"Do you remember when life was simpler?" Luna asked as she lounged across Celestia's bed, gazing out the window at the stars that adorned her night's sky.

The older sister was in front of the mirror on the wall, combing through her flowing, sparkling mane. It wasn't so much a concern with beauty as an old habit. Their mother was fond of brushing their manes before bed, and even now, Celestia still found the time to comb through it; it was relaxing and brought about a nostalgic air. For a few minutes every night, Celestia was no longer a Princess, she became herself. Whatever that meant.

"What do you mean? When we were younger?"

"Younger, yes, but not just us. When the world was younger. When ponies were more civilized, nature less troubled, warfare more elegant."

"Oh," Celestia replied lazily as she shifted her head back and forth in front of the mirror, "yes, I remember those times fondly. There was a day when ponies were nicer, less concerned with possessions, and more comfortable laughing at themselves. Ignorance, as some might call it."

"Mmm, when the world held less secrets and more mysteries to explore and revel in," Luna added.

"When war was as easy as raising a flag and marching to the enemy's camp. No secret weapons, no entangling alliances, no covert operations," Celestia finished.

"Do you think life will ever be so pleasant again?" Luna asked, but perhaps more to herself than her sister.

"Who can say what the future holds?" Celestia asked in reply.

A silence ensued that was neither natural or comfortable. Luna didn't particularly want to talk about what Celestia was going to bring up. The younger sibling stood up when her sister walked away from the mirror, and they faced each other beside the bed.

"Goodnight, Luna."

"Sleep well, sister."

Celestia climbed into the bed and Luna walked over to the door, but stopped when she was halfway out of her sister's bedroom. She bit her lip and waited as Celestia brought the covers up over chest and settled in. Another few second of hesitant silence passed.

"Luna," Celestia called, "keep up a vigilant eye out tonight."

"As always," Luna replied.

"I don't mean only the changelings; we both know that Snape can't be trusted. I can't even rule out the possibility that he's working with them, and one invasion was quite enough."

Luna turned to face her sister, face in a slight scowl, "You're being unfair. I told you that he's spent the last couple days hunting down the intruders. We might not have to bother at all."

"He's a clever wizard Luna, he could very well be deceiving you."

"Don't be silly!" Luna retorted, the conversation having now turned into a sibling argument.

"Snape is not of this world, he is not a pony. What gain does he have in protecting us?"

"What does he stand to gain with the Changelings?"

"A home, perhaps. Acceptance."

"That's what he has here! At least from some of us!" Luna shouted back, hotly.

Celestia considered getting out of bed and turning the argument into something more serious, but declined in the end. As much as she would always love her sister, she could be so stubborn sometimes. Thus it fell to Celestia to be strong, logical, and calm at all times. Luna would see Snape as a threat. One way or another, Luna would realize the truth.

"Keep your eye on him," Celestia repeated.

"I have been, and I only have positive things to say about him. I believe in Severus Snape."

"That only means you have to keep a closer eye on him. I have trained many wizards, magicians, and sorceresses in my time; few can be trusted completely. Trust is key Luna. Magic holds many great secrets, but even in Equestria it has an uncanny way of tainting those who use it."

"You wouldn't be saying any of this if it was Twilight Sparkle that had been keeping the secret," Luna dismissed.

"On the contrary," Celestia affirmed, "I would most certainly keep her in focus. It took me many years to put complete trust in her."

"When did you become so paranoid?"

"When Stormdark the Charmer turned on Equestria."

"Who?"

"You were long gone," Celestia explained, looking down into the floor beside her nightstand, "Stormdark was my fifth student, and I placed a good deal of trust in him. He lulled me into believing he had the best interests of the nation at heart, but when I placed him in authority for only one day, disaster struck. I had left Canterlot for no more than a few hours, but when I returned, it was a disaster. Magic corrupted him in more ways than one, and I have never been able to trust a wizard so easily again. I have even felt that same corruption pulling at me, now and again...I think you have too."

