"Crimson Trace! Open up. This is the Civil Law and Prosecution Agency. We have the Royal Guard with us. We have a written warrant for search and detainment!"

Prey yanked the front door open so suddenly that the stallion who'd just about to pound on it again stumbled forwards.

Beyond the open doorway, four ponies blinked down at Prey in surprise. Prey assessed them in an instant: 'Two Royal Guards, both rank private, and two unknowns. Official looking. None are openly armed. Two unicorns, dangerous, one pegasus, and an earth pony. Surprised, not expecting to see me here. Why are they here for Crimson?'

Prey got a wash of thoughts from the four unwelcome visitors at the same time he was thinking all this.

Official number one, a unicorn mare; '-well that's certainly not the pegasus in question-'

Official number two, the earth pony stallion, '-huh? Strange Happenstance didn't say nothing about a filly-'

Unicorn Royal Guard, '-wait, what? That silly lamb from the Night Guard lives here?-'

Pegasus Royal Guard, '-does this mean that freaky bat lover really did adopt a foal?-'

Almost all of that was uninformed drivel, but Prey's mind immediately latched onto one name that stood out, 'Strange Happenstance. Him again. What's he playing at this time?'

The moment of slightly stunned surprise passed, and the unicorn mare cleared her throat importantly, "Is Crimson Trace in? We have a warrant to search his property."

'-sugar. A foal complicates things. We can't use an excuse to bring Crimson Trace in for questioning if it means leaving an underage foal alone and unattended-'

Prey gave a wide eyed blink, "Why do you want to see Crimson?" He asked instead of answering.

"I'm afraid that's between us and him," The earth pony official said with a not unkind attempt at a smile, "Crimson Trace does live here right? He's looking after you, I take it?"

Prey considered for only a moment, "Yes, that's right."

"That's great. Please take us to him. We need to ask him some questions." Behind the two official ponies with their ridiculous tailored jackets, the Royal Guards were exchanging uncertain looks and thinking:

'-this all seems a bit iffy for a warrant-'

'-but what a great chance to put those lying Night Guard investigators in their place!-'

Prey smiled cheerily up at the two officials, as if he didn't comprehend the real reason they were here, "Sure I can, follow me."

"Crimson Trace is here right now, isn't he?" The mare double checked.

"Yeah, right here in our flat." Prey said, and turned left into his own flat. None of the trailing ponies noticed the slight tremble in his voice or the quickness in his step.

The four of them entered Prey's empty flat and looked around at the bare walls in dismay.

'-this place is a dump-'
'-how can they let ponies live here?-'
'-the room's tiny, but I don't see this Crimson pony-'
'-hang on, there's only one bed-'

But it was too late by then. The moment they'd stepped into Prey's domain, they were already in Prey's power. Runes may have availed Prey nothing against the reaper king, the scarecrow, the baloth, the kindersnatches, or Hard Baked, but that's only because setting up a runic array took hours.

But if Prey'd had all the time he needed to prepare the area before the conflict? None of those dangers or monsters would've stood a chance. He may not have been close to finishing all the defences, shields, and safe guards he wanted to construct on the flat, but he had enough to deal with these Tools Of Oppression.

Prey didn't turn to face the four ponies. He didn't smile, hesitate, toss off a one liner, or give any kind of warning. He simply activated the rune beneath his hoof.

There was a surge in the air, and for the briefest flash of a second it felt like Prey's wool was standing on end with heat. Everyone touching the floor, with the designated exception of Prey, collapsed like puppets with their strings cut. Or in other words, unconsciously with no regard for cushioning their fall.

*Thump-Dump-Crump-Bump*

Prey turned around, and let out a breath of relief. The four unwanted guests were sprawled on the floor where they fell, unmoving. One of the Royal Guard's helmets had rolled off, the fool obviously hadn't been wearing it properly. Well, their unconscious state would only last for about seven minutes, possibly as little as four for the unicorns whose magic naturally gifted them the extra advantage of resisting foreign magical influences. And this had been a magical stunning, so Prey would need to work fast.

Nervous energy was racing in Prey's veins. He felt jittery. The first thing he did was go back out into the hallway to shut and lock the front door, then he returned and did the same with his own flat's door.

Coming back in, he hurried over to the pile of fallen ponies and, with a shudder of disgust, placed the tip of his hoof against the first one's head. Unconscious, the pony's instinctive mental defences were basically non-existent. It took Prey less than thirty seconds to ruthlessly pull their subconscious defences to pieces and establish his own rudimentary control. He could've broken their minds with a mere touch, but that wasn't his goal. If nothing else, they'd certainly be missed, and he caught as a result.

Prey went around and did all four of the ponies, starting with the unicorns and ending with the earth pony legal official. Counting from when he'd activated the runic array until now, it had all taken three minutes.

When Prey was done, there were four ponies standing lined up against the wall and away from the window in case a Pegasus flew by. Their eyes were glassy and unseeing, and apart from breathing and supporting their own weight, they didn't even twitch. They looked like incredibly realistic mannequins, like the ones you saw in the windows of all the Canterlot clothing stores.

"Right, let's start with you." Prey muttered, rolling his shoulders to try and ease his muscle tension, and heading for the unicorn mare who'd thought the name 'Strange Happenstance'.

By the time Prey was done trawling through the four ponies heads, he was grinding his teeth over the name of Strange Happenstance, feeling frustrated, mildly reassured, and worried all at the same time.

What had culminated in these four ponies coming here to trespass today with their warrant for Crimson was a number of events.

First, it wasn't a warrant for arrest, or anything like it. In fact, it was only a warrant for entry into the premises and questioning of the named individual on the warrant, and then, if reasonable concerns were raised as a result, to search the premises. Nothing about arrest, detainment, or the like. They'd merely been bluffing to gain entry, since by their own rules if Crimson simply hadn't opened the door, they weren't permitted to force entry.

As for who these Civil Law and Prosecution Agency officials were, and where they'd gotten this warrant from?

They were a legal department of the government, and had been contacted by, of all ponies, Lilly Blossom's distraught parents. The warrant had to have come from the Royal Guard however, as they were the only ones with the authority to issue a nonjudicial warrant within Canterlot, but the warrant still had nothing to do with the legal proceedings of suing the ISND and the Night Guard like Lilly's angry parents wanted.

The warrant was for questioning in relation to the suspicion of theft, and receiving stolen property. Now where did that charge come from?

Well, the warrant physically came from a Royal Guard Lieutenant, Twining Ivy. Prey had witnessed how it had come to pass from the Royal Guard pegasus's very own perspective:

The Lieutenant had summoned him and his Guard partner to his office. Inside, Lieutenant Twining Ivy sat behind his neatly tidied desk, and there stood the Civil Law and Prosecution Agency mare on the other side.

"Ah, good," Twining Ivy had said, the rich red of the brushed plume on the Lieutenant's helmet dipping as he nodded at the mare official:

"This is Jenny Barley, from the Civil Law and Prosecution Agency. On the grounds of evidence she's presented and some...'other' concerns, the Royal Guard is granting her agency a warrant."

Prey 'remembered' his own mouth asking in a voice not his own; "Sir?"

"A warrant for Crimson Trace. A Night Guard. An ISND Night Guard." Twining Ivy said with a significant look.

"Oh. Ohhh. Yes sir." He and his Royal Guard partner both saluted smartly in understanding.

The Night Guard deserved this. They'd taken the Royal Guards place of honour at the Grand Galloping Gala, and then they'd made a mess of it!

'I was supposed to be one of the ones on shift at the Gala, I missed the chance of a lifetime to see it because of some arrogant Bat Guard jerks. We wouldn't have botched it.'

So that was where the warrant had come from, a slighted Royal Guard Lieutenant bearing a grudge. How boring and uncreative. Prey could clearly see that Twining Ivy had only granted a warrant to create trouble for the ISND. He obviously didn't expect anything to come of it, but he hoped something would. And, hey, if nothing else, it would still waste the ISND's time as some petty revenge.

However Twining Ivy obviously wasn't dumb enough to give out warrants without reasonable grounds. That could get him into big trouble. He needed an excuse. And where had the excuse come from? From Lord Vanish of House Time.

