I saw her today. Celestia.

She told me what happened in the Everfree. I didn’t press her, she looked mad. It’s never wise to talk to Celestia when she’s mad.

Uncle Fine, why didn’t you tell me? I knew they be re-merged, but I thought their minds would remain separate. You didn’t tell me that the Elements would kill her. Do you have any idea what that means to me?

Of course you don’t. How could you? You aren’t like me, no matter what you might say.

I want to be angry. I wish I could be, but all I feel is a big hole in my heart. I didn’t realize how important it was to have somepony like her around. We arewere both freaks, but together we

at least she was I don’t

I already miss her. She was bad, I know that, but damn it all to Tartarus, she was my friend!

I’m glad I’m done with this book. I don’t want to look at it anymore. I didn’t want to remember any of the things I wrote about. I don’t want to think about this.

Please. Please, tell me I’ll see her eyes in my dreams.

—Gulfstream Dust, Book of Shadows XLVIII,

June 7, 1007

Crunch.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Gulfstream’s forehooves pounded against the sand in a steady rhythm, each blow stinging. He’d been at it for nearly an hour now, reared on his hind legs and delivering punch after punch, refusing to lighten up. Held up by a faint glow of pink magic, the sand barely shifted from each successive hit. Its resistance didn’t bother him. If anything, the consistency and soreness kept him focused and calm.

This had been the first thing Miss de Lis had done for him. A small ruby sat a couple feet behind the floating sand, a magical battery that kept the levitation spell going even when his new ‘teacher’ wasn’t around. The idea had been to give him something against which he could vent his frustration. Why not use a bucking bag? Apparently, because she wanted to practice her enchanting and gemcraft, both of which appeared to be specialties for her.

His currently assigned task had nothing to do with this. In the room down the hall sat a small fountain that constantly dripped water into a pool. He was supposed to be there, doing some sort of ‘speed training.’ It only frustrated him; he was already a fast flier, so that should mean he’d be a fast attacker too. Sure, he could put neither hoof nor wing through the water stream without getting wet, but that didn’t mean anything. It only pissed him off.

Which was why he’d come here.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Three days, he’d been an Archon. For three days, he’d done everything she had asked. And he would continue to do so. He liked Miss de Lis. She was pleasant to be around. She’d stayed with him these past few nights, reassuring him when his nightmares woke him in a cold sweat. Her patience reminded him of Lightning’s. Yesterday, she’d suggested they spar, to ‘test his current fighting ability.’

He’d learned the hard way that she only looked like a dainty flower. Lightning would have been impressed.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Crunch.

He didn’t want to think about Lightning.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Not thinking about Lightning led him into thinking about Rainbow.

He didn’t like thinking about her, either.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Crunch.

He was thinking about them. The blood in the clouds. The horror in Rainbow’s eyes. The pain and confusion in Lightning’s gaze. The feel of the knife pushing through soft flesh.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Crunch.

His teeth ground together, his hooves digging deeper into the sand. Of all the things he never wanted to see again, it was that knife. He wouldn’t ask Miss de Lis what happened to it, no matter how badly it tempted him. He didn’t think she’d tell him, regardless.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Crunch.

He still saw Lightning in his sleep. Sometimes, when he closed his eyes, he would see her on that table, bleeding, her breath coming out in feeble rasps.

An illusion.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Crunch.

It had felt so real.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Crunch.

“I think that’s enough.”

Gulfstream’s hoof struck one last time. He let it sit in the sand, relishing the bite of the grains against his sore skin. His breaths came in shallow, sharp gasps. His wings were extended. The fire danced, not quite strong enough to be a threat, but most certainly there.

A hoof, attached to a mottled brown leg, settled upon his elbow. “Relax. There’s no need for such tension.”

He fought valiantly against the urge to lash out. With a grunt, he jerked his leg away and stomped for the gem behind the bag. When he set his hoof on it the sand dropped into a neat pile on the floor.

Fine Crime spoke in a calm voice. “You didn’t have to stop.”

Gulfstream snorted and turned to glare at the stallion. “But now you’re going to tell Miss de Lis I wasn’t doing what she told me to.”

The stallion raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t know about that. Until now.”

Realizing his mistake, Gulfstream slapped a hoof over his eyes. “I’m an idiot.”

“You said it, not me.” Fine said. “How do you feel about being an Archon so far?”

“Is this some kind of test?”

“Nope.”

He studied his ‘boss’ with a peering gaze, banging his hooves together for the sake of the pain the act produced. “I’ll get used to it.”

Fine turned his head to stare at him with a lone eye. “Do you feel like you’re taking a step in the right direction?”

The fire wanted to grow. With a grimace, Gulfstream pushed it back down. “How should I know? I only just started.”

“Hmm.” Fine continued to observe him for some time. His gaze unnerved Gulfstream, who kept his attention on grappling with his anger. This was the first time he’d met the Mane Archon outside of that encounter a few days ago, and he had to make at least an attempt at a good impression.

But damn, if he didn’t want to whack the guy! If only to get those piercing eyes off of him.

Recalling that this was Miss de Lis’ boss – and by extension, his own – Gulfstream worked to keep some civility in his tone. “Did you come here to just stare at me?”

Smooth.

“I came to ascertain some facts,” Fine replied, apparently willing to ignore his flippant nature. “Fleur is going to be busy for the rest of the day, and this gives me the chance to… ‘meet’ you.”

“Well, great! We’ve met. I have work to do.”

Fine watched him approach the door. No emotion could be interpreted from his frown, which only served to unnerve Gulfstream even more. But not as much as the door when it refused to open for him. He tugged at it a few times, then noticed the red aura on the handle.

“You’re a very angry pony.”

His body low and his ears folded back, Gulfstream turned sideways to glare at him. “I don’t want to talk about that.”

“I don’t care.” Fine sat, his body relaxed but his eyes cold. “You’ve been invited into something far bigger than you know, and I’m going to determine whether you deserve it.”

Gulfstream didn’t know why he felt so threatened by the Mane Archon, but he kept his side pressed to the door and his legs braced for motion. “Celestia said so. Miss de Lis said so. Isn’t that enough? And you just said this wasn’t a test.”

“Celestia tested you,” Fine said. “She accepted you because you’re wounded and angry and might amuse her. I am the Mane Archon, and I test you for different reasons.” He raised his head and gestured to the spot before him. “Sit. Talk.”

“Seems like a test to me,” Gulfstream grumbled, but after a few seconds hesitation he did as he was told. Sitting before Fine, he kept his head low and his scowl firm. “Now what do you wanna talk about? Make it quick, I’m supposed to be doing the thing with the water.”

“ ‘The thing with the water.’ Charming.” Fine’s hard manner broke to a chuckle. “It took Fleur two years to master that one.”

“T-two years?” Gulfstream hated how squeaky his voice just sounded.

