It has been four hours since Princess Celestia and her followers were forced to leave the Castle, and in that time frame Nightmare Moon and Iscariat accomplished a great deal. Combining their magical talents they made short work of restoring the Throne Room, save for the Prophecy Window that depicted Nightmare's first defeat; though Iscariat did save the pieces, due to their historical value. Once the Throne Room was back in order Nightmare Moon went about to alter it, and the rest of the Castle, to suit her personal tastes, while Iscariat fixed the damage done to the garden. During his repair of the garden, Iscariat found the snow globe that contained Discord, and though he was too weak to attempt to free the Chaos God, he did take the trapped Draconequus with him; concealed in a small sack he conjured. At approximately five o'clock, Iscariat was barely able to keep on his feet, and so Nightmare Moon insisted he seek out any room he desired while she finished her redecorating.

Iscariat sought respite in the same suite he slept four days ago, for no specific reason other than he knew its exact location, and so could teleport there with little difficulty. Placing the sack containing Discord inside the night stand draw, Iscariat simply got under the covers, and was instantly asleep. As he slept in total silence his mind tried to sort out everything that has transpired in the last twenty four hours, but it just couldn't, and not from a lack of trying; it just made no sense. Tossing and turning uncontrollably, Iscariat struggled to get some sleep, despite his body craving it to no end.

"Two bits for your thoughts, chief?" came a familiar voice, followed by the clang clang clanging of two bits landing on Iscariat's night stand.

"Discord? But how?" Iscariat asked, his body shooting off the bed, coated in sweat, and his breathing heavy. Looking around frantically for the source of the voice, but saw nothing other than darkness.  

"Um...check the night stand, Mr. Curator," Discord said with a snicker.

"I don't like playing your games, Discord," Iscariat replied leaping off the bed, and rummaging through the night stand till he extracted the snow globe. Placing the novelty item on the top of the night stand, Iscariat noticed that instead of snow it was raining lemon drops from clouds made out of sponge cake, the tiny replica buildings were now made of peanut brittle with a coat of coconut flakes, and the tiny Canterlot Castle was transformed into a ginger bread and ice cream palace. "What is all this?"

"Well I couldn't get out, so I thought I'd make the place more homey," Discord said catching some lemon drops and popping them into his mouth. "I just love sour candy, don't you?"

"You know I hate candy," Iscariat snapped, but Discord merely laughed.

"I wasn't asking you," Discord said, as he rolled around in a pile of powdered sugar.

"What are you babbling about, I'm the only other pony here," Iscariat said, but was instantly silenced when he saw that which he only heard fables about.

Strutting out of the ginger bread palace was Princess Celestia, and yet no the Princess, for even in his state of partial madness, Iscariat knew an artificial construct at first sight. This "imposter," as he has taken to mentally classifying it as, was a replica of Princess Celestia during her rebellious streak, in the era of Clover the Clever's term as Curator, but more importantly it was during the time she dated Discord. A closely guarded secret between Princess Celestia and all of Clover's predecessors, due to moral and political implications; not to mention just down right embarrassing. he imposter resembled the real Princess as she did five thousand years ago; instead of her teal and pink mane and tail, Princess Celestia dyed them pure black with yellow highlights; instead of a bare, but elegant visage, the Princess had a lightning bolt tattoo, her ears were each pierced by a single golden earring, around her neck were two gold necklaces of medium and small length, and lastly she wore a black leather vest with the words, "Lady Chaos," embroidered in blazing orange letters.

"Discord, what is this?" Iscariat asked, disgusted by this complete lack of respect to the Princess, even though he knew he didn't serve her anymore.

"This is a snow globe, I thought it was painfully obvious," Discord sarcastically retorted, as the fake Celestia used her magic to whip up a pond full of soda pop, and then divided in.

"Don't mock me Discord," Iscariat snapped, slamming his left hoof on the floor, and smashing the tile beneath it.

"Oh relax Iscariat, you are way too up tight," Discord said, as he cuddled up with the fake Celestia, and popped another lemon drop in his jaws.

"And you are annoying!" Iscariat said, completely distraught.