The infuriating noble hadn't been satisfied with stealing Crimson's jade necklace. He'd had to make additional trouble for them too by filing an official complaint of attempted theft against Crimson.

This memory came from the unicorn mare official. It was of the accompanying letter written by Lord Vanish that came with the official complaint:

The letter in her hooves was on the rich creamy paper of the wealthy, written in smooth flowing cursive script by a fine quill. She levitated the coffee mug off her neat desk to under her nose, and took a sniff of the tempting aroma before sipping. Prey experienced the memory of a taste of bitter milk sweetened richness.

She re-read the letter. It was short, and she hadn't forgotten what it said, but you had to be sure about these things in legal prosecution.

'I, in full faith of my words, attach this letter to the formal accusation levied against one Crimson Trace. The aforementioned stole a historical family heirloom from my House, although he claims ignorance. I have reason to doubt his claims of innocence, and his stubborn resistance in all but refusing to return the stolen heirloom when directly confronted leads me to find his excuse highly suspect.

I urge all actions and precautions to be taken against this brazen thief, and I only hope that my credentials will go some way in exposing this criminal for who he really is.

Signed, Lord Vanish, Marquess of House Time.'

The short length of the letter wasn't the important bit. What was important was the signature which had been committed to the letter. A Lord of a House. A noble citizen of Canterlot and a gentlecolt.

Indignation against this Crimson Trace pony rose in her chest, 'This is the third time I've heard his name in less than three days. He's obviously a deviant and a rogue guard, and I'll prove it.'

Three times the self important mare had heard of Crimson. The first from Lilly's angry parents. The second from a petty Lord, and the third? From the private detective and business acquaintance of the Civil Law and Prosecution office, Strange Happenstance himself.

That annoying, secretive, private detective had been the driving force behind this the whole time from in the background.

From looking at the earth pony official's memories, Prey had seen how Strange Happenstance, in his long coat and wide brimmed hat, had invited the two Civil Law and Prosecution Agency officials out for coffee, and then subtly prompted them to go after the ISND.

It had gone like this:

This really was a good coffee shop, with low friendly chatter, pretty waitresses, and a nice ambience. 'Mmm, I'll have to remember to come back here again.'

His own russet orange fore hoof with its coffee mug looped over it rose up into his view, and he blew away the steam. Across from the two of them, Strange hadn't removed his omnipresent hat or trench coat. The stallion really had the mysterious edge going for him. Prey felt the earth pony's admiration for that, and the wish that he himself could be more like Strange Happenstance. The private detective always had this knowing look in his eyes that seemed to say he knew what was what.

'So why'd he call us here then? It must be important.'

Next to him at the circular table, Jenny Barley, his work college and senior, decided to politely start things off, "So, Detective Strange-"

"How many times do I have to tell you lot, just Strange is fine." Strange broke in with a good natured smirk, "You'll make me feel old."

"Strange Happenstance then-"

Was Jenny flustered? No way, she never got flustered.

"-You've always been a great help to us at the CLPA. Perhaps it's our day to return the favour. Is there something we can help you with?" Jenny asked, leaning forwards over the coffee table.

"Can't I just invite some fellow professionals out for a coffee at lunch?" Strange said with a knowing lift of his eyebrows.

"Well, of course, I'm not saying-"

"It's fine. I know what they say about me behind my back in the office."

"It's all very complimentary, I assure you-"

"I'm sure it's all in good fun," Strange waved it off, chuckling, "But really, it was mostly just a want for some company over coffee. It's been a long week of work. See, I've run into some suspicious characters, working in the Night Guard if you can believe it."

"Is this, er, alright for ya' to be telling this?" The earth pony Prey was sharing perspectives with couldn't help but ask.

"Relax, everything I'm saying is unrestricted. Enjoy your coffee, I just want somepony to rant to. Now, it's a division called the ISND, it's got a pegasus in it by the name of Crimson, Trace I believe his second name is, and a thestral..."

And that's what had happened. One thing had led to another and here Prey was with four mind blanked captives in his flat. Prey didn't believe for a second that Strange Happenstance hadn't been angling to incite suspicion and an investigation all along. The unicorn detective was an opportunist, he'd been adding fuel to the fire going under the ISND since the beginning. A typical unicorn.

During Strange Happenstance's little 'talk' at the coffee shop, he'd cryptically mentioned something about; "A pony getting horribly maimed working up in the Palace, and the Night Guard covering it up."

In context, the only person Strange Happenstance could've been referring to was Lilly Blossom. Meaning the Civil Law and Prosecution Agency weren't the only people Lilly's parents were reaching out to in their desire to legally hurt the Night Guard.

Strange Happenstance had simply helped coax the pieces together and got Jenny to go to the Royal Guard, who in turn had passed it up the chain of command until it got to the grudge carrying Lieutenant Twining Ivy. Prey wouldn't even be surprised if Twining Ivy was somehow an acquaintance of Strange Happenstance. The detective was insidious, and seemed to get everywhere. Like a cockroach.

Jenny had promised to tell Strange about what they found out from Crimson once they'd questioned him. That'd no doubt been the detective's goal all along. The unicorn was using others to do his dirty work and dig up information for him.

Prey was angry. This was the second time someone had targeted his friend Crimson on false pretences. His friend Crimson! The first time, Prey had been powerless to help prevent anything because it'd all been done under Luna's indifferent approval and oversight. But this time, Prey had caught on to what was happening first.

Prey glared at the four ponies standing listlessly in front of him.

Prey wanted to go to work and implant a hidden compulsion in the two officials to go back and kill Strange Happenstance the next time they saw him. But that was crude, obvious, and beyond attention grabbing. Those sort of mental changes would leave behind very obvious signs of mind magic if he gave anyone a reason to check, which they certainly would if these four suddenly became murderers. The Guard would be all over it, and there was a good chance it would be traced first back to the ISND, and then second either to Crimson or Prey.

And if Strange really was working for whomever knew about the mimics, despite the chances of that now being less than twenty percent, they would know and definitely retaliate. But even if none of that were true and Strange really was just a typical jumped up, arrogant, overconfident unicorn detective who thought he was Harmony's Embodiment Of Justice, if Prey had him killed so obviously, there would still be massive fallout.

'No, I don't know enough to make a rash decision.' Prey angrily rubbed at one ear, smoothing down the fur to help calm himself.

'They came here to cause harm to Crimson, and it's not just them either. It goes further than that. Lilly's parents, Vanish, Strange Happenstance, they're all going to keep causing Crimson and me problems.'

Well, maybe not Vanish, he seemed the type to leave it be now that he felt he'd made his point and proved he held the power. Lieutenant Twining Ivy was neither here nor there, he'd merely been annoying for the sake of petty revenge, but the others were definitely going to keep on coming.

'Well, there's one thing I can do.' Prey thought, settling on the safest and most discreet course of action:

'I can at least ensure these four pains in the flank give up and never come back again.'

It was delicate work, and couldn't be rushed, but when the four ponies left Prey's flat almost two hours later, once again completely in control of their senses once again, they didn't realise anything was wrong.

They had no memory of getting stunned, or of Prey picking through their minds. They'd all probably have a splitting headache, but since Prey hadn't delved too deeply and since his memory tampering all pertained to their most recent memories, it should be fine. It was the least they deserved.

What they did all have memories of was being shown into Crimson's flat while the red pegasus was present, showing him the warrant, whereupon Crimson had invited them all to search his flat. That had been an easy memory to create, since there was so little in the flat anyways.

Needless to say, their memories confirmed that they'd found absolutely nothing, whereupon they asked Crimson their questions, received some disappointing answers, and left. Prey heavily reinforced the notion that nothing had been amiss, that they couldn't find any evidence of wrongdoing, a total waste of time, and that coming back again would be a further waste of time.

They'd go report back to Strange Happenstance, Lieutenant Twining Ivy, and even Lilly Blossom's parents if they were asked about how it was a dead end. The Crimson in their memories had done nothing they could pin on him, so they wouldn't even try.

Prey had been thorough. Even if Strange asked Jenny Barley to repeat the make believe conversation she'd 'had' with Crimson, she would be able to do so word for word. Or rather, word for word what Prey wanted her to tell the private detective:

"The ISND followed orders. The orders came from Princess Luna. There was a monster attack that crippled a mare over the mountains. A necklace was bought from a pawn shop that was later demanded back by Lord Vanish. The necklace was promptly returned to Lord Vanish with Princess Luna as the witness."

