//The announcement cuts out with a crash and a wordless yell. Silence returns to this hallway with only me in it, standing still, surrounded by historical figures in ancient mosaic.
//I look at the cauterized gash on my arm and blow on it. It's still sensitive.
//Rarity thinks Twilight destroyed my memories in Everfree Forest. Maybe even deliberately. She said I wasn't Spike but someone else; Spike had been killed and I put in his place. Can that really be true? The ways Twilight and Rarity have acted over the course of my journey, I...
//...I'm not going to find out the truth about that standing here and mulling it over.
//HERE WE FUCKING GO, 'HERO', PUT ON YOUR FUCKING BIG BOY PANTS AND TRY NOT TO SHIT YOURSELF AND SPASM UNTIL YOU DIE
//...Keeping that in mind, I grasp the large (strangely pony-unfriendly) handle of the throne room and pull.
//Then, I push, and it opens slightly, enough for me to take a step inside.

Princess Hazel: Shit, right. Maybe change to spherical coordinates? The differential azimuth would be...
//Princess Hazel, ruler of Equestria, is at the foot of the stairs leading up to her throne, concentrating on one of many standing chalkboards around her. Crown placed on the throne, she levitates a stick of chalk in the air which attacks the second board from the right. A small sponge in a bucket of dusty water lies at her hooves.
//With her military brown hair, dark blue eyes, and lack of wings or other jewelry, she could be mistaken for just a larger unicorn. As long as she doesn't speak in that voice...
PH: There we go, that's pitch and yaw. If I get roll in the same algorithm, thaumic optimization would be...
//Spotting something, the Princess of Equestria sticks out her tongue and shakes her head.
PH: ...completely impossible. Damnit. I swear, there's got to be a way to use Axiom of Choice to simplify this.
//I have no idea what she's doing but it sounds like book work. Is this why Equestria has gone to hell recently? Because the person who's supposed to be looking after it instead locks herself away solving esoteric problems for no practical purpose at all?
\\Magic and calculation... who do you know that uses extremely complex spells?
Spike: Excuse me.
//At the sound of my voice, Hazel steps behind one of the chalkboards, blocking line of sight. A levitation starts on the crown; the stick of chalk drops and marks the floor.
PH: Hello. If you have the pastries I sent for, the Avatars should be in the entrance hall. Just leave one for me, please.
//...Huh.
PH: And, erm. I like for people to knock before coming in. Are you new?
Spike: I'd say so.
PH: Okay. Shining Armor does have an orientation session about this with new hires. But he would have a lot on his plate recently.
//The crown lands behind the chalkboard. Hazel, now with fully-formed wings, steps out from behind it and meets my eye.
//She raises one eyebrow, slightly.
PH: ...Those wounds aren't on-the-job injuries, are they? Labor Resources is right next to the med center if you were looking for worker's comp.
Spike: I'm the Hero of the Land. I defeated the Avatars and, uh... they told me to walk on in.
//Her eyes wander around a bit as she sticks her tongue out, slightly, thinking.
PH: Oh. ...Right! I do remember declaring a Hero of the Land. You're...?
Spike: Call me Spike.
PH: Spike, right. Well met, Spike. I am Princess Hazel, ruler of Equestria.
//REALLY? 'CAUSE TWENTY-NINE CERTAIN MOTHERFUCKERS WOULD MAKE ME RULER OF THIS ASHEN WASTELAND IF I SO WISHED
//...You know I'm sworn to defeat them, right?
//FAT FUCKING CHANCE
PH: I've heard a lot about you from the Avatars. Is it true that you saw a vision of Celestia about me?
//...The crown on Hazel's head has a many-pointed star amethyst, set in gold, as the main focus. It's the same symbol as on Twilight's flank. Hazel's horn knocks against it when she moves her head.
Spike: ...Yeah.
PH: Although, the ex-Princess was seemingly, hah, not too friendly towards me. Do you feel Celestia wants you to defeat me and take my place?
Spike: No.
//The slight smile fades from the Princess's lips. She tilts her head, curious.
Spike: Celestia told me to kill you.
PH: What?!
The Drakeling attacks!

[[SAVE LOCATION]]

//Hazel steps back with wide eyes, hooves skipping against the marble.
The Drakeling leaps at Princess Hazel!
PH: What are you _doing_?! Stop!
Princess Hazel points at The Drakeling and starts to cast a spell!
The Drakeling charges at Princess Hazel!
Princess Hazel casts Stupefy!
The Drakeling jumps away from the beam!
The Drakeling grabs Princess Hazel by the left front leg with his right hand! The Drakeling grabs Princess Hazel by the left front hoof with his left hand!
The Drakeling locks Princess Hazel's left knee with his right hand!
//The Princess sinks down as I press on her knee and begs:
PH: Please not the leg don't break my leg oh 'Swings please don't--
//I look her in the eye quickly. Her nostrils are flared in fear. She's not doing anything else to stop me but asking...
Spike: ...Not Twilight Sparkle.
PH: No!! Why does everyone always think that?!
//...
The Drakeling releases the grip of The Drakeling's right hand on Princess Hazel's left front leg. The Drakeling releases the grip of The Drakeling's left hand on Princess Hazel's right front leg.
Spike: ...Sorry.

Princess Hazel was defeated!
Spike earned 30000 experience points!
Spike is now level 42!

[[SAVE LOCATION]]

