"I'm sorry, I must be getting hard of hearing in my old age. Could you do me a favour, and run that by me again? You did what?!" Discord had been having a lovely evening so far. He had awoken from his sleep, scared the ever-living snot out of a pony, devoured it, and traveled down to the Changeling's lair. Everything so far had been progressing as he had envisioned. His troops were growing more powerful, Celestia was unaware of their plans, and thus far she had no idea it was Discord pulling the strings. Everything was progressing perfectly. Everything, that is, except this. Chrysalis was cowering in her throne room, one of her hooves lifted in front of her, as if it could shield her from the draconequus' glare.

"W-w-w-well you said I should give the new troops a trial run, so I sent them out to cause some trouble for the ponies, and to collect more samples for you! You go through them so quickly!"

Discord sighed, and pinched the bridge if his nose. He had spent over one thousand years frozen in place, watching the world pass by so that he might have this opportunity, and now this bumbling shape-shifter was going to unravel his carefully woven plan? Suppressing a growl, he allowed a pleasant smile to envelope his face.

"My dear, sweet Queen Chrysalis. Of course I wanted you to test out the new troops. I would have loved to be there to see the stupid looks on the pony's faces. You did exactly what I wanted." Chrysalis gently lowered her hoof, confusion registering on her face.

"I did? Then why..." Discord's scowl returned to his face and he screamed at her.

"Of course not you bumbling idiot! Dammit, I have been working on these plans for over a millennium, and in one afternoon you almost manage to screw them up?! Are you absolutely insane?!" He lashed out with his tail, knocking a decorative brass vase across the room into an absent-minded changeling. A sickening crunch indicated the life-force of the beast had been snuffed out, before the sight of trails of green blood did. The queen of the changelings hid behind her throne.

"P-p-please Discord, I don't understand. I just thought that since those Elements of Harmony that have given us both trouble before lived in Ponyville, it would be the prefect testing grounds. If they had been captured or killed..."

"Yes it would have been perfect, but they weren't! Even if your troops had succeeded, Celestia would have come down in force before long. We're not ready. Need I remind you that it wasn't even the Elements that defeated you? It was those two sappy lovey-dovey bullshit kids!" He was even more furious now. His screaming carried across the city.

"And! Besides all of that, he is currently in Ponyville. If he had been killed..." He threw the throne with one of his hands, watching it shatter across the wall. His other claw grabbed Queen Chrysalis around the throat and began choking her. "... Let's just say you and I wouldn't be having this discussion right now." His face was inches from her nose. She could smell the flesh of dead pony on his breath. She squirmed and fidgeted, trying to escape his grasp. His claws slowly tightened their grip, scoring cuts along the changeling queen’s neck. Green blood trickled down his fingers and began to drip on the floor. Her eyes went wide with panic, and then started to roll back in her head. Finally, as she was about to pass out, the demon released his grip on her. Chrysalis tumbled to the floor, gasping and drinking in as much as the sweet air as she could.

"As it is, your troops failed to kill him. Also, it seems that due to Twilight's spell, any evidence of our new… loyal subjects… was removed, and only rumours persist now. You, inadvertently, proved to be successful. I am confident that the new troops will be an excellent addition to our army, and you have tasted a bit of revenge. I will let the matter go this time. Next time... well... perhaps you should ask your troops who tried to kill the human what happens to those who cross me. Though, I think you‘ll find they aren‘t exactly in the most talkative mood." Discord waved a claw in the general direction of the changeling city.

Struggling to her feet, Chrysalis peered out one of the windows overlooking her kingdom. Allowing her eyes to adjust to the lower light, she carefully examined the city. Looking down on the buildings, she could see her troops hard at work, clearing out debris, doing training drills, shape-shifting into whatever creatures they had observed lately for practice. However, she couldn’t identify any of the troops she had sent to Ponyville. She allowed her gaze to travel upwards, and noticed something towards the ceiling of the chasm. After a moment, she figured out what she was seeing, and gasped. Discord's lips curled in a cruel, toothy grin.

Spread amongst the stalactites of the cavern, was every single one of the changelings that had orchestrated the attack on Ponyville. Most were in several pieces, their bodily fluids dripping down on the buildings far below. Not one of them still lived. Chrysalis vomited. Finally, after a few moments, she regained her composure enough to growl at him.

"I have no idea what happened to you, Discord, but somewhere along the way you became a really sick bastard." He glared at her and screamed again.

"What happened? What happened?! I've told you before, we all keep losing because we all keep playing by Celestia‘s rules. Cutesy crap. ’Oh look at me, I’m Nightmare Moon. I’m going to plunge the world into darkness, and rather than actually use my powers to control or kill any of the ponies that could stop me, I’ll cut off a dragon’s moustache and stick a thorn in a manticore’s paw’. ‘Oh look at me, I’m Queen Chrysalis. I’m going to create an elaborate scheme to overthrow Canterlot based on the power of love, and rather than kill the one pony who can stop my forces, I’ll play wedding with him, because why not?’.

“I'm done. I’m done with that kindergarten junior villain bullshit. I'm doing what should have been done centuries ago. I will stop at nothing, nothing, until Celestia and her ponies are enslaved. I will kill, destroy, or control every single thing that comes between me and that. If I have to, I will plunge Equestria into flames. Now- I trust we won't have any further issues?!" Chrysalis sighed, and lowered her head.

