire were all but snuffed out. I don't think I'd seen them even spark since we began traveling earlier that night. He simply stared forward and tried his best not to notice my looks. We had little time to waste as is. If we lost our nerve now, we were all but doomed.

"You think the Elements will spare Luna?"

I was jolted from my own thoughts by Bright as he lazily glided above me. He was grinning down at me, eyebrows wriggling. I rubbed a hoof down my face and groaned.

"Hopefully," I said. 

"It would make things much easier," Thorax said. 

"If not, we'd most likely need Cadence, if she can do it at all."

Spade offered a chaste smile Blueblood's way. The unicorn grumbled under his breath. That only encouraged Spade smiled harder.   

"I would much prefer if we leave that particular conversation and burnt bridge be unless absolutely necessary."

"Sorry, Blue," I said. Spade didn't stop smiling. 

The quiet returned, and the last vestiges of the forest passed us by. Everfree Castle was in sight. It was left to interpretation if the fact it was as deathly quiet as Ponyville had been was a good thing. Whether it was or wasn't, it certainly didn't make the old structure any less imposing. 

"Game faces on," Sabre said as we came to the bridge that separated us from Nightmare's undying all-consuming wrath. I slapped both hooves to my cheeks and readied my frail nerves. The other seemed about as ready. All but Sombra, who still seemed more interested in staring into space than a fight for Equiss' survival.

"Five bits on Her Majesty waiting in the foyer," Spade offered. 

Bright hummed, flittering about the group, wings whipping up dust trails as he went. "I dunno, I think she'll be on her throne all kitted out with armor and weapons and nasty spells just waiting to end us. That's what a good villain does."

"Ten on her lounging in her throne so overconfident she isn't even scrying us out at all," Sabre said, tapping the pommel of his sword. "Probably has a monologue prepared as well."

"Sounds about right," I agreed.

"Well then, what are we waiting for?"

Blueblood passed Sabre and was first over the bridge. The rest of us paces behind. The old rope tensed under our weight, the slight swing of the wood leaving the imagination to what lay beneath. A feeling I'd not had on the way out when we made our daring escape. Though running for your life leaves little time to ponder the integrity of such things. The bridge held all the same. It was only after reaching the end I recalled the wings pressed to my sides.

The front gate was wide, and the continued silence had every cast shadow a knife in the dark. Every crackling torch, a fatal spell cast. Yet, Spade lost his bet. No one was waiting in the courtyard, the foyer, or the main hall. Room by room, we moved ever deeper into the dragon's den. Which considering what we were up against, a dragon would probably be less violent and unstable. The clack of hoof on stone left an echo that seemed to follow us just a second behind. 

"Throneroom it is, then."

Spade mused, shovel cast over one shoulder. He tutted past every crack and chip in the castle's stonework. Even on the way to our potential doom, the crazy pegasus pondered his masonry. It was almost enough to draw a smile o my face. I wondered if the spirits of Ponyville, those he buried, and those still sitting in their homes waiting for the end of this war. A war they'd not asked for, a battle they'd thought long lost. If those spirits were here with him now? If they smiled from Elysium, from the very stars Nightmare Moon pretended were her own? 

"So it would seem," Blueblood said. From where I'd met the cartographer here in these very halls. The stallion that walked ahead of me would have seemed a different stallion altogether. Had I not watched Blueblood outsmart and best Cadence, I'd think this a doppelganger.

The self-pity and loathing were nowhere to be found. This Blueblood strode through the halls of this hollow fort with the air of a conquering hero. Head high, eyes forward, mane billowing in the slight breeze such halls were prone to. The noble I would imagine he once was. No, that wasn't right. This stallion was someone new, someone, better. A noble by merit, not just some birthright.     

"Spade's gonna owe someone bits by the end of this," Bright said. "Though, I think there will be many ponies who need them more than us. Maybe some changelings too." 

Bright had joined us on the ground not long after we'd entered the castle. He strutted right behind Blueblood. He seemed unmoved by the quiet. Though, this castle had been his home for a long time. He knew it in and out and trotted around like he owned the place. Bright Pitch had been one of my first friends since I'd woken in the Everfree. He was eccentric, enthusiastic to a fault, and clueless at times. He was somepony best had in bursts. Yet, at the same time, he stood side by side with our ragtag band. 

He told stories by the fire, laughed along with Spade's jokes, and sincerely appreciated Sabre's decisiveness. He hopped about, eyes alight with a fire brighter than any we'd had on the road. His wings twitched every membrane total to the burst with a desire to move forward. Bright, ironically enough, was an open book. A story not yet finished and one that even he couldn't capture in any tome. An honest tale from a genuine pony.

"True," Sabre said. He hadn't drawn his rapier yet. Though I doubt it'd take much convincing. Light Sabre scoured every shadow we passed, every nook and cranny. He'd always been tense, but this was different. 

I don't know what I did to deserve a friend like Sabre. I don't think I really wanted to know if it was fate, coincidence, or the Voice's workings. He was the one to find me in the woods all those weeks ago, and from that day forward, he'd been by my side. 

I could feel a tear in the corner of my eye. We'd made it this far. It was all up to them now. I'd do everything in my power to see this through. Their lights were still there, six lights, six bearers, and one crazy tyrant to overthrow. It was almost over. One way or another, tonight it ended. My heart pounded in my ears with each step. 

"You okay, Star?" 

Thorax had drawn up beside me. I wiped away the unshed tear and nodded. "Course I am. Well, as okay as one can expect for something like overthrowing a crazy alicorn queen."

Thorax tutted. "You shouldn't lie, Star, especially to an empath." Thorax pulled me into a hug. I didn't have the energy to spare. So there I stood as the Changeling got it out of his system. Thorax was a bit of a contradiction. He'd broken down in tears the night we'd met. He was a Captain of Chrysalis' Hive, of Equestria's hive. 