//Wow, a whole level? Cool.
//Slowly as we stand, the Princess's demeanor turns from fearful to angry.
Princess Hazel: ...'Sorry'?!
//I take a step away, accidentally knocking over one of the chalkboards. It cracks in half against the floor, equations split between each half.
Spike: Whoops.
//Hazel glares at me, ears flat back against her head. In another moment, she composes herself.
PH: Listen, I may not know your personal history, but physical violence is a little below the standard of decorum I like to keep for my throne room.
//...At least the monotonous voice is gone.
Spike: Uh...
//...What is there to say? I kind of attacked the leader of Equestria for no real reason. Why did I do that?
Spike: ...I kind of expected you were Twilight Sparkle.
PH: You try to kill her on sight?
Spike: Well...
//How can I say this in a way that doesn't sound stupid?
Spike: From the dramatic tension and foreshadowing abound I thought this room would be the end of my journey, and I have a lot of as-yet unresolved issues to figure out with Twilight, so I was predicting the climax would involve setting up everything necessary for closure and a satisfying denouement.
//...MISSION FUCKING FAILED
//Princess Hazel squeezes her eyes shut and taps her forehead with a hoof.
PH: What is this, a fucking video game?
Spike: Hey, listen; I really am sorry.
PH: And even if you thought -- how would unresolved issues be solved by _killing her_?
//UH, DRAGON. HELLO BITCH?
Spike: ...A lot of talking happens when I fight. I don't know why.
//For a full minute we look at each other, saying nothing, trying to stumble through different confusions. Eventually, Hazel spreads her (fake) wings and busies herself sponging theoretical work off of the chalkboards.
PH: (Great, the one night a week I have to myself and I have to babysit a crazy dragon boy...)
//I'll pretend I didn't hear that.
Spike: So, uh... why are all the windows covered with drapes?
//Bluntly, Hazel responds:
PH: I like my privacy.
Spike: Oh, is it because your wings are magic?
//Wiping off the last mark of chalk, the sponge freezes in the air.
PH: Excuse me?
Spike: You know, they cycle too fast for ponies to see when you put the crown on. Why does it have Twilight's cutie mark on it anyway?
//Instead of looking at me over her shoulder, Hazel just closes her eyes.
PH: ...Has anyone ever taught you how conversations are supposed to go?
Spike: Two months life experience. In case no one told you.
//The Princess starts wheeling the chalkboards together with her head.
PH: Listen. I don't know why I'm ignoring the fact you just tried to kill me, given that is _totally treason_ if anything in the damn world would be, but right now I need to think.
Spike: Okay--
PH: So _shut the hell up_.
//HOW RUDE
//For the next few minutes, Hazel gathers up the chalk, sponge, bucket, and chalkboards and puts them all in a hidden closet in the corner of the room. Feeling guilty, I pick up the broken chalkboard and drag it over as well. I end up sitting on the bottom stair of the throne room, stomach growling and cross-legged, and Hazel sits on her haunches in front of me, crown around one hoof.
PH: Celestia told you to kill me, right?
Spike: Yes.
//I remember that quite clearly.
PH: Why?
Spike: I... what?
PH: I assume there was a reason. Unless you charged off blindly before your heard it.
Spike: Uh... I think she said you were an ineffective and divisive ruler, unable to protect Equestria's denizens from harm.
PH: And... how would killing me solve that issue?
//Where is she going with this?
Spike: Um, I _guess_ if I were to take the throne I could try to be better at those things, but I don't think I'd be good at it...
//Maybe I could give the throne to Twilight? I know she's a good planner, and has been a Princess before.
PH: What else did she tell you?
//It's been so long, I have to try to remember... why does it feel like she said a bunch of different things?
Spike: Why are you asking?
//The Princess hesitates for a moment, then says:
PH: The way I see it, Spike, there are two options. One, Celestia appeared to you when you lost your memories and gave you an important mission. Two, you hit your head and saw meaningless hallucinations resembling a goddess. We can tell which is true by seeing if your vision made sense, right?
//Made sense? Of course it didn't make sense! I was a new person with zero life experience being given an essential mission by a goddess whom I never knew for reasons I still don't understand! How could it _make sense_?!
Spike: I, uh, don't actually think I hit my head.
//Hazel leans back slightly.
Spike: ...I think Twilight cast a spell on me.
PH: ...Really?
Spike: Yeah. It's the only thing that fits.
//How could I have lost my bond to Rarity if I had just hit my head?
//Princess Hazel, priceless crown over her hoof in her own throne room, nods.
PH: Then we should talk to Twilight.