"No, Lord Discord. I am your obedient servant." The demi-god smiled and nodded.

"Good, good. Now, give me your latest reports on the production lines. I shouldn't need to remind you of the cost of failure." The changeling queen shuddered and closed her eyes, taking a moment to steady herself. Regaining her composure, she used her magic to float out a clip-board and read off the daily reports.

"My most recent report has lines one through three at or above expected returns. Obviously, due to the more readily available stock, line one continues to outperform two and three. Failure rates due to rejection are still higher than acceptable and currently most research is going in to minimizing the losses.

"Line four is being prepped as we speak, but with two and three currently needing more essence, it may be some time before we can divert enough of sample groups B and C. I made the decision to focus on the core lines before we proceed with four."

Discord rubbed his chin thoughtfully. The near bi-polar competency of the changeling was astounding. She had nearly ruined over a thousand years of planning the day before because she couldn't keep her ego in check. Now, not twelve hours later, she was showing restraint and cunning? If he didn't need this army so bad...

"That's... acceptable. So far that's exactly what I had hoped for. Continue on, my faithful queen. I have my own work to do tonight. I shan't keep you detained any longer." Blurting out a response faster than Discord would have liked, Chrysalis questioned his departure.

"W-wait. What about..." A deadly serious look enveloped the draconequus' face. He glared at the changeling and debated removing her insolent head. His diet had mostly consisted of ponies for the last few years. Perhaps changeling would be a delicious change… His features finally softened, deciding to answer her unspoken question.

"As long as I know where, and what the human is doing, I can... monitor the situation. As long as you don't pull another stunt like that."

"But it wouldn't..."

"Enough!" he screamed. "You think I don't know that?! The further he travels the more he's going to encounter it, and I need him kept safe, and I need the ponies as confused as possible. Yes it won't help for everything, but he's a big boy. The results of your attack on Ponyville are evidence enough.”

"O-o-ok I'm sorry. You're right. I'll get back to work now, Discord." His sickly grin was back.

"Good. Don't fail me Chrysalis. Remember the gifts I give to failures. They’re simply… to die for." Snapping his fingers, he disappeared into a fold in the fabric of space and time. Dark tendrils of entropic energy reached into the room as he departed, leaving the queen of the changelings shivering from not just fear but the cold as well. Managing to straighten herself out, she looked over to where her assembled minions in the room were frozen with fear. Her eyes narrowed as she glared at them and screamed.

"Well?! What are you waiting for?! Get to it!!" The beasts scattered, and once they had left, their queen stood where her once twisted throne had sat, and flopped to the ground. "Not a day passes that I regret aligning myself with that demon..."

After his visit to the subterranean lair of the Changelings, Discord had returned to the decrepit castle he currently called home. He had much work to do- he needed to do some more "invasive head therapy", but was currently more concerned about the human. His fears were confirmed as his cauldron revealed the half-broken body of Nathan lying in a hospital bed.

He watched the medical ponies working frantically. He idly twirled his finger in the cauldron while watching them, pleased that the efforts seemed to be having an effect. Satisfied that the human would live, he turned his attention to his current favourite ponies.

"Well Celestia, the doctor is in. Why don't you tell me your problems." Finishing the incantation he had been working, he once more dove into the bubbling pot.

Celestia's mind was a much different place than it had been several months ago. Discord could see that she already knew about the attack on Ponyville, and the concern was weighing on her heavily. The sunshine and candy that had been so prevalent mere weeks before had all but been replaced with fear and paranoia.

He was pleased to see the emotional memory he had been cultivating and encouraging was close to bubbling up to the surface. Where before it took him most of the night to find and examine it to make sure it was the correct emotion, it now bobbed along within view of his entryway, and he could actually see the faces of himself and the two other's from where he floated.

As a force of habit, he flitted down and pulled it a little closer to the surface, but he knew that the important work had been done. Whether or not he interfered any further, the emotion was taking it's toll on Celestia's psyche, and she was reliving those moments of failure every day. He was still unhappy that Chrysalis had acted too hastily, however he was pleased that it seemed to be having a compounding effect with Celestia's fears. Throughout her sub-conscious, he could see concepts and ideas floating around. Images of armoured soldiers, battlefields, curfews and surveillance. In another part of her mind, he could see she was trying to recall what powers she was afforded in times of war.

He would have to monitor the Princess closely from now on, however. This was a precarious moment in the time-line of his plan, and everything needed to come together just right. He was still several weeks away from his final execution, and any failure now would ruin everything. Celestia’s defeat, and that of her students, had to be swift, crushing and absolute. He could play the waiting game until then, but when the time came, his retribution would be swift. Comfortable with the current state of Celestia's consciousness, he wafted back up to his portal, and landed back in the castle.

Gauging the position of the moon, and being pleasantly surprised he still had several hours before sunrise, he reworked his magic, and launched himself headlong into the cauldron again.

"Hello again, Rarity!" An amber coloured earth pony with a cutie mark of a pitchfork and halo approached the white unicorn. He had just exited a nearby shop, and was carrying a set of new dishes home. He had only been in Ponyville for a few months, and was still getting settled. It had been his last purchase for the day, and was just about to head home when he spotted her. Rarity was deep in thought, and was startled out of her concentration by the greeting.

