Libero

by Discombobulated Soul

First published 16th of September, 2022

Darkest Knight is an eccentric young colt with a curious aversion to others. Behind the closed doors of reality and psyche, what could be plaguing him? And, more importantly, are the citizens of Ponyville at all prepared to deal with the revelation?

Ponyville is filled with strange citizens. Enigmas such as the mildly psychotic Lyra, drama queens Roseluck, Daisy, and Lily, as well as Pinkie Pie, the reality-defying party pony are all welcome in the quaint little town.

But there is one new arrival that stands out among the rest, an individual with a tale so horrifying as to shake this blissful village to its core.

Is it possible to heal any wound? To regain something lost that may never have been there in the first place? Does there exist any hope for a soul that has been so thoroughly broken and betrayed by the world?

In the bright and happy land of Equestria, is it possible to bring such a victim back from the brink?

---

This is a story that's been on my mind for a while, so I figured I'd finally mollify my creative muse's demands and get it out. One of my very favorite things to read about^__indeed, perhaps my most favorite subject^__is those who so desperately need it getting the help and therapy they need. I like to think that in Equestria, where the common citizen is so much friendlier than us humans, such help is likewise more plentiful.

I know that there are some individuals here on earth that are past the point of complete recovery, indeed, past the point that we have tools to help them. But I sincerely doubt that Equestria is bound by the same rules, and thus I've been wondering if there's any individual that's beyond help.

Strap on in folks, this one's gonna be rough.

New cover art by the fantastic Flygon! My gratitude knows no bounds!

(P.S. Just to clarify: The title is Libero as in the Latin word for 'liberate', not the volleyball term.)

(P.P.S. For those understandably put off by the...well...strangeness of the writing in early chapters, it gets better later on.)

A Day In The Life

In a largely peaceful principality, within a mostly uneventful town, inside an unassuming house, in a heavily locked room, a young stallion began his morning routine.

He was unusual among his kind, as far as appearances go, even despite the bright technicolor and nonchalant magical use of said kind. This youth had an unfortunate tendency to stick out in a crowd, although that was due not entirely to his physique.

Pure white forelegs trampled the air in the usual panic, and he fell gracelessly off his bare mattress, unpigmented mane swishing ever so slightly, as if it too was afraid of drawing unwanted attention.

Knight, that being his surname, searched the room in a desperate state of alarm. His hooves scraped against the wood floor, taking his body to the middle of it as his eyes frantically scanned the deepest recesses of the chamber. Light flooded it by use of his magic on the switch designed to provide luminescence.

The room was spartan, to say the least, barren of any furnishing save the lone mattress^__which was unclothed by sheets of any kind^__and the rather simple locked door.

The only other quality worthy of mention was the cemented-off section of the wall that might once have been a closet. Still, Knight's snow-white eyes relentlessly scoured the area, ensuring the walls, floor, and ceiling were free of any irregularities.

Finally satisfied that nothing had been changed while he slept, he turned his attention to the mattress. Horn igniting with a glum grey glow, he lifted the bed and revealed the numerous keys underneath. Darkest--that being the first part of his name--retrieved said items of unsealing and set to work on the door.

It was, as said earlier, quite a plain one, rather resembling a solid slab of grainy wood. Darkest regarded the door with acute fondness and the various locks with an even more penchant expression. Steeling himself for the inevitable icy stab of anxiety, Darkest began his work on the first lock.

Come now, you simply cannot remain stolidly in your room all day. He quite forcibly thought to himself. Darkest had to fight constantly to still his twitching limbs, rapid breathing, and most bothersome of all, his flickering, near disobedient magic trying to change to a different, more comfortable spell.

Finally, after a few minutes of struggle, the first lock was undone and Darkest took a moment to breathe. This pause was necessary, as it was then that the expected rush of incredulous thoughts from the deepest parts of his mind arrived.

What're you doing?

You're safe in here!

You know exactly what's lurking on the other side!

HE's here! HE's waiting for you! Don't go out to HIM!

Darkest knew, intellectually, that every last one of these words was false. He knew--or at very least had reasonable cause to believe--that there was no one else in the house. Finally, he knew for a fact that he was not completely safe anywhere, of that there could be no doubt.

Still, after so many years of the same status quo, such a transition would be jarring for anypony.

Finally, Darkest returned his gaze to the door and resumed his undoing of the locks. The first one was always the worst, but after that it was usually relatively calm until he opened the door. That was how it usually worked, but as Darkest made use of the keys he noticed a lingering and growing sense of grim dread. Unable to push it aside, he did his best to accept the feeling and move on until finally-

Somepony's there.

Knight immediately leaped back, not noticing his screeching wail as he bounded across the room and scrabbled onto his mattress in a blind panic. Curling into a tight fetal position, Knight tensed every muscle in his body in preparation for what he knew would happen.

He could already feel the primal, arcane energies gathering around his horn, tracing familiar fine-tuned paths through his thaumatic pathways. Ready to cast the spell that was nearly as comfortable as breathing, he opened his panic-filled white eyes to find a direction to cast it, only to discover...

...Nopony...

Knight took several heaving breaths, his muscles already loosening, the arcane power centered in his horn slowly dying away.

But somepony could be in the house.

Knight stiffly dropped from the mattress and crept gingerly to the doorway. Beyond there was a modest landing and a door leading to a rather small bathroom, with stairs heading down. Being sure to leave the door open as an escape route, he began methodically searching the landing, much like he did to his room earlier.

After several minutes of finding nothing out of place, he moved on to the bathroom. It was quite minuscule, barely big enough for an adult to turn around in, though that wasn't a problem for Knight. The room possessed nothing more than a toilet and sink--it was likely designed for late-night bathroom emergencies, being just outside the bedroom. Although that was hardly a problem for Knight.

He searched this room with similar dedication, paying extra attention to the curves of the sink and irregularities in the tile. Finally satisfied after once again finding nothing unusual, Darkest attempted to force himself to calm down. He lay on the cool tile and slowed his breathing to a more acceptable tempo.

Opening the door is always the worst part. With most of his muscles relaxed, he rose and began turning to the door, but stopped when he caught his reflection in the mirror.

Pale white, snow-white, achromatic, alabaster, nacreous.

Darkest Knight caught himself drifting and focused more clearly on his reflection. The same ever-vigilant, eternally scared white eyes stared back. The same ruffled, unbrushed white coat was there, covering his body. The very same unkempt, unloved mane and tail still reflected that exact white color. Yes, Darkest's coloration was rather comparable to a polar bear in a snowstorm.

It is perfect for hiding the scars. Darkest grimaced. Not that HE would find that necessary in the first place.

Unable to simply shake off the bad memories, Darkest decided to move on with his day, though he couldn't help but notice that that same feeling of grim dread was only growing. There was something, he decided, that his subconscious knew, or perhaps remembered, that he was not privy to. Nevertheless, Darkest began his trip down the stairs and into the rest of the house, his hoofsteps noticeably more confident than before.

That quickly changed once he reached the bottom, even though he hadn't encountered anything of note. After all, he had not searched the downstairs yet, so who knew what could be down here. Darkest felt the scared thoughts and temptations building up inside him, putting an uncomfortable pressure on his mind. He was barely able to suppress them enough to function, dismissing the arcane energy that had built up by habit.

He shook his head, breathed, and trotted into the kitchen. The dread increased significantly as he made his way over to the refrigerator, hoping for an early breakfast, and it climaxed as he opened the door with a flick of his magic.

Empty.

The word described the feeling in his gut as well as the current state of the fridge. Darkest checked the nearby pantry as well and found that word an apt descriptor for it also. After observing the calendar on the pantry wall, he finally understood his dread.

Saturday. he thought. Oh, by Celestia, it is Saturday. It was on this day that the market was busiest, but the prices were also at their lowest. Darkest had found early on that it was only on this day that he could afford enough food to sustain himself, and so had made it the day he went for groceries.

Darkest staggered out of the pantry and soon stumbled over his own legs, sprawling out over the kitchen floor. Come now, you have done this before. Why, you shopped quite admirably at the bazaar just last week! He weakly stood and wobbled across the kitchen floor, onto the carpeted living room flooring, and collapsed against the front door. Darkest only allowed himself a few minutes to prepare before he stood up and faced the barrier between his place of relative familiarity, if not safety, and the great unknown.

No, that is foolish. I know exactly what is behind this door. I will see my street, then my neighbors' houses, then the cobblestone path heading deeper into Ponyville. Using these thoughts to steady himself, He pushed past the hesitation and paranoia to open the door before he could truly consider what he was doing.

Oh, right. I locked it. Blast. Igniting his horn once again, Darkest sent his magic to the one remaining key in his room. As it was levitated back to him, he could feel the very slight discomfort of the simplest cantrip a unicorn could learn on his horn.

The spell rubbed his fine-tuned arcane matrix the wrong way, lightly irritated his mana pool on the way out, and ran contrary to his established ley patterns. It was altogether significantly less comfortable than his preferred spell. Still, at least I can cast it.

As the key approached the heavy padlock, Darkest tensed his body in preparation. In one short burst, he opened the padlock, then the door, and hurriedly stepped outside, closing it behind him. Of course, this caused his legs to immediately seize up in terror as his subconscious caught up.

Knight turned and scrabbled at the door frantically, but he'd already re-locked it from the inside.

In his panic, Knight was unable to force his magic along the necessary uncomfortable pathways to unlock it from the outside.

Due to this, Knight immediately galloped straight onto the street, searching frenetically for a connecting alley.

Luckily, Ponyville was full of alleys--the unplanned nature of the construction allowed for many unforeseen nooks and crannies--and it was not long before Knight was able to leap into the shadow of a building and catch his breath.

He was not fit by any means, you see, and was in fact rather small for his age, so such exertions were quite taxing. Luckily, or perhaps not, he was used to such things, and recovered with admirable speed.

When observing his surroundings--though not with near the thoroughness of earlier--revealed no danger, Darkest slumped against the wall in short-lived relief before shaking his head in disgust.

Come now, can I not leave my abode in a controlled manner, just on one instance? Shaking the tension out of his body much like a dog would dry itself, Darkest strode out the familiar alcove with his head held as high as instinct would permit--which was to say about level with his shoulders--and a determined wince adorning his face. Though not before grabbing the concealed bit-purse from that selfsame alley and slinging it around his neck.

As Darkest headed along the road he noticed the first rays of dawn peeking over the horizon and smiled ever so slightly. Three hours. Thought he. That is a new record. Though with those selfsame beams of light a realization dawned on his apt subconscious.

They're waking up.

That is a good thing! Firmly announced Darkest from within his mental landscape as he unlocked his legs and slowed his breathing. That means that the market will be open soon, and I can purchase my necessities all the earlier. He continued on his not-so-merry way, proud of himself for gazing at his emerging neighbors only a few seconds, rather than the usual minute or so.

Instinctual anxiety aside, Darkest felt more at ease around them just then than he ever had in the past--his heart rate was only twice its regular tempo and his shying away was much less noticeable compared to his other excursions.

What was more, they in return were giving him significantly less surprised looks, as though they had grown used to his presence.

Darkest even caught a friendly nod from Time Turner as he passed by, and managed a cordial grimace in response. All told, he was feeling much better about the ongoing excursion. Mayhap I will not even require a break in an attached alley!

Darkest kept up this cheerful disposition all the way through Ponyville and as he crested the small hill in the path before the dip that was town square, the usual stab of anxiety and terror at seeing so many ponies was reduced to a mere tightening in posture, rather than a panic-powered dive into the nearest alley.

It used to be a lot harder, reflected Darkest as he unadroitly walked down to the square, legs stiff as a board and tail clamped firmly between his legs, I recall flinching at every sudden flash of light and cowering inside one of my barriers as I slowly starved to death. That was before I learned that the outside world plays by a different set of rules entirely than the place I was raised.

Darkest's slight smile grew as he approached the first stall, passing several exiting ponies who had already purchased their goods. I'm so glad I got out of that place.

It then promptly dropped right away as though harshly chastised, replaced by a preemptive flinch befitting one of his status when he reached the front. If only there was not so much social interaction.

"Hiya! Mighty fine day we're having today, ain't it? What can ah get for ya?"

An excruciating feeling of grinding pain and horrendous agony tore at Darkest's ears at that simple exclamation. He knew it was most definitely not her fault, but such a way of speaking existed in complete defiance of everything he had been forced to learn.

He almost couldn't think due to the barrage of improper, casual speech, let alone comprehend the harsh sounds of her greeting.

Her redundant use of the word 'day', the foreign word she utilized so lackadaisically between 'today' and 'it', neither of which begun to mention the heavy mincing of her words. It was as though they were coming to him through some filter, thoroughly distorting their sound to the point that he could scarcely salvage their meaning.

All of it combined to convert her words into a nearly indecipherable mess. Luckily, this was not the first time Darkest had encountered this manner of speech, and due entirely to practice he was able to muster up a reply.

"Quite indeed, I felt that the sun cresting over the distant and distinct sierra this day was especially pulchritudinous."

Deep emerald eyes squinted at him slightly, and what Darkest thought to be a puzzled expression dominated her face before a sudden look of recognition replaced it.

"Ah know you! Yer that fancy-talkin' feller who comes 'round every week!" A slight grimace that might in some demented foal's mind resemble a smile overtook his face at the recognition. He had hoped to remain below notice, but it seemed those days were over.

"Yes, I believe that would be me. To answer your antecedent inquiry," he fidgeted, lightly gripping the ground and excavating a small depression, "I would very much appreciate your magnanimousness in allowing me to purchase a dozen or so examples of your resplendent produce." She tilted her head in slight befuddlement, causing her curly orange mane to shift to the left.

"So... ya wanna buy some carrots then?" Clenching his teeth to bear the pain of her speech, Darkest nodded shyly. This caused her to brighten, and with an "alrighty then!" she began bagging her produce. "Ya know, ponies around here ain't usually interested in the raw carrots. 'Shucks, they're usually interested in mah home-baked carrot cake'n other such delectable treats."

She raised a pale lime hoof to her chin, eyes rolling up in a thoughtful expression. "Shoot, yer actually the only local pony ah cain think of that likes ta buy 'em." Her emerald orbs fixated back on Darkest as she quirked an eyebrow. "Y'sure ya don' want mah famous carrot cake?" Darkest shook his head slightly before opening his muzzle, lightly kicking himself for stuttering.

"N-nay, good madame, I believe I shall have to rebuff your offer. How much for the carrots?" This was a phrase that Darkest had heard a lot around the market. It had greatly assisted his attempts to learn the concept of currency. Apparently, there were these things called 'bits' that could be exchanged for goods at varying amounts.

He had had to take up a 'job' so to work and thus 'earn' these bits. The market lingo appeared a language all to its own for Darkest, but by staying low and keeping attentive ears to his surroundings--something he had been instinctively doing for as long as he could remember--he had been able to learn the basic principles.

She shrugged dismissively. "Six bits fer'a dozen of Equestria's finest carrots. Som'a tha biggest ones from this season, too."

He lightened his expression in appreciation as he levitated exactly seven bits from the purse around his neck. He soon after placed them on the ledge that acted as the divider between them. The carrot farmer raised an inquisitive eyebrow as she slid the bag and a single bit over the edge, with him catching it reflexively in his magic.

"Say, ah never got yer name, pardner. Ah'm Carrot Top!" She held out a hoof expectantly. Darkest instinctively flinched back before blinking rapidly.

"Indeed not." He agreed, thoroughly puzzled and no longer only mildly scared. Carrot Top merely rolled her hoof as though expecting something. His gaze traveled from her hovering hoof to the bits on the counter to her grinning countenance and back a few times before a sudden realization entered his brain.

"You are asking for my name?" At her nod, he exhaled in mild relief, lowering his raised hind leg and murmuring in a small, shy voice. "Darkest Knight. T-that's what my name is." His face immediately turned downcast at the confession, though Carrot hardly seemed to notice. Instead, she recoiled in moderate surprise, placing her unused foreleg back under her.

"'Darkest'? Don't that seem silly to ya? Ah mean, yer whiter than mah ma when she realized we'd missed our shipment date by ah year! Now is that a story all right! _{Don' worry though, 'tall turned out all right, it did...}"

The rest of the most assuredly captivating story was lost as Darkest hurriedly fled the vicinity, produce and single rejected bit in tow. The brutal butchering of his buffer-less ears had finally overwhelmed him.

He simply could not handle the way she spoke for a prolonged amount of time and knew he needed a break before the next purchase. Fleeing town square, he collapsed in the first alley he saw, thankfully escaping the notice of the townsponies.

The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plains. The words were a constant mantra he repeated to himself.

They were meaningless, of course--there was no place in Equestria called Spain, and if the rain were to stay in the plains there, it would have to be controlled by pegasi.

Still, the nonsense helped to ground him and remove the burning images of a metal rod assisting in the correction of his speech from the forefront of his mind.

Mayhap I am not ready for this venture to-day, thought Darkest with a self-loathing scowl adorning his face. Just the apples. He decided, setting forth to continue the harrowing journey, against his better judgment. I shall just need the apples to sustain myself over the next week.

He checked the purse and counted six bits remaining. That's plenty. And so with a resolute nod Darkest re-entered the town square and immediately set off for the apple stand. The unicorn was just barely able to see the top of it over the heads of the adults surrounding him.

Corralling him. Cornering him.

Each about to brandish their hidden method of subduing.

Each was ready and waiting to strike. To take him back to Canterlot.

Back to pain. Torment.

Danger! Danger! HIDE NOW! HIDENOWHIDENOWHI-

No, that is foolish.

Just barely able to dismiss the arcane energy from his horn, Darkest uncurled from his fetal position. He speedily retrieved his fallen goods and saw only one concerned stare from a flower pony who, luckily enough, seemed to decide not to investigate.

Having resumed his trot towards the apple stall, Darkest found himself wearing the first genuine smile of that week. It is getting easier. He was even able to maintain that grin all the way up to the apple stall, where it promptly fell away once more.

"Howdy, pardner! Fancy yerself a bucket o' the finest apples this side o' Equestria? We bucked a little too much this season, so we're sellin' 'em at a lower price too!" She winked her forest-green eyes good-naturedly, plainly not meaning the latter remark to be taken seriously. Then, she stared expectantly down at him and squinted. "Say, yer not too much bigger than mah lil' sis, Applebloom. How old are ya, lil' guy?"

As with Carrot Top, the orange mare's manner of speech was equally agonizing. With his hind legs already shaking with anxiety and teeth clenched as much as they physically could, Darkest decided to end this interaction as expeditiously as possible. In efforts to satisfy this mission, he replied with a succinct answer, all in one burst.

"Yes indeed, I am in need of your exceedingly palatable produce, how many bits do you require in recompense, and I so happen to be around sixteen years of age by mine own reckoning." She stood there blinking for a few seconds before retrieving a bucket of apples from behind her and placing it on the ground in front of him.

"That's five bits." She said, seeming a tad put off by Darkest's hasty reply. He couldn't care less, needing to vacate the area as soon as mortally possible lest he freak out then and there, tearing up the town square.

He hurriedly placed down the remaining bits in his purse, levitated the bucket next to his bag of carrots, and galloped straight out of the market as if chased by the deepest spawn of Tartarus.

Darkest finally rested in an alley about halfway back to his home, legs shaking with more than just fatigue and breathing heavy with the weight of his terror and pain. He closed his white eyes and once again slowed his breathing, ears swiveling and nose flaring as he focused solely on sounds and smells.

The smell of fresh produce was most prevalent. It was an unfamiliar one that he had not ever encountered in his life before coming here. The quiet whirling sound of his magic was conversely a sensation he was quite familiar with.

Even now, as he tuned into his magical senses he could feel the mana trying constantly to run along the proper course; to become the spell he had spent his whole life mastering. It was a struggle to do anything else with his magic.

The slight whisper of the breeze traveling through the thatched roofing of the house Darkest currently held his back against was a calming cadence that served only to ground him further.

The quaint style of the houses of this town in general was one of the things that attracted him to it in the first place: They were so different from the towering spires of agony and the menacing manors of marbled malice which made up Canterlot.

More importantly, they were new, unlike anything he had ever witnessed before, much like the ponies who acted and talked in complete defiance of everything Darkest knew.

And if he concentrated, he could almost hear the pitter-patter of rain, somewhere distant and indistinct. It was a light pounding sonance that seemed to wax in intensity as time flowed on.

Darkest had always loved the rain: Its continual noise was one of very few reliable things in his turbulent life, and generally a good representation of his mood. He often engrossed himself in choosing a favored droplet of lustrous splendor among its comrades and cheering the propitious pearlescent particle onwards in its race to the bottom of his window.

Darkest even occasionally used his magic to assist the chosen drop on its odyssey downwards, just so he could have control over one thing in his life, even something so pitiful.

Darkest's grin faded slowly into nothing due to a combination of the bad memories and the dawning realization that the sounds were not, in fact, raindrops. Those are hoofbeats. His white eyes snapped open, black pupils shrinking in shock. Multiple sets as well.

Darkest set down his things and peeked his head out of the alley, immediately spotting ponies approaching him at a gallop, illuminated by the noonday sun. Wingbeats also. He turned his gaze upward, revealing a pair of pegasi, both wielding spears in their forelegs, also soon to arrive at his location. No, that's not right...

"Somepony!" Darkest's horn flared to life, illuminating the alley with a lively slate grey glow. A chase. "Stop that thief!" The mare had scarcely finished her call for help when the slightest ripple traveled through the fabric of reality, so faint as to be undetectable to all but the most powerful of beings.

Darkest's magic seemed all too happy to finally enact what it had been wanting to do all day. Mana raced eagerly along the well-worn thaumaturgic paths entwined throughout his body. Arcane power rushed forth into his horn, finally allowed to travel along its preferred way.

An outsider would only see a simple grey glow around it, but Darkest could feel the immense power being commanded, guided through the various layers of reality like a reluctant foal through the doors of his new home.

A transparent, pewter-colored sphere snapped into place around the runaway pony within the space of a slow, disdainful blink. The startled thief skidded across the ground in a classic braking maneuver, but was unable to cease his momentum in time.

The stallion bashed his forehead rather speedily against the inside of the barrier, dropping the purse from his muzzle in the process. The pursuers--an earth pony mare and a unicorn stallion--ground to a halt on either side of the orb, looking rather bollixed over the new situation.

"H-hello?" the mare said haltingly, her dark cerulean eyes roving the area around her in search of the cause of such intervention.

Darkest shuffled out of the alley, a meek expression adorning his face and a submissive posture dominating his stature. The mare's eyes instantly landed on his heavily distinguishable white coat. The stallion spoke first, however:

"Good sir, did you happen to do...er...." He gestured vaguely at the silver sphere "...this?" Darkest was only able to nod hesitantly, afraid of the consequences of interfering even despite the cry for help from earlier.

He nervously eyed the now-descending pegasi as they repositioned themselves just above the ball. They lightly prodded at it with their spears while equipped with ponderous expressions across their faces. The stallion inside was currently pounding at the inner wall, though his vigorous strikes had absolutely no effect. The mare spoke next, her voice light in gratitude compared to her earlier desperation.

"Well, thanks a lot! This little bugger made off with a whole month of my shop's earnings, so it would've been rough if you hadn't swooped in!" A harsh cracking sound caused the three of them to flinch and look up at one of the two pegasi.

He held a snapped spear in his hooves rather sheepishly; it seemed he had tired of the light prodding and quite foolishly thrust completely at the shield with full force.

Darkest was just glad he had not hurt himself in attempting to injure it. Said unicorn finally worked up the courage to speak, stilling his trembling enough to vocalize his words properly, as he had been taught.

"Well, it was a pleasure to serve you, good madame and company." At a flare of his horn, the orb moved directly upwards at a steady rate, carrying the hapless stallion and a portion of the cobblestoned path with it while leaving a depression in the ground. "Now, if you would like to prepare yourselves to subdue the criminal, I should like to release him into your custody and be on my merry way."

Observing the pegasi and unicorn that made up the town guard ready themselves, he with a flash of his horn dispelled the borrowed matter back to its home and thus removed the barrier from reality.

Leaving the ponies to their business and swiftly retrieving his belongings, Darkest expeditiously fled the scene, pumping his stiff legs in a swift canter. He slowed after reaching what he felt was a reasonable distance away, yet opted not to take another break.

The day had been long and strenuous, so there was no need to further lengthen it. I have nearly arrived. Thought he as his hooves took the first steps on the path leading to his chosen place of residence.

Darkest was ready to collapse on his empty mattress, shovel what scant sustenance he had been able to procure into his malnourished gut and turn in to get what little rest could be afforded one of his position.

Though, naturally, he had not let his guard down even the slightest fraction, and so was able to pick up the springing sound the moment it became audible. Unfortunately, that did not help much, due to a combination of his tiredness and the utter speed with which the pink menace moved.

Darkest abruptly found himself nose to nose with a pair of baby blue eyes, at the corners of which he could observe the ends of a bright smile.

"HIYA! I'msogladIfinallytrackedyoudownbecauseI'vebeensearchingforweeksandhaven'tfoundyouanywhere! It'slikeyouneverleaveyourhouseorsomethingbutthat'ssillybecausenoponystaysintheirhousethatmuchandifyoudidit'dmakeyousuperdupersadandthatwouldmakemesadandthenwe'dallbesadandthat'sbadbecauseweshouldbehappyinstead! Y'know what I mean?"

If Carrot Top's manner of speech had been excruciating, this was pure torment to his ears. Darkest could not even hope to process a singular gleaning of fathomable information from among her noise.

The utter catastrophe that was the din springing from this mare's mouth was as a demented fountain of slander bursting from the earth and showering the planet with its filth.

Naturally, he found himself completely unable to offer anything in reply, and simply stumbled away from the violently pink abomination in pure shock.

"Oh, but look at me, I'm rambling again! Anyway, now that I've finally found you, we can get started planning your happy-welcome-to-Ponyville party! Even though it's a little late, that's no excuse not to have a rockin' fun time, RIGHT?"

His legs grew too weak under him and he promptly collapsed to the ground in a quivering heap under the merciless assault.

Little did poor naive Pinkie Pie know, Darkest was guaranteed not to have a 'rockin' fun' time.

A Rather Memorable Party

Before him lay the gate he was to pass through. Beyond it was a party in which he was expected to be present. Below him, his heart had already plummeted to the center of the planet, and he had not even arrived at the door yet.

The building might have looked cheerful and friendly to some other pony, but to Darkest it was the most cruel, sadistic structure he'd ever laid eyes on. It seemed as though the Pink Aberration was determined to exist in a manner as contrary to his upbringing as possible. Not only was the noise constantly emanating from her muzzle completely indecipherable, but she chose to live in a house with architecture ripped violently straight out of a noble's night terror.

The heteroclite building's asperous windows glinted malevolently, as though winking in delight at the pain their uneven features wrought upon his hapless eyes. The peculiar speckled roofing style was severely cluttered and appeared structurally unsound to an alarming degree, not to mention its downright hideous brown color, rather reminiscent of feces in Darkest's opinion.

The white swirly framework around the top of the building, the horrendous tower protruding from the middle of the roof, even the flat pink and pasty white columns supporting the arch atop the doorway. All of it was not only an eyesore but also dreadfully unfamiliar. Darkest could not gaze upon the grotesque horror before him for more than a few seconds. Happily, however, he was able to simply avert his eyes, not being forced to endure as he had with the voices of yesterday.

Preferring to study the ground below him instead, Darkest reflected on the current situation and, more prominently, on what he could possibly have done differently in order to avoid it. He had had all day and the night prior to prepare for this, which was precisely why he was currently just outside the so-called 'Sugarcube Corner' bakery and not cowering on his bed inside a barrier of his own making.

The Pink Demon had ensured he knew just what would happen if he failed to show up to his own party, if her lowered tone and towering posture was indeed anything to go by. Though after that she had eventually realized his ineptitude with understanding her, and slowed her speech sufficiently for him to comprehend the directions and time of the celebration.

Darkest had never had much experience with parties. He vaguely recalled an assortment of suits and dresses walking around in The Ballroom before HE stopped hosting them, but due to the nature of Ponyville's citizenry, Darkest presumed this would be quite different.

He ultimately stepped forth and tentatively approached the pink door, accepting his doom and embracing the inevitable pain that would follow such an action. No, that is foolish. I have been over this. This town is in contradistinction to my former life. Trembling with great fervor, Darkest halted his forward progress just outside the door and resolutely opened it with his magic, determined, if not prepared, to succeed in this endeavor.

Beyond lay a brightly lit room, illuminated by strips of polychromatic lanterns hung from nails located near the ceiling's edges. Streamers were also held aloft by such means, drooping towards the floor much like Darkest's tail was, and at the far wall lay a gramophone, emitting some foreign sounds that were altogether rather pleasant to listen to. The sonance reminded him of the symphonies he occasionally was able to overhear through walls in his past life, though it had different tones entirely.

As he put one hoof inside with extreme caution, he observed a fold-up table on the right wall, with an assortment of treats and a bowl of punch resting atop the dark purple tablecloth. Finally, he brought his gaze to the ponies filling and milling about the room, and was surprised to count only nine in total. Darkest stepped fully into the building, shocked to find the decor rather plain and inoffensive, sans the lanterns and streamers. The guests didn't seem to notice him enter, so he softly closed the door and slinked his apprehensive way to the nearby staircase lining the wall in order to fully gauge the room's threat as a whole.

Finding nothing of note, Darkest began enacting his plan and approached the closest group of ponies, witnessing them gradually grow silent as they noticed his advance. Early that morning in between bouts of debilitating panic, he had constructed a plan of action for this day; he figured if he remained the object of attention--much as he hated it--for more than three ponies at a time, none of the party attendees would have the opportunity to attack. That is, unless the lot of them were hiding secret agendas, but Darkest found that unlikely.

He thought it was unlikely. He hoped it was unlikely. He prayed to Celestia and fate itself that it was at very least unlikely. Shaking his head lightly, Darkest finally reached the group. It is indeed showtime.

"And who might you be, little one?" His eyes bulged in utterly dumbfounded shock. The mare's voice was completely comprehensible, clear and concise. Her tone of speech, inflection, and enunciation, while slightly rustic, still carried the proper resonance which Darkest had grown up with. Finally, after so many weeks, he had come across somepony he could wholly understand, and whose manner of speech failed to leave his mental faculties writhing in agony.

It could not have been more mortifying.

"Salutations, good madame. It is indeed a most high honor to bask in your presence. As for your inquiry, I am called Darkest Knight, and I do believe I am he who this celebration is intended for, though I never suspected somepony of your excellence to attend such a humble gathering." And with that said, he expertly offered a thoroughly rehearsed bow, quivering with barely contained horror throughout the entirety of the performance. She is from Canterlot. Thought Darkest, nerves ablaze with the fire of certainty, She could be working for HIM.

Why else would she be here.

Darkest came out of his anxious thoughts in time to catch the tail end of what must have been a giggling fit, originating to his left. He turned his head there and observed as another mare placed a hoof similar in coloration to his own back to the floor and swish her swirly dark indigo mane slightly, tittering softly. "Oh my, what a gentlecolt!" Said she as she held out her other front hoof expectantly.

Darkest knew immediately what she requested, and just as expertly as before, performed a classic Canterlot noble greeting, lightly kissing her cannon bone. This white mare's voice was significantly more rural, despite her attempts to sound otherwise; she failed to aspirate her A's sufficiently, and she ended her statement too soon.

True nobles always dragged on their sentences as long as they could while still being considered proper, seeing as they craved and reveled in the sound of their own voices. Darkest decided that she must have admired the average Canterlot citizen's manner of speech and so ventured to emulate it. A desire he understood, considering the horrific mincing of words natives to this area utilized.

Coming up from the brief greeting with his legs stiff with fear, he studied the group circle he had joined more carefully. To Darkest's immediate right was a butter yellow pegasus who had shuffled away slightly and was hiding behind her long light pink mane while averting her teal blue eyes. He observed her shy posture and immediately deemed her the least likely to stab a sedative in his throat.

Beside the winged pony was the noble who had addressed him first, a purple unicorn with a two-toned steak running through her straight dark blue mane and tail. A rather atypical style for a noble, but mayhap trends have changed in the short time I have been gone. It would not be the first instance such a thing has occurred. I must be wary of her, lest she leap forth at any interlude. She was blinking rapidly, features set in a stupefied expression, as though she hadn't expected such an appropriate response to her simple question.

To her right and directly in front of him was Time Turner, Darkest's neighbor, who was observing him with an eyebrow cocked and a look of slight befuddlement adorning his face. "Well, I never suspected such a wild turn of events!" Said he in his signature intellectual tone, "And all this time I had presumed you were entirely mute!" Darkest blinked rapidly, but his training refused to fail him and thus he was instantly prepared with a sufficiently complimentary response.

"It would appear that there are yet aspects of the universe that befuddle even the highest geniuses ponykind has to offer, Sir Turner. Though I must confess I am not near an enigma worthy of your most precious time." That's right. Compliment them lots. Show 'em how high 'bove you they are. Make you into a worthless clod of dirt under their hooves in their eyes, but never render mine self vulnerable. It is just like I learned.

The statement earned a pleasantly surprised chuckle from the stallion and another titter from the white mare to his right. Darkest relaxed ever so slightly at the positive reaction. He knew the brown stallion preferred to be called by his given name from eavesdropping on a few conversations throughout his trips into town, though the earth pony often responded to 'Doctor Whooves' instead. Darkest was pleased and marginally emboldened by the fact that the gamble of calling him his genuine name had wrought such successful results.

A feeling that swiftly fled his mind once the purple-maned unicorn took a closer inspection of his physique and soon after recoiled in dramatic horror.

"Oh! Darling, your mane is absolutely horrendous! However could you possibly let it get in such a state!" She began wobbling on her hooves, much like he had been doing the whole time to a lesser degree. "Oh, the injustice! The indignity of such a well-mannered colt having to suffer through life with the pain of such a miserable appearance! Oh, the tragedy!" Darkest flinched away as the mare then summoned a pink chaise lounge and collapsed on it, sobbing hysterically.

Utterly unsure what to make of the new situation and utterly terrified to boot, he took slow steps backwards in a cautious retreat, trembling with nerves and barely able to restrain himself from tearing out through the door or casting a protective orb around himself. If I retreat, they will pursue me and intercept my course due to their superior legs. And if I cast my spell, they will have all the time they could imaginably need to prepare to capture me when it inevitably expires.

You're trapped then.

Not so, neither. I must keep as level a head as I can and pursue mine due course. If there exists enough witnesses, they are rendered unable to accomplish their mission. Darkest watched from a small distance away as the purple noble lightly cuffed the prone unicorn on the head. "Rarity!" She chastised in that pristine, polished, proper voice of hers, "That was very rude of you!" Her angered tone of voice combined with her noble manner of speech caused his hind legs to give a mighty twitch, nearly buckling under the strain of his memories. She sounds just like HE did.

"Um...are you okay?" Darkest's ear twitched at the soft cadence of a shy, demure voice. This was a new development, as the speech was neither reminiscent of Canterlot or gratingly painful for his eardrums. In fact, the sound was the least offensive one yet, and the first voice he had ever found altogether pleasant to listen to in his whole life. He turned his wide white eyes to the source of such a glorious sonority and found the yellow pegasus studying him with a worried frown.

"Pulchritudinous." Was all he could force out past the sudden dryness of his mouth and lump in his throat. Darkest was surprised to find he was nearing tears; he had not been allowed to cry in a long time and thought the capacity had all but fled his being. She seemed quite taken aback at the word, likely not comprehending its meaning. He cleared his throat with a polite cough, licked his lips in an attempt to moisturize them, and continued.

"It means gorgeous. Beauteous. Your voice, it is the most wonderful thing I have ever had the pleasure of listening to." Unlike the previous statements, these words were uttered with the utmost honesty, borne of his shock. Luckily, he soon re-donned his noble persona, straightened his posture, and added, "Apologies, good madame, for my outburst. I will have you know I am indeed well enough off. I thank you for your consideration and commend you on your kindness."

The pegasus was left blinking slowly, retreating back behind her mane as Darkest's manner of speech apparently confounded her. She murmured something under her breath that most unfortunately was completely inaudible. Having recomposed himself as best he could, he returned his gaze to the purple noble, who was accompanying the repentant unicorn.

"I am sorry, darling, it was quite uncouth of me to perform such an outburst, and at our first impression as well. Can you possibly forgive me?" She appeared genuinely remorseful, with a regretful expression adorning her face and ears pinned against her head. None of that mattered, of course; it was not as if he had any right or ability to hold a grudge, and she was justified in whatever actions she took.

"That is quite alright, good madame. I could not possibly be offended by such a trivial concern, less so by such a lady of your caliber." Darkest said, lying through his teeth and resuming his light trembling. Remember, scum, they're all 'bove you. However, his words seemed only to make the mare guiltier, and she deflated slightly before brightening and raising a hoof.

"Oh, darling, I've just had the most wonderful idea for how to make it up to you! I can help you get that wonderful mane back in tip-top shape! Oooh and I know just how I'll do it!" She began prancing in place excitedly. "Yes, I'll just need some of my specially made dry shampoo and my enchanted brush and then we can get that mane of yours looking positively pristine!" She squealed in ecstasy and immediately bolted for the door, ignoring his vehement protests entirely. Darkest's tail found its place tucked in between his legs as his ears lowered in dread. She plans to brush my mane, he grimaced, to say this is not an ideal situation would be quite the vast understatement.

"I'm so sorry about Rarity, err, Darkest, you said your name was?" Said the purple noble, her polished voice causing him to jump in fright before recovering. "She can get really caught up with appearances. I would know. Would you believe that when we met she stuck me straight into several dresses in an effort to improve my looks?" The noble's manner of speaking was befuddling to him; she used the proper tones and stressed her words to the correct degree, yet her word choices were less than impeccable, and she often used ones he had never heard before. "Of course, it's all part of her generous nature. That outburst was a little out of character for her. From what I know, at least. In any case, I'm Twilight!"

And with that she gave him a giant grin, cheeks straining with the effort of such an expression, as well as the pressure of her undercover mission. No, I do not know for sure yet. As a matter of fact, her aberrant word choices might evidence the proposition of her innocence. "Say, you're pretty eloquent for a foal of your age. How old did you say you were?" And there it was. Presumptuous nobles were often reluctant to ask for anything, including names. They preferred to demand their conversation partner remind them instead, at least that was where such a phrase originated.

"Sixteen," replied a new yet familiar voice from behind him, "'least that's what he sayid when we spoke yesterday." Darkest whirled around to face this new threat no, new pony. While simultaneously clenching his jaw from the pain her voice brought him. Ah, yes, the apple farmer. Stupendous. He flinched back as she narrowed her eyes and thrust a hoof at him. "Ah've been meanin' to have a talk with ya since then." She began digging around in her saddlebags, somehow still able to speak clearly--at least, as clearly as was the norm for her. "One of th' few thangs ah pride mahself on is mah honesty. Ya won' hear of Applejack cheatin' or stealin', not ever. Y'hear?"

He began stepping backwards once more, observing the noble from the corner of his vision don a befuddled expression as she eyed his glowing horn. When did that happen? "So, when a colt comes 'round and buys a bucket o' apples from me, leavin' behind an extra bit by accident, whad'ya think ah do?" Darkest, fully connected to that layer above all layers, was wholly prepared to cast a shield about himself to block whatever sedative or hallucinogen the mare was about to withdraw the second he saw what it was.

He was surprised, yet even more relieved, when all she retrieved was a single bit, tossing it towards him, likely expecting he catch it with his magic. A few awkward moments passed with the coin spinning in place on the smooth floor as he fumbled with the arcane energies, forcing the reluctant forces to change onto uncomfortable paths. Finally, the bit rose, lifted by the troublesome levitation spell, and Darkest cautiously forced himself to relax marginally.

"Good madame, I can only presume you would swiftly seek to remedy such a tragic situation. I thank you for your services and commend you on your candor, for such a trait is admirable and in too short a supply in this world." He gave another bow, despite the stiffness in his legs from residual fear. Applejack seemed initially baffled, but shortly looked more touched by the response, which Darkest considered a victory.

The purple noble spoke next, her purple eyes not deviating from his horn. "That must've been quite a powerful spell, Darkest. The mana-conduit spiral on a unicorn's horn only lights up like that when some pretty intense magic is being channeled! How'd you learn to handle such power at such a young age? It took me at least ten years, and my special talent is magic!" Fortuitously, he was spared from having to respond to such a loaded question due to the interruption of an indignant voice, this time coming from overhead.

"Twiiiiliiighhhtt! Can't you save the uncool egghead stuff for later?" Whined the raspy voice as it lowered to the ground. Darkest whipped his head around, observing the other ponies meander off in the process, and rested his gaze on a bright cyan pegasus as she leaned in closer to him. "Quick, I'll distract her, while you run and get a taste of Berry Punch's signature punch! Hurry! GO!" She urged in her rough tone of speech.

It is rather peculiar, pondered Darkest as he bolted straight for the fold-up table, legs eagerly pumping with pent-up adrenaline. Her voice is rougher than the others put together, yet it is somehow different enough to be interesting in stead of distressing. His instincts very nearly took him directly to the door, but he was able to redirect his path back to the snack table, passing a pair of conversing ponies. In any instance, I am grateful to be out of there, for I was down to two witnesses.

Reaching the table, Darkest found he was too short to see over the edge, and his inability to levitate objects not within his line of sight rendered him unable to partake in the sustenance. He had just about given up on quenching his still-dry mouth when a cream-colored earth pony with a two-toned, blue-and-pink curly mane approached.

"Hey there, little guy! Need some help, there?" Inquired she, reaching her muzzle up and over the table and out of his sight, presumably to prepare a glass of punch, but Darkest knew she could be doing any manner of other things. Her voice carried that distinctive rural flair he was beginning to associate with Ponyville, but to a much lower degree than Applejack, such that it was exceedingly tolerable. "Honestly, I have no clue why they make these tables so tall. Even us adult ponies have trouble reaching them sometimes!" His heart's pace reached a climax as she lowered her head to reveal the glittering, translucent container holding-

A simple glass of punch.

Darkest breathed in and then out in a futile attempt to calm his racing pulse. Still, she could have slipped any manner of things in there. There is no way in Tartarus that you are consuming that. Despite these thoughts, he bowed in gratitude and stated, "I thank you, good madame, for your gracious generosity in assisting me with this affair. You are truly too-" He was cut off at yet another puzzled look and raised eyebrow. It seemed he was on the receiving end of quite a few of those recently.

"Wait a minute," Said the mare as her eyes slowly lit in recognition. "You're that colt from yesterday who stopped the thief! I don't recall thanking you properly for that before you ran off. So, thanks for trapping him! As I said earlier, if you hadn't I'd be in a heap of trouble! It's thanks to you that he's currently in a prison cell, awaiting trial." She peered more closely at Darkest, his hind legs tensing heavily at the scrutiny. "So, you're Darkest Knight, then? I must say, that's a peculiar name for such a white colt." She cocked her head to the side. "Did your parents have a strange sense of humor?"

Parents?

The word was almost entirely foreign, but Darkest could swear he had heard it somewhere before. Though for the life of me, I simply cannot come up with a meaning for it. He shrugged it off, dismissing it as just another strange word that the locals here threw around so casually, as though they expected everypony to know them.

"That is something I have been wondering about as well--er, darling, are you quite alright?" The unforeseen voice had blindsided him completely and consequently terrified him straight out of his wits. In the span of less than a second, Knight had lifted the tablecloth and dove under the table, shivering in the most genuine fear possible. No. Thought he. No, I shall not stand for this. I have had mine panicked fits earlier this day. I shall not simply hide away. Not now, when there is no confirmed treat.

The shaking lasted a few seconds more before Darkest was able to stand up, take a preparatory heaving breath, and stride out from under the table, noble persona engaged and in full intensity. Luckily, he was able to ignore the screaming protests from within his mind long enough to offer a reply, though he instantly forgot about the bit he had dropped in his frenzy, leaving it to lie there on the floor.

"Quite alright indeed, madonna, I thank you for your graceful inquiry." He was able to choke out through the fear clouding his voice. Rarity seemed not to take notice, but he did catch the return of the cream-colored mare's perplexed expression, even seeing an inkling of concern in her gaze, much like the yellow pegasus from earlier. Studiously ignoring this, Darkest continued in his wavering speech. "As for the enigma of mine name, that is indeed a story best reserved until a later date."

He then turned his attention to the spray bottle and hairbrush the white unicorn was currently levitating in her bright blue magic. "...must you correct my mane with such tools? I am certain there are a myriad of other uses for your time that are much better suited than this." He uttered in the shiest tone of voice he could, eyes betraying his utter panic at the mere thought of the mare coming anywhere near him with such instruments. That spray canister is most certainly filled with some manner of suffocating gas. And she could have hidden any number of magical needles in that brush.

Danger.

For once, Darkest agreed with his instincts and obediently raised his hind leg in preparation to return under the table, hoping such an act would buy him the precious few seconds needed to cast his barrier. He was studying the unicorn with such vigor that he almost did not see the earth pony glancing worriedly between them, though his ear flicked when she spoke.

"Uh, Rarity? Maybe it'd be better not to-"

A horrific squeal of grim glee reverberated throughout the room, cutting the mare off. Darkest instantly recognized it as belonging to the Pink Horror, and pinned back his ears in preparation. Such an action was vindicated when an even louder exclamation echoed throughout the chamber.

"KNIGHTY'S BEEN INVITED TO THE GRAND GALLOPING GALAAA!" Darkest's knees buckled at the magnitude of the exclamation and he fell to the floor yet again. Fortunately, no further shouts arose. Even the pleasant ambiance coming from the gramophone had ceased entirely, leaving only ecstatic giggling and excited muttering from a collection of guests clustered around Twilight.

After a few minutes of him clutching his head in pain, he turned his attention to the gathering. By then, the rest of the partygoers had flocked to the noble and some were letting out cheers of excitement. Darkest cautiously made his weary way over to them, nerves all but shot through with the tension they had carried throughout the celebration. Reaching the group, Rarity noticed him first and turned to face him, eyes ashine with sparkles and wearing a look of extreme excitement.

"Oh, darling! You simply cannot pass up such a wonderful opportunity! You must come with us!" Darkest's body seized up with anxiety at the proposition, but he was still able to force an inquiry from between his lips.

"Good madonna, it would appear that you have taken my humble mental faculties entirely by surprise. If you would not mind, could you please explain what opportunity you are speaking of?" Fortunelessly, the unicorn was completely consumed in her ecstasy and seemed unable to respond or hear him in the first place. Fortunately, however, the cyan pegasus from earlier did take notice of his request, and promptly responded, flipping her prismatic mane to the other side of her neck.

"The Grand Galloping Gala! It's only, like, the single coolest party there is in the history of ever! You've gotta come, dude! The WONDERBOLTS are gonna be there!"

The Grand.....Galloping....Gala.....?

Darkest quirked an eyebrow, having never heard of such a thing before. "The Wonderbolts, you say? You'll have to enlighten me, I'm afraid, for I've never heard of them." The winged pony's jaw dropped to the floor at this, and an expression of what could only be described as indignation dominated her face as she dropped to the ground. He could faintly hear her muttering something under her breath, but his attention was encapsulated by the thrusting of a golden ticket in his face.

It was pristine and well-pressed, likely made with only the finest of machinery and magic. The font written across the front was immaculate, and Darkest recognized it as one of the ten or so different noble fonts. The ticket shined brightly under the sparkle of the noble's magic as she levitated it in front of him. Having observed all he could about the ticket, he brought his gaze to the unicorn noble and addressed her with only the slightest quiver in his voice. "H-how did this come into fruition, good madame?"

Her face was set in consternation as she eyed the ticket and then turned her gaze to-

What in Tartarus is that?

A purple and green thing with ivy green spines on its head was standing on its two back legs and returning his wide-eyed stare. The alien stood nearly exactly eye level with him, and gave a bewildered wave. Darkest was left blinking in utter shock, for he had never seen anything other than a pony exhibit such sapience.

"Well," began the noble, causing his attention to land entirely on the potential threat she presented. "I was just writing a friendship report letter to Princess Celestia about what I'd learned, and since she sent invitations to most of the town as a reward for helping free Princess Luna, she must have decided to-

"Invite YOU to THE MOST super-fun-awsomest-bestest-fun party EVER!" Interrupted the Pink Abhorrence as she lifted him in her forelegs and performed a brief spin, setting him down afterwards. Darkest had taken several steps back toward the door before he could stop himself, gritting his teeth in pain from her piercing, horrendous voice and fur stinging where she had touched him.

"Oh, darling, you simply must attend! I simply cannot allow you to miss out on this opportunity!" Exclaimed Rarity as the guests began to crowd around him. The stimulation was beginning to overwhelm Darkest's mental faculties, and certain partygoers began to shout out reasons for him to go, clamoring to be the one to convince him.

"Practically everypony will be there!"

"There's going to be a whole lot of dancing!"

"The train ride is paid for, you won't have to spend a bit!"

Darkest had just about bolted out the door, but he remembered that doing so would net him significantly less attention, which currently was a bad thing. I have no choice in the matter. I must attend, or who knows what they could do to me.

You've never had a choice.

Knight was correct, Darkest had never possessed any significant decisions all to his own regarding the direction his life took. In fact, before he managed to escape he had had precious few, including which raindrop won the race down his window, or what particular star he chose to observe shimmering in the glorious, enamoring night sky. And so it was that he, with great amounts of dread and finality, made his announcement.

"Very well ladies, you have managed to utterly convince me to attend, your skills in persuasion are unmatched and my meager resistance was simply inadequate. If I may be so bold as to ask one final inquiry, where is this grand gala held?" He was just able to force the words out, seeing as his quivering legs, heaving breath, pinned ears, and tucked tail were all conspiring to distract him. Most of the other ponies seemed confused by his question, a few looked highly concerned, and the Pink Horror simply stated in her trademark excitement:

"Canterlot!"

Darkest's eyes bulged, and for the first time that day, he froze completely, his body entirely still and his mind iced over with dread such that only a singular thought was able to penetrate. The thought did so with such force that it drowned out all other stimuli entirely, repeating sequentially inside his mental space with the same relentless power, volume, and insistence Knight eternally carried.

What've you done, Darkest?

The Not Quite Grand, Yet Definitely Galloping Gala

The rhythmic clacking of the train's wheels had long since become background noise. The frenetic pounding of his heart had been present through the whole journey, and was similarly ignored. His heaving breaths had been desperately heavy the entire time, and had never been acknowledged in the first place.

Indeed, the only outside sounds Darkest listened to were the muffled conversations of the other ponies whose cabins were adjacent to his, though he could not make out any words.

The train's passenger cars were outfitted with both rows of benches and more private cabins, presumably to offer the optimal travel experience for the passengers while still packing as many as possible inside. Darkest had fled immediately to one of such cabins upon boarding, and had locked the privacy door the second he confirmed that nopony else was in there with him.

That had been at least two hours ago, and his innermost instincts were still in utter shock and indignance, having not ceased their incensed incessant demands.

What're you thinking? How dare you! You're delivering himself right into HIS hooves! What's wrong with you! Why're you doing this?!

Unlike when he was going outside, Darkest could not really argue with his deepest thought's logic. He had absolutely no reason to go to Canterlot, and every reason to stay in Ponyville. But they both knew that Darkest had sealed his fate in agreeing to go; there was no telling what the Ponyville citizens would do if he refused. It was potentially better to face HIM in Canterlot and get a mostly predictable treatment than to suffer through whatever unknown things the townponies were capable of. The devil I know does indeed trump the one that I do not have knowledge of. Even if HE is infinitely worse, I have no way of knowing. This logic and reasoning did very little in the way of accomplishing anything of note, sans continue the cycling argument taking place in Darkest's head.

The world beginning to tilt was what broke said argument, and he turned his attention to the window on his left side. It appeared that the train was beginning to ascend, marking the start of Mt. Canterhorn and a sign that the journey would be finished in just under an hour. That was assuming that nothing interrupted the trip and forced them to return, which was something Darkest had been praying would occur the whole time.

The break in his mental warfare and newfound knowledge of the journey's imminent end was exactly what he needed to finally come to a decision. No. I plainly shall not let mine life be ruled by fear any longer. Other ponies, to be sure, but I shall not bow to merely anything. Darkest's determined gaze drifted towards the ceiling, his face set with grim conviction. I shall attend this 'wonderful party'. And though I may not enjoy it, there lies no possible way it could resemble the parties HE used to throw, what with how enthusiastic the Pink Aberration was regarding it. He stepped down off the cushioned seat and began pacing the small cabin.

Much time passed with utter silence in his mental space, the words, spoken with such finality, seemed to finally hush the insistent quarreling from his well-trained instincts. The only sensations to accompany Darkest were the ambiance of the train, that of his exceedingly stressed body, and the increasing sense of dread that had also accompanied him all throughout the journey, exponentially rising as the train neared its grim destination. This changed abruptly at the new sound of a single quiet, hesitant knock on the door to the cabin.

This unexpected noise caused Darkest to jump in fright and swiftly back away from the door. He stood there for a few moments, beginning to hyperventilate, and flinched when the soft, shy knock emanated from the wood once more.

"Um, hello? Darkest Knight? It's Fluttershy...um...can I come in?" He paused, one ear twitching and the smallest upturning of his lips appearing despite himself. Darkest knew, intellectually, that the mare's pleasant voice did not render her a non-threat. He knew that her shy demeanor could easily be a guise, an act ready to drop when the opportunity presented itself. But, listening to that demure, wonderful voice, and remembering his training, he simply could not find it within himself to refuse.

"But of course, good madame. Please, I beg you, come in and seat yourself at your own leisure. I could not possibly be anything less than accommodating towards somepony of your resplendence." Said Darkest as he, despite his better judgement, unlocked the door and with his magic eased it open, then hopped back onto a cushion. He was eager to hear more of her lilting cadence while simultaneously wary and terrified of what she planned to do with him.

There, just beyond the open doorway, stood the yellow pegasus, shyly hiding behind her long pink mane. She took one long, drawn out look at his wide-eyed, shivering figure and a visible change seemed to come over her. She stood straighter, ceased her hiding, raised her head marginally higher, and resolutely stepped into the cabin, sitting down on a cushion opposite from his. Darkest would have politely closed the door behind her with his magic, if he was a suicidal nincompoop who had not ever been in this situation before. No. let her in, I can accomplish. Closing the door afterwards? I have made that mistake far too many times now.

Fluttershy glanced between him and the open door a few times before settling her teal blue orbs on his wide white ones, which immediately averted their gaze down to her yellow hooves. Darkest observed them shift uncomfortably before hearing her wonderful tones yet again.

"Um, so, how're you feeling about this trip?" Seeing him cock his head subtly, she continued, "I mean...um...you just don't seem very excited, is all. More than a little scared, actually. So I just...um...wanted to say that you don't have to come if you really don't want to." They sat in silence as he savored the fading echoes of her speech before muddying the air with his pretentious noble voice.

"If I may, good madonna, I believe it is quite late to be having second thoughts now. You need not concern yourself over mine wellbeing, for I shall indeed be adequately fine on my own. A lady such as yourself surely has more important things to attend to in any case." She creased her eyebrows in worry at this statement, though he could not for the life of him figure out why. His words seemed to remove any lingering trace of hesitation she had, and she smiled in what he thought was perhaps an understanding way before speaking again.

"See, you say that, but I'm starting to think you're maybe not being really truthful. You remind me of myself, really, so I get it. You don't want to inconvenience other ponies so you insist that you're fine. I do the same thing, but luckily my animal friends set me straight much of the time." This encounter was steadily edging out of the 'pleasant' territory and into the 'deja vu' one. This is beginning to remind me of those previous rescues, when they set me up with a 'therapist'. But her voice is so much nicer than those other ones. So much less demanding, even if she is asking questions.

That means nothing.

Darkest knew his instincts were correct and this was likely some form of setup, if not by the pegasus, then using her as a means for distraction. The question was how to react accordingly. He couldn't summon a shield on a moving train, so the only option was to bolt for the nearest exit to said train. He was eyeing the open doorway, just about to make a run for it, when the train's climb abruptly plateaued and its speed rapidly decreased as the brakes applied a gentle pressure. He changed tactics immediately, letting out a hurried parting.

"Ah, it appears we have arrived. It was a pleasure speaking with you, madonna. Fare thee well." Then he dashed to be the first off the train and outside whatever trap had been laid on it, utterly ignoring the pegasus' protests.

Darkest timed his gallop so that he emerged from the train just as it slowed to a halt, passing the curious townsponies still seated on the rows of benches across the train car. He took only a few steps out onto the station before halting suddenly as he saw-

Clothes. Suits and dresses.

His eyes widened in horror as the realization slowly dawned on him.

Nobles. All nobles.

Knight tore off down a random street, legs pumping with adrenaline as he galloped away from all the unicorns. He had not been fleeing for nearly long enough when the scaly purple and green thing from the party stepped into his path, holding its clawed forelegs in front of it. Knight planted his hooves and skidded to a stop just in front of the creature, heaving in great amounts of air as he stared at it.

"Whoa, dude, mare got your tail or something?" The creature said.

In Equestrian.

With proper noble accentuation.

Darkest was left blinking owlishly, too entirely stunned to do anything else.

"It's alright, dude, I gotcha. Twilight and her friends totally split up and ditched me, so now we're both all alone, right?" The scaly creature gestured vaguely with its malformed forelegs down the street. "Well, I was heading on over to crash at Pony Joe's and drown my sorrows in sugar. You seem like an alright guy, so, you wanna come?" Unable to refuse, Darkest nodded dumbly and numbly at the request, and the thing began leading him down the street. Darkest's innermost instincts were rendered completely silent by the creature as well, so the only noise entering his mind was the distant sounds coming from where he had fled.

Darkest was in shock all throughout the short walk, observing the alien's movements on its two back legs. The way it moved--waddled was the word that came to mind--was so entirely bizarre that he found himself simply unable to look away. The odd pair soon reached a comparatively small building with a large, pink ring facing the street on the roof. There was text, oddly enough not in a noble font, as though this structure was intended to exist in defiance of the pristine ones surrounding it, though not nearly to the degree that the Pink Aberration's abode did. Darkest did not have much time to study the building before the purple-and-green alien stepped inside, making what he assumed was a beckoning gesture with its foreleg. Still too interested in the curious creature to object, Darkest obediently strode forward and stepped into the building.

"Hey, Spike! Long time no see, eh? Come on in, ol' pal o' mine!" Invited the tan unicorn stallion behind the counter at the end of the room inside. The pony then glanced up at Darkest and performed a double-take. "Whoa there, Spike! Did you bring someone in with you for once?" He looked at the creature, presumably named 'Spike', and let out a playful bark. "Ha! Didja finally make a friend? Now that's a first! I had thought the little midget didn't have the capacity in him!" The unicorn's manner of speech severely confused Darkest, even more so than the purple noble's. He had clearly been raised in Canterlot, and had all the polished vocal tendencies of the finest nobles, but he seemed to be consciously trying to sound more rural. It was as though he viewed speaking properly with disdain, and so ventured to rebel against it by sounding as offensive to the noble eardrum as possible.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," 'Spike' grumbled yet kept a smile on his face, "The guy looked desperate, okay? I'm just trying to help him feel better about this." The tan unicorn smirked knowingly, side-eyeing Darkest and winking exaggeratedly.

"Well, why don't you two come sit down and let my donuts take care o' the rest, eh?" Despite the stallion's efforts, his speech did not in fact elicit nearly as much pain as, say, Applejack's.

Darkest nervously strode forward and shakily took a seat on a stool next to the bar, observing no other ponies within the room with them, his eyes settling once more on the green alien afterwards as it asked him a ponderous question.

"So, whaddya want?"

Darkest's ears flattened. this was more of that 'currency' business he heard so often at the market in Ponyville. He grinned in what would have been a sheepish expression if it wasn't a cringe and a preemptive flinch.

"Apologies, good sirs, for I lack any manner of money currently and am thus rendered unable to purchase anything.." The tan unicorn merely waved a careless hoof at this.

"Oh, don' mind that at all. Everything's on the house for a friend of Spike's. Why, if it weren't for him, I'd have gone entirely bankrupt ages ago!" Darkest gulped nervously, moderately disappointed that his evasive tactic had failed so completely. Why does he willingly mince his words so? Is speaking properly really that bad?

He's trying to put you at ease. Make you relax. Then strike.

That is indeed plausible, for we are in Canterlot, and I know HIS workers are everywhere. Every sense on high alert, Darkest flinched when the purple-and-green alien spoke up in his polished, proper hiss.

"Oh, just a few chocolate frosted ones to start us off, Joe." The creature gave Darkest a side-eye and a raised eyebrow. "From the way you're reacting to everything, I'd guess you've never had donuts before. Believe me, you're in for a treat!" Darkest's brain was instantly cleared of any and all caution, too overcome with utter curiosity regarding the creature in front of him.

"Just what in the wondrous world of Equus are you?" His eyes immediately widened with realization, and he quickly backtracked. "That, is, good sir, if you do not mind my direct inquiry. It is simply that I have never had the pleasure of witnessing such a mystification as yourself, and you are thus wholly fascinating to my inexperienced mind." What was even more surprising was how the scaled being did not even blink at his word choices nor his properly advanced grammar usage, in fact seeming as though he had encountered these things many times before.

"I'm a dragon!" It said, chest puffing up with pride at the declaration. "And a fire-breathing one, too!" It demonstrated by inhaling and then blowing out a puff of fire that completely failed to scare Darkest in any way. Said unicorn's jaw dropped in astonishment at the display, having never seen such a thing before.

"Heh, I didn't realize not all dragons could breathe fire, so thanks for educating me. Luckily, lil' baby Spike retains the ability, eh?" Teased the tan stallion as he placed a pan with two brown-and-beige three-dimensional rings on the bar separating them. It seemed Darkest's manner of speech was having a not-so-subtle impact on the way he spoke in turn. Whether that is a conscious effort of subterfuge or a subconscious effect of mine words remains to be seen. The purple-and-green 'dragon' frowned good-naturedly before picking up one of the rings in its claw and biting down on it with no hesitation whatsoever. Darkest once more blinked in surprise.

"Ah, so those are indeed the 'dough-nuts' you speak of?" At the 'dragon's' assuring nod, he hesitantly lifted the other towards him in his magic, ensuring he had permission and was not about to be punished the whole while. Darkest studied the 'donut' closer, forcing his reluctant eyes to cease their wary watch of the strangers. "If you'll pardon mine interest, what is the creation process of such things?" The tan-and-brown ring was visually rather plain, but the sweet smell it emitted was tantalizing, and reminded Darkest that the only things he had been eating for some time now were apples, carrots, and the occasional berry.

"Well, it's simple," Said the tan unicorn, "Ya take the dough, fry it, fry it again, and then once more, add frosting, sprinkles, miscellaneous treats, the like, plate it and serve!" The 'dragon' turned to face Darkest, pointing at another 'donut' on display while voicing his objection.

"Nah, Doughnut Joe's just being modest. There're tons of little nuances and tricks to it, not least of which is finding the right magical frequencies to cast the various 'donut spells' at. Isn't that right, Joe?" Darkest had succumbed to his empty stomach's demands and obediently took a dainty nibble at one edge of the 'donut', taste buds desperately searching for any added chemicals or sedatives.

They were instead assaulted by the most decadent sugary taste he had ever had the pleasure of experiencing, amplified by the indignant prodding from his needy insides. The 'donut' was completely absent from the world before he could stop himself, leaving the two other creatures in the room blinking blankly at where it had been.

"Whoa, dude, you like, totally demolished that thing. Aren't nobles supposed to be all prim and proper?" Asked the 'dragon', causing Darkest's ears to flatten themselves and his body to shrink back in apology and expectation. He spoke, hoping to salvage the situation or at very least lessen the pain that was sure to follow such a chastisement.

"I am horribly sorry, good sirs. Nay, I am in fact acutely apologetic, and I pray to every force in existence that you forgive such a horrendous faux pas on my part." He was prepared to flinch back at the inevitable opening strike, but was astonished once again to see the 'dragon' merely wave a claw dismissively.

"Nah, don't sweat it, dude. Really, I get it. I totally had the same reaction when I first tasted Joe's donuts." It said before chomping down on the pink-and-tan one that had been placed in front of it by said pony moments prior.

"It's true," indulged said pony, "Spike here couldn't stop himself from devouring my whole stock. I had to stay up all through that night makin' new ones from scratch." The 'dragon' spoke back in mock indignance, simultaneously sliding a second 'donut' over to Darkest.

"Hey, I'll have you remember that I made up for that tenfold! You said yourself that you'd be completely bankrupt without me! I was your walking advertisement for a year! A year!" His anger was obviously faked, for he had a smile on the whole time. Darkest relaxed marginally, deciding to throw caution to the wind and snack on the second 'donut'. Mayhap this will not be so bad after all. It is truly quite amusing to watch this. This is the kind of verbal sparring that I am indeed well aquainted with. He blinked at the severe redundancy of his thoughts. Mayhap they are having an impact on me, in turn.

Darkest allowed himself the smallest smile. He could not be out there in the gala, but maybe he could be here. In a quaint little shop, partaking in some delectable treats, conversing with a pair of apt fencers in the verbal category. This just might be tolerable.

---

"You know, Darkest, you're really not so bad, for a noble." Said Spike the dragon, causing Joe to nod in agreeance. It had been several hours since they entered the cafe, and through sheer willpower and the endless intrigue of the dragon, Darkest had managed to avoid any panic-fueled sprints or anxiety attacks of any kind. He was also reasonably sure that neither individual before him harbored any ill-intent, though Knight begged to differ, as always.

"Nay, Spike, I would hardly call myself a noble. I am about as far from a noble as one can get, really." Darkest said, shaking his head dismissively at the statement. He had faintly noticed his own speech deviating ever-so-slightly from how he had been trained throughout the night, but paid it little notice. His mental faculties were already quite preoccupied with restraining himself from casting a shield while participating in the verbal banter. Joe guffawed, pointing agreeably at him with a hoof, the sudden movement invoking no defensive reflex from him to speak of.

"Ain't that the truth. If you were, you'd have waltzed on out of my shop not seconds after entering, prissy nose held high in the air while you headed off to inform the city directors of this 'breach of Canterlotian fashion'." Darkest nodded at this, a smile gracing his features.

"Yes, quite indeed. I would also be sure to harrumph with acute self-absorption as I fixed my pitch-perfect mane to an even greater standard of flawlessness, sashaying my equally pristine tail contemptuously as I made my petty exit." He demonstrated this movement with his own severely knotted and tangled tail to the best of his ability, severely uncomfortable displaying himself in such a way. Though it was entirely worth it to hear Joe's guffaw once more, greatly raised in intensity and volume. Spike, however, seemed largely befuddled by the exchange.

"So, wait, if you're not a noble, then why do you talk so-" The bell above the door rang, causing Darkest to whip his head there and observe the purple noble from the party entering, mane severely disheveled and dress a mess, all told looking like a complete wreck.

"Twilight Sparkle! Long time no see, eh?" Welcomed Joe, motioning her inside with a hoof. She tiredly stepped in, appearing thoroughly disappointed by something and leading several more ponies Darkest recognized from the party in as well. The others were in similar states of disarray and disappointment, and they all dejectedly seated themselves around a chosen table in the room, exceedingly downcast. Darkest snapped from his relatively relaxed posture to a tense attention, ears brought to bear and eyes set to observe the potential threats. Spike hopped down from his stool and approached Twilight, wringing his claws in expectation.

"So, how was your best night ever?"

The mares all groaned in unison, appearing as though they hadn't noticed Darkest yet as Joe began carefully collecting a selection of doughnuts from his numerous boxes. Darkest had learned that each individual treat possessed specific magical properties, with certain kinds being better suited to unicorns, earth ponies, pegasi, or various other non-pony species respectively. He had also learned that it took far more magical prowess to create the donuts than he might have thought, his respect for Joe heavily rising due to that fact.

"Oh, Spike, it was simply horrid! I must assume that to be the absolute worst Grand Galloping Gala in the history of Equestria!" Exclaimed Rarity, throwing a hoof over her face in a dramatic fashion.

"What's worse is that it was completely our fault. If we hadn't been so dead-set on each of our goals... well... it probably would have been a lot better." Twilight lamented to Spike, glumly taking a bite out of a donut from the tray Joe had placed at the table. Most of the others nodded in agreement at this, though Rarity and Rainbow Dash seemed largely indignant.

"That was the best Grand Galloping Gala ever!"

Everypony's eyes flocked to the door, observing a rather well-known figure of authority travel through it, a warm smile on her face and a twinkle of excitement in her magenta eyes.

"Princess Celestia!"

Big pony.

Darkest blinked and shook his head lightly, baffled by Knight's thoughts. Why, yes, I suppose she is rather tall? He came up to about eye level with her shoulders, and that was sitting down on a stool from across the room. Still, that is hardly the most notable thing about her, no? Twilight was the first to recover from her shock, and managed to give a stuttering "W-whatever do you mean, p-princess?" But she was denied a response as the alicorn's eyes settled squarely on Darkest.

"Ah, so this is the charming colt you wrote me about in your latest friendship letter?" His body went entirely rigid in fear as everypony's gazes followed the princess' and found his diminutive white form on a stool.

"Oh! Sure is...

...you did get everything in that letter, right, princess?" But the alicorn's eyes never deviated from their target.

"Why don't you come sit down, Darkest?" She invited as she herself took a seat by the table. Darkest could not place it exactly, but something in the way she said his name sent a tremor down his spine. He gracelessly hopped down from the stool and compliantly made his tense way over to Spike and the mares. His white orbs never left the princess' form; something deep and more primal than anything thus far forbade it, and he made a few missteps as a consequence of this.

Big. Pony.

Insisted Knight as Darkest sat down at the semi-crowded table, his small stature easily dwarfed by the others around him, but the princess in particular towered over him, her head far above his own.

"Well, howdy pardner! Fancy seein' you 'round here." Burbled Applejack in her usual mincing of words. Darkest would have responded in his usual overly polite manner if his attention was not wholly consumed in studying the princess' every slight movement. He was so absorbed in this task that his ear barely gave a half-hearted twitch at the pain from her speech. Why am I rendered unable to glance away from her? Pondered Darkest.

Big Pony. Tall Pony. Heat.

Answered Knight.

Heat. Take. Pain. Take. Big. Take. Blankets, sheets, bed. Take, Take, Take.

A tall, dark blue pony stands above in a dark room. She smirks over his prone form, sweaty beads dripping from her hornless head.

Darkest's face slowly grimaced at the faintest tingle of memories. His tail, previously tucked already, forced itself between his legs with renewed vigor. His powerful pony thighs clamped down on it with as much force as they could physically muster. Doing their best to hide what could not be seen by the world. A new word spontaneously entered Knight's vocabulary as Princess Celestia's eyes narrowed with what could only be malice and her mouth turned downwards in what was most assuredly about to become a sultry, flirtatious grin.

Mutiliate.

Knight was frozen utterly still, but he was on a hair trigger. At the slightest provocation, he'd bolt. So when the princess raised a golden-shod hoof to begin touching him, he did just that.

The sound of shattering glass.

The pound of hooves on paved roads.

Panicked, sporadic breathing.

Darkness, an alley. Someplace safe to refuge.

A marble wall against his back.

Silence.

Stealthy hoofsteps, not his own.

A sting in his neck.

Darkness.

Nothingness.

---

"Alright, wake up now. The potion must have worn off by now. Come on, bucko."

Knight scrambled upright in a blind panic, but quickly found restraints doing their purpose on him. Knight felt a prodding on his flank and jumped forwards consequentially. Ahead was a familiar door, with familiar ponies surrounding it.

HIS loyal servants.

One of them levitated a bag of something clinking and muttered something to the cloaked pony behind him. The cloaked pony accepted the bag and left. The servant ushered him forwards with a hoof and an angry grunt.

Anger. Must obey.

Knight shuffled forwards, knowing very well what was to come and desperately seeking any way to escape.

None. Like always.

No horn-bands, but shielding would do no good now.

Must accept punishment. Plead for reduced pain. Beg for mercy.

Knight followed the servants into the manor. Knight's whole body was shaking fiercely. Knight knew exactly what was to come. Pain. Torment. HIM.

They traveled through hallways he had long ago memorized. Towards a destination that was familiar. The classroom.

None of the doors had padlocks.

The classroom was at the end of the hall.

The door opened with its distinctive creak.

Knight was forced inside, his restraints removed.

They would not be necessary.

"Well, well, well, colt. Looks like you managed to escape from us."

Green coat. Beige mane.

"I can assure you, filth.

Lifeless grey eyes.

It's HIM-...

A malicious, dead smirk.

"It'll never happen again."

...-It's Broken Barrier.

Knight Falls

Pain.

Tools were scattered throughout the bare room. The room was devoid of anything else. It was the classroom.

Anger.

This room was where he learned everything. How to act. How to cower. How not to scream. How to cast barriers.

No barriers, not yet.

The whip lashed through the air yet again, hurting almost as much as the scowl of anger on Broken's face.

"I had thought you knew better, foal.

Scores of red, leaking lines already covered his white body. Knight made no noise, however. He'd learned better than that.

Another learning implement swung over to him. He didn't bother dodging. The bat stung. It was worth it to not cast a shield.

"Let us see if your barriers have improved in the time you have been gone."

Knight shook his head. Another thwap of the bat.

"You do not ever refuse me. Remember?

Knight nodded his head. A much lighter thwap. Much less painful. Much better. Good.

A deep scowl. Anger. Not good.

"Keep that smile off your face, filth. We are not done with you yet.

Not good.

---

A pounding at the door. Knight was already awake, so it was much better than it might have been. He opened the door and was tugged by the ear and led away. The pain made him focus.

No way out. I can't not make a barrier forever.

A heavy tremor passed through his body. He was trying to keep up with the servant so his ear would stop hurting, but the servant kept hurting him anyway.

Daylight, the courtyard, outside. A rough shove, and he scrambled to stand up as soon as he could.

HE's here. HE wants me to make a shield.

"That's right, Darkest. I want ya ta make a shield."

No anger yet. But soon that'll change.

"Ya wouldn't want me ta be angry, now would ya?"

Knight shook his head. Another scowl. An accent change.

"Then create one, Darkest. I shall not order you once more."

His horn lit, then died. Another shake of his head.

Anger.

"You will make a shield, Darkest. You cannot resist forever.

....Pain....

Pain.

---

The sky was orange, so the sun was setting. Knight was more red than white and favoring a leg, for it was exceedingly sore. His horn's spiral was glowing, and he'd given in, desperately wanting a way to end the pain.

Knight reached through the many fabrics of reality and expertly used his mana to guide the very base layer forth into tangibility. A transparent grey sphere materialized around him. He saw Broken grin and light HIS horn.

A familiar pressure pounded with vicious velocity at his mental space. It was relentless in its efforts to distract and destroy him. Knight lasted several minutes before the pressure came through and the barrier broke, shattering into fragments that quickly vaporized. Knight collapsed to the grassy ground, his mind similarly in fragments and a familiar agony.

"It seems you have gotten rusty, filth. When last we did this, you lasted several hours."

Anger. Rage. Disappointment. Broken lifted the whip again.

"No matter. Soon, we will have you right back there, and you will never think of leaving again."

Agony...

Agony.

---

Knight was forced back into the classroom. HE was waiting. The unbarred window was yellow, so it was morning.

"Well, we have certainly made progress, have we not?"

Knight didn't answer. It wasn't a question.

A derisive sneer.

"You know, colt, it was very foolish of you to ever leave in the first place. I was watching you the whole time, through my spies."

Knight's eyes widened in shock.

"I never questioned where you were. I kept track of you the whole time. I even took a visit down to where you were staying and watched for a while."

No. Celestia, please no.

"Why, I must have at least thirty-two hired spies in that town alone!"

Darkest screamed out, No, such things are impossible! Ponyville has a population of under fifty!

I told you. Thought Knight, vindicated and not feeling any better for it.

Broken's sneer intensified, HIS entire face crumpled with disdain.

"Yes, indeed, I was always watching. Waiting for just the right time to strike. And now, you are back here, with me. And you are never going to escape again."

Knight's ears tucked. The metal language rod rose.

"Now, let us see if your language has atrophied as much as your barriers, eh?"

The rod swung, too fast to track, and struck Knight in the chin.

"Recite it for me, filth. Go on!"

Knight fumbled.

"The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plains."

The solid metal rod tapped lightly on his skull. It hurt, but not as bad as it could.

Good. He was good.

"Now, repeat after me: Broken is everywhere. I cannot escape him, he sees everything, his allies span the planet."

Knight obeyed, with proper speech as well.

"It is acceptable. Remember, Darkest, You are not safe anywhere."

Another whap with the rod. It hurt, but not much.

Not safe...

....anywhere.

---

"Captain Shining Armor, sir! We have a location on the missing pony case." The stallion lit up in joy.

"Finally! Organize the first, second, and fourth platoons and lead away, we're heading a charge there, pronto! Move, boys, move!

---

Knight was partaking in the stale bread he'd been afforded after refining his speech. Knight was also nursing his sore body. Knight had a high pain tolerance, but today had pushed it very far.

Suddenly, he heard the sound of a magical explosion and what he figured was a lot of armored hooves. A glance out the nearby manor window revealed scores of armored ponies entering the building.

A few moments later, HE came charging into the room and grabbed Knight with HIS magic.

Wordlessly, Broken galloped down the many flights of stairs, heading towards the basement.

A beam of rose-colored explosive magic threw the both of them off the staircase, causing them to land painfully on the floor. Knight skittered away, watching the armored ponies attach restraints to HIS loyal servants, who simply stood defeatedly.

Knight speedily erected a barrier between himself and the other ponies, bolting outside through an open servant's door. He ignored the gruff calls of "Wait, KID!" in doing so.

Knight nearly collapsed in agony when he felt Broken shatter the barrier, but continued his desperate sprint away from the marbled manor of malice, blindly heading down the mountain and towards the only house he could shelter at.

---

The sun was low in the sky, so it was evening when Knight finally reached Ponyville. He began galloping as ponies started to run up to him, eager to recapture him and send him back to Broken.

Soon, most of the town was everywhere, surrounding him. He hadn't made it more than a few strides into town before word must have reached that he'd escaped and that they needed to recollect him.

Darkest begged to differ. Nay, we do not know if HE was being honest about that. We can not know with certainty that the townsponies are malicious!

Knight ignored him entirely, focusing on backing away from the ponies in question. It took much concentration to move at all, thanks to his severely beaten body.

"Darkest? Is that you?" Demanded the purple noble in her pretentious, perfect voice. Knight scrambled away from her and out of range of the stunning spell she had no doubt been charging.

A few of the closest ponies stumbled back and away from Knight at his tortured scream, but the majority continued in their goals to subdue him.

They were all over, closing in, asphyxiating him with their mere presence.

Then, they were washed out with a grey filter as Knight called forth a barrier about himself, their various sounds of jubilance silenced as the sphere blocked all noise.

Darkest was in denial, Surely, surely they cannot all be spies. Surely, Broken must have been lying in that estimate. Thirty-two is simply ludicrous!

Darkest couldn't see their circling, hungry forms as they prowled about the outside of the shield. He was blind to their ceaseless attempts to break in, or wear him out.

But Knight saw things as they were, and he'd protect both of them. That was what he was for, after all.

---

She's working for HIM.

The purple noble had gotten impatient and so had been attempting to destroy the barrier for the last hour or so in attempts to please her master. There were scant traces of Knight's coat that hadn't yet been dyed red, for he'd lost a lot of blood over the last few days.

Most of the earlier crowd had dispersed, moving on with their day. A small collection of ponies in white uniforms, including a mare with a white coat and pink mane, were clustered around a small table-like thing on wheels. They were watching the noble with anticipation as she tried numerous things against his barrier.

Knight didn't feel strain of any kind maintaining the barrier. He only had to actively focus to bring it into existence, move it, or dispel it. Indeed, the shield would remain there, protecting him, until he fell unconscious.

This was something that he desperately prayed the ponies wouldn't figure out, as he had no plans beyond waiting for them to give up and running.

But the longer I'm here, the less well I can run.

He hoped they'd give up soon.

---

The enormous, gorgeous rainbow beam crashed against Knight's shield with what he could guess was great velocity. Some minutes ago, the six mares from Doughnut Joe's shop had come together, each wearing a necklace, with the noble wearing a tiara. They spoke to each other for a while, and soon after started hovering in the air.

Then, the beam had descended, achieving absolutely no effect on Knight's barrier.

He had, through sheer force of will, remained conscious for what must have been at least ten hours. But the light was beginning to fade, and he could feel sleep coming, demanding rest for his beaten, red body.

The sun was peaking. Soon, night would fall. Knight would likely fall with it.

---

No.

During the last few minutes, the world had faded in and out of focus, darkening and lightening over and over as Knight nearly passed out but caught himself.

No, please. Just a few more hours.

Ponies, he couldn't identify who, crowded around the shield. All he could make out was their eager, predatory grins.

I have to keep going.

Knight had long since collapsed to the ground from a combination of his legs failing and his exhaustion. He could no longer make out what time it was.

They'll take me back.

They're working for Broken.

They bring pain.

One last, desperate plea found its way past his chapped, red lips.

"N-n-no.....!"

Nothingness.

---

---

---

Sheets. Blanket. Bed. Heat.

Big pony? Big pony? IS THERE A BIG PONY?

Knight heaved in great volumes of air, his eyes searching the room in a desperate state of alarm.

Knight balled up, finding nopony else.

Knight let out a cry of panic and pulled the needle out of his left foreleg.

Knight scanned his own body, observing his new pinkish coloration.

Somepony must've tried to wash me.

Knight's ears flattened, his tail tucked.

That means somepony touched me.

Knight began searching himself for any irregularities.

Nothing's out of place...

Minutes passed with him sitting there, on the bed, staring at the white walls and wondering what to do now.

The door creaked open.

Knight launched himself off the bed in one mighty flinch, landing roughly on the floor and cowering halfway under the bed.

Hoofsteps. The door shut.

Somepony's there.

Knight tightened his fetal position, making his small form as tiny as possible.

Silence, then a shuffling noise, as if somepony laid down.

Then more silence.

Knight's muscles slowly loosened as time passed and nothing else happened.

Knight slowly raised his head to peek over the bed.

Pink mane. Yellow coat. Teal eyes.

He ducked back down at their gaze, trembling with great fervor.

Minutes passed.

Nothing's happening?

Knight eventually looked again, seeing that the pony ...Fluttershy... had closed her eyes and rested her head on the floor.

Knight very nearly ducked his head again, but stopped himself in time to observe her utter lack of movement.

She's breathing, but that's it.

Knight watched her expectantly for quite some time, looking for any provocation to resume his cowering. Once he was reasonably sure that she wouldn't suddenly move, he hesitantly placed a hoof down in front of him. Then another. Until he was slowly stepping around the bed and into full view of the pegasus.

Still, she made no movement.

She must've heard that.

Knight stood there for another while, his quivering gradually ceasing and his breath slowly stabilizing.

She still hasn't moved.

Now certain of her guaranteed stillness, he searched the room again. There was no means of escape other than the door, which was blocked by the resting pegasus.

Hestitantly and with glacial sluggishness, Knight approached the mare. He stopped a few inches away and gave a tentative sniff.

Broken Barrier always smelled of rage and blood. Of pain, metal, and war. HIS manor was always kept impeccably clean, even from the more-than-occasional puddle of blood. It always smelled of cleaning supplies, wax and soap.

Fluttershy smelled as wonderful as her voice sounded. She was earthy, despite her being a pegasus. Her scent was of nature, of kindness, of gentleness.

Of safety.

Knight's weak legs collapsed at the mere mention of the word and he fell to the ground. Still, Fluttershy remained still, her ear giving only the slightest twitch.

Knight reached a hoof forward and touched her cannon bone, eliciting no reaction. her fur was soft, and the most wonderful light buttery color. So unlike the harsh fashions of noble ponies or a certain evil green hue.

A wet sniffle was what finally caused the mare to open her eyes and observe his creased, tired eyebrows and pathetic frown.

"F-f-f-flutters-s-shy?" Inquired Knight in the single quietest voice to ever speak. That was the word that he said, but the one he meant had an entirely different meaning.

Darkest broke down into tears, cradling her foreleg when all she did was nod slightly and smile gently. The pegasus reached her other leg around him with the same speed he had moved earlier, and Darkest allowed her to hold him close with no hesitation whatsoever, migrating his bawling to her chest. She could never hurt me.

The ponies sat there for a time, in their own little figurative bubble, sheltered from the hostile outside world. The tiny, pink colt who had suffered so much cradled in the gentle yellow mare's protective embrace.

"Shh, shh, It's alright, Darkest. Everything's okay now. You're safe, okay?"

Safe.

Soon, Darkest slept peacefully, for in that moment, he was more protected in her downy wings than one of his barriers could ever make him.

And only the most genuine smile graced his features.

Author's Notes:

Aaaand, there you have it, folks! Now we can actually begin the story proper.

Yes, you read that right, those previous three chapters were really more of a prologue, but it had to be done.

For those who may be worrying that our main character accepted Fluttershy so soon, fear not! I am aware of how unrealistic that is, and not all is as it seems.

Methinks that's everything. See ya'll in the next one!

Recovery Begins

Darkest Knight was sleeping peacefully. His trembling had ceased entirely, his breathing stable, and he had a smile on his face, the first one Fluttershy had seen him wear. It had taken around an hour and a half for him to collapse into her embrace, trusting it entirely.

Something was clearly wrong.

It shouldn't have been that easy. I've helped animals before who were easily this scared of me to begin with, and they took weeks to get this comfortable with me. She regarded the pinkish colt with a concerned look, her previous smile entirely gone. But now, all I had to do was lie there and he just sleeps? No, something's wrong. But what?

A few minutes passed with Fluttershy deep in thought, lost in her world of contemplation. She startled when the door creaked open, instinctively clutching the small foal tighter as she did. Her friends entered the room and gathered around the two of them, each with worried expressions.

"Well, Fluttershy, dear? Did you manage to calm the poor gentlecolt?" Asked Rarity, repeatedly glancing between the sleeping pink lump and the disconcerted pegasus holding it.

"Well, from the looks of things, I'd say she was pretty successful!" Answered Twilight, leaning in close to Darkest. Fluttershy frowned deeply at her and took off into the air, holding the colt tight and eyeing the unicorn's horn suspiciously.

"No, Twilight." She flapped over to the hospital bed, ignoring the others' surprised looks in favor of studying Twilight's uneasy one. "You're not coming any closer until you tell me just what magic you did to make him trust me so easily." Everypony's eyes flocked to the unicorn, whose ears lowered in shame.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about, Fluttershy!" She chuckled nervously before relenting at the pegasus' unimpressed expression. "Okay, okay, so I cast a few spells on him. I was only trying to help!" The unicorn cringed at the gasps of shock from around her.

"Twilight! How could you do such a thing?" Rarity demanded indignantly.

"It's not like I controlled his mind or anything! I'm not completely senseless!" Fluttershy narrowed her eyes further in a look that beckoned her to continue. Twilight grinned sheepishly and did just that. "It was just a simple coercion charm to make him trust us! I noticed his mind was unnaturally magic-resistant, so it was a gamble in the first place! Clearly, it didn't work, judging by how long it took him to fall asleep." Fluttershy's ears flattened and she lowered her head, her defensive posture fading away.

"Oh, I guess you just didn't trust me to get through to him, then," she stated quietly, deeply wounded by her unicorn friend's behavior. Their friends gave Twilight accusing glares, as if to say, 'now look what you've done, hurting Fluttershy's feelings like that!' Twilight's jaw dropped in horror and she waved a hoof in denial.

"No, No, that's not it at all! You have to understand, the princess trusted us with helping him out, and you know how seriously I take her requests! Besides," The unicorn's head lowered as she became more and more glum. "I was completely useless when it came to that shield. We could have helped him so much earlier if I'd just-"

She choked back a sob and Fluttershy was surprised to see a singular tear dripping from her face. "I just figured...since I couldn't dispel that shield...maybe I could make up for it by speeding up the process." The mare dropped to the floor defeatedly, wiping her eyes with a hoof as everypony's glares softened in sympathy, Fluttershy's included.

Said pegasus relocated the soundly sleeping colt to her back and flew over to Twilight, gently touching her friend's shoulder with a hoof.

"There, there, Twilight, It's okay, I understand. And really, the spell did help, so I'm not mad." She paused, glancing back at the lump of pink balanced between her wings. "I'm just worried about poor Darkest, and what will happen when the spell wears off. What if he thinks it was all a lie, and our progress was for nothing?" Twilight raised her head, a small, relieved smile on her face.

"Oh, don't worry about that, Fluttershy. It's not a spell, it's a charm, so it'll feed off his inner mana pool and thus won't fade away with time." Applejack spoke next, her country voice swimming in apprehension.

"Ah don't know, Twilight. Something about this doesn't feel right. Using magic in everyday life's fine 'n all, but messing around with a ponies' head?" The earth pony's green eyes looked steadily at Twilight's purple ones. "Ah know y'all have good intentions, but there're some lines ya just don't cross. If a pony doesn't have her brain, then what else does she have, y'know?" Twilight nodded at this, a sad smile adorning her face.

"I know, A.J. But, we also know that Darkest hasn't had his brain to himself for a long time, maybe ever." She said, effectively draining any lingering traces of levity from the room as everypony sorrowfully regarded the sleeping colt. Rarity recovered first and thus spoke next.

"Well, spell or not, he seems to trust Fluttershy now." Said pegasus answered the unicorn's questioning glance with a nod. "So, now the question is, what next?" A moment of silence passed before Twilight answered.

"Now? We have Fluttershy take him home and find out what she can while strengthening their bond. Sound good, Flutters?" The light butter yellow pegasus in question gave a resolute nod, her features set in stone.

"Yes. We're going to help him, girls. Together!" The friends gave a resounding cheer before one-by-one shuffling out of the room. Rainbow Dash was the second-to-last one out and turned back to face Fluttershy, who had returned Darkest to her forelegs, lightly brushing his mane with her gentle hoof.

"You coming, 'shy?" Fluttershy gave her prismatic-maned friend a passing glance before returning her gaze to the limp pink form in her grip.

"No, Rainbow, I'd better not. I think it'd be best for him to wake up where he went to sleep." The cyan speedster gave a nod to this.

"Ah, right. Well, uh, you go on ahead, then. If you need anything, I'm here, okay?" Fluttershy merely smiled, not bothering to move her eyes.

"Of course, Rainbow. How could I forget?"

The door closed behind them, and Fluttershy was left in a mostly silent room, the only sound being that of the two occupants' synchronized breathing.

---

The sweet, distinctive smell of nature and various woodland creatures was the first thing to welcome him.

Safe.

The pleasant, caring, gentle brush of a hoof through his knotted and grimy mane was the next sensation to grace his tired, fuzzy mind.

Darkest opened his white eyes, and in doing so arose from the most peaceful rest he had ever experienced. The first thing that said eyes beheld was the gentle, caring, pleasant countenance of a familiar yellow pegasus. Darkest opened his mouth to utter the first words his foggy brain could come up with.

"Hi, Fluttershy."

His world bounced as a soft giggle emanated from her muzzle, causing her chest to shake slightly. He blinked stupidly, fatigue marring his thoughts so thoroughly that he could not come up with anything else to say. Usually, he was instantly awake and alert, but these were far from usual circumstances.

"Hello, Darkest. How are you feeling?" He blinked again, looking down at his dyed body with an expression of delayed confusion. He smacked his bone-dry mouth a few times before answering.

"Thirsty. And pink." He glanced back at the yellow face above him, blinking innocently. "Can we remedy this?" The world bounced as she let out another giggle.

"Yes, yes we can. How about we leave this room and go get some water?" She asked slowly, ensuring he understood each word. Darkest nodded, looking around at the boring room and agreeing wholeheartedly. Fluttershy swiftly let him go when he started moving his legs, and he somewhat reluctantly stepped away from her. Darkest opened the door and foolishly stepped out into the hall, though thankfully he skittered backward and behind Fluttershy when he observed the approaching pony.

Fluttershy regarded him with a sad smile and stepped out into the hallway, with him just behind and lightly pressing against her hind legs, avoiding her long pink tail. They passed the other pony, whom Darkest recognized as the pink-haired one who had waited outside his barrier earlier. His paranoia increased significantly from remembering the earth pony's eager grin, and he pressed more heavily into Fluttershy's legs, managing to push her slightly to the side before she compensated.

The uniformed mare regarded him with a sorrowful look and then gave a questioning glance at Fluttershy, who nodded briefly before walking on. Darkest continued leaning into Fluttershy up until they turned the corner and he was sure they were not being followed. Once these conditions were met, he relaxed noticeably, yet remained close enough that the two ponies' coats were touching.

A minute or so passed in silence, with no other ponies passing them. Soon they reached a space that Darkest recognized as a bathroom, if decidedly better stocked with supplies compared to his own. He gazed about the medium-sized room, ensuring that he retained contact with Fluttershy as she filled a nearby cup with water from the sink.

Finding nothing of note and unable to name a sizable amount of the objects he observed, Darkest eagerly took the filled cup in his hooves and drank greedily, abandoning any notion of noble mannerisms in his comfortable state. Knight even neglected to remind him to check the liquid for less desirable substances, likely reassured by nature of the fact that it was Fluttershy who had given it to him.

Darkest drank a second and third time from the sizeable cup before he was satisfied, smacking his now-wetted lips and giving the pegasus a thankful smile. Said being turned and took a few steps into the hall before making another proposition.

"Darkest, would you like to come to my cottage and help take care of my animal friends? I'm sure they would love to meet you." He beamed and nodded earnestly, still in the process of waking up and regaining all of his mental faculties, though the water had certainly helped in that regard. At the moment, Darkest would happily go along with whatever the mare wanted, intent on staying with her and fearful of what should happen if they were separated.

