I don’t think any of us have gotten over the shock quite yet. It was difficult, telling everypony what I planned to do. Octavia has been Heaven-sent in her support. I knew she would approve, but admit I was still worried. I accepted her letter this morning. It’s strange, I should feel relieved, but instead it feels like I’m losing another piece of my soul. I won’t hold her back, though. She deserves it.

Gulfstream is reacting to everything in his usual way: extreme violence. I’ll have to assign him some special work so that he can get it out of his system. It won’t come easy, though. I hope I can give him what he needs. In a way, I may be all he has left. Even that connection may be breaking, after what I told him today.

Vinyl’s taking it the best. I suppose that’s to be expected. Celestia was more than willing to assist her. I wonder if she'll keep working with us now that she has everything she wanted out of the deal.

Princess Luna concerns me. She has Trixie, true, but I can still remember the look on her face when I finally told her the truth. She blames herself. Perhaps she should. No, that is wrong; none of this is her fault.

I remember the first time I met Luna after her return. I still thought of her as a monster back then, fully prepared to believe the legends. But it was then, in that cell, that I saw why Fine put so much stock in her. I didn’t ‘get it’ until some time after.

But that is when I saw the real Luna for the first time.

—Fleur de Lis, Book of Shadows XLVIII,

June 15, 1007

It never ceased to amaze Fleur. A bat of the eyelashes, a little sway of the hips while walking, a graceful step, just the right touch of makeup, the appropriate amount of confidence and allure. Get the ingredients just right and any colt will eat out of a mare’s hooves. She had the method down to an art.

Lord Tassel Wave was as pretentious as nobles came, but he liked his mares. What a shame he wasn’t attending this particular soiree. It didn’t matter; tonight wasn’t about meeting him, it was about getting his attention. The best way to do that was to turn heads, which was precisely what she was achieving. Were she a little less self-controlled, she might have strutted for how the stallions in the room kept watching her. More than a few had already attempted to chat her up, but she was playing the part of the hard-to-get, haughty celebrity this time.

As much as Fleur enjoyed the attention, tonight was about work. Mingling might be best part of these parties, but she had to pay attention to the least interesting of the attendants. In particular, the richest. It was for this reason that she kept close to the hosts of the party, one Mr. Stickin Stone and his wife, Sweet Dream. Had she not been in such close proximity, she probably would have missed the architect’s comment.

“I don’t care how big a deal it is for earth ponies everywhere, I’m not working on any project with Celestia’s signature on the endorsements.”

Their little corner of the room burst into a collective gasp, all eyes turning on the imposing white stallion. Fleur imitated the others’ shock, but was more curious than anything. Abandoning her current conversation – not that the stallion was paying attention to her now anyway – she moved a little closer to the scene.

“Mr. Stone,” hissed a nearby businesspony, “I think you should be very careful what you say.”

Stickin Stone blew his long silver mane from his face. “Oh, grow up. You all act like pegasi, scattering at the slightest hint of trouble.”

His wife – who just so happened to be a pegasus, orange with with a short blonde mane – set a hoof to his shoulder. “Honey, please. There’s no need to spook them.”

“Spook them?” Stikin eyed the gawking ponies, then gained a wicked smile. He faked a lunge at a nearby mare. “Boo!” She squeaked and backed away, perhaps intimidated by his size. Only the continued need to maintain her act kept Fleur from smirking.

An earth pony in a painfully purple suit stepped up to the stallion. “Stickin, please. As Captain, I’ve gotta tell you that I’ve seen things. You keep down this road and—”

“Oh, Goddess, Peacock, it was one comment.” Stickin downed the rest of his glass with a scowl. “Look, I’m not going to accept the endorsement of a princess who lets her demonic younger sister run around Equestria without restraint. When she shows some responsibility, then we’ll talk.”

Other ponies were backing away, and the Captain of the Royal Guard’s face paled. “Stickin! That’s Celestia you’re talking about. You do realize she has led us for a thousand years, don’t you?”

“You’re really scared of her, aren’t you? Think there’s an Archon listening in?”

Fleur barely held back her snort.

“Stickin, honey, that’s enough.” Sweet Dream stayed by her husbands side, but her ears had folded back and she was looking at the crowd as if expecting to come under attack at any moment.

Stickin glowered at her, but after a moment’s consideration nodded. “Very well. For your sake, Peacock, I won’t bother to explain why what you just said is actually a bad thing. Can we please just enjoy the rest of the night?”

The others complied, but the number of ponies willing to be around the couple had diminished. Fleur hung around for a little while longer, taking in the ongoing conversation. Unfortunately, it all had to do with architecture projects and business; no more juicy criticisms to be had. The only remotely interesting thing now was the way Captain Peacock kept getting a dour look whenever he thought nopony was looking.

Fleur decided to pay them no more mind. She was here for a reason, after all.