He had a pension for gentle prodding and an abundance of hugs. He was no fighter. He was small, with almost no muscle at all. He seemed to stumble over his own hooves at points and rarely met your gaze. He smiled all the same. He never gave up, either. I recalled the image in last night's mind-melding. The purple Changeling he'd stood beside. Chrysalis had the right idea back then. It wasn't a guess or up for debate. Any who thought it was, was delusional. Pharynx was most assuredly looking down on Thorax and was most assuredly proud of his brother. I'd fight anyone who thought otherwise.

Thorax released his hug. "Feel better?"

I nodded. "I do," and I meant it.

"Good."

Thorax skittered forward, catching up with the others. No one had apparently seen us stop. They weren't paying attention for all the attention they were paying. That was to say, all but one. Sombra had been trailing behind since we arrived. I stuck my tongue out as Sombra passed. He rolled his eyes in kind. 

"Bit for your thoughts?" I asked. 

"Unlike the others, I do not gamble."

"And I don't do requests," I fired back. "What did The Voice tell you last night? You've been completely different since we came out of the Hive mind. What happened?"

Sombra stopped midstep. He chanced a look forward to the others, then back to me. Several agonizing seconds passed. I was sure Sombra was ready to shut me out and move on. I was wondering how well slapping him upside his head might pay out. I doubted it would end well for me. But, I was tired of mopey Sombra. 

"The Voice knew the secret of the Elements. The sixth Element, to be exact. Even if they chose to be as obtuse as possible with their riddles and word games."

"Oh?"

"That, however, is beside the point."

"The key to beating Nightmare Moon is beside the point?" I asked. I had to restrain myself from yelling. It would alert the others, but worse, if Nightmare Moon was watching and listening in, it would warn her.

"You can still see the lights, correct?" Sombra asked. He barely seemed to note my rising stress, or more likely, didn't care. 

Sombra had, in the time I'd known him, changed. It wasn't excessive, and it wasn't drastic. His physical changes were potentially concerning, if only after tonight. When we'd met, his eyes had glowed with green and red. An aura that seemed to suck the joy from anything they gazed upon. They, however, never held malice, as intimidating as they might be. His horn had also changed. The fact his horn had been curved was different. The fact it had looked like a red hot poker was much more attention-grabbing, however. It was not a furnace now. It was more a gentle flame. The light it sheds is far less dense and even less of a health hazard. 

Sombra was terse, stoic, and pragmatic. These were facts none would contest. He would butt heads with Sabre. He scoffed at Spade's jokes and, by some miracle, could ignore Bright's child-like wonder. He was many things, some I think he could work on. As that may be, I don't think I could genuinely say one bad thing about the Crystal King. In the end, it was clear that Sombra cared far more than he'd ever admit. 

"I can," I said.

"How many lights do you count?" Sombra asked. 

I chewed on my lip. The air seemed to grow colder. The torch lights seemed to dim, and I suddenly felt tiny. Sombra's gaze pierced my very soul. 

"Six," I said. "I count six."

"I see."

Sombra picked up his pace. We were a hall from the Throneroom. Time was up. Sabre and Bright were already there. The former looking for a fight, the latter looking for a story. When Sombra and I arrived, the others stared down the double doors. I could almost picture Nightmare Moon lounging with a toothy grin, and faux politeness abound. A cordial etiquette that never reached her eyes. Those teal slits hid nothing. It was like she never felt the need. Sabre was right about the bludgeoning fear she wielded with practiced ease. 

"Everyone ready?" I asked. 

No one answered. I swallowed hard. Sombra's horn lit, and the doors swung wide. 

Six lights in the dark, six hopes abreast in heart. Though the path may bore a weight of land. So collect the chosen of clan. Altogether, they face the dark, so as one each beat of heart. No poet am I, a voyeur, yet, we watch what is stored. All order breaks and comes all…

"The best of luck, young heroes."
> Night Falls
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A die to be cast, in lo of life, a chance to live, a chance to die. Not I a poet, not but frozen to see what the world has been and what the world can be. A gentle push in a land anew, At what cost will they, and what can they do? Stakes are made, so stand no fence. Up is down, and what is sense? A spark and shadows a duel in the twilight, dawn anew, or endless midnight.

As expected, there she was, as clear and unambiguous as any nigh-unstoppable tyrants with the power to control the heavens above could be. Nightmare Moon sat atop her throne. She lazily slapped away a stray smoke trail from one of the nearby candelabras. She was smiling, the same toothy grin I'd seen often in my meetings with her. A shark among guppies, she bit and gnashed at the slightest inconvenience. She barely noted the doors swinging wide. The throneroom was barren, not a servant or guard to be seen. I found it hard to look directly at Nightmare, the mere sight of her sending every instinctual cry for retreat possible. 

"So this is what became of Luna, a delinquent farce of a monster. A lie one tells herself to seem a fraction as fierce as one wishes you were. Pitiful to think once upon a time, I saw you as a respectable ruler. A shame, truly."

Sombra was off. He'd not so much as flinched. He marched in as if he owned the place. The rest of us were left stunned by his words. The Nightmare had taken note as well. She looked at Sombra and laughed. A maniacal cackle that seemed to rock her in place. 

"So, the infamous King of the north wishes to throw stones. Was it not I and my foolish sister who you tossed you from time itself? If memory serves, you were hardly the pinnacle of kindness and peace. Yet you dare look down on me?"

"I do."

A moment of silence. Neither ruler blinked. Neither relented, to begin with. Two immovable objects, a compromise was never an option, not that anyone present would have considered such a choice. 

"You even returned my wayward servants. How generous, oh King of Crystal."