"Oh don't get angry, I just wanted to let you know how proud I 'am of your new personality," Discord said with a thumbs up, and a smiling grin. "I have to say I was very impressed, and amused, at what I saw, and heard, in the Canterlot Gardens. You and that little Changeling were even more amusing, it really took me back to my early years, but I digress. Truth be told, I wasn't too keen on Nightmare's revival, and I will always have a special place in my heart, and memories, for Luna, but after what I just witnessed...I don't think she is such a bad replacement for Celestia after all. I mean some pony who can alter you; the most boring, and antisocial pony in all of Equestria, in just one night; well color me impressed."

"You make no sense," Iscariat deadpanned.

"You know what your problem is?" Discord asked, as the fake Celestia flip flopped the ground with the sky inside the snow globe, and then performed a jig in the upside down lemon storm. "You can't just live in the moment, you always, always have to find some logic in it to accept the action as necessary or relevant. You have no drive, passion or personality. You are little more than an encyclopedia; thirsting only for the underlining facts or motives behind even the most basic of actions. Don't you see, you have become nothing short of a machine, and even with all your gifts you cannot see that which will make you complete."

"Speak plainly will you! I don't even know why I'm talking to you, we hate each other," Iscariat said rubbing his temples in frustration.

"You'll never understand if I just tell you, but as sure as I'm a chaos spewing machine you may learn," Discord said, as he turned to the fake Celestia, and taking hold of her right hoof the two individuals flew into the ginger bread palace. "Now, if you will pardon me, I have a fantasy to relive."

Realizing that Discord was done talking, Iscariat let out a sharp breath, and after covering the snow globe in a small wash cloth, he returned to his bed. As he tried to get some rest, Nightmare Moon was having similar difficulties, though in her case it was because of shear excitement and boundless joy. Nightmare was currently lounging on Princess Celestia's bed; it was fitting since the Castle now belonged to her, though she was tempted to simply take up residents in Luna's room, but once she saw just how spacious her sister's room was she instantly laid claim to it. The circular room boasted a vaulted ceiling, and an impressive five hundred square footage of space, there was also a balcony that overlooked the whole of Canterlot, as well as a full bathroom, and if that wasn't enough the room also had a built in spa bath tub. The room was without a doubt exquisite, befitting a Princess of Equestria, but it still lacked that personal touch; which Nightmare was more than eager to rectify.

Altering the room was a snap for Nightmare; first she changed the purple and red color scheme on the tapestries to a blue and indigo, next she replaced the crests that depicted Celestia's cutie mark on all the tapestries with her own, and for the final touch she changed the pillows that resembled suns into crescent moons. With the room more homey, Nightmare felt much more comfortable, so much so that she decided to take the spa tube for a spin. The warm bubbling water just melted away all the tension and stress Nightmare has built up over the long years; it also felt great to finally remove her heavy armor. For the time being she allowed herself to just relax and indulge in this slice of heaven, while enjoying a plate of moon pies and marshmallow balls she manage to find in the Castle kitchen; oddly enough they were hidden behind the fridge, inside a secret vault filled with nothing but sweets and cakes.

"It's good to be Princess," Nightmare Moon mused, as she took a bite out of one of the moon pies. However, as gay and elated she was, a slight sense of guilt crept over her, and it wasn't long till she lost her appetite as well.

"Does something vex you, your excellency?" a sarcastic voice spoke.

"Who said that?" Nightmare Moon said leaping out of the tube, her horn already glowing with magical energy.

"Don't you recognize my voice, after all we were rather intimate with one another for a very long time. Almost inseparable really," the disembodied voice replied, but Nightmare was not amused.

"Show yourself!" Nightmare Moon commanded, her rage growing more volatile.

"I guess I'll have to," the disembodied voice said, and out of thin air a vanity mirror materialized in front of Nightmare, but instead of her own reflection she saw the late Princess Luna gazing back.

"What trickery is this?" Nightmare Moon inquired, examining the mirror with distrust.

"There is no deception intended, I 'am what remains of Princess Luna. Less than a soul and yet more than an imprint, but for the sake of simplicity you may address me as Luna," the specter said with a cherry grin.