"So you fear the same is true of Snape? That he'll be a menace if we let him live a little? He's not a pet to run amok, sister, he's a powerful, interesting, and in my proud opinion, noble wizard from another world. Why can't you accept that?"

"I just told you why."

"Snape isn't Stormdark! Snape isn't even a pony, but I believe he has good reason to keep us safe and protect us."

"Humor me then, why's that?"

"All I can say is that I...have a good feeling about it..."

"That's it? A feeling? You can't be serious, Luna!"

"Not just a feeling..."

"What else?"

"A word."

"What's the word?"

"Lily."

"As in the flower?"

"Yes, I don't know the significance to him or how it may have tied into his world, or even how it could tie into this one...but he's doing this all...for 'Lily'...I know it. 'Lily' is why he'll protect us."

"I'll need far more than 'Lily' before I begin to place any trust back in him. You have your orders. Watch Snape, carefully and cautiously."

With that, Luna stormed out and paid no heed to the scared-looking guards that watched Celestia's door during the night. The entire wing was deserted, save for those few guards and the arriving ones at the stairwell entrance. Luna passed them with a hasty nod, quite contrasting with their passionate bow. She was gone when they got upright again.

Luna passed by Cadence in the halls. She was crying.

"Cadence? What's happened?"

The Crystal Princess could do nothing more than look at Luna as the tears fell and embrace her compassionate hoof over her shoulders. Luna couldn't help but stare down at Cadence's glowing belly as she supported her niece. The crying wasn't the only thing that bothered her, but the general air of depression and coldness that followed her. The feeling of dejection in her body. Soon, she persuaded Cadence to follow her into the next hall, where they could sit down at a couch beside a window.

They sat face to face while and moonbeams lit up half of their faces, leaving the other surrounded in darkness. Luna's seemed dark and depressing to Cadence, while her teary face gave off an almost deranged look.

"What's wrong?" Luna repeated.

The night winds blew fiercely on the outskirts of town as Snape's wand flew in different directions, parrying many magic blasts. The battle wasn't taking much effort, but it was important that he keep it as hidden as possible. Scrutinous eyes were all about these days.

With a quick spinning motion he evaporated into a shadowy essence that glided through the air above his target. The pony retreated farther into the shadowy alleys as the nightlife of Canterlot's shops and diners and socialite parties went on without interruption in the distance. He made it almost to the edge of the city and afforded himself a short period of rest. He began coughing and hacked up several mouthfuls of phlegm and blood.

The shadowy form of Snape landed atop the runaway pony and he struggled to escape it's black grip, but he could not. Snape's hand appeared on the pony's neck and his wand formed in Snape's free hand, stationed close by the stallion's lower chest. The pony continued to frantically worm around until Snape had fully formed again. A quick, firm squeeze of his hand put the stallion in his place.

"Cadence?" Luna asked for the third time. Unlike the previous two attempts, her crying got softer, and she prepared to speak up.

She choked and weeped a little more, but she found the strength to inform Luna of bits and pieces, "Snape...mental sessions...husband angry..."

"No matter what, we will stand by your side," Luna assured, "you are never alone."

Cadence took the words in gladly, but if anything, they encouraged her sobbing. Luna ran her hoof through Cadence's mane. Her sister used to comfort her that way, and in truth, it was about all Luna knew in the ways of physical assurance and compassion. With a little more time, the crying went away and Cadence was ready to explain.

"Start from the beginning..." Luna encouraged.

"Well, I took your advice, and I started seeing Snape about the...problems I've been having. Well, the mental one."

"I'm glad, although whatever caused this has certainly not helped."

"No," Cadence agreed, "it hasn't. Things were going well for a time. Snape...being Snape...wasn't the friendliest or encouraging of teachers, but I sensed a great care in him. A great love..."

"Lily..." Luna whispered to herself.

Cadence stopped herself at the word. Her mouth hung open in surprise, but complete empathy as well. More so than Luna's prior actions and words, it seemed 'Lily' had done the most good.