//The biggest problem of being Equestria's chief organizer, most talented mage and power behind the throne is that at any given moment no one knows where the hell you are. Twilight's schedule, as I learn, is haphazard by necessity; many times full blocks of 20-hour magically assisted sleep follow or are followed by days on end of work. Hazel recounts a few anecdotes of being woken up in her sleep to have an impromptu meeting or to be asked for help with a spell.
Spike: Help with a spell? I thought you just said Twilight is Equestria's best mage.
PH: I do research, in my precious little spare time, with to the laypony little foreseeable value. But together, Twilight and I turn it into the groundbreaking advancements that the Magic Corps and Canterlot UMS will find in the next few years.
//...Oh.
Spike: So you're also a powerful mage?
PH: Me? No. A turnip has more power than I do. I'm just good with math.
//Twilight, I also learn, has an office next to Celestia's old Magic Library here in the castle and a bedroom in the southeast tower tucked between a washroom and a janitor's closet. Those can be checked, and if she's not there, Castle Magic Corps Comms (a thing I never knew existed) can talk to Ponyville and send a message if she's in her old tree library. But otherwise...
PH: ...We're kind of stuck waiting for when she shows up.
Spike: She always turns up eventually. Right now is the longest I haven't seen her in...
//My life? I guess so. The new one, at least.
Spike: Hold on, if she really has all these important things to do for the good of the world, why does she spend so much time with me?
//Princess Hazel coughs politely and searches for a word.
PH: Well, you two are... close, right?
Spike: Yeah, but Twilight has other friends too. She never seems to spend as much time with Fluttershy or Applejack as she does with me.
PH: ...How much life experience did you say you had?
//I guess it's one of those mysteries that will never be explainable.
Spike: Could I get a snack before we start looking for her, though? I'm starving.
//How I wish that were an exaggeration.
//Hazel sticks out her tongue and looks up, thinking. It's an expression completely out-of-place for a respected ruler of all Equestria.
PH: I... think I keep a box of oats hidden behind the throne. You can eat those, right?
//Meh.
Spike: Hey, it's better than nothing.
PH: Oats. Not hay.
Spike: I...
//That was completely unnecessary. I start walking up the stairs.
Spike: Where is this box?
//She gestures with a hoof in a general way.
PH: Just behind it, on the floor.
//I step behind the throne and kneel, opening a basic wooden box.
//A sudden, scentless burst of air from the foot of the stairs. Princess Hazel looks over, nonchalant.
Twilight Sparkle: 'Swings, what can't you solve with a clipboard and a stern voice? Another existential threat to Equestria falls to simple organizational prowess!
//I can't see her from behind this throne. May as well try the oats anyway.
PH: Oh? What did you do this time?
T: Figured out sentences for upper-level Red Helm officers, granted financing of refugee dragons' settlement request, and found work orders for Red Helm soldiers. The District Attorney and Treasurer already have copies. (You signed them.)
PH: Of course. There's a version on my desk I can forward to the speechwriter?
//What are these, grain flakes? How am I supposed to eat these with pointed teeth?
T: I'll, uh... get back to you on that.
PH: Tell me what I decided, then.
T: The refugees will establish a glass-making company with fifty-one percent shares in hands of the Crown (and the rest dragon-held), and all ex-Red Helms work for two years for the company's Shipping, Irrigation, or Mining divisions at half pay. Startup and oversight costs notwithstanding, I expect to be out of the red within the first year.
PH: You did take Applejack's suggestion, then.
//Twilight audibly rolls her eyes.
T: She wanted them all in the middle of nowhere, far away from everypony. But at least it got me thinking.
//I scoop a handful of oats and pour a few in my mouth. With difficulty, I try to chew.
T: So what's going on with you?
PH: Hmm. I didn't get any further on that thaumic autodynamics bit you wanted.
//...These are absolutely disgusting.
T: Oh? What problem are you having?
PH: The Hero of the Land Spike beat all the Avatars and charged into my throne room to attack me, breaking one of the chalkboards in half.
T: What?! When did this happen?!
//Hazel audibly shrugs.
PH: About two minutes ago.
//I stand up, brushing the rest of the oats back into the box, and swallow. It still feels like most of them are stuck in my gums.
Spike: Hi Twilight.
T: Spike?!
//BAKER ETC.
PH: (Was there something you didn't get about 'two minutes ago'?)
T: Wh... what are you doing here?!
Spike: 'So early'?
//I step from behind the throne and start walking down the stairs, joining Twilight and Hazel. Twilight is pushing herself back on her hooves, defensive posture.
Spike: Honestly, that's the only way your question makes sense. Since before meeting Quine I've followed the Hero of the Land path to come here. And even before that you should have known; you were there when I started my journey.
//'Spike: My mission was revealed to me in my dream: I cannot stop until I am powerful enough to defeat the current, false Princess, and bring harmony back to Equestria!' Those words seem like so far away, an eternity ago, echoes of a past mountaintop not heard now that I'm in a valley.
T: I... just thought you would sleep longer.
//It's unbelievable I actually slept for three days straight in the first place. And she looked away from me when she thought of it. There's no way Twilight would have forgotten I wanted to be here, except if she just assumed...
Spike: ...You were expecting the Avatars to defeat me.
//WELL SHIT I WAS TOO
//Twilight, silent, bites her lower lip. She looks to Hazel, as if the Princess has anything to add.
PH: Spike, you're an impressive Hero in your own right, but the Avatars are a bit above your weight class. Rarity alone is stronger than legions; I'm shocked you overcame a spellcaster like her.
//...Right, about that...
PH: But don't blame Twilight for trying to smooth things over with a half-truth. You've also done that, right?
//...Now I see why Princess Hazel is the face of Equestria. She just drained the emotionality out of the conversation with her voice and mannerisms, directing it where she wants to go.
PH: You told Twilight months ago Celestia's orders were to 'defeat' me, whatever vague nonsense that means.
Spike: But I was tasked with out-and-out regicide from the start.
//Twilight gasps, then covers her mouth with a hoof and starts furiously thinking.
PH: Was that all you were told? I'd prefer you try not to understate anything else.
//...It's been so long, it's hard to remember. I know Celestia was the one who told me about drakelinghood, and the immortality it grants, told me she abdicated the throne but this new Princess must die for the good of the world, what else...
\\...Oh. So.
Spike: Celestia... said she could find a way to bring back my memories.
T: She did? How?
//I shrug. We spend a minute, contemplating this.
PH: If there were any pony in the world who could do it, it'd be her.
Spike: Yeah, 'in the world' being the biggest problem.
T: Celestia would need... some sort of way to retrieve those memories, or the shape of your brain before you were hit, or exactly what was hurt--
//That reminds me. If we're standing around talking, I want to know.
Spike: Hey, Twilight. What happened in Everfree Forest?
//Twilight and Hazel share a look. I can't tell what passes between them. Outside, past thick curtains and tall windows, early morning birds start to chirp.
T: What do you mean, Spike?
Spike: The day I lost my memory. What happened?
//Hesitation. Or is that confusion? I brush my tail on the stair edge.
T: ...I told you. You hit your head, and I called Nurse Joyful before you woke up.
Spike: No -- it's okay, Twilight. What actually happened is in the past. I can deal with it now. You can tell me the truth, and I won't be mad. No matter what happened.
T: Spike, I _am_ telling the truth! You don't believe me?
//Uh, no, or I wouldn't have said so!
Spike: Then why does Rarity think you cast a spell on me?
//In Hazel's eyes, a glint of satisfaction passes. Is it because I'm talking out my problems instead of attacking her?
//Twilight, taking a long time to respond, eventually hangs her head.
T: I... lied to her because it was easier.
Spike: ...Twilight...
//Each lie cuts a person off from another, because the worlds they share are now different. When one person lies for their own ends, friendship is impossible. Harmony is impossible. Without seeing the truth, the right thing is lost like gold dust in the wind.
Spike: I get, that as a ruler, sometimes you can't tell the truth. Sometimes telling the truth hurts people. But I'm your _friend_. And _Rarity_ is your friend. That's how you introduced her to me, remember? ...What kind of friend does that make you in return, not trusting your friends to trust you?
//Sniffing, Twilight says nothing, looking at her hooves.
//THIS IS AMAZING; I'M GLAD TO SEE THIS OUT OF YOU, SPIKE. I NEVER KNEW EMOTION COULD EFFECT PONIES THIS STRONGLY. I HAVE LEARNED SOMETHING TODAY.
//...Waiting for the punchline.
//NOW THAT SHE'S VULNERABLE LEAD WITH A LEFT HOOK AND FOLLOW WITH A GUT JAB TO GET IN CLOSE BEFORE SHE CASTS A SPELL
Spike: What exactly happened that day? Why did you lie?
PH: I'd like to hear the story as well. You never know what minor details might be important.
//Twilight looks back and forth between us. I try to exude the feeling that this is a place of friendship, of honesty and trust, that we can be comfortable with ourselves with others right now. For her part, Princess Hazel is much better at it than I am.
//Twilight takes a breath and starts her story.