Fine’s brief smile fled in the face of renewed stoicness. “And now she strikes faster than most ponies can think. I hear you’ve already learned that lesson.”

Gulfstream winced, thoughtlessly reaching up to rub his shoulder. The ache was long gone, but not forgotten. “Yeah…” Suddenly, the water exercise didn’t seem so stupid.

They were both quiet. Gulfstream was too busy wondering if he had the patience to master the water exercise to consider what he would say next.

So Fine beat him to it. “Did you know there are two types of Archon?”

He blinked. “Miss de Lis mentioned it, but didn’t go into detail. What about it?”

“Do you know what the difference is?”

Gulfstream’s shoulders slumped and he looked away. “Are you gonna keep asking a bunch of dumb questions? I just said she didn’t go into detail.”

“Then allow me to…” Fine waved his hoof in the air as he thought of the appropriate word. “ ‘Enlighten’ you. Did Fleur at least mention what most Archons have to do to get in?”

“Some of it. I asked.” Gulfstream realized that Fine wanted him to elaborate. With a tired sigh, he recited what he knew. “Every Archon is hoof-picked. They are watched in secret for a while to make sure they deserve the job.”

“Some go for over a decade before a decision is made,” Fine added.

Gulfstream’s eyes widened slightly, but decided not to respond to that new bit of info. “Those who get accepted get trained. That’s about it.”

Fine cocked his head, though his expression remained neutral. “That’s not quite everything, but not bad for beginner’s knowledge. For an Archon, it’s a job. They are paid – handsomely – they sign a contract and they eventually retire, assuming the job doesn’t kill them. Now, tell me, Gulfstream…

“What didn’t you have to do?”

Another annoying question. Gulfstream clamped his jaw to keep the anger from rising up unbidden. Instead, he focused on his answer. After some consideration, he found one. “I didn’t sign a contract.”

“Exactly.” Fine gave a curt nod. “I trust you’re aware of what that suggests.”

Indeed, he was. Gulfstream stared at his hooves, but with this new topic his anger had faded. Now only curiosity filled him.

The Mane Archon leaned forward. “We are called the Order of Shadows.”

Gulfstream shrank back, but he couldn’t be certain why. Fine’s manner wasn’t aggressive, and yet he seemed to loom in the colt’s mind.

Fine gave him no chance to think of a response. “For Archons, this is a job. But the Order? We have reasons to be here. We’ve all wallowed through the muck and found within ourselves a purpose, a goal, a powerful motivation that keeps us going.”

There it was: an intensity to his gaze. Yet this wasn’t like the harsh look of Nightmare Moon, or the ferocity of his cousin when she was mad. This was something wholly different. The taught frown, a small spot of his lip raised up, the tiniest twitch of the muzzle, the furrowed brow.

And the eyes. Fine’s rosewood irises bored into Gulfstream’s own, making him feel small and weak. His anger tried to rise up against that gaze, only to be crushed under its viciousness. He was gasping for air, his heart hammering in his chest, and he couldn’t help but scream in his own mind, why?

Hate. The Mane Archon’s expression was hatred in its most condensed, piercing form. This begged the only question that Gulfstream was able to force out.

“W-what’s yours?”

Fine replied before the second word ended. “I am going to kill Celestia.”

Where his heart had been abusing his ribcage, now it seemed frozen. Gulfstream shrank a little further back, his barrel touching the hard stone floor. “B-but you work for her. She’s y-your… sh-she’s the—”

“She’s an abomination that needs to be put down.” Fine’s words were little more than a hiss, coming out of gritted teeth. “Her work, her aspirations, her control. I will see it all crushed. I will shove her pretty white face in the sh… sh-sh…”

His face twisted with effort, strange sounds and growls rising from his throat. Gulfstream scooted back even more at the strange sight.

“Sh-sh-sh… Shit!”

The tension faded from Fine’s body and he sagged nearly to the floor. He even had a few drops of sweat on his forehead. When he next spoke, his voice was calmer. “I hate that she did that to me.”

Though still cautious, Gulfstream couldn’t resist the query. “So… um… enchantment?”

“You have no idea.” Fine sucked down a deep breath and sat up. A leg ran over his black mane and, in an instant, he was back to his calm and collected manner. “So what’s your motivation?”

“My motivation?” It took Gulfstream a couple seconds to recall the original subject of the conversation. “Oh! To get revenge for Lightning.”

Fine’s eyebrow raised.

Gulfstream sagged and averted his gaze, but there was no anger in his tone. “A-and… To be a better pony.”

“And what, exactly, defines ‘better?’ ”

Another pause to consider the answer. Gulfstream thought that his response would be so very simple in comparison to how the idea felt. It wasn’t something easily conveyed in words. “ ‘Better’ means… not being angry all the time. It means I act normal. It means…” He latched on to a perfect explanation. “It means doing the right thing without having to think about whether Lightning would have approved.”

A smile came to Fine. To Gulfstream’s mild surprise, he thought it was genuine. “That’s a good answer.”

“It is.” Gulfstream smiled back, but it didn’t last. He turned away from Fine to stare at the overcast sky outside the window. “It’s going to be hard without her. I don’t know w-what to do.”

Damn it, his vision was blurring again. He rubbed his eyes and tried to redirect his thoughts. Of all the ponies to cry in front of!

A hoof touched his shoulder. He flung himself from it as if it were made of burning coals, casting a seething glare at Fine. The fire held him for only a second before it dimmed and he was staring at his hooves again. “S-sorry, I didn’t… I mean…”

Fine heaved a long sigh and shifted a little closer. “You’re not the only one battling demons, Gulfstream Dust.”

He huffed. “Yours aren’t a bad as mine.”

“Ever raped anypony?”

His ears perked. Once he realized what he’d heard, his breath caught.

“Or maybe you murdered a filly’s entire family, only to take her on later as your apprentice.”

He looked up with wide eyes.

Fine had a small, sad smile, but his gaze met Gulfstream’s evenly. “Or perhaps you orchestrated the razing of an entire city, burning it to ashes and ensuring that tens of thousands died in the fighting.”

Gulfstream swallowed.

The Mane Archon’s eyes closed. His voice fell to a whisper. “Or, if you really want to be a bastard, you can take an adorable, innocent, beautiful filly. You can tell her that everything’s going to be okay, comfort her at night, open up to her. Then you can deliver her to a demon and watch as she is turned into a bloodthirsty maniac. If you do that, then maybe we can be considered monsters on equal terms. But until then?”

His eyes opened, revealing barely contained tears. “Until then, you’re nothing more than a colt with a grudge.”

Gulfstream gazed at the stallion before him, his breath stuck in his throat. He wished he could refute the things Fine had told him. It all seemed like far too much for any one pony. But somehow, he didn’t think he’d heard a single lie. He bowed his head in shameful deference.