'There. Let's see the detective try making accusations against Luna and find out how long he survives.' Prey thought, tiredly dropping back onto his hooves after shutting and locking the front door.

He felt more drained than even a full day of rune crafting would leave him. He'd had to be oh-so-careful with the four ponies fragile minds. Prey knew his mental touch was equivalent to a barbed razor blade drawn across the brain, so he'd had to make the effort to be extra gentle. He didn't want all four of them having a complete break down a few months from now.

Prey took a moment to sit down and rest. He'd been lucky to be here when Crimson was out, but next time he might not be so fortunate. He hoped Strange Happenstance would give up, but somehow he doubted he would be so lucky. But it'd worked out for Prey this time.

'Why haven't I been doing this more to solve my problems? While mind control isn't always feasible, when it is, it's so much more efficient and easy.' Prey asked himself.

Prey looked down at his hooves. The golden bands sat where they'd always been, still there and still silently mocking him. Looking down also caused the blue end of the ribbon to swing into his view. Prey reached up and untied it from behind his ear.

'It would be so much easier to mind control people. I read their thoughts all the time anyway, so why refrain from going a step further when it would benefit me?' Prey thought, running the ribbon between his cleft hooves as he considered. The silk felt as cool as water.

'Perhaps I should. Perhaps I shouldn't. No, I know I shouldn't, I already know it's wrong. I'm a mind leech, I understand the sanctuary I'm violating. But will that stop me?'

It hadn't ever before.

This wasn't the first time, and it wouldn't be the last Prey broke into someone's head. He'd held this internal debate with himself many a time, both before and during Dreverton. But despite all his internalising arguments, Prey knew he would never stop. Perhaps he would sometimes refrain, but he would never hesitate if it meant protecting his own life.

'Survival isn't pretty, and it always comes at a price. Even if I'm not the one paying.'

Prey felt bad that he didn't feel worse, but after so long of doing this, that was all. He was used to it.

*Rata-tat-tat*

"Crimson!"

Prey froze at the muffled call from out at the front door. Crimson looked up. The red pegasus had been the one to offer to make dinner for them both this time, since Prey had been the one to invite Crimson over last night.

Again came the sharp rap, *Rata-tat*

"Crimson, Prey. Yoohoo! Anypony home?"

"That sounds familiar..." Prey began unhappily.

"Is that Taffy?" Crimson asked unsurely.

"Com'n guys, open up. I came all the way here to bring you a fudge cake!"

Prey looked at Crimson. The pegasus gave a helpless shrug with his wings.

"We should ignore her. She'll go away." Prey said.

"No, she came all the way here. That would be rude." Crimson shook his head and headed out the flat for the front door. Prey thought of returning to his own flat and locking himself inside, but then he heard the front door being opened down the hallway and knew it was too late.

"Oh hi Crimson, great! I was worried I got the wrong address."

"Good evening Taffy Hopes-"

"Wow, you look awful. I mean you look great! Aside from, you know, those burn scars of course. Hey, is Prey here too? Gloom said this was where both your flats were, or something. Personally, I think he was just trying to throw you two under the wagon to get away from doing his paperwork."

"Yes, Prey is here. And Gloom is on leave. Pardon, but why are you here, Taffy?"

"I brought you a 'get well soon fudge cake', duh. I came by on my way home from the Palace."

There was the sound of Taffy breezing past Crimson and approaching down the hall. Prey braced himself; 'I'll get you for this Gloom.'

Taffy Hopes strode in through the open door. She still had her uniform on, but not the cap, meaning her frizzy orange mane bounced free. She had on a pair of saddle bags, and levitating above her to show off its sugar crystallised surface was a glazed fudge cake.

"Hmm," Taffy critically scanned the empty flat and bare boards, then shrugged, "Meh. I lived in smaller digs when I was studying in Fillydelphia."

Crimson appeared from behind her, belatedly walking back into his own flat.

"Please do come in Taffy. I was just making-"

"-But we are so totally getting you guys some proper furniture! And curtains. Curtains are important to a good flat." Taffy declared, thinking:

'-if there's no table, then where am I supposed to cut this fudge cake?-'

"Who's 'we'?" Prey asked suspiciously.

"Oh hey there Prey. Sorry about, well... What happened." Taffy grimaced, "I really do mean that. Sorry. I don't know what happened, just that it was bad and all of you ended up in the hospital."

"Don't mention it. Really. And who's we again?" Prey repeated, not exactly uneasy but definitely still on guard around the unicorn mare.

'-if they don't want to talk about it, I must respect that-', Taffy thought, widening the cheery smile which for a moment had wobbled.

"Oh, me, some mare friends, you, all curtain shopping. It'll be fun. Remember when we bumped into each other at the market and you two were bed hunting? I was there with Future Spark. I should bring him curtain shopping with us too."

"I am sure Future Spark would... appreciate that." Crimson said with a blank face.

"Liar," Taffy laughed, "But it'll be good for him. It's a good chance for him to get out of his lab once in a while. I've got some eligible friends, it's about time some of them started looking for a sweet stallion."

Prey and Crimson had literally zero experience to make any kind of comment on that. Or the desire to even try.

Awkward silences didn't seem to phase Taffy Hopes though. She was still levitating the fudge cake she'd brought, and now she looked around again, "Hey, I'll just put this on the side there. You guys can eat it later. There's plenty there, so don't be shy about sharing with others. Perhaps your neighbours would like some? Making friends with your flat neighbours is really important, trust me on that."

'-still remember that one deaf drum player I got as a neighbour in college-'

"Thank you Taffy. For the cake, I mean." Crimson said.

"You guys deserve it. I don't know what's happened to Gloom, but he looks like he desperately needs some cheering up." Taffy's smile started to slip again a bit, "But hey, I'm just the liaison officer. I don't go out and work in the field. I've got my nice cushy desk job, so what do I really know? You've all got these new scars under your eyes, and..."

"Thank you for the cake Taffy. It's a nice thought. And I'm sure it'll taste nice too." Crimson said.

Prey didn't understand why Taffy seemed to care. Sure, Taffy had never been bigoted towards thestrals or scared of them like so many normal ponies were, but she was still born and raised a Canterlot unicorn. She didn't even realise all the privileges she took for granted. And it wasn't like the ISND were special. Taffy dealt with paperwork and saw squads from all over the Guard, both Royal and Night. The ISND should just be one of many to her.

Taffy took a breath and recomposed herself. Her bright, slightly eccentric smile returned, "Well I certainly hope so Crimson! I baked it myself, so it better be good. Listen, I'd love to stay and chat, but I can see you're busy and I have to get back and feed Mabel. It's great to see you both, and it's kinda' sweet you're letting Prey stay with you Crimson."

"Pardon?" Crimson paused.

"You'll make a good father some day. Mares approve of a stallion who can manage foals, take it from me!"

"No, I have my own flat-" Prey tried.

"Ta Ta for now," Taffy was already breezing back out the door she'd breezed in through, "Catch you back at work. Paperwork waits for nopony."

Crimson looked at his half cooked pot of pasta and broccoli, and then to the gleaming iced surface of the fudge cake Taffy had on the side. Prey could practically taste the head and stomach ache inducing level of sugar just looking at the thing. If it wasn't poisoned, (and Prey would be checking that), Prey would take the trade.

"So. We have a cake." Crimson said blankly.

"Against all common sense, yes, it appears to be that way." Prey agreed.

Crimson flicked his too long mane out of his eyes, looked at the cake, then looked around at his flat. "Are all those things really necessary?"

"You mean all the furniture Taffy so flippantly mentioned?" Prey checked.

"Yes. Tables, chairs, desks. Curtains. A doormat."

"I'm not getting a welcome mat for my flat. I'm not a liar." Prey sniffed.

"Should we eat this cake now?" Crimson asked, eyeing the thing.

Prey glanced at the pot still coming to a slow boil, "Waste not, want not. But if you want to eat the cake please go ahead, you can eat what you want." Prey quickly added.

"No, the cake'll keep until morning." Crimson agreed.