Fluttershy only sighed lightly at his compliance before continuing their journey to exit the building, her ears flicking with unease. He was relieved when there were no encounters with other ponies on said venture, even when they passed through what looked to be a waiting room and some type of foyer.

In stepping outside, however, his relaxed state abruptly ended, replaced with renewed pressure on Fluttershy's hind leg at the sight of the townsponies. This caused her to halt, either from the realization of his anxiety or the hindrance of her movement by the extra weight. She regarded him with a pondering expression before making yet another proposal.

"Darkest, it'd be much faster if we flew to my house, and we wouldn't pass nearly as many ponies. Would you like to do that?"

...fly?

Darkest gaped in shock at the proposition, his mouth slowly turning upwards in glee as he vigorously nodded his head and hopped straight onto the mare's back with nary a second thought. He was vaguely aware of Fluttershy tensing under him before regarding his ecstatic face with her own set in consternation, but he was too consumed in the purest form of excitement to care.

I am going to fly! He began bouncing his weight from the sheer elation the thought wrought upon both parts of his mind. The pegasus flared her wings and with a few gentle flaps began her ascent into the air.

She checked back on him numerous times during the short journey, but he was too entirely invested in the alien sensation of flight to pay any heed whatsoever. The ground is so distant from mine hooves! This is incredible! Darkest let out a whoop of glee, laughing and standing tall, allowing the breeze to whip his mane back.

The concern of his falling from her back never once entered his mind, for he trusted her entirely to keep him secure.

Regrettably, the cottage came into view all too soon, and they subsequently returned back to stodgy, stagnant terra firma. Darkest then dismounted the pegasus, the experience having completely woken him up.

"You seemed like you enjoyed that a lot, Darkest." Fluttershy paused and hesitantly grinned back at his beaming visage. "Are you ready to meet my animal friends now?" The unicorn confidently strode forth for but a few steps before freezing and promptly reattaching himself to his chosen spot halfway up her hind legs. Together, the ponies walked the final distance to Fluttershy's quaint cottage, each of her steps equal to roughly two of his.

---

"Truly exquisite, Fluttershy. Your friends are as charming as they are utterly astonishing!" Darkest waved a hoof in farewell at the last departing blue jay whose name he had already forgotten. The venture had been simply astounding, and he had met all manner of creatures which defied all he knew.

Many of them had been wonderfully polite, despite his current less-than-stellar appearance, and he had been fascinated all throughout their many conversations through Fluttershy's translating. Still, said mare had eventually caught on to his anxiety at so much social interaction, and thus they were now heading inside the cottage.

"Oh, I'm so glad you think so, Darkest. Now, would you like to have a seat while I make us some tea?" He nodded and hopped up onto the sofa accordingly, adopting a relaxed posture and loosening now that the interacting was done with.

Conversing with woodland creatures was not nearly as strenuous as with fellow ponies, but it still took much concentration to refrain from bungling the operation. Darkest laid there, on the couch, and was tranquil up until Fluttershy left his line of sight, at which point he sat up and began scanning the room attentively.

She's gone.

Darkest flicked an ear in unease, growing increasingly agitated as the seconds passed and his bringer of safety remained out of sight. This present situation is ill-advised and very much not quintessential. Another few seconds passed until he expeditiously launched himself from the furniture, galloping around the corner and into the kitchen, breathing heavily as he skidded to a halt just behind Fluttershy. The yellow pegasus then turned to him, eyebrows creased in heavy concern as he caught his breath and immediately relaxed before stuttering out an excuse.

"I-I was just wondering if you required any due assistance in your endeavor. I theorized I might offer such a desirable thing, and thus am...er...here?" Darkest grinned sheepishly at her hesitant smile and returned his pinkish side into contact with her leg, consequently relaxing entirely in relief.

Soon, the tea was finished and the pair found themselves seated back at the green couch, savoring the lovely flavor and calming aroma of the beverage. They sat in silence for a sizable length of time before Darkest's curiosity bested his cautious restraint and he blurted out a burning question that had plagued his mind ever since he arrived in Ponyville:

"Pardon mine spontaneity, Fluttershy, but what is the meaning of 'I'm'?" She looked up at him in mild surprise, seeming started out of her reverie. He continued his inquiry before she could reply, his pent-up confusion rushing forth now that it had an escape. "Or, for that matter, 'y'all', or ''couldn't', or 'don't'? I have been hearing these phrases since I arrived, and they make no sense to me." He gazed up at her with his face consumed in utter inquisitiveness. "Could you please enlighten me?" Fluttershy blinked unsurely and pursed her lips in consternation before responding.

"I think they're called, um, contractions?" She shook her head lightly, frowning at herself. "Oh, look, there I go, using one right now." She nodded to herself before re-engaging eye contact with the curious colt. "So, they are called contractions. It's--er...it is when you combine two words to make them easier to say. So, 'they are' becomes 'they're,' and so on."

She observed his countenance light up in realization and a thankful smile appear on it before a thoughtful frown appeared on hers. "But...you talk so fancy all the time, so you must read a whole lot. How did you do that without encountering any contractions?" Darkest merely waved a hoof dismissively, balancing the teacup on his other as he sighed lightly.

"Ah, nay, Fluttershy. Truly I am flattered that you could think me worthy of literacy, but, alas, I am no such thing. Nay, I am indeed utterly undeserving of such things, and was consequently never taught how to read literature." The mare's teal eyes bulged in utter shock and she very nearly spilled her tea in surprise. A few seconds passed before she was able to recompose herself and address him once more.

"You mean you can't read?" At his nod, she raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "Then how to you know all those words? How do you know what they mean? Nopony here knows what they mean, except maybe Twilight, but she reads a lot." Darkest finished the tea in his cup and allowed her to refill it before replying nonchalantly.

"Oh, well, in Canterlot, everypony talks like this. Really, it is you who are the anomaly, though mayhap that is not, in fact, the case, as I have been led to believe." Fluttershy nodded solemnly and returned her gaze to the teacup clasped in her hooves. "Well, I was taught to always conduct mineself as a mature adult should, with correct enunciation and proper, advanced grammar." The yellow mare glanced back up at him sorrowfully before speaking once more.

"But, Darkest, ponies don't become mature adults until we're at least thirty years old. Why, my friends and I aren't even 'mature adults' yet; we're in our late twenties!" He nodded sagely at her exclamation--if it could be called that: Her voice remained as demure and wonderful as always--and politely sipped from his tea before responding.

"Yes, indeed, however, in Canterlot, all ponies are expected to conduct themselves with elegant poise and proper manners, indeed whether or not their stations warrant such things." Fluttershy sighed heavily and seemed to collect herself, straightening before donning a gentle, inviting smile and addressing him once more.

"So, um, why don't you tell me about Canterlot? What was it like to live there?" Darkest immediately shifted uncomfortably, flicking his ears with unease and lowering his teacup. He would much rather sit in the amiable silence and safety than remember the dangerous, painful past of his life, but it was not as if he could simply refuse her request.

No, any compulsion for that kind of rebellion had been beaten out of him long ago.

"Well, Fluttershy, Canterlot is many things, though I struggle to uncover any positive remarks about the place." He began fidgeting, for once lost as to what words to use to voice his thoughts. "It was unbearable, its citizens cut from only the most pompous, conceited cloth imaginable. Nobles swarm the place like petty, pretentious flies, coating everything in their filth and giving nothing to others in need."

Darkest began shrinking in on himself, curling his dyed tail around him in defense of some unseen sneer of disdain. "It was a rare occasion that I was allowed on the streets, but when I was, the marble architecture became suffocating, and the ostentatious noses around me never left the air." Fluttershy nodded sorrowfully, appearing appeased for now.

"I'm so sorry to hear that, Darkest. But I want you to know that Ponyville is nothing like that. I would know, I've lived here for a while now." They sat in silence for a time, the colt steadily relaxing as quiet reigned over the house, before Fluttershy spoke again.

"So, um, can you tell me about yourself, then? I'm curious to get to know you better." Darkest brightened. Ah, yes, this I can accomplish. I am very knowledgeable in mine self, after all! "What do you usually like to do? I love taking care of my animal friends, as you saw. But that's my special talent, and I noticed you don't have your cutie mark yet." Darkest turned to her, smirking and winking conspiratorially.

"Not so, neither, Fluttershy. I do indeed have my cutie mark. Here, see for yourself!" And with that he gestured to his flank, specifically a light grey image that was much more visible now that said body part was pink instead of its usual pure white. Darkest grew increasingly uncomfortable the longer she stared at it, until he finally could no longer tolerate the awful feeling and so returned to his earlier posture, smiling uneasily. Fluttershy seemed not to notice, likely entirely occupied with deciphering just what the rather abstract image was.

"It looks like some kind of bubblegum bubble? Are you good at chewing gum?" She asked, rather obliviously. Darkest chuckled lightly, denying her a second glance by wrapping his tail around his flank.

"Nay, Fluttershy. It represents my control over that very base layer of reality." He moved his tail slightly and glanced down at it, his smile becoming more perturbed by the moment. The image was of a half-sphere, viewed from the side, and gradually fading out into smaller circles as it trailed out to the right. Rather reminiscent of a comet whose tail was separated into so many spheres. "Essentially, it denotes my proficiency with creating nigh unbreakable barriers."

He adopted a ponderous expression, lips pursed in thought. "Though, really 'creates' is a rather incorrect term for what it is I do. Truly, it is difficult to put into words." Darkest glanced back at Fluttershy, relieved to see her eyes focused on his and not his cutie marks, consequently relaxing from the revelation. "Mayhap a demonstration would be more prudent?"

At her hesitant nod, he lit his horn in mild concentration and observed her gaze follow the gradually-lengthening mana as it followed the spiral on his horn from the base to the tip. It softly illuminated the darkening room with its light grey glow. Darkest connected to the base layer of the universe with relative ease, his progress displayed by that of the spiral's until they both finished at the same time, with him connecting to his desired layer just as the glow reached the tip of his horn.

Darkest could feel the presence of the very deepest, most primal threads of reality in his mind, and began channeling his mana through all the other layers and to it. In doing so, a darker grey overglow surrounded his horn, and the base layer started following his proffered magic back to its source like a lost foal after its guardian, propelled and shaped by his mana's expert contours.

Suddenly, a light grey orb materialized between the two ponies, perfect and exact in its shape and precisely the size of an average apple. Darkest looked through it to see Fluttershy recoil in moderate surprise, dropping her empty teacup before leaning forward and poking the transparent ball with a hoof. She looked at him, eyes open and eyebrows raised in wonder as she asked her questions.

"So you can make them any size, then? How long did it take you to learn to do this?" Darkest smiled sagely and re-lit the overglow around his horn, using his mana to guide the sphere into a zooming path all throughout the room. He re-shaped it into various abstract images as it went and never broke eye contact with it.

"Quite a while, Fluttershy. And the skill has made itself rather helpful in a few situations." The last traces of levity left his face as he recalled just what uses for the shields there were and how many times they had let him down.

Just then, a deep, conspicuous rumble emitted from somewhere below him, causing Darkest to jump in surprise and scan the area in mild alarm. His cheeks reddened with shame and realization as he heard a quiet giggle from Fluttershy's direction.

"Sounds like somepony's hungry!" She smiled back at his sheepish grin, setting down her teacup and dismounting the couch. "Would you like to eat some food, Darkest?" He nodded in agreeance, following her off the couch and back into the kitchen. Fluttershy flitted about, opening and closing various cabinets and growing increasingly distressed as each one presented only empty space. Finally, the pegasus landed in front of him with a remorseful expression, eyes downcast.

"Oh, dear. It looks like I forgot to head into the market this week, so I'm all out of food. We'll have to head into town and restock, and it would be best to do it now." Darkest nodded in acceptance at this. The market should be acceptable. I can indeed endure a trip to any given location, so long as I do not leave Fluttershy's vicinity.

The two ponies stepped outside the cottage and into the fading light of the setting sun. And never mind that, for I shall indeed have the opportunity to fly once more! And so, the colt absently dispelled the orb and excitedly vaulted onto the mare's back, hardly able to contain his utter glee.

The two ponies set off into the air, one vibrating in excitement and the other consumed in moderate anxiety, neither one noticing a curious pink cloud hovering nearby, or the abnormal brown rain it produced. They failed entirely to observe the land below gradually grow to resemble a checkers board.

And they both were oblivious to the distant, indeed nearly silent dark and chaotic chuckle emanating from Canterlot's direction.

A Vengeful Ruler's Fury. A Loving Princess' Sorrow.

The solid stone floor cracked slightly under the force of her hooves' stomps as she attempted to discreetly vent some of her anger. The alicorn proudly strode down the hallway, head held high, face set in impassive stone, and equipped in her finest regalia as she headed toward the most anticipated meeting she'd had in centuries.

Celestia was not normally a violent mare by any means. In fact, the last time she had wanted to pound a stallions' face in this badly was when King Sombra had sneered over her prone, defeated form all those years ago. Luckily, that venture had turned out victoriously, as she hoped the current one would as well.

Broken Barrier. Of all ponies, it just had to be him. Her hoofsteps increased in their power ever so slightly, and at this point it was a niggling worry at the far back of her mind that she'd damage her finest gold-alloy horseshoes. She paid that particular concern no attention, far more focused on the much bigger ones currently dominating her millennia-old brain. I can only hope that the Bearer of Kindness was able to help him, and offer what assistance I can. Poor soul. Celestia shook her head clear of those thoughts, needing to focus on the upcoming interrogation and not the tragic events that warranted it.

She had not seen a case such as this since before her rule and as a filly, when the laws were still being figured out and savage tribalism was still an occurrence, though thankfully not a common one. Even then, she could not recall anything close to this severity. And she still hadn't received the full story yet.

Celestia abruptly stopped in front of a row of bars blocking a small room from connecting to the hallway. This section of the castle had once been the dungeons, but Equestria had seen so little crime for the past decades that she had long since repurposed the cells. Luckily, her paranoia insisted she leave one as it was, and so they had a perfect place to put the first abuser the nation had seen in centuries.

The dungeon cell was rather simple; a pile of straw as a bed and a heavily outdated chamber pot were the only decorations. Despite this, however, the room was the single most heavily enchanted one in the city. Runic symbols covered the walls like mystical wallpaper, nullifying any mana usage within several paces of the door. This was not an issue for Celestia, who unlocked the door with her primal arcane magic and stepped inside with the lone occupant, not bothering to close it afterwards.

The unicorn stallion was a dull army green with a beige mane, and his sole restraint was a simple band around his sharpened horn. Celestia had not seen such a vicious horn on any other pony since Starswirl The Bearded's time, when ponies as a whole were much more ferocious and had not been succored on peace as they were now.

Perhaps that should have been my first clue. I find it so hard to believe he was able to betray my trust like this, and right under my muzzle, as well. Maybe I have gone soft. Her stony gaze, if possible, hardened further. But no longer. The prisoner spoke first.

"Why, hello, Celestia. My my, It has been quite a while, has it not?" He addressed her while still facing the wall, limiting her ability to get a read on his thoughts. Her bloodshot magenta eyes narrowed against the back of his ruffled head.

"I refuse to dance around the point this time, criminal. And you will address me by my title and my title only. Now tell me," she took powerful, menacing steps toward his prone form, her curiosity outmatched only by her anger, "Why?"

The stallion only chuckled dryly, then coughed as his lack of water to drink caught up. "Oh, Celestia. You've never once intimidated me, so your efforts are futile." He slowly turned around to meet her gaze, mouth locked in a self-satisfied smirk. "I know you'd never hurt one of your precious little ponies, you're far too sof-" He was interrupted by a golden horseshoe impacting his jaw with not-insubstantial force and sent flying into the nearby stone wall. Celestia inspected her hoofwear as the unicorn collapsed in a rapidly-blinking heap, too shocked to be in pain. The alloy seemed to be dented slightly, but that was a small price to pay for such a satisfying release of her frustrations.

"You're right, for the most part, prisoner." Celestia stated, indifferently placing her hoof back on the floor. "But I feel no hesitation to injure those who would dare bring harm upon those little ponies. A group you seemed to have joined quite a while ago. So now my question is," she aggressively lifted the stallion in her magic and brought his swelling face inches from her enraged countenance, "Why." The statement was more of a demand than a question, and the prisoner's false mirth seemed to have fled his visage completely. He sighed heavily through his bleeding mouth and returned her grave expression with one of equal seriousness.

"I had no choice, princess." He practically spat out the word. "Not that I expect you to understand. You could never comprehend the sacrifices I've made." He didn't so much as blink in surprise when she abruptly dropped him to the floor, all the while expertly holding back indignant bursts of outrage from such incorrect words.

"Then, by all means, educate me." She remained standing as the green unicorn began to pace the room.

"I discovered the colt at a young age by accident. His pure power was sending waves across reality, it was impossible to miss. Surely you must have felt them?" There were little forces on the planet that could do such things, and even less that could sense such disturbances. But, Celesta did recall feeling quite a few ripples right around the time he was speaking of. She had assumed it was the stars readying themselves to free her sister, but perhaps she'd been mistaken.

It was clearly not the only misjudgment she'd made back then.

"You must understand, princess. When I took the child in, his magic was completely uncontrollable. He was no older than two, I couldn't just tell him not to cast spells anymore!" Her eyes narrowed slightly and one of her eyebrows took the slightest twitch up.

"Impossible, foals don't regain the ability to use their mana until they're at least eight years old." She stated resolutely, quite fed up already with this traitorous pony and his pitiful excuses.

"But he was different!" Insisted the criminal. "Come now, there have been several recorded instances of children retaining their magic through foalhood! This is the same." He had stopped his pacing in favor of looking at her, his lifeless grey eyes searching for something that could not be found on her face. "Even in your own lifetime, these were cases." He seemed the slightest bit disappointed, though it really was more of an inconvenienced expression. "But I digress, the point is, the colt's power was simply too great to do anything else with. I had to make his stupid two-year-old brain understand that using it was not okay. Otherwise, we'd all be dead."

Celestia blinked a long, drawn out blink. "So, why continue the suffering? Couldn't you just teach him not to use it and be done? Why bother with years of training?"

The prisoner scoffed. "Something tells me you don't understand the true reaches of this pony's power. His barriers are unbreakable, princess. Unbreakable. If he ever decided to go messing around randomly, that was something that needed to be accounted for." Celestia's eyebrow rose further, though its deviation from its neutral position remained imperceptible.

"By repeatedly assaulting the child?"

The stallion shook his head. "No, by teaching him how to properly use his magic, so that it doesn't destroy the universe when he does. It all makes sense! I'm not a monster, Celestia!"

The princess would have guffawed if she wasn't so filled with disgust and disdain for the filth in front of her. "No, Broken, you are very much a monster. The worst one I think I've ever seen in my whole life." Her seething rage began to seep out, slowly at first, but then growing in intensity with every syllable she spoke. "Not only did you foalnap a colt at two years old. Not only did you proceed to traumatize him so thoroughly that he can't so much as attend a social gathering without fleeing from some perceived danger. Not only did you re-capture him to subject him to your twisted will once more. Nay, not only did you do all this and so much more from right. Under. My muzzle, but you." She stomped her hoof with such great force in front of him that the reinforced stone floor cracked and her pristine enchanted gold alloy shoes shattered into tiny pieces.

"You managed to fool me for years. You had me thinking you were a chivalrous, loyal royal guard. You fooled me so thoroughly into thinking you were anything other than a scrap of mange and grime that I made you my right hoof, Ex-Guard Captain Broken Barrier." She wanted to do horrible things to that smirk on his face. Not since she had faced Sombra had she had such vivid thoughts about just what she could do to inflict the most physical pain possible.

Since then, however, she'd also learned that violence solves nothing. So she merely stared into his lifeless eyes, right into his empty, violent soul, and stated:

"There are so many things I could do to you right now. I've half a mind to inflict half the pain you've wrought on poor Darkest. But I'm not you. I'm more than you'll ever be, Broken Barrier. So I'm going to walk away and just leave you to rot in here and reflect on your choices. Maybe you'll come across other ways you could possibly have educated a young, impressionable foal to not actively destroy the universe." And she did just that, fed up completely and more disappointed in her own self than she'd been since she let her sister down and was forced to banish her to the icy confines of the moon.

She stopped in her tracks when she heard a resurgence of the chuckling from earlier, though this time it had more mirth.

"Oh, you're so much better than me, princess. You would never have stooped so low as to defend magic itself by any means necessary. You would have found some other, more ethical solution. Answer me this, princess. If it came down to magic itself or one precious subject, what would you choose?"

Celestia refused to humor the filth with an answer, instead continuing her return back to ponies who were genuinely worth her time, closing the cell door behind her.

Still, all throughout the journey an invasive, unwelcome, ugly thought bounced around her head. It refused to leave, demanding she hear it over and over again. By the time she re-entered the her palace proper, she still had not found an answer.

Maybe he's right?

The princess sighed explosively, shaking her head in denial. That's nonsense, he must have been lying. He lied about the supposed unbreakable nature of the barriers, for Shining told me in person he witnessed Broken shatter one. Celestia's gaze ventured upward as she mindlessly travelled through the castle, having memorized it years ago and thus able to navigate while deep in pondering. Really, I can't help but feel this is my fault. I should have read the signs, interacted with the foal better while I had the chance. She walked on, back to her royal chambers, ignoring the concerned looks from the various staff she passed. Celestia even failed to nod at the guards who opened the doors for her, instead simply stepping inside and heading straight for her paperwork desk, whose surface was only adorned by a single letter. The princess began reading the transcript from the top, but her attention was quickly drawn to one of the last paragraphs.

Actually, there was something I wanted your advice about, princess. I don't know how reliable the information we get from Pinkie's Pinkie Sense is, but she seemed pretty certain that he badly needed our help. And not in the 'friendship and hugs' way, either. Fluttershy says that there's definitely something 'going on' with him, whatever that means. Personally, I sincerely doubt that there's some sort of big problem. The colt strikes me as perhaps overly polite, but that's really it.

Still, I've learned not to completely disregard the opinions of my friends, so I decided to get your council. Do you think that we should start asking him some deeper questions, like the kind I've read about in psychology books? None of us want to make him uncomfortable, but what happens if, against all odds, it turns out something is wrong? What should we do then?

Celestia stopped reading then, sighing heavily and resting her graceful head next to the letter. Her first thought upon reading that section was to observe the colt herself, and with the Gala coming up so soon, she had foolishly invited him back to Canterlot. There was so much I should have done earlier. The princess squeezed her eyes shut, grimacing in regret and shame. I could tell immediately that something was not right the second I entered that shop. And all I could think to do when he looked at me like that was try to comfort him, which was the one thing that sent him running.

Celestia sighed explosively, attempting to force down the lump in her throat and failing miserably. Much like she had at so much else, recently. Of course I sent out the guard as soon as he left, but that was too little, too late. The mighty alicorn Princess Celestia gave one pitiful sniff, her powerful empathetic personality coming back to bite her once again. Now look at me, sitting here powerless to do anything but send my Elements Of Harmony at the problem like I did for my poor sister. An idea formed in the princess' head, and her horn lit in a gorgeous golden glow before she teleported straight to her sister's chambers in another section of the castle.

Luna was awake, likely having risen early so as not to miss her duty in lowering the moon, which was something she would have to do soon. She jumped slightly at the sudden sound of her sister's entrance and whirled to face her, relaxing when she took in the countenance of her coruler.

"Greetings, sister. For what cause hath you...." Celestia's sister paused when she took in the white alicorn's badly-hidden distraught expression and barely held-back tears. "Oh, sister! Who hath distressed thee so thoroughly!" Luna leapt forward, the concerned expression on her face quickly overtaken by an angry, defensive one. "We shalt ensure that the culprit pays a most lamentable price for their transgressions!" Celestia smiled despite herself as she waved a hoof at her younger sister in a calming gesture.

"N-no thank you, Luna. I have c-come here to ask something else of you, though." The sun princess choked back a sob, her desperation growing as she observed her sister sit down and point her ears attentively. " Please, Luna. I ask you to observe his dreams. You spend so much time ensuring the peaceful rest of our little ponies. Can you focus your efforts on him?" Luna's countenance softened significantly and she stepped forward to pull Celestia into a caring embrace.

"Oh, sister, we know exactly what hast brought on this sadness plaguing thee now. Thou art feeling helpless, yes?" Celestia nodded, unable to either come up with a reason to deceive her coruler or resist the much-needed comfort. Luna chuckled once, sounding both empathetically sad and lightly chiding at the same time. "Sister, thou feelest thine subject's pain far too powerfully."

Both alicorns squeezed each other at the same time, though neither gesture was for the same reason. "Celestia, thou must needs know that we hath already attempted to enter the colt's dream-scape, and found it neigh impossible. Powerful spellwork blocks the way, layered repeatedly over many years." Celestia blinked in shock at this before shaking her head slightly to clear it of its misplaced confusion. Why should I be surprised? It was Broken who did this, and he always did carefully think out any and all possible contingencies. It was one of the things that impressed me so much about him.

"Luna, I know you can find a way to bypass such things. Could you please keep trying? If not for Darkest, then for me?" Luna sighed heavily before releasing her sister to look her in the eyes.

"Sister, we are almost offended that thou suggesteth we would not attempt to help this foal with all our capacity. We will do such a thing, for thee and for young Darkest, whether thou asketh us or not." Seeing Celestia's magenta eyes well with grateful tears, Luna sighed once more before once again pulling the two into a ferocious hug that would utterly shatter any non-alicorn's bones into pieces. "There, there, Celestia. We canst only trust in the most capable town of Ponyville and the Elements of Harmony now. We are certain that they shall assist the colt in ways that we cannot."

Celestia only nodded once more, having given up on holding the tears back and thus weeping openly, though she still paid due heed to Luna's comforting words. "Dost thou recall how Ponyville held back Nightmare Moon's armies all by itself, just by teamwork alone? Truly, there is no better place for Darkest to live, and no six ponies better suited to begin his healing. Truly, we thi-"

Luna was interrupted when they both felt a sizable ripple throughout reality, originating from the direction of the Royal Gardens. Soon after, a chaotic cackle echoed impossibly throughout the entire city, causing the rulers to freeze in recognition.

"Discord!" They shouted in unison, turning to each other with dread in their eyes.

"Quick, Luna! We must gather the guard, and send for the Elements!" Celestia urged, speedily wiping her face and charging her horn with arcane energy. Her years of rule came into play and she was instantly able to shift into focus, saving her sorrow for later. Luna nodded once and teleported away, presumably to give orders to Captain Armor. The remaining alicorn strode out onto her sister's balcony, scanning the distant hilltops for signs of chaotic contamination. There! Celestia's gaze landed on a suspiciously checkerboarded mound of dirt, not a mile from Ponyville proper. He must be heading to them!

The princess hurriedly put the finishing touches on her summons and sent it off to Spike before charging her horn with a teleportation spell. It's time to engage our plan. Hopefully Twilight remembers what we talked about. I only wish we had more time before he broke free.

Regardless, It's time to initiate the plan. Let's hope Ponyville can synergize like they did with Nightmare Moon enough to make it through this.

It all depends on them.

Ponyville Synergizes

The breeze flowing through his mane, the distant ground below as it zoomed past, the gentle, measured flaps from the pegasus mare he was flying with, all of it gave him a sense of immense elation. However, the euphoric feeling vanished as soon as they touched down in Ponyville proper, replaced with teeming dread and anxiety.

Darkest reluctantly hopped down from Fluttershy's back, falling a respectable distance before the ground finally connected with his stiff legs, which nearly sprained from the force of the uncushioned impact. HE said that HE did possess thirty-two spies in this town. Darkest regarded the surrounding townsponies with suspicion only rivalled by fear. That simply cannot be true, but it does not mean that there are no individuals working for HIM. He glanced up at Fluttershy, who had screwed her eyes shut and appeared to be steeling herself. So long as I remain in her immediate vicinity, they are rendered unable to subdue me.

Darkest nodded to himself at this, and was about to attach himself back to Fluttershy's hindlegs where he belonged before he realized that he had already subconsciously done so the moment he dismounted. Ah, well, that would indeed explain the lack of running or summoning barriers. Fluttershy seemed to finish composing herself then and twisted her slender neck around to gaze at him with her soft teal eyes.

"Are you ready to head in, Darkest?" The colt nodded but failed to summon a smile as they began their journey down the cobblestone path and toward the market square. The increasing pressure on the mare's leg was a notion that scarcely occupied any space in his mind, consumed as he was in his wary, weary watching of the potential threats surrounding the two. Any one of them could be a worker.

Happily, they reached the market with no incident, and Fluttershy quickly grew apt at compensating for the increased weight on her hock. Unhappily, however, they soon reached the first stall on their grocery trip, and Darkest recognized the orange mane and tan coat of Carrot Top. He ducked his head against the yellow leg and stared at the ground, clenching his teeth and pinning his ears in preparation for the earth pony's voice.

"Howdy, Fluttershy! Just the usual for ya this fahne mornin'?" Darkest flinched lightly and grimaced at the familiar sensation of heavy discomfort. She talks just as she always has, yet the pain is made significantly more violent by nature of the fact that I have only heard Fluttershy's most wondrous cadence this day. He breathed deeply through his nose, savoring the pegasus' scent and using it to assist in calming himself.

This process continued for some time, with Darkest attempting to tune out the harsh voices by losing himself in the sensation of Fluttershy's comforting presence and said mare keeping a steady, reassuring pace. She would frequently shoot him worried or apologetic looks and make assurances that they were nearly done, to which he would often wave a hoof in dishonest dismissal. He eventually gave up on studying the fellow marketgoers, instead burying his pink face in yellow fur and reciting mantras to himself, blindly following the mare's hoofsteps.

"There you are!" Darkest was roughly dragged out of his reverie by the relieved sound of a familiar voice. Both he and Fluttershy turned rapidly, causing him to stumble off her hock and into-

Danger.

Luckily, Darkest was able to expeditiously reattach himself and together they confronted a cream-coated mare with a pink-and-blue curly mane whom he recognized immediately. It is indeed Bon Bon, from the party. And it seemed Fluttershy did as well, seeing as she spoke next.

"Oh, hello, Bon Bon. Was there something you needed?" But the earth pony ignored her completely, focused as she was on beaming at Darkest's blinking countenance.

"I've been meaning to check up on you ever since you scared the whole town out of our coats!" She gestured wildly with a hoof before crouching and bringing her head eye-level with his. "So, are you okay? How has Fluttershy been?" The colt's eyebrows creased in confusion at this. He was feeling simultaneously heavily unnerved and mildly frightened at the scrutiny, but reasoned that with Fluttershy standing right there she could not exactly do anything. It was several moments spent with him licking his lips unsurely before he worked up the nerve to respond.

"Er, quite fine indeed, madame. And, pray tell, how have you been this fine morning?" The cream-colored mare narrowed her sapphire blue eyes ever-so-slightly, but a genuinely friendly and concerned grin remained on her muzzle.

"Let's not talk about me right now. I want to make sure that you are okay." It might very well have been Darkest's imagination, but it seemed her voice slowed down near the end and gained an air of something that he only half-understood. His confusion deepened when her face grew stoic and she peered deeply into his eyes, their noses separated by less than a foot of air. There was something so genuine in those blue orbs, something caring and concerned that reminded him of a certain yellow pegasus that was currently carrying the majority of his weight. Still, they belonged to another pony, and his own white ones could only stare back for so long before he averted his gaze back to the ground where it belonged. Eye contact is a signifier of equality, and I did indeed learn better than that long ago.

Bon Bon seemed satisfied by whatever she found, seeing as she did not object when Fluttershy shuffled around to face her directly, putting herself between the two. Darkest ensured his side never once left her hock, lightly gripping it in a raised foreleg as he peered under her saddlebags and slightly flared wings at the earth pony.

"Okay, Bon Bon. It was nice to talk to you. We're gonna keep shopping now, alright?" The curly-maned mare gave one last sad parting glance at Darkest before nodding and backing up.

"Alright, Fluttershy. It seems you have everything under control for now. I'll see you around!" And with that, Bon Bon turned and hurried back to a mint-green unicorn who had a cocked head and befuddled expression. The two started talking just as Fluttershy and Darkest began walking, so they speedily faded from view. The pair strode forward as one for but a few paces before the pegasus turned her head to look at him with her lips pursed and began rummaging through one of her bags with a wing.

"Darkest, would you like to eat some food now?" A deep rumbling came from below him at the mere mention of the word, and he flushed red with embarrassment and shame. With a grateful nod, Darkest took the offered sandwich in hoof and greedily bit into it, humming with delight as the sustenance finally pleased his vociferous insides. Consumed as he was in consuming the sandwich, he failed entirely to notice the violently exploding house on his left, though he did notice a drop of something brown appear on his pink muzzle.

The drop dripped down the side of it, soon joined by others of its kind, peppering his head. Darkest crossed his eyes to observe the drops and tentatively stuck his tongue out to catch some incoming ones. Is that chocolate?

A high-pitched shriek tore him out of his reverie, and he hastily turned his head to observe a light magenta earth pony on her hind legs, clutching her mouth with one forehoof and pointing with the other.

"OH! THE HORROR! THE HORROR!" Darkest's ears fell and he began scanning the immediate area, noting the rampaging animals with disfigured, elongated legs the pony seemed to be pointing to. He observed several nearby ponies begin clustering together, almost as if gathering into formations. He noticed several homes start hovering in the air and orbit each other in collision courses. But one key detail about the current events stood out the most to him by far.

She's gone.

Darkest searched frantically for any sign of his protector, but only found the fading sparkles of a successful teleportation spell and townsponies adopting battle stances and angry posture.

They're coming for you.

Darkest shook his head, glancing about again and speedily edging over to a nearby building that hadn't yet gone soaring into the sky. That is nonsense, they are not even gazing in my direction. Still, his rump soon found the wall of the structure even despite this thought, eliminating the threat of an assault from behind. Darkest flinched heavily at the sound of a dark, chaotic laugh echoing from everywhere at once, and less intensely at the cracking sound of a building collapsing.

There's ponies in there.

He could see them, screaming for help as their home crumbled around them, and his horn's overglow lit without a second thought. A protective dome appeared above the ponies as the ground became a puzzling checkerboarded color and pink clouds covered the sky.

"Why, hello, ponies of Ponyville."

Darkest's head whipped around and he stared at the giant horned head that appeared in the air above town square.

"My, my! What a nice forest you've got right next to your town!"

Darkest backed up into the wall behind him, cowering from those huge, yellow and red eyes. He jumped at a crack above his head and speedily erected a barrier there to catch the crumbling building's structure. It leaned heavily into the shield and would have fallen on him if not for its presence.

"Oh! And it appears to be absolutely teeming with monsters, all raring to be let out! How chaotic!"

Darkest's gaze was drawn to an off-white unicorn with an electric-blue mane across the town square from him who was firing at the head with red blasts of magic. The head in turn nonchalantly spit out a glob of what seemed to be lava at her, but he summoned forth another shield and blocked it from connecting.

"What an utter shame it would be if someone were to...I don't know...SET THEM FREE!"

The head disappeared then, replaced with a violent explosion of confetti that knocked several ponies over and blew a hole in the paved ground. The sound of it left Darkest's ears ringing, such that he nearly missed the clopping of approaching hoofbeats.

"Blithering blistering stallions! This is quite the pickle we've found ourselves in!" The colt swung his head around to observe the approaching brown earth pony, his horn's spiral still alight with a light grey luminescence. "Quickly, with me! We're gathering on Hoofington Street and could really use your shields!" Not knowing what else to do and fearing the imminent collapse of the nearby building, Darkest reluctantly followed behind Time Turner, suspiciously studying him for signs of malintent the whole while.

They soon reached a group of townsponies in formation, and the colt's legs locked in place under him.

What're you thinking! They're workers! They want to take you back to HIM!

"Quick, everypony! Be ready for a monster invasion!" A purple unicorn with a cutie mark of three sapphires began giving out orders to the group, but Darkest remained frozen with fear and indecision. In all actuality, I am most likely safer away from other ponies. At least until I find Fluttershy. He was just about to take off galloping in the opposite direction when he heard a creaking sound followed by a burst of pain from his tail.

RUN!

But Knight was immobilized, pinned by the fallen wooden beam, and his struggling only increased the pain as several tail hairs were ripped out.

"Hey, easy, easy! Just calm down, everything vill be okay, okay?" A mare with a baby-blue mane and pink coat commanded as another earth pony with her exact opposite coloration gripped the beam in her mouth and lifted it clear off the ground.

Knight stumbled back from the two, nearly falling over but catching himself on the wall of a building.

Knight's significantly-more-ruined tail found itself tucked between his legs where it belonged.

Knight glanced fearfully between the gathered ponies, who all scrutinized him before turning to face the snap! of what sounded like a teleportation spell.

Knight watched as a pack of four-legged wooden things spotted the ponies and lunged forward, growling and snapping as they approached the first rank of ponies, who surged forth to meet them. He observed the townsponies engage in a tag-team chase with the creatures, constantly making them switch targets and working together to always remain several steps ahead of their opponents. Finally, he caught his breath as he saw a grey-coated blonde pegasus lure the whole pack out of the way of the ponies and into a prodigious beam of magenta magic fired by the purple unicorn.

Darkest's jaw dropped, shocked as he was by the sheer teamwork displayed by the ponies before him. It is as though they share a brain!

"How on Equus did you manage that?!" He asked, quite incredulous. A dark magenta earth pony who had taken a large part in the chase trotted up to him, sweating and breathing heavily but still smiling cheerily.

"Well, when you've been with a group of ponies for as many years as we've been together, you do pick up some things." She spoke more, but Darkest's gaze was drawn to a cluster of what appeared to be meteors dropping down towards them.

Almost on instinct, a grey barrier phased into existence over the group's heads just before the fiery balls landed, causing them to either forcibly explode or reflect back into the air. Several instead bounced up like rubber balls, eventually coming to a stop on the flat grey surface. Darkest flinched and edged away from the stares he and his horn received and considered just running for it, but another snap! from behind interrupted that consideration and he whirled to face another alien thing. This one had a body that was vaguely reminiscent of Spike's, though it had a head that he recognized from one of Fluttershy's friends, called a 'chicken'.

"It's a cockatrice! Don't look into its eyes!" Yelled the purple unicorn leader, causing everypony to back away and avert their gazes to the green sky or checkered ground. "Derpy! GO!" From the corner of his vision, Darkest saw the blonde pegasus from earlier swoop in and grab the cockatrice in her forelegs, carrying it up and out of sight. "Alright, team! Move up! Let's see if others need help!" As one, the townsponies strode forward, confident and sure in their steps as they scanned the area. Darkest, by contrast, was nearly hyperventilating as he hesitantly took a few steps to follow them, but stopped in his tracks at another indignant outburst from Knight.

Abruptly, the world grew dark and Darkest looked up to see a gorgeous night sky. What in Tartarus...? The sudden time change was accompanied by the dreaded sound of more teleportation as numerous monsters appeared and begun running rampant through the town. The colt heard the distinctive growling of more wooden wolves from behind him and hastily erected a barrier there, squinting in the darkness as his eyes had yet to adjust completely. Well now, it would appear as though mine options are reduced to either dying horribly or following ponies who could potentially be working for HIM. Dying had never once been an option in his life, so Darkest lunged into a full-tilt gallop, heading straight for the departed group of townsponies even despite Knight's vehement protests.

He merged with the group just as light returned to the world, blinding him before revealing a tan earth pony stallion doing battle with some catlike creature alongside an off-white filly with a red mane. It was an impossible dance, with the pair somehow dodging every swipe from the monster's paws and strike of its scorpion tail. The filly would often use the stallion as a springboard, leaping off his muzzle in a coordinated move that ended with a solid buck to the face of the creature.

It was a losing battle, however, that much was apparent. The combatants were far too close together for Darkest to assist with a shield, but luckily reinforcements arrived in the form of two purplish-grey coated pegasi who swooped in. The pair delivered several successive blows to the monster before flapping off, causing it to open its batlike wings and give chase through the sky, letting out a great roar.

Elsewhere, two unicorn colts were fleeing from a flying monster that looked vaguely like a bear with some insectoid features. The pursuit had nearly ended with a meal for the monster when two earth ponies arrived, a brownish-tan stallion with three bit bags as a cutie mark and a grey mare with a pink bow-tie. Darkest watched in awe as the stallion nodded to the mare, who leapt into his forelegs just as he reared up and with a powerful thrust sent her soaring forth at tremendous speed to deliver a flying kick into the bear's muzzle. The great monster was unable to completely keep with aerial balance after such an attack and went pivoting downwards, just at the right time and angle to intercept a bright yellow magical beam fired by the mint-green unicorn from earlier. Darkest was rendered unable to witness what occurred next, distracted as he was by the panicked screech emanating from his left.

"OH, SOMEPONY PLEASE HELP ME! OH, THE HORROR!"

A coop's worth of 'chickens' appeared to have grown dragon wings and achieved flight, though they were constantly laying eggs in midair which exploded on contact with the ground. The 'chickens' were currently hovering maliciously over a particular home in which another earth pony mare, this one with a lime green mane and hot pink coat, was screaming her lungs out as she waved through the second-story window. There is some manner of gelatinous material rendering the lower floor unusable, thus she is unable to escape that way. Darkest peered upward, observing the ghastly state of the roof. It will not hold for very much longer.

"Quickly, Darkest! Use your incredible shield to block the projectiles!" Urged Time Turner, who appeared very suddenly to his right and began waving his hooves wildly in a gesture of-

Aggression. He's going to attack.

Darkest skittered back and away from the stallion, unintentionally letting out a soft whine that could barely be heard over the egg explosions.

"THE HORROR! SOMEPONY! PLEASE!"

Darkest whipped his head back around to face the flailing mare, seeing yet another pegasus, this one nearly jet-black with a blue mane, swooping in to assist. He will not make it in time. The stallion would have to travel three times as fast to make the trip before the roof collapsed. This was information that the earth pony clearly could not make out for herself, seeing as she chose that moment to hurl herself out the window and tumble to the earth, the roof collapsing just as she did.

Again practically on instinct alone, Darkest ensured there was a shield between him and his aggressor before summoning forth a curved grey ramp under the mare, allowing her to spread out her momentum instead of splattering against the cobbled ground.

Snap! Snap! Snap!

Darkest spun yet again to face three more wooden creatures, one of which growled directly at him and began to-

RUN!

Darkest turned and began galloping full tilt, pumping his short legs for all they were worth, but it was a losing race, for the beast's legs were nearly thrice the length of his. The colt heard the familiar zapping noise of a magical beam fired, but refused to cease his running, heading instead for the edge of town square. This is greatly unadvisable. Any one of these ponies could be workers. I must leave the vicinity and await Fluttershy.

Darkest foolishly glanced back to check for pursuers, and consequently ran head-first into something that had slightly more yield than a brick wall. The unicorn saw fur that was similar in coloration to his natural coat, bulging muscles that entirely defined the frame, and he looked up. And up. And up. And up...

Big pony.

Knight's ripped tail, previously streaming out behind him to assist with balance, tucked itself firmly between his legs. Knight backed up slowly, noting that the big, white pony was not currently looking at him. Knight saw that the pony was in fact glaring at something to the right and breathing deeply, that surely that was a good si-

"YEEEEEAAAAAHHHHH!!!"

Knight ran.

The huge, thumping footsteps of something in pursuit only served to increase his panic as he dashed into the residential section and darted through the streets.

Knight caught sight of what was chasing him in the reflection of a nearby window. It had four heads, each roaring as it stomped its four legs in pursuit. It was huge.

Knight wove through the houses and through alleys, but only managed to stay just ahead of the monster, rather than losing it entirely. The world darkened as the moon rose, aiding him in his fleeing.

Suddenly, Knight observed the town square before him once more, his path having brought him in a wild loop. Ponies were galloping towards him from there, hoping to head him off.

To capture me. To bring me back.

I only have enough for one wall.

Knight hastily summoned forth a wall to block off the only direction of escape from the monster.

The only means of capture for those workers.

Having rid himself of the greater danger, Knight began acting on instinct alone. He spun around to put his rump to the barrier, facing the huge creature and resting his legs for but a few moments as it approached. Knight was taking heaving breaths but only crying out a little bit as he galloped back toward the monster, summoning shields to block the two heads that snapped at him. The world lightened as the sun rose, aiding him in his evasive maneuvers.

The first workers reached the transparent wall and began to pound on it as Knight darted between the beast's towering legs, bringing the shields against its chest to push it back and off balance. Finally, Knight leaped off a barrier and over the sweeping tail, resuming his desperate dash through the streets.

With only a monster chasing after him, Knight's legs failed to receive the necessary burst of adrenaline. They soon after buckled, making him crumple to the floor. Knight had enough energy to turn his head and observe the beast bear down on him, its multiple jaws slavering in anticipation of its meal.

No! I mustn't die! I can't!

A cream-colored coat. Two-toned blue-and-pink curly hair.

One of the heads reeled back, struck by a cream-colored hoof, and fell to the ground, its eyes becoming spirals. The familiar earth pony lashed out twice more, connecting solidly with two more heads and causing them to fall. Finally, the mare jumped up, springing off a fallen head to deliver a midair buck to the last one, and it dropped in kind, with the pony landing on top of it.

Knight suddenly found energy again as she turned to look at him, and he painfully stood up, edging backwards on wobbly legs. Knight watched the pony carefully as she gracefully hopped down from the giant head and sat. Suddenly, he tripped on a poorly-paved cobblestone and fell to the earth.

No escape. Plead and cower.

Knight curled up, attempting to raise a hoof in defense and failing miserably.

"N-no! Pl-Please! I'm sorry!"

...

Minutes passed, but no hoof descended to strike him.

Tentatively, achingly slowly, Knight lifted his head to gaze at her. The mare had paused a few strides away, one foreleg raised in hesitation.

Knight swiftly lowered his head back to the ground, closing his eyes and whimpering softly.

Pathetic. I should have lasted longer.

You should have more stamina than this, scum.

A rustling noise, as though somepony was laying down. A few more minutes passed with nothing else occurring, and Knight cautiously glanced up again, trembling heavily in fear and anticipation.

Knight barely noted the familiar rainbow beam in the distance as it fell to the ground, focusing entirely on the earth pony now laying before him with her eyes closed. Knight nearly ducked his head again, but paused when he witnessed her lack of movement, instead tiredly laying his chin on the ground to continue watching her.

She's breathing heavily. That's it.

Noted Knight as he stifled a yawn, feeling increasingly sleepy as the seconds dragged on.

Knight failed to note, or indeed notice entirely, the charm that slowly took hold of his mind, inviting him to trust.

I'd go over to her, but I can't move right now.

More moments passed as Knight wearily watched the earth pony, silence taking over the town as it reverted to its ordered, non-chaotic state.

"Bon Bon."

The mare started, hesitantly looking into his eyes and seeming greatly confused by what she saw. She stared at his outstretched hooves as he beckoned her forward much like a toddler would ask to be picked up. Bon Bon falteringly stepped toward Knight, whose eyelids were beginning to drift shut.

Bon Bon stopped just in front of him, barely in range of his foreleg. Knight reached out, grabbing her fetlock and dragging himself over with what strength he had left.

A lovely sugary smell graced his muzzle as he buried it in her leg, and he smiled lightly as the other one rested itself on his back.

Safe.

The last thing Darkest heard before he slept peacefully was the clopping of many approaching hooves. But that mattered not, for he was completely protected so long as he stuck with Bon Bon.

Author's Notes:

(Note: Darkest's coat color is actually dyed pink at this point, it just isn't that way in the picture. See this blog post for more information.)

A Safe Home, Loving Family, And Stable Life For Darkest Knight?

"Is that everypony?"

Fluttershy discreetly gazed around at Twilight's question, internally checking off the list of attendees. There's our friends, Bon Bon, Mayor Mare, Nurse Redheart, and... That was all the ponies currently gathered in the meeting room of town hall. The mayor looked up from the clipboard held in her hooves and spoke next.

"Well, those who directly said they'd come are here. We'd probably have a lot more ponies if it wasn't such short notice, and so soon after Discord." The earth pony's gaze flickered back down to the board and her lips pursed. "It would seem everypony's here except for the representative from Foal Protection Services." An inquisitive noise from Twilight drew Fluttershy's attention and she observed her friend quirk an eyebrow.

"Foal Protective Services? Is that some sort of government agency that's supposed to help us with this sort of thing?" The unicorn squinted, seeming to wrack her immense stores of knowledge for information. "Why haven't I heard of them before?" The mayor sighed, placing her clipboard on the table they were gathered around to rub at her temple with a hoof.

"I only know about them because I requested Canterlot for help with this case, and they said they'd send somepony from 'F.P.S.' I looked into it, and it seems that they're an agency that's undergone some serious shrinking over the last few centuries." The earth pony began fiddling with a contraption that Fluttershy recognized as a fidget toy for especially anxious ponies, seeing as the pegasus herself owned several. "They haven't had a case like this in so long that they've suffered some serious budget cuts. It seems Equestria's government is ill-equipped to handle something like this, so we're pretty much on our own." Bon Bon spoke up next, seeming irritated by this newfound information and sounding rather impatient.

"Okay, great, can we move on with this now? We're here to discuss how to help Darkest, right? Can we move on to that?" Twilight jumped, looking chastised and ever-so-slightly ashamed that her scholarly curiosity had gotten in the way of the meeting.

"Oh, yes, of course! Well, our first order of business is going over what we already know about Darkest Knight. I have some things written down, and I'd like to refresh everypony on all the facts." The purple unicorn glanced at all in attendance and nodded when she saw perked ears and attentive eyes focused on her. "Right. So, first thing is that he, um, that he..." She paused, blinking rapidly and working her jaw. "Well, the first thing is that, so far as we've seen, Darkest grew up in a home in Canterlot that-" Twilight choked abruptly, seeming surprised at her own unintentional interruption. She glanced up at the ceiling and cleared her throat several times. Fluttershy was mildly shocked to see the shimmering of unshed tears in her friend's eyes. I thought she'd be desensitized by now.

"Sugarcube." Applejack stated, looking steadily at the purple mare. "We all know how bad this whole thing is, so y'all can just tell it to us straight, y'hear?" Twilight nodded, exhaling shakily and gripping her notepad in her hooves.

"Okay, Applejack." The unicorn lightly coughed once more and returned her eyes to the paper she held in a stranglehold. "So, the first thing that we know is that Darkest was raised by one 'Broken Barrier'. Princess Celestia herself interviewed the pony, and relayed to me what useful information she was able to get." Twilight paused briefly and lit her horn to turn the page, clearing her throat once more before she continued. "Reportedly, Darkest was found by accident at two years old, and Broken proceeded to foalnap and 'train' him to summon neigh indestructible barriers. This 'training' involved using strategic traumatization and regular beatings to force Darkest to make shields." A small gasp emitted from Rarity's direction, but Fluttershy paid no attention to anything save the words coming from her scholarly friend's muzzle. I must learn all I can, so that I can help him better.

"The investigation on Broken's manor also revealed scores of psychology-related books and studies, meaning that he was well-read on the subject and likely used the information to increase the effectiveness of his methods." Twilight rapidly shook her head and forced back her oncoming tears before turning another page and continuing. "As for Darkest, we know that he's afraid of all other ponies with the exception of Fluttershy and Bon Bon." Something seemed to occur to the unicorn just then and she glanced between those two ponies, raising an eyebrow. "I think we'd all like to hear more about that, actually. What was the process like? Is there any chance we can recreate it for more ponies?" Fluttershy blinked and nervously examined her hooves as everypony's eyes turned to her.

"Um, well, really it was your spe- I mean, your charm that did most of the work, Twilight." The yellow pegasus meekly accepted the offered extra anxiety toy from Mayor Mare, beginning to fiddle with the finely sanded wooden buttons as she continued. "All I had to do was lay on the floor for a while, and he eventually came up and just cuddled with me." Fluttershy glanced around the table to see confused expressions and a rapidly scribbling Twilight with her eyes squinted in concentration.

"My experience was similar," stated Bon Bon, lips pursed in thought. "It took a while, definitely more than half an hour I'd say, but he just called my name and cuddled up to my leg." The earth pony regarded Twilight with her face set in consternation before addressing her. "Whatever magic spell you used on that colt, it seems to work very well." The purple unicorn started to protest, likely regarding the manner of magic she'd used, but Bon Bon simply kept talking over her. "However, I don't think it'd be wise to try and recreate the situation to make him trust other ponies."

When met with raised eyebrows and confused expressions, Bon Bon sighed heavily and elaborated. "We know so little about the process, and about Darkest in general. It's a tenuous situation as is, and I really don't think we should be messing around and doing random things based on what little information we have. You're a scientist, Twilight. Would you ever go experimenting haphazardly with some substance that you know next to nothing about?" Twilight shook her head at this before lowering it to look back at her notes and sighing defeatedly.

"No, you're right, Bon Bon. I just thought that maybe, if we got more trusted ponies..." She sighed once more and flicked an ear in unease. "Anyway, let's continue. As for Darkest's current situation, we've learned that he's renting a house on Melody Street, which is in the northeast of town. He began working for Davenport not a day after he arrived, and regularly cleans Quills and Sofas to pay for things." Twilight then glanced over to her left, locking eyes with Nurse Redheart. "That's all I have for now. Would you go over his medical data now?" The white earth pony frowned and her ears fell as she regarded her own clipboard.

"Well, yes, I suppose that is why I'm here." Her eyebrows knit together and she glanced about the room, lightly tapping at the paper with a hoof. "You should know that this type of information is usually reserved for doctors, patients, and only sometimes parents. We normally have a very strict doctor-patient confidentiality rule. I'm only here because this is a special case."

The white mare observed the affirmative nods and brought her eyes down to the paper before pausing and lifting her gaze once more. "I feel I must warn you all, this is not for the faint of heart. If anypony feels like they cannot handle it," She squinted at Rarity, practically glaring at her for all the intensity in her expression, "you're free to leave temporarily and return later." Rarity gulped and nodded once, seeming to steel herself.

Fluttershy spared a look at the other ponies sitting around the table while Redheart glanced back down at her notes. Rainbow Dash looks determined, that's a good sign. Pinkie Pie seems rather grim, but I think she's holding up okay. Applejack took off her hat, that means she's taking this seriously. Mayor Mare's back to fiddling with her anxiety toy, but it looks like she's still paying attention. Fluttershy nodded to herself and turned her full attention back to the resident nurse, just in time for her to start speaking.

"Darkest Knight is covered in scar tissue and markings suggesting sharp blades, dull blades, stab wounds, blunt force trauma, magical attacks of varying intensity and variety, as well as damage from hooves. Magical scans revealed scores of healed bone fractures, concentrated mainly in his legs and ribcage. We counted one-hundred and thirty-seven total simple fractures, as well as three compound fractures, all on three different cannon bones respectively."

Redheart shook her head and frowned in annoyance at another gasp from Rarity, but continued nonetheless. "The patient also showed signs of prolonged malnutrition, though thankfully not too severe. Blood tests showed a distinct lack of sugar and other such necessary nutrients in his system. It was concluded that his diet has consisted largely of vegetables and the odd fruit for at least the last month." The nurse breathed in deeply through her nose and flipped through a few pages with her hooves before continuing.

"As for the magical side of things, we identified several concerning irregularities. Darkest's mana pool has been fine-tuned to an alarming degree, meaning that he will find it very hard to use any magic other than what it's been trained for, which is likely summoning barriers. It's also severely enlarged, filling nearly his whole body instead of the expected abdominal region standard for one of his age. This, combined with his underdeveloped physique, suggests unnaturally prolonged time spent in the magical development stage of his foalhood. Finally, the full-body physical revealed-" Redheart choked abruptly, interrupting herself much like Twilight had earlier. Fluttershy creased her brows in concern and faint dread as the earth pony rapidly blinked, dropping her clipboard to the ground to rub at her eyes. "T-the physical revealed that h-his-"

Redheart choked once more and gasped for air, laying her head down on the table and covering the top of it with her wet hooves, matting down her pale pink hair. Fluttershy was mildly surprised to see tears falling from her eyes and a distraught expression adorning her face. She's usually such a professional pony. I've never seen her so emotional.

Fluttershy abruptly stood and walked around that table to approach the distressed nurse, laying a comforting hoof on her lightly shaking shoulder. I have to know. Nothing good or even merely bad could cause this sort of reaction from her, but I must know, so I can help. The pegasus scooted closer to the lightly weeping pony, spreading a consoling wing to cover her shuddering back. Redheart nodded once in thanks and quickly composed herself, her professional, indifferent demeanor entirely gone.

"It was horrible. And not in the way that the flower mares say it, either. I cou-" The nurse took a shuddering breath, observing the wide eyes and concerned frowns from around the table. Fluttershy could hear a faint creaking of wood as the mayor's fiddling increased in intensity. "I couldn't finish the examination, it was so bad. S-somepony h-had completely destro-" The white pony swallowed, closed her eyes and whimpering softly. "Mutilated him. His colt parts were completely unrecognizable. I c-can't be sure, but it looked like he's a g-g-gelding."

A collective gasp of horror went about the room and Fluttershy nearly dropped to the floor in shock. A fainted Rarity did so immediately after as Redheart burst into uncontrollable bawling, turning to bury her face in Fluttershy's wing as she wept.

Silence swept across the room and the only sounds were that of a dropped wooden toy's clattering and the nurse's sobbing. Even Fluttershy's mind was devoid of any noise whatsoever.

The quiet reigned supreme across the space for quite some time, as nopony knew how to break it. Fluttershy herself was completely shell-shocked and barely able to regain the capacity for comprehensible thinking. A gelding? Was the only thought able to breach the numbness that the shock had wrought upon her.

"Well?"

The abrupt near-shout startled everypony out of their reticence, and they turned as one to face a glaring Rainbow Dash. Even Redheart ceased her crying and brought her swollen eyes to gaze at her.

"Well, what are we gonna do then, huh?" Fluttershy was almost as surprised to see her long-time friend nearing tears as she was at the previous revelation. "T-that's why we're here! To help him!" The cyan pegasus slammed a hoof down onto the table, nearly splintering it and startling everypony else once more. "This kid has been through T-Tartarus and back! We're gonna help him!" Rainbow was near screaming for all the intensity of her statement, and she angrily wiped at her eyes as silence reigned once more.

"Right!" Said Twilight finally, and everypony looked at her as she awkwardly attempted to further the meeting. "So, with that out of the way, let's move onto what we should do about the situation." Fluttershy wanted to protest, to argue that such a revelation should not simply be skimmed over. But she also didn't know how else to go about it, and figured that forcing everypony to continue to dwell on it would not do any good. "Our first order of business is deciding which home to put Darkest into. Who's going to essentially be his parents for the foreseeable future."

Twilight glanced around the room, absently tapping at her muzzle with a hoof. "Everypony in Ponyville was a viable option, but that was assuming we were going to replicate the conditions for the charm to work and get him to trust his chosen guardians. Since we decided not to do that, our options are narrowed down to the ponies he already trusts." The mare glanced between Bon Bon and Fluttershy, pursing her lips in thought. "So, let's discuss who the best option is. This is a decision that we really can't afford to mess up, so we must be careful."

Fluttershy and Bon Bon made eye contact and locked their gazes on each other, each mentally debating the logistics of the situation. It's a lot of responsibility, I know I'm up for it, but I don't know if anypony could go for so long without making a mistake. Something occurred to Fluttershy then, and she tilted her head, deep in thought as Redheart finally separated from her and resumed sitting properly. Is this a good idea? He's doing okay on his own, and he really didn't seem too thrilled by the idea of a parent when I asked him about it.

That had been an interesting conversation, to be sure.

---

"Fluttershy? What is the meaning of the word 'parent'?"

The mare jumped slightly, mildly startled by the sudden question. She removed her gaze from the repairs going on in the distant town to bring it onto the pristine white colt currently laying against her side, using her wing as a blanket. It had been a day since Discord was defeated, and earlier that morning Fluttershy had been presented with a freshly cleaned and brushed Darkest Knight. I'm glad Bon Bon was able to get through to him, and even gladder that she took care of his personal hygiene.

"Why do you ask?" Fluttershy inquired peaceably, content to just lay on the grassy hill and watch Ponyville from a few miles away after all the recent stress. Throughout the fight against Discord, Darkest had been foremost in her mind, and the pegasus' distress only grew when she was unable to see him for the rest of that day. She had been needed to help round up and comfort the traumatized animals. The assurances from Rainbow Dash had helped, but it wasn't until she'd witnessed the clean colt contently cuddling Bon Bon's neck that she'd believed he was okay.

"Well, it is indeed a word I had never before heard until I arrived in Ponyville, and the ponies here utilize it so casually. Is it some manner of farmer-created acronym? Mayhap it stands for 'Put All Rest Eventually Never Tomorrow'? That most certainly is the type of nonsense that would greatly behoove this exceedingly strange town." Fluttershy giggled softly at his attempt at humor, and smiled back upon witnessing the impish grin adorning his muzzle, playfully booping his nose with a primary feather. Darkest scrunched his snout, crossing his eyes to study his nose before he sneezed lightly, causing Fluttershy to giggle once more before she responded.

"Not quite, Darkest. A parent is an adult pony who takes care of their foals. They raise their children, and it is their responsibility to take care of them until they grow up." The white colt blinked hard and frowned lightly, locking eyes with her as a crease appeared in his eyebrows.

"So, as clarification, a 'parent' is somepony forced to care for somepony else's needs? Have they no choice in the matter?" Fluttershy blinked owlishly at his reaction and gently rubbed his back with a wing in a comforting gesture before answering.

"Actually, Darkest, the parents choose to have a child. They want to take care of one." The colt abruptly rose to his hooves at this, leaving her side to pace a circle around her with his head lowered in deep thought. Something occurred to the mare then, and she made another inquiry. "Darkest, how do you feel about having a parent? Somepony to take care of you, that you can come to with all your problems? Somepony you trust?" The white unicorn glanced up to make eye contact with her, and she observed with growing apprehension something gradually developing in those white orbs. Suddenly, Darkest skittered backward and away from her, shaking his head violently.

"No! No, no!" Fluttershy rose to her hooves and watched as he tripped over his own hooves, tumbling a small distance down the soft grass, her face set in great concern. What's gotten into him? Was it something I said? What did I do? These and more panicked thoughts ran through her mind as she tentatively strode over to the rising colt.

Said pony shook his head and gazed up at her, his ears flicking this way and that in what seemed to be great unease. "Ah, my apologies, Fluttershy, for you caught me quite off guard." He paused as the mare slowly sat down, still facing him, an unsure smile overcoming her features. It looks like whatever that was has passed. I was worried that Twilight's charm had worn off, but it looks like he's okay. "You must understand that the very idea of somepony forced to look after me-"

He gagged, shaking his head at the pegasus' raised hoof. "I find it superlatively repulsive to an alarming degree. I realize and understand that it is indeed the norm for you ponies, but you're different." Darkest shook his head again, more vigorously this time, and took a step away from her. "I very simply could not possibly grow comfortable with such a notion. The very idea is utterly reprehensible to me!" Fluttershy recognized the classic body language of distress written all over his physique.

"Okay, Darkest, I understand." She said slowly, gesturing invitingly back at the top of the grassy hill. "Would you like to come back up and relax some more? We don't even have to talk if you don't want to." The white colt breathed shakily through his nose a few times before finally nodding his head in affirmation, his body heavily relaxing as he trotted towards her.

"Yes, I do believe I would indeed find that quite relishable."

---

"I don't think that we should." Everypony stared at Fluttershy in shock, and she herself was almost surprised that she'd said anything, but the pegasus nevertheless continued. "Get him parents, I mean. I don't think it's a good idea." Observing owlish blinks and Twilight's hoof rolling in a 'go on' gesture, she elaborated. "It'd be a lot of pressure. His parents would have to never make any mistakes, ever, or else he'd just be afraid of them."

Fluttershy returned to her original spot, gaining confidence in her proposition as she went on. "Also, a traditional parent is not strictly necessary. Darkest is capable of taking care of himself, far more than any other foal his age would normally be." Applejack interjected, raising an apprehensive eyebrow and pointing an accusatory hoof.

"There's something y'all ain't telling us, sugarcube. Go on, out with it, we don't have all day!" Fluttershy sighed defeatedly, caught red-hooved.

"Alright, A.J. I had a conversation with Darkest two days ago, about parents. He...wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea." Seeing the perked ears and attentive faces, the pegasus sighed once more, gazed at the ceiling, and continued. "He was really distressed, actually, and I think he almost had some sort of panic attack. If we're trying to make him comfortable, then I really don't think setting him up with parents is a good idea."

Fluttershy lowered her eyes and stared back at the gazes directed at her, steadily maintaining eye contact. "Darkest has already been forced through so much else. Do you really think it's a good idea to force more things onto him, without his consent?" Twilight began tapping at her chin once more, and nodded her head in agreement.

"You know, that's actually a good point, Fluttershy. I mean, let's consider how he'd feel if we did something he really didn't want." Shadows began to intensify throughout the room as clouds started to cover the sun. The space grew steadily darker as more and more ponies nodded their heads.

"Wait, no, that's not what we should be doing!" The room lightened and the shadows faded at this rejection by Bon Bon, who stomped a hoof in impatience. "Darkest needs a safe place to come home to! He needs a loving family to support him in times of strife! He needs to not have to take care of himself anymore, to be able to relax because he's assured he'll be taken care of!" Rainbow huffed at that, angrily pointing a hoof at the cream-colored mare.

"And who are you to decide what Darkest needs?! You just want to control his life, just like it always has been! Can't he choose for himself?" The meeting room darkened again as Twilight raised a hoof in support, adding her own two bits to the debate.

"Besides, we can still have a safe haven for Darkest! We'll just make all of Ponyville comfortable for him, and the whole town can be his home!" Rainbow Dash nodded appreciatively at this, and the shadows intensified as Bon Bon's posture slumped and a small frown covered her muzzle. Mayor Mare spoke next, gesturing at Twilight with her anxiety toy as she addressed her.

"So, what should we do to make that happen? I assume you have some plans, right?" The traces of light in the room faded further as the unicorn began writing in her notebook, though the changing luminosity levels remained below notice.

"Right! So, first off, we need to send out a notice to all the townsponies. Everypony except for Fluttershy and Bon Bon should do their best to stay out of his way and not interact with him at all. We need him to be reasonably comfortable in Ponyville, and the best way to do that is to eliminate as much social interaction as possible, at least until he's at ease here." Glancing about and witnessing affirmative nods, Twilight continued, still scribbling in her notebook and still not noticing the gradual recession of light from the vicinity.

"Flutters and Bon Bon should continue asking him questions and finding out all they can about his life. We need all the information we can get, and everything Darkest tells us is worth something, no matter how small. Finally, those two can begin formally introducing various townsponies to Darkest, so he becomes familiar with their names and other surface-level stuff. I think it will greatly help to reduce the fear of the unknown if he's able to label us with something other than 'stranger'."

Everypony nodded in consent with these actions, and Twilight seemed greatly satisfied. "All of this is designed to make him feel comfortable in Ponyville. That's the first step, and what we should be focusing on right now." Bon Bon spoke next, and the shadows' depth climaxed as she reluctantly agreed with the verdict.

"I'm worried about Davenport. We all know how grumpy he can get, and he's not exactly the most cooperative pony. I'm afraid that working at Quills and Sofas is going to add a lot of stress to Darkest's situation. We've seen how he reacts to anger." Fluttershy pursed her lips and picked up the anxiety toy from where she'd dropped it on the floor earlier, worriedly fiddling with the buttons. She's right, Davenport isn't exactly the friendliest pony. What if he yells at Darkest? That could be really bad, but how do we fix it?

"Oh, well, I do believe I might be of some assistance in this case, darlings!" Fluttershy blinked rapidly, mildly surprised to see Rarity recovered and holding up a hoof in her usual dramatic fashion. When did she wake back up? "I'm sure I can find some work to be done around my boutique, and I would be all too happy to hire the poor dear for much more than he's being paid now!" Twilight beamed with joy at this, but Rainbow still had some concerns.

"But, Rarity, are you sure you can afford to hire another employee? I thought you said earlier that business wa-"

"Oh, pshaw! I'll figure something out. Who am I if not generous?" Rarity waved a hoof in dismissal before firmly stamping it on the ground. Well, that settles that issue. Thought Fluttershy, smiling lightly at her friend's offer. The dreary, grim, subdued aura that had enveloped the ponies since they gathered lifted as everypony beamed. They were happy to have come to agreements and assured in the knowledge that they were working to fix the situation.

Fluttershy's grin grew as the room erupted with cheers and excited jabbering. Everypony looks so happy, and for good reason. We finally have a concrete plan to help Darkest!

Every last pony in that room was blissfully unaware of the distinct heavy shadows that had nearly completely enveloped it, just as they didn't realize the horrifically incorrect decision they'd made.

Breakdown Boutique

Knight was back in the manor, having been unceremoniously dropped in by the cross-eyed pegasus worker from Ponyville. He'd known all along that she must have been working for HIM--why else would she be giving Knight all those strange looks?-- But stupid Darkest refused to do anything about it, and now the two of them were back.

Knight could hear the approaching hoofsteps of Broken Barrier, who rounded the corner and sat with a wicked grin.

"Why, hello, filth. Did you think you could escape for long?"

HE began levitating Knight's learning supplies in orbit around him, rendering Knight unable to guess which would be used first and react accordingly.

"It was all too easy to have my agents rig your little home up with all kinds of artifacts."

HE stared into Knight's eyes with HIS dead grey pools, both swimming with unfathomable amounts of malice.

"I casted so many charms on you through them. Idiocy, complacency, naivete, blind trust. All charms to make you all the easier to catch.

Knight knew he'd felt some manner of charm on his mind, leeching off his mana pool like some malevolent parasite. He'd known that something was making his mind betray him. He'd suspected it for a while. It was why he'd increased his protesting in the recent months, becoming yet more wary of everything.

Knight was vindicated, as he always would be, but felt only dread because of it.

"And now, you disobedient little fishy, you are all mine."

Of course there'd been things planted in his house. Of course they would cover it with all sorts of scrying runes. Artifacts to watch him, and discreetly work their magic on Darkest's stupid, naive, trusting, prideful, controlling mind! Darkest was an idiot to not realize what Knight always knew all along.

"Ready to begin? First, let us test your reflexes."

Of course the workers would sneak into Knight's room while he slept, planting all their devices all throughout it! The locks would never be enough to stop them!

Even now, they were probably-

NOOO!!!

Pure white forelegs trampled the air in the usual panic, and he fell gracelessly off his bare mattress, unpigmented mane swishing ever-so-slightly, as if it too was afraid of drawing unwanted attention.

The devices! WHERE ARE THEY?!

Knight searched the room in a desperate state of alarm. His hooves scraped against the wood floor, taking his body to the middle of it as his eyes frantically scanned the deepest recesses of the chamber.

Light. LIGHT!

Light flooded the bedroom by use of his magic on the switch designed to provide luminescence. The room was spartan, to say the least, barren of any furnishing save the lone mattress, which was unclothed by sheets of any kind.

No sheets. No blankets. No warmth. No big ponies.

There was also an insufficiently locked door, with only a few padlocks and nothing else to defend the room from intrusion.

Darkest says that locks are enough. He's an idiot.

There was once a closet in the room, one that would make it really easy for workers to hide things in. Luckily, Knight had ensured that was taken care of, and it was cemented off.

They've still put things everywhere. I'm sure of it.

Knight relentlessly scoured the room, ensuring it was free of any irregularities.

There can't be nothing! They must've done something!

Much time passed as he continued to study the room, but he finally realized that nothing had changed, and consequentially calmed down significantly.

Darkest breathed, glad to be in full control of himself and that his trained instinct had finally been satisfied. It does indeed usually take quite a while. Darkest lifted his mattress and continued his morning routine, submitting to the lengthy process that was getting his day started.

Hours later, he opened his well-stocked refrigerator, pleased to observe the many food-based gifts from both Fluttershy and Bon-Bon. Darkest levitated out a particularly appealing cupcake and bit into it happily, emitting a satisfied hum as the sustenance entered his needy stomach. Fluttershy did indeed say that I required more sugar in mine diet, and I can certainly feel the most palpable difference in my mana pool from it. Even dreary levitation is rendered much easier from the newfound freshness of mine mana! Darkest demonstrated this fact by bringing out several more food items and closing the fridge door with increased ease compared to when he was eating mainly vegetables.

Darkest had a delightful breakfast, gleefully partaking in the surplus of food located in his house. Absently chewing on a brownie, he glanced at the calendar in his pantry and noted the fact that it was a Monday. I shall need to head to the Boutique in short order. He focused, and felt a near lack of discomfort in levitating the last key from his bedroom over to him.

Shakily approaching the front door with the key held in his dull grey aura, Darkest closed his eyes and began breathing deeply through his nose. The exercises which Bon Bon taught me do often assist. Still with his vision obscured, the colt brought the key into the padlock and began to open it, attempting to remain as calm as possible.

The low thunk of the lock hitting the floor caused Darkest to snap to attention with his eyes peeled and ears perked forward, his left hind leg taking a large step backwards as all of them trembled. Observing no ponies on the street ahead of him, Darkest took several tentative steps forward and out the door, shakily studying his surroundings upon leaving the house. Nopony is out there. Just as the last few instances. With Knight furiously screaming through his mental space, Darkest began trotting down the street, closing the door behind him.

Darkest eyed the familiar alley for some time as he passed it, the rising sun casting its light and revealing the lack of a bit-purse hanging on the bare nail. Once he passed the alley he used to shelter in, the colt instead gazed about the street, relieved to observe the continued lack of townsponies. They have indeed become steadily more sparse in the last few months. All the more reason to disbelieve mine exceedingly obtuse instincts.

They're waking up.

Darkest shook his head lightly, increasing his pace as he turned to enter a larger street. Speak of the devil. As he cantered down the empty road and toward the southwest of town, the colt happened to glance up and catch sight of the newest addition to Ponyville. As far as castles go, it is quite garish, but at least it is quite unlike anything in Canterlot. Really, the structure is indeed beginning to grow on me.

The crystalline building was immense, towering over all the others and thus visible from all over town. It had appeared shortly after Princess Twilight won the fight with Lord Tirek, whom had attempted to take over Equestria a week prior. Darkest winced as he recalled desperately attempting to shield every pony he could from the centaur's mana-draining attacks before he turned his attention on the colt. The sensation of his mana pool being completely sucked dry had been greatly unpleasant. Knight had galloped about in a blind panic upon realizing he couldn't summon any more barriers as the protected townsponies clawed at the inside of their shields.

The sprinting had lasted until Bon Bon ran into him, cradling Knight in her forelegs as she softly sung a lullaby. That was when she taught me the breathing exercises. Thought Darkest, smiling fondly as he recalled the encounter and approached Carousel Boutique, still not seeing any townsponies. I fell asleep, and when I woke up, mine mana was restored and we had a new resident princess.

The pure white colt gazed up at the elegant building, still unable to decide whether to be impressed or repulsed at its architecture. It is markedly less offensive than the Pink Horror's abode, to be sure. Still, it is quite a bit more flamboyant than I would prefer, and I can see the Canterlotian inspiration in the design. Darkest did not believe that the ornate, foreboding beauty of Canterlot blended well with the happy, wild colors of Ponyville, but this was an opinion that he would never dare share with the proprietor of the establishment. Nay, I shudder to even think of doing such a heinous thing. Me, give critique to somepony else? The notion would be amusing were it not so horrific.

The unicorn shook his head once more and strode forth to open the door, ignoring his shaking hind legs and pinned ears as he did so. The slab of stained purple wood opened with nary a creak and he trotted inside the building, carefully closing the door behind him.

"Ah, there you are, Darkest! I was wondering if you'd bother to show up!"

The colt eeped and ducked into an apologetic half-bow, shrinking back in the expectation of a reprimanding swat to the horn.

"A thousand apologies, good madame! I swear on mine honor as a unicorn to never again be late to work! I accept whatever just punishment you deem worthy to correct my most grievous solecism. Please know that my anguish upon offending you knows no bounds and mine desire for repentance is equivalently immeasurable!" Uneventful moments passed before Darkest hazarded a timid glance upwards at his employer, who was tiredly rubbing at her temples with a white hoof, her red working glasses skewed to the side.

"No, Darkest." He flinched at those words, but the mare only sighed heavily. "That was quite rude of me, and I apologize. I'm quite stressed lately and dealing with some very demanding clients. Can you forgive me?" The purple-maned unicorn spared a glance from her papers to look at him expectantly, and the colt meekly nodded, trembling lightly. She does not act this way often, and is normally perfectly cordial, if a bit obsessed with my appearance.

You've messed up. She's going to attack.

That is indeed a possibility, if a faint one. I must tread especially carefully this day, so as not to aggravate her further. Darkest nervously swallowed in moderate fear as Rarity absently gestured behind her and at the fabric storage section with a hoof, turning her attention back to the notes she was going over in her aura.

"Good, good. Now then, would you kindly get started on organizing the fabric while I finalize these designs? We received several new shipments yesterday, and they need to be put in their proper places." The colt nodded and discreetly made his way over to the storage area, careful to make as little noise as possible so as not to further disturb the busy mare. Organizing is easy, and greatly satisfying as well! I find immense joy in placing originally disorganized materials in ordered positions. Finally, Darkest's shuffling brought him to the dedicated storage area, which was halfway between a room and a closet. Rarity had each fabric's placement memorized so she could levitate specific ones to her from all over the shop, and if they were positioned incorrectly, it would greatly impede her efficiency.

And there'd be Tartarus to pay.

Consequences or no, Darkest had carefully recited the order to himself until he learned the placement backwards and forwards, thus it was foal's play to use his levitation to begin sorting the labelled boxes into their respective containers. Minutes passed as the colt absently hummed the tune of Bon Bon's favorite lullaby, smiling as he recalled the many times she had sung it for him.

'Music' is truly a wondrous thing, and she really does have such a nice voice. Though, to be fair, it is no rival to Fluttershy's. That yellow mare's singing was something so heavenly as to be entirely astounding, and it left Darkest staring off into distant space the first time he heard it. It had taken Fluttershy a few minutes of shaking his shoulder to finally draw him out of his reverie, and upon returning to reality he was simply unable to find the words to describe the sound. As a matter of fact, I still do not think I have them. It is not often that I am left without appropriate words to detail something.

Darkest was most rudely brought back to the present when he encountered a curiously unlabeled box. It was heavy, too, and weighed at least three times as much as the others. His levitation was nearly insufficient to lift it, but the colt managed to bring it further into the air and study its underside. Mayhap they labeled it there?

"BE CAREFUL WITH THAT!"

Darkest jumped, panicking as the sudden noise startled him heavily and caused him to lose focus, dropping the box.

Thinking fast, he dove under it, planning to use his back to cushion its fall. He succeeded in the attempt as he felt its weight come crashing down, along with a burst of-

Pain!

Knight scrambled under its weight, unable to stand. Luckily, the container was lifted in a bright blue field, and he skittered forwards to put his rump to the wall, scanning for more threats.

What he found was Rarity desperately investigating the inside of the box, sighing in relief as she closed and carefully rested it on the floor before looking at him with a cross expression.

Anger. Bad. Submit and obey. Reduce punishment.

"This is an extremely delicate, extremely expensive material. I had to import it straight from Saddle Arabia, and shipping costs from there are at an all-time high thanks to that blasted civil war!" Knight trembled at her near-shouting and cringed away, expecting the mare to angrily approach. She instead sat and rubbed her eyes tiredly before speaking in a much more subdued tone. "Oh, Faust, the stress appears to be getting to me. I should not be shouting at you. You did nothing wrong, and the fabric is fine."

The unicorn abruptly paused before rapidly standing up and raising a frantic hoof. "That reminds me, I have a meeting with the client in five minutes! Oh, dear, I must leave straight away!"

Rarity took off and galloped straight to the door, frenetically donning her coat and hat as she left the building while giving out a parting order.

"Watch the shop for me, will you? And don't let anypony near that cloth!"

With that, the mare was gone, and Knight was left taking heaving breaths as he cowered against the wall, blinking in confusion. Gradually and over much time he calmed down, largely thanks to the lack of any others in the shop, and Darkest shakily stepped away from the wall, giving the unlabeled box a sizable berth as he crept by it.

A well-dressed ponyquin caught the colt's attention as he shyly entered the dressing room, causing him to wondrously approach the figure. That dress is greatly pleasing to mine eyes. It was somehow distinctly Ponyville, and failed entirely to remind him of the noble wardrobe. Something glinted in the corner of his vision, and Darkest turned to gaze at yet another ensemble. That one also is especially beauteous. Usually, the colt stayed far from this room, as the fancy clothing brought forth too many bad memories, but these dresses were different enough that he could truly appreciate his employer's unique style. The stitching is unlike anything I have observed prior, and her color choices are nothing short of incredible.

The distant staircase caught Darkest's attention next, and he curiously approached it, head tilted in pondering. I wonder what the upstairs looks like? The white unicorn's caution was no match for his interest at the moment, and in short order he was ascending the steps, his white and slightly curled tail swishing to either side in the excitement of discovery.

Darkest's grin grew as he explored the upstairs, having only had a brief tour of the place beforehoof. He often giggled softly at any particularly amusing objects he came across, and his wonder increased as he examined yet more entirely unfamiliar things. The bathroom in particular was practically overflowing with bottles and containers of every kind, hardly any of which Darkest could put a name to, though that was largely due to his near inability to read.

Let us see... I do believe that that shape is indeed the letter 'T' The colt was squinting at a particular bottle he had chosen which was being held firmly in his forelegs. Fluttershy had begun giving him reading lessons--at his own request-- the weekend prior, and Darkest had determinedly immersed himself in the material.

He had nearly memorized the entire alphabet and each letter's respective noise by now, though all the different spelling rules for words still befuddled him. 'I' before 'E', except in essentially every other instance. Why can it not just be consistent? Still, the challenge excited Darkest, and he was happy to be learning something of his own accord. And through non-agonizing means, to boot!

The colt was startled out of his practice by the abrupt sound of a slamming door, which interrupted the previous dead silence of the building. He rushed out of the bathroom and down the stairs, just in time to see an ivory-coated filly with a two-toned pink-and-dull-purple mane rummaging through the as-yet unsorted boxes. She hummed triumphantly in a high-pitched squeaky voice as she held up some golden fabric that Darkest realized came from the unmarked box.

Thinking fast, Darkest speedily lit his horn and lifted both the cloth and the box from her vicinity, carefully placing the material back into its container and keeping it several feet over both of their heads.

"Apologies, good madame, but this fabric is not for anypony save Rarity." The filly whipped her head around at the sound of his voice, and she squinted at him with a disappointed frown.

"Aww, but me and my friends needed that to get our cutie marks in fancy fabric spinning!" Darkest winced heavily due to a combination of her displeasure, whiny voice, and improper grammar, but remained steadfast in his defiance of her wishes. Rarity shall have my head if so much as a thread goes missing, and dying has never been an option for me.

"Well, the lady's materials are off-limits even to myself, thus some random filly is most certainly not allowed access to them." The filly brightened, raising a hoof and looking slightly puzzled as he flinched back at the motion.

"But I'm Rarity's sister, Sweetie Belle! You must be Darkest. Rarity told me to stay away from you for now, so, um, sorry for not doing that. But I really need that cloth! I just know that one of us is gonna get our marks in this!" Darkest winced and bowed his head, his resolve already beginning to crumble as the box slowly lowered in elevation. The filly noticed this and gave him a hopeful grin, but the colt shook his head and flared his horn to raise it back up.

"My apologies, madame, but I simply cannot allow you to take this cloth. I am under explicit orders to deny everypony access, including mineself." The filly blew her cheeks out in indignation and stomped her way over to him, head raised high so as to look directly into his lowered, cringing gaze. With Darkest's head held at shoulder level and Sweetie Belle's elevated as far as it could go, her lime-green eyes were able to tower inches above his own.

"But we're so close this time! All we need is that dumb cloth and we've finally got our cutie marks! It's been months since we tried getting them and I can't let my friends down now!"

Anger. Must obey.

Darkest flinched heavily and lowered the box to the ground, opening it invitingly as he scurried back and away from the angry pony, dropping to the floor and raising a hoof to ward off any incoming strikes. Seconds later, the sound of rustling cardboard and silky fabric caused him to hesitantly peek past his foreleg and observe the filly gleefully pull the golden cloth out before dashing off. Darkest puzzledly lowered his meager defence and sat upright just as the unicorn came rushing back, a pair of scissors balanced on her back.

Cold dread settled in the depths of the colt's being when she sat by the opened box, muttering to herself as she fumbled with the scissors. She is going to destroy that cloth. Rarity will be furious with me if she does! The white-maned unicorn scrambled over to the smaller one, who smiled deviously as he approached.

"Oh no you don't! Don't come any closer! You're a bad colt!"

The anger was obviously faked, as she giggled directly after, but it still had the same affect on his subconscious, and Knight forced him to scurry backwards, whimpering in distress as he dove for cover.

"Wow, that was kinda easy."

Knight was forced to watch in pure panic as the filly cut into the fabric, separating and removing three uneven patches that were roughly square-shaped and filly-sized. She draped the ruined cloth over her back, said a parting piece, and exited the building, too excited to even close the door.

---

She shall be returned soon. Darkest was pacing a circle around the box, occasionally eyeing the destroyed fabric, but never able to do so for long as guilt forced him to look away. It was my fault. I am responsible.

You're gonna die.

I have spent the last few minutes in a blind panic, I cannot afford to do so now. I must create a plan. Darkest anxiously glanced at the door, his mental space teeming with grim dread and anticipation. He was shivering violently, all muscles tightened as far as they could, consequentially causing him to move stiffly. The unicorn could feel cramps starting to appear, but the pain wrought from those was nothing compared to the knowledge of what was soon to occur. I should just run. Dash off to shelter elsewhere.

Find Fluttershy.

Yes, indeed. She or Bon Bon could shelter me. Darkest shakily approached the front door, but was forced to duck to the side and out of sight when it abruptly opened, allowing a fuming Rarity entry to the Boutique.

"Why, the absolute nerve of that stallion! Refusing to reimburse the cost of his fabric like that! Doesn't he realize my business is going under!?"

Anger. Flee, get away.

Darkest discreetly slunk away from his employer, trembling with great fervor, but stopped in his tracks when he heard a small gasp from behind, anxiously turning to face the mare.

"Oh, Darkest, I'm so sorry for yelling like that. I know you don't exactly appreciate hostility." The colt swallowed and nodded, continuing to edge slowly backwards. The box is in plain view of her. All she has to do is shift her gaze slightly, but if I can block it from sight long enough...

"So, tell me, did you mind the shop as I told you? You didn't let anypony near that fabric, right?" Darkest was about to open his muzzle and respond, but froze when her eyes drifted to his left and widened.

Too late.

Dead silence reigned as Rarity slowly stalked over to the opened box, levitating the ruined cloth. Both ponies were trembling intensely, though for very different reasons.

Knight whimpered pathetically as the golden threads were dropped unceremoniously to the ground, and the mare stared off into distant space.

Then the screaming began.

Knight wove between an assortment of levitated objects, all whirling an a vortex centered on the enraged mare. Knight dodged several hurled supplies, each thrown viciously in his direction with great velocity.

"I GAVE YOU ONE JOB! YOU RUINED THE FABRIC!!!"

Pain!

Erupted from his rump as he failed to dodge a launched sewing machine. Knight cried out as he realized the storm of objects blocked the path out the door.

The assortment of weapons was all around him, every last thing in the shop turned into a tool for pain.

There's too many learning supplies. I can't predict which one will be used next.

You think you have discovered my patterns, filth!? Let us see how you fare now, with too many to anticipate!

Shield!

A light grey triangular barrier sprung into existence right in front of Knight, just in time to block a slew of high-powered sewing needles from embedding themselves in his muzzle.

Knight foolishly made a break for the door and barely avoided a nasty-looking kitchen knife which severed a lock of his mane. He summoned another barrier as the hair was swept away by the wind speed, the shield intercepting a thrown ponyquin that he recognized as the one he'd marveled at earlier.

"YOU ARE THE SINGLE WORST EMPLOYEE TO EVER WALK EQUUS!!! CAN'T I JUST HAVE ONE MEASLY BREAK?!?!"

The inside of the Boutique broke down into a magical flurry, but Knight summoned a half-dome around himself and bolted for the door, shielded from all the learning supplies used on him.

Breathing heavily and with tears streaming down his face, Knight galloped down the street, leaving his barrier behind as he searched desperately for one of two ponies.

Where is she? Where are they?!

Knight gasped as his legs buckled, he observed several bleeding gashes and scrapes on them.

They're not too bad. I can make it.

Knight attempted to stand once more, and managed to limp into a nearby alley, his legs supported by naught but sheer fear and willpower.

He collapsed against the building's wall, whimpering softly as he drew his legs up against his body.

A prismatic-maned head peeked slowly around the alley's entrance and Knight froze as he watched it, eyes wide with dismay.

Cerise orbs blinked back before the mare took several steps toward him.

Knight scrambled backwards, crying out as his legs flared with pain, yet he still brought a foreleg up to ward off the attack.

"Uh, hey there, buddy. You...don't look so good."

Knight's legs buckled and he collapsed in a miserable heap, studying the cyan pegasus' every move.

When she attacks, I'll make a shield.

Something seemed to occur to the mare then, and she deliberately took a couple of steps away from him, closing her eyes and gradually laying down. She breathed slowly, resting her head on the ground as her ears flicked slightly.

Minutes passed, and Knight progressively clamed down as he continued to observe the mare's lack of further movement.

Finally, the colt sat upright, hardly noticing the familiar irony stench of fresh blood as he tentatively sniffed in the pegasus' direction. The faintest whiff of something quite pleasant urged him to scoot closer, until less than a half a foot separated the laying ponies' muzzles. The rainbow-maned pegasus smelled of petrichor, of cloudy skies and fresh rain.

So unlike the metallic rage of HIM or the sterilized cleanliness of HIS manor. It reminded Knight of fond times peacefully watching raindrops race down his window, assured in the knowledge that no further training would occur that night. That for the time being, he was safe.

Safe.

Knight shuffled forward even more, lightly booping her nose with his own.

"Rainbow Dash."

The colt grinned at the cerise eyes as they opened wide in shock, his own white pair filled with compelled trust and then legitimate pain as his wounds made themselves known once more.

"So, uh, is it alright if I pick you up now?" Darkest nodded in assent with the request and reached his forelegs up as she stood, making himself that much easier to lift. Rainbow gingerly did so, ensuring she had his permission the whole while, and took to the air, awkwardly holding him against her chest.

Darkest exhaled heavily in what was both an appeased sigh and a tired yawn, pressing himself more firmly into Rainbow's barrel as she flew out of the alcove, occasionally gazing at him with an expression of intense surprise. He would have fallen asleep then and there, were it not for the throbbing pain in his legs and the sudden sound of a familiar voice.

"Oh, there you are, darling! I'm so sorry, I completely overreacted and I'm so asha-"

Knight let out a tortured screech and flailed about in his place, reaching both forelegs around to grasp Rainbow's neck, pulling himself around and onto her back. He crouched there, out of the line of sight of his grounded employer, and breathed heavily as the adrenaline left his system.

She can't get me here. She can't see me here.

Rainbow turned her head around to regard him with an extremely disturbed expression before addressing the mare below her.

"Rarity, I don't think now's the best time for whatever you're doing. Darkest just had a major freakout and he's been bleeding out for the past, like, thirty minutes. I need to get him to Redheart, and then we'll see about talking, okay?" The cyan pegasus left without waiting for a response, and Darkest calmed exponentially as they traveled away from his employer, relaxing on the flying mare's back with his dripping legs dangling to either side. "Anything you wanna tell me about that?" She asked as they slowed, approaching Ponyville General.

You can't tell. Rarity will be even angrier.

The colt numbly shook his head against her back, eyes drooping with exhaustion. Rainbow landed and began trotting inside the hospital, her ears twitching with worry.

"Oookay then, buddy. Let's see about getting you patched up then, alright?"

But there was no response, for the unicorn had passed out, a peaceful smile adorning his muzzle as he slept in safety.

Breaking Barriers

She should be here already.

The sun was directly overhead in the sky on that beautiful Wednesday noon, and it perfectly illuminated a pacing white unicorn colt with bandages on his hind legs as his anxiety gradually increased.

Something must've happened to her.

Darkest sat on the ground just outside his house's front door, conscious thoughts silent as his mind swam in rising dread. He fearfully watched the sky, mouth trembling as he scanned it for signs of a butter yellow pegasus.

She's gone. She's not coming. She's not here.

The unicorn whimpered miserably, stamping at the ground softly in his distress. His gaze was locked on the sky, for he no longer found it necessary to study his surroundings for assailants so often. He knew that he likely wouldn't find any ponies, let alone angry ones.

Rarity.

Darkest bit back a sob upon remembering that exception, his light shivering evolving into heavy shuddering from the memories of her enraged visage.

You deserved it.

Knight was right, for once. The ruined cloth was something he and only he was responsible for, as Rarity's employee. Guilt and regret were prominent emotions running through the colt, though fear and dread still remained foremost within. Darkest laid down on the cobblestoned path, curling up and hugging his brushed tail, still watching the sky as he cried softly.

"Hey, buddy. You doing okay?" Darkest hastily shot to his hooves, hind legs twinging under the bandages in a reminder that they were still healing.

Pain. Beware.

Darkest shuffled backwards and away from the mare who spoke, recognizing her from a brief introduction some days ago. That is Cheerilee, the teacher.

She makes ponies learn.

I must indeed be exceedingly wary of her, as I wish not to be taught this day. Darkest agreed, continuing to step slowly backward to the entrance of his house as he locked his wide and wary gaze on hers. The colt blinked first, realizing she was likely awaiting a response.