“I’ll j-just shut up now.”

Fine pushed his chin up. His smile had grown, oddly enough. “Your anger is justified, Gulfstream. Your pain is nothing small. It’s the very reason I didn’t object to Fleur’s desire to take you on as an apprentice. But…”

He sat back, his smile fading but his expression still soft. “The key to being a member of the Order is channeling that rage in the proper direction. In your case, I think that’s going to be a severe challenge.”

The implications settled upon Gulfstream like lead weights. “So, you’re saying that if I can’t aim my anger properly, I have no place here?”

“Something like that. This is the challenge you face. Are you willing to try?”

Gulfstream didn’t need to think on his response. “Yes! For Lightning’s memory, I want to.”

Fine observed him, head cocking one way, then another. His eyes shifted to the window. At last, he nodded. “If you’re serious about that, then I want you to meet me later, about an hour before sunset.”

Hesitating, Gulfstream followed his gaze to the window. He couldn’t see the sun, but he guessed they had another four or five hours of sunlight left. “Are you going to test me?”

The reply came in a swift, crisp, “Yes.”

“And if I pass… I join the Order?”

“Eh…” Fine rubbed the back of his neck with a frown. “No. You’re only an apprentice until Fleur decides you are ready. But if you pass, then the door will be open to you.”

Gulfstream shot him an uncertain look. “But you’re her boss. If she says I’m ready, what if you disagree?”

“You are her apprentice,” Fine replied with firmness. “It will be entirely up to her when you are ready to move beyond that role.”

His face softened yet again. His hoof settled upon Gulfstream’s shoulder. “Understand this, Gulfstream: as much as she is training you, you are a trial for her. Fleur has never had anypony to be responsible for… at least, not as she will be responsible for you. It is as important to her as it is to me.”

Those words weighed heavy on Gulfstream’s mind. A steady realization came to him.

Fine turned for the door. “Well, I leave you to your training. If you are serious about joining the Order, you will meet me in the lower amphitheater of the Nocturnal Wing this evening. It shouldn’t be hard to find.”

Gulfstream watched him go, a strange feeling in his chest, like something held him tightly. “Mr. Crime?”

The stallion appeared to trip, his head nearly hitting the floor. With an exasperated sigh, he called back, “Just Fine, please. What was I thinking when I picked that name?”

Another bout of hesitation. Was it really his place to ask?

“Miss de Lis. She was your apprentice, right?”

Fine looked back over his shoulder, confusion set upon his features. “What of it?”

He raised a leg in an anxious display. “She’s… important to you?”

The Mane Archon – self-proclaimed monster, the second most powerful pony in the world, the pony whose title struck terror into the hearts of millions – turned away from Gulfstream with a jerk that failed to conceal his widening eyes. His body stood stiff, his tail flicked a few times. Gulfstream backed away, fearing he’d asked the wrong question.

But when Fine at last spoke, his tone was warm.

“Someday, my Little Miss will be called on to replace me. The requirements for that are… brutal.” He looked over his shoulder again. He smiled. Not a deceptive or wicked smile, but a kind and hopeful one. “I will make sure she never has to face the challenges I did. My job is to protect her just as much as it is to protect Equestria. Fleur de Lis? I look upon her as one does a precious baby sister.”

He faced forward, took a deep breathe, and made for the door.

“But please don’t tell her I admitted it.”

The door closed.

Gulfstream could only sit there and think.

Finding the Nocturnal Wing was easy. Finding the amphitheater beneath it? Not so much. Gulfstream wound his way through many halls, struggling to recall the directions Miss de Lis had grudgingly given him. Apparently, she’d not been made aware of whatever was about to happen. When he’d suggested she come, she refused; “Fine did not tell me about it, so I’m either not invited or not supposed to know about it at all.”

That revelation did not comfort the colt.

Gulfstream’s anger had already grown to such heights that he suspected he would hit the very first pony he came across. He prayed it would not be Celestia. Fine Crime, on the other hoof…

The Nocturnal Wing was true to its namesake. All the windows had been covered by blue curtains that blocked all sunlight, and the torches on the walls did little to illuminate the dark blue marble that made up the place. He encountered not a single soul within the shadowed hallways. The silence and dust gave him the disturbing impression of being within a tomb, not unlike the dungeon he’d been in a few days ago.

Yet this place was worse than that dungeon. At least there he saw signs of life, even if those signs came in the form of shrieks. Here there was nothing; not a face in the dark, not a voice in the silence. The only thing that accompanied him in these still halls was the sound of his breathing and the steady clop, clop, clop of his own hooffalls.

He came to the end of a hallway before a closed door. Doubting himself,f he knocked a few times on the thick wood. The sound echoed down the hall, making his ears fold back, and dust fell from the cracks of the door. Caught between mounting frustration and worry, he pushed the door open with a shriek of ancient hinges. Nothing. Shadows shrouded the room beyond, offering him only the shaded shapes of stored and long-forgotten furniture. Growling to avoid a whimper, he turned away.

And bumped right into Fine Crime. With a cry that rattled his own eardrums, Gulfstream leapt and brought his hind leg up in a rapid vertical kick.

Fine blocked with his cannon and parried, spinning Gulfstream so he faced the wall, then placed a hoof on the colt’s back, forcing him firmly but gently back to a standing position.

“Nice to see you too.”

Gulfstream took a moment to breathe, reviewing the quick motions in his head. Instead of his anger bursting forth, a thrill ran through him. Wings spreading, he turned his head to Fine and grinned. “That was awesome! How’d you do that?”

Fine returned the smile. “Lots – and lots – of practice.” The smile faded. “You ready for this test?”

Oh, right. The test. “Yeah,” he managed to reply, though his voice lacked any confidence. “I just, uh, got lost.”

“That is not surprising.” Fine gestured for him to follow before walking down the hall. “Only two ponies lives in this part of the castle, and very few bother to pay them any visits. This place is a mystery to the vast majority of the castle staff.”

Gulfstream hurried to catch up. “So who lives here?”

“Princess Luna, of course.”

Oh. That did seem pretty obvious, all things considered. “Wait, you said there were two living here. Who’s the other pony?”

“Her personal attendant. Guy named Stone. Decent sort, far better than most.” The corner of Fine’s lip turned up in a grim smile. “Doesn’t much care for me, though.”

Gulfstream didn’t bother to store that bit of information; his only interest was the princess. He realized that he’d not seen feather not tail of her in the days since he’d come to stay at the castle. Did she prefer to stay hidden here?

A new thought occurred to Gulfstream as Fine led him down a long spiral staircase. “Wait, so are we going to see Princess Luna? Or… Nightmare Moon?”

It took Fine a few seconds to answer. “Celestia has granted us the opportunity to witness something not done in over a thousand years. She chose to make it happen down here.”