Sabre stepped forward. You could see his knees nearly buckle as he pulled himself from the deep seeded dread that the rest of us shared. The King smirked as the Element of Loyalty refused to submit. "We are no servants of yours." Sabre's voice only quivered once. But he did not retreat. Instead, with courage and against all common sense, Sabre joined Sombra. 

"Silly little guard. I can smell your fear, little pony. Do you believe you're brave? You are as weak now as you ever were."

Nightmare loomed forward on her throne and glared down at Sabre. I went to move forward to join my friends. It seemed I was a second too late. As another set of echoed hoof steps pierced the silence.

"You truly have lost all sense, haven't you? First, you send my cousin to chase us to the ends of Equis. Then you claim to know our hearts. I doubt you know even yours anymore, parasite." Blueblood said. 

His Voice carried well in the long chamber. He'd barely spoken above conversational volume, yet there was no chance he was unheard. He calmly, if shakily, strode forward and stood beside Sabre, who relaxed if only a bit in response. 

"The solar recluse wishes to play hero as well? You did best hiding in your little workshop. If you'd just hidden away, I'd had no need to end you. That time has sadly passed. You will all suffer for your arrogance."

"Arrogance, you're kidding, right? Even if you're not, you're a bad joke all the same. A beast wearing a crown is still a beast all the same."

Spade was off. He took guard opposite Sabre's place beside Sombra. He clopped forward, a dry smile on his lips. He met Nightmare's gaze with his own reserved stare.

"Who dares?" Nightmare asked. 

"We do. Haven't you been paying attention?" Bright Pitch asked. He sidled up beside Spade, wings flared as he smiled at his former ruler.

"Know your place Thestral. You belong to me. As you have since your conception. This game of pretend ends tonight."

It seemed with each pony to oppose her, the more Nightmare's mood fell. She was no longer grinning. No, now she hissed and sneered like a captured predator. All fang, with no power to frighten any but the frail and dumb. 

"That is not how ruling works. Nobody belongs to you, as nobody belongs to My Queen. We serve because we adore the Mother of our Hive. A Hive that accepts anyone who wishes to live free. You are nothing but a monster, playing pretend. A liar, a fake."

I think Nightmare Moon was less surprised than the rest of our party was. Even Sombra seemed taken aback by Thorax's declaration. The ordinarily timid Changeling looked no more like a Captain of his Hive than he did at that moment. He stood tall, unblinking, fangs bared. I was the last to move. Though I was hardly needed. Six lights glowed, casting away the shadows and fear. Nightmare Moon could feel it, too, the changing tides. 

"So it seems my visions were true. A set of supposed saviors. Ones who believed they could wield the Elements of Harmony. If you believe you can usurp my throne, then, by all means, come and take it. Cast your power forth and summon the waiting Elements. Don't be shy."

Nightmare Moon now stood, a shadow cast over the hall and left none free of her darkness. I could feel it in the back of my mind. A sudden urge. A simple impulse. I couldn't tell why, but the longer I focused on it, the stronger it grew. I stepped to the side and let the shadows consume me. 

"I'm waiting." Nightmare said. 

The others looked to Sombra. His horn glowed as he reached out into the world around him. The aura of his horn expanded, then, as suddenly as the light had started, it sparked and died. The others blinked and looked around. 

"Oh, is that all? Perhaps you were not as chosen as you thought." Nightmare said with a furious beat of her wings. Her grin was back as she stepped from her dais.

"What's wrong?" Bright asked.

"It seems we've missed something," Blue whispered. 

"Wait, where's Star?" Thorax asked. 

Sabre looked behind himself and found that where I'd been was now distinctly lacking one to turn back to. 

"Where?" Sabre asked. 

"Do you yield little foals? Do you see now this whole affair was a testament to redundancy? A battle of attrition, I was always destined to win."

Nightmare's horn glowed. The beacon of bright blue energy crackled and hissed in the air. Everyone's attention returned to the queen. Sombra growled and pulled a barrier forth. Nightmare barely noticed. A single bolt of mana struck Sombra's wall. The wall shuttered but held. Nightmare hmphed and fired a second bolt, then a third. With each, the wall shook and rattled, pulsed, and blinked. Sombra's horn flared as he poured more and more energy into his shield. Blueblood also cursed and ran his lesser power into the protective spell. 

"Pitiful children, the only fakes here are the six of you lowly insects. Now bow!"

"I bow to none," Sombra said through gritted teeth. Even with Blueblood's help, his shield was barely holding. While Nightmare hardly seemed aware of the spells she was casting. She was too busy smugly declaring her victory. 

Sombra pushed forward with his magic inch by inch, and the shield slid across the masonry. He leered up at his foe. Thorax added his meager magic to the barrier following Blueblood's lead.

The other less magically endowed followed the three spellcasters, never giving an inch. They stood side by side with the struggling trio. A unified front, even if the Elements hadn't been drawn from wherever they were hidden. 

"We're not giving up," Sabre shouted. 

"You haven't won yet," Bright said. 

Nightmare scoffed and waved a hoof in their general direction. 

"The delusional battle cry of the dead. You are not the first to oppose us."

"That's the difference, though. Some oppose, and we defy. That's the very reason you stayed tucked away in your palace. You'd have no need to hide if we weren't a threat."

Blueblood spat. A trickle of blood ran down his nose. If he noticed, he made no show of it. The others weren't much better. Thorax wasn't a strong mage to start, and Sombra was a master of his craft, but he was still a unicorn taking on an Alicorn. The difference was not imagined. But the three did not stop. Inch by inch, they pushed on. 

"And soon, your defiance will give way to regret and agony as you die by my hoof. I am the very Night itself. As the sky above, my rule will be eternal."

Light flashed behind Nightmare Moon as she laughed. A laugh that could be heard across the castle ground and deeper into the Everfree itself. All but forgotten, I couldn't help but smile right alongside her. The impulse ticked away in the back of my head. Every second drew me closer to my goal. It was a matter of seconds, and my whole body buzzed with unkempt tension. 