"Er, simply superlative, teacher! I do not require any further learning at the moment!" He laughed nervously in hopes of strengthening his statement, speedily wiping the tear tracks from his face. The second she reveals a learning instrument, I shall have to run for it.

Get in the house.

That is an excellent suggestion and one that I shall likely pay heed to. Darkest tensed, coiling like a spring and ready to launch himself at the slightest provocation. Cheerilee seemed to notice this, her countenance taking on a nonplussed appearance as she took a faltering step backward.

"O-okay, then. I guess it's not really my place to help out, huh?" The earth pony looked downcast at this, her ears drooping as her face fell and tail lowered. Darkest's own ears flicked in unease, but he stayed precisely where he was, still as a stone and still on a hair trigger. Sadness is not an ideal emotion, but at least she is not angry.

The sound of flapping wings drew the colt's attention back to the sky and he breathed out with relief upon seeing Fluttershy descend to the ground. There has now occurred a change of plans! Darkest took off across the cobblestone and toward the safe shelter, cannoning into her barrel after failing to slow down sufficiently. Luckily, the pegasus seemed prepared for just that outcome, seeing as she had gone through this many times before. She braced for the impact, effectively catching him and leaving neither of them sprawled on the floor.

"Hello, Darkest. I'm sorry for being late. Angel just wouldn't let me go until I made a salad for him." Her gorgeous, unsurprised, gentle voice brought great joy upon the colt, and he grinned with relief as he nuzzled her chest. Darkest sighed heavily into it as all tension left his body and the fresh smell of nature graced his muzzle. "Thank you, Cheerilee, but I think it's time to leave now." The unicorn relaxed further as he heard the retreating sound of hoofsteps, and he clambered on up to Fluttershy's back once he was sure the earth pony had left. Said mare twisted her slender neck to gaze at him with her teal orbs in an unreadable manner. "So, um, are you ready to leave now, Darkest?"

The foal in question merely nodded before burying his face in the mare's neck, nuzzling it as his body completely loosened all rigidity. He felt the usual surge of pure joy upon lifting into the air, but that emotion was vastly overshadowed by his complete relief upon the pegasus' arrival. All is well now that Fluttershy is here. I wonder if I could persuade her to allow me another sleepover at her cottage. Knight is usually entirely silent during those.

The two traveled in silence for most of the journey, both deep in thought as they left the skies above Ponyville and headed out to the grassy hill where their newest princess was awaiting them. This reticence lasted until Fluttershy broke it, leaning her head to the side so as to indicate her addressing him while still focusing on flying.

"So, um, is there any chance you'd like to tell me what happened with Rarity two days ago now? She still hasn't said anything yet, and the whole town is getting really concerned." Darkest froze in alarm at the name and nervously glanced to either side. He attempted to answer, but found that his panic sealed off any opportunity for vocalizations, and so merely shook his chin against her back. From the way the mare's ears twitched, he guessed she was about to pry further, but luckily it was at that moment that they reached their destination, and Fluttershy was forced to land.

"Hey, Fluttershy! Hello, Darkest! Are you guys ready to start?" The colt leapt off the mare's back and managed to stay a few steps away from her, studying his immediate surroundings and tentatively smiling when he realized it was just the three of them. After an asking glance at his yellow safety--who merely nodded before she sat down and began attentively watching the proceedings--Darkest responded to the purple alicorn, eyebrow raised in inquiry.

"Quite indeed, princess, but if I may ask just one thing?" At her nod and light smile, he hesitantly continued. "What exactly is it that we are here to do? I was not informed of much regarding that matter."

Princess Twilight Sparkle of Ponyville fluttered her newly gained wings and glanced at the clipboard she was currently levitating, pursing her lips before she answered.

"Well, Darkest, we're here because I would like to have more information about your magical abilities." Her noble speech still made the colt cringe inside, but her newfound alicorn status put a large damper on his suspicions of her occupation. Really, could a princess be working for HIM? and Bon Bon did say that HE was in prison now, though what good that does is dubious at best. "Why don't you start by explaining how your barriers work? We know next to nothing about them, and would love to be enlightened." Darkest inhaled deeply and straightened his posture, beginning to demonstrate as he spoke.

"Mine barriers consist of the very base layer of reality. When I mentally reach through and connect with it-" But the princess interrupted, eyes ashine with the fire of curiosity.

"Wait, wait, what do you mean, 'base layer'? You mean you can actually feel a layer of the world that's under the others? How do you do it? How long have you been able to do it? Can you teach me? Can you teach anypony? What exactly does this layer feel like? Is it rubbery, or rough, or maybe really smooth??" The alicorn seemed to come out of her inquisitive fit upon seeing Darkest back away, doing so herself and raising a hoof in apology. "Oh, Darkest, I'm sorry about that. I'll just save all my questions for later. Would you please continue?"

The unicorn in question breathed deeply as Bon Bon had instructed, attempting to calm himself as much as possible before responding. He glanced to his right and at Fluttershy--whom was squinting at the princess with her lips pursed--before acquiescing to the alicorn's request.

"Er, yes, indeed, princess." He scuffed his hoof against the grass, already uncomfortable with the situation, though the yellow pegasus currently sitting just a few feet away did much to remedy that feeling. If the noble attempts anything, it will take me a mere two seconds or so to get to safety. Darkest blinked rapidly and shook his head lightly, causing his ears to smack the back of it. No, that is foolish. Come now, I cannot be thinking so irrationally at this time, for there lies no need to. I shall simply do as the princess wishes, and everything will be fine.

She's a noble. She's from Canterlot. She wants to take you back. To HIM.

Now is very much indeed not the time, Knight. Would you be so kind as to shut up? The colt noticed Twilight's expectant gaze beginning to transform into a befuddled one, and so hurriedly resumed his explanation.

"First, I mentally trace magic through reality's many layers. It takes much concentration and practice, but by now it is indeed rather trivial to do so. Then, once mentally connected, I send mine mana through my well-established ley patterns and into the arcane matrix located in my horn. The arcane spell matrix sends the mana through the very same path that I initially used to make the connection, and is used to make the base layer follow it into reality proper. At which point I am able to..."

Darkest's voice faded away as he gazed at the utterly puzzled face of his newest princess. Her purple eyes were squinted so far as to be closed, and her eyebrow had peaked as far as it could up her forehead, perfectly framing her pursed lips and wrinkled snout. The colt might have laughed at how comical the sight was, so long as he was entirely insane and inane, as well as not vastly confused in his own right. I distinctly recall Rainbow Dash telling me that her special talent is magic. Does she not understand mine phraseology?

It's not right.

Darkest blinked. In all actuality, that is indeed a possibility. There lies no guarantee that Broken taught me the actual names for things. It is surprising to actually receive a genuinely valuable suggestion from you, Knight.

She's mad at you. She's going to attack.

Darkest sighed heavily and would have rolled his eyes if they were not trained exactly on the contemplating princess before him. Ah, yes, there it is. Far be it from me to expect something useful from you, Knight. The purple noble shook her head rapidly and took a few steps forward before remembering herself, electing to simply raise a hoof instead.

"Er, Darkest, you seem to be using some outdated ideas, is all. You see, new discoveries in the field of magic have rendered concepts like 'ley patterns' and 'arcane matrixes' completely obsolete." She glanced aside and at Fluttershy, awkwardly itching at her foreleg with a hoof. "So, er, maybe a magic lesson is in order? I think I'd help you a lot to learn the modern magic theory, instead of the outdated ideas you're using. Heck, I only knew what you were talking about because I read so often." The alicorn locked gazes with Darkest once more, giving a hopeful smile as she tilted her head slightly. "So, what do you say?"

The colt in question laid down and made himself as comfortable as he could be, present circumstances notwithstanding. It would seem that Knight's hypothesis has been proven correct and I was not taught the proper magical terms. Strange as it is, but I am eager to hear how things actually are! He nodded in answer, and the princess sat down, lighting her horn as she began her lesson.

"Well, to start off with, the scientific name for the study of 'magic' is actually thaumaturgy. We made that distinction a while ago so as to prevent confusion between the study of magic and actual magic. So, 'thaumaturgy' is the umbrella term for all things 'magical' in nature, which is how I will refer to it henceforth. Good so far?" Darkest nodded, smiling hesitantly, and the alicorn seemed pleased by her two extremely attentive audience members.

"Okay, great. So, then, actual magic is the name for the ambient energy that floods every crevice of the world. It's always been there--so long as we can tell, at least--and all creatures can feel it to some degree. Sapient creatures, such as deer, griffons, minotaurs, or kirin, have learned how to use magic, and each have their own special way to do so." Twilight breathed deeply before casting a spell that formed a few illusions to illustrate her points. Darkest paid them no mind, giving attention to nothing save the words coming from the alicorn's lips and the exact location of his safe shelter. She's still merely two seconds away, and most offensive spells take at least three seconds to cast, of that I am certain.

"Us ponies, however, have evolved to use magic to a higher degree. We have 'pools' of sorts within us, made up of highly concentrated and specialized mana that we can use to accomplish our tribes' magic. Unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies each have different varieties of mana, and thus they react to actual magic differently, which is why the three tribes' magic is so different." The alicorn scratched at the top of her head, mussing her mane slightly as she went on. "Ideas like an 'arcane spell matrix' and 'established ley patterns' for unicorns were largely excuses to explain why unicorn magic was 'so much better' than the others. They would pridefully go on about how their magic was so complicated and hard to master, while earth pony and pegasus magic was 'simple' and 'weak.'

"Really, the three tribes average out to be entirely equal to one another, and no one tribe is better than the others. But I digress, that's a topic for another day." The princess cleared her throat and took a drink from a conjured cup of water before going on, nodding in pleasure upon witnessing her still-enraptured audience.

"The next step up from mana is raw arcane energy, which is what magic comes from. Thaumaturgists have been able to track the ambient magic to its source, and found a 'layer' of reality that's 'under' the one we exist in." Darkest nodded at this. his smile growing. Yes, that does sound familiar. Fluttershy was significantly less comprehending, however, and the alicorn could only offer her an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, 'shy, that's really the best way to explain it. In any case, arcane energy comes from what the experts have decided to call the ley layer. Energy from the layer accretes together to form pools of raw arcane energy, which, over time, sort of 'leaks' into our layer of the universe, becoming magic in the process. The scientific community has found all kinds of microlayers between us and the ley layer, all of which act as filters for this transition."

"Old alicorns like Celestia and Luna have 'mana' pools that actually are made up of this arcane energy, which is what allows them to move the celestial bodies. Cadence and I, however, are younger, and only have reeeally large mana pools that will gradually develop into arcane energy as years pass." The princess seemed to grow energetic then, and began bouncing in her place as her voice picked up in intensity.

"I've conducted some experiments on the Elements of Harmony, and figured out that they actually draw power from the ley layer itself! I don't know how, but it's really exciting to see the theories being proven! The fact that the Elements' power is one 'tier' above arcane energy is why we were able to defeat Nightmare Moon and Discord with just one beam." Twilight pursed her lips, pausing as she contemplated something.

"Actually, Celestia told me when I ascended that, as an alicorn, I would gain a connection to my Aspect. Now, I'm not sure yet, but I think that since my special talent is magic, I'm actually going to develop a connection to the ley layer! Just think of how much information I'll be able to contribute to the scientific community!" The alicorn hopped in a circle for but a few seconds before seeming to catch herself once more and subsequently calming down, awkwardly clearing her throat and continuing with the lecture.

"Anyway, past the ley layer, there are only vague hypotheses as to where the power comes from, and little to no way to test them. Pretty much everypony just accepts the idea that magic originates in the ley layer, and only the brightest minds in the thaumaturgic community bother to theorize about further layers. Reality as we understand it just feels so incomplete, as though we're missing something big. But our technology and spellwork just simply doesn't have the capacity to follow magic further." The princess crept closer to Darkest as her voice lowered, causing him to preemptively flinch and rise before stepping backwards.

"Darkest, you need to explain something to me. I once read a recent article from one of the greatest thaumaturgists to ever live: Eldritch Blast. He said that there was a layer below all the others, and he called it 'Thaunon', the mother of all magic. Tell me, is that what you connect to?" Darkest began to hyperventilate, nervously glancing to either side in unease of the mare's proximity. I know not! What is it that she desires?! What is the correct thing to say?

Make her happy. Or else.

Okay, okay! I shall do so! The unicorn swallowed with anxiety, eyeing the purple hooves not a foot away from him as he tentatively responded.

"Y-yes! Yes, madame, that is indeed precisely what I connect to! P-Please d-don't-" Darkest coughed forcefully, denying Knight the chance to slip through and cause mayhem like he always did. Now is indeed not the time.

Fortunately, the purple alicorn seemed greatly pleased by this, and began excitedly hopping in circles, yipping with joy as her new wings flapped ineffectively. She stepped on the clipboard she had dropped sometime earlier, but did not seem to take notice. The colt edged backwards and away from the display, but stopped in his tracks when he felt the familiar comforting sensation of a butter yellow wing on his withers.

He glanced up at Fluttershy gratefully, and smiled back upon noticing her demure grin. The two sat in the grass atop the hill and simply watched as Princess Twilight Sparkle of Ponyville gradually came down from her ecstatic high, sheepishly rubbing at her neck when she finally did so.

"Oh! Uh, sorry about that, you guys. I really ought to conduct myself with more poise than that, huh?" She grinned back at their synchronized nods before placing her hoof back to the earth. "Anyway, with that out of the way, Darkest, would you like to explain how you use your shields now?" The pristinely white colt pressed nervously into Fluttershy's side, seeking reassurance that was swiftly given before he took a deep, controlled breath and responded.

"Well, princess, there lies not much more to be explained. I use my connection to this 'Thaunon', as Eldritch so meaningfully designates it." The word somehow felt right, and Darkest found he liked using it, planning to do so more often in the future. "In order to trace magic through the various layers and to the Thaunon one. Then, using careful precision and application of much practice, I guide the Thaunon back into reality proper by making it follow mine mana. Along the way, it is molded by the contours of said mana, so that when it does appear, it is in the desired shape and location." Darkest decided to demonstrate, and did so to the attention of a rapt audience. Even Fluttershy was engaged, despite having seen this before.

"I can move the barrier around reality by way of further manipulation to the mana trail. Doing so takes conscious effort, but just letting it exist there does not, and it can do so as long as I am not unconscious. The second I fall asleep, however," Darkest cut off the mana trail from his inner pool, consequentially feeling the Thaunon snap back to its place and seeing the summoned barrier swiftly fade away. "The mana trail is disconnected and the Thaunon is sent back to where it belongs, unable to remain unless the trail does so as well." The alicorn whistled at this, gazing at the colt with what he thought was--impossibly--an impressed expression.

"Wow, Darkest! That sounds like it takes a lot of concentration! You must practice a lot to be able to do all that! Why, I don't think even I'd be able to-" She cut herself off, blinking slowly as she worked her silent jaw before regaining the capacity for speech. "You have had a lot of practice, huh? Darkest, can you tell me how Broken Barrier is able to shatter your shields? Even the Elements of Harmony couldn't do that." Darkest reflexively pressed hard against Fluttershy's barrel at the question, and the pegasus seemed about to interject, but luckily he remembered himself, stepping away from her to heed the order. I cannot refuse the commands of anypony, much less so a princess.

"HE was never able to shatter the barriers. Doing so is entirely impossible; they are unbreakable. There is not a single force in reality that can surpass the might of Thaunon, for it is the very base layer and most powerful." The colt breathed heavily as memories surfaced in his mind, ignoring Fluttershy's concerned look in favor of keeping his attention on the princess before him. Has she gotten taller? "Nay, Broken instead targeted my inner mental space, and was able to attack it directly by tracing my spent mana all the way through its path."

Darkest's voice wavered as his lip trembled, and he had to still his quaking legs from buckling under him from the force of the remembered agony. The alicorn failed entirely to notice this, however, and instead grew excited once more, smiling widely as her eyes shone.

"That doesn't sound too hard! Just a little tracer spell, and mana is so distinct and easy to target! I bet I could do that, especially with my bigger mana pool! Do you think you could teach me?" Another command from the princess, equally undeniable as the others in both legitimacy and potential responses. The unicorn's only available option was to heed her order, never minding his own unimportant desires.

That did not make the present situation any more acceptable.

Darkest was sweating heavily at the moment, white eyes darting across his field of vision as their pupils shrunk and he began hyperventilating once more. What course of action should I take? Denying her request is nonnegotiably negligible as an option. I simply am not worthy to have the right to so much as consider something like that!

She wants to break your barriers.

I know that! Can you not cease stating the obvious?! Darkest locked gazes with the eager princess, his own plainly terrified white eyes reflected in her excited purple ones.

"Y-yes, madame."

Agony.

The unicorn summoned forth a simple light grey orb, constructed of Thaunon. He gestured to it vaguely, betraying his inner desires according to both meanings of the word with every movement made.

"First, r-reach out with your magical senses. You should be able to feel the sphere as though a solid surface in existence." The alicorn lit her horn and closed her eyes, both ponies pretending not to notice the warning glare directed at the purple mare's head and originating from the butter yellow pegasus standing a few feet away.

Darkest attempted desperately to control at least his voice, ignoring the screaming from within his mental space. "Though it may feel solid and smooth, there are in actuality exceedingly tiny im-imperfections throughout. If you focus on those, you shall notice that you are able to extend past them to begin tracing my mana through reality."

From the corner of his vision, Darkest was able to observe Fluttershy as she took several steps toward the alicorn, beginning to protest.

"Twilight-"

But she was cut off by an excited gasp from the mare, who began bouncing in her place as her face lit up in joy.

"Holy Celestia, I feel them! I couldn't do this before, but there's all sorts of blemishes throughout the surface! Oh, and I can feel them going deeper!" Darkest could, too. He could feel her magic going deeper, blazing with a burning light as it approached his mind.

Agony!

It was always agonizing to have his mental faculties invaded in such a way, and Darkest's anxiety grew exponentially as he felt the alicorn's mana find his own and begin tracing it.

"Twilight-"

But the pegasus was once more cut off, this time by a squeal of glee as the princess began hopping into the air, her eyes still shut tight in concentration.

"Oh, I can feel your mana! I'm following it now, and it just keeps going deeper into this hole...thingy!" Darkest let out a miniscule, pained gasp upon feeling her mana reach his mental space, crashing against the inner 'wall' of sorts that was within.

Stop! AGONY!

"N-n-now it is a contest o-of sorts. Y-you need to use your mana to h-h-ha-hammer away at the wall. Once you have breached through, M-my-mine barrier will b-break-" Darkest cringed away as a butter yellow hoof firmly tapped the purple alicorn's horn, causing her to yelp and fall to the grassy ground, clutching at it with both hooves. He was rendered unable to observe the purple mare further on account of being swept up in a pair of comforting forelegs. The colt instinctively buried his face in them, whimpering softly as he was taken several feet into the air.

The pair of ponies flew off. Darkest paid no mind to the sound of rushing wind against his flattened ears, preferring instead to focus on the delightful sensation of being held. The pegasus' grip was so gentle, her wing flaps deliberate, her body giving off a pleasant warmth.

Warm?

Darkest sighed heavily into the yellow coat as all previous tension left his body and the pair landed atop another grassy hill, some distance away. Fluttershy murmured some consoling words, but he paid them no mind, simply delighting in her distinct scent and lovely body heat.

Sheets. Take. Blankets. Take. WARM?

Darkest felt warm everywhere, smiling softly as he was caringly placed against the laying mare's side and stroked with her fluffy wing. That smile soon faded away completely, swept off by confusion and then great fear as he was compressed by the wing.

Held down, flattened, pinned by the feathery prison.

BIG PONY!

Knight let out a shrill shriek, scrambling madly out of the prison as it was lifted by accident. Knight tripped over his own hooves in his haste and went tumbling down the small hill, landing mostly unharmed at its base.

Pain!

Knight had landed roughly on his still-healing hind legs, which gave a great throb due to the pressure. Knight paid the pain no mind. It was unimportant. It wasn't caused by an assailant. Knight kept his wide eyes trained on the warm pegasus above who was plotting how best to pin him down. Knight's tail tucked firmly between his wounded hind legs, his ears pressed against his skull, and his breathing dramatically increased in desperation as he slowly edged back and away from-

Fluttershy.

Fluttershy was safe. She wasn't dangerous. She was just sitting there, stop the hill, watching him worriedly but not making any other movements.

She wouldn't. She's Fluttershy.

Knight's smile returned and he attempted to gallop back up the hill, slowing dramatically at the harsh reprimand from his injured hind legs.

"Darkest? Um, are you okay?" Fluttershy asked hesitantly as he crested the hill and sat by her side. A breeze picked up just then, blowing the ponies' fur about and wiping away the horrific warmth.

Good. Not warm.

Knight determinedly shuffled closer to the yellow mare beside him, his smile returning in full force as he felt no trace of the previous heat upon contact with her body. The pegasus was stiff as a board and her face was set in utter bewilderment, but Knight didn't care about that anymore. He merely enjoyed the pleasant scent of nature and peacefully gazed out at the distant town of Ponyville, content to sit and do so for the rest of that day.

---

"What do you mean, 'he got scared of me?!' Did the charm stop working!?"

Princess Twilight Sparkle of Ponyville, Element of Magic and Head of the Liberate Darkest Knight Organization, was freaking out.

"N-no? At least, I don't think so? He came back up and started cuddling right after! I just didn't know what to think! I still don't know what to think!"

Fluttershy, Element of Kindness and Darkest Knight's first Friend, was not doing much better.

There the two were, in the section of Twilight's new castle that was dedicated for L.D.K.O. business. It had been a day since Darkest's magic lesson, and Twilight had been signing several forms and documents sent to her from the mayor while wallowing in shame and guilt when Fluttershy came in, greatly flustered and seeking advice.

The alicorn buried her face in her hooves, thoughts heading every which way and generally in utter disarray. Does he have two thought processes or something? Other information seems to support that. But why would he run from Fluttershy, only to immediately come back? We still don't know what happened with Rarity, other than her saying it was an accident. Maybe Sweetie Belle was involved somehow? Flitter did say that she saw her enter and leave the Boutique with a bunch of fabric. Wait...where is he now?

"Fluttershy? Do you know where Darkest is at the moment?" The pegasus ceased her uneasy flapping long enough to look at Twilight and give a response.

"Rainbow Dash took him off my hooves while I came to see you. I think she said that they were going to go flying. He always enjoys that." Twilight nodded at this before returning her face to her hooves, deep in thought. I never should've gotten so excited. I stepped way out of line. Ask him to teach you the main method of abuse he received? Great idea there, Twilight. I don't know what's more worrying: The fact that I got so swept up in my excitement, or the fact that Darkest was actually ready to teach me.

The princess' mistake wrought much shame upon her conscience, but it also made her realize one crucial fact. An idea was introduced to her mind, highlighting a critical mistake that she'd made in the past.

"Fluttershy, I've come to a conclusion about the next step we should take!" The yellow pegasus perked up, fully attentive just as she had been yesterday. "We need help. We're ill-equipped as is to do something like this, and my psychology books just don't give enough instruction." Fluttershy nodded and smiled demurely at this, neither of them noticing the room growing dark around them. "Luckily, I think I know just the pony to reach out to." Twilight lit her horn, bringing forth a recent newspaper copy with her lavender magic. She proudly showed it to her friend, pointing to one article in particular that stood out from the rest.

"Unicorn couple comforts traumatized ponies in the Crystal Empire." Fluttershy read, her face lighting up in realization and joy as she nodded vigorously. Twilight brought the page back under her own scrutiny, observing the bottom where contact information was displayed for those who needed it.

"Sunburst and Starlight, last names are Glimmer. Let's hope they respond."

Starlight's Breakthrough

That castle is huge!

It loomed over the entirety of the tiny town of Ponyville, looking altogether like something torn straight out of the Crystal Empire, which was where Starlight had come from. She found herself studying the structure more often than the paths before her as she approached it, consequently tripping over her own hooves quite a few times.

Townsponies filled the streets around her, milling about their humble home and sometimes regarding her with curiosity or the odd friendly wave. One very pink mare in particular had gasped rather loudly upon Starlight's entering the place, and promptly ran off at impressive speeds.

I still have no clue what that was about, but I can't afford to focus on that. I need to get to the castle and receive my full briefing by the princess. The lilac-coated unicorn quietly squealed in delight upon remembering exactly who it was she'd be meeting that day. I've heard tales of her exploits, in particular how she helped free the Crystal Empire. I'm so excited I actually get to meet her! A princess! True, Princess Twilight was no Celestia, but it was still invigorating to actually get to meet royalty!

Starlight accidentally bumped into another mare in her ecstasy, instinctively apologizing profusely before abruptly stopping. I have to remember why I'm here. From what the princess wrote me, this is probably going to be the worst case I'll ever have to deal with. The unicorn's face turned stony as she sobered before determinedly trotting forward.

Something flickered at the upper edge of her vision, and she looked to find a diving purplish-grey pegasus mare who cupped her hooves around her muzzle, shouting at the grounded ponies.

"D.K. Alert! D.K. Alert! He's coming from Hoofington Street! Everypony clear out! HURRY!"

Organized chaos.

That was the only description Starlight had for the next thirty seconds of her life.

She watched in complete and utter awe as every last pony in view dropped what they were doing in favor of galloping straight for the alleys and outward paths, doing all kinds of elaborate cooperative stunts along the way to be faster. One pair of earth ponies in particular caught her attention: A red-maned filly had tripped and fallen onto a propped up wooden plank, and with no hesitation whatsoever, A grey-coated mare with a bow tie leapt onto the opposite side. The plank see-sawed rather violently, sending the filly straight into the air, only to be caught with exact precision on the back of a dark magenta mare with a trio of smiling sunflowers as her cutie mark.

Starlight gawked at the display of sheer synergy, and it was all she could do to stand there and simply admire the spectacle. That lasted until she was hoisted carefully into the air by the same pegasus who'd given the warning before being gently flown over to a nearby alley.

"Thunderlane!" The pegasus shouted, causing a dark grey pegasus stallion to whip his head around and quirk an eyebrow at her. "Go get Bon Bon! That's who he's after! She should be in her sweet shoppe right now!" The stallion nodded once and took off, quickly fading from view as the pegasus carrying Starlight settled down in the alley, hunkering low as she patted the near-catatonic unicorn's head. Said unicorn shook it wildly and gazed incredulously between her sudden transport and the now-clear cobblestone path.

"Wh-what was that all about?" She practically shouted, but quickly quieted when the mare raised a hoof to her mouth in a universal shh gesture, pointing at the clearing with the other.

"Sorry about that--you must be new here." The pegasus was whispering in a light, airy voice as she continued to point at a specific connecting street where Starlight was beginning to make out the form of a very white pony. "You see, us Ponyvillians have been chosen by Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight to help take care of a very special pony."

Starlight's eyes lit in recognition as the figure of what she now recognized as a small colt, surely no older than ten, walked slowly through the now-empty street, muttering softly to himself. "We take our job very seriously, and right now it's to stay out of his way until he's comfortable enough in town to reintroduce other ponies to his life." Starlight nodded at this, beginning to study what she was now certain was her patient more closely.

Slouched, yet tense posture. Flattened ears, darting eyes. Definitely anxious, and from the way his legs are twitching, likely wanting to break into a run. Why doesn't he? The unicorn blinked once, now focusing all her attention on the trembling colt as he traveled the path at a pace that a snail could probably beat. She continued to study him as he occasionally jerked sporadically before calming down and resuming his previous actions.

He has two desires: Run away, or find this 'Bon Bon'. The colt tripped on a badly-paved cobblestone, flailing around before standing up and taking off. The gallop didn't last long, as he quickly stilled himself and resumed his previous pace, shaking heavily all the while. No, that's not right. Part of him wants to run, but he forces himself to walk. Same desire, different methods, and it's changing too rapidly for it to be multiple personalities.

Starlight tore her gaze from her patient to regard the curious pegasus mare beside her, mouth set in a well-practiced friendly smile as she held out a hoof to shake.

"Well, thank you for telling me all this, miss..." She had to roll the raised hoof a little for the other mare to get the point, but she eventually touched their hooves together, bobbing them in a professional gesture.

"Flitter. My name is Flitter." Starlight nodded sagely at this and turned to trot deeper into the alley, swishing her tail slightly in farewell.

"Well, It was nice to meet you, Flitter, but I must be off!" The unicorn didn't bother with observing the pegasus further, instead practically galloping towards the castle in her haste to receive a full briefing. I have to get there, and fast. I need to get started as soon as possible. It's lucky that they called me.

That colt needs all the help he can get.

---

"Wait, you mean I'm going to pretend to be your student? Why?"

Starlight stared incredulously at the princess before her as the alicorn pursed her lips, shuffling through a few papers that she herself was unable to see. Nothing further of note had happened on the rest of her journey to the castle, and she had not given herself the time to admire the architecture from up close, preferring instead to get more information as soon as possible.

Starlight was mildly surprised at how unprofessional and amiable Princess Twilight had turned out to be, but even more shocked to find what steps they'd taken to further Darkest's recovery. I wish Sunburst didn't have to stay in the Crystal Empire. He would have loved to see the amount of effort this whole town has put in to help out. Though I'm still skeptical about not giving him a family. I get that they want him to feel comfortable here, but they don't even know what he does when he's home. And now this student thing?

"Well, it's mainly for two reasons. You already know that Darkest doesn't take too kindly to the idea of ponies spending their time to help him out. If he found out just how much effort the town is putting into him...well...it wouldn't exactly be pretty." Starlight nodded at this, gesturing for the princess to continue.

She sighed, beginning to fidget with a wooden toy that the unicorn immediately recognized the purpose of, having manufactured and designed quite a few of them herself. Poor princess. The bags under her eyes, drooping wings, and immobile nose are signs of insufficient sleep. It's likely that she's feeling guilty or regretful about something, though what it is I have no clue of.

"The other reason relates to the last bit of information about him that I haven't told you about. Rainbow Dash, who you'll recall is the Third Friend, told me that she spoke to him about therapists. Apparently, Broken orchestrated several fake 'rescues' for Darkest. These were conducted by his servants, who sometimes pretended to be therapists, using that title to inflict further abuse. Now, Darkest associates 'therapy' with terrible things." This caused Starlight to gasp, instinctively covering her mouth with a hoof as she gazed back at the alicorn's tired and sorrowful expression.

Okay, I was not ready for that. This Broken Barrier just keeps getting worse. I didn't think anypony could be worse than Sombra, but now I'm not so sure. "So you see, we can't just introduce you as his counselor, and I figured that taking on a student would be the least suspicious excuse. Celestia knows I could use some more help around here, especially since I try to keep Spike away from all Darkest-related things." This caused Starlight to raise an inquisitive eyebrow, looking around at the room they were currently inside of, dedicated as it was to Darkest's recovery.

"Wait, why do that? He's going to find out eventually, especially considering the organization you have going on here. Why bother?" Princess Twilight sighed heavily at this--she'd been going that quite a lot throughout the conversation.

"Spike is just so sensitive. I'm afraid that if I tell him, he'd either constantly be sad or do something really rash, like try and forcibly befriend Darkest." The sound of a creaking wooden toy intensified as the alicorn absently sifted through yet more documents with her magic. "It's for those reasons that the whole town hasn't told their foals much. They're way too friendly and unpredictable. Plus, we don't know how Darkest will react to foals his age, and Celestia help us if Diamond Tiara interacts with him in any capacity." The princess slumped in her cushioned seat, causing Starlight's well-practiced counselor senses to go into overdrive.

"You seem like you have a lot on your plate. Having so much pressure put on you for so long must be exhausting, and it's very understandable that you'd want some help, so I'll be happy to assist in any way I can." Starlight returned a genuine smile to Twilight's thankful one before the two shook hooves, sealing the deal. "So, what now, princess?" The alicorn in question pursed her lips, glancing at one of several clipboards being levitated in her lavender magic.

"Well, I was going to arrange a meeting between you and Darkest so you could make your own observations, but it sounds like you've already done that." Twilight rubbed at her forehead, just under her horn--a common unicornian display of deep thought as well as great fatigue. "Still, I think it's a good idea for him to officially meet you, just like he's been introduced to most of the town at this point." Starlight nodded sagely at this, finally coming at a decision within her own head.

I might not like it, but the princess really seems to know what she's doing. I can't enforce changes just yet, not when we know so little and especially not when I'm not exactly sure of those changes. Normally, I'd insist that Darkest be given a good family, but their logic is sound, and he's a bit of a special case.

Neither pony noticed the light within the room dimming as the therapist made her choice. Things will stay as they are, at least until we know everything. We're still making progress, and getting him comfortable is a good first step.

A sudden knock on the door startled both ponies, and their ears flicked as they heard a youthful male voice.

"Twilight! You got a letter from Celestia, and it's marked urgent! Can I come inside?" The young princess' eyes bulged and she hastily opened the door, allowing a purple-and-green dragon to rush through, presenting a rolled-up scroll tied shut with a bright pink ribbon.

The parchment was swiftly levitated away and brought to bear under her wide purple eyes, practically being torn apart for all the vigor with which she opened it. Starlight was greatly impressed when only ten seconds later Twilight lowered the letter, her eyes having only gotten wider during that time.

"It's a summons. For a meeting with the Sisters. They want to check up on our progress with Darkest." She swallowed nervously, causing Starlight's eyebrows to crease in concern. Something's got her rattled.

"They also want us to bring him."

---

Starlight's eyebrow was set on a constant rise, displaying her continually increasing wonder as she observed her patient.

That charm really is something else!

Darkest Knight was just sitting there next to Fluttershy, leaning against the side of her barrel as she gently rubbed his back with a wing. All told, the colt looked about as tranquil as a slumbering kitten, with not a trace of tension or anxiety to be found in his body language. In fact, judging by the way his eyelids fluttered every so often, he was likely about to fall asleep.

As for Starlight, she was sitting across from them and next to her 'mentor' in the private train car that the four were sharing. It had been mere hours since the unicorn arrived in Ponyville, and this was the first time she'd been able to officially meet her patient. Princess Twilight had said they could get to know each other better during the trip, but Starlight found herself reluctant to break the peaceful silence with anxiety-inducing questions.

Luckily, that issue was solved for her when Darkest abruptly startled, his eyes slamming open as he tore himself away from Fluttershy to sit upright. Starlight watched closely as his body tensed up, the tail muscles in particular, and his white gaze flicked all about the sizable car before settling on her. Searching for threats, and I'm the unknown, so I'm the most potentially dangerous thing.

Starlight tilted her head slightly and gave the colt a well-practiced disarming smile as she subtly opened her posture. What's strange, however, is that there was no outside provocation. It must have been something internal. A triggered memory, perhaps?

"Darkest? Um, is something the matter?" Asked Fluttershy, causing the colt in question to whip his head around and give her an uneasy smile. Starlight squinted slightly upon noticing his posture tighten ever-so-subtly and his tail attempt to tuck itself between his seated hind legs.

"Er, no, nothing at all, Fluttershy! Everything is entirely stupendous!" Darkest chuckled lightly in a poor attempt at placation, his voice sounding far too strained for his words to be truthful. Now he's trying to lie about it? Either he's distrustful, which, considering the charm, is not a possibility, or he doesn't want others to worry about it. Considering the level of self-esteem--or lack thereof--that he has, that seems much more likely.

Apparently, the other two mares in the cabin also caught on to Darkest's less-than-truthful words, and all three of them regarded him with concerned expressions. The white unicorn glanced about the cabin for a few moments before slumping in defeat, his ears drooping down to the back of his head.

"Oh, I have indeed never been skillful in the art of deceit. Though, truly, I must insist that everything is quite fine." He frowned lightly, his eyebrows knitting in confusion as he fiddled with his small hooves. "Or rather, everything ought to be fine. Really, I am just making a nuisance of mineself." Fluttershy slowly placed a hoof on his shoulder, and while he watched it carefully, the contact elicited no other reactions.

Starlight's eyes widened in wonder at this, the gears in her head turning at full power. Now that is impressive. That displayed a level of familiarity that goes beyond simple compelled trust. They must have been working with him for quite a while now to have completely bypassed his instinctual reactions. That takes a lot of patience and dedication.

"You're not a nuisance, Darkest. Don't ever say that." Fluttershy said in a voice that managed to convey a slight sternness while still retaining her trademark tenderness. Darkest sighed explosively and clenched his jaw a few times, subtly stomping at the cushion below him. Classic signs of frustration. It's really good that he feels safe enough to express his feelings in such a way, but I have to wonder what brought it on. He must be mad at himself in some capacity, but with regards to what? Self-loathing is a commonality in these situations, but he hasn't displayed such feelings before, from what the princess told me.

"Yes, yes, I am not a nuisance. Forgive me, for that came out wrong. What I am trying to say is that he will not sto-" The colt interrupted himself, shooting up to his hooves and standing stiff as a board as the train began to incline, rising in elevation as it began its ascent up the famed Mount Canterhorn. Starlight quirked an eyebrow in deep puzzlement as she observed his pupils and irises shrink in a textbook sign of terror, frantically searching the cabin for something.

Said cabin was deathly silent, the three mares all unsure of what action to take and simply watching for fear of worsening the situation. Finally, Darkest blinked forcibly three times and violently shook his head, collapsing back against Fluttershy's side as he sat down once more. The pegasus blinked in shock, likely utterly confounded, but her body moved on its own and she tenderly replaced her wing across the foal's back as he buried his muzzle in her coat.

What in Tartarus just happened?

Starlight met Twilight's asking glance with a hesitant gaze of her own, wildly coming up with theories and random guesses of every kind until something just...

...clicked.

"Darkest?" The lilac unicorn inquired softly, causing the colt to give a content hum in what she was hoping was an affirmative gesture. "Is there some...part of you that's really worried about going to Canterlot?" His ears perked at this, and he tilted his head slightly to study her with one eye from under the butter yellow wing. "A part that isn't making any sense right now? That's being really annoying, and won't stop pestering you?"

A cursory glance at the fellow mares in the room revealed their incredulous expressions, as though they thought she had gone crazy. But Darkest was nodding vigorously at this point, replacing his cranial contact with Fluttershy with a tight hug, likely so as to look at the unicorn better.

"Yes! Well, nay, good madame. He is indeed much more apprehensive about the meeting with the princesses, though I have not the slightest clue as to why. Sometimes he can be just so...foolish!" Starlight had to restrain herself from leaning in at this revelation, instead pursing her lips as she gave an understanding nod. Now that is interesting. The fact that Darkest has assigned a gender to this thought process implies that he's well acquainted with it. Or rather, him. It's odd that this is the first we've heard of this thought process, but he likely couldn't find the words to explain it before. That, or he needed to be asked about it directly. The lilac unicorn inhaled deeply, steeling herself for the talk ahead. Time to find out more.

"So it's a 'he', then? Can you tell me more about this part of you? Does he have a name?" Darkest's ears flattened at this and he shrank away from her, returning his muzzle to Fluttershy's side as he cowered. Starlight nearly kicked herself for the misstep, cursing her near-instinctive counselor mannerisms. That's exactly why I'm pretending to be the princess' student. To avoid this. The mare gave a pleading glance to the yellow pegasus, who blinked unsurely before gently nudging the colt's side.

"Darkest? Does he have a name?" Darkest sighed deeply as he lifted his head to gaze up at the mare, and Starlight noticed him arch his back ever-so-slightly so as to press it into her wing. He seems very physically affectionate, which is a trait one doesn't often see with this kind of individual.

"Knight. His name is Knight. He is also often nothing other than an annoyance. Currently, he will not shut up about 'big ponies', beds, warmth, and other such ridiculous drivel." The train lurched as the angle at which it ascended increased in size, and Starlight watched carefully as the colt immediately shot to his hooves, letting out a soft whine. His body language screamed panic as he succumbed to gravity's pull and fell off the bench, flailing all the way.

Starlight deftly saved him from a sizable horn bump, catching him with her magic as the train continued its climb. Unfortunately, this seemed only to increase Darkest's alarm, and he spasmed with renewed vigor, nearly causing the unicorn to drop him.

Luckily, Fluttershy swooped in, instantly deescalating the situation with a mere hug, wrapping the colt up in her downy wings. Starlight immediately released her hold on him, watching with continuous awe as the pegasus hopped back onto their bench, retrieving a manebrush from her saddlebags and beginning to straighten his hair with tender strokes.

The colt's eyes were wide as dinner plates, and he still shook with phantom shivers as he clutched at Fluttershy's barrel with desperate strength. Peering closer, Starlight noticed several other distinct differences in him compared to just a few seconds ago: Rapid breathing, a tucked tail, and a distraught crinkle in his face were but a few of them.

The lilac unicorn's well-trained counselor senses even detected a slightly different air about the colt at the moment. It was still distinctively the same pony, but something about Darkest-

No, Knight.

Several lightbulbs went off over Starlight's head before she opened her mouth to say something, but it was at that precise moment that the squealing of brakes was heard and the passengers were thrown backwards with the force of the deceleration.

Oh. Well, looks like we're here.

---

"I'm not so sure this is a good idea, princess."

Princess Twilight flicked an ear in acknowledgement of Starlight's mutter, but didn't turn her head or so much as break stride to reply. The four of them were currently being escorted through the castle by a group of four royal guards, all of whom were much too close and altogether too pushy for Starlight's taste. Poor Darkest was practically under Fluttershy for all that he was cowering against her, and he seemed to shrink smaller with every step toward their destination.

"I know what you mean, Starlight. But this is a summons from the Sisters themselves. There's not much we can do about it. Besides, how bad can it be?" Much as she hated it, the unicorn found herself agreeing with the princess, and her ears drooped due to this. I hate feeling so powerless. Darkest--or should I say, Knight--is plainly terrified. If only the princesses knew just how much damage they could be doing with this meeting. Hay, if only I knew what damage could be done.

Finally, the ponies reached a set of ornate double doors, which the guards dramatically held open before taking up positions in the immediate area. The three mares and one trembling colt strode forth and into the room, observing the regal alicorns currently seated around a rather large round table with seven seats.

Starlight watched carefully as Knight and Fluttershy approached first, choosing two cushions directly across from the Sisters. Thinking fast, the lilac unicorn took position on Knight's other side, hoping that she'd be able to help curb his anxiety with her presence.

Normally, Starlight would be all too thrilled to meet with the rulers of her home nation, but at the moment, the only emotions she felt were irritation and indignation. Don't they see how bad this is for Knight? He's plainly terrified. These feelings were so intense that they managed to slip through her well-practiced poker face, causing her to practically glare as she made eye contact with Princess Celestia.

"And who might you be?" The white alicorn's voice was perfectly amiable, her posture exactly placed so as to be both inviting and nonthreatening. A well-trained façade. She's clearly skilled at putting up a false front, much more so than me. I can't get a read on her emotions or thoughts, nor those of her sister. Starlight frowned imperceptibly as her frustration increased. I guess that's what centuries of practice does.

"I'm Starlight Glimmer. My husband, Sunburst, and I help creatures out for a living, mostly overseas where our services are needed more. Recently, we moved to the Crystal Empire to help out there, but Twilight asked me to become Dar-" She coughed, remembering the deception just in time and giving the Sisters a meaningful look. "Her student, to learn magic and friendship, which is something I've always struggled with." The alicorns seemed to catch on to the wordless message and both nodded in affirmation before shifting their gazes to regard the resident colt.

"And how has Darkest been faring recently?" The question was directed at Twilight, but Princess Celestia never once moved her eyes from the trembling ball of white firmly attached to Fluttershy's side. The pegasus was doing her level best to console him, but from what Starlight could tell, expectantly watching the sisters was the only thought present in his mind. Strange. It's as though Knight is beyond certain that they're the biggest threat. In fact, from the way he's ignoring everything else, he's definitely anticipating them doing something. But what? What could be so bad that he was anxious about it all the way here?

"Well, things are going pretty good in general, princess. I'd say we're making lots of progress. Was there anything in particular you wanted to know about?" Princess Twilight clearly wanted to say more, if her twitching eyelid, mostly faked smile, and barely-restrained anger were anything to go by. She sees how Knight is handling everything. She's understandably upset that the Sisters asked for him to come, but respects Celestia too much to just say so.

Knight hadn't so much as twitched at the purple alicorn's badly-hidden anger. Puzzle pieces in Starlight's brain gradually came together the more she studied Knight's form, in particular the way his tail constantly twitched.

She didn't like the image one bit.

"We wanted to check on his progress and see for ourselves how he was doing." Princess Luna spoke, the faintest hint of a sad frown adorning her features. "We-I hoped to introduce myself. See if I could help in any way. His dreams are so turbulent, you see, to such a degree that I can sense it even without being able to enter them." Knight continued to watch the two of them, his shivering subtly increasing the more he realized he couldn't keep track of both at once. Darkest said he was talking about big ponies earlier. Warmth and beds, as well. And there's only a few things you do on a bed.

The puzzle in Starlight's head came together, and her carefully-maintained neutral mask dropped, replaced by mild panic as she stared at Fluttershy's comforting wing movements. The body heat! That isn't helping at all!

"Um, he's right here. Maybe we shouldn't talk as though he isn't?" The yellow pegasus suggested, likely with only the best of intentions. Unfortunately, this caused the Sisters' attention to snap right back to Knight, who in turn jumped with fright.

"Oh! Yes, right." Celestia coughed awkwardly, and that was all it took.

Knight was gone: The fading echoes of frantic hoofsteps, new circle-shaped hole in the wall, and hovering light grey sphere were the only indicators of his exit. The mares sitting around the table, Starlight included, could only gape in shock, frozen with indecision.

Lucklessly, the stallions of the Royal Guard were not so hesitant, and immediately gave chase, stomping across the fallen rubble. For what idiotic reason, Starlight didn't know, but their pursuing gallops drew her straight out of her petrifying shock and into action.

Dashing around the table to look through the hole, she charged her horn and teleported in front of the lead guardstallion, swiftly stunning him with a quick cantrip before erecting a hasty energy shield to bar their way. I have to get to him first. This is something that no charm can help with. I have to do this.

Turning to study the way before her, the unicorn saw that Knight had summoned another sphere to punch one more hole before running down the adjacent hallway. She could still hear his rapid hoofsteps, and so spared an apologetic glance at the blocked guards before teleporting once more.

Starlight had to do so several more times in succession in order to catch up with her runaway patient, who glanced back before widening his eyes and lighting his horn. A light grey wall materialized between the two ponies before the counselor could protest, and she was only able to watch in dismay as Knight's legs buckled, sending him sprawling to the floor. Starlight herself panicked slightly as she heard the sound of yet more thunderous hoofsteps. Reinforcements! Gotta think fast!

The lilac-coated counselor did just that, and teleported twice more. With a flash of bright cyan magic, both Starlight and Knight appeared in the first safe location that the mare could think of.

The white colt immediately mewled with considerable volume as he scampered away from her, ending up several feet down the side of the grassy hill before he summoned yet another barrier. Starlight made note of the fact that it wasn't a dome or bubble--merely another wall. Sizable to be sure, but he should be able to hear me. Good.

The lilac unicorn took a cursory glance around, smiling with great melancholy when she recognized the surroundings. Of course we came here. An idea entered her mind then, and she slowly approached the shield before laying down and tilting her head in a disarming manner.

"Hello, Knight. I'd like to say something to you. Do you think you'd be okay with that?" Starlight said gently, her counselor mode in full gear as she gave her patient an easy smile. He made no verbal reply, but going by his twitching ears and increased shivering, he was definitely listening. "You and I share a lot of similarities, you know, especially with regards to our foalhoods. Do you know what that town is?"

She slowly gestured to her right with a hoof to a small village only a few miles away. The mare waited until her patient had given a barely-noticeable shake of the head before continuing, casually glancing around at the gorgeous grassy hill they were on. Her gaze rested on an ancient tree at the top of it in particular, and her melancholy increased tenfold as she surveyed its all-too-familiar form. Sunburst and I haven't been back here in so long.

"Its name is Sire's Hollow, and it's where my husband and I grew up. It's a nice place, and would've been a great location to do so, if only our parents weren't so mean." A breeze picked up, ruffling the two ponies' fur and causing Starlight's head to bob in a pleased manner. Good, that'll get rid of the remaining warm sensation. "You see, Knight, we, like you, weren't very happy growing up. My father, Firelight, had gone very crazy after my mom died in labor. It's sad and very rare nowadays, but with such a small town, we didn't have anypony with enough medical experience to save her."

The colt was still shivering violently and eyeing her expectantly, but he hadn't run away or shielded himself completely yet, so that was a win.

"When my biological father went crazy, he became obsessed with keeping his 'little filly' well and cared for. What that meant was that I was kept in diapers for far too long, didn't eat solid foods until I was introduced to them by outside means, hardly left the house, and was heavily discouraged to do anything that a week-old foal wouldn't." Starlight sighed, mildly surprised to find the beginnings of a lump in her throat.

She'd started out saying this to help calm Knight down, but there was a certain liberating sensation in confessing these things, one that the mare hadn't been able to feel in too long. This could end up being good for both of us!

"Because of this, my physical, emotional, and mental development was skewed to an unfortunate degree, which took years of correctional therapy to fix. My then-friend Sunburst was the only reason that I was salvageable, and if it weren't for him, I'd still probably be in diapers, not knowing how else to act." Starlight sighed once more as she wistfully regarded her hometown in the distance, long-healed memories rising to the forefront of her mind. She let them come, having accepted and moved past all the trauma years ago, just as she instructed her patients to do nowadays.

"Sunburst, though, had it much, much worse. His birth mother, Stellar Flare, was very controlling, and never let him do anything unless she explicitly told him to." Starlight turned her head to face Knight head-on, locking gazes with his noticeably-larger pupils. Looks like it's working.

Using all her many years of counseling experience, the lilac unicorn was able to produce the perfect mixture of gravity and friendliness on her face. This failed to alarm her patient while still sending him the correct message. Knight stared back, his trembling lessening as his ears perked forward in a display of great interest.

"Knight, she would hurt him if he disobeyed. Badly. Even if he just stepped a hair out of line. Sound familiar?" Knight licked his lips unsurely and nodded before taking a few steps closer to the wall separating the two. That's a great sign, and his distress is lessening by the minute. Soon Darkest might even be in control!

"W-what did y-you do?" Starlight smiled amiably and gestured around at the hill they were on, ensuring no other parts of her body moved save the foreleg.

"Well, every other night, we would sneak away to come here. This was our safe place, a haven where we could stargaze, discuss our problems, or just enjoy each other's presence. Eventually, we snuck away to another town and told them about what was happening. The other townsponies wouldn't help us, you see--they were too scared of our respective parents' magical power."

Starlight decided to take a gamble and--achingly slowly--placed a hoof against the light grey wall, beaming when it paid off and Knight put his considerably-smaller hoof where hers was. The white unicorn even gave a hesitant smile, though it was really more of a light grimace. I think the charm is starting to take effect. Not much longer now, and then we can go reassure everypony we left behind, who are likely panicking right now.

"Then, we were each set up with loving families that helped us through our problems. We were both inspired by the assistance we received, and decided to give back by helping out other creatures in turn." An errant idea entered Starlight's mind, but she beat it back with no small amount of frustration. I already made my choice regarding Darkest Knight and a family. He's different. The world darkened slightly as the sun dimmed for some inexplicable reason, but Starlight paid that no mind.

Having said her piece, the counselor waited patiently as she stared into Knight's tortured eyes, allowing him to see the completely genuine desire to help held within her own. Surely enough and just as reported, the colt eventually smiled brightly back at her, giggling softly as he casually dispelled the barrier.

"Starlight Glimmer."

The mare held out her forelegs in a silent invitation that the white unicorn gladly took, prancing tiredly straight into her lilac embrace before affectionately nuzzling her chest.

Wow, he sure is cuddly!

Thanks to her counselor senses, Starlight was able to detect the inexplicable air about the colt change, just before he began snoring softly. Ah, so it's back to Darkest now. Good to know.

Gently rubbing his back and bracing for the indignant lecture that was likely to be in her near future, Starlight lit her horn.

With a flash of bright cyan, the two were gone, leaving the ancient tree's numerous branches to shift in the light breeze, happy to have been a place of safety once more.

Knight's Break, Pars Una

"Calling this Saturday's meeting of the Cutie Mark Crusaders to order! Let's start with a roll call!"

Scootaloo stood proudly behind the filly-sized podium, resting her forehooves on its surface as she began her club's proceedings. She was greatly pleased to see her two best friends sitting attentively in front of her, and made a show of looking about their clubhouse's single room.

"Sweetie Belle? Where are you?" The pale filly giggled and waved a hoof to gain Scootaloo's attention.

"Here! I'm here!" The fuchsia-maned filly acted surprised upon seeing her friend, startling in fake astonishment at her presence and causing the unicorn's giggling to increase in ferocity.

"Ah, there you are! And where's Apple Bloom?" The farm filly sighed good-naturedly and lazily waved a hoof. Scootaloo nodded at her yellow friend and pretended to scrutinize some nonexistent papers, smiling slightly at the ongoing guffaws of Sweetie Belle. "Good, good, they're both here! Now, where's Scootaloo?"

The pegasus filly finally managed to get a humored chuckle out of Apple Bloom as she glanced about the room, putting a hoof to her brow to aid in her search. "Wow, the nerve of that filly! Absent again?" Scootaloo could only keep up the charade for a few moments more before breaking to join in the chortling with her friends.

"Alright, alright, let's get started already." Apple Bloom's signature country accent betrayed her mirth with a slight lilt at the end, but Scootaloo nodded her assent to the command. She excitedly hopped over to sit in front of the two, her undersized wings abuzz with anticipation of the proposition she would shortly give.

"Okay, girls. I know just what we need to do to get our cutie marks today!" All three fillies' faces were alight in rapture by this point, and the pegasus' friends gestured frantically for her to continue, which she did just after she began pacing the room. "Well, you both know that all of Ponyville is really focused on helping out a pony. And our attempts at both learning more and getting detective cutie marks have turned out unsuccessful."

Scootaloo's friends nodded vigorously, and Apple Bloom rolled a hoof in a classic 'go on' gesture, causing the pegasus to nod and continue her energetic pacing. "Well, this pony, Darkest Knight, is also the nice one who gave us the material for our cape uniforms. Right, Sweetie Belle?" The unicorn in question averted her gaze for a split second at this, but nodded her head in affirmation.

"Um...yep! That's exactly what he did! He was very, very generous!" Sweetie swallowed nervously as she broke into a cold sweat, but Scootaloo paid that no mind, much too focused on her ongoing proposition than whatever silly crush her friend had this time. Seriously, it feels like every week there's a new one! Oh well.

"Well, I think it's high time we repaid the favor! And earn our cutie marks at the same time! And I know just how to do it!" The bright orange filly broke from her pacing to rummage around in her saddlebags, which were set leaning against the wall. "One of the things that Rainbow Dash told me about him was that he didn't have very much confidence in himself, or anything, really. So, I asked around for tips on how to give somepony confidence!"

Scootaloo grunted softly as she heaved an enormous book with a bubbling potion on the front cover out of her bags. She couldn't hold it up for long, and so carelessly dropped it to the wood-paneled floor before beginning to flip through its contents. "Nopony was really any help, and I got a buncha weird looks, but eventually I asked Zecora for what potions might be helpful."

Finding her desired page, Scootaloo confidently turned the enormous book around, gesturing vigorously at the potion description and instructions for brewing. Apple Bloom read with great interest, and began to nod along as her smile grew.

"She said it would be too hard for us, and wouldn't give it to me, but I managed to sneak it out from under her nose. With you on our side, Apple Bloom, I think we can do it! So, whaddya guys think?" The farm filly tore her gaze from the writing, beaming at her pegasus friend as she absently tapped at the page.

"Scoots, ah think this scheme of yours is gonna work for sure! We'll have to up the concentration, though. Somethin' tells me that this colt is gonna need a lot more'a this stuff than other ponies have." All three fillies nodded at this before deeply inhaling and belting out a phrase with all the volume their collected foal-sized lungs could produce.

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS, PONY HELPER-OUTERS! YAAAAYYY!!!"

The page fluttered from the force of their exclamation, but it settled so that the words atop it could still be read. The largest set of them, detailing the purpose of the potion described within, were especially noteworthy.

Personality Reversal Tonic:
_{Temporarily transforms shyness, insecurity, and reluctance into boldness, self-assurance, and eagerness!}

---

A giggling cheer of deranged glee echoed throughout the sky itself as two ponies came out of yet another vicious, eye-watering, high-velocity loop-de-loop.

"Didja like that last one, kiddo?" Rainbow Dash turned her sleek neck about to gaze at the colt on her back with a cocksure grin, hovering in place several hundred feet above the ground. Darkest nodded vigorously, a lopsided smile adorning his features as the world spun around him.

"Ah, quite indeed, Rainbow Dash! Is there any chance we could go again?" Flying is perhaps the most incredible thing possible in the history of the universe itself! The colt wobbled in his spot on the pegasus' back as his eyes continued to twist around him. He could scarcely make out Rainbow's uneasy look as she began the return to terra firma.

"Uh, probably not, buddy. You're looking kinda winded, there." The statement could not be more true, and Darkest began taking deep breaths in attempts to fill up his long-depleted lungs.

"I am feeling quite discombobulated." The unicorn deliberately blinked several times in efforts to still his spinning head. "My, my, the world is much too vorticose and gyratory for my tastes. Does there lie any chance you might assist in that matter?" Rainbow lazily twisted her neck to gaze at him once more before her cerise eyes abruptly widened in shock.

"Hey, buddy, it feels like you're about to fall off..."

The rest of her sentence was entirely lost to Darkest, for his ears were filled with the sound of rushing wind as he tumbled lazily through the air. All told, the colt was not all that concerned, and in fact found a strange pleasure in the plummeting sensation, ponderously observing his well-brushed mane as it waved in the air. 'tis no matter, I am completely fine.

She'll catch you.

Yes, indeed, Knight! There lies no cause for vexation. And sure enough, only a few more seconds passed by before he was swept up in cyan forelegs and held under the frantically worried cerise gaze of his pegasus friend.

"Omigosh! Are you okay?! You're not scared, are you?! I didn't mean to drop you!" Rainbow began turning his limp, untensed, ragdoll-like form this way and that, though what she was looking for, Darkest had no clue of. He giggled easily at her nonsensical behavior before pressing her nose in a soft boop. The mare's entire face scrunched and she instinctively crossed her eyes to stare down the affronted body part. She did so for but a few seconds before squinting her eyes at the colt in what he recognized as her playful, nonthreatening, familiar glare.

"Oh, I see how it is!"

Several minutes of intense boop warfare later, the pair coasted back down into town square, both sporting slightly sore snouts and enormous, toothy smiles. They passed a few airborne pegasi during their descent, all of whom Darkest recognized from various meetings. That one is Flitter, whom Rainbow introduced me to but a few days ago. I liked her; she seemed rather kind, and her voice was pleasant enough.

She works for HIM.

Sadly, that is indeed a possibility. I must be wary of all those who are untrustworthy. Despite these thoughts, Darkest was able to summon up a nervous wave as the pegasus passed, tending to a group of unruly clouds. The mare visibly brightened at the gesture before excitedly returning it with a large grin.

The colt ducked down against Rainbow's withers at this, minimizing her potential angles of attack while mostly hiding himself from view. Now is most certainly an opportune time to be in Rainbow's forelegs. That would quite effectively dissuade any assailants, and I find myself missing the sensation. Darkest sighed, burying his face in the mare's withers to hide it from the surrounding townsponies.

It had been six days since Twilight had taken on her student, Starlight Glimmer, whom both Darkest and Knight collectively decided was in fact an amazing mare that they loved to interact with. Much of that conclusion was based on how Starlight had so mercifully taken him away from the Sisters, even despite their wishes to the contrary.

There had been only a few minutes of tension as she explained her actions to her new mentor before Starlight teleported him and herself back to Ponyville, saving Knight from his ridiculous and irrational fear of 'big ponies'. Darkest's admiration for the mare grew exponentially when she did so even with both Celestia and Luna practically ordering her not to, and also when she ceased asking unanswerable questions about any 'big ponies' he had met before.

Knight is a being of primal instinct and reactions, many of which I understand. Still, I cannot comprehend why tall ponies are such an issue, for he has not exactly been forthcoming with answers. It had been two days since the denizens of Ponyville began showing themselves around town.

The colt still had no clue as to why they had started to do so, or indeed why they left in the first place^__any and all inquiries he had made to his various friends regarding the matter were met with either awkward silence or a swift change in subject. It is not desirable for them to withhold information from me. Still, I trust that they possess no malicious intentions, for they could never bring harm to me.

While it was deeply unnerving to have so many potential workers roaming about, Darkest found some deep, primitive, idiotic part of him pleased at their presence. His inner herd animal celebrated the death of its prior loneliness and was glad to see so many others around it. Safety in numbers and all that, even if those selfsame numbers are all potential assailants. I had hoped that socializing with my friends was enough to satisfy that innate desire, but it seems not. I suppose it is nice to see Ponyville cease being a ghost town, and even more so to recognize the residents.

Rainbow Dash gently touched down in town square, immediately setting off towards a distinctly familiar sweet shoppe in the distance. Darkest could just barely see the sign from where he sat between her raised wings, shivering with excitement as the large words took place in his mind.

Bon Bon's Bon Bons

I just read that! And it brought the colt no small measure of ecstasy to do so. The cleverly-named store was as delicious to gaze at as the treats within were to consume; altogether nothing like the horrendous offence that was Sugarcube Corner or the intimidating spires of Canterlot.

Darkest began hopping in place so as to express his gleeful anticipation, both of meeting the cream-colored earth pony mare inside and partaking of her wondrous creations. Rainbow increased her pace at this, and the townsponies were swiftly reduced to mere blurs due to her speeding gallop. The unicorn ceased his jumping in favor of propping his forehooves on top of her head, rapidly blinking from the newfound breeze as he alternated between scanning for threats and hungrily eyeing their destination.

Suddenly, Rainbow's gallop screeched to a halt and Darkest was very nearly sent soaring over her head. The pegasus' neck tensed under his hooves as she withstood the force of his inertia, likely to keep exactly that from occurring. One in righteous indignation and the other in wary unease, the both of them observed as three fillies wearing helmets came to a stop before them, swiftly dismounting their scooter and attaching wagon respectively. The orange pegasus in front gave a cheery wave before prancing right up to the two of them, beaming as her accomplices took up positions to either side.

"Hey, Rainbow Dash! Hey, Darkest! I saw you guys doing some tricks just now! Aren't her stunts just the coolest things ever?!" Darkest's ears pinned at the filly's obstreperous speech, and his eyes widened with recognition when the familiar curly-maned unicorn to her left nudged her barrel. Sweetie Belle!

Hide. Get away.

The colt ducked down behind Rainbow's head before taking several hasty steps across her back and jumping to the ground. He nervously glanced around, but was relieved to see the surrounding townsponies pointedly not taking notice at the moment. Peeking around his friend's hind legs, he shivered with anxiety as the third filly eyed him curiously and took a step forwards, holding a bottle of some purple liquid in her mouth.

"Scootaloo! Now's not the time! Can't you girls go play or something while I drop him off at Bon Bon's?" Darkest instinctively shrank away from the mare's incensed tone^__an action that she immediately felt and regretted if her worried frown was anything to go by.

Rainbow swiftly turned to offer him a placating forehoof, simultaneously removing his safe shelter and causing him to cringe away. "Oh, jeez! Hey...I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Look, I'm slow, see?" Darkest blinked rapidly as the hoof approached once more, and his muzzle twitched sporadically as it pressed on his nose, but he was able to remain in place. "It's me, Rainbow Dash. Okay?"

Darkest nodded, slightly ashamed at his unreasonable behavior. I trust her not to hurt me. If only my impulses agreed.

You've been charmed.

Will you not shut up about the silly charm idea?! It's entirely foolish, Knight! They would never do such an exceedingly unethical thing! It was at that moment that the unicorn filly abruptly materialized in his vision, frenetically waving the bottled purple liquid as she wore an eager grin. In response, Darkest took several rapid steps backward, further away from Rainbow and deeper into potential danger. She is attempting to herd me away from safety!

"Enough of that, you gotta drink this potion we made for you! It'll make everything better!" The colt's posture tightened and he shrank down as the filly, many years his junior, towered over him. She gripped the cork in her mouth and, with one pointed twist of her neck, opened the bottle.

Darkest cast a pleading glance at Rainbow Dash, who by now was too many feet away and looking severely indecisive as to what to do. "Come on, then. You wouldn't wanna be a bad colt, would you?" The anger held within the filly's voice was clearly faked, but it elicited the trained submissive response from Darkest all the same. Their noses were nearly touching by this point, their gazes locked together in a battle of wills.

That concoction is most certainly some manner of sedative; I simply cannot partake of it! From the corner of his vision, the colt saw Rainbow finally gather her wits and stomp angrily towards them, his pupils consequentially shrinking as his quivering increased in ferocity.

"Sweetie Belle! I don't know what the hay you're doing, but you need to leave. Now! The mare's anger was indisputably genuine, and Darkest recoiled away, feeling what little hold he had on his actions slip from his grasp as his anxiety increased.

The unicorn filly chose that exact moment to stuff the potion directly in his mouth, shoving it forward so as to knock him off balance. Darkest's shock and fear combined, rendering him unable to resist ingesting the surprisingly tasty beverage. Only half of it found its way into his body before he wrenched himself away, taking another few steps back and gasping for air as he studied the ground.

Silence reigned throughout the area--even the surrounding townponies had ceased their movements, likely finally taking notice of the encounter and standing to gawk like the pitiful simpletons they were.

Where on Equus did that thought emerge from? Cyan hooves entered the top of Darkest's vision before Rainbow cleared her throat awkwardly.

"So...uh...Darkest? Are you okay?" Suddenly, a realization entered the colt's mind: The area had not, in fact, been silent. He had simply zoned out entirely. Likely because the pathetic world around him was entirely too undeserving of his attention.

Something else occurred to the colt, and it was greatly humorous. Amusing to such a degree that he found himself beginning to laugh.

It was a small laugh, at first. Tentative and unsure, just as he had been for far too many years.

Slowly, it grew. It snowballed in intensity and volume as more and more things clicked into place within the colt's mind. He laughed, for what Rainbow Dash had asked him was just. So. Funny.

Abruptly, the by-then maniacal laughing ceased, and Knight slowly raised his head to smile at the pegasus, wearing an expression that could only be described as completely unhinged.

"YES!" Knight shouted with all the volume his undersized lungs could offer. Rainbow Dash jumped in shock before warily twisting her head back and forth in a confused shake. The fool. What kind of pony asks that sort of question? Can't she see that I'm better than ever? "Why, yes, Rainbow Dash. I'm feeling simply...peachy." The mare raised both eyebrows and took a step back, blinking unsurely at his uncharacteristic behavior.

"Well, uh, that's good! I hope I didn't scare you too much." This statement was greatly amusing to Knight, so he accordingly barked out a harsh laugh, causing the mare to jump once more, her wings spread and twitching slightly. This reaction brought great pleasure to Knight, and his deranged grin grew wider by the second.

"Please! You, scare me? As if you could ever hope to accomplish such a thing!" This confused the moron even more, and she opened her dimwitted mouth to spew out more idiocy, but Knight decided that he'd had enough of her foolishness. The colt lit his horn, imprisoning the dolt in a carelessly-undersized sphere that nearly clipped her wings before maliciously turning to face the little brat that was Rarity's sister.

The three fillies were celebrating, clapping their hooves together before expectantly eyeing their flanks, seeming disappointed upon observing their still-blank quality. Knight approached the other unicorn, standing tall so as to let his shadow drape over her insufferable form. She shortly took notice of this, rapidly twisting her neck to gaze at him with slowly-widening green eyes.

"Heh. Now who's towering over who?" The nuisance opened her impudent muzzle, presumably to speak some demeaning order or another to his obviously-superior being. Knight decided not to listen to whatever she had to say, preferring instead to intercept with a wicked punch to her cranium, propelled with all the strength his body could offer. The brat caught some air--though not as much as he'd like, and his hoof stung like all Tartarus from the blow, so he'd definitely have to change tactics.

Knight cast a dismissive glance at the inferior animals around him, each of whom had their jaws agape and seemed completely stunned by his actions. Actions in which the colt reveled, feeling free for the first time in his short life as he lit his horn once more. Sweetie Belle was roughly lifted in his aura and viciously brought nose-to-nose with Knight--a position that she seemed altogether too comfortable with a few minutes ago, though she looked utterly terrified at present.

"You know, Sweetie Belle, I must thank you." Knight studied his aching hoof for a few moments before casually placing it back on the ground, indifferent to the pain such an action brought. "If not for your blatant force-feeding me, I would never have realized my full potential." Knight noticed several blithering idiots known as townsponies finally gather their wits and approach with his peripheral vision.

His neck tensed, causing his head to vibrate in place as he slightly squinted in concentration, allowing a second overglow to emerge around his horn. Soon after, a giant sphere materialized around the advancing adults. The colt maliciously watched them mutely cry out, silenced by the bubble as it was lifted into the air, bringing a sizable chunk of the ground with them.

"I would never have realized what you pitiful morons really are." Knight continued to raise the sphere until all that was visible from below was the underside of the dirty floor which the captured ponies stood on. The other two fillies--who he'd left on the ground--glanced frantically between the floating orb, the sizable crater in the middle of town square, and Knight himself, who only grinned at their distress. "Pathetic playthings suitable only for my entertainment."

And with that, he carelessly tossed the bleeding nuisance into the crater before indifferently beginning to trot towards a certain crystal castle in the near distance. "Now then, I have business with a certain...charming princess."

Scrambling hoofsteps were the only sound in his ears as the two fillies rushed down the crater to help their friend.

Scrabbling, screaming prisoners were the only sight to greet his dismissive glance behind as the dolts^__Rainbow included^__uselessly pawed against the inside of his indestructible barriers. A dull grey aura surrounded the fallen potion bottle as the colt levitated it with him before storing it securely in his mane for safe-keeping. I'll need this glorious concoction for later.

Knight strode forth on his righteous path to put a certain purple 'noble' in her place, hooves stony, head tall, and with only the most sadistic, enlightened, insane expression adorning his face.

This oughta be fun.

---

Princess Twilight Sparkle was contentedly reading in her new, larger crystal library when a shuddering crash rocked her castle to its very roots, causing the floor beneath her laying form to tremble slightly.

Instantly shooting to her hooves, the alicorn dashed to the nearby stairwell, her books completely forgotten and a panicked expression on her face. That didn't sound good!

After gliding straight down the stairs and flying directly to her castle's foyer, her purple eyes bugged out and she dropped to the floor in a display of pure, concentrated, unadulterated stupefaction. That doesn't look good!

The front doors^__and entire connecting wall^__lay in ruins, with a light grey transparent sphere being moved around inside the building. Twilight watched in awe as the barrier pushed aside any matter it encountered in its journey, completely unaffected by the contact while the physical material was shoved aside to make room for it. It was as though reality itself offered no resistance to its movements, allowing the shield to travel anywhere it was directed completely unopposed.

And trapped within the sphere, pounding desperately at its inner surface, was none other than Rarity, Element of Generosity and one of Twilight's best friends.

"Ah, there you are, Princess Twilight Sparkle. We have much to discuss, you and I." Intoned the white stranger standing confidently in the middle of the room with his horn aglow and a malicious grin on his muzzle. The colt's coloration and size was achingly familiar, but it took the princess several moments to fully identify the unicorn before her.

Is that really Darkest? He's so...different! Darkest's posture was completely alien to his form, and the downright evil expression on his face was equally out of place. What on Equus happened?! And why did he capture Rarity like that?! It was at that moment that Twilight happened to gaze past the colt, and did a double-take upon observing the complete and utter disaster that was her domain.

Entire buildings had been crushed and run through with barriers, and what looked like every civilian that populated Ponyville was contained within a floating sphere, high above the earth. Every last one of them appeared to either be furiously attacking the inside of their bubble or crying profusely, sometimes both.

Twilight even caught sight of Fluttershy and Starlight Glimmer, though they were too far away to make out what actions they were taking. The poor alicorn's heartrate increased dramatically as her eyes darted all across her vision, while her expression seemed conflicted between utter surprise or complete disbelief.

"So, do you like my work? It didn't take much effort, I'm afraid: Your friends' meager defenses were simply inadequate compared to my might." Darkest mercilessly swung Rarity's orb up and down for emphasis, viciously slamming the poor mare into the curved walls and likely leaving some nasty bruising.

It was much like a small filly might shake a newly-won goldfish in innocent excitement. The only difference was, the colt's ecstasy was clearly not innocent, and in fact seemed downright vengeful.

"D-Darkest? W-what's going on? What're you doing??" The alicorn had finally found her voice, and accordingly said the first thing that came to mind. She watched, still frozen in disbelief, as her dress-making friend was suddenly sent straight down into the floor, leaving only a round pit left.

"That's Knight to you, you pathetic charmer!" Twilight flinched back, both from his spontaneous anger and accurate accusation. Knight's malevolent grin only increased in size at this, and he took several intimidating steps toward the staircase, leaving the princess suddenly feeling quite small. "That's right. You didn't think you could charm somepony like me for long without my notice, did you? You silly, silly little pony."

The colt stopped just in front of Twilight, who by that point had shrunk down so far that he was able to tower over her prone form. "Well, you succeeded! For some inexplicable reason, I trust certain ponies completely and without hesitation. But you know what?"

Knight leaned in close, roughly stroking Twilight's tear-ridden cheek with a small hoof before whispering directly to her madly twitching ears.

"That doesn't mean you dimwits can trust me."

The princess cried out as she was sent crashing through the crystal banister to her left by an unbelievably hard impact to her right side, which turned out to be the sphere Rarity was trapped inside of. She landed, badly, on the shard-filled floor beneath as Knight let out a wicked cackle the likes of which she'd only heard from Discord, Tirek, or Sombra. The noise was awful in and of itself, but sounded yet more horrific due to the colt's high-pitched voice.

Twilight was left panting and clutching her barrel in surprised pain as the orb arced up, then down, destroying a part of the ceiling and causing Rarity to offer a horrified and remorseful expression in the process. The alicorn barely dodged out of the way in time, frantically flapping her wings as the transparent prison dove back into the crystal ground with an earsplitting crash! and no resistance whatsoever.

This is crazy!

Twilight gave a few more powerful flaps, ascending to the top of the near-unrecognizable foyer in a desperate attempt to gain a better perspective on the situation, but soon encountered resistance in the form of a flat, light grey slab of Thaunon. She winced in pain, speedily attempting to fly away from the obstacle but was too late to avoid its sweeping blow, which slapped her straight out of the air and through an adjacent wall.

"I'LL SHOW YOU TO CHARM PONIES! HOW DARE YOU!?! AND YOU CALL YOURSELF A RESPECTABLE INDIVIDUAL! YOU'RE A MONSTER!"

The next few minutes became a haze of pain, confusion, and abject horror for Twilight. She was given no time to rest, no room to react, and no space for retaliation. The barrage of brutal bashing was as indefensible as it was completely unexpected, and the mare's mind was left utterly empty save for the pain that filled its formidable depths.

The alicorn's immense mana supply and earth pony-like magic was likely the only reason she hadn't been knocked unconscious by the time Knight was finished, let alone completely slain. She lay in a defeated heap on the cracked ground, her once glorious castle in ruins around her. The sadistic colt marched triumphantly over, his hoofsteps stony as they pattered across the jagged floor.

"Well, now, that was quite freeing, wasn't it?" Knight's illuminated head popped into the corner of Twilight's vision, and she had the presence of mind to turn her head to face the ceiling, making eye contact with her attacker. "I must admit, you didn't quite deserve all of that, but I had to let my frustration out upon somepony, and this punk here is simply too fragile."

He gestured to the weeping form of Rarity, who by now was laying in a shallow puddle of her own tears as she weakly pawed at the inside of her prison. "I didn't quite want to kill the wretch quite yet, but rest assured, I have no qualms about doing so, here and now."

Twilight's eyes went wide at this, and she shot to attention, wiping away a bloody smear on her forehead as her mind cleared of all fog. Knight flinched back at her sudden movement, and appeared greatly incensed because of it, his features shifting from a relaxed smirk to an angry scowl.

"Now, you listen here, dolt, and you listen well. I have business in Canterlot, especially with the royal Sisters and one stallion in particular. You are going to teleport me there, so I can put them in their place before I run out of time." Another overglow appeared around the colt's horn, and Twilight noticed a half-filled bottle of some purple substance being carefully shifted, tied tightly and mostly hidden by a few locks of his longish mane. "If you do, I'll let this prissy, inconsiderate, wannabe noble out of her cage. But if you don't..."

The sphere moved ever-so-slightly, causing Rarity to begin flailing madly about as the inner walls started slowly closing in, leaving the mare with a rapidly-lessening amount of space.

"...I'll crush this insufferable menace like the garbage she is." Twilight glanced between the self-satisfied colt and her silently screaming friend with mounting panic, hoping, praying that this was some sort of sick joke. "Go on, then. Either option is perfectly acceptable to me, but something tells me that you'd like to keep your friend in the realm of the living."

Knight was right, and so, with a heavy heart, Princess Twilight Sparkle lit her horn and, with a flare of powerful magic, the victim-turned-villain was transported to the heart of her country.

Soon after, the light grey prison faded away, and two heartbroken mares cried desperately in each other's embrace, wondering where it all went wrong.

Knight's Break, Pars Duo

Canterlot was gorgeous.

Knight had never once had the pleasure to witness such an utterly pulchritudinous sight in the entire ten years he'd existed.

The broken, crumbling towers grew greyer by the moment as they were gradually covered in the dust of their fallen brethren.

Fire ravaged the city, glowing a most wondrous orange as it burned through everything in its path, greatly contributing to the destruction.

Light grey barriers moved every which way, carving holes and leaving streaks of damage everywhere they were sent.

However, Canterlot had one quality that was, all told, more pleasing to observe than the others combined. This characteristic was indisputably the one that wrought the most joy upon the colt, being the sole factor of his demented grin.

"Not so high and mighty now, are ya?!"

The 'noble' filths that infested Canterlot as a den of rats might a respectable farmer's house were galloping madly about, screaming at the top of their lungs in their insufferably prissy voices. For once, hearing this noise only served to delight Knight, and he giggled with deranged cheer before lifting a random unicorn mare clear off the ground by way of a barrier placed under her hooves. The noble's screaming intensified as she was flung at great speed into some collapsed rubble, but unfortunately ceased when she impacted with a loud crunch!

Oddly enough, that time the mare stayed deathly quiet. Her screeching wasn't replaced with pained whimpering as it had with all the previously thrown nobles. However, that didn't bother the colt in the slightest. No, he merely chuckled darkly as he resumed his determined trot towards the castle up ahead.

"It's high time you pigs got what was coming to you!" There was a wonderful catharsis in causing so much terror to those he'd feared all his life. A release of sorts in showing the odiously contumelious nobles of Canterlot what for.

It'll be even better to vent my frustrations on the Sisters. And I mustn't forget HIM, of course.

A hollow sphere of Thaunon materialized before him, just below the ground and completely out of sight. Knight gradually caused it to shrink, compressing the earth inside and finally creating a superheated, pebble-sized mass of plasma, upon which he raised the sphere into view. It was wonderful to gaze at, a manifestation of his white-hot rage, all condensed and entirely under his own control.

Everything's under my control.

Knight strode on, carelessly dissolving the sphere which contained the plasma and tossing it onto an as-yet-unburned structure nearby. He didn't care to look, but knew that it would soon be up in flames, for the heat of such a condensed ball of matter was able to ignite practically anything.

For so long, I thought my barriers were purely defensive. How surprising to see their offensive capabilities, now that I'm free to experiment.

Knight gazed up at the sky, equally beauteous as the city for all its smoky haze and dust. His smile grew as he savored the wonderful feeling of freedom that had been kept from him all his life.

Now, to business.

Knight's grin regained its newfound natural unhinged quality as he took the last determined steps up to the castle's ornate doors, confidently and quite noisily stomping all the while. The unicorn casually brought a foal-sized disc of Thaunon through the doors, whereupon it proceeded unhindered into the castle, opening up a sizable hole for him to hop through.

The inside of the grand structure was every bit as luxurious as the outward appearance, but it no longer struck the same chord of anxiety within the colt. No, he simply stomped on by through the wondrous surroundings, interested in one goal and one goal only.

Suddenly, movement to his left caused him to instinctively duck in fright, just in time for an armored pegasus guard to swoop by overhead, missing her aimed strike and sending her off balance enough to crash headfirst into a nearby column. A curious clattering sound emanated from a spinning ring on the ground, but Knight had no time to study it further, for it wasn't long before what seemed like every Royal Guard member in the city had him completely surrounded.

They emerged from well-chosen cover and invisibility spells alike, all fully armed, armored, and looked to be raring for a fight, with one distinctly familiar stallion leading the charge.

"Hey, I know you!" Knight exclaimed, carelessly pointing with a forehoof at the two-toned blue-maned captain, causing the guards in his immediate vicinity to bristle and brandish their weapons. The colt wasn't much concerned with them; he could see it in their eyes.

Hesitation and doubt dominated their gazes, including the captain's, likely due to his age and history. It was that weakness which would be their downfall: Knight would exploit it for all it was worth, and the upcoming fight would be all too trivial.

"Darkest Knight, under order of Captain Shining Armor of the Royal Guard, as well as the Sisters themselves, I implore you to stand down and accept your arrest without further resistance. If you fail to do this, I will have no choice but to unleash the full force of the Guard on you." The commanding, angry tone in the unicorn's voice caused Knight to flinch away, and that was when he knew it was time to down the rest of his saving substance. Hah, the poor fool looks like he'd regret it, too! Well, I'll show him and his soldiers the fight of their lives! Just after I have myself the rest of this liquid courage.

"You know, captain, you remind me of somepony." Knight stated, keeping his confident, unhinged persona up even as he felt the last of the potion's effects leaving his system. "He was captain of the Royal Guard, just like you!" Speedily reaching into his slightly-singed mane with a hoof, the colt swiftly untangled the prized bottle he'd been saving. "Why, he even has that same demanding, bossy, pretentious tone of voice." The guardsponies looked mostly curious at this point, so he'd succeeded in distracting them enough that victory in the next phase was all but guaranteed. Just in time as well. I'm almost out of confidence juice. Time for a refill. "I'm actually mostly here to see him. Return a few favors. Settle the score, y'know?"

The captain's eyes widened as he reached out an intercepting hoof, but it was too little, too late, and the empty bottle clattered to the marble floor. Knight wiped the last purple smears off his muzzle, relishing in the grapelike taste as well as the newfound burst of raw power he felt.

"Now, let's get started, shall we?"

Knight lit his horn with a lively light grey glow, and the mayhem began.

---

Weeping filled the shattered crystal castle for countless minutes as the two mares held each other, both surprised to be alive and regretful of her sins. Rarity felt her alicorn friend wince every so often from the squeezing on her sore, beaten body, but neither pony cared about that. Still, the unicorn felt a growing sense of dread as the sobbing gradually quieted until the two were finally silent. The feeling was vindicated when Princess Twilight Sparkle of Ponyville drew back from the embrace enough to stare Rarity dead in the eyes.

"Tell me what happened." The words were cold, spoken with a finality that announced there was nowhere left to hide. The pearly unicorn found herself breaking into a cold sweat, nervously darting her gaze around in search of something to forestall the confession they both knew was coming.

"Why, darling, I haven't the slight clue what you mean by-" But Twilight cut her off with a mere determined glare, effectively destroying the last of Rarity's resistance with that single gesture. The clothier's posture slumped and she detached herself fully from her friend to lay on the cracked floor, miserably covering her muzzle with a hoof. "It's quite ironic, isn't it? I offered the poor dear a job in the first place to keep him away from any enraged outbursts." Twilight seemed unhappy at the indirect route towards the point, but seemed to understand how this was the sort of thing Rarity needed to build up to. The alicorn laid on the ground as well, grimacing all the while as various damaged parts of her body began to swell.

"As much as I'd like to^__and did, for a while^__blame the outside pressures put upon me that day, I've become acutely aware that the blame for the...incident...lies solely on my shoulders." The princess nodded at this, impatiently rolling her hoof in a 'go on' gesture, which caused Rarity to sigh heavily before her eyes widened in shock. "Twilight, darling, your leg is broken! You must be in so much pain right now, is this really the time for-!" But the alicorn merely stomped her hoof, her glare intensifying as she spoke through gritted teeth.

"Yes, Rarity. Now is the time for this. Just like yesterday was. Just like the weeks before were. I'm not waiting any longer. Understand?" The unicorn in question nodded meekly, to which Twilight twisted her neck to regard her bruised, bleeding, broken figure. "Besides, don't worry about me, alicorns are made of tougher stuff than the other tribes. I'll probably regenerate and be back at full steam in an hour or so." Rarity's friend opened her mouth to demonstrate several missing and knocked loose teeth, but the unicorn could spot white bumps emerging in those places, new teeth already growing to replace the damaged or absent ones. "I also cast a numbing spell on myself halfway through the assault, so I don't really feel any pain." The seamstress nodded at this, sighing once more before resuming her confession.

"Well, there was this expensive cloth I had imported from Saddle Arabia, which I essentially told him to guard with his life, at least that's what it must have felt like for him. I...was not at my finest that day, but that's hardly an excuse. Something damaged the cloth while I was away, whether or not it was Darkest, I don't know." Rarity found herself overcome by a sudden exhaustion, and flopped onto her back to assume a befitting pose, staring at the sky through the newly-demolished ceiling. "When I came back, I figured I'd try to repair the fabric however I could. You've seen me during one of my sewing frenzies, how I tend to levitate everything in my immediate vicinity to use when I need it?" The light of understanding began to appear in Twilight's eyes and a small frown overtook her expression.

"Let me guess: You levitated Darkest around as well, making him run into any number of other objects in the process while screaming like a madmare." Rarity grimaced at this and nodded, covering her face with both forehooves as she felt the beginnings of tears returning. The mares sat there for a while as Twilight digested this information, her purple eyes wandering the surroundings as she did.

Finally, the alicorn stood, levitating Rarity up to her own hooves and standing resolutely before her. "Right then. What's done is done, and cannot be undone. Let's move on. If you hadn't noticed," the princess gestured outside and at the countless townponies trapped within unbreakable spheres, high in the air, "we're in the middle of a situation." The unicorn nodded once more at this before pausing to lift an inquisitive hoof, screwing her face in consternation.

"Er...what exactly are you planning to do?" This question seemed to stump Twilight, for her posture immediately slumped and her face fell, regarding the ground instead. It was at that exact moment that Rarity saw movement in the debris behind her friend, and her eyes widened upon observing Spike crawl out to dash over to them. "Spikey-Wikey! Are you alright?!"

Fortunately, the dragon claimed he was completely unharmed due to his tough scales, and soon after, a whisp of smoky magic flew up out of the ruins, towards Canterlot, to warn the princesses of their impending doom.

---

Knight started off strong: A flood of mana rushed through his horn and into reality, summoning forth a wave of Thaunon which swept through the enemy ranks, easily scattering their carefully-kept positions. Giving the guards no quarter, he then reformed the matter into two twelve-foot poles on either side of him, arranged parallel to the ground, which he caused to spin on their midpoints while traveling in orbit around himself.

The colt never found himself able to move large amounts of Thaunon all that quickly^__in fact, the speed at which the stuff could move scaled exactly with how much there was to move.

Still, it was an effective weapon despite this, something which the clanging of dented armor and cracking of broken bones could testify to.

In but a few seconds, all sans the most agile of guards were sent flying head over heels in every which direction, assisting in further damaging the floor, pillars, and ceiling of the Great Hall. Unicorns from among that number let out hasty and poorly-aimed beams of attacking magic, all of which Knight all-too-easily evaded. Pegasi swept down from above as earth ponies charged him from the ground, both sides covering for each other as the unicorns attempted to lay down suppressive fire.

All such efforts were in vain as Knight summoned forth a great curved wall to block one half of the circle, making the sides fragment off into small shards of matter which zipped across to complete sporadic paths through the other guards. The motes of Thaunon resembled a hailstorm as they bombarded the advancing enemy, their raw number sufficient to both repel their bodies and deflect any further incoming ranged attacks.

Knight observed a cluster of unicorns at the back charging their horns for a powerful sniping shot, and accordingly smirked in a self-satisfied manner as he collected the fragments into one solid circle. He sent that barrier soaring forth just as the guards shot their beam, simultaneously fracturing what remained of the wall behind him and sending those pieces out.

The circle intercepted the worryingly-large collective attack, sending deflected sparks of magic power showering down on the wounded guards as it zoomed toward the attackers before impacting them like a score of bowling pins.

A cursory glance behind showed the attackers on that side desperately attempting to avoid the unpredictable, unstoppable approach of the various Thaunon pieces, failing miserably as they were gradually swatted out of the air and off the ground. Said ground was looking quite the worse for wear, its marble already riddled with cracks and missing chunks, some of which guards were falling into, disappearing from sight.

Suddenly, the captain charged, his horn alight with a familiar rosy color as it prepared what was sure to be yet another attack. Knight summoned yet more Thaunon in response, this time in a foreleg-sized paddle shape, and sent it flying towards his adversary. The stallion grunted, thrusting his head forth to accentuate the massive, crackling magical shield he brought into existence in vain hopes of blocking the unblockable.

The colt watched in acute amusement as his paddle went straight through the pathetic resistance, tearing the 'barrier' asunder. This caused a whiplash affect to snap the captain's head back just before the Thaunonic weapon delivered a wicked slap to his cheek.

I had hoped the Royal Guards would put up more of a fight than Ponyville. Or at least be able to synergize better.

Taking a look around at his utterly demolished foes, Knight could hardly say he was impressed, even considering their lowly status in comparison to his own greatness.

No, that was about as hard as placing all of Ponyville in their prisons, and much less fun, to boot.

Confidently striding up to the fallen leader, the unicorn couldn't help but gloat over his victory.

"You know, Shining, I'm honestly surprised at your idiocy. I would have thought you'd have heard of my capabilities by now, and yet you still tried to stop my machinations." The stallion coughed, spitting out a tooth before gazing at Knight out of the corner of his eye. Something about him didn't feel quite right, as though he wasn't exactly defeated yet. The colt just knew he was missing out on some key detail.

But what?

"Oh, Darkest, I knew all about your abilities. Your shields are and always have been that much stronger than mine, that much is clear." The captain smiled wistfully, causing Knight's uneasy feeling to increase, a sensation that was familiar and all the more unwelcome due to it. "There was no way any of us could even hope to beat you, huh?"

Knight squinted, believing he saw the faintest of rose auras still surrounding his foe's horn. "That's why we never planned to. Still, I didn't expect you to make such short work of us." Finally, a realization dawned on the colt's face and he reeled his head back, but it was too late.

A ring slid down Knight's horn, simple and silver in coloration. It secured itself just as the last of the rosy levitation aura surrounding it faded away. Knight's magic faded with it, his horn dimming and ceasing to shine altogether as his head drooped toward the floor.

"That ring's made of a rubidium alloy, which nullifies all mana. You may have heard of it before." Shining Armor stood, shifting his jaw back into place with a hoof and a loud snap before stepping in front of the younger unicorn, gently patting his withers. "You did good, kid, but now it's time to stop."

All around, Knight heard the shuffling, clanking noises of countless armored ponies standing up and brushing themselves off. "Turns out this old vet has some tricks up his sleeve after all." Shining took the first steps away, likely to retrieve more restricting equipment from elsewhere, but dark chuckling from the colt made him pause, one leg lifted.

"Oh...I've heard of it before." Knight managed to get out between fits of wicked, evil laughter. "I've trained with them. Diligently." Impossibly, light began to appear as the spiral on Knight's horn charged with power. "Heh. One of the first things I ever learned was how to break. Out. Of them." Knight's laughter became near-uncontrollable as he observed the disbelieving expression of horror on Shining's face.

Every last muscle in the colt's body tensed as he concentrated his efforts on pouring yet more might into his horn. The wicked laughter ceased abruptly when Knight swung his head to glare at the stallion with pure, unadulterated malice, the band of metal around his spellcasting focus beginning to liquefy.

"Do you think you can hold me...?"

The rubidium ring melted completely, running down one side of Knight's head and leaving a reddish trail of chemical burns. A thin, jagged line of Thaunon materialized in front of him, only to shoot forward and hit the stallion straight in the side. Shining's head nearly touched his rump as he was sent all the way across the Great Hall to impact the far wall.

Several scattered guards attempted to aid their ex-captain, but they were easily dealt with.

Knight found himself staring disdainfully down at his pitiful enemy, melted metal dripping continuously off his face and to the floor.

Knight didn't notice the pain of the burning.

Knight had no time for such trivial things.

"Your incompetence is impressive. You didn't even set up a proper ambush! Did you really think I'd surrender so easily!? To scum like you?"

Knight's interest in the matter had at that point left entirely, but there was still one final piece of revenge to enact.

"This is for taking so long to find me."

With that, a thin disc of Thaunon was placed under the fallen foe, which was then lifted speedily into the air before it stopped abruptly, sending the stallion flying straight into the sky. At least, that was the intent, but the unconscious ex-captain's flight was suddenly forestalled when a brilliant golden aura surrounded him.

Ah, there they are.

Knight disdainfully turned to face the newest pair of insufferable wretches, one of which was soaring directly towards him, wreathed in her own vivid blue magic. Princess Luna got roughly halfway to her destination before the same thin circle intercepted her path, swatting her down through the floor and into whatever basement lay beyond in the span of a second.

Princess Celestia, hovering several dozen feet behind her sister, charged her enormous horn's spiral before unleashing a volley of arcing beams, each traveling in completely unpredictable paths but all coming towards him. Knight answered with summoning an elephantine half-inch-thick wall, which was large enough to block all incoming fire before it could travel behind him. The princess let off a gargantuan blast of magic, which the wall intercepted with no problems whatsoever.

