Fool Moon, Part 17 (Sisters of Sun and Moon)

>A series of shocked gasps sound from behind and around you, as Rarity, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash all gasp at Blueblood's declaration.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
>You twitch again, getting a hand under you, but the clanking of metal above you stops you cold.
>The smug unicorn Prince smiles down at you.
>"You know what I'm talking about, Anonymous. We had a conversation about it, did we not? Well, it seems your dirty little secret's been outed."
>At that moment you want nothing more than to knock his fucking horse teeth in.
"You smug little shit-eating-"
>Your tirade is cut off by one of the guard slamming the flat end of his spear into your side.
>"You will speak only when spoken to, scum."
>Blueblood nods at the guard.
>"Thank you, guardsman."
>Twilight, her voice choked with fury, begins shouting.
>"Anonymous' crimes weren't his FAULT, Blueblood!"
>The Prince doesn't turn around, pretending to examine his hoof.
>"That would be Prince Blueblood, Miss Sparkle."
>"And that doesn't explain Rarity, either! You ASSAULTED her! An Element of Harmony! Tha-"
>Blueblood looks up from his hoof, false concern marring his features.
>"Guard, did I assault an Element of Harmony just now? I can't quite recall."
>One of the Royal Guards holding a spear above you speaks up.
>"Sir, no sir. You disciplined this would-be-murderer's accomplice."
>Rarity, who has been busy nursing her cheek with a hoof, widens her eyes.
>"Accomplice!? Blueblood, you scoundrel, what madness is this!?"
>Blueblood's smile grows even wider.
>"Aiding and abetting a criminal IS an offense, 'Lady' Rarity. For which I place you under arrest, as well."


>Rarity's shock and confusion is clear on her face.
>"What!? But I...I didn't...he's not even..."
>Blueblood takes advantage of her confusion, that viperish smile growing steadily on his face.
>"You didn't what? Take him in, while he tried and almost succeeded in killing three of your friends? While he burglarized a prominent pony's mansion? Try to secure his escape into Zebra lands with the help of some foreign witch?"
>Blueblood turns his spiteful gaze on Zecora, who glares back at him with silent, palpable hatred.
>The two hold those gazes for a moment, before Blueblood breaks away, moving back to you and Rarity.
>"I'm not sure how, Rarity, but he has corrupted you. Turned you on your own friends. To spare my beloved Aunt the grief of taking you in herself, I came in person to apprehend the pair of you."
>If looks could kill, you and Rarity would have just killed Blueblood ten times over.
"You lying bastard."
>Rarity, as always, is more dignified, and more verbose.
>"That story is a load of horseapples, Blueblood! We brought him here to CURE him of the condition that CAUSED those attacks, not secure his escape! Zecora's no witch, she's a friend of the town! Anyp0ny of Ponyville will tell you the same! I'm not taking him in because he's corrupted me, you imbecile, I'm taking care of him because he's my friend!"
>She's shouting now, and rising onto her forehooves, but Blueblood's horn flashes, and in a second, his spear is right in front of her face.
>Twilight and Rainbow Dash shout and rush forward, but two guards break off from you to head them off.
>"That's an interesting tale, if true, Rarity."
>He raises an eyebrow.
>"It's a shame no one will ever believe it."


>Rainbow Dash lets out a furious shout from behind you.
>"YOU'RE A BUCKING SNAKE, BLUEBLOOD! This Anonymous THING might be a monster, but Rarity's no criminal for trying to help it! She was trying to stop him from turning into that thing that hurt Fluttershy, that's all! She didn't know about the crimes it was doing!"
>Rarity does the worst possible thing she could have done at that moment.
>She blushes and looks down at the floor, ashamed.
>"I...I might have known about...."
"Rarity, no. Don't."
>She looks at you.
>"I'm not going to lie to her. Not now."
>Rainbow looks like she just got punched.
>"You...you didn't. Tell me you didn't, Rarity. Tell me you didn't know."
>Rarity turns and looks at her friend, sorrow in her eyes, but steel in her voice.
>"I knew. I knew about the robbery. I had Anonymous help pay back the Riches every bit. I knew about the attacks, after he told me about him changing. I knew it was him who hurt Fluttershy, just as I know that it is NOT his fault. He can't control himself in that state, Rainbow. That's why we came here. To cure him."
>Rainbow recoils, looking at her friend like she's looking at a snake.
>"You knew he was a criminal and lied about it?"
>Rarity's face is stone.
>"He could not control himself, Rainbow Dash. And we repaid the robbery, with interest. It's-"
>"That's not the BUCKING POINT! You didn't tell us, Rarity!"
>Rarity flinches, and Rainbow chooses that moment to twist the knife.
>"You didn't tell us anything! Not about the robbery, anything! Blueblood's right. This thing's twisted you."
>In a roar of wind and rainbow colored light, Rainbow hurls herself out of Zecora's front door.