I could almost hear the Voice. They edged me on. They laughed and brushed aside Nightmare's design like a fire to the page. It would burn away her power, her smug condescension. It would leave nothing behind. The shadows had all but consumed my vision. That left only the dark and the Nightmare. 

The shield cracked lines, spindling out as Nightmare increased the volume of her spells. The bolts became a beam as it pushed and sparked against Sombra's barrier. Sombra foamed at the mouth as everything begins to give. Sabre pressed himself to Sombra's side, halting the King's slow pace backward. 

"Give no ground," Sabre said as Spade and Bright assisted Thorax and Blueblood. Even with the six pressing against, Nightmare's spell, the shield was shattering faster than energy could be added to repair it. 

"It's over!" 

Nightmare raised herself to her back hooves and delivered a heavy stomp. The room shook beneath her might. No sooner had she spoken than the shield dissipated, and the six stallions were thrown about the floor, dazed and confused. 

"Not yet," Sabre said shakily, rising to his hooves. 

"You poor, sad, little colt. Let us put you to rest."

Nightmare's horn bloomed. The spell fired but never reached its mark. Instead, between Nightmare Moon and her prey. I stood, and my entire body hummed with the vibrations of the spell that slammed into my chest. I couldn't feel the impact, but the sudden lurch of my body foretold a direct blow. Then there was the blood. I hacked up a wad of dark ichor that painted a darker contrast to the dull blueish grey of the stone. 

The room was silent. One by one, as the others came to, they noted my slouched form. Then they noticed the blood. My vision swam, and my heart pounded in my ears. I felt cold, my fur stood on end, and the whole world danced beneath my hooves. 

I looked up as best I could. There were a dozen slipping-and-sliding Nightmares to look at, but I did my best. I grinned like mad, my fangs glistening in strings of yet unshed blood. Nightmare looked to me, then past me at the still-standing and unmarred Sabre. 

"My my, a touching sacrifice. If ultimately pointless."

I chuckled, then giggled, then laughed. I threw back my head, and for all I had, I laughed. I didn't see Nightmare's reaction, Sabre's, or anyone else's. My muzzle to the sky, my body shook as blood and spittle flew from my maw. 

"How sad, the poor thing has gone mad from fright and blood loss," Nightmare Moon tsked and aimed her horn once more at me. 

I shook my head as my laughter calmed. As Ngithmare prepared her Coup de grâce. "You don't get it, do you?"

Nightmare's brow rose, but her spell continued to charge. "Get what, the ramblings of a dying stallion?

"A spark, just a spark."

Nightmare's spell fired, and everything went white. 

I expected pain or to be blown off my hooves. I even wondered if my life would flash before my eyes. Or, maybe the shadows would consume me. The Voice could always have been God or Death or something. They said we might meet. But, none of the above. I could barely stand. My body was racked with shakes. I could still hear my heart pounding. When the light faded, I was staring up at Her Royalness Nightmare Moon. She wasn't smiling anymore. She was frowning, frowning as hard as she could, so hard that she'd bit her lip with one of her fangs. I'm surprised I didn't do that more often. It must be a size thing. 

The next thing I noticed was something standing ahead and to the side of me. That and the tinted glow that separated Nightmare Moon and me. I took to a coughing fit as I tried to focus on the body to my side. 

"Sombra?" I asked. 

Sombra didn't look back. He didn't need to. The fury on his face was frightful even from my side of things. The aura that his horn emitted was so thick that his horn itself was unseen. I shook my head. The impulse was gone, at least. I bet the Voice did that, somehow. 

"How dare you," Sombra said between grit teeth. Now, if only he bit himself, we'd all have red fangs. I tried to laugh, only to fall into another coughing fit. Sombra wasn't looking at Nightmare Moon anymore. I gulped. "Do you have any idea how stupid that was? This was not your fight. How dare you think you can just die on me."

I blinked. "Huh?"

Sombra's eyes began to glow. It wasn't the red and greens from when we met. The light was a hypnotic white. As if the sclera had consumed the rest of the eye and then turned on the night light. I held up a hoof to block the light. 

"No!" Nightmare yelled. 

Sombra paid her no mind as she fired spell after spell as Sombra's shield. "Did you think any of us would just let you die? Did you believe you mattered so little?"

"I—"

"Reckless."

Sabre said from behind us.

"Unthinkable," Blueblood added.
  
"Clueless," Spade said. 

"Stupid," Bright cheered. 

"Selfish," Thorax finished. 

"Why won't you just die!" Nightmare roared. She'd begun stomping, yelling, and firing spells indiscriminately in all directions. The room shook, the windows exploded outward, and rock and mortar crumbled away. 

"Once more."

Sombra stood tall. The light that had overtaken his eyes spread and exploded around us. Sombra began to float slowly. He rose, and as I tried to follow, I noted the others doing the same. The six were pulled toward each other. Six lights shining as one. 

"No! No! No!." Nightmare's laments were lost to the scene before me. 

One by one, each stallion found an armor piece, with a gem in its center form around their chests. The jewels took various shapes, each distinctly their own. The look of awe on the others was amusing. Everyone but Sombra, who was trying his best to look fierce. This was it, wasn't it? This was them, the Elements of Harmony. This is where it all led. the trails of blood that speckled my face mixed with tears. I don't remember crying, but the tears came all the same. The warm trickle down my muzzle made me smile all the harder.    

"Woah."

It was all I could manage. Then there was light, a lot of light. The world was consumed by a rainbow of energy. It twisted high into the rafters. A warm ray of power, as gentle as a breeze and as boundless as the seas. It overflowed with emotions and left me with a joy I could not relay in words alone. I simply knew it, and it knew me. 