"O-oh! Hello there Mango. I didn't notice you at first. I've been thinking so very hard about things lately. My latest experiences have been... unsettling at best. I'm glad you're here though. I wanted to talk to you about some of it. You see, my friends don‘t seem to be as ‘in tune‘ to the situation as yourself, and you‘re the only one who might be able to help me." Unsettling didn’t begin to describe her issue. She was downright terrified.

"Oh of course my lady. What kind of gentlecolt would I be, letting you struggle with your problems alone?" He smiled and gently wrapped his hoof around her shoulder. Rarity blushed. She didn’t really fancy Mango, but the devil could charm the fetlocks off a lady.

"Well, less of one then you have proven yourself to be I should say. So... um... ok tell you what, I'm going to reason out what I'm thinking, and I want you to stop me or fill in gaps as I go, alright dear?" She pulled away from Mango's tender embrace, and stood in front of him, waiting for his approval.

"Of course Rarity, I'm all ears." Mango nodded towards the unicorn, and motioned with his hoof that she could begin. Rarity began pacing back and forth, her face wearing an expression of intense thought.

"Alright... so... let’s start at the beginning. Three months ago the human, Nathan, shows up. We all run him out of town, as we should. We were unsure where he was really from, but at the time it was the best decision we could make, based on the knowledge we had. Even Twilight didn’t know what to do with him. Then... Fluttershy goes looking for him. I'm still unsure why. Shouldn‘t she have known he was dangerous? The rest of us assumed as much.”

"Maybe... because her kind nature couldn't bare to see somepony treated harshly? I mean, you told me that Fluttershy is the Element of Kindness, correct?"

"Perhaps. But that’s one of my issues. He’s not even a pony! Yes, she cares for animals too, but still... even with her kindness in mind, she witnesses him not only kill a bear, but also apparently be unaffected by magic. Yet she came back absolutely infatuated with him. I don't get it. Even Fluttershy should be able to see the danger he could pose. Come now Mango- he isn‘t affected by magic. That‘s so unnatural. She should be terrified of him. I know I am!”

"I don't think so." Mango shook his head dissentingly.

"Oh?"

"Well, you said it yourself, she's infatuated. Love does terrible things to ponies. Even allows them to be deceived when they think they're just trying to do the right thing for those they love." Rarity's nose wrinkled.

"Love? You don't think she's in love with the human do you? That's just so... wrong."

"Why don't you tell me? What do you think? You’re her best friend. You’ve known her for years, seen how she interacts with others. If anyone would know it, it’s you. You tell me.

Rarity sat in silence for a few moments puzzling the concept out. On one hoof, she did follow him to the Everfree forest, spend time with him in the hospital, and bring him food. On the other, Fluttershy had avoided the human for nearly a month, though much of that was Rarity piling work on her to distract her. Based on everything she had seen... she shook her head.

"Ok, maybe. It still seems wrong to me though. On many levels."

"Oh, it’s absolutely disgusting and unnatural. Now that they’ve gone on a few dates now though…" Rarity stopped dead in her tracks. She slowly turned her head towards the earth pony and craned her neck in closer. One eye was twitching, and she was gritting her teeth.

“Ex-excuse me, what did you just say?” Mango bit his lip, and looked around nervously.

“Er, um, well… sorry you didn’t know? She hasn’t told you?”

“No! She hasn’t that little tramp! Why of all the… that’s awful, just awful.” Rarity was shrieking at this point. Mango patted Rarity on the shoulder and brought a hoof under her chin.

“It’s ok, Rarity. She’s just trying to find herself. Love does terrible things, remember? It’ll be ok.” Rarity steadied herself, and regained her composure. She nodded, and continued to speak.

"Alright. So they spend a couple nights together in the Everfree. That's when you first visited me. Claiming to have seen the human world."

"Oh that's not a claim Rarity. I'm from there."

"See, that's what you said, but then I heard Nathan had said ponies in his world are dumb animals."

"Well it's obvious he's a liar. Do you think he would be able to get here, and nopony else? Of course not. I came across, same as him. Do I look like a dumb animal?" Mango looked slightly insulted. Rarity quickly explained away the thought.

"Oh no! Of course not dear. As I said, you're a perfect gentle colt. Of course the human is lying. Ok let me continue. So, you came and showed me imagery of the human lands. Wars, guns, destruction. Death. I knew from then on he was going to be trouble."

"Sounds about right. I needed to warn you."

"Mmm-hmm. So. Several months pass. Celestia isn't responding to Twilight's letter, so I start to doubt your words. He acts perfectly brutish every now and then, nearly drowning poor Rainbow Dash, scaring ponies, but overall he doesn't seem so bad. If what you’re saying is true, he even took Fluttershy out on a few dates…” Rarity shuddered. “… and, as much as it pains me to say it, the dear needed to get out more and see a nice colt. I was however hoping it would be a colt, but I digress. I started to doubt your words. I doubted my resolve.

"I was able to write-off Pinkie Pie and Dash's newfound friendship easily enough. The two of them and the human are like three peas in a pod when they get started. I came home one day to find they had dyed poor Opal to look like Rainbow Dash. Apparently it was Nathan's idea! However, even Twilight and Applejack have started to ease up on him. Oh they aren’t good friends or anything, but they have quite the equitable working relationship. Nathan works hard from what I hear. Gives even Applejack a run for her bits. Overall, he seems to be doing his best to fit in to our society. That and if Celestia isn’t worried about the human, then why should I be?"

