I Am Not Spartacus - Spartacus Goes Rolling Along
by Dan's Comments
Based in the 'Your Human and You' universe by MadMaxtheBlack
This story is NOT canon with Your Human and You

DISCLAIMER: My Little Pony is the property of Hasbro, Inc.

Terrahoof was proud of her store, but was lamenting that Canterlot had not been the opportunity she'd been told it would be. "Marigold was a better customer," the mare sighed, "And she was just one unicorn."

The bell to the front door snapped her out of her funk and she plastered on a smile she didn't really feel. Customers are customers, she thought. She paused at she spotted them. I might be wrong about that, she considered the small cavalcade arriving.

She recognized the cutie mark of Princess Cadence on the human's shirt, and thought the red bird on the human's shoulder had to be Philomena, Celestia's pet phoenix.

Terrahoof squared her shoulders. Her father, an undertaker, had drilled into her at an early age 'treat everyone the same, just as another future customer'. She vaguely wondered if the human was the customer, and the ponies were the adornment, as the ponies were looking around, while the human was actively pulling papers from his saddlebag.

Philomena looked over the papers as the human approached the mare. He laid down the papers and then began setting out four sets of boots, checking the drawing and rearranging the boots so the pattern and numbers matched the drawing.

Okay, he's bright, but he's not that bright, Terrahoof thought as she looked at the drawing which seemed to indicate that the boots were to be duplicated as rollerskates. She fought down a moment of panic as she realized the four ponies that the human was directed to get rollerskates for. And he's scooping up a bunch of my business cards! she thought as the human looked at the paper, the handful of cards, and put both into his pack.

Philomena made a chirrup, and indicated the pile of bits picture on the drawing and looked at her.

One of the guards approached, the small, unicorn stallion. "They need to be ready by the end of the week," he said, "For Hearts and Hooves Day."

By Celestia's mane, I'm going to have to call in Bearing, Rimride; Tartarus, the whole family. If Princess Celestia gets rollerskates for Hearts and Hooves Day, everypony in Canterlot is going to want them! She barely acknowledged the foreleg waved in front of her muzzle.

"How much?" the black unicorn asked.

"Custom units are 50 bits for the set of four," she said as horror and hope warred in her mind.

The human set out the 160 bits, paused to look at her, and when she nodded set an additional 40 with a sign saying 'To Insure Promptness'. Terrahoof gulped and nodded, and watched as the cavalcade trooped out.

"Wait, which one of them was ordering . . . if not the guards then . . . " Terrahoof shrugged. "I don't care if it was the human ordering them and he up bargained me, I've been paid and warned of the onslaught. Better get to work, and start sending out train tickets."
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Luna thought about one of Percy's phrases: 'Ants in the pants', and that until this moment, she hadn't really understood it. Few ponies and almost no humans wore pants. Now I understand it completely, she thought as her sister practically danced with anticipation, worry and expectations, switching from one to another too fast to let Luna help her with any of the powerful emotions yanking her this way and that.

That this was a meeting with their royal gynecologist/urologist had Luna a bit confused. She hasn't had any health problems, Luna thought and smirked, And she gets sick so rarely, she's such a drama queen when she does get sick.

Dr. Honey Blossom entered, looking like she'd again today heard too many of the innumerable jokes her name counterposed against her profession elicited.

At least I never said any of those jokes in her presence, Luna thought as she ruthlessly squelched an even dozen that sprang to mind.

"We've confirmed it, your Highness," the doctor said, "The techs are sworn to secrecy, but there's no doubt what-so-ever."

Celestia had gone from eager anticipation to stunned shock. Luna wanted nothing more than to shake the answers from one or both of them. She bided her time awaiting the return of her sister's wits from wherever they'd fled to.

"What have they confirmed?" Luna asked the doctor after an interminable interval of Celestia-as-furniture had passed.

"You may soon be an aunt," Honey Blossom said.

"I'm already . . . " Luna said as the conclusion blew up the track her train of thought had been on. She turned to the doctor. "Alicorns don't come into season except when - and that hasn't happened." She shuddered at the memory of the last time this had happened, and all the explaining and apologies that had to be liberally dished out. More importantly, Luna had felt nothing, and the season hit them both simultaneously. "Unless we are no longer in sync." She frowned. "Or I'm not, which is more likely."

