A Day in the Life [CoPS Only]

[Lubyak]

OOC: Hello! Welcome to the CoPS ‘A Day in the Life’ thread. This thread is--essentially--a collection of short stories detailing the every day life of a person in your nation. From chiefs of state and commanders of armies, to an every day citizen going to the store to buy some milk, the citizens of your nation are what make a living breathing country out of lifeless pixels. This thread is meant to be about them. Feel free for your post here to be as long or as short as you want. As in depth as or as general as you want. Etc. etc. etc. Make the story as epic or as dull as you want, there are no rules beyond the general ones of NS RP.

Since I’m starting this thread, I’ll go first!

P.S. : For those of your who have been turned down from CoPS due to lack of experience, consider this thread a good place to show your stuff.

---

Uvora, Lasanovka Province, Dominion of the Lubyak

Any nation will play host to the small town. They dot lands in their hundreds, home to millions of people around the globe. They will never play host to the great events of their age. They will never be the site of glorious battles, or world changing meetings. Outside their general area, few people will know they exist, and their citizens will be forever trapped defining their hometown as a few dozen kilometers from the nearest great city.

As it was, the sun was creeping up over the vast expanses of wheat that stretched off to the horizon and was beginning to illuminate the small town of Uvora. Traffic was just beginning to pick up on the great road that the town sat next to, the drivers who had left their homes in the massive of city of Lasala before dawn, hoping to make the best time they could, and cover as much distance as was possible before having to stop for the night.

In one house, Heather Barker, a woman in her late twenties, arose from sleep to the chirping of an alarm clock. She slammed her hand down into the clock, silencing it, as she rose from her sleep, massaging her eyes as she looked around her bedroom. Everything seemed to be in order, and she nodded, pleased with the results. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, and swung her feet out, rising to the floor, eliciting a slight groan from what had appeared to be a slight bump in the sheets beside her.

“Wake up!” she said, a grin on her face as she thumped her hand on the bed. “It’s seven already!”

“I don’t have to be at work till bloody ten,” a grumble replied, as the mound seemed to shift.

“Still, if you don’t get up, you won’t get breakfast.”

“To Tartarus with breakfast,” the mound complained.

“I’ll make banana pancakes,” Heather said, grinning as she chuckled. If anything would get a reaction, this would.

“Oh for Celestia’s sake!” the mound shouted, rising and throwing off the covers to reveal a woman who seemed to be about the same age, but had blonde hair flowing past her shoulders, in contrast to Helen’s short brown locks. “You had to go there didn’t you?” she demanded, as she rose out of bed.

“Sorry, Tina,” Helen said, a mischievous grin on her face. “Had to get you up somehow.”

“You better not have been lying about those Sister-damned waffles, or I will personally send you to the Moon.”

Helen shook her head as she left their bedroom, heading down to the kitchen, and began the process of whipping up a breakfast for her and her wife. Feeling bored, she took advantage of a dull moment to flip on the TV, and let the morning news play.

“From Erota, good morning, Lubyak,” a voice said, announcing the beginning of the program. Glancing over her shoulder, Helen could see the anchors, dressed like they came from the center of Erota itself. Fine clothes, impeccable looks, and a perfectly balanced face that seemed to most closely resemble a slight smile. “We’ve just had the weather...”

’Damn,’ Helen thought, keeping an eye on the batter as it began to bubble on the skillet. ’I actually cared about that...’

“...and now we’re onto national news, Scribbles?” the voice continued, not giving a care about the concern Helen had with something like the weather. Just like everything else in the Dominion, moving forward and on almost as a result of its own inertia.

“Thank you, Andrey,” a new voice echoed, and Helen glanced over her shoulder, seeing a pegasus pony, shuffling papers with her hoof. “In national news, Turvokan-Farmer Aerospace announced a break in at their Lubyagrod headquarters today. Although the technology conglomerate is not saying what was stolen, it assures us that the Judiciary has been contacted, and that the culprits will be brought to justice.”

“Damn, I bought some shares in them...” Tina muttered, having apparently followed the smell of cooking breakfast down the stairs. “They’re going to take a hit from this.”
Helen rolled her eyes, not caring for what Tina was saying. She had never really cared for the stock markets. She’d moved out of Lasala at 21 to get away from the insanity that was a great city, and the whole investment reminded her far too much of that life. She’d come to this little town to keep an eye on the local servers, work nine to five, and enjoy a life with her wife--and hopefully, one day, children--and had no desire to go back to the city life she’d left behind.

“In other news, the Judiciary is continuing the investigation of Crepesculum Investments, accusing the Erota based bank of insider trading, and attempts to artificially influence the markets. The ramifications of the investigation have already been felt on the Erota Stock Exchange, with yesterday’s stock indexes dropping a few points. Thankfully, things seem to be recovering as the new trading day begins,” the pony continued, going through the reports.

“On the political front, Governor-General Alexandrov appeared alongside Foreign Minister Octavia before the Dominion Council today, explaining their decision to involve the Dominion with Mystrian affairs. Minister Octavia has stated that, ‘The Mystrian Incident is of a pressing concern to us. We have involved ourselves out of the firm belief that we are doing what is best for Lubyak and her people.’” Helen paused for a moment to flip her work of love onto a plate, turning around and heading for the table where Tina was already sitting, with two mugs of pale, steamy tea waiting.

“Anything interesting going on?” Helen asked. “You actually care about that stuff.”

“Eh,” Tina said, smiling expectantly as Helen shoveled a large pancake onto her plate. “Just the Erota hot-shot crowd doing what they always do...then again, I guess that’s what we do pay them for.”

Helen laughed slightly as she shook her head, already toning out the political commentary on the Minister’s actions and response. “Like your pancakes at least?” she asked, almost bursting into laughter as Tina looked up, her mouth too stuffed to answer. She still chuckled as her wife swallowed, and nodded vigorously. This part of the world was working as advertised, and that was all that she really cared for.

[Yorobia]

Indigo rushed up the rickety staircase to the dirty bedroom of her son Neon Lights, galloped head on into the closed door, and shook him repeatedly. Neon Lights groaned and mumbled up to his mother, "Fine, fine, I'll get out of bed. What's the rush?"
"What's the rush?!?! What do you mean, what's the rush?! It's only your second day as a tour guide, and you don't want to disappoint your boss that early, do you?!"
Neon immediately sat up. He glanced at the clock. The clock read 8:30AM. His shift began at 9AM. "NononoNO. I can't believe my unluck!"
Neon hurdled down the staircase so fast it didn't have time to respond with an agitated CREEEAAK. He opened the fridge and scanned it from top to bottom. "MOM, WHERE'S THE MILK?"
Indigo shouted back down from the second floor of the old house, "Just make yourself an egg or something!"
Neon grabbed an egg from the top shelf of the refrigerator, and threw it on the frying pan. The egg sizzled as Neon sped back and forth throughout the house getting anything that he would need at the office, where he would most likely meet his next batch of tourists.
Neon, being the color of a highlighter type of yellow, looked like a long, fast ray of light, earning him the name Neon Lights.
As Neon gathered the rest of his supplies, his nostrils flared. He could smell something...burnt. Oh no, he thought. He raced to the frying pan and stared at his overcooked egg. "Guess no breakfast for me", he huffed. Neon knew he had to go.
He looked at his hoofwatch to check the time. 8:51 it said. Wide eyes, he scrambled out the door and galloped full speed to work.

The clock struck 9 a minute after Neon arrived, and his boss, Crafty Crate, looked at him sternly.
"You are supposed to be here and ready for duty 5 minutes before time, not coming here, panting like a dog, snuffing it at the last minute."
Neon sighed. His boss was very stern and strict, but he didn't mind. He was used to having to work and be ordered around with the little amount of money they were allowed to keep, a measly 27% after tax. He cantered over to his group of ponies ready to see Yorobia City, and started leading them around the city.
"Well, the tall building here is forbidden to most ponies. It is the government building. This nations government prefers tall over wide buildings. Also, over here..."

[Conclespia]

Tag. (Is this allowed?)

[The Ctan]

“What’s for breakfast Sully?” Angelina asked, stretching.

“Gilbert is preparing diced fried onager heart with shellbark, hickory nuts and baked hazelnuts with a side of steamed cettuce and blueberries, served with orange pie, toast, fried eggs, salad, cream cheese and cucumber morning dressing Madame,” Nuts were very, very common in C’tani cuisine, the haemocyanin based blood of one of the major species in the empire, the Necrontyr, required tremendous amounts of copper, relative to human food, which meant that nuts were common. Necrontyr requirements affected the menu considerably, not so much because of any conscious effort but from shops and services adapting to accommodate this large segment of the market.

“Excellent,” Angeline said, rising, something that she accomplished by pressing her foot to the ground, the bed she had used one of the more modern ones, a haze of obscuring featheles, slim billowing grey down, obscuring her below the neck, suspended in a null-gravity field, the individual featheles. The featheles moved independently, keeping her in position, each one controlled by an internal reactive magnetic system linked to the bed’s low dais, There were entire cultures out there that would kill for the secrets of her bed. The bed’s fields began to power down as she stretched, bracing herself for the return of gravity, standing on tiptoes to make sure she could balance, and avoid a humiliating morning faceplant, which she’d done a couple of times when she’d first had the thing installed.

She stepped out of the featheles, the rush of them against bare skin as they swished back into place a little thrilling. “I’ll be down shortly Sully,” she said, stretching a little, blinking sleep from her eyes, wiping her hand up against the bridge of her nose.

The same technology that gave her the bed operated her shower, this consisting of a solid wall of water that one could move out from the wall, and step through, warm and fragrant, she could lean into it, and ensure that every part of her was soaked, smoothing shampoo through her blonde hair,

“Sullivan,” she said, to the wall, “play that piece we did last.”

“As you command Madame,” the wall said, or rather, the house AI said, resonating part of the wall to produce sound.

“And remove my part,” she added.

“As you wish Madame.” Like its partner android, the house AI was non-sapient, though this was actually much more common, a sophisticated networked computer that controlled everything from an automated shopping list to several synthesis tables, to computer links and the local ether.

“He polished up that handle so carefullee, that now he is the ruler of the Queen’s Navee!” she sang, pausing, letting the male baritone sing for a time, before joining in with the next chorus, focussing her efforts both on combing out her long hair and singing in the small, tiled room, looking at the full length mirror. “He copied all the letters in a big round hand!” she sang, running through the song in her sweetest tone, before wrapping her hair in a towel and drying herself off, before putting a bathrobe and slippers on, heading downstairs.

“Good morning Madame,” Gilbert said, polished and slightly inhuman lilt to his voice greeting her as she walked into the kitchen.

“Morning,” she said, reflexively, though she didn't really need to acknowledge him.

There was some debate as to whether the concept of ‘class’ existed in C’tani society. The tremendous number and variety of foreign workers who made up what could be called the underclass certainly pointed to that, but defenders of that system often went to pains to point out that the advantages afforded even on comparatively minor pay in a hyper-abundant society were often a considerable improvement to their conditions back home. Angeline however, had little tolerance for the idea of a servant, even if she could bring herself to accommodate such a needless expense, the amount of management and board she’d need to arrange, and the social obligations, weren’t worth the limited gain in prestige when entertaining and so forth, and frankly, she found the idea of a stranger in her home a little creepy.. Gilbert, therefore, was the much more practical alternative, a blankly impassive looking service mechanoid, its black and white frame sculpted in a frame of bland masculinity, ridges cast on its head giving the impression of swept back hair.