"Why do you haunt me spirit? Do you seek vengeance upon me?" Nightmare Moon asked, though still not fully convinced.

"I mean you no harm, but I 'am here to serve a purpose," Luna replied, her brow turning straight and serious. "I have come so you may come to terms with your feelings towards Iscariat Faust."

"Surely you jest," Nightmare Moon blurted out with a hardy laugh. "You have clearly wasted your time, for I care not of that insignificant foal. He is nothing more than a tool I require, and so I pretend to care about his problems when clearly I don't."

"Oh?" Luna said, her mouth curling up in a fiendish smile, and her eyes squinting together. "If that is the case, then why not be rid of him? You have the capital, and at this point he is more of a liability than an asset. Come on, it will be easy, I doubt he will even see it coming, and you've killed hundreds before. Well? Let's get on with it, then I can disappear, and you can rule Equestria as you always wanted."

"Um...well...No need to be hasty," Nightmare Moon said, tripping over her own words, and hardly delivering a compelling argument.

"Why wait? You said it yourself, he means nothing to you," Luna reiterated, using Nightmare's words to make her own case.

"Well maybe I might have slightly under appreciated my thoughts towards him, but one can hardly infer that I have grown that fond of him," Nightmare Moon said, her voice still lacking her natural confidence.

"Nightmare, just face the facts, Princess Luna's unbridled love for that stallion has passed on to you," Luna said, hoping her words would sink in.

"There is a strong possibility, but what of it? It is painfully obvious that the Changeling loves him, and he her; though I doubt he would admit it," Nightmare Moon said, lowering her head in shame for making such a statement, and showing a point of weakness.

"All I can say is be honest to him. Let him know just how you feel, and in no way force his choice," Luna said with a smiling grin, as she and the mirror started to fade away. "Well it seems my time is up. Expect me no more, but for what it is worth, I wish you happiness."

As the vanity mirror returned to the Aether, Nightmare Moon and Luna gazed deeply at one another, and though all logical thought states that they should be nothing less than blood rivals, the reverse was actually the truth. While Luna felt nothing but grief at losing the opportunity to gain Iscariat's love, she in no way resented Nightmare Moon, for it was only through one inscrutable fact that spared her dark alter ego such, otherwise, justifiable hate; Nightmare Moon did not plan, or truly desire this resurrection. The truth of the matter was Nightmare never wished ay harm on Princess Luna, and when she could no longer feel her soul inside their body, she was close to destroying the entire mountain. However it was when King Sombra insulted Iscariat that she truly snapped; it was odd that she reacted that way over something so beneath her, but now it all made sense, and she did not mind it at all. As an immortal Alicorn, Nightmare Moon could understand why Princess Luna desperately sought Iscariat as a lover, for until he passed on his title the stallion was basically immortal as well, and Nightmare doubted he ever would step down, given his first and only attempt with the young zebra; Magarua.

Now alone once more, Nightmare drained the tube of its contents, and then draped herself on Celestia's bed. Wrapping herself in the lush, and elegant sheets Nightmare gently rested her head upon the soft pillows, and without any difficulty was wisped away into the realm of dreams. As Nightmare and Iscariat rested somewhat peacefully, things were far less peaceful in Pony Ville's Golden Oak Library, where the defeated foes of Nightmare regrouped, and plotted their counter attack; though in truth they were mostly complaining about how they were handed their flanks on a silver platter.

"I can't believe this, he totally went turn coat on us! Not cool!" Rainbow Dash rambled furiously, as Princess Cadence tried in vein to keep her grounded long enough to bandage her cracked cranium.

"Rainbow Dash, you have to stay still," Princess Cadence said, taking to the air as well to complete her first aid.

"I can't help it! He swore loyalty to the Princess, and then just broke his vow on a whim. I won't stand for it!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, bucking one of the top bookshelves so hard it dropped all its contents on a poor Spike. "Oops...Sorry, Spike."

"It's okay Rainbow; super dense scales, didn't feel a thing," Spike said, as he dug himself out of the avalanche of books.

"I'm with Rainbow on this one. Oath breakers should be tarred and feathered as far as I'm concerned," Applejack said, her left hoof in a cast, and right eye concealed by an eye patch. "What are your thoughts, Pinkie Pie?"

