"So I guess it's just you and me, huh?" the Private said suddenly. I looked up at the dark green stallion to see him giving me an apologetic, lopsided smile, "you're that filly the Princess took in as her student. Twilight Sparkle, right?"

I said nothing in response, only nodding shyly. It was as though this whole experience had sucked the motivation to be outgoing right out of me. All that was left now was the socially awkward filly who spent far too much time reading and studying on her own.

I looked back over to where Crimson Storm and the Captain had gone, but they had already disappeared.

"Hey, c'mon, don't worry about them," the stallion said, causing me to turn back to him again. He nodded towards the hall ahead, "the Captain may be a bit... abrasive, but he really is a good stallion who looks out for his troops."

I didn't believe that for a moment, and I don't think this stallion did either.

There was something off about that Blueblood stallion, but I couldn't put my hoof on what it was. All I knew was that he scared Crimson Storm, and he made me feel incredibly uncomfortable.

"Anyhow," the private gave me a friendly smile and held out a hoof, "as you might've already heard from Captain Blueblood, my name's Bulwark... just Bulwark."

I looked at the outstretched hoof, then at the stallion himself before slowly raising my own hoof to meet his in a slightly awkward hoofbump.

"Thatta girl," Bulwark chirped, "now then, what say we continue that tour, shall we?" he looked around, his smile falling into a bemused frown. Then he lowered his head so that we were eye to eye and whispered, "so uh, where were you headed again?"

I giggled despite myself and told Bulwark where Crimson and I had planned to go next. With that, the tour continued, the atmosphere completely different than it was when I was with Crimson Storm.

Unlike the silent mare, Bulwark was incredibly friendly and talkative, regaling me with tales of his time in the guard and the overall goings-on in the castle. It turned out he had only joined the ranks of the guard a month or so ago.

I in turn, told him about my brother, and how he planned to join the guard when he was a bit older. The conversation continued on like this for the next half hour or so as we trotted around the rest of the castle.

There hadn't been much left to see by the time Bulwark took over, and we soon wound up back near my room just a few moments before it was time for the Princess to lower the sun.

I figured now was as good a time as any to start my investigation into what was going on with Crimson Storm. While being with Bulwark proved to be a lot more fun than I expected, I still couldn't help but wish I had finished the tour with Crimson instead.

"Bulwark, can I ask you a question?" I asked as we made our way down the hall towards my bedroom door, "it's... um, it's about Crimson Storm."

"Oh?" Bulwark replied, looking down at me with a curious raise of his brow, "what about her?"

I shuffled my hooves uncomfortably as I tried to think of the best way to word my question.

"Well, it's just that I noticed a lot of ponies don't really seem to like her," I explained, "and I was wondering why. She's kinda quiet, yeah, but she isn't mean or anything, so why do ponies avoid her like that?"

"Ah, that," Bulwark looked around with a hesitant frown before letting out a quiet, resigned sigh, "alright look, you seem like a nice kid, but if you want my advice, you should stay away from that mare."

"But why?" I pressed, taking a step forward and frowning at the stallion, "why should I? What did she do?"

"Well, I... it's not really about what she did, per se," Bulwark replied reluctantly, "it's more that the... you know what, never mind, I really shouldn't say."

"What? C'mon, why can't you tell me?" I practically growled, my frustration beginning to boil over, "why should I stay away from her? She's not a bad pony, so what's the problem?"

"I'm sorry, kid," Bulwark replied, backing away as he raised a placating hoof, "it's not really my place to say. If you wanna know more, you're gonna have to ask Crmson yourself."

"But I already—"

"Look, this is your room, right?" he gestured towards the door beside him. Before I could answer he turned away and looked back at me over his shoulder, "it was nice meeting you, Twilight, but I gotta go. I wasn't lying when I said I had plans."

"Wait!" I called out as the stallion quickly trotted away, "hang on a minute!"