Knight caused the Thaunon blocking the beam to separate from the rest before making it shoot forth through the magic and towards its caster. Celestia attempted to dive out of the way, but wasn't fast enough to avoid the square-shaped barrier connecting with the tip of her horn at speeds that would completely remove any regular unicorn's.

The princess' head simply snapped back and she plummeted to the floor, already pinwheeling her wings in expert movements to regain control of the spiral. Knight gave her no quarter, sending the thin disc to once more swat a ruler through the floor like the pesky flies they were.

The same circle returned to its master, who hopped aboard before moving it through the marbled flooring also, the both of them emerging into a most wondrous cavern, filled with oversized crystals of every imaginable variety.

Knight had no time to appreciate the splendor surrounding him, however, busy as he was in separating two thirds of his ride to deflect twin blue beams of magic coming his way. This time, the resulting shower of deflected magic was close enough that that colt found himself pelted by innumerable sparks of power.

He recovered just in time to catch sight of Luna herself hovering just above, already launching yet another mighty beam of magic. This attack bounced right off the intercepting barrier, redirected behind him and into several large crystals, each refracting the beam into several smaller lines, some of which Knight was only narrowly able to dodge.

The unicorn ignored his newly-scorched coat's painful throbbing, preferring instead to slam a fragment of Thaunon into Luna once more, sending her crashing through the crystal-covered wall behind him. Knight scrambled to regain his hoofing on the now-tiny platform he stood on, spotting Celestia just barely starting to stand up dozens of feet away.

Feeling the last stores of his mana beginning to be spent in the process, the colt summoned a spherical prison to enclose her before swiftly doing the same to a dazed and bloodied Luna.

After taking a few moments to regain his breath, Knight wasn't surprised in any measure to find himself engrossed in one all-consuming emotion: Pure, pristine, perfect rage.

"EXACTLY WHAT PART OF YOUR INCOGNIZANT MINDS THOUGHT THAT WAS A GOOD IDEA!?"

Knight soared to the ground of the cavern, scarcely able to stand on what remained of his ride, and brought the alicorn's separate prisons in front of him with vicious speed. He caused the spheres to stop abruptly before they impacted each other, rattling the occupants inside much like he had with Rarity earlier.

"BRINGING ME TO CANTERLOT?! TWICE?!?"

Knight panted heavily, gasping for breath as his legs trembled with what was most assuredly the weight of his fury and not any kind of instinctual fear. The unicorn knew the princesses could hear him^__dozens of tiny holes spread throughout their respective prisons' surfaces ensured that sound would pass through.

Besides that, Celestia's lowered ears and drooping head were evidence enough. Possessed with a refreshing desire to inflict as much pain as possible, Knight brought her sphere towards him until he could press his snarling muzzle against it. The unicorn steadfastly ignored his deepest core's protests against the proximity of such a big pony in the process.

"You know, one of the core signs of insanity is repeating the same action and expecting different results. And here I thought I was the mentally unstable one." Knight slammed his hoof up against the barrier housing naught but another perpetrator of his torment, watching with delight as Celestia cringed away.

"I must say, I'm rather impressed. It's a tall order for such a sadist to convince a whole kingdom of ponies she actually cares about and loves them. I'd compliment you if I wasn't so absolutely disgusted." Movement to the right caught Knight's eye, and he disdainfully observed Princess Luna finally use her pathetic faculties to stand up. The blue alicorn reached out with a hoof, uselessly punching the inside of her prison as she stared him down, enraged in her own right.

"Cease your torturing of my sister, demon, and release the colt known as Darkest Knight!" Dark chuckling was her answer as the colt shook his head mirthfully before stepping back onto his ride and hovering several feet away, an action that was most definitely not done in acquiescence to his instinct's urging.

BIG PONIES!

"You are mistaken, filth. Nopony is controlling my actions save me alone!"

BIG. PONIES.

"Now, if you'll excuse, me, I have business elsewhere."

And with that, Knight fled the scene, forgetting in his haste to seal the holes in the rulers' prisons.

---

Well now, this is certainly an unexpected development.

Staring out through the bars of his redundantly enchanted prison, the unicorn could not help but feel a sense of pleasant curiosity.

Before him stood a pair of Royal Guards, both resolutely doing so after their stony proclamation.

There was fear in their hearts, a distinct disturbed demeanor dominated their souls.

He could see it.

He was well-practiced in detecting such things.

"I see. You shall have to lead me to them, will you not?"

The guards obeyed his command, willingly or no. How nice it felt for all three of them to know he was in total control of the situation.

He was always in control of the situation.

He made sure of that.

The stallion was escorted away from the cell whose defenses had nearly been completely nullified. It had been a project of sorts for him, carefully picking away at the numerous layers of security using what precious mana he could get away with casting.

Tearing through defenses was his specialty, after all.

There was no conversation as the three guards made their way through the heavily damaged castle, one staring about in wonder while the other two lowered their heads in shame.

This is indeed everything I have ever desired. Well, that and seeing HER in chains.

The pegasus guards lifted the unicorn ex-guard down through the floor and into a glorious crystal cavern before swiftly departing.

The stallion saw HER: Imprisoned, helpless, defeated. Just like he had been planning for years.

The exact image he had been imagining for most of his life, finally made a reality.

in that moment, all that work, every second of time he had dedicated towards that precious, one-in-a-million treasure of a weapon, was worth it.

Confidently striding up to the fallen leader, the unicorn could scarcely help but gloat over his victory.

"Oh, Celestia, to look at your pitiful figure now. Defeated so soon? So easily? And here I thought you were more powerful than that." A loud clanging sound to the right drew his attention to the one who had summoned him here: The blue sister who was every bit as soft and spineless as HER.

"Cease your foul words, Broken, and free us at once!"

But the stallion merely chuckled at her order, sauntering up to her prison to sit before her and raising a disdainful eyebrow.

"What is the matter, Luna? Can you not simply teleport out? There's plenty of holes to do it through, if you had not noticed." The alicorn glared, fluttering what destroyed remnants of wings she had left.

The beaten princess opened her mouth to speak, but the victorious ex-captain cut her off. "And you want me to free you? Why should I? This is everything I have ever wanted!"

That got HER to rise and stare at him with pure confusion, mixed with betrayal. He chuckled darkly in response, smiling with slightly deranged glee.

"Oh come now, Celestia. Surely you did not actually buy into that sob story I told you? Did you really think I would spend years of my life devoted to training a superweapon not to fire itself? Do you know the raw number of resources I poured into that creature?" This caused HER sister to stomp once more, snorting indignantly on somepony else's behalf.

Typical overbenevolent ruler behavior.

"You absolute FIEND! How dare you speak of a child in such a way?! There is no justification for how you treated him! Know you no love at all?"

The stallion smirked at this, casually inspecting a forehoof while he responded.

"Oh, I loved him. I loved him most thoroughly. I loved that armament to a degree far higher than his noble parents ever could." HER eyes widened, and the unicorn immediately dug into the weakness. "Do you know who his parents are, Celestia? You may recognize their names: Light and Stormy Night. It would appear powerful magic runs in the family, eh?" The statement made HER gasp, and tears began to run down HER once-majestic face.

Broken cackled with glee, pointing a hoof at the white alicorn like an excited foal would a desired toy.

"You never made the connection, did you? There is no 'Knight' family in Canterlot! That child is my knight in shining armor, designed to place me in your position. Equestria as a whole has spent far too long coddled in your weak hooves. The fact that all I have to do to confuse you about a foal's family is add one letter to his surname is just proof of how inept you are!"

One final slam of the sisters' hooves and a full blast of the Royal Canterlot Voice interrupted Broken's rant.

"SILENCE, FILTH! YOU SHALL FREE BOTH OF US AND RETURN TO YOUR PRISON WHERE YOU WILL ROT UNTIL THE END OF YOUR TRAITOROUS DAYS!"

Deciding to humor her, Broken lit his artificially-sharpened horn and began the effortless process of breaking his weapon's barriers. As expected, the usual tug-of-war at the end of the mana trail simply produced no results, and the unicorn could only offer a nonchalant shrug.

"My apologies, Luna, but even if I wanted to, it's simply impossible now. The only reason I could do it in the first place was due entirely to my constant attacks on the weapon. Since he actually believed I could break through, his mind was open to the possibility, thus actually opening up the possibility. It's some advanced phychology-thaumaturgy material, I doubt you would understand." His assumption was proven right when the sister gave an uncomprehending scrunch before her gaze drifted up and her eyes widened with shock.

"Ah, there you are, Broken! I have some unfinished revenge to enact upon you, if you wouldn't mind." The stallion felt a chill run down his spine just before an impossibly powerful force impacted it, sending his body crashing into dozens of razor-sharp crystals.

Pain was a familiar feeling, but the emotion^__nay, mere concept of fear? It was one that until now had been entirely forgotten by the stallion.

Gasping desperately for air while he coughed up copious amount of blood, Broken stared straight into the mad white eyes of his most prized possession.

Fear was all he felt.

---

Knight shook his head violently as the last fading echoes of a horrific nightmare finally cleared from his mind.

The crystal cavern, wide-eyed entrapped princesses, and bloody smear before him served to quickly remove that mind of such a false pretense.

Knight ran.

---

In Ponyville, the numerous light grey spheres housing the majority of the town's citizens lowered to the ground before disappearing completely.

In Canterlot, the barriers which had caused so much panic and destruction faded away entirely.

Across Equestria, every last portion of borrowed Thaunon save one returned to its home.

And within that last spherical piece sheltered a victim of horrors unimaginable, hoping with desperate terror that nopony ever found him.

Author's Notes:

This chapter is filled with extremely vague statements and purposefully nonsensical innuendos. As a small preemptive assurance, I would like to say that most^__if not all--of these will be cleared up and explained in the next chapter.

Also, I would like to express my behemothic gratitude to Anotherrandom, Cxcd, and rikithemonk for their immeasurable assistance in the ambitious endeavor that is this narrative. It's thanks to them that this story can reach its full potential, which is a greatly desired outcome for essentially everyone.

P.S. Bonus brownie points for those who can spot the heavily obscure reference in this chapter. (Hint: It is located after the third scene break, post-Twilight and Rarity.)

Knight's Break, Pars Tribus

Horror, plain and simple.

Pure, raw, undiluted horror.

It was not feeling all too unfamiliar to Knight, but that hardly made it more comfortable to experience.

The image of HIS remains decorating the cavern's walls like sick, gruesome art remained cemented in Knight's mind and contributed greatly to his horrified feeling.

The worst part of all, however, was that somewhere, deep down inside of him, he took pleasure in the sight of HIS morbid end.

WHY DID I ACT THAT WAY?!

Impossible memories of hours spent acting in a matter so entirely contrary to what he'd learned through the years were there, in his head.

The atrocities he remembered committing were so separate from the true nature of reality that at first he knew they could only be phantoms from a horrible dream.

But that was simply untrue, and the picture of Broken Barrier's mangled carcass continued to testify of that.

Incoherent screaming filled Knight's mental space completely, leaving no room for anything but utter horror and disbelief.

For all the decisive mental calculations Knight had been able to perform over the years, he was simply left unable to process the reality of his actions.

Knight didn't cry often, but desperate, heavy sobbing was the only thing he found himself able to accomplish at the moment, lacking the energy to so much as pace the inside of his shield or even stand.

Abrupt movement on the outside of the protective barrier-...

That's what they're for. Defending. Nothing else. NOTHING ELSE!

WHYWOULDIEVERDOTHATPLEASEWHYWHYWHYINEVERWANTEDTHISPLEASE-

...-quickly changed that issue, and the colt leapt to his hooves, swollen eyes set with an expression of pleading alarm.

No. Oh, Faust please no!

A new emotion flooded his being upon gazing at the butter yellow pegasus mare before him. Knight turned away, burying his face in his forelegs as shame flooded his soul.

The colt continued his weeping, though the new tears were fueled by an emotion quite different from before.

I...I did that. I'm evil. Just like HIM.

Fluttershy tapped on the shield and looked to be speaking, but he only curled tighter in response, regretting everything in that moment.

Knight had completely lost track of time, but it couldn't have been long since he had taken refuge in a small cave under Canterlot's famous waterfall.

There was plenty of space to do so, seeing as the water had been redirected in order to put out the fires.

Knight's fires.

I...did that.

BAD!

Time crawled slowly by as the colt grew increasingly dehydrated, but several tentative peeks up revealed Fluttershy still waiting patiently outside the barrier.

She was still hurt.

Everypony was hurt.

All because of me.

Miserably, Knight laid his weary head on the damp ground, finally arriving at a decision he never once expected to make.

Darkest?

Some shoved-aside section of his tormented brain perked up in recognition. Yes, Knight? Are you finding yourself finally prepared to return control to me?

...yes...

Darkest did not smile, but he could not help feeling the slightest bit smug as the raw intensity that was Knight faded away ever-so-slightly, allowing conscious action and purposeful logic back to reign. With his mind mostly free of base instincts and thoughtless reactions, Darkest immediately set to work on properly analyzing the situation. Well, now let us see: Fluttershy is sitting just outside mine shield, thus, I should remove it straightway, so as to be nearer to her. Simple as that. Despite these thoughts, Darkest found himself unable to remove the shield completely, preferring instead to open it to a degree such that he could poke his head outside.

"Fluttershy?" The colt's voice trembled with caution and guilt, but no fear was to be found in addressing the mare, who smiled demurely as she bobbed her head. For once, words failed Darkest completely as he continued to stand there, resting his head on the edge of the shield in vain efforts to save what little energy he had left. I must get a read on the situation at hoof. I now know that my complete trust in her is ingenuine and possesses little to no evidence to support it, no matter how safe I feel when in close proximity to her. The temptation to gallop straight into her hooves and sleep the stress away was one that grew stronger by the moment, but Darkest knew to put more thought into his actions.

"Fluttershy, I-" Darkest swallowed dryly, regret and a deep exhaustion so prevalent in his voice that his usual eloquence was all but staunched entirely. "I am sorry." The pegasus nodded once more and opened her forelegs in a silent invitation, which served to greatly intensify the urge to run to her. I simply cannot do so. Objectively, I am safer within an indestructible shield than in some mare's forelegs, especially with Broken's...indisposed...status. Instinct and logic were at war within Darkest Knight, as they so often were, leaving him helplessly eyeing the safe shelter that felt so superior to his own yet factually was not.

"It's okay, Darkest. I forgive you. It's really not too bad. I was thinking of getting it cut anyways." Fluttershy gestured at her significantly shorter mane with a wing, which had been carelessly severed by Knight when he placed a prison around her mere hours prior.

I WAS CAREFUL! I DIDN'T HURT THE GOOD ONES! I DIDN'T HURT MY FRIENDS!

Cease your screaming, Knight, for you are simply incorrect, as Fluttershy's new manestyle can attest. Darkest blinked rapidly in vain attempts to combat his newfound exhaustion, which found itself overshadowing even his horror and regret. The yellow forelegs before him became still more tempting as the fatigue caught up, and the conscious decision-making part of the colt's mind found itself less able to resist sleep's pull. Past experience would testify of her true intentions, methinks. She has never done ill to me before, so perhaps mine caution is unnecessary and in fact detrimental? The sheer volume of pure agreeance which erupted from the colt's mental scape upon his proposal served only to solidify his decision.

The barrier which so wickedly separated Darkest from true shelter was swiftly done away with, allowing him to gallop straight into those wonderful hooves and embrace the friend they belonged to. At least, that was the plan, but Darkest soon found himself with only the ability to gracelessly flop to the ground with his support gone, too lethargic to accomplish anything else. Luckily, Fluttershy seemed able to read his intent well enough, seeing as she immediately trotted over to gently pick his limp form up, tenderly cradling it against her soft barrel.

Darkest slept, but no smile adorned his face as it had previously, for he knew that this slumber was but a brief respite at the end of which lay impending justice for his actions.

---

"Is everypony okay?"

Princess Twilight Sparkle was now mostly healed thanks to a slew of self-cast unprofessional-yet-effective healing spells as well as her alicorn physiology. She had skidded to a halt in the middle of town square moments prior and was currently worriedly studying her various subjects. The citizens of Ponyville had recovered from the ordeal quite fast, helping each other out of large depressions in the ground and running the severely injured to the hospital with incredible coordination, considering their lack of instruction.

"Several roll calls reveal none to be in life-threatening condition, so we'll all live!" Dr. Whooves, a fellow scientist and good friend of hers answered, trotting up to her. "Still, mentally speaking it may take quite a while for everypony to recover from this, myself included." That was evident enough: The look in the doctor's eyes revealed his disturbed feelings, which were shared by every civilian in sight, at least that Twilight could detect. Rarity, who had been following behind the alicorn with Spike on her back, rested a sympathetic hoof on the stallion's shoulder.

"I know exactly what you mean, darling. To have such a diminutive colt suddenly attack all of us out of nowhere is certainly quite unexpected, to say the least." Nearby townsponies vigorously nodded their heads in agreeance to the unicorn's statement, several turning to mutter to their neighbors in hushed tones. Twilight waved her hoof about, catching their attention and causing them to cease such an unhelpful action.

"Does anypony have any idea why Darkest did this? Any clues whatsoever?" Shrugs and shaken heads were all too abundant, and the princess glanced about helplessly, searching for a certain cyan pegasus who was meant to be watching the colt in question. Erratic movement from under the crowd's legs caught her attention, and she blinked in surprise as a ragged-looking Scootaloo burst out from under the collection of ponies, Apple Bloom following soon after. Both fillies seemed greatly regretful of something or another, and consequentially almost couldn't meet Twilight's eyes.

"It...it...it was..." Apple Bloom began, but was cut off by a sudden outburst from her pegasus friend, who looked to be nearing tears as she choked back a sob.

"It was me! I did it! It's my fault!" Astonished gasps rang out from the gathering as Scootaloo flopped to the floor, miserably covering her face with a dirty forehoof. Her bow-wearing friend blinked out of her repentance long enough to look indignant, angrily stomping the ground as she addressed the pegasus.

"Now you see here, Scootaloo! I brewed the dang potion!" But the orange filly only shook her covered head, barely able to force her rebuttal out through trembling lips.

"No, AB, It was my idea in the first place. If it wasn't for me and my dumb plans, nopony would be in this mess!" Twilight, having heard plenty at this point, swiftly broke the argument before it could progress any farther.

Levitating the two fillies in her magic as she began to trot towards her damaged castle, the alicorn couldn't help but create a mental to-do list. I'll find out whatever I can, then go to Canterlot and see how Starlight and Fluttershy are holding up. Hopefully, they've found Darkest and already worked their magic.

"it sounds like you two have quite the story to share, hm?" Guilty sighs and reluctant nods were her answer as the two foals went completely limp in her telekinetic grasp.

"Yeah...we do."

---

Canterlot had clearly seen better days.

Twilight had never seen the whole city look so broken in her entire life.

Still, repairs were underway and going smoothly.

While the hospitals were overflowing, that was mostly due to the high-class ponies that hadn't had any kind of minor injury in years and overreacted in every situation.

The only buildings to have collapsed were old and set to be demolished in the next few years anyway

What fires had been started were quickly and easily extinguished, leaving only a few blackened areas to speak of, with no casualties whatsoever.

In fact, the worst injury had been a skull fracture in a noble unicorn named Fleur De Lis, who said she had been thrown into a pile of rubble and knocked out after losing herself to mindless screaming. Still, the doctors said she'd make a full recovery, though the same couldn't be said for the cracked rubble she'd landed on.

The three alicorns sat together on the highest tower of the castle as Celestia relayed all of this information to Twilight, who found herself stuck in utter disbelief. He must've been capable of destroying the whole city, but didn't for some reason? Why? He hates Canterlot!

Princess Twilight Sparkle had teleported straight here after getting all the information she needed out of the guilty parties, hoping her letter had been enough to forestall any hasty actions. Apparently, the Sisters had brought her brother to Canterlot upon receiving it, hoping he would be able to lead a successful charge to stop the rampaging colt while mitigating any damage done to him. The Princess of Friendship was immensely surprised to learn how Darkest had broken straight out of a mana-nullification ring, a feat that could normally be accomplished only by a user of arcane energy.

I suppose it makes sense: He must have used his connection to Thaunon to channel energy into his horn, something the ring would be powerless against, because it wouldn't use any mana.

Twilight had intended to explain Darkest's actions to the Sisters^__mainly how they were completely out of his control and not his fault in any capacity^__but that seemed unneeded now. The rulers had just finished directing and assisting with the repairs currently underway, now overseeing everything from their castle's highest tower balcony. They also seemed concerned about mainly one thing after confirming the wellbeing of the rest of their subjects.

"He is okay, correct? I'm worried I may have been a bit too aggressive with my stunning spells, and..." But Celestia trailed off at a nonplussed expression from Twilight, who leaned forward, staring her straight in the eyes.

"Princess, there's something more going on, isn't there? What aren't you telling me?" The purple alicorn's former mentor sighed heavily, giving her newfound equal a rueful smile.

"Ah, Twilight, perceptive as always, I see." Celestia gave a passing glance over to her sister, who appeared deep in thought as she studied the ground. "Well, the truth is that I could see fear in his eyes during our whole encounter. It's always been there, his inner terror of me, but I was simply too shortsighted to see it."

The sun princess' smile turned melancholy as her ethereal mane and tail's constant movement slowed significantly. "I'm just glad he focused his anger on us instead of, say, Shining Armor. Though, who can blame him, after I brought him to Canterlot. Twice." The great alicorn winced and she lowered her head even farther to the floor, but Twilight was too caught up in a sudden burst of curiosity to notice or care too much.

"Wait, why did you ask us to bring him a second time? You'd read the reports I sent about my findings by then, so how exactly was that a good idea?" The purple alicorn spoke with a largely puzzled tone, but her word choice seemed to remind her former mentor of something that caused her to become even sadder.

"Twilight, you've heard how Saddle Arabia is in the middle of a civil war at the moment?" After observing an affirmative, inquisitive nod, the diarch continued: "Well, both the Freedom Fighters and the Great Arabian Union have been requesting Equestrian aid for months now. I thought that maybe, if I could just check in pony, see if his recovery was far enough along..." Celestia was cut off by a horrified gasp from her former student, who looked like she was about to be ill.

"Princess! You weren't going to send a foal into battle, were you?!" Thankfully, both Sisters seemed equally horrified at the proposition, and the white alicorn shook her head viciously in response.

"No, Twilight, I could never!" She continued indignantly moving her head for a few seconds after, until the three of them had calmed down. "No, I was going to send the Elements to assist if anything, but I couldn't do that until your previous mission was accomplished, or at least until it was at a point where I could reassign it to somepony less capable." Celestia sighed once more, turning to place her hoof on the railing of the balcony they were currently sitting on. "Now I'm worried word might get out about how powerful he is, but I suppose not much can be done about that."

A pregnant silence followed those words as Twilight digested the information, already contemplating her next move in the ambitious journey that was helping Darkest Knight. Fluttershy and Starlight are back in Ponyville by now, and she told me she's planning to do a session with Darkest as soon as he wakes up. Honestly, I can't think of any better action to take, or any better mare to do that action. Sudden movement from Luna drew Twilight's attention back into reality, and she quirked an eyebrow as the blue alicorn addressed her.

"There's something else you should know, Twilight Sparkle. When we were still trapped in the barriers, I had no choice but to call for Broken Barrier to free us, for I couldn't teleport out due to my injured condition." Pure shock crossed the purple mare's face before the light of understanding overtook it and she nodded affirmably. Teleporting while hurt is really dangerous, even for alicorns. "Broken^__may he rot in the deepest purgatory there is^__ was no help with freeing us, but he did offer some prized information I feel you should know about before his untimely demise at the hooves of Darkest Knight." Twilight jolted, her purple eyes bulging out as she considered this information.

He killed somepony? Even with how bad Broken was, did he deserve to be killed by Darkest? Wait, no, not Darkest, the opposite of him. Normally, such a reversal potion would have only supplied a minor confidence boost, but Apple Bloom had admitted to upping the dosage such that the result was a near-perfect reversal of Darkest's actual personality. Luckily, ...or maybe not, all things considered... it seemed he had primal enough instincts that didn't constitute personality which were able to stop him from doing serious harm, even if he didn't realize it himself.

Twilight decided to consider the information later and snapped out of her thoughts in time to catch Celestia's gradual curling into a ball, tiny puddles forming on the marble floor beneath her graceful head. Is she...crying?

"Broken Barrier told us who Darkest's parents are, and after interviewing the couple in pony, we can say without doubt that he wasn't lying this time." Luna continued, sadly eyeing her sister's back, which was all that was facing them at this point. An uneasy feeling began to permeate Twilight's being, one that climaxed as Luna opened her muzzle to speak the words that would shock her to her core:

"Darkest Night's parents are Stormy Night and Light Night, who you will recognize as the twin brother to one Night Light, your father."

The last thing Twilight remembered hearing was the sobbing of her former mentor Celestia.

Then everything went black.

---

Darkest sat on the highly-favored grassy hill overlooking the town he had so mercilessly desecrated, shamefully studying his hooves while feeling Starlight Glimmer's gaze boring into the back of his head.

He had awoken mere minutes prior, still held by Fluttershy, who ensured he was fine being left with his unicorn friend before flying off. The two had simply sat in silence for the minutes since then, with Darkest continually pondering the nature of the punishment to come. I was certainly not behaving in an acceptable manner, so swift recompense for mine actions is all but guaranteed. Starlight is certainly very magically adept, so mayhap she will cast some manner of agony-inducing spell on me? Force me to summon a barrier so she can break it? I would not doubt her ability to do so.

NO! Starlight wouldn't hurt me! She's a safe pony!

Unfortunately, Knight, there is absolutely no evidence to that aside from the charm we have been placed under. Finally, the mare spoke, and the troubled colt's ears twitched as she did so.

"You know, it's pretty nice out here, Darkest. I can see why you like it so much." He inhaled sharply at this, beginning to draw his body in towards itself. See, she even sounds like a therapist, and who is to say she is not one?

I do! I like Starlight! She's good! She's not a therapist!

"You know, Darkest, I'm actually really proud of you." This caused the colt to give a mighty jolt, disbelievingly staring at her as his mind searched for some explanation to her nonsensical words. Does 'proud' have a different meaning nowadays? Did I perhaps mishear her and she actually spoke a word I am unfamiliar with, one synonymous to 'repulsed'? 'Abhorred'? 'Infuriated'? "That's right, I'm proud of you."

Darkest shook his head viciously in utter befuddlement, but Starlight only nodded with a genuine smile before gesturing to the demolished town. "Even with your mind altered, you managed to stop yourself from hurting any ponies or any buildings too badly." The incredulity was at that point too great for the colt to resist speaking up, standing to also gesture at the ruined town he was still avoiding gazing at.

"Have you gone entirely mad? I destroyed everything! I trapped you in a barrier! I...I...I cut Fluttershy's mane!" But Starlight merely shook her head, smiling sagely as she rested a gentle hoof on his shoulder. Darkest could scarcely help but enjoy the contact, leaning into it even as he protested that action's logical dangers.

"No, Darkest, you didn't do those things, the exact opposite of you did. And you know what I think?" The foal gazed up at her smiling countenance, his raw disbelief beginning to be replaced with curiosity. "I'm pretty sure that you've been mentally intensifying the situation, making it out to be worse than it actually is." Starlight pointed to Ponyville once more, only resuming her speech when Darkest finally gave the ruined town a closer inspection. "Ponyville is damaged, yes, but the worst of that damage is in the form of a crater in the ground and some crushed buildings, which I believe you made sure were empty at the time."

The smaller unicorn shook his head again, intending to break away from her presence yet finding himself only pressing harder against her body with what feeble strength he had regained from the short rest. "Actually, I take that back: It seems the worst of the damage is on you."

Starlight pulled away then, doffing her saddlebags to reach into them with both front hooves as Darkest weakly flopped to the grassy ground. It had gone mostly unnoticed until that point, but the colt was finally beginning to register just how hurt he really was, physically speaking. The worst of the pain came from the streak of burned, furless skin that ran down from his horn and ended at his chin, but blackened scorch marks were spread throughout his coat as well, which stung as they were moved.

Numerous cuts and scrapes were found everywhere on his figure, likely from the flying shattered crystals that resulted from throwing an alicorn through the crystal cavern. Finally, his hooves had taken serious damage from the ordeal, indubitably from stomping around everywhere he went like some self-absorbed brat.

Darkest's friend withdrew a first-aid kit and some other miscellaneous medical supplies from her saddlebags, but waited until he gave an assenting nod before beginning to treat his injuries. The agreeance was heavily reluctant, as both Darkest and Knight felt he deserved the pain, but the former figured he ought to be in the best condition, while the latter simply wanted to feel Starlight's comforting hooves again.

Safe.

Not so, Knight. There lies no proof of that whatsoever. Even despite this meager resistance, Darkest could not help but close his eyes and smile slightly, reveling in the feeling of such caring physical contact.

"You see, Darkest? Even if ponies had died, it wouldn't be your fault, it'd be the fault of whoever fed you that potion." The colt found himself reluctantly agreeing to the statement, if only because he lacked the energy to resist any longer. Still, one thought entered his mind upon her words, one that he quickly voiced.

"But I did kill somepony! Broken is dead because of me!" Starlight paused in her ministrations, but only briefly, resuming just as she responded with her voice just as pleasant and inviting as before.

"And how do you feel about that?" Incredulousness flooded the younger unicorn's being immediately after the question was asked, but upon further pondering on its answer, confusion swiftly dominated him instead. Darkest's ears pressed against his skull and he shifted in place uncomfortably as he absently gazed out at the bustling town in the distance.

"I...I do not know?" The colt felt a hoof gently pat the top of his lightly singed mane before it continued rubbing some salve or another across his withers.

"And that's perfectly okay, Darkest. Plenty of ponies don't know how they feel about things." That statement was what solidified the internal argument taking place in the colt's head. Actual therapists were demanding, and never ceased their continuously louder insistences on exactly what emotion he was experiencing.

True therapists hurt him, emotionally and physically, when they failed to receive their impossible answers. They did not heal or comfort, they did not supply safe havens, and their hooves did not feel nearly this good when they made contact with his body.

Starlight's good! SEE!

You...are correct, Knight. Despite how often she may sound like one, she must simply be Princess Twilight's student and nothing more. Darkest finally allowed his head to droop to the ground as his until-then purposefully tensed body instinctively relaxed.

NO! She's my friend!

That is also true, so I simply must agree, even despite the dubious evidence which exists to support the conclusion. The colt felt a sudden cooling sensation spread through his body as Starlight casted some type of healing spell, consequentially shuddering in relief as the last stinging pain left entirely.

"So, what do you think about the charm you're under? Would you like to get it removed?" Abrupt panic flooded Knight's being upon hearing this sudden proposal and he shot to his hooves, causing Starlight to fall onto her back in surprise.

"NO!" Knight shouted before turning his body to gallop up to her dazed head, shaking his own in desperate protest. Starlight gazed up at him from the ground, not bothering to move from her position as she creased her eyebrows in great concern.

"But...why not? You must want it gone, right?" But Knight buried his muzzle in her neck in response, nuzzling it fiercely as both his lips and legs trembled. "You mean you want to stay charmed?" Knight nodded vigorously, only narrowly able to avoid jabbing his friend in the eye with his horn as he did so. "W-why, Knight?" The colt paused upon hearing this inquiry before laying down and resting his head on her barrel.

Starlight smelled wonderful, as all of his friends did, but her scent was uniquely that of raw mana, almost yet not exactly like ozone. Knight's nose twitched as he breathed it in, calming down from the enervated state her words had sent him into.

"I...like...it..."

The feeling of complete and utter safety he felt when in close proximity to any of his friends was one that Knight treasured immensely. It didn't matter if it was a charm or whatever Darkest said about it not being true, Knight felt safe.

I like safe. Safe is good. This is good.

Unfortunately, Darkest did not feel the same, and he established that by resuming control, something Knight was unable to stop due to not being in any danger.

"Knight insists I remain charmed like the unreasonable fool he is, and I am consistently far too weak to overpower him when he sets what little idiotic mind he has on something." Silence reigned after Darkest's statement as Starlight processed the information before finally reaching out to stroke his weary head with a hoof.

Darkest wanted to^__nay, should have flinched away, but the enforced safety he felt from the deceitful charm was too all-consuming to allow him to do so.

"Hey, Darkest, Knight is part of you, so you shouldn't be insulting him like that. You wouldn't want somepony else to say that about you, right?" The colt scrunched his face up upon hearing these words, raising a puzzled eyebrow as he made eye contact with the mare.

"But...I am lowly and worthless! That is an acknowledged fact which has never once been in question!" Correct, scum, and do not ever forget it. The continued voice of HIM in his head still testified of the truthfulness of the statement. Why is Starlight implying that I am not the lowest scum of the earth? Does she think I am deserving of anything save the poorest possible treatment? Can anypony be so...silly?

In thinking these things, Darkest quickly remembered his place and accordingly shifted his unworthy gaze off of his friend's periwinkle eyes, yet could not make himself cease contact with her barrel. However, for some inexplicable reason, Starlight moved her hoof under his chin to redirect his white eyes back onto her own, effectively forcing him to maintain eye contact.

"Darkest, you're not worthless, you're priceless. Do you know the difference?" The colt shook his head and blinked uncomprehendingly, causing the lilac-colored mare to smile earnestly as she gazed at him, still having not moved from her fallen position. "Well, worth is indicative of value. To say something is worthless is to say it has no value. In contrast, a price is the number we put on things we don't need and can thus sell to others. To say something is priceless is to say that it is so valuable that we simply cannot give it up, no matter what we get in return. The two words are antonymous."

Starlight finally moved, sitting up in a position that could not possibly in any capacity be called comfortable and laying Darkest's fatigued head in her lap, continuing to stoke his scorched mane as she did so. The colt fought the urge to fall asleep then and there, wishing to hear the rest of the ongoing lecture. Besides, Starlight would not take too kindly to me falling asleep in the midst of her talking, methinks.

"All creatures are priceless, Darkest, including you. We are all thinking, breathing, feeling beings that can't be replaced. If only we could get past our inequalities to realize that." The younger unicorn raised a questioning hoof, inquisitively staring up at the elder unicorn from his newfound place on his back.

"Well, yes, indubitably you all are priceless, as you say, but there lies a key difference between you and me in that I am not! Broken always stated it thus." Something he said caused Starlight's expression to sadden and the colt could almost swear he saw her lips faintly trembling, which only confused him more. Did she honestly go this long without making this connection?

"But Darkest, Broken lied about things all the time, right? You could never trust him with anything, so why would he be telling the truth about that?" Darkest's face went slack as he considered the proposal, but his confusion only intensified in doing so and he was left helplessly staring up at his unicorn friend, lost completely as to what actions to take.

Luckily, Starlight understood his feelings well enough, and merely wrapped him in a gentle embrace which he gratefully returned. "It's okay if you're confused, Darkest, I can see there's still a long way to go. I think I would like to have more of these talks, wouldn't you? Maybe every Saturday we could come out here and hang out? Does that sound good to you?" It did, and the colt nodded accordingly, which caused the mare to tighten her grip around him, though she still remained gentle and non-threatening.

"Good. I'm looking forward to it."

Darkest Knight simply sat there in the fading sunlight, basking in his friend's comforting presence, deciding then and there to leave all cares for later.

For now, he would just enjoy being so safe.

Knight's Break, Pars Quattuor

The Great Saddle Arabian Union is losing the war.

That much is plain to any who care enough to observe the situation.

But all they need is a superweapon of immense power to turn the tides.

Take back control.

Crush those insignificant rebels like the scum they are.

That's why she is here, stealthily slipping through the alleys of Ponyville.

She finally catches sight of her colt, stopping in place to admire his pleasing form.

The way he cringes away from practically anything.

The way his legs tremble as he walks through town.

The way his tail tucks itself under his belly, denying her the chance to see how her work has turned out.

Her colt is perfect, as always, something his pure white color testifies to.

...delicious...

There's a problem, though: Her colt has an escort, one with a prismatic mane and cyan coat and big, strong wings.

She decides to tail them from afar,

watching,

waiting for the right time to strike from the shadows of the alleys.

There is another problem, though: A cream-coated obstacle appears before her, blocking her path through the alley.

"And just what do you think you're doing?"

She raises a dismissive hoof, speaking for the first time since she began her mission.

"What, can an equine not walk in peace around this place?"

But the pink-and-blue-maned obstacle snorts in barely-contained rage, stomping up to her much taller form.

"Oh, don't you play games with me, bucko. I see the way you're eyeing Darkest."

The obstacle plants a hoof in her chest, having to reach up quite far to do so.

"I'm gonna tell you right now, punk. Buck. Off. You don't want to test me, capiche?"

It's strange, for there's this air about the obstacle that communicates the danger it poses.

The way it holds itself, full of confidence and power.

So much of both that she's not sure she could actually win in an honest scuffle.

She's going to need an alternate route, then.

She nods and raises a placating hoof, smiling serenely all the while.

The obstacle responds by shoving her into the alley's wall with impressive strength and staring her dead in the eyes while its features wrinkle in a vicious snarl.

"Now, you're gonna stalk your way straight outta my town and not come back. I'll be watching for you, so you better not get any ideas, got it?"

She nods once more and does so, ensuring she looks properly defeated in the process.

But a pleasant smile still graces her elegant features.

It seems this will be harder than I'd originally thought...

And she is already planning her next move.

...that will only make the rewards all the sweeter.

---

The diarchs sat across from the noble couple, all four of them sipping a blend of fine tea.

Well, the alicorns were merely pretending to be drinking, one too filled with rage to do so and the other simply too entrenched in disbelief to even give it a thought.

Both emotions were directed towards the unicorns before them, both of whom were demonstrating a casualness that hardly befit the subject at hoof.

"I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"

Light Night nodded serenely, pursing his lips slightly before responding to Luna's request.

"I said: Yes, we had a foal. Not for very long, though."

Luna hid her anger well, but Celestia could still read her sister just as well as she could those many centuries ago.

"Might you...expand...on that?"

Light Night shrugged easily, giving a carefree glance over to his wife, who merely sipped her tea, avoiding eye contact with everypony in the room.

"We had an unintended foal and named him Darkest to represent the blight he brought to our lives, but thankfully he was gone after a year or so."

Luna's rage reached its peak and she slammed both hooves upon the table they collectively sat at, sending her mug shattering to the floor.

"And just what did you do to him!?!"

Light lifted his hooves in an attempt to forestall her ire, elegantly placing his cup on the table to better to so.

"We didn't do anything. He simply went missing. We even reported it to Captain...er...Barrier, I think his name was?"

The stallion glanced at his wife once more, who nodded in confirmation yet didn't move her head from where it was positioned facing the window, letting her better watch the work going on outside.

"Right. Yes. Well, Captain Barrier told us he conducted a search, but failed to find anything. At that point, we were quite relieved to have Darkest gone, so we simply let it go."

Light Night shrugged easily once more, levitating his cup of tea back to his lips as his face screwed up in casual consideration.

"To be fully frank, Your Highnesses, I have not thought about it in years. I barely remember the foal, myself. Things got much better once he was gone, after all."

---

Princess Mi Amore Cadenza of the Crystal Empire rubbed a consoling hoof across her husband's shaking withers, barely holding back her own tears as she gazed around at the gathered family. They numbered six in total, all located on various sofas spread throughout the room, though not all were sitting. Shining, for one, had practically collapsed against her, abandoning any consideration for posture in favor of better expressing his sorrow.

And what sorrow it was; Cadence's empathetic senses were practically drowning in the melancholy which permeated the room, sparing not a single member of the Sparkle family. However, one pony in particular was displaying clear confusion, mixed with denial. The pink alicorn's father-in-law, Night Light, finally spoke, in the process filling the room with the first words to be heard since the solemn announcement conducted by Twilight had ended.

"I just don't understand! How could he possibly have had a child without me noticing? I visited his manor at least once a month!" But the purple alicorn shook her head in response, absently shuffling the numerous notes she held in her magic as she answered.

"The Sisters asked every clarifying question they could think of during the interview, and both Nights were all too happy to provide the answers, so we have all the information..." She briefly scanned through her various notes before settling on one, scrutinizing it closer as she wiped what Cadence was certain was a tear out of her eye. "...in Light Night's own words:"

---

"Well, we did our utmost to keep quiet about the whole thing. We didn't want to bother anypony with a 'problem' of such little concern, after all. We really couldn't afford to, then. Socially speaking and financially speaking."

Light Night absently refilled his cup of tea, seeming to scarcely notice both princess' open-mouthed staring.

"I casted concealing spells on Stormy for the later months of the pregnancy, and we were always ready to hide him whenever guests came over."

Luna looked even more shocked at this, but Celestia found her gaze drifting ever downwards as understanding began to come upon her.

"But why on Equus would you do that?!"

Light Night seemed to have been ready for this reaction, as he was all too prepared with a self-satisfied smirk when he rolled his head around to look at the Night Princess.

"Mostly thanks to a little law that a certain princess implemented a while ago. I'm sure your sister knows what I am talking about, don't you, grandmother?"

Celestia only heard her sister's chair's legs squeal as it was violently turned around; her head had drifted too far downwards to see much of anything, let alone Luna's doubtlessly-beyond-shocked expression.

"Tia, you're related to these ponies!?"

---

Silence reigned once more for a noticeable length of time after Twilight's response. Finally, though, Princess Cadence managed to fight past her debilitating melancholy to voice a concern she'd been brewing since the encounter began its miserable course.

"How has Auntie been handling all of this? She's family too, after all." Everypony in the room perked in interest at this, while Twilight cast a longing look outside an adjacent window.

"Celestia has taken this new information the hardest, I think. Luna told me that she's been feeling a lot of guilt especially." It was that statement which finally got Shining Armor to withdraw from his misery enough to make an inquiry, still leaning heavily into his wife as he did so.

"But why would she feel guilty, of all things? What could our great-grandma have to feel guilty about?" Twilight vigorously shook her head at this, lifting her hoof in a placating gesture as she responded.

"Nothing that was her fault in the slightest, to be sure. Luna was sparse on the details, but I know the basic gist."

---

Light Night chuckled amiably upon hearing Luna's incredulous exclamation, setting both of his forehooves onto the table to lean towards the blue alicorn, all while wearing that same smirk on his face.

"Grandmother has always loved foals. She loved them so much that she wanted to raise one, so she made one herself and did so. Then, she went a step beyond that, mandating that all foals be well-taken-care of."

The stallion tilted his head ever-so-slightly to the side, enabling him to give Celestia a side-eye that somehow embodied at once both disdain and the respect he was due to give one of her status.

"It's characteristic of nobles like us to hate foals: They're messy, thankless pigs that leech off of our fortunes and offer nothing in return, after all. It is thusly not an altogether common or popular decision to have one."

Light examined his hoof, the cup of tea he had been so diligently nursing all but forgotten, now.

"Our social and financial situations were such that we legitimately could not afford to let word of his existence get out. The law which forced us to spend so many bits on him did not exactly help in that regard, seeing as certain laws are magically enforced and all that."

Luna turned to her sister at this, one eyebrow quirked in an inquisitive expression.

"Sister, if you magically enforced a law to make foals' lives better, how was Broken able to inflict so much damage? Surely his magic is nowhere near as strong as yours."

Celestia let out a pitiful sniff, though she managed to hide it to such an extent that she was certain only her sister had any chance of detecting it. The solar princess considered laying her head on the table, but knew it was not a wise idea; she had to keep up her royal persona, after all.

"Broken specialized in removing defences and obstacles, Luna. His skills weren't constrained to the battlefield, either: Anything he saw as sufficiently hindering to his progress was something he could apply his expertise to. It's what made him such an admirable Captain."

---

"Celestia always did display more interest in our side of the family, Twilight especially." Cadence's mother-in-law Twilight Velvet piped up for the first time. "It's not her fault, but I can see why that would contribute to her guilt." The room's reticence finally faded as it was filled with chatter following Velvet's statement, and the Princess of Love turned to her husband, gently pushing his head to face hers.

"How are you feeling, hun?" She knew the answer to that, of course: Her empathetic abilities allowed her to read everypony in the room like a book. Still, Cadence had learned long ago that some ponies felt much better after giving voice to their feelings, a number her Shining was part of. Said stallion gave her a pensive expression, but spoke soon enough, hastily drying his remaining tears as he did.

"Sad and depressed, of course, but I'm also feeling pretty...proud?" He looked confused at this, so the mare prompted him with a neutral:

"Oh?"

To which he nodded resolutely, shifting in place to better gaze into her eyes.

"Yeah. I keep thinking back to my battle with him. He wiped the floor with my whole team, even after we'd trained for years together. So, yeah, I'm pretty proud of him." Shining pursed his lips, sniffling just a little as he finished. "To be sure, I was proud before, but now that I know he's my cousin? I just can't wait to meet with the kid again." Cadence knit her brows together as her expression morphed into one of consternation and she leaned forward slightly.

"I don't think that's a good idea, hun. Not now, at least." The stallion slumped at this as his despondency returned with a raging vengeance, causing Cadence to rest a comforting hoof once more upon his withers, pointing with the other one.

"I'm worried about Spike. He's been silent this whole time and is feeling more confused than the rest of us put together, from what I can tell." The baby dragon was simply staring at the crystal floor, his face cast in the dark shadow of his lowered brow. He was holding something in his claws, though neither pony could see what from their current angle. A heavy sigh from Shining made the pink alicorn's gaze return to his visage, which looked the gravest she had ever seen on him.

"Cady...I'm worried about all of us, but we'll make it. We Lights persevere."

She nodded, and the two embraced shortly after, each taking comfort in the other's presence as they pondered the implications of this new information.

---

"You've been inconsistent with your words this whole time! Why are you trying to confuse us thus?"

Luna had finally had enough of Light Night's vacillating story, but he seemed not to share that opinion, considering his response.

"I know not what you mean, princess. Would you be so magnanimous as to explain?"

The Night Princess huffed, blowing steam from her nostrils as she resisted the urge to point an accusatory hoof.

"You say having a child wasn't a problem of much import, but then you state that your life as a whole became much worse when he was around! Why contradict yourself?"

The stallion opened his muzzle to interject, but Luna clearly wasn't finished.

"And then you explain how you were forced to spend what little bits you had on your child, but that you never once told anypony of his existence! Did you not believe my sister would assist your situation, even considering how much she loves foals?"

Light pursed his lips, his gaze dropping down to his empty mug as the alicorn made her final point.

"How did your 'situation', as you call it, even become so bad in the first place?! You're a direct grandson of royalty! Every noble in Canterlot should be doing all the brown-nosing they can to you!"

Silence reigned supreme as Luna caught her breath, panting slightly from the outburst. Finally, however, the unicorn noble cast yet another glance toward his wife--who was still staring out the window, sitting unmoved and unfettered--before responding.

"Listen, your majesty. Regardless of what I tell you today, one thing remains the same: We are the victims in this scenario, and are thus not liable for punishment of any kind. Perhaps we did not do all we could to find our child, but we were hardly criminal in our conduct towards him."

Light Night smirked, boldly staring Celestia's sister straight in the eyes as he continued.

"I majored in law, so I know my rights. We did not have to come here, today. I did not need to tell you anything, especially considering the tragedy I've gone through. Luckily for you, I was generous enough to supply you with some information, despite the trauma I have doubtlessly suffered from this whole ordeal."

He could not possibly have stated this less convincingly, but in reading his visage through the mist about her eyes, Celestia speedily determined that he was, in fact, not likely the perpetrator of any misdoing. Light's emotions were a swirling mixture of many flavors, but noticeably absent from that blend was any especially incriminating feelings. Triumph, fear, anxiety, shame, or anything like them were what she was looking for, but never found.

All told, her grandson seemed every bit as calm as he would have her believe, and her rising suspicions soon faded away entirely.

Fortunelessly, Celestia never once noticed the satisfied smirk adorning Stormy Night's face.

Or the quiet chuckle emitting from her muzzle.

---

"Don't you find it weird?"

Cadence swiveled her head to make eye contact with her husband, cocking an inquisitive eyebrow as she did. The two were currently aimlessly wandering through the many halls of Twilight's crystal castle, both deep in thought and silent until now. The gathering had been disbanded several minutes prior in efforts to let everypony process the information.

"Find what weird, hun? The fact that my cousin can manipulate reality itself or that he spent his life being tortured for evil purposes?" Shining deflated at this, but not enough that he gave up on whatever it was he was pursuing. The pink alicorn couldn't help but detect the sense of suspicion radiating off her husband like rays from the sun. I'm not sure I like where this is going.

"It's just...well, I feel like..." The stallion faltered for a moment, but soon picked up once more, gesturing vaguely with a hoof. "You know me, Cadence. I spent years in the guard, training diligently to..." He dropped off once more, and the mare found herself wanting to lighten the mood, if even by a small amount.

"...To try and win my affections?" Shining snorted in surprise and stopped short, enabling Cadence to sneak a peck on his cheek, grinning wryly the whole while. He soon recovered, though, and offered a playful smile in response.

"Heh, I just couldn't keep my real motivation hidden, could I?" His smile dropped then, allowing his dour expression to return with a vengeance. "Something about this doesn't feel right to me. Doesn't it seem so...convenient?" Cadence's quirked eyebrow made a triumphant return, something that was happening so often recently that she worried it might become permanent.

"Convenient how?" This caused her husband to begin pacing, likely trying desperately to organize his thoughts in an understandable manner.

"It's just...Darkest being related to us...I mean, think about it." Shining looked up in time to catch his wife's excellent deadpan expression, though the corners of her mouth were attempting to drift up into another smile.

"That's all I've been doing for the past few hours, hun." The stallion rolled his eyes and huffed annoyedly, returning to his near-frantic pacing.

"It means he's now directly related to all four alicorns in Equestria. I bet you nearly any noble in all of Canterlot would kill for that kind of political weight." Cadence squinted at this, pursing her lips as her expression became increasingly dangerous.

"Just what are you implying, Shining?" He jolted upon noticing her demeanor, his own showcasing the growing turmoil taking place in his mind.

"Look, I don't know, but something about this is fishy. I stole a glance at Twilight's notes on the way out, and something my uncle said caught my attention." The mare sighed heavily, her wings fluttering in an expression of her unease.

"And just what was that, exactly?"

---

Minutes later and after a slew of other clarifying questions, the interview was officially over and the princesses bid farewell to their guests.

As they were departing, however, one half of a whispered conversation from her grandson caught Celestia's attention, one of her ears flicking backwards to better catch it.

"What do you mean, 'he wasn't pure white?' Are you saying they have the wrong colt?"

Stormy Night apparently had a far better grasp of an alicorn's hearing ability, as her response was inaudible, but luckily Light's speech was still loud enough to be heard.

"'You remember his coat being purple?' Dark purple? Like a dark night? I fail to see how that's relevant."

Celestia's weary head cocked to the side as she wondered if she had misheard the question.

"You are correct. That is strange."

---

Starlight Glimmer was correct, which was pretty strange: Ponyville was in near-prime condition after a mere day of work and the residents did not, in fact, seem all too troubled to have Darkest wandering around.

Quite the opposite, in truth.

The unicorn's anxiety found itself on a steady rise as he was continuously beset by concerned looks and worried glances. Several townsponies even approached him outright, though thankfully they retreated upon noticing his shying away in response. This was exceedingly fortunate, for if the crowd around Darkest grew any more dense, he would likely lose control of himself in the panic that would follow. I am beginning to believe this mission to not be such a good idea. Faust knows what kind of havoc Knight would wreak if he were to regain control.

Somepony's there.

Ah, there he goes with his nonsensical statements, serving only to fortify my point. Yes, Knight, somepony is there. There are quite a few ponies around, if you had not noticed. Darkest would have rolled his eyes were they not preoccupied in the act of watching those selfsame ponies around him, ensuring none came too close or tried anything undesirable. He was currently roaming the streets of Ponyville in a quest to satisfy two missions: Find one of his friends, and formally apologize to every pony he met. The hope in completing the latter directive was that the citizens of the town decided not to punish him too badly in any way and chose to do so long enough for the former goal to be finished.

Rainbow Dash had been escorting Darkest through town earlier, ensuring his safety as he examined the damage for himself. She had insisted he do so, claiming that he would not feel nearly as bad after seeing for himself just how underwhelming the effects of his rampage actually were. Her assurances had rung true, something he was still processing at the moment, but that was hardly the foremost thought present in his mind. Rainbow had left after a while, explaining that she needed to 'take care of some business' and instructing Darkest to remain in one location.

The colt had possessed every possible intent to do as she ordered, but that had been some hours ago and he was becoming quite concerned.

Somepony's there.

The continually nonsensical insistences of Knight^__which had been present nearly all throughout his travels in Ponyville that day^__hardly helped matters. Who is there, Knight?! Would you possibly ever find it within yourself to become helpful by even the slightest margin?

The alleys.

What do you mean, 'the alleys'? What do they have to do with anything? Movement from an exceptionally short pony caught Darkest's attention and he swiftly turned to face the filly he quickly recognized as Scootaloo. The colt edged away slightly upon sighting her, but soon stopped and instead cocked his head to the side when he further observed her actions.

Scootaloo was dressed in a peculiar-looking yellow vest, detaching herself from a filly-sized wagon, which seemed to be carrying a whole load of irregularly-shaped flat stones. Darkest grew steadily more intrigued the longer he watched her set to work, noting especially her drooping posture and resigned, miserable frown. Well, she is one of the ponies I must apologize to, and there are enough witnesses around that I should be insured against violent actions. The citizens of Ponyville seemed to be keeping quite the diligent eye on him, if their tilted heads and none-too-discreet side-eyeing was indeed any indication.

Darkest felt at once both assured and anxious in knowing he was being so thoroughly watched, but there was no time to process those emotions, for he was already trotting up to the orange filly. She seemed not to notice his approach in any capacity, indeed not paying attention to anything save her labor. The unicorn halted once he was but a few feet away while the pegasus continued to work, tiresomely lifting one stone at a time from the wagon to place it in the depression she had stopped next to.

"Er, salutations, good Scootaloo. Might I humbly enquire what it is you are accomplishing at the moment?" The filly did not so much as turn to face him, her shoulders bobbing in a heavy sigh as she responded. Darkest quirked an eyebrow at the pure defeat he detected in her tone, the incessant flame of his curiosity blazing hotter the longer this encounter continued.

"Oh...it's you." Scootaloo sighed once more before grunting quietly as she heaved yet another stone from the wagon, sending it toppling into the hole. "Hi...I guess." The colt had to strain his hearing to even register her mumbling, and stood there awkwardly as silence proceeded to dominate their surroundings. A glance around revealed the nearby townsponies stopped in place, attempting to discreetly watch the two interact. A white-coated spiky-maned unicorn (Vinyl...Scrape...I think her name was?) was even whistling casually in efforts to distract from her watch. This is...certainly not the most comfortable thing in the world, but it does work to mine advantage.

The. Alleys.

Now is most assuredly not the time, Knight! Be silent, please, as I am attempting to think productively. Darkest coughed unsurely, absently rubbing his foreleg with a hoof as his gaze dropped to the miniature crater Scootaloo was filling. That is doubtlessly your doing, Knight, so if you would kindly cease your unhelpful muttering, I would be much obliged. Fortunately, this seemed to quiet the unicorn's instincts long enough to enable him to make another inquiry, which he did with notable timidness.

"Would you like some assistance in your efforts, good madame? You seem to be struggling with...er...whatever it is that you are doing." Still, the filly refused to face him, something that served to strengthen his feeling of unease. She did shake her head, however, and her ears pinned to the back of it when she mumbled her response.

"No thanks. That's not allowed, cuz I'm doing community service." Darkest nodded at this, though he did not especially know why. Well now, it is high time this interaction is finalized, methinks. He coughed stiffly once more, the discomfort of the situation not escaping either foal's attention.

"Well, then I must offer you my most sincere apology for mine actions of yesterday. Good evening to you, Scootaloo." With that he turned to leave, but stopped in his tracks when the filly abruptly spun to face him. Her depressed demeanor seemed to have been traded completely for one of confusion. Her befuddlement was so intense that she failed entirely to notice the flattened stone she had been carrying fall from her back and into the hole.

Watch out.

For what, Knight? Falling objects? I sincerely doubt that to be the danger of highest import, presently. Darkest nervously eyed the orange filly as she took a step closer, her head cocked to the side and her face screwed up in consternation. Mayhap I did something to offend her? Should I apologize? Again?

"Why're you saying sorry?" Scootaloo asked, her tone consisting of mainly confusion with hints of indignance, though knowing this hardly helped the colt's skyrocketing unease with the situation.

He let out a nervous chuckle in response, his eyes flickering madly about in search of an answer to the nonsensical question. She asks why I am apologizing? Was she not present when I threw her friend in a hole? Thankfully, the filly seemed to read his inability to respond easily enough and chose to elaborate rather than expect an answer. "You didn't do anything wrong! My friends and I were the ones who fed you a potion!" Scootaloo gestured vividly at the wagon she had been hitched to and the vest she was wearing, her indignance becoming increasingly prevalent. "That's why I'm the one filling up the holes!"

Darkest pinned his ears and took a few steps away from her, thoroughly unnerved by her increased volume. Several adjacent townsponies looked about to intervene, which would offer a suitable distraction for the colt to get away. Mayhap I should escape into a nearby alley? Those have always served me well.

WATCH. OUT.

Suddenly, the energy which seemed to fill the young pegasus drained away, leaving her previous despondence to return with several times its past strength. Her head drooped toward the floor once more as she turned to pick up the stone she had dropped.

"I shouldn't be talking to you, but you should know that I'm sorry. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. Just...it's not your fault, okay?" An abrupt white flash and loud bang from her direction was the final nail in the proverbial coffin, causing Darkest to speedily backpedal away from the interaction.

Idiotically, he did this without so much as a glance behind him, so it was to nopony's surprise when he impacted the side of an innocent passerby. The citizen looked none too pleased and in fact rather incensed at the collision, from what Darkest could make out through his frantic tears.

THE ALLEYS THE ALLEYS SOMEPONY'S THERE WATCH OUT PLEASE STOP.

The colt's thoughts soon became an unending downward spiral of confusion and fear and anger and countless other emotions and it was so dreadfully awful that he only wanted it to stop and it seemed like there was something affecting his mind and actually wait no there was lots of things affecting that and-

Rainbow Dash!

All kinds of colors blurred and ran together around him, but he would recognize that mane anywhere. Better yet, it was tucked into a safe, secure location: An alley just ahead.

NO! NOT THE ALLEYS!

The only reasonable thing to do was go straight back to her.

There was a problem, though: Dash was unconscious.

She did not respond when he collapsed into her side, tearfully trying to nudge her awake.

Somepony else did, however: A tall, dark blue figure who loomed overhead, a wicked grin adorning her face.

Blackness.

---

Incredible.

Truly astounding.

Ponyville is a whole town completely dedicated to assisting with undoing her work.

That isn't the amazing part, though.

The astonishing part is how easy it had been to make off with her colt.

Part of him^__the part she had created, she was sure^__had detected her.

She was worried little Knighty wouldn't come to her.

That he wouldn't come home to his maker.

His true master.

But she was wrong.

He had come

crawling

back, and now they are together again.

She'd had to use some underhoofed methods, including some long-range manipulation of his adorable mind.

It is worth it, though. All the trouble she's gone through is worth it.

The Great Saddle Arabian Union's new superweapon is slung safely over her withers, his little body giving off a pleasant warmth.

He is unconscious, of course, and kept in a little bag to boot.

One can never be too cautious, after all.

She giggles as she approaches her ride out, nearly bouncing from pure joy.

The future is looking just...

...so...

bright.

And there is good fun to be had.

But first, she needs to redo all the work she had put into her colt, all those years ago.

The Ponyvillians had made good progress, after all.

Progress that will need undoing, which will take some effort.

She grins.

She is looking forward to it.

Knight Breaks

Darkness.

He found it a not altogether unfamiliar feeling, and in fact quite enjoyed the removal of light. He was named after darkness, after all, despite how nonsensical that was, considering his coat's color. Darkest rather liked the black, finding it a consoling presence that served to relax and relieve his mind. The emptiness distracted from the horror of his life, offering reprieve and solace in a form he could scarcely find elsewhere.

Silence.

The quiet brought peace to Darkest, who smiled as he continued to detect nothing but it. There was an utter lack of stimulation in this place, wherever it was. Even his thoughts possessed nothing but commentary on that fact. All told, this situation was as calming and peaceful as could be; a limbo of sorts where he could simply exist and do nothing else. So why is it that I feel a prevailing sense that something is amiss?

Sound.

As far as deaths go, the reticence's was not an altogether noticeable one. It was broken only by the soft sound of sobbing, which emerged from somewhere behind the unicorn. Darkest's ears twitched and trembled before he slowly moved his head to face that direction, spotting a figure in the far distance.

Upon sighting this shape, the colt felt a distinct sense of familiarity. He soon knew why.

In an instant, the form that had been so very far away was there, just before Darkest. This caused him to let out a small gasp as he instinctively stepped back. With the newfound proximity came the ability to better observe the figure, which heaved and tensed occasionally as it continued to weep.

Its dark purple coat was painted in splotches of red, spread randomly throughout its small body but most prominent in its tail and hind section. It was curled into a tight ball, covering its head with its tiny hooves, though not sufficiently that Darkest was prevented from seeing the abnormally-long horn adorning it.

Lastly, the figure's name was Dark Night, though Darkest knew not where he had gathered that information from.

Hoofsteps to his immediate left made the colt turn there, enabling him to see yet another pony come into being mere feet away. Darkest's eyes bulged when they made contact with the newcomer's, which formed into a glare when he spoke with great trepidation.

"Knight...?" The new pony was an exact carbon copy of Darkest, with the same proportions, size, and coloration that he possessed. Knight even carried himself in a near-identical defensive slouch, though his was even more pronounced than the former's. Knight was scowling at Darkest with more intensity than he'd ever been known to show, which served to make the present situation even stranger.

Darkest was taken aback at first, but speedily became more indignant and confused as he studied his surroundings, giving a raised eyebrow to his mental partner. Knight is the last force I should be frightened of! It is indeed time I received some answers.

"Knight...what is happening at the moment? Where in the wide world of Equus are we located? How is it that you are standing before me?" But the white colt only glowered harder, trembling with what had to be anger instead of fear, for once. Knight spoke, with an altogether disgusted curl to his lips present as he did so.

"Darkest. You've messed up."

The unicorn in question spluttered in disbelief, taking a few steps toward his partner, who stood firm, unmoving. A sidelong glance at the purple form a few feet away revealed it also doing so, having not changed in its actions whatsoever. It looked excessively pitiful, laying there in such a helpless position. What was more, it could not have been more than half Darkest's size, likely only as tall as his hocks standing up. The colt shook his head lightly and returned his attention to his other, giving him a deadpan expression.

"Really, Knight? I did wrong? And who was it that rampaged through two separate cities, assaulting royalty in the process? I seem to have forgotten, so would you be so kind as to remind me?" Knight did not visibly react to this jab, save for a barely-noticeable growth in his incensed squint. Darkest scoffed in response, gesturing vaguely with a foreleg as he stared straight into his twin's white eyes. "I am not the one who killed a pony, Knight. That was you."

This seemed to get through to Knight, whose grimace took on a more pained quality as he finally averted his gaze, dipping his head slightly in a show of remorse. Darkest's triumphant grin was only present for a split second before it faded away, replaced by a puzzled expression as he once more regarded the purple foal.

"That's us."

Darkest blinked in nonunderstanding upon hearing Knight's pronouncement, both white colts having taken to studying the smaller, more vibrant one.

"It's us...before SHE did HER things."

Darkest coughed awkwardly, giving a look of pure apprehension to his double, whose expression appeared as a mix of various emotions. Darkest opened his muzzle to let out a retort, but was speedily interrupted by-

NO! BAD THINGS! EVIL WARM BIG PONY BAD THINGS!

He dove for cover as the intense screaming filled his pinned ears, coming from everywhere yet nowhere at once. Darkest lit his horn to form a protective barrier about himself. Seconds passed with nothing but silence, and Darkest tentatively lifted his hooves from his face to observe the outside world. It was still black, with that same tiny foal sobbing in a ball and Knight still standing, unmoved. Knight pursed his lips in an impatient expression as he lit his horn, the barrier falling away soon after.

"That was what SHE did to me. To us."

Darkest creased his brows, now feeling quite distressed as the situation became increasingly less sensical.

"Knight, what are you talking about? Who is this 'she' you speak of? I do not comprehend your words!" Knight shook his head in agitation, beginning to pace the area as those words' vigor intensified.

"You've messed up, Darkest! SHE has us now! You took us straight into HER hooves!"

The purple-coated foal spoke up then, but did not shift position, speaking in a blubbering, tear-strained and high-pitched voice.

"NO! BAD! PLEASE NO!"

"What is happening?!" Darkest demanded, anxiously eyeing his surroundings in search of whatever nonsensical voice would scream next. The blackness of the world they had found themselves in was beginning to brighten, turning into a dark grey, then lighter grey, then approaching white.

"We'll wake soon. We need to go. Get back to our friends."

"Leave?? But I do not even know where I am!" The space's coloration shifted to white immediately after Darkest's pronouncement, leaving the only stimulation that of the echoes of screams and hysterical cries as everything else faded away until...

---

Darkness.

Darkest took heaving breaths as he stood from his laying position, spinning in place to observe his new surroundings. There was black, yes, but its was not nearly so perfect as that which came before. Besides from that, the colt could detect a highly strange shifting motion, as though the ground itself was rocking on its hooves. Finally, he heard the faintest hint of trickling rain from somewhere in the distance, as well as the occasional sharp crack of thunder.

Strange. I do not usually have the opportunity to be in control after awakening. But Darkest took only a moment to appreciate the novelty of this before focusing on the matter at hoof. He turned in place a few times, taking especial notice of what small sections of the room were illuminated by the flecks of light coming from what seemed to be a closed door.

"Hello, Darkest."

The colt jolted sharply, his eyes bulging as the most exotic voice he had ever heard greeted his unprepared ears. What...in the name of all that is good in this world is her accent?! What was more, the words seemed to come from everywhere at once, reverberating in a manner such that he could not locate their source. Hoofsteps then began to echo throughout the chamber, each one far enough apart from the other that it suggested quite a sizable individual.

It's HER!

NO!

BIG PONY!

What on Equus are you speaking of?! Darkest mentally demanded, his breathing increasing in pace as his thoughts became more and more scattered.

We need to leave. NOW!

"Who...are you?" Asked the colt, his usual eloquence all but staunched entirely by his confusion. The voice chuckled deeply, though he received an inexplicable impression that it belonged to a female.

"I'm not surprised you don't remember me. That was the whole point, after all."

Her words were silken, her tone amiable^__even affectionate^__in a strange sort of way. There was nothing about the voice to so much as suggest a hint of anger or other dangerous emotions. It was even comparable to that of Fluttershy's, though the accent rather hindered the resemblance.

So why was every hair on Darkest's coat standing on end? Why were Knight and whatever other creatures residing in his head sent into a raving frenzy from hearing her speak?

DARKEST! GET! OUT!

The unicorn clutched at his head as a sharp pain flared within it, grimacing in reaction. He still saw it, though: A small flash of white, emitting from a few feet to his left.

"Aww, is your little head giving you some trouble? Here, let me help, so we can have a little chat."

Silence.

Well, mental silence, at the very least. Darkest breathed a sigh of relief as the headache cleared, lowering his hoof to the ground. He coughed a few times, tentatively waiting for something else to batter his psyche, but felt relieved when the peaceful silence continued.

"Er...thank you, miss. May I ask your name?" The unicorn asked more out of obligation than anything, anxiously searching for any trace of her figure. Clearly, something is not right, here. I must conduct myself with due caution. Channeling mana into his horn created a dim light that revealed his immediate vicinity, though nothing of note was in it.

"My...compatriots...call me 'Colza'. I admit, it is rather on the nose, but it should suffice for now."

Darkest's face scrunched, but he decided to let the matter go. There were far more important things to be worried about, such as just where the nearest exit was, as well as what Colza had done to silence his racing thoughts. The colt began stepping carefully forward, searching for the door he had seen earlier while warily watching for any signs of danger. He stumbled as the ground gave a sudden lurch, frowning as an errant thought made its way to the forefront of his mind. Am I...moving? In some manner of vehicle?

"I must say, Darkest, I'm very happy to see you again. You were so little when last we met."

The white unicorn twisted his head wildly in attempts to pinpoint her location, but Colza's voice seemed to bounce everywhere and remained impossible to track. From the corner of his eye, he saw yet another flash of white light emitting from his left, rather high up as well. Darkest spun to face that direction, his hooves dragging across the carpeted floor as he backed away from it.

"Knight recognized you, yet I do not. This is not usually the case, seeing as we are the same pony. Do you happen to know why?" Darkest's voice quivered as he spoke, his eyes frantically darting every which way in attempts to spot that white flash again. This blasted darkness! If I could just see what is happening, I would be significantly better off.

"Of course I know, my colt. I made Knight, after all."

This made Darkest freeze in his tracks, his jaw dropping straight to the floor as he stared blankly into the distance. Colza giggled, the heavy hoofsteps resuming as she continued to speak.

"You were such a spry little thing. Highly disobedient, always making escape attempts, outsmarting all of Broken's workers on the daily."

An acute sense of dread formed in the pit of Darkest's stomach and he found his backpedaling increasing in speed as the feeling persisted, growing stronger with each word the mare spoke.

"Broken knew that his^__admittedly considerable^__skills weren't enough to take you on. You were just too smart, persistent, and adorable for him to work with, despite his efforts. So, he called in a favor."

Pressure began building up in Darkest's skull amid another white flash, spots appearing in his limited vision as his rump made contact with a solid wall. The ground lurched again, sending him crashing to the floor and scrambling to stand once more, all but hyperventilating now.

"I made some changes to your self. Improvements, to be sure. The perfect white you are now is much better than the ugly purple you were before. You should thank me and my magic for that."

Darkest slipped on a piece of fabric, slamming to the ground once more as all sense of equilibrium was lost amid the floor's indecisive shifting. Further observation of the fabric under his dim horn light revealed it to be a blanket, one embroidered with pictures of animals and happy ponies. A foal's blanket, to be sure, though Darkest did not have much experience with those.

"I took away all the naughty stuff. I do so love to reshape destinies, after all. Your cutie mark is from me, did you know that? It was probably originally going to be much different, but that wouldn't suit anycreature's needs at all."

The night of the Gala! Darkest realized amid the faint screaming beginning to re-enter his mind and the rapid white flashes he was starting to recognize as a strange form of magic. Knight was spluttering all sorts of nonsense about 'big ponies' and 'taking'. It was what got me captured by HIM!

"Your deepest instincts, impulses, will to survive, what have you. I had a field day rearranging it all to make your mind simply perfect. Well, that and the other...activities...we got up to together, which certainly helped my efforts."

Finally, Darkest stood up and took off to the direction he thought was where the door was and smashed straight into another wall and that was painful but there was no time to focus on that because he had to leave and go somewhere else and find his friends and it was getting hard to think and breathe and live and why were there so many flashing lights-

"And look! Now we're together again! Aren't we, Knight?"

NO!

NO!

NOO!!

Knight tried to scream. Knight couldn't scream, something was stopping it. Knight lit his horn, channeling his mana faster than he ever had before in his ten years of life. Knight couldn't cast a barrier.

Something was stopping it.

"Silly Knighty. We're on an airship, you know. It's called the Invincible Wraith, and it's the finest ship Saddle Arabia has ever produced."

Knight tried to form a shield. To keep him safe. To stop HER from HER things.

WHY WON'T IT WORK?!

"Because we're moving forward at a really fast rate, Knighty! And you need to concentrate on one spot in order to make shields, isn't that right?"

The space around Knight kept changing. Moving backwards faster than he could bring anything into reality. Like a train, but even faster.

"Of course, Darkest would be smart enough to form shields in front of him, but you were never that bright, were you, Knighty? That's what I love about you."

NO! GO! NOW!

I NEED SHIELDS!!

BIG PONY!!!

"Now then, let's have some fun, shall we? I have some things I need to see to."

Light flooded the bedroom as the switch was flipped. Knight saw HER face. Blue, big, and grinning mischievously.

Seductively.

Mutilate.

"I think I'll start with that nasty little charm you're under. Sound good? Good."

Knight screamed.

---

Where is he?

The cream-coated mare darted through the streets of Ponyville, scanning every possible location and hiding spot as she went in search of somepony in particular.

The highly suspicious character had vanished suddenly from her careful watch some minutes prior. The mare had been worried, but tried to reassure herself with the knowledge of how many other ponies there were around. This was not to even speak of Rainbow Dash, an Element of Harmony and capable martial artist in her own right, who had been escorting the pony around.

The interaction with the suspicious equine had been unnerving, sure, but Special Agent Sweetie Drops had seen far worse.

Now, though, her carefully-maintained emotions were beginning to slip through the cracks due to one simple fact:

Neither Dash or Darkest were anywhere to be found.

What was more, nopony knew where they'd went, so far as Sweetie had gathered.

So there she was, galloping through the many crevices in Ponyville, desperately trying to bite back the anxious feeling that something was horribly, terribly wrong.

There!

Tracks. Non-cloven, recent. About five inches wide. Small traces of pinkish sand where the frog would be.

Sweetie Drops knew tracks. She could read them like books. She also knew from several excursions there that nearly all Saddle Arabians ritually coated their hooves in a magical saltlike substance rather than wear horseshoes. Apparently, such a course of action held an array of health benefits for one living in a desert, but that wasn't what the agent was focused on at the moment.

Bingo.

The earth pony followed the tracks in their winding path through several less-used alleys, her nose nearly touching the ground as she squinted to see them in the fading light. They beelined straight for another section of the town, weaving around areas the mare knew were often more populated. Abruptly, though, they disappeared right after signs of conflict in a wider portion of the alley, but their nonexistence was hardly the most notable thing about the area.

"Rainbow Dash?!"

The cyan pegasus groaned, her eyelids fluttering softly as Sweetie's hushed exclamation reached her twitching ears. Dash seemed to just barely be awakening, likely from unconsciousness caused by blunt-force trauma, if the swollen lump on her head was any indication. The agent lunged forward, gently pulling the prismatic-maned mare to her hooves while scanning the area for any other clues as to what occurred there.

There were a million and one questions running through Sweetie's mind, but her trained discipline bade her ask the one of highest importance first.

"Dash, where's Darkest?" The pegasus coughed dryly, gagging slightly as she smacked her lips together a few times.

"Whuh?" The agent wanted to roll her eyes, but the exponentially increasing sense of urgency she was feeling made her do otherwise. Sweetie deliberately clutched the Wonderbolt's shoulders, pressing their noses together to stare directly into her dazed cerise eyes.

"Rainbow Dash, Darkest. Knight. Where is he?" The cyan mare blinked blankly a few times before her gaze abruptly sharpened and she pulled away, rubbing the lump on her head with a forehoof.

"I...uh...told him to stay put near A.J.'s stand while I took care of something. Why? Is he not there anymore?" Sweetie stamped down the urge to prance in an anxious circle, merely frowning instead as she bowed her head to search for some other clues.

"You were supposed to take care of him! Why did you leave your post?" Dash blinked rapidly, giving the agent a raised eyebrow and puzzled frown.

"My 'post'? Bon Bon, this is Ponyville! What could possibly happen?" The cream-coated mare froze in shock, staring blankly at the clueless pegasus before her.

Did...she really just say that?

"Dash, what's the last thing you remember?"

'What the buck has gotten into your thick, dumb skull?' Was the question she wanted to ask, but Sweetie knew to be more productive in her questioning than that. Rainbow Dash scoffed, casually waving a foreleg around in a vague sort of gesture as she retorted impatiently.

"Well, I was about to go knock some sense into that little menace of a filly named Sweetie Belle, 'cuz I'd finally heard where she'd crawled off to after getting her miserable rump handed to her." The agent nearly let her jaw drop in pure surprise, but kept her visage in a careful neutral as she internally processed this information.

Dash really isn't herself right now. Could it be leftover effects from being knocked out? This seems too drastic for that. "Well, I was taking a shortcut through this alley when this blue lady just up and jumped me! She swatted me out of the sky like some sort of beanpole!"

Suddenly, several things clicked into place in Sweetie's mind and she leapt to her hooves, nodding to herself as she made the last connections. Of course: Saddle Arabian sorcery, renowned for its mind-bending powers. Still a form of magic, though, so if there was just somepony who could track it to its source...

"We need to find Twilight. Now." Dash jumped slightly upon hearing her stony proclamation, taking to the air with a few errant flaps of her wings. The pegasus opened her muzzle to respond, but Sweetie Drops was already sprinting into the streets at full tilt, leaving her to trail aimlessly behind, likely still quite confused about the situation.

There: Just ahead. She wasn't Twilight, but time was short enough that Starlight would have to suffice. We might be too late by now. That creep could have taken Darkest several miles away just walking at this point, considering her height. We gotta hurry.

Starlight Glimmer (Professional therapist, fellow friend to Darkest Knight, highly adept magic user capable of long-distance teleportation) was oddly enough the only other pony to be seen anywhere nearby. What was more, though, was that the unicorn hardly seemed surprised when Sweetie Drops came skidding to a halt in front of her, instead taking a few steps forward.

"Bon Bon! Did you feel it, too? I think something’s wrong with Darkest, but I don’t know what it is. Do you know where he’s at?" The cream-coated mare shook her head in impatience, leaning forward to make direct eye contact while ignoring her pounding heart and fast breathing.

"Starlight, Darkest has been foalnapped by a blue-coated Saddle Arabian mare who was spotted in town earlier. You need to track her magical traces so we can get him back. Now."

Whether it was due to the high stress of the situation or whatever other factors, the command came out resembling a mission report from the agent's days of active duty. Still, it got the point across, and Sweetie watched as Starlight made the very same connections she had in the span of a second. Both mares' ears twitched as they heard a dull thud from the ground to their side, both turning to glance at Dash, who had collapsed to the floor in a pile of disbelief.

"What!?"

They ignored the dumbfounded pegasus, though, and Starlight gave a resolute nod after processing the information in a downright admirable span of time.

"Which street are we going to?" The unicorn asked, her horn lighting with a brilliant cerulean glow. The agent was quick to relate to her the exact coordinates, and with a flash of intense magic the three were back in the alley. Starlight immediately set to work on casting whatever spell was needed to trace exotic magical signatures, her horn occasionally letting out a deep thrum of pure power. It's a hard spell, that much I remember.

"This way!" Starlight called out before turning and galloping full tilt through several other back alleys, the newly-recovered Rainbow Dash quickly following suit, with Sweetie Drops right on her tail. They passed groups of civilians on the way, some of which seemed highly concerned and about to ask why they were sprinting so fast, but there was no time for any of that. I doubt they'd be able to help much, anyway. Not with this.

The inexplicable sense of urgency was now shared by all three mares, such that Dash evidently grew tired of Starlight's slower unicorn pace. To the unicorn's credit, she merely let out a small snort upon being hoisted up and shifted straight from leading the way to pointing with her horn rather seamlessly.

Sweetie Drops tapped into her carefully-curated mana pool, magically increasing her pace so to keep up with Rainbow's flying. The three continued like that for a sizable length of time, eventually making their way out of Ponyville and into the grassy hilled that bordered it.

Abruptly, Starlight gave a mighty spasm, nearly making Dash drop her as she clutched at her horn. Sweetie once more skidded to a halt as the pegasus came in for a landing , worriedly eyeing the blinking unicorn, who rubbed at her head as the magic around her horn faded away.

"Whew. There's...a lot more magical residue in this area, for some reason. I'm almost getting the feeling that something...massive was here." Upon hearing her words, the agent set to work, easily identifying countless hints as to what was once in that same spot.

Flattened grass, pressed down by a force so great that it was only now beginning to spring up again. Small piles of tossed dirt, suggesting some form of anchor. Finally, those traces of pink sandy material were concentrated in one area, having permanently burned into the grass from whatever reaction occurred with it.

"An airship. One of their bigger ones, as well. Can you track its residue through the air?"

Rainbow Dash took off, pumping her wings with incredible speed as she beelined in a chosen direction. The impulsive pegasus didn't get very far, though, letting out a shout as Starlight telekinetically grabbed her tail and brought her back. Dash flailed madly, snarling at the unicorn with a great scowl adorning her features.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!? WE NEED TO GO AFTER THEM!" Dash screamed from her spot upside down in the air. Starlight's expression was of patience and understanding, yet a resolute firmness as well that Sweetie couldn't help but appreciate.

"And that's exactly what we're doing, Rainbow Dash. But first, we need to find out just where they went." The pegasus huffed angrily, but thankfully stayed put when Starlight released her, hovering anxiously in the air. The unicorn charged her horn once more, her face screwing up in concentration as she took a few steps away.

"You guys don't get it! Do you know how fast airships travel? They could be hours away by now! I'm the only one who can catch up to them!" Sweetie pursed her lips at this, running the situation over and over again in her head as she calculated the different outcomes.

"Yes, but you'll never be able to take on all of them by yourself. We may need to call for reinforcements." Nopony liked that suggestion, least of all Sweetie Drops, but it was speedily becoming the only option they had. Suddenly, though, Starlight's visage lit up and she turned to the other two, her horn now blazing with an overglow.

"I have an idea! Dash, your Sonic Rainboom is tied to your mana, correct?" At the pegasus' impatient nod, she continued, excitedly switching her gaze between the two of them. "Then all you need is more mana! Bon Bon and I are happy to donate, and you might even have enough to carry the both of us!" Dash's face screwed up in consternation, and the agent found her own scrunching in a similar expression as well.

"Not that I'm opposed to the idea, but would that even work?" Starlight practically beamed in answer to the earth pony's question, her horn's spiral beginning to light up with a bright off-white glow.

"Of course it'll work! I just need to alter the mana slightly. Bon Bon, your hoof?" The mare in question held up her foreleg with no small amount of hesitance, watching with a raised brow as the unicorn's horn continued to flare with intense magic. The waves of power were getting so strong that corresponding ripples were appearing through everypony's coats, their manes and tails flapping in the arcane breeze.

Then, the agent felt it: The mana she had so rigorously maintained and trained with was leaving her body in a steady trickle, coloring the air around her hoof with a light tan aura. She resisted the powerful urge to leap away and clench every muscle in her body in response to the alien feeling, instead remaining stock still as the unicorn worked her literal magic. I can do this. For Darkest. I've been through much worse.

Mana from both non-pegasi flowed into Rainbow Dash, whose eyes widened as she felt the raw power enter her system. The process took all of several seconds, after which Starlight stumbled, wobbling on her hooves and shaking her head wildly.

Without another word, the two non-fliers were swept up by the pegasus, who was beginning to glow in several places, her wings especially. Sweetie Drops found herself balancing on Dash's back, watching with wide eyes as ethereal blue mist formed into two giant wing extensions, doubling the wingspan of her speedster friend.

"Which way?"

The agent ducked down against Dash's withers, wrapping her forelegs around her neck in preparation for the intense speed to come as Starlight's lilac hoof pointed to the southeast from her spot in Dash's forelegs. Sweetie gasped as she felt a different kind of magic flood the immediate area.

Pegasus magic, at its very finest. Specifically designed to disobey the laws of thermodynamics and motion, as well as physics in general. Rainbow Dash's mana in particular had been so finely-tuned by her constant flight practice and special talent that she was able to break the barrier holding sound itself. With even more of that mana to spare, she would have no issue doing so, even while carrying two grown mares as well.

Special Agent Sweetie Drops tried to prepare herself for the wild ride ahead, but was ultimately still intensely taken aback by the raw speed with which they traveled. Even still, one thought remained present in her mind.

I'm coming, Darkest.

She could only hope it wouldn't be too late when they arrived.

---

"And just where, exactly, are we?"

Stormy Night whipped her head around to scowl at her ignorant husband after hearing his question, motioning with her hoof in a classic 'quiet down' gesture. The stallion rolled his eyes in response, but obediently kept silent all the same, enabling them to sneak past a snoring Royal Guard.

Once they were safely past, the mare sighed in relief before dashing through an open door, beckoning her light blue lover through as well. She responded only after the two of them were through the passageway and in the chamber beyond.

"This is one of the Guard's information centers. Specifically, the one where they put all the data they found after investigating Captain Barrier's manor."

Light Night screwed his face up in consternation, his brilliant gold eyes roving the room with their signature disdain.

"Ah, I see. And why, exactly, are we here?"

Stormy made a beeline for a random file drawer, telekinetically shuffling through the papers contained within in search of anything holding particular interest.

"Because, Light, we need to read up on what Broken did to awaken our son's power. If we understand how he did it, then maybe we can replicate it."

The clueless stallion nodded blankly, moving over to one of the cabinets in obedience with his wife's gesturing. He stopped, though, when he asked one final question.

"And...why would we want to do that?"

Stormy Night sighed, rolling her eyes for the umpteenth time at her husband's forgetfulness. It was days like these when she regretted messing with his mind; the strategies she'd learned from her time in Saddle Arabia sometimes worked too well.

Still, it was worth it to have such a submissive, easily-influenced partner. If not for the mental manipulation, there would have been no possible way to weasel their way out of suspicion during the Sisters' interview.

"Just don't worry about it, Light. Search for anything of interest. You'll know it when you see it. "

With a white flash of Stormy's horn, Light Night jolted, his pupils shrinking as he nodded with unnatural stiffness.

"Yes, ma'am."

What a good little puppet.

b r o k e n

The mission is going perfectly.

Dune, proud commander of the Union's Finest, stoically observes the goings-on of the main deck from his spot in the captain's quarters. His many soldiers work as a well-oiled machine, ensuring their flight goes as smoothly as can be expected through a storm such as this. The Invincible Wraith is a difficult airship to manage, but the crew does so with an efficiency that makes even the gruff leader glow with pride.

He had been skeptical when this mission was proposed, unsure of how powerful one Equestrian colt could actually be, even considering the stories about the devastation wreaked in Canterlot. Still, Colza had persuaded him and his superiors, leading to where they are today, heading back after a perfectly-executed mission.

To be sure, foalnapping is rather deplorable, but Dune finds the present war situation bad enough that he's willing to try just about anything. All the risks involved in this course of action^__losing the support of Equestria as a whole being foremost among them^__pale in comparison to what rewards have been promised.

An unstoppable weapon. And all we have to do is take advantage of the work some other individual has done. What's one more cog in the machine for the sake of the Union?

A knock at his door gains Dune's attention, causing him to turn and speak with a deep, gravelly voice.

"Enter."

The door opens, revealing the Finest's only remaining private, who stands at attention as he salutes solidly.

"Private. Have you informed Colza of our imminent landing, as you were instructed?"

The stallion gulps nervously, greatly affected by his commander's Presence. Dune raises an eyebrow as the private responds with a thousand-yard stare.

"Sir, yes, sir!"

Dune sees it in the stallion's eyes: A deep disturbed demeanor dominates his face. The private has seen something he is not meant to see and heard something he isn't meant to hear. The commander can only guess what the mare has been up to, if her obsession with the colt is indeed any indication. Colza is so engrossed with him that rumors are spreading about how she still has his blanket with her, all these years later. She has been doing her part, then. A shame I had to send the least experienced among us to interact with her, but what's done is done.

"Dismissed, private. Return to your post."

Dune will worry about the cost of therapy for the poor sap after the war is finished and Saddle Arabia is swimming in the blood of what rebels dared oppose the Great Union. The shaken private nods and turns away, leaving with a noticeable wobble in his step. The commander sighs tiredly, returning to face the window as his face slowly regains its stoic expression.

He squints, though, when he spots something beyond the airship's stern: A bright light is showing through the edges of the storm, and a rainbow-colored streak is heading straight for them. Dune's jaw drops as he finally recognizes the speeding object through his pair of binoculars.

Ponies! We've been found out!

The commander's expression hardens and he readies himself for battle, pressing the black button on his desk to engage the Invincible Wraith's intercom.

"Soldiers, to battle stations! We have company approaching on our stern! Prepare for battle!"

The Union's Finest is about to face the struggle of their lives. One might think that the low number of enemies reduces their threat level, but Dune knows better than that, when Equestrians are concerned.

If they only sent three, then they think that's all they'll need.

All too soon, the ponies land.

---

They landed with fury.

Rainbow Dash felt more alive than ever, speedily depositing her passengers and rushing to the nearest enemy, landing a flying kick straight to the jerk's jaw.

Starlight Glimmer immediately set to firing off high-power beams of magic, sending scores of assailants flying and covering her two allies with ranged support.

Bon Bon hit the ground rolling, dashing forth to meet the first wave of soldiers head-on, striking out with fiery passion and earth pony strength to land devastating blows.

The equines of Saddle Arabia were reduced to mere cannon fodder under the Equestrian onslaught. The ponies' magic was simply too potent for their comparatively meager resistance. All three mares were masters of their mana in all but name, having practiced and cultivated it for untold years.

Pegasus magic allowed control over wind currents and air pressure, giving Dash the ability to bring tornadoes and bolts of lightning to bear at will.

Unicorn magic was as versatile as it was volatile, allowing Starlight to not only cast offensive spells, but also slow the enemy's reflexes and lend power to her companions.

Earth Pony magic afforded immense resilience and immeasurable strength to its wielders, which, combined with Bon Bon's intense training, made her a force of utter decimation in hoof-to-hoof combat.

In comparison, the Union's Finest were a collective of highly experienced equines that trained with a wide array of weapons. One thing those armaments all had in common, though, was that they were designed for battle with other members of the same species.

They simply weren't prepared to deal with mana.

In short, the fight simply wasn't meant to be, and the Saddle Arabians learned exactly why nocreature had dared to wage war with Equestria for so long.

Breathing heavily and mildly sweating, the three ponies regrouped during a pause in the onslaught, each taking note of the state of the 'battle'. The Saddle Arabians' larger forms lay in unconscious piles spread randomly throughout the deck of the airship. Somehow, the mares had managed to restrain themselves enough to avoid killing any of them, though some of the attacks had definitely come close. Hasty movement throughout parts of the airship revealed some of the soldiers still up and likely regrouping as well, having realized they had no hope of winning a straight battle.

"We need to split up." Bon Bon stated firmly, having been the first to fully regain her breath and looking her companions dead in the eyes. "Cover more ground. It's the only way to find Darkest in time." In time for what, exactly, none of the three knew, but they still felt the inexplicable sense of urgency that had been present during the last half-hour.

"Can we take them on if we separate?" Asked Starlight, her brows creasing with worry as she rubbed at her slightly-sore horn, which was steaming from the energy of her spells.

"We got most of them already." Reminded Dash as she gestured at the battlefield from where she hovered in the air, her frown relaying her impatience. "So long as none get the drop on us, we should be okay."

With affirmative nods all around, the ponies separated, rushing to different sections of the airship at their respective top speeds in search of their friend.

---

Starlight Glimmer galloped straight for the upper decks, her horn freshly charged and a battle-ready grimace adorning her face. She was running with the assumption that^__as a high-priority prisoner^__the Arabians would want to keep her patient in a higher, more defendable location. Stolen glances behind her revealed Bon Bon likely thinking along the same lines and traveling to higher decks, if on the opposite side, while Rainbow Dash headed towards the bow, presumably to search the cargo hold.

The airship^__which Bon Bon had stated was probably either the Invincible Wraith or the Indomitable Spectre on the trip here^__resembled a cross between a regular seafaring vessel and a zeppelin. The counselor found herself immensely grateful for the chance she and her fellow ponies had had to talk and strategize during the insanely-high-velocity flight. Luckily, she had remembered a spell (or rather, modified/combined a few) that let them hear one another even while traveling at supersonic speeds.

Without Bon Bon's knowledge, there's no way I'd be able to navigate this beast of a vehicle. Rising suspicions of the whereabouts a simple candymaker could obtain that information aside, Starlight was appreciative of the opportunity. Especially so when she arrived at what she now knew to be the captain's wing, deciding to search there as it was both the closest and among the most probable locations for her quarry.

A sudden chill crept down the unicorn's spine and she froze in place, her eyes bulging as she found herself unable to move. Loud hoofsteps echoed through the room she had paused in, and Starlight was just able to make out a shadowy figure entering it. Shortly after doing so, the stallion crossed into her field of view, allowing her to better assess him: Incredibly tall, with bulging muscles that seemed to want to pop out of the sandy, tannish coat which held them in while piercing, icy blue eyes regarded her in turn.

"Ah, so you are affected by my Presence, then. I'm relieved." The Saddle Arabian sat, his shoulders easily resting at twice the height of Starlight's head while a sardonic smirk formed across his muzzle. "Our magic takes much time and dedication to use, you see. I'd hate to have all my efforts nullified by one pony." The counselor struggled, glaring fiercely after finding her eyes the only part of her body able to respond to her mental commands.

The captain^__for the stripes and badges on his black uniform identified him as such^__let out a mirthless chuckle, rapping the side of Starlight's muzzle with one giant, pink-sand-covered forehoof. The unicorn gasped for air as that muzzle suddenly responded to her urging, panting for a few moments as the stallion merely sat watching her.

"You Equestrians have it so easy," he continued while the mare composed herself, "what with how you can use your magic right at birth." His smile gained a malicious quality as she remained silent, still glaring at him for all she was worth. "It's a pity that you're rendered helpless when faced with true dedication. My Presence is the most powerful form of Arabian magic possible, completely nullifying any part of your brain activity I desire. You're more trapped sitting next to me than a cockatrice's next meal is, fresh after a staring contest." Finally having had enough, Starlight raised an indignant eyebrow, channeling all the magic she possibly could.

"You think I don't know what dedication is? You think I was simply born with magical prowess?" A steady trickle of mana was all she could muster at first; a tiny stream leading from the reservoir of her inner pool and into the great chasm that was her horn. "Your ignorance knows no bounds. I've trained for the majority of my life to reach this level of skill, and there's been one driving force propelling me the whole way." That stream, though, was becoming larger with every second she thought about just why she was here. "And do you know what that is?" The commander blinked disdainfully, gesturing at her flank while doing so.