T: ...I'm going to start about a month before we were in Everfree. It'll all make sense in a moment.
//...I was not expecting a tale that needed backstory.
T: I was looking over a series of criminal records that I thought were related to negative species relations between dragons and ponies. One dragon -- at the time unknown -- had a strange habit of destruction and abduction. Over a dozen times across Equestria, ponies were killed and their belongings destroyed, only to be found alive and well wandering in from the wilderness days later.
//That's... so, they weren't really killed?
T: On a hunch, I found most of these ponies were surrounded by rumors of bonds with drakelings -- even if they didn't want to admit it. The few who did talk told me similar stories: a furious bronze dragon caught them with their... I'll say 'lovers'; these ponies weren't so generous. They thought of their drakelings as possessions, many of them paying good money and going to great lengths to acquire the bond. To them, it was an underground symbol of status.
//Wait, bronze dragon. Could it be?
T: For treating people as items to be bought, owned, and shown off, the dragon murdered them, took the drakeling far into the wilderness, and flew into the distance once the pony revived, never to be seen again.
Spike: Was that Jebed?
//Twilight shrugs her shoulders, sheepish.
T: ...I only found that out when she told you about it. At the time, all I knew was a dragon was murdering ponies and abducting drakelings.
PH: Then I remembered a letter of petition from many months earlier, almost the start of my rule. In claw-writing, a 'concerned citizen' urged me to do more about the black market slave and egg trade.
Spike: You actually read letters to you?
//Princess Hazel smiles.
PH: I'm the public relations mare of this operation. Talking and listening are my the two jobs I have, right?
T: When Hazel showed me that letter, I realized we were dealing with a vigilante. Someone wanted justice for drakelings who had no choice in their bond. If it were a different problem -- say, normal sex trafficking -- I'd stamp 'Vigilante justice is no justice' on the case and call it a day.
Spike: But drakelings change after we bond. Our emotions and mind change, making the person we're bonded to the most important thing in our life. It's indistinguishable from love.
//SURE IT FUCKING IS DRAGONS DON'T FEEL LOVE YOU DIPSHIT
T: Right! These were dragons forced into their situations, but from the outside looked perfectly happy. The standard approach to crime, treating the victim and punishing the perpetrator, would only serve to hurt the victim more.
PH: Not to mention the difficulty obtaining evidence. Imagine Stockholm Syndrome, but twenty times worse.
T: So I thought -- heck, I've got a goddess's private Magic Library and a problem that looks like a nail --
Spike: Don't tell me you tried to make a spell.
//Twilight closes her eyes and nods.
T: Celestia had a surprising amount on drakeling biology in her personal study. Combining that with some amazing work from the filly prodigy here--
PH: It was nothing, really--
T: And I had a spell that would temporarily suppress the changes a drakelinghood bond causes.
//Temporarily? How long would that be? Long enough for the police to gather a confession, I'm sure, but... what good would it be if feelings for such horrible ponies returned halfway through a prison sentence?
T: I... and this is where the story gets harder to tell... I wanted to see if a permanent version could be made. If drakeling bonds could be broken. Sure, there were a bunch of reasons I wanted to believe... a person's right to control their thoughts, long-term rehabilitation and justice for those unfairly bound... but honestly, I wanted most to see if I could.
//Pausing, Twilight breathes in. With a spell, she summons a glass of water and drinks.
T: Sorry, dry mouth. Anyway... since this spell was permanent, I needed a different kind of test subject. Victimized drakelings wouldn't be willing to re-establish a bond to start out fresh, in case the spell didn't work the first time.
PH: (Spells never work the first time.)
//...Oh. I see where this is going.
Spike: So, Rarity and I were married, you hit me with the prototype spell behind Rarity's back and bam. Permanent memory loss.
//Makes sense, really.
Spike: I mean, a little boring, but understandable--
\\Twilight said she lied to Rarity about casting a spell on you.
T: ...No. That's just it. I never cast the spell.
//...Right, the whole point of the story is how that didn't happen. Forgot.
T: I asked you _and_ Rarity if it was okay. You _both_ agreed, Rarity because she trusted my magic skill, and... and you said you were in love with Rarity before you two bonded, so it wouldn't change anything.
//WHAT A FUCKING WIMP
T: ...And for the record, I hardly lied to you. We were in the forest to gather lactarius deliciosus mushrooms for Zecora--
Spike: Who?
T: --a zebra friend of mine, and ask her to monitor you during the spell. She knows a lot of things I don't; I thought she might see something. We never even made it there.
//Twilight takes another sip of water. Talking this long must dry out her tongue. Over the sound of her throat I can hear birds chirping outside.
T: You were wearing an amulet Rarity had given you. It was a beautiful blood ruby you decided not to eat, because she liked it so much. While we were walking, the most aggressive magpie I've ever seen attacked you!
//BLACK AND WHITE THIEVES, THEY SHOULD DIE
T: It took off with the amulet, and you ran after it. But there were thorns, and I had to cast a spell to get through them -- by the time I caught up, it flew over the waterfall.
//The waterfall near where I woke up, not too high. I remember that.
T: You jumped right off the edge and swung at it -- and you got it! The bird, the amulet, and you hanging off of it all dropped out of sight. Then...
//Twilight hangs her head. She moves her mouth, but words don't come out.
T: A... there was a flash of light.
Spike: A what?
T: Just for a second. It happened right when I heard you splash down.
Spike: The amulet wasn't magical?
T: No, I was wearing my contacts that day. I'd have known. I rushed over as soon as I could, and dragged you out of the water. It was about ten minutes of coughing before you woke up. And that's all I know.
//...That's all?
T: I checked the area the next day and found nothing. No magic, no amulet, just our hoofprints.
Spike: Why did you tell Rarity you cast the spell on me?
T: Because... after I realized how bad it was, I wanted to get her to you as soon as possible, and that was the easiest way. Some memory loss can be checked by seeing a familiar sight. And... at the very least, I thought you'd still feel the same way towards her because of your biology, even if you didn't know her.
Spike: But...
PH: Instead you tried to set her on fire.
//In my defense, she tried to mount me.
T: I told her the truth after. Just like I'm telling you the truth now. I...
//She chokes, and then continues:
T: I lied because it was convenient. But I can't lie to my friends.
//A long period passes, while we all stay silent and contemplate Twilight's story. I fold my arms and stare down. Outside, the guard shift changes and ponies speak about mundanities such as coffee and weekends.