>Blueblood's twisted smile grows even wider.
>"Oh, now that is rich. You knew this animal's little secret, Rarity? And you kept it from your own friends? How devious."
"Shut up, Blueblood."
>You feel a spear jab your back, but you keep talking.
"Shut the fuck up, before I kill you."
>Blueblood chuckles.
>"Do you see, gentlecolts? This thing has such a ferocious appetite for violence. That's why we cannot allow it to tell others of its kind about our fair land. This is why-"
>"Shut up, Blueblood."
>His head whips around to glare at Rarity.
>He then recoils at the ferocious look of hatred on her face, and the tears in her eyes.
>"You are a lying, rotten sack of filth. I am at a loss to explain what I ever saw in you."
>Blueblood's only reply to her is another smile.
>He then turns to the guards.
>"Put them both in shackles, then put them on my personal chariot. I will return to Canterlot first."
>"Wait."
>Everyone glances over at Twilight Sparkle, who's been silent the entire time, staring at the floor.
>"I'm coming with you."
>Blueblood flashes her another of his smiles.
>"But of course, Miss Sparkle. You are, after all, my dear Aunt's most faithful student. It would be remiss of me not to bring you. Guard, bring her in the second chariot."
>Twilight glances up, looking over at Rarity with an unreadable expression.
>Rarity looks back at her, silently pleading.
>Twilight looks away from her, and walks out the door.
>Rarity looks down at her hooves and closes her eyes.
>Blueblood smiles, and turns to his guard.
>"Put the pair of them in the back of my chariot."
>Cold metal clamps down on your wrists and Rarity's limbs, and you are dragged outside.


>This is not how you figured your first ride in a flying chariot would go.
>You had never really thought about what it would be like to ride in a flying chariot, but stuffed in the back with your crying best friend (who was also a miniature horse) was not how you would have pictured it if you had.
>You grimace as Rarity lets out a quiet sob again, and you struggle to give her a comforting hug with your chained together arms.
"Ssssh. It's gonna be okay. This Princess of yours is nice, right? You know her, she knows you. You didn't do anything wrong. You're gonna be okay, Rarity."
>"B-but Rainbow and T-twilight..."
"Will forgive you. They're upset, yeah, because you weren't honest with them. But that's not your fault. That's mine. I lied, and I asked you to lie for me. You're innocent, Rarity. You've got nothing to worry about."
>She shakes her head, and you rear back to avoid getting a horn to the nose.
>"That's not true, Anonymous. I've got you to worry about."
>The pair of you smile at each other.
"Well, not all the news is dark. Whatever was in that thing of Zecora's, it worked. The beast is dead."
>She moves her hooves around you in an awkward hug, nuzzling your arm.
>"Well I'm glad something good came out of this disaster!"
>You chuckle, and she lets out a sad giggle, before the pair of you are interrupted by another laugh.
>"How touching."
>You and Rarity glare up at Blueblood, who is smirking at the pair of you from the front seat.
>"No, really, continue. I think I was tearing up at that last bit."
>The pair of you silently glare at him, and he chuckles before turning around.


>You ride like that for a while, in silence, you and Rarity glaring at the back of Blueblood's head, him smiling to himself.
>You have a low tolerance for smug silence.
"Why the hell are you doing all this? Me, Rarity? What crawled up your furry ass and died?"
>He remains silent, and for a while, you think he's ignoring you.
>"Because you were right about Celestia."
>You feel Rarity stiffen next to you, but both of you let Blueblood continue.
>"She is kind, benevolent, wise, loving, and caring. She's everything one could want in a mother. And nothing one could want in a ruler. She's weak. Indecisive. Fearful."
>You look over at Rarity, who shrugs at your confused expression.
>Blueblood continues talking.
>"The tales say that back in the early days, when my ancestors still ruled Equestria through the line of Platinum, she was fiery. Vibrant. She would burn foreign armies to ash one day and teach our mightiest unicorns in the ways of magic the next. She was our shining protector. Celestia the Undimmed, they called her."
>He snorts.
>"And then Discord came. And the line of Platinum fell, and he ruled Equestria. Then Celestia unseated him, and she and her madmare of a sister became our rulers. Under their rule, Equestria has grown soft and weak and ignorant. We have no standing army any longer. We have foreigners, immigrants and invaders by the hundreds. The griffins smile at us to our faces and plot to kill us behind our backs. The dragons have their migrations right through our town and burn and kill as they go. Look at the events of the royal wedding. The changelings invaded us with ease, and were it not for that timely warning, we'd be ruled by bugs."