I watched him trot ahead and turn a distant corner before letting out an aggravated growl. I stomped a hoof into the ground and telekinetically threw open my bedroom door before storming inside and slamming it shut.

Just what was going on?

Why wouldn't that stallion tell me what was wrong with Crimson Storm, and why did he ask me not to hang around her? As I threw myself onto my bed in an angry huff, I wondered about it, but at this point, there wasn't much I could do... except for maybe talking to Celestia.

It seemed a simple and effective plan all things considered. I was, after all, the Princess's new protégé, and I felt that should've allowed me some kind of leverage over the situation.

Were it only so simple.

Back then I was a rather meek and by the books sort of filly in many cases, but with Celestia, the traits worsened tenfold. I wholly believed my petty concerns to be far below that of Princess Celestia, and so when the thought came to ask the Princess about it, I immediately scrapped it, not wanting to waste Celestia's time.

And so I lay there in my bed, staring up at the ceiling and wondering just what I could do for Crimson. It wasn't quite time for me to turn in just yet, and I found myself with a bit of free time. Now, this normally would've been where I sat or laid down with a good book to read, but I couldn't get Crimson's situation out of my mind.

It clawed at me like some gluttonous house pet that hadn't been fed all day. I thought about Crimson and how she acted, I thought about our earlier conversation at breakfast... and I thought about Captain Blueblood.

There was something that I wanted... something I've been searching for... but even after all these years... I still haven't found it...

What had Crimson Storm been searching for? Did it have something to do with Blueblood, or was I just making connections were there were none? I clenched my teeth and gave another growl of frustration at the whole thing, angry that I was just going around in circles and not coming to any real conclusions.

In my irritation my thoughts turned more to the hard faced, arrogant Captain. What was it about that stallion that put me and Crimson Storm on edge like that? Judging by his name, he might've been some kind of nobility, and realizing that brought me to another realization.

He was probably some kind of nobility, and Crimson Storm clearly hated the nobility if her earlier reaction to those two nobles who'd been talking about me was anything to go by. Could Captain Blueblood be the cause of the hatred, and if so, why?

Did Blueblood do something bad to Crimson Storm?

At this point I should've calmed down and thought about this rationally, but I was on a roll, and my thoughts tended to run away with me whenever I was on a roll. Already I could envision Blueblood doing horrible things to Crimson when nopony was looking.

Of course, the 'horrors' I'd conjured up in my mind at the time were just silly foalhood bullying tactics like calling her names and stealing her food, and getting a gang together so they could rough her up in the courtyard or some such nonsense.

I didn't register just how serious a crime something like that last scenario would be, but I was just a filly. I had no idea that far worse things lurked in my subconscious, at least, not yet. As it was, I had managed to convince myself that Blueblood was bullying Crimson.

Like the foal that I was, I decided I needed to do something about it.

With that thought in mind, I began to make plans. I concocted several hare-brained schemes as I lay there, and eventually I pulled open a thick notebook my brother had given me some months back. I had made quite a bit of use of it, especially when I'd been studying for the entrance exam, and I decided that it would serve another purpose here.

Within the notebook I jotted down my various plans to investigate what was happening between Blueblood and Crimson Storm. It was as I was just finishing marking down the last of my schemes that I heard a soft knock on my bedroom door.

"Twilight? Are you still awake? Can I come in?"

Celestia's voice floated in through the door and I blinked in confusion before turning to the large window on the opposite side of the room. As it turned out, I'd been planning and writing long after Celestia had lowered the sun, and I could make out the oddly pockmarked moon sitting high in the sky.

I yawned, realizing just how tired I was, then began to panic as I also realized all of my notes were on full display for the Princess to see, and I did not want the Princess to find out about my little investigation.

I quickly snapped the book shut with my magic and shoved it and the quill I was using under the bed before turning back to the door with a wide nervous grin. I readjusted it to look a little less conspicuous before calling out for Celestia to enter.