"Not the answer either, I'm afraid," Honey Blossom said, "Her Highness' shapeshifting games let her access a human's more robust fertility. They are fecund, even compared to ponies. They have to be, considering their pony-induced, infant mortality rate and short lifespan."

Celestia finally returned from her departure. "I know when it happened. After the Elements, Discord, Tirek, and all the others, I thought I would never recover from some of my injuries."

Luna's head whipped around. "Have you told Cadence or Twilight of these injuries you spoke of?"

"Their battles have taken a lesser toll," Celestia said, "Than losing our connection to the Elements . . . cost me, you are still 'healthy' and whole in that respect."

Luna felt ashamed, but Celestia hugged her. "You are innocent of the crimes of Nightmare Moon, my sister. Even I knew nothing of what those battles cost us, cost me, until later."

Luna was still shocked. "There remains the other person who needs to know."

Celestia looked shocked but covered it with bafflegab, "The political results of this will be staggering."

Luna nodded. "Another roadblock to the throne and that is just for starters."
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It is Hearts and Hooves Day, Celestia thought as she woke, One day I truly envy my ponies, although I shouldn't complain too much. Maybe I should have married him while Discord held sway. If poor Cadence's experience is anything to go by, Discord and a Royal Wedding would go together only too well. She sleepily reached for her hoofcovers, only to find a box where they usually were. The simple ribbon and lack of card tickled a concern in her mind, but she noted the `discreet` guards were in place and would have checked it before it had been laid there.

She still opened it carefully. NO! she thought of the contents, Only Luna would know, no, he read my journals as well. Celestia carefully put the cover back on the box, placed it under her wing. I still have to raise the sun. Then!

She nearly collided with a happily pronking Luna who showed her the contents of a similar box.

"We have one duty to attend to," Celestia said regally, calming Luna before her infective mood spread and all propriety would be forgotten.

"Can't Cadence handle it this once?" Luna whined, "Soon the halls will be too crowded."

"If you've lost the skill, then too bad for you," Celestia said as they trotted towards the balcony where they normally did their most important, daily work.

"Ha!" Luna scoffed, "We'll see who has lost the skill."
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Speed. I am speed.

There is the slalom, lean, turn, don't touch the posts, keep up the speed. Between and around. I am speed. Another pair, figure-8 this time, mind the corners. Around and around and away.

I am speed.

Stairs. Crouch, jump, stick the landing. Dodge a slow one. I am speed.

Doors closed. Quick 180, back the way I came.

I am speed.

"ZOOM!" says a competitor.

Zoom? Ha. I pass you easily. I am speed!
------------------------------

The day's events were suddenly overshadowed by the report. Celestia longed to put off the hoof covers and return to her rollerskates. "How accurate is this?" she asked, hoping that the various auguries were just a bit of paranoia. The elderly ponies in their sigil- and rune-encrusted robes looked at each other worriedly.

"We've done the testing three times, Your Highness," the chief mystical leader said, setting three, odd metal shapes on the table. Each weird sculpture was of a different metal, but each was similar in form as if two had been expertly copied from the third. "Copper, the metal of craft; gold, the metal of money; and iron, the metal of war, all three nearly identical and all three promising an invasion this season at the latest. Likely within the month."

"Why didn't this show up earlier?" Armor asked.

"Because someone made a serious decision and moved their plans from idle to active," the leader said, "There are always rumors of war, but they are so unlikely we never bring them up. This moved suddenly from unlikely to absolute certainty, and the invasion will be of Canterlot, not Equestria. At least not at first."

Is this related to my condition? Celestia thought, Have I done this?

Luna studied the maps of the world that lined the war room. "The overland and oversea routes save to the north would be too difficult. It would have to be an aerial invasion. The dragons' migration could be a source, but the griffons are at peace with us. Some unknown power?"

"Odd that is corresponds with the wedding," Shining Armor said, "Although Cadence would kill me for suggesting it, but could that be what's drawing them?"

Celestia stopped. "Sombra?" she whispered, then more audibly, "Could he have escaped early? Before the Crystal Empire returned?"

Luna nodded. "We didn't expect Tirek, and he was on our doorstep before Percy deflected him," she said.

"I think we need to avoid jumping to any conclusions," Shining Armor said, "We institute the standard defense protocols and be more vigilant. There is the chance that this isn't an enemy from your ancient past, and is a new enemy."