[[SAVE LOCATION]]

>>BELIEVE HER
>>DON'T BELIEVE HER

Spike: I don't believe you.
T: Spike, no--
Spike: _Why_ would this be the truth? It's too perfectly constructed!
PH: I can show you the spell documentation--
Spike: The admission of lying, but you 'hardly lied' and told the truth right after. You said you were responsible but the story has nothing where you do wrong! The stupid amounts of detail and then 'a flash of light' takes away my memories? 'That's all I know,' the greatest mage in Equestria doesn't find anything? You must think I'm a moron!
T: Please, believe me--
Spike: NO! This is another one of your half-truths, lies of omission meant to keep me on the track _you_ want me to follow! What really happened there?! What--
//SHE'S TELLING THE TRUTH.
//I stop dead, middle of a dramatic motion. Mouth half open, I continue staring at Twilight, who looks back at me with watery eyes.
//_What_ did you say?
//I WAS THERE.
//Slowly, I lower my arm. The dragon instinct talks quietly, I can hardly hear him over my own blood pumping.
PH: Is--
Spike: Shut up.
//DID YOU FORGET THE 'IN EVERY _SINGLE_ _FUCKING_ DRAGON' BIT, SHITBRAIN? I KNEW YOU BEFORE YOU WERE YOU. AND LET ME TELL YOU, YOU WERE FUCKING PATHETIC. A CHAINED PUSSY CHASING PUSSY, PANTING FOR PONYCUNT AND EVEN LESS LIKE A FUCKING DOG. WHEN YOU WERE SET FREE IT WAS THE GREATEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO YOU.
//Did you... did you do this?
//NO. BUT I KNOW WHO OR WHAT DID. AND... WHY.
Spike: Tell me. Tell me right fucking now.
T: ...Spike, I swear--
//NO.
Spike: You've -- you've been hiding it from me from the very beginning, I know it --
//I fall to my knees. Hazel and Twilight step forward, looks of befuddlement and worry.
Spike: --I can feel a thought to somewhere else like a bridge or a ladder that leads somewhere but I can't tell where through the clouds and the fog because the rope goes slack when I tug on it and it coils it coils it coils like a snake--
//THAT ROPE IS A NOOSE. SOME THOUGHTS HAVE TO DIE FOR THE GOOD OF THE WORLD. THE MOST YOU ARE GOING TO LEARN RIGHT NOW IS WHAT TWILIGHT IS TELLING YOU. THAT IS, FOR MY INTENTS AND PURPOSES, THE TRUTH.
PH: ...What's happening to him?
T: The dragon instinct--
//IS THE BIGGEST FUCKING PRICK IN THE FUCKING WORLD AND THE ONLY REASON ANYONE IN THIS CASTLE IS ALIVE RIGHT NOW
Spike: You wouldn't, you wouldn't send them to attack--
//ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? HOW HAVE YOU NOT PUT THIS TOGETHER YET, YOU FUCKING IMBECILIC VOMITUOUS PUSTULE? THE THIRTY ARE MY BISHOPS PREACHING TITANIC DESTRUCTION AND I JUST GAINED FIVE KNIGHTS BUT YOU ARE MY QUEEN, MOTHERFUCKER. THERE'S A WAR GOING ON AND I SINCERELY FUCKING HOPE MOST OF MY PIECES WILL BE DEAD BY THE END OF IT.
Spike: ...
T: ...Spike?
//INSTEAD OF ALL.
PH: What is the dragon instinct? I've never heard of that before.
Spike: ...Good for you.

//I'm brought a fruit smoothie as I digest the dragon instinct's words. It always feels like something I know, what I've seen in my journey should connect with this and I can arrange everything to understand, but it slips away every time. Like a sphinx into the sand.
//We sit on the steps next to the throne, Hazel absentmindedly munching on oats. Twilight drinks the rest of her water and dismisses the glass. I recover.
T: Spike...
Spike: ...Sorry for not believing you, Twilight.
T: That's... fine. I understand. But, I was thinking...
//She pauses for a second.
T: Maybe we would understand each other better if we told each other everything we've been through these past months. You from the beginning, and me... everything.
//...That's quite a few years of experience. Do I have that sort of time?
T: ...It's not all flattering on my end. And you don't have to pretend it is on yours. But... if we're going to be friends, if we're going to work together, I think the time for secrets has come and passed. Don't you agree?
Spike: ...Yes. That's a good idea. Maybe I can figure out what's bothering me if I have another perspective on my journey.
//Twilight nods. I haven't mentioned what the dragon instinct has told me, now or in the past.
Spike: Although... my story is shorter. Mind if I go first?