"It certainly will. It looks like it's got enough sugar in it to preserve it for at least a decade. But, cake for breakfast though?"

Crimson blinked blankly, "Why not?"

"I think cake is supposed to be bad for you?" Prey hesitantly offered. Wasn't it supposed to rot your teeth or something? Prey wasn't sure how true that claim was, since where he'd come from they'd never had access to much sugar.

"Oh. Are you sure?" Crimson asked, looking back at the fudge cake.

"No?"

"Well, waste not, want not."

"Quite. Cake for breakfast it is then."

The morning sun glinted at Prey's window. Inside, Prey scooped up the first spoonful of fudge cake from his bowl.

He gave it a cautious sniff, but smelled nothing but the mild scent of baked flour, heated sugar, and yeast. No obviously identifiable poisons. No lumps, trace flecks, or unidentifiable dustings either. The consistency was about what he expected to be normal too. There were a fair number of poisons which wouldn't work on Prey anyway, on account of the cursed Jaw of Heart's stuck in his chest. It would force his heart to keep beating no matter what, but that was no reason to get careless. Fatal or not, getting poisoned still hurt.

'Only one test left. Taste.'

Prey returned the spoonful to the bowl and scraped up a tiny portion of the thick fudge to taste check.

*Knock-knock-knock*

'Why are mine and Crimson's flats suddenly so popular? How do people even know where we live?' Prey thought in exasperation, dropping the spoon back into the bowl.

Prey yanked open his flat door at the exact same time Crimson opened his. They were left facing each other across the thin hallway for a moment, until the knocking came again.

*Knock-knock-knock*

Prey'd originally only been going to sneak close enough to the front door to be able to perceive the thoughts of the knocker outside, not actually open the door. Crimson however, was much politer or perhaps just less paranoid than Prey. After the moment of blinking silently at each other, Crimson tipped his head to indicate he was going to answer the front door.

Prey hid a grimace and stepped back to let the pegasus go ahead.

Crimson unlocked and opened the front door, "Hello? How may I help you?"

At the open door stood an annoying chestnut coloured pegasus. Prey didn't know anything about the pegasus yet, but because he'd knocked on the door, he was immediately annoying.

"I'm looking for a Mr. Crimson Trace. Is this his residence?"

Crimson considered his opposite, "Yes, that would be me."

The pegasus was wearing a smart uniform trimmed in gold, and had flight saddlebags on his flanks, 'So he's here on some kind of business. Double annoying.'

Prey also noticed the stallion had the close cropped mane and tail favoured by pegasi who liked flying fast.

The stallion tipped his uniform's hat to Crimson, "Pleasure. I've got a message delivery for you."

So saying, the pegasus, who hadn't introduced himself, flipped open his flight saddlebags and removed a scroll, not an envelope, but a full on scroll, sealed with a stamped gold and blue seal.

Crimson examined it for a long moment, a bit too long really, before he took the scroll. "Thank you."

Crimson made to shut the door but the pegasus coughed. Prey scowled from down the corridor, 'If he's waiting for a tip...'

"Yes?" Crimson asked blankly.

"The return message?" The pegasus prompted, "I'm happy to wait, but I need a reply to take back before I leave."

Crimson blinked, "I have not heard of this from the postal service before."

The pegasus looked affronted, "The Royal Equestrian Mail? No no, I'm not a postal worker, I'm a courier, see?" He said, proudly displaying his uniform's badge.

The badge and company name meant nothing to Prey, so it certainly meant nothing to Crimson either. Nevertheless, Prey got the hint. The annoying pegasus's job was to wait for Crimson to read the letter and then bring back Crimson's reply to whomever the sender was. It was also a good way to have the courier act as a witness. Prey was immediately suspicious.

'Is this another threat of some kind from that Lord Vanish? Or something from Lilly's parents? Strange Happenstance again?' Prey worried.

Using his wings to help grip the scroll, Crimson broke the seal and unfurled it. Prey wouldn't do something so crass as to try to read over Crimson's shoulder, or rather from under at his height, although he wished he could. Besides which, the lettering was just slightly too blurry at this distance for his damaged eyesight to make out comfortably. So he just had to wait while Crimson finished.

Crimson made an annoyed flick with his wing as he read, "I already made it clear I did not have any interest in their offer."

Prey easily drew the connection with just those few words and it worked out, "Those showboating stunt Wonderbolt flyers again?"

"Yes, them." Crimson said, not turning or surprised that Prey was listening in. The other pegasus however jumped, not having spotted Prey standing behind Crimson. His eyebrows shot up, but it wasn't just startled shock on seeing a runt lamb in Canterlot, but at what Prey had said.

"Do you even know who the Wonderbolt's are? They're the most skilled, high performance flyers in the whole world!"

'Didn't know, didn't care, and still don't.' Prey thought.

In joint sync, Prey and Crimson both raised a sceptical eyebrow at the courier. The pegasus snorted, professionalism forgotten as he was presented with two people he clearly regarded as "heathens".

"I will require an answer to the scroll either way. I will be going back to the Wonderbolt's offices directly." The still nameless courier added that last part like they should be worried about what he might say.

'How annoying, yet amusingly petty.'

As Crimson just continued to stare him down, the courier's misguided bravado drained away. The scars did wonders for tipping Crimson's normal blank stare over the edge into intimidating. Prey kind of wished he could manage the same, but all he could pull off was looking like an angry bunny rabbit.

"I'll, I'll just wait here, shall I?" The other pegasus's eyes shifted about, "I can take a verbal reply, but if you should choose to write one, I'm obligated to wait until-"

"You can politely tell them thank you, but no thank you. I won't be attending this..." Crimson referenced the scroll he held, "...Young Flyers Competition as an amateur guest judge."

"You're saying 'no' to a personal guest invite? But that might've come from Spitfire or Soarin themselves!" The courier exclaimed in shock.

"Let me change that no to, 'No thank you'. Have a nice day."

"Wait wait, I don't suppose that invite was transferable-"

Crimson shut the door in his face.

Prey looked at Crimson, and just got a disgusted flick of the wing. "Pushy pon-people who don't know that 'no' means 'no', not 'nag me'."

Prey nodded firmly in complete agreement, and went back to the flat and ate a non-poisoned, eye wateringly sweet sugar packed fudge cake for breakfast. The second bowl full was almost worth the sugar induced headache it gave him afterwards.

Prey expected that to be that regarding the Wonderbolt's. Just some over eager pushy ponies who didn't seem able to take the hint. But Crimson's reply had been very clear this time around. Anyone with any sense would've taken the hint.

"Did you see it Prey?" Scenic exclaimed.

"See what?" Prey asked grumpily. Everyone today had asked him the same question. Every, single, damned, person.

"The giant rainbow light show earlier, of course!"

"Oh, that giant rainbow light show. I thought you meant the other giant rainbow light show." Prey rolled his eyes.

"Well, did you? Did you?"

"No. I was inside at the time." Prey said.

It was true. He'd been underground checking on the veropedes and making more runic defences for his secret lair. There's was never any rest of for the wicked.

Lemon Pink had wandered in halfway through and asked; "Prey. There was a huge rainbow explosion in the sky from the direction of Cloudsdale seventeen and a half minutes ago. Do we need to take any action?"

Prey had stopped working and turned to face her.

"What?"

Now he was visiting Scenic and Lilly in the hospital, (at Crimson's continued insistence), and getting told about it all over again.

"That's too bad Prey, because it was great. I saw it from my window. The nurses said it apparently came from a pony at the Young Flyers Competition."

'A doubly good thing Crimson didn't go then.'

"Oh?" Prey said out loud, feigning interest as if he hadn't heard all this a dozen times already today. Granted, he'd been eavesdropping then, but it still counted.

Crimson had been out flying at the time of the rainbow explosion, (not anywhere near Cloudsdale itself, but apparently that wasn't necessary because the light display was so large), and had told Prey about it when he'd arrived back at the flat before they came here to the hospital. The conversation had gone something like this:

"Hello Prey."

"Hello Crimson."

"Hm. Did you happen to see a rainbow today?"

"No, I was inside at the time."

"Huh. Well, there was a big one."

Carton Juice all but burst into the room, "Hi honey, I'm- Oh, hello there Prey, and uh, Crimson."