While she normally enjoyed the luxury of having her meals prepared for her, Angelina preferred to make her own drinks, walking over to the counter, looking through the selection of teas; much as nuts were common, coffee was uncommon, prolonged drinking of the substance made necrontyr essentially anaemic, the drink being known to radically reduce copper in the bloodstream, and hot chocolate was equivalently popular (rich in copper and abundant in the sugars required to sustain necrontyr metabolism, it had a greater market share), and thus it was on her shopping list, she settled for that, sitting down to eat.

“If you could Gilbert,” she said, giving no other instruction, as she broke open the napkin and laid it across her lap, leaning back. The meal was only served with a knife, a short double-bladed affair that could pass for a dagger, and a spoon, the fork, while she had some, had mostly passed out of use in a blend of necrontyr custom – adapted from countless ancient wars – of eating light on utensils, ideally daggers, and serving meals with a bowl of heated water, the steel dish before her sat on an induction plate, keeping it at the optimal temperature, steam billowing up through the hand towel. The android took the towel from her head, folding it back, and began to style her hair, far more dextrous than any human, its precision movements nipping and plaiting her long golden locks into a high style currently in vogue.

Though the custom was to eat with practical and very limited utensils, the meal itself owed nothing to that, a rich spread the main dish was a low platter of chopped meat interspersed with a strips of bread-like tree-bark from Tenas Vexes V, steamed for a week, giving it the ideal texture.

“Sully, my diary please.”

[Cevalo Nacio]

It was a sunny July day in Pieami, the economic capital of Cevalo Nacio, known for being the home of Pinkies Party Bakery and Orange Crush. Our story focuses on Luna Flight,a Pegasus with a job at a local pinkies bakery franchise. He went to one of the best private high schools in Cevalo Nacio and comes from an upper middle class background but now has to work at a bakery, as theres not much demand for Philosophy Majors.

It was a sunny July day in Pieami, the suns beating down on his face awoke Luna Flight from his slumber. He got up grogilly from his twin matress, looking back on it and sighing at the fact that his twin sized bed represented his wife-less and girlfreind-less existence. He shrugged off the feelings of lonelieness and trotted into his kitchen, pouring himself a bowl Trix with banana milk. He looked out the grimy window of his apartment, munching his Trix contentedly and staring intently at the Metropolis outside of his apartment. Looking out at Pinkie Tower (a 2500 foot tall monolithic tower, covered in neon lights of the Mane 6 that looked beautiful contrasted against the black background even during the day.) He tended to try and avoid glancing at his own street. The condemned houses, drug dealers and unicorns in cars with huge rims all made him nervous. After admiring the cityscape for 15 minutes, he glanced at his clock and said "Time for work."

He stepped out of his apartment, blinded by the sunlight. He strided down his street, immediateley noticed by a unicorn beggar. The unicorn said in a sludge of unicorn-esperanto "spare some change mate?" Luna handed the man 1 Bit and continued on thinking to himself. "Damned unicorns, cant they just learn plain esperanto?" The nation had improved since the Apartheid Hundoj (sentient talking dog) government was overthrown in the great pony coup, but unicorns still lagged in progress compared to the other pony groups, due to the extreme demonization that the Hundoj dealt them for their "unnatural lifestyles" He hoped for the best for unicorns, mentally reprimanding himself for his prejudiced thoughts. He continued on passing the local, hip cofee shop, know for hosting pony poets and indie rock bands. His freinds stopped him. His best freind Star Crunch, an Earth Pony decked in an ugly sweater, a beret and smoking an A "Cevalese Spirit" cigarettes said "Hey Luna, you wanna get some coffee and hang out, Death Cab for Pinkie is playing!" Luna thought back to work and sadly just said "no thanks" and continued on. It was terrible that his dad had cut off his trust fund. He was pretty mad when he discovered that he spent the money on a fixed gear bicycle, since than he's had to work himself.

He finally arrived to work 5 minutes late, he came in through the backdoor so his boss, Mr. Hoofie would not notice. He put on his cupcake hat and began taking up his position at the oven, beginning his monotonous routine of putting in cookie dough and removing cookies. While most people would find this sort of work intolerable, Luna didnt mind as it kept him from having to interact with anypony and allowed his mind to wander. What he found intolerable were the parties that sporadically happened everyday. He understood that Pinkie Pies bakeries gimmick was spontaneous partying. Sadly, it was the only place that accepted his job application. It wasnt a good job for this pony with Aspergers Syndrome or anypony that was a creature of habit. The most annoying point was always the late night parties that happened everynight. These parties were BYOB and the earth ponies from the university would always get hammered and tear the place up. After cleaning up the restraunt, he ran home, killing all of the built up stress within himself and settling into bed, nice and tired.

He thought about his nation, Yes Cevalo Nacio has its problems, but at least now everyone sees the doctor for free and goes to school. He realized that his nation and maybe even himself had a bright future. He rolled over and went to bed.

[Yorobia]

It was a sunny July day in Pieami, the economic capital of Cevalo Nacio, known for being the home of Pinkies Party Bakery and Orange Crush. Our story focuses on Luna Flight,a Pegasus with a job at a local pinkies bakery franchise. He went to one of the best private high schools in Cevalo Nacio and comes from an upper middle class background but now has to work at a bakery, as theres not much demand for Philosophy Majors.

It was a sunny July day in Pieami, the suns beating down on his face awoke Luna Flight from his slumber. He got up grogilly from his twin matress, looking back on it and sighing at the fact that his twin sized bed represented his wife-less and girlfreind-less existence. He shrugged off the feelings of lonelieness and trotted into his kitchen, pouring himself a bowl Trix with banana milk. He looked out the grimy window of his apartment, munching his Trix contentedly and staring intently at the Metropolis outside of his apartment. Looking out at Pinkie Tower (a 2500 foot tall monolithic tower, covered in neon lights of the Mane 6 that looked beautiful contrasted against the black background even during the day.) He tended to try and avoid glancing at his own street. The condemned houses, drug dealers and unicorns in cars with huge rims all made him nervous. After admiring the cityscape for 15 minutes, he glanced at his clock and said "Time for work."

He stepped out of his apartment, blinded by the sunlight. He strided down his street, immediateley noticed by a unicorn beggar. The unicorn said in a sludge of unicorn-esperanto "spare some change mate?" Luna handed the man 1 Bit and continued on thinking to himself. "Damned unicorns, cant they just learn plain esperanto?" The nation had improved since the Apartheid Hundoj (sentient talking dog) government was overthrown in the great pony coup, but unicorns still lagged in progress compared to the other pony groups, due to the extreme demonization that the Hundoj dealt them for their "unnatural lifestyles" He hoped for the best for unicorns, mentally reprimanding himself for his prejudiced thoughts. He continued on passing the local, hip cofee shop, know for hosting pony poets and indie rock bands. His freinds stopped him. His best freind Star Crunch, an Earth Pony decked in an ugly sweater, a beret and smoking an A "Cevalese Spirit" cigarettes said "Hey Luna, you wanna get some coffee and hang out, Death Cab for Pinkie is playing!" Luna thought back to work and sadly just said "no thanks" and continued on. It was terrible that his dad had cut off his trust fund. He was pretty mad when he discovered that he spent the money on a fixed gear bicycle, since than he's had to work himself.

He finally arrived to work 5 minutes late, he came in through the backdoor so his boss, Mr. Hoofie would not notice. He put on his cupcake hat and began taking up his position at the oven, beginning his monotonous routine of putting in cookie dough and removing cookie dough and removing cookies. While most people would find this sort of work intolerable, Luna didnt mind as it kept him from having to interact with anypony and allowed his mind to wander. What he found intolerable were the parties that sporadically happened everyday. He understood that Pinkie Pies bakeries gimmick was spontaneous partying. Sadly, it was the only place that accepted his job application. It wasnt a good job for this pony with Aspergers Syndrome or anypony that was a creature of habit. The most annoying point was always the late night parties that happened everynight. These parties were BYOB and the earth ponies from the university would always get hammered and tear the place up. After cleaning up the restraunt, he ran home, killing all of the built up stress within himself and settling into bed, nice and tired.

He thought about his nation, Yes Cevalo Nacio has its problems, but at least now everyone sees the doctor for free and goes to school. He realized that his nation and maybe even himself had a bright future. He rolled over and went to bed.

OOC: Sorry to bother you. Did you claim both those ponies?

[Cevalo Nacio]

No, although I imagine Pinkie Pie as the head of a large Cevalese corporation, she will never come into play during RPing. BTW, what did you think of this story.

[Lubyak]

OOC: Yorobia, keep your complains in the main OOC thread. Thank you.

[Camelza]

The scars of the last majestic firestorm are to be seen everywhere on the small village of Portarea :burned fences,flames in the roofs of the old brown buildings and mages of the area trying to put out the fire in the wooden bridge,crossing river Heni.Matilis,as she always slept late at night due to her studies for the university missed the firestorm and finally rised from the only thing that could wake her up:her mother's angry voice coming from downstairs:
"MATI!!wake up you good for nothing sleepyhead,we had a whole firestorm and you are still dreaming about Krat-" but she was rudely interupted by "Mati" who really disliked mentioning her future fiance Kratek,a guardian demon from the bustling capital of Almena,for whom Mati had fallen for since they where kids,when Kratek's father was a guardsman in Portarea...
"Sh-shut up I'm coming down,after all it was nothing but a stupid firestorm"Matilis said and rushed out of her completely meshed up bed with her large Vankha,a long white dress most camelzans wear inside their homes.
For a few minutes she stood by the window along the stairs and looked the panoramic view of the whole area,it was beautiful! The sun,father of all gods,was shining all over Portarea and the Heni river valley,bringing life to the majestic plane trees and all forms of life.The city,as it was just hit by a firestorm,it was also quite a sight with all this people spilling water here and there to put out the wrongdoings of Myrana,the goddess of firestorms,as she was gazing,Matilis noticed her beloved,although somewhat clumsy father,Licidar,who was having trouble with one of the aforementioned wrongdoings in the full of vegetables yard..
"well it wouldn't hurt if we helped father who battles to put out the fire in his shoe outside" Matilis said to her mother and with her small wings she hopped in the living room ,where her mother was hastily filling a wooden bucket with tap water
"HELP,MY NEW SHOES ARE ON FIRE ..NEIGHBOURS,HELP"screamed Licidar from the outside,while both mother and daughter got out of the house with the bucket and showered his feet with water,calming the flame demons..
"phew!!that was close... thanks!!"said Licidar and they all hugged eachother

[Enatai]

Gold Crest awoke to the sound of the alarm buzzing in his ear. An annoyed hoof slammed down on the 'off' button of the alarm as he grumbled and peeled the covers back to grudgingly get up, saddened that his dream, whatever it was, could not come to some sort of conclusion, as always. He struggled to remember the details even now as he headed for the shower. This was no way for a member of the royal guard to wake up! Err, not that he was a member of the royal guard just yet. It certainly wasn't for lack of trying!

Gold Crest ate a light breakfast of cereal and a muffin, reading over the newspaper. More immigrants waiting at the border, some being turned away, some protesting that they were promised a safe haven... This was the tragedy of controlled levels of population, and right there was a picture of emergency forces patrolling the gates outside a refugee camp, with everyone, police included, looking forlorn. Gold Crest gulped and remembered his years working for the emergency forces, climbing his way up the ranks, his eyes always on the prize. And here he was, sitting at home reading the paper! He felt a nagging urge come over him, before drowning it in coffee and placing the paper to the side. Yes, it was tragic, but he couldn't let that get to him. Today was the day!