Every stallion had a different way to his heart, but they did come in types. Fleur’s date for the evening was one of the exceptionally rare varieties that seemed to legitimately enjoy her company. It was okay to act smart, provided she was speaking to him directly and not over his head. There was no need to work on her looks prior to the date or lay it on thick, for he was just happy she was willing to spend time with him at all. It wasn’t that he had low standards, it was only that he expected his mare to be mortal.

In short, he was the easiest kind of tool for a night like this.

But the night had passed, and now they rode in his carriage, making for her hotel. Another advantage to colts of this sort: they didn’t get frisky the instant they were alone with her. Instead, the two of them were engaged in a pleasant conversation regarding local politics. He knew quite a bit for one so young, and even managed to inform Fleur of a few things.

“Vat do you mean, arrested?” This stallion did like her accent, so she kept it going. Weird, how the way she moved her tongue alone could turn a pony’s head.

“I mean exactly that,” he said. “Just this morning, Stickin Stone and his family were arrested.”

Fleur didn’t know whether to be shocked or offended, so she went with both. “Who vould do such a sing? Mr. Stone did nosing vrong. I vas at sat party and heard se entire conversation.”

Her companion shook his head. “Most ponies I know would consider insulting Princess Celestia a crime. Even saying her name without the honorific is frowned upon.”

She sniffed derisively. “And here I sought griffons vere jumpy. I doubt Celestia even knows vat vas said.”

He sighed and leaned back in his seat. “You are a unicorn, and not from Manehattan or Equestria, so I don’t expect you to understand right away. The fact is this is an earth pony town. Celestia has put severe restrictions on places that work against her, and she’s even less likely to look kindly on those of us who lack horns. We tread carefully, Fleur.”

She gave him a bemused look. “And just vat do sey expect her to do to se entire city just because of one stallion’s loose tongue?”

“Phillydelphia was put under martial law twenty years ago for less.”

“For less? I’m not sure a prison break counts as less san one stallion turning ze cold shoulder to a princess.”

He stared at her as if she’d just told him Celestia was a diamond dog. “What prison break?”

“Ah, not so knowledgeable as he sinks.” She chuckled at his dour expression. “Dig a little deeper, detective.”

“Hey, no fair!” He grinned and leaned a little closer, but it was more to emphasize his interest in the topic at hoof than any sultry desires. “You can’t hint at something and then refuse to tell me about it.”

She turned her head away and raised her chin. “I’d tell you, but sen I’d have to kill you.” It was an Archon job she was referring to, after all, even if it was one before her time.

“You think you’re a regular femme fatale, don’t you?” He sat back once more and crossed his forelegs. “Fine, don’t tell me. It just means your argument holds no weight.”

The conversation died as she considered what she’d learned. Stickin Stone, arrested. She wouldn’t put it past Celestia to do such a thing, but she truly doubted the princess knew of it, and if she did, why bother? It’s not like a single disgruntled stallion would topple an empire, or provide much in the way of entertainment. And besides, any such orders would have filtered through the Archons, and she'd intercepted nothing of the sort. The Stone Family had been served a grave injustice, but not by the princess.

Her gaze set on the passing buildings, she asked, “So… Vat’s going to happen to Mr. Stone and his family?”

“I heard they were going to be executed. Wait, I should have withheld that!”

She grimaced; executed over a few paltry words! One more reason to look forward to Celestia’s removal, assuming Fine could ever pull such a thing off. If Fleur were honest with herself, she found the idea highly doubtful.

There could be no gain from thinking on the topic any further. Mr. Stone had made his grave, and that of his family. Pining over a bunch of nobles she didn’t even know would do her no favors. She had a mission to complete. Nothing else mattered.

Within a few days, she’d be out of the city and have forgotten all about the Stones.

Fleur awoke with full alertness, already climbing out of her bed to the sound of a gentle chiming. It took only a second to locate the gem communicator apparatus she’d put together the day she arrived in the city. She tapped it, waited for the emerald to blink a few times to confirm the connection, then spoke. “This is Little Miss.”

The voice was scratchy with static, but still readily identifiable. “Hello, Little Miss. It’s Shadow Pony.”

Her jaw dropped and her ears perked. “I thought you were supposed to be in Las Pegasus this week.”

“I am.”

She sucked in a sharp breath upon realizing that this was going to be more than a request for status. “Do you have any idea how much power you’re using right now? Even a fully charged G-Seven battery setup will drain out in five minutes at that distance. You could have sent a letter by potion.”

His voice grew serious. “I had to make sure you’d get the message immediately. What do you know about the Stone Family?”

Fleur cocked her head. “They were executed this morning.” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “Excuse me, yesterday morning.”

“All of them?”

“I don’t understand.”

If Fine had any impatience in him, it didn’t show in his voice. “Stickin had sons, Little Miss. Twins.”

Her eyes widened at this revelation. “You mean they executed children?”

“Not children. Sons. They’re adults, and we want confirmation that they’re dead.”

Fleur groaned and rubbed her temple, wishing she were still in bed. “I have no idea. The Stone Family isn’t exactly a top priority for me.”