>"But what does that have to do with Celestia?"
>Blueblood turns in his seat to glare at Rarity.
>"She was worthless during the changeling crisis. Worthless during the escape of Discord. Less than worthless when her mad sister tried to bring eternal night to Equestria."
>His face contorts in an expression of absolute hatred.
>"Foreigners and immigrants, like that filthy Zebra friend of yours, infest Equestria, and she does nothing. The griffins bluster and threaten us, and she does nothing. Dragons rampage through the land and bathe whole towns in smog, and she does nothing. The changelings are still out there, plotting and scheming, and what does she do?"
"Uh...wild guess here, but nothing?"
>He glares at you.
>"Your wit does not do you credit. Celestia is letting this country drown, because she is too afraid to make hard decisions. She has become reliant on the Elements of Harmony solving her problems for her."
>Rarity snorts.
>"And so because the Princess relies on the most powerful magical artifacts known to ponykind, this makes her weak?"
>"But of course, Rarity. With all her power and her age and her wisdom, she leaves the realm to suffer while she waits on you and your trinkets to come to her rescue. Equestria cannot survive like that. We cannot live with a weak, worthless ruler. Equestria needs new blood, a new ruler on the throne."
>You know where this is going.
>So, apparently, does Rarity.
>"And let me guess. The throne needs you in particular?"
>"Of course it does. She usurped the crown from its rightful place upon my bloodline's brow, and then squanders the power she stole."
"So why tell us all this insane shit?"
>"I'm offering you a second chance. Help me save Equestria."


>Rarity starts laughing.
>"Oh Blueblood, you pathetic little idiot. What makes you think I'd EVER help you in such an insane goal?"
"You know, when you offered the first time, I thought you were arrogant. Now I see you're just insane."
>He shrugs off both of your comments.
>"Nothing more than I expected, but I felt I had to try. It hurts me to see potential subjects abandon their proper roles out of misplaced sentiment."
"Uh...huh. You need help. Serious mental help."
>Rarity giggles at your comment before speaking.
>"Honestly, Blueblood, how daft are you? You've essentially just revealed yourself to be plotting against the Princess, not just to Anon, but to myself as well. You've arrested the pair of us on trumped-up charges that the Princess will be able to see through immediately, and you've assaulted my person in the sight of the guards. The minute we get to Canterlot, your life is essentially over. One word from us and you'll be tossed in jail, if not exiled."
>He clicks his tongue, shaking his head in disappointment.
>"Rarity, Rarity, Rarity, I expected better from you. After all, you understand politics."
>She raises an eyebrow.
>"Explain."
>"It's assured that the Princess will drop the, admittedly false, charges once you explain your pet monster's...condition. What the Princess believes doesn't matter. It's what the ponies believe, Rarity. And when I'm finished with the both of you, your word won't be worth a tin bit."
>He smiles at you both again.
>"Now then, hold on to your shackles. We're here."
>His horn glows, and the carriage dips sharply downward.


>You and Rarity have time to glance at each other and gulp before the carriage dives downward, towards one of the most colorful, noble cities you have ever seen.
>It looked like a rich man's dream castle, and you have to resist the urge to dive from the carriage and start plundering.
>Shackles are no obstacle when there's dosh to be had.
>You are shaken from your thoughts by the sound of Blueblood's voice...
>And a rotten tomato to the face.
>"CITIZENS OF CANTERLOT! I RETURN VICTORIOUS. BEHIND ME LIES THE FOUL BEAST, THE TERROR OF PONYVILLE, AND THE POOR PONY HE HAS TRICKED TO AID HIM IN HIS FOUL SCHEME!"
>Your jaw drops, and Rarity rolls her eyes as ponies cheer on the Prince's declaration.
>You turn to look at Rarity as you duck another piece of rotten fruit.
"How the hell are they buying this?"
>She grins at you sheepishly as the carriage begins to make its way through the crowd.
>"Prince Blueblood has a certain...popularity. I'll admit that I was quite...taken with him before I met him in person."
>You open your mouth to reply, then sputter as a rotten potato finds its way in their.
>Much gagging and spitting over the carriage side later, you glare up at the Prince.
"That's just great then."
>Rarity frowns at you, apologetically, as more fruit flies your way.
>Blueblood wheels you through the crowd, waving his hoof and smiling, occasionally posing for a photograph.
>He flashes mares in the crowd his dazzling smile, and you roll your eyes as a few of them sigh.
>They're eating him up, and he knows it.
>Horns and fanfare announces your approach, and you perk up as an announcer speaks.
>"Presenting Princess Celestia of Equestria!"