"Your special talent. Don't think I don't recognize an ancient Arcane Sigil when I see one." He squinted at her, the discomfort she felt from the action far overshadowed by gratuity for the distraction. "The Sign Of The Star is as powerful as it is mysterious. Nocreature has ever discovered its true meaning. It could easily have compelled you to train in magic, as you say." But Starlight squinted in turn, the inner stream now a rushing channel of mana as she boldly stared up at her adversary.

"Wrong. On both counts. The Sign Of The Star is powerful, yes, but only as a protector. And it wasn't what made me dedicate years of my life to the field of arcane study." She had the commander's attention now, she could tell. Oh, to be sure, his tells were hidden with near-perfect skill, but she could still detect his raised eyebrow and the subtle inward lean of his head.

She was a trained therapist, after all.

"No, what made me train so diligently was the thought of helping creatures in need." What had been a steady, tiny trickle of mana was now a raging river of raw power, beginning to fill the chasm with incredible speed. "The driving force behind my every action was the feeling^__the knowledge^__that someone out there required my help." All too soon, Starlight's horn was filled, charged with all the power it would ever need. "What gave me purpose was the thought that somewhere, creatures like you were hurting others. I'm gonna put a stop to that. Right...now."

It was over within the slightest fraction of a second. The commander had absolutely no time to react, to shut down the furious activity taking place within her brain.

Starlight Glimmer stood triumphantly over the unconscious body of her enemy, gazing down at him with no small amount of disdain. Still, time was short, so she quickly moved on (after placing magical bindings around his form, of course) to the next section of the ship, resuming her rushing gallop.

She could only hope that the small detour hadn't taken too long, and that soon, one of the three mares would find her patient.

---

"I'm going to say this one more time: Tell me. Where Darkest. Is."

She giggles easily at the repeated question, shifting in place as her rough bindings begin to irritate her coat in several places.

"I've told you before, obstacle: He's not here, anymore. I got rid of him."

The obstacle stomps in frustration and rage, snarling at her with an expression more fierce than she's seen from it.

"Don't you play games with me, you...witch. I know he's here.

The obstacle has impressive self-control, she'll give it that. Staring into its eyes, she can't help but smile daintily, deciding to finally give it more information.

It's not like that'd help, anyway.

"You don't understand: Darkest is gone. I ensured that Knight is all who remains, because I like him much better."

The obstacle takes a shocked step back, and she can practically see the cogs turning in its poor, confused head.

Oh, the things she could do to that head. They'd help her escape, to be sure.

All she needs to do is reach out with her magic...

The obstacle gives her an unimpressed look and she purses her lips in annoyance.

Right. It's immune. That's how I got captured in the first place.

"I took the liberty of removing some other things, as well. Poor Knighty was under quite a lot of manipulation from you ponies."

The obstacle looks completely shocked and she can't help but continue, a wry grin forming as she confesses her deeds.

"That charm he was under is completely gone, now. All told, he was putting his trust in a lot of things he shouldn't have."

The obstacle is beginning to look quite horrified, and her grin is gaining a more sadistic quality the longer she goes on.

Clearly, I'm defeated. This does not stop me from having some fun along the way, though.

"Oh, I've had the time of my life with that cutie. His pleading screams were just simply..."

She licks her lips.

"...delicious. And there's no hope for him or you, now! He's way too far gone!"

She giggles again^__in a slightly crazed sort of way^__as the obstacle's gaze falls to the floor, its thoughts completely silent.

"Oh, you can certainly try, but he's been broken beyond repair. Need me to spell it out for you? B, R, O, K, E, N. BRO-KEN."

From the corner of her eye, she sees a rainbow-colored streak beginning to head towards her, but she doesn't care.

She's far too engrossed in her gloating to so much as think of anything else.

"There's no undoing my work now! You're too late! I finished up just as you arrived! Oh, and I had the most fun possible while doing it. I don't think there's anything mo-"

A hoof (cyan colored, she's able to observe in the milliseconds she's allotted) makes impact with the side of her head at a simply unnecessary speed.

Blackness.

---

The Saddle Arabian foalnapper crumpled to her side in a blue heap, sprawled out as far as her excessive restraints allowed. From the very edges of her vision, Special Agent Sweetie Drops watched as Dash landed with a satisfied huff, fluttering her wings slightly in efforts to utilize the leftover adrenaline.

"I told you to stay out of this." The earth pony tonelessly stated, causing the pegasus to recoil and shamefully rub her neck before her expression changed and the hoof slammed to the ground.

"Yeah, well, I just couldn't hear any more of that whorse's screeching, okay?" Sweetie would have felt shocked if she could feel anything at all, absently guessing Dash's out-of-character cursing to be remnants of the mental manipulation.

"Just...stay here, okay?" Numbness prevailed throughout the agent, even as the cyan mare finally obeyed instruction for once upon noticing her demeanor.

Sweetie Drops knew exactly where her quarry was; the abductor's nearly-unnoticeable glancing in his direction had been as obvious as anything to her. She plodded into the room, still hollowly considering the taller mare's words.

You're too late.

Suddenly, she felt: The most pure, raw, overpowering form of grief dominated her very soul as she spotted a lump of red and white in the far corner of the room, laying there unmoving as if thoughtlessly deposited. She rushed over, guilty tears springing to her eyes as she collapsed next to his tiny, vulnerable form.

Knight looked worse than she'd ever seen him. Worse than he'd been after she saved him from the hydra. Worse, even, than when he had cowered in town square after escaping Canterlot for the second time, hiding from Ponyville within the safety of his barrier.

She had watched, then. Helplessly watched as his condition continued to grow worse. Watched as he fought the demons he'd been forced to live with for every single day of his Celestia-forsaken life.

She would do more than watch, now. Sweetie Drops could help, if even in some small amount.

She gently^__slowly, caringly, lovingly^__lifted the unconscious body of her dear friend, cradling him against the front of her barrel. A deep, primal, protective instinct welled up from somewhere within her being as she held him, lightly stroking the damp curls of his ruined mane.

Special Agent Sweetie Dro-

No.

Bon Bon wept.

It was a simple action, yet all the more heartfelt for it. Little droplets of water fell from her shining eyes onto Knight's little form, adding to the wetness that covered him already.

Outside, the Invincible Wraith finally left the storm, and the sounds of distant thunder ceased as the rainfall faded away.

That was outside, though. A whole other world surmised in one simple word. The 'outside' was a place unto itself, completely separate from where Bon Bon and her friend were.

They were in a world of their own, and its storm was still very much alive.

The mare cradled the colt and wept, her tears becoming the pitter-patter of rain and her heaving cries the sharp crack of thunder.

This storm didn't fade. It wasn't deliberately cleaned up by a team of pegasi. It failed to calm at all, retaining its immense power until the bitter end.

This storm was contained. It was gathered up and placed behind the stoic bars of training and self-control.

Sweetie Drops stood, sniffling only slightly as she carefully placed Knight on her back, absently rubbing at her puffed, swollen eyes before plodding out of the room she didn't bother to identify.

And only a determined grimace adorned her face.

---

Starlight Glimmer was quite surprised when Bon Bon trotted up to her: The earth pony showed physical signs of having cried recently, but body-language-wise displayed no such tells of anything being amiss. This befuddled her counselor senses quite thoroughly, and for good reason.

The unicorn was even more surprised, though, after hearing the statement which came out of the frowning mare's mouth.

"You need to take Knight from me."

This was the last thing she'd have imagined would come out of the candymaker's muzzle: The way Bon Bon had been giving the evil eye to anypony who dared to so much as look at the lump of colt on her back suggested strong feelings of personal responsibility for his safety. Even Dash had been scared away when she asked one too many questions, speedily departing with a hasty "I'll scout the area!" after witnessing the mother of all glares.

"He needs medical attention. You're the only one who can teleport, and he can't handle Dash in this state."

Starlight found herself nodding dumbly, lifting Knight from the earth's pony's back and feeling the last dregs of her mana being spent in the process. The way Bon Bon longingly eyed the colt as he floated in the air, looking as if she were fighting the urge to snatch him back into her forelegs, only increased the lilac unicorn's rising suspicions that some certain...feelings were at hoof. As a mother, she makes an excellent candidate. Perhaps even the best. Whatever the case, Knight's definitely going to end up with parents after this, no matter what the princess says.

It was exactly then that the airship finally left the last of the storm, emerging into an open, clear blue sky. Light from Celestia's sun flooded the immediate area, with every last visible shadow seeming to disappear under the intense brightness. Neither pony paid this much mind, though, remaining enthralled in their conversation.

"And what about you?" Starlight found herself asking with a raised eyebrow as she situated her patient on her own withers, Bon Bon giving her a warning glare as she did before shaking her head.

"Me? I have an airship to land."

---

In Ponyville, a certain mostly-white foal was rushed for the third time in his short stay to the hospital following a flash of cerulean magic. He was admitted with several glances sent his way that were all-too-familiar, and the one who brought him quickly sought after the resident princess to explain what had happened.

On the very border of Saddle Arabia, its finest airship coasted to a safe^__if rough and bumpy^__halt, the one commandeering it fiddling with the communications before reaching a channel that was all too familiar. The request for assistance went well, and help was said to arrive in a matter of minutes.

In Canterlot, two unicorns rummaged through thousands of files' worth of information before one of them triumphantly held up a nondescript binder, waving it in the other's direction.

"Stormy! I've found it!"

The mare grabbed it rather roughly out of the stallion's grasp, her eyes greedily poring over its contents as she nodded to herself.

"Well done, dearest. This is simply perfect."

Fractus

"Right, then! First thing's first: I'm going to summarize what's happened recently and what we know, so everypony's on the same page. Sound good?"

Special Agent Sweetie Drops nodded firmly at the counselor, and a sidelong glance at her wife, Lyra Heartstrings, revealed her doing the same. The trio was gathered on a pair of sofas inside the living room of the couple's house, with Starlight Glimmer seated facing them. Sweetie noticed Lyra twiddling with her hooves in display of her nervousness, and accordingly bumped shoulders with her in a comforting gesture.

The agent was feeling equally anxious, but, thankfully, she hid it far better.

Starlight, meanwhile, was a mask of calm as always: Sweetie could scarcely detect any emotions behind the serene facade, but she could guess that the therapist wasn't doing too hot, either. We're all pretty shaken, but there's no time to dwell on that, now. The pink unicorn was beginning her debrief, and the agent leaned forward with attentive ears.

"Well, Knight was foalnapped by a Saddle Arabian mare named Colza, who proceeded to do...things that aren't exactly clear at this moment. It is, however, highly likely that some manner of sexual assault was conducted, as well as Arabian sorcery." Starlight paused for a moment, likely to take in the twin grimace that the couple formed in response. Sweetie managed to control hers fairly well, but she had to admit that hearing the information said so blatantly when only allusions to it had existed previously was not something she'd prepared for.

The agent curbed her rising anger, shaking her head nigh-imperceptibly as she returned her attention to the therapist, who nodded in satisfaction, likely from noticing her self-control. "From what I've been told, as well as from my observations of him, Knight seems to have a condition heavily resembling that of Dissociative Identity Disorder."

The pink mare gazed at them expectantly, but blank looks were all she got in return. Starlight sighed lightly and absently tapped at her muzzle, raising an inquisitive eyebrow as she continued to speak. "You may have heard it called: 'Multiple Personality Disorder'?" Still, the couple shook their heads in near unison, not a speck of recognition in either mare's eye. Several awkward seconds passed before Starlight pursed her lips in mild exasperation.

"Oh, I suppose it doesn't really matter at the moment. Knight doesn't even have the same thing, because Colza was able to magically alter aspects of his brain at a young age. Well, that's the running theory, at least." The unicorn sighed once more, but her eyes remained locked in a constant, methodical switch between the couple's respective gazes. "Knight has been recovered and his foalnappers have been apprehended. They are currently awaiting trial from their cozy cells in Tartarus."

The subtle hints of a satisfied smirk appeared on the therapist's muzzle while stating this information, but the expression soon dropped away. "He's stable, and the doctors at Ponyville General were able to bring him out of the enforced coma he was in. Physically, Knight is in near-prime condition, which we can thank Princess Twilight for. Without her, his broken bones and mana burnout would have taken weeks to heal, and that's time we do not have at the moment."

Starlight Glimmer's face grew grim, taking on a dour quality as her eyes squinted slightly.

"Mentally, though? We won't know for sure until he's awake, which should happen any minute now. That's where you two come in." Sweetie Drops and Lyra shot upright, sitting at attention the best they could as the pink unicorn continued to lean towards them. She faced the agent, first, staring dead into her eyes as she spoke with the utmost gravity.

"Bon Bon, you've proven yourself to be a capable and dedicated mare, with a level of self-mastery that I can't help but admire. These traits and more make you the ideal caretaker in my eyes, though I do have one thing to ask..." Sweetie Drops stamped down the urge to swallow nervously, keeping her gaze locked onto that of the therapist's. "You don't have any...prior engagements that would interfere with this, do you?"

Vehemently, the agent shook her head, resolve practically dripping from her measured response.

"No, ma'am. Nothing like that at all. This is of the utmost priority." Starlight nodded, not breaking eye contact for a second as she stared deep into the agent's soul.

"I'm going to trust your word, because I know that you only have Knight's best interests in mind. Am I correct?" A solid nod was her answer, and the counselor shifted her attention to the other mare in the room, who couldn't stop an anxious gulp of her own.

"And Lyra, in my interview with you I determined that you are also the perfect candidate. I am correct in saying you suffer from some mental challenges of your own?" Lyra grinned shakily, her golden eyes darting about the room before they settled on Starlight's.

"Y-yes'm. The, ah, occasional hyperfixation and such, but I pretty much recovered from that months ago. I have meds and everything, and Bonnie's support has always been appreciated." Starlight grinned, shifting back in her seat so that she was once more sitting upright. Lyra practically gasped for breath, and Sweetie shot her a reassuring grin that she gratefully returned.

"Yes, you're quite the dream team, you two." The therapist coughed into her hoof, giving the mares a reserved smile. "You'll have to forgive my intensity, but I need to ensure that my patient is placed in the best possible home. Sometimes, the best way to do that is through some good old fashioned intimidation." Seconds passed in silence as the three collectively collected themselves and the tension which had been present in the room faded away.

"I believe that together, you two are the key to healing Darkest Knight, even despite your youth. You said you were, what, thirty-seven or so?" Sweetie Drops pursed her lips.

"Thirty-five. Both of us." Starlight returned the expression, but it quickly devolved into a charming grin.

"Well, the good news is that you're old enough for legal adoption, if only just. Normally, I'd have second thoughts about letting such a young couple take care of somepony so troubled, but I'm not concerned with that. I believe there's no pair of ponies better suited for guardianship." The counselor leaned in once more, her intense gaze making a solid return as her voice regained its previous gravity.

"Now then, here's what you're going to need to do, at least for now..."

---

The first day went about as well as could be expected.

Sweetie and Lyra's shared home had three distinct sections to it: The front shop area, where the agent sold her sweets as part of her guise, was named 'Bon Bon's Bon Bons'. It was a miniature cafe area which took up the front half of the building, quite a bit like Sugarcube Corner in design and function.

The store had been closed, and would likely remain thus for the foreseeable future. There would be no ponies inside the building save Lyra, Sweetie, and Knight until the latter was deemed mentally stable enough. Despite this lack of business, however, neither mare held any financial concerns, safe in the knowledge that a combination of donations from the community and funding from the crown would sustain them.

The rest of the building was divided into a classic home, with the downstairs holding the kitchen, living room, and storage area while the upstairs held the bedrooms, bathrooms, and other miscellaneous supplies one would find in a house. Not counting the secret passageway into a closet where all of Sweetie's agent-related possessions were kept, the structure was fairly vanilla in design.

"You ready for this, Lyly?" The love of the agent's life stared boldly into her eyes, giving a firm nod as she responded in her soft, beautiful voice.

"Absolutely, Sweets." Sweetie Drops' muzzle formed a sardonic smile at the nickname and she took a few seconds to reminisce. I just couldn't hide my Agent status from her for long, with how much time we spent together. I'm glad she took it so well. That night had been a wild ride of confessions, but the couple had emerged from it with a strengthened bond and abounding relief from the end of secrecy. To this day, Lyra was the only non-work-related pony to know of Sweetie's secret identity, and both of them planned to keep it that way.

The house was quiet for several minutes as the pair waited in moderate tension from their spot downstairs. Their charge had been placed in his new room upstairs, and the hope was that he'd soon acclimate to that area after awakening. If Knight had a small enough space to become used to at first, he would eventually grow comfortable enough to branch out more. He would, however, always feel secure in returning to his room, which the mares would be forbidden to enter.

At least, that was the^__rather optimistic^__plan. The hardest thing about this was that Knight's charm had been utterly done away with, something that several previously conducted magical scans had confirmed. Sweetie still felt a pang of sadness every time she thought about how the colt might look at her now; not with the trust they had both become so accustomed to, but the kind of fear reserved for enemies and proven abusers.

The sound of loud thumps and gasps for breath, mixed in with the occasional whimper or cry of alarm, was all the two needed to hear to know that their charge had awakened. Both mares instinctively tensed up before beginning a quiet, meaningless faux conversation from their spot at the bottom of the staircase.

Starlight Glimmer had stated with great confidence that it didn't matter what words they said or what gibberish they actually spoke: What mattered was that Knight could see both that he wasn't alone in the building and that nopony else aside from them was present. The therapist had continued to say that the colt probably wouldn't even be able to register their words in the first place, due to whatever mental commotion was doubtlessly taking place in his head. Knight would, however, detect their tones and body language, which they worked diligently to keep as calm and nonthreatening as physically possible.

Sweetie had to admit that it felt exquisitely strange to yammer nonsense at her wife in comforting tones, but if Starlight, the professional, experienced therapist said it would help, then she was willing to do just about anything.

About a minute after the noises from upstairs quieted, the earth pony felt it: A burning, unblinking stare aimed at the side of her head and coming from the top of the stairs. The hairs on the back of her neck rose from detecting the unsettling gaze, but she ensured that that was her only reaction. Lyra's miniscule facial twitching revealed her also noticing the intense scrutiny, but she also managed to control herself very well.

Sweetie Drops managed to pull it off so discreetly that she was all but certain it went unnoticed by both unicorns: A quick glance directed up at the top of the stairwell and the white colt who inhabited it. She was careful, mindful of the instruction to not interact with Knight until he did so with her.

The image of what she saw remained at the forefront of her mind: A small, trembling foal with wide scared eyes, looking ready to burst into tears at the drop of a hat. Every last cell in Sweetie's body wanted to go rushing up the stairs to wrap him in a comforting hug, but she thankfully had more discipline than that.

Eventually, the scrutiny dropped away as Knight plodded off, and neither mare could stop herself from letting out a sigh of relief.

"Alright, we'll stay down here for the rest of today and let him get used to the upstairs before we head up after dinner." Sweetie Drops received an affirmative nod from her lover before they both turned to their business.

We've got a long road ahead of us.

---

Later that day, dinner was set up on one of the larger dining tables as directed.

Nopony expected Knight to join them or even come downstairs at all, but it was important to set up a routine. Every evening, they would set precisely three plates, leaving one at the far end of the table. The hope was that the colt would soon feel confident^__and hungry^__enough to join them.

"So, what happened to the airship?" Sweetie Drops jolted slightly in her seat, unprepared for the sudden question when only dead silence had dominated previously. Lyra was looking quite earnest and, knowing her, simply wanted to make some form of conversation. Knight was still upstairs, likely curled into a ball or searching for nonexistent threats and thus out of earshot.

"I managed to land the thing in Saddle Arabia, but I called an Equestrian outpost to signal for help. The outposts there are meant to be top secret, so they were pretty surprised I knew what frequency to use. Thankfully, though, they recognized my voice and were soon over to assist." The earth pony sighed heavily, absently pushing the food on her plate around, unable to bring herself to partake of it. "They requisitioned the Invincible Wraith, of course. Last I heard, they were going to send it off to Equestria to get a new paint job. They were also preparing some...choice words for the Union's leadership." The agent shrugged nonchalantly, gesturing vaguely with the fork she held expertly in her foreleg. "It's out of our hooves, now." Lyra gave an affirmative nod, finishing her mouthful of food before responding.

"Right. What matters is what we do now."

---

The couple headed upstairs as planned after their mildly-depressing dinner had been finalized. Sweetie Drops made sure to accentuate her steps, letting Knight know they were on their way up. She didn't stomp, per se, but still was purposefully loud enough to not incidentally sneak up on her charge. The very last thing anypony needed was for him to freak out any more than he was, and startling him with a sudden appearance was a pretty good way to do that.

The couple exchanged a meaningful glance before splitting up, with Lyra going to prepare the bedroom and Sweetie heading to the bathroom. They had ensured the routine was one that checked all the necessary boxes, while still being predictable and obvious enough that Knight could catch on reasonably quick.

They were prepared to complete the same actions day after day, not changing in the slightest until the moment their charge decided to interact with them.

---

The first day went about as well as could be expected, and the second followed a similar^__if not exact^__pattern. This was the same for the third and fourth day, but on the fifth, something unexpected occurred.

Special Agent Sweetie Drops stared at the sealed envelope balanced on her hoof, barely registering Ponyville's mailmare, Derpy Hooves, flying unsteadily away. The letter was clearly addressed to her residence, and had the name of its place of origin firmly stamped on the front in bold letters:

S.M.I.L.E. Headquarters, Canterlot, 357 Buckingham Str.

Shakily, Sweetie closed the front door and made her way to the living room couch, collapsing on it as her mind frantically processed the information.

Ponyville had been given ample warning not to disturb this building unless it was a severe emergency. Having somepony over, even if they didn't do anything of note, was a drastic change in the careful status quo the couple had set up. They were hoping that Knight could learn to trust the repetition of their daily routine if nothing else, and any surprise visits of any kind could potentially ruin that.

Derpy had been insistent, though, and stated that her orders came straight from the top. Sweetie knew the mare to be sincere and honest at even the worst of times, so she'd hesitantly opened the door after ensuring nopony else was nearby. Best she could tell, Knight was still upstairs and Lyra was finishing up her time in the shower, which was why she had bothered to try answering the door at all.

Filled with more trepidation than she could ever remember having, Sweetie Drops opened the letter addressed to her from her workplace.

Special Agent Sweetie Drops,

You know me, agent. I'm not one to dawdle with meaningless pleasantries like the rest of Canterlot's nobility. As such, I shall head straight to the point.

It has come to my attention that a certain foal has been placed in the care of your and your wife. You have my congratulations, for I know that you'll be the absolute best guardian you can possibly be. I know you could only ever want what's best for your new child, and so I have a proposition to make.

Darkest Knight is sixteen years old, if I am not mistaken. You'll recall, I believe, that the minimum age for enrollment in our program is that very same number. We do so love to start our members' training young, just as they begin to grow into their mana. You yourself began your training at fourteen, so you'll know what I'm speaking of.

S.M.I.L.E. has great interest in Darkest; his incredible powers could be used for the good of ponykind as a whole. Your child could be a hero to us all, able to take care of practically every threat with but a sweep of his horn.

So, here is my request: Enroll Darkest Knight in our program, so we can begin his proper training. I would ask that you sincerely think it over, but I have immense confidence that you will do that anyway.

The sooner he's enrolled, the sooner we can ensure our great nation's security.

Yours, S.N.

Shock was what dominated the agent at first, as she sat there on the couch rereading the letter once, twice, and a third time. To even so much as hear of S.M.I.L.E.'s illustrious enrollment program was rare enough, but to have an invitation? From the organization's evasive noble head investor? This letter came straight from the very top, from somepony Sweetie had only heard tall tales about!

Shock dominated her at first, yes, and for understandable reasons.

Quickly, though, that shock gave way to something else entirely:

Pure, raw, overwhelming anger.

WHO DOES SHE THINK SHE IS?!

To treat her friend^__nay, her child^__as some sort of object, some weapon to use for somepony else's designs? To her knowledge, that was exactly how he'd been raised, and all his life had amounted to thus far.

Bon Bon was determined to change that.

The mare saw red, seething on the couch as she viciously tore the letter to shreds with reckless abandon. So great was her rage that she didn't even notice her wife rushing over to her, but she still jolted when Lyra laid a worried hoof on her shoulder.

"Sweetie Drops, what's wrong? Why're you so mad?" The earth pony clenched her eyes shut, taking deep, calming breaths and feeling thankful that she hadn't let out any hateful screams or other such loud noises. Having successfully tempered her temper, Bon Bon opened her eyes to take in her extremely-concerned wife.

"Please...don't call me that." Lyra blinked once, nodded her head, and shuffled over to sit by the cream-coated mare, who suddenly found herself immensely grateful for her wife's incredible patience. Lyra wrapped Bon Bon in a tight hug, rubbing at her shoulders with soothing motions, serving to further still her raging thoughts.

"Okay, Bon Bon. Can you tell me what's going on?" The earth pony formed a wry grin at the treatment, unable to shake the feeling that her wife was somehow using her as practice for any hugging that might happen later down the line. Not that she needs practice. This is great!

"S.M.I.L.E. is interested in Darkest. Very interested. They want to know if they can have him." Lyra snorted at this, staring her wife dead in the eyes as she retorted with no small amount of indignance.

"Well, they're not getting their grubby hooves on him anytime soon. Right?" Bon Bon nodded once, her features carved in stone as she returned the intense gaze.

"Tartarus, no. Not while we're around." The earth pony pursed her lips, the fire in her eyes gaining a contemplative property. She abruptly broke the embrace to stand up, turning to her wife with a determined squint adorning her face. "Do you know where I can find a paper and pen? I have a response to write."

---

It had been one week since they began their care of him when Knight finally ventured downstairs.

Luckily, the way one of their ovens was situated let Bon Bon watch him through its window's reflection while she 'did the dishes'. Really, most of the labor was constituted of rewashing already-clean items, but the chore was still a vital part of their routine regardless.

The earth pony couldn't hear much over the sound of the running sink, but her ears still twitched after detecting the slightest creak from behind. Ensuring she refrained from any other physical reactions, she took a steady glance at the oven's window.

There he was, shyly gazing about the area with wide white eyes. The staircase was viewed at an angle so she could only see the end of it, rendering her unable to get a read on any of his body language. Knight had poked his head out, leaving the rest of him still on the stairs as he observed the immediate vicinity.

His stare landed on her back and stayed there, unmoving, doubtlessly trying to judge her intentions. He himself looked intensely cautious and vaguely terrified, but that fear was not growing at the moment, which was definitely a good sign.

After about a minute or two, Knight slunk out of view, though from what she had seen he was creeping low to the ground in attempts to make as little noise as possible. Presumably, he was headed off to explore the downstairs, which the mare had to admit gave her no small amount of excitement.

Minutes later, the scheduled time for doing dishes was over, so Bon Bon accordingly turned off the sink and left the kitchen. She stopped abruptly, though, upon witnessing the scene taking place in the living room.

Lyra was practicing her lyre, as planned, with her eyes screwed shut and her forehead crinkled in moderate concentration. The gorgeous melodies that she evoked with her instrument were enchanting as always, and in more ways than one, considering the magic which swirled about it.

Music and magic were inherently linked, with the lyre being the ultimate expression of both. Its unique shape and size allowed for enhanced spellcasting when used as a focus, and of course the songs it could produce were simply wonderful. With a lyre as her cutie mark, Lyra Heartstrings had found her special talent in thaumusology, the study of magic's link to music.

All of this information and more flew through Bon Bon's head as she watched^__with no small amount of alarm^__Knight sway to the melody her wife played, the smallest hint of an upturn to his lips. She's not casting anything on him, is she?! That could be horrifically bad!

Further observation and thought, though, made her relax as understanding reached her mind, and she mentally berated herself for ever thinking her sweet wife would do such a thing. It's not like she could anyway. That Arabian creep's sorcery made Knight's mind completely immune to any more magical manipulation. No, Lyra's music was just that powerful on its own, and Bon Bon wondered why on Equus she hadn't considered using it to a fuller extent earlier.

The ponies found serenity in listening to the quiet cadence, all but losing track of time as they were swept away by the calming chords and silvery strings. Knight didn't react when Bon Bon sat by him, a mere three feet of space separating the two while across from them was Lyra, with her eyes still clenched tightly shut. Weird, she doesn't usually need to concentrate that hard to play... But a sidelong glance at her white charge was enough to answer that question. Of course. She's doing it for his benefit, making him believe he can sneak in here and escape detection.

Not that this would have mattered at that point, though; Knight's gaze was locked solidly on the floating lyre, and it seemed that all of his attention was as well.

Abruptly and unwelcomely, the tranquility was broken by a soft knock on the door.

Bon Bon's imperceptible facial twitching was all that became of the grimace she wanted to make as the trance the family had been in was shattered. Knight skittered away from the mares, suddenly panting and short of breath as he backed up into the far wall, while Lyra's practicing came to a screeching halt and her eyes snapped open.

Bon Bon made careful eye contact with Lyra, who nodded slightly to show she'd received the unspoken message before standing and slowly walking to the kitchen area. The earth pony made her way to the front entrance, forcing herself not to acknowledge in any way the trembling, gasping foal in the corner of her living room.

The cream-coated mare opened the door in time to interrupt Derpy Hooves mid-knock, staring at the mailmare with a none-too-pleased expression. Derpy, for her part, looked fairly regretful and embarrassed, but that just showed she knew exactly what she was doing by coming here.

"Erm, Bon Bon, there's...another letter for you." The earth pony's glare intensified as she eyed the sealed envelope the pegasus held in her mouth, speaking around it with practiced ease.

"From S.M.I.L.E." The statement was not a question and Derpy flinched accordingly, only able to remorsefully nod her head in response. Bon Bon sighed angrily and held out a hoof, which the mailmare gratefully placed the paper on before speedily taking off.

The remaining mare closed the door with careful slowness, resisting the urge to slam it in frustration and extremely conscious of Knight still watching her from the corner. She made her way back to the couches, making absolute certain that she did not physically acknowledge his presence whatsoever. Adopting a relaxed posture in vain efforts to show him nothing was amiss, Bon Bon cracked open the letter and read with large amounts of internal frustration.

Special Agent Sweetie Drops,

How could I possibly accept a resignation from such a loyal, efficient, incredible agent?

How can you possibly turn your back on the organization you have so faithfully served for so long?

How could I have offended you so much that you adopted your fake name, renouncing your given one in the process?

Immediately upon receiving your reply, I thought to myself: "Stormy, you've got to rethink this. Clearly you've gone too far!"

Sweetie Drops, the fact is that S.M.I.L.E. simply cannot stand to lose you! You're far too important to us! I understand if I was a bit too forward in my initial address, but surely such an offense is not worth this reaction?

I make this request not as an employer, but as a friend: Please reconsider. Do not cut all ties with an essential part of your life just because you were offended by one measly letter.

Ask yourself this: Who is it, truly, that needs you more? The entirety of Equestria as a whole, or one small foal?

--S.N.

Bon Bon let out a mildly-despondent sigh, studying the ceiling of her home in deep thought. She's right, I can't just resign like this. That's the kind of decision that needs to be deeply thought about, not made while feeling extreme emotion. Reluctantly, the mare gathered paper and a pen, immediately writing her response:

S.N.,

I have never so much as seen you in person, so to call us 'friends' is rather far-fetched. Still, you are correct in saying that it's a bit hasty to resign now. I’ll back down on that front, because I’m not one to make reckless decisions.

Don't think that the option is out of consideration, however.

If you test my patience any further, I will not hesitate to cut all ties with S.M.I.L.E. You do not control my life, and my choices are my own to make. As for my son? Whatever plans you have for him, you can forget them, because I say this with absolute certainty:

He needs me more than Equestria does.

With all due respect, ma'am, I'd advise you to stay out of this. Don't forget that Darkest Knight is royalty, and the Crown holds great interest in his progress. I'm not sure, but I'd bet he even outranks yourself, so remember your place.

--sincerely, Bon Bon Heartstrings.

The earth pony had to admit: The letter she'd written had quite a bit more fire than she'd intended, but she found she liked the result. There wasn't much the mysterious 'S.N.' could do to her, anyway, and she was still feeling quite indignant from the blatant interest of the last message. If she thinks she can use her position above me in the corporate ladder as leverage, she's got another thing coming.

Bon Bon didn't feel too attached to S.M.I.L.E. anymore, for she had found a better use of her life and special talent. One hyper-discreet glance at the still-shaking foal in the corner was all it took to solidify that statement. I told Starlight that my job wouldn't be an issue. That has not and will never change. This comes first.

And if I have to burn a few bridges, then so be it.

---

Three days after Bon Bon sent her reply in the mail, something downright miraculous happened.

Knight had gradually grown more comfortable in roaming the downstairs, and the whole building in general. He moved with confidence and had started depending on the routine the mares had set up. On one instance in particular, he had traced Bon Bon's path through the house with pinpoint accuracy, trailing behind her for three consecutive hours in attempts to see what she was up to. When Knight pushed past his fear and trauma, he displayed a level of curiosity that neither mare could help but find utterly endearing.

Over the last three days, they had seen progressively more of him and his antics as he got more and more confident in the repetition of their actions. He had almost entirely stopped expecting them to attack, trusting that they could continue the same routine like clockwork.

When Lyra exited the kitchen at the exact time that Knight entered it and began investigating their new autonomous mixer, batting its attached whisk in circles, it showed that he'd memorized their routine to the same extent that they had.

Finally, though, he stood in the middle of the kitchen, watching them set up dinner in the dining room once more.

Bon Bon felt alive with anticipation, actively forcing herself to stop sending so many glances his way as she set the plates after Lyra finished placing the tablecloth. Her wife clearly felt the same, shooting her excited looks while a giant grin began to creep up her muzzle. Bon Bon made steady eye contact, ensuring her caution was communicated. "We can't get our hopes up," she said, silently. "He might just watch from afar. We have no reason to expect him to join in." Lyra nodded, her ecstasy tempered as both mares' neutral expressions returned and they finished the setup.

It wasn't as though Knight had gone without food, after all; an enormous part of their planned routine was 'accidentally' leaving out prepared snacks and enticing meals. Several of these went missing daily, even more recently, and they knew from remnants found on his face and body that their charge was eating them. It was practically impossible not to notice when color appeared on his pristine white coat, especially when that color matched the meal they'd prepared.

This logic went out the window when Knight stepped into the dining area, the couple barely able to avoid watching in shock as he took his seat at the opposite end of the table. Hastily, the mares dug into the lasagna, rushing to act as if they hadn't noticed anything. The colt eyed them for several uncomfortable minutes, but finally he lit his horn, lifted his fork...

...and took a bite.

Bon Bon blinked furiously, finding her vision suddenly impaired by some substance^__tears, she realized, those were tears filling her eyes.

The earth pony was crying, because what she had done had worked. All the efforts of her and her wife had worked.

Their adopted son was sitting at the same table, enjoying^__for with the zeal he suddenly expressed in digging into the food, he couldn't possibly be feeling any other way about it^__the same meal that they were.

Bon Bon stared up into Lyra's golden eyes, only to realize that she was crying, too. They smiled at each other with beaming grins, their ears twitching as they barely registered the sounds of near-silent eating.

"Progress!!" Screamed Lyra through her expression, and Bon Bon couldn't help but nod in reply.

There was still a long way to go, but that distance didn't seem nearly so far, now. The Knight of over a week ago would never have considered being in the same room as them, let alone taking his eyes off them for so much as a second.

The couple couldn't stop themselves from watching as, for the first time in far too long, Darkest Knight smiled.

Munitus

Special Agent Sweetie Drops,

I understand, agent.

I'll back off now.

You don't need to worry about S.M.I.L.E.'s interest in your son.

Fare thee well.

-S.N.

A part of Bon Bon was intensely satisfied by reading the final response. She'd shown it to her wife, and they'd both been relieved at what it said.

That part was very small.

The majority of the mare's mind was consumed in the most potent worry she had felt in years. She paced the floor of her bedroom, her thoughts deep in an uncontrollable spiral of paranoia as she continued to stress over the contents of the letter.

It can't be this easy. She just backs off? After, what, two replies? I'm influential in S.M.I.L.E., but not by that much! Why the sudden respect? What is she planning?

One thing was certain: This whole situation was not what it seemed to be. After coming on so hard in her initial address, it was simply too strange for S.N. to backpedal so readily. Plain logic stated it thus, but what contributed also to this knowledge was a strong, prevailing sense of grim dread.

Bon Bon's hairs stood on end, her teeth were chattering wildly and her blue-green eyes frantically roved the room in search of answers.

This went on for several minutes, but finally the mare was able to calm herself, engaging the exercises she knew so well in attempts to curb her panic. Five pillows on the mattress. Count 'em up, Bonnie. One, two, three, four, five. Uno, dos, tres, quattro, cinco. Swiftly, she latched her attention to yet another group of objects, simultaneously beginning breathing rhythms to further calm herself. Sevens nails on the door's hinges. Four arms on the ceiling fan. Eight individual panes on the window. This particular exercise was not an altogether common one, but Bon Bon had discovered long ago that it clicked well with her, personally.

She refrained from taking another concerned glance at the letter sitting on her bed, having already thoroughly memorized its contents by this point. Sighing heavily as the embers of anxiety remained stubbornly in her conscious, the earth pony sat, attempting to ground herself by running through the present situation.

Lyly's downstairs on the couch. She's halfway through her two-hour practice session and will sweep the kitchen once she's finished. I just came up here to fold laundry, but Derpy stopped by to give me this letter through the window and I've been here ever since.

A faint sense of gratitude towards the mailmare cut through Bon Bon's pragmatism, and she stopped to smile to herself.

It was pretty thoughtful of her to avoid using the front door this time. She must have been waiting for a while before I finally appeared in the room.

The sensation was fleeting, however, and the mare's mind soon returned to more pressing matters.

Last I checked, Knight was in his room. He's probably a nervous wreck right now, but there's not much I can do about that. Unless...

Slowly and with great trepidation, Bon Bon turned towards the open doorway to gaze at the closed door at the other end of the hall. This section of their house formed a 'T' junction, with the two bedrooms' entrances facing each other. Ideally, their charge would not have to sleep so close to where they did, but it had been deemed more beneficial to give him a proper room rather than a more well-placed closet under, say, the staircase.

The earth pony plodded across the hallway, her ears kept in a constant swivel as she drew closer to the door. She barely noticed her hoof nearing the doorknob, but recoiled when the harsh words of Starlight Glimmer from so many days ago reentered her mind:

"Without explicit permission from him, you are never to go into Knight's room. He is to feel as safe in there as can be expected, and if is taken by surprise by either of you two in there, ever, then that will be ruined."

Bon Bon grimaced, lowering both her hoof and her head in deep thought. She had inquired whether or not they could set up any kind of surveillance or even just a hole to peek through. The idea that anything could happen within Knight's room, that he could accidentally run into a wall or otherwise hurt himself and they'd be none the wiser, greatly troubled her. She maintained to this day that such an occurrence was a valid concern, considering the colt's mental stability and whatnot.

Starlight had shut her down, brutally and without mercy. The therapist had stated with intense confidence that any method of watching Knight would inevitably be discovered by him, and sooner rather than later. She'd gone on to say that he was both incredibly resourceful and ridiculously paranoid, such that when (not 'if') he found out, any possible chance of gaining his trust would be thrown out the window.

Bon Bon found she had to agree with the sentiment, but that still left her where she was: Standing uneasily outside his door, unsure of what action to take^__

And still feeling that inexplicable, powerful sense of awful dread.

She resumed her pacing in the hallway, effectively frozen with indecision, simply wanting to check up on her charge and see if he was okay. The letter had rattled her far more than she wanted to admit at the moment, with practically every fiber of her being screaming that something was wrong. The movement lasted for a few minutes before she stopped abruptly, a sudden thought entering her mind that utterly captured her attention.

Why's it so...quiet?

When Knight had first awoken in their home, they had been able to hear his gasping and noises in general from all the way at the bottom of the stairs. As a matter of fact, the building had fairly excellent acoustics, which was one of its greatest upsides as a home for the colt; he was able to pinpoint their locations at any given time just from how well sound travelled, eliminating any stress that might arise from not knowing where they were. Even now, Bon Bon could hear her wife's beautiful practicing as if she were merely in the next room over instead of a wholly different section.

So why was Lyra's lyre the only sound Bon Bon could detect?

She pressed the side of her head against the grainy wooden door, straining her ears for gasping, sobbing, or shuffling of any kind.

Nothing. Dead silence.

And that was enough for Bon Bon.

The hinges didn't so much as creak when she inched the door open, further increasing her sense of unease. Slowly, carefully, discreetly, she poked her muzzle through the crack and moved the wood until she could take a glance inside. Just one peek. To see if he's okay. He won't even notice!

What she saw made her blood run cold.

Initially, her gaze was locked on Knight; his shivering, cowering form with one foreleg raised and his horn aglow with a lively grey light.

Immediately, though, it flitted to the other pony in the room: A strange purple unicorn mare wearing an elegant dress and a mad, gleeful grin.

Any pretense of stealth was thrown away, along with the door, which banged silently against the wall as Bon Bon rushed into the bedroom. The beginning of a shocked, angry scream crept to her mouth, but, using all her prodigious self-control, she managed to transform it into an amiable question just in time.

"What's going on here?"

Knight immediately tensed even further and turned to stare at her from his spot against the left wall. The purple unicorn, though, didn't so much as blink, her gaze not drifting from a grey sphere of what seemed to be^__

Is that...Thaunon?

Her horn was alight as well, and she seemed to be concentrating very hard on the floating orb, around which Bon Bon thought she saw the slightest hint of a bluish magical aura. The color matched the one around her horn, leading the earth pony to a heavily startling hypothesis. She's...running scans of some sort. But why? And how?

None of that mattered: Her charge was in danger, and she needed to act.

"I do believe I asked you a question." Bon Bon did her absolute best to keep the strain out of her voice, speaking with a friendly tone and gritting her teeth imperceptibly all the while. I can't show anger. That'll just escalate the situation. The other mare finally shifted her attention from the ball, greeting Bon Bon with an expression of surprise and mild disdain.

"Oh, bother. I knew that silence spell wouldn't solve everything, but I wasn't expecting to be discovered so soon! You really are a marvel, aren't you, Special Agent Sweetie Drops?" The earth pony jolted at the recognition, but refrained from otherwise expressing her shock. She took a few more steps into the room, keeping a careful watch of Knight through her peripheral vision as she finished her assessment of the situation. A S.M.I.L.E.-related meeting, then, or something like it. They must have decided to scout him without consent. It's unlikely that Knight is in any physical danger, so I shouldn't need to battle it out. I'll talk her down and get her to leave. I need to be sure he doesn't get any more rattled than he already is. Staying calm is the best way to do that.

A great plan and an excellent course of action. If only her instinctive, protective rage would just calm down long enough for her to follow it!

Bon Bon wanted to snort steam. She wanted to charge this repulsive, snobbish dirtbag of a mare and beat her to a pulp. She wanted to show her just what happened when one messed around with forces they shouldn't, and the tormented expression on Knight's face was only serving to strengthen that desire.

Some tiny, imperceptible facial twitching was all that became of the many violent thoughts coursing through the earth pony's mind, and it did nothing to disturb the perfectly cordial smile she so diligently maintained. Relative silence dominated the room as Bon Bon tried desperately to keep from losing her composure, with the unicorn mare seeming content to simply stand there and watch, still running whatever scans she was doing.

It was to Bon Bon's complete surprise that it was Knight who took the initiative; his scared, tremulous stare moved to the open doorway as he took tentative steps toward it. He's trying to get out, then. Escape the situation. Understandable. Perhaps even smart: It'd sure be easier to deal with this mare if I was alone.

The cream-coated mare took a few stealthy steps forward and to the right, giving Knight a more clear path out of danger. The colt's speed increased upon his noticing her movements, and all too soon he was bolting for the door behind her, though inexplicably he paused just as he passed her body^__

Bon Bon couldn't stop herself from tensing up in abject surprise when she felt a tight grip encircle her hindleg, nor could she stop a quick glance backwards. There he was, ducking half under her form while his forelegs held on for dear life. Knight even buried his muzzle in her hock, trembling with more vigor than a jackhammer as he cowered beneath her, hugging her leg for all he was worth. Unbidden, a memory resurfaced in her mind of a time mere minutes before Discord's attack on Ponyville. He'd held onto Fluttershy in a similar way back then; as though she was his sole protection, an island in a sea of hungry sharks and treacherous storms.

Once the memory faded away, Bon Bon's mind was left utterly blank. She stared dumbly at the cowering colt, simply unable to process the scene before her eyes. Unconsciously and without realizing it in any capacity, she shifted into a more protective stance, turning her body and widening the distance between her hooves to cover more of the foal from potential danger. She even draped her curly tail across his back, but he didn't offer any visible response to her actions.

"Aww, well isn't that sweet?"

And suddenly the defensive anger was back with a raging vengeance. Bon Bon bowed her front legs slightly in a show of mild possessiveness, unable to refrain from giving in to her animalistic instincts by just the slightest margin as she returned her full attention to the unwelcome intruder. Said unicorn was grinning widely in what seemed to be a mostly genuine expression and had taken a few steps closer, away from the sphere of Thaunon. The aura that had been around that orb was gone, now, showing that the purple mare had likely achieved what she'd come here to do. Now just to find out what that is.

"Who are you?" Bon Bon would normally have preferred to ask a more productive question, such as 'what were you doing just now' or 'why are you in my house'. Under normal circumstances, she would be far more effective and efficient with her interrogation, usually able to get the desired information within a minute or so.

These were not normal circumstances. The earth pony's friendly facade was splitting apart at the seams, and she was becoming less and less certain she'd be able to control herself for much longer.

The pent-up frustration of not being able to do more to help Knight, the leftover regret from not saving him in time, the indignation and rage of discovering an intruder in her house, terrorizing the colt she'd sworn to protect, all of it combined to make a swirling cloud of ire and guilt, with this unicorn mare at the very center.

Bon Bon knew what to do. She'd learned years ago the strategies for controlling her temper and had been in far more stressful situations than this. She only had to speak with this nonaggressive individual while remaining calm, for Celestia's sake! It wasn't like she needed to tame a bugbear or defuse a bomb!

So why was she getting so angry?

Knight hiccupped and whimpered from underneath her, and his grip grew even tighter around her hindleg, if that was possible. It was a distant worry that she'd permanently lose all feeling in that leg if this went on much longer, but Bon Bon brushed that thought aside, having much more pressing matters to be concerned about.

"Why, it's me, agent! The mysterious S.N.! How lucky you are to get to meet me in person."

Bon Bon blinked, decidedly unimpressed with the information. Perhaps a month or even a few weeks ago she'd have been jumping for joy, but this mare had lost so much of her respect and admiration at this point that she was relatively unaffected.

"My full name is Stormy Night, just so you know. I'm actually Darkest's biological mother! But you don't need to worry, I won't try to 'steal your thunder', as it were."

That got a rise out of the earth pony: A cold, stony one, with her tilting her head down to complete the dour look as she spoke in a dark tone.

"You're going to prison. You know that, right? The Crown won't tolerate this. I hope whatever you came here to do is worth a lifetime in Tartarus." But Stormy only giggled airily, smiling with a perfectly relaxed expression as she returned Bon Bon's intense gaze. The unicorn opened her mouth to respond, but was interrupted by Lyra rushing into the room, concernedly staring into her wife's eyes.

Silence dominated. No words were spoken, but an intricate conversation passed between the two nonetheless.

Carefully, slowly, deliberately, Lyra lowered herself to Knight's level and gently cleared her throat to get his attention, with Bon Bon accordingly lifting her tail out of the way. The minty unicorn spoke in a perfectly enunciated voice, ensuring every syllable was understood perfectly.

"Hello, Knight. Would you like to come downstairs with me? We have some really tasty chocolate for you."

Hollowly, Bon Bon watched as their charge nodded with no small amount of hesitation, letting blood return to her leg as he peeled himself away from her to follow after her wife. Lyra gave one glance back before shutting the door, with the two exchanging affirmative, understanding nods.

With the entrance closed and the silence spell still in place, Bon Bon was free to express herself however she wished, safe in the knowledge that nopony else in the house could hear either of them.

Filled to bursting with the righteous fury of a scorned mother, Bon Bon Heartstrings turned to stare Stormy Night in the face, the unicorn's visage suddenly blanching as she beheld the raw thirst for violence before her.

"Hey, Sweetie Drops! We're, uh, we're good, right?" But the ex-agent scowled and took one threatening step closer, the floorboards nearly splintering then and there from the power flooding her veins.

"For the last time, S.N.: My name. Is. Bon Bon. Heartstrings.

And you're about to learn what a real mother does for her child."

---

Lyra had to admit: She was pretty surprised that Knight agreed to come with her, or even so much as understood her invitation in the first place. It was a testament to how much progress they'd made that he was following behind her, looking for all the world like a lost puppy searching for home.

They reached the kitchen without incident and the mare dutifully retrieved the box of fine chocolates stored in a cupboard. One of the perks of living with a candymaker was that sweets were never in short supply, even if the store itself was closed. Bon Bon hadn't stopped making candy; she couldn't do so any more than Lyra could cease playing her music. Both art forms were crucial, central parts of the respective mares' identities, so to stop doing them in any capacity would be to succumb to one of the worst kinds of death.

All that was besides the point, though. Knight was munching on the candies and Lyra had taken to lying on the floor, doing her absolute best to appear as nonthreatening as possible while she observed him. The colt didn't seem to object to her watch, indeed appearing very invested in the consumption of the treats, so she was free to look a bit deeper.

Lyra had always been good at reading ponies. All the many miniscule movements in ponies' faces were as visible as anything to her. As a filly, she had been alienated from her peers due in large part to how accurately she could gauge their emotions. Cries of "witch!" and "mind-reader!" still plagued her to this day, but she'd learned to move past all of that some time ago.

The gift was linked to her special talent: Music was emotion, and magic was music, and ponies were magic, and Lyra could see all four as a result. The inexplicable senses she gained were strongest when she played, but they were always present regardless. Always there, waiting to be scanned, waiting to be expressed through song. Always inspiring her every move and thought. The unicorn could see music, could see magic, could see ponies for what they were, see their true hearts, like the many strings in a symphony.

Lyra Heartstrings looked at Knight, truly looked, and what she saw was greatly troubling.

Outwardly, he was focused on the chocolate. Any normal pony would see an innocent foal enjoying their well-earned snack and nothing more. If one went a little deeper, one could detect his constant, wary watch of his surroundings. The way his ears subtly flicked in every direction, how his eyes darted from one spot to another, and how his body was held tense in preparation for something.

If one could see yet farther, they'd perhaps get a look at his thought process. The truly perceptive could catch a glimpse of how paranoid he truly was, how shaken he'd become from the ordeal, and how badly he needed comfort.

Lyra saw even deeper than that. She looked into the very depths of her charge's mind, and she did not like what was there:

She identified exactly five voices, each clamoring for attention in its own way and each with its own desires. She wasn't able to hear them without actually magically delving into his mind, (something that was impossible now, though she wouldn't want to in the first place) but, using her special talent and all her training with reading ponies, she could get a glimpse.

One voice was panicking, practically running about and screaming its head off for how intense it was. That voice was the loudest by far, and seemed to capture the colt's attention the easiest, but what mind it did possess was fleeting at best. It was also barely comprehensible and mainly rooted in emotion, running through a set group of words with next to no deviations.

Another voice was central. It spoke in eloquent tones and made fun of the others, belittling them as well as it could with its extensive vocabulary. This voice didn't seem to have any goals other than to put down the others, acting so much better than them yet not contributing anything to the situation.

The third one Lyra easily recognized as Knight: He was loud and powerful, rooted deeply in instinct and possessed the most control over bodily function by far. He was also reactive by nature, preferring to watch and wait for outside stimulus rather than take initiative. This was the voice she had seen earlier, on the few times she could truly observe the colt. Knight was always present, even while Darkest was in control, always ready to take over should significant danger arrive.

Fourthly was a voice the mare was slightly surprised to find. Knight had always struck her as the more immature of the two, but this one was by far the most childish. It spoke mainly in single words and constantly radiated this sense of youth, to such a degree that she was nearly certain it was rooted in memory. What was more, this voice seemed somewhat linked to the first, though in what exact ways even Lyra couldn't begin to guess.

Finally, there were the faintest flickering echoes of Darkest's speech, as though coming from beyond the grave. Whatever that Colza mare had done, it had sent the colt's conscious decision-making so far back into his psyche that Darkest was a mere shadow. A footnote in the midst of a larger battle. Lyra doubted the rest of the colt could even realize he was still there, likely believing him to be gone forever.

With a jolt, the unicorn realized she had been staring far too long, incidentally entering one of her trances. In a mildly shameful manner, Lyra returned her lyre to its case, having subconsciously levitated it over to cast spells through.

Not spells on Knight, of course, but on herself: To better enhance her perception and allow her to pick up on the tiniest details. She had even simultaneously begun plucking a few of its strings to better focus her mind, which was a strategy almost as effective as the spellwork.

Right, then! Time to name the voices, so I can refer to them easier. Let's see...

'Red' would be the first one's name, because something about it gave off echoes of that color. Red was a hue of passion, of intensity and domination, which fit that voice to a T.

'Posh' would be the second, because just like a prissy noble it said too much yet communicated very little. Lyra had the distinct feeling that Posh was a voice that had origins deeply tied to Broken Barrier's conditioning, which hardly left her any more inclined to like it.

Knight, of course, was the third. His name fit in many ways, not least of which because he was the more protective of the two (or five, now). It was a well documented fact at this point that Knight took over in times of crisis, whether real or imagined, to heighten feelings of self-preservation and to defend himself from danger.

'Button' would be the fourth. Lyra couldn't pinpoint exactly why she named it that, but she liked the idea far too much to let it go. Besides, she didn't have enough information on Button to get a proper read on its traits, so that name would have to suffice.

And it was cute. Cute as a button.

It was at that exact point in time that Lyra realized she had spent the last several minutes of her life staring uncomfortably into her charge's face and naming aspects of his personality. Knight had long ago dropped any pretense of enjoying his chocolate, preferring instead to return her gaze with a conflicted one of his own. The mare smiled uneasily, to which he gave no reaction, still looking at her and still utterly unsure of what action to take.

Red's just mindlessly screaming, Knight wants to stand there and do nothing, Posh is being a jerk...

It was Button's speech that gave her pause. It was so distinct, so insistent that Lyra felt she could almost parse exactly what it was saying:

HUGS!

HUGS! NOW!

The turmoil within Knight's mind was too great, however, so the colt was left standing there, the absolute picture of indecision.

Abruptly, Lyra startled, finally realizing that she needed to take the initiative.

Well, let's see. I know what might calm him down, if he'd be open to it...

Lyra lit her horn in a lovely yellow light, turning her head to focus on the downstairs bathroom door as she began levitating her tools of choice. From the corner of her eye, she managed to spot Knight lift a confused eyebrow, but to her immense relief he did not scream or bolt away like she'd been half-expecting. Shortly, he also turned to observe the objects float across the room, eventually coasting to a hover between the unicorns.

Two hairbrushes were held in Lyra's golden aura. Well, more specifically they were a brush for a pony's mane/tail and one for their coat. The minty mare maintained to this day that there was a distinct difference between the two and it was not just a marketing excuse like Bon Bon said, but that was neither here nor there.

The brushes stayed there for a solid thirty or so seconds until Knight's breathing returned to its previous tempo and his pupils regained their normal size. Lyra had expected his paranoia to make a raging return, and so accordingly waited patiently for him to sufficiently stabilize before continuing in her mission.

Carefully, achingly slowly, the manebrush crept forward, with Knight's eyes staying locked onto its unassuming form the whole way. Red was screeching itself hoarse, while Posh was cynically stating the brush to be a trap, because 'of course it was'. Lyra was relieved Knight chose not to listen to either of them, and instead seemed to be paying more and more attention to Button, who was practically begging for a brushing session.

Eventually, the tool found itself just in front of the foal's face, hanging bristles-up while waiting for his inspection. Knight graced the instrument with a tentative sniff, likely searching for some kind of sedative or needle placed within. Lyra supposed that hiding such a thing in a hairbrush would be rather easy, but the colt would be disappointed this time around, because the only foreign object among the bristles was her own bright teal hairs.

Finally, once Knight seemed satisfied, the brush was lifted and rotated, poised such that it was ready for a stroke down his messy mane. He stared at it expectantly, nearly flinching away with nerves, but it did not move an inch thereafter.

Through all of this, Lyra was still in her spot laid down on the kitchen's tile, watching the proceedings calmly and patiently.

Bon Bon sometimes said that her patience was scary. That it befit a predator more than a sweet musician such as her. Lyra could sit and wait for hours without complaint, given the chance and enough motivation. When she had still been obsessed with humans, (not the most proud time of her life, she all-too-readily admitted) she'd camp out at the library for days at a time, waiting for the librarian to tell her the checked-out books she so desired had been returned.

Compared to that, this was nothing.

Eventually, Knight took a hesitant step forward, placing the top of his head against the brush, just behind his horn. He tensed suddenly and his eyes screwed shut in preparation, likely because he was expecting the brush to start moving or something silly like that.

He cracked one eye open to take a glance up, then the other, then he sat down with a slight huff, beginning to look more puzzled than afraid.

Posh was still being a brat, but Red had calmed down enough for Button to really shine through, and it seemed all too eager for physical attention of this kind:

BRUSH! BRUSH! I LIKE IT!

Finally, Knight gave in and ran the length of his body across the bristles in a distinctly feline manner, staring at Lyra expectantly and even nodding his head to give permission. The elder unicorn allowed herself a small smile as her magic set to work, guiding the brush in gentle, light strokes down the length of his mane.

She could almost swear she heard him purring, but that was probably just her imagination.

All too quickly, though, the anxiety returned to his visage, and Lyra knew it was time for phase two. She stood, not ceasing her telekinetic ministrations as she made her snail-paced way over to his side. Knight watched her, warily, and she even caught his hind leg raising in preparation, but she pushed through, regardless. I can't give up now. Not when I'm so close. Not when I can see that he needs me.

She stopped and sat next to him, letting him take full stock of the genuineness of her smile. Knight frowned uneasily and Red was beginning to act up again, but he hadn't run away and he was plainly still shaken up from whatever had happened upstairs. Deliberately ensuring she was watched the whole time, Lyra lifted a forehoof and moved it to his still-shivering shoulder, still not stopping her strokes with the brush. Knight tensed in anticipation, his breathing increasing in pace and weight as he prepared for what he thought was inevitable.

The mare's hoof came to a stop a good three inches away from his shoulder and she paused there, content to wait for his approval.

Knight's gaze flickered between her face, her hoof, the brush, and back several times while he tried to process the information. His frantic breathing eventually slowed once more, and after staring at her foreleg for a few more minutes, he slowly eased into contact with it.

At first, he immediately jolted away at the touch, and did so the next few times as well. Finally, though, he settled in and closed his eyes, marking phase two a success. Knight's skin was cold and clammy to the touch, his coat thin despite their attempts to feed him a balanced diet. That explains the shivering. Lyra ran the length of her foreleg across his back and withers, grabbing the manebrush in her hoof to continue the ministrations manually.

The colt sighed in what she thought was gratitude, and didn't object when she moved behind him to free up her other foreleg, which dutifully grabbed the second brush and set to work. From this new position she couldn't look into his eyes, but the mare figured she was too far in now to back out anyway.

Gradually, the smaller unicorn relaxed, and Lyra moved from a brushing session to more of a massage, kneading the knots and soothing the sore spots she came across, all the while making absolute certain to be gentle.

Lyra's eyes bulged in surprise when, abruptly, Knight thrust himself backwards into her barrel, turning halfway to wrap a foreleg around it while burying his muzzle in her shoulder. The two made eye contact once again as the mare hesitantly wrapped her front legs around his body, rocking back onto her haunches in a position that would be uncomfortable for any other pony.

She saw it in his eyes: There was no complete, unconditional trust like there'd been before the foalnapping. He was still wary, still scared and in some degree still expecting her to strike him out of the blue. This was more testing the waters, a sort of provisional license to see if he could count on her in the future. Lyra did her best to communicate reassurance to him, and from what she saw he seemed to appreciate it.

"Who are you?"

The literal meaning of those words was not what he meant, but looking into his eyes, Lyra could parse that information out for herself. Knight wanted to know what to call her, what name to put to this feeling he was experiencing. Above all, Button wanted to know what exactly it'd taken such an extreme liking to.

"I'm your mother, Knight. Well, one of them. You can call me 'mommy', if you like." Lyra saw it immediately: The light turning on in his eyes and the glee starting to flicker to life in his gaze. She smiled warmly as she saw Button cry out in whooping cheers.

MOM! MOMMY! YAY!

Knight nodded at this and lowered his face against her chest until it was out of sight, hidden by her prodigious floof. Lyra rested her head on top of his in response, mindful of the horn as she began gently rocking back and forth.

Minutes later, Bon Bon entered the kitchen only to be greeted by the soft sounds of snoring and a very triumphant grin, with the minty mare holding a hoof to her upturned lips to quiet her down.

"So, did you deal with the intruder?" She whispered, her smile taking on a sly quality as her wife stared blankly at the impossible scene before her.

"Uhh, yes." Bon Bon finally whispered back, still rather dumbfounded. "No need to worry about her anymore. I taught that S.N. a lesson she's not likely to forget."

---

"So, did you get the information we needed? Did you get to scan the shield?!"

Stormy Night scoffed at her husband's idiocy, but the sound was unfortunately muffled by the ice pack she held against her jaw.

"Awf courf, you idiaut. Nauw git us awt uf dis blahsted cell!" Luckily, she was understood despite the mangled speech, and with a flash of brilliant blue magic, the two were gone.

Maternus

Dark.

The room was dark.

The house was dark.

The world was dark.

So...Dark.

Dark was his name. The Idiot's name. The traitor's name.

He was Darkest. He was the darkest one of all. The ironic one.

He's bad!

BAD!

He's stupid!

STUPID!

He's not me. I'm Knight.

He was Knight. Not Darkest.

Knight.

It was dark. Dark was bad, like Darkest was bad.

SO BAD!

Darkest was, but is no longer.

NOT BAD?!

No, he was bad, but now he's gone.

GONE!

Yes, Darkest is gone.

Gone is good.

Bad things should go.

Correct.

YEAH!

Dark is bad, so dark should go!

Yes indeed, we should speedily turn on the lights.

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Quiver, shake, hide.

Back to the wall.

Rump to the wall.

Tail where it goes.

So...Dark!

Too dark, need light.

Lights!

NO! NO LIGHTS! THEY'LL WAKE!

That is a good point and one we would do well to pay due heed to.

Small light.

Horn light.

Light your horn.

Horn?

An acceptable proposition. You're much less stupid than Darkest was.

HORN! HORN! LIGHT!

Light.

No more dark.

No more Darkest.

No more HIM.

No more HER.
pressyourtailharderit'stheonlywaytostopHERpleasepleasepleaseSTOPHERSTOPHERIT'STHEONLYWAYTIGHTERYOURTAILSTOPHERFROMHERTHINGSEVILTHINGEVILBADTHINGSEVILMUTILATINGBADHORRIBLEAWFULBADBADBAD

Whimper, cry, scream,

Sound the alarm,

It's no use.

Please...help me!

This is a highly troubling conundrum we're in
and if anypony would be so magnanimous as to offer assistance-

MOM!

...what?

Beg pardon?

MOMMY HELPS!

SHE MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER!

YES!

Take steps toward the door.

I'm utterly flabbergasted at your ludicrous proposal.

Cry out for safety.

Actually, I'm torn between being confused or being absolutely repulsed.

For love.

What part of your ridiculous mind actually believes you deserve either of those things?

Stop!

WHY!?

Because, you animalistic retard,
this course of action is plainly unconscionable
and we are absolutely not going to follow it.

Stop in the doorway.

Feel tears run down your cheeks.

Return to your lonely slumber.

...No...

What did you say?

YES!

Listen, you insufferable wretch.

Walk out to the hall.

YES! YES!

I don't know what on Equus it is you think you're doing

Open Mommy's bedroom door.

YES! YES! YES!

And just what is your plan, exactly?

Approach her side.

Now you stop right where you are.

STOP!

WHY?!

Because, you imbecile, she's on a-

BED!

Sheets, Blankets, Pillows.

The deadly combination.

WARMTH!

Crush your scream of terror.

Crawl back to the wall in vain hopes of some semblance of safety.

Cry as the memories rush back.

A cascade of torment.

BIG PONY!

Now you see, you blundering invalid.

NO!

You simply cannot just waltz in here and expect everything to be fine.

BUT MOMMY FIXES EVERYTHING!

I have won. You have no hope. You never had hope.

I LOVE MOMMY!

I love mommy too.

THERE'S TWO WARMTHS!

...?

Now what?

THERE'S BAD WARM-

WARM!

Cower, shrink, hide.

Bite your tongue.

Silence your screams of desperation.

Just like you did for all the nights before.

...AND THERE'S MOMMY WARM!

Are you speaking in jest or are you genuinely serious?

...mommy...warm...?

RIGHT!

Because I honestly don't know what's more offensive.

Remember how you felt before? Held by Lyra? Kept safe by Lyra? Was it not entirely pleasant?

Cease your incessant yammering, Darkest. You're gone. I made sure of it.

What about all the times before? Fluttershy, Bon Bon, Rainbow Dash, Starlight Glimmer. Would you not love to feel that again? I know I would.

Shut. Your. Stupid. Pie hole.

Of course, sir. Right away, sir. My apologies.

YEAH! LISTEN TO DARKEST!

I...like...Mommy...warm.

No. Stop it. Stop it you dimwit!

WAIT!

Take those final steps forward.

NO!

Tremblingly rear up.

BED!

Make your choice.

---

The graceful sounds of birdsong echoed across the grassy hills, causing Lyra's attentive ears to give a slight twitch. She beamed up at the world from her spot next to a tree's trunk, delighting in the beauty that surrounded her. Magically lifting her lyre, the mare joined in the music, harmonizing to the gorgeous singing as lyrics began to take shape in her mind.

Let's see...perhaps I'll rejoice about the life and wonder of the daytime? Sing a refrain about how much goes on beneath our hooves?

"Life is like daytime, it sweeps and it swoons~" The melody was already there, conjured by her years of musical practice. Still, something about it didn't feel right, and Lyra was sure she knew exactly why. It's too hurried. Too fast for a lullaby. Come to think of it, so is the day. But what about...

Suddenly, the scenery changed as the sun dipped speedily down the horizon, soon disappearing from view altogether. Lyra smiled absently, glad for the power lucid dreams gave her as the moon rose, revealing the equally beauteous night sky. The world was softer, now. Calmer, too, which fit her goals quite nicely.

The mint-colored mare's attention was drawn to an approaching figure, who moved hesitantly and with no small amount of caution. Lyra stood, cantering down the side of the small hill with a cheery spring in her step. The cloudless sky--courtesy of Lyra's commands--left ample moonlight to shine down, illuminating the regal face that the unicorn came to a stop in front of.

"Princess Luna!" She piped, lowering her upper body in a brief bow as the alicorn came to an abrupt halt. The night princess' form was kept expertly in a regal mask, such that Lyra doubted anypony save her could have read the storm of emotions swirling through her crowned head. Lyra could still detect, however, the moderate trepidation felt by her visitor, as well as the shimmer of hope, even in the relatively poor lighting.

"Greetings, Lyra Heartstrings. You...don't seem very surprised at my presence. Might I enquire why?" The mint-colored mare giggled easily and sat down on the cool grass in response, gesturing the alicorn to do the same. Luna acquiesced, thankfully, and Lyra pushed aside the niggling worry that she was being a bit too forward in her demeanor. It's only Luna, and this is my dream, after all. There's no reason to walk on eggshells right now.

"I figured it was only a matter of time before you checked up on one of us. I imagine you tried Knight first, but found his mind inaccessible?" Luna nodded in a decidedly subdued manner, and the unicorn's grin softened upon seeing just how distraught she was over the situation. It was subtle, likely meant to be imperceptible, but Lyra could still see the alicorn shrinking into herself in a display of shame, or perhaps disappointment.

"...Yes. It seems that, despite my best efforts, I am still unable to help in any capacity. All I've been able to detect is that his nightmares have become significantly worse since the foalnapping." Seeing an opening, Lyra leapt at the chance to restore some amount of levity to the thoroughly killed mood.

"How did the trial go? For Colza?" This brought the slightest hint of a satisfied smile to the alicorn's visage, and Lyra even thought she caught the ghost of a mirthful, vengeful chuckle.

"Swiftly and decidedly. I proposed sending her and her cohorts to the moon, but sister had an even better idea. Let us simply say that they will not be bothering Equestria ever again, and the Saddle Arabian Freedom Fighters were happy to gain possession of such valuable prisoners." Luna shook her head after the pronouncement, though, and what little mirth she'd had was suddenly staunched entirely under her world-renowned stoicism. "That is not why I'm here, though. Will you please tell me, Lyra, how the colt has been? Is he faring well?"

And there it was: Anxiety, plain and simple. Except that it was neither plain or simple, and in fact was coming in all kinds of shapes and flavors. She wants to help. That much is as plain as anything. She's probably wishing I'd tell her to come over and assist directly. With how much she's known for helping with foals, I wouldn't be surprised. Lyra heaved out a sigh, her honey-colored eyes roving the surroundings in search of inspiration. Wait, I have just the thing!

"Princess, I could actually use your help with something, if you don't mind." Luna shot to her hooves, immediately brightening as she leaned forward, nodding with intense earnest.

"Of course!" The alicorn practically shouted with ecstasy, nearly causing Lyra to fall over backwards at the sudden proximity. "What dost thou require?! We shall do our utmost to aid thee!" Lyra couldn't help but let out a chuckle at her enthusiasm, one that grew in intensity as the princess blushed, likely from realizing her mistake. The blue mare coughed awkwardly, returning to her spot of flattened grass as both ponies collected themselves.

"Well, Knight really likes music, so I've been trying to write up a lullaby for him. I think he'd love having his own song, but I'm having trouble coming up with the right opening." Luna nodded in understanding, seeming about as attentive as she could possibly be with her ears facing forward and her eyes dead set on the unicorn's as she continued. "He really likes the night sky, though. I think it ties into his original name-" -and what his cutie mark was supposed to look like, but Lyra didn't want to tell anypony that particular theory just yet- "-and I was wondering if you have any inspiration to offer?"

Lyra saw it: Pure, unadulterated gratitude flooded the princess upon hearing her words, and it brought a smile to the unicorn's face. Luna has definitely been wanting to help out for a while, now. I can't imagine the guilt both Sisters must be feeling from the mistakes they made. The alicorn briefly bowed her head, and Lyra waited patiently as she attempted to stop herself from bursting into tears of joy. She can't help directly, of course. Neither of them can. But there's no harm in offering some advice and brainstorming ideas.

"Thank you, Lyra Heartstrings." Luna stated before they stood as one. The alicorn gestured up with a wing, drawing Lyra's gaze to the stars that were beginning to shift and change. "Now, I shall give you a lesson on the finer points of sky arrangement. Perhaps, after learning about the heavens for a while, you shall have all the inspiration you need."

Much time passed, though exactly how much was impossible to know, due to the nature of dreams and all that. Luna taught, and Lyra learned things she could never have imagined. The night princess was as much an artist as herself, and the true volume of work that went into the sky was simply breathtaking.

Luna carefully placed every star. Painstakingly designed each constellation. Each night, she chose exactly what path the moon would follow to best complement the rest of the picture. The most amazing part, though?

It was constantly being improved. Always being changed, shifted for the better. Luna was eternally experimenting with the sky, never wholly satisfied with the results and always finding things to enhance.

By the end of it, Lyra had the opening of her lullaby.

"It's perfect!" She shouted to the heavens with glee, but her companion--dare she say friend?--shook her head reproachfully in response.

"No, Lyra. Nothing is perfect. Have you learned nothing?" And the mint-colored mare laughed right along with the princess, the mood decidedly much lighter than it'd been to start with.

Suddenly, though, the ground shook with a cacophonous rumbling sound, and the unicorn gasped in surprise.

"I'm waking up?" The feeling was familiar enough to recognize, helped by nature of how many lucid dreams she experienced on a weekly basis. Luna nodded, seeming moderately disappointed at the revelation as cracks appeared in the space around them.

"It would seem so. It is still rather early in the night, though. Perhaps somepony is rousing you?" Lyra blinked in confusion, quirking an eyebrow as she pondered over just who would do such a thing.

"What? But Bonnie always sleeps way later than I do! Who on Equus wou^__"

---

Darkness.

After staring at various sources of light for so long, the utter black that laid before Lyra was the first thing she noticed. Except, that wasn't exactly right: The room had one source of light, distinctly grey and vaguely familiar, but nonetheless fairly weak in intensity.

The mint-colored unicorn blinked rapidly in attempts to clear the sand from her eyes, moving her gaze about the room while not lifting her head from the comfort of her pillow. Weird. Nothing seems wrong. Did I just randomly wake up? From where she laid on her side, facing Bon Bon, the only thing that seemed amiss was the strange, inexplicable grey glow bouncing around the room. It looks like it's coming from...behind me...?

Lyra's eyes bulged and her breathing hitched when her mind suddenly processed the feeling of a small, cold hoof against her withers. It shook her, gently but insistently. Tentatively, but needily. The hoof itself shook, likely from the abject terror its owner was feeling, but it stayed attached to her back all the same. Is Knight...what?

...

...what??

Lyra's heart pounded in her chest as she tried desperately to control her breathing, her mind racing with thoughts and overcome with indecision. The freezing hoof remained in contact with her, and her ears twitched wildly as they detected the slightest sniffle.

That sound then grew into a quiet whine, and the mint-colored mare's brows furrowed as she made up her mind. Alright. I'll be slow. I'll be careful. I'll just...get a read on what he's thinking! And why on Equus he'd ever go near our bed! With one preparatory inhale, Lyra shifted in place, moving her lower body beneath her and consequentially rolling away from the edge of the bed, still in the process of waking up. Knight's hoof fell away as a result of her actions, and she heard him let out a soft whimper before she sluggishly turned her head to face him, still laying down.

Her assumptions had been correct: A foal-sized horn glowed glumly, the only source of illumination for the rest of her charge. He had shivering, shrinking posture, looking ready to dash out at the first sign of...something Lyra didn't really want to think about.

And his eyes: Wide, watery, and pleading, they told her all she needed to know. Just from the way they flicked frantically between her and the mattress she laid on, she knew her next course of action. I need to get off of this thing.

Lyra felt no shred of remorse from leaving the warm comfort of her bed. Not this time. Now, there was somepony who needed warm comfort of his own, and the blankets would certainly not help in that endeavor. They tried to keep the house as warm as they could, but considering Ponyville's high elevation and the late season, indoor heating could only go so far. Without blankets, Knight was forced into feeling the chill the second the sun set, but considering how his original bed hadn't had sheets of any kind, they'd figured he'd be okay with that.

Still feeling no small amount of hesitation, the mare rose to a crouch before slinking off the cushy material, dropping to the carpeted floor and being watched the whole while. She charged her own horn with mana, preferring to have her own light source yet not wanting to rouse her wife just yet. Lyra's magic was a much brighter hue and thus illuminated much more of the room, but she was still nevertheless entirely focused on only one thing within it.

Knight stood before her, shivering in place as he maintained shaky eye contact. With her own light not blocked somewhat my his mane, Lyra was able to piece out more of the thoughts running through his head. I sure wish I had my lyre right about now.

"Yes, Knight?" She asked, whispering as gently and passively as she possibly could. "What do you need?" The foal gasped at first and took a step away, but she remained standing with her head bowed to his level, tilted slightly while wearing a demure, friendly smile. It was several painful moments before Knight collected himself enough to respond, shamefully rubbing his foreleg with a hoof.

"I...I...c-can't sleep?" His voice was tremulous, unsure, and so quiet that the mare had to strain to hear it even in the practically-silent room. The utter turmoil taking place within the colt's head was as impressive as it was mind-boggling, especially when compared to the way Lyra's mental activity came to a screeching halt. The only thing she found herself able to do was observe the voices argue through her charge's eyes.

YES! MOMMY! HUGS! NOW!

That's Button. She recognized dully, still shell-shocked by Knight's statement and his unspoken request.

I maintain the factual statement that you are all idiots.
What do you expect to gain from this?
Your utter lack of brain cells is astounding.
How is any of this helpful?
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

And that one's definitely Posh. Thought Lyra, squinting imperceptibly in displeasure at its continued rudeness. The voice had grown stronger recently, enough that she was able to parse out some of its words as they repeated in an unhelpful mantra. Luckily, though, Knight didn't seem to be paying Posh much mind, preferring instead to return her searching gaze with a distraught one of his own. Her mind made up, the mare took a few steps toward the open door, nodding towards it with her yellow-tinted head.

"Well, Knight, would you like to come downstairs with me? We can sleep on the couch, or even the floor if you'd prefer." The colt nodded his acquiescence rather energetically and took hurried steps toward her, but froze in his tracks when a loud groan emanated from the bed. Lyra winced, eyeing the earth pony-shaped lump as it shifted in place. Bonnie's a light sleeper, I really hope she didn't-!

"Whuh? What's happening? Lyra?" Too late. In one swift heave, Bon Bon tumbled out of bed with all the grace of a decapitated chicken, soon rising to her hooves as her head whipped every which way, searching for danger of any kind.

The earth pony had become decidedly more paranoid ever since the incident with Stormy Night. While Knight had snoozed away in Lyra's forelegs, Bon Bon had been busy taking advantage of their royally-appointed allowance, heading out to purchase all manner of security measures and home-invader-deterrents. The three now lived within a building whose defenses rivalled that of Tartarus itself, all thanks to the Agent's knowledge of how best to protect structures of high value.

Booby traps, razor-tipped fences, magical laser turrets, anti-mana enchantments, what have you. Lyra had tried to convince her wife that it was a little overkill, but Bonnie hadn't had any of it. The best/worst part was that Princess Twilight Sparkle herself had arrived to help set up the various systems, playing a huge part in rigging them to whitelist the mana signatures of the home's residents.

And now, that same mare, the very same overly-cautious earth pony that Lyra loved so much had been awoken in the middle of the night to find her partner missing and a strange light bouncing around the room. Well, horseapples.

"Wait, Bon Bon. It's okay, we're fine!" Lyra urged, trying not to raise her voice too much or dwell on the way Knight ducked under her body, shivering in fright. Thankfully, the cream-coated mare listened and took measured steps toward her wife, whose earnest smile was lit nicely by her glowing horn.

"Lyra? What's wrong? Why're you out of..." And Bon Bon's gaze lowered to the other source of light in the room, her jaw dropping as recognition entered her eyes. Lyra took a deep breath, shifting in place stiffly in an expression of unease while Knight slowly stood from under her, the tip of his horn brushing the bottom of her barrel.

"Knight can't sleep." The elder unicorn stated with deliberate gentleness, jerking her head once more toward the open door. "We're going to go downstairs and try there. Now, if you could just go back to bed--"

But Knight suddenly launched out from under her to cling onto Bon Bon's front leg, with the owner staring down at him in intense surprise.

"You too? Please?" The earth pony's jaw hung open, and Lyra would have giggled at her expression were she not equally as shocked herself. Silence reigned in the room as the mares tried desperately to comprehend the sudden neediness of their adoptive son. The only thing either of them found themselves able to do was stare disbelievingly into each other's eyes.

A soft sniffle from the shaking foal was what finally broke the spell, with both mares' hearts following suit at the soft plea which followed:

"P-please?"

Bon Bon let out a choked noise of suppressed emotion in response, to which Knight squeezed harder around her foreleg as his horn's light winked out. Had this happened during the daytime, when all three ponies were awake and aware, things would have played out much differently. As things were, the mares found themselves barely able to hold together, and the motherly urge to forcefully cuddle the stress out of their foal's body was getting stronger with every passing second.

"O-okay, Knight. Okay." Stated Bon Bon before she tapped into her earth pony magic to lift her foreleg up and over her shoulders, passing the teary colt onto her back. Knight shifted his stranglehold to the base of her neck after the fact, allowing the adults to begin their trip down to the couches.

Said journey went smoothly enough, and all too soon the trio were standing atop the soft-yet-firm cushions of their well-loved sofa. The furniture gave a familiar creak from under them, and Lyra smiled as she remembered just how often this particular one was chosen for snuggle sessions. It's definitely served us well.

Knight proved reluctant to hop down from Bonnie's withers, but his mothers' slow movements and gentle patting soon coaxed him away. The separation didn't last long, though, as he dove straight into her side when she laid herself down, burrowing in with a satisfied sigh. Lyra found herself reluctant to join, wary of interrupting such a peaceful scene with her uninvited presence.

This hesitance lasted up until the moment her foal twisted his neck to look back at her with the most pining, pleading, pitiful expression she'd ever witnessed. The elder unicorn's knees gave out in time with her will, sending the side of her barrel in contact with her son's.

And there the three laid on their treasured sofa, tails entwined and heads clinking together. The two larger ponies kept careful notice of the third's gradual relaxing, noting that all tension and coldness left his body not five minutes after they arranged in that position. Knight's fearful whimpering faded even quicker, and the last sound to leave his muzzle before he slipped into a peaceful rest was a soft, pleased coo.

They also belatedly noticed that he'd timed his breathing in between theirs, which had instinctively become synchronized. The colt breathed in when they exhaled, which maximized constant pressure between their sides.

"Lyra? Lyra, what the heck is happening? How did this even--" But the mint-colored mare interrupted her partner with a chastising hush, playfully poking her forehead with her horn.

"Shh. Don't worry about it, Bonnie. Just sleep. Embrace the cuteness." The earth pony sighed her acceptance, and her slowed breathing mere moments later announced Lyra as the only one left awake. Sometimes I envy how fast she can go to sleep.

But the unicorn mare found herself unable to rest so readily; her thoughts swirled wildly in attempts to process all the newfound information. With a sliver of concentration she relit her horn, keeping the light dim yet needing the chance to observe her charge all the same.

In studying his face, half hidden under the fuzzy surface of a tan leg, Lyra's worries all but slipped away, replaced by a wide grin. Who am I kidding, this is great! Look at how peaceful he is! Almost unconsciously she dipped her head down to give his cheek a soft peck, and she could have sworn that his slight smile grew by an inch or two in response.

The musician decided then and there to leave all cares for later, and once again cut the flow of mana to her horn before laying her head back down to settle in for a good night's rest.

Together, the family slept.

And it was a more serene sleep than any of them had had in weeks.

Conventus

In a mostly peaceful principality, within a fairly eventful town, inside an extravagant, opulent eyesore of a castle, in a semi-private bedchamber, a middle-aged unicorn mare began her morning routine.

She woke from her peaceful slumber with a content yawn, lying there in her wonderfully plush bed for but a few lazy minutes. All things came to an end, though, and she accordingly rose before gracefully hopping to the floor with ease. Having risen earlier than the sun, the mare found it necessary to flick on the lights before she headed into the attached bathroom.

After sleepily brushing her tangled mane from her face, Starlight splashed it with cold, clean water from the needlessly-fancy faucet. Shortly after this, she set to work straightening the hairs with her favored brush, still drowsily staring herself in the mirror yet nevertheless mostly awake and aware by this point. Once the unicorn's mane had regained its signature curls, she swapped tools to start working on her teeth, still unused to the violently-sweet flavor of the borrowed toothpaste.

Starlight considered taking another shower, but one look at the hopelessly-complicated knobs and heads inside hers made her decide to postpone that particular venture just a bit longer. Last night's struggle was enough for me, to be honest. Seriously, it's like some kind of carriage wash in there!

The lilac mare let out a good-natured chuckle at her plight before turning to regard herself in the full-length mirror off to the side. Only upon seeing nothing wrong with her appearance and feeling especially fresh from her exploits did she step out of the bathroom with a content sigh.

A cheery series of notes emitting from a pair of saddlebags on the far wall made her jump in surprise and let out a nervous giggle. Oh, right! The call's today! A sidelong glance at the calendar confirmed that statement, but it also gave the mare a furrowed brow and pursed lips. So is the meeting, then. I'll deal with that later.

Starlight lit her horn, simultaneously levitating the spherical potion bottle from the bag and stashed cauldron from the corner to the middle of the room. After a brief check to ensure the various liquids were in their proper ratios, she poured the potion into the cauldron, silencing the music in the process.

A blast of blue-tinged fog erupted from the cauldron, spreading directly upwards only to abruptly stagnate, forming a shape vaguely resembling that of a mirror. The mare patiently sat before it as the fog gradually became opaque and the figure of a stallion she was all too familiar with projected onto its surface.

"Hello, dearest! And how are you this fine morning?" Starlight beamed up at the adorably scraggly face of her husband, which blinked groggily before giving a genuine, if tired, smile. Sunburst had clearly seen better days, and indeed seemed for all the world like a hillbilly hobo on his last legs of life. Does he never trim that beard unless I'm around? That was all surface level, though, and Starlight had no issues reading deeper into her lover's visage.

The orange unicorn was tired, yes, but he was also quite plainly filled with a feeling of fulfillment and joy, to a degree that served to widen the already-large smile on the mare's face. He loved helping out however he could in the Empire, and considering his wide range of skills, that was quite a lot. Starlight had confidently left the place in her husband's capable hooves and, while the strain of such a course of action was evident, both of them knew he was up to the task.

"Drained, exhausted, prostrated, the like. Little Topaz kept me up most of the night asking all about the Arcane Sigils." The lilac mare tittered softly at this, to which Sunburst's tired smile shifted to a wry grin. She leveled a chiding hoof in his direction, squinting at him in faked admonishment as she made her reply.

"Now, now, Sunny, you can't go and blame it all on the filly, can you? Somehow, I get the feeling you had just as much fun explaining the Sigils to her as she did listening to you, hmm? Am I right or am I right?" The stallion let out a defeated chuckle, halfheartedly lifting a fetlock to his forehead as he groaned in mock horror.

"Oh, caught in the act! Whatever shall I do now?" The couple shared a few moments of laughter before, as one, they quieted and suddenly grew more serious.

"So, how are things? Are you still holding down the fort?" Sunburst let out a pleased hum as he bobbed his head, tiredly swiping the overgrown mane out of his face after the fact.

"Yes, yes, everything's fine now. I'm thinking it won't be long until I've finished up here and I can come join you in Ponyville." Starlight gaped at this, one of her eyebrows rising in undeniable skepticism as she processed the words. Almost done? But what about-- "I know what you're thinking, and yes. Shining Facet is pretty much entirely recovered by this point. We even took a walk by the drawbridge and she didn't react to the chains' clinking. She and Tourmaline are ready to move on with their lives."

Sunburst let out a satisfied--if weary and slightly stressed--sigh, mildly distorted by the spell yet just as readable all the same. "Really, the only thing left is to find Topaz a home, and there are plenty of willing candidates for adoption, as you know. She and I are going to head out tomorrow and 'shop around', as it were."

The information brought Starlight great surprise, but what shock she felt was almost immediately replaced with a sense of elation and pride for her husband's accomplishments. Facet was a rough case! It's amazing how much progress they must have made! The stallion's following question, though, wiped the pleased grin right off her muzzle.

"And how's the situation with Darkest Knight?" The mare's head dropped and she eyed the floor, absently scuffing her hoof against it as she thought deeply.

"I'm not...entirely sure. Bon Bon has been sending me daily updates and from what she says, he seems to be right on track to recovery. I don't think I need to tell you how unreliable and inaccurate adoptive parents' reports can be, though." Sunburst nodded sagely and canted his head to the side before he responded.

"So...do you think Bon Bon might be lying somehow?" To which the lilac unicorn viciously shook her head, refusing to so much as consider the possibility as she ran through the mare in question's mental file. Definitely not malicious in any way, and her updates have had plenty of details thus far that I'm sure she'd have preferred not to share.

"No," Starlight stated strongly, "I don't believe for a second that she'd do something like that. Still, her reports have the potential to be inaccurate or misleading, despite her intentions. I guess..." The mare trailed off, blinking unsurely as she attempted to gather her thoughts. "I guess it's just really hard to be so distant. I'm essentially forced to trust them to do the right thing. I maintain my decision, mind you, but it's hard nonetheless."

Her husband nodded once more at this and looked about to respond, but instead perked up attentively when she continued. "That's going to change today, though. My first scheduled meeting with the family is in a few hours and Bon Bon even said Knight was ready for it, too. Well, as ready as can be expected of him." The couple sat in thoughtful silence for a few minutes, both mulling over the situation before coming to the exact same conclusion.

"Well, good luck, honey. You know what you're doing. I'll finish up here and come over soon, probably sometime next week. Sound good?" Starlight agreed and, after a few last parting goodbyes, the call was over.

The therapist donned her saddlebags and determinedly stepped outside, glad for the encouragement and support--however distant--from her lover. Faust knows I need it; today's gonna be rough.

---

"Can I go with you?"

Starlight cocked an eyebrow, slowly lowering the fork back to her plate as she contemplated the baby dragon before her. Spike, to his credit, managed to maintain some dignity while making his request, but the therapist could still easily see the desperate need to contribute something he felt. Just like the rest of Ponyville, then. Eager to help like they had been doing a mere week or so ago, yet utterly ignorant of how terrible the situation is.

"I'm sorry, Spike." Stated Starlight, meaning every word, "if there was something you could do to help, I'd ask in a heartbeat." The mare stared directly at the drake sitting across from her at the breakfast table, ensuring she was understood and that her genuineness shone through. "But the truth is that, aside from Lyra and Bon Bon, any creature interacting with Knight right now is only going to make things worse." Spike slumped in his seat and twiddled his thumbs in a gesture of unease and discontent, but soon popped up as something occurred to him:

"What about you? You're going over to see him today, aren't you? So, why can't I come with?" The unicorn's lips formed a sad smile upon seeing the dragon's hopeful expression. "I'll be your assistant for the meeting! I'll take notes and everything!" The scaly biped drooped once more after seeing Starlight's gentle headshake of refusal, which served only to make her more remorseful about the situation.

"I'm only going over to assess their progress and check on how well Knight is adjusting. In all likelihood, my presence won't exactly be taken very well, and in fact will be quite disruptive." Starlight saw the question form in Spike's head the moment it did so and decided to answer it preemptively: "Yes, I still need to go through with this meeting. There's no other reliable way for me to assess the present situation and decide what to do next. Ultimately, what bad may arise from this event will be overshadowed by the progress it will cause." She'd learned that Spike didn't appreciate her talking in tones and word choices that were simpler and easier to understand like she would for other creatures his age.

Spike, much like Darkest, preferred to be treated like a mature adult, at least in that respect. Thus, the mare accordingly adjusted her speech to be that much more complex, and the effects of that course of action were immediate: The young drake sat up, nodded in understanding, and returned to his meal. He seemed to be doing his best to suppress the utter disappointment and dejection her words brought him, which Starlight appreciated quite a lot.

Breakfast continued in silence until both castle residents were finished. Starlight stood, levitated the dishes, syrup, and whipped cream to their respective destinations, thanked Spike for the meal, and promptly proceeded with her plan for the day.

All with a determined squint adorning her features.

---

"Twilight?"

The princess squeaked and jumped in abject surprise before abashedly turning to face her, shuffling her hooves in a display of anxiety and perhaps some amount of shame.

"...What are you doing in my room?" Starlight stood just outside her newly-opened door, regarding the guilty alicorn with no small degree of confusion. Her brow continued to rise as the other mare chuckled nervously and shifted in place, almost as if she was trying to conceal something from view.

"Hey, Starlight! I was just checking out that alchemical residue in your cauldron!" Twilight leaned over and peered into said object, likely in a none-too-convincing effort to strengthen her claim. "I don't recognize the formula from any of my studies. Is it perhaps a new discovery, or are you simply experimenting?" The therapist recognized the deflection from several miles away, but decided to humor the princess' curiosity, if only for a moment.

"It's actually something I learned from my time in the Regency Of Storms. They are, as I imagine you already know, one of the leading nations in alchemy." Starlight took a few steps into the bedchamber, resisting the urge to roll her eyes as the princess tried but failed to discreetly shuffle in place in efforts to counter her new viewing angle. "Well, they devised a way to communicate with someone else face-to-face from long distances. I used it to check in with my husband an hour ago, if you were wondering." Having strode fully into the room, the unicorn had a front-row seat to Twilight's obvious antics, not least among which being her purple eyes darting around in search of inspiration for her next deflection.

"Oh, that's fascinating! Did you know that the Regency might actually become a kingdom again? There's rumors that the Storm King has returned and he might even--" But Starlight interrupted her with naught but a raised eyebrow and a pointed glance to whatever she was concealing so badly.

"Enough with the distractions, Twilight. What are you doing in here?" The purple mare deflated, instantly defeated, and stepped off to the side. Starlight's eyes widened when they took in a collection of papers she recognized as Bon Bon's reports lying on the floor. This, combined with the princess' shameful rubbing of her foreleg as she looked away, told the therapist all she needed to know.

"I'm sorry..." Twilight seemed about to say more, but apparently decided to leave it at that and simply trailed off. Starlight took in the sight for a few seconds more before sighing heavily and levitating the reports back to their file cabinet.

"What do you think I'm going to do? Ground you?" The alicorn paused and slowly glanced up at her wry smirk, seeming immensely surprised by the question. "Seriously, Twilight. You're a princess, I have no right or authority to forbid you from doing anything, let alone punish you." The therapist could see the cogs turning in Twilight's head as she processed the information, sighing heavily once more as a result. "Still, I would have preferred if you'd let them stay confidential, if only because--"

"So can I go too?" Twilight interrupted, staring up at her with shining eyes, a hopeful smile, and spread wings. The princess must have been working on her begging face, because what sat before the lilac unicorn currently was the perfect picture of pitiful pleading.