Then it started to burn. My entire body convulsed. I gagged and sputtered. I would have screamed if my mouth wasn't busy ejecting a putrid stream of dark slime. The shadows were pulled along with it. I never felt myself fall. Even as the shadows flew free from every orifice they could. All of it directed out from a hole Nightmare had made in the ceiling. When the light faded, and the shadows disappeared, I felt something inside break. Then everything went dark. 

A voice to lead through means unknown, a wink and whisper from a distant stone. To save a life, to save one more, Harmony doth cry and opened a door. Night doth wane, but a bard I am not. Order restored through the machinations of…

"What a show, Little Star." 
> The Dawn That Follows
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was over. The dreaded Queen of Equestria had been bested. When the unnecessarily colorful magic summoned by the Elements ceased, all was quiet. I admit I was at a loss for words. The power these six magical gems possessed was unimaginable. A lesser pony might be consumed with such force, corrupted by such desires. I was no such pony. 

No sooner had my hooves touched the ground than the others regaining their senses after such a moment, they began to celebrate. That is to say. Bright Pitch had flown into the rafters with an unintelligible cheer. The others had much more restrained reactions. For all his noble bluster, Blueblood grinned with such smugness that I might have believed he forfeited his Element right then and there. Light Sabre had fallen to his haunches staring at nothing at all. 

The remaining pair seemed content that it was over. I had little doubt Captain Thorax would be having words with his Queen at some point soon. That left only what was before us. In the smoke of the Elements blast lie none other than Princess Luna. She was smaller than I recalled, and her mane was also different. It was no longer the gentle flowing constellations of her night sky but a delicate blue, solid and painfully average.

The second thing of note was Stargazer. He lay face-up, eyes closed, and limp to all the world. I took a step forward and cleared my throat. 

"Stargazer."

There was no reply. I would not be surprised if he were caught in the aftermath of The Elements. However, the wound that had marked his chest. The injury left by Nightmare Moon moments before her defeat was gone. He'd been healed, not unexpected though being rendered unconscious seemed at odds with the spell we'd used. 

I took another step forward.

"Stargazer."

Still no reply. By this point, the others had taken note of my reactions. I could feel my fangs grinding as I glared down at Stargazer. Only he could be injured by a corrective spell. I heard the clops behind me but didn't bother looking back. 

"Sombra?" Light Sabre asked. 

I shook my head and crossed the few meters between Stargazer and myself. 

I stood over him, my horn ignited, and I made to rouse him. There was no response. I tried twice more before letting the spell disperse. I took a sharp breath. I could feel the familiar crawl under my skin. I stomped, splitting the stone beneath my hoof. 

"Sombra, what's wrong? What happened to Star?" Thorax asked. 

The others were beginning to encircle Stargazer. Each looked over his motionless form and reacted in their own way. They were predictable and utterly irrelevant. I paid them no mind. Instead, marching past the others. The Princess of the Night was rousing. That struck one theory from my mind. The Elements were an enhancing set of artifacts based on a particular set of paradigms. They required such a precise relay of magic that they were useless to all but the few chosen by their power. One such user was the Princess sitting before me.

"Princess Luna."

The pale reflection of the Princess I knew some centuries ago was but a ghost. She was alive. The power emanating off her was potent if far and away from the likes of Nightmare Moon's own magical might. Yet, she reacted to her name all the same. 

"Sombra?"

The Princess eyed me even as she made it to her hooves. I nodded. I wasn't surprised. Time and experience mark us all. I  did not need her trust, only her cooperation. I stepped to the side and pointed to the group gathered around Stargazer. The others had no more luck than I in rousing him from his 'slumber.' If one could call it that. The body was very much alive. If not unresponsive to the world around it. However, everything else was void, null, and empty. 

Luna only puzzled the scene for a moment before slowly joining the others. I followed suit. I needed answers. If anyone might know the more profound applications of the Elements and the power they wielded, it was she who'd used them long before I or the others. 

Luna came to a stop before Stargazer. The others had finally noticed. The reactions were interesting. Sabre seemed caught between glowering and bowing to the rightful Mistress of the Night. Bright Pitch seemed in awe. Sturdy Spade gave the Princess a shrug and returned to staring at Stargazer's body. Thorax gave a slight bow, almost reflexively. It was Blueblood. However, that reacted the most. 

He stood, strode past the others, and gently pulled the surprised mare into a hug. It lasted only a few seconds. But the smile it brought Luna was worthy enough of a reaction. 

"It is nice to meet you, Aunt Luna. I'm glad to see you finally free of that monster," Blueblood said softly. 

"As am I. I am glad to know each of you was a part of my return. We have much to do. So many lives have been ruined by my jealousy. I have much to account for. However."

Luna looked back down at Stargazer. "This is most troubling."

"He's alive," I said. 

Luna shook her head. "If by only the simplest definitions. It is as if his very magic was ripped from his body. The husk behind is all but dead. Though to the why and how I am afraid I am at a loss."

It was as I thought. My probe gave a similar response.

"Did the Elements do this?" Light Sabre asked.

"If they did, it would be beyond anything I've seen them do. They are not a weapon of death. To think they would rip the soul from a pony is beyond their power or purpose."

"So, what do we do?" Bright asked. The rambunctious author had finally rejoined us on Equis. The Thestral was twitching and fidgeting in place. He dared not look at what became of Stargazer. I did not blame him. 

"I know not," Luna said. 

Bright Pitch turned to me, and the others joined him in leering at me. I tsked. "I have no answers. If Luna does not know what has happened to our friend, then how would I?" I paused in that thought. The word I'd used to describe Stargazer. It tickled the tongue. 'Friend' was not a word I'd often used. It was heavier than I remember. It also brought the faintest amount of joy and sorrow in equal measure.

"Then you little ponies are all too lucky, I do."