"We've established he's a liar though right?" Mango pointed out. Rarity nodded.

"Yes I was just getting to that. Well, he managed to hide from everyone that he was building one of those 'guns'. Yes it didn't kill anypony, and he did save us from those beastly changelings, but it could have just as soon have been us that he was shooting. He couldn’t know about the changelings attacking, and he didn’t have any reason to leave Ponyville. He hasn’t even shown interest in joining us when we went and did that work for Celestia in the forest. Which means that he could have only been building it with us ponies in mind.

"This is where my conflict arises. He saves the day at great expense, nearly dying in the process, but why were the changelings really there? They weren't trying to kill us, only him. Was he really the hero, or the cause of our problems? And if he is trouble, why has Celestia chosen to ignore Twilight? I just don't understand it Mango. This is tearing my friendship with Fluttershy apart, and if I'm wrong..."

"But you're not." Rarity stood there, dumbfounded, blinking at Mango as if he'd just told her that her mother was Luna.

"P-pardon me?"

"You're not wrong. You keep talking about this letter to Celestia like it has any bearing on the situation."

"Well if Twilight sent it then..."

"Did she though?"

"What?" The idea that Twilight had lied to all of them had not once crossed Rarity’s mind. She had always given the lavender mare the benefit of the doubt, even when she was being absolutely outrageous. If she has been lying…

"Did she send the letter? Do you know that for a fact? Have you asked her? Have you asked Spike? That dragon shares everything with you. Do you not find it odd he hasn't spoken of it?" Rarity pondered the facts for a moment. It was looking more and more like Twilight was hiding something from all of them.

"If that's true then why? Why take that chance? What does she hope to gain?"

"You would have to ask her. In the meantime, I would be talking to Applejack and Rainbow Dash about this. Twilight may be hiding something, or the human may be coercing her in some way or, more likely, lying to her to convince her to hide his presence from Celestia. You need to be prepared." Rarity's expression indicated she was struggling to come to terms with the concept.

"They're my friends though... "

"Friends you deeply care about. What's more important to you- their lives or your happiness? Honestly?" Rarity sighed and frowned.

"... Alright. You have a point. I understand. Even then though... how dangerous is he really? What else can humans do that a powerful unicorn or dragon cannot replicate with magic? Yes he can build a weapon, but I’ve seen Celestia do some damage with that horn of hers..."

"Ah. Humans do have the knowledge, though, to create something far more terrifying than even dragon's breath."

"What... Those ‘bombs’? Please. I had passed them off as him trying to be boastful or frightening poor Fluttershy. I can't imagine anyone creating something willingly of that power." Mango shook his head sadly.

"Oh Rarity. Sweet Rarity. Even in your disgust of the human you still have the generosity to believe he isn't that bad. More ponies should be like you. Sadly though, you're wrong. Let me show you images of a place in my world. It's a little island country... the humans call it 'Japan'."

Discord relaxed in the throne room of his castle, dozens of statues surrounding him, every one permanently stuck in a wordless scream. He smiled. He was playing the conversation Mango had had with Rarity over and over again in his head. He especially liked the part where he showed her the bombs dropping, and the absolute destruction they wrought. The look on the unicorn's face was priceless. He half-debated unfreezing one of the statues so he could permanently re-etch such an expression on their face.

The idea was fleeting though. As entertaining as the show was, he had a final task to accomplish before the rapidly approaching sunrise cut his time short. Returning to his spell annex, he cast one final incantation over the pot. This one was the most important of all. Everything else had been for naught if he failed to maintain this spell. It nearly had failed once. A few more nights, he mused to himself, and this will be permanent. Pleased his work was complete for the evening, he once again returned to the throne-room, stood amongst his "subjects", and addressed them.

"I do so hate this part. I'm going to have to find a way to counteract this retched enchantment one of these nights." Discord stuck a threatening pose, and allowed the rising sun's rays to wash over his disfigured body. Moments later, in his spot, a perfect obsidian replica of him remained.

Receiving word from her above-ground guards that the sun had risen, Queen Chrysalis gave a slight sigh of relief. Knowing Discord was in his petrified slumber afforded her a slight feeling of freedom. It had been a long, rough night, and she had spent the better part of it retrieving the bodies of her slain brethren, and quieting the murmurs of fear and discontent that swept her kingdom. She now sat alone, save for the usual guards that watched her chamber, absorbed in thought. She compared herself to Discord, and was troubled by the revelations. What lengths would she go to, if it meant the end of pony civilization? What price was worth it?

"My Queen. I apologize for the intrusion, but may we have a word?" Chrysalis was disturbed from her thoughts, as her eyes were pulled to the changeling that had spoken.

"Of course Broken-Wing. Guards? Leave us." While most of the individual changelings lacked names, once long ago she gazed down on this particular subject, and decided, in one of her more cruel moments, that he should have a label befitting his permanent disfigurement. He had been hatched without proper wings, vestigial stumps indicating where they should have been. As he walked into the room, the stumps wiggled a bit in time with his movement. Chrysalis giggled a bit, never really having gotten over the sight. While initialy it had been out of amusement that she had named him such, in time Chrysalis had discovered that the permanently grounded changeling had grown larger and stronger than his fellows, his intelligence and wisdom had served his queen well, and his shape-shifting abilities were second only to Chrysalis herself. Now, the once insulting name was a badge of pride for the changeling.