"Stone him!" Pinkie Pie bellowed, hurling a large rock through Twilight's top window, her hair straight and not puffy, and her normally bright pink hue suddenly a duller shade; bordering on grey.

"I think you are all over looking something," Spike said, as he fixed the shelf Rainbow trashed.

"An just what could we be omitting?" Rarity asked, her injuries mirroring Applejack's to a tee.

"The 'why!' Why would he do all this?" Spike said, but the six young mares instantly shot him a frightening glare that turned him into what could be classified as a mass of mushy pudding, and effectively silenced him for the rest of the conversation.

"In any event the 'why' is irrelevant at this point. Our only concern should be how we deal with these fiends," Princess Twilight said, taking the center stage.

"You are all fools," Fyee said from atop the stair case; the Cloud Cluster Sword strapped to her back by a magic cord she herself conjured.

"An what does that mean?!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed; she never really trusted the Changelings, and she was even less inclined to buddy up to a "friend" of the now traitorous, Iscariat.

"Exactly what it sounds like, Pegasi," Fyee sharply retorted as she leaped from the top of the stairs, and landed right in front of Twilight; her expression less gaze and sheathed sword quite intimidating to Twilight. "Only stupid creatures could think they have a chance against such monstrous power. Tell me Princess, just how many spells do you have under your belt? I don't know, but I can tell you it's not enough. Not by a long shot."

"Shut up!" Princess Twilight said, stomping the floor in her rage. "This has nothing to do with your kind!"

"My kind?" Fyee retorted, her eyes widen in shock.

"You are a Changeling, none of this will affect you. Why don't you just go home?!" Princess Twilight said, as she averted her eyes in disgust, closing them tightly, and gritting her teeth in anger. "We don't need, or want you here. So go away!"

Before Fyee could respond, Princess Twilight just bolted out the library door, and disappeared into the darkness of the quickly fading night. In spite of all that was said, and all the emotions that were vented, Fyee did not feel any anger or pity towards Twilight, but she still desired to seek her out, and understand her sudden burst of rage. However, while Princess Celestia allowed all the others to rush after her way ward student, she held Fyee back, and oddly enough Fyee complied.

"I'm sorry she said that," Princess Celestia said resting her right hoof on Fyee's left shoulder sympathetically.

"She is young and angry, I know she didn't mean it," Fyee said cracking a smile. "Besides, there are more important things to worry about than my feelings."

"That is very big of you, your mother must be proud of how you came out," Princess Celestia said retracting her hoof as Fyee turned towards a window to the left of the door.

"Hardly, I can hear her now, chewing me out for letting that 'insufferable little know it all' speak to me like that," Fyee said with a sigh, and then shook her head. "Oh there I go rambling again. Anyway, what should we do?"

"At the moment there is little that can be accomplished as we are," Princess Celestia replied lowering her head in shame. "We all require respite, food, and spiritual recovery; not to mention a plan."

"As a Changeling I require a minimum amount of sleep and sustenance, but a plan is something that cannot be denied, and I have an idea where to start," Fyee said, flapping her wings till she hovered above the ground.

"Where will you go?" Princess Celestia asked, following Fyee outside.

"Some where I know I can get some answers. I won't be long, but don't wait up," Fyee said, and then took off like a rocket.

Fyee always felt better when she flew, the sheer freedom the open skies delivered was an indescribably feeling that only those with wings could even begin to comprehend. Invigorated by her flight, Fyee could feel the despair and anger that had taken hold of her back at the Golden Oak Library simply evaporate into the thin air that cushioned her so snugly. Zipping about with the greatest of ease, Fyee unwittingly allowed her mind to wander as carelessly as a cloud caught in a gentle breeze, and as a result she thought of her mother. Queen Chrysalis, without a doubt loved her daughter above all else, but at the same time she harbored shame towards Fyee, and even kicked her out; only to recant some time later, and demand she return post haste. Fyee could never understand why her own mother treated her so intensely; she knew her modest personality played a role; "Changelings must always seek more if they are to survive," her mother would constantly state, and yet Fyee sensed that her mother was hinting at something more.