Prey waved a hoof vaguely in her direction. Crimson gave her a serious nod and equally grave, "Hello Carton Juice."

"Hey Carton, you look great, did you see the rainbow explosion thing?" Scenic Paint enthused.

"Did I ever! I was just about to go back in from tending my bee hives, and guess what? Rainbow! Everywhere! Across the whole sky!"

Prey hid his sigh as Carton went on. All anyone seemed to know was there was an enormous rainbow explosion of light, coming out from Cloudsdale at the same time as the Young Flyers Competition, which then travelled across the whole sky. Its actual cause and purpose were not yet known. Apparently though, there'd been a similar light display but on an even grander scale some eleven years ago.

Prey had missed the first one, due to the small matter of being locked away in Dreverton, and also the second such event it now seemed.

'Does this have something to do with why the Wonderbolt's were so keen on Crimson attending? Was there some plan?' Prey thought suspiciously, mind already coming up with conspiracy theories.

Finally however, Crimson put a stop to Carton's gushing over the pretty rainbow display by bluntly asking; "You're trying to help Lilly Blossom along with that volunteer. Is it working?"

That sobered Scenic and Carton up real quick, and stopped their chatter about pretty but ultimately irrelevant light shows.

"How did you hear about us working with a volunteer?" Carton asked, somewhat guiltily.

'-Saffron Swirl was very nice. She asked us to not go spreading her working here around in case the newspapers heard-'

"Prey told me." Crimson shrugged.

"Prey?" Carton Juice started in surprise, looking at the lamb, "But, how did, uh...?"

"Why are you surprised? Were you trying to keep it secret or something?" Prey asked innocently.

"No no, nothing like-Well alright, maybe-"

"You must be aware the hospital and Night Guard are both keeping a close eye on Lilly Blossom. Both your and Saffron Swirl's efforts are definitely being monitored." Prey dismissed with a wave.

"You even know which pony we're working with?" Carton gasped.

"Yes. So? You haven't answered Crimson's question yet." Prey prodded impatiently.

Next to his marefriend in the hospital bed, Scenic wasn't surprised. He just accepted it, '-of course Prey knows. He always somehow knows-'

"Lilly Blossom, I, uh, I think she's scared to accept help. And her parents aren't helping. I mean, I'm sure they're only doing what they believe is right," Scenic hastily clarified, "But, well, it's not helping Lilly. You know how she told us she doesn't have a good relationship with her mom and dad, right?"

"Neither do you, if I recall. Your disagreement was quite loud." Crimson pointed out.

"Yes, well..." Scenic hunched his shoulders and Carton Juice gave him a quick nuzzle, avoiding his scarred cheek. She tried to conjure up a smile to meet Crimson's yellow eyes as she took a breath:

"I don't have the pleasure of really knowing Saffron Swirl, we only just met, but she seems to be a wonderful and compassionate mare. We're all just trying to help Lilly Blossom the best we can, in fact, we managed to get Lilly to agree to play chess with us. Or one of us. It's the helplessly sitting around and thinking that's getting to Lilly the most, I think." Carton said sadly.

Saffron Swirl and Carton Juice were both outsiders, and Prey still wasn't quite sure how circumstance had led both of them to both somehow getting involved with all of this. Or why they were so dead set on volunteering and helping Lilly.

"Chess?" Crimson asked.

"Yeah, chess. I suggested cards, but she can't really hold cards in her magic anymore." Scenic winced.

"No, I mean, what is chess?"

"Uhhh... You know, chess?"

'If they had chess out in the clans, would Crimson be asking what it is?' Prey thought in exasperation at Scenic's stupidity. He answered in the slow earth pony's place; "It's a type of two player board game Crimson. It's a turn based strategy game based around capturing the opposing pieces."

"Ah. I see."

"Do you know how to play chess Prey?" Scenic asked in sudden interest, leaning forwards, "I love board games, especially strategy ones. Here, Carton brought in my chess board earlier. Do you want to play?"

"Maybe some other time." Prey said, translation meaning; 'never'.

Scenic Paint deflated a bit, "Oh. Right right, of course, any time."

Carton's face nearly lit up as an idea occurred to her, although she tried to downplay it, '-get everypony together to play board games! That'll help everypony feel better-'

"Crimson and Prey, how would you like to come to a games night, or something? I bet you'd both be really good at it." Carton slyly tried to offer. She was about as subtle as an albino crow. An albino crow perching in a black room. Prey and Crimson both just gave her this look.

"And I'm sure Lilly would greatly appreciate having the company too." Carton Juice hastily amended.

"How will a board game help Lilly?" Crimson asked.

"Well, it just, might? Help her feel better, that is?" Carton Juice winced.

'-oh sugar, this was a bad idea. Why would a soldier want to play games?-'

"We'll think about it." Crimson decided.

"Oh? Oh. No pressure, just let me or Paint Spot know." Carton smiled, much relieved, before switching the topic, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but you're a pegasus, right?"

"Yes." Crimson began guardedly, obviously expecting a question about how he came from a clan full of thestrals.

"Well, you know how the rainbow explosion came from Cloudsdale? Do you think it could've been caused by a weather team? Was it some kind of pegasus stunt? Could that be possible?"

Prey sighed, 'Back to the pretty rainbows again. It only took her, what, five minutes?'

Really, with how easily ponies were distracted by bright lights and colours, he wouldn't be surprised if someday they started gathering around street lamps at dusk like their fellow annoyances; moths.

Prey was experimenting with the novelty known as 'free time'. Quite literally experimenting.

The metallic scent of blood hung in the back of Prey's sinuses. It lingered, and would not leave, but that was okay, Prey was very used to this smell. Besides, it was just pigs' blood. Watching the veropedes eat said pigs had been... an experience.

Prey was currently inside his secret underground base, inside the quartz crystal cave hidden in Canterlot Mountain. Lemon Pink hadn't been here when he'd arrived, off in disguise fetching the two pigs, but she'd turned up a while ago, the two pigs alive but stunned, being dragged in a small cart behind her.

Prey had stopped what he was working on to watch, which was an outer runic ring for a defensive array specifically aimed to interfere with the formless telekinesis almost all unicorns used. Or that was the goal anyway. He'd still have to test it, and then build in an exception key for Lemon Pink, and then find a way to somehow tie the key to her. All very complicated stuff.

Anyway, he'd stopped when Lemon arrived and mentally called the two sleeping veropedes over. Seeing the two segmented lengths of glimmering armoured exoskeleton unfold so smoothly always brought a spark of smug pride to Prey's chest. And buried guilt.

Pride, because these were his weapons, and he'd figured out how to hatch them, and guilt, well, because of how they were fed after they hatched.

Prey'd actually been examining the two of them earlier before Lemon had arrived. The veropedes' terrifying appearances hadn't dissuaded him in the slightest. He'd examined his veropede's circular mouthful of teeth from only a few inches away, learning how her teeth actually possessed tiny backwards facing serrations to help sheer through meat and grip struggling prey, and her mandibles may as well have been gleaming scythe blades.

The deep red of her throat wasn't flesh either, but something much harder, like armour on the inside, and he'd been mildly surprised to learn veropedes did not possess even a rudimentary tongue.

'Probably why they didn't spit out the reaper king.' Prey had joked to himself.

He'd also felt along and measured their cool carapaces by hoof, testing how it was joined to the flesh underneath. He'd used his mental control to compel one to let him lightly feel the razor sharp barbs on an antenna, and felt the coiled strength of the wiry, whip-like appendage under his hoof.

He'd gone on and tested the sharpness of the blood red spines dotting their backs, the shudder inducing velcro like sticky effect of the bristling hairs running underneath the veropede's belly which kept off dirt particles, and he'd seen how the veropede's legs each actually had a small hooked spur near the end for either better grip or to help prevent the monster sinking into mud. Each leg was also individually strong enough to chip stone.

Prey didn't care for art, but the veropedes were masterpieces in his eyes.

The two veropedes scuttled over, their whip-like antenna groping ahead to grab the pigs. It was very swift.

The barbed antenna snatched the unconscious pigs from the cart in a blur and coiled back in towards the cavernous ring of teeth that passed for a mouth. There was no chewing, just tearing.