The Voice. It echoes from every wall. It was followed by a laugh and pink mist. The others looked about as the pink fog rolled in from all directions. All was well and good. I was hardly surprised The Voice, or the one who wielded it, would only join us in such a flamboyant manner. Their riddles were a forerunner to their most authentic self. 

Luna, unlike the others, had not been taken by surprise. Not the same kind of surprise, at the very least. The mare was shaking in place. Her eyes pinprick as she mumbled something under her breath. I rested a hoof on the Princess' shoulder. 

"You know, the owner of that respiteful voice, yes?" I asked. 

Luna managed only one word, two syllables, the word was commonplace as any linguistic tool, yet it sent a shiver down my spine. A name I'd heard of long ago. A tale of Two alicorns and a beast that ruled absolutely. A monster that was far more significant than any Nightmare. 

"Discord."

"And we have a WINNER!"

In a poof of unnaturally white smoke, it was none other than the Lord of Chaos floating above us. A smile tucked behind his curved snaggletooth. A collage of many beasts Discord looked down at us. Sabre was the first to react. 

"You know what happened to Stargazer?" he asked. 

"I do. After all, I was the one who dropped him into the Everfree all those long, long weeks ago. The first of many dominoes lined up just right. Do you know how hard it is to find a worthwhile soul in the infinite aether between dimensions?" Discord had teleported to Sabre's left and jabbed him in the shoulder from the right. 

Luna had backpedaled away, only for Discord to wink at Sabre before appearing behind Luna and wrapping her in a hug. "Oh, little Lulu, how I've missed your not-so-starry-but-will-be-starry butt."

"Release me, monster," Luna yelled, struggling vainly in Discord's grip. When she settled down, Discord plopped her back to the floor and was suddenly all too close for my liking. 

"My my, Mr. Kingly Grump. No need to be so tense. Relax." Discord melted before my eyes only to reconstitute just as quickly. "You wanted answers, right?"

I offered a curt nod.

"Right, so where was I? Oh, right, the fruit metaphor." Discord produced a bunch of carrots with a sign above them saying, 'Try my fruits.' "So it was a massive pain, I'll tell you. It's like picking fruit. Some are good, some are bad, and some are rotten. But Starry here, he was the PERFECT candidate to SPARK a fire. A kindling, if you will, a force to awaken change. To provoke chaos at its basest level. A perfect sponge to collect all that chaos just for me."

"What did you do to Star?" Blueblood said, taking a step toward the master of causality. That was not an intelligent decision, but a brave one nonetheless.

"Didn't I just get done with the metaphors? Should I run through them again?" Discord asked. A massive coned cap appeared on Blueblood's head that read 'Dummy.'

"You know well that is not what he means, Discord."

Luna had found her spine, it seemed. That was a nice change of pace. 

"Fine, spoilsports. You can see little Stargazer if that is his real name." Discord sidled beside Thorax and whispered loud and proud behind one taloned army. "Makes you wonder."

"Discord!" Luna growled. 

Discord quaked in mock terror. "No need to get violent, Moon butt. I'm getting there." Discord stood straight and coughed into his paw. "Right, so I summoned Stargazer for two reasons. One to help kick Black Snooty in her rotund black booty. As you can see, that worked out just as most of Equis and I wanted. Lulu lives, and big bad Night-night is no more."

"And the other?" Thorax asked. 

"As an urn for all his chaos. Isn't that right? A vessel, a sacrifice."

Sturdy Spade did not look happy. In fact, he seemed very unhappy. The glint in his eye was not that of a pony. It was the sharpest, most easily read he'd been since I'd met the pegasus. It was the eye of a predator, a hunter who had found his prey. It caught even Discord off guard. The chimera stumbles back and hides his face behind his mismatched arms. 

"So scary." 

"Is he correct?" I asked.

"Almost. If Stargazer was nothing but a chug jug, just a cool refreshing cup of chaos on an entropy-filled day. Then he'd be gone. Completely wiped away by the magic of Harmony. Chaos and Harmony are opposites, you see, like oil and milk. They don't mix." Discord raised a picket sign with Harmony crossed out in a big red x.

"You call this any better?" Sabre asked, pointing to Stargazer's unresponsive form. 

"I mean, clearly. The poor tyke is just all tired out. He had a long night, you see."

Discord cackled as the whole of the group glared at him. I might have caught the faintest glimpse of a lifted lip for our local mortician.

"So, you can fix him?" Bright asked. The Thestral was eye to eye and face to face with Discord, who did not so much as flinch. He instead plucked Bright Pitch up by the nape of his neck and plopped him beside Spade. Then arms stretching to wrap around us at once pulled us into a semi-circle to one side of Stargazer. 

"Why, of course, I can. I'm not the Lord of Chaos for nothing. Stargazer is just a battery in need of good old fashion charging. You see if the Elements of Harmony." Discord gagged. "Hasn't pulled the chaos from little Star tush, here. He'd have gone mad and lost his already fragile little mind forever."

"You played this game well. Discord. Far more planning than one would predict of a Lord of Chaos," I said. 

"Oh, no, no, no, you have it all wrong. I don't plan anything. This was all natural."

"If that were true, why did you repeatedly intervene on Star's behalf? The Hive mind, the dreams, the times when Star acted under no machinations of his own. You were there, always right when he needed you most."

Blueblood pointed at Discord. His smug smile had returned. 

Discord refused to meet Blueblood's eye. He instead tried to whistle it all away. "It isn't like I did that much. Before now, I was nothing but a statue. Feel free to ask Lulu about that later. All I could do was store what little chaos Nightmare Moon's reign allowed. Fear breeds stagnation, and stagnation breeds order, you see. So I was working with pretty much nothing but duct tape and rubber bands here."

"That doesn't disprove our nephew's claims. "Luna looked to Blueblood and smiled as she declared him hers for all to hear.

"Well, I mean…."