Gulfstream felt bile rising in the back of his throat. So, he would have to do something for that witch again. The idea didn’t sit well with him, but he kept his hooves moving as they descended deeper and deeper into the castle. The memory of being in that cell, of what he did to the false Rainbow Dashes…

And to Lightning. That image was still thoroughly burned into the back of his eyelids. He gave an involuntary shudder and tried to remember that it was only an illusion. Curiously, the phrase came to him in Miss de Lis’ voice.

After what seemed like ages, they exited the stairs and walked along a hallway even darker than any Gulfstream had encountered so far. No doubt this had to do with the lack of windows. Were they underground, or just far within the castle?

“Gulfstream.”

Fine’s tone was hard again. Somehow, it reminded him of Lightning when she was cross with him. That thought was more than enough to make him pay close attention to Fine’s next statement.

“Celestia will want these events to be a secret. Tell nopony about what we are about to see. If you do, Celestia will have you killed.”

Gulfstream’s eyes became as broad as saucers. “You’re joking.”

There it was, that cold stare that chilled his heart. Fine’s voice grew quiet. Shouting would have been preferred. “No. She’s had ponies killed for far less. If you have any doubt about your ability to keep this a secret, turn around now.”

Anger tried to rise up within Gulfstream as he paused. He held it back… but couldn’t keep the heat from his voice. “Why didn’t you warn me about this before?”

Fine didn’t bother to wait for him, nor did he look back. “The life of an Archon is dangerous. You accept that when you accept the job. I shouldn’t have to warn you that your life could be put on the line at any time. If Fleur failed to mention that to you, take it up with her.”

She’d mentioned it. Gulfstream simply hadn’t taken that to mean he was in danger already, not even three days into his training. He resumed his trot and fell in step with Fine. “I won’t tell anypony.”

“See that you don’t.”

Several minutes passed as they traversed the dark hallways. They seemed more and more like underground tunnels by this point, even though the dark marble walls never changed design. Gulfstream was just beginning to question if they would ever arrive when Fine stopped them before an unremarkable stone door. A cursory glance down both directions revealed nothing to differentiate this door from any of the others.

Still, Fine did not enter. His eyes had narrowed and his ears were aimed forward. A dim red light shone from his horn.

Then he nodded and looked to Gulfstream from the corner of his eye. “It’s almost time. If you must speak, keep your voice down. Do not interrupt Celestia in her work, nor Luna. Speak to them only if spoken to, at least until Celestia leaves.”

Gulfstream examined the door, then Fine. “And what’s the test?”

“If I told you that, it wouldn’t be much of a test. Are you ready?”

He took a deep breath, then exhaled with equal slowness. He didn’t feel any more prepared, but then, he wasn’t sure anything could prepare him for another meeting with Celestia. Still, he sucked down his anxiety and gave a firm nod. “Ready.”

Fine’s eye remained set upon him for a few more seconds. Finally, he set his attention forward and pushed open the door.

The room took on the shape of a shallow bowl, with tall steps acting as seating space. A set of more regular stairs descended in front of Gulfstream, leading down into a plain circle at the center of the room. The walls, crafted of common stone rather than marble, arose into a dome. At the apex was an inlaid gem that may have been a diamond, which shined brightly to act as illumination for the amphitheater. All in all, the whole place seemed painfully drab.

Except that there, sitting in the circle in the middle of the room, was Princess Luna. Or was it Nightmare Moon? No… it was Luna. Even in the dim light, he could see the black around her cutie mark. He opened his mouth, but remembered just in time Fine’s warning and closed it with a click of teeth. He noted Fine sitting in the highest row, and so moved to join him.

The princess did not acknowledge their presence. As Gulfstream leaned forward to study her, he saw that her head was bowed. Her wings had opened forward, not enough to cover her head, but far enough forward that, at this angle, he couldn’t see it. He knew that pose well. What could she have done that would make her feel so shameful?

In that moment, Gulfstream recalled how much he liked Luna. It struck him as odd, especially considering how he only really met her once, and she’d been partially responsible for Lightning’s death. But then, it never felt like her fault to him. Maybe it was because she seemed peripheral to the entire situation.

Whatever the case, he didn’t like seeing her in such a pose. His ire rose in his mind, fanned by speculation and a strange defensive view of the princess. He realized that he wanted to find the pony responsible for her apparent malaise and teach them a lesson.

He continued to brood for some time, his anger steadily rising as nothing happened. Ever shifting, he glanced to Fine. The Mane Archon remained stock still, his brow furrowed and his gaze set on Luna. Gulfstream envied his patience.

A door, opposite the one they’d entered from, opened. Celestia appeared, her expression solemn as she marched into the amphitheater. She glanced towards Fine and Gulfstream, but that was all the attention they warranted. The disinterest frustrated Gulfstream, but he would not speak. Even ignoring his orders, he wanted little to do with her after what she’d made him do in that dungeon.

Celestia’s voice rang out, firm and authoritative, as the door closed. “Luna, Nightmare Moon. I give you one last chance to reconsider your request.”

Luna didn’t raise her head, nor did she move her wings. As such, her face remained unseen to Gulfstream, but the frail manner of her voice gripped his heart. “Sister, I will not. This must be done.”

Celestia stood regally before her, appearing a giant to the Luna’s small stature. “And you, Nightmare?”

Luna’s head rose, her wings folding back. The shaking of her body lessened and her expression became a match to Celestia’s firmness. Only the tearstains betrayed the emotions she’d felt mere seconds ago.

“I will not object.”

“Then you will submit.” No smile adorned Celestia’s face. “You will bow, and you will beg. Make it known to me, and to these witnesses, who has defeated you.”

Luna hesitated, her eyes shifting to Gulfstream and Fine for the first time. Then she turned her attention back to her sister and lowered her head. “Will you spare them, sister? Those who have fallen to our failures?”

A pearly wing whipped out, slapping across Luna’s muzzle with enough force to turn her head. The sound alone made Gulfstream wince.

“You are already asking much from me, sister,” Celestia hissed. “Should you wish for this to happen, you will not so much as consider asking for more. Do as you are told.”

At first, Luna let her head remain where it had shifted to from the blow. Her lips pursed and her cheeks puffed out as she took in a deep breath, then another. Her eyes remained downcast. Gulfstream couldn’t explain why, but he silently begged for the princess to strike back, or shout, or any of a hundred things.

She did none of those. Gradually, as if she’d been hit with a spell of sluggishness, she turned to Celestia. Gulfstream gaped, heart heavy as she lowered to sit, then settled to the floor. Her wings opened wide and limp to take up almost the entire circle. Her head bowed until her muzzle pressed against the ground. Her horn touched the stones at Celestia’s hooves.

She was crying again. Gulfstream looked to Fine, hoping the stallion would do something, but the Mane Archon remained as rigid as ever.