The veropedes did not waste. By instinct, each insect fed the pig down its throat to minimise the amount of wasted blood spilled on the ground. Then each veropede set to fastidiously cleaning its antenna and mandibles.

The whole thing took roughly ten seconds, if that.

Prey could easily imagine a person in place of the pig. All too easily.

'But their beautiful savagery won't do much against a unicorn with a powerful enough spell. Or even just a very specific spell, one intended especially for monsters like veropedes. One specialised spell, and they'd be dead. Gone, just like that.'

That would be a huge loss. An unacceptable loss. However if it came down to a fight, Prey couldn't afford to give it anything less than his all and commit everything. When your life was on the line, you couldn't afford to give it anything less than your all. He had learnt that in the Deeper Green.

Weapons were made in the hope of never being used, but were still created in dreadful anticipation.

Lemon Pink stood to the side of Prey as he considered his two giant weapons. She spoke, "This feeding schedule is unsustainable in the long run, Prey."

"I know." Prey agreed. Meat was very expensive in Equestria. Fish was a cheaper alternative, but unlike live pigs, fish did not keep. While it wasn't a problem now, the constant drain on Prey's stolen gold would add up. Plus, there was always the slim but real risk of some nosy pig farmer asking the wrong questions and uncovering something. Thus, despite Prey's wishes, this was an unsustainable set up.

Prey had considered the problem already, but he was reluctant to set in motion the alternative he'd settled on. However there wasn't much choice. The veropedes had to be fed. They were his.

'So now my only earthly possessions are a bed, some cutlery, a number of pot plants, a ribbon, and two giant centipede monsters designed to kill everything in their way.' Prey thought, lips twitching in morbid humour.

"I've decided it's time to go with your previous desire." Prey said out loud.

"Yes, Prey?" Lemon blankly tilted her head.

"Your expressed desire to invest a portion of the gold in a business." Prey clarified.

"Specifically, a business in the meat industry. None of the farms from your memory raise anywhere near enough pigs to feed both veropedes for an entire year. So we're instead going to go to the intermediary buyers, who buy pigs from the farms and then arrange the transportation and sale to Griffonia. I have already looked into it. There are two such businesses. Equestrian Eggs, and Smiley Supplies."

The business names were a bit misleading, but ponies despised the whole idea of meat eaters, even if it was necessary for some species' survival. So the two companies kept their work occupations close to their chests to avoid the social stigma and their workers did the same. Besides, it wasn't like they just exported pigs to Griffonia. Equestrian Eggs did make half it's business from marketing eggs, which ponies had no such hang ups about eating.

Prey continued; "Ideally, I would suggest investing in and subtly taking over Smiley Supplies. However, this is to be your project Lemon Pink. The idea was yours, so the execution and investment management of it I leave in your hooves."

"Yes, Prey. Thank you." Lemon said blankly, but Prey was used to getting 'blank' from Crimson, and Lemon actually sounded like this was something she'd been wanting to do. Earn money, make investments, and sniff out gold making opportunities. Not that Lemon Pink would ever truly think of doing so on her own initiative, all her actions aimed to further Prey's success in some form or fashion. She was a tool that lived to serve Prey.

There were few differences between Lemon and Prey, but the few which did exist were important. Not good or bad, just important. In retrospect, this was probably what he'd been noticing 'off' about Lemon Pink.

So why did Prey still have the nagging paranoid suspicion in the back of his head that there was a little extra detail about Lemon Pink he was overlooking? Or was it just his own attitude? He didn't know, and he worried it would be the former, not the latter.

When Prey left to return to the surface, he was in a conflicted mood. Not about Lemon Pink, about something else. It was merely that one secret worry had naturally led to another and, well, now he was worrying.

Prey was not Hard Baked, and he never would be. That's what Prey told himself.

Yet here he was, in a secret lair devoted to dark research, much like the warlock's own lair. Hard Baked had made his scarecrow and reaper king, while Prey had his veropedes. Only a blind person would've missed the similarities.

Prey hated the parallels he was drawing between himself and Hard Baked, and there were so many of them if he but looked. The remnants of Garrow and Snake didn't help either.

Prey wanted to be a better person, he really did. But it wasn't going to happen. Survival kept getting in the way.

Prey's secret crystal lair may not have been filled with murdered villagers, but the things Prey was planning to be researching, creating, down there were arguably just as bad. Or possibly even worse.

But neither had Prey forgotten how helpless he'd been against Hard Baked. Prey's goals hadn't changed, he still had to find some way to get free of Luna's shackles.

'It may be quiet now, but it's just the calm before the coming storm. I don't know when and I don't know what, but the wolf only needs enough luck to find you once in the dark. I have to be ready.'

Wherever Prey seemed to turn, people kept going on about the flipping rainbow explosion. As Crimson and Prey sat in the early morning cafe for breakfast, (it was fast becoming a habit), the few early birds already up and about were still gossiping about yesterday's event.

Prey had to sourly listen to them blathering on about it from three tables over. However, he did learn, (much to his reluctance), a bit more about the event. The rainbow was apparently something called a rainboom, a historically famous stunt performed in the distant past by some equally famous pegasus. And now, some new pegasus mare from the Young Flyers Competition had recreated the visually offensive stunt.

Wonderful.

Most Canterlotien ponies were satisfied to leave it there however, and Crimson himself had little interest in this rainboom, but Prey wasn't them, despite how much he might secretly wish he'd been born one of them and not a runt. No, Prey looked a little deeper into the issue.

How? By finally being allowed to do something he'd been eager, no, desperate to do for years.

The sun was rising over Canterlot, another beautiful day being started for the pony citizens by their benevolent alicorn ruler. Quietly, and mostly forgotten, the younger sister brought the night to an end at the same time. The citizens could hardly be blamed for their disregard, though. Celestia had tended to both the day and night for a thousand years. Why should they be grateful that Luna was now doing half the job Celestia had been doing for their whole lives?

But the common view of Princess Luna was not important to this day's events.

The birds were singing and the bees were buzzing. In the middle of a city secured onto the side of a mountain. These chirping birds had forsaken their natural environment for the city life. Well, there were plenty of parks and decorative trees for any bird to choose from, and an abundance of colourful little bird houses put out by nature loving ponies. Or rather, ponies who loved their tamed, safe, and controlled version of nature. The bees too really, emerging from artificial basket hives, managed by ponies who'd somehow magically been granted a special bee tending talent by means not even scholars fully understood.

However the birds and bees weren't important to this day's events either.

But back to Prey's deeper investigation. Prey had never had a birthday present before, or a Hearth's Warming gift. They hadn't had the money for any special occasions back on the farm. Your toys were what you could make or find as a child. Weirdly shaped sticks, a shiny stone, an unusual feather tied to a length of frayed twine, stuff like that.

The point being, Prey had never had a birthday present, and the Hearth's Warming they celebrated out on the border was a little different to what ponies understood as 'Hearth's Warming'.

But to Prey, on this particular day, it felt like he'd been given the best birthday and Hearth's Warming present ever.

Because it was today that Prey was finally, finally. Allowed. Into. The. Royal. Canterlot. Library!

Sure it meant returning back to the Palace he hated the sight of so much, trekking through the golden front gates, having to wait in the line because he wasn't a Night Guard at the moment, enduring all the looks, and having to present the written permission he'd gotten from Gloom, (Gloom's First Sargent rank still counted for something thankfully), but he got in!

Prey had to stop for a moment at the double door entrance to the cathedral-like inner structure of the library, and just look. He hardly noticed the other morning library visitors as they trotted around him and inside. He craned his head back to take in the shelves and shelves and shelves of books.

Once again Prey couldn't help but think that this library was as close to a holy place as he'd ever seen in any pony construction. The morning light streaming in through the high arched windows lent the dark oak shelves a hallowed glow, the hushed quiet was reverent, and along with the buildings complete devotion to the pursuit of knowledge was breathtaking.

But it wasn't any of that which caused Prey to have to swallow the lump in his throat. Appearances were just that, appearances. The library was beautiful, but it was only a building, an object, a thing.

But memories were something entirely different, and Prey was remembering a time when Fleece used to jokingly tell his little brother Gossamer that, one day, he'd get into the most prestigious unicorn university and, "Show all those ponies up!" Back then, Gossamer had longed to visit the famous Canterlot library to read all of their books. He had been told that there were more books than he could read in a lifetime!