"Exactly. Lily. What else do you know about her?"

"Her? All I know is the name. I saw it, in Snape's nightmare."

"I don't know much myself, but I know he's living with us with a purpose in mind. All I can see in that purpose is Lily. Lily is Snape's key motivation. Because of Lily, Snape's been helping me. At least it was helpful."

Remembering Cadence's problem, Luna shifted her mind from Lily back to Cadence, but the thought still rang in her head as her niece continued her story: 'I believe in Severus Snape. I believe in Severus Snape.'

"Things were going well, until he asked me to tell Shining Armor about our work together."

"I think I see the problem," Luna replied.

"Shining is great, but he's also pretty jealous," Cadence admitted.

"How badly did he react?"

"Very," Cadence answered with a sniffle, "He stormed off after a short bout of yelling and went off, I can only assume to find Snape."

"Oh dear," Luna said and held her hoof to her mouth as they both looked out the window.

"I know...Shining is in trouble..." Cadence affirmed.

"How long must this go on before you break?" Snape asked.

The unicorn did not reply, but worked to free himself from Snape's paralyzing spell. It was of no use, however, as he only tired himself out faster and faster. But that was the intent of the spell, wasn't it?

He huffed and his eyes went wide as Snape's wand came again closer. Snape's face was set in stone, not enjoying, but certainly not adversed to ending, the torture. A quick flash made the pain return and his howls were absorbed by Snape's magic, never to meet the cold night air.

"You are not here with purpose," Snape began again, "you are here by mistake. Your presence in this city, though disturbing, is an accident. You do not realize the gravity of your situation, and I would very much like to know why that is. Unfortunately...by some means, you are immune to my mental powers, as long as you choose to be. Therefore, my hands will remain dirty, so to say, until you tell me what I wish to know."

The unicorn began to open his mouth, but Snape placed his hand over it, adding, "And don't lie to me. I detest a liar."

The final warning seemed to make the stallion reconsider his position and Snape heightened the pain for a few seconds, and then gradually reduced it as he walked circles around the helpless pony. The prone creature closed his eyes and did his best to shake his head, remove the pain and unending strife, but his efforts, as expected, were futile, and Snape raised his wand again to resume the torturous spell.

"I don't know!"

"What was that?" Snape asked, his wand slowly recoiling from the unicorn's body.

"I'll have my guards track down your husband," Luna promised as she rose.

"I hope he hasn't found Snape yet."

"Even so, I'll have him back to you soon. I believe in Severus Snape."

"Thank you, Luna," Cadence said as the Lunar Princess hurried off down the halls.

Luna reached the exterior of the castle quickly and found a squadron of her own personal guards at the ready, waiting as usual for any specific nightly orders. Each one bowed as Luna approached and listened fully as she explained their latest task.

"This is of great importance, Lunar Guard," She announced, "somewhere in this city, the Prince Shining Armor is hunting down our visitor, the one you all have no doubt heard of. The new teacher, the human wizard, Severus Snape. You must find one of them before they meet; if they have already encountered one another, make sure they both live to see my sister's sun tomorrow. Failure is not tolerated when you serve me! Go!"

They each bowed in turn and saluted their princess before they ran off, flying above the large capitol. She stopped the final few from leaving by raising her hoof in their path and gave them new orders.

"On the off chance Shining Armor is in the castle, find him. If you cannot, search for Snape instead. You have my permission to enter his room. Nothing more than that."

They too nodded, and went about with their task. Luna only hoped she hadn't hurt Snape even more with the details of that order. She remained at the castle's edge, watching most of them soar out under her moon with hope.

A flash of white light took the black coated pony and morphed him into his true form: that of an invading changeling.

"I...I don't know...what happened!" The changeling explained with a begging plea. He was still struggling to break away, but Snape bound the paralysis spell even tighter so that the changeling could hardly speak.

"Help me understand this," Snape said as he gradually leaned in closer, "you arrived in this city without knowledge of your objectives or the source of your sudden immunity to my powers? You have no idea who I am? You don't really know what you are?"