“They are now,” Fine said, tone sharp. “Eclipse is heading to Manehattan. You are to help her with whatever she requires, starting with finding out the health and location of those sons.”

Fleur’s eyes widened at the mention of Princess Luna’s code name. “What? Why does she care?” Fleur tried to fathom what the witch might have planned, but the princess’s manner still eluded her. “Shadow Pony, I’m supposed to meet with my target tomorrow.”

“The assassination will have to wait.”

She growled through clenched teeth, barely resisting the urge to send the gem assembly flying across the room. “I don’t appreciate my targets getting away.”

The static grew stronger around his voice; the connection would collapse soon. “Sorry, Little Miss, not my call. When Eclipse says she wants some… you do…”

They probably had thirty seconds of garbled communication left. “I’ll do what I can. Where am I to meet her?”

“She’ll… you at…”

Or not. Fleur banged her hoof on the gem, cutting it off and saving what little battery power she had left. For a pleasant moment, she thought about tossing the apparatus out the window, but rejected the idea with a scowl. She took the spent gem battery from the assembly and replaced it with a fresh one from her luggage. Fine might want to contact her again to complete the message, after all. Then again, she was awake now; a proper letter was probably imminent.

Overshadowing her frustration was one unpleasant thought: Princess Luna was coming to Manehattan, and she had been assigned to act as liaison. Her, liaison to Nightmare Moon. Why not just cut her head off now and be done with it?

Although… This could be a good sign. Fleur knew there were only four Archons currently in the city. Any of them could have been chosen for this task, but Fine contacted her. He’d given her many a dangerous, high-profile mission since Sīṃgakh, but this felt different. Maybe this was a sign that he was finally willing to trust her like he used to. Not that he’d ever shown any sort of mistrust, not really. But there’s been a distance between them since that night. Maybe now...

A few years ago, Fleur might have responded to her thoughts with joy. Tonight, that pleasure was kept in reserve. After all, she still had to deal with Nightmare Moon – a daunting prospect by itself – and get her the information she needed. Once she’d come out of this alive and successful, then she’d risk being pleased by these developments.

Sleep tugged at her eyes, but she forced the urge down. She’d have some coffee, then contact the other Archons in the city. Surely one of them had to know something about these two stallions the princess was so interested in.

Getting atop the roof of the Royal Guard’s Manehattan Branch Headquarters had been foal’s play. Fleur still had most of her gems and the master key to the building. She’d not performed a direct infiltration in months, so it was good to know she still had the knack for it. Perhaps Fine would be proud.

She stood at the edge of the building, staring up at the waning moon in quiet anticipation. Despite the pleasure of her success, anxiety coursed through her in an endless, relentless stream. Somewhere in that darkness, the Bane of Equestria stalked the skies. Would Nightmare Moon meet her as a friend?

Did Nightmare Moon meet anypony as a friend?

Old horrors, long forgotten since she came to Equestria as a filly, returned to the forefront of her mind. Oh, how her father and brothers tormented her with stories of Kaoshmar, who devoured naughty fillies that didn’t obey and accept their beatings in silence. So many nights trembling under the stairs, fearful eyes set upon the wide cracks in the wall that surely looked inviting to the monster of the dream world. Sleep and face potential horrors untold, or stay awake and face the wrath of an angry stallion for her weariness.

Fleur ground her hoof in the cement. Her lips curled back as she snarled. Fear coursed through her, and that fear drove her anger. She could not tell if her frightened state was to do with foalish childhood fantasies or the very real menace of the creature coming to see her, and that uncertainty only frustrated her more. She was not a foal anymore, she shouldn’t let old stories get to her! But Nightmare Moon was real, and dangerous, and of her she should be afraid.

Not because of foalhood stories. She reminded herself of it over and over again. It did little to calm the flame in her mind.

A harsh wind blew her mane over her face.

“You must be Miss de Lis.”

Her heart became a ball of ice at that harsh voice. Fleur pushed her mane back and turned around slowly. Princess Luna stood before her, blue eyes cold and lips set in a thin line. She was, to Fleur’s mild surprise, only a little taller than the Archon.

Fleur promptly bowed, grateful that she could keep her legs from shaking. “Princess Luna. Welcome to Manehattan.”

The princess continued in the same cool tone. “I have heard rumor of a grave injustice done in my sister’s name. I would see the pony responsible for such a thing.”

Injustice? Uncertainty blended with the fear in Fleur’s mind. Was Nightmare Moon not in league with Princess Celestia? True, the stories said otherwise, but Fleur knew that the Nightmare was actually a willing pawn in her game of self-idolization. In that case—

“She fears us, Luna.”

Fleur barely avoided looking up. That voice sounded like Luna, but managed to be more… Was ‘wicked’ an appropriate descriptor? ‘Playful’ might be a better choice.

“She fears you, Nightmare,” Luna said in a droll tone. “I had nothing to do with this.”