He got dressed in his finest business attire, pinning to his blazer the few medals he had been awarded during his previous service in the navy. With a deep breath, he did a few morning yoga poses before brushing his teeth and hitting the road. Today was the day! He felt butterflies swarming en masse in his stomach as he pulled up to an unassuming grey building, and they only got worse as he parked and started to walk in. He nodded with just a hint of a quiver as the two guards nodded upon seeing his medals. He was so close! He couldn't give up now of all times. His father hadn't, and his grandfather hadn't, and his great-grandfather hadn't (well, his great-grandfather wasn't around for the empire, but still, he hadn't given up on being a Royal Guard! Mostly because there WAS no Royal Guard, but that was no excuse!), and neither would he!

The secretary looked at him with an expression of the most pure, concentrated boredom Gold Crest had ever seen. "So uhh... You're like, here for the interview, huh?" he secretary said slowly, filing his hooves and chewing with an open mouth on a piece of gum. The sight was both rather disgusting and a little funny. "Err, yes, I believe I have a meeting with Big Sarge? Gold Crest?" Gold Crest asked. The secretary just gave him a dull expression before sighing and rolling his eyes. He glanced over his clipboard for about half a second before going back to filing his hooves. "Yeah, probably. Go on in, I guess," the secretary finally muttered to Gold Crest. Gold Crest shot the secretary a bit of a look, which went totally ignored as he opened the door to the right of the desk.

The door opened to reveal the back of a cushy, padded chair behind a big, broad desk. Thin plumes of smoke rose from behind the chair, and the room was thick with the smell of cedar and tobacco. The chair spun around to reveal a lantern-jawed man with a thick, freshly-lit cigar. "Ahh, Gold Crest, get in here, boy! Hope that secretary of mine didn't cause you too much trouble, he's new. Good Celestia, you've grown up, boy! Anyways, come on in, have a seat!" the man said, taking another puff from his cigar. "Listen, about the Royal Guard--All that's left to do is go through the damn bureaucratic rigamarole, you know... All that paperwork bullshit. You smoke cigars?" he asked. Gold Crest shook his head. "Thank you, sir, but they're no good for the lungs, sir." Big Sarge laughed. "Bahh, life is for the living. Besides, like I said, it's all just paperwork now. Heh, what's the point of going through life if all you do is push pencils all day, am I right? But then, that's why you're here, ain't it? You're no pencil-pusher, I know that. I knew your dad when he was in the Royal Guard. Hell of a stallion, that one. Had biceps like cannonballs, and all grit! Hell, I remember he used to bench-press you once you got big enough. Wish I got recruits like that more often. These new guys, I don't know what to do with 'em now, but they got spirit in 'em I guess. Look, you're practically a shoo-in. You've got the recommendations, you've got the training. Just keep looking sharp and we'll get the papers pushed through by the end of next week. You have a family? A boyfriend?" Big Sarge asked.
"Well, no sir, not technically."
"Attached to anyone?"
"I've got friends and family, if that's what you mean, sir, but this comes first."
"Good man, because you'll be moving to the guard quarters once it's all signed and stamped. Oh, and don't go bragging. We have too many young jackasses in the guard who think they're hot shit, and they're always the first to get shot when things get ugly. This is the stuff you don't read about in the newspaper. There are some crazies out there, you mark my words. But then, that's where you come in, right?" he said. Gold Crest couldn't help but feel himself swell up with pride. This was it! He was in!
"Yes sir!" he said enthusiastically. "That's what I like to hear! Now then, you're free to go. We'll send you a phone call when it's all ready for you. In the meantime, I'd say go out and have some fun while you still can. Guard duty's got perks, but you won't be getting free time like this for a while. Go relax, get some R&R, and we'll see you back here in a little under two weeks."

All that night, Gold Crest couldn't stop smiling like a complete doofus.

[Muffinvania]

"GOOD MORNING MUFFINVANIA! You're tuned in to M101.7 The Pan with PrankFlank and the BuzzKill *HONK HONK* " the clock-radio alarm went off and SageBrush bolted up out of her bed and groaned turning the alarm off. She walked slowly bumping into her vanity table and wardrobe , "Stupid wardrobe one day you will pay for your insolence" SageBursh murmured angrily as she finally made it into the bathroom and took a quick shower. Slightly more awake and sparkling clean SageBrush made her way downstairs and pour herself a bowl of Muffinflakes: the flakes with more muffin flavour with some milk and quickly ate them her eyes glued on the clock, "Argh, stupid time why do you have to go so fast!" SageBrush ran and grabbed her bag and rushed out the door and then rushed back to lock it and then rushed away again down one of the many cobbled streets in Greater Muffington, running past neighbours and friends as quickly as she could yelling hellos and only knocking over two senior citizens this time SageBrush finally reached her work.

"Oh, only ten minutes late today Ms. SageBrush that is a new best time...", her boss Mr. BumbleBerry tapped his hoof impatiently seeing her rush inside.

"Sorry, sorry I know Mr. BumbleBerry I'll try to do better tomorrow I swear!," SageBrush gave him her best "please-don't-fire-me-I'm-cute" smiles to which the older stallion just rolled his eyes and waved her to her desk. SageBrush sat down and put on her headset and began answering phone lines.

"Thank you for calling MuffinCom: the largest and only telecommunications company in Muffinvania, my name is SageBrush all calls are recorded for quality control purposes, how can I help you today?"

So her day began answering stupid and sometimes complicated questions about the internet and problems with cellphones, the hours crawled by at dull pace with a lunch break in the middle but eventually her shift was finally over.

"...yes, Ma'am, yes...no...no, Ma'am your smartphone isn't dishwasher safe...no I wouldn't use it as a coaster, no, no...well maybe...yes, alright you're very welcome thank you for calling MuffinCom have a good evening.", SageBrush groaned taking off her headset, waved at a few of her co-workers and headed out the door. Walking home at a much more leisurely pace SageBursh did some window shopping looking at the newest styles making mental notes about what she would have to come back and try on over the weekend winding her way she reached her home and went inside seeing her room mate SugarCookie had ordered some oat pizza, "Have I ever told you how much I love you?"

"Every other day Sage...every other day", SugarCookie waved a slice grandly in the air.

SageBrush got herself two slices and then sat down next to her roomie and watched the most popular show in Muffinvania: Dancing with the Cars...it was a good night.

[Salvarity]

A Normal Day in Salvarity
Alcariazi, District 16, Salvarity

The large urban stretches of Salvarity are an amazing site. The cities span for miles and contain hundreds of thousands and even millions of people. These large areas are the areas of which the majority of the people who identify as Salvarian inhabit. These areas are what drives the Salvarian Economy and the people who inhabit this area are the majority within Salvarity. The urban areas are the industry to the agrarian areas within salvarity, the people are the workers of the union and this is their story.

“Mommy mommy” a little kid said while running into a room. The room was an average sized room for an urban area. Inside the room there was a large bed with two people sleeping in the beds. Along with the beds , the room had a few mirrors , a dresser and what looked like a bathroom that branched from the side. “Mommy , wake up.” the little kid continue to yell as he poked a large lump under the sheets of the bed. “What is it son” the women responded. “I need to go to school and you need to go to work along with you need to make breakfast for me” The kid said excitedly. “Well okay” she said to the kid. “honey , wake up now” The women said to her husband across the bed.

The woman and man slowly got out of bed and along with the child they walked into a different room. This room was smaller than the first one and it contained many different appliances. The corners each had different things. One had a microwave another a fridge and a third one contained a stove. Cupboards and a sink dotted the room and a pantry branched off the side of the room. “Well what do you want to eat today” The women asked the child. “I want ...uh... waffles, Strawberry waffles” the kid responded. “Well okay” she responded. “I’ll go take a shower” the man said.

The man walked back into the original room and went into the bathroom that branched off into the side. The bathroom was probably the smallest room in the apartment. It had a toilet and a sink and a stand up shower. It seemed very modern and the entire room was painted very lightly and with modern attitudes and efficiency in mind. The man quickly walked into the stand up shower for a few minutes then walked up and got dressed. After getting dressed he walked into the kitchen to eat his breakfast and head to work. “I have already eaten. I’ll go shower and get junior to school in a few minutes” his wife said to him. “Well okay” he responded. The woman went into the bedroom and did the very same thing that he did.

By the time she reached the end of her shower, her husband was gone and her kid had already taken a shower and was dressed and ready to go. “Let’s go mom” the kid said excitedly. “Okay let’s go” she responded. Walking out of the front door , they came into a hallway with elevators at the ends. They went into one that stopped at their floor and went to the lobby. Walking out of the building door they went into the large city known as Alcariazi. Alcariazi was a city in the mountains with a large and modern attitude with dealing with architecture. The public transport system was efficient and that was they were using to get around.

Dropping the kid at school, the woman kissed him on the cheeks and told him “be good, I’ll pick you up later” after those words he ran into the building. She went to her job in the administrative sector of Alcariazi, she worked as a city secretary and worked for about eight hours a day with lunch breakings.

---

Passage of time. Approximately twelve hours.

---

The whole family was already home from their jobs. They were eating dinner in the dining room. The dining room was a small room with a table in the center. The table was round and had four chairs. The table was granite topped and stood on metal legs. The table was layered with three plates and each had a large piece of meat-which look like chicken- and a salad of lettuce , cucumbers , tomato , carrots and turnips , accompanying the salad was a serving of mashed potatoes. This was a regular Salvarian dinner and something that was very popular within Salvarity.


“So honey, how was your daily secretariat job” the man asked.

“It was a normal day. Not different that what usually happens. I would actually say that today was a much more boring day than the normal ones we usually happens. No crazy people ranting against the socialist policies” the wife responded.

“Well that is good or bad, not really sure on that point. My job had me actually having to work harder. Some idiot in technical messed up the whole number scheme and instead of receiving 10 shipments we only got 5. It was a whole mess and trying to fix it in time for the rush was a huge problem” the husband said sadly.

“Do you guys want to hear what I did today” the little boy said.

“We sure would” both of the parents responded.

“Well today I had Physical Education for first period. We were playing Football (Soccer) and today was the championships for the entire school. Want to know something else? I was playing the championship and we won. It was amazing and everyone was very happy because I was the one who managed to stop the other team from making a final goal to tie the game. The other kids said that If it wasn’t for me that we may had lost that game. I was sooo happy” the kid took a breath and the parents chimed in.

“That is amazing. I remember when I was in school. Those were great days” the mom said.

“Wait I’m not done. After gym, I went to French, we had a quiz a few days ago and I got my results back. I totally aced it and I’m still not done. I also had a history quiz a few days prior and got that returned back also. I also aced that completely. It was such a good day for me” the kid finally finished and ate his dinner.

“That’s very good and I’m proud of you. Now finish your dinner and go to bed” The mom said while getting up and taking her dishes to the kitchen due to her finishing her dinner.

[Immoren]

Thomas Equinas was driving to work, and not in a good mood. It was summer and he was stuck in morning traffic due to people going to their summer cottages as it was midsummer's eve. He wasn't one of the fortunates to go to on vacation earlier. Sun shone bright morning light and it was exhausting despite sun not being having risen much. Suddenly cars in front of him came grinding halt. He slammed horn, opened window and shouted:
-"Oh Fuck. Why did you stop!"
He saw police officer, an earth pony with chestnut coat and dark brown mane cut short for police duties, arriving and shouting:
-"Calm down everyone! There have been a minor accident happened down the road. he took breath and continued "A troll received a sun stroke and passed out. We have to wait for towing equipment to get him/her out of the way.
-First time I have heard someone to describe something related to a troll as "minor" Thomas thought.
They waited for reinforcements to get there. Heat was getting irritating and everyone were glad when towing and moving equipment finally arrived.
-"Should've taken pegasus taxi" he muttered.
He got to work. Finally, and late. His boss was understanding, must have been midsummer's spirit. Finally a last patch of paperwork before holidays. Thomas sat down and turned the fan to max...