A new feeling rose within Gulfstream, something very different from his usual anger. This was something reserved for ponies like Rainbow Dash, who warranted far more than mere frustration. This emotion was hatred, and it was aimed directly at Celestia.

Yet, even as he bathed in his own ferocious energy, Gulfstream didn’t understand it.

“Celestia,” Luna spoke, her voice submissive, “you are the supreme ruler of Equestria. I s-submit myself before you, I implore you. Please undo the damage that has been done.”

For the first time since arriving, Celestia smiled. It was a cold, wretched thing. “Do you accept your defeat, and surrender to my might?”

A deep, shuddering breath. “Yes. I, Luna, surrender my will to you, the greatest ruler of all. Against your might I offer no challenge.”

Celestia’s head rose, regal and commanding. “You will obey.”

“I w-will obey.”

“You will submit.”

“I will submit.”

A gold-shod hoof stomped, dangerously close to Luna’s muzzle. The sound echoed in Gulfstream’s folded ears like a thunderclap. Revulsion filled him as, hesitantly, the Princess of the Night leaned forward to kiss the hoof.

Seconds passed in silence. Luna kept her eyes to the floor, and Celestia continued to stare down her muzzle at her. Gulfstream trembled with combined anger and disgust, frustrated with himself for being unable to do anything about this demeaning scene.

Then he looked to Fine once more, and couldn’t help backing away. Though the changes were minute, they were very real. The furrowed brow, the hardness of his eyes, the way his lip twitched. This was that same gaze he’d used before. The knowledge that he wasn’t alone in his anger proved no comfort; Gulfstream took a few more steps away.

Celestia’s words, quiet but strong, floated to his ears. “I accept your failure, your inferiority, and your subservience. I shall grant that which you desire.”

By the time Gulfstream turned back to the scene, a light shined from Celestia’s horn, so bright it obscured his vision. He looked away and shielded his eyes with a wing, but even then the world was uncomfortably brilliant.

Then, as soon as it came, the light vanished. Everything seemed dark as his eyes began to adjust.

His jaw dropped the moment his eyes returned to the inner circle: where Luna had once been bowed before Celestia, now there were two of her. No, that wasn’t exactly right; the new pony was darker, her cutie mark a dark shade of violet.

Nightmare Moon.

Gulfstream rubbed his eyes and looked again, but they weren’t fooling him: Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna were now two different ponies.

Celestia offered a comforting smile to Luna. “How do you feel?”

Luna’s head rose with a jerk, her pupils small. She began to tremble, mildly at first, but then with increasing frequency. Her lost expression broke into one of combined horror and despair. At last, as if a dam had been broken within her, she sobbed, a pitiful weeping so wretched they felt like daggers piercing Gulfstream’s heart. Her head fell to the floor and was buried beneath her cannons and wings as she howled.

Nightmare Moon jumped back from her, head whipping around as if she were taking in the room for the very first time. Her eyes settled upon Gulfstream for only an instant, but it was long enough to send a delightful shiver down his spine. Oh, he remembered those eyes so very well!

Her attention landed upon Celestia, and she gave a fanged grin. “At last! This is…” She sat and examined her forelegs one at a time, wonder in her expression. “This is amazing. It’s as if the shackles have finally come off. My mind has never been so clear!”

Celestia smile didn’t waver. “I take it you’re happy?”

“Am I!” The Bringer of Eternal Night pranced in place, as if to test her legs. “There’s so much I want to do, and now I don’t have to have that insufferable foal nagging my every thought. I’m free of her, and it is the greatest blessing imaginable!” She gave a flap of her wings, the resultant wind buffeting Gulfstream.

“I am waiting for the ‘thank you.’ ”

Nightmare Moon blinked, then scowled, her wings snapping back into place at her sides. “Of course, you actually expect me to serve you.” She pointed a hoof at Luna, whose weeping hadn’t faded. Only now did Gulfstream notice the shield around her, presumably intended to deaden her voice. “I am not such a pushover as this wretch.”

Celestia’s smile broadened. “And yet you are already at my beck and call.”

Hesitation came over Nightmare’s features, but only for a moment. “I am free at last. I won’t lose that by being your slave.”

“You already are.” Celestia took a step closer, prompting Nightmare to retreat. “For starters, you will take over the moon… for now.”

Surprise, pleasure, then frustration ran across Nightmare’s face in rapid succession. “I… I will not take it just because you tell me to! I am not your beast of burden. If you want—”

Zap!

Gulfstream winced as Nightmare slammed into the wall of the amphitheater, her body smoking from the impact of a golden orb. Celestia's brilliant aura jerked her down and dragged her roughly along the hard stone stairs. Once at the bottom, she was lifted by her throat and slammed back-first against the wall of the lowest row of benches. There she lay, belly up and legs sprawled, the golden aura pinning her neck up. She appeared as a marionette with the strings cut.

“Go ahead,” Celestia said, completely relaxed even as her horn shined. “Attack me. Show me your defiance.”

Nightmare clutched at her throat, breathing in gasps through her clenched fangs. Her eyes were venomous, but gradually the fire went out of them and she sagged.

Celestia’s smile never wavered. “As I thought. You might be stronger than Luna, but you are both little more than children compared to me.” She turned her head to her audience with a smirk. “I hope you’re taking notes, Fine.”

Fine’s heartstopping glare hadn’t eased at all since last Gulfstream had observed it. If anything, he appeared even more ferocious. Gulfstream had the distinct impression that he was caught in the middle of a war he never wanted to be part of.

She turned back to her captive. “Raise the Moon, Nightmare. Now, if you please.”

With a half-hearted scowl, Nightmare bowed her head and ignited her horn. Seconds passed, and the spell finished. Gulfstream saw and felt nothing different about the world.

Celestia nodded and said, “Thank you.” The magic around Nightmare’s throat faded, and she sagged to the floor in a heap. “Your task will be to spread your influence throughout Equestria. Perpetuate the image of Luna as a monster.

“And you.” She turned to Luna, but the princess didn’t notice. She still wept, though quietly, and appeared to be lost in her own despair. After watching for a few seconds, Celestia rolled her shoulders in a shrug. “As she seems useless to me at the moment, I shall give her the details later. Suffice to say her task will contrast yours; she will spread dreams of my goodness and glory, reminding everypony who their benevolent benefactor is.”

At first, there was no response. But when Celestia’s head shifted towards her, Nightmare grumbled, “As you command, Princess.”

“Good girl.” Celestia began walking for the door, but paused. She looked to Fine Crime, her expression sweet. “Oh, Fine Crime? I’ll be heading to Nildia tonight. Is there anything you’d like me to relay to your darling slut?”

Gulfstream had been observing the crying Luna, so it surprised him when he turned to find the rage in Fine Crime gone entirely. The stallion appeared almost… pleasant.