"Yes!" The hurt yet seething creature choked, "yes!"

Snape eased the grip of the spell, slightly. The wind howled as the sounds of the town in the distance rose, their night coming to supposed climax. They were soon drowned out by the hacking of the changeling, who again spit up mounds of saliva, this time it was a shade of tainted nutmeg, and more blood. So they could bleed...

"You spark my interest, creature. I think I'll have to take this a step further. If you try anything at all...I assure, it will be the last thing you do."

The changeling licked the spittle from his lips as Snape apparated them away.

Two of Luna's personal guard stood on a grass hill far to the east of Canterlot. They had been ordered down the mountain, but were also told not to stray too far. A standard precaution, but always a necessary one. Down below the mountain, the winds were less apparent, but twice as icy. It was a sort of desolate place, to them at least; they lived in caves, what could be expected?

Their gazes stretched from horizon to horizon, but there were no signs of the royal prince of the wizard from another life. One took out a spyglass, a piece of dated equipment, yet one that served a purpose. If one of them was, for some reason, beyond the gaze of the spyglass, there might not be an easy way to find them, for the time being.

"What do you see?" The first asked as his partner took several seconds to observe the far reaches of the plains, spinning periodically as he did so.

"Nothing unusual, yet."

"Do you imagine either would have actually left the city?"

"Tough to say; I don't know the human Snape, and I've never known the Prince to take things so badly either. For all I know, my entire life as a guard has been leading up to a moment like this. To face down the unknown and do whatever necessary for the Princess."

The guard with the spyglass was obviously the older one, and he took longer than most guards would to scan the area for any clues or signs as to their mission. He beamed with the experience and relatability that made a good guard a great one. The younger counterpart waited silently and patiently from that point on.

"Well...it appears there's nothing of note here...except maybe there..."

"What's wrong?"

"A small farm, several of them exist in the plains, but they're usually spaced far apart and don't come into contact with many outsiders. This one looks...like it was under siege, from something."

"Should we investigate?"

"What do you think?"

"This process will allow me to find the answers you conveniently lack," Snape explained, as he recreated the situation from the city. There was nopony around to spot them, nor anything that the changeling could do to escape...if Snape had calculated the circumstances correctly.

The changeling was literally quivering and swallowed hardly as Snape began to prod around the changeling's mind. They were quite attuned to the mental realm, even the ones that supposedly lacked a connection to the hive mind.

"This won't hurt. Unless I want it to," Snape confided as he entered he changeling's mind, searching through his hazy past to discover the mysteries of his existence prior to his Canterlot exploits.

Immediately the blackened world around him faded as a dreary pool of the past sprung up before his eyes. He saw the things the changeling could not recall, things as far back as the time of his hatching to the very same night he wandered into Canterlot in the form of a unicorn.

As the pieces came together Snape began to feel the strain put on his mind; he was going to have a headache soon. He was most interested in figuring out how this particular changeling had acquired such mental prowess, even among his own.

This changeling, his name irrelevant according to his hive, his identity a blur according to his soul, had quite the interesting adventure. Not long after breaking from the egg of which he was spawned, this changeling was sent into a pit with many others. It was a traumatic experience, a barbaric ritual of his kind to test the mettle and courage of the next generation's best. In the course of a few days he had done things most creatures, particularly in this world, had rarely experienced.

He survived the horrors of that trip to the Pit of Great Depth, as it was called in his native tongue. He received a scar for his trouble, a fine bite to the side of his head. Snape noticed the indentations earlier. After the trials of the pit, he was sent off on a mission of great importance. He worked directly for the Queen of the Changelings. Chrysalis.

The lands of the gryphons were spacious, yet barren. He stayed there for several years, searching for signs of love, in other words, he was hunting for nourishment. But he found little. Gryphons were not known for an overbearing sense of love and kinship, but when it did exist, it was a very potent love. He found himself suffering from malnutrition not long after arrival, but he stuck to his mission out of extreme loyalty, or perhaps a great fear of failure. It was hard to tell, given the pounding in his head Snape was beginning to feel.