---

All work done and workstation was in neatish order. Thomas was walking towards his car and though that because his wife and kids were visiting her mother he had time to stop at coffee shop. He though that was a nice plan and started a car.
He arrived at café and walked out of his car and sun continued to shine at full power and birds chirped. Clock rang as he entered and he was overwhelmed by smells of drinks and bakery products. He arrived at counter, greeting cashier, and bought himself a large mug of coffee and a croissant. Thomas took place on café's terrace. Coffee and the croissant tasted delicious. He watched people going around in their business as he enjoyed his treats. People were from all possible races AND species. Many he knew like humans, ponies, dwarfs, trolls. There were also some rarer creatures like sauroids and nekos. Some creatures were completely unknown to him. Immoren had only in recent history opened itself to world, yet it was already teeming with creatures of all kinds. Not that it bothered him. They brought trade revenue and new cultures had always interested him. He watched as Mage's guild let out its daily doses of magical energy and saw as servicecreatures of Guards' Jaeger Regiment practicing on nearby block. He finished coffee and left for home.

---

He arrived slightly before Ma and kids, and heard her car to park. They came through inside, kids first followed by his wife.
-"Daddy!" kids shouted.
-"Hi Kids." he said and took them to tight bearhug.
-"Hi honey." His wife said.
He embraced her and kissed.
-Yuck! was heard from mouths of both kids.
He let her go and asked.
-"Are we ready to go to holiday"
Both kids nodded enthusiastically.
-"Then let's back the car and go".
Both parents were glad that most packing was done during previous day, so packing the car mostly involved throwing bag inside it.
Car was ready and everyone was inside and Tom started the car. They rolled amids the holiday goers and took first miles towards summer cottage of Her Mother.

[Minroz]

Zhongyang, Zhongjian Imperial Region, Minrozian World Empire

It’s an average day in Minroz, the largest nation and a leading superpower in Iclamia. In Zhongyang, the glorious Holy capital city of the Minrozian Empire, renown for its sprawling, wealthy megalopolis and centre of the Imperial government, as well as an oldest city since ancient times. This city survived many wars, from revolutions to World Wars; to many Minrozians, Zhongyang is the symbol of the Motherland’s fortitude and justice. Thus continues to endure the passages of times, no matter whether Zhongyang is burnt to ground, it will rise up to its former glories like a mythical phoenix.

It is sunny, bright cheerful morning, at one of Zhongyang’s towering apartments, on 20th floor, room 8, occupied by the man in his early twenties who is sleeping in his cosy bed. He is Aurin Eskankar, an Imperial army officer with the rank of Major, a tall, handsome and tanned individual. Ethnicity-speaking, he is of Malayan (Indonesian) and Marmarrian (Mongolic) descent. Typically for an ordinary Minrozian, he is a very religious man and dutiful to his country and his Emperor. However, Aurin was troubled by his dark past in his time in the military that causes him to be remorseful and cynical young man yet he strives for goodness and peace in the line of duty and everyday life.

Awakened by the alarm clock at 7 o’clock A.M., Aurin grumbles in his sleep about ‘Stupid alarm can’t get enough sleep’, after turning off his clock, he groggily gets off his bed and yawns. He stretches for a moment and went for a shower. After that and drying himself with a towel, Aurin wears plain white shirt, spectacles and blue jeans. For his breakfast, he eats rice porridge with honey and bananas.

“Hmm, another day of my break,” Aurin thought to himself, pondering on his off-duty schedule from the military “At least I don’t have to worry about insurgent ambushes or do human-wave attacks,”

He’s part of the new generation of Imperial officers, like many of his colleagues, naïve, proud and promising, only to be disenchanted after participating in real combat. His first assignments, Aurin was sent to Heljmenistan and Khaydaristan, countries known for chaotic warzones, purely for counter-insurgency operations. He had been traumatized as of result but hardened his combat experience.

However, his real issue stems from his most recent assignment. Two weeks ago, he had got back from the annexation campaign of Zaida, a monarchy nation known for its proud traditions of slavery. Most of his missions are involved in execution of Zaida civilians in response to successful counter-attacks by local forces on orders by his superior, General Borya Khurenpo who is known for his ruthless yet effective tactics. Aurin regret heavily for his actions in Zaida, feeling ashamed and disgraced for himself. One of his victims he remembered the most is the innocent little girl who has happy family and he had personally shot her with his revolver, along with her family and friends by Aurin’s troops at the execution spot. All it’s for the sake to carry out cruel but effective orders by his superior.

“Oh god, I never slept peacefully ever since that day,” the Army major thought bitterly, remembering his nightmares about it. He then read his apartment clock saying it’s time for his morning prayers; nodding in acknowledgments as he finished his dishes before heading for his living room. Aurin started prostrating in front of the portrait that said ‘God, Our Heavenly Master’ in Chinese. He did so for dozen times.

“Oh Our Immortal Maker, please forgive my sins for the wrongs I’ve committed, I did so in the name of my country, in the name of my Earthly master the Emperor and most of all, for you, O Supreme Master of the Universe and beyond,” he whispers in prayer, trying to choke back his tears in process.

Once finishing his prayers, Aurin decided to leave for his favourite café ‘The Blossom House’. On his way, he was pondering about what if he hasn’t carried out the executions in Zaida, but if Aurin didn’t …he will be executed for insubordination. He’s not sure if he made a right choice about it, but all he knew he’ll get second chances to redeem himself in the future.

The Major wondered if it’s like that, but he will live on to find out for himself.

[Lunar Republic Isands]

Moon Village, Lunar Republic Islands

Moon Village, the capital of the Lunar Republic Islands, which sits on the Main Island of the Country, is home to millions of ponies and people. It's a nice recreational city, with a beautiful Downtown. From the Castle, to the Town's Centre, to The Lunar Casino, the Tennis Stadium and Luna Stadium (the soccer field). There are two parts of Moon Village, the North and South. It is connected by railway and a tunnel, named the Moon Tunnel. This pedestrian tunnel goes under Luna Stadium, which will connect towards the Pony Schoolhouse, then onto Alex Gray Field, where the citizen we meet today, plays at. Also is the two High Schools, one being for humans, and one for ponies. Next to Alex Gray Field is the Moon Village Arena, where hockey and basketball is played. Then down the road is the beautiful Lunar Republic Islands University Campus. Beyond that takes you to the neighboring city of Fillinnati (A reference to the city Cincinnati).

It was 7am, Sport woke up to the radio of today's hits. He got up out bed in his 2-story house and took a shower. Sport is the greatest pony athlete of all of the LRI. He plays baseball mainly, but also likes to play football, basketball, and even run. His brother Striker, a young colt, is developing into an athlete just like Sport. He goes to school at the Moon Village Schoolhouse. As for Sport, he had outstanding grades when he was in school and is the best baseball player in the LRI.

He went downstairs, "Morning." He said to his wife Twinkle Bloom. "Good morning Sport." She said in a sweet tone. "Sleep well?" He asked. "Of course, you?" She asked back. "Yep, I got a big game tonight against the Fillinnati Reds." He said while picking up and issue of the Moon Village Chronicle.

Suddenly, their daughter Crystal Rose came down, so did Sport's younger brother Striker. "Hi Big Bro!" Striker said. "Hi mommy! Hi Daddy!" Crystal squeaked and hugged them. "Good morning kids." Twinkle motherly said. She then flew to the kitchen and prepared them breakfast. She came out a few minutes later with pancakes for the family. "Hope you like it, it's my recipe." She smiled. They all chowed down to breakfast and enjoyed it. "That was delicious sweetie." Sport smiled. Twinkle smiled and kissed his cheek as Striker and Crystal ran upstairs giggling and got ready for school.

"Ok kids ready?" Sport asked. "Yep!" They said. "See you at the game sweetie." Twinkle gave him a kiss and flew to her job. Sport walked them through downtown, passing the Moon Café, the Celestia Tower, Luna Tower, Cadence Tower and the beautiful Soccer Stadium. They went trough the Moon Tunnel, then walked to the Schoolhouse, which sat by the Lake, it was a beautiful scenery for a school. "Alrighty guys, have a wonderful day and see you guys tonight." Sport gave them a hug. "By daddy!" Crystal said. "See ya Bro!" Striker said as they walked off to school.

Sport walked off to the baseball field and did his morning jog, then got ready for his game.

[Alduinium]

Whiterun, Alduinium
Eastern District
5E 414

Out of the entirety of the massive city of Whiterun, the one thing that sets it apart from the other cities in Alduinium was none other than the coffee shops. Truth be told, the only thing everyone in the city, be it the proud nords, the sneaky Kajhit, the small yet strong Malkey, and even the Dovah themselves had in common was the love of coffee, even to the point where mead, the de-facto drink throughout Alduinium, was removed from its pedestal by the so called 'Black Gold of Whiterun'. Mead was still popular, however, otherwise, Aylla Asgarnesen wouldn't be inside a Mead and Coffee bar. It was a fairly cheap bar, with only a dozen or so patrons, all of them talking about current events and what not. In the background, Aylla could hear an old yet popular song, The Bartender was a Geinzahkey, and used his magic to pass mead and coffee to the patrons.

Truth be told, if it weren't for the coffee, it wouldn't look like she would belong at the bar at all. Despite her last name, she looked nothing like a nord. She was a tall, lanky girl, with red hair and dark skin. She wore a winter coat, pants, and some boots, all designed for the rugged Alduinic weather. She looked as if she was in her late teens or early twenties, She sat down next to the bartender, who approached her.

"So, what brings you here girl?" the bartender asked, cleaning a shot glass with his magic as he spoke.

"Nothing, I'm just here for some coffee." Aylla responded in a rather dull tone.

"Anything in particular you'd like?"

"Could you make me an Irish coffee?"

"Ah, I see you want to fulfill your caffeine and alcohol dose today," he said, as he began to prepare her drink. "By the way, we're outta brown sugar, mind if I use normal sugar."

"I'm not picky, go ahead."

"That'll be fifteen septims, please."

Aylla gave him the money, fifteen of the golden coins which had changed little since the third era. Even to this day, they still had the face of old Tiber Septim on one side, and the Imperial Legion's banner on the other, even though most only knew of the two in ancient stories told by the Dov and historians.

"Here's your coffee ma'am, enjoy" he said, going back to cleaning his giving her a mug, and then going back to cleaning any glasses that needed to be cleaned. Aylla drank her coffee, all while observing the bartender. She was subtle about it, after all, she didn't want him to find out what she wanted to do with him, at least not before it happened, anyways.

"Hey lass, why in Akatosh's name would you order Irish Coffee?" One of the patrons, a Nord in his late thirties, asked Aylla rather inquisitively.

"Why not?" Aylla responded, turning around to look at the man.

"It's a waste of three good things, cream, coffee, and whisky"

"What you call waste I call taste," She said, wondering to herself how she managed to rhyme on a dime ('my head's doing it as well, oh hell').

"Suit yourself lass," He said, before going back to talk to the rest of the patrons about how kids had no taste these days and whatnot.

She went back to observing the bartender, taking at least a good minute or two before doing anything.

"So, have you heard about that rebellion a while back?" She asked the bartender

"Yeah... what about it?" He said, clearly troubled by something.

"I was out of town when it happened, mind explaining what went on that day?"