Or a civil war due to the pregnancy, would my ponies, would my neighbors move because they think I'm weakened? Celestia thought, With Luna back, and Cadence far stronger than when she toured the other nations, Equestria wouldn't be weaker even if I were gone. Wouldn't I have seen some indications?

"Intelligence hasn't detected much from the other nations," Shining Armor continued, "But we don't have the entire planet covered either."

"Raise the shield, establish guard rotations," Celestia said as she studied the odd collections of metal with their spikes, blobs, twists and voids, created by pouring molten metal into large basins of specially prepared water. That three were nearly identical frightened everypony who understood the process. "As this is aimed squarely at Canterlot, call in reinforcements from the other, large cities." She looked up from the prognostications made solid. "We must be ready for anything."
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The day had been one of emotional whiplashes. The rollerskates, the war council, the `festival of missteps`, and searching for a way to tell Percy what had happened. It all comes down to this, she thought, Did Luna keep her promise? What was his reaction? I couldn't sleep well enough to join the dream. Does he know?

She almost squealed as he rubbed her belly with his, but she remembered him in the past snuggling against her in his sleep as he woke, seeking more warmth and closeness as day approached and separated them.

"Luna told you?" she asked at his thunderstruck expression on coming fully awake.

Does he think it a joke? Does he think it an errant nightmare? Is he as happy about it as I am? Will there be a thousand, well three, well-chosen question? she thought, her mind and heart racing as he came fully to the enormity of the revelation.

When he shyly nodded and rubbed her belly again, she squealed like a happy filly and hugged him, rolling on her back in her bed with her lover and their child upon her.

After a bit she forced herself to stop. She had to put on the mask of Her Serene Highness, and Percy had to go back to the role he played.

"Don't tell," she reminded him, "You're so gabby, but I don't want to infringe on someone else's special day."

Percy stared at her and scratched his head in the perfect 'perplexed human' look, then brightened and patted her head.

Celestia thought the less experienced guards were going to lose their composure right there. She kissed Percy, before they went their separate ways.
------------------------------

Swift Wind had to keep herself on a tight leash, or her emotions would run away with her. The other guards don't know, but I do, she thought, Celestia is pregnant, and Percy's the father. What that is going to do to the nobles is beyond belief. If they thought Percy an anomaly before, they'll really think he's a threat now.

She didn't let her amazement get in the way of her duties, she still watched, analyzed and subtly moved to screen threats and potential threats. But she still thought, In Saddle Arabia the skinny, high-borne mares would transfer their growing broods to mares like me, so they wouldn't have to go through the hardships, and so the unborn foals would have an easier birth. A rational system, until you added in that the broodmares were worked to an early grave by the constant demands, and they were ruthlessly forced into it. When I realized I was bigger and stronger than any of the guards, and what my fate really was, I escaped.

Her musings came to a halt as Percy opened the door to Princess Cadence's apartment and was wrapped in silk faster than any spider who ever lived, in reality or legend. She moved up to deal with the threat.

"No, no, this is all wrong, clashes terribly with the bride."

"We could dye him."

Swift Wind cleared her throat and reminded them of the large, armored equine standing in their midst that they hadn't focused on until moments before.

"T - t - try the groom's colors," one of the society mavens suggested as she removed the swatches from Percy and tried to put something solid between herself and Swift Wind. The descent of swatches was more polite, but just as unconcern about doing it to a person.

Who am I kidding? They probably did this to Cadence and Shining Armor, Swift Wind thought and suppressed the urge to buck them all out the large, rear window. That it's closed is a plus to the plan.

"Captain Armor and the groomsmen will be wearing ambassadorial dress uniforms," Swift Wind said with a patience she didn't feel. "Match the uniform colors -"

"We can't have that."

"They're such drab things."

"You're thinking battle dress, not ambassadorial dress," Mockingbird said in Swift Wind's voice as he arrived. She saw his wry smile. "Besides, he can't outshine the bride."

It's as if he'd thrown a smoke bomb in a flock of pigeons, the matrons all turned to argue with each other. Percy showed a case of situational awareness that rivaled an experienced guard's, and backed out, closing the door silently behind him. That he neatly dodged Prince Blueblood's Dusk Shine from running into him, without appearing to dodge was also masterful.

She did practically trip over Mockingbird, but a quick ear scratch eliminated that misunderstanding.