The more she thought of her mother, the more Fyee assumed that there was just something wrong with her; a default that made her ill suited in her mother's eyes, and it upset Fyee that that might be the case. Not wishing to dwell on such thoughts any longer, Fyee instead focused on her destination; which had just come into sight. Two hundred feet below her was a field of shut flowers, patiently awaiting mornings first light to stir them from their slumber, but this was all a lie. No matter how many times she sees it, Fyee is completely captivated by the perfect illusion emanated by the Arch-Library's barrier. Everything from the grass to the flower's pollen is an illusion, and yet can be interacted with all the five senses; the textures, smell and tastes are indistinguishable from the real McCoy.

After indulging in a moment of admiring the epitome of her craft, Fyee used her magic to cloak herself in a field of her own magical aura, and thus equipped she walked into meadow an vanished from sight. It was dark for moment as she found her way through the small dividing wall between Equestria and the Arch-Library's barrier. Prevailing over the dark void, Fyee found herself in the pocket dimension that housed the greatest repository of knowledge that ever will be. Fyee marveled at the imposing structure; its massive arches and towers, its elegant doors, windows, and ivory gates simply stunning to her eyes, and a constant reminder that very few things truly last forever. Composing herself for what lay ahead, Fyee trotted over to the gate, and pulled the cord that rang the bell; altering the Guardian to her arrival.

The bell rang seven times, then a still silence followed as Fyee patiently waited for somepony to descend down the steps, however that wasn't the case. To the right of Fyee there was a small stump, nothing really special, until one really examined it properly, and noticed a small hole between two of the exposed root joints. Peering through the holes was a set of eyes that watched Fyee very intently, but when the eyes fell on the Cloud Cluster Sword they suddenly shot wide open, and their owner zipped out of the hole. Before Fyee could react she was assaulted with a warm, fuzzy hug from Tabitha; the ancient ferret elated to see the Changeling after so many years.

"Tabitha stop! That tickles!" Fyee giggled out as Tabitha scurried about her like some puppy.    

"Sorry, I'm just so happy," Tabitha said telepathically, regaining her normal composure. "So, what brings you here at this late hour?"

"I have to speak with her, Tabitha. I'm sure you know what is occurring beyond these walls," Fyee said, her tone shifting to a depressing mono-tone.

"I do," Tabitha sadly replied. "Are you sure though, you know how she gets when you are the one asking."

"I need answers, and she is the only one capable of providing them," Fyee retorted.

"So be it. Let me get the door," Tabitha said walking towards the ivory gate, and then blew a tiny tin whistle she keeps hidden in her fur. In response Fyee heard the library door unlatch, and saw somepony descend the flight of stairs towards them.

"Thank you so much, I didn't know Iscariat had a pony in his employ. My name is Fyee, and who...what are you?!" Fyee rudely exclaimed, as she gazed at some kind of mechanical pony, but not just any pony, an Alicorn.

Forged from a metal Fyee could not identify; though it seemed akin to steel due to the color and texture, two small blue opals served as its eyes, and its chest was a glass, crescent shaped hatch that allowed view and access to the intricate gears, gyros and power supply. The replica was almost indistinguishable, at a distance, from its subject, boasting a thin figure with equally thin, but long, legs, its wings were perfectly replicated to function like its organic counterpart, as was its elegantly molded horn, and its mane and tail also had its aesthetic details with tiny stars chiseled out at specific locations. Fyee was so captivated by the artificial Alicorn that she did not notice Tabitha climbing on her back, but she did feel the soft bite on her ear.

"Ouch!" Fyee yelped, quickly shooting the ferret a mean look.

"Sorry," Tabitha apologized, while slowly backing away. "Had to get you attention some how. Anyway, allow me to clarify what you are looking at. This is A.R.C.H.I.V.E; Autonomous, Robotic, Cataloging, Hyper Indexing, Vocabulist and Encycolpedist. It helps around the library when Iscariat is away."

"She looks like Luna," Fyee said instantly noticing the similarities.