There was a chuckle, then a giggle, and finally a laugh. Thorax was clutching his sides as he laughed at Discord. To which the spirit wrapped his arms and huffed. 

"You like Stargazer, don't you? You wanted to help him. Maybe he was a pawn at one point but by the end. You liked him."

Discord gasped. "Such slander."

"It is not slander if true," Spade said. 

"Admit it, Dizzy. You made a friend," Bright Pitch cooed. 

"I did n—"

"Discord."

Luna pointed to Stargazer. "You altered your spell, didn't you? You altered it so young Stargazer may yet return to us. The plan was not for a battery, but a sacrifice as the Laughing Spade has accused."

Discord stomped the ground warping it in vectors. "Fine, Maybe, just Maybe. I started liking Stargazer a little."

The ground returned to normal. Spade stood proud, joining Blueblood in the smug guild. Those two would cause a war if left unchecked. 

"It is okay to want friends, Discord. Believe it or not, you helped more than yourself, more than just Stargazer. You helped teach us all something about friendship. It's been a long road, but even if only in spirit, you walked it with us."

Discord clawed at his eyes. "Too much sap. Make it stop."

"So, you said you can revive Stargazer. Please do," I said. 

Discord released his eyelids that pulled back into place with such force his eyes spun in rapid rotations. "Fine." Discord snapped his fingers. 

"Well?" Bright asked. 

"Give it a second, geez. Some ponies," Discord scoffed. 

Then Star's eyes opened. He blearily looked at all those standing around him. 

"What did I miss?" he asked. 

"Weeeell," Bright Pitch inhaled. 

Sabre shoved a hoof in Bright's mouth. "That can wait. I believe we have a dawn to see."

"Glad to see you're back, Luna." Star blinked and then snorted. He'd finally noticed Luna, who'd taken to counting the cracks in the stonework.

"It is good to see you as well. Though I am sad to say, I can not rouse the day. It will be some time before I return to my full strength."

"Bummer," Star said.

I turned and coughed at Discord. Who blinked before my intent crossed his addled mind. 

"Perhaps I can be of service?"

Star bolted upright. He trailed the group to the one he'd not met. Discord waved.

"You're the voice."

"Discord, actually."

"Wow, glad I finally get to meet you, you know, in the flesh," Star offered Discord a hoof. Discord hesitated for a second before wrapping his pawed hand around Star's hoof and giving it several heavy shakes. Shakes that lifted Discord up and about as he shook. 

"It's my pleasure."

"So, I heard an offer at dawn from our friendly neighborhood, Chaos Master?" Spade said with a wink at Discord."

"I suppose I can help out, just until Luna is back up and running again. I do have a reputation, you know. I can't do schedules forever. Think of what the other me's would say." Discord thumbed over his shoulder to a bunch of other Discords in various hats whispering amongst themselves. 

Star took a deep breath and started toward the throneroom doors. "Well, what are we waiting for? It's a brand new day, and I will not miss it."

One by one, the others filed out. I waited till last. I gave the night sky from the shattered windows of the throneroom a long look. I am still determining when or why. But I couldn't help but smile. I'd expected things to play out differently than they did. But for what it's worth. I would not change a single thing. It was like Stargazer had said. 

"A brand new day."
> Everything After
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, everyone's here." I looked around the table. The sun was shining as the whole of Equestria bathed in the golden rays. I couldn't believe it had been almost a year since the day broke. It was almost funny looking back on it. So much work, just to get saddled with even more. But here we were in Canterlot Castle. It had taken a lot of doing, but it was all worth it. 

Thirteen chairs, each taken around the most oversized table in the oldest wing of the monument to Equestria past, present, and future. The castle had taken quite some time to fix up. Some areas were still ongoing, but it was far and away leagues better than last year. 

"We're all here, yes," Blueblood answered.

"Faust knows it's been a reunion in the makings," Spade added. 

"No kidding. Chryssie and I barely have time to think most days. Then there's the foal on the way. Gah," Shining Armor, for all his guard training and running a rebellion, was on the cusp of insanity. Ever since he'd learned Chrysalis was pregnant, he'd gone bonkers. 

"Calm down, you. How many times are we going to need to discuss this?" Chrysalis asked, slapping her husband on the back of the head. 

"Right, sorry."

A soft giggle drew the attention of the group. Pink mane billowing in its own breeze set the white Alicorn in an exquisite way. The laugh only added to it. Fatherhood suits you, Captain. Oh, my apologies, ex-captain."

"Agreed, dear sister, Shining Armor is quite the amusing fit for such efforts."

Luna sat beside her sister. It was funny seeing both Alicorn sisters as being the same size. They looked more like fraternal twins now than older and younger siblings. I had been shown what Celestia looked like before her capture by Nightmare Moon. But, magic is what magic does. It took some time for Luna to bring her sister back from her banishment, but judging by the shared smiles. There was no bad blood left to fester.

"Yeah, funny, but seriously. You can ask my replacement about the stress of keeping everyone safe. I mean, the dragon migration, the bout with Tirek, and reconstruction. It can get pretty taxing. Right, Captain Sabre?"

Saber sat to my left. His armor was polished, sat at perfect attention, chin raised high. "I have no idea what you mean, sir. I'd rather be here than running a whole country."

"Well, between Myself, my husband, Luna, and Celestia, we make do," Chrysalis said. 

Then there's Sombra and his student up north. The Crystal Kingdoms's come a long way in integrating with Equestria. A stronger alliance there has never been," I said. 

"Cadence has been quite the boon, yes."

Sombra sat to my right, and on his other side, Cadence smiled merrily as she sipped on her tea. I couldn't help but snort. Just bang already. 

"Besides, it isn't like the rest of us are just sitting on our butts all day," Bright said. 

"AJ would kill me," Spade said. 