And now here he was, fulfilling that childish dream. All it had cost him was everything but his life.

'But I can't change the past. The future is still out there, and all that knowledge in here is just ripe for the taking. I can't be picky.' Prey squared his shoulders and took his first step into the carpeted library.

If only Fleece and Gossamer had still been alive to enjoy this in Prey's stead.

'Yeah. And if wishes were barley cakes no one would go hungry.'

Prey got over his poignant, bitter mood. Actually, he didn't, but he was used to the gnawing feeling, so he ignored it. It was easy to do with the banquet of knowledge laid out before him.

The runic arrays weren't getting built back at the flat, or in his secret base. The veropedes weren't being studied, his list wasn't getting completed, but so what? Prey was finally in the Royal Library.

'It's a worthy sacrifice of time. Yes. This is completely worth the time investment. Pity about the restricted sections, but I still need to learn the basic library layout for myself. Lemon won't do as a proxy, not for this. Yes. The runes will have to wait.'

Thus successfully self justifying his indulgence in childish glee, Prey took a deep breath, scenting old paper and dust, and launched into it.

And that was how Prey was able to discover more about the recent rainboom event. It wasn't hard to discover where to look among the many shelves, thank goodness, because the sheer quantity of available books would've made that decidedly difficult. But quite a few ponies were also interested in the same topic for obvious reasons, so all Prey had to do was listen in on their thoughts and follow them to the right shelves with the relevant books.

Prey read the relevant chapters, being very gentle with the pages, but all the extracts were more or less the same. A brief history of old Pegasopilis and the rainboom's origins. There wasn't much on it, but Prey was able to look deeper and infer more than the rest of the curious ponies had been able to pick out.

Prey frowned as he closed the latest book and carefully slotted it back onto the correct shelf with the others. From what he'd just read and combined with his not inconsiderable knowledge, a rainboom should've been completely impossible for any pegasus to perform.

The books were very insistent that breaking the sound barrier was the key feature, and such speeds would quite literally strip a pegasus's wings bare, damage their internal organs, crack their bones, shred muscles, peel skin, and generally just kill the pegasus. The only way around this was magic. Without either a unicorn with the skill level of at least a junior magi casting a number of spells on the pegasus, or without the aid of a magical artifact, such a stunt would be completely impossible for a pegasus to achieve on their own merits alone.

Prey supposed it could be done if the pegasus in question had won the Harmony lottery and been granted an especially powerful cutie mark, but even then, Prey's gut told him there would be more to it.

'It still wouldn't be enough. Magic would still be needed to explain the excess. A strong magical saturation, with what would normally be a lethally high level of ambient magic present in a pegasus at least.'

Which would be illogical. So either this stunt pegasus had a powerful and talented unicorn willing to help them out, or an equally powerful magical artifact keeping them alive, or an impossibly high innate magic.

Prey thought it likely Crimson would've been able to perform a rainboom with the jade necklace. That's how high Prey's opinion was of Crimson's capabilities and the power the jade artifact possessed. Not that Crimson would have a use for such a flashy and pointless stunt that did little else besides making a lot of light and noise.

But now it was an impossibility either way, because of the selfish pride of one Lord.

Really though, this postulation was merely a distraction. Ponies had always been Harmony's chosen, with magic and special talents given to them for free. This rainboom thing? It wasn't even surprising, just one more in a long list of ponykind's unexplained feats.

'Forget it. It's not important.' Prey thought. He cast his eyes about him, and saw bookshelves in every direction. Prey smiled, a real smile, one where he could forget his worries for a little while.

'But there's so much more here that could be important. And I get to discover it.'

Prey went to the closest shelf, and began eagerly perusing the titles.

Thus satisfied that it didn't affect him, Prey didn't even bother obtaining one of the Cloudsdale newspapers, which actually had a report of the rainboom event, names, and the Young Fliers Competition. Perhaps he should've, but he didn't want to waste the time it would've taken.

Prey read fast. He made the most out of every moment, skipped irrelevant passages and introduction chapters, and remembered everything he saw. He tried to only focus on book titles which might be relevant to his interests, but despite all his time saving tactics, the hours slipped away like minutes.

Prey spent the entire day at the library, not even noticing lunch pass by. Who cared about food? There were books here to read. He'd sacrificed far more for far less knowledge before.

Prey loved every frantic minute of his day at the library, but it wasn't enough. Despite only having access to the public section, Prey didn't get even one thirtieth of the way through his desired topic list list, even after remorselessly pruning down the topics of his interest. Being slowed down by librarians trying to direct him to the foal’s section didn’t help

For example; unicorn telekinesis for foals and beginners. Despite such a common magic being second nature to all unicorns, not even requiring structured magic to cast, there were still five whole shelves packed with studies, books, instructions, and thesis's on the topic.

And they were tall shelves too, ones that you needed a ladder to reach the top shelves for. Or to be a unicorn.

Prey barely got to scratch the surface of the available material. The library was closing up and all the visitors were quietly being asked to leave for the day before Prey guiltily realised he'd spent the whole day there. Guilty, because he hadn't spent any time with Crimson, and wasn't he supposed to be Crimson's friend?

Prey hurried back down the streets of Canterlot, for once sticking to the main roads rather than taking the back alleys he'd memorised from maps. He'd spent all day in the library, plenty long enough for anyone who might've wanted to find him to track him down. If Prey's watcher in the shadows had assembled an ambush to catch Prey alone, then he'd stick to the main streets where there were plenty of witnesses. He kept one eye on the sky the whole way.

The evening sun splashed over the cobblestones, turning the sidewalks a pleasant orange as Prey was turning into the apartment block.

Prey reached the second floor landing and unlocked the front door. Closing it behind him, Prey made straight for Crimson's flat and knocked.

There was a delay, then the door half opened.

"Sorry." Prey said the moment a distracted looking Crimson was revealed.

Crimson blinked, refocusing on Prey, "What?"

"I, er, I didn't say hello this morning. Or goodbye. Or anything to you. Sorry." Prey apologised, finding Crimson's gaze suddenly very hard to meet. 'What am I, a five year old getting scolded?'

"You were gone for the day-? Oh. I suppose you were. It's fine Prey." Crimson dismissed his apology.

Crimson... hadn't even noticed?

Prey quickly banished the ridiculous sinking feeling. He was being stupid. Crimson had his own priorities, and if Prey could lose a whole day in the library, why couldn't Crimson also be capable of getting distracted by his own activities?

'Yep, five year old, that's me, feeling jilted that my friend didn't want to play with me.' Prey mocked himself.

"Well, did you have a good day anyway?" He asked.

Crimson thought on the question for a minute, "Well enough." He eventually answered.

"I went to the Royal Library. Did anything happen I should know about back here?"

"N...Hm, no. I bought a few more items for my flat. A chair and a cool box." Crimson said.

Prey tilted his head, "Cool box?"

"It is a refrigerated container to store food in. In my, in the clans, we used to use cut ice stored in a dark cave to preserve food. The ice would have to be cut during winter and flown up the cliffs. In Canterlot, apparently they use a cool box. It's enchanted."

"Ah. Right." Prey could see how such an item would be useful. It was like a much better version of a cold pantry. He hadn't thought of doing it until now, but Prey could easily create his own 'cool box' with runes. It just hadn't occurred to him.

"Would you like to eat? I could make us both something?" Prey offered.

Crimson shifted, still standing in the doorway "No. I mean, no thank you Prey. I have already eaten."

"Oh." Prey said, feeling vaguely foolish for some reason, "Next time?"

"Alright, next time thank you."

"Good."

"Good."

"Okay."

"Yes. Well..."

"Yeah. Uh, I'll see you later."

"See you later Prey. Yes."

Prey retreated into his flat and Crimson retreated into his own.

The awkward, and slightly self deprecatingly humorous moment over, Prey turned in for the evening. Which for him, meant staying up for many more hours laying runes late into the night.

Doctor Clear Mind smiled warmly at Prey. The therapist had been smiling warmly ever since Prey had stepped into his office and they'd begun his next therapy session.