His stay in foreign lands was cut short when he hive mind reached out to him; they were in serious trouble. Something was going terribly wrong at home, and he was needed. He left swiftly and arrived back to find much of the changeling population sick, and many had died from whatever illness was afflicting the hive. He did what little he could, rationed, provided, advised, but it was not enough. Soon he too had contracted the changeling disease.

This part of his life was where things got misty and Snape had to begin digging deeper to find the answers. The symptoms of the disease took away much of his skill, physical and mental. He had gotten it worse than most, and he slipped into a deep coma for well over a year. He was mistaken as dead, and his connection to the hive mind was severed as he was sent out into the great river with the other corpses.

When he finally awoke, he was feeling weak, obviously confused and in need of help. He had just enough strength to alter his form and receive it. Had he delayed much longer, he would have surely died. He wandered around, capitalizing on whatever situations he could, trying to scrape by however he could.

Then he was drawn towards Canterlot. He couldn't figure out exactly why, but something that seemed almost supernatural to him was guiding him towards the capitol of Equestria. Snape then deduced that the event which drew him was the changeling invasion many months ago.

By the time he arrived, however, the invasion had been overcome, and he was left without purpose once again. Then it occurred. Then he fell into another coma, silently, hidden from the city, sleeping deeply right under the nose of the Princesses. But this coma was not like the first; it was a metamorphosis. Snape realized then that the disease that had infected much of the changeling hive was actually a form of mutation. It was evolving the changeling race, if they survived it's effects. Few had been as sick as he had, and so his powers had become heightened almost beyond belief.

Amazingly, the changeling hadn't come into contact with others of his kind. It seemed they heeded him no mind, since his link to the hive was broken. This changeling might not even realize his kin were in the city.

Snape broke the spell and grabbed his head as it pounded away with the after affects of the magical mental link. He staggered away as the changeling seemed relieved, as though Snape's actions had revived him. Perhaps they did in a sense. Either way, Snape's biggest worry, despite the fact that this changeling was not connected to the hive mind and unable to give anything away to Chrysalis, was whatever he had discovered about Snape during the melding of their minds.

"You...are the one called...Half-Blood Prince."

"...Yes," Snape admitted.

"Then...I thank you, Half-Blood Prince. You have awakened me. I understand now."

"And exactly what is it that you understand?"

"Who I am. What I am. You have pieced my past together. I am free."

"Not quite," Snape replied, wand aimed at the changeling, "your usefulness to me has run out."

The changeling laughed, as if Snape was no threat at all. Then for a moment, he seemed in pain, and then to the shock of them both, two smaller horns erupted on each side of his main horn, which grew longer. Then, his mind was lost and he licked his lips like an invisible predator, ready at any moment to strike a lethal blow on his prey. Snape began to feel his headache spread and a couple of his fingers went numb. His vision began to haze and he could feel himself losing his sense of balance.

'Damn', Snape cursed to himself as he shot a blast of ice of at the evolved predator.

A powerful shield of white energy formed around the changeling, negating the ice blast and pushing Snape backwards at the same time. Snape wasn't up to a fight yet, and he took off again into flight, quickly pursued by the monster he had awakened.

"I don't see anything out here," The younger guard told his partner as they combed through the area around the destroyed farm.

"Then you're not looking hard enough."

The younger guard gave his senior a confused look, causing the older one to smile and chuckle.

"How old do you think this damage is?" He asked the rookie.

"Umm...a day?"

"At least a couple days," The older one corrected as he picked up a broken plate with his hoof.

"OK, but what does that tell us?"

"It tells us that we need to keep a better eye out for ponies in danger, but beyond that, it shows us that the ponies that lived here have gone missing."

"How's that?"

"They would have found an official for help; Ponyville is close by, as is Canterlot, but the fact that we're just now discovering these ruins means whoever lived here has vanished."

"I guess so, but where does that get us with Shining Armor and Snape?"