"No," Starlight refuted easily enough, thinking through the many disastrous outcomes of her tagging along. "And that just proves my point." The alicorn seemed confused by her statement, so the therapist patiently clarified. "I'd have preferred if you didn't read the reports, because you might start getting ideas about trying to help more than you already have." The unicorn gave a wry smirk as Twilight's mouth formed an 'O'. "It would appear that such concerns on my part have been validated." The purple mare slumped again, absently drawing a circle with her hoof as she sighed heavily, nodding her understanding.

"Yeah, okay. I get it. I guess I shouldn't go sticking my muzzle where it isn't wanted, huh?" Starlight frowned at this and took a few steps closer to rest a comforting hoof on her drooping shoulder.

"Don't be so hard on yourself, princess. You've helped him much more than a lot of ponies. He'd still be in the hospital right now if it wasn't for you." Twilight nodded once more and heaved out yet another sigh, sounding like she was fighting back tears. Both mares' gazes grew distant as glimpses of chaotic mayhem flashed before their eyes. Ponyville General as a whole had gone into an utter frenzy the second the comatose colt had been shown through its doors, with nurses and doctors alike becoming ill in the face and many requiring their own beds after seeing the state of him.

Starlight supposed she couldn't blame them; Knight's condition had easily been among the worst she'd ever seen and, as a traveling professional therapist that'd gone personally to some of the worst places Equus had to offer, that was nothing to scoff at. Still, he was better now--doing incredibly well, if Bon Bon was to be believed--and much of that was thanks to the unbelievably-advanced spells of the distressed alicorn sitting right before her.

Sniffling softly, Twilight lifted her head to gaze into the unicorn's eyes, both of which were creased in sympathy and understanding.

"I just..." The princess bit her lower lip as it wobbled dangerously. "He's my cousin, for Faust's sake. Would it really hurt for me to be more involved?" She knew the answer to that question and both mares were aware of that. Wordlessly, Starlight pulled the hurting alicorn into a gentle hug, tightening her grip as Twilight tried and failed to compose herself. Looks like love for physical affection runs in the family.

The friends sat there for an indeterminate amount of time, one very much in the process of breaking down and the other rubbing her back with a caring hoof. It would likely be a mere minute or so before the princess collected herself and the extended moment was over, but until then they would simply sit and revel in it.

I'm sure it doesn't help that I asked for the organization to be disbanded, but it had to be done; in the end, it was doing more harm than good and giving false notions to the community as a whole.

I just hope I'll be ready for the meeting. Knight's easily the most damaged case I've ever had. A sliver of uncertainty swept through the unicorn, but she speedily brushed it aside by way of reassuring and confident thoughts. I'll be ready. I can do this. Her determined squint made a return as she imperceptibly tightened her hold around Twilight's shaking shoulders.

I won't let him down.

---

Ponyville was a bustling city filled with life, vigor, and the rustic flair that Starlight had found was characteristic of small towns. One could easily be caught up in the joyful activity, joining in with naught but a smile and happy dance.

Starlight didn't smile; she picked up on the other emotion which underscored the levity, providing a sense of sorrow and frustration that prevailed throughout the town as a whole. While the therapist had done her best to be discreet about matters concerning her patient, word had nonetheless spread as it was wont to do. The unicorn's trained senses detected all too easily the hasty glances conducted by the civilians and aimed solely at her destination.

Everypony wants to help out, moreso than they've been able to. Starlight shook her head softly, a frown forming on her face as she continued to observe the residents. That's heartening, to be sure, but it's not wise or needed right now. The faint ghost of a sardonic chuckle emanated from the mare as she sped up her pace. I never thought I'd need to ask civilians not to help out with a case, but here we are.

"Mrs. Glimmer!" The unicorn was abruptly startled out of her thoughts by a greenish pegasus stallion who swooped in to land directly in front of her and immediately formed a crisp salute. "We're still in pursuit of the runaway couple, ma'am. We did find a few leads, though, so if you'll come this way I can show yo--" But the guardstalllion was interrupted by a mere raised hoof, one that went swiftly to massage the bridge of Starlight's nose.

"Private Javelin, I've told you time and again that you don't report to me. Just because I took over one foal's case and got royal sanction to do so does not mean I'm suddenly your commanding officer." Starlight sighed explosively as the guard slouched and shamefully began rubbing his foreleg. "I'm just a social worker, for Faust's sake." The private nodded and made to take off once more, but paused suddenly and twisted his neck around to offer one last parting bit.

"You may be interested to know, though, that a certain Derpy Hooves has been caught repeatedly breaking the 'no entry' rule for the sweet shoppe to deliver mail." That got the therapist's attention and interest, which the soldier immediately noticed and grinned at. She waved an impatient hoof in a sign to continue, which he happily did. "She stopped a while ago, though, and said that it wouldn't be a problem anymore. Apparently there aren't any more letters, and she seemed remorseful enough." The mare gazed at the cobblestoned ground for a few moments in thought before lifting her head and responding with a clear tone of authority in her voice.

"Let her off with a strong warning and watch her for any further instances of disobedience. Derpy doesn't lie lightly and I doubt she's up to something nefarious, but one can never be too cautious." It was at that moment that Starlight realized she'd just contradicted her previous statement with near exactness and the private's somewhat-smug nod didn't exactly make things any better. Drat it all. I better not let this go to my head. The last thing I need is the responsibility of running a town. I doubt I could do that without becoming some sort of equality tyrant.

Chuckling softly at the mental images those words brought, Starlight resumed her previous trot towards her destination, sighing but making no comment when Javelin fell in beside her.

There was relative silence for a few minutes as the two traveled, quietly pondering the paradoxically bustling-yet-subdued town around them. The reticence ended when the private spoke with a noticeable waver, twisting his neck to gaze at the mare with a look of utter uncertainty.

"So, are things doing to turn out alright? The town's getting antsy, if you hadn't noticed. Are you sure a candymaker and a musician are the right ponies for the job?" Starlight resisted the urge to sigh again, instead performing an elegant facehoof when she saw the small crowd his words had gathered.

"Yes, I'm reasonably sure, but that's what I'm about to check. And, no, there's nothing more you can be doing right now to help. That goes for all of you!" Disappointed mutters and grumbling met her words as the crowd disbanded, with the private sighing and flapping away now that his question had been answered.

Finally, Starlight Glimmer came to a halt just outside the her destination's closed door, taking but a moment to steel herself before determinedly striding forward...

As Sunburst always likes to say: Nothing for it but to do it.

...and gracing the the wood with a single sharp knock.

---

"Well, that could have gone better."

Starlight, currently seated on a vaguely familiar well-worn sofa, sighed despondently as panicked wails continued to echo throughout the building. Bon Bon seemed to be making a conscious effort to restrain herself to the opposite couch, likely wanting to offer assistance if her body language and recent statement were anything to go by.

Starlight found herself conducting a brief visual inspection of the building from her spot on the couch as she formulated her response. She nodded with satisfaction upon noticing the many well-hidden runic inscriptions and other such defenses. One can never be too cautious with this sort of thing, especially after what happened. I'm just glad they deactivated them before I arrived. Those turrets look scary. A stack of newly-washed dishes on the kitchen counter also caught her attention, if only because she remembered Bon Bon telling her about the antiques she'd been collecting for years as part of the charm of her shop.

"Actually, I don't believe it could. This is pretty much the reaction I was expecting." The earth pony seemed moderately surprised by the therapist's reply, but soon adopted a look of understanding instead. A somewhat-strained silence followed the exchange, with the mares wincing in tandem as the unmistakable thud of a foal's body hitting the floor carried down to their twitching ears. Bon Bon twisted her neck and regarded the stairway with a longing expression, her forehooves starting to absently tap together while they continued to wait.

Having had enough of the anxious scene before her, Starlight cleared her throat and made her offer, watching the other mare's reaction with rapt intensity. "You can go up and help, you know. I'm planning to just wait here until he's calm enough to come sit." The earth pony didn't immediately jump up and rush over like she'd been expecting, instead returning her cerulean gaze to the unicorn.

"No, Lyly can handle it and I trust her to do so. Adding another pony to the mix might do more harm than good, anyway." Starlight raised an eyebrow at this and hastily scribbled a few notes onto the pad she was levitating behind her. Now that's interesting and a good sign, to be sure. These mares show an amount of trust in each other that continues to surprise me. The fact that she apparently knows Knight well enough by now that she can judge by herself when it's best to help is equally impressive.

Bon Bon coughed awkwardly but was otherwise still as she made her inquiry, having stopped her hooves' fiddling. "So, how exactly is this going to look? What can we expect?" Starlight brightened at this and leaned forward to better engage with the candymaker, speaking in precise tones and words that left no room for interpretation.

"Essentially, I'm going to conduct an interview to both gauge how well you, Lyra and Knight are adjusting and determine if it's a good idea to let you keep doing so. I hope you've realized by now that I've taken quite a few risks with you two." Starlight noted with gratitude that the mare opposite her merely nodded her affirmation instead of snorting in surprise. "I'm going to do my best to act the opposite of what he expects a 'therapist' to do." The air quotes with which that word was laden were heavy and quite present, displaying Starlight's attached frustration and disdain despite her attempts to keep it under wraps.

After taking in Bon Bon's understanding and sympathetic nod, the unicorn gestured to her right, where the pen and notepad she was levitating had been brought to bear. "As part of that, I'll have the notes I'm taking be concealed from view. They probably won't be as legible by nature of me writing blind, but I'll manage." She then lowered herself against the couch, draping her body along it in a brief demonstration of her next point. "I'll also present myself as casually as possible and try to act as if this is a meeting between old friends. Or something to that effect."

Starlight was moderately surprised to find herself thoroughly uncomfortable with adopting such posture while speaking to somepony. I suppose I'm just used to being more...professional. Which is exactly what Knight would be looking for. Looks like I'll need some practice, then. In light of these thoughts, the therapist opted to remain in the relaxed and prone position, rather than returning to the more comfortable pose of attentively sitting up like she'd been planning.

The timely, echoing clip-clop of hoofbeats on wooden stairs followed the conclusion of the lilac unicorn's explanation, with both seated mares falling silent and turning to regard the new arrivals. Ah, there they are.

And indeed, they were. Starlight's eyes immediately locked onto the shivering ball of white cowering against Lyra's back, noting how he tensed his muscles progressively tighter the further she carried him into the room. Starlight studied closely the way Knight dismissed Bon Bon entirely as a threat and instead locked terrified eyes with the only unknown in the house. Starlight examined with great intensity how Lyra brought him to the couches in a curved, indirect path to give him time to process everything, rather than take him straight to his supposed doom.

Perhaps that course of action wasn't enough. Perhaps Starlight had been conducting her analysis a bit too intensely. Perhaps she had, in her eagerness to reconnect with the troubled foal whom she'd grown more attached to than she cared to admit, forgotten to stamp down her ingrained counselor instincts which ironically enough were already planning out how best to put him at ease.

Whatever it was, it was too much for Knight.

The colt let out a tortured screech as Starlight clenched her eyes shut, seconds too late. Colorful curses the likes of which the sheltered ponies of Equestria had never heard filled her mind, but she could at very least keep those from spilling out. Quick, panicked hoofsteps revealed to her his desperate scramble away from what he thought was a therapist, consequently ending up in the kitchen.

Starlight's eyes snapped open and her ears flicked wildly upon hearing the clatter of dishes shattering against the floor. Somehow, Knight had either bumped into the counter hard enough to knock them off or else telekinetically shoved them as some kind of distraction. Whichever it was, he regretted doing so the second it happened, if his abrupt dead stop and sudden utter lack of breath was anything to go by. All mares in the room came to a halt in turn, none of the three wanting to do anything that might worsen the situation.

Lyra moved first: A simple, unassuming step forward was her chosen action, likely intended to test the waters and judge his response.

Knight's reaction was immediate: A powerful jolt backwards that nearly sent him into the air, but did result in his rump connecting with the cabinet behind him. The colt's breath resumed with ragged, uneven reluctance and he curled into himself, his gaze switching frantically between the frozen mares and the porcelain remains.

Lyra, to Starlight's immediate surprise, took another step.

Again, Knight reacted with downright inequine speed:

"NO! Pl-please, NO! I'm sorry! I'm sorry..." He trailed off as, sniffling miserably, his eyes finally landed on the shattered dishes and his expression became a sad, guilty, expectant grimace.

Lyra didn't take another step.

She practically galloped straight for him.

Starlight's eyes bulged with surprise and moderate alarm and she shot to her hooves, her horn lighting in a blaze of cyan as hundreds of defensive spells were reflexively brought to her awareness. The unicorn held back, though, and hoped with desperate vigor that she was correct in doing so and not wrong about there being some kind of misunderstanding. A sidelong glance at Bon Bon's shocked, concerned face did not exactly help that, but she hoped nonetheless.

The counselor was immediately glad she did so; the scene that next graced her vision was as precious as it was indescribably heartening.

Knight whimpered and flinched away, yes, but the mint-colored hoof that reached out merely grabbed his foreleg, to his intense surprise and Starlight's immense relief. Lyra's other leg began making reassuring strokes through the colt's mane as the other held his up for inspection. It was then that the therapist's gaze landed on--of all things--a minor cut on his limb, just above the fetlock, likely made by some shard of shattered plate as it flew by.

Wait, what? Was the counselor's initial thought as she watched the other unicorn mare carelessly levitate the various dishes' remains into the garbage bin. All that for a scratch? However, upon further pondering on the situation, study of Lyra's worried expression, and notice of Bon Bon's continued alarm, Starlight finally made the necessary connections. Bon Bon said they were really old plates! Depending on the age, they could have some seriously harmful substances in there that could do some damage...

The therapist's ears twitched when they detected the graceful, delicate sound of plucked strings and her attention was drawn to the source. Lyra's lyre was currently floating over to the pair of unicorns from somewhere Starlight didn't really care to think about, emitting soothing melodies the whole while.

Knight's reaction to this was, again, immediate. The colt relaxed and melted into Lyra's waiting forelegs, ceasing his fearful watch and seeming to trust her entirely from what little Starlight could see. The minty mare's eyes screwed shut and her brows furrowed as her horn's light blazed with higher intensity. The floating lyre's sudden soft glow was the only sign she was casting a spell, or rather, several. Purging his body of any and all potential toxins, I'd guess. I would offer to do it instead, but so long as she can do it there's no reason not to let her.

A soft grunt of exertion and several beads of sweat appearing on Lyra's forehead made Starlight begin doubting that. But when the magic faded away gradually instead of sputtering out and the other unicorn let out a sigh of relief, she knew it had been done successfully.

Having finished ridding Knight of any serious danger, Lyra shifted him in her grip and wrapped the small colt in a comforting hug that he instantly returned. Starlight had to strain to hear it from her spot on the couch, but she could just make out a mumbled apology from him before he buried his face in her impressive chest fur.

"It's okay, Sugar. I'm not worried about some fancy old plates. You're far more precious to me." The therapist would have quirked her eyebrow at the nickname were she not utterly engrossed in restraining herself from fawning at the scene. What didn't help that reaction was Lyra's look of complete devotion as she stared warmly down at the top of her child's head, gazing at him as if he was the only thing that mattered in the whole world. As if he had utterly become the world and thus meant it to her.

Hyperfixation, was Starlight's belated realization, she's hyperfixating. That would normally be a bad thing, but...Knight may actually need it. The lilac unicorn hastily averted her gaze before it could cause more trouble, turning to observe the tan earth pony sitting across from her. Bon Bon was twisting her neck to gaze contentedly at the pair in the kitchen, simply smiling serenely at the scene before she in turn turned to the therapist with a noticeable glint in her eye.

"See? Lyly's got this." Starlight found herself nodding dumbly, still processing the ease with which the minty unicorn had deescalated the situation. It almost seems like they got the trust charm back up, but what's even better is that this happened purely from their work with him. Incredible.

"Hey, I think we should go to the bathroom and dress that cut. What do you say?" The therapist barely caught Lyra's murmured proposal and was just able to turn her head again in time to witness Knight's energetic nod. Probably eager to get out of my vicinity. It...really sucks to know I can distress my patient just by being seen, but that should stop happening after enough visits. What's more impressive is Lyra asking for permission and his opinions on things, which tells him that his desires matter. Good things all around, but I still need more information.

Lyra made a passing glance back at the seated mares just before she and her son left, to which the lilac unicorn did her best to give a firm-yet-apologetic smile. The minty mare scanned her face for a few seconds--during which Starlight felt herself under quite possibly the most intense scrutiny she'd ever experienced--before nodding her understanding and leading Knight to the nearby bathroom.

"I imagine we're still going through with the meeting?" Starlight startled at the candymaker's statement, unable to shake the feeling that her deepest secrets and innermost thoughts had been casually poked at. The unicorn breathed deeply and composed herself, callously brushing aside the unsettling sensation as she refocused on the matter at hoof. No time for that.

"Yes. While what just happened may have answered a good portion of my questions, there are still other things that must be checked off." Bon Bon, to the therapist's eternal gratitude, did not contest the point nor demand examples or anything else that would cause a migraine, instead simply nodding resolutely and dismounting the couch.

"Well, we're meant to treat this like a casual friendly get-together, right?" At Starlight's nod, the earth pony set off toward the kitchen. "Alright, so can I get you something? Tea, maybe? D'you have a preferred blend?" The unicorn nodded gratefully, smiling to herself as a faint memory swam to the forefront of her mind. Tea is just what I need right now.

"Chamomile," gazing wistfully northward, she added, "it's Sunburst's favorite." Bon Bon chuckled at this, opening up a few cabinets and beginning to set out various supplies.

"It's everypony's favorite." Despite this, the candymaker continued without further comment or complaint, letting Starlight gaze out the window in deep pondering. If she squinted, she thought she could just barely make out a faint spire of crystal on the horizon, but it was probably just her imagination. I hope he comes when he said he can. I need all the help I can get. I think we all do, but we'll make due with what we've got.

We're gonna be okay.

Author's Notes:

Shining Facet and Tourmaline are borrowed OC names from this fic and its sequel, both of which I heavily advise (Read: Demand) you go check out, as they're amazing stories and among those several that inspired this one.

Gratitude goes once again to Anotherrandom and rikithemonk for making this fic over 20% cooler!

Mother's Day Special

And that should finish up that batch! Now to start the next one...

Bon Bon Heartstrings once more lifted the box of sugar above the sizable pot and tipped it, sending the powdery contents falling to their heated doom. One light sprinkling of some alchemical ingredients and a swift turn of the stovetop's knob marked the start of what would soon become a jar of delectable candies.

The mare hummed to herself as she worked, her thoughts wandering aimlessly as she relaxed into the well-practiced routine. She didn't especially know why she'd continued making so many candies; Her wife and son enjoyed partaking of them, sure, but they lacked the capability--though not the appetite--to consume the whole shop's worth of sweets she made on the daily. Perhaps Bon Bon simply took too much joy in the process of making candy to give it up, perhaps she did it as a sort of calming ritual to meditate and reflect on her day, and perhaps she just liked the taste of sweet victory when the work was finished.

Whatever it was didn't especially matter; Bon Bon was making candy and there was little anypony could do to stop her, even on the unlikely chance that they'd want to in the first place.

Soft-yet-hurried hoofsteps heralded the imminent arrival of a certain unicorn foal, and Bonnie tensed in preparation for the assault. As predicted, her hind legs--which had been foolishly (or perhaps purposefully) left undefended--were the sudden victims of a vicious attack from behind.

With a most stealthy battle cry and a preemptive peal of laughter, Knight catapulted himself straight into her hocks and held on with feral strength. Unable to withstand the might of such an overwhelming onslaught, the former agent fell to the ground with a dramatic "oof!", gradually weakening her death throes before finally collapsing, but not before adding an extra twitch for good measure.

"Momma!" Button--for that was almost definitely who was in charge at the moment--managed to squeak out after recovering from his fit of giggles. Bon Bon couldn't stop herself from breaking into a grin, cracking an eye open just in time to watch the colt launch himself once more, this time straight into her barrel. The earth pony deftly caught him and held the laughing lump of foal to her chest before the two engaged in a heartfelt nuzzle.

The ponies laid in silence for a while, with Bon Bon listening carefully to both the heating sugar and her son's breathing. She tried desperately to pinpoint the exact moment Button was shoved to the background and Knight resumed control, but found herself yet still unable to read him that well. At this rate, I doubt I'll ever figure out how Lyly does it. As of yet, she could only detect a mix of signals--the tempo of his breath and heartbeat, the occasional tensing of his muscles, and his flickering gaze foremost among them--but never begin to decipher what exactly they meant.

Finally, Knight wiggled a bit and Bon Bon knew to let him slide off of her, standing from her belly-up position shortly after. At that point, the pot of sugar had begun to boil, so the mare slid on a pair of oven mitts and poured the contents onto a nearby magically-cooled pan. The unicorn watched all of this with rapt attention, still somehow fascinated by the process despite having seen it to its completion several times already. Suddenly, his expression became pensive and he pursed his lips in the beginning of a question, to which Bon Bon raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

"What does that mean?" The earth pony blinked a few times in confusion, removing her mitts before turning to look her son in the eye. Neither of us has said anything, so he must be referencing what Button said earlier. Knowing the candy-in-progress needed some time to reach the right consistency, the ex-agent laid herself down to be on the same level as the colt.

"What does 'Momma' mean? Is that what you're asking me, Knight?" The colt nodded and appeared genuinely interested, so Bon Bon took a moment to ponder. He started calling me 'Momma' and Lyra 'Mommy' a few days ago. That means he's able to distinguish between us and accepted both of us as parents, so that can't be it. Maybe he's asking what it means to be a mother? He hasn't had much experience with that, after all.

After another few moments of her looking questioningly at her son and receiving nothing in the way of clarification, the mare promptly decided that that was the most plausible interpretation and so answered accordingly: "Well, a mother is somepo--er, creature--who cares for their child. Whether they're biologically related or not, a mother tends to her children's needs and helps raise them to become strong, capable adults." Knight mulled this over for a few seconds, nodding and appearing to debate with himself--potentially literally, considering his mental state. Bonnie was about to continue her little spiel, but was surprised when he instead asked another question and doubly so when she fully registered it.

"What's your mother like?"

So unexpected was this inquiry that it stumped the former agent entirely for quite some time. Once that period was over, however, a slight smile appeared on her face. One that only grew the longer she spent reveling in joyful memories.

Momma! Momma! Look what I found!

"My mother, Knight?"

Oh, a flower! And it matches my mane, too! Thank you so much, Sweetie. It looks so pretty!

"She's amazing. I think she's probably one of the greatest ponies to ever exist."

Not as pretty as you, mom!

Knight blinked curiously, tilting his head in silent beckoning for more information. Bon Bon smiled yet wider and laid her head on the floor, having to concentrate rather hard to avoid getting lost in the fond recollections.

There, there, Sweets. Let it all out. It's okay.

"She comforted me when I hurt myself on a sharp rock..."

That's so cool! I've never heard of that! Can you tell me more?

"...she listened to my crazy stories, even when they got too outlandish to ever be real...

How was your day at school, Sweets? Did you like the lunch I packed you?

"...she fed and cared for me, all without expecting anything in return."

Knight was, at this point, staring in what was practically wide-eyed wonder, and Bon Bon suddenly felt she knew exactly what to finish with.

"That's what mothers are, Knight. Comforters. Caregivers. Listeners. And," she stared back, projecting every last scrap of sincerity she could, "that's what I am for you, too. Okay?" The colt hesitated for but a moment before nodding vigorously, to which the former agent swept him up in yet another hug that he eagerly reciprocated.

Fortunelessly, the embrace was doomed to premature death as the cooling candy finally reached the correct consistency for further work. Bon Bon gently set the foal down--to both of their disappointments--and reached up to lift the wad of soon-to-be-candy, carrying it over to yet another machine.

The work didn't continue for long before Lyra strode in, hungrily eyeing the finished batch. The earth pony watched carefully from the corner of her eye as the minty mare attempted to sneak past her to the nearby table. A swift swat with Bon Bon's tail was her retribution, to which Lyra recoiled and adopted an expression of nonchalance.

"Naughty Lyly. You know you have to ask first. Think of the example you're setting for our son!" The unicorn ducked her head and seemed appropriately abashed, but the ex-agent still caught her mouth's mocking movements and her hoof's waving, as well as Knight's resulting giggle. "I saw that!" The minty mare paled and began backing away, but a certain colt's sudden grip on her foreleg stopped her in her tracks.

"Mommy? What does 'mother' mean?"

This shocked Lyra right out of her playful attitude and she stared down at her son in surprise before sending an asking glance Bonnie's way. The earth pony merely shrugged and gave a meaningful look, to which the elder unicorn breathed deeply and settled down, mulling the question over.

Bon Bon returned to her work, but still kept an ear pointed backwards both to insure against any more sneaky attempts at thievery and because she was interested in what her wife had to say.

"Well, I'm sure your Momma already told you about it, but a mother is somecreature who cares about and for her child." The cream-colored candymaker smirked to herself, greatly pleased and somewhat smug that their respective answers to the question had been nearly identical. Knight hmmed for a moment before, predictably enough, turning the same follow-up inquiry on his other parent:

"What's your mother like?"

Silence relayed Lyra's surprise and Bon Bon found herself twisting her neck around to get a look at her stunned expression. The mint-colored unicorn took a few minutes to collect her thoughts, but eventually brought her gaze back down to Knight's curious expression to give him an earnest smile.

"Well, as a filly, I was quite the hoof-full. The fact that I was--and still am, I guess--far from neurotypical hardly helped. All in all, my family had to deal with a lot of behavior that I'm sure got annoying really fast." Lyra's gaze grew distant as she--much like her wife mere minutes prior--revisited old and fond memories of her foalhood. "My mother, though? She was and is as patient as anything. Even when the whole word seemed sick of me and nothing made sense, I always knew I could go to her for love and support."

"She always understood me on some level, even when I failed to understand myself. Looking back, I would definitely have turned out for the worse if she hadn't acted like she did."

Lyra jolted out of her thoughts in time to catch her son's expression of utter wonder, giving him a soft smile and a nuzzle in response. "That's what being a mother means, Knight. Patience, understanding, and unconditional love. And I want to give you the very same things. That is, if you'll have me?"

The colt merely initiated a tight hug in reply, clutching at Lyra's barrel and sighing his gratitude. The unicorns sat in a contented embrace for the umpteenth time, and Bon Bon found herself slightly jealous as she finished up the batch of candy.

"Hey, where's my hug?" The former agent yelped as she was surrounded by a yellow glow and brought rather forcibly over to join the cuddle pile. She rolled her eyes after discovering several candies also having been the victims of levitation, but couldn't stay angry when she saw the looks of utter bliss on her family members' faces when they partook. Knight in particular seemed to be enjoying the sugary delight to a degree that was nearly worrying, and the earth pony chuckled to herself as he consumed her work, still not leaving the group hug.

"You really like sugar, don't you, Knight?" The colt hardly had the presence of mind to nod his agreeance, which only heightened Bonnie's humor at the scene. A rogue idea planted itself in her head and she mulled it over, trying to gauge his potential reactions. Well, we do still need a name to refer to everypony in his head...

"What do you think about being nicknamed that? Sugar, I mean. You do share a lot of things in common, after all." Bon Bon felt a sting of worry in witnessing Knight's surprised expression, but it was swiftly replaced by relief when he beamed and nodded, still sucking adorably on his treat.

That settled, the family laid together on the floor, heartily indulging in the one member's succulent creations as they basked in each other's presence.

A long road lay ahead of them, wrought with dangers and peril the likes of which they couldn't imagine. But they would face that road together, united in cause--if not mind--and strengthened by their mutual love.

The mothers would face challenges, yes, but they knew that from the get-go. They were ready. Prepared and even eager to face the trials. They'd do anything for their child, as any true mother would.

And true mothers they were.

Author's Notes:

Happy Mother's Day! I decided I needed to write something special for this occasion, but any story idea was deemed inadequate compared to the potential for a Libero chapter dedicated to the holiday.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this more lighthearted chapter. It was quite a bit more experimental, so if y'all would give feedback on how it turned out, I would be very appreciative.

Praeteritus

"The first few days went about as well as we'd expected,"

Bon Bon Heartstrings began, warming her hooves with the teacup she cradled between them. Across from her, Starlight Glimmer nodded sagely, still casually laying down and attempting--with only moderate success--to look as comfortable as possible.

"He didn't acclimate quickly and was understandably distressed from waking up in such a strange location."

The speaking mare's wife, Lyra Heartstrings, sat next to her at just the right distance to offer support but not encroach too much. She held her own cup of chamomile in a golden aura, unable to use her hooves. Those were rather preoccupied at the moment.

"But I'd say things have gotten better since then; he's gotten quite used to us, and us to him."

Darkest Knight, the unicorn colt currently sandwiched between the mares, clutched harder around his mommy's barrel as he tried fruitlessly to smoosh himself yet further into both the couch's back and her tender embrace. This strained the family's positioning and they simultaneously wriggled about to settle into more comfortable poses. Lyra's chin ended up resting on her wife's shoulder while that selfsame earth pony grunted softly under the weight of two cuddly unicorns.

This left Knight practically buried underneath the two, but from his soft giggle and content hum, they figured he didn't mind too much.

Starlight seemed to struggle quite hard to resist fawning over them, instead gathering herself up and, with moderate effort, making her reply:

"That sounds amazing, Bonnie. Do you mind if I call you that?" A small shrug was her answer, which jostled Lyly from her position enough to warrant a displeased expression. Bon Bon sent an apologetic side-eye her way, silently promising to be a better pillow, and that seemed to appease the mare. "Excellent," then, "can I ask when the bonding truly started? Do you think there was perhaps a moment you can pinpoint, or was it gradual?" Knight's fearful shivering was beginning to make a return at the questions, but luckily his momma's gentle stroking of his mane kept that at a minimum.

"Definitely the first one. And the moment was probably when Lyly comforted him after the break-in. I'm told it was much like the befriending process those months ago, if more involved." Bon Bon glanced again at her wife, but didn't receive much in the way of confirmation from the minty unicorn, preoccupied as she was by staring fondly--and quite vacantly--at her son.

Knight seemed to settle, letting out a breathy sigh as he was continually besieged by loving strokes from all sides. It'd been mildly off-putting at first, how much he liked being pet, but the three of them had quickly gotten used to the mutually-pleasant sensation.

"It seems to be working quite well. Could you please tell me if there's anything odd you've noticed? Behaviors that perhaps don't match up with what we know?" Starlight was clearly trying very hard to sound as little like one of her station as possible, but while that was helping, it wasn't enough; the colt let out a tiny whimper every time she spoke, and the tremors resumed with vengeance the second either mare's ministrations waned even the slightest bit.

We've got our work cut out for us. The former agent noted as she pondered the question, dutifully stroking her son's mane and giving his shoulder a soft squeeze of reassurance. All four of us. I wonder what could have scarred him so badly that even somepony talking a certain way sets off these responses. Just how bad could it have been?

---

"I can not ever begin to thank you three sufficiently for this. Truly, I am forever in your debt."

Darkest trailed behind his saviors, continuously spouting words of gratitude as he rushed to keep up with their fast pace. Around them, Canterlot's nightlife was in full swing, with parties in seemingly every other building and drunken nobles stumbling into and out of bars. The youth found himself often gazing straight up at the night sky to appreciate the new angle, but a swift tug from one of his liberators always reminded him to continue rushing through the city.

He did not especially know what the cause for such a hurry was; the danger and evil was behind them, after all, and they only got further away from it. The colt decided, however, that those who had saved him couldn't possibly mean any harm, so he accordingly followed along with their commands.

"Yeah, yeah. Keep up, kiddo. We are almost there." The gruff, stockier stallion spoke as he jerked his head in an impatient gesture. This pony's figure and coloration was achingly familiar, but he could not possibly be one of the workers; he had saved Darkest! Even the ever-dormant Knight popped up to agree that none of these ponies harbored any ill intentions whatsoever.

It was with abrupt spontaneity that the colt was yanked into a nearby alley, with one of his savior's fetlocks placed speedily over his muzzle to muffle his yelp of surprise. Darkest watched with wide eyes as an armored pony stalked through the street, wielding what he recognized as a spear quite effectively. Those hurt and stab at long range, he remembered, but they are significantly less dangerous up close. I would simply need to close the distance and weave around the assailant before making my swift escape.

"We are hiding because there is still danger out here. Broken's workers could be anywhere at all, and it is with great intensity that they desire you back in their hooves." The mare's murmured words dampened many of Darkest's questions and he nodded vigorously as she crept around to stand in front of him. "Remember, though, that the alleys are safe. Nopony can see or catch you in here, got it?" More nodding was her answer and she gave him a pleased smirk before waving to the stallions. "The way is clear, now. Let us proceed."

The group trudged on through darkened streets, their way lit only by the moon above them, adorned as it was with the silhouette of a horned mare's head. Darkest kept silent for a few minutes, doing his level best to both take in the scenery and keep up with the hurried pace. I dislike this architecture. Even in the flattering night's light, it manages to remain utterly atrocious and quite bland. An errant question soon arose, though, one that, curious as he was, the colt could not help but ask:

"If you mind not mine inquiry, where is it that we are destined, exactly? Answers have not quite been forthcoming." The lankier, as-yet-silent cloaked stallion shot him an annoyed glance and he withered in apology, but the mare responded before a reprimand could be given.

"You need not worry about such things, Darkest. We are almost there, and only good events shall greet us upon our arrival." She shot her gaze over to the colt in time to catch his tremulous smile and hesitant nod of assent. Having fallen behind slightly once more, the foal scampered up to her legs, edging yet closer as faint sounds from behind jostled his nerves. A soft grunt of disapproval and light swat with her tail bade him create more distance, which he did with no small amount of reluctance.

She knows your name.

Knight--as the strange voice in the back of the colt's head liked to call itself--surfaced just long enough to make a helpful observation before returning to the far section of his mental scape. That is peculiar, Knight, agreed Darkest, for I do not recall ever introducing myself. Perhaps she overheard HIM say it?

The group of unicorns came to an abrupt stop in front of a rather unassuming building whose sole distinguishing factor was its relative small size compared to those around it. Darkest surveyed the structure with an eyebrow raised as he caught his breath. The bulky stallion stepped forth to grace the door with a few sharp knocks before turning to him.

"Alright, kid. Listen up: We are taking you to see a therapist, and he is going to help set your mind straight. You need to do everything he says and answer every question he asks, or else. Understand?"

Any questions the youth might have had were immediately shut up upon his hearing the threat and he violently nodded, cowering back and raising a hoof in defense as he did. The building's front door slammed open, further startling Darkest as a shortish bespectacled stallion beckoned him inside. The colt glanced around, expecting his saviors to take the lead, but when no such intention became apparent, he gulped nervously and trudged into the building.

Just before the outside world faded from view, the mare leaned forward to offer one parting piece.

"Just remember, Darkest: It is therapy, and you will need to go through it very, very often. To get help. You see?"

A sense of faint terror began to settle on Darkest as he took in the grave expression on her face, that being the last he saw before the door suddenly shut and the therapist brought him deeper into the building.

---

"Wait, wait. You mean you guys sleep...together?"

So surprised was Starlight when she made the inquiry that she was scarcely able to stop it from becoming an exclamation. Bon Bon raised a confused eyebrow, gesturing over to where Lyra had taken to laying on her side, facing the couch's back with Knight nestled against her belly.

"Yeah? You can see for yourself how comfortable we've gotten with each other. Is it really such a surprise?" The therapist shook her head at this, absently waving a hoof as she finished the last sip of her fourth cup of tea.

"Yes, Bonnie, it is. Cuddling while you're awake and aware of danger is all well and good, but trusting someone enough to sleep in their presence is completely different." The lilac unicorn risked a glance at the colt in question, almost entirely hidden from sight as Lyly hummed a tune directly into his stilled ears. "Can you describe how you three sleep? I'm assuming there's a particular position?"

At the earth pony's incredulous look, Starlight rolled her eyes and returned with a rather pointed expression. "Yes, I'm asking. Yes, I'm serious, and yes, it is important. Crucial, even. There's a very real chance you're moving too fast or doing something incorrectly or even worsening things. Please don't make me ask again."

Bon Bon nodded, feeling appropriately ashamed at the thoughts that had been running through her head. Of course it's not like that, and of course she'd only ask if it matters. I should definitely know better by now. Still doesn't make this any less awkward, though.

"There's not much to it," the cream-colored mare began. "We sleep on the couch, of course. This one right here." She gestured vaguely at her current seat, finally depositing her now-cold teacup on the coffee table she'd dragged there around half an hour ago. "We lay down, side-to-side, with Sugar in the middle, of course." Knight's ears began to twitch, but the as-yet unfinished melody being sung into them managed to soothe his worries. "Most of the time we tend to twine our tails together, I guess."

Starlight Glimmer's eyes bulged and she somehow stumbled from her laying position, nearly falling right off the couch as she reeled in shock. Her horn flared to life as she conjured an extra quill, one that flew back behind her to join its brother in frantically scribbling lines of notes on her pad. Bon Bon shifted idly in place, feeling quite disconcerted at the continued look of shock and concentration on the therapist's face. Knight twitched and pressed himself back against his mommy's barrel, but, thankfully, he didn't have any other reactions and Lyra simply continued, unfazed.

"You don't realize the significance of that, do you?" The lilac unicorn, now seemingly recovered from the surprise, stared earnestly straight into the former agent's cerulean eyes. The mare in question merely shook her head, desperately grasping at any potential explanation for this behavior.

Starlight smiled patiently and waved a reassuring hoof, to which Bon Bon let out a deep sigh of relief. So it's not anything bad we did, then. Thank Faust. "Let me put it this way: People with Knight's past experience tend to be very particular about their tails, seeing as they're the last and only barrier between the world and...well...that which has been so wickedly stolen from them."

It was only a fraction of a second before both Bon Bon's and Lyra's eyes blazed with sudden understanding, soon followed by horror. The former's front hoof shot to her muzzle as she let out a gasp of realization, while the latter simply clutched at her treasured son's form all the more. Knight, for once, seemed relatively unaffected by this, aside from the happy squeak he let out as he wiggled deeper into Mommy's bone-crushing hug.

"You said you entwine tails most of the time? So there's nights when you don't?" The cream-colored mare gave a hollow nod in reply, numb with the shock that came from realizing that what she'd thought had been an innocent gesture was instead a blatant display of indescribable trust. "Alright. That could be a sign of any number of things. I'm going to need you to do a few things on the nights where he doesn't let you get that intimate. First off..."

---

"Right, then. Let's get started, shall we? Would you mind telling me your name?"

The unicorn colt fidgeted nervously, running his hoof across the length of the couch's armrest as he glanced around fearfully. The adjacent window caught his attention and he calmed ever-so-slightly upon sighting the expanse of stars in the sky. After pondering the question for a bit, the youth softly shook his head, ducking shortly after in expectation of the reprimand to follow.

"Alright, that's okay. Would you like to begin by talking about something else?"

Another, longer pause followed this inquiry, but was eventually interrupted by a nod from the seated colt. The bespectacled pony across from him let out a low hum, but he couldn't watch for long before his gaze was brought back to the sky outside.

"I really like the sky. It's pretty neat during the daytime, but my favorite part is when the sun sets and the stars come out. Do you like the sky, too?"

This time, the colt made an internal decision and grimaced accordingly before the tiny, shy sound of his own voice echoed across the small room.

"Y-yes."

A glance up revealed the pony giving him a serene, friendly smile as she tilted her head, sending locks of greying red mane waving slightly.

"That's wonderful. You know, I can't quite remember all of the constellations. Do you think you could reteach them to me? I'd really appreciate it if you did."

The colt sat up at this, tapping his hooves together as he considered the request. He knew every constellation, of course, seeing as astrology was but one of his many favorite subjects. History, physics, geology, thaumaturgy, equish, and many others were also among that number, but it was very prominent, regardless. Feeling emboldened by the opportunity to teach somepony curious as he had before, the colt finally decided to share and see what happened.

"Um, th-there's Ursas major and minor, Aeo, Pseudocles, Faren, The Four Tribes, Ramdar, Kiranus, Grifan, Hypodren, and Arcanus."

He recited, stuttering only slightly as his confidence grew thanks to the mare's beaming expression and grateful nod. It wasn't strong enough yet to stop him from fidgeting or hiding behind his orange mane, but he had ceased glancing about the room and settled his stare on the pony opposite.

"Ah, thank you. You must be very talented to remember all those names!"

The colt flushed, thoroughly unused to praise, but found himself nodding along regardless.

"Let's see if you can remember one more, hmm? I'm Specialist Goldenfeather, but you can just call me Goldie. All my best friends do."

The pegasus winked conspiratorially, humor and a great deal of mischief shimmering behind her glasses as she absently fluttered her wings.

"Now, do you think you'd be okay with sharing your name with me? It's still perfectly okay if you don't."

Emboldened by the friendly gesture and feeling daring, the unicorn adjusted his own spectacles and nodded, doing his best to stamp down the remaining nerves.

"M-my name is...S-Sunburst."

---

"So then, on another topic, how have meals been going? Is food an issue?"

Bon Bon hummed in thought, taking a sip from her cup of fresh tea as her eyes roamed over to where Knight and Lyra had moved to the floor some distance away. The minty mare laid on her back, clutching the colt to the bottom of her barrel while he held onto her forelegs. Both unicorns' faces were overtaken by pure bliss as they basked in the other's presence. Lyly had decided to move them there some time ago, and the small increase in distance from Starlight was doing Knight wonders.

"No, I wouldn't say so. He eats whatever we put in front of him with no trouble. I suppose we had to be more sneaky about it in the beginning, but that's not a problem anymore." As if to demonstrate, Lyra proceeded to levitate a candy from Bonnie's newest batch over to the colt, who merely opened his mouth and let her drop it in, all without moving from his position or even opening his eyes. "I'm sure it helps that he enjoys my cooking so much." Starlight smiled once more and the faint sound of quill on paper increased slightly as her hidden writing picked up speed.

"To be fair, Bonnie, it's fairly hard not to enjoy your treats. Whatever blend of alchemical agents you use to enhance the sugar, it works quite well." The earth pony waved a dismissive hoof, carelessly brushing away the compliment, but the therapist continued before she could refute it further. "What would you say is his favorite food?" Bon Bon smirked, shifting in her laying position to gesture with the raised hoof.

"Oh, he doesn't really play favorites. As I said, he'll eat whatever we give him, with no problems. Sugar doesn't discriminate." Yet another step they'd taken to make the colt more comfortable with the situation was to talk about him in vague terms, as though he wasn't sitting mere feet away. The former agent didn't care to ponder the psychological reasons this helped so much, though; anything that helped her son feel safe around her was good enough without an explanation.

"Can I ask about that nickname? It seems new and this isn't the first I've heard it. Is there a particular reason for it?" This was asked more out of passing curiosity than a piercing search for issues, Bon Bon could tell. So she's finally leaning into the whole 'casual get-together' thing. About time. I have to wonder what her work-life balance is for her to be so reluctant to act like a regular pony.

"Not especially. They're both sweet, magically potent, white, and other things. I pointed out how many similarities they share and he seemed to like the idea of being called something he enjoys so much." Starlight nodded sagely and beamed, risking another wistful glance at the subject of their discussion as she replied.

"I can't put into words how wonderful it is that you're so casual with each other. It almost reminds me of Sunburst and myself." The therapist grew distant at this, staring out the window with acute musing.

"What's he like?" Bonnie dared, partly out of genuine interest and partly to see how comfortable she could make the unicorn. It amused her somewhat, deep down, to have to work so hard to put a therapist at ease instead of the inverse, but that was neither here nor there.

"Dorky, socially inept, and annoyingly intelligent at the best of times. It's a wonder somepony like him can do our job at all, let alone well." Starlight's grin became yet wider the more invested she got in her thoughts, and the earth pony recognized the unmistakable look of pure love in her eyes, being well acquainted with it herself. "That's why I love him, though." It was Bon Bon's turn to perform a sagely nod, observing her wife out of the corner of her vision.

"Yeah, I know exactly what you mean." Lyra snapped out of her blissful expression long enough to gift the former agent with a faux indignant frown, briefly sticking out her tongue in a small raspberry before resuming as though nothing had happened. "Let's hope he can come soon, eh? I'd love to meet him." Starlight nodded her agreement, though was still unable to break out of her absent, dreamy stare through the window.

"I'm sure the feeling is mutual."

---

"What is your name, colt?"

The unicorn stallion stared imperiously down at Darkest from his imposing desk as the door slammed shut and was locked by a fiery red glow. The foal ducked away from the noise and scooted backwards, but due to the small size of the room he was unable to get more than three feet or so away from the therapist. He blinked rapidly in attempts to clear his head, muddled as it was by the light shining straight into his eyes from behind the other pony.

"I am called Darkest Knight, good sir. 'Tis a most humble name, but it has served me quite well so far." The colt let out a nervous laugh, glancing about the space and noting its rather intimidating décor. The jagged, abstract paintings hanging from the walls, ripped black carpet beneath his hooves, and large shadow cast by the desk--the only piece of furniture in sight--served only to increase his feelings of trepidation.

"And what is your age, Darkest?"

The way this therapist said his name made the colt's skin crawl, but he powered through even despite breaking into a cold sweat. Mine rescuers did indeed claim that this is for my own good. Surely, they must know best!

"I am not precisely certain about that, sir, but insofar as I know, I am about eleven years of age." The bespectacled stallion leaned forward at this and seemed to frown--not that Darkest could be sure, seeing as the only source of light was behind the pony--before beginning to firmly tap the wooden surface with a hoof.

"Tell me how you feel."

Danger?

Inquired Knight, to which Darkest internally shook his head in denial. Nay, it cannot be. I left any peril behind at HIS manor!

"Relieved and grateful, good sir, for having been rescued. My life until now has not exactly been pleasant, you see, and I am exceedingly glad to be freed." These words were honest enough, but the colt politely concealed the full truth of his emotions, in particular just how intimidated he was by the therapist's actions. Apparently, this was not the response the stallion desired, seeing as he scoffed irately and slammed a hoof on the desk.

Anger.

"And? What else are you feeling, Darkest? Do not dare to hide things from me."

The colt whimpered and flinched away from the sound, beginning to shake rapidly as the leer intensified.

"Ah, well, good sir, I suppose it is possible that I feel the slightest bit...er...frightened by your actions." The therapist chuckled deeply at this and leaned yet further, absently shredding papers in his red aura.

"So you find me scary, huh? What makes you think you have the right to be scared?"

Darkest's eyes bulged and he frantically waved a hoof in the air, shaking his head in abject denial.

"Nothing! Nothing! I have no rights to anything!" This caused the stallion to let out a pleased hum and back off just the slightest bit, letting the foal breathe and attempt fruitlessly to calm himself in the suddenly-sweltering room.

"And why do you say that?"

The white unicorn heaved in gaping breaths, forcefully powering down his horn when it tried to activate and cast a certain spell. It is not as though I am any good at casting it anyway, so it very likely would not be of assistance.

"It is quite obvious, sir: I am lowly, worthless, and undeserving of anything save the worst possible treatment." Darkest yelped as he was abruptly grabbed in a rough red aura and brought inches from the therapist's snarling muzzle.

"Correct, colt. And be sure you never forget it."

---

"How have things been, Lyra?"

The minty mare gulped nervously, absently tapping her hooves together as her gaze darted every which way. An errant glance at the adjacent loveseat calmed her, especially her wife's smile of encouragement. Starlight had asked that the couple switch places so she could interrogate ask Lyra about things for a change of pace. The swap had gone fairly smoothly, all things considered, and Knight's current position testified to that.

"Er...good. They've been good! So very good. So good in fact that they're...uh...really good!" Lyra cringed, cursing her inexplicable anxiety with figures of authority. I didn't feel this way with Luna! Come on, brain! Luckily, however, the therapist merely gave a patient smile.

"Good, good. Is there anything in particular you'd like to share? Perhaps concerning your son's mental state?" The musician's unease swiftly turned to confusion with this inquiry and she accordingly tilted her head, to which Starlight's smile broadened. "You heard me. One of the reasons I decided you were so fit for this responsibility is your talent for reading ponies. I was hoping we could compare notes." Lyra squinted, taking a few moments to compose her thoughts before responding.

"Well, I found five distinct voices in Sugar's head. I don't know any of the psychology behind it," the mare sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck, "but they all have their own desires and methods that vary in effectiveness." Starlight nodded thoughtfully, tapping her chin as her gaze drifted over to the loveseat.

Darkest Knight lay cuddled up to his mother in utter rapture, from what little they could see of him. He had started off merely laying up against the side of Bon Bon's barrel, but quicky migrated from there. Now, the front half of his body was poking out from under her chest floof, with her foreleg resting against his side and her curly tail draped across his lower body, hiding it completely. Only his face was left visible, and even that was occasionally concealed by the mare's mane whenever she leaned down to affectionately rest her head on the top of his.

"Fascinating. I noticed much the same, if less clearly. I'd thought his condition was very different from D.I.D., but now I'm not so sure." This, the counselor said mostly to herself, though it wasn't as though Lyra would have understood the jargon in the first place, her recent studies notwithstanding. "Doesn't it seem to you that two of the personalities are linked?" The minty mare nodded, finally calming as she settled into a more comfortable state.

"Yes, yes it does. Do you happen to know why that is?" Starlight hummed, her purplish eyes wandering upwards in pondering.

"I have a few theories."

---

"So then, Sunburst, let's talk about feelings. Would you be okay with that?"

The light orange colt nodded hesitantly, glancing once more at the cheerily-furnished room. Bright, happy colors made up every conceivable surface, with pictures of rainbows and groups of smiling ponies--all of which seemingly drawn by artists his age or younger--hung on the walls, and flourishing potted plants placed in each corner. A gentle yellow light illuminated this, sourceless-yet-evenly-spread as was typical of magical lighting, though not so much so as to interfere with the window's view.

"Wonderful! I'll start: Let's see, I feel excited by making a new friend, thankful for being taught the constellations, and awestruck by your amazing talents." Goldie beamed back at his surprised expression, nodding earnestly as she let him take stock of the genuineness of her words. "Do you think you can share, now? I'd really like it if you did, but it's okay if not."

The colt scrunched his face, overcome by anxious energy and directionless thoughts. His hooves tapped and rubbed away at the armrest in some vain search for release, but what stimulation he gained from the action was woefully inadequate. The pegasus mare, seeing this, rose from her seat and strode over to a nearby cabinet, reaching into a drawer to retrieve a curious wooden item.

"Do you need something to fidget with, Sunburst? I can understand that; I get pretty antsy sometimes, myself." The golden-coated mare approached, carefully watching for signs of increased agitation at her proximity and sighing in relief when she found none. "Here, try this. It's a little prototype I've been working on to help. It's great fun to mess around with!" Goldie outstretched her wing with the toy on top, and Sunburst--with no small degree of trepidation--levitated the wooden curiosity over to himself.

The colt began fiddling with the buttons and switches, immediately gasping audibly at the incredibly satisfying feel and sound of the device as he did so.

"D'you like it?" Asked the reseated mare, who giggled musically at his wide-eyed vigorous nodding. "I'm glad. Can you tell me how you feel, now?" Moments passed as the unicorn foal actively appreciated the toy, but his fiddling soon faded to the background as his mind was finally allowed to wander elsewhere.

"Worried," was his soft response, to which the pegasus nodded sympathetically.

"You're worried about your situation, then? I can understand that. It must be very confusing for you." To her surprise, though, Sunburst shook his head, his stare seemingly fixed on the toy in his hooves but in reality somewhere far different.

"No. I'm worried about Starlight. I haven't seen her since last week. I hope she's okay..." Goldie hummed thoughtfully at this, allowing the two to sit in silence for a few minutes as the colt stewed in anxious thoughts.

"Hey Sunburst, can you look at me?" Nervously, the unicorn brought his gaze up to meet hers, taking in the beaming, genuine smile he was beginning to associate with her. "Your friend is going to be okay. She's in good hooves. If you're still worried, though, I'll pull a few strings and arrange a playdate for you two to meet back up. Does that sound good?" Sunburst lit up at the possibility of seeing his best friend and fellow escapee again, nearly dropping the wooden toy as he shot to his hooves.

"Yes! Yes, please!" To which Goldie giggled again, the sound just as musical and pleasing to the ear as last time.

"Wonderful."

---

The late afternoon's light was shining down through the window when the meeting finally drew to a close. It couldn't have been more than two hours or so since it began, but to all four ponies in the house, it'd felt like much longer.

Starlight Glimmer stood and stretched before hopping down from her spot on the well-worn sofa, greatly surprised by how little cramps and pain in general she was feeling. The lilac unicorn took a few steps toward the door, having already said her final piece and arranged another session, but stopped in her tracks when a pang of deep longing struck her like a freight train.

"Actually," she began, turning to face the family with her eyebrows creased in thought, "I'd like to try something with Knight. I won't take long, and I promise I'll back off if it gets too bad." Bon Bon squinted at her with a face that was somehow thoroughly unreadable even for the trained therapist. Feeling a sudden stab of desperation, Starlight stared deeply into the candymaker's eyes, somewhat surprising herself with the forlorn plea that followed. "Please?"

The mother stared back for several tense seconds before easing up and giving her permission with a single soft nod. Starlight approached, slipping into a meek, threatless posture as she did. Knight peeked out from between the earth pony's legs, fearfully eyeing her with trepidation that grew until she stopped some feet away.

"Hello, Knight," the lilac unicorn practically whispered, "it's me. Your friend. Starlight Glimmer. Do you remember me?" The colt's mind swiftly became a chaotic maelstrom of emotions that even she couldn't begin to read, but some part of her held onto a desperate, impossible hope.

Something Starlight wasn't even aware of ached deep within her, stabbing painfully as the foal turned away with a fearful whimper. The mare nearly clutched at her chest when she reeled back, her eyes brimming with tears as she felt an amount of emotional pain that took her by complete surprise.

Warm forelegs wrapped around Starlight's shoulders as she let a single sob escape, though she thankfully was able to hold in the rest.

"It's hard, I know. I felt the same way at first," Bon Bon muttered before pulling far enough away to gaze strongly into her eyes, shaking the unicorn slightly for emphasis. "But it gets better. He'll learn to trust you again, and it will be every bit as glorious as you remember. You hear me?" The lilac mare clenched her eyes shut and nodded before being pulled into another hug, one she reciprocated readily enough.

I suppose I've gone too long without proper emotional support. She mused, absently.

Soon after, the mare left the building and headed on her way, with one dominant thought filling her mind completely even as she traveled home through curious townsponies and a certain incessant Private.

It'll get better.

Doctus

That chord progression is just not doing it. I wonder if A minor would work better?

Lyra Heartstrings sat on her couch, sheets of hastily-scribbled music strewn about as she thought deeply with her tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth. Her gold-alloy lyre floated loyally at her side, held by her similarly-colored aura and dutifully obeying her every command. With a bright flash of magic, the halted music resumed as she read over the paper, nodding to herself when the changes proved satisfactory.

Yeah, that harmonizes way more. And minor chords are just so fun!

To the untrained observer, the unicorn would appear as nothing more than a contemplative pony lost in thought. Any musician worth their salt, however, could easily recognize a mare on a mission and accordingly step respectfully out of the way.

Lyra herself was quite thoroughly invested in the process and unable to make out much of anything in the outside world. It was due to this that the soft echo of hoofsteps went entirely unnoticed, as well as the small, fuzzy head that peeked over the edge of the couch. A light poke on her foreleg did startle the thaumusologist out of her contemplation, though, and she leaned over to gaze into the pair of fascinated eyes watching her work.

"Oh! Hello, Sugar. How are you?" Both unicorns smiled at each other for several moments, though the colt's gaze flickered from her face to her lyre and back a few times. Just when she thought he wouldn't respond, the soft, shy voice of her son resonated through the room, and Lyra grinned at the increased volume compared to previous days.

"Good. What are you playing, Mommy?"

The minty mare beamed at the title and wordlessly patted the cushion beside her, to which Knight hopped up without hesitation. He studied the sheets of paper for a few moments, obviously intrigued yet unable to understand them at all. Yet.

"Oh, just a little something I've been working on. I'd tell you more about it, but it's a bit of a surprise, you see?" The foal glanced up, quite curious and likely wanting to know more, but ultimately nodded his acceptance and instead began fiddling with his hooves.

The pair sat in content silence, unbroken even when Knight purposefully tipped himself over to lean against Lyra's side and she twisted slightly to rest her head on top of his in response. From the corner of her eye, the mare could just scarcely observe him reach a hoof out towards the floating lyre, to which she brought it around and laid it down just in front of him. Knight abruptly stilled his fidgeting and hesitantly extended his leg, though he stopped at the last moment before touching the instrument.

"How does it work, Mommy?"

The colt's heart rate picked up as he asked the question; not enough to be of concern, or even really of notice, but Lyra made note of it and reacted accordingly. She hummed deeply to herself, rubbing her cheek against his brushed mane before briefly kissing his head just behind the horn, all in efforts to communicate reassurance and safety.

Inwardly, of course, the mare was practically squealing with glee, celebrating the fact that her adoptive son was finally feeling secure enough to ask this of her. She had known he wanted to enquire this exact thing weeks ago, but for whatever reason, Knight hadn't been able to work up the courage to ask until now.

"I'm so glad you asked that, Sugar. Please feel free to ask me anything you like, any time." The colt relaxed and his heart rate slowed, though he still found the energy to twist his neck and look up at her with wide, curious white eyes. Lyra grinned back at them and gestured meaningfully at her treasured instrument, making her offer with no trace of hesitation: "Why don't you levitate it yourself, and we'll go from there?"

Knight didn't need to say anything at all; from his expression alone, one could've deduced that she'd invited him to handle some volatile weapon of mass destruction rather than a simple, unassuming lyre.

"Go ahead. Really, I insist. It's the best way for you to get what I mean." The colt gulped nervously and slowly brought his stare back to the gold-alloy form of the mare's namesake, only to snap it back on her as his eyebrows creased together.

"Are you sure?"

The utter confusion this question was asked with was palpable, and Lyra found her grin returning as she gave her answer.

"Yes, Sugar. I'm not worried; I trust you to be careful with it. Plus, it's very sturdy and not easily damaged." These words, combined with her loving gestures, finally reassured him enough for Knight to make a decision. The smaller unicorn's horn lit with a dark grey glow and, after a breath or two to steady himself, so did the lyre.

Immediately, the foal's eyes bulged in complete surprise and he would've fallen right off the edge of the couch had Lyra not placed her foreleg around his shoulders. Knight's eyes roved blankly back and forth, his mind evidently captivated on the instrument's every last facet. The mare chuckled softly to herself, finding it quite entertaining to watch him work.

The truth was, while any creature incapable of levitation could only see so much, the lyre was quite a lot more than it appeared to be.

Eventually, the colt's hurried search came to a close and he blinked rapidly in futile attempts to clear his head, which Lyra patiently nuzzled. I know firsthoof how overwhelming the stimulation can be at first. It's actually pretty impressive he's recovered this early.

"What do you think?" The elder unicorn giggled when he turned to face her with an openmouthed stare, though he soon twisted back to look at the floating instrument with bewildered awe.

"There's...so much!" Knight once more reached out his foreleg, this time not pausing to think as he touched one of the lyre's two arms before whipping back around to face his mother. "What does it all mean?" If he'd been curious before, now the blazing roar of intrigue had flared to life and would not be quenched until answers were given. Lyra, happy to supply that very thing, shifted in her spot to wrap her longish tail around her son before beginning.

"Well, the first things you're probably sensing are the inscriptions. You'll notice there are four distinct parts of the lyre, and each have different purposes." She gestured to each section in turn, though refrained from touching the object for fear of breaking Knight's already-tenuous hold on it. "The soundboard's job is to strengthen the strings, since they're nearly silent on their own. It has runes designed to help with that, letting the instrument keep its slim design without being too bulky."

The colt vigorously nodded his understanding when the mare paused to check before moving on. "The straight piece the strings connect to at the top is called the yoke. Its purpose is to help with tuning the strings and keeping them perfectly taut. Without a bridge like on a violin or cello, this is a lot harder, so it has spells woven into the material to help out."

Knight nodded once more and indeed seemed quite invested in her words, his eyes practically shining in the sockets as he stared up at her. I don't think I've ever had an audience this attentive.

"What about..." He trailed off, pointing vaguely at the side of the instrument. Lyra grinned yet again, knowing precisely what he meant and all the more pleased for it.

"On either side of the strings are the arms of the lyre. While the whole thing's shape helps to channel magic, this is where the real stuff goes down. The arms aren't really needed to help make sound, so their inscriptions are dedicated almost entirely to spellcasting. The engravings you're feeling match up exactly with my mana signature, and they help me cast spells a lot like a horn does." Knight hummed to himself, ponderously studying the arms of the lyre before slowly nodding. He shifted in place, pressing close against the mare's barrel yet still transfixed on the instrument.

"It feels like you, Mommy." Lyra found herself unable to resist draping a foreleg around the colt's smaller barrel, giving a light squeeze as she responded.

"It does, doesn't it? You have a lot of magical skill to make that connection, Sugar. I'm impressed." This greatly surprised Knight, who accordingly jumped a little and twisted again to gaze up at her with a confused expression. The mare let him observe the genuineness of her statement before continuing. "Would you like to try and play something? A simple C major arpeggio won't be too hard, I promise."

She half-expected him to jolt in even greater shock at the offer, but was admittedly relieved when eagerness instead dominated his visage and he nodded vigorously. Alrighty, then! Let's see where this goes.

"Well, the three strings are naturally tuned to middle C, E, and G respectively," Lyra instructed, pointing from left to right. "All you have to do is magically strum them in that order. Try to leave an equal amount of time in between each note." Knight's face scrunched as he concentrated and the glow around his horn intensified. It was only after seconds of effort that the soft, hesitant, and unsteady sound of middle C graced the unicorns' ears. Truthfully, the note rang terribly and with no taste whatsoever, but neither pony paid that much mind, engrossed as they both were in the thrill of discovery.

The foal seemed to get the hang of it then and, heedless of her final instruction, the other two strings were played much faster. Regardless, Lyra let out a low cheer and promptly extended her foreleg for a hoofbump, which Knight victoriously offered, a large grin on his muzzle.

"That was great! Do you think you can strum them at the same time?" The younger unicorn pursed his lips at this and turned back to the still-hovering instrument. A few beads of sweat started to glisten on his scalp as he concentrated, his tongue sticking out of his mouth in imitation of his mother minutes prior.

Finally, though, the uneven-yet-still-happy sound of a C major chord rang quietly out through the room. So bad was the playing that Lyra would have grimaced and pinned her ears, were she not entirely preoccupied in celebrating with her son.

"Amazing! You're a natural!" So ecstatic was Knight that he forgot to be shocked by the compliment, instead leaning further into her with a beaming smile on his face.

"What next, Mommy?" So thrilled was Lyra that she failed to notice the sudden spectator in the kitchen, who currently had a cream-colored hoof shoved in her mouth to stifle the endeared cooing that threatened to burst out and blow her cover.

"Well, Sugar, in order to reach different notes on our three strings, we need to shorten the space they have to vibrate. The shorter a string is, the higher it will sound." Here, the mare lit her horn and, careful not to interfere with Knight's telekinetic aura, highlighted a small section of the leftmost string, towards the middle. "If you pinch right here and strum the lower part, the natural 'open string' C will turn into a B, making a nice little E minor chord."

This time, Knight did precisely as instructed, and Lyra could practically feel the shivers running down his spine at the sound that followed.

"That was stupendous," commented the colt, who yet again twisted in place to face her while wearing an expression of utmost awe. Lyra let out a small giggle, rubbing her nose against his as their horns softly touched.

"Yeah, I like minor chords, too."

---

The moon's dreary grey light illuminated a foreboding forest that stretched as far as the eye could see.

An unnatural howl echoed out across the biome, causing all manner of fauna to run for the hills in fright.

Four uniformed agents pinned their ears as they charged through the underbrush, determinedly galloping against the current and toward the sound.

Special Agent Sweetie Drops brought up the rear, trailing after her team's leader while keeping a wary eye out behind them. Even at the incredibly young age of twenty-five, the earth pony was easily the strongest and most durable of the group, due entirely to a combination of her training and her special talent. If the monster they were hunting did turn out to be smart enough to attack from behind^__an unlikely possibility, but still one to prepare for^__it'd have to deal with her before it got to the squishier members of the team.

Another roar that shook the very trees was heard, closer this time. The unicorn in front changed directions slightly, arrowing straight for what appeared to be a clearing.

Silence followed and the group slid to a halt, fanning out to cover more ground as they continued to track the beast. Sweetie Drops called out to her team, ushering them over before pointing to a trail of tracks that led close to where they'd come from.

Seven toes, enormous paws, six-inch claws, and a stride easily three times the length of a bear's. This is it.

The agent's teammates swiftly arrived at the same conclusion and without another word they got back into position and raced off.

The beast knows we're after it. Despite being an apex predator, it feels threatened; we're unknowns. Unpredictable. It doesn't know if it can fight us and win.

Despite her training and perhaps because of her youth, Sweetie Drops couldn't stop her muzzle from forming a cocky smirk.

It'll face off against us eventually, though. Most of us are technically prey animals, after all. Then, we strike.

The team had been assigned this mission some three days ago, when civilian reports of 'manticore activity' arrived from the nearby town. They'd sat in wait, researching the signs and determining what exactly the creature was before going on the offensive. The hope was to subdue the creature and migrate it far away from any settlements, perhaps out of Prance entirely. Lethal force, however, was authorized in case the situation got out of hoof^__an unlikely possibility, but again, one that needed to be accounted for^__and the monstrous freak of nature proved too dangerous.

Deep growling emitted from the clearing ahead of the team and they once more collectively skidded to a halt before venturing forth with great caution. Five glowing yellow eyes peered down at them as they emerged, sitting easily twelve feet in the air. The four spread out, readying themselves as the enormous monstrosity stalked out of the shade.

Hissing, the thing eyed each one of them in turn, shifting on its five paws before lowering its enormous head right in front of Sweetie Drops. The agent's teammates tensed in preparation, but so confident was the young mare that she merely stood there, glaring challengingly straight into the beast's face. Its two mouths opened in unison, splitting unnaturally wide as its jaws unhinged and--

"Bon Bon!"

It spoke with a rather high-pitched and altogether pleasing voice. Sweetie Drops was shocked right out of her pride, blinking rapidly as she processed the somewhat-familiar sound. A hesitant glance around at her fellow agents revealed them also incredibly surprised. Even the stoic griffon she'd come to respect and somewhat admire had his beak wide open in gaping astonishment.

"Bon Bon, you need to wake up!"

The beast reached forward with a paw and softly jostled her well-muscled shoulder. Sweetie squinted at its horrific face, all the more confused by its gentleness.

Suddenly, the creature shook her again and the world vanished.

---

Bon Bon Heartstrings shot gracelessly to her hooves and immediately flopped right off the couch she'd been resting on.

After flailing about in half-awake confusion for a few seconds, the mare was enveloped in a vibrant golden aura and set delicately back on her hooves. The grogginess persisted as she tiredly rubbed her eyes, but left immediately when two quivering hooves clutched at her withers and she found herself staring straight into the tearstained honey-yellow eyes of her wife.

"Bonnie, please. I don't know what to do. I think I may have done something wrong, I--"

Lyra abruptly choked and sniffled before collapsing into the earth pony's forelegs, breathing shakily and mumbling incomprehensibly to herself. Now fully awake, Bon Bon leaned back to support the unicorn, rubbing gently on her spine as she waited for her to calm down. When that failed to occur and Lyra remained distressed, the cream-colored mare took to rocking gently back and forth before whispering softly into her wife's pinned ears.

"It's okay, Lyly. I love you. Whatever happened, we'll get through it together. Take deep breaths. In and out. Follow me." As one, the couple inhaled, held the breath, then slowly exhaled. Lyra's sniffling came to a halt as she focused on the calming exercise, and only a few minutes more passed before she was still.

Bon Bon gave her wife one last squeeze before pulling back far enough to look into her eyes. The earth pony's eyebrows creased upon seeing the emotions still running rampant within, and she pressed their foreheads together before speaking.

"What's wrong, Lyly? Is it to do with Knight?" The unicorn's fur ran against hers as she nodded, taking one last unsteady breath before responding in a tremulous voice.

"Yes. I couldn't find him after you went to bed early. He's in his room. I think he's having some sort of prolonged flashback, but I can't help, because..." Lyra trailed off and pulled away to pace the carpeted floor, her head bowed in thought. This didn't last long before she whipped it up and stared at Bon Bon with an extremely distressed expression. "Could he really relapse completely, Bonnie? Has everything we've done been for nothing? What happens then? What if--" But the earth pony cut off her worried rant with a hoof to her lips, followed by a brief kiss as Bon Bon mentally processed the situation.

"I'll go on up and see what I can do. He's known me longer than you and Starlight gave me some tips. You stay here and try to calm down, okay?" Lyra hesitantly nodded and promptly sat, staring off into the distance as she tried and failed to pull herself together. Bon Bon leaned in for another peck on the cheek before stepping away and giving one last parting piece. "Whatever it is, Knight definitely hasn't forgotten you for good. And I'm sure he'll forgive you once this is over. Okay?"

With that, the earth pony determinedly strode forth, already quite busy imagining what could possibly be happening upstairs. Navigating the house was made significantly harder in the dark of the night, but the moon's soft glow and the mare's memorization of the layout made it doable. Her ears flicked, already detecting labored breathing and muttered pleas thanks to the building's acoustics. She squinted and grimaced to herself as she ascended the stairs, dreading the encounter that awaited.

Bon Bon finally stumbled to a halt just inside the hallway, scarcely able to see the half-open bedroom door across from her thanks to the lack of windows. A dark grey light did occasionally enter her sight, bobbing every which way before exiting with frantic speed.

And the sounds.

They were almost too much to take. She was nearly convinced that there was another pony in the room, as Knight must have been. Every last fiber in the earth pony's body yearned desperately to rush in, but she remained frozen with indecision. Too much hung in the balance; if Lyra's reaction was anything to go by, one wrong move could soil their relationship forever.

Knowing that didn't make sitting there any easier. Bonnie's ears trembled with every whimper. She grimaced along with every thud when her child lost his balance in the panic. These things she could mostly handle, being somewhat used to them over the last two months. What was both entirely new and the main contributor to the mare's disquiet was the pleading.

Oh, she'd heard her sweet son needlessly beg with those who meant no harm before. The meeting with Starlight came to mind, when he had shattered some comparatively worthless plates of no consequence.

This wasn't that.

The former agent's blood boiled as she recalled the smug, victorious grin slathered across Colza's hideous visage. That was who Knight's begging was directed to. Soft cries of "please stop that!" "No! You're hurting me!" and "Not there. Anywhere else! Not there!" echoed through the short hallway.

Bon Bon had had a general idea of what the foal must have been through, at least more than the average Equestrian; one consequence of travelling to other countries was hearing horrible stories told by those who liked scaring tourists. Still, to get a glimpse of the experience like this, from one so close to her, shook the mare to her very core.

"MOM! HELP!"

The earsplitting cry was all it took for Bon Bon Heartstrings to leap into action.

The first order of business was to turn on the hallway light; Knight's aura was too darkly colored and unreliable to serve sufficiently, and she needed to assess the situation. Next, the mare stepped to the side of the doorway, hoping to avoid detection long enough to get a better read on his actions.

Too late: Knight had become deathly still, failing to so much as breathe as he stared directly at her. Every last muscle was locked with complete rigidity. His expression, which she had thought she'd seen scared before, now embodied a higher form of terror beyond description.

"Please," the tortured soul murmured, "don't hurt me."

There was not a speck of recognition in her son's pinpricked eyes. No sliver of the confidence and trust she'd become so used to remained. The earth pony broke eye contact, unable to face that gaze any longer, and her eyes landed on a crumpled pile of fabric in the far corner of the room.

"I don't want to be hurt anymore."

She recognized the cloth easily enough: A set of spare bedsheets they stored in the guest room closet's upper shelf. Apparently, the colt had been in an exploratory mood and brought them out to investigate. The way the fabric was piled up and spread out in a fairly wide area was a sign of some kind of struggle. Could it have fallen on top of him and triggered this? Is he really still so mentally unstable?

"You're going to hurt me."

This snapped Bon Bon back to the situation at hoof and she accordingly took a step into the room, returning her gaze to the foal inside. To her surprise, he didn't immediately back away or physically react at all, instead remaining stock still and only moving to take in tiny breaths.

"No, I won't. I will never harm you, Red. Never." Lyra and Starlight had had quite the thorough discussion on his mental state, during which the unicorn shared the names she'd come up with for Sugar's different personalities. Bon Bon had listened in when she could--though, admittedly, she hadn't understood much--and taken special note of how well all the names fit.

Still, this was the first time anypony had verbally addressed one of them and it showed: The colt's eyes widened in surprise and he took a step back.

"...why...?"

To which Bon Bon put on her most genuine smile and took a few more steps forward, noting Red's lack of reaction.

"Because I love you, and I don't hurt the ones I love. I protect them." Having finally closed the distance, Bon Bon found herself utterly unable to resist wrapping her forelegs around her son. He pushed back and leaned away halfheartedly, but she held fast, unyielding.

The foal trembled in her grip, even as he vacantly stared out at nothing. Bon Bon worriedly gazed down at him, dreadfully uncertain if he appreciated the gesture or even if it was helping at all. She pushed past the doubt, though, even as minutes passed and no further developments occurred.

The room became deathly silent as this continued. Her frequent glances every which way revealed no changes to be found anywhere, no reassurance that her decision was the correct one, and no hints or cues whatsoever as to what she should do differently. Her mild panic grew as her strategy continued to have no apparent positive effect, but her downward spiral was abruptly--thankfully-- cut short by blissful sound.

"I'm so tired," Red stated as his eyes regained focus. "Tired of running. Protesting. Fighting back. Everypony just wants to hurt me." The mare remained silent, electing to tighten her hold rather than verbally answer, though the hug remained loose. The colt finally moved, raising his right foreleg to run his hoof back and forth across her cannon bone. He seemed entranced by the musculature and nearly lost focus again.

"You're so strong," he remarked, absently.

"Yes. Do you know why?" At his sluggish headshake, she continued. "It's so I can defend the things I care about. Around a decade ago, there was a monster causing trouble in a Prench town. I was picked to go deal with it, even though I was practically still a filly." The ghost of Sugar's trademark curious expression appeared on his face and Bon Bon beamed down at it. "They trusted me to take care of it because they knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that I always protect those that need it."

It was then that Knight finally returned and promptly slumped to the floor.

He would have collided quite roughly with it had Bonnie not been ready to catch him. The mare finally allowed herself to truly embrace the foal, pressing him up against her with such ferocity that both ponies could barely breathe. The colt finally moved, gripping her back and nuzzling into her chest with all the strength his little body had.

Both were crying veritable torrents of relieved tears, one thankful that her strategy worked and the other grateful that finally, finally there was a being that felt true, unconditional love for him.

"I love you too, Momma. Thank you."

And both were at peace.

---

Sunburst Glimmer fiddled with the newly-patented Rubuck's cube he held in his hooves, taking the occasional glance out his window as the train rattled onwards. The vehicle was traveling at a respectable clip--around one-hundred feet per second, by his reckoning--and while that was plenty fast for the rest of the passengers, the stallion found himself becoming uncharacteristically impatient.

The world whizzed by outside, grassy hills coming and going while all manner of wildlife entered and exited his line of sight. Sunburst wondered--just for a minute or ten--what it would be like to live as a bird in the sky, or perhaps a mole in the ground.

The curiosity in his front hooves was as perplexing as it was intriguing; a three-by-three-by-three plastic cube whose units were represented by colored squares. He could shift one side around at a time, and he'd been told the goal was to make every side one single color. Sunburst had been hesitant with regards to the object at first; plastic was usually not as stimulating to touch and move as wood, after all. But the cube had quickly grown on him once the satisfying clicks and snaps reached his ears.

Movement in the stallion's peripheral vision bade him twist his neck and observe a well-dressed unicorn couple walk by. Despite their obvious status, both ponies seemed to be rather covert in their business, slinking past with closed-off posture and frequent uneasy glances about the large cabin. It was during one such scan that a small box fell from the mare's cloak pocket, landing with a near-silent thump on the carpeted floor.

Neither unicorn noticed this, however, and they continued needlessly sneaking forward.

Sunburst stood and placed the Rubuck's cube on his plush seat before levitating the fallen container over to himself, with every intent to simply return it. Waves of magical power immediately washed over the stallion, however, and he couldn't resist taking a peek inside. The lid at the top opened much like a ring box and his dark cerulean eyes bulged upon observing what was within.

That...That's the Sign Of The Sky! The original Sign Of The Sky!

Sunburst broke into a brisk trot after the couple, but not before reverently closing the box and placing it within his own cloak pocket.

I must know where on Equus they found it!

The pair of unicorns hadn't gone far, just the next cabin over. They'd found themselves a seat and promptly taken to uneasily scanning their surroundings. The therapist took no mind to their mannerisms, caught up completely as he was in scholarly ecstasy.

"Excuse me?" He addressed, unable to keep the intense giddiness out of his voice. The mare whipped around to face him, raising an eyebrow as she glanced up and down his vibrating body. "You dropped this." Here, he retrieved the container and dutifully presented it, scarcely able to refrain from hopping up and down like an excited foal.

Both nobles'--for their clothing clearly identified them as such--eyes immediately widened in shock and, within a fraction of a second, the mare was clutching onto the box, having hastily levitated it over to herself. Her grip was so tight that Sunburst worried she'd damage it - not the Sigil, of course, but the box was quite nice and it'd be a shame to ruin it. She stared down at it, breathing deeply as a vein pulsed on her hooded head, before glancing up and finally responding.

"Thank you, good sir, for returning this to us. I know not how we did not notice it fall, but our gratitude knows no bounds." Clearly, she was able to read the question at the forefront of the therapist's mind, and after thinking to herself for a moment, answered it. "My husband and I are...researchers...that have spent many years tracking down the Arcane Sigils. We're bringing this one back to Canterlot for further study." The other stallion raised an eyebrow at this and almost appeared confused, but a sharp look from the mare and a white flash that Sunburst nearly missed removed the expression. "Isn't that right, Light?"

The noble stallion nodded with rather robotic stiffness, but his accompanying smile seemed genuine enough and he gave no tells of anything being amiss.

"Yes, quite right, dearest. Was there anything else you needed, good sir?" Sunburst squinted, greatly conflicted by the strange mannerisms of these ponies. An odd feeling regarding them settled over him, one not helped by the mare's possessive grip about the box. Still, scholar that he was, the orange stallion chose to disregard the suspicion in favor of gaining more information.

"So, you're studying the Sigils, then? That's amazing; so am I!" He paused, sheepishly rubbing one foreleg with the other. "Well, not fully. It's more of a hobby, really. My wife and I have cutie marks based off two of them, you see."

Here, he telekinetically lifted the hem of his wizard cloak to reveal the image imprinted on his flank: The proud, radiant pattern of the Sign Of The Sun. The mare became immensely intrigued at this, finally ceasing her stranglehold on the box to lean forward and eye the Sigil. Her gaze roved the cutie mark with such relentlessness that her husband began glaring down at her, but she paid him no mind.

"Fascinating," she muttered, looking disappointed when Sunburst's magic cut off and the image was once more concealed from view. Sunburst, blissfully unaware of the strangeness of the situation, was instead delighted to have found somecreature as interested in ancient thaumaturgy as he was. Ooh, I wonder if they've read that new article by Eldritch Blast!

Fortunelessly, it was then that the train's whistle sounded and the engaging brakes caused it to squeal to a halt in Ponyville Station. The therapist let out a little groan of remorse and apology, beginning to retreat to his seat as numerous ponies stood from theirs to exit.

"Ah! I'm sorry, but we'll have to chat another day. I'm expected right now and I don't have time to dawdle!" He was about to prance off and retrieve his things when the mare levitated a slip of paper before his face, smiling amiably at him from behind it.

"Then please take this slip. It has my contact information, so we can meet up later and discuss things. Please keep it private, though, as we're trying to keep a low profile. I look forward to speaking with you." Sunburst nodded, placed the slip of paper in his cloak pocket, and would have responded with an agreement were he not then swept away by the moving crowd of ponies. He lost sight of the couple entirely in the bustle, electing to hurriedly grab his belongings lest he lose those, too.

Sunburst exited the train and promptly began searching the station for a certain lilac unicorn mare, but not before taking a cursory glance at the slip of paper.

'S.N.' Huh, I wonder what that stands for.

He was unable to dwell on that for long, though, preoccupied as he was in trotting towards his now-located wife. Starlight made eye contact soon enough, taking a few steps forward as a large grin broke out across her gorgeous face. Around them, the dense crowd of ponies blurred into nothing at all as the stallion closed the final distance and the mare's muzzle opened.

"Now, there's my favorite dor--"

Whatever witty remark she was about to make was abruptly cut off when Sunburst pulled her into a deep kiss, shutting his eyes to better revel in the presence of his beloved. Starlight jumped, surprised, but soon gave a pleased little hum as she leaned further into it in reciprocation.

The therapist couple stood like that for several moments, both blissfully taking in the proximity of the other as the world all but faded away completely. Finally, as one, they broke the gesture and rubbed noses before tilting their heads down to press their foreheads together.

"Hello, O cherished spouse of mine," greeted Sunburst, to which his wife let out a deep, relieved chuckle.

"And hello to you, you dorky son of a parasprite." The stallion grinned a smug little grin, bowing his head yet further as he held in jovial laughter. Still, the words next to leave the mare's muzzle made him freeze in place: "We have company, you know. A certain princess came along for the ride."

Sunburst yelped, hastily pulling away to fix his mane and overall appearance while his beloved gave off a musical guffaw. His eyes finally landed on the clearly-embarrassed form of none other than Princess Twilight Sparkle, who stood mere feet away.

"Princess!" He greeted, bowing deeply and trying his level best to ignore Starlight's continued chortling. "I'm very sorry about that, Your Highness. My actions were not appropriate for a public setting and I should not have enacted them." The alicorn, to his relief, merely raised a dismissive foreleg as she willed her light blush to fade away.

"That's quite alright, sir. I understand you've been separated for quite a while. Now, if you'll come with me," she eyed the now-recovered Starlight, who wiped away the tears in the corners of her eyes before she straightened and resolutely faced forwards, "I'll give a debrief on the situation." As one, the party of three moved through the throng of ponies and toward the crystal castle in the distance.

"We have much to discuss."

Milvus

"Hey Button," Mommy whispered with a mischievous lilt in her voice, "d'you wanna help me prank Momma?"

The foal curiously cocked his head to the side even while a wide grin split his muzzle thanks to hearing his new name. Mommy was hunkered low to the ground, running her hoof through his mane as she stared deeply into his eyes. Her mouth formed its own smile, a playful expression that framed the scheming twinkle in her yellow gaze.

PRANK?

Confusion, vehemence, and other such annoying emotions swirled in the back of Dark Night's mind as the Others discussed the current happenings.

The foal simply ignored such matters, blinking inquiringly up at Mommy as his unspoken question echoed throughout the living room.

"It's like a funny trick to play for the fun of it. We're gonna pretend to ambush her, but I need your help to do it."

FUN!

This certainly sounded entertaining, and that was all the convincing it took for Dark Night to agree. He vigorously nodded his reply, an impish grin replacing his smile as he stood, filled with excited energy. Mommy leaned close and her eyes lingered for a moment on his wagging tail before she continued.

"Alright, Button. I'll move in first, so give me a minute to get into position. Then, on my signal," Mommy winked conspiratorially, "we strike. Momma won't even know what hit her." This caused the foal to let out a slew of giggles, which Mommy reflexively staunched with a hoof to his muzzle as she covertly glanced over to the kitchen.

Dark Night intended to follow her gaze, but instead found his eyes stuck on the graceful figure that towered over him even while stooped low. He felt a content expression settle on his face as he took a moment to appreciate his Mommy, even while the Others continued to noisily argue.

The foal grabbed Mommy's much-larger hoof in his own, rubbing it against his cheek and causing her to emit a surprised snort. He ensured, though, that when he opened his eyes again to stare back up at her, only the most wickedly-mischievous smirk adorned his features.

"Let's get her!" He exclaimed in as hushed a tone as he could muster, to which Mommy adopted an expression that mirrored his.

And together, the pair of mighty hunters set off to stalk their prey.

---

Something was up.

Bon Bon Heartstrings suspiciously eyed her surroundings, letting the ceramic bowl she'd been washing clatter back into the sink. Dual clicks reached her swiveling ears from her front hooves regaining contact with the floor, but her eyes narrowed when no further sounds did the same.

The former agent's trained senses were going haywire and she couldn't shake the feeling--the knowledge--that something was hunting her.

A moment of consideration later, though, and a wry grin spread across her muzzle.

The defenses Twilight installed would've vaporized anything hostile. So the only thing that could possibly be 'stalking' me...

"Oh, how incredibly odd," the mare stated, raising a fetlock to her forehead in distress that could not feasibly be any less genuine. "I feel as if I'm being watched. Gee, I sure do hope nothing's coming to get me..." The earth pony just barely caught a blur of movement as her predator ducked into the pantry. The only feature she could distinguish was the mint-colored tail streaming out behind, but that plus the hushed clacking of hurried hooves told her all she needed to know.

Rolling her eyes in good-natured irritation, Bon Bon strode over to the pantry and leaned against the doorframe to inspect a hoof while raising a disdainful eyebrow.

"Really, Lyly?" The rest of what would have been some witty quip about her wife's maturity went unspoken as Bon Bon instead expressed it through her expression alone.

Lyra looked for all the world like a filly caught with her hoof in the cookie jar.

Except the filly was thirty-five with a stable job and the cookie jar was the large bag of powdered sugar she'd failed to slip behind in time.

The couple blinked at each other for several moments. A sheepish grin appeared on the unicorn's muzzle, while the earth pony's eyebrow only ventured farther up her forehead.

Suddenly, Lyra's grin turned victorious and she leapt forward to grab Bon Bon's forelegs.

"Button! NOW!"

The former agent had only the time to realize the cunning trap she'd so foolishly walked into. Her horrified expression was cut short with a ruthless tackle straight to her withers. Ordinarily, the force wouldn't be nearly enough to topple her against her will, but combined with Lyly pulling her legs out from under her, the mare had no choice but to fall to the floor.

Vanquished, Bon Bon futilely attempted to squirm out of her capturer's grasp, but, pinned as she was beneath his weight, there was no hope of success. Her naivete shone through when she genuinely believed that to be the end of it. Believed, that was, until she shivered under a wet sensation as her son began nibbling on her right ear.

"No. No, please! Not the ears!" Bonnie's squirming began anew and with far more vigor as the dreadfully-ticklish feeling spread throughout her body. Lyra had to enlist her levitation to help pin the writhing mare to the ground as uncontrollable guffaws shook her figure.

Former Special Agent Sweetie Drops was a formidable combatant with few weaknesses to speak of. Even still, one continued to haunt her to this day, as it had since she'd been so foolish as to share it with her special somepony. Why she'd ever trusted the information to her wife, she didn't know. Especially since the secret had evidently been spread to their family's newest member.

Laughter filled the home, echoing throughout its very frame as the torturous assault continued. It grew threefold when Bonnie finally burst free of her bonds and promptly returned the favor to her unicorn assailants. Reducing Lyra to a wriggling lump of giggles was easy enough, and Button proved quite ticklish as well.

Soon, all that remained of the once-proud Heartstrings family was a happy heap of breathless chortling sprawled together on the pantry floor. All three could only gasp for air, but only the widest of smiles split their faces as they lay with various limbs entwined in a jumbled mess.

"I love you, mom." Button's confession was thoroughly muffled thanks to his face being buried under a tan hock, but thankfully still audible.

"Which one?" Lyra playfully responded, nudging his shoulder with the tip of her horn. The foal let out the faint ghost of what might've been a giggle, but seemed unable to do much else; even Button's near-limitless supply of energy appeared drained from the events. The mares were hardly faring any better as they stared tiredly up at the ceiling, lacking the breath to so much as move their necks.

"Both!" Was Button's slightly-affronted retort, and Bonnie felt something grab her hindleg before nuzzling into it with ferocious abandon. The earth pony broke into another beaming smile at this, somehow finding the energy to roll to her hooves and lumber over to the collapsed unicorns.

"Alright, c'mere, you!"

In one lurching movement, Bonnie swept her family up in her forelegs--much to Lyra's gasping protest and Button's cheery excitement--and promptly fell back to the floor, squeezing them against her barrel with what little strength she'd regained after the tickle-fest. The foal let out another breathy giggle, seeming content to simply lay there for the moment. Lyra, on the other hoof, weakly squirmed in place to little avail before slumping defeatedly with her nose buried in the earth pony's neck.

"Can we go now?" Was the minty mare's somewhat-whiny inquiry, to which Bonnie stubbornly shook her head and tightened her grip.

"Nnnope!" Button giggled again at this and shifted in place to mutter into his mommy's flattened ear.

"I think we're stuck." And Lyra sighed again, in a tone that tried to be irritated but couldn't fully mask her amusement at their shared plight.

Bon Bon closed her eyes, deeply pondering what on Equus she did to deserve such wonderful ponies in her life even as she held those same loved ones hostage. Laying in their current position--the unicorns held tight against the bottom of her barrel while she laid on her back with her muzzle pressed into her son's mane--she was able to catch a hint of something that made her pause.

Ponies of all tribes, Bon Bon knew, each had their own distinct scent, one that couldn't be removed for long even with immense dosages of perfume or other such substances. The leading theory was that each individual flavor was a reflection of the pony's special talent and therefore an essential part of their very identity, every bit as key as a cutie mark.

Darkest Knight, Bon Bon recalled, had not possessed any distinct scent of his own. Just after she'd rescued him from the hydra, he'd only smelled like dirt, sweat and blood. Once she'd cleaned him up, his coat had held onto the fragrance of the shampoo she'd used for many weeks. Really, it seemed like whatever scent he was exposed to the most was the one he latched onto, which definitely wasn't the norm.

Right now, Button smelled like her and Lyra.

And not just because they were nearby; that was definitely Lyly's minty tang she detected from his mane, and her own sugary aroma was indisputably there as well.

Fortunelessly, Bonnie's further musings were cut short with a knock on the door.

Instantly, she could tell Button was shoved away to let Knight begin fronting, and she didn't need her wife's warning glance to know that holding him against his will was hardly advisable. The earth pony relinquished her grip, letting both unicorns roll to the kitchen floor.

Knight popped up and ducked behind Lyra as the mares stood, exchanging meaningful glances. Bon Bon strode to the door while Lyra headed for the couch, gently shuttling the suddenly-anxious colt along. The earth pony reached for her front door's handle, but stopped long enough to shoot a reassuring glance his way.

"It's okay, Sugar; she's only here for a little get-together, just like last week." If her words had any effect on the shivering foal, she couldn't tell, but when Lyra gave her an affirmative 'thumbs-up'--a gesture, she'd long ago learned, that took much finesse and was nowhere close to a wave of the hoof no matter how closely it resembled that--Bon Bon had no choice but to continue.

Well, there was always the option of slamming the door in Starlight's face or perhaps showing anypony who dared frighten her child what for. But while those choices crossed her mind more often than she cared to admit, Bonnie knew that--with the exception of Stormy Night--beating somepony up was not an acceptable answer to her troubles. Also, Starlight was wholly in charge of the situation and had been since the airship, so it was probably best to just do as she said.

That didn't make it any less disappointing to have their family time so abruptly interrupted, though.

The door opened with a soft creak, but not before Bon Bon placed her hoof on the adjacent panel to deactivate the home's magical defenses. Just outside, a lilac-colored unicorn mare with a well-managed smile stood, nodding in greeting.

"Hello, Bon Bon," Starlight said, then tilted her head to indicate the orange stallion beside her, "I brought my sidekick this time. I'm hoping he'll get along with your son, but if he doesn't play nice, a spray bottle usually does the trick." This elicited raised brows from both the earth pony and the robed unicorn, though the latter merely rolled his eyes while the former could only blink confusedly.

"You see what I have to put up with?" He seemed to realize himself then and promptly raised a hoof to shake. "I'm Sunburst, Starlight's lackey. Feed me snackies, and I promise to be a good little gremlin. Or so she tells everycreature we meet." Bon Bon absently took his hoof in her own, dazed. After a moment or two of consideration, though, a wry grin appeared on her face instead.

"Oh believe me, I have my own eccentric unicorn wife to suffer through, so I get it." Sunburst's smile grew devious and his head tipped to accentuate the camaraderie between them.

"Utterly engrossed with a slim selection of interests, to the exclusion of all else?" Bon Bon nodded knowingly and returned with:

"Obsessively needy, to the point that you're shocked she ever lived on her own?" To which Sunburst chuckled and spoke the final line in unison with her.

"About as mature as the children she gets along with so well, despite being a grown mare?"

Starlight Glimmer's outraged expression cut through their shared cackling, but only long enough for her to say her piece before it resumed tenfold:

"Hey! You guys aren't allowed to start bonding yet! No fair!"

Once recovered, Bonnie stepped aside to make way for her guests, who entered and closed the door behind them. The earth pony's expression hardened when she took in the white lump shivering on the couch and even more so when she saw her dutiful wife's fruitless attempts to console him.

"Alright, here's the plan," the former agent's attention was drawn by Starlight's hushed voice and serious tone, with the mood having changed to match. "Last week didn't turn out so well and Sunny here needs to meet Knight properly. He's still scared of me, so we're going to split up." The therapist mare gestured to the saddlebags her husband was currently wearing. "Lyra, Knight and Sunburst can all go to a separate room and hang out for the duration. He has a few activities planned, so hopefully it'll go better than last time. Bon Bon, you'll stay here with me and catch me up on how things have been going."