“And you think I did? It’s not like I sought this pony out after learning her name and location.” A chuckle danced through the night air. “Although it does sound like fun.”

“Be silent. We agreed this would be my night.”

“Oh, Luna, you know how much I enjoy playing with your things.”

“Silence.”

Seconds passed, the quiet night interrupted only by the wind and Fleur’s heavy breathing. Her ears were folded back and her heart pounded. Everything she’d just heard confirmed the rumors: Luna was insane. She had to fight down the voice of her father and brothers with everything she had, praying all the while that she would avoid agitating the monster’s psychosis.

“Rise, Miss de Lis.”

Fleur did so, thanking Fine a thousand times over for helping her learn to control her emotions. She neither trembled nor stammered as she spoke. “Yes, Princess. I know where the sons of Mr. Stone are imprisoned, and I know who issued the order for the execution of him and his wife.”

Princess Luna considered this, her expression entirely unchanged. “Show me to the villain responsible for this.”

“Of course. Did you prefer stealth?”

“My sister is already using me as a scapegoat for her villainy,” the princess replied. “It matters little if I come storming through the city or act from the shadows. I would prefer to do this openly.”

Fleur nodded, then gestured to herself. “My identity as an Archon remains unknown. If I—”

“You are a certified Master of Illusions, are you not?” Luna’s eyes narrowed. “Be illusive.”

Fleur bit her tongue to keep her retort in check. “As you wish.”

Her horn glowed brightly and a wave of shimmering air washed over her. Once completed, she examined her hoof. It remained visible, but transparent. “I believe this will suffice. I may have to pause for a break along the way.”

“I understand. How far is it to the perpetrator?”

Fleur gave the princess a firm look, not caring that she was invisible. “He resides in this very building.”

It appeared that Princess Luna was not one for subtlety. After confirming that she could still see Fleur’s magical trace, she followed the Archon directly through the headquarters without so much as a knock on the doors. Her firm walk, billowing mane and icy visage were enough to make every pony who spotted her stand well clear. A few tried to ask her about her presence, but she brushed past them all without a word. Not a soul dared try twice.

Fleur didn’t blame them in the least. She liked to consider herself capable of performing the ‘ice queen’ look when needed, but the princess made her appear an amateur. Of course, Fleur didn’t have the stigma of Nightmare Moon following her wherever she went.

Forced to walk ahead as a guide, Fleur dodged most ponies and shoved her way past those she couldn’t. They were so startled at the abrupt appearance of Princess Luna in their midst that they hardly reacted, perhaps thinking they were being pushed aside by her magic. In any case, they reached the office of Puffed Peacock, Captain of the Manehattan Royal Guard, in short order. She pushed the door open and entered, quickly slipping to the side so she’d be out of the princess’s way.

Puffed Peacock was a light purple earth pony sporting a thin, dark blue mane. He was currently being entertained by the company of a brown-coated pegasus mare whose head popped up from his lap the moment the door opened. Peacock sat up quickly, face red and sweaty, clearly prepared to fire vitriol from all barrels.

Then he saw who had just entered his office and began choking on the aborted words. The mare was away from the desk and on her knees before the princess in less than a second, her wings still spread wide. Fleur scowled at the disgusting creature, while also swelling with pride that she didn’t need to perform such base actions to do her job.

If Princess Luna shared in her distaste, she gave no outward sign of it. She looked upon the cowering mare as if she were an insect and spoke evenly. “Get out.”

The whorse scurried past in a blur.

“P-Princess! Please, I apologize for you seeing us in such a—”

“Your carnal activities on the job are of no concern to me.” Luna leveled Peacock with a stare that would have frozen a blazing fire. “I have come here to discuss something far more damning.”

“M-More?” Peacock seemed to finally remember to bow, but was in such a hurry to do so that he fell out of his chair and onto his face. He crawled around his desk like a dog and prostrated himself. “Of course, Your Majesty! J-just tell me who you want locked up and I’ll see it done. Give me a name and he’ll have disappeared by sunrise!”

For the first time since her arrival that night, the princess reacted. Merely the twitch of an eyebrow, to Fleur it was like seeing a bomb seconds before detonation. There came a moment’s pause. Ponies watched from within the hall. Not a soul dared disturb the moment.

Princess Luna’s hoof rose slowly. Fleur leaned forward, anticipating what may be coming.

The silver-shod hoof dropped onto Peacock’s head with a thump, forcing a cry from the stallion. The princess ground it on his skull, her expression as rigid as ever.

“I want to know, clearly what the charges were against sir Stickin Stone and his wife, Sweet Dream.”

Peacock squirmed beneath her hoof, face hidden beneath his mane. “Of course! They were accused of slander against the crown, against your sister! I had to make an example of them, your highness, to show this city’s loyalty!”

“Loyalty.” The princess ground her hoof even more, making the pony moan. “And were they convicted? Where is the record of a trial?”

“C-convicted? Princess, I heard the words myself. Stickin Stone insulted your sister!”