"Now, my servant. What has brought you before your queen this night? " Broken-Wing mockingly bowed, snickering at the implied etiquette, when in truth the two had been friends for several years now, and rarely resorted to such protocol.

"Well my liege, I wanted to ask you, just you, no other changelings, no Discord, not even a pony within earshot, what is going through your mind right now. What is your opinion on all this? Discord and his current... disregard for life? For lack of a better description." Had any other changeling asked her this, she would be flaying them alive with her powers, letting their own screams remind them of their place. As it was, she stood there in silence. She muttered something under her breath, too quiet for Wing to hear. Dropping the formality, he allowed his expression to soften. He gently laid a hoof on her leg.

"Chrys..." She shrieked and pulled away from his touch.

"I don't know!!! Ok?! I don't know. When Discord first came in, it was clear he could have killed us all. I mean, I get it. I'm no goody-goody pony lover, and I’ve tried multiple times to overthrow Celestia and her stupid kingdom. I hate those ponies but..." she took a deep breath. Her earlier comparison with Discord long finished, she was at least partially relieved with her conclusion. "Not enough that I would sacrifice even one of my loyal subjects. Even if it meant those miserable ponies would be forever defeated, even the death of one changeling is too much. I thought that if I played along, Discord would spare us. Now, the blood if dozens of my soldiers is on my hooves. I’m the one who sent them to Ponyville. Was I wrong? Could we have stopped him?" Broken-Wing sat in quiet contemplation, a stark contrast to the visibly upset monarch. He chose his words carefully.

"No. You did all you could. I wasn't present for the initial contact, but I have heard the first impression he made. In your position, I would have done the same thing. For better or for worse, we serve a demi-god now. Actually, at this point, in my opinion I imagine we’re serving a demon. Your knowledge of Discord is from before my time, but it’s obvious to me that something has changed. Regardless, our survival hinges on the success of our enhancement program, and you not doing anything further to anger him." Queen Chrysalis nodded and rubbed her eyes with her hooves.

"This is going terribly Broken-Wing. Forced or not, there must be something we can do. Some way we can retake our independence." The stocky changeling nodded in return. He had tried approaching her about this before, but the time never seemed quite right. Now though… maybe now she would be able to see reason.

"Actually, Chrys, that's why I wanted to talk to you. Now that we see what the stakes are... once line two goes into full-production I'd like to vol-"

"NO! Are you insane? This magic is still highly unstable. There's no telling what might happen, and the failure rate is still as high as forty percent. Forty percent!" Both changeling's minds drifted off, their minds filled with the images of the dozens of previous “failures”. Broken-Wing was the first to recover from the shocking mental pictures and speak out.

"We need someone to be in control though. You need to be here to watch over your kingdom. If things go to plan, I become your eyes and ears in the world, and I get what I've always wanted. If it doesn't..." he let the idea trail off. "If it doesn't, I was never that important anyways. I'm no ruler, just some gimped changeling you spared from death, just so you could give a cruel name."

"Broken.."

"Oh I harbour no I'll will, of course, Queen Chrysalis. But it is what it is. Friend or not, favoured or not, we don't have the luxury of choice right now. Chrys, please. Let me do this. For you." The changeling queen was in emotional turmoil. Possibly her only real friend, and he was willing to throw away everything for her, as cruel as she had been. Once, just once, in her long cruel existence, she was harbouring an emotion she long ago thought buried under centuries of malice and scorn. A long, slow tear rolled down her cheek and splattered against the floor of the chamber.

"I-I need to think on this Broken-Wing. Let me sleep on this." Broken-Wing nodded.

"Of course, your majesty." Queen Chrysalis walked over to the door to her bedroom, pushing it open with her magic. Broken-Wing turned to leave, when his queen's voice called out to him.

"Wait. Broken-Wing?" He turned back to Chrysalis, who was biting her lip hard enough to draw a line of green blood.

"Would you... would you stay with me? Just for today?" Broken-Hoof was unsure of the offer, and the implications, but nodded in agreement. He trotted past his friend and curled up on the bed. Chrysalis sealed the door behind them, curled her body around his and gave him a soft kiss on the head. Another tear dropped down on the subordinate changeling, and the two of them drifted off, both dreaming of better times where terrorizing ponies was still fun.

Having raised the moon, Luna had returned to the observation point atop Canterlot's palace. Normally she would be content to spend the evening basking in the glow of the city and observe her wards going about their business- as it was she only spared them a casual glance. The Orchids were up at all hours trying to care for their triplets as usual. The after-party crowd was filing into Doughnut Joe's and his business was booming. One of the guard-ponies had detained a suspect in a minor crime. Something about a pilfered flower.

It's all so petty. She thought to herself. We-I- she corrected herself mentally- may have been the mare in the moon for a thousand years, and I know that in that time things have changed but... When did the ponies become so... petty?

The last few months had weighed heavily on her mind. It had started when Celestia had asked her an assumed innocent question about her time as Nightmare Moon. The answer she gave seemed to lead to more distance between the royal sisters. How was I supposed to answer, sister? I spent the last millennium as a glorified boogie-pony. Of course I wasn't about to willingly return as Luna. She sighed, and took one final look through the telescope, casting its lens over the plains and forests surrounding Canterlot.