>Several things happen at once.
>A massive pair of doors, the gilded entrance to Canterlot Castle, burst open to the fanfare of the crowd below.
>A magical aura envelops you and Rarity, hurling you from the chariot and onto the cold stone floor.
>And light bursts out from beyond the doorways, as blinding bright as the sun itself.
>Blueblood's armor jingles as he steps up between you and Rarity, giving his head a shallow bow.
>"I brought the monster and the traitor, as you requested, Auntie."
>As she requested? How twisted and crazy WAS this-
>"Unharmed, were the words I used, Prince Blueblood. Not naked, beaten, and shackled. And I told you specifically that the bearer of Generosity was not to be brought in. I am...disappointed, nephew."
>That voice....soothing, like balm over an open wound, or a cool drink of water on a hot day.
>You look up at what can only be Princess Celestia.
>She's less...impressive than you expected. She's taller than Rarity, definitely, and you're sure she'd come up to your chest if you were allowed to stand.
>She was white, not the white of a marshmallow, but the white of fresh snow, pure and fresh and cold.
>A pair of magenta eyes looked over you, and you struggled to derive some sort of intent from those purple orbs.
>Blueblood's voice snaps you out of your inspection.
>"I apologize, my Aunt. But I could not bring such a serious threat to Equestrian safety unshackled, could I? I only wished to keep you and our people safe. Another 'changeling' incident would be bad for us all."
>He smiles at Celestia, and you see her return the smile with one of her own. Both of them are as cold and cruel as a winter wind.
>"Your concern is noted, Nephew. Please, bring them inside my throne room."


>Blueblood sketches another shallow bow, before enveloping the pair of you in magic and dragging you up the steps like dirty luggage.
>Celestia flares her wings as the three of you make your way into her throne room, before snapping them closed.
>The doors to the Royal Court slam closed, and a few things come to your notice.
>One, the throne room is entirely empty.
>Two, the kind, benevolent, motherly Princess has been replaced with a cold, furious Monarch.
>"Was I not clear in my instruction, Blueblood? Should I have written them down, Sir Duke?"
>Celestia's voice is as cold as glacial ice, and you watch Blueblood recoil ever so slightly.
>Whatever trepidation he might be feeling, his attitude masks it well.
>"Forgive me, Princess. I was simply trying to save you from more shame at the hands of an enemy of Equestria. Perhaps I should have brought some cake to smooth things o-"
>Celestia erupts into a blazing pillar of white light and terrible heat.
>You, Rarity, and Blueblood all start screaming at once.
>"YOU GO TOO FAR, DUKE. LEAVE NOW, BEFORE I DO SOMETHING WE BOTH WILL REGRET."
>The noise of the shout pops your eardrums, and sends Blueblood scurrying from the room.
>A moment later, when your hearing comes back, you hear a dainty cough.
>"I apologize for that, creature. The Royal Canterlot Voice tends to have that effect."
>You wriggle around until you are looking upwards at the Princess.
>Rarity, already unchained, sits next to her, giggling at your shocked expression.
"What the fuck was tha-"
>Rarity gasps.
>"Anonymous! Language! This IS the Princess."
>You cough, and Celestia smiles.
>"Yes, it is. And I would like to have a talk with you, 'Anonymous.'"