While Mockingbird floated in a sea of happy, Percy gestured at the door. Mockingbird woke enough to shove Dusk Shine into the pit of squalling matrons. The door sealed, we beat a hasty retreat.

The point of our rapid `redeployment` became clear, Princess Luna's apartment.

Gaining entry yielded a scene from a melodrama or the aftermath of a disaster. Only Luna seemed to be her usual self, angry but tolerant. Both Princess Cadence and her hoofmaiden looked like they'd finished a guards' full obstacle course, and were then told they failed. Anger, frustration, confusion and an almost disconnectedness suffused both. They were operating on muscle memory instead of thinking, and not doing much of anything beyond dealing with what was in front of them.

Cadence waved Percy over and glanced among the trio. "I didn't mean to frighten you."

'Frighten us'? Milady, just tell me who we have to kill to make this better and they are dead, Swift Wind wanted to tell her.

Percy had other plans. "Mockingbird, see if you can find Captain Armor."

Mockingbird started to salute, then paused, his forehoof hanging there as he considered the rationality of the order despite whom it came from. He trotted away.

Swift Wind stepped away, letting the family have a bit of privacy. Then he unlimbers a bombshell to shock everypony, Swift Wind thought, I've grown immune.

"Percy has a brilliant plan to end all your suffering and let you and Shining Armor face these people with a smile on your face, and a song in your heart," he said.

Oh dear, too late to grab the two Princesses and leap out the window, Swift Wind lamented inwardly and braced up for the storm, Oh dear, oh dear, three princesses.

Shining Armor and Princess Celestia arrived. Parasol trotted over to brief Shining Armor, but Percy interrupted.

"Most Excellent, we have a quorum." Percy clapped his hands and grinned at everypony. More theatrically, he added, "Is everyone ready to take part in my nefarious plan to strip those busyponies of any power over Prince Cadence and Captain Shining Armor's wedding?"

Celestia, bless her heart, breaks through the stunned silence first. "You can't cancel it."

The rest of us could only nod.

"Your Highnesses, I have no intention of canceling it," he told them in soothing tones, in direct contradiction to his expression. "Princess Luna can you stand up, right where you are, it's perfect." While Luna stood, he turned to the other diarch. "Okay, your Highnesses and Captain Armor, when I nod to you, you say 'I do', then we can -"

"What are you doing?" Swift Wind demanded, "You aren't going to perform the wedding right now are you?"

The horrified expression on the others marked their dawning comprehension.

Oh dear Lady Epona, I've started to think like him! she lamented.

He began pointing to the ponies and naming their roles. Cadence. "Bride." Shining Armor. "Groom." Their Highnesses. "Sideponies." Parasol and herself, Swift Wind. "Two witnesses." He turned to the assembly. "The bride and groom, a sidepony to stand with each one, and two witnesses, that's all that's legally required for a wedding to have full validity."

Cadence glanced around nervously, "But the guests, the catering?"

Percy waved her concern away. "Political theater, nothing more."

He's on a roll, Swift Wind thought, Now is the time to determine which type of noble you are, your Highness.

"Are you concerned with the pony, or the party?" Swift Wind asked.

Cadence looked at Shining Armor. "The pony," she said quietly.

He blushed right down to his fetlocks in reply.

And she wonders why everypony loves her, Swift Wind thought.

Percy continued, "Let the functionaries create the political theater, this is just for you two."

"Seven," Luna added, and smirked at Celestia.

"Very well," Percy said, "That's settled. Who gives this stallion?"

Trying to remain solemn and not burst out laughing, Celestia said, "I do?"

"Captain Shining Armor GCMG, do you take Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward; for better or for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish from this day forward until death do you part?" Percy intoned like a High Court herald.

The bold captain of the guard, victor of a dozen battles looked to the two princesses, and at Cadence. When she nodded, he said, "I do."

"Who gives this mare?" Percy asked.

"I do," Luna said, also fighting the giggles at the trick they were playing, denying the `nobles` power over anything.

"Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, do you take Captain Shining Armor GCMG, to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward; for better or for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish from this day forward until death do you part?"

Cadence barely restrained herself from lunging at Shining Armor. "I do!"

"Then by the power of Equestrian law and before these witnesses I declare you husband and wife, you may kiss," Percy said, and the hearts of everypony melted as the two lovers kiss so tenderly. Like a first love or a returning, lost child.

"Oh, that's why I couldn't find them," Mockingbird said as he entered. His ears drooped as he glanced around, "Just what did I miss?"