"A few rouge mages," He began to tear up,"tried to kill the Emperor, they were ripped apart by his voice, their souls removed from what remained... Damn bastard, why did you have to join them?" He said, becoming a sobbing wreck.

"Morning Spirit, what's wrong friend?" The nord who had talked to Aylla earlier now walked towards the bartender.

"My brother, he was one of the mages there, he tried to kill that damned dragon, damned beast."

Suddenly, everyone in the bar turned silent and looked at the bartender, as if he had committed a grave sin against all living things on earth. After what seemed like an hour of silence, the nord eventually opened his mouth.

"Spirit, don't talk like that, you know what happens, the Ministry might be listening i-"

To Oblivion with the Ministry, their bastard emperor has already taken my brother, they can try and take me as well!" He said, using his magic to pull out a Makarov PM, a fairly common pistol throughout Alduinium

"Sir, I think you need to calm down-" "Don't tell me what to do, I know it, you're an Ministry bastard sent to kill me, I'll murder you, damned bitch!" He aimed his gun at Aylla. Three shots rang out, all of them hitting their mark. a few seconds later, Morning Spirit's body fell to the floor, three bullet holes imbedded into it.

"By the Nine, Spirit!" The nord said, running to his friend. Everyone knew it was no use, two shots hit his brain, the last his heart. He was dead before he even hit the ground. Aylla, completely unscathed, merely looked at the scene before her unfold, acting as if she had just swatted a particularly annoying fly.

"Why?, He didn't deserve to die like this." he said, now sobbing. Aylla, meanwhile, walked away, leaving the scene. No one dared to say a word as she left, fearing what might happen to them if they so much as bothered her.

[The Lunar Domain]

Midnight Court Federal District, The Lunar Domain

To Rye Oats, the capital of his nation seemed to be an entirely different world. For almost all of his life, he had lived on his family's homestead in the Commonwealth of Fillydelphia, and had only left once before. That time had been for an Apple Family reunion in the Municipality of Ponyville, although those attending numbered in the thousands, so it was more of a convention than anything else.

The reason he had left once again this time, however, was because of bad luck. Things had started simply enough: nine months ago, it was planting season, and his wife, Lily Petal, fourteen year old son, Mint Chive, and Oats himself were hard at work. But come two months later, Oats started to notice something was off about his crops' growth. They seemed weak, and were brittle to the touch.

He soon found out that his crops had been infected with a rare disease that affected crops, usually caused by accidental exposure to a certain type of magic. The Ministry of Public Welfare sent a representative out to assist with attempting to recover what was lost in terms of food and monetary gain, but the assistance he had received was nothing.

In fact, he knew since three weeks prior that him and his family would not be able to pay their taxes owed to the national government without starving. So he had, at his wife's persistence, swallowed his pride and sent in a request to The Office of The Princess of The Lunar Domain for tax decrement.

Two weeks after that, he received a call from an employee in the Midnight Palace, who was curious if the farmer would want to talk with Princess Luna herself over the case. Even though it came as a surprise, for it was usually citizens requesting audience with the Princess, he agreed to a time in the early morning of March 15, 3020.

So now he was here, in the busy capital of Midnight Court Federal District. He had heard once that while the District didn't have a population greater than ten thousand, it seemed that the work of millions was being done. It certainly seemed that way to Oats, various government employees bustled around the streets, dashing from building to building, or quickly grabbing a bite to eat from a restaurant. The lanes of the road were crammed with various vehicles: trucks whose design descended from the Warthogs of the twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh centuries, and there were Jackson & 'Marak SUVs, which often times could be only afforded by half a year's typical salary.

As he slowly made his way to the Midnight Palace that rested in the northern end of the District, he glanced over at the Ministry Square, an area of the district where all of the Ministries were headquartered. The buildings looked modern, but little did Oats know that while the exterior of the building had changed with time, the interiors of the buildings had remained untouched since the days of Equestria.

He noticed the Parliament building, which although it was blocks away from his route, it loomed over the District. Currently, the five hundred souls who created laws for the country were debating over a Resolution.

By the time Rye Oats got to the Midnight Palace, he was forty-five minutes early, although this was planned: the employee he spoke with suggested arriving very early because of all the security checkpoints. He already could see the amount of protection the Palace bore: out in the main entrance a squad of ten Lunar Guards was keeping watch. They had a heavy machine gun set up, operated by a Sangheili, while the rest of the squad bore the standard issue assault rifles for the military.

The commanding officer of the squad immediately approached Oats, as per standard procedure. The rest subtly prepared for a firefight, switching off safeties; it most likely would not happen, but more than once some got the idea the best way to broadcast their message was to kill those who led a nation.

"Good morning." The commanding officer, while he was an imposing Jiralhanae, tried to sound as friendly as possible. "I'm Sergeant Vibius. What brings you out here today?"

Oats tried to remain calm; while he knew that they were just doing their job, their weaponry certainly imposed. "I... I'm here to see Princess Luna for an appointment."

Sergeant Vibius nodded, and continued. "What's your name?"

"Rye Oats." He said it like it was a mantra. "I'm from Fillydelphia." The sergeant once again nodded, and turned to look at one of the guards. The guard in turn got on her radio to confirm that a Rye Oats from Fillydelphia was supposed to be meeting with Luna, and that they were a brown Earth Pony stallion. A moment after, the guard gave a gesture of confirmation, and Vibius looked at Oats once more.

"Alright Mr. Oats, welcome to the Midnight Palace." The Jiralhanae stepped aside and gestured for Oats to go in. Oats quickly shuffled off, scared that he would be accidentally shot.

The guards in turn gave a sigh of relief when he went out of view: the moment Oats had stuttered they knew he wasn't a threat. It was usually the ones who sounded too calm that were.

---

The ticking of the clock in the room almost annoyed Oats. He had gotten through all of the security after about half an hour, and had finally arrived in the waiting room. He was nearly alone: a mare he thought to be a secretary was furiously working on papers at her desk, and a single imposing Lunar Guard stood motionless, his expression seeming to not change in the slightest.

He looked at the stained glass windows on opposite walls, and saw they depicted historical events of the nation's predecessor. The Elements of Harmony overcoming Nightmare Moon was displayed on one wall, while Discord's defeat by their hand was displayed on the other. Although Oats was not aware of this, the waiting room and the office that the Princess was currently in were both a single room. In that room, Princess Celestia once held court before the Civil War, and it was there, at the War's end, that she was hit by a bullet on her horn, but it was intended for her head.

On the walls that were a part of both the waiting room and the Princess's office, there hung a picture of Luna with General Jackie Susan Apple at her first inauguration.

"Mr. Oats?" The earth pony nearly jumped as the voice pierced the silence. He looked to see that it was the statue-still guard. "Come in."

The guard opened the door, and Oats got up from his haunches and entered.

The office he entered seemed relatively modest: while there lay a fireplace on one end, the desk in the center was wooden, and bore framed pictures that Oats couldn't see. Bookshelves and filing cabinets lie on the wall opposite the door. He noticed the alicorn finally, and was mildly surprised.

Whenever he had seen the Princess on television, she seemed ethreal, otherworldly, like the Prime Minister. Yet now, he stood before her, and she seemed just like another mare, albeit an exceptionally beautiful one. Not that he would ever trade Lily for anyone else.

"Mr. Oats," Luna greeted. "Please, have a seat."

Oats noticed the chair in front of the desk, and did as he was told. As Luna sat down on her side of the desk, he saw that her horn was slightly glowing. Luna had long ago learned how to control the stellar bodies without much effort or thought, in fact she could do so in her sleep by now.

"So, Mr. Oats," she started. "How was your trip out here? I hope it wasn't too costly."

He was surprised by the question, as it seemed more casual than anything else. "I rode the Transtate," he replied.

"Alright then." She smiled, and didn't break her eyes off of Oats for a second. "What do you think of the District?"

"I don't know, I haven't been here that long. The train arrived at 3:00 AM." He realized that could have been interpreted as snide, and he quickly added on. "I think it's unique."

Luna nodded, and at last broke eye contact, turning her eyes to a small stack of papers lying on her desk. "Well, Mr. Oats, let's get down to business shall we?"

For a moment, Oats thought it was a rhetorical question, but as she stared at him silently for seconds on end he realized she was honestly asking the question. "Yes," he answered.

Luna smiled and levitated out a sheet of paper. "So, Rye Oats, you have lived at 1539 Peckerberry Way for how long?"

"My entire life." Oats was becoming slightly nervous. Hopefully he wouldn't screw things up. "My family's owned that land for ages."

"And a Ms. Lily Petal, your wife, resides there along with your son Mint Chive?" He nodded. "Any others living on your property?"

"My aunt Bale, she's getting old and our family doesn't exactly believe in retirement homes."

"Indeed." Luna scrutinized something on the page. "I see that your average annual income exceeds the poverty line, and quite noticeably too." She looked Oats in the eyes once more. "Any reason you don't have money saved from that?"

The question threw Oats off guard, for a moment, he feared that he was going to be booted out. "Most of our money's spent on keeping the farm running: repairing buildings, getting materials for crops, repairing tools. Any other money we have is spent on our family for clothes, or sometimes other things."

"Other things?"

Oats sighed. "I got toys for Mint when he was little, and I still get some things for him once in a while. I do give my family gifts sometimes." He expected the inevitable now.

"Alright." Luna moved on through the page. "Have you or your family ever had problems before with your crops?"

"Not that I recall."

"Do you receive assistance from the Ministry of the Environment?"

Oats wondered silently if she was trying to guilt trip him. "Just for weather."

Luna once again nodded. "Have you, or your family, ever failed to pay annual federal tax?"

"I don't think so..." He trailed off as he realized the way that sounded. Luna looked at him, and for a moment said nothing.

"Mendicant." For a moment, he didn't know what she was talking about. Then, as if to show off, what appeared to be a large, metallic, glowing eye came out of the fireplace. Oats became afraid, as he was shocked that he was no longer alone in what should have been a private conversation.

"Yes?" The glowing part of the eye seemed to dim as it said that.

"Has Rye Oats, or any of his relatives, ever failed to pay annual federal tax?" He realized that this was an AI, but was confused at the appearance of it. He thought AIs only used holograms for appearances, not whatever chassis this one bore. For a second, the eye grew bright in its center, like a pupil, and it appeared to be facing Oats. Just as quickly it disappeared.

"Well, technically, a relative of his has failed to do so. But it's his great-great-great grandfather from 2654." The AI spoke almost in a humorous tone, and Oats took slight offense.

Luna, in a surprising gesture, frowned and rolled her eyes. "Thanks Mendicant. I'm sure James has some need of you."

The AI seemed to laugh as it disappeared once more into the fireplace. Luna for a moment lowered the papers and sighed. "I apologize for Mendicant's behavior. He has a tendency to be a little odd."

"It's fine." Oats wasn't sure whether to thank the AI or not, because it did seem to have diverted scrutiny to itself.

Luna once again looked at the papers, and shuffled through them. "What was the Ministry of Public Welfare's response to your crop's disease?"

"Their response?" He was surprised she didn't know. "They told me the crop was infected by a rare disease. They gave me maybe 5,000 credits in compensation."

Luna took a breath. "Well, Mr. Oats, I apologize for your situation. Given the circumstances, I do not believe a tax decrement is the appropriate course of action." Oats' heart sank as she said that. "I believe that the best course of action is a tax exemption."

For a moment, Rye Oats couldn't believe what the alicorn had said. Nevertheless, it settled in. "Thank you. Thank you so much. I'll make sure we get our payment in next year."

"It's quite alright, Mr. Oats. It's my job to help people like you." As Oats left to tell his family of the news, Luna looked at one of the framed pictures on her desk.