“How. What did he say, exactly?”

The squirming stopped. Peacock said not a word. Fleur watched in mute anticipation, eager to see in what direction this was going. thus far, it had not been in the direction she’d expected.

“He… He said that Princess Celestia was a foal for… for… for letting you roam free.”

Fleur wished she could see Peacock’s face, if only so she could get a gauge on what he was thinking.

“I… He also… insulted you. By suggesting it was a bad thing?”

The princess studied him, then slowly pulled her hoof away. Then blackness swirled into existence on her blue coat as if the two colors were being mixed in a jar of water. They swam about one another in a wild dance until only the black remained. Nightmare Moon, her eyes shining like diamonds, leaned over the prostrate captain with a fanged smile. “Sticks and stones may break my bones.”

Peacock looked up. Upon finding the Nightmare’s grinning visage so close to his face, he pulled away on instinct. “W-what?”

Her head tilted back and forth in a slow rhythm, the smile never leaving her face. “Sticks and stones may break my bones.” The playful, almost musical way she said it made Fleur tremble, but she didn’t dare look away.

Peacock sat up, sweat beading on his brow. Nightmare Moon followed his motion perfectly, keeping her face close to his the entire time. Her head continued its rhythmic tilting, back and forth like a metronome. “Stick and stones may break my bones.”

“I-I, I don’t understand!” He backpedaled, but the Scourge of Equestria met his every movement, her face always the same distance from his. “Please, Princess, I don’t understand!”

Fleur’s heart beat rapidly as she watched the exchange. She had to fight down an intense urge to flee, but somehow she suspected it was going to be worth it. She kept her hooves planted firmly on the floor and didn’t dare look away.

“Sticks… and Stones.”

The Nightmare moved forward, and the Captain was pinned to the wall by her gaze.

“May break my bones.”

“P-please, what are you trying to—” His words cut off with a choking sound. A ring of magic wrapped around his throat.

“But words?”

The magic carried him into the air, his back still pressed against the wall.

“Words can get you killed.”

Peacock kicked wildly, his eyes bulging. His mouth opened and closed like a fish with only the faintest wheezes to accompany the motion.

Nightmare’s voice was almost playful. “By presuming to know our will, you have insulted us. By your own methods, that demands your life be forfeit. So tell us, Captain: do you think what you did was warranted?”

She leaned forward, turned her head and perked an ear. All she got in return was Peacock’s desperate rasps as his face turned blue. “Hmm… Nothing to say. I guess if you don’t wish to object, I might as well carry out the sentence. Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will get you killed. That’s your policy, after all.”

The captain’s head shook feebly. His eyes rolled back into his head. Fleur watched in fascination, barely conscious of how she held her breath.

Then, abruptly, the magic dissipated and the stallion dropped to the floor. He hacked and breathed deep, tears streaming down his cheeks. He made no attempt to stand. Fleur felt her own lungs take in breath and felt the unnoticed tension in her shoulders ease.

The darkness returned to blue in an instant, and Princess Luna stepped away from the fallen captain. “First you take over uninvited, then this? Your approach was uncalled for, Nightmare.”

As Fleur watched in quiet awe, Luna’s face shifted from its normal appearance to having fangs and those draconian eyes. “Oh, relax, Luna. You wanted to scare him, didn’t you?”

Just as quickly, the eyes reverted to normal irises and the fangs faded. “Your interference is neither required nor desired.”

Nightmare’s visage returned, complete with a smug smile. “Spare me your goody-four-hooves mewling. You know these ponies already fear us.”

And back. “As I said, they fear you! And I would appreciate it if you stopped making it so easy for them to equate us.”

“As if you’re not guilty of plenty of things.”

“I should have known you wouldn’t leave me to do this on my own.”

The princess’s ear flicked. She was silent for a couple of seconds. Then she turned sharply, facing the crowd watching mutely from the door, her mouth filled with fangs and her eyes wide. “Boo!”

The herd left in a screaming stampede. The hall was cleared in less than a second, fluttering pieces of paper the only signs that it had been occupied.

The vicious visage faded yet again. For once, Luna made no attempt to disguise her anger. “That was uncalled for, Nightmare!”

Fangs, draconian eyes and a wicked grin. “Maybe, but it was lots of fun.”

Luna shook her head violently. “Leave me in peace! You’ve had your time.”

“Of course, of course.” Nightmare’s grin faded to a small smile. “But first…”

She whipped around again, this time to Captain Peacock, who was just beginning to sit up. In a flash of light, a sword of glimmering silver flung through the air. It impaled the captain through the chest and stabbed deep into the wood behind him. His jaw dropped in a gasp and his eyes went wide. He reached up with trembling hooves to grasp the obsidian hilt.

Cackling laughter filled the air, but was cut off when Princess Luna reared back with a shout. “Nightmare! That was not part of the plan!”

She dropped to all fours, wings outstretched, and whipped her head around as if in search for her tormentor. All pretensions were gone now; her teeth were bared, her eyes wide in a vicious visage and steam roiled from her nostrils.

