Horpip puffed on his pipe as he sat on a comfortable chair up on the roof of the building. He gazed down from the lofty heights, watching those ponies milling about on whatever they thought was important. It was laughable, of course. They didn't even know how close they had all come to oblivion.

He didn't know how close he was to being touched until an elven hand came down on his left shoulder. "Ye need something, lass?" He glanced up and over at her. "This isn't your usual haunt."

"Horpip--"

"The magnificent."

Spring rolled her eyes. "Yes, that. I've come... to thank you."

Horpip sat up at that. An offer of thanks was a heavy thing between fey. It meant a favor owed. "And to what do I owe this?"

Spring rolled a hand at him. "I'm sure you think I'm blind and daft combined, but even I can guess where that pony learned the things he did."

Horpip snorted softly. "I'll have you know that the lad came to me first." He tilted his pipe at Spring. "Smart boy, figured it takes fire t'fight fire, and he was raring to go. Bloody hell, he already had half of his ridiculous fey hunting gear before I got there."

Spring smiled at that. "That's actually a relief. I would have been... disappointed if you were the sole source of his sudden bravery. There's a fire there, one worth tending to."

Horpip rolled his pipe lightly. "Yes yes, Miss Horse Fucker. I hope he plows your fields just the way you like it."

Spring went red with fury and perhaps a little shame. "How dare you speak about it that way! He's a gentleman... and a beast." The way she said the last was far from an insult in tone.

"Right right." He leaned back in his chair. "I meant what I said. Have fun with him if that's what you want. Seems a lousy goal for one of us, mind. We can do better than that, don't you think?"

Spring leaned forward. "I'll remind you that you were sent to study these mortals, and you're doing a terrible job of it, so far."

Horpip cocked a brow. "How d'ya figure, lass? I'm watchin' 'em right now, just you getting in the way, the way I see it."

Spring gestured down off the building to the street far below. "They are not insects, to be studied at a safe distance. Short-lived or no, they are thinking creatures, with a society and beliefs and goals. Just staring at them barely tells you a thing about them. You think you can learn enough just watching them like migrations of deer? More a fool you are then." She suddenly got a devious smile. "What will the master think?"

Horpip snorted, a little smoke escaping his nose. "I don't like th' way you went and said that. What lies have you been spreading?"

Spring held up a finger. "First, I did no such speaking. Second--" She held up another finger. "--It was said that I can get far more information about these curious creatures. And why couldn't I? I live among them, and I'm learning their ways."

"You're biased is what you are," huffed out Horpip. "Only a damn fool would listen to a word you said about it. Bloody hells, aren't you wed-locked to one of them? Two if you count the Caretaker, but she's an edge case."

A new voice interrupted their increasingly tense conversation, "Are you now? Far out." Both spun to see the new figure approaching them and went pale. "Relax, dude, dudette." The slender figure tugged at his brightly colored shirt. "You're acting like you don't know me."

"M-master." Spring fell to a knee and dipped her head.

Horpip half-fell out of his chair and joined in the supplication.

The figure shook his head. "Hey, chill. I told you two to relax it." His eyes slid to Spring. "I didn't think I'd find you here, like this. Married to a pony?"

Spring fought against the blush and tremble. Her master knew... She said nothing.

He put a hand on her shoulder. "Congratulations! You didn't invite me to the wedding? I'm hurt." He snapped his fingers suddenly. "Wait, has it happened yet?"

Horpip looked up at their disarmingly jovial master. "I don't think it has."

Spring nodded a little. "It hasn't... Did you truly wish to attend?"

She was answered by being pulled to her feet with hands far more powerful than their appearance would suggest. She was crushed against the brightly colored wizard. "Of course I do! I'll have to get a gift. Oh yeah, that's not what I'm here for." He released Spring and looked between the two. "I got that letter, you know, the one about how Horpip was just studying the ponies, and the one about Spring making super friendly with them."

Spring glanced aside at Horpip. Had he sent a letter about her as well? The fiend!

Horpip smiled nervously. Both were nervous before the jovial, but frighteningly powerful might of their master.

He lifted a finger. "The way I see it, the only real answer is to have you both on this case. Both of these lines are totally great. Horpip, you keep studying and watching. Get the big picture. Spring, you get up close. Get the small picture. Work together, put it side by side and we'll get a better view of these righteous magic fuzzballs. Nice people, if you haven't noticed." He glanced between the two. "That reminds, know any good vacation spots around here?"