"I don't know...yet."

"Well, what now then? Are we going to Ponyville?"

"You are learning, good. I don't like it, we're already far enough away, but it might lead us closer to Snape, or maybe Shining Armor. Let's go."

"Come now, Half-Blood Prince," The evolved changeling mocked, "show me your might!"

A series of rapid blasts assaulted Snape's flying form, and he was not able to avoid them all. He dived down towards the ground below them and pulled up before hitting it, gaining extra momentum as he evaded more blasts.

"Were you not a great wizard in your past life?" The changeling jeered before pausing his attack to charge up a powerful blast.

Snape took the opportunity to land and take cover in the ruins of the very farm Discord had confronted him in the last time they met. He hurried behind a mess of brick and wood and cluttered junk that was just enough to aid his protego charm and prevent any damage when the massive wave of white energy blew almost everything in the ruins away.

"Impressive, but not enough to save you from my wrath. You are the first of many casualties in my ascension to ultimate power. Still, you are my benefactor. I will allow you some mercy. Allow me to kill you, and I will make it quick."

Snape stood and slowly approached his hunter, who was hovering contently above him, blocking out many rays of moonlight. His wand was of little use; normal changelings that had been evolved were able to stand up decently to him, but this one was above him. That was no doubt the key to his demise. His wand? No, but words, certainly.

"So..." Snape began as he raised his arms in a show of respect for the changeling's power, "your great plan revolves around mass slaughter? Effective, but not wholly. I can show you a better way."

"Your tongue is lined with gold, Half-Blood Prince, but words cannot hurt me. My mind is even more elevated than yours."

"I speak simple truth. If you saw pieces of my last life, then perhaps you know that I was a spy."

"Intriguing, but not so much as the thought of your death. Continue, but make it quick. If I get bored, I'll merely destroy you."

"I worked for the Dark Lord of my era. I was his chosen, his right hand. I invaded the center of his enemies, and I spied on them for him. When the time came, the Dark Lord's assault was vicious, and by my hand, the opposition's leader had been slain, right under their noses. I am...a more loyal creature, but if I wanted to, I could have killed my Lord without much trouble, all the while the other players in the game knocked each other out. I could have ruled the world...You can use my method, instate me as your right hand."

"Do elaborate," the changeling allowed as he lowered himself to Snape's level, a small, white light burning at the center of his middle horn.

"Go back to your hive, rejoin your queen and earn her trust again. When she finally does trust you, you can kill her and take the changeling armies as your own. Who would think to challenge you?"

"All the while you prepared to destroy me from the city of ponies? No thank you..." The white light got brighter but Snape spoke up quickly.

"By your side, I have much to gain, and everything to lose right now," Snape persuaded as he put his hands down, "I have seen victory from this strategy, and I know it can work. I am powerless against you, as you must surely tell. With the combined might of the changeling hordes, even if I rallied the ponies to my side a victory for anyone but you is far-fetched."

The changeling grumbled as he eyed Snape over and pried at his mind for information. The headache and weariness of his body had not left him, but they were fading as the changeling mulled over Snape's proposition. As long as he could hide the existence of a few variables from the changeling, Snape could work this out to his advantage.

"You mentioned...other players before. What are the major players now?"

"You and myself, of course, but also the four Princesses of Equestria, the Changeling Queen, and the Elements of Harmony, working directly with the Fourth Princess."

"And how would you go about destroying the Princesses and the Elements?"

"I have my ways, rest assured. I know my place. You are the Dark Lord here."

The changeling inhaled slowly, trying desperately to break into Snape's inner thought, and Snape fooled him enough to make him believe he had done so.

"Very well. I will work my end, and you will work yours. Heed my words, Half-Blood Prince, you are mine. Now and forever."

"Of course, but what shall I call you, my Lord?"

"I am Malum, Changeling King...or soon to be."

"Yes my Lord, I will allow you to join the hive, and I shall return to my business."

Malum nodded and teleported away, leaving Snape alone in the field of cold darkness.