Bubbles of pink and purple dotted the land, each one signifying a city or town currently under the protection of the guard-ponies. Ever since reports flooded in of an attack on Ponyville three days ago, Celestia had wasted little time in mobilizing defensive forces and clamping down. Intercity travel was banned, and the railway had been shut down. Special allowances had been made for traders, but even after only three days it was clear to Luna the movement of goods had slowed to a trickle.

Thinking back to the reports, she remembered her true purpose this night. Finished with her job; she left her post and trotted over to a small room containing a table littered with scrolls and files. Every piece of parchment had some sort of information pertaining to the current situation. Luna was determined to figure everything out, even if she had to tear the Canterlot library apart.

One report in particular kept drawing her attention. It was an after-action report taken second-hoof by one of the guards that arrived in Ponyville after the changeling attack. Combing through the details revealed little new information, but she decided to start there anyways, just as she had the previous two nights.

"Let's see here..." she said out loud. “Changeling force attack... apparently trying to abduct ponies... repulsed by one Twilight Sparkle... one casualty." Luna sighed. Other than the apparent accidental death of a young stallion, there was not much to go off of. She had been particularly impressed with Twilight's growing magical ability, but that didn't get her any closer to the truth. Celestia was hiding something.

The two sisters had been at odds with each other lately. The usually enigmatic but friendly Celestia had spent more and more time in her room, growing more sullen and distant as the days progressed. Now, in the wake of Ponyville, she rarely came out but to raise the sun. As it was, Luna didn’t care much for Equestria. The kingdom she grew up in, her kingdom, didn’t exist anymore.

Moving over to another stack of papers, she read a few paragraphs that referenced the encounter. She was still confused. One of the reports mentioned that the Ponyville folk stated that there was at least one new kind of changeling. Possibly two, but why they doubted the second more than the first, and didn't report the eyewitnesses was beyond her. It was troubling enough that the changelings had invaded again, but the idea there was not one, but two new strains of changelings more powerful than their diminutive counterparts? Why wasn't more research being done? Something didn't add up.

Perusing a few more files, she became frustrated at the lack of information. For all the material she had gathered, for all the knowledge accrued, she was no closer to any answer. She screamed, picking up the table with her magic and hurling it across the room. The files and papers went flying, distributed unevenly around the room. One scroll rolled up to her and bumped her hoof.

Peering down at the offending paperwork, she magically lifted it and unrolled it. It was the copy of the after-action report again- now torn due to her outburst. Examining the tear against the torchlight, she could faintly make out writing on the reverse side filtering through. Flipping it over, Luna squinted her eyes, attempting to discern what was written.

‘Additional supporting information has been pre-document redacted. Please see Royal Archives file 16-D’

Luna’s face creased out of its frown curiously. She considered whether to go tonight or wait. Then, like a brick, a realization hit her, and a faint smile crept across her face. The last time the princess' had chosen to redact anything was...

Luna took flight, flapping towards the archive building as fast as her wings could take her, a growing interest lodging itself firmly in her consciousness.

So sister, over a thousand years since the last one and you want to play that game again? Interesting. Let’s see what you have in mind. It has been too long since we’ve have a proper one. She reflected on the concept, and the word continued to goad at her long after she arrived at her destination.

War.

Taking a moment to regain her composure before walking into the archives, she trotted in, head held high. At the desk was old Mr. Neighweather. Since her return, Luna had taken the time to become acquainted with the meek old unicorn. He had long been the night administrator of the archives, and after his sweet wife had passed on, he took up living in them. He wasn't a joyous pony, but he had lived a good long life, and was content to serve out his days doing the job he had so long ago been bequeathed by Celestia. He gazed up from the desk he was working at, discerning his visitor's identity.

"Ah, Princess Luna!" He bowed as far as low as his aching back would allow. Luna heard it snapping and groaning in protest. "What do I owe the pleasure of your visit tonight?"

"Good evening, Mr. Neighweather. I am seeking a few files to complete a research project of mine. I was hoping you might be able to assist me." The elderly pony smiled and nodded his head.

"Of course! That's what I'm here for after all. Who am I to turn down one of the princesses! What do you need? Are you looking for general information, or do you already know the files you need?"

"Well actually, I only need one file, and I do know the reference."

"Oh good. Good! That will make it easy! Just give me the number, and I'll retrieve it for you."

"16-D." For a moment it was like time had stopped in the archives. If somepony had dropped a pin, it would have been audible. Neighweather stood there, staring at Luna as if she had slapped him across the face. Luna only stared back. Breaking the eternity of awkward discomfort, the archivist carefully questioned the princess.

"I'm sorry. Did you just say... 16-D?" Luna fidgeted nervously, unsure of the issue.

"I did. Get me 16-D." Mr. Neighweather sighed, and shook his head.

"Luna, Princess Luna. You know that the last couple of years has seen the two of us kindling a sort of friendship, and you know I would do almost anything for you."

"Yes. I know. I would of course be happy to return the favor…" She wasn’t sure where this conversation was going, but she did not appreciate his tone.

"Then please understand how much it pains me to say this but... I'm sorry I cannot allow you access to that particular file." Luna balked at the refusal. Couldn't allow her, a princess, access to a file?

"I beg your pardon, Neighweather? You cannot?"

"No princess, I'm sorry but I can't."

"On whose authority?” It wasn’t a question, but an affirmation.