"Feel free to take a seat Prey, anywhere you want to is fine again. Or if you'd like to try standing, then that's fine too." Clear Mind said.

'-last time he sat in the corner. Will he stick to a formed habit, or move into something new if he's uncomfortable?-', The doctor thought to himself, already over analysing Prey's every move.

'Oh, joy. Barely a minute in, and already I'm considering mind breaking this idiot.' Prey thought.

He didn't want to be here. Prey was no stranger to being mocked and insulted, in the Resistance he'd been the lowest of the low, but this here was definitely a more personal type of insult. Ponies thought they could judge him, that they were somehow better than him, and that he needed to be fixed to meet their 'ideal' of Harmony.

But Prey needed to be here. It was an order from Luna. So he'd just have to grit his teeth and bear it until he'd fulfilled the quota of therapy sessions and was judged 'fixed'.

With that in mind, Prey purposefully chose a plush bean bag seat, near but not totally in the corner of the room.

Clear Mind beamed. Prey felt like vomiting at the delighted expression on the vapid unicorn's face.

"May I say, I'm very glad to see you again Prey. Today, I'd like you to please remember I'm only here to help. I'm also very glad you've trusted me enough to come back, and we made such promising progress last time, believe me."

'I wouldn't believe you if you told me the sky was blue.' Prey thought. He made a subdued noise in answer to Clear Mind's words which could've been interpreted as acceptance.

'-last time he just sat in silence almost all session. I think it's for the best if I gently push him out of his comfort zone for his own good-', Clear Mind decided to himself.

"It hasn't been so long since our last little chat Prey. Could you please tell me a bit about what's been happening in your life since then? Just a little bit? I'd love to hear."

Prey briefly entertained the idea of telling the therapist; 'I practised old runic magic, built a secret lair right under your hooves, fed live pigs to two monsters out of your worst nightmares, and mind controlled four unfortunate victims who dared to pose a threat to my friend.'

Somehow, Prey didn't think Clear Mind would 'love to hear' about that.

"Nothing happened. It was nice. I went out for some walks. I think getting a spider as a pet would be cool. Perhaps two big ones. That way they could have more baby spiders."

"Uh, um..." Clear Mind coughed, fighting down a shiver at the mention of spiders. Seems it was one of the Doctor's secret fears, imagine that?

"...That sounds like a nice idea. It's good to be proactive, to find a hobby. A constructive outlet is important. Why, I myself like to draw, although I'm not very good. Ha, if I showed you some of my drawings, you'd laugh."

Clear Mind suddenly tapped his hoof and smiled, "Aha! That's it. Hey, how would you feel about trying to draw? I have some drawing pads here actually, we can do it together." He suggested, as if the idea was spontaneous and hadn't been planned all along.

Prey wasn't fooled or amused, but since he had to be here for the length of a session anyway, he may as well get it over with. "Alright."

"Wonderful." Clear Mind beamed again, and levitated out two thick sketching pads along with a selection of colouring pencils from behind his desk, where the unicorn had stashed them just for this outcome.

'-now, what colours will Prey choose and what will he draw? This could provide valuable insight-'

Prey didn't take the proffered pad and pencils. He silently waited until Clear Mind placed them down on the ground near him before he picked them up himself.

Clear Mind purposefully didn't look at him as he quickly began to sketch on his own pad, while commenting; "I'm not very good at drawing but I like it. It's relaxing. I tell you what, I'll try drawing you. If you don't mind that is?"

Prey knew what the conceited unicorn was doing, but whatever.

"I don't mind." Prey lied, randomly selecting a green colouring pencil and starting to make some squiggles on the paper pad. He was a lamb, he wouldn't be expected to make an impressive drawing. A spider was simple enough to draw though. This aggravating session couldn't end soon enough for Prey.

After a few minutes of quiet drawing, Clear Mind spoke; "You're a very kind foal Prey, I can see that you care very much about other ponies. You can see that in yourself, yes?"

"Why thank you very much." Prey insincerely thanked him.

"You're very kind to everypony, and I'm sure many others want to be kind to you. If you'll let them." Clear Mind held his breath to see how Prey would respond.

"Why thank you very much." Prey repeated.

That shut Clear Mind down, and for a while Prey had some peace and quiet while the doctor formulated his next approach. The peace couldn't last for long.

"I'm finished. If you're not done, feel free to continue on at your own pace. But here, see?" Clear Mind said, flipping his sketch pad around.

The Doctor had clearly been underselling himself. He was more than just a 'decent' artist. It wasn't amazing, but it was very good for only five minutes. It was an impression sketch of Prey, with details focused on the face. Clear Mind had noticeably not included the ribbon, and drawn on a much bigger and warmer smile than Prey had ever shown the therapist.

"It's not exactly in depth, but this is what I see when I look at you, Prey. You look kind." Clear Mind waited for a beat, "Can you see what I see in yourself?"

'How droll.' Prey internally sighed.

"You missed a spot," Prey commented, tilting his head to the side, "You forgot my ribbon."

"Oh of course, silly me. Here, let me fix that." Clear Mind said, and with a few skilful strokes added the impression of a ribbon outline. "It's a bold fashion choice, not that I know much about fashion, just like my wife always tells me."

'-a ribbon isn't really appropriate for a colt. Is it a deeper indicator of a gender dissociation problem?-'

Prey twirled the ribbon around the end of his hoof and just smiled at Clear Mind. It hadn't been a question, so Prey didn't offer an answer, but it pleased him to know Clear Mind disapproved. The gleam in Prey's eye was not kind.

"How about you, what did you draw Prey?" Clear Mind asked, slightly uncomfortable.

Prey carelessly spun his own sketch pad around. On it wasn't some depiction of a monster or blood, but just some green holly leaves, grass, a spider, and some scribbles. Much more realistic for a child, and besides, Prey didn't really have a talent for drawing. Clear Mind of course dutifully complimented Prey on his efforts and praised him for his non-existent art, "Can I keep this Prey? I tell you what, I'll trade you for mine? Please, I insist. No really, I do."

The whole therapy session was a complete waste of time, with Clear Mind continuing to futilely try to get Prey to; "open up", and; "express himself". When the forty-five minutes were finally up and Prey could leave, he made sure to toss Clear Mind's sketch straight into the nearest waste trash can.

Gloom was waiting in the waiting room, same as last time while Crimson had only just begun his compulsory therapy session. The thestral gave Prey a strained smile when the lamb sat down opposite, but still out of reach, of him.

"I'm sorry Prey." Gloom abruptly blurted.

'Huh?'

At Prey's look he lowered his voice and continued, "I... realise you might feel like I was going to abandon you and Crimson to the ISND. Lilly and Scenic too actually. So I'm sorry I was being selfish."

"Buuut?"

"But what?" Gloom asked.

"I'm waiting for an excuse or reason. This is usually the point where someone would defend their actions."

"No, there's no but. I'm saying sorry. I'm asking for forgiveness. And I forgive you for anything you feel you might've done wrong to me too."

Prey folded his hooves under himself on the seat and examined Gloom, "The therapist told you to do this, didn't he?"

"Yes." Gloom admitted. The thestral sucked in a slow breath and explained, "He told me to say sorry for anything I might've done wrong and ask for forgiveness. Even if I didn't feel like I'd done anything wrong, he advised me to say sorry, and to also forgive. It's supposed to help me find peace."

Prey's face was a picture of scepticism, "And this works, does it?"

"I don't know. I don't feel any better." Gloom admitted uncomfortably. He scratched at his chest scar, looking tired, "But I told him I'd give his suggestion an honest try. So I'm trying."

'-it's stupid, so stupid, but it's my duty to Princess Luna to do this, so I must-'

"Riiiight." Prey drawled, and that one word said it all.

"I am sorry Prey. Really I am. I'm sorry about everything that happened to us over the Ridgeback. I'm sorry I led us all into that mess."

"Hm." Prey thought it best to hold his peace. This was one of those times where if you had nothing nice to say, it was better to say nothing at all.

Yikes, after the last long chapter, the two week mark really creapt up on me. Nevertheless! Here's the next chapter! (Also, 700K+ words and going now)

🍎 Kind editor once again 🍎 Sweetolebob18

EDIT: Hilarious picture Here by GreatSpaceBeaver 🎨