“Nightmare, answer me! He was meant to stand trial for his actions, you foul, wicked abomination!”

No answer came, and after turning a few circles the princess stilled herself. She glared down at the captain, who appeared to be growing weaker by the second. He looked up at her with pleading eyes, reached out a shaking hoof.

Princess Luna turned from him, her blue eyes narrowed and her stance tall. After only a moment of pause, she looked directly at Fleur. The Archon had watched the entire scene in quiet alarm, every moment a fresh surprise. And now she recalled that she still had a role in this scene. The thought was most disquieting.

Gradually, the princess’s expression softened. She paid no mind to the final rasping breaths of the captain. When she at last spoke, her voice was soft. “Do you think me insane, Archon?”

Fleur tensed, her mind scrambling for a response that wouldn’t awaken the demon. “I… uh… I…”

“Do not let it burden you.” Luna looked away, her gaze going distant. “You would not be the first, and I have long given up on defending myself.”

The soothing tone was enough to let Fleur relax, but only so much; considering what she’d just seen, she wasn’t about to let her guard down.

The Manehattan jail, situated underneath the Royal Guard Headquarters, were a nicer set of accommodations that most such places Fleur has visited in the past. It certainly appeared more comfortable than the Canterlot dungeons. That made perfect since, though, seeing as of how those were part of Celestia’s home. She’d once heard the princess refer to them as her ‘playground.’ The thought gave her chills.

She walked at Princess Luna’s side, her invisibility spell re-engaged after a few minutes of rest. She’d not held the spell for so long before, but felt no issues with the task. They were in a long, wide hallway of concrete, bright magelights shining overhead. There were no guards on duty; they’d all fled for their lives once Princess Luna stalked in. As such, the only sound to grace their ears were the echoing clops of their hooves on cement.

The quiet lingered. Princess Luna had said nothing to Fleur during their walk to the jail, and she wasn’t inclined to start a conversation. Her mind kept going over what she’d seen in the Captain’s office. Fine had once told her that the princess was of two minds, but to see it in action still left her anxious. How long had the princess possessed such a disorder? Was this the cause of Nightmare Moon, or only a symptom? Fine had offered to explain everything to her, but she’d waved him off, having never been interested in the fiend.

Now that that fiend walked at her side, Fleur realized how foalish that decision had been. If only she knew what would set the Nightmare off…

“Why illusions?”

Fleur paused, her gaze turning to the princess. It took her a moment to process her thoughts. “I beg your pardon?”

The princess stopped to look back, not revealing anything through her stoic face. “I can sense your power, Miss de Lis. That horn of yours possesses an undeniable strength, enough to rival my sister’s protégé. Why devote all that magic to something as indirect as illusions?”

Fleur chewed her lip, wondering how wise it would be to reveal her reasons to such a pony.

Luna gestured languidly. “You may release your spell.”

A ball of worms found its way into Fleur’s stomach. To reveal herself here, when there was no telling who might be around the next corner…

“That was a command, Archon.”

Lips pursed and heart fluttering, Fleur did as she was told, dispelling the mirage of light surrounding her.

The princess eyed her, a thoughtful frown on her lips. “A Master Illusionist and Gemcraft Supremacist. Most unicorns of your natural ability would focus on something more… destructive.”

Fleur wanted to avoid this conversation. She was almost desperate not to think about what was being asked of her. “I… I just chose to do somesing unusual.” She barely resisted pawing the floor. “I had to be, to get into se Canterlot school.”

Princess Luna leaned a little closer, making Fleur sit back and avoid eye contact.

“You are from Grypha.”

It took a moment for Fleur to realize that she’d slipped into her old accent. Cheeks flushing, she nodded.

“Hmm…” Eyes narrowing, the princess turned away and resumed her walk. Fleur hurried to keep up, but kept her distance. Now more than ever, she wished this night could be over.

“I wonder what I would find if I entered your dreams.”

Her head whipped up, eyes going wide. “I… Vat? Vy vould you—” She bit her tongue upon catching her own accent, and princess glanced back at her. Legends had always told of Celestia’s sister being able to enter dreams, and Fine once said… “Did you really enter the Mane Archon’s dreams while he was tested by Princess Celestia?”

“You’re getting off topic.” Luna faced forward once more. “But yes. I’m considering entering yours.”

Fleur barely held back her whimper. Her nightmares had grown rare, but sometimes, in the nights when she felt particularly lonely…

“Why illusion and gemcraft?”

Understanding finally hit Fleur, and she realized that she was trapped. The princess would learn the truth, one way or another. With head bowed, she finally replied, “Because my strength scares me.”

Not looking back, her tone no more comforting than it was commanding, Princess Luna asked, “You had an incident?”

Fleur nodded, knowing she wouldn’t be seen. “Back at the orphanage, two griffons cubs tried to kill me. I… lashed out.” And then there was Sīṃgakh...