"The only pony with more authority than you, of course.” Neighweather stated, reflecting Luna’s thoughts. “Your sister, Princess Celestia. She has given us strict instructions that nopony is to access that file. Especially you."

"P-preposterous! I need that file! You don't understand! It's a matter of Equestrian security!"

"I'm sorry, but short of Princess Celestia coming down personally, I cannot help you with that request. Please understand.”

Luna’s mind silently spun, her sister was keeping information from her, information that likely dealt with an advent of war. With Celestia’s odd behavior and her own exclusion, it would be stupid to act without being informed. She needed that file. Thinking back to an old proverb, she weighed her options.

"Alright. I understand Mr. Neighweather. I wouldn't want to jeopardize your job. I realize this might come off as callous, but you realize that you are refusing the request of a princess?" Luna kept her voice even and steady.

"I do realize that, and it pains me to have to do so, but I am unfortunately bound by the ethics of my position and the instructions of Celestia. You might want to try..."The rest of his sentence was lost in a gurgle. A large tome behind him had been telekinetically levitated and struck him. Luna walked over to the fallen archivist and inspected the blow, assuring that the unicorn would recover. His eyes rolled up and gazed at her questioningly, struggling to maintain consciousness. Luna bent down next to him

"I told you, I need that file. Now you can legitimately say you were attacked from behind. I would like to tell you that I'm sorry, but the truth of the mater is that right now, you stand between me and my goal. Remember that next time you refuse royalty." The last thing Neighweather recalled before darkness took him, was Luna striding past him and kicking the tome and his cane aside out of her way.

Not having much time before the guards did their rounds, she rushed through the hallways looking for section she needed, muttering to herself the way there.

"16-D. 16-D. 16-D. Ah here. 16-D." High up in the middle of a set of filling cabinets, an old degraded parchment framed on the front indicated she had found the file she was looking for. Kicking over a rolling stairway, she jumped up and pulled open the cabinet. It was stuffed full of scrolls, sub-files, and other pieces of parchment. Some new, some ancient. She started with the oldest material first.

There was a research document on the Elements of Harmony, their defeat of Discord, various skirmishes with the changeling kingdom, Celestia's banishment of Luna, wars with other races and clans. Even some of the conflicts from when the three tribes of ponies did not live in harmony together. Most of the information was from before her lunar imprisonment. Almost everything pertained to some sort of battle or war. This had recently been added to? She was beginning to get nervous.

While there were a few documents detailing minor skirmishes, they trailed off soon after Nightmare Moon had been banished. Fast-forward nearly a thousand years, and the modern documents appear. Luna was pleasantly surprised that in nearly a millennium, Celestia had avoided any sort of conflict, even with the usually hostile gryphons.

The information in front of her started several months before. Discord had returned, and turned Equestria into his play toy. Soundly defeated by the Elements, he was returned to his stone prison. A few documents detailed Celestia's personal internal struggle. She was starting to see old enemies return, and was having issues dealing with the emotions they brought. Chrysalis attacked, and soundly defeated the troubled monarch. That's when things took a turn for the worse.

As time went on, she began to see enemies everywhere. She began keeping detailed dossiers on potential threats, compiling as much information as possible. One for Queen Chrysalis, one for Discord, a few more powerful ponies (including, to Luna's amused disbelief, Twilight Sparkle). Luna came across a ripped out diary entry, affixed to another dossier.

'Date: Equestria year xxxx. Month: xx Day: xx

Another troubling dream last night. At first I was willing to ignore my feelings, passing them off as the stress of ruling for so many centuries. However, after the near overthrow of my kingdom, I realize that I need to start paying more attention to them. I cannot fail my people again.

My dream always focuses on the three largest threats Equestria has faced: Chrysalis, Discord...and Nightmare Moon. Where as before I was able to defeat them myself, I have now failed to defend my ponies from each at least once. I cannot allow this to happen again.

I am confident that Discord is currently not an issue. I walk by his statue every day, confirming his continuing incarceration. Chrysalis took us by surprise, but I am sure that in the future she won't have such luck. Many of my efforts currently revolve around defending us from further changeling incursion. That leaves the third. Nightmare Moon.

I spoke to Luna today, asking her about her time as Nightmare Moon. She had been very forthcoming- at stating she would have rather stayed Nightmare moon.'

"That is what you would take away from that conversation, isn’t it?” Luna continued to read.

'It is with heavy heart that I am forced to begin surveillance on my own sister and fellow princess. Her absence during the changeling invasion was troubling on its own, but compounded with her statements... I have taken the liberty of locking away the remnants if Nightmare Moon's armor in one of the vaults. Only I hold a key to this vault, and I plan to keep it on me at all times. I will continue to add to the attached document as time goes on. I fear Equestria is riding into a dark time, and if I have to do it by myself, I will. I have begun to prepare for the worst, and will do what must be done. May Equestria herself have mercy on my soul.'

Luna tore her eyes away from the document, replacing it in the cabinet rather than read what "surveillance" Celestia had on her. Focusing on the task at hand, she finally found the scrolls she needed. There were three, as well as another dossier. This one was inside a wax sealed envelope.

Retreating to a table, she gently unrolled the first scroll. It was a continuation of the report from Ponyville. This part stated that the ponies had been woefully unprepared for the attack, and the changelings had defeated them handily.