//I suck the last drops out of the glass. I can taste the emerald dusted in; it's delicious. The oats are back behind the throne.
//LEAVE OSTO BACCHUS OUT OF THIS. I WILL STILL FUCKING KILL YOU IF YOU MENTION IT.
//...And the brainfreeze might cool him down.
PH: ...Should Spike go on?
//Twilight sticks a hoof out.
T: No, I'm still -- still thinking.
//I've told them everything, up through my first vision of Celestia. It sounds equally as dumb as when I told Herr Yyz.
//I also never found out what an incubus is, come to think of it.
T: She said... Celestia said 'you'll find out'. But what _have_ you found out about Hazel?
Spike: Well, she's the front mare.
//Princess Hazel raises an eyebrow weirdly.
PH: You're... not using that word like 'top' or 'bottom', right?
Spike: I mean, you're the face of Equestria and the crown; your name is used everywhere. You're the lightning rod of attention so Twilight and the Avatars can get work done in peace.
//Blankly, Hazel nods. I guess that's an accurate summary of the situation.
Spike: And, you said you had the magical ability of a turnip. But Jebed said you killed dozens of dragons (or was it hundreds?) to establish stability.
//Twilight drops out of her trance for a moment to mention:
T: Oh, hah. That was me.
PH: An illusion spell before combat is a small price to pay for reputation.
//MAYBE IT ALSO KEPT HER ANONYMOUS SO HER BROTHER AND PARENTS WEREN'T HURT
//That's... excessively cruel.
//FUCKING HELLO, _DRAGON_ INSTINCT
Spike: I find it strangest that Celestia told me about all these threats to the land -- Forlegsandria's labor laws, the Aquinatics Conflict, Herr Yyz, General Warhelm, and that Princess Hazel let these things come up -- but didn't see fit to correct them herself.
PH: Maybe she was confident you would solve all those issues for her.
//Hmm... I feel like a goddess shouldn't work through her subjects. All that makes someone is a queen.
//With gradual murmurs growing louder, Twilight stands up:
T: What could she mean? 'Kill the false Princess.' Why would she say that?
PH: One theory -- albeit simplistic -- Celestia, or whoever it is Spike sees, is just another pony trying to usurp the throne. She did say with the full resources of Canterlot Castle she could restore your memories; a bit telling?
//...Usurp the throne? If Celestia just came back with no fanfare she'd have it in public opinion and to rights...
T: No, it's not that -- agh, I'm almost there, it's almost coming--
Spike: Maybe it was just a test. Celestia wanted to see if I'd do it, without having a good reason why.
//Hazel grins.
PH: I, for one, am glad you passed.
//I shrug.
Spike: You never know; maybe I was supposed to follow the commands of a goddess without question.
//Suddenly, Twilight strikes her front hooves against the floor, excited.
T: I've got it! I've got it! That's it!
//Hazel stands up and so do I. We're both eager to hear what Twilight says.
T: I finally see it! I finally see, now, what she has planned for me...
//Her eyes grow further away as she stares at the far wall. Some point a thousand yards away shines, and throws a glint into her eyes.
T: It's so beautiful... and it's terrible.
Spike: ...Twilight?
//She braces against the ground and looks at me.
T: Spike! Don't you see? I'm the false Princess!
//We already established that.
Spike: ...So what does that mean?
T: I'm the one Celestia told you to kill! Not Hazel! Me!
Spike: Twilight, why would I kill you? You're my best friend!
//Or, at the very least, tied for the position.
T: Celestia said... Celestia said all these threats to the world rose under my supervision -- and they did! And every single one of them, I didn't solve myself -- you had to go and do the dirty work first! I've only done the paperwork for the great things _you've_ accomplished!
Spike: That's... nonsense, if I hadn't been so hasty in killing Herr Yyz you'd have taken care of it.
PH: If I may interject: why are you happy that Celestia told him to kill you, Twilight?
T: When I was Celestia's student, years ago, in moments of doubt and weakness and faithlessness I thought to myself: 'why the heck do I have to do everything when saving the world comes around? Can't Celestia solve all these problems with a wave of her hoof?'
//I might have thought that once or twice during my journey...
T: But the problems weren't about the _problems_. Even if I'll never admit it, talking to Rarity has at least taught me that. In order to train me Celestia stepped aside, to make it look like there was no one in the world willing to work hard and take on the job! So I had to step up, or watch the world fall to pieces!
//She's... trying to draw connections between me now and her a few years ago. So?
T: And you've done the same thing! Except instead of Celestia overseeing these problems in case I failed, I was completely ignorant of the ones you solved!
Spike: I'm still not following how this leads to 'Hey Spike, isn't it amazing she told you to kill me?'
T: Don't you see? Celestia wasn't training me as just a student -- she was training me as a successor all the time! When she left, I was the only one capable of taking her place, because she wanted it that way! And when she appeared to you and told you to go on this journey, I started training _my_ successors!
//That is... not a good idea.
Spike: Twilight, there are two things I'm good at in this world, and neither of them aren't hurting people. I'm no ruler--
T: And I thought the same thing about myself, when Celestia disappeared. But she trusted me. And she trusts you. And I trust you.
//THAT AND A SHARP KNIFE WILL GET YOU RESPECT
T: When I first met Celestia, as a little filly, she told me one day I would follow in her footsteps. She disappeared so the successor she trained could take over. Who am I to not do the same to my successors?
//Princess Hazel gently forwards a hoof, butting in.
PH: Twilight? If I may forward a radical notion... who says doing what Celestia wants is best?
//Twilight stares at Hazel for a moment, as if the thought would never cross a reasonable person's mind. She shakes it away.
T: What better way to bring harmony between dragons and ponies than to be ruled by both?
Spike: Wha?
T: This is what dragons are meant to do: fight! And ponies are meant to compromise. Together, you'll be much better caretakers of the world than I've ever been.
//I... don't like what she's implying by that.
PH: 'Together'?
T: Yes. I trust you, Hazel. You've learned a lot, and you'll be an excellent Queen Consort.
Spike: Have you gone _completely out of your mind_?!
PH: I, uh, didn't exactly sign up for this--
T: Doing the right thing requires sacrifice, Hazel. I'm willing to give my life for Equestria's people; you should at least be willing to keep yours eternally for them.
//I turn to Hazel and demand:
Spike: What will it take for this crazy purple bint to shut up?!
PH: She gets like this about Celestia, it's -- you're obsessed, Twilight! This isn't reasonable!

Twilight leaps away from The Drakeling!
//Twilight takes a fighting stance!
T: But I'm not going to roll over and die for you, Spike. If I have to give it to you, then you don't deserve it. What was it you told Warhelm? 'You're not powerful enough without a deal. Which means you won't rule Equestria. Someone else will.'
Spike: This is crazy, what are you saying?! You're not stupid, Twilight! Don't do this!
T: Dragons are meant to fight. And dragons are meant to kill. There are plenty of times Equestria has held or crumbled on just the strength of my back, but maybe it'll come easier to you.
Spike: No! This isn't right!
T: It could only have ever come to this, Spike... Celestia wants it this way. But I won't let someone weak inherit Equestria! So give it all you've got! Hold nothing back!
Spike: _I am not going to fight you_--

[[SAVE LOCATION]]

Twilight points at The Drakeling and casts a spell! Twilight casts Helium Flash!
PH: Wh-- FUCKING--
Princess Hazel jumps away from the beam, up the stairs!
The Drakeling jumps away from the beam, down the stairs!

The beam expands! The marble is caught in the spell! The marble has been melted, deforming its shape!
PH: Watch where you're casting that!!
//This needs to stop before someone gets hurt!
Spike: Take cover in the supply room! I'll handle this!
//Princess Hazel turns to gallop.

