”Hm… I was wondering when you were going to show up."

“My apologies. I had business to tend to first before I could make the time to play the part of the gracious host. I trust you’ve been comfortable in the mean time?”

“Not really.”

“It doesn’t matter. Now… let’s not beat around the bush, hm? You know what I want.”

“…”

“Tell me everything about your species.”

“… We’re humans. We come from a tight-knit community, and we take offense to people – or ponies – that kill our own.”

“Yes, yes – your leader prattled on about it when I met him, so I would appreciate it if we can skip whatever speech you’re planning to go on.”

“Innocent. Civilians. All of them wiped out because of an explosion your kind caused when you closed the Fracture.”

“As I told your leader, we had no idea it would cause such a reaction in your world, and besides… we didn’t even know there were species such as you on the other side.”

“It doesn’t excuse what you did, pony.”

“Perhaps not, but whatever reason fuels your thirst for vengeance doesn’t matter to me. Your forces are attacking my subjects, your forces are threatening my rule, and so I will react accordingly. And if your Knight Enforcer doesn’t surrender, then don’t think I will hesitate to wipe out the rest of your kind.”

“You won’t win. We’ve faced greater foes than a bunch of pastel-coloured ponies; you’re nothing like the mythical creatures described in the Old Tales.”

“I think we may have gotten off-track here. We were discussing your species, not arguing over who has the moral high ground. Now, what are these ‘Old Tales’ you mentioned and what do they mean to your kind?”

“What do they mean? Ah heh…”

“What are you laughing about?”

“The Old Tales, pony, are prized pieces of literature that govern how humanity should govern themselves: through virtue and acts of selflessness. They are how Caed brought together the first men and women that would form the Rouge Knight Order, and how we…”

“… How we…?”

“…”

“Oh, come now – you were doing so well. I really don’t think you would want me to have to resort to, ah… more unpleasant methods of making you talk.”

“There is nothing you can say or do to make me turn my back on the Rouge Knights. Take my armor away, my weapons – it doesn’t matter. I owe the Knight Enforcer my life.”

“Such admirable devotion… I must admit to looking forward to see just how much abuse you can take before it fades.”

“…”

“Hm? What’s that look supposed to mean?”

“Pony, let me tell something…”

“…?”

“This right here? This interrogation? This is a luxury I’ve granted to you. At any point since I woke up in this cell, I could escape. But I haven’t. You know why? Because I wanted to speak to you, person-to-person… pony, whatever. I wanted to speak to you, so I could tell you how absolutely fucked you are.

“See, Knight Enforcer Caed is going to lead us to victory because of one reason: we are the good guys here. And the Old Tales teach us that good will always triumph over evil.”

“Ah hah hah hah! You’re kidding. You’re kidding, right? That’s your reason? The source of your confidence and assuredness in your victory? That’s so sad and pathetic; I love it! Ah hah hah!”

“…”

“Well, let me tell you something, human: the concept of ‘good’ overcoming ‘evil’ is an outdated lie. If one triumphs over another, it is not because they are good and the other is evil, but because they are stronger. Morality has nothing to do with it. Why not take the battle between my forces and yours for instance? If good truly triumphed over evil, then certainly your kind – as the so-called ‘good guys’ – would have won that battle, and your leader wouldn’t have run with his tail between his legs? Wouldn’t he have struck me down on the spot if he were truly a paragon?

“How delusional you must be to believe in such a child-like notion. Might is right – there is nothing else to it, and you should take lessons from that instead of fairy tales.”

“Fairy tales, hm? Some of the Old Tales can be called that… yet they have inspired more people to join our cause than any promise of power could ever achieve.”

“How inspiring. I would love to read these Old Tales you preach so highly and see how it is ‘heroic’ to kidnap defenceless foals and citizens.”

“You will never see the Old Tales, pony. And you will get nothing more out of me. I’ve said what I’ve needed to say, so why don’t you ever so kindly go fuck yourself.”

“Oh, but my dear guest, I’m not quite done with-

“Empress, we heard a- oh, Faust! What…?”

“Empress… what happened?”

“Captain Ebony… it seems as though our enemies have a unique trait.”

“Hlk… think I’m gonna be sick…”

“Empress, his face is…”

“Rather ingenious, really. Almost like a cyanide pill except with more… explosive results. I didn’t even see him gesture or utter a single word, so either it’s timed or is able to be remotely triggered by mere thought alone. Call in the medics, would you, Captain? I wish to see if I can’t scrape out any remains of whatever killed him.”

“Y-yes, Empress.”

“Hmm… perhaps I could replicate it and implant…?”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. Just musing…”

Author's Notes:

Note 1: Rouge Knight Troop Armor - protective standard-issue gear for the common but virtuous and loyal soldiers that make up the bulk of the Rouge Knight Order. A tabard that bears their heraldry - a picture of a golden oak tree - is draped across the front.

'Rouge' means 'red' in a language that has long been forgotten by any in the Order, but it is Knight Enforcer Caed's favourite word as his happiest childhood memories are of his mother, who often used it as a term of endearment.