The princess’s tone turned inquisitive. “Was it not self defense?”

Fleur shook her head, trying her hardest not to remember, but it was too late. She could still smell the charred flesh of Topoy. The image of Tochnost’s two talons hitting the floor appeared on the back of her eyelids as if they were still before her. “No. I snapped. My horn lock broke that night, and I was so angry. I almost murdered those two cubs, and I remember…”

At last, the princess looked back, studying her with a lone, peering eye. “Yes?”

Fleur’s legs locked. In her mind's came the unbidden image of her jamming a small dioptase gem into a nilgiri's mouth before activating its acidic melt charm. The gargling screams tortured her ears. Her heart throbbed and she took slow, calming breaths. Even so, her words came out in a hushed whisper.

“I enjoyed hurting them.”

The princess’s eye widened, but not in alarm. She closed her eyes and shook her head forcefully, murmuring something. She sucked in a deep breath and turned forward once more. It took some time, but Fleur managed to follow, grateful that the conversation seemed to be over. She wasn’t looking forward to her dreams tonight.

They continued through the bright halls in silence. In time they came to the cells, all of which were closed off not by doors of metal, but solid stone. Each had a large plate by the door handle with a letter and a number. Fleur walked the route by rote, having studied the jail’s blueprints and taken extensive notes from a few interviews committed to stallions drunk on a combination of flattery, alcohol and poison joke extract. Getting to the cell they sought was foal’s play.

“Thirteen-twenty-two.” Fleur stopped by the door they’d been seeking and raised the skeleton key in her magic. “Would you like to do the honors, princess?” She was grateful when Princes Luna took the keys in her magic; whatever she intended to do to these boys, she did not want to bear witness to it. She turned back to the hallway, too a couple steps—

“No, Miss de Lis. You stay.”

Biting down a curse, she obediently turned back. “As you wish.”

The key aimed for the keyhole, but paused. Luna’s expression remained unreadable, her gaze set on the handle of the door for some time. Fleur kept her gaze low, maintaining a submissive pose.

“Do not fear your strength, Fleur.”

She blinked and looked up. “I beg your pardon?”

“Do not fear your strength,” the princess repeated. No expression appeared on her face, and her eyes remained set upon the door. “Only those who would seek to abuse it.”

Without another word, she unlocked the door and stepped inside. Fleur stared after her at first at a loss, but then followed.

Fleur had seen the records. She’d known the two stallions were only a year younger than her. Still, she’d expected them to appear younger, for whatever reason. They lay in a room of pale grey concrete, with only a bright light above them and some hay to sleep on. Both were white like their father, but one sported blonde and the other a silver mane. They lay side by side in the hay, dejected and weary.

The one in silver, a pegasus, lacked his father’s impressive height. Aside from that one difference, however, the resemblance to Stickin Stone was almost surreal. Combine his handsome features with his visible muscles, and Fleur wondered if he hadn’t left a broken heart or two in his wake.

The other stallion appeared wholly different. Rotund and stocky, the earth pony lacked any of his twin’s musculature, but shared the soft, coltish facial features undoubtedly inherited from their mother.

And yet, it was he who raised his head, while his brother offered no reaction at all. As soon as he recognized their royal visitor, he nuzzled his brother and whispered something. The bigger stallion didn’t react.

With the lightest of whines, the blonde rose to his hooves, only to bow low before the princess. He said not a word.

Princess Luna stared down at him, her expression soft. “You are Jimmy and Nye Stone?”

The blonde nodded as best he could with his muzzle touching the floor. “Y-yes, Your Majesty. I am Nye.” His brother kept quiet.

“And you are aware of the situation?”

Nye raised his head, but his eyes settled on the princess’s hooves. “I… We are.” He swallowed audibly and his entire body shook. “Are you… Are you here to kill us?”

Fleur looked to Princess Luna, searching for any sign of the Nightmare. Instead, the alicorn chewed her lip and shuffled in place. Fleur found the expression on her face mesmerizing, if only because it seemed so incredibly odd compared to everything she’d seen so far in the princess’s emotional repertoire.

Finally, Luna said, “I would know your side of the story.”

Nye’s eyes rose at last, his features a mix of confusion and fear. “I—”

“We don’t know anything!”

Jimmy had sat up and was staring at the princess, his pupils small in wide eyes. “We don’t know anything, I swear! Father said something. That’s all, he just said something! We don’t even know what he said! Please, we didn’t do anything wrong.”

Princess Luna raised her leg in an anxious display, her head turning just slightly towards Fleur. “Mr. Stone, I ask that you—”

But the muscular stallion dove into a bow, his wings trembling. “We’re sorry! P-please, we’ll make up for whatever Father did, just have mercy! Please, we didn’t do anything wrong. Nothing. N-Not a thing…” He fell into indecipherable mumblings, broken periodically by quiet sobs.

Mommy! I’m sorry! I tried to be a good girl, I really did!