There was a distinct change in Starlight, Bonnie decided.

For all the time she'd known the mare--which really wasn't that long, to be fair, but the ex-agent felt she had a good grasp on the unicorn regardless--Starlight had been dedicated, straightforward, and rather blunt. A mare on a mission. She could be friendly, yes, but only to the extent that it helped move her goals closer.

What was more, there'd been...not anxiety, per se, but a stress that built deep within her the more troubling her newest case proved to be. Bon Bon had seen it erupt last week when the unicorn burst into tears, but the tightness had been present long before that.

Now, though?

Starlight Glimmer was as light, cheery, and happy as could be. And the ex-agent had a feeling that the bespectacled stallion beside her had something to do with that.

It was then that the plan was enacted and everypony shuffled off to their respective destinations. Bonnie kept her musings about her superior's emotional state to herself as she settled back on her favored sofa. Perhaps she'd share her findings with the therapist, perhaps not. She was honestly unsure where her relationship with the other mare stood as of yet, even though an in-depth analysis of one's feelings seemed right up Starlight's alley.

Regardless, Bonnie steeled herself for the conversation to come, watching somewhat forlornly as her loved ones followed after the stallion she'd met mere minutes ago. With Knight not present, she expected Starlight to drop all pretenses and simply interrogate her for information.

Ah, well, she'd do her best.

"Let's get started, shall we?"

---

Warm.

WARM?

GOOD WARM! MOMMY WARM!

Okay.

Mommy was warm.

The world outside was cold, cruel, and coarse.

But so long as you held onto her hock, things were okay.

Safe.

Need I remind all of you that we are currently heading towards certain doom?

MAYBE HE'S FRIENDLY!

Trail behind Mommy as she strides onwards.

Uneasily eye the strange stallion leading you.

Clutch the green leg harder as anxiety takes hold.

I don't know. Maybe if--

Of course not. When has anypony ever been 'friendly?' He has it out for us, just like the mare who came before.
Or have you forgotten already? I would not put it past one of your 'intellect.'

BUT MOMMY'S OKAY WITH HIM!

Hesitantly smile back at the mare's reassuring look.

That means absolutely nothing. You should not trust her in the first place.
Do you even remember what that mare is capable of?

I TRUST HER MORE THAN YOU!

...

We're stopping.

Fidget nervously as the stallion settles down in the hallway.

Cling to Mommy when she does the same.

Whine softly as he starts to dig around in his saddlebags.

What's he doing...?

Picking which weapon to use to beat you senseless with, obviously.
At this point, though, he likely will not have a hard time of it.
You need to run while you still can. Do not be like Darkest. Do not put us in danger.

I...

Huddle closer to the mare.

Pant for breath as she runs her hoof through your mane.

Study the stallion's every movement.

I don't know...

Please, Knight.
You cannot fall for their tricks.
Even I can admit you are better than that.

IT'S OKAY!

MOMMY'S SAFE!

IF SHE SAYS IT'S OKAY, THEN IT'S OKAY!

"It'll be okay, Sugar. He just wants to hang out with us."

Shiver as Mommy's wonderful voice rocks your world.

Form a slight grin at your new nickname.

Bury your nose in her side and inhale her scent so your tension eases.

No. Dark Ni--

BUTTON!

Button's right. Mommy's safe. I love her.

She'll make sure I don't get hurt.

Sigh heavily when the stallion simply pulls out a pad of paper and some pencils.

Ah. Fine, then.

Watch warily as he starts to draw.

I see how it is.

Raise a brow when Mommy does the same, borrowing the supplies needed.

Just you wait. You shall see I was right.
When your sick addictions fail you, you will come crawling back to me.
I can wait. I am patient. And when your so-called 'mother' stabs you in the back--

I sincerely doubt that shall happen. Methinks we have seen quite enough of the mare to know that she hardly intends to do us any wrong.

Cringe as something inside you boils with unimaginable wrath.

SHUT! UP!
GO AWAY!
NOPONY WANTS YOU, DARKEST! LEAST OF ALL US!

Wince when sudden agony ripples from a section of your mental space.

"Hey. Knight, is it?"

Shoot to attention as the stallion speaks for the first time.

Tentatively take in his inviting grin.

Blink when you find no malice whatsoever in his expression.

"Would you like to draw with us? It's great fun. I find it helps calm the mind."

That sounds like exactly what I need.

FUN!

Take hold of the materials Mommy proffers to you.

"Though, granted, I'm not too good at it."

The stallion remarks with a teasing wink.

Continue to blink when that's all he says for quite a while.

Eye the paper, disgruntled.

I...don't know how to draw...

FUN!

Shrug and lift the pencil after inspecting it for suspicious properties.

Put pen to paper.

Squint in concentration.

FUN!

Let's see what happens.

---

Three unicorns sat there, drawing in content silence, for quite some time.

Eventually, they all seemed to finish their separate projects and set the various utensils down as one.

"Very nice, Mrs. Heartstrings. I like the shading."

Lyra had, rather badly, drawn a stylized landscape. Truth be told, the image was clearly amateur and Sunburst visibly struggled to find anything good to say. Still, the mare appreciated the positive comment and set the paper aside, eager to see the others.

"I myself drew a kite. Or, well, tried to. I think I might be better at flying them than picturing them."

These words rang true and the other two unicorns winced accordingly when they saw the failed attempt on the page. Despite half an hour of work, the picture might as well have been hastily scrawled by a caffeinated child.

"My wife is obsessed with kites. Though, I suppose it's one of the few passions I share with her."

Sunburst smiled gently back at Knight's cautiously curious expression.

"There's a lot of symbolism in kites. We made and flew them all the time as foals, whenever we could. They reassured us that we could one day fly free, just like them."

Sunburst tilted his head down, a nondescript twinkle in his eye. Knight shivered, feeling a connection of sorts take place as he gazed into it.

"Would you like to fly kites with me, sometime?"

A slow nod. A happy, genuine smile.

"Wonderful."

---

"He needs to go outside."

Starlight whinnied in surprise, whipping her head around to stare disbelievingly at the robed stallion walking beside her.

"How and why is that a good idea?" Sunburst pursed his lips at this, not turning to face her at all and instead bowing his head in contemplation. "You know he won't feel secure outside the house. The only reason he can interact at all is because he has a status quo to predict and expect. A trip would disturb that. He could have a panic attack, or worse..." Starlight trailed off at her husband's headshake, raising a brow.

"I know all of that. It doesn't change that fact that he needs to go outside."

Sunburst finally looked her in the eye, cutting off her retort with his sincere expression.

"Do you know what he drew, Starry?"

A blink. A shake of the head.

A sad smile.

"Himself. Enclosed in a labyrinth that pressed in on all sides. What do you think that says about his mental state?"

The couple walked on through the streets of Ponyville in silent contemplation. They drew curious looks and whispered musings from the townsponies around them, though thankfully none stepped up to break the thoughtful reticence. Finally, when their crystal destination was just ahead and Starlight showed no signs of speaking, Sunburst sighed again and attempted to lighten the mood somewhat.

"Look, you mares might not understand him as well as a stallion like myself. I get it: Our masculine connection is beyond your female comprehension." The therapist winked at his wife, who rolled her eyes but smiled all the same as they reached the crystal door. "The fact is, Knight and everypony else in his head needs to be let out. Just for a little. We're planning on flying kites."

This made the mare come to a sudden halt, ears perked.

"Kites? We haven't flown those in a long time! Not since..."

"...Prance," Sunburst finished when she trailed off, a knowing--and somewhat smug--look on his face. Starlight glowered at him for a few seconds, but the thought of kites ended up being too tempting and she broke into an excited grin.

"Okay, you've sold me. When can we go?" This was asked with childlike glee and the stallion chuckled accordingly as they headed inside the castle doors.

"Next week, when our next meeting is scheduled."

Starlight pouted a little at this, but not for long. Already, she was hopping with excitement and mulling over which of her wide selection of kites would best work for Ponyville's climate.

"I can't wait!"

---

In the green hills bordering Ponyville a strong wind blew, causing the blades of grass to wave and the many clouds to travel faster than usual. A pleasant afternoon sun shone down on the biome, dappling the ground with its rays and casting small, lumpy shadows. Mount Canterhorn gleamed in the distance, all but smiling down on the area as the fine, cool weather lifted spirits and kites alike.

Bon Bon led her family further across the hills, carrying a stressed lump of white on her back as she made her way to the lone stallion standing ahead. Starlight Glimmer sat a few hills away all on her lonesome, seeming entranced by the fabric currently sailing high above her head. Manes and tails blowing in the wind, the Heartstrings finally reached Sunburst and began to converse with him.

And watching all of this from an oddly-stationary cloud above was none other than Rainbow Dash.

The usually-restless pegasus sat incredibly still, intently observing the goings-on below her. Her cerise gaze landed on the colt that was once in some bygone era her friend and stayed there, unmoving. Studying his every move. Watching for signs of...something or other. Something that said she could help. Something that meant she needed to swoop in and save the day, like she always did.

Something that told her she was needed. That he needed her.

Because she knew she needed to help him.

A shadow. The faint flutter of feathers.

Rainbow knew who'd settled on the cloud beside her without looking; she could recognize that wing pattern anywhere.

"Dashie, you know you shouldn't be watching them. What if somepony catches you? What if he sees you?"

The cyan pegasus nodded her understanding, but couldn't make herself stop peering over the edge of the cloud, let alone make eye contact with her oldest friend.

"Please, 'shy," she croaked, "I really need this."

And Fluttershy sighed her understanding, settling down next to the mare and draping a yellow wing across her withers. They sat in silence, but not for very long; Rainbow was the type that had feelings and tended to be quite vocal about them.

Besides, some things needed to be said.

"It was supposed to be our job, Flutters. The princess chose us. We were gonna make him better. It was going so well, too! We helped him, didn't we?"

A hum. A nod. A supportive rub.

A sigh. A sniffle. A dejected whine.

"I just don't understand what went wrong. Why does Starlight just get to take charge like that? And why are we suddenly so..." a brief pause, "...useless."

Under normal circumstances, Rainbow would likely begin fidgeting, eternally-restless as she usually was. As it stood, she could only watch Knight take up his own kite, receiving instructions from the stallion beside him. The first attempt failed spectacularly, with the fabric immediately slamming straight to the ground and somehow rolling down the hill despite the strong wind. Undeterred, the colt simply levitated it back, nodding along to the further advice offered by Sunburst.

"You're not useless, Dashie. You're a Wonderbolt now! I'd say that's about as far away from useless as you can get."

The words were an empty comfort and both pegasi knew it. Fluttershy winced, but let her apology be expressed through her consoling gestures rather than verbally.

"You're loyal to a fault, Dash. Right now, it hurts that you've been forced away from a friend, especially one that you had a duty to." The yellow mare paused, a remorseful look about her face. Still, her voice was strong, leaving no room for argument. "But you need to accept that you're not the best pony for the job. It doesn't mean you're useless or that they'll never need you. Just that right now, there's not much you can do to help. And that's okay."

It was not okay.

Rainbow clenched her eyes shut, miserably laying her head on the soft surface of the cloud as her friend delicately stroked her back. The dull roar of wind drowned out any sounds from below, present as it was everywhere except for the air around their perch. Truly, the breeze wasn't strong enough to be called a gale, but only just; it was the perfect speed to get a kite in the air without it flying wildly out of control.

"Look at him, Dash." Rainbow scoffed, opening her eyes long enough to roll them and communicate her disdain before they shut again.

"That's all I've been doing this whole time, 'shy. Honestly, I--"

"No, Rainbow Dash. Look at him."

The cyan pegasus' eyes bulged in surprise at the commanding tone in her friend's voice. Dubiously, she took in the yellow mare's stony expression. The Wonderbolt's cerise stare wandered across the shortened manestyle of her companion, which hadn't changed since it was severed that way when Darkest went rogue. Usually, it appeared quite out of place on the embodiment of Kindness--it was still a mystery as to why she hadn't gotten it fixed--but now it highlighted her dour look as she disapprovingly shook her head.

"Not me, Dash. Look at Darkest."

Hesitantly, the mare obeyed, turning once more to gaze down and at the colt in question, who was now hopping excitedly as he scurried over to Bon Bon. Rainbow's ears twitched, barely able to pick up an ecstatic shout over the rushing wind:

"Look, Momma! I'm doing it!"

Darkest's borrowed kite--a fairly standard model, carefully painted to closely resemble a phoenix--soared triumphantly high above his head, its connecting spool of string held in his telekinetic aura. The Wonderbolt twitched as he tripped, pitching down the side of the hill, but relaxed when Bon Bon reached out and deftly caught him. A wide grin appeared on the earth pony's face when she saw his expression and she clutched him tight to her barrel, nuzzling his mane.

"He looks happy." Rainbow remarked, to which Fluttershy hummed affirmatively.

"Yes, Dashie. He's happy. Shouldn't that be enough?"

Rainbow didn't answer.

Far below, Bon Bon's stare tracked the soaring kite, but was soon drawn to the sole stationary cloud above. Surprise, then suspicion flashed across her face as her eyes roved its puffy form. Finally, recognition settled on it when she locked gazes with Rainbow Dash.

The mares stared at each other for several moments. Bon Bon performed an understanding nod, but squinted her warning soon after. The message was clear, and the Wonderbolt felt a full-body shiver of fear at the intensity in the mother's expression. She couldn't help sighing in relief when the earth pony broke eye contact to return her attention to her adoptive son.

Suddenly, the rustle of approaching wings announced yet another pegasus alighting on the wispy white surface and Rainbow turned to face them. She recognized Flitter, whom she'd become well acquainted with during her days as a weathermare. Flitter seemed greatly displeased, her melrose coat bristling with agitation while her muzzled formed a vexed frown.

"What do you two think you're doing? We have orders to steer clear of the Heartstrings, same as the rest of Ponyville. You need to get the hay out of here before..." The light blue-maned pegasus trailed off, seeing both Fluttershy's sad smile and Rainbow's pathetic--for lack of a better phrase--puppy-dog-eyes.

Flitter sighed irately and stomped her hoof, punching a small hole in the cloud as she glowered at them. "Give me one reason I shouldn't drag the two of you right out of here right this second."

Fluttershy glanced at her cyan friend, her eyebrows raised in moderate alarm. Rainbow Dash ignored her, staring intently at Flitter as she waved a wing.

"I can't leave; who do you think is making all this wind?"

The weathermare's anger was instantly replaced with shock. Her magenta eyes bulged and her jaw all but dropped away as she glanced between Rainbow's oscillating feathers, each minutely moving as if puppeteering some invisible marionette, and the rushing near-gale that covered easily four acres of land.

"You..." Flitter gulped, thoroughly impressed, while the Wonderbolt simply smiled. "I never took you for somepony with such fine control," she finished lamely, to which Rainbow simply shrugged.

"It comes with the job description."

And Flitter scoffed, rolling her eyes, but finally settled down next to them, though refrained from peering down and instead kept her gaze on the pegasi.

"Alright, Miss Wonderbolt. You win."

There they sat for quite some time, watching as Lyra and Bon Bon eventually got kites of their own into the air. The white colt they were so familiar with eventually settled down next to Sunburst, still fascinated by the works of art soaring high above their heads. Eventually, more advanced maneuvers such as flips and rolls were attempted, with mixed results. Still, the pleased, beaming grin never once left the foal's face, not even when Starlight Glimmer ambled over to sit by her husband.

"Do you feel useless, Flitter?" Fluttershy inquired. The mare in question hummed in thought, but it wasn't long before her reply broke the silence again.

"No. How could I? Darkest and his moms are able to live and work in peace, without fear of interruption, thanks to my efforts. However small my part in this whole thing is, I know that my contribution matters, and that's enough for me for now." Flitter's gaze was drawn towards the nearby town and a wistful expression settled itself across her visage. "I think most, if not all, of Ponyville feels the same. We're all obligated to help, but some of us are better equipped than others and it does nopony any good to have our lives completely devoted to this one cause."

The weathermare let out a small chuckle, turning back to face the Bearers with a brow raised. "I doubt Darkest would like to face a town's worth of ponies to answer his every beck and call, anyway. That's not what's needed. What's needed is that we stay out of his way for now, and welcome him back with open hooves when he's ready, and not a moment before."

Rainbow Dash was surprised to find herself nodding, but that was her honest reaction.

She found, after a little introspection, that she could wait until her friend was ready.

And maybe, just maybe, he would need her sooner rather than later.

And that thought filled her with hope.

Happy Birthday, Libero!

"Sugar?"

The pure white colt's ears didn't so much as twitch. He remained sitting there on the floor with his tail neatly curled around his legs, seemingly oblivious to everything except the object on the wall. Lyra's eyes flickered between her adoptive son's back and that which had so wholly captured his attention--a simple calendar hung in the kitchen--for several bewildering moments before she approached.

"Are you okay? What's the matter?" The mint-colored mare came to a stop beside Knight and, after fruitlessly scrutinizing the calendar's face, her gaze landed on his. The colt didn't outwardly seem distressed and looking into his glazed white eyes revealed no similar internal feelings to her. Really, her son was the picture of calm, which was uncommon enough for him that the mare found herself uneasy anyway.

Today it was her turn to wash the dishes, Lyra knew--she'd come to the kitchen to do exactly that. She hadn't expected Knight to be there as well, however; usually, he was playing with the gifts Sunburst brought him or revising a pillow fort design at this time of day. The colt had settled into a routine that, just like his parents', proved quite predictable after long enough.

"A year," Sugar finally muttered as his vacant stare settled on Lura's mildly-concerned face. She blinked, uncomprehending, and a heavy pause punctuated the air before the child spoke again. "It's been a year."

Lyra's eyes roved the calendar in search of answers that remained hidden as her muzzle flopped cluelessly open. She didn't have to say anything; Knight read the look on her face and slowly closed his eyes before elaborating.

"It's been a year since I...got away." He swallowed, grimaced, and finished: "from Broken Barrier."

The pieces fit together in the minty mare's mind and she nodded her understanding after scooching a few inches closer to her child. Something occurred to her then and her eyebrows creased in consideration.

"Does that mean your birthday is coming up soon?" She watched as he lightly shook his head, appearing to shrink and huddle in closer to himself.

"No. I don't know when I was born," a shaky sigh, "I can't keep track of the days. That's what Darkest was good for." The past tense was worrying, but Lyra decided not to give it much mind; she knew Darkest still lived, even if the majority of Sugar wanted to believe he was gone for good. More concerning was the knowledge that her son had gone without celebrating a single birthday in all his life, something Lyra considered wholly unacceptable.

"...can I have a hug?"

"Of course, Knight."

Even as she wrapped her limbs around her child and held him tight, the mother's mind was in a scheming frenzy. Today, she decided, was a day worthy of celebration and she would ensure it became an occasion to be remembered.

And Lyra knew exactly who to visit for help.

---

Having grown up and lived in Ponyville all her life, Lyra wasn't exactly a rare sight on its winding, poorly-planned streets. It was many a day she'd spent aimlessly wandering about the town, greeting friends and acquaintances alike as she gained an ever-increasing appreciation for her home's many charms. Indeed, the mare could put a name, favored hobby, and general personality to every face she encountered without fail within the city's limits.

The question, then, was why those selfsame faces were openly staring at and softly whispering about her.

I suppose I haven't been out in a while. Too long, going by this reaction.

Lyra nonetheless waved and greeted every fellow townspony with her trademark amiability. To her relief, the majority returned the favor and smiled back, with those that didn't being too engrossed in gossip rather than outright dismissive. The way to Sugarcube Corner was well ingrained in the unicorn's mind, enough that she could trot by on autopilot and focus her attention on the ponies she passed.

"Is everything okay, Lyra?" Roseluck fell into step beside her, blinking in immoderate concern as several onlookers--Octavia, Thunderlane, and Amethyst Star among them--watched with interest. The flower pony's mind was wildly forming theories as to why Lyra would leave her home without warning, she could tell. Speculations ranged from a family emergency to an alien invasion to an impending supernova and they only became wilder as the silence stretched on.

"Yep! How's your day been, Rose?" The off-white earth pony snorted in surprise and fell slightly behind when she stopped in place before breaking into a gallop to catch up. Lyra never halted her brisk pace or cheery smile, much to the confusion of those around her.

"Uh...okay, I guess. Don't you have a routine to follow?" Roseluck glanced about in search of support, finding many who nodded along and even began following behind so as to keep track of the conversation. Lyra bobbed her head in turn and faced forward after looking deeply into each pony's eyes. The tall cupcake spire of her destination grew ever closer, its shiny dome promising respite from all these curious townsponies.

"Yeah, but today's special and we need to celebrate!" After looking around at all the still-very-worried faces and sighing deeply, the thaumusologist decided to cease being cryptic and tell everypony what they wanted to hear. "Look, everything's fine, there's no trouble," Lyra finally stopped and turned to confront the small audience that'd gathered. "I'm only visiting Pinkie to get a cake and some supplies. Knight is perfectly safe and happy."

This last sentence got most of the crowd to disperse, but Roseluck remained and became the absolute picture of uncertainty, lingering about with one foreleg raised and both eyebrows creased.

"Are you sure?"

Lyra smiled again and stepped forward to put a hoof on the flower pony's shoulder, nodding resolutely.

"Yes. And I promise if there is trouble, you'll be the first I call." Surprisingly enough, she found she actually meant it. Roseluck, seeing this, nodded back and finally strode away after one last round of goodbyes.

With pep back in her step and room to breathe regained, Lyra all but pranced on her way to Ponyville's finest bakery, which approached even faster than before. Word spread fast and soon the muttering and staring stopped entirely, replaced with returned greetings all around.

I'm glad for my community's support, but sometimes it can be a little...much...

The vibrant pink front door of Sugarcube Corner eased open with a near-cacophonous creak, announcing Lyra's entrance to the similarly-colored earth pony within. Pinkie Pie's baby blue eyes lit up from behind the counter and she leapt atop it, standing on her hind legs much like a human would.

"LYRA! I just knew there'd be a doozy today! My Pinkie Sense has been going off all morning!"

In that moment, light itself travelled slower than the party pony as she warped forth and embraced her friend. The minty unicorn tensed up in preparation for a bone-crushing hug and was not disappointed. Stars exploded across her vision, every last scrap of air fled her body, and so much blood rushed up to her head that it flushed deep red and all but popped open right then. This was it, this was how she died; hugged to the grave by an overeager Pinkie Pie who didn't know her own strength.

Thankfully, the earth pony broke away at what must have been the last moment and Lyra gasped for air, swaying on her hooves. Pinkie's eyes met hers as they stood mere inches apart and, while glee was the most prominent emotion she detected in them, there was a sizable amount of concern as well.

Not this again...

"First off, everything's fine, Pinkie. I'm here because we're going to host a celebration and I need your help." If the mare had been excited before, now she became nothing but an exuberant frenzy of vibrating energy, literally bouncing off the walls like a demented bouncy ball on a sugar high. Actually, that comparison probably wasn't too far from the truth, given Pinkie's love of sweets and her occasional heightened elasticity.

"OoooOOOoooo! A party for the Heartstrings! What's the occasion?! Is it a birthday? Anniversary? Birthiversary? Anniverthday?! Did one of you finally get around to doing something you've been trying to do for a while and now you're so happy and excited and so you just have to celebrate even though normal ponies wouldn't think it's that big of a deal? Or what about..." ...To the average observer, the earth pony's high-speed rant would likely be nothing but an indecipherable mesh of garbled elation. Lyra, however, having known the mare for quite a few years now and grown rather close to her in that time, could more or less parse every word. Due to this same reason, she was able to predict when Pinkie would pause long enough for her to interject.

"--it's an anniversary, yes. Knight escaped Broken Barrier the first time a year ago today."

Instantly, Pinkie paused and deflated. It was only slight, but, perceptive as she was, Lyra still noticed Pinkie shrink in on herself as she stared vacantly at the wall.

"...are you sure you wanna celebrate that?" She finally said at length. The unicorn cocked an eyebrow, approaching her friend in attempts to look back into her gaze.

"Why wouldn't I?" Pinkie's transformation was shocking, especially to one who could read body language so well. She craned her neck back at Lyra, wearing an expression that, much to the unicorn's disbelief, she couldn't immediately read or glean all details from. Creased eyebrows, a complex muzzle formation, eyes that were somehow vacant and focused at the same time, and much more all befuddled the mare who normally had no issues reading ponies.

"Wouldn't that only bring bad memories back? Knighty...hasn't had good experience with parties." Pinkie glanced around at the inside of Sugarcube corner. Normally bright, bubbly and immature, now the mare couldn't possibly look more grave. "I only ever hosted the 'welcome to Ponyville party' for him. I knew he probably wouldn't like it, but I didn't know why." She gestured vaguely in the air. "I tried to make it the best party ever for him, but it didn't work."

Lyra thought back to that time in efforts to understand what her friend was saying. Only a few select ponies had been invited to the party, she recalled, and Bon Bon was among their number. It was solely because of this that she knew as much as she did, her wife having given her a brief recap.

That was when she'd first properly heard about her son and taken an interest in him, mainly because Bonnie was so invested in his welfare. Lyra had seen Darkest around town before that, of course, and she'd been told a unicorn colt had interfered with the thievery Bon Bon couldn't stop herself--with the Ponyville guardsponies and civilians around, she'd feared blowing her cover. The thaumusologist remembered her wife feeling gratitude, and then immense concern towards Darkest after the party. Of course, anything her lover became invested in automatically gained her attention, but Lyra had mostly taken a step back and observed from outside.

One late night spent lying in bed while Bonnie ranted came to mind. The evening after the Liberate Darkest Knight Organization's first meeting, she'd come home with her mind awhirl in a maelstrom of confusion. Far before Starlight entered the picture, before the Cutie Mark Crusaders fed him a potion, before Colza abducted him and nearly erased all hope, Sweetie Drops had wanted to adopt Darkest. To become personally responsible for healing his fractured psyche. To raise him properly and give him a joyful, fulfilling life even after all he'd gone through.

Bon Bon hadn't known it then, of course, but Lyra had read the desire behind her gorgeous cerulean eyes anyway. The unicorn hadn't shared what she'd seen either, even after listening late into the night as her troubled wife expressed her misgivings. There had been enough confusion already and, from what the ponies at the meeting had concluded, there was little chance of adoption anyway.

It was then that Lyra realized thoughts of her wife had gotten her sidetracked and both her and Pinkie were staring off into the distance.

"Bonnie said she didn't see you much at the welcome party," she began, drawing the other mare's attention back from wherever it'd been previously. "I'm told you mostly hung around the outskirts and avoided ponies." Pinkie nodded, her expression settling into something Lyra could actually read. Or maybe that was just her getting used to the sad look that was so out of place on the Element of Laughter's visage.

"My Pinkie Sense told me something was really, really wrong, so I tried to stay out of his way and only invite the nicest ponies I knew."

'Not that it helped.' The earth pony didn't add the last part, but Lyra heard it all the same. She smiled and strode forth to better offer reassurance.

"I'm sure it really did help him feel better to have less ponies around. That's part of why a party with just the three of us will be so fun! Plus, he trusts Bonnie and I enough that I doubt he'll be anything but excited." The unicorn placed a hoof on Pinkie's shoulder, cocked a brow, and finished: "Don't you want to help us give Knight the best party ever? One that he will actually have fun during? One that celebrates his escape from pain and entry into our lives?"

The gears in Pinkie's brain whirred for several moments, but then her mane sprung back up and her previous excitement flared to life with raging cheer.

"YEAH! Hurry, let's get to work!"

---

Bon Bon led her son down the stairs, occasionally steadying him when he lost his balance and wincing when he pulled on her tail too hard. She'd been amused at his intrigue when she told him about a surprise and deeply moved when he accepted the blindfold without complaint or even hesitation.

Once safely downstairs and in the kitchen, the fabric promptly came off and Sugar glanced around at the decorations.

Bright, colorful streamers were hung from every conceivable surface. A beaming Lyra sat next to a thoroughly-decorated cake on the table--vanilla flavored, with a light green frosting and various candies topping it.

Most prominently, a large banner dangled from the ceiling with massive bubble letters written boldly across it:

HAPPY YEAR OF FREEDOM!

And a pair of broken hoofcuffs drawn right under.

Knight's eyes roved the surroundings, taking everything in with a look of consternation. Only after thoroughly scanning everything--most notably his mothers' cheery smiles and the lack of any other celebrants--did his muzzle break into the largest grin to ever exist.

They partied well into the night, their home filled with laughter, cheer, and love.

Observing this from the street outside was a certain pink figure, who cried tears of joy and relief while her senses told her exactly how well she'd done and her cutie mark blazed with life.

That day, all of Ponyville rejoiced.

Author's Notes:

One year ago today, I finally mustered up the courage within my anxious, dizzy soul to press the publish button on this story.

And it's impossible to put into words just how glad I am that I did so!

I never in a million years would have expected the kind of reception this passion project of mine has gotten! My goal was to eventually hit a thousand or so views and then I'd be perfectly content. We're now over double that and counting! I don't know what came over so many people and made them investigate my most humble writing, but here we are.

I'm so grateful for all the support I've received over this past year. Though the updates have been slow, you all stuck through with my monkey scribbles all the way to where we are now and I can't thank you enough.

Again, I must thank especially Anotherrandom, rikithemonk, Cxcd, Flygon, Naiya the brony, and everyone else who contributed to this story in any amount. We've come so far together, and we've got so much left to go.

I have two more arcs planned for Libero and probably several sequels after its status reaches 'complete,' so there will be plenty more Darkest Knight action to come.

Funny to think the original prediction for this story's length was a mere 50k words, eh? I can only guess what it'll end up as, so we'll have to wait and see.

Thank you all again!

--Discombobulated Soul.

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Falling Out Of The Shallow Start

Author's Notes:

IMPORTANT!

This chapter is the second part of a crossover between Libero and Jumping In At The Deep End. As such, do not read it until you've read part one!

--Part One--

It's been a joy to write this utter behemoth of a crossover! Both Anotherrandom and I have worked on this thing for nearly the entirety of 2023; the initial ideas and concepts sprung up on the 20th of February!

...and it probably shows, given just how much is going on here. This may be the biggest chapter I'll ever write--though, let's be honest, it's very likely I ended up doing less than a third of the work, given its quality--and I couldn't be happier with the finished product.

I'm sure I speak for the both of us when I say I hope you all enjoy the fruits of our labor. And make no mistake: There was much, much labor involved. Y'all deserve only the best, after all, and while I'm certainly lacking in that regard, Anotherrandom certainly delivers.

Now, some readers may not have had the opportunity to experience Jumping In At The Deep End--not to worry, even though you may be missing some context, the both of us ensured everything was understandable and compelling enough without it. Likewise for the many more who probably have never seen Libero before; what needs explaining will be explained.

Also, (though it may seem obvious) this whole crossover is entirely non-canon to either story and will not have any repercussions outside of itself. It is my humble hope that everyone reading will be just as invested despite this, as we authors have worked incredibly hard on it and not allowed the canonical status to serve as an excuse for poor quality in the slightest.

I thank you all--Libero fans old and new, those who are here for Anonymous the filly only, and Annotherrandom especially--for sharing this experience with me. It's been a long and at-times rough ride, but this horse-word-wagon isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Well, that's enough of my rambling. Onward to the story!

The newly-rebuilt, reinforced-crystal front doors were instantly blasted to pieces as Bon Bon Heartstrings–having forgotten there was a door-always-open policy and no actual lock, to boot–bucked them right open and rushed inside.

The sound created by this explosive force was doubtlessly enough to reach the resident princess even while in the throes of intense reading, seeing as she came stumbling down the stairs to investigate shortly after.

Twilight Sparkle blinked blearily and rubbed her eyes at the sight that greeted her in the foyer, staring openly in plain disbelief. Granted, the surprise was largely unwarranted–Ponyville being as it was–and, were she in her right mind, the alicorn would doubtlessly have conducted herself with more poise. To be fair, though, two pairs of the exact same pony respectively was almost certainly not what she'd been expecting to see upon investigating the noise.

Bon Bon didn't give her much time to process before she spoke with hurried tones and a great sense of urgency:

"Princess! What do you know about the multiverse? Specifically, is there a way to reach somepony somewhere else?"

The alicorn gaped, her purple eyes darting between the four mares as she stood dumbly at the top of the crystal staircase. Bon Bon stared insistently at the purple mare's figure and began trotting closer, to which Sweetie Drops rolled her eyes and placed a hoof on Bonnie's back, stopping her from her subconscious approach.

"You're being too direct. We should explain ourselves, then ask for help." But Bon Bon wasn't having any of it, whipping around and placing her snarling muzzle nose-to-nose with her twin's, who merely raised an eyebrow.

"Don't you dare tell me what to do." But another, more familiar hoof on her withers bade her pause and lock eyes with her wife, Lyra. The minty unicorn offered an understanding smile, underscored by empathy and immense sorrow but no small amount of reprimand as well.

"She's right, Bonnie. Please calm down or we'll never get anywhere." To which Bon Bon slumped, appropriately ashamed, and visibly attempted to recompose herself with only moderate success.

Meanwhile, the other Lyra–henceforth referred to as 'Lyly', as the group had decided shortly before–was left standing in the doorway, returning the gaping look of shock to Twilight in full. Specifically, the mare was eyeing the alicorn's majestic, feathery wings–both spread fully in expression of her surprise–and silently reevaluating just how different this universe was from hers.

“Princess,” began Sweetie Drops, bowing respectfully as she approached the bottom of the stairs, “we are sorry for barging in so impolitely, but we really need your help.” The earth pony raised her head to stare deeply into Twilight’s eyes and she did her best to communicate the urgency of the situation to those blank purple orbs. “Can we sit down somewhere and explain ourselves?”

The regally stunned princess recovered enough to nod her head and open her muzzle, but it was then that a tall figure stepped into place at her side.

It was the four mares’ turn to gape as they took in the sight of what seemed like Celestia, but with several notable changes:

Imposing leer, blazing orange eyes with near-black sclera, a mane of literal fire, the list went on. Possibly the most jarring was the way her muzzle formed a near-contemptuous sneer as she stared down her nose at them.

And yet. And yet…

Those eyes, fearsome though they were, nevertheless communicated a deep pain and longing, so intense that those watching were stricken speechless. The unicorns in particular were barely able to refrain from collapsing into heaps of heartache thanks to their empathic abilities.

“What have we here? Yet more travelers?” Not-Celestia abruptly spoke, her gravelly, fiery voice creating a warm wind that buffeted the mares’ ears and shook their very cores. Twilight was also affected, but she seemed somewhat used to it and was thus the first to recover.

“You think they’re from another universe, too?” The white alicorn smirked at this, revealing a glint of prominent fangs as she gave the mare opposite a wizened, teasing wink.

“I don’t see any other explanations, do you?” Twilight didn’t respond to this and indeed seemed very discomforted by the near-predatory look she was receiving. Thankfully, the taller alicorn ceased breathing down her neck to regard the now-recovering mares below. “Come along then, you four. We have much to discuss.”

Shaken but no less determined and desperate, Bon Bon led the way up the stairs as the Not-Celestia turned and, without further comment, strode away. Princess Twilight scampered along closely behind, but not before giving the pairs another curious look or two.

Their fate problematically uncertain, the mares headed deeper into the crystal castle, hoping to receive answers to their questions.

…preferably before they got eviscerated by the twisted once-ruler leading them.

---

It wasn't going well.

Anon gave another nudge, but the nail holding her bindings only budged a little.

The shelling started and stopped at different intervals. Sometimes it was artillery from the camp that was firing back. The roaring of cannons had become little more than noise by now.

Well, at least for her.

Knight only got worse. Pulling on his mane, crying, muttering to himself.

And then the ring on his horn started to melt.

Anon could feel it coming. Her teeth started to hurt and there was pressure from behind her eyes. She thought they might be getting gassed for a brief second.

No, it was his powers activating. Slowly fighting against the reinforced ring.

Worse, Anon started to hear steps outside their cell doors.

She should have expected it; they might have stuck them in a room to stew for a while, but there were only a few reasons to hold onto prisoners in a war camp.

The doors swung open and two masked soldiers entered, then positioned themselves on either side of the doors and held them open for a third pony. With perk in her step and a creepy smile on her face, the scarred crystal mare from earlier trotted in.

As one could imagine, seeing your to-be-interrogator smiling rarely boded well. Anon, while quite aware of this fact, was more preoccupied with other things.

If she sees Knight, we are doomed.

Thus, a new course of action was hastily planned in the jumper’s head.

God, I hope this works.

“Good morning Miss.” Anon said in an overly cheerful tone. “We have beautiful weather today, don't we?”

The mare's smile broadened, her horn crackling with sickly green magic as she approached the jumper, who sent her a smile of her own.

“There was a terrible misunderstanding,” Anon continued, her voice unwavering.

“Is that so?” The crystalline mare leaned closer, eyes gleaming dangerously, but Anon's attention was solely on her uniform. Or, more accurately, on the silver buttons of her uniform. Polished to perfection, shining in the meager illumination of the cell like the light of the worlds smallest lighthouse. Even her breastplate displayed the same level of polish, so much so that it could be used as a weapon to blind the enemy. “And how is that?”

Anon gave her her cheekiest wink.

“Ah, you see, you got the wrong peo- ehm, I mean, ponies.”

The scarred crystal mare’s facade broke for just a second as her lips twitched in irritation.

The scars on the mare had initially fooled Anon, but her true nature was still clearly on display. Soldiers in war had better things to do - like dying, screaming and getting shot at - than polishing silver buttons on their uniform to absolute perfection.

No, the mare wasn't a soldier. She was far worse:

A bureaucrat.

And if the uniform was anything to go by, a perfectionist to boot. Which could spell either their salvation or doom. But Anon wasn't the type to surrender so easily.

And she had an idea. A plan. A crazy, half baked one, but those were the best; half baked ideas had the great advantage of being able to be baked into something proper later.

“Oh, really now?” The uniformed mare said. “And who are you then?”

“Pizza delivery,” Anon informed matter-of-factly. “To one Heugh Hunt.”

“What Hough Hunt?” Asked the crystal mare. “Speak!”

“Yours, I think,” said Anon innocently.

The mare paused, a puzzled look on her face.

And then the slap came.

Anon saw it coming, but she still flinched despite her attempts not to. It hurt a lot, but considering she got hit by a very hard hoof, that was to be expected.

“You think yourself clever, do you?” The crystal mare snarled.

Anon flashed her a smile, now a little bloody thanks to her split lips.

“Yup.”

This time it was magic that hit her. Nausea came over her like a wave as the world started to spin.

“I have questions. You will answer them. Understood?”

Anon raised her head, meeting the cold, angry gaze of the officer. Ego, that was her weakness. The sense of indulgent self-importance.

So much so that she utterly failed to notice that Knight was nearly through his bindings as Anon did her best to annoy her.

“Non. Je ne parle pas anglais.”

The mare roared, she leaned closer, hoof raised to strike her again.

Anon had no intention of letting the blow land.

“You little-”

The jumper leapt forward like a wound-up spring, chained limbs wrapping around the mare's raised forehoof. With one pull and a kick of Anon hind legs, the mare lost her already-precarious balance, ending with her front leg pressed against her back and chains around her throat - preventing her from screaming orders at the confused guards still standing by the doors.

The mare thrashed, pinning Anon against the wall and crushing the filly painfully, but she held on, chains still wrapped around the officer’s neck as the two fought.

And then the explosion hit.

Knight's bindings finally melted and the colt's now-freed power sent a wave of energy and metal fragments through the cell. Thinking fast, the jumper used the incapacitated mare as a not-so-figurative meat shield, taking cover behind her. Before the officer had a chance to react, there was a loud noise as one of the half melted metal pieces hit her on the leg - cracks spiderwebbing across its crystalline form.

The jumper did not hesitate.

With all the strength she had, Anon stomped on the cracked leg.

The sound of shattering glass filled Anon's ears - together with a short-lived yelp as the mare grew still, the now-broken limb laying beside the rest of her. Without even stopping for a moment, the jumper went for the mare’s pockets, frantically searching for a key.

The guards, regaining some initiative, finally took action, rushing towards Anon with spears drawn.

Anon's vision was fuzzy, blood was pouring from her nose - either from the impact against the wall or Knight's onslaught of power - but despite that everything seemed so very clear at that moment:

She finds the keys in time or the guards get to her first and both Knight and she die here.

Her hoof reached into the last pocket she had not yet searched on the crystal mares uniform.

She acted too fast and uncoordinated - the magical grip that allowed her hooves to grab things shook, turning the pocket inside out.

Nothing.

The pocket was empty.

The masked guards reached back, their spears dashing forward with a robotic, machine-like motion.

A cylinder landed behind the guards, the brainwashed soldiers turning to face it.

Just in time for it to explode in a flash of light, followed by the room being filled with grey smoke.

There was a pop and a grunt, swiftly followed by a pair of rather gong-like noises.

The smoke cleared. Revealing that both of the masked guards were now laying in a heap on the floor.

Somepony standing above them, short club still in hoof.

Total silence followed.

Well, that would be a lie. The guards were making pained noises and Knight was crying in a corner and part of the cell was now on fire, not to mention the artillery outside but nopony said a word.

The new arrival turned towards the foals. Another pony, but covered in a slightly-tattered form-fitting black suit with a blocky night vision device covering their face and a belt of throwing daggers across their shoulders.

They raised the device from their face.

With one eye behind an eye patch, Twilight Sparkle gave them a wry smile.

“Kept you waiting, huh?”

Anon almost screamed.

---

The sun's radiant beams shone down through the enormous windows, refracted into dazzling patterns that spread in every direction by the crystal structure of the room.

Seated around a circular table–made of actually tasteful wood, thankfully–were six mares existing in various states of composure ranging from 'tranquil interest' to 'nervous wreck'. The sound of tapping hooves and shifting cushions went equally unnoticed by all, however, as each individual was far too engrossed in processing the situation to care.

The not-quite-silence was interrupted when a pair of doors opened, allowing Spike to enter, carrying a plate of fresh tea and scones. Utterly unfazed by the odd sight that greeted him, the baby dragon strode over to the somewhat-crowded table and deposited his load before respectfully bowing. Twilight, rolling her eyes at his official attitude, took initiative in passing the refreshments to her unexpected guests. The siblings shared a look and Spike bowed once more before taking his leave, after which the alicorn steepled her hooves and began.

"Hello, everypony. Thank you all for agreeing to calm down and sit. Today has been quite the bundle of surprises, eh?" Vehement nods greeted this statement as the princess paused, resisting the urge to rub her temples. "Now then, Bon Bon..." Her gaze flickered between the earth ponies before finally settling on Sweetie Drops. "...I'm going to trust you to give me a succinct rundown on what the hay has been happening. Please be quick and direct, as something tells me time is of the essence."

The agent nodded, stealing a glance at the imposing form of Not-Celestia–who merely observed the goings-on with an apparent passing interest–before straightening. Sweetie Drops briefly wondered if she should salute, but ultimately decided to push that proposition aside and simply begin as ordered.

"Right. Well, the first thing you should know is that my fiancé and I are from another universe. We recently adopted a Jumper–someone with the ability to travel between universes–and due to an unfortunate series of events, ended up here. We—"

"—What does she look like?" Interrupted Not-Celestia, who leaned ever-so-slightly across the table. Sweetie faltered, dumbfounded and beginning to sweat slightly as the room's temperature seemed to skyrocket. Twilight frowned and turned to the larger alicorn beside her, staring like a disapproving bunny would toward a hungry lion.

"Please don't interrupt, Daybreaker. Questions can wait until after." All four non-alicorns felt shivers run down their spines as the pair locked eyes in a silent staredown. Daybreaker broke contact first, smirking to herself as she leaned back and the temperature accordingly dropped to a reasonable level.

"Fine, fine." She raised a hoof and waved it in a noncommittal gesture before pointing easily at the agent. "Continue." Shaken by the display, Sweetie took several seconds to compose herself, sipping from her tea and looking to her lover for support. Lyly, however, was unfortunately too transfixed on the alicorns to offer any, though Lyra did offer a reassuring look. The agent didn't quite know how to feel about that, but, having gathered herself as best she could, she continued with the briefing.

"We ended up entering this universe inside of our alternate versions' house and mayhem followed." At the princess' questioning look, she elaborated a little. "Turrets sprung from the ceiling and we ended up in a fight to the death due to...extremely poor communication." Sweetie Drops grew downcast at this and she fought to keep her gaze from dropping. Twilight's eyes bulged in alarm and her wings burst open as she planted her hooves on the table, her face set in great concern.

"Is she okay?! The Jumper you adopted? Did she get shot?" Observing the mare's shaking head and puzzled expression, the purple alicorn felt the need to offer an explanation. "It's just that I helped install those systems, so I know firsthoof how deadly they are. You're sure she's alright?" The agent spluttered, dumbfounded by this information, before Bon Bon spoke up for the first time since they'd arrived.

"No, Twilight. We don't know if they're 'alright'." Everypony turned to the former agent as she stared vacantly into her teacup, which was held in a violently shaking hoof. "Spring jumped away to Faust-knows-where, and she took Knight with her."

The rattling tea began to spill over the sides of its cup, but Bon Bon merely continued to gaze into the distance as Twilight gasped and held a hoof to her muzzle. "That's why we're here. We need your help to find them and bring. Them. Back. And we are going to do it before something awful happens to them. Do you understand?"

Her anxious worry for her son having made a vengeful return, the former agent couldn't help but slam her sore forehooves together. She failed entirely to take notice of the twinge of pain that created, the hopelessly-shattered cup that was in the way, or the still-hot tea which spilt all over her body. Everypony at the table save Daybreaker flinched away from the earth pony as she stared straight into Twilight's eyes, immense sorrow and a not-insignificant amount of instability present in her own.

"To be clear," interjected Sweetie Drops, "the jumping was an accident and due to timberwolves attacking," at Bon Bon's murderous glare, the agent slumped and finished, "but yes. That's why we're here."

"Do you have anything that might help?" Inquired Lyra, who stared hopefully at the alicorns as she bit into a scone. Twilight's muzzle opened and closed rapidly as she searched for something to say. Daybreaker chuckled, observing this, and stood from her spot on the cushion to begin absently pacing the room.

"Well, you've come to the right place, but not because of Purplesmart here." The taller alicorn ignored Twilight's affronted look, instead levitating Lyra's scone from her grip and taking a bite from the opposite end. "I myself got here from another universe, as you heard. It would seem there's been a lot of traffic in that department, lately." Daybreaker finished off the scone within a few more short chomps, pretending not to see the minty unicorn's saddened expression as she tilted her head.

The alicorn's long, sharpened horn began to glow as a molten light traced itself through its spiral from the base to the tip. "You're in luck; I have just the thing to help you contact your kids. You won't be able to go to them, but seeing them at least should help somewhat, right?" Eager nods met her expecting look before she grunted, lowering her head slightly as if pressed by some enormous weight.

It was then that the seated mares' respective attentions were drawn to a floating full-length mirror, hovering in one corner of the room as it gave off a low glow.

"This," announced Daybreaker, standing tall and dramatically sweeping her hoof towards the reflective surface, "is a scrying mirror." Just then, the named object's glass became a swirling vortex of colors unimaginable and places unseen by sane eyes.

Hope flared to life inside the four mothers' barrels as they stared optimistically into the mirror's whirling face. Finally, they had a way to reassure themselves of the situation. At last, they could gather information and end this curse of not knowing what was happening to their children. Now that they had a way to at very least speak with the lost foals, everything else would soon fall into place and maybe they could even find a way—

Just then, the alicorn's magic faltered and the mirror fell face first to the floor with a great crash as she clutched at her horn.

And just like the glass, any remnants of hope were shattered to tiny pieces.

---

“Kept you waiting, huh?”

Anon's mouth hung open as the image in her mind continued not to reconcile with reality.

The jumper knew a thing or two about the mare. During her time with Daybreaker, Twilight Sparkle was often the subject of stories and tales the alicorn of the sun shared.

Those stories painted a picture of Twilight as curious, socially inept and a bookworm to defeat all bookworms. Somepony who once wrote a sixty page university grade thesis and invented a new way to measure magic simply because the teacher forgot to say what the page minimum was and the filly went on a panic fueled binge, adding more and more parts in hopes that it would be enough.

That was in elementary school.

Twilight was the filly who Celestia had to personally drag away from the castle library every other day, because she gave a promise to Twilight’s mother to make sure she eats dinner. The same purple ball of magic and curiosity that accidentally turned the whole school invisible.

That Twilight Sparkle loved stargazing, Daring Doo books, watching Celestia work her forge or trying out a new spell with often…interesting results for the castle staff.

This wasn't that Twilight Sparkle.

This Twilight stood confident after just defeating several enemies, weapons and gadgets strapped to her body. Her one remaining eye scanned her surroundings, absorbing every detail around her.

That eye stopped on Anon, narrowing slightly as she took a fighting posture, her head tilting slightly to the side.

“You’re not our informant,” Twilight said in a voice that sounded so coarse Anon wondered if she managed to inhale a gravel road somehow. “Who are you?”

The purple mare reached for the bludgeon with her magic, Anon lowered her stance. She barely stood, her legs were bleeding in the places her cuffs dug into her flesh and she winced with every breath.

Knight had it worse.

Again.

From behind Anon there was a terrible wailing sound. The colt backed into a corner and a shimmering gray barrier formed around him. His face was covered in rapidly-vaporizing metal residue, his eyes wide with uncontained terror.

Twilight recoiled at the sight, confusion clear on her features.

Anon approached Knight.

“No!” He yelled between sobs. “Go away!”

Here, before the colt, stood Twilight Sparkle. He remembered. The broken bones, the glee with which…he had hurt the mare. There was only one reason she could be here for:

Revenge.

The effect the barrier had on Anon’s powers made itself known again. The jumper's ears began to ring. She felt her power rise and rise - she had to make a conscious effort not to fall through the floor as her body became almost static like.

Twilight’s confusion gave way to concern as the filly marched towards the barrier, her face stony and filled with determination.

“Wait–”

Anon stepped through the barrier.

Knight flinched away, expecting anything. An insult. An attack. Or something worse.

Anon moved no further.

The filly sat there in front of him, blood slowly pooling under her. Her body remained static, barely holding onto reality.

Their eyes met. The static faded away. The jumper solidified in reality.

Knight wouldn't—couldn't—understand what was happening.

So, he sent for somepony who just might make sense of the situation.

It took longer than expected to mentally track down his Other. The colt’s conscious decision-making had been so thoroughly beaten down that its presence was incredibly weak in his psyche. Just a few threads, really, barely hanging on. Not even three hours ago, Knight had been just fine with Darkest fading away—he was a screwup, after all, and his choices had led them to pain too many times in the past.

Still, with everything that was happening, Knight didn’t know what else to do. So, tenuously, he offered a halfhearted apology and retreated backwards.

Darkest took a breath in, his posture straightening and his terror turning into contemplation. His horn slowly charged in preparation as he stared evenly at his aggressor.

And then Darkest noticed the network of scars on the jumper's body.

Anon noticed his.

“How?”

The colt's voice had an edge. It was less a question and more a demand.

Darkest was pointing at his barrier. Unbreakable. Reality defying.

Anon tapped at the floor with her hoof.

It went through.

“Same stuff as your barrier,” Anon said. “Just…from a different angle.”

The colt’s gaze softened, his muzzle turning into the tiniest, and saddest, of smiles. In that moment, he appeared so much older than any child had a right to be. Much older than any child should be.

“Have you learned why?” He asked. “Why us?”

There was a hint of desperation in his voice. Looking for an answer to how they get their power. Or at least that was what Anon thought he was asking. She wasn't quite sure.

“I don’t know,” Anon sighed, pausing for a few seconds. “I’m sorry.”

Darkest gave a slow nod, his expression unreadable. Seconds he spent in silent contemplation, eyeing her damaged body up and down. A change occurred, a chance taken, and the daring question next to leave his muzzle clearly took much effort:

“Can I…trust you?”

This made the jumper pause. She hesitated, performing an amount of introspection that frankly surprised her. On surface level, Anon wasn’t exactly a trustworthy person at all and yet–

–and yet she knew the answer anyway.

“Yes. Yes, you can trust me. I’m going to get you home—both of us.” These words, combined with her strong, determined visage, seemed to convince the child she was responsible for. Darkest nodded again and the ghost of a smile appeared on his face until something else entirely dominated it.

“You are hurt,” the colt said suddenly, his figures twisting into another kind of horror - the horror of one's own action. “I am harming you.”

The barrier hummed, the sound echoing in the jumper's mind.

But the sound was fading, and she pushed on. She would always push on.

It was the only thing she knew how to do.

“I've been through worse,” Anon answered. “I endure. And so will you.” The colt watched her, his eyes narrowing. In fear? In anger? No.

Determination.

“...What now?” Darkest asked.

“We do what we always did,” Anon answered. “Persevere.”

“Together?”

Anon smirked.

“Together.”

The barrier fell and its gray shimmer vanished. Two foals stood side by side, facing a black-clad mare.

Twilight stepped aside from the body of one of the unconscious guards. Their armor was partially stripped, revealing their cutie mark.

“I found our informant,” Twilight said, her voice remaining flat and stoic.

Three wrapped candies on beige fur. Anon gulped. Darkest stared.

“Is that…” he whimpered.

The jumper’s jaw clenched in barely-masked anger.

Bon Bon.

“Not her.” Anon managed to speak out. “Just…another one.”

It was a small consolation, mostly for Darkest’s sake.

Mostly.

"Can you do anything?" Anon asked Twilight. “Break the mask? Free her?”

Twilight shook her head.

“No,” she said, her expression hard and impossible to read. “Once the mask is on, removing it is…lethal.” Twilight's brow furrowed, her singular eye sparking with a dangerous glint. “But you should know that. Everypony knows that.”

Darkest’s eyes bulged in alarm and he shot a concerned glance at his companion. Anon remained stoic, meeting the mare’s gaze head on.

“We are…not from around here, in a manner of speaking,” Darkest finally decided to say. “Though that is a technicality we could potentially argue on.”

The mare sighed and kneeled down, reaching a hoof into one of the pouches on her suit.

“Wait, what are you doing?” Anon said, feeling the beginning of a headache as Darkest prepared his barrier.

“I need to look at your legs.” Twilight said matter-of-factly and opened the pouch, revealing its contents.

Splints, bandages, disinfectant, some ointment and… is that a cigarette?

“No time. We have to go before they find us,” Anon attempted to argue, but was immediately shut down.

“There are no more hostiles in this building,” Twilight stated, fumbling with a bottle of red liquid in her grasp. “The alarm was not triggered and with the shelling outside, nopony will just stumble in here. So let me help.” The mare frowned. “I’m not abandoning foals.”

Anon gave Darkest a sidelong glance. The colt was obviously afraid of the mare - Anon could still feel his power almost begging to be allowed to unleash another barrier.

Dammit.

“Okay, do it.”

The mare gave a nod.

“This won't hurt, but it's going to be uncomfortable,” Twilight said. “Try lying down so you won't fall.”

Twilight poured the potion on the open wounds. The effects were immediate. The bleeding stopped, the wound itself began closing.

But Anon didn't see much of the process. Her head became heavy, vision hazy. She nearly fell.

Darkest caught her.

The colt looked almost as surprised by that development as her. He put her on the floor as gently as he could manage.

“Now, we sneak out,” Twilight said, pulling something from the hallway. “And this is going to help us.

Anon stared at the object. Darkest’s brow furrowed in confusion.

“You are jesting, obviously,” Darkest spoke, his eyes still glued to the object in question. “But this is…hardly the time for such comedy.”

Twilight didn't answer at first, lifting it and inspecting it one last time.

“It's how I got in,” she finally said. “And it's how we get out.”

Brown, two holes for handles. It still even had ‘Fragile!’ written on one side,

“You can't be serious,” Anon managed to sputter out.

“No,” Twilight said. “But I’m solid.”

And with that, she pulled the cardboard box over them.

---

A soldier watched.

An earth pony, large and muscular, his body hidden under overlapping plates of steel, mask hiding his facial features. He clutched a spear in his forehooves, its incredibly sharp point glistening in the evening sun.

He was the very model of a soldier in the army of Sombra - Dutiful, unyielding, indomitable.

Incredibly stupid.

His purpose was clear. Guard the checkpoint and not let anypony or any creature through. If anypony or any creature tried to get through, he would stop them just as surely as…as something that was very sure.

The soldier wasn't very bright, but that was alright. He wasn't supposed to be.

He continued sitting in his dugout overlooking the road as the incoming alert blared in the background, but he had his job and by Sombra, he would do it!

A box sat in the middle of the road.

The soldier's eyes narrowed under the mask.

The box moved.

He continued staring.

The box continued moving.

“I can't believe this is working,” Anon whispered.

Darkest only gave a nod of acknowledgment, the green filly’s disbelief fully justified in the colt's mind.

Twilight only hummed in response, too focused on walking and keeping Anon balanced on her back.

“It's a disadvantage of using mind control over large groups,” she said casually. “Without somepony there to command them, they have no real pattern recognition or initiative outside of vaguely stated tasks pre-programmed into them.”

Darkest raised a brow, stopping again as another guard glanced their way.

“So, you are taking advantage of a mistake in their… ‘programming,’ so to speak,” Darkest said, a strange look in his eyes. “That is interesting information. And, also, quite clever of you."

“Thanks.” Twilight grabbed a coin from one of her pouches, throwing it in the way of a patrolling pair of guards, diverting them away. “But it will probably get patched soon after Sombra or some of his higher-ranking underlings realize what's happening.”

The purple mare craned her neck, looking behind her.

“You holding on back there?”

Anon could not help but grunt angrily.

“More or less,” the jumper said. “But do you really need to carry me around like a sack of potatoes?”

Twilight stood slightly up, the box moving with her as she turned a corner.

“Walking around with your injuries is only going to cause further damage. Permanent damage.” She paused, lowering her goggles and clicking a button on them. She stood still for a moment, scanning nearby foliage before lifting them up again and continuing moving. “If you want to walk without crying in pain ever again, you let yourself be carried.”

“I…could offer my meager assistance in this matter?”

Anon shot a look at Darkest, the colt sneaking alongside the mare, trying to stay as away from Twilight as the box allowed, which wasn't much.

“That…would be nice, actually,” Anon said after a while. She scowled and pointed at one of the pouches. “At least I wouldn't have all this gear poking me in the ribs. What are you even carrying in these?"

The purple mare's ears twitched to the left side, the mare halted for a second, waiting in silence before continuing to sneak along the outer wall of the encampment.

“Caltrops, balloons and foldable mine detector.” Twilight explained, eye glued towards another checkpoint, her voice low. “Do as you want. I need to focus now.”

Darkest hesitated, slowly nudging the filly and taking her front hoof over his shoulder, hefting her up and settling her on over his shoulder blades.

To his surprise, it wasn't nearly as physically hard as he thought it would be.

Or better, as it should be.

“You are…quite light for your stature,” Darkest said slowly.

The green filly simply shrugged.

“Yeah, turns out you can't heal years of starvation in a month," Anon said nonchalantly. "Who would have thunk?”

The ground shook suddenly. A wave of air went over them, knocking Darkest off balance. The colt fell to the ground, front hooves covering his head.

The boom followed, alongside the shrapnel from the magical artillery shell. It landed some ways behind them, the explosive born projectiles embedding themselves into walls and ground.

Better than embedding themselves into us, Anon thought. It landed far away enough to be relatively safe.

At least for now.

“That one was close."

Darkest gave a singular nod, still shook from the impact. He shot the jumper an apologetic look - his evasive maneuver having made the filly land hard against the ground. Despite that, she looked relatively unfazed, even giving Darkest a small smile of encouragement.

“Strange," Twilight mumbled, more to herself than to her two companions.

“Why?” Anon asked.

“The artillery should have been focusing on the eastern side of the siege camp," Twilight explained. "To allow us - well, me and hopefully our freed informant - an easier way out.”

Anon paused, raising a brow at the mare.

“They knew about the mission?” she said. "Doesn't that comprise the whole operation?"

Twilight shook her head.

“No, they were told an ammo depot was moved there recently as a cover story," Twilight smirked. "A bunch of highly reactive crystals saturated with magic is a tempting target."

The mare suddenly paused.

They’d managed to sneak out of the siege camp, getting close to a nearby river. The patrols had almost ceased, leaving them with a lot of open ground and muddy fields. Craters littered the landscape, together with abandoned trenches and patches of rusted barbed wire.

The only piece of intact nature around them was in the river itself. The water meandered through the wounded landscape, sun reflecting on its surface, making it look less like water and more like liquid gold. Reeds were growing on the shores, coloring them green and contrasting against the water.

It felt surreal. The frontline moved, the battle raged on, the gears of war continued turning - grinding dreams and lives to dust. And yet, there was still calm. There was still beauty.

It didn't seem right, that there still could be beauty even in war.

“Something is wrong,” Twilight said, her voice low. “This is the extraction point, but I don't see anypony.”

Darkest stopped, lowering himself to the ground so Anon could climb off him.

“Perhaps they are simply late?” The colt asked, but the mare shook her head.

“See those?” the mare pointed at the reeds. Anon didn't see anything wrong with them at first, until she noticed that all the plants seemed to be copies of each other, down to the smallest detail. “It's an illusion.”

“So, a trap,” Anon whispered. “Any plan on how to get around it?”

“One,” Twilight said. “But we will need bait.”

“Not it!” Anon called out suddenly.

Two heads turned sharply on the green filly.

“What?” Anon quirked a brow. “I can't walk. It's only logical.”

“You misunderstood me,” Twilight said with a smirk.

“I'll be the bait."

---

Twilight wasn’t having a good day.

That wasn't anything particularly new, of course. Having to fight a seemingly hopeless war against a dictator able to brainwash and enslave his people en masse was hardly any fun, but this mission was especially bad.

She had bad intel. Her friend was now lost and the whole mission was just a disaster.

And then there were the two mysterious foals.

They definitely threw a wrench in things. Just their mere presence raised so many questions—questions she decided to push down for later after they got away from the bunch of mind-controlling maniacs. Questions she and The Boss would want to hear the answers to.

In short, Twilight Sparkle didn't have a good time.

This would soon become somepony else's problem.

The mare lowered her spectacles, playing with the settings for a while.

She smiled.

The ambush was well prepared. Illusions were hiding a set of fortified fighting positions - from the look of them, they were abandoned observation posts, left behind after the frontline moved further south and were now just reused and fixed up for the sole purpose of ambushing her.

There was at least a whole platoon there, elite soldiers fitted with the best armor and the best gear. Night vision enchantments, fire crystals, improved spell matrix on their mask, allowing them some level of independent decision making, all the bling.

But none of that would matter.

From one of her numerous pouches, Twilight retrieved a doll. The agent looked into the button eyes of the enchanted doll, her ears flattening against her skull.

Of course, this wasn’t her original, cherished foalhood toy, but a decoy. Still, it looked close enough to remind Twilight of better times, which was enough to make her hesitate, even if only for a moment.

The mare shook herself.

“Well, time for action, Private Smarty Pants II.”

With that, she threw it and activated the Want It, Need It spell.

The effect was immediate.

The thing about mind control, Twilight thought with a smirk, is that it makes you vulnerable to even more mind control.

The doll landed into a trench, next to two armored soldiers, both holding crossbows at the ready. They turned towards the doll, aiming their weapons at the decoy.

They paused.

They exchanged a glance.

And pulled the trigger.

Two crossbow bolts were sent flying, soaring through the air to their respective targets.

“MINE!!!” The soldiers bellowed at the same time as the bolts shattered against their respective breastplates.

The noise alerted more soldiers.

More shouting could be heard from the fortifications.

Yet more chaos.

Twilight suppressed a laugh.

Then she stopped laughing.

Out of the dust and smoke of the fight appeared a pony.

Her azure coat was marred with scars. A single crystal was embedded in her chest. Her horn was long, curved and deep red, clashing against her fur. She didn't wear a uniform or armor like the surrounding peons. She wore…something else.

The word ‘extravagant’ comes to mind.

And then quickly becomes quite lacking.

There wasn't a place not covered with stuff on the cape the mare wore. There were tassels, embroidery done in golden thread on blue silk, the whole thing was embellished with sequins and little stars covered its surface, not to mention it sparkled with at least a gallon of industrial strength glitter.

And then there was the hat.

Twilight refused to look at the hat.

"Good of you to finally join us, Agent Sparkle," the unicorn sneered. "The Great and All-Powerful Trixie was beginning to tire of waiting."

And all of a sudden, the day of Special Agent Twilight Sparkle became even worse.

Trixie snickered, pursing her lips as she lazily walked forward, right towards the doll, picking it up in her magic. The pitiful enchantment rolled over the sorceress with absolutely no effect.

“Tsk, tsk, Sparkle. Enchanted trinkets? Really? Are you that desperate?” Trixie tittered, her expression softening into something almost approaching empathy as she spoke towards the bushes she expected Twilight was hiding in. “Our offer still stands,” Trixie said. “Our glorious Almost-As-Great-As-Trixie-Overlord Sombra can still fix you. Your horn can still be-”

Trixie never got the opportunity to finish that sentence.

The doll - the very doll Trixie was now levitating very close to her face - exploded.

“Now!” Twilight yelled.

Anon sighed.

"This is not going to end well."

Their goal was simple: Reach the extraction vehicle, make sure it wasn't sabotaged, and escape.

Of course, the goal being simple didn't exactly translate to it being easy.

"With all due apologies for mine accusation, was this not your idea in the first place?" Darkest said.

"Yeah," Anon answered. "That's how I know it won't end well."

Darkest’s barriers made Anon's power go wild.

Coming to that realization wasn't hard. Anon knew all too well how it felt when her power went into overdrive. That was how it’d all begun, after all - both this mess and her jumping troubles.

Her power needed a recharge every so often. Whatever Darkest was doing, it completely sidestepped this process and simply gave all her abilities a giant boost.

This was not a good thing, considering that her powers had a bad habit of sending her - and now Darkest - blindly into a random point in space and time when she had too much power build up.

But there was an advantage to this.

“Well, here goes nothing,” Anon whispered.

From a bush rushed a ball of Thaunon and jumper powers, barreling towards the soldiers gathered around Trixie like a giant bowling ball, with very similar effects: Crushing everything in its path.

Inside this bubble was Darkest. His eyes narrowed in concentration, while the filly behind him leaned against him, tongue sticking out as she prepared for her part in the plan.

The Thaunon orb impacted against another soldier. The poor soul went flying to the side, landing headfirst on a rock.

Unluckily for him, as a response to the usage of artillery and other long distance magical weaponry, the armies on both sides had switched from the usual steel helmet with cloth padding to flak helmets. And while those helmets were far more useful against shrapnel and projectiles, they offered much less protection against blunt force trauma.

That is to say, half the soldiers present at the ambush now had a serious concussion.

“Blink!” Anon screamed and the bubble disappeared, reappearing twenty feet to the left and roughly inside the space of a gaggle of very confused and now very flat soldiers.

Then it teleported again. And again. And again.

For Anon, the trick was using her powers as much as possible to avoid an overload.

For Darkest, the trick was holding in his lunch.

But Darkest held - both his barrier and lunch - until they finally reached their main goal:

The escape vehicle.

“Is that…” Anon paused, disbelieving her eyes. “....A balloon?”

Laying there in a heap was a basket large enough to fit all three of them. The magical burner to make hot air, the weights were all ready and in place. All except the envelope - the main body of the balloon.

Anon could overlook the fact that it was garishly purple.

What she couldn't overlook was the hundreds of arrows stuck in it.

“A balloon…” Anon whispered, staring at the destroyed thing.

“Ehm, you know, I have suddenly arrived at a realization,” Darkest said, attempting to get the jumper's attention.

“A goddamn balloon,” Anon exclaimed, anger seeping into her voice.

He didn't have much success.

“The balloon is not…strictly necessary for our escape,” Darkest proposed. “I do think we might potentially be able–”

Anon stomped her hoof, rolling her eyes.

“I mean, who would use - “ she kicked the balloon for emphasis” - that? In a warzone!”

Darkest gulped. He could almost stomach shouting from the soldiers and Trixie, but from the jumper it…

It reminded him of somewhere and somepony else.

“We could simply–” Darkest attempted again, only to be interrupted.

“It’s slow and vulnerable." Anon continued. "And purple! I thought she would have something, I dunno, useful! Did I mention that it's bucking purple!”

“You do realize that you can teleport vast distances.” Darkest said.

Anon froze, her mouth hanging open.

“...What?” was Anon’s ever-so-eloquent reply.

“Our objective is to flee the vicinity,” Darkest explained with a sigh, “and you are able to teleport utilizing the boost from mine Thaunon.”

The jumper shook her head.

“Too dangerous. Can’t aim from here,” Anon said. “I go for it, and we have the great choice of ending inside the ground, or far above it.” She shuddered. “Both are not great.”

Darkest took in a deep breath, his brow twitching slightly.

“We could fly down,” he said simply, only getting a blank stare from Anon. “The bubble. We could simply teleport and gently land in it. I believe it would sufficiently slow our fall.”

Anon opened her mouth, raising her front hoof and searching for a retort.

“That’s…” she paused, realizing she had nothing. “A great idea and now I'm mad I didn't come up with it.”

Before any of them could add anything, the brush behind them exploded in a shower of twigs and dirt.

Twilight landed with a barrel roll - dodging another blast of azure magic that way.

“Quickly! Ready the balloon!” she screamed, yelping as another bolt struck just next to her.

Trixie ran through the bushes, her face covered in soot, her eyebrows gone.

“Sparkle! I’ll kill you for this!”

Anon turned towards Darkest.

“So, eh, Canterlot. About…two minutes away from falling onto it. Ready?”

Darkest gave a weak nod as the Thaunon bubble reappeared around them.

“Now!”

---

Dead silence filled the room as every last mare failed to so much as breathe.

Daybreaker groaned loudly, swaying wildly in place before stumbling back into the wall for support and grabbing her forehead with both forehooves. Raw pain and a deep ache she was vastly unfamiliar with flooded her head, nearly bringing tears with it, to her complete surprise. So this is what being low on magic is like. Who'd have thought?

The graceful alicorn had felt her reserves running low ever since escaping her reality, but merely brushed the sensation aside until then. Apparently, that was a mistake, one she was now paying for in full.

An echoing slam killed the silence as Bon Bon Heartstrings stomped her hoof on the table, having climbed on top of it.

"Are. You. Kidding me?! Our one chance to contact them and you go and shatter it to pieces! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"

Shockingly enough, nopony leapt to calm the seething earth pony, numbed and dumbed with horror as they were. Daybreaker locked eyes with the mare, managing to give off her trademark unimpressed look even as she winced through another wave of pain.

"Oh, cool your jets, filly. It's not as if the mirror is irreparable." This surprised Bon Bon enough to make her realize her current less-than-civilized position and accordingly return to her seat. Lyly finally spoke up for the first time since they'd left the Everfree, staring at the white alicorn with wide eyes as she allowed a faint trace of hope to reenter her conscious.

"You mean you can fix it?" To which Daybreaker gestured vaguely at the fallen artifact, sighing imperceptibly in relief as the last punishing ache left her body. I won't be trying that again.

"The enchantments and true magic are stored and focused on the frame, not the glass. The body of the mirror is the portal itself, with the surface merely a window to view it through." The once-ruler shoved off the wall to stand proudly once more as smiles gradually returned to the mothers' faces. "As such, repairs will be trivial." Imperiously, she turned to gaze at her fellow alicorn, who was already magically collecting the glass shards and flipping through a thick spellbook.

A polite cough brought the princess out of her trance, though, as she eeped and returned her attention. "I will require assistance operating the mirror, and I'm sorry to say, Twilight, but you simply don't have the raw power needed." While the purple mare seemed surprised at this, she humbly accepted the statement and nodded her head accordingly, to which Daybreaker gave a toothy grin. "I believe you said there was a version of me in this universe? One you're close to? Could you contact her, please?"

Princess Twilight Sparkle gave a hasty nod and immediately departed the room, but not before fusing the shards back into one solid pane of reflective glass with a flash of purple.

Daybreaker glanced imperiously at the mirror, eyeing its fallen form up and down--or maybe left and right--but not daring to reignite her horn for fear of further aggravating it. Her ears twitched, detecting soft hoofsteps to her left, and she turned there while cocking an eyebrow.

"Go on, say it." Lyra urged, to which Bon Bon responded with a stink eye that conveyed so much disdain the alicorn couldn't help but be impressed. The earth pony did, however, eventually turn back to face her, gazing up with an expression that, to her credit, seemed genuinely remorseful.

"I am sorry, Daybreaker, for yelling at you. My behavior was unbecoming of a civilized pony and I deeply regret acting in such a manner." Then, the candymaker whipped her head back to her grinning wife, muttering through clenched teeth: "There. Happy now?" Pleased, Lyra nodded cheerily and promptly trotted off as Daybreaker, more amused than she cared to admit by the interaction, gave a small chuckle.

"That's okay, filly. Even if I can't empathize, I can at very least pity you endlessly for it. Besides, your little stomp back there was pretty cute." Bon Bon squinted, decidedly not entertained by this, but a slight upturn to the corner of her mouth betrayed her true reaction until she straightened and became more serious.

"How long will it be until I can see him? Do you think it'll take long to teach the princess how to use the mirror?" Daybreaker nearly chastised the mare on her impatience, but upon further consideration of the situation, miraculously held her tongue and merely gave a gentle smile.

"We shall have to see."

Elsewhere, both minty unicorns approached the mirror, lighting their horns as one to lift the pane of reflective glass and actual mirror respectively. Lyra eyed her other version's green magic aura in moderate surprise, glancing between it and her own vibrant gold one before simply shrugging her shoulders. Lyly, meanwhile, stared into the distance while in apparent deep thought, only barely managing to focus long enough to slide the glass panel--with minimal effort--into its frame.

Once the mirror was fixed and secured safely in the corner of the room, Lyra strode forwards to bump shoulders with her twin, eyeing her with moderate concern.

"How're you doing, me? Everything alright?"

Startled, Lyly jumped slightly and whirled to face her, but soon registered her words and sighed deeply. Lyra stared into the mare's eyes, noting how oddly familiar such an action felt, though she was indisputably a different pony.

"No, not really. I'm worrying about our kids." Lyly seemed to want to add more, but could only stand there with her muzzle open, at an utter loss for words. Lyra hummed thoughtfully, breaking the stare to instead sit beside her twin and monitor her wife talking with Daybreaker across the room.

"I have a lot of confidence in their abilities. I think they'll be okay, don't you?" But the other musician scoffed hollowly, averting her gaze away from Lyra's side-eye to instead study the ornate mirror.

"I don't know what to think. I learned Spring is a jumper at the same time you did, y'know. All this time, I thought she was just a troubled filly and nothing more." This bade Lyra pause and take a few moments to think, but her encouraging smile returned soon enough once she found a way forward.

"Well, what do you know about her? It's been a few weeks since the adoption, right? Why don't you tell me about Spring?" The minty mare opposite gave a subdued sigh, but evidently decided to humor her and, after a short break, offered a reply:

"Witty, clever, surprisingly nimble, confident, brave, the list goes on. She really is wonderful, especially considering what she must have gone through." Lyra's grin grew as she observed her twin brighten in saying this, with the mare's look of longing and confusion slowly being replaced by something far more desirable and productive. Any self-respecting mother would happily embrace the opportunity to gush about her children, after all, and neither Lyra was an exception.

"She sounds like a very capable young mare," the thaumusologist commented, to which her other self finally returned the grin and turned to face her. Lyly seemed to think for a moment, likely debating whether or not to ask the question in her mind, before she opened her muzzle and inquired:

"What about Knight?"

The query was simple and, at a glance, straightforward enough. Really, it shouldn't have taken much effort at all to launch into a spiel about her adoptive son and his many talents and charms. Why, several treasured memories immediately popped to mind, ready and waiting to be shared and mutually fawned over.

Thus, it was greatly confusing to Lyra when she found the words choking in her throat, utterly unable to be vocalized. It was this unicorn's turn to droop her head in thought as she finally took the time to think about the situation.

Until that moment, she'd been far too caught up in offering support and encouragement to those around her to really consider things. Now that Lyra took the time to pause and reflect, she was taken almost completely by surprise as a wave of powerful emotion swept over her.

So great was the feeling that she failed entirely to notice the other unicorn's stumble and tiny gasp of alarm.

"I...really miss him. He's just a scared little foal out there on his lonesome. I just...really wish I could hold him right about now. He gives the best hugs, you know." Lyra held back a sob, nearly collapsing for the rush of longing that suddenly threatened to overtake her entirely. "A little sloppy sometimes...but...it's the effort that counts, right?" A concurring nod was her answer before the two sat in silence as Lyra tried and failed to compose herself.

"You don't have to worry." Lyra would have startled at the sudden appearance of Sweetie Drops if she wasn't otherwise preoccupied, though she did offer the earth pony her full attention. "Wherever they are, we know they're together. And I can promise you this much: Spring Break isn't going to let anything happen to your son while she's around." Sweetie stood confidently, with a grave expression of such seriousness that the minty mare couldn't help but be reassured, at least temporarily.

A nod was the mother's response and Lyra allowed herself the smallest smile.

"Thank you."

Just then, however, everypony's attention was abruptly drawn to the crystalline double doors which flew open, permitting two alicorns to regally stride through.

Well, more specifically, one strode through while the other trailed behind, several clipboards held in her purple aura as she muttered hurried words into the taller one's ear.

Regardless, salvation had finally arrived and the desperate hope that'd been kindling in all four mothers' hearts blazed to roaring life once again.

"Princess Celestia!"

---

They were falling.

This did not surprise Darkest.

It had been his idea, after all. Teleport here, using the wondrous and so strange power of the jumper - so alike yet so different to his own abilities.

What shocked him was Canterlot.

He had known they were going there, of course, but that fact did not exactly set in until he was staring at the golden roofs and white marble spires, towering over the grand city in all their terrible familiarity. The city was different in small, subtle ways. The occasional ruined house, the random bouts of destruction, speckled through the city, already being cleared. The air of gray, fearful expectations hanging over the capital.

But all he could focus on was those damned golden roofs he was so acquainted with.

They were getting closer.

Darkest knew he was supposed to do something now, but all he could do was stare at the majestic, terrible place below him.

And the noise! So much noise! The wind whistling, the screaming - in and outside his head. All those voices telling him to do things. Stop. Try to make a barrier. Lay down and cry.

And so he did nothing.

And the roofs got closer.

In the periphery of his blurred and misty vision - probably because of the tears in his eyes, caused by the sharp wind, he supposed - he saw two blobs.

One was purple and black, flopping in the air like a dying fish. Because all the training in the world cannot prepare you for suddenly staring at the oldest nightmare known to history.

And the other was bright green.

The green one was particularly strange. Darkest would swear that it not only failed to scream, but only said one sentence that he had to have heard wrong because it made no sense whatsoever.

It said: "Oh no, not again."

And then it disappeared.

Darkest blinked, rubbing his eyes in disbelief, but ultimately came to the conclusion that the green blob was back.

Only it was much closer now.

With roughly the same grace and coordination of an upside-down flying elephant with a bad case of dysentery, the green orb kept disappearing and reappearing yet closer to Darkest.

And the roof below them became yet bigger.

With fascination, Darkest could now recognize certain landmarks - like the palace or the school for gifted unicorns - even see some more colorful blobs down there.

The colt shuddered.

The green blob appeared next to him.

There were words said, he was almost sure of it. What those words were would remain a mystery to him, as he was unable to hear anything over the cacophony of sheer noise in his head.

So much noise.

And then…

Silence.

Anon floated in front of him - well, she was falling technically - her eyes narrowed in both gritty determination and concentration.

Time slowed.

Literally.

A bird flew outside the field of subjugated time and Darkest could see how it moved; inch by inch with each flap of its wings.

But the silence.

It was deafening.

Maybe it was the shock. Maybe the weight of the realization that he was suddenly all alone brought him back to reality.

Maybe they all just got lucky.

But whatever it was, Darkest finally remember what was happening.

And what he had to do.

Twilight Sparkle, former prized pupil of Princess Celestia, now the best secret operative in the service to the crown, was screaming.

"AHHHHHHH!!!"

Understandable, really; she was falling to her death. If there was ever a reason for some screaming, falling to your death is definitely a good one.

That is, until she suddenly wasn't.

"AHhhhhhh….ah?"

Twilight Sparkle, the very best of her class in Canterlot’s magic academy, was gawking in sheer disbelief as she A) stopped in midair, just some ten feet above the extremely sharp roof of the palace observatory, and B) was surrounded by a field of something she couldn't even begin to identify.

The bubble she was encased in gently lowered to the ground of the public park behind the school. Two more bubbles—one containing a green filly currently vomiting her guts out and the other a unicorn colt who stood and watched with dejection on his face—landed nearby and promptly evaporated.

"I hate this," Anon moaned, before gurgling and emptying her stomach again. "Remind me, why does your power make me sick? It's just unfair at this point…"

The bubble had fortunately vanished, saving Anon from having to stand in her own sick as it pooled around her.

Twilight, similarly released, rushed to the jumper's aid, while Darkest continued watching from behind the relative safety of his barrier.

"Can somepony please explain what just happened?" Twilight demanded.

Anon—unhelpfully—heaved again, only narrowly missing Twilight as the mare dodged out of the way.

"Our plan was successful," Answered Darkest simply, looking around as guards in golden armor approached them.

"Our plan?” Twilight protested. “Teleporting above Canterlot wasn't part of the plan!"

"Not part of your plan,” Darkest said, his gaze still firmly on the approaching guards. “But yours was never going to be successful.”

Twilight glared at him. Not daggers - those were broadswords at the least.

Finally, one of the guard ponies approached.

“Agent Sparkle? How-” But she cut him off with a raised hoof and confidently strode forth.

“No time. We need to go.

Take us to Celestia.”

---

Anon hadn't understood at first.

The hall was giant and gilded with gold virtually everywhere. For once, it wasn't treated as a decoration or a rarity, but instead like some cheap paint to be slathered every place seen fit. Rune-covered plates made from the precious metal formed the floor, the wall and even the ceiling.

Simply told, gold was everywhere.

And so was magic.

Its presence was almost overwhelming. The scent of ozone permeated the space like that of death in a fetid swamp. The very air buzzed with energy, seemingly alive with an arcane power that sent everypony's coat hairs standing on end—all emanating from the room's centerpiece:

The throne.

Slowly, Anon raised her head and looked up.

White feathers and blood stains laid under the throne - if one could call the giant construction of gold, arcane runes and wire a ‘throne.’

And strung up on the throne was a corpse.

The remains of a large, white alicorn sat there, unmoving. Flesh peeled away from the body as though seeking escape from the decomposing mass and ribs poked out from what might resemble a chest cavity. The wings—the great, alabaster wings she'd once sat under and felt so sheltered by—were reduced to nothing. Only strips of skin hung off them like macabre streamers, with yet more bones jutting out at odd angles. Only a naked skull remained of the face, with golden wires leading from one of the eye sockets.

The other eye socket glowed with arcane fire.

"Your Highness," greeted Twilight as she kneeled and bowed in subjugation. Anon stared up at the cadaver, fully expecting it to reply or somehow react.

It did nothing. The only observable movement came from a cockroach scurrying across the yellowed bone of its cranium. This lasted mere seconds before the insect strayed too close to the wires that replaced the carcass' left eye and expired with a brilliant yellow flash.

That, and the slight wavering of the flame contained by the eye socket opposite.

"I have returned from my mission to recover our informant. Sadly, I arrived too late, but while there I came across these two." Here, the purple unicorn gestured to the foals behind her. The jumper dared to break her staring contest with the corpse, but only long enough to check on her newfound ally.

Darkest wasn't doing too great, from what she saw—it seemed he would soon be the one to projectile vomit for a change—but she didn't have the time to fully observe him before returning her gaze to the ruler. "They are foals with unprecedented abilities," Twilight continued, "I...owe my escape to them, as they were able to teleport us back here."

The corpse gave no jolt of surprise. The body didn't react to this information in the slightest, despite the shocking and objectively-impressive nature of it.

How could it, Anon thought, it's dead!

And still the flame flickered on.

"You may be interested in their powers, but they're very clever beyond that and honestly I'd take them over Agent Sweetie Drops if ne–" Twilight cut herself off. There was no perceivable reason for her doing so—at least, not on surface level. Anon herself took a few seconds of confusedly looking about before she detected the change:

A deep rumble, felt more than heard, came from the throne. The ozone scent intensified, slightly at first, but more as the moments went on. The arcane fire in the cadaver's eye brightened and became eerily still.

What...are...your...names?

Hastily, almost as though compelled, Anon strode forth, but resisted the urge to bow.

"You can call me Spr- Anonymous, or Anon for short," the filly stated, standing proudly even in the oppressive presence of what once had been Celestia. "And my companion here is named Darkest." The colt, conversely, whimpered and ducked low to the ground, looking as though he'd greatly appreciate if he could disappear into it.

The jumper felt her eyebrows crease in concern, but once more had to return her attention to the deceased princess. "We're...not from around here. Can I ask..." Anon paused, looking about the gold-covered throne room and blinking, "what happened?"

No response.

Twilight stiffened at the question, holding her muscles tense as her head drooped even further towards the floor.

And the flame flickered on.

“I see,” whispered Anon. “Funny, I had nearly this exact conversation before.”

The temperature in the room flared. Anon could feel a tendril of an alien mind, a shape tried to pry open her own. A gaze looking at her very soul.

A familiar feeling for her, at this point,

Truly...what…terrible…luck.

Then, she stumbled as the ground beneath their hooves shook and staggered gusts of ozone-scented wind emanated from the throne. Anon thought for a second that the whole castle was coming down, but realized just as soon that no, that was laughter.

The animated, rotting corpse was laughing and the jumper was so glad for it that she couldn’t care less what it was laughing at.

Laughter, after all, was much better than getting lasered to smithereens.

Or maybe it's fate…I never could tell the difference.

Anon gave a nod.

Fate and misfortune had an ugly tendency to be interchangeable in most cases.

Once that was over and Once-Celestia settled down, the grand, ancient tones of her telepathic ‘voice’ once more entered their brains:

Twilight…tell them.

And the mare could only sigh.

“It all started nearly two years ago, on the one-thousandth Summer Sun Celebration. Nightmare Moon was returning and I was sent to gather warriors to defeat her. It…didn’t go well.” The unicorn sighed and clutched at her singed eyepatch, but the hoof soon pulled at the tattered hood of her cloak instead. “I-we…when we fought the Nightmare we lost.”

Twilight took a deep breath.

“There were six of us,” she said slowly. “My friends.”

“They didn't make it.”

The mare’s head hung low, her mane hiding her one good eye and for the first time, Anon realized something.

She didn't see Twilight's horn - or see her use any magic.

The mare straightened herself, her expression turning back to a mask of cold professionalism.

“Nightmare spared me,” the mare paused. “No. Spared is the wrong word. She learned that I was Celestia’s student. She saved me for later. To hurt Celestia more by making her watch. But not before…before she made sure I wasn't a threat anymore by…” Twilight trailed off, unable to finish, her hoof reaching for her forehead.

Where her horn used to be.

“She then came for Ponyville,” Twilight said.

“There were no survivors.”

Anon tried her best to keep her composure. She knew where this was coming. She heard it once before. A story told by a Celestia of a different place.

“Celestia and Nightmare fought over the ruined town,” Anon interjected. “And in the fighting-”

They both perished.

Every living pony gave hearty shivers at the depth of the ‘voice.’ Its resultant pressure weighed heavily on the three of them, lowering heads and hopes alike as they witnessed thousands of years of sorrow.

“It wasn’t long after that the Crystal Empire reappeared. We were just trying to rebuild and get our Princess back. It barely took a few weeks for Sombra to declare war, but in that amount of time we were able to get…” Twilight gestured meaningfully at the throne before them, “...this up and running. I guess we’re lucky in that regard, at least.” Twilight slumped to the floor and could only lay there in a pitiful heap as memories seemed to ravage her conscious.

“That does sound like a situation of excessive catastrophe,” Darkest remarked, his voice wavering as he swayed on his hooves. Seemingly without intending to, he took several steps toward Anon, lurching unsteadily the whole way.

It was slight, though, and the jumper had the sense that only she had noticed. “In my home world, I am told all of Ponyville rallied against Nightmare Moon and were successful in fending her off. They collaborated with the Elements of Harmony and were rewarded handsomely.” This piqued Twilight’s interest, or at least Anon assumed so from the way the mare’s ears perked up and swiveled in Darkest’s direction.

The rotting corpse, however, made no such movements.

It was just as invested, though.

Anon could tell.

“How did they do it? What could we have possibly done differently?” Twilight’s tone was as solemn as it was accusatory and the colt flinched accordingly. He faltered and rubbed one foreleg with another, shooting her an apologetic smile.

“I am afraid I cannot answer that, madame. I know not the specifics of the event. I was…” Darkest grimaced deeply and stared vacantly into space, ”…otherwise engaged at the time.”

The jumper’s heart went out to him and she closed the distance—not that there was much between them, the colt having taken several more steps in her direction—to offer a supportive hoof on his shoulder. Much to her surprise, he immediately leaned into the contact as his legs all but buckled. Darkest was shivering quite heavily and almost seemed to be…fighting something.

“I helped fight off Nightmare Moon back in m–er, the universe I came from,” Anon related while shifting in place to support the child with her shoulder. The filly’s newly-healed legs still ached and she’d barely regained any energy in the short interim allotted, but somehow, she found the strength to steady him anyway. “I, eh, kinda prepared an ambush and used a plan made by…by a different Celestia. It didn't exactly work and I probably would have died if not for intervention on other peo–ponies’ parts. But the ambush weakened her enough that elements worked in the end.”

The jumper sighed, her gaze settling on the fiery eye socket that didn’t seem nearly so threatening, now. “It’s easy to judge yourself now. See all the failures now. So many maybes and should haves. But, you did what you thought was right and all you could and…it wasn't enough. For what little it is worth, I’m sorry.”

There was a connection there, tenuous as it may have been. It was just like her and Daybreaker; two lost souls that’d both lost so much laying down arms and coming to an understanding.

Thank you.

Darkest convulsed.

A massive shudder wracked his body, strong enough to dislodge him entirely. No longer propped up by Anon, the colt fell to the ground and was still for a mere second or so before the shaking resumed. He clutched his head, pained, while muttering inaudibly to himself and curling up as best he was able through the debilitating convulsions.

Anon felt her eyebrows crease in immediate concern and she ducked down to check on her charge, every last bit of first aid she’d ever learned flitting through her mind. Too much to sort through and too little time–the amount of medical knowledge she’d gained, while expansive, consisted of far too many different body types and species that almost none of it was any help. Twilight, likely having heard the sound of Darkest’s body hitting the floor, rushed over to assist.

This did not help matters.

“NO!” He cried, and the mare faltered in her approach. The colt flailed, trying and failing to shoot to his hooves, instead crashing painfully to the gilded floor. Anon reached out instinctively, but he cringed away from her as well and went sprawling in the opposite direction.

The arcane flame strengthened again and there was another rush of energy as Once-Celestia ‘spoke,’

Ah, I see. It is near–

"–NO!!"

And was promptly cut off with another scream.

Darkest—at least, the pony that had been Darkest mere seconds ago—finally clambered to his hooves and properly backed away from them. His pupils had shrunk significantly and his fearful gaze flickered between three targets before settling on the deceased alicorn. The colt froze, then, with the only perceivable change being the mounting terror that overtook every part of his body.

“No one move,” softly ordered Anon from the corner of her muzzle. The jumper settled into a confidant stance, projecting assurance to Twilight and her mentor as she slowly approached. The mare relaxed and Once-Celestia didn’t speak again, so the filly assumed she’d successfully convinced them she knew what she was doing.

Now, if only she actually knew what she was doing.

That would be nice.

Fake it ‘til ya make it; Fifty percent of the time, it works every time.

Strange was the fact that they’d already gone through this before. Darkest was supposed to trust her now, right? He hadn’t had any issues doing so ever since the prison, so why freak out now? Why was he looking like he’d never seen her before? Had all her efforts been for nothing?

The colt edged away from her approach, his rump bumping up against the gilded walls of the throne room as he ducked low to the ground. Anon hesitated. Something about the way Darkest was eyeing her like a cornered animal made her decide getting closer wasn’t a good idea.

“What’s the matter, Darkest?” She inquired, but the colt made no reaction and gave no response to the name. His ear didn’t so much as flick as he stared warily back at her.

“...Knight?” Anon tried, which earned a blink but still no scrap of recognition.

Are there more?

“She…” the colt whispered, pointing a hoof behind the jumper. She didn’t dare look, figuring he was indicating Twilight anyway. He’d been afraid of the mare since she showed up, Anon knew. His constant glances and edging away had been proof enough of that.

Now, if only Anon knew why.

The filly moved to step closer, but paused again when he flinched and backed along the wall. Moderately frustrated, she sat in a slight huff as she studied him.

Yes, it was clear Darkest was no longer who she was talking to. The colt’s posture had changed again, growing yet more slouched and tense. While not exactly talkative, Darkest would certainly have said more than one word at this point, and been logical enough not to suddenly expect an attack.

“She’s not going to hurt you…” Anon faltered, searching for a name that didn’t appear, “...kid. No one will. It’s all going to be okay.”

He didn’t believe her, that much was clear. The filly wasn’t even sure he’d heard her in the first place, given his utter lack of reaction. The colt retreated yet further, but froze and suddenly glanced back at the throne room’s entrance, where two guards were posted on either side of the double doors. They’d been the ones to escort the trio here in the first place and had stood silently since taking up their positions.

‘Had’ being the key word there.

Now, the guards were in the process of opening the doors and bolting outside.

And that was when the alarm sounded.

Another rumble, different from when the corpse spoke, viciously shook the room. Blaring noise and flashing red light filled it soon after, but Anon was too focused on not falling over to pay it much mind. Darkest did fall over, his hooves scraping uselessly against the tractionless gold floor as he let out another yelp.