"Why? Why would you ever do what you did?"

The picture she looked at seemed to have been taken a lifetime ago, during a time where Luna thought her sister was a benevolent ruler.

"Why Celestia?"

[The Lunar Domain]

AFB Mac's Yoke, Northern Territories, The Lunar Domain, Universe 02

3:45 A.M. - April 15, 3028

Sunlit Ward had been through a month that no person should ever have to go through. It had started back in late March in Maxtopia, when he was living his normal life. He had the sickening generic happy life: he had a loving wife, an eight year-old filly, and a young 6-month old colt. Then, the government passed several anti-pony laws. The day it became public knowledge, Sunlit Ward and his family fled the country, hoping to find some solace in the neighboring Medwedian Democratic Federation.

That was, to say the very least, a mistake. One that had cost his family's lives. The image was still clear in his in his mind as he watched his family getting arrested. He himself was set to be paraded along with his family when a strange man came in, and claimed he had been sent by the President of the Medwedian Democratic Federation to free Sunlit Ward.

That was quite obviously a lie in itself, for one, the Medwedian nation was composed of humanoid bears majorly. Second of all, this man didn't look normal: he had deathly pale skin and intense green eyes. He also spoke in such a way that it sounded like he barely grasped the language he communicated in. Lastly, the guard had protested before the man repeated himself again, this time speaking with menace.

The man had told him to run as soon as he had left the prison, and not to look back. He did so, barely realizing the reality of what was happening. It was only when he snuck a newspaper from a local stand that he saw the terrible fate that had befallen his family. On the front cover of the newspaper lie a picture of his daughter, although she had been ripped apart. He had vomited the second he saw it, and had turned himself in once again, desiring to join his family in their death.

But fate had decided against this, for the combined armed forces invading the Medwedian nation had convinced it to give up the ponies whom they were killing, trying to get rid of any reason for invasion. He had been brought out from a prison to a large wooden float that had a rocket attached to it. There he had been set out to sea, amongst hundreds of other refugees.

After they had exited the Three-Mile Zone, he expected a slow death. He didn't think anyone would pick them up. So it came as a complete surprise when something gargantuan, larger than anything he had ever seen in his life, descended from the sky. It appeared to be a metallic vessel, one that was bustling with turrets and engines larger than he had known could exist.

Many of the ponies became immediately terrified, fearing that an ally of the Medwedian nation was here to end their existence. Sunlit Ward himself had closed his eyes, hoping for his death to be swift.

The next thing he knew someone's voice was being blared through a loudspeaker, and it bore an unfamiliar accent. "This is Lieutenant Grigsby, of The New Lunar Republic Marine Corps!" The voice made Ward curious enough to open his eyes once more, and a large platform was in front of the floater now. "We are here to provide you evacuation, along with food, shelter, and medical treatment as required. If you so choose, you will be brought to a country of your choice that is part of the invading Coalition. However, the Prime Minister of The Lunar Domain, Phalanx Spear extends a welcome to all of you, and invites you to come to The Lunar Domain. If you choose to do so, you are going to be brought to AFB Mac's Yoke, whereupon you will be processed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Any questions should be directed to any naval officers on board the ship. Now, if you would please form a neat and orderly procession, we will bring you on board."

However, that was the past, and right now Sunlit Ward stepping off of the ship into a vast military installation. However, currently it felt like anything but one. More than five hundred civil officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were currently knee-deep in paperwork over the first influx of immigrants in the Domain's history.

He was currently in a line, and he was drawing closer to a particularly young-looking earth pony stallion dressed up in a suit, who appeared to be greeting the refugees. Nearby him were men who appeared to be soldiers, who were looking around at the line. As he came within earshot, which was being the next in line, he heard a very kind and polite "Welcome to The Lunar Domain."

The pony in front of him stepped forward, and the second Sunlit Ward was near the stallion, he was greeted. "Hello, I'm Phalanx Spear." The stallion introduced himself, and Ward realized the name was familiar. "I'm the Prime Minister of The Lunar Domain."

Sunlit Ward was not, however, in much of a mood for being easily assuaged by talk. "Big fuckin' deal," he replied.

Phalanx Spear, however, instead of being utterly offended, instead gave a slight frown. "What's your name?" he asked.

"Why do you care?" Sunlit Ward didn't care right now if he was talking to a God himself right about now, although the one who held that power may have simply not cared. "I'm just another refugee."

"Not a single refugee has said to me 'Big fuckin' deal'." Phalanx Spear resisted the urge to smile, knowing the risk of only angering the unicorn further. "I'm just curious to know what your name was, that's all."

"It's Sunlit Ward," he grumbled. He started to walk forward, but that did not stop Phalanx Spear from making one last statement to the pony.

"Well I hope you find some solace here, Mr. Ward."

Sunlit Ward walked away, unsure of what to make of the Prime Minister.

[The Lunar Domain]

So I hit a wall of sorts and decided since my old stuff seems... Well other than being old, I kind of realized both how I evolved the story, and how it failed in some areas.

The Twilight Sparkle that seems simply evil for no reason doesn’t really match with the one we see later on, who has been pushed to the edge because of the past.

Characters are, on occasion, mentioned few times even though they play a truly major part in the story, such as Doctor ‘Farak and Charmed Tinkerer.

The exact relation between Applejack, or rather, Jackie Susan Apple is wildly different than how it is depicted later on; the same case occurs with Luna.

Most importantly, though, I feel as if my original intention for a detective story missed the mark a bit. Everyone knows, and probably still will know who Twilight truly is after, and this in my mind cut away from some of that mystery to detective fiction.

Basically, I’m rambling about how I’m rewriting old stuff.

Anyways, while writing the first section of this new version of an old post, I decided to listen to the instrumental version of A World of Blue combined with Rainy Mood to get the whole film noir feel going.

It was fun, to say the least. I’d recommend the experience, or with whatever film noir music of your picking.

Or I could just shut up. Any choice really works.

“Sæpe intereunt aliis meditantes necem.”

-Phaedrus

---

Donut Joe’s Pastry Parlor, The Midnight Court Federal District, The Lunar Domain, Universe 01

10:22 P.M. - April 15, 3028

In the less traveled roads of The Midnight Court Federal District, the small capital city of The Lunar Domain, a small, signless restaurant hid itself from most eyes. Few knew of the establishment, but all who went there could agree on one thing: it made some of the best food in the nation. Even the notorious pastries of Sugarcube Corner seemed mediocre in comparison to some of the delights of the small shop that was called “Donut Joe’s Pastry Parlor.”

It was in the dark and late night that a lone man clad in a business suit sat at a window side table of the small business, peering out into the downpour of rain in search for the man he was expecting. Agent Jonathan Hirkow’s slender fingers tapped ever more impatiently: his partner supposed to be there half an hour prior, and having to routinely bid the lone waiter off every ten minutes was getting on his nerves.

The fact that he was one of the two customers there, the other a lone unicorn on the other side of the restaurant with a strange shade of blue for a coat, didn’t exactly feel too welcoming to him either.

Hirkow glanced at his wristwatch; it was 10:23 P.M., and not so much as a peep from his partner had been made. Huffing in frustration, he grabbed the datapad from his pants pocket and quickly started writing a message asking where the hell he was.

He had just finished typing the message up, and was seconds away from sending it off when a tinkling sound of a bell emanated from near the entrance. Looking up to see who had come in, Hirkow hastily put his datapad away upon seeing who it was.

“Took your damn time,” Hirkow spoke up. The wood-brown earth pony, sopping wet from the rain outside, ran his eyes over the inside of the restaurant in search for the voice’s owner. A smile cracked upon their face when they caught sight of Hirkow. “What the hell took so long?”

“Sorry.” Walking over to the booth, the earth pony took their seat across from Hirkow. Their wet light brown mane clung to their head, though he didn’t seem to concerned. “Considering tomorrow, I didn’t feel like getting a suit wet, and since I don’t have a car of my own, I couldn’t just walk here with it on.”

Hirkow gave an exasperated sigh, but his grin betrayed his true opinion. “I suppose you have a point there, Poniard.” He glanced out the window into the dark night. “God, this area looks a hell of a lot like Coltshire. Right down to the streetlights being so scarce you wonder why they build them at all.”

It might have been a subtle comment to everyone else, but Agent Poniard thought Hirkow might as well have leapt up on the table and shouted at him... Though that probably wouldn’t have the same effect in terms of other people’s reactions.

“That was a messed up case.” The experience from two years prior still was vivid in the earth pony’s mind; it was, after all, the first case he worked in the Violent Crimes unit, and the first case he worked with Jonathan Hirkow. “Slashing peoples’...” Poniard couldn’t even bring himself to verbalize what had occurred. Suffice to say, it was quickly reinforced why the unit had the word “violent” in it. “I’m just glad we got the commissioner when we did.”

“Indeed.” Hirkow’s hazel eyes made contact with Poniard’s, which were a shade of an almost turquoise color. “You talk to Plains about your transfer yet?”

Poniard had the response Hirkow anticipated: the slight widening of the eyes, his ears falling close to his face... Poniard’s body sometimes spoke louder than he could. “No...” he muttered. “I’ve been busy - I forgot.”

“Oh come on Poniard,” Hirkow huffed. “Other people might fall for that act, you and I both know I don’t. What’s going on?”

Poniard began to formulate a falsified response before realizing that any lie right now would be useless. His body sunk into the booth, and the stallion sighed, “I just don’t want to bother her.”

Now Hirkow was the one sighing, albeit this was in frustration. This wasn’t the first time Poniard had this mindset when Hirkow had been his partner. “Look, Poniard, if anything I’m sure she’d be happy to hear you’ve gotten onto the Task Force. I literally do not know of anyone else from Violent Crimes who has done that, and I’m pretty damn sure she doesn’t know either.”

“She’s not an employee of the Agency, how is she supposed to know?”

Before Hirkow could further explore the depths of just how frustrated he could get with his partner, the waiter that had been routinely nagging the man came over once more, their hoofsteps clacking on the smoothly tiled floor.

“Pardon me,” they butted in. Their tone didn’t indicate it, but it was obvious to Hirkow that they were just as frustrated with him as he was them, which he could understand. He’d been sitting there for half an hour after all doing nothing, unlike the unicorn who had been practically breathing in hot chocolate since Hirkow came in. “Can I take your orders?”

Figuring that if they were going to play that game he’d do the same, Hirkow donned a wide grin. “Of course.” Poniard coughed, trying to suppress his amusement at his partner’s thinly veiled sarcasm. “I’d like a chocolate-glazed donut with sprinkles. Regular size, please.”

The waiter took a notepad out in one wing, and a pencil in the other, and scribbled down the request. His eyes turned towards Poniard, who’d regained his composure. “What he’s having.”

Nodding, the pegasus once more scribbled down the order. “So two regular-sized chocolate-glazed donuts with sprinkles?” he confirmed. The slightest bit of snarkiness dripped from their voice. Both the Agents nodded, and he put his notepad aside once more. “They’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

As the pegasus turned to head back to the kitchen, Hirkow quickly continued his line of thought before Poniard could change the subject. “I’m pretty sure, Poniard, most people can figure out that getting on a Task Force that’s dedicated to hunting down the most wanted person in the country is a pretty nice thing on a resume.”

“I get what you’re saying, okay John?” Poniard sighed. His hoof quietly tapped on the table absentmindedly. “I’ll call her tomorrow morning before I go in.”

Hirkow gave a smile of satisfaction over the small victory. “You better,” Hirkow deadpanned. He leaned over the table, his head mere centimeters away from Poniard’s. “Because if you don’t, Twilight Sparkle is going to be the least of your problems.”