“Nothing I can’t send to her via potion,” he said. “I take it you’re going to meet with the president?”

She nodded. “He’s due to pay me back for intervening and saving his country from its own corruption. After all, if not for me he’d have never been elected, and incidents like the Rape of Sīṃgakh would be widespread.”

Fine smirked, something that made Gulfstream’s jaw drop once more. “Do tell President Foghorn I said ‘hi,’ won’t you?”

“I’m sure he’ll be pleased to hear it.” She looked over her shoulder to Nightmare Moon, who hadn’t bothered to get up from the floor. “I’ll be paying close attention, Nightmare. How you handle yourself while I’m gone will go a long way to determining the permanency of this situation. Make sure you remember it.”

She departed, closing the door quietly. Gulfstream felt tension leaving his body the moment she was out of sight.

Only to come back as he realized Luna and Nightmare Moon remained in the room. He looked from one to the other. Luna, the sound buffer faded, remained on her barrel with cannons over her eyes. Her body shook to the occasional hiccup. Even her mane seemed limp and feeble, falling over her back like a starry blanket.

In comparison, Nightmare Moon lay on her side against the lower seats, her expression sour and her gaze far away. Anger shone in her face, but there was also a subtle depression there.

They seemed so... defeated. The flame in Gulfstream's heart gave a little kick, but he mostly felt sadness. In his own way, he had looked up to this pony – these ponies? – and admired them. To see them brought so low so easily...

He turned to Fine Crime, who watched him with an unreadable expression. He leaned close to whisper, “What am I supposed to do now?”

Fine didn’t answer. He merely turned his attention back to the fallen alicorns.

Gulfstream growled and turned away with a huff. His anger faded quickly, however, as he took in the unpleasant sight below. It felt so wrong to see Luna and Nightmare as they were. The princess’s muffled weeping in particular continued to jab cold needles into his heart.

Shouldn’t he hate her? This was the pony who seduced Rainbow Dash into joining the tournament. If she hadn’t…

Why couldn’t he hate them?

Why did he want to go to them?

But Fine said he was not to say anything unless spoken to. This was a test, he couldn’t fail it. Lightning depended on him to do this right! He crossed his cannons and tried to think of a solution, wincing as Luna heaved a fresh sob. A glance at Fine garnered no help. The fire flickered, hurrying him to a conclusion. He couldn’t talk to them, but at least he could make his presence known. Then it would be up to them if he could talk, right?

Without looking to Fine, Gulfstream began to walk down the stairs. He took every step with caution, watching the two alicorns as a rabbit spies on a hawks. What would he say? What would he do?

It was Nightmare who first reacted, her head twisting his direction with startling swiftness. He froze, one hoof on the bottom floor of the amphitheater, and stared into those slitted pupils. Those eyes... they made him shiver, but not in a bad way. Fear filled him, yet he wanted to come closer. Only an underlying sense of self-preservation kept him from doing so.

Nightmare didn’t get up, but still she leaned towards him with a peering gaze. “I know you.”

After an involuntary swallow, he nodded. “W-we met at the Best Young Flier’s Competition. I-in Cloudsdale.”

She pursed her lips, scrutinizing him. Then her eyebrows rose and she sat up properly. “The little warrior.”

“W-what?” Luna finally raised her head, rubbing moisture from her eyes to look his way. “Gulfstream? What are you doing here?”

A calm elation rose against his fear; they remembered him! He stood tall and nodded to the princess, then to Nightmare. “I was… invited. To see this.” He opened his mouth only to realize that he had no idea what to say next. Closing it, he shifted and tried to think of something.

At that moment, the door from which Celestia had left burst open. “Luna!” All eyes turned to a white earth pony, his blonde mane and slightly overweight form matted with sweat. He froze at the top of the steps, taking in the sight of the alicorns below. After only a moment’s hesitation, he hurried to Luna. “Are you alright? It didn’t hurt, did it?”

“Calm yourself, Mr. Stone,” Luna said even as she sat upright. “I am… well.”

Nightmare leered. “You were sobbing like an infant.”

“I am physically fine.”

“Are you sure?” Mr. Stone looked over the princess’s body in a way that struck Gulfstream as intrusive, but she did not seem to mind. “Celestia appeared far too pleased with herself when she passed me in the hall.”

Nightmare pouted. “I was involved too, you know.”

Mr. Stone didn’t so much as glance her way. “I don’t care about you.”

Gulfstream took a step back, wincing as some unknown sensation passed over him. The fear that had been resting in the back of his mind grew stronger, giving Nightmare a sense of ominous presence she’d not had a moment ago.

She leaned towards Mr. Stone and Luna, her eyes vicious. “Is that any way to treat the mare who spared your life?”

To Gulfstream alarm, the stallion appeared unfazed by her threatening manner. He looked down his muzzle at her – as well as he could considering her superior height – and replied, “You had nothing to do with that though, did you?”

Luna’s cannon rested on his shoulder. She pushed him behind her, appearing curiously calm despite her ragged appearance. “No, Nye, she is right. She could have ended your life at any time, but she did not. For doing nothing, you do owe her your appreciation.”

Nightmare’s aggressive posture – both the physical pose and the fear-inducing aura that seemed to emanate from her – faded in favor of a sly smile. “Why, thank you, Luna. It’s good to know that some ponies can appreciate my… charity.”

Just when Gulfstream began to think he’d been forgotten, Nightmare’s gaze fell upon him once more. He straightened up as she spoke. “And you. Gulfstream. Do you still wish to be a warrior of the moon?”

A thrill ran through him. He opened his mouth—

“No!”

Before he could even cry out, his vision was blurred by blue wings. He was dragged aside, the force of the movement knocking him down. When he looked up, it was to find Princess Luna standing over him and glaring at Nightmare.

“You have done enough damage to this foal’s life. Leave him be, Nightmare!”

Now it was confusion that controlled Gulstream’s thoughts. He looked out from between Luna’s wings, which were wrapped forward in a shield before him.

Nightmare’s wry smile hadn’t faded. “Oh, come now, Luna. I agreed to let you be free of me, and it was not a pleasant thing for me to do. Besides, you already have an apprentice.” Her predatory gaze met his. “Let me have one of my own.”

“Your lies are transparent, monster,” Luna hissed. “You wanted this just as much as I did. And Nye is no apprentice, he is my friend!”

With an exaggerated gasp, Nightmare pressed a hoof to her heart. “And I am not permitted friends? You would deny me something so simple?” She turned away, pressing a hoof to her lips in mock distress. “Is it because I have fangs?”

Gulfstream wanted to protest; he rather liked her fangs.

Luna drowned out his attempt to speak. “Do not play games! I had no choice but to stand by as you ruined Rainbow and the others, but that will not happen now. I am free, Nightmare, and I will not be idle. This colt has been through enough pain!”