Spring shook her head. Her master's... unorthodox behaviors were maddening. "Is that... all you have to say?"

He slapped her on the shoulder. "What? Should I say more? I think your combined report will be more complete than any single thing either of you did. By the way, welcome back, Spring. I missed having you around. Having fun? I guess you are. Great!"

Horpip threw his pipe on the ground, where its two parts popped apart. "Ya can't be serious!"

"Serious as I ever am. So, know any good spots?"

Both sighed with defeat. There was no turning their master when he closed the book on an issue.

Spring pointed down. "The Caretaker has subdued and struck an accord with a being from between the stars."

"Far out! Literally..." He nodded, a calculating look on his face. "Sold. I'll stay here, maybe strike up a conversation with that if it's not going to rip any heads off. That should be amazing." He turned away from the other two. "Do let me know when and where the wedding's at. I wouldn't miss it for all the worlds."

The two watched him vanish through the floor with a colorful spray of lights and a few palm trees sprouting where he once stood.

Horpip reclaimed the two parts of his pipe and fitted them together. "You know, lass, I can see at times why you ran away."

Dark was in a special place. She was sleeping. Better than that, she was aware. Luna was coming. She was certain of it.

The only thing that marred the event was the fact that there was another of her seated on her haunches just across from her. "Paul?"

The other Dark shook her head. "Paul is dead for most intents." She put a hoof at her chest. "I'm becoming something new, and so are you, though I guess mine is more extreme."

The air shimmered as Luna stepped into the dream. "Dark Vision, report. Your dr--" Her words cut off as she glanced back and forth between the two Darks. "What manner of sorcery is this? Neither of you feel of dream creations."

The second Dark, Paul, as Dark continued to think of him, her, or whatever they were, dipped their head towards Luna. "Princess Luna. It is a great pleasure to be in your presence."

The first Dark shook her head. "My deepest apologies, my Princess. I have... suffered an injury of the mind and soul in the line of duty."

Luna stepped forward on uncertain hooves. "Have you been split in twain?"

"In a matter of speaking." The first Dark shook her head. "That one began as a whole person, not simply fragment of my own." She took a slow breath. "I'm afraid this is no longer entirely true. We have been... contaminating one another. They are I, I am they."

The second Dark beamed at the admission. "I hope to be a good addition. I love this world. I love myself." They said the last part as if in genuine astonishment, clearly surprised to feel so good.

The first Dark dipped her head. "I will be fine, and I would gladly continue this task, but I think I should retire from the Warlocks."

Luna and the second both started.

Luna held up a hoof. "Perhaps we could mend you, Dark Vision. You have served well. You deserve at least the chance for recovery."

The first shook her head. "I've given it plenty of thought."

"I didn't notice." The second was frowning at her.

The first stuck out her tongue faintly. "You are still learning half of what I know. Until you catch up, some privacy is possible, with effort... Luna, I am proud to have served under you, but I ask that I be allowed to retire."

Luna took a slow breath. "This is not what we were expecting... But, it does seem that you are making a decision of sound mind, despite the evidence before me of the alternative. If you are willing to continue overseeing the nexus of chaos, please, do so. Continue reporting to me." She lifted a hoof. "Come forward."

Both Darks stepped before her. Luna quirked a brow, glancing back and forth before raising two hooves, pressing one to either's forehead. "I release you from the Warlocks. You have served well. You understand, that door is forever sealed to you. Though you may serve the crown, you will never again be a member of that order." She drew her hooves back and set them on the ground. "Also know that I am not angry or disappointed. Please, continue to serve your fellow pony, and yourself."

With the formalities set aside, Dark felt lighter than a feather. Her oath was dissolved. She was a free mare, besides promising to keep an eye on that building and the danger it presented. She could do whatever she wanted.

The second Dark nudged the first. "Now it's alright to be with Bubbles, right?"

The first pinkened in her nose even as Luna arched a brow. "You have found a mate?"

The second bobbed their head quickly. "She's wonderful. A real fighter, and affectionate once you get past the shell."

"She?" Luna tilted her head a bit, then nodded. "If love is what draws you to retire, then perhaps I can understand it all the better. Love drives us to things... If you have found it, then I will not stand in the way. Chase it, hold it, and never let it go." She rose and turned, speaking something so quietly that neither could hear, "It will not find me." She stepped free of the dream, leaving both behind.

Author's Notes:

This is me, tying up loose ends. Don't mind me!

All this weaving may reveal a few snags in the fabric, but you know what to do with typos.