"It," Tabitha enunciated. "It looks like Luna; though the appearance of the construct is purely for economic reasons. The slender physic allows for greater mobility and dexterity, and female forms are more graceful than males, which results in fewer accidents. Now then, you came hear to see 'her,' am I correct?"

"Yes, of course," Fyee said, a little taken back by Tabitha's defensive tone towards the construct's form.

"Then we best not keep her," Tabitha said leaping off Fyee's back and leading the way. "A.R.C.H.I.V.E, once you seal the gates and door, you may return to your previous assignment."

"Yes, ma'am," A.R.C.H.I.V.E responded in a metallic voice that Fyee could have sworn sounded like Luna's; albeit distorted. "And have a nice day."

Taking a final glance at A.R.C.H.I.V.E, Fyee felt a sudden sense of pity towards Iscariat; "If we survive this, I don't care how long it takes, I will see to it that you settle your past," Fyee promised to herself. Crossing the threshold the ferret and Changeling passed the Great Grandfather Clock, and walked down one of the hundreds of corridors towards the far left of the singular chamber that comprised the library proper. Reaching a pair of steel doors, inscribed with the image of a three leaf clover, Tabitha laid a paw on the cold steel, and in response the doors were pulled off their hinges by a powerful vacuum an simply vanished into the void that lay beyond. Leaping into the black mass, Fyee was entangled in a displacement of sorts, her body and mind seemed to separate and unify simultaneously as she followed some invisible current within the mass. The journey lasted but mere seconds, an when they emerged from the void they found themselves in a perfectly cubed room with a stone casket in its center, and a circular array surrounded it, as well as imprinted on the other five walls.

Tabitha and Fyee both slowly approached the casket, a dreadful chill ran up their spines for what they were about to do, but there was no turning back now; the black mass that served as their gateway had evaporated, and only a Curator could conjure it forth. Inches away from the casket and Fyee could feel her legs ready to give way, she really did not wish to do this, especially after what happened all those years ago, and yet she pressed on until at last she could touch it. Inexorably compelled by some long abandoned sensation, Fyee laid her head upon the rough stone casket, and with one tiny spark from her horn it all began. The six arrays came to life, each emanating with a unique glow; the one above the casket was lavender, whilst the one to the left was sky blue, to the right was a bright orange light, behind Fyee the array glowed pink, in front of her a pale yellow glow like a new born Sun, and lastly beneath the casket the array gave off a heavenly white light. As the six lights converged just a foot above the casket, a loud crack resonated throughout the chamber, and looking down at the casket's lid Fyee gazed upon a glassy surface peering through the now damaged top.

The false lid crumbled away exposing a flawless mirror made of highly polished glass with a stone talisman etched with the same three leaf clover imprinted on the steel door. Taking a step back, Fyee with Tabitha resting on her back, watched as the clover talisman pulsated a sage green as the six lights compressed into a chromatic sphere, and was sucked into the talisman. Rising forth from the glassy surface, now vitalized and engorged by the mystical powers of the six arrays, was the spirit of a pony that at one time, more than two thousand years ago, meant more to Fyee than even her own life. The pony in question was the third Curator of the Arch-Library, Star Swirl's own apprentice, and Iscariat's Master's Master; Clover the Clever. Elegant in death as she was in life, Clover the Clever gracefully descended down before her casket, her fetching golden mane and tail perfectly complemented the emerald green tint of her coat, as well as amplified the shine of her sapphire blue eyes, but as with all ponies, her cutie mark took center stage, and though it portrayed but a simple three leaf clover there was no denying the stellar sheen it radiated; a testament to her overwhelming magical talent, even by Unicorn standards.

Now standing before the first pony ever to win her heart, Fyee could not ignore her deep sense of longing and regret at just how she utterly failed to save Clover from her own fears, and ultimately losing her altogether.

"You summoned me, Curator Iscariat?" Clover the Clever said, her voice just as lovely as the day Fyee heard it for the first time. "In what matter may I assist you...You?!"

"Hello Clover, you look well...Wait, no! I didn't mean you appear healthy. No, that is still not right," Fyee stammered, tripping over all her words, and further irritating Clover.

"You have a lot of nerve coming here, and disturbing my rest," Clover the Clever said, her eyes, though still beautiful to Fyee, were so cold, and devoid of all the warmth they once had in life.