Fleur didn’t know whether to feel pity or disgust. She cast a worried look at the princess, but the alicorn seemed at a loss for words.

It was Nye who broke the silence. “Please forgive him, Princess. He was… close to our father.” He looked up at Luna with an imploring gaze. “Knowing I have no place to make this request, I humbly beg your forgiveness. If there is anything we can do to make up for our father’s sin, I assure you it will be done.” He rested his forehead on his fetlocks. “Our lives are in your hooves.”

Fleur watched the scene in rapt fascination. The twins bowed in subservience, and the princess appearing as if she’d just watched a foal murdered for sport. Her lips trembled, her face twitched, her eyes painted a picture of weariness and sorrow. At last, she turned away from the two stallions and sat. She took in slow, even breaths, her gaze going beyond the walls of the cell.

“I suppose I should be grateful,” she whispered. Fleur wasn’t certain if she was meant to overhear. “After a hundred years, Equestria hasn’t changed. Frightened, cowed foals lash out at the slightest pretense, all for fear of the wrath of my sister. That this remains so painfully true… At least Equestria isn’t worse. That’s… that’s something, is it not?”

She glanced at Fleur as if expecting a response, but the Archon could only stare in mute uncertainty. How did one answer such a query?

The princess shook her head. “I cannot stop her, not on my own, not with the demon in my head.” She cringed, entire body jerking as if struck by electricity. She hunched low and tensed. “That was not a summons, Nightmare.”

Fleur stepped back, her horn glowing dimly as she thought of a hundred potential spells and took mental stock of the gems still on her body.

The moment passed, and the princess sat up straight once more. She sighed and turned back to the prostrate stallions. “I cannot fix this broken world, but… if I can protect a pony or two from my sister’s influence, I would welcome the opportunity. It is better than doing nothing.”

As Fleur relaxed, Nye dared to raise his head once more. He spoke in a tone of unsteady optimism. “Princess?”

Though no smile graced her lips, Princess’s Luna’s voice was comforting. “Be at ease, My Little Pony. There will be no more death this night. I will ensure that you will not share your parents’ dire fate.”

He said nothing at first, but his smile would have given Surprise a run for her bits. He moved backwards and whispered in his ever-trembling brother’s ear. Jimmy Stone gasped and looked up at the princess with wide eyes, tears having already moistened his cheeks. He crawled forward and wrapped his legs around one of the alicorn’s, sobbing as he did. “Oh, thank you, princess! Thank you so much!”

Princess Luna’s eye twitched. She tugged her leg back, but without enough force to dislodge the stallion.

Nye Stone climbed to his hooves and jerked on his brother’s tail. “Jim, I don’t think she appreciates that.”

“Right, right!” Jimmy retreated and pressed his forehead to his fetlocks, wings spread wide on the floor. “F-forgive me, Princess. If there is anything we can do, anything, please, tell us! Tell us how to repay this generosity, and we’ll—”

Nye struck his brother’s shoulder. “Jim! You’re overdoing it. Just shut up and be happy, alright?”

Jimmy merely whimpered and maintained his prostrate position.

I obeyed, I didn’t argue, I cooked, I cleaned, I didn’t talk. Even when they hit me, I didn’t talk! Please tell me I’m a good filly, please, please, please!

Something vile made its way up Fleur's throat. She pressed a fetlock to her lips and turned away from the sight, struggling to push the stuff back down. She could almost feel the chill wind against her cut and bruised coat. The memory brought hot tears to her eyes, heated by a fire that grew steadily in her chest.

Luna’s voice reached her ears. “Miss de Lis? Are you alright?”

Fleur forced her hoof away from her face with a stomp, swallowing the last of the acid in her throat. Her words came out cold and harsh. “Get him up and stop his whimpering, or get him out of my sight.”

A long pause.

“Come, brothers Stone. You will join me in Canterlot, where I shall decide your futures. Thank you for your service tonight, Miss de Lis.”

Hoofsteps faded into the depths of the jail, and Fleur didn’t move. She merely stood still, forcing her breathing to come in a long, slow rhythm. In, out, in, out, until the pathetic voice of a filly faded from her mind. Gradually, she raised a hoof before her muzzle. It shook violently.

“I am good,” she whispered, fighting not to clench her teeth. “I’m not Fleur Purpurnyj. I am not that pathetic, good for nothing waste of air.” She stomped once more, whipping her mane back and standing tall. “I am Fleur de Lis, and nopony will ever hurt me again. Never.”

She turned to face the empty cell. Her eyes fell upon the thin bed of hay. She could see herself lying there, cold and miserable and alone, longing for somepony to love her, even if she had to accept a beating for it. With a growl, she fired a small beam, igniting the hay. As the flames rapidly spread through the room, she left and slammed the door behind her.

She’d never be that pathetic again.

Author's Notes:

I've long wanted to show this scene, even if only for the chance to show how Luna rescued the Stone twins. It seemed like something people might want to know.

Character ages:
Fleur: 24
Jimmy & Nye Stone: 23