>You don't like where this is going.
"Uh...about what?"
>She cocks one perfect eyebrow down at you, and Rarity facehoofs.
>"About the Element of Harmony in the hospital. About the Rich robbery. About the pictures I've received of you, a monster, attacking and trying to EAT my little ponies. Let's talk about that."
>Her voice grows much cooler as she talks, and you gulp.
"Ummm, sure. Can I get these shackles off, first?"
>Celestia's horn glows, and you hear a SNAP as the iron bonds on your limbs explode away.
>You casually glance to your side, at the molten ends of metal where there were once iron shackles.
>Note to self: Do not fuck with the Princess.
>You cough and get to your feet, awkwardly covering yourself as you do so.
"Err, this might be a bit forward, but humans don't normally walk around naked..."
>Rarity makes a frantic motion with her hooves, and Celestia grows a slight frown.
>Her horn glows, and you close your eyes, prepared for fiery death...
>Instead you are greeted with comfortable warmth. Your old dark clothing, complete with your cloak, and the pockets, and the leathers...
>You gulp. These were the clothes you were wearing when you robbed the Riches.
>"I duplicated what I saw in the photos the Duke so graciously provided. I trust they're too your liking."
"They're..." Rarity frantically shakes her head, "...perfect. Just perfect."
>"Good. Now come with me. Let us sit and talk. Blueblood is convinced that you're a threat, Anonymous, and I have trouble believing differently. You've tried to kill four of my subjects already. If Rarity had not vouched for you, I would have already ba-"
>She cuts off.
>"Ah, our Sister has returned. Let's have this talk together.”


>MOON.
>Oh fuck, not now.
>MOON.
>You feel the shattered shards of the dark half shift in your mind, struggling to wake up, to speak, to EXIST again.
>You look up, your eyes zero'ing in on the source of your mental disturbance.
>Another pony, almost as large as Celestia, midnight blue. Her mane is the night sky itself, and a moon adorns her flank.
>MOON.
>Yes, thank you, I wasn't quite sure what she-
>"Luna, it's good to see you, little sister."
>The midnight alicorn nods at her sister, smiling.
>"We are glad to be back, sister. No sign of the changelings, as usual. This is the beast?"
>She indicates you with a flick of her horn.
>Celestia nods, and you stiffen, a bit insulted.
>"It is. I was just in the process of...questioning it."
"I'm a he."
>The royal sisters both snap around to look at you, and Rarity sighs and facehoofs.
>"Excuse me?"
"I'm a he, not an it. Or a beast. I'm a human. My name is Anonymous."
>Celestia raises an eyebrow, while Luna glares.
>"What you are, 'Anonymous,' is a monster. You've attempted to MURDER our subjects! We have seen the photographs!"
>MOON.
"The photographs don't tell the whole story, Princess. If they did, do you really think Rarity would...do all she's done for me?"
>Celestia's eyebrow, if possible, raises even higher.
>"If those photographs don't tell the whole truth, than I suppose I will simply have to get it from you. Sister, please, raise the moon."
>MOON.
"Sure thing. Get comfortable, and I'll tell you everything."
>Celestia smiles.
>"That is not quite what I had in mind."
>Its your turn to raise an eyebrow. Then Celestia's horn glows, and you know no more.


>You blink as you come back around, sitting up and groaning.
>An endless plain of white greets your vision.
>The ground is studded with white stones and dark nooks, with rough, dying trees piercing the white clay.
>Something moves in those dark nooks, something tattered and torn, weak and dying, darting and crawling among those ho-
>"Interesting."
>You snap your head away from that wounded thing in the dark.
>You spot her a few feet away, glancing at the featureless plain with a bemused expression.
>"Now wonder she vouched for you. If THIS is what you think of her..."
"Get out of my head."
>Celestia turns back to look at you, chuckling.
>"Ah, but here, Anonymous, here I will find all the answers I need. You cannot lie to me here. Here, I will find the truth of things."
"You might not like that you did."
>"Is that a threat?"
"A warning."
>She smiles.
>"So bold. I like bold. Let us begin, then. With all of...this. If I may be a bit bold, why? Why Rarity? What hold do you have on her?"
>You snort.
"None. Look around you. Its the other way around."
>Celestia smiles again.
>"Very well then. The other way around. What about her keeps you so enthralled."
"She's the best thing that ever happened to me. She's something I never thought I'd find, never thought I'd need. She supports me, she cares for me, and she challenges me. She makes better, Celestia. A better man. She's..."
>Words fail you, as they always do when it comes to explaining her, even to yourself.
"She's the best friend I never thought I'd deserve."
>Celestia smiles.
>"I believe...she might be more than that, Anonymous. But she is not why I'm here. I'm here for the beast.”


>You freeze.
"What do you mean?"
>"This animal. This beast that you become. I don't see it here. You're hiding it from me. But your memories will not lie."
>Everything goes white.