'Is this close to what you felt, Albus?' Snape thought.

"Well, Princess Twilight knows about the missing ponies now, but we're no closer to finding Snape or Shining Armor," the younger guard told his companion.

"Don't be so sure!" The older guard warned as they approached the ruins of the farm again and took cover behind a nearby hill.

"That's Snape!" The younger exclaimed, "but what's he doing with...that creature? Is that a changeling?"

"I don't know...but it doesn't look like they're in much contention..."

The two simply spoke, exchanging information the guards were eager to learn.

"How do we get in closer?" The younger asked.

Before the senior could reply, the changeling creature teleported away and Snape stood alone. They had lost their chance, but they would certainly have an interesting report to give to Princess Luna. The younger guard looked distraught at the lost opportunity, and upon dwelling on the situation for a few seconds, he rose angrily.

"This ends now, I'm going to confront him myself and-"

"No."

"What do you mean 'no'?"

"Princess Luna believes in Snape...and so do I. We won't interfere with him, but we will let her know. Come on. I'd think Shining Armor has been found by now."

The younger guard looked dejected as he eyed Snape over, still standing alone, frozen in time it seemed, but he followed his partner back to Canterlot with all due haste.

"Thank you," Luna told the two guards before they flew off towards their cavern homes. Celestia was due to wake any minute, and Luna was ready to go to bed herself.

It was disturbing news to hear. She wondered if she should really tell Celestia about it. Luna knew Snape had good intentions, but the facts according to her sources made it hard not to paint the human wizard as a villain. She trailed up the stairs to her sister's bedroom, thinking of how to word the conversation that was to come.

She would probably tell her about Shining Armor's fit of emotion first, and how he was found drunk nearby Joe's Donut Shop. Not a good night for most any of them, it seemed. Luna would be lucky to find a good time of sleep today, she just knew it. The Lunar Princess rounded the corner, and to her shock, ran into her sister.

"Tia? You're up already?"

"Luna. Good morning."

"Why so soon? You usually relish sleeping in until as late as possible."

"I had urgent business to attend to."

"With...?"

"Guess."

"You told me to watch Snape, and I am."

"And what have you to report?"

Luna hesitated and turned her eyes to the floor. Celestia raised her eyebrow curiously before going on.

"I confronted him about the secret entrance underneath my school. He seemed rather upset."

Luna could barely hold her response in. She bit her lower lip and refused to face her older sister as the Princess of the Sun proudly retold the conversation.

"He was surprised too, as to how I found out, but of course he didn't admit that. Needless to say, my punishment for his secrecy didn't sit well with him."

"What did you do?" Luna asked quietly, finally looking her sister eye to eye.

"I forbade him from leaving this city without the accompaniment of a Princess or Shining Armor. I also shut down his access to the school basement. We're looking into it now."

"He's not against us," Luna pleaded.

"He is. Even if he doesn't show it, Luna, you must trust me."

"I believe in Severus Snape!" Luna shouted.

"...What do you have to tell me? What is your report?"

"To tartarus with this!" Luna replied as she stormed off.

Celestia shook her head in disapproval. Snape had grown far too close to her friends and allies. Snape was a disease, and Celestia would be the cure. She would see to this matter personally. Severus Snape, in all his secrecy and deception and manipulative ways, would be ratted out for the fiend he was. Given time, Celestia would bring order to Equestria again.

Author's Notes:

Thank you all for helping this story be amazing and successful and continuously fun to write; I officially consider this my magnum opus! You're all great!

Now, the OC wizard mentioned was a main character in another story of mine called "There Used to be Two"; This is not the same universe, nor the same version of the character as in that fic, but I am taking one of my many OCs and planting him into this story...mostly because when I got the idea as I was writing, I couldn't resist. So, I encourage you to go read "There Used to be Two", and if you're up to it, I'd be glad if you'd check it out.

I hope you enjoy and have yourselves a wonderful day!

BTW...do you believe in Severus Snape?
-TBK