Twilight, it's time.

The purple unicorn opened her mouth as if to argue. The corpse stared hollowly into nothing but Anon could still feel the disapproving glare.

“But their powers,” Twilight managed to stutter out. “We could–”

No.

It was a command. So clear and bright it pushed away the image of rotting flesh and bleached bone. Just for a moment, Celestia seemed regal again. Alive again. With fire in her words. A being of will and pure might.

And then the ceiling caved in.

Only the jumper’s quick instincts saved her from being flattened under the enormous chunk of pure gold that came crashing down. She teleported to her charge’s side and attempted to help him up, but the colt refused to stand in favor of covering his head and sobbing uncontrollably.

“There’s been a breach!” Reported one of the soldiers from the hall. “Sombra’s army is at our doorstep! They’re storming the halls!” That was all the stallion got out before he rushed along, likely to assist with that same problem.

Shrieking, metallic clashing, and the sounds of several explosions soon echoed back from that same hall amidst yet more rumbling. Anon found herself wildly glancing every which way as the castle crumbled around her, unable to simply teleport out with Darkest just lying there.

Do they not care about their own soldiers?! The siege weapons will take out everything!

It seemed that was Sombra’s only goal.

And there the foals were, stuck in the crossfire, far from both home and any semblance of safety.

All because of her.

A purple and black blur entered the jumper’s vision, one that was definitely fuzzy due to its speed and not the helpless tears covering her eyes. Twilight—at least, Anon was decently sure it was her—wove expertly between falling rubble and spreading cracks as she arrowed straight for the foals.

The chunk of gold that’d fallen blocked the jumper’s view of Once-Celestia, but a reanimated corpse strung to a glorified chair couldn’t have been doing too well, considering the situation.

So why’s she coming here?

Anon’s confusion was cut short; Twilight soon reached them and quickly dug something out of one of her many pockets. Just as the filly opened her muzzle in inquiry, a blinding blue flash overwhelmed her mind and she recognized the sensation of teleporting.

A dim, torchlit room greeted the jumper when she rematerialized, complete with a long, rounded table in the center, dusty shelves holding various objects, and stone walls.

Darkest immediately crawled between the many chairs and under the table, sniffling pathetically to himself. Anon whipped around to face Twilight, who had set some sort of crystalline pendant on a shelf to rummage elsewhere with both hooves.

“Where are we?” Thankfully, the mare ignored the strained cadence of the jumper’s voice and responded in clipped, gravelly tones.

“The war room, deep below Canterlot Castle. Originally a wine cellar. It’s the safest spot in the building.” She paused in sifting through the shelves, one ear cocked at the ceiling, before sighing heavily. “You still have maybe ten minutes until the whole thing comes down on top of you. The supports won’t hold the weight, so be out of here before then, got it?” Twilight stared back at the filly, her expression grave but all the more determined. “You can get out of here, right? Back to your home?”

Deeply unsettled, Anon could only nod. Luckily, that was enough for the mare and she continued searching.

It felt like an eternity listening to the rumbling above and wincing with every muffled explosion, but Twilight eventually let out a pleased hum and retrieved her desired object.

A steel amulet in the caricature of an alicorn, set with a blood red gem that glowed with malevolent power, rested in her hooves. Both Anon and the agent stared at it with equal unease, but finally Twilight stored the thing in her bag.

Perhaps because she saw the jumper’s confusion, the mare sighed again to herself and strode forward to speak.

“We’ve lost this war. Known it for a while now, despite our best efforts.” Twilight’s scratchy voice was level and clear, with only a slight wavering to betray her emotion. “But the Prin–Celestia told me that, so long as you two get out of here alive, that’s a victory we can celebrate.”

Anon’s eyes widened, unused as she was to such generosity, but the mare was indisputably genuine in her statements. “So please, for everypony’s sake, go back to your happy land and enjoy it for us. I’ll hold them off as long as I can.” With that, the agent retrieved the pendant—likely what she’d used to teleport them there—and made to activate it and return to the battle.

Something felt so wrong about that, though, and before she knew what was happening, Anon rushed forward to interrupt.

“Wait!” She yelped, placing her hoof on Twilight’s cannon bone, “you could come with us!”

The mare looked every bit as surprised by that statement as the filly, but somehow, Anon found herself speaking with full sincerity. Perhaps it was desperation from knowing a comrade—a friend that had traveled with her and saved her life and come to understand her even by the slightest margin—was about to send herself into the fire for her sake. Maybe it was something else entirely. But the jumper knew she had to try.

“As you said, a happy land. One with no wars and little strife. You could settle down and…” Anon choked, only now realizing the irony of her words.

That didn’t make them any less true.

“...and relax a little. Begin to heal. Leave all the stress and death and…everything behind. Wouldn’t you like that?”

Twilight seemed to genuinely think it over.

For about a second.

“No,” the agent stated in a tone every bit as firm as her grip on Anon’s hoof. “I…we…we’ve been dead for some time now. We just…refused to accept it.” Twilight shut her eye for a moment. “I’m…I’m tired of fighting. So tired. But I won’t run.”

Twilight paused, her muzzle formed a small smile that wasn't a smile at all. “I’m not afraid. I’m going to see my friends again. Use my magic again. See my brothers again.”

Knight turned away, Anon gulped, giving her a small nod, her lips forming her own fake smile.

“I understand,” Anon replied finally.

“I hope you don't,” Twilight said earnestly. “Goodbye. And…live well, okay?”

And then she was gone.

The filly was left blinking away any remaining bluish particles from the teleportation, but her head soon drooped to the floor. The room trembled slightly as explosions from above intensified, but in that moment, she couldn’t seem to make herself care.

And then sniffling from under the table drew her attention instead.

Anon had lied when she said they had a way back. Two obstacles stood in their path, both looming high and seemingly indomitable from where she sat:

Firstly, Darkest’s current state meant he was unlikely to cooperate much or at all. This was incredibly bad because she needed his help to jump anywhere, but it wasn’t nearly as significant a problem as the other.

The bigger issue was the fact that Anon would never find the colt’s home universe. The Weave was incomprehensibly vast and, even considering the way similar places congregated, it would take years of searching at the least to find it.

Less like finding a needle in a haystack and more like locating a single molecule of water in the Pacific Ocean.

One step at a time.

Anon breathed deeply and mentally arranged a checklist of sorts.

We can’t stay here. And the only way to get out is for Darkest to work with me.

Thus, the first order of business: Calm the colt down from whatever he was experiencing. Preferably before the ceiling caved in again and they both were buried under millions of tons of marble and gold.

Crouching down to his level, Anon did her best to keep any rising panic out of her voice as she crawled forward and addressed him.

“Hey bud,” she began, immediately feeling a rush of deja vu, “it’s gonna be okay. Remember me? I’m your pal. We’re gonna be fine.” But her words apparently had no effect, given the way Darkest failed to react or move from softly weeping into the stony floor. The jumper could barely make out his figure in the flickering torchlight, but that only made it more saddening.

Or, not Darkest, she mentally corrected. Knight or…whoever else there is.

Truth be told, Anon was quite a bit more panicked than she cared to admit and the ever-increasing rumbles from above didn’t exactly help. All too aware of the fate both foals would meet if they failed, she made to scoot forward in hopes that proximity would somehow help her efforts.

Only for a particularly loud sniffle from the colt to make her freeze in hesitation.

I have… Anon concluded, …absolutely no idea what I’m doing.

This was a big problem.

But just as the filly was about to do something she’d have probably regretted, she felt a…tingle of sorts at the back of her mind. Pressure increased between her ears, not unlike when her companion used his powers. One alarmed glance at his horn revealed it thankfully unlit, but that still raised the question of where such a sensation was coming from.

Anon backed out from under the table, glancing about in all directions while doing her best to ignore the way everything rattled and clumps of dust fell from the ceiling. Her ears swiveled as the pressure shifted, moving away from her head to instead focus on the nearby stony back wall of the room.

Belatedly, the jumper realized it was her special senses that let her pick up on the…force?

Entity that was pushing through and beginning to occupy that space.

Something was entering from beyond their current world, and upon realizing that, the filly’s mind was sent into a panicked frenzy as it pondered just what that thing could be. As if the situation couldn’t get any worse. Now some eldritch horror had decided to feast on their souls and nothing she did would be able to stop–

“Spring? Are you there? Knight? Hello?”

Anon stopped short, easily recognizing the voice that spoke to her.

Lyra?

The section of wall shifted, changing from a crumbling stone edifice to a window of sorts that let her peer into what looked like a room made of crystal. Her immediate impression was of how tacky it appeared, even despite the regular wooden table and chairs within. Really, the room was quite a bit like her own, if much more ostentatious and with significantly less threat of being crushed under a giant collapsing castle.

The jumper’s attention wasn’t on the room she looked into, though.

Immediately, it was instead drawn to the mares within, each looking back at her with great intensity.

“Spring!” Cried Lyra, whose face lit up with relief as she stood a foot or so away from the ‘window.’ The mare’s voice was distorted and had an odd tone to it, but was thankfully still understandable despite the sheer distance separating them.

Anon recognized Lyra, Bon Bon, and their counterparts all pressed together, peering at her. Celestia, too, was sitting in the background with her eyes tightly clenched and her majestic horn blazing with golden light. Most surprising, though, was Daybreaker seated next to the princess, one hoof raised to steady her while she muttered inaudibly into her ear.

“Can you hear us?” Inquired the Bon Bon standing to the left. Once more, the jumper was too dazed to do more than dumbly nod her head, but that seemed to be enough for the mares, each of whom became markedly more excited.

“Where’s Knight? Is he with you?” That was the other earth pony, who Anon could guess was her companion’s mother. Still trying to make sense of this strange development, the filly wrestled with her answer for a few precious seconds before responding.

“Er, yes! He’s here—just under the table. We’ve been traveling together this whole time.” A sudden realization entered Anon’s head, even as Knight’s mother all but lunged up to the window, pressing her muzzle against it as she peered behind her. “There’s no time to chat though,” the filly continued, urgency and panic clear in her voice, “we’re under several million tons of death in the form of a collapsing castle. Darkest started freaking out and I need his help to get us out of here.” She approached the mirror, looking each mare right in the eyes and letting them take full stock of her expression. “Can you guys help? I don’t know what to do. Nothing’s working!”

Bon Bon—the frantic mom, that was—narrowed her eyes and placed a hoof on the surface of the ‘window.’ It was odd to watch, as the limb evidently met some resistance against the surface of whatever they were using to contact her, but ended up looking like the mare was anticipating a high-five.

“I need to see him.” Anon shivered at the intensity in her voice, instinctively pointing behind her in vain hopes of redirecting any maternal wrath.

“Can you shift the perspective?” Inquired the Lyra that hadn’t spoken yet as she glanced back at Celestia. Anon’s view was somewhat obstructed by a looming candymaker, but she still saw Daybreaker give a silent nod and mutter more instruction to her counterpart. The princess grimaced with effort and beads of sweat began to glisten on her forehead, but slowly the ‘window’ crawled along the wall to a better position.

A loud gasp, packed with jaw-dropping amounts of emotion, pierced the air once Bon Bon laid eyes upon her child.

“SUGAR!” She all but screamed, “I’m here! I’m right here! It’s okay! It’s…” but the mare trailed off when Knight gave no reaction, slumping to a sitting position. “....he can’t hear me.” With equal reluctance and apology, Anon trotted back into view and gave her theory.

“I think the only reason I can is because of my powers,” she proposed, trying and failing not to look at the utterly heartbroken expression on Bonnie’s face. “But talking hasn’t done anything either! What does Knight need?” Lyra stepped forth then, laying a hoof on her wife’s shoulder as she addressed the jumper.

“You must have had an interaction with either mind magic or a tall pony. That’s Red right now, not Knight.”

“He needs hugs,” muttered Bon Bon in a voice almost as strained as the ceiling above the foals. “You need to hug him. Grip tight and stay away from the lower body.”

That instruction went against every last instinct the filly had—surely he, like herself, wouldn’t exactly appreciate sudden physical contact. Still, the colt’s mom was the expert here and Anon leapt to obey.

Knight—or, rather, Red—continued not to react when she wrapped her forelegs around him, much to Anon’s surprise. Shivering and incredibly cold, he laid limp in her grasp as she lugged them both back out from under the table. Doing so was no small feat; generally speaking, hauling around dead weight the size of oneself was not an easy task and the jumper was still weakened from her injuries.

Just as she managed to scoot them into better view of the ‘window,’ an especially powerful rumble shook the room and sent the foals sprawling in a tangled heap. That got Red to react as he shuffled to his hooves and stared at her with an expression of great unease.

“Don’t hurt me,” He murmured. Anon’s only movement was to glance helplessly up through the ‘window,’ awaiting further orders.

“You still have to hug him,” Bon Bon repeated. The filly shot her an incredulous expression, but Lyra was nodding along and the earth pony couldn’t possibly be more serious, so she slowly rose as well.

“Okay,” Anon said to all three of them. She hobbled forward on throbbing legs and reached around Red’s shoulders, expecting at any time to be assailed by a deafening scream or even crushed by falling rubble. The quakes had gotten so bad by then that dust poured from above like heavy rainfall and she reconsidered her decision to get away from the table.

Red didn’t so much as blink, but as the seconds dragged on, he raised his own forelegs and eventually returned the embrace.

Suddenly, a tremor rattled the colt and he let out a quiet whinny, gazing fearfully at the ceiling as cracks spiderwebbed across it.

“That’s Knight,” reported Lyra, who had also pressed up against the ‘window’ by then. Anon glanced over to them and noticed how the other two had moved back to give them room.

“Back away and give him space. Let Knight come to you.” The jumper did just that, disengaging contact and clearing her throat to get his attention.

“I need your help, Knight.” The colt locked eyes with her, conflicted, as the room’s wooden supports creaked and began to splinter. “Your Thaunon is the only way to get out of here. Please,” the very mountain groaned as a centuries-old city crumbled to dust atop both it and the war room. A sudden hopeless desperation that she hadn’t felt in a long time entered Anon’s voice. “I don’t want to die.”

The next moments felt like an eternity.

They started with the foals locking eyes. Knight’s white orbs held fear and an indescribable amount of wariness while Anon’s face showed only frantic worry. For far, far too long she could only sit there and hope he was convinced, all while his eyebrows slowly drew together.

Then, the far side of the room was buried under a literal mountain of rubble as though in slow motion. Anon only caught the tail end of stone falling from the ceiling before it was completely blocked off, and the opening only grew as milliseconds passed. Slowly, oh-so-slowly, impending doom approached in the form of splitting cracks along the room’s cap, with each falling boulder serving to widen the gaps.

And then, finally, Anon felt the by-then familiar pressure of her companion using his powers. Knight didn’t so much as glance behind him at the approaching rubble, summoning a sphere of Thaunon around both himself and the filly just as the torches were snuffed out.

So sudden was the lack of any sound that Anon could only sit there for some time, listening to her own breathing and studying her green hooves in the blazing grey light of Knight’s horn. Once the delayed realization that they both were intact came to her mind, though, she cried out in relief and leapt towards the colt with forelegs outstretched.

Knight tried to catch her, he really did, but they nonetheless were sent sprawling again in another tangle of limbs. This time, he didn’t break away and instead held the sobbing filly close, whispering into her ear again and again.

“We’re safe. It’s okay. We’re safe. It’s okay.”

So relieved to be alive was the jumper that she didn’t—couldn’t—ponder the strangeness of the role-reversal. Anon eventually stopped herself and merely laid there, feeling her powers recharge alarmingly fast.

The window! She realized.

To the mares that had somehow made contact with them, it must’ve looked like both foals just got crushed to death. This was troubling, but more importantly, if the filly’s suspicions were correct…

Reaching out with her senses revealed the ‘window’ still in the same spot. Its energies, to her utter delight, originated from Knight’s home universe and had left a trail all the way back there.

“Knight…” Anon said, watching as his ears pricked and he bent his neck to look at her. Exhaustion from the roller coaster—both emotional and physical—that day had been filled her, but was mixed in equal measure with excitement at what was shortly to come.

“We’re going home.”

---

Well, thought Daybreaker to herself, I’m going to need a new mirror.

Not five minutes ago, two troublesome foals had ripped a hole right through her priceless ancient artifact—strange, really, given glass hardly had a tendency to do as much—and crawled through, irreparably warping the frame and nullifying every last enchantment. Then, as if to spite her, the scrying mirror failed to even give off an epic explosion to mark its death, instead expiring with a mere puff of dust as it clattered to the ground.

Currently, the mare was sat before the thing, disdainfully poking it with a hoof as she tried and failed to ignore the noise around her.

This world’s Bon Bon was the main contributor to it and Daybreaker found herself glancing in her direction again.

There she was, curled up in the middle of the room and blubbering like a foam-mouthed lunatic while she mindlessly stroked the object held in her death-grip.

Said object being her son, whose white face was beginning to turn purple from the pressure.

Surprisingly enough, Knight didn’t seem to mind this all too much, laying completely cocooned with his eyes closed and a pleased grin on his face. Luckily, Lyra was seated right next to her wife, monitoring the two in case things got out of hoof. The minty unicorn occasionally bent down to kiss her child’s muzzle, but otherwise seemed content to let Bon Bon hog him all to herself. This was for the best; if any force dared try to separate the two, everypony knew only horrors would follow.

Elsewhere, Anonymous’ adopted family sat in a group hug, with Lyly holding her tight and Sweetie Drops on the outside, with a light grip for fear of agitating her sore legs. The jumper was clearly shaken by what had happened and in need of support, which Lyly had been all too happy to contribute. It’d been somewhat of a shock to Daybreaker to see the loved ones her friend had gained and she imagined the road to acceptance hadn’t been smooth, but from the brief glance she got, it seemed the ‘filly’ had it made.

The alicorn’s gaze settled back on her destroyed property just as her counterpart gracefully approached and sat beside her.

“I must ask,” began Celestia, “will they be able to return to their world?” She tilted her head to indicate the group hug, brows creased in moderate concern. “Spring only knew to come here by following the mirror.” Daybreaker nodded, waving a wing in dismissal.

“Yes, yes,” she said, “it won’t be a problem.” Celestia looked both curious and incredulous, but she rolled her fiery eyes and returned to poking the mirror’s remnants. “I have my methods. How do you think I got here?” This seemed to satisfy the princess and she fell silent for a moment, contemplating, while Bon Bon’s blubbering and Knight's murmured reassurances filled the room.

“Can I ask what happened?” Daybreaker froze as an odd and unpleasant feeling settled itself in her barrel. Her counterpart was plainly curious and would probably pry if she refused, but the pain was too great for any other option.

“No.” Celestia blinked and opened her muzzle, but was promptly cut off. “I said, no. You do not want to know.” Thankfully, she nodded and gave up the line of inquiry, to which Daybreaker let out a tiny sigh of relief.

“It’s quite the adventure that’s been had,” the princess remarked, staring out through the window at the sun she owned. Her twin chuckled ruefully and, having given up on poking the dead, spun to do the same.

“You missed all the best parts.” Celestia nodded at that, lighting her horn once more to perform a textbook sunset. She strained, drained as she was from the exertions just before, until Daybreaker ignited her own magic and reached out to help. The sun felt familiar, but distinctly different from her own. Younger, more vibrant.

Alive.

“Where will you go?” The question was simple, but she still took some time with her answer. Perhaps to think it over, perhaps to revel in a sunset that didn’t like just another tick on a timer that was steadily approaching zero.

“Oh, I’ll travel around. See the sights. Maybe help those in need if I feel generous. All that good loner vigilante stuff.” Celestia nodded again, leaving it at that.

A stereotypical sunset washed across the sky, bathing the crystalline room in beatific colors that dazzled the eye. A calm settled over those within, enough that Bon Bon finally released Knight from her death grip (though she stayed ready to snatch him back up at a moment’s notice; one couldn’t let her guard down, after all).

And, in that moment, all were at peace.

“[bleep]! I forgot my spork back there! We need to go back!”

“NO!”

Relatively speaking, of course.

Exter

S.M.I.L.E. Headquarters was a plain building.

In the midst of Canterlot, a proud capital trademarked by its ostentatious architecture and extravagant appearances, it stuck out rather conspicuously. Tall, ornate manors flanked the building, surrounding its simple walls with sheer opulence on every side. The palace especially, being easily the most jaw-droppingly pretentious structure in all of Equestria, sat nearby and stared down at the unadorned H.Q. as though in harsh condemnation.

Grey bricks made up the structure, uniformly arranged a mere two stories tall. Two wooden doors marked its entrance, of average size and with minimal ornamentation. Windows could only be found on the second story, often evoking wonder and suspicion over what could be occurring deeper within.

This trademark blandness of S.M.I.L.E.'s main structure applied to its uppermost floor as well. Several office cubicles, restrooms, and bored workers were generally all that could be found up there. Here, much paperwork was filed, coffee made, and dull hours wiled away. It was productive to be sure, but the agents writing out case reports could never help but yearn for more exciting times.

Downstairs was different.

Fully-equipped weapon arsenals, a training dojo, several enchanted simulation centers, and more all ensured S.M.I.L.E.'s diligent agents were prepared for any conflict. Here was where they learned to combat the monsters and other such forces that threatened the peace of Equestria. Sweat was shed, mana was spent, and souls were tempered due to the rigorous training. Where the Royal Guard was all but a useless ornament, here the agents knew they were their nation's greatest line of defense.

And further down, in the basement of S.M.I.L.E. H.Q., trouble was brewing.

A well-dressed mare sat before her work, hunched over in complete disregard for all the poised posture she'd been taught during her life. Her horn ablaze with amber light, she stared intently down at the objects below, thoroughly scanning for any impurities. Much to her chagrin, the mare found many and the process of remedying that was quite time-consuming. Sighing grumpily, the unicorn set to business, thankful for the bright lighting above and the lack of interruption around.

"Hello, dearest," she said. A deep blue stallion stepped out of the shadows, coming to a stop close enough that their shoulders touched. His vibrant golden eyes roved her work, uncomprehending, before gazing into hers. She never broke her stare, but continued to address him even while focused on the project. "How goes the situation above, Light? Any suspicions?" He scoffed, rolling his ocular organs in signature disdain.

"Of course not; the Guard is just as inept as always. They have no idea we are here and our Agents remain loyal." This earned a smirk from the mare, but it was short-lived as she soon returned her attention. Her husband's followed suit and he quirked an eyebrow. "What are they, Stormy?"

Stormy Night sighed, setting the objects in question back on the work table. She craned around to give her lover a peck on the lips before standing to stretch. The blood returned to her legs in a fizzy explosion of needles and she winced, feeling the many hours of stillness catch up to her.

"They are the reason we have been doing all this, Light." She gestured with a hoof and began to pace the cramped basement, dodging around various crates and boxes as she went. "Breaking into the Guard's intel center, studying Broken Barrier's methods, visiting our son, travelling to the four corners of Equus to retrieve the Sigils..." Stormy trailed off, gazing emptily at her exposed cutie mark. Light Night approached, looking rather confused by her words, but still offered a reassuring hoof on her shoulder.

"You seem troubled, dear. Is there some way I can assist?" His stunning golden eyes were practically swimming with concern. She couldn't help but break into a genuine smile, even as she scoffed and shook her head.

"Not when you are unfamiliar with the plan, no. But you have helped me much more than you realize." Light blinked, his face morphing into the uncomprehending expression that was so familiar on him nowadays.

"Please explain," he requested, to which Stormy returned to the worktable and pointed down at her project with her violet horn.

"Ex-captain Barrier and I spent months studying Thaunon together, those years ago. Our findings never became anything more than theories and predictions. We could never test anything or conduct any experiments. It was too...inaccessible," She began, a faraway look in her cyan eyes. Her husband drew closer, evidently intrigued. "All the greater my surprise when he told me our son could manipulate it. To so much as touch Thaunon, let alone harness its might?" Stormy shook her head, locking eyes with her curious lover. "Unthinkable. Impossible. Ludicrous. And yet."

The mare sighed, glancing back over to her project, which still patiently awaited completion. "Equestria's safety will be assured, Light. Forever. We will never need to worry about invaders and outside threats again. Your fa--" Stormy choked suddenly, surprising herself with the emotion. She needed several moments to recover, during which Light pulled her into a loose hug. "His sacrifice will not be in vain." Silence, then:

"Stormy, what are you talking about?" She closed her eyes, taking time to rest in the embrace.

"Two separate, but powerful ancient magics run through our blood. Combining the two led to Dark Night being strong enough to bend Thaunon itself to his will. With the Sigils and your alicorn heritage, we can replicate that. Our son is quite thoroughly out of reach, but if my project works as designed..."

Two crowns laid on the worktable, glittering vibrantly under the harsh light. A durable steel base formed the majority of their composition, flavored with gold trim and a few gemstones sprinkled about for show. Six spikes jutted from the top of both rims, the tip of which each bulged out into a circular end. Inscribed upon these bulges were the three core Arcane Sigils--The Signs of Star, Sun, and Sky respectively--twice each.

The only difference between the crowns was the rubidium-alloy horn ring attached by tiny iron chains to the one intended for her lover.

"...Nothing will dare stand in our way. "

Stormy Night's words echoed those of Broken Barrier, years ago. Light Night shivered under their power and pulled back, appearing immoderately frightened.

"You are beginning to scare me, dearest." Stormy smiled, showing far more teeth than could be considered normal or sane, and opened her muzzle to reply. A glance upwards at the wall-mounted clock bade her pause, though. She lit her horn instead.

"I enjoyed this little talk, Light. I need the reassurance every so often. It is a shame to do this, really," several white flashes of Saddle Arabian sorcery filled the room and Light Night jolted before going entirely rigid. Regret crossed the mare's face for a moment, but she shook herself and readied for the upcoming meeting. "In your wretched grandmother's own words: 'Some sacrifices have to be made for the good of Equestria.'"

Stormy channels the power of Saddle Arabia through her horn, feeling the mind of her beloved bend to her indomitable will.

Stormy has been looking forward to this event for a while. It is a chance to meet those that may share her worldview, after all.

Regardless, the couple she's about to meet have many things in common with her, whether they know it or not.

She smiles, packing her things and adjusting her dress before instructing her husband to prepare a teleport.

This is sure to be informative.

And off they went, leaving the hidden basement of S.M.I.L.E. H.Q. behind.

---

"No, no, you're missing out on the experience. Use your hooves to solve. It cleanses the soul."

If ever there existed a distillation of the purest concept of skepticism, Starlight Gimmer's expression would have been it at that moment. So perfect was her slight frown, so picturesque the peak of her raised eyebrow, so masterful the unimpressed scrunching of her eyes, that awe was inspired to all who witnessed it.

If only that was enough to make her goofball husband quit his silly claims.

"I'm serious! Divine light shines down! It's a spiritual experience that I'll remember forever!"

The mare's judging purple eyes migrated from Sunburst's wide smile to the object held in her telekinetic grip: The newly-patented 'Rubuck's cube', freshly scrambled as of thirty seconds ago. It gleamed innocently under her appraising glare, many multicolored squares reflecting the orange light from above.

"A spiritual experience," Starlight flatly repeated, having judged the glorified brick and found its prospects lacking. Sunburst nodded vigorously and she sighed, lowering the thing to her hooves in defeat. "You and your fixations." The plastic was warm in her frog, showing her lover had definitely been fiddling with it not too long ago. As far as the tactile sense was concerned, it was far less stimulating than wood, but she had to admit that switching the sides around was fairly satisfying.

The cafe continued to bustle around them, causing Sunburst's ears to swivel at random intervals and him to scoot closer. Starlight offered her husband a supportive hoof, but rolled her eyes when he guided it back down to the Rubuck's cube instead of accepting the comfort.

"You must witness the power of cubing, young Star," he muttered in a faux-dramatic aged voice. "See for yourself the majesty, and it shall open your eyes to the truth." The stallion leaned back and waved his forelegs in what was obviously meant to be a mysterious manner. Starlight could only smirk.

"Oh? Trying to convert me to the Cult of Rubuck now, are we?" The cube clicked and snapped with every shift in orientation, but she kept herself from being completely immersed easily enough. The benefits of being neurotypical, I suppose.

"Yesssss..." Sunburst hissed, reaching a hoof up to stroke his wife's cheek. "One so smart, lovely, and completely drop-dead gorgeous as you will be a wonderful addition to our ranks." The mare couldn't hide her grin, setting the cube back on the table they sat in front of and leaning back in their shared booth.

"Oh stop it, you snake."

The kiss was long, heartfelt, and--at least in Starlight's opinion--far more satisfying than any silly cube could ever be.

When finally the couple separated, blissful smiles held their muzzles fast and they could only stare into each other's eyes for minutes on end. Starlight found she felt complete for the first time in far too long; it seemed the separation had had more adverse effects on her mental state than she'd thought. With Sunburst by her side, she knew she could conquer any challenge and rise to any height. This had been proven many times before.

All too soon, thoughts of just why they were here returned to the mare's mind and she tore her gaze away from her stallion's charming visage. A cursory glance around at the cafe revealed patrons milling about every which way, but the glint of concealed weapons under some of their clothes reassured her that backup was still in place. Sunburst detected the change in tone and made his own sweep of the surroundings, nodding to some of the hidden guardsponies.

It's almost time, thought Starlight, making note of the wall-mounted clock.

"You really think they'll come?" Skepticism had returned to the mare's voice, combined with a not-insignificant amount of anxiety. The idea that a wanted criminal would willingly establish contact--let alone agree to meet in such a public area--didn't exactly sit well with her.

"Yes. Stormy was very interested in discussing things further, I could tell. She seemed fairly genuine, too." Sunburst, in turn, looked quite convinced of this. His confidence was short-lived, however, and the light smile soon gave way to a frown. "What I'm not sure of is whether that's who 'S.N.' really is. Or if we have enough collected strength to bring her in. Could we not have let Discord help?"

Starlight wasn't alone in her disbelieving scoff; several of the nearby hidden guardsponies couldn't help but roll their eyes with her at this proposal.

"Discord? Please, while he may be reformed, there's absolutely no way he wouldn't want to take things in his own direction." Vehement nods greeted this statement and the mare found her smirk returning. "And how many people can you think of named 'S.N.?' Bon Bon's letters from S.M.I.L.E. had those same initials. You know coincidences like that don't just happen." Sunburst sighed, shifting in place to lay his head on her shoulder.

"I would have felt more at ease with a being so powerful on our side, at least. We're just social workers, Starry. I'm not a fighter." Having seen her husband in various combat situations over the years, she could hardly contest that and so pursed her lips instead. "And it bothers me that I can't remember what they looked like. She was wearing clothes, but that's it. I'm usually more useful when it comes to these sorts of things."

Starlight squinted her eyes, annoyed. She reached a hoof up as though to pat his head, but switched to a light tap on the stallion's horn at the last moment.

"No. Bad Sunny. No self-deprecating comments. Do I need to get the squirt bottle?" She threatened, much to his faked horror. Sunburst's widened eyes lasted mere seconds before he gave a hearty chuckle and broke character to scooch even closer.

"Alright, alright. I'm a loved and capable pony who's more lucky than he could ever know. My wife will always support and appreciate me for who I am, despite any perceived faults. My talents are invaluable and my soul is unique." He paused, furrowing his brows in concentration. "...Did I miss anything?" Starlight pecked his cheek and pressed their foreheads together, mindful of the horns.

"Just that you solemnly swear not to mistake 'worthless' with 'priceless' ever again." He rolled his eyes, but grinned and raised his foreleg in response all the same.

"Right. I solemnly swear not to mistake 'worthless' with 'priceless' ever again. Pinkie Promise." Only after his going through the motions was the mare satisfied. Letting out a soft giggle, she wrapped her lover in a tight hug.

"That pony sure knows how to enforce binding contracts." Sunburst nodded at this and returned the embrace.

"Tartarus hath no fury like a broken Pinkie Swear."

Everypony in earshot collectively shuddered.

Just then, the chime of a bell announced the cafe's door opening, causing the guardsponies to visibly tense. In walked a pair of unicorns in fine clothing, both holding themselves in the sort of refined posture all nobles seemed to embody. Sunburst broke the hug and leaned out to address both the hidden guards and his wife.

"Remember: Be civil and calm. We want to find out as much as we can before we bring them in." Firm nods greeted this instruction on all sides before the hidden backup dispersed, beginning to mill about the cafe. This cleared room for the newcomers, who spotted him and trotted over in short order. Starlight watched them carefully, noting the stallion's stiff, almost robotic movements compared to Stormy's fluid grace. Looks like she's all healed up from that beating Bon Bon gave her, too.

"Salutations, good friends. I am glad to meet you again in person," the clothed mare greeted, bobbing her head. Starlight forced a smile, expertly schooling her features as the two settled in across from her. A quick check revealed Sunburst doing the same, his face utterly unreadable even to her thanks to years of practice.

"Well met, S.N.," returned the stallion. "Will you be ordering anything? I'd be happy to pay if so. Self-reliant researchers don't bring in too many bits, as far as I'm aware." She grinned at this, but shook her head and waved a foreleg even as her blue companion perked up at the offer.

"No, we won't be having anything." Stormy said, pointedly ignoring Light's drooping ears and saddened expression. "And please, I cannot let you refer to me by my initials! My full name is Stormy Night." Starlight blinked and her shock broke through her mask for several seconds. Thankfully, nopony took notice and she reformed her neutral look in short order. Surprising that a criminal on the run would be so forward with such information. Is she confident that it won't matter or just straight up sloppy?

"Of course," replied Sunburst, apparently unfazed by the blatant mistake. "Then, well met, Stormy. Shall we get to business?" The mare leaned forward, propping her forelegs on the table to rest her chin on her hooves. Starlight staunched a shiver at the intensity in her eyes.

"Yes. I'm told your Cutie Marks are two of the core Sigils? Signs of Sun and Star, respectively?" Affirmative nods were their response, causing her mouth to form a toothy grin. "Incredible. Star signifies great power and protection to those in need. Sun signifies shedding light and knowledge to every corner of the world. Such strong images to represent your destinies. However did you receive them?" Sunburst's ears flattened and he hunched his shoulders as though pressed by immense weight. Starlight laid a hoof on his withers and decided to take hold of the reins.

"I got mine not long before we escaped Sire's Hollow. There was a confrontation with our biological parents. Some townsponies had caught wind of our plans to leave and told them, probably for fear of what would happen if they didn't." The words took sizable effort to get out and the counselor had to discreetly clear her throat a few times.

This was a story they didn't share often and for good reason. It's worth it if it gets Stormy to spill, though. "Our former parents were abusive. Sunny's 'mom' hit him and my father took issue with letting me mature. They were magically powerful enough to get away with it, despite the foal care laws." Stormy gasped and creased her brows. The near-predatory expression she'd had on faded away, replaced with remorse that, much to Starlight's surprise, was entirely genuine.

"I'm so sorry. I can't imagine what that must have been like. My--our..." the clothed mare paused, pain written plainly across her face. Starlight found her brow raising ever higher the longer the silence went on. If only I could read minds like Lyra. "Somepony close to us went through something similar and I...I let it happen for far too long. Don't worry, though," Stormy touched her jawbone and made a slight wince, "he's being taken care of, now."

Light Night scooched closer to his wife, but seemed far too conflicted to offer any more support. Sunburst nearly broke his mask, so great was his confusion. Starlight let things sit for a few moments, considering. The way she's talking...Twilight said they wanted nothing to do with Knight, at least during the Sisters' interview. This doesn't make much sense. At length, the therapist opted to finish her story.

"Sunny's birthmother wanted him back and I didn't stand for it. I fought them off, both of them, and bought us time to escape. My Cutie Mark appeared just as we got away," she finished, much to Stormy's interest. When the noble gestured to Sunburst with an inquiring look, Starlight sighed and answered. "Sunny got his Mark earlier, when teaching me about the world. My 'father' essentially forbade learning of any kind, so he was my only source of truth." Her blushing husband glanced away, bashful, and she nudged him with her shoulder. "Still is, in fact." Stormy smiled, a faraway look in her eyes.

"Sun and Star. I never thought I'd see the day. You two are perfect for each other, I must say." She took a deep breath in, shutting her eyes, before her horn suddenly made several rapid white flashes. Some nearby hidden guardsponies tensed, but by the time they reacted, it was already over. "I thought I was the only one."

Stormy Night was a purple unicorn with dark blue eyes, a discolored violet horn and a wavy grey mane. She wore a blue dress with minimal frills or styling of any kind, representing the 'practical' style that was in season in Canterlot lately. Her cutie mark--proudly displayed thanks to the shortness of her clothing--was unmistakably the Sign of the Sky.

And every single one of these details had only now become observable to Starlight. When she compared this new image to the one of mere seconds ago, she realized that cripplingly little information had been apparent. It was obvious--blatantly so--that something had been messing with Starlight's perception and, from the shared reactions of her husband and the guardsponies, she was not alone.

"I know it must be confusing, but don't get mad." Stormy gestured to her Cutie Mark as though both therapists weren't already studying its every detail. "I've been using Arabian sorcery to conceal my appearance in public. But I had to show you, so you would listen to me." The mare placed her hooves on the table and raised herself, alternating stares between the two's eyes. "The Arcane Sigils' power has lain dormant for far too long. Equestria has fallen under many threats from outside in recent years. I aim to rectify both these issues. Two birds with one stone, so to speak."

Stormy stretched a foreleg out to Starlight and her husband, wearing a manic-yet-hopeful smile on her muzzle. "Join me. We'll ensure the peace of our fair principality. Nopony will need to risk their lives for our safety! No more deaths need occur!" Sunburst slammed his own hoof on the table and stood, angling himself to address both the crazed mare and their reinforcements.

"That's enough! Mind control?! Stand down and let the guards take you, Stormy." But the purple mare chuckled, shaking her head in defiance even as the guardsponies brandished their spears and approached the booth.

"The guards? Please," Stormy's violet horn flared to life with a deep red glow and runes appeared on the table as it was sent spinning out from under him, towards the backup. Starlight caught her spouse just as they dove out of the way or went flying like so many bowling pins. "The Ponyville ones are even more inept than the royal. If you want to fight me, you'll have to do it unaided."

Stormy leapt out of the cushioned booth and landed neatly on all four hooves, jerking her neck in a bid to follow. Light Night did so immediately, but the Glimmers were far more hesitant. "I'm eager to see what two others with Sigils for Cutie Marks can do. Or don't you want to bring in a wanted criminal like myself?"

Starlight fired a beam of cyan magic, noting the remaining civilians being ushered out. Stormy's horn glowed again, green this time, and a smaller beam redirected the projectile. How many forms of magic does she have?!

"Sky signifies expansive reach!" The noble shouted as though in reply to the thought. Glee overtook her face as she deflected a series of beams. Not all were made to miss, but those that grazed her only got absorbed by her dress, which faintly glowed with red runes. "While you have raw power and your husband has knowledge, I hold mastery over dozens of magics."

Guards surrounded the mare, rushing for all their worth, but were blasted away when she reached into a concealed pocket and threw some kind of bomb. "The sorcery of Arabia, the herbology of Zebrica, the artifice of Abyssinia--"

An especially-strong rod of cyan forced Stormy to meet it with a pink beam of her own, locking the unicorns in a test of will-- "The enchantments of Prance! Divination of Somnambula! Alchemy! From! The! Storm! Kingdom!" Each word was punctuated with a stomp and a head thrust, but Starlight's magic pushed all the way against hers, it being no match for her raw arcane might.

Light Night dove and just barely managed to tackle his wife out of the way in time. Starlight's cyan beam flew right overhead and shot straight into the bar counter, which violently exploded. Stormy rose with a feral grin while Starlight gestured for her husband to follow the civilians out.

Like he said, he's not a fighter. He can make sure everypony's okay and get help from Discord. Luckily, Sunburst came to the same conclusion and rushed outside.

"And, of course: Equestrian mana," finished Stormy as her horn's spiral began filling with deep blue light. Starlight's eyes bulged in alarm and she felt dread creep down her spine. Mana only shows on the conduit if huge spells are being used! What is she casting?!

Tendrils of dark blue exploded outwards, emerging from both the ground and Stormy's discolored horn to lash out at the guardsponies. Split-second reflex was all that saved them from being skewered as a cyan dome surrounded the mare. The tentacles pressed up against the barrier and Starlight strained against their strength, gritting her teeth.

Stormy Night cackled inside her prison.

"Oh, you are every bit as powerful as I'd hoped, Mrs. Glimmer!"

Another white flash and her spouse stiffened inside the dome, lighting his own horn. The two of them teleported several feet to the left, escaping Starlight's trap entirely. Thankfully, the tendrils dissipated, but the mad mare was clearly far from finished.

"What is wrong with you?!" Green clouds of mist from thrown potions kept any approaching guards at bay, while beams of pink ensured the counselor stayed light on her hooves. Where the projectiles hit the ground, walls and ceiling, the wood and plaster decayed and rotted. Stormy stalked forward, her crazed grin never once leaving her muzzle.

"Many things, Starlight. I'm self-aware enough to admit that much." She tilted her head, letting her grey mane swish to the side. "But you're a therapist, right? Won't you help me out?" Starlight panted for breath, shaking her head clear as she thanked Faust for the pause in dodging.

"Of course! Just turn yourself in and we can figure something out. You belong in prison, but inmates get counselling all the time!" Stormy paused just in front of her, pretending to think it over.

"Hmm, no thanks. I think I'll stay where I can eliminate all my problems in real time." The noble's horn conduit glowed blue again and Starlight braced for impact, charging a protective spell of her own.

A spear of pure mana thrust out at her, but the therapist was ready with a shield just in time. Her conjured barrier shuddered and cracked from the impact, but held nonetheless. Starlight growled as she shoved back with all her might, sending the weapon straight through the ceiling and Stormy stumbling backwards with a satisfying yelp. She pressed her advantage, magically tripping Light Night while pinning her opponent with cyan shackles.

"It's over, Stormy. You may be versatile, but you can't match my power." The noble nodded, but didn't seem too upset by it as she glanced back towards the fallen guardsponies. Several of them were evidently injured and even unconscious, while others seemed to be having second thoughts about approaching again.

"Your guards are useless, but my agents aren't." Starlight cocked a brow at this. Unease settled over her, mostly thanks to Stormy's unconcerned expression. "You're not the only one that thought to bring reinforcements."

Just then, the cafe's door was slammed right off its hinges as four geared ponies galloped inside. Light Night teleported to his wife's side and charged his horn for an escape as they approached their leader. Thinking fast, Starlight lit her conduit and let loose a volley of high-velocity projectiles, but each agent simply dodged with ease.

In one last bid not to lose this dangerous, unpredictable menace of a mare, the therapist aimed one last shot. She underestimated the agents' speed, though, and a swift hoof striking her temple sent Starlight crumpling to the ground.

And with one final flash of white, the Nights were gone.

Bellum

A zombie stalked towards Bon Bon Heartstrings.

She stood there, silently in her kitchen, watching it lurch ever closer. Its unsteady legs wobbled and it nearly fell on its way, but the determination never left its drooping colorless eyes. Bonnie squinted at it, trying to make sense of the situation, but made no other movements. Ever so slowly, the little thing approached on a collision course with her leg and she followed it with her gaze the entire way until...

...

...finally...

...

...bonk.

"Are you okay, Knight?"

Walking into the earth pony's well-muscled foreleg was much akin to colliding with a brick wall and the zombie bounced back accordingly. Knocked to his rump, he blinked confusedly and looked up, rubbing at his eyes with a hoof. Bonnie felt her brows crease in concern as she gazed down at his white form.

The zombie--otherwise known as Bonnie's adoptive son--glanced around at the kitchen with a dazed look about his face before returning his attention to her. Seconds passed while they sat there--the mare having lowered herself to his level--until he finally piped up.

"Yeah," Knight muttered, nodding to himself as though in confirmation, "I'm good." He swayed in place and blinked out of turn. Bon Bon had to steady the colt before he fell over and her concern did not lighten.

"Is something the matter?" She asked, leaning closer. Her son shook his head initially, but his expression turned pensive and he paused for a good while, leaving most of his weight on her raised leg.

"I didn't sleep good." Knight seemed about to say more, but he cut himself off with a large yawn. Any train of thought in his mind promptly derailed and Bonnie's heart liquefied at the sight. With fluttering eyelids, he rested his chin on her hoof and gave a heavy sigh.

"Would you like to take a nap, then?" The mare asked, nodding towards the couches. "These dishes can wait. Growing colts need their rest, you know." Knight shivered, shaking his head again.

"No. I'm afraid to sleep. The nightmares might come back, and then..." Knight trailed off and Bonnie couldn't help but pull him close as both ponies' frowns deepened.

"Oh, Sugar, I'm sorry. Will you..." she swallowed dryly while Starlight's words echoed through her head, "will you tell me about them? Your dreams?"

"A clear sign of trust will be him telling you things. Bothers, worries, goals. If he's secure enough to share with you, then you'll know you've done something right."

"I dreamt about HIM..."

"Oftentimes, victims are afraid to say anything because they fear retribution. An irrational worry that somehow, their abusers will make them pay for 'tattling,' so to speak."

"...and HER..."

"If Knight can push past all of this and tell you things, that needs to be encouraged and taken as a sign that you're making progress."

"...and...and...Sweetie Belle."

That name made Bonnie stop short and nearly snort in surprise. She managed to hold it in, but still stopped rocking and released the hug to look her son in the eyes.

"Rarity's little sister?" At his shameful nod, she felt her eyebrow shoot right into her hairline. Knight looked impossibly frightened, but the image of a sweet, well-meaning filly simply would not reconcile with that reaction. "Whatever did she do?"

Knight paused for a long time. He stared at the floor, then the ceiling, then back into Bonnie's eyes. Clearly, he was deliberating about something, though what that may have been continued to mystify the mare. From the top of her vision, she could see her wife entering the kitchen and approaching, similarly intrigued, but nearly all of Bonnie's attention remained on her charge.

"When I worked for Rarity, she told me to guard some fabric. I really tried to, but Sweetie came in and..." Knight gulped dryly, screwing his face up in a pained grimace. Dots were already connecting in the mother's mind and she felt her mouth gape open. "...and she cut it in pieces and threatened me when I tried to stop her. Then Rarity came back and...and..." The colt couldn't finish. Bon Bon felt her blood beginning to boil.

The image of Sweetie Belle changed in her mind, shifting from an unassuming, cheery little filly to a menace and threat. Well-meaning fillies didn't threaten other ponies, didn't pin the blame on those who couldn't defend themselves. They certainly did not dare injure her family members, intentionally or no. Familiar emotions Bonnie recognized from when Stormy broke in resurfaced and she felt her face reddening with rage.

"The potion, when I went all..." Bon Bon could barely see his grimace past all the red. She certainly couldn't take notice of Lyra's warning look from behind him. "...that was Sweetie Belle too. She made me drink it. I..." Knight trailed off a little. Lyra edged forward, a warning expression on her face.

"Bonnie..."

Bon Bon had known Sweetie Belle. The filly had been a regular at her candy shop for as long as she could walk. Having such similar names, of course the mare had been interested in her.

This new information brought a sort of betrayal. Sweetie Belle had betrayed her image, their relationship, and Bonnie's trust. The fact that she'd hurt Knight twice...

Was it any wonder the mare couldn't focus on what was happening in front of her?

A shame, then, that Knight could.

"Bonnie...!"

The colt's head slowly rose and he looked up at her with all the timidity of a scared puppy. His eyes widened, flickering across her enraged face. Trained instinct sat on a hair trigger that instantly fired and Knight was backing away, tense and shivering.

Lyra's warnings hadn't cut through the red haze, but the soft, fear-filled whisper to follow finally caught Bon Bon's attention.

"... Mom?"

When she looked, she saw a scared child backing away from her. Bonnie's anger was replaced with alarm faster than Rainbow Dash could clear the sky. She reached out to comfort her son, only to freeze in place when he flinched away.

No...

Panic, plain and simple. In that moment, the months of enormous effort, painstaking labor, and patient dedication to build trust in the foal she'd adopted flashed through her mind. Knight looked as scared of her as he was on day one. Had it all been for nothing? Had her temper finally gotten the better of her?

Lyra stepped back, but wasn't fast enough to avoid Knight, who retreated right into her legs. He jolted away and shrunk in on himself, but kept his gaze on Bonnie--or, more specifically, her raised hoof.

It felt like an eternity. Bon Bon's fear nearly matched her child's. All three ponies could barely draw breath.

Please, no...

Decades of having the most impenetrable of poker faces. Years of training to control her emotions. Untold hours spent schooling her features to the tiniest twitch. All worthless, moot, and void if she made her son feel unsafe.

The consequences of this weren't just immediate, either. Once Starlight caught wind of how Bonnie had butchered any trust she'd built, that would be it. The social worker would have him removed permanently. All of Ponyville would hate her guts for it, too.

They'd be justified in that.

Lyra looked afraid, too, if less so than the earth pony. Her golden eyes flickered between either family member, shaking with unease.

Or was it disgust? Was Lyra repulsed by how thoroughly Bonnie had screwed things up? Would she leave her wife behind as well? Join the rest of Ponyville in spitting at her hooves?

Knight sat there, staring fearfully at her frozen hoof. The poor foal. She'd let him down most of all. Bon Bon could only hope he'd have a better life with a more capable family while she rotted away in jail.

Perhaps someday, they'd meet again. Older, wiser, he would stroll inside her cell and strike up a conversation. Perhaps he could offer forgiveness, walking slowly up to her much like he was doing right then.

Wait...

Bonnie was snapped out of her anxious spiral when her son rose, trotting right up to her.

"It's okay," said he, reaching out with a hoof of his own. It curled around the back of her fetlock and pulled, angling her leg down to his level. "I trust you, Mom." Tenderly, Knight placed his mother's hoof against his cheek and leaned into it, softly rubbing. His eyes locked onto hers, lucid, clear, and determined. "I know you wouldn't hurt me."

Stunned by this turn of events, Bonnie's mouth opened to reply but could only flop around like a neurotic, stranded fish. Knight smiled, nodded to himself and--without further prompting--strode forward, planting his face right in her barrel. The mare's foreleg fell limply around his body as he sighed, nuzzling deeper.

After staring down in shock and relief, she finally found her voice.

"Yes, I-I would never," Bon Bon stuttered, letting out a breath so shaky it could put a carnival's cheapest ride to shame. With severe numbness, she wrapped her other leg around him and held tight. The mare's lungs heaved and she still felt her blood pounding, slowly coming down from the seconds of stress. Knight sighed again, but midway through it became a yawn, muffled by layers of fluff.

"I'd like that nap, now."

Bon Bon swallowed dryly, looking up only to see a certain mare with the single widest grin across her muzzle. Relief was every bit as evident on Lyra as her, but the unicorn's face held another message, too:

"We're so lucky..."

The earth pony could muster but a single nod.

"Of course, Knight. Let's head for the couch."

---

Bon Bon was shaken, more so than she'd been in a long time. She sat on the main sofa--by then piled with extra couch cushions, scarves and other such bedding alternatives--staring emptily at the wall. Knight slumbered beside her--or was it under her? So much was covered it was hard to tell.

Lyra stood in the kitchen, observing all of this with a light smile. Something about how convinced Knight had been when he spoke an hour or so ago, it put a spring in her step. The minty mare didn't even mind picking up the chores where her wife left off.

The dishes clattered in her sink while she hummed a light tune to herself, stealing peeks at the cute scene every so often. It felt like, with the interaction an hour or so ago, their family dynamics had finally been finalized. The Heartstrings were cemented in place as a group and woe be unto any force that dared try to tear them apart. Together, they could overcome any obstacle they faced. Lyra felt like, if she ever were to be in a fight for her life, there were only two ponies she'd want by her side, strange as it sounded.

Suddenly, an alarm blared throughout the home while red lights flashed in every room. A quick glance At the enchanted screen near the front door revealed something surprising:

Somepony was trying to break in.

Bonnie leapt off the couch and an instantly-alert Knight was soon to follow. Lyra joined them in the middle of the shop area, ears flattened as she wondered who the hay would attack them.

Scores of red dots on the monitor revealed it wasn't just one creature. It seemed like a whole team had been sent after them, and more dots appeared every second.

"Lyra," Bon Bon softly hissed, her muscles tensing as she stared towards the front door, "get my equipment from upstairs. Our bedroom closet." Knight jumped as a loud thump echoed through the building and the earth pony nudged him behind her. "Hurry."

Lyra gave a shaky nod and galloped off. A sudden silence crept through the house, almost as though the invaders had given up on getting through the defenses. Bon Bon knew they were extensive and of the highest quality, but any sufficiently-trained military would be able to penetrate anyway. If the rumors were true, an attack from the Storm Kingdom could have been taking place. With most--if not all--of Ponyville gone to Canterlot for the Festival of Friendship, now would be an opportune time to strike.

But why the Heartstrings? And how much power had they devoted to the cause?

Knight whimpered from behind her, but Bon Bon couldn't offer much in the way of comfort--she was too focused on the door.

With an earsplitting crash, it flew off its hinges, clattering to the floor several feet away. Through the doorway rushed three hulking, armored, and angry hedgehog-like creatures who immediately circled around her, spears drawn and pointed. Only then did she hear the hurried hoofsteps of a returned Lyra, who gasped from behind while yet more enemies stormed inside.

And then the concealed turrets dropped from above.

Screaming filled the room, but not from any ponies. Lyra rushed through the first opening that appeared, ears pinned to muffle the loud blasts and shrieks of pain. Knight ducked under her when she arrived at her wife's side, hooves over his head. Bon Bon snatched her floating harness from the yellow aura, expertly affixing it to herself before inspecting the attached weapons.

Two hooks, each with three prongs that flanged out like scythes, sharpened on the underside. Very similar to the type one would use to scale mountains or grapple across surfaces. Adamantine ranked among the strongest possible substances known to Equus, so precious that even scraps and alloys were beyond bits. These hooks, linked at the bottom to either end of a lightweight chain looped through the harness, were of the highest purity and given only to S.M.I.L.E.'s elite.

Bonnie hadn't brought them out since long before she retired.

She prayed she wouldn't have to use them now.

Fallen enemies groaned all throughout the dining area, collapsed against chairs and hiding under pulverized tables. Some managed to let off returning fire at the turrets, which could only take so much before failing. So numerous were the soldiers that the defenses couldn't keep up and were soon overrun.

Bon Bon stood in the center, watching carefully as the invaders shot beams of light from their spears. Each round took precious seconds to charge, time that could easily be taken advantage of. A plan formed in her mind and the mare readied herself, channeling magic through her planted hooves.

"Take Knight and hide upstairs. Hurry, and bring your lyre. I'll hold them off." The order was quick, sharp, and to-the-point. Unlike an agent, however, Lyra blinked and questioned it.

"Shouldn't we run while we can? Escape to the hills or the forest?" Bonnie snorted, shaking her head, but didn't shift her gaze from the recovering soldiers. Two turrets were left and doing their best, but it'd be mere seconds before they failed as well.

"They have us surrounded. Stay upstairs, where they have to climb to get you." Finally, the ex-agent spared a glance at her family, especially at the shivering foal peering up at her. She smiled, gently of course, but the steel and protective fire was evident in her expression all the same. "I won't let them get you."

Both unicorns nodded, fleeing back up the staircase. Bon Bon followed for a distance, then spun and faced the regrouping enemies. The heavy armor coating their hulking forms clanked as they rose, leering at her with what could be black faces or masks. Their muscles coiled and flexed as they approached and a quick head count revealed exactly twelve among their number, with potentially more beyond the front door.

With odds impossibly stacked in one side's favor, Bonnie couldn't help but smirk.

This is just like Klugetown.

There was much more at stake than just her own life, however. Her expression became grave at that thought. This wasn't a flawless mission from her days as an earth magic prodigy, but an invasion of her home in efforts to harm her family. Things were different. If Bon Bon screwed up, she wouldn't be the one to pay for it.

"I don't know why you all are here, who commanded you to break into my home, or what you plan to do with my son," Bonnie called out, lowering herself into a fighting stance. "But I do know one thing: You take one step further, and there will be Tartarus to pay. Don't test me."

Perhaps it was the sheer confidence of her words, but the soldiers--all twelve hulking masses--actually hesitated. For a moment, the mare believed she'd successfully scared them off by sheer force of will alone.

Then they stepped forward.

And Special Agent Sweetie Drops let out a snarl, baring her teeth in feral aggression.

So be it.

It was fractions of a second, faster than it could begin to think to react, before her front hooves connected with the foremost soldier's breastplate. Between tempered steel and earth mana-channeled keratin, one force was simply too great for the other. The armor caved in and the creature was sent stumbling into his companions, wheezing.

Sweetie didn't hesitate. There was no space between strikes. One moment, she toppled the first enemy with crushing force, the next, she angled herself and extended her hind legs into another's back. The buck, fueled by earth pony expertise and the raw maternal power brought by a threat to her child, had an amount of approximate power comparable to a full-steam freight train.

The creature went flying.

It sailed right through several chairs and tables, finally impacting the far wall, which promptly crumbled under the force. The agent didn't have time to watch the soldier lie in the rubble, though; she was already staring down her next target.

It glowered at her as she approached, lowering itself as though in preparation for the fight. All the worse for it, then. All that meant was that her thrown punch connected with its black mask/face instead of its chest.

The material was almost definitely some kind of metal, given how cold and hard it felt against her hoof. Sweetie decided it was probably a mask after all, which helped her feel less bad when it bent and warped unrecognizably from her strike. This enemy reeled away, clutching at its head, before toppling over completely.

The mare turned to face the rest, letting out a short breath as she channeled more magic.

Three down, nine to go.

The foremost soldiers stood in a formation, angled entirely towards her. Those at the rear raised their spears, which began glowing with harsh blue light as they charged shots. Sweetie noted that every last bit of attention was focused on her, with not a scrap of thought placed elsewhere. All nine remaining combatants were prepared to devote all their might to fighting her exclusively.

This thought filled her with relief.

They're going to get through me first. I won't have to worry about some breaking off to pursue the others.

As long as she kept fighting, her wife and kid were safe.

That was all the motivation Sweetie needed.

Beams of crackling energy flew towards her from the back, so wide and fast that she had to jump into the air to avoid them. Several were dodged this way, but the soldiers proved good at predicting her movements. It wasn't long before one aimed right where she was about to land and, without wings or any way to change her trajectory, a collision was inevitable. The projectile would hit her, promising a world of pain if she wasn't ready.

So Sweetie prepared. She touched the ground with a foreleg raised.

And when the beam of light approached, she punched it out of the air.

Redirected, the shot slammed into another soldier, who reeled away and fell. The recoil was such that Sweetie went skidding backwards. Her hoof steamed, spent, wispy mana gushing out like an open wound. She felt the strain on her reserves and knew that wouldn't be happening again if she was to last much longer. Still, the shocked posture of the hedgehogs as they lowered their spears was payment enough.

The pause gave her time to sigh heavily in regret. The holstered weapons at her sides came out almost eagerly, shining in the candy shop's fluorescent lights. Sweetie eyed her hooks one last time, noting the dull glint of the still-sharp blades. They felt eerily comfortable in the hold of her hoof-fields.

She could swear they lusted for blood.

"This is your last chance to flee, before things get serious." The agent's voice shook as she called out again, standing on her hind legs. "The weapons I hold now are unethical and banned in every civilized country, including here." Strong though she was, the hooks weighed heavily on her raised forelegs. It wasn't physical heft that caused her shoulders to droop. "I ask you, please, for your own sakes," she gulped, breaking out in a nervous sweat as she swayed in place, "turn away and run."

Perhaps they simply doubted her too much. Perhaps they mistook her unease for fear of them, and thought her words a simple bluff. Perhaps they were unfamiliar with the way pure, sharpened adamantine reacted to biological matter.

Whatever the reason was, all eight remaining soldiers raised their spears again and approached with much more gusto than before. Sweetie Drops felt a single tear streak down her face.

These nameless hooks weren't given to S.M.I.L.E.'s best because they took extensive training to use. They weren't given as a badge of accomplishment, a token of gratitude, or a rare and priceless reward for successful service.

They were a burden placed on the shoulders of those mature enough to come to terms with what must be done.

More charged shots arrived from the back before any soldiers did. It was with thoughtless ease that Sweetie blocked them, each bolt of blue energy fizzling to nothing against the pure, reddish adamantine. When the first creature rushed within range, it took the initiative by thrusting its spear forwards with impressive power. Sweetie slapped the weapon aside with her own, watching it crumble to pieces as a result. Then, when momentum carried the hedgehog up to her, she tensed her hind legs, magically tethering them to the ground.

Reaching forward, the agent planted the dull front ends of her hooks in the charging assailant's chest. Its inertia pushed back, but she angled up and, with the traction granted by her impossibly-strong weapons, the creature was soon freed from gravity's bonds and soaring through the far wall.

Special Agent Sweetie Drops had no time to worry about her poor shop's structural integrity. The rotational force that came from launching the soldier into the air meant her front hooves hit the floor soon after, both hooks digging into its tiled surface. Four more soldiers had her surrounded before she could blink and suddenly it was a rush to parry each syncopated spear swing.

The mare entered a spin to reach all of them, but since the blades were all that came into contact, none of the spears shattered. The soldiers kept their distance, too apparently under the impression that, so long as they kept out of hoof's reach, they were out of her threat range.

No matter. Sweetie kept a tight hold on her left hook's handle, but allowed the right one to slip through until she was grabbing a length of silvery chain instead. The left continued to parry while the right, now made into a flail, bashed each enemy upside the head between strikes.

Even just the power of her swing combined with the speed of her spin resulted in enough force to incapacitate with one hit. Granted, it didn't help that she knew exactly where to aim; each creature on Equus had a weak point somewhere on their skull and, for the size and shape of these hedgehogs, it was just above the back of the cranium. Conveniently enough, a spot unprotected by their masks.

Sweetie nearly came to a halt, but another creature leapt forward before her spin could stop. She tried to convince herself it was reflex, but that didn't stop the guilt that flared up when she stabbed her blade into its hide.

The reaction was immediate.

Flesh bubbled, steamed, and liquefied all around the wound. The creature let out a heartbreaking gurgle, its beady eyes instantly filled with immeasurable agony. Already the crackling of dried bones and squelching of bloated organs filled Sweetie's pinned ears, inescapable as the torturous death she'd subjected the soldier to. She forced herself to gaze up into its mask as it slowly expired.

The was the only slow part of the process: The actual death. Precious seconds spent with a failing body, trying fruitlessly to survive, to carry on, to recover from the injury. Sweetie could never truly understand what it was like to die that way, but she felt some part of her, the caring, empathetic part of her, die a little with each death she inflicted.

There was no survival.

Within seconds--a short span of time, but long enough that it always felt like an eternity--the thing slumped to the ground, unrecognizably warped and deteriorating faster by the moment. In a minute or so, it'd be reduced to a melted lump of still-twitching flesh.

As for the adamantine hook, every last bit of biomatter either dripped or fizzled off and it was left pristine as always, with nary a stain to be found.

A quick glance around revealed the two remaining enemies having taken several steps away. They glanced between each other, their melted comrade, and back several times before turning tail and rushing right out the door. Sweetie sighed with relief, but tailed them anyway, leaving her hooks unholstered for now.

On her way through the store area, she galloped past several fallen bodies, which littered the room like discarded candy wrappers. She'd only downed ten, so the other five had to have been taken out by the turrets and other defenses. Such a large force for a single home--Knight must've been considered a high-value target.

Of course they're after Knight. Why else would they be here?

With such hulking beasts as mere foot soldiers, Sweetie could only imagine what their commander looked like. No matter; she'd felled hydras and countless other monsters without breaking a sweat, so as long as it wasn't a--

A tall figure stood in Sweetie Drops' front lawn. A dark, docked, smallish airship blocking the street behind revealed their mode of transportation. The figure wore jet black armor that glistened as it walked, slowly approaching the front door. The figure didn't even bat an eye at its fleeing minions, instead staring Sweetie down with a cold, curious expression.

That's a unicorn!

The agent had thought earth pony at first, but her attention was brought to a crackling, glowing, jagged stump atop the pony's head. Her eyes promptly bulged in shock.

What...could possibly have removed her horn?

Such an injury was not feasible under normal circumstances. Unicorn horns were far more than mere bone. The magical connections and mana pathways were incredibly resilient. Sweetie's mind was set awhirl with possible explanations, but the armored mare called out before she could get too far.

"I must say: I'm impressed. You managed to fight off all my underlings, and without sustaining much damage, either." A wicked grin appeared on the unicorn's face as her piercing blue gaze intensified. "It'll be nice to fight something that doesn't immediately perish." The expression on the mare's scarred face was chilling and Sweetie shook herself, somewhat intimidated.

"You sound confident," she returned, squinting her eyes. "Who are you, who sent you, and why are you here?" Sweetie stepped out onto the lawn a bit while the other mare came to a stop some dozen feet away, out of threat range.

"I suppose I owe some sort of explanation," she mused, her creepy smile never leaving. "I am Commander Tempest Shadow, Right Hand of the mighty Storm King." Her hoof, once placed proudly against the front of her ebony armor, pointed northeast, towards Mt. Canterhorn. "His Excellency is personally leading an invasion of your capital as we speak. By now, he has likely captured all four of your princesses and is working on harnessing their power for his own grand designs."

Sweetie was loathe to take her eyes off her opponent, but a quick glance revealed dozens of darkly-colored airships blotting out Canterlot's skies. Tempest didn't move for several moments, patiently letting her absorb this information.

"Meanwhile, I was personally assigned to...shall we say...take care of Equestria's strongest weapon, lest it interfere with our annexation of your fair principality." Sweetie's attention was promptly torn away from pondering Canterlot's fall, placed instead on the sickly smile Tempest was making.

"So, what you're saying is, you're here to take my son," The agent surmised, beginning to lower herself once more.

Tempest Shadow shook her head.

"Close, but not quite." The smile was so cold, so lifeless, like there was no shred of equinity left in its wearer's soul. Her next words brought chills down Sweetie's spine: "I'm here to kill your son."

The commander was so infuriatingly casual with the way she described it, as though ending a life--a young life, and one belonging to her own species--was a daily occurrence to be skimmed over. Sweetie Drops felt her lips curl away from her teeth in an expression of aggression quite unusual for a pony.

"You'll have to kill me first."

And Tempest laughed, giving her a giant grin of what appeared to be genuine joy.

"Oh, thank you. I was really hoping you'd say that, Sweetie Drops." She lowered herself in turn, but never so much as blinked, keeping eye contact. "This will be the first time I've had an actual challenge."

It was unnerving, how truly confident Tempest was. Against virtually any other enemy, the agent would have zero reservations. She was trained to take down all manner of monsters, from hydras to manticores to rogue dragons and everything in between. Wielding her hooks gave an extra edge that made Sweetie virtually unstoppable.

And yet...

That's a unicorn. Another pony. She'll have mana on her side as well. And with that broken horn, there won't be--

Almost as if on cue, raging currents of blue electricity came rushing out of Tempest's horn stump. There was no warning, no twitch or telling grimace. One instant, she was standing feet away almost placidly. The next, Sweetie's vision was filled with lightning.

The agent was able to raise a hook to block, but only just. With one sunk into the ground, the chain acted like a lightning rod, funneling all the energy safely away. The shot to follow was more concentrated, like the spears' projectiles, so Sweetie was able to bat it away with a perfectly-timed swing. As a response, she threw her other hook at her assailant, who simply shot it into the sky.

Pressing her advantage, Sweetie yanked on the chain to pull it back to her, simultaneously launching the first hook at speeds rivaling Rainbow Dash. Tempest parried with a redirecting shot all the same, but then the next hook was flying toward her face. It was a tight rhythm, pulling and throwing while she stalked forward, one step at a time. Her pace increased gradually, each attack coming sooner the closer she got. Somehow, Tempest kept up perfectly, even when the agent changed the timing of her strikes to stagger, rather than be evenly spaced.

When they were under four feet apart, Tempest managed an extra shot between throws. With both weapons midair, Sweetie had no choice but to roll away. When she came up, her opponent was there, already firing another blast.

The agent let out a grunt, forced to block with her forelegs. The shock hurt and sent her tumbling away, while the enchantments on her harness glowed red, absorbing as much as they could. For those high-capacity runes, enchanted by the head of S.M.I.L.E. herself, to fail? Tempest's level of output in each missile must have been higher than anything Sweetie had ever seen before.

Swiftly regaining control of her trajectory, she stood up again, only for Tempest to be right there, that same grin of glee slathered across her muzzle. By that point, the hooks had finally managed to be reeled in all the way, so Sweetie blocked the flurry of lightning with pure adamantine.

The switch from defense to offense was instantaneous. Parrying oncoming attacks one moment, then leaping forward to deliver a punishing slash the next. Tempest was forced to roll and Sweetie was ready. As a unicorn, her opponent would have no chance in close-quarters. The thrusting hook was on a trajectory straight for her face, fast enough that even teleporting to dodge would be too slow. The armored mare threw up a foreleg in defense, as though under some vain hope that that would be sufficient. This was it, Sweetie had won.

So why was Tempest still grinning?

The hook was propelled with all the strength in Sweetie Drops' body. The same force that had felled beasts the size of Manehattan skyscrapers in one blow. The force that had managed to take out ten hulking masses of muscle mere minutes ago. This was the kind of force that would shatter boulders, put dents in mountains, or fell dozens of trees with one strike.

This insane force met a mere unicorn's raised foreleg.

And stopped short.

Resultant wind whipped their manes and tails every which way, peeling parts of the cobbled street clear off. Tempest's ebony armor bent and warped, even rupturing slightly at the point of impact. Both ponies slid across the ground for several feet, but the smile never left her face.

And then Tempest returned a punch.

Perhaps it was the impossibility of it. No unicorn could be as strong as an earth pony, it just simply wasn't possible. And Sweetie Drops was a prodigy! One with decades of experience in the field, years spent training her strength. Her cutie mark was three wrapped bon bons, a candy high in sugar which boosted magic. Bon bons were a staple of Prance and signified power and protection. The agent had every right to block a physical attack from a unicorn, and doing so would probably shatter every bone in her assailant's leg!

Only, that didn't happen. When the strike connected, Sweetie Drops felt the sheer power behind it. Her eyes bulged just in time for her to be violently thrown away by the force.

The grass of Sweetie's small front lawn tasted dry and dirty. She made a mental note to water it more often, then yanked her muzzle out of the ground. Her harness was glowing red again, which meant at least some of the impact hadn't gone through. Her leg ached and was already beginning to bruise. A quick check of her internal mana pool revealed she was about halfway spent, and fighting the soldiers hadn't taken much at all.

Sweetie knew she needed to end this fast. If only the swaggering unicorn stalking towards her had a weakness.

"The Storm Kingdom excels in the art of alchemy," Tempest explained, coming to a stop some yards away. "Potions have really developed there, to the point that you'd be surprised at what we can accomplish." Sweetie stood, dusting herself off while warily eyeing her opponent.

"Like boosting the strength of a unicorn to match an earth pony?"

The commander's grin widened in answer.

"I'm under the effects of a slew of them right now. They boost my performance to...unprecedented levels." Sweetie Drops scoffed, reeling in her hooks under the watchful eye of her enemy.

"You realize you've told me exactly how to win, right? I just need to stall for time long enough for your potions to wear off." Tempest didn't seem too worried about this. In fact, if her smile deepened any further, it risked splitting her dark purple face right open.

"And all I need to do is get in long enough to find your son..." She turned away and towards the front door, but wasn't able to take more than a step or two before a launched hook flew towards her head. It ricocheted off her raised foreleg and Sweetie was already galloping forward with the other clenched in her teeth.

The exchange to follow went so fast, there was no room for anything other than pure instinct. She attacked, she blocked, she parried, she punched, she swung, she dodged. Through all of it, her opponent kept up blow for blow.

When Tempest fired an electric beam, her adamantine hook knocked it aside. When Tempest threw a hoof forward, the same hook blocked, creaking and straining under the power. When Tempest lashed out with a kick, she took a risk and looped the chain around her leg. Much to Sweetie's disappointment, the silvery links immediately snapped apart. Worse, the kick continued and connected with her chest.

What Tempest didn't know was that the other hook had dug into the back of her armor, pulling her along for the ride. Both ponies went tumbling across the drying grass, trading blows as they went. Tempest landed on top and proceeded to stomp her hoof into the ground. It punched straight through Sweetie's curls after she jerked her head out of the way. Her returning strike connected with her opponent's breastplate, which dented and cracked under the pressure.

Tempest didn't look impressed, shooting another projectile at point-blank range. With her legs caging Sweetie in, she wouldn't normally have been able to dodge. How lucky that her hook wrapped around one and pulled, leaving space to roll away.

Tempest wasn't fast enough to dodge the slash that followed. Pure adamantine bit right through ebony armor and sunk into flesh, which immediately began bubbling. A shame that Sweetie also wasn't fast enough to dodge the answering blast, which connected and once more sent her flying away, dislodging her hooks from both her grip and Tempest's leg.

The agent landed on the street this time, skidding across for some feet before coming to a stop. She rose, panting for breath like a tired dog, and noted that only one hook was still attached to her glowing harness. The other was stuck in the ground next to Tempest, who trotted up to it and reached out, pulling the weapon from the bubbling, liquefying grass. The commander raised Sweetie's hook up to her face, inspecting it with an unreadable expression.

"That's a nice little war crime you've got, there." The unicorn's gaze flickered between the glistening adamantine and her injured foreleg, nodding in appreciation. The air lit up as she shot herself with lightning, presumably to cauterize the wound, all without flinching once. After a moment, she finished and gave the hook a few test swings while Sweetie noticed the cut in her armor had apparently closed. "Still, it's not really my style."

Having been casually tossed, the weapon clattered to a halt inches away from the earth pony, who didn't hesitate to loop a new length of chain through its handle and return it to her side. With a sudden realization, she shot her attention back to her opponent, who, much to her relief, was still standing placidly on the lawn, watching her work.

The mares had switched places since the beginning of the fight, but several differences were apparent. Special Agent Sweetie Drops was clearly the worse for wear, while the only signs of a skirmish on Commander Tempest Shadow were the dents and scratches on her pitch black armor.

Despite her goal, the fallen unicorn had not turned back to run into the house. When Sweetie's gaze flickered between the two, she shook her proud head and grinned again.

"Nah, I won't run ahead while your back is turned, in case you were wondering. I intend to finish you first, since that'll be a lot more fun." Tempest began stalking forward again, her shattered horn stump crackling with limitless energy. "I've heard so much about you, Sweetie Drops. I was so excited when I learned I'd get to face you in battle. The great prodigy herself, fighting little old me." The earth pony panted, steeling herself and what dregs were left of her reserves once more.

"What are you?"

That creepy little grin was haunting. Sweetie swore she'd see it in her dreams, if she managed to live through this.

"A long time ago, a starry-eyed little filly went out into the big, wide world, filled with the promise of adventure." Tempest stalked forward, causing the cobblestoned street to rattle and shake. "She traveled wide and went far, amazed at the wonders Equus had to offer. But then she got into trouble." Sweetie slowly backed up, but came to a stop when her rump hit the side of the parked airship. Tempest continued, unceasingly. "That little filly needed to find a way to settle her debts, before she got taken away for good."

Sweetie was given a harsh reminder of her prey animal nature. She almost swore she could see fangs in Tempest's unhinged grin. She was close, now. Far too close for comfort. The purple unicorn leaned in, less than a foot away. "That little filly was my mother," Sweetie's eyes bulged in surprise and no small amount of fear, while Tempest's grin became the widest it had ever been. "And me? I'm the thing she sold to keep her precious freedom."

This time, the shot was visibly charged before it fired, giving the agent just enough time to duck out of the way. This avoided a direct hit, but then the beam punched right through the airship she'd backed up against, which promptly exploded. The resultant fireball blinded Sweetie, throwing her another few yards away. When she risked a peek upwards, she saw a tall silhouette, backlit by the pillar of flames, once again approaching.

It seemed entirely unaffected by the fire, though how that was she couldn't comprehend. Groaning, Sweetie brushed singed locks of mane out of her face, the curls having utterly unraveled. Black soot stained her back and she noticed her harness was fraying. These details almost distracted her from the bolt of cyan lightning coming her way.

Sweetie lifted her remaining hook in an attempt to block, but cried out when most it of arced into her. A hoof swung down while she was prone--how was Tempest so fast?--and this she managed to intercept. Her hook was torn out of her grip while Tempest's head angled down. The shot to follow struck Sweetie right in her chest.

Coughing, grimacing in pain, she tumbled away. Tempest pursued and pinned her to the rocky path. Sharp scraps of metal from the explosion dug into her shoulders, drawing blood. Sweetie's harness had torn in several places and its red glow was fading. A sharp flick of the chain brought her hook back in time to parry Tempest's punch, but it went flying away again thanks to her weak hoof-fields.

Sweetie was only fast enough to recover the hook in time for the next punch. Tempest reeled back again and again, thrusting the same hoof towards the agent's grimacing face. With each blow, the adamantine creaked under the power.

Tempest Shadow's final strike was different. Her foreleg became wreathed in pulsing electricity and, when it came down, the hook shattered under the pressure.

Sweetie Drops' returning strike was weak in comparison. It didn't even put another dent in Tempest's armor. The commander almost looked disappointed, shaking her head.

Then she backhooved Sweetie across the lawn.

She felt her harness come apart during the roll. She felt hope leave her, as well. She came to a stop only after slamming into the front wall of her shop, scarcely able to raise her head.

"I had hoped for better, Sweetie Drops."

Wheezing, the agent attempted to stand, but collapsed.

"I suppose I'll have to finish this, then."

No...

A shattered horn charged again, somehow. What conduit was left began glowing, but the main feature was the orb of raw, crackling energy forming about the stump. Sweetie raised a bruised, bleeding leg, but knew deep down that it was futile. She'd failed. Lost. All it'd taken was another pony with access to mana and her years of success in combat were worthless.

I'm sorry...

This beam of magic was unstoppable. It lit the very sky, visible for miles as it streaked towards her home. Sweetie's teary eyes closed, her ears flicking back as they heard it draw ever closer.

Suddenly, the sound muted. Sweetie assumed she'd been hit already and her senses were leaving, but then she jumped when a furious crackling noise erupted from every side. Opening her eyes revealed the beam having split down the middle, fanning out to just about every direction but hers. The cause of this, situated precious inches from Sweetie's prone form, was indisputably a solid slab of...

...Thaunon?

Tempest quickly caught on to the fact that her death ray wasn't doing its job. When she cut the power, Sweetie's vision cleared enough for her to look across the lawn and at--

--Knight!

--who stood some yards away, proudly staring Tempest down.

"You won't hurt her!" He called, stepping forward. The commander sharply turned to leer out at him, raising a brow. "You want me, right?" At Tempest's nod, the colt snorted and dipped his head. "You won't hurt me, either." Knight's conduit glowed a strong grey while the horn sprung to life, summoning a slew of pole-shaped strips of Thaunon all around him. These rods--easily numbering over forty total--arrayed themselves parallel to the ground in a wide arc above the foal, shimmering in the fading sun's light.

"I won't let you."

Tempest didn't hesitate. Knight had barely finished his statement when a veritable river of lightning rushed towards him. A solitary rod of Thaunon zipped forth, splitting the beam in half like it was the simplest thing in the world. Both halves flew past him while Tempest switched strategies, angling her head upwards. She galloped closer, firing off several rays of power that each took different, curving paths toward their target.

It only took one rod each to block the projectiles. Knight furrowed his brows, focusing on each different attack in rapid succession before they were stopped in their tracks. Tempest had to take a roundabout route, still letting off shots that hung in the air, continually fizzling against the Thaunon. One rod was held behind the colt and made to rotate about its axis. Once it was spinning fast enough, Knight let his counterattack loose, aimed low at the commander's running legs.

Tempest was forced to hurdle over the rotating rod of doom, which zipped right through the ground on its way under. Grass and dirt went spraying up while its path curved around, angling back towards the armored unicorn. Tempest dodged again, even ducking out of the way when the five-foot-long rod split lengthwise into two mid-pass. She danced expertly around the dangers, focused on their every unpredictable move.

So focused that she didn't see the third rod until it was too late.

Smacked upside the head, the unstoppable Tempest Shadow sailed through the air, across the street, and right through the wall of a neighboring house. Sweetie Drops let out a cheer, feeling a proud grin settle itself about her face.

How ironic it was that the very 'weapon' Tempest was sent to destroy proved to be her downfall.

And yet, when the commander stepped out of the rubble, she was grinning, too. That same creepy grin that'd given Sweetie chills of horror earlier. Tempest was standing tall, about as tall as Big Macintosh, which the agent hadn't fully registered before. Tempest's sparking horn stump created rapid white flashes, too. The earth pony's heart dropped as she realized.

Knight stared right at his adversary as she stalked forward. Suddenly, his proud, determined squint devolved into a fearful frown. The colt's ears and tail tucked themselves tight against his body. His horn's light faded away, as did all the rods. Because why bother trying to use them? They hadn't saved him on the airship. They didn't work with HER. Now Colza was back, somehow standing just across the street.

Another beam launched across the sky, headed right for its prone target. Knight huddled vulnerably on the grass, too lost in traumatic memories to defend himself.

And then Lyra appeared.

Galloping into view, the third unicorn reached her son and leaped, grabbing him midair. The beam zipped right behind both of them, narrowly dodged, while they rolled across the grass. Lyra popped up, spoke into Knight's ear, then pushed him towards Sweetie while ignoring the beam impacting their house.

The colt scampered towards the agent's prone form while both unicorn mares faced off. He reached her and skidded to a halt, white eyes roving all across her battered form.

"Are you okay, Momma?" Sweetie Drops coughed in response and attempted to stand again. Knight looked concerned and rushed under her, helping with the arduous task. Seeing him look so worried, it reminded her why she'd been fighting. The fact that she'd all but given up a minute ago disgusted her, now. Sweetie managed a smile and, filled with renewed strength, managed to stand unaided.

"Yes, Sugar. I'll manage." After glancing up at the unicorn face-off happening yards away, a question formed in her mind. "Knight?" The colt's ears perked and he looked up at her, wide-eyed. "How fast can your Thaunon travel?" He blinked, edging closer.

"Speed depends on size. Bigger pieces move slower."

And I know summoning it takes really long, too. If he's to keep up with the pace of battle, that won't do.

"Then stick to smaller ones, alright? Tempest is fast." At his affirming nod, she took a few testing steps forward, wincing. Knight rushed to help her, but was so small and physically weak that he couldn't really do much.

Meanwhile, Lyra Heartstrings stared down Tempest Shadow, who by then had made her way back to the grass.

"You're the wife, I presume?"

Lyra made no move to respond in any capacity. She just stared, darkly, with an unreadable expression.

"Not a big chatter, I see," Tempest mused, eyeing her up and down. "How do you plan to fight me? I hope not with spells." In answer, Lyra magically raised her golden lyre from behind. Tempest scoffed, rolling her eyes. "A musician? What are you going to do, play badly?"

But Tempest had missed two very important, pivotal, crucial details: Firstly, the lyre was holding so much charged magic that its glow rivaled the sun itself.

And secondly, Lyra was very, very angry.

With the sound of an electric guitar strumming a power chord, she released the stored energy. Thousands of blazing, magical motes spread out from the source, washing all of Ponyville with golden light. Each softball-sized sun arced outwards a ways before closing in on its target. Tempest had just enough time to let her eyes bulge and her mouth form an acute 'O' before being introduced to a world of pain.

An explosion to dwarf all the others took place, creating an impossibly-strong wind that blew the shop's sign right off, sending it tumbling away. In fact, anything within a rather wide range that was hanging up or loose enough on the ground was suddenly relocated.

Sweetie Drops, having been limping towards her wife, now inched a few steps back.

Once the dust cleared, Tempest was revealed to be lying on her back in the middle of a sizable crater. Her once-dark-pink mane was now recolored a most interesting shade of soot-black. What was left of it, at least. Her armor had broken and shattered in several places, revealing a purple coat beneath. She didn't so much as twitch, just lying there in her pit.

Lyra, who'd been stooped and panting for breath from the exertion, straightened and huffed, turning away. She even went so far as to kick some grass behind her, as a dog does when it's finished relieving itself.

Lyra paused, though, when manic laughter echoed out from inside the hole. Upon turning back, she saw that the commander had risen and was brushing herself off, her signature grin having returned.

"Oh, I haven't seen a display like that in a long time. Bravo to you, Mrs. Musician. I've certainly underestimated you." Cracking her neck with several pops, the commander hopped out of the pit in a single smooth bound. "Still, it'll take much more than that to get rid of me." By that point, Sweetie had made it some feet from her wife's side and regained some strength, enough that she wasn't completely out of commission. Knight stood between them, his determined expression back in full force. Lyra's glare came back and she readied her lyre, which levitated off to the side.

All three ponies were standing in a formation, staring down at their enemy. Said enemy looked around at each of them, chuckling to herself. "My my, it's quite a little squad you've got here, Special Agent Sweetie Drops. This fight may turn out to be evenly-matched after all."

Standing there, supported by her loved ones after foolishly thinking she could protect them against anything herself, the earth pony was reminded of something.

"My name isn't Sweetie Drops. And I'm not an agent anymore." She locked eyes with her son, nodding in acknowledgment, which he returned. A similar gesture was performed with her wife. One final plan formed in her head. They'd beat this enemy, and they'd do it together.

"My name is Bon Bon Heartstrings.

And you've messed with the wrong family."

Tempest lashed out towards Knight with a beam of power. He shrunk back, both from the beam and the manic grin on her face. His barrier was manifesting itself far too slowly to block, but an intercepting ray from Lyra redirected the attack just in time.

Tempest turned her attention to Lyra, dashing forwards and extending a lightning-charged hoof. Rather than attempt to block it herself, Lyra levitated Bonnie's remaining adamantine hook over to her from across the street. She plucked a few fast chords on her lyre, which surrounded Tempest in a soft yellow glow. Some kind of slowing field, but it didn't last long before the magic was absorbed by her armor.

When the commander continued her lunge, it almost looked like it would connect. Too bad, then, that a launched bit of adamantine slammed right into her chest. Tempest was sent sprawling midair, but she let off a flurry of projectiles even before hitting the ground.

These magical bolts arced towards Bon Bon, who was too preoccupied steadying herself after the throw to dodge. Disks of shimmering grey matter appeared, blocking each ray. A few extras zipped towards Tempest, all while Knight's brows furrowed in concentration.

Perhaps it was instinct, but after dodging nearly all of them, Tempest reeled back and let loose a punch at the last disk. Her foreleg, wreathed in magical energy, crackled as it swung, while a simple circle, mere inches in diameter, stood in the way. When the strike connected, rather than the disc being sent flying like she thought, instead her leg crumbled in on itself.

The Thaunon continued on its path, unaffected by anything, while Tempest burrowed into the earth like a crippled mole. When she rose, though, her fearsome expression and formidable height caused each disk to fade away.

They did so just in time for a beam of yellow light to erupt from Lyra's instrument, accompanied by the sound of a harsh, dissonant chord. Tempest answered with a beam of her own, which connected and pushed back, placing the two in a test of wills.

When the hook flew once again at her face, the commander knocked it into the sky with a punch. Still locked in place by the clashing beams, she glared and shoved harder. Lyre grimaced and lost ground, shining yellow giving way to crackling blue. Bonnie rushed forth to intercept, but was shoved away. Knight recovered, shaking his head, and lit his horn again, but that was far too slow.

The crackling blue beam forced itself all the way against the yellow. When the lyre gave out, Lyra clutched at her horn. Bon Bon grabbed it out of midair while Tempest's shot went wide. Spinning, the earth pony launched her wife's golden instrument right into the commander's face.

Grunting, she shook her head and let off another shot. This happened just in time for the adamantine hook to fall from the heavens, guided by Lyra's levitation right into Bonnie's waiting hooves. This bolt was redirected with a well-timed swing, but her weakened grip meant the hook went flying again. Leaping forward, Bon Bon grabbed the fallen lyre and threw it once more, scoring a solid hit.

Left with no means of defense, she could only stumble as the answering blast sailed towards her. Sailed, that was, until a thin sheet of grey matter appeared, blocking it all perfectly. The bottom section separated, forming two razor-thin squares that Tempest was forced to dodge.

Knight galloped around the outside, while Lyra repositioned herself, snagging her lyre from the ground on her way. The Heartstrings formed a triangle around their aggressor, whom they proceeded to show who was boss.

First, a thin slab of Thaunon smacked Tempest in the chin, disorienting her. Next, three orbs of yellow light impacted her from one side, stumbling her. Then, a hook slammed right into her barrel, tearing off a large section of armor.

This naked section was aimed for by a streak of yellow light. Tempest dodged, but that only sent her in the path of a spinning rod of Thaunon. This she futilely shot at before being pummeled by. Having dug into the earth, she was in the perfect spot to get hit with a punishing buck.

Tempest flew, but wasn't able to get far before being surrounded in a yellow glow. It was quickly absorbed, but not in time to avoid redirecting her path right into a floating grey wall. Bouncing painfully off, Tempest fell quite nicely onto Bon Bon's raised hoof.

She dug into the earth again, right in the path of a curving beam of magic that had first arced into the sky, then angled down at the location she'd landed. Again, her armor absorbed most of it, but that same wall of Thaunon came floating down atop her. Galloping out of the way just in time led her back to where Bon Bon was standing, right into her prepared punch.

Sailing backwards, Tempest landed on top of the wall, which tipped back up, sliding her into Lyra's beam of yellow. This knocked her aside, into the path of the flying grey rod, which otherwise would have missed. Fed up, Tempest attached herself to the ground and fired at the unicorns, but her back was turned and she had no choice but to accept a lovely hoof sandwich from the earth pony.

Letting out a scream of rage, Tempest Shadow stood after bouncing yards away and unleashed her mana.

A dome of raw power spread outwards from her horn, frying anything it touched as it expanded across the ground. This dome was just slow enough that Knight could summon barriers around himself and his mothers, but that meant they could only watch as the whole block sizzled under the might. Bon Bon's Bon Bons burst into flames and houses in every direction did the same, while every bit of vegetation shriveled and died.

The blast radius was immense. Everything in sight was electrocuted and the growing dome of power went far beyond that. The sky cleared above, each cloud in the way immediately shocked out of existence. The Heartstrings huddled in their spheres, watching the fallout around them with wide eyes.

Finally, the dome of mana faded away and Tempest stomped towards Knight's sphere.

"You think yourself safe in there, don't you? I'm not fooled." Her horn blazed to life again and the colt's eyes bulged. "All I have to do is trace your mana back to its origin, I'm told." Knight flinched back as though struck by some force, while Tempest's sneer intensified. Her creepy grin was long gone, now. "All that's left is a test of wills. I just need to shove against your inner walls until they come crashing down."

She slammed a hoof against the barrier and, while it didn't so much as creak, she saw with satisfaction that her target whimpered and recoiled away. Tempest had fired a steady stream of crackling magic at the shield, mostly for show, but also because it helped her focus. Doing this sort of high-finesse operation was difficult and required much concentration thanks to her shattered horn.

Tempest Shadow knew many things. She knew that, once her mission was finished, the Storm Kingdom's annexation of Equestria was assured. She knew that she was seconds away from completing said mission, and would receive nothing but praise for her work upon returning. She knew that her intelligence had been right about essentially everything, but made a note to have the mole taken care of once this was all over. No one could know too much, after all.

Tempest knew many things. There was little relevant information that she didn't have at her disposal.

That said, there were two things she didn't know. The first being that, in her efforts to shatter her prey's barrier, two other spheres had fallen.

The second?

Tempest was woefully unfamiliar with raw maternal fury.

This would be remedied immediately, of course.

When the commander was hit soundly on either side of her head by a golden lyre and crimson hook respectively, every scrap of focus was understandably shaken apart. She wobbled there, her eyes wheeling in place, for just long enough for Knight to recover. When Tempest growled and was about to execute the mares on either side of her, the Thaunon sphere she'd been working so hard to destroy flew forward and smacked her square in the face.

Tempest responded, but not fast enough to avoid being closed in on all sides by a sphere of her own. Knight was kind enough to provide air holes as the prison floated there, suspended in the air. She yelled, punching, kicking and blasting, but soon realized the futility of such things.

With a second to stand there, collecting her composure, the bruised, bleeding and now-mostly-unarmored commander sat, staring down at her captors with a neutral expression.

"It seems you've won." Bon Bon nodded, brushing her draping, singed bangs out of her face.

"A matter of time until your potions wear off. Knight can crush you anytime if you try something funny. You've seen what his powers can do." Those words were mostly a bluff, of course, but she didn't need to know that. Tempest sighed almost daintily and laid down, resting her head on her hooves.

"That's quite the weapon you've raised. Still, you'll never stop the actual invasion in time. His Highness has already harnessed your rulers' magic by now."

Just then, everypony's heads whipped towards Mt. Canterhorn as a deep rumbling echoed across the land. They watched with faces ranging from shock to horror as the dozens of airships became clumped together before rising speedily into the sky. A firework display to end all firework displays took place above Canterlot, like a miniature supernova. The sky was instantly covered in dust and they could watch even from there as debris rained down.

Tempest could only look for another few seconds before her eyes rolled back in her head and she promptly fainted.

Knight let out a loud gasp, his eyes roving emptily as his horn fiercely glowed. Lyra ducked down beside him, her brows creasing in worry.

"What is it, Sugar?"

Both mares gaped at his response.

"Thaunon..." he muttered weakly, "it...it's Thaunon." Bon Bon shook her head in denial.

"Is it yours, then? It has to be yours, right?" But Knight merely confirmed their fears, still staring vacantly towards the crumbling towers of Canterlot.

"No. Not mine. It's somepony else's."

Stormy Night had awakened.

Author's Notes:

Please help. This took forever to write. UwU