“I’ll make sure to keep that in mind,” Poniard snorted. As Hirkow sat back into his seat, Poniard frowned, remembering something about the Task Force he was joining the next morning. “John, you ever heard of an Albert MacKenna?”

The name faintly rang some bells, and Hirkow took a moment to drudge through his memories. “Isn’t he the guy that screwed up that raid a couple years back?” he asked. “Why are you asking?”

“Yeah, he is the guy...” Poniard’s concern only deepened, and his hoof went still. “I’m asking because he’s the Special Agent in Charge of the Task Force.”

Hirkow burst out into laughter. “That’s a good one, Poniard,” he chortled. “Albert MacKenna being in charge of...” He drifted off as he realized that Poniard only had his eyebrow raised, and hadn’t the slightest hint of a smile. “You’re serious?”

“Uh huh.” Poniard’s frown only deepened, and his eyes narrowed as they turned towards the window. “I found that out today... There’s something off - I’m not quite sure what though.”

Hirkow gained a similar demeanor as his partner, for the fact that a guy who had screwed up that big was now in charge of one of the Agency’s most important units was suspicious to say the least. “You’re sure of this?”

“It was in the memo on coming in tomorrow.” Poniard tried to get out his datapad to show Hirkow the message, only to realize he had left it in his suit back at the apartment. Dammit. “I was told to report to S.A.C. Albert MacKenna tomorrow morning to be briefed on the Task Force.”

If Poniard had been frowning, then he most certainly was giving a wide smile in comparison to Hirkow at that point. The man looked even more perturbed than the time when they had gotten the case after the Coltshire one.

“Keep an eye out.” Hirkow’s tone was cool and low, and Poniard knew he was trying to exactly understand what was happening. “That’s all I can say. You’re right that there’s something off. Worst comes to worst you can always file a report to the Ministry’s Board of Inquiry. We both know they’ll come knocking.”

“Don’t remind me,” Poniard grunted. The simultaneously frightening and frustrating memory of the Board of Inquiry showing up to talk with the two partners, since they hadn’t so much as filed a single report about their change of suspects in the Coltshire case until afterwards, had forever changed Poniard and Hirkow.

A moment of awkward silence reigned after that, the two silently awaiting the other to speak up. Finally, Poniard cut through the thick air. “How’s the new partner?”

“He’s alright,” Hirkow replied. A knowing grin spread across Hirkow’s tan, thin face, and soon infected Poniard as well. “A bit naive, but hey, you and I were as well at some point. The guy’s got a talent for picking up on the little things, that’s for sure.”

The waiter finally came back to the table, holding with them two plates, each one topped by what looked like exceptionally well-done pastries. After thanking the waiter, Hirkow smiled at his partner and waved his finger at him. “Now, it’s time for you to learn why I had us come here instead of a Sugarcube Corner.”

Poniard shook his head, smiling because he knew that despite the fact that two years had passed, in some ways, Hirkow was still the new guy he had as a partner back then.

---

The Third Territory, The Lunar Domain, Universe 01

8:13 A.M. - April 16, 3028

In the vast wide expanses of plains that composed the majority of The Lunar Domain's Third Territory, there stood a lonely ranch home. Few lived near it: in fact, the house was in such a place that the next structure within eyesight could only be seen if one squinted hard, and realized that the small hump in the distance was in fact the edge of a small barn.

It seemed the home was for an equally lonely and even more mysterious occupant. Those who came close enough occasionally caught sight of a hooded figure, lying still on the ground of the home's fenced yard with their horn turned skyward, as if trying to comprehend the mysteries beyond it. From the general shape that most could tell, it was a pony of some sort. The people who lived nearby spread conflicting rumors: some thought that it was a reclusive changeling trying to get away from it all, while others argued that the occupant was the child of a wealthy family, disowned for some unknown slight.

The latter seemed to many a bit more logical: never was the person inside seen beyond that yard. Perhaps the reason no one ever saw them getting groceries was because they were rich enough to get them delivered to them. Maybe they constantly wore that hood so that no one could recognize them.

However, none of the theories could be further from the truth, for if any knew the occupant of the lone ranch house, they would have long left. This was the abode of the last Bearer still standing, and the only other alicorn still in existence. This was the home of Twilight Sparkle.

In the dimmed light that made it through the curtains of the home's living room, the alicorn now laid gazing at what had once been not only some of the most powerful objects ever to exist, but a symbol of the friends she'd once thought she had. They were utterly useless, though, for the Bearers of all the Elements of Harmony barring that of Magic had long passed, and even if they were alive, the split that had formed would likely forever bar their use.

A small part of her had always wondered on that fateful day centuries prior, the day when she refused to turn against everything she had always stood for, and help a villain she'd thought reformed in their lust for power. She wondered if maybe, just maybe, had she agreed to use the Elements, her mentor, her idol, might still draw breath.

Alas, that part of her was always consumed by the side that seldom had been seen in those days. Rage, anger, and a desire for revenge against those who had brutally slaughtered the Princess of the Sun, almost always won in the end. It wasn't like that at first though: even the day of her mentor's death, where there should have been an investigation into the crime committed, various political factions began their bloody bids for power and control, and Twilight did not seek vengeance in the belief that those responsible would die in the ensuing conflict.

That hope never came true. The bloody half of a decade ended in a compromise that she thought a perversion of the nation before it, and those who had murdered not only the Princess of Equestria, but hundreds, if not thousands of others stood forgiven for their disgusting crimes. It was then that the rage finally began its long reign. She would become the dealer of justice that no other would be, and she would ensure that her revenge would take place.

Quickly, of course, she had to go underground. Even though the men that had murdered the families of her own friends were now helping lead the newborn nation of "The Lunar Domain," she was the one who was called a criminal when she tried to kill those responsible for the ultimate crime in her mind. She was, according to the Domain's government for the past few centuries, a "terrorist" who if it was not plausible to capture and try her, should herself be killed.

She'd made various plans and schemes since then, almost always flawless and elegant designs that seemed unstoppable. She'd read the stories of those who'd planned to do what she did, and she learned from both their mistakes and successes. Yet every time, when she was within a hoof's grasp of victory, she always was forced to back down, for her chance of vengeance was at too great a risk of failing.

This time, however, she had a feeling that things would work out right. The people assigned to find her had grown lax in their efforts, and new horizons filled the vision of The Lunar Domain. Her task was no longer in the spotlight, and she now had within her grasp the greatest chance to exact her revenge. It was in this year, the year 3028 of the Common Era, she knew that the crimes committed over four centuries earlier would finally have justice.

At last getting herself up from the floor, Twilight Sparkle put the long-dormant Elements of Harmony into a large dull-grey sack alongside various necessities she would need in the coming days. Glancing at an old Equestrian flag hung on the wall of the dim living room, Twilight smiled for what felt like the first time in ages. Justice now had the upper hand, and its time was nigh.

As a lone earth pony stallion walked the road near the mysterious ranch house, he caught sight of the front door opening. Ducking into some nearby bushes with the thought that maybe if he wasn't seen, he could catch a glimpse of the occupant doing something, he silently watched as the hooded figure came out with a large bag. After a moment, the occupant's wings stretched, and they flew off into the sky.

As the mysterious occupant moved towards the horizon, the stallion rose out of the bushes, feeling very much confused. Everyone thought the occupant of the house was a unicorn or changeling because of the horn... So why did they have wings when they looked like a pony?

---

Lunar Investigative Agency Building, Midnight Court Federal District, The Lunar Domain, Universe 01

9:15 A.M. - April 16, 3028

Amongst the waking capital city of the Midnight Court Federal District, the Lunar Investigative Agency Building stood far away from the more famous buildings. On the outside, it truly wasn't much to look at: The Lunar Parliament Building was certainly larger and much more modern, and all of the buildings in Ministry Park seemed to bear a certain air of life to them. The Agency Building, though, had a concrete and steel exterior that seemed almost alien in The Lunar Domain's capital.

Agent Poniard didn’t particularly think about any of these things, however, when he came into the Building for the umpteenth time in his life. No, as he made his way into the entrance lobby of the building, his hooves clacking upon the smooth marble tiles, he was instead pondering how a man like Albert MacKenna had come to lead a unit like Task Force: Sparkle after the disastrous failure of his.

Even more concerning was the fact that he hadn’t heard as much as a peep about it. Though the Task Force was appropriately classified in terms of its investigative work, and the only thing most of the rest of the Agency really knew was that it existed, MacKenna at any point in time getting that promotion would have made the rounds.

“Morning Poniard!” a cheerful voice greeted. Poniard looked at the lobby desk, and a smile spread across his face upon seeing who was sitting behind it. If there was any person who could be considered the Lunar Investigative Agency’s version of a kind, elderly grandmother, it was Nmvik. A former Special Agent in the Cyber Crimes unit, the changeling had taken on the role of being one of the lobby secretaries nine years prior instead of retiring.

Since then, it was joked, she’d become the second Director of the Agency; Cassidy Lyon might be the one making the administrative decisions, but Nmvik knew everyone from the basement janitor to the Director herself like a family member, and in many cases, had much more respect for that.

“Good morning Nmvik.” Poniard strode over to the desk and fished his badge out of his suit pocket. “How’s the morning faring for you?”

“It’s going well,” Nmvik answered. After Poniard finally got out his badge and set it on the desk, she took it to run through the ID logger. “I hear you’re working in Task Force: Sparkle now.”

Had it been anyone else, Poniard might have been caught off guard by that comment, but this was Nmvik. She was the one person who, one or another, was privy to much more information that she probably should have been.

“Yeah, I am,” Poniard confirmed. The changeling, in an action of near instinct, slid the badge over the scanner while she looked at the stallion. “Today’s my first day with them.”

Nmvik’s eyes and smiled widened a bit. “That’s good to hear.” A small beep indicating that the badge had been logged, the changeling offered Poniard’s badge back. As he returned it to its suit pocket, Nmvik continued speaking, “They need someone like you.”

“Thanks.” A thought crossed the pony’s mind, and it came out before he could stop his lips from moving. “What makes you say that?”

True to her grandmotherly demeanor, Nmvik happily answered the question. “You’ll see what I mean you go in.” The changeling motioned her hoof towards the lobby elevator, its door now open. “Now go on, time’s wasting.”

Though he was a bit intrigued by the unusually vague answer, Poniard nonetheless heeded the secretary’s advice. “Have a good day, Nmvik.” He hurried over to the elevator, and squeezed in beside a unicorn that Poniard recognized as one of the Director’s assistants. Though the name wouldn’t come, the distinctive circular glasses they wore, along with the cream-white coat certainly identified him.

“Third floor please,” someone piped up. Poniard realized he needed to do the same, and had begun to open his mouth when he remembered that the Task Force was, in fact, on the third floor. A few moments of self-beratement later, the elevator dinged, and the stallion squeezed his way out of the small space.

Entering a corridor alongside a few other Agency employees, Poniard took a quick look around. He’d never been on the third floor of the building; Violent Crimes was a floor up and there really wasn’t any reason he needed to be down here before. Aside from some administrative offices, the only units that called this floor home were the Political Investigative Unit, which was dedicated to investigating and stopping corruption in most often the national government, and of course, Task Force: Sparkle.

Heading straight down the hallway, Poniard faintly recalled being in the academy a few years prior and speaking with a guy from PIU. The details were hazy, but he knew for a fact the guy took his job very seriously, and that they were probably the unit with the closest and careful of eyes upon them from both the Parliamentary Charter Enforcement Committee, and the Board of Inquiry.