"Something’s wrong… the ponies supposedly defeated the changelings.” Perusing further, it indicated that an outside factor, ‘From here on to be referenced as Factor Ypsilon‘, had ultimately saved the ponies and given Twilight the time to cast her spell. "Factor Ypsilon? What in Equestria...?" The end of the document referenced the other two scrolls.

Scroll two was a detailed observation and sketch of the new changelings. One was quite large and brutish, its’ hooves grown to outrageous sizes, and claws added for good measure. The other was just a rough outline- no hooves at all, just long slender claws it was standing on like stilts. Only one pony had seen the slender ones, but reported the ability to travel beneath the ground as quickly as a pony might run across it. Apparently the so far mysterious Factor Ypsilon had also seen them, but the report indicated he was currently incapacitated, and unavailable for questioning.

The last scroll caught her attention. It was labeled simply as "Factor Ypsilon" and was a short characterization of the mysterious figure.

'Factor Ypsilon posses an intelligence capacity approaching that of our princesses. Not as strong, or fast as a pony, and possessing no flight, he uses his ingenuity to create various tools to act as an extension of his will. Not capable of using any sort of magic, and in fact, what magic does work on him seems to be sporadic at best. Initial reports suggest that he was immune to a cockatrice's glare. The magical energies that persist in Equestria seem unwilling or unable to interact with him.

Ms. Sparkle's repulsion spell had an effect on Ypsilon, but it was much weaker than the effect on the changelings. Even the medical staff at the Ponyville hospital were perplexed by his unique physiology and lack of feedback during treatment.

Was able to save Ponyville with the aid of something that one of the residents referred to as a "Pie Cannon". If the report is accurate, the power wielded by the subject is... considerable. At this time we have been unable to locate the device. Please see attached dossier.'

Luna retrieved the sealed envelope. She pulled out the dossier, finding another diary page affixed to the front of it. It was clear from the writing that Celestia’s paranoia had done nothing but grow as time progressed.

'Date: Equestria year: xxxx. Month: xx. Day: xx.

This is my fault. I knew I had done something, but I was unsure what until this report came in. I shouldn't have done it but I did. Is this it? Is this going to end my kingdom? Is he the one that destroys me? Have I wrought my own end?

Equestria help me, I don't know what to do. The prophecy... I know they are just lunatics, but... if there is even the inkling of truth behind it... my little ponies, forgive your princess. If it is ordained that she should perish... She has only herself to blame. As soon as Ypsilon awakes, I will send for him.’

Luna flipped up the entry, and gazed at the picture in front of her. There, in black and white was the photo of a strange creature she had never seen before. A bit of curly mane at the edge of the picture, and snow on the ground suggested the photo had been taken by Pinkie Pie the morning of the changeling attack.

This creature stood on two legs, and his arms ended in fingers, not unlike a dragon's. Slung over one shoulder was a long slender tube with a wooden handle, and he was clothed from his neck down. He stood taller than most any pony, except perhaps Celestia, and his face was twisted in a scowl, though the edges of the lips suggested the hint of a smile starting. Luna read the remaining information on the card, and sounded out the names.

"Species: hyu... hyu-man. Human. Name: Nathan (surname unknown at this time)." He didn't look terribly threatening or kingdom-destroying.

"So, this is the so-called destroyer, Celestia?

She wrote down the relevant information, carefully rolled the scrolls back up, and replaced everything back in the cabinet. As she began shutting the cabinet, she heard the panicked shouts of the guards float in from the front room.

"Mr. Neighweather has been attacked! He's out cold. Quick! Search the premises!" Slamming the drawer shut, Luna flew up on top of the shelves, and draped herself in shadow. The guards patrolled the halls for an agonizing ten minutes before giving up and returning to the front.

"Whoever it was they're long gone. Doesn't look like they took anything either. Oh wait- hey look! It looks like this book fell on him! Well, let's get him to the hospital. Lock it up behind us, 'Kay Moss?"

"Sure thing cap‘n." Luna heard the door close and lock as the guards carried the elderly unicorn to the hospital. After waiting a couple more minutes of lying there cloaked. She carefully flew down, and re-opened the cabinet, inspecting the contents for any damage her carelessness had caused. She was relieved to see the ancient parchments still intact. However, to her surprise, the impact had knocked loose a false bottom of the above drawer, and now a new document lay on top of the pile. Gingerly retrieving it, Luna gave it a quick glance.

'Final Solution ES-24. In the event of total overthrow of Equestria, or the possible death of one or both princesses, I pass on the rights and responsibilities of ES-24. In such an event, all Pony populated areas are to be closed off and protected by protective shields and...'

Luna read on, horror and admiration mixed. She almost wanted to congratulate Celestia on her resourcefulness and ability to hide something so monumental from her. Though she was professionally impressed with Celestia’s new found willingness to use her famed calculated deceptiveness, it was so out of character for her usually un-impressionable sister that it felt deeply artificial.

"I may not care for Equestria, but you’re supposed to be the strong one, benevolence and fortitude all-together. What in the stars happened to you…?" Luna replaced the parchment, and let herself out one of the open skylights that dotted the roof of the archive building, careful to not be seen. She returned to her parapet deep in thought.

Mr. Neighweather wouldn't report her to the guards, Luna was sure. Other than the broken seal, the only evidence that somepony had visited the archives that night was a few hoof marks.