Anger and ache hit Gulfstream simultaneously. He wanted to ask questions. He also wanted to point out that he didn’t like being spoken of as if he weren’t right there. His attempt to stand was thwarted by Luna's hoof pushing down on his withers.

“And what are you going to do to stop me?” Nightmare leaned forward, baring her fangs and spreading her wings. She took a couple steps, licking her lips as her horn shimmered.

“Whatever I must.” Luna matched the pose.

“You know you cannot beat me in a direct fight.”

“That won’t stop me from standing up to you.”

Gulfstream crouched down, anger replaced with a very real fear. He wondered if this was what a toy felt like when two cats fought over it. It wasn’t a pleasant sensation. The temperature in the room was dropping, and the steam from his breath proved it had nothing to do with his imagination. Was he about to watch these two fight? Over him?

Nye’s voice pierced the tension in the air. “Luna, please! Don’t throw away this freedom right after you got it.”

Luna tensed. “Nye… I don’t think this counts as ‘freedom.’ ”

“You’re free from her, aren’t you? And remember, Celestia’s going to know about this; she has her dog here.”

Gulfstream didn’t have to see to know that all eyes had turned on Fine Crime. He shifted under Luna’s legs and looked as well.

The Mane Archon hadn’t moved, still sitting in the same spot as earlier. His ears raised at their sudden attention, but his stoic manner betrayed no other reaction. He didn’t even glance at Gulfstream, which was frustrating as the colt was very eager for some hint as to what he was expected to do.

“Fine Crime.” Nightmare spat the name like a curse. “I imagine you’re the one who brought the little warrior. A test for Celestia, no doubt.”

“Not at all,” he replied. “Gulfstream himself is being tested, not you. But you know as well as I do that, should Celestia ask, I would have no choice but to tell her exactly what I’ve seen here.”

A long pause. At last, Nightmare folded her wings. “Of course you would, and our sister would never approve of me killing Luna. She prefers slow torture, after all.”

Luna’s wings brushed Gulfstream’s back as she spoke. “A test? Am I to believe you are inducting this foal into your Archons?”

“I’m old enough to—” Gulfstream’s words were cut off by the brush of feathers against his muzzle. He lowered his head and steamed.

Fine’s voice remained as resolute as ever. “A member of the Order seeks to apprentice him. That is their business. I am simply looking to see what he will do before I grant full permission.”

“And is he meeting your expectations?” Nightmare asked, her voice sickly sweet as she cast another predatory look at Gulfstream through Luna’s wings.

Gulfstream barely acknowledged it, for he was too busy watching Fine with bated breath.

At last, Fine looked at him. His expression remained as unreadable as ever, but his tone lectured. “I don’t know yet. Neither of you have allowed him to speak.”

Moments passed in silence. Though he couldn’t see Luna’s face, he had the uncomfortable feeling that all her attention was on him. Nightmare’s certainly was, her manner contemplative, her smile smug. At last, Luna stepped back, giving him space to stand on his own.

With two titanic minds centered upon him, he preferred to remain sitting.

It was Nightmare who broke the stillness. “I think the Mane Archon has a point. Why not let the little warrior decide?”

Luna scoffed. “Because he is too young?”

“I was younger than him,” Fine noted from the periphery of the conversation.

Gulfstream looked from Luna to Nightmare, his mind filled with indecision. He felt he understood now what it was Fine wanted from him. This was another opportunity... but an overwhelming one. Nightmare wanted…

Come to think of it, he wasn’t entirely clear on what she wanted. So he turned to her and asked, “What are you after?”

“So direct.” She grinned, fangs glinting in the dim light. “You still wish to be a warrior, do you not? I can teach you.”

“And she’ll use you,” Luna said, catching his attention. “What does she gain from such an agreement other than your life to torment?”

Nightmare chuckled. “Oh, aren’t we the righteous princess?”

Gulfstream turned back to her with a scowl. “It’s a good question. What do you get from me?”

She raised an eyebrow, smile wavering. “Not such a simpleton as I expected. A loyal follower would be a good start. For all her blatant flaws, our dear princess has a wing up on me in that department.”

Luna stomped. “Do not believe her! She seeks only your pain.”

Gulfstream shifted his glare to her. He opened his mouth to snap, but the memory of her breakdown weighed upon him. It was enough to let him douse his inner flame… some. “Will you train me to be a warrior?”

She raised her head in a regal display. “And you would do what? There is no defeating Celestia. Nor would I condone your petty revenge.” Then she lowered her head, ears folding back. “Gulfstream, we are responsible for what happened to Rainbow, and by extension, to your cousin. Lightning did not deserve to die. Please, let me repay this debt. I can help you with your fury.”

Her words soothed. He had to admit, the idea sounded pleasant.

“Why put away your anger?” Nightmare asked eagerly. “There’s no need to tame it when you could use it. She will stifle you, whereas I will give you the tools you need to excel!” She took a step forward, her eyes narrowed. “What she says of your cousin is true, we are responsible. Your family has acted as collateral damage. Perhaps we could help to make up for our actions.”

Luna let out a low growl. “Deceiver! You feel no guilt for that. You delighted in—”

“Stop it!”

Gulfstream clamped his hooves over his muzzle as the two alicorns looked upon him with vicious glares. Had he really just snapped at them? Good Goddess, let him get out of this room alive!

But… he had their attention. He looked from one to another. He knew he had to say something before they started bickering again, but what? What could he possibly ask that would make his decision any easier? Lightning… she would want him to accept Luna’s offer. He knew it for a fact. If he chose her, would he also be choosing to leave Rainbow alone and abandon his revenge? Luna herself wouldn’t condone such a thing, he was reasonably certain.

Nightmare Moon would welcome it. And she’d teach him the skills to do it! He hunched low, struggling with the options available to him. What to do, what to do?

“I grow impatient, little warrior.”

He looked to Nightmare, took in her fangs, her mane… her eyes.

Those eyes. Even now, they pierced his mind and invited something akin to fear to his heart. For reasons he couldn’t grasp, he still liked them. He felt strangely comfortable beneath them. They were wicked and piercing, true, but they were also incredibly familiar. How many times had he seen them in his dreams? How many months had he longed to feel them upon him once more?

Ever since the day of the contest. Their anger burned…

Anger.

The answer was before him all along.

He turned to Nightmare. “You’re angry.”

She paused, brow knitting with uncertainty. “Of course I am.”

He took a step closer. “But you’re always angry.”

The confused frown didn’t change. She looked to Luna as if expecting her to give an explanation. When none came, she merely looked to Gulfstream. “Yes.”

He gave a small nod, his suspicions confirmed. “I understand that. I think I finally get why I like your eyes so much.”

Her eyebrows shot up. Whatever menace she’d last held faded and she looked upon him with true bewilderment. “My eyes?”