Everyone started laughing. Celestia and Luna take the opportunity to kiss both Cadence and Shining Armor. Percy waved Parasol forward, and when she couldn't move from the tears streaming down her cheeks, he marched over and slid her across the smooth floor so she could kiss the married couple.

Swift Wind got into line behind Percy and enjoyed Mockingbird's dawning realization of the enormity of what he just missed.
------------------------------

The two little girls met again in the high tower. Smiles were exchanged to verify their bonafides, and then they could begin.

"He is not from this world," one said, "They occasionally fall through from elsewhere. We collect them, and take them where it is safe."

"My mother and I know, and we also know it doesn't matter. If all goes to plan, then he will be what is needed," the other said, "Have you applied your tests to Dusk Shine, she seems oddly and intelligently determined."

"Some humans are throwbacks, more clever than most, but nothing of what they were," the one said, "Dusk Shine is a savant at the one thing that interests her. Outside of that, she is nearly as witless as ponies think humans are."

"So, you have a control to compare against," the other said, shocking the one, " 'Then I have guessed your riddle.' You want a breeding pair. Await the return of the Crystal Empire, and Sombra's defeat. Then your colony will be safe, and your secret plan will breed true, instead of having the Three Tribes' Curse stunt them as it does the natives."

The one nodded and they parted, both to consider their own schemes hanging on Celestia's.
------------------------------

Mockingbird was more and more feeling the 'not a disciplinary posting' was a serious disciplinary posting. Rescuing Princess Cadence from the mob, dealing with idiots trying to lure Percy off to sample what Celestia was getting, and dealing with the fact he seemed to enjoy saying something after he'd put his hand on Mockingbird's head. The screaming terror on somepony's face, that instantly vanished when they recognized Mockingbird.

Face it, Mockingbird thought glumly as he followed Percy around, He's better at your shtick than you are.

The nervous looks from the other guards weren't helping. There was a lot going on besides the wedding, Princess Celestia's rumored pregnancy, and the shield over Canterlot. The rubes from the sticks wanting to see The Crimson Death domesticated was getting to be a bigger danger than everything outside.

"He doesn't look so tough," a bull sergeant from Baltimare said, "I could take him easy."

"Percy, don't kill her," Mockingbird said in bored tones, "She's probably all fat and gristle, no good meat on her."

Where the heck is Swift Wind? Mockingbird thought, then glanced over. Percy had struck like a snake, had the cop on her back, and left front and right rear hooves cuffed.

Then the bastard had the old cop squealing in the middle of her fellows as he tickled the center of her cuffed hooves. Percy, looking as innocent as ever, simply continued until the cop couldn't breathe, then stepped away.

"Yeah, I saw how you handled him," Mockingbird said, "Now if he'd thought you were a threat, he would have broken those limbs, not cuffed them."

Mockingbird and Percy trotted away, once around the corner Percy broke into a run, and dashed around several more corners so pursuit would have been impossible.

Then he handed over the cops' badge, and several sets of hoof cuff keys.

"How'd you steal all of them?" Mockingbird asked, to which Percy patted him on the head.

"One of these days you're gonna have to explain all this," Mockingbird said.

Infuriatingly, Percy just shrugged and pointed towards Mile Stone's office. Mockingbird looked at the badge and keys, and shrugged.
------------------------------

Cadence felt drained. Worse she felt like she and the world had betrayed her Cutie Mark. She thought that if she'd tried harder, if she explained better, and if she'd used her powers, she might have gotten things better. The spiraling thoughts ended as she saw one of her least favorite ponies hove into view.

Why is he here? she wondered, And why did he stand with Armor to protect me?

"Good afternoon Prince Blueblood, are you all right?" she asked of the nervous stallion standing in her living room. She didn't remember ever seeing him nervous before.

Being immune to the opinion of others is practically his Cutie Mark, she thought.

"That depends on how much Percy has told you," Blueblood said, "And whether you believe him or the rumor mill."

"Percy generally keeps confidences," she told him, "Unless he's released or it's very important. And in the latter case he just leads you to the conclusion."

Blueblood bowed his head looking genuinely chagrined, another thing Cadence, who'd known him almost his entire life, had never seen before.

"What is it?" she asked, her concern drawing her out of her shell.