"Please Clover, I need your help. Everything has just gone so wrong, and I can't see any way out," Fyee begged, her voice shaking as her emotions swelled up inside her.

"I council only one pony, and you are not he," Clover the Clever replied, as her horn emanated in an aquamarine aura, and then conjured forth the black mass Fyee and Tabitha used to gain access to Clover's crypt. "Now leave me in peace, and never shadow my door way again."

"No, Clover, I'm sorry I broke your heart, but this is bigger than the both of us," Fyee said standing her ground like an immovable rock.

"I surmise you speak of my successor's utter failure to prevent Nightmare Moon's return," Clover the Clever said nonchalantly.

"I see you still retain your gift of fore sight," Fyee said, as she recalled at how much trouble that power of hers landed them in whenever they went out; be it an adventure or date.

"It's not something one can lose, or obtain, but none of that really matters, does it?" Clover the Clever said stroking her mane with her left hoof.

"No, it never did, but it does not alter the fact that that is the reason I'm here. I need to know Clover, and you alone can enlighten me," Fyee said, her body trembling at he thought of what she came to ask.

"An now it all makes sense, you want to know if you can save him," Clover the Clever said turning her head towards the ceiling, and then sharply returning her gaze at Fyee. "Unfortunately nothing I say will bring you solace, for while I can see the future, it is constantly in motion with only vague moments that remain stagnant, and unchanged. I'm afraid your quest for an answer was in vein."

"I don't believe that, you know something. Tell me!" Fyee said unamused at being jerked around like this.

"No, I refuse," Clover the Clever replied tilting her head slightly down, her eyes shutting, and a smiling smirk brandishing her face.

"If you know something you have to tell me!" Fyee exclaimed, completely fed up with Clover's lack of cooperation.

"I must do nothing!" Clover the Clever snapped, her eyes glowing an albino white. "You think I'm hear for your convenience, to point you in the right direction when you lose your way?! Well guess again, those days, like my role in this world, are over!"

"I already told you, this is bigger than both of us," Fyee said hoping she could reach Clover's sense of morality, but Clover saw right through her.

"That you did, but I know you came only for him," Clover the Clever said unmasking Fyee's true intentions for what they were. "It's nice to know you finally replaced me."

"Excuse me?" Fyee said meeting Clover's intimidating gaze with one of her own; Tabitha was a tad spooked by the stares. "Is that what you think? Clover, words cannot describe the abyss that swallowed my heart when we parted. I loved you, I loved being with you, and I would have taken the next step without a moments hesitation."

"Then why did you abandon me?!" Clover the Clever asked, silvery tears dripping from her eyes like drops of rain.

"Because you were already gone, and nothing I could have said would have changed it," Fyee said, her emotions overwhelming inside her as she desired nothing more than to embrace Clover one more time, and Clover felt the same way.

"The past is the past, but perhaps it need not repeat," Clover the Clever said as her eyes emanated a blinding chromatic light.

"Clover, are you..." Fyee tried to ask, but Clover's somewhat dazed stare was all the confirmation Fyee needed.

In her era, Clover the Clever was renowned for her profound connection to the Aether; a small plane that separates all other planes of existence from one another, and is the source of all Leyline magic. Through this powerful connection she was able to accomplish extraordinary things, the likes of which even the Princesses have never been able to duplicate. However, all of her achievements are dwarfed by her greatest power; a gift from the Aether itself, her fore sight. Now the future is always in motion, and because of this Clover is never one hundred percent accurate, but the more familiar she is with the event, or those involved, the greater the chance she will receive a more guaranteed out come. To Clover, gazing into the event horizon is not like watching a movie, or reading a book, but more like viewing at the starry sky, and trying to make sense of constellations that have no beginning or end.

"What can you see?" Fyee asked cautiously, trying her best not to destroy Clover's concentration.

"It is difficult to say, some phenomena is clouding my sight, and what I can see is littered with possible out comes," Clover the Clever said, beads of sweat perspiring from her brow as she struggled under the strain. "However I will tell you what I can."