He sat, brought his knees to his chest, and closed his eyes. He saw her gaze, cat-like irises studying him, testing him, judging him. He could feel the anger within them.

Anger like his own.

When he opened his eyes to take in hers, he saw the same thing he often did in the mirror most mornings; a flame that always lingered in the back of the mind. A fire of frustration and fury that might be pushed down or ignored, but could never really go out. Her inner flame spoke to his own, filling him with longing and a desire to be recognized.

He offered a frail smile. “I remember how you let me hold your sword.” He raised his legs up and down in a slow mimicry of how he’d held the weapon so long ago. “You gave me… acceptance.”

“Gulfstream—”

Whatever Luna was about to say, she held back when he turned to her. Concern lined her soft features. Nye stood at her side, his manner grim.

Gulfstream shook his head. “I know you mean well, Princess. I wish I could be with both of you, but I have to choose. I’m sorry, but…” He turned back to Nightmare. “I think this is the better choice. For her and me.”

Nightmare didn’t gloat. Nor did she smile. She only stared at Gulfstream as if he were a puzzle she couldn’t solve. She fidgeted as she asked, “You choose me because I am… angry?”

“Because we’re both angry.” He took a step closer. “I think you’d appreciate somepony who understands.”

Her wings ruffled. She averted her gaze. “You weren’t supposed to pick me for my sake.”

Gulfstream shrugged. “Well, I’m doing it anyway. Do you really care why?”

“Yes, I do.” Nightmare wrinkled her muzzle as if she’d just gotten a whiff of some nasty scent. “This isn’t the kind of victory I was going for.”

“You could always deny him his desire,” Luna ventured in an even tone.

Nightmare promptly straightened, her posture stiffening into proper regality. “And give you the pleasure of the first victory in our freedom from one another? Not a chance.” She cast her gaze upon Gulfstream, this time with all the force he’d come to anticipate… and enjoy. “I will accept you, little warrior. I shall teach you myself.”

Fine appeared at Gulfstream’s side, standing tall before her. “Then you’ll have to coordinate with Fleur de Lis, to whom he is apprenticed. Gulfstream is an Archon, and will eventually be a member of the Order. I am sorry, Nightmare, but we take precedence.”

Gulfstream’s ears perked, a combined wave of confusion and pleasure passing over him. He’d passed! He didn’t know how he passed, but he had.

Nightmare leveled Fine with a piercing frown. “Of course he is. Celestia’s little pets get all the nice things, don’t they?”

Her words stung. Once again, Gulfstream felt like a cat’s toy. Or perhaps he was the mouse, being played with prior to the kill.

“For now,” Nightmare purred as her delightfully creepy eyes met his, “I think I shall spend a little time with my new… ‘friend.’ Walk with me, Gulfstream Dust.”

Though worry ate at him, Gulfstream nodded. He got two steps in when Fine’s hoof landed on his shoulder.

“In a moment,” the Mane Archon said. “Allow me to speak to the boy, and then he’s all yours.”

She nodded, a wry smile on her lips once more. As she turned away, she gave Gulfstream a wink. “Don’t keep me waiting, little colt.”

She disappeared out the door, and the air seemed to warm up in an instant. Gulfstream sighed, his shoulders sagging and his hind legs collapsing. He felt so horribly drained.

Luna appeared at his side, the tips of her primal feathers running along his back. “I cannot say I approve of your decision, Mr. Dust. But, as misguided as it is, I do approve of your reason behind it. If you ever wish to speak to me of my vile counterpart, do not hesitate to do so. It is the least I can offer for my transgressions against you.”

Gulfstream wouldn’t look to her, though he didn’t know why. He merely nodded.

The feathers left his back. Her next words came out with a harder edge. “A word of caution. I have lived with that fiend in my head for a millennium. She cannot be redeemed, and she does not care about you. Remember that well, and wait for the moment of her betrayal. Good luck, Gulfstream Dust. You will need it.”

With those parting words, Luna too left the amphitheater, her attendant Nye close behind.

Now it was only Fine. Gulfstream raised his head; the Mane Archon watched him with a solemn gaze.

“So… I passed?”

Fine nodded. “Not in the way I expected, but you did indeed.”

Gulfstream rubbed his mane back, wings giving a faint flap. “But I thought you wanted me to pick Luna. Wait, did you know they were going to fight over me like that?”

Fine’s mask finally broke, revealing a smug smile. “I had a hunch.”

He huffed and crossed his cannons. “You could have warned me.”

“No, I couldn’t,” Fine replied. The mask came back on. “The best test is that which the testee isn’t prepared for. Keeping you in the dark was essential to my scheme. And by the way, who you chose wasn’t as important as why you chose her.”

Gulfstream sniffed and turned his face away, but his frustration was only halfhearted. After a moment, he looked to Fine once more. “So what happens now?”

Fine stood aside and gestured to the door Nightmare Moon had left from. “Now you train with Fleur de Lis and Nightmare Moon at their discretion.”

“But don’t you have some special instruction for me? Like, ‘keep an eye on Nightmare Moon’ or something?”

Fine patted his shoulder, then turned for the door. “All things in due time, Mr. Dust. For now, just focus on what they teach you.”

And so Gulfstream was left on his own, sitting in the middle of the tall, gloomy amphitheater. He thought about what had transpired, his emotions shifting between concern an exhilaration. He was going to be an Archon, which was awesome. He was going to be trained by Nightmare Moon herself, which was awesome.

But then again… he was going to be trained by Nightmare Moon.

With a whimper, he cast his gaze to the ceiling and beyond. “Lightning, what have I gotten myself into?”

No answer came. His cousin wouldn’t speak to him anymore. Her wings wouldn’t guide him, her hooves would not comfort him. That torch had been passed, and two mares he barely knew were sharing it. The thought sent his insides to flipping.

But he’d begun this path of his own free will. Lightning would expect him to carry through with it. For revenge or for his peace of mind, one way or another he had to keep going.

With these thoughts weighing heavily on his mind, he turned and made for the door. It was time to properly introduce himself to the monster.

A monster just like him.

His lips curled into a smile.

Author's Notes:

I would just like to point out before anyone asks that, no, Fine Crime is not using The Stare. He has 'a' stare, but it's not the same as what Fluttershy does. He's just capable of looking really scary when he wants to.

I know this feels more like a continuation of Gulfstream's story rather than an intermission, but I already had my timeline crafted and this scene made the most since to tell from his perspective. The entire point of the intermissions is to reveal moments of significance that might be missed in the main story, i.e. background elements of TvE that I figured the readers would be interested in witnessing. The moment Luna and Nightmare were separated seemed like a good one.

I mentioned way back when that the books in this story won't come in chronological order. Up to now, they have. That's changing with the next book. We'll be going back in time to see how an earlier member of the Order joined up. Don't be surprised when the dates don't line up anymore.