"You're the one who spent months trying to reopen at least part of Sweet Apple Acres. What did you expect the family not to take you in? Besides, you and Applejack make a cute pair. Who knows, maybe you'll end up a dad one of these days."

Thorax smiled across the table at Spade, who'd gone entirely rigid. When he managed to recollect himself, he leaned as far across the table as he could. "I know where you live. And if my days under Nightmare Moon taught me anything, it is how to get rid of a body."

Half the table laughed as Spade struggled to reach Thorax without leaving his seat. I shook my head and leaned back in my chair. 

"That aside, how goes the meetings with the other nations, ambassador?" Celestia said.

"As well as one can expect. We have much to do to return any trust to Equestria. Though the travel is nice if nothing else."

Blueblood whimsically looked out the nearest window. He'd taken to his new role like a fish to water. The constant travel and airships seemed gravy on the side. It reminded me of my past. Or, more my first life. I'd never bothered telling anyone I'd woken up that night after Nightmare's defeat remembering everything. Discord might know, but if he did, he'd said nothing in the end. I wasn't that me anymore now. I was happy and surrounded by those I loved. That was enough. It was more than I could ever ask for. My old life was nothing special, just another cog in the machine. I would disappear in a crowd if I wandered into the masses. I won't say it was a bad life. Just uninteresting. I even offered an idea here and there from my old home. Magic was nice and all, but sometimes, it made things needlessly complicated. 

But more than that, the life I left behind changed nothing. I knew who I was and who I wanted to be. Here on Equis, I found something more more than just living, here I was alive.  

The conversation had bled off into Bright talking about his signing tours. He'd made good on his word and turned our whole adventure into a bestseller. The question wasn't if he was a success; it was what story would come next. 

"Besides, it's nothing compared to how much Thorax's medical centers are doing. I just give bits. He gives all his sweat and blood. Sometimes literally."

Bright said, waving over at Thorax, who was blushing something fierce. I snorted. Competition against the Element of Kindness, when it came to charity, was not a fair game. I felt an arm wrap around my shoulder. "Those two are my OTP." 

Discord laughed loud enough to draw everyone's attention. "And Discord, how have you been? Still wrapping up the few Nightmare supporters running about?" Celestia asked. 

"Oh please, those goons are all batty. Especially when I bring out Bruce." Discord poofed back in full baseball attire, an oversized bat, with Bruce stenciled down the side in hand. 

"I'll bet. It would explain why half of the acolytes are out cold with knots the size of grapefruits," Sabre appraised. 

"Would you expect anything less?" I asked. 

"He'd have to be a fool to play those odds," Sombra snorted. 

"How rude," Discord threw Bruce over his shoulder to the sound of something shattering. Then without so much as looking back, he poofed back to his seat. Where Discord lazily sipped at his teacup. The cup itself, I would never understand his dietary needs.

"I guess the real question on everyone's mind is what comes next? What crazy, world-ending threat could possibly hit us next? An army of zeppelins, maybe?" I asked. 

"Don't you dare, don't you even dare. shut your stupid face right now!" Shining yelled from across the table. 

"Oh, come on, I was just—"

Sabre jabbed me in the ribs.

"What?" I asked. 

Everyone else had turned to the windows. A buzzing had started. A mechanical huff and turning of gears. I wrapped my face in my hooves. "You have got to be kidding me. 

"Nope," Spade said, slouching in his chair. 

"I hate you, Star," Shining said. 

"No worries, I hate me too."

Out on the horizon, intertwined with a Stormfront. The clouds boomed with thunder, and the distant streaks of lightning paired well with the black beasts that flew straight for Canterlot. Huge zeppelins, a dozen times the size of the cruiser Blueblood traveled in and a hundred times more armored. There must have been a dozen of them. 

It was a curse, I tell you, a curse. If I didn't know better, I'd have thought Discord conjured those stupid things up just to drive me crazy. Well, that or Spade, though I don't think Spade had enough time for this either. 

"So, I guess we know what we're doing today," Thorax said, slowly pulling his chair out and moving away from the table. 

"It seems so," Sabre said, following Thorax's lead. 

"Oh, this will make a killer story."

Bright was on wing faster than the words could leave his mouth. 

"Very well," Blueblood was hot on Bright's trail.

"AJ is going to kick me into next week after all the assurances that nothing was going to happen. No, you can't have any amount of peace. That's just too much to ask." Spade continued to grumble as he stood up and made to leave.   

"We leave the defense of Canterlot Castle in your hooves," Sombra said. He nodded to the royals of Equestria. 

"Of course, tis our duty, is it not?" Luna asked. 

"First, I'll blow those zeppelins out of the sky. Then I'm coming for you." Shining said.

He hadn't stopped glaring at me since the Zeppelins had come into view. I didn't blame him, really. I wasn't looking forward to whatever he had cooking in that mind of his. The Zeppelins never stood a chance. 

"Best of luck, all of you," Chrysalis called. 

"Thanks, I'm sure we'll need it."

I stood and took in a deep breath. I could feel the headache long before it arrived. It was gonna be one of those days. If it wasn't Eternal Night, it was Dragons. If not Dragons, it was a Centaur. It was confounding. It was bewildering. It was tiring. It was life. It was mine, and nobody was going to change that. 

"Good luck Chancellor. We look forward to hearing all about these zeppelins and those who dare point them at Equestria's walls."

Luna and her sister smiled as I turned to the window one last time. The Darkest Hour is the one before the Dawn. And, like the Eternal Night, so too would this storm pass. A hiss answered my thoughts. The shadows danced in my periphery as I strode from the meeting hall. I could the familiar flash of cyan play across one iris. I reached a hoof up and gently rubbed my chest, a phantom pain seizing over my untarnished fur. I shook my head and looked back over my shoulder.    

"Maybe, but that's a story for another day."  


THE END.