"Twilight?" Celestia repeated as she pushed open the door. As she stepped in she gave me a concerned frown, "is everything okay? You sound a bit frazzled."

"E-Everything's fine, Princess," I replied a little too quickly, "nothing's wrong, just... y'know, getting ready for bed!"

Celestia's frown deepened, and as her gaze intensified, I could practically feel the rattling of my nerves. She clearly wasn't buying it, but thankfully she didn't pursue the matter. Instead, she made her way over to my bed, her warm smile returning a moment later.

"So long as everything is well, my faithful student," she finally replied, "though I'm surprised to see you up this late, and at your age?"

"It's fine, Princess," I answered, looking somewhat embarrassed, "I'm... used to it. I spent a lot of late nights studying for the exam, so this isn't anything new."

"Ah, yes... the exam," Celestia turned away, her features darkening for an instant. A second later she turned back to me, her worried frown once more in place, "how are you holding up after all this time? You haven't had any flashbacks or anything like that, have you?"

"No, nothing like that," I replied, shaking my head, "I actually haven't really thought about it at all since I came here."

That hadn't been a total lie.

Up until I overheard those nobles talking about me and what I did at the exam, I hadn't once given any thought to the event, excited as I was to be in the presence of Princess Celestia for such an extended period of time.

"Well that's certainly good to hear," the Princess responded with a light chuckle. She moved closer and sat herself next to me on the bed as she continued, "so... how was your tour around the castle with Crimson Storm?"

The smile I'd managed to pull off fell away completely at the question. I looked down at my hooves and frowned silently before replying a moment later, my tone somewhat quieter.

"Crimson Storm is weird," I answered, "she doesn't talk much, and when she does, some of the things she says are weird. She always has this... blank look on her face, and she's just... really hard to talk to, y'know?"

"Yes, it is as I said," Celestia replied with a knowing nod, "she can certainly be difficult to get along with, but surely you—"

"I like her though," I interjected, turning back to the alicorn with a small smile, "I don't know why, but there's just something about Crimson Storm that I like. Yeah, she's weird, but... well..." I tried and failed to come up with a specific reason for my affinity towards the mare, giving Celestia a simple shrug instead, "...I dunno."

Celestia stopped and blinked at me in surprise.

"Well, I'm glad to hear it," Celestia finally replied with another chuckle. Her smile dropped slightly as she continued, "I worry about the mare sometimes, and truth be told, my student, I thought meeting you would be the perfect opportunity for her to open up."

"She did," I replied before frowning slightly, "well... kinda. We talked a bit during lunch, but I didn't really learn much about her."

"I see," Celestia answered with a thoughtful expression, "well, lunchtime conversation is a step in the right direction. Just give it some time and I'm sure she'll let you in eventually."

I smiled in response, but my mind was already moving onto the next subject. I didn't want to ask Celestia about Crimson Storm, and from what she was saying, it didn't seem like she knew anything beyond the fact that Crimson had trouble communicating with others.

So I asked another question instead.

"Princess?" I continued somewhat reluctantly, "there... is something else."

"Hmm?" Celestia, who'd been idly staring out the window in the short silence that followed her earlier statement, turned back to me expectantly, "what is it, Twilight? Did you have another question?"

"Well... um," I shifted uncomfortably before speaking again, "do you know anything about... Captain Blueblood?"

"Blueblood?" Celestia repeated, caught off guard by the question. She collected herself a short moment later and gave me a quizzical frown before explaining, "Captain Blueblood—or Prince Blueblood VI—is the head of the highest ranking noble house in Canterlot. His family has served the crown faithfully for generations."

"Wait, so he's a prince?" I asked incredulously, "but... but does that mean he's related to you?"

"Distantly," Celestia replied carefully, "his family married into mine centuries ago in a time of political upheaval in order to... smooth a few things over. Don't let the title of 'prince' fool you though, my faithful student, he and the rest of his family hold no actual claim to the throne," she leaned in close, speaking in a stage whisper, "though they certainly like to act like they do."