Twilight speaks a word of power, forming symbols in the air! Her horn glows brighter!
The Drakeling draws power from within himself, and casts Walk of the Third!
//As soon as I enter Walk of the Third, Twilight's spell completes:
Twilight casts Flashbang!
//A tsunami of white light and a deafening burst overwrite all I know. I drop to my knees as I lose balance, sensoral input shutting off. Squeezing my eyes shut, I can't see or hear anything; the world is only an aching ring in my ears and a burnt echo in my eyes.
\\What the hell was that move? I've never seen anything like it!
Spike: Come on, when can I see already...
//I wait a few more seconds, then open my eyes and blink. I can almost make out Twilight following up with a second spell.
The Drakeling's Walk of the Third ends.

The Drakeling leaps away from Twilight!
Twilight casts Teleport! The beam strikes the marble!
//I roll down the stairs and land on my feet, quick enough to see:
//The marble stone hit by Teleport drops from the top of the room!
The marble collides with the ground, cracking the marble, and the severed parts fly off in arcs!
//One stair completely demolished and several beyond repair, clouds of billowing dust and boulders of jagged stone tumbling about. Are all throne rooms like this?
\\Idiot, watch out! Where did that marble stone go? Directly above where you were! It would have crushed and killed you or -- if you had been hit -- the fall would break your legs! Maybe even kill you!
//Still blind and unable to hear, Hazel shouts to no one in particular:
PH: What in fucking _hell_ is happening in my throne room?!
T: Just -- just take cover, okay?!
//There is no smile on her lips. No cheeriness in her eyes. Not even a hateful scowl. Standing next to the throne, even though she's yelling Twilight shows only calm acceptance. Almost... resignation.
//She's really trying to kill me.
The Drakeling breathes dragonfire!

Twilight speaks a word of power, forming symbols in the air! Twilight dodges away from the dragonfire! Twilight casts Heat Sink!

The Drakeling breathes dragonfire! But nothing comes out!
//What now?!
//Air grows colder against my scales. Instinctively, they pack tighter, trying to keep body heat in. Frost starts collecting on my nose and eyelashes, and on the marble stairs between us, making them slick. Inside, I grow less energetic.
//I try to breathe fire on my hands to work again as rapid cold approaches. Nothing comes out, and Twilight looks on.
//My limbs feel like lead, nothing moves and my mind is starting to slow down. Freeze bites at my lips and I can't feel my feet or tail. This is colder than anything I thought possible, in a matter of seconds.
T: You told me dragons can't feel heat, but later on Quine's mountain you struggled in the snow. Did you fail there?
\\If you're going to not move, at least do it warm!

The Drakeling draws power from within himself, and casts Blood of the Earth!
//Steam rises from my feet as the marble lets magma through it, snaking up from under the earth into my veins. Feeling, alongside molten iron, washes back into my fingers and extremities. The frost turns into water and boils away.
//Twilight whispers:
T: No.
Twilight speaks a word of power, forming symbols in the air! Twilight casts Heat Sink!
//Little dots of solid marble start rising out of my skin. An orange glow between my scales turns into dull brown and grey rock, paralyzing me.
Spike: What?!
//Such power, to nearly flash-freeze magma...
//Twilight, silent, readies to cast another spell. Is that one she used earlier...?

\\Drop the magma, you're starving to death as you turn to stone! Those emeralds can only sustain you for so long!
//If I drop it, I freeze to death! If I don't, I die as a statue! What is there to do?!
//DIE LIKE A BITCH?
//Shut up!!
Twilight points at The Drakeling and casts a spell! Twilight casts Helium Flash!
//There's incentive!

The Drakeling's Blood of the Earth ends.
The Drakeling jumps away from the beam!
The beam expands! The Drakeling's left hand is caught in the spell! The Drakeling's tail is caught in the spell! The Drakeling's left hand is burnt to a crisp! The Drakeling's tail is badly burnt!
Spike: Kyaah!
//I clutch my left wrist in the burning heat, greater than dragonfire. It's nothing more than charred, black, unfeeling remains.
Spike: My hand, dragons are immune to heat--
T: There are a few attacks nothing in the world can withstand. Extremes of temperature are two of them.
//So what'll she do if I survive this?! Move on to the next ones?
\\'Survive'?! You can't survive more attacks like that! Her offense is too strong!
Spike: Grrrr... planning to kill anything in the world makes you insane!
The Drakeling draws power from within himself, and casts Hand of Judgment!
The Drakeling draws power from within himself, and casts Walk of the Third!

The Drakeling charges at Twilight!
//I jump up the stairs, holding my destroyed hand against my stomach. Twilight, already prepared, finishes casting a spell as I'm in the Walk, not even knowing where I am.
Twilight speaks a word of power, forming symbols in the air! Twilight casts Earthmold!
The Drakeling's Walk of the Third ends!
//Not much more of that left...
Earthmold shapes the marble!
//I stumble up another stair as the floor below me shifts, like wet leaves underfoot.
Earthmold grabs The Drakeling by the right foot with its marble!
//The stone reaches up and grabs me! I trip!
//ZAP! through my ankle into the ground.
The Drakeling's Bolt of Judgment dissipates.
//Stuck in place on the ground, my throat tightens and I tense up. Instead of doing anything useful, I look up at Twilight.
Twilight speaks a word of power, and symbols form in the air! Twilight disappears!