"How will Iscariat hold up? Will his mind seep ever further into dementia?" Fyee inquired.

"I can see five outcomes; one where nothing changes, and the current state of the matter remains stagnant. Another where his psyche is entirely destroyed with no hope of a future. The third shows him embracing his new mind set, and actually killing Nightmare Moon, you an all the others. Number four depicts him over coming all odds, and returning to the fold; though he is still a broken stallion in body, mind and soul. An the last one shows death; many, many deaths across all lands," Clover the Clever deadpanned. "There is also something concerning you specifically, but a strange disturbance shrouds it from me. I'm worried Fyee, very few things are rarely this clouded from my sight."

"That is not important," Fyee replied as she contemplated on all Clover said. "So, is that really all you can see?"

"Yes, I know it is not much, or very accurate, but those five are the most likely to come to pass," Clover the Clever said wobbling from side to side; peering into the future always did take a tool on her stamina. "I must warn you, I don't believe that Iscariat's mind set is your only concern, and neither is it Nightmare Moon. I sense some foul play at work. I'm afraid, Fyee, something is coming, and for the first time I cannot see it."

"Don't be, all that means is that you are normal. Even the immortal Princesses still fear the unknown," Fyee said, as she reached out with her left hoof towards Clover's right cheek, only to have it phase through, and cause a cold sensation to pass through her soul. "I'm sorry, I should have known better."

"You're probably tried," Clover the Clever said directing Fyee towards the black mass that served as the exit. "Tabitha, can you please find a room for her?"

"Yes, ma'am," Tabitha responded with a cherry smile.

"It was a long day," Fyee said turning to leave. "Just so you know, my feelings towards you have never changed. I love you, Clover the Clever, and I always will."

"My greatest regret was losing you," Clover the Clever said unable to keep her tears back any longer. "Please Fyee, don't make my mistake. Even if you can't save him, don't lose him either, understand?"

"That was never even a possibility. There is no way I will lose to that witch, got it?!" Fyee stated, her expression a frightening gaze, and a fiery aura blazing brightly from her insectoid exoskeleton.

"Such passion! Oh, if I had a body I would take you on this stone floor right now!" Clover the Clever said completely turned on by Fyee's passionate display of love; one could say she was almost jealous of how her former lover cared so deeply for Iscariat.

"Ah, you never were subtle," Fyee replied, her gaze softening, and aura fading as they all broke into a laugh. "Right, well see you later Clover, and stay beautiful honey."

"Goodbye, and I'm glad we finally settled the past," Clover the Clever said, as she took an extra long second to admire Fyee's well toned rump before she exited Clover's crypt. "Oh, Celestia knows I've been missing that fine ass. Iscariat, you better not screw this up, or I will kill you."

It was as if a great burden was lifted from Fyee's shoulder, and while this was hardly the time to rest on her laurels, the knowledge she has obtained gave her some much needed hope. Resting her head upon a pillow, Tabitha curled up beside her, Fyee slipped into a deep sleep, her spiritual, physical and magical energies finally given time to recuperate. As she rested in peace, things were anything but back in Pony Ville, for it has been over two hours since Princess Twilight stormed off, and she has yet to be found. Princess Celestia was getting concerned, but she was unable to offer much assistance due to the injury she suffered when she blocked Iscariat's attack; the slash still pulsated with pain even after Cadence mended it, and wrapped it up in bandages. The Sun was rising over the horizon, every pony was so exhausted from searching that they had to call it off until they got some rest.

Princess Celestia was so worried about her faithful student, however even this level of stress could not fend off her body's needs, and before she knew it she too was asleep like all the others. An whilst they all slept, Princess Twilight was hundreds of miles away, her emotions still influencing her actions, and thoughts. She was on a mission, and nothing save death would detour her; "I don't care who he thinks he is, no pony does that to my friends and mentor, and to think I looked up to him," Princess Twilight said as she stared at the now eclipsed city of Canterlot, her rage in control, and all logical thought gone from her mind.

"I'll show them both, you don't mess with Twilight Sparkle's family," Princess Twilight said, a magenta aura enshrouding her horn, and her eyes stone cold, as she leaped into the air then suddenly vanished from sight.  

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