"Simply put, I'll be giving you and Captain Armor my entire stable of humans as a wedding gift. The Crystal Empire will soon be reappearing. Whatever Celestia and Luna have done in the past seems to have started unraveling since Luna's return: Discord, Tirek, Nightmare Moon, although the last was a given. It is logical to think that Sombra will be next, or at least soon. As Empress, you'll need a staff, guards, and a basic workforce. Mine are well-trained, attentive, and they like you and Percy, so they'll understand, hopefully, why I'm sending them away."

"Why are you sending them away? And to me especially?" she asked as she got up off the couch and began really looking at Blueblood.

The mirthless laugh was another anomaly. It wasn't mocking, she'd heard that before, but it was sardonic.

"The one secret I wish everypony knew, and it's better kept than the formula for Snaf Bars," he said, "I am dying, hold your applause, and as a side-effect, I have little fits. They are growing in intensity and frequency. Soon, I actually will be crazy all the time, instead of just acting the part most of the time." He waved a forehoof to interrupt her question. "The condition would require surgery beyond ponies' ability. As I told Percy, I'd be better off as a human, their vets are better surgeons that pony doctors are."

"Have you told Celestia?" Cadence asked.

"Healing magic is not her strong suit, neither is it Princess Luna's. Ironically, Discord might have been a chance, which is why you found me in that deplorable condition," he said, "I had a bit of a fit, and considered asking his help, and paying the price asked. I wasn't just cowardly, but I was genuinely ashamed." He shook his head. "Listen to me ramble. No, I haven't burdened our Sovereign with yet another problem she cannot possibly solve. Nor should you. Eventually the disease or its consequences will end me, and in this lucid moment I am relieved. Perhaps I'll attack you, and Percy will do me the mercy of the quick end I can't find the strength to administer myself."

He had been bowing his head, now he straightened up. "Well, considering you'll be getting 40 new mouths to feed and look after, I thought I should warn you," he told her, "Before the wedding, and so you can know the truth and not treat it as the white elephant it might otherwise seem." He winced. "Must dash, sorry." He shook his head to clear it as he ambled to the door.

Cadence was alone again and her heart was burdened with what she'd heard. How much of what we, I, know about him is those fits? And how much is him? she wondered, Well, now I've certainly got something besides myself to focus on, thank you for that. Staff for the Crystal Empire, does everypony know about that but me?
------------------------------

Cadence woke and looked around frantically. Gone were her room, her bed, Shining Armor and Percy. What confronted her was a nightmare: Herself.

"I was afraid you weren't going to wake up," her doppleganger said, "You can't escape, and frankly you don't even know where you are to escape to."

I know I'm in the caverns under Canterlot, she thought, I had to chase Twilight through these once she heard about . . .

"The places where pony magic doesn't work!" Cadence gasped as her powers utterly failed to respond.

"Yes, all those troublesome powers and a junior alicorn, but without any of them, you're just a zebra with extra bits," her doppleganger told her, and was surprised by the spring and strike.

Percy didn't teach me nothing, she thought, relishing the vague fear on her target's face, only to pass through it and she landed against the wall.

"I'm not stupid enough to stand against a protege of The Crimson Death," her mirror image told her, "You'd be amazed how much he loves you, and Celestia. He might even realize that I'm not you, but your safety will keep him neutralized. Shining Armor is just a pony, and we've been dealing with them for eons. So don't expect any help there."

"Who's 'we'?" Cadence demanded as she stood to confront her image.

"I'm so sorry," her mirror image told her, "I'm not going to tell anypony, until we've won. And thanks to you, that will be soon. Maybe after a time, I'll let you return to the world of the living, and you'll see that you ponies can be content with much less."

The image faded leaving Cadence alone in the near total darkness to fume. She struck the wall, and watched the crystals grow back. "Okay, battering my way out of here isn't going to get me anywhere." She quickly searched herself and found what she was looking for, a small gem that reflected far more light than was in the cavern.

Parasol's little wonder, Cadence thought, And dragon magic isn't affected. Maybe Percy or Armor would know how to make this a bomb, but I have to hope Parasol needs to find me and use her trinket to do so. That'll lead her here, instead of to that . . .

"Changeling," she whispered, "That's why she bragged about how much Percy and Armor loved me, as if I were unaware. With that much love fueling a changeling, she might be stronger than, Celestia."

Cadence began searching the walls for where the crystals were fewest, so she could start battering her way out without the walls regrowing.