//Wait... there was no burst of air. The tapestry behind her didn't flutter. Invisibility?
//In the pause, the door in the corner of the throne room is cracked open. Hazel pokes her head out of the supply room.
PH: Damn, the Mason's Guild is going to be livid with me.
Spike: Why aren't you doing anything?
PH: I'm not endangering anyone else by bringing them into it. You know how powerful Twilight is, right?
//That doesn't make me feel better when she's invisible and somewhere in this room!
\\You're on your own, Hero. Just like you've always been.
Spike: ...
The Drakeling stands up.
Spike: (No. I'm not on my own. And I've never been.)
//Although sometimes I wish I was.
//FUCK YOU
Spike: Twilight... did you plan this all along? Were we going to fight from the very beginning?
//No one responds. As expected; there's not much use to an invisibility spell if you start talking.
Spike: I... don't know if it's harder to believe than the opposite. You were always there for me when I needed it most. And when Equestria needed it most.
PH: (Pssst! Try to talk her down! It might work!)
//That's what I was trying, thanks... and whispering won't work when we're half a room away and she's also in here!
Spike: From helping me in my first fight against Wafa, to rounding up the Four Bandits messing around in Everfree, to dealing with Quine and Applejack to end the war, and training me in the early days of my journey, I wouldn't be here without your help... why help me with all that if you planned to kill me now?
//Nothing but stairs, melted and broken and scattered with rubble, around me. Curtains drawn over the windows and tapestries hanging on the walls give no clues to Twilight's movement. The throne shines ahead of me.
Spike: When I first started my journey, told you I was going to defeat the Princess to bring back harmony to Equestria -- Rarity scoffed and said I was chasing a pipe dream. Which any normal pony would say. You, however, accepted it with little question _despite the fact my quest was to overthrow what you've worked to create_. Do you believe in me that much? I haven't done anything to deserve that...
//What did you do when Fluttershy couldn't be seen? And moving to the side won't help; this is true invisibility...
Spike: Celestia... what I've realized is people use Celestia's name to justify what they want to do anyway. Herr Yyz taught me that. So I don't buy your 'sudden revelation' -- it's stupid for us to fight! No goddess would order that!
//Excepting the fact that she, you know, did...
PH: Hey, both of you, I just had a quickie visit from Celestia in here; she said to stop fighting. You know, by the way.
//That... is incredibly obvious and won't work.
Spike: I don't care if you want to die! I don't care if you think -- if you've made mistakes! The Crystal Empire, the hundreds of dragons after the disappearance, whatever happened in Ponyville -- it's in the past! Those are lessons now, for you to grow stronger! It's not like I haven't made mistakes!
//REMIND HER OF ALL HER FUCKING BLOODBATHS AND THE SCREAMING AND THE MURDER OF INNOCENTS--
//Whose? Mine or hers?
Spike: Our deaths won't solve anything -- they are _not_ redemption! We both want to work for the benefit of everyone! And you've proven that you can! People need to live for the good of the world, not die or kill for it!
//From the left, a simple rebuttal:
T: ...I'm sorry, Spike. But you're wrong about everything.
//Well then I have only one choice!

The Drakeling draws power from within himself, and casts Blood of the Earth!
//Magma flows into my foot from the Earthmold, melting it away. Before I starve to death, let's end this--
The Drakeling's Blood of the Earth ends.
The Drakeling draws power from within himself, and casts Touch of Grisly Terror!
//Locking onto the scent of pony, I leap towards Twilight!
The Drakeling leaps at Twilight!
Twilight points at The Drakeling and starts to cast a spell! Twilight casts Airshock!
//Something like a lead weight slams into me from the front, a bullet train made of force that stops me in my tracks.
The Drakeling is knocked backwards!
Twilight's Invisibility is ended!
//Let's try this again.
The Drakeling draws power from within himself, and casts Walk of the Third!
//Twilight, still dodging away in front of me, slows to a crawl. I see Hazel peeking out of her hiding spot with one eye.
The Drakeling draws power from within himself, and casts Lake of Fire!
//A semicircular wall of flame erupts behind Twilight, waiting until time resumes.
The Drakeling draws power from within himself, and casts Hand of Judgment!
//Even if I have only one hand, I have to make the most of it! There's no other way to convince Twilight to stop than to defeat her!
The Drakeling charges at Twilight!
The Drakeling's Walk of the Third ends.
//There's nothing left to do! I have to win with this now!

//Twilight lands on the next stair down and finds me charging -- our eyes meet and, flinching, she casts--
Twilight speaks a word of power, forming symbols in the air! Her horn glows brighter! Twilight casts Flashbang!
Twilight points at The Drakeling and starts to cast a spell! Twilight casts Airshock!
//At the same time, blinding light, a deafening bang, and a flameless explosion from behind all hit me. I trip in my charge and stumble forward, unable to see--
Twilight kicks The Drakeling in the right lower leg with her right rear leg, shattering the bone, jamming the right lower leg's bone through the right knee and shattering the right knee's bone!
A major artery has been opened by the attack, several ligaments have been torn, and several tendons have been damaged!
Twilight kicks The Drakeling in the lower body with her Kick of Justice, bruising the stomach, bruising the guts, bruising the left kidney, shattering the lower spine's bone and tearing apart the lower spine's nervous tissue!
The Drakeling is propelled away by the force of the blow!

//OH GODDESS WHY
//I'd yell as I'm lifted off the ground, but the pain chokes my throat closed.
//Before I slam into the back wall of the throne room, the only thing I sense beyond white light and ringing is a thin, solitary string that catches on my scale for a moment, and then snaps.
The Drakeling collides with the obstacle!
The Drakeling's left lower arm takes the full force of the impact, chipping the scale, bruising the muscle and shattering the bone!
The Drakeling's tail takes the full force of the impact, bruising the muscle and bruising the bone!
The Drakeling collides with the ground!
The Drakeling's upper body takes the full force of the impact, bruising the muscle and shattering the right true ribs!
//I feel something clatter to the ground in front of me, then slide and tap my right hand. Blind, deaf, facedown and in tremendous pain, I'm not going to do anything like finding out what it is until one of those things changes.
The flames are dismissed.

//A few calm seconds pass, and I don't die. Hearing recovers first.
PH: ...all for mythological allusions, but this is a bit far, right? I'm not the only one who thinks that?
T: That wasn't... above the throne _the entire time_, was it?
//Huh?
PH: I can't figure out how it went undetected. The illusion to disguise it should have triggered... _something_, right?
Spike: Uggh...
//What are they talking about?
//Twilight hums, and starts trotting up the stairs.
T: Oh, good, you're not dead. Although...
//Hazel sticks out her tongue.
PH: I sat under that thing for months. Could you imagine?
//I open my eyes. In front of my fingertips is a simple broadsword, undecorated and sharp. Its handle has two pairs of letters scratched in that I can't make out, and a golden horsehair tied once around.
T: ...you've lost. I'm sorry, Spike... but this is the way it has to be...
//Twilight, from in front of the throne (I'm behind it), starts casting a spell.
Twilight speaks a word of power, forming symbols in the air! Twilight casts Earthmold!
Earthmold shapes the marble!
//Marble starts crawling over my legs, forming a blanket rapidly closing me in. I can hardly move without the stone; my body is just giving in...
T: I hope you don't hate me for this, Spike... I hope _I_ don't hate me for this.
//From the front I hear, through ringing and pain, another voice.
Sword: 'Lo, Hero. My name's Reality. And I'm here to bring you a message: the pen can _suck it_.