>You are Anonymous. You are Celestia.
>You hate doing this.
>Every week, you visited her, with as much of your haul as you could spare.
>Even this week, after being mauled by that animal, you visited.
>You scowl as you kick discarded wine bottles out of the way.
>She was drunk, again, of course.
>Your beloved mother, sprawled out on her ratty couch, a wine glass in hand.
>"A...Anon? Izzat my boy?"
>You grimace at the stink of wine on her breath.
>"Come ta give me more o' yer dirty money, huh?"
>You didn't want to relive this. Celestia demanded it.
>You don't answer her, dumping out gold coins and jewelry on the floor.
>"Don' wan' that. Why'd ya say no, Anon? Ya have sucha pretty face. Shoulda joined the family bizness. 'Stead you're a no-good, rotten thief. A nothing, just like yer father!"
>You grimaced. She'd always berate you for this, for not becoming a whore like her. For stealing. But she always spent the money, no matter how much she complained.
>"You hear me, you son of a bitch!? You're a nothing!"
>Most of the time, you ignored it, waited for it to go away.
>Not tonight.
>Tonight, rage fills your heart at the sight of her, at the alchohol stink of her.
>The rage rises and grows until it's all there is.
>Until you black out, for the first time, the first night.
>Anonymous-Celestia is no more. Now there is only the Beast.
>And you hunger.


>Celestia only had the best intentions of all ponykind at heart.
>She'd see the truth of Anonymous, the same truth you saw, and she'd let him go.
>She'd see Blueblood for the monster he truly was, you were sure of it!
>The thought of him burns your blood.
>He'd falsely accused you, arrested you, and ASSAULTED you!
>He was long overdue for a sour turn of events. If you were a less level headed mare, you would march down to his chambers and beat him within an inch of his life.
>But you were a lady. You would handle this with grace. With dignity. With subtlety.
>A few rumors about Blueblood and his lady mage here and there...
>You smirked as you thought about it.
>"Why do you defend it?"
>You jump as Princess Luna addresses you, turning her attention from the serene unconsciousness of the Princess, and Anon's slack-jawed drooling.
"Princess?"
>"We ask you, why do you defend this creature? What does it mean to you?"
"Well...Anonymous is my friend, Princess. And he is accused of crimes he could not stop himself from committing. He's innocent!"
>"Even if that is true, why exert yourself in defense of a creature such as this? With such vigor. We have never seen the like. And we have seen much."
>Luna's cool inquiry irritates you, illogically.
"He's...Princess I can't really explain. He's...unique. Not a pony, perhaps, but he challenges me in ways that stallions and other mares do not. He's reckless, stupid, insane, frequently dirty, a textbook ruffian, and a bit of a brute sometimes, but he's...he's like my other half. Like a part of me was missing, before him."
>Luna opens her mouth to reply, but before she can, her sleeping sister gasps.
>And then starts screaming.


>"Permission to speak frankly, my Lord?"
"Of course, Amethyst Star."
>"You went too far."
>You laugh, and Razor chuckles.
"On the contrary, I don't think I went far enough. I want her unbalanced, Amethyst. Afraid, confused."
>Sparkler is not convinced.
>"Still, my Lord, you went too far. You involved an Element of Harmony for nothing but personal reaso-"
>Your magical grip on the wine glass' stem tightens with an audible crack.
"Now, my dear Magician, you go too far."
>Amethyst Star bows her head.
>"Of course, my lord. I apologize."
>Your good humor comes back immediately.
"No lasting harm done. Come, Sparkler, drink! Enjoy the night!"
>You, Razor, Amethyst Star, and a few of the Royal Guard waited outside the Throne Room, awaiting re-admission.
>And the return of the first wave of Royal Guards sent to receive Twilight Sparkle, of course.
>The studious purple mare had busied herself doing Celestia-knew what in the royal library.
>Razor rumbling and Sparkler shouting shakes you out of your thoughts.
>"My Lord! Your soldiers return!"
"It's about damn time."
>You squint up into the night sky, catching the vague outline of twelve guards winging their way towards you, a chariot in tow.
>Razor rumbles again.
>"They are not yours, Blueblood. Their meat, it stinks of death and rot."
>You watch as they wing closer, and something drops out of the chariot to land near you.
>A small, filly-sized shape, wrapped snugly in a thick, black cloak.
>It raises its head, and you recoil at the red liquid that drips from sharp teeth protruding under the hood.
>"What have you done with my sister? WHERE IS RARITY!?"