"Oh," I replied, not really understanding at all, "so then... how is he a prince?"

"The title of 'prince' in this instance simply refers to the stallion that holds the most sway over all the other noble houses, and Blueblood's family has ruled over the others for generations.

"I know he joined the ranks of the Royal Guard in order to follow in his grandfather's, Blueblood IV's, hoofsteps, and made it to the rank of Captain quickly, though he still maintains his seat as the head of the Blueblood family with his son, Blueblood VII, as the next in line to inherit the title."

Celestia shook her head and the quizzical frown returned.

"But I believe I've said enough on the matter, and any more would be mere gossip," she said with a hint of finality, "tell me, why did you ask about Blueblood of all ponies?"

At Celestia's prompt, I pushed my questions about the title of 'prince' and Celestia's family aside. I made sure not to give any of my suspicions away as I replied.

"It wasn't anything important," I replied with what I hoped was a convincing innocent smile, "Crimson and I ran into him during our tour, and he seemed... interesting is all. He said he needed Crimson for something, so I had to finish the tour with a pony named Bulwark. He's the one that brought me back here."

It only just hit me then, but I suddenly and finally registered the fact that I was lying to the Princess. I was actively and willingly keeping secrets from the millennia old ruler of Equestria. Somewhere in the back of my mind I was shocked at myself, as I wasn't really one to lie to anypony—not like this.

Sure there was the odd foalish fib here and there to try and cover up some small embarrassing mistake I'd made or minor trouble I'd gotten into, but it was never anything serious, and I was never convincing enough to get away with it anyway.

Now I was lying about something that could have potentially heavy repercussions, and I wasn't even batting an eye. I was nervous, certainly, but that was simply due to the fear of getting caught in the lie, not the actual worry that I was lying to Princess Celestia.

What was worse was that the sudden revelation did nothing to deter me from pursuing my chosen path of deceit.

"Ah, Private Bulwark, was it?" Celestia replied, snapping me out of my thoughts, "a nice enough stallion I'd say. What did you think of him?"

"He's fun to talk to, but I kind of wanted to hang out with Crimson more though," I answered honestly. I looked up at the Princess, my expression turning hopeful—almost pleading, "I'll get to see her again, right?"

"Of course, Twilight," Celestia laughed, "I think it'll be good for the both of you, but right now... I think it's best you turn in for the night. It's getting late and we have much to do tomorrow."

"Oh, alright then," I conceded, partially relieved that the conversation had ended, "goodnight, Princess."

"Goodnight, Twilight," Celestia replied, pulling me into a quick, but affectionate wing hug, "and remember, if you ever have any issues with what happened back then, you can always come to me."

"I will," I answered, giving Celestia a genuine smile, "thanks, Princess."

With that, she rose from the bed, adjusted her wings, gave me one last warm smile, and trotted out of the room. She lit her horn and the door closed behind her with a soft click.

Once she was gone, I got comfortable, laying back against the pillow and pulling the blanket over me. Rather than close my eyes however, I once again stared at the ceiling with a small frown. My thoughts returned to Blueblood and the fact that he was not only a noble, but the highest ranking noble in Canterlot.

What would somepony like him want with a pony like Crimson Storm? Even more than that, I wondered just how I was going to find out more about the situation. Now that I knew just what kind of pony Blueblood was, several of the plans I'd made went out the window.

After several more minutes of ruminating on another plan of action, I grunted in frustration and gave up, deciding a good night's rest might help smooth out my thoughts. Besides that, I really was tired, and when I finally closed my eyes I was out in only a few minutes.

As usual, I didn't remember much about the dream I had, but this time there were a few details that did stick with me as I awoke the next morning, though I couldn't make any sense of them.

What I did know was that the dream involved Crimson Storm, Captain Blueblood, a dark room at the bottom of a steep set of stone steps... and something dark red and sticky splattered all over the floor.