After passing by a Personnel Resources office, Poniard caught sight of a small painting on the wall. Walking closer to inspect it, he was met by the sight of... A piece of art depicting Twilight Sparkle. Catching a glimmer of metal, Poniard looked beneath the painting to see a plaque. Engraved upon it was:

The stallion frowned, a bit angry with himself. He’d never bothered to learn Dovahzul, much less any other language than English. It’d come to bite him in the ass in various ways over the years; this was just the latest incident of the line.

Making a mental note to ask someone what the engraving meant, Poniard looked down the hallway, where not even a meter away stood a glass sliding door. By the side of the door opposite the painting was the sign Poniard had been looking for:

Once more, Poniard fished his badge out, and he pressed it to the scanner below the sign. A few seconds later, a lone beep told Poniard all he needed to know. The glass door slid into the wall, and he strode on in, slipping his badge back to his pocket.

Glancing around, Poniard couldn’t help but think how much the offices looked like he had envisioned them. The opposite wall from Poniard was essentially a huge window, giving a view of what Poniard assumed would be Ponyville below. The desks were surrounded by small walls made from a very expensive looking tan wood, a nice departure from the typical dull black that he was accustomed to down in Violent Crimes.

Looking to his left, Poniard caught sight of the Special Agent in Charge’s office, raised above the ground on the far side of the room, a glass panel giving the pony clear sight of the man doing something on his desk.

Noise was what tipped Poniard off to the fact there was something wrong. Instead of the regular chatter of an office space, hushed but pervasive, Poniard heard what almost sounded to him like a party or cafeteria. Brow furrowed, Poniard followed the direction of the noise, and eventually turned past the wall of one of the cubicles to a most surreal scene.

Gathered in what appeared to be a break area was almost all of the Task Force, either sitting and watching the Haliflanks vs. Trottingham gravball game or chatting and laughing their ass off. Poniard blinked for a moment before looking around for something, anything, he could read. Finding the sign on a Special Agent Tiv ‘Mij’s cubicle, he blinked multiple times, trying to see if the text would ever change.

It did not, and Poniard realized all too quickly that this was not some sort of dream. Looking back up at the Special Agent in Charge’s office, Poniard almost sprinted up to the glass-encased room, his hooves grinding to a halt outside. Taking a moment to compose himself, Poniard opened the wooden door and walked inside, his gaze fixed in the direction of where the occupant would be.

An unexpected, bizarre sight once more greeted the confused Agent. Leaning back in his chair, the Special Agent in Charge, Albert MacKenna, had laid both of his legs on the desk while he was face deep in what appeared to be the latest issue of the Natural Adventures magazine. “I told you Jim a dozen times, I’m not interested,” MacKenna growled.

“Uh...” Poniard found he was incapable of speech at this point. A part of him wanted to believe he’d gotten off on the wrong floor, or maybe that this was some kind of elaborate practical joke; the pony, however, was wise enough to know that wasn’t the case.

Giving an exasperated sigh, the man tossed the magazine on his desk as if he had done so a thousand times before. “What the hell could-” MacKenna’s chiseled face looked genuinely surprised by Poniard’s presence. “Oh, sorry. Thought you were someone else.” He gestured towards the chair in front of his desk. “Please, have a seat.”

Although still stupefied by the bizarre scene around him, Poniard wordlessly complied. As he took his seat, MacKenna brought his legs off the desk, and Poniard noticed in their place small grooves in the wood.

“Agent Poniard, right?” The stallion looked back up at the Special Agent in Charge and nodded. “Tell me, how did you screw yourself over in Violent Crimes to get sent down here?”

Poniard wasn’t sure where this was going, alongside dozens of other things at the moment. “What do you mean? I volunteered for this.”

MacKenna burst out laughing at the response. “That’s a good one! You volunteered...” MacKenna took a deep breath to calm himself down. “Seriously though, what did you do to get transferred here?”

“I volunteered,” Poniard repeated.

A frown curved MacKenna’s face upon the realization that Poniard was not, in fact, joking in any way. “You... Oh god.” MacKenna shook his head, and started to sift through the piles of papers on his desk, half of which didn’t even look Agency-related in the slightest. Unable to find his desired document, MacKenna once more sighed. “Look, Poniard, you’re in the wrong place. I’ll make a call to the Director’s office, and I can-”

“What’s going on here?” Poniard interrupted. No longer was he as confused as he was growing more and more furious. “This is Task Force: Sparkle. The unit tasked with finding Twilight Sparkle.”

“Heh,” MacKenna chuckled. In a way, he looked almost depressed. “I hate to be the one to rain on the parade, but this unit hasn’t been doing that for a long time.”

“What?” Poniard’s volume rose ever-so-slightly.

“Agent Poniard...” MacKenna set his hands upon his desk, and looked the pony in the eyes. “Twilight Sparkle hasn’t been seen in over a century and a half. The only reason this unit still exists is because the bosses occasionally need to get rid of employees they know that can’t fire without a spectacle. This is a penalty assignment, nothing more.”

Poniard once more found himself unable to speak. He didn’t want to believe that MacKenna was telling him the truth, that the Agency he worked for would stoop so low in his view.

“Take me, for example.” MacKenna forced a grin, and tapped his hand on the wooden desk for a second. “I was the guy in charge of the Cloudsdale Weather Manufacturing raid a couple years back. In spite of the fact that I had good evidence, and had every reason to believe that there was something happening, I was still the one blamed. I wasn’t fired because the Cloudsdale issue was already controversial enough that to the media, it would look like I was being fired because I had dared to try and do the right thing. To be fair, that was kind of what happened, but that’s beside the point. That’s how I wound up with this ‘promotion.’”

Poniard looked out the office window onto the space below for a moment. “The others?”

“Basically the same stories as mine, just with different people,” MacKenna answered. “Got kicked upstairs so they could be gotten rid of without trouble.”

Poniard looked MacKenna in the eyes. “Haven’t you tried looking for her?”

“We have...” MacKenna’s tone was low, perhaps even shameful. “As I said, the mare hasn’t been seen in over a century and a half, and even if we did get some lead...” MacKenna sighed. “Well, I doubt we’d be allowed to follow it for long.”

“Why wouldn’t...” Poniard trailed off as he realized what would likely happen in that scenario: people like him would get transferred onto the Task Force while the others either took the back burner or simply were fired. “Why don’t you wait a couple of days on that call, MacKenna?”

“Hmm?” The Special Agent in Charge raised his brow, intrigued by what Poniard could possibly have to say.

“I can sift through some of the case files.” Poniard felt like he was pulling at straws with what he thinking of doing, yet in a way he felt responsible for this decrepit old unit. “Maybe there’s something we missed. If being in Violent Crimes taught me anything, it’s that you’ve got to keep a careful eye out.”

MacKenna wasn’t quite sure whether to be impressed or pitiful for the younger Agent’s optimism. “Best of luck then, Agent Poniard,” MacKenna chuckled. “There’s a lot to look through.”

“All the more reason to look then.” Poniard stood up from the chair, and offered his hoof to shake. After MacKenna engaged in the gesture, Poniard continued speaking. “Even the smartest people leave something behind.”

“I hope you’re right, Poniard.” As the pony walked back and opened the wooden door to his office, the Special Agent in Charge, Albert MacKenna repeated himself once more in hushed tone. “I hope you’re right.”

---

“Fiat justitia, ruat cœlum.”

-William Watson

[The Lunar Domain]

Prime Ministerial Residence, Midnight Court Federal District, The Lunar Domain, Universe 01

1:35 A.M. - September 19, 2612

Normally, at this time of night, Jackie Susan Apple would have been dead asleep, trying to garner some rest from the typically stressful day of her duties as the Prime Minister of The Lunar Domain. However this night, she had decided to take a stroll out in the recently-built Prime Ministerial Residence's gardens, sneaking out past the Lunar Guard detail directly assigned to her, which was roughly a platoon in size.

It was something that made her laugh inside, although she had been the one who had ordered them to be formed, she often found herself trying to get away from them.

It was a difficult task, for the Lunar Guard had quickly gained experience throughout the past decade or so they had existed. Though the Anarchy may have been over, there were still those who felt that the Lunar Domain wasn’t the proper way to resolve it, and resorted to violence as an action.

Regardless, she appreciated them, but she had learned how to defend herself quite well in the war that had happened not even twenty years prior, and in some sense bore the attitude not unlike she had twenty years prior when she had thought it possible for her alone to harvest the entire Sweet Apple Acres orchard.

Taking a moment to admire some of the flora, some of which were native to Equestria, but many more had found their way from planets such as Earth and Sangheilios to the Prime Ministerial Residence’s garden. She made a mental note to make sure to thank the gardener for doing an excellent job of keeping the garden tended.

Plants started rustling as if something heavy was trying to make its way through them, and Jackie Susan Apple made a grab for her M6G, a pistol that had been used by the UNSC Army back during the Human-Covenant, finding use in battles such as that of Reach. Snatching the pistol from her underside, she aimed in the direction of the sound.

"You have five seconds to show yourself," Apple stated. It wasn't a threat, more of a fact. She wouldn't hesitate to fire her weapon.

Out of some shrubs came a lavender mare, and Apple frowned. She didn't need to look to see if who she thought it was. "Shit, Twilight." She kept her pistol raised towards the alicorn.

"Applejack." Twilight talked without emotion, very much like a machine. Her eyes seemed to lack the glint that had once shone so clearly from them.

"I ought to shoot you." Apple felt compelled by every oath she had sworn in her office to follow through with that statement, but a part of her that hadn't surfaced for years quickly took charge. "Why are you here, Twi?" Applejack knew full well of Twilight Sparkle's support of the Paladins in 2602, a socialist political faction who had, even though they had full representation in the drafting of the Lunar Charter, felt that they had no say in the government and resorted to conducting violent acts of terror against the Lunar Domain in the first months. Twilight had also made subsequent support of various violent groups that had caused much death and suffering to the citizens of the Domain.

"Why should I tell you?" Twilight now had emotion apparent, although this one Applejack was not used to, for she had rarely seen it: pure, raw malice. "You're a traitor, and a gullible bitch like everypony else." Venom dripped with every word.

The words stung Applejack, and she could barely withhold herself from showing how much they affected her. She wanted to believe that there was some part of the Twilight Sparkle she once knew in this alicorn before her, and not to accept the fact that she had long gone.

"Twilight..." She tried to appeal to the Twilight she hoped was there. "You and I both know you're just spouting a lot of nonsense right there."

"Nonsense?" Twilight sounded infuriated. "Nonsense! I'll tell you what is nonsense! My so-called 'friends' going ahead and believing without question that Celestia would do such terrible things! Believing that Luna hasn't gone back to her old ways!"

"Twilight, I am your friend. I wouldn't believe you, nor stand by you, for a split second unless I had a good reason. Neither would Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rainbow, or Rarity. You know that."

"I don't know anything because of you!" Twilight would have roared, but she knew better than to give herself away so easily. "Because of you, along with everypony else believing Luna, Celestia is dead!"

"Twilight-," Applejack replied.

Before she could continue, Twilight cut her off. "I don't want to hear it. All I can say is I'm not going to kill you, nor Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rarity, and Rainbow. If you want to believe somepony's lies, go ahead."

Even though Twilight was very clearly making precise attacks against Applejack, she didn't bother to acknowledge them with any sort of reaction. "Twilight, the only person who's lying right here is yourself. That's the honest truth."

"Person?" Twilight laughed maliciously. "You've become like one of those apes!"

That crossed the line at last for Jackie Susan Apple. The Applejack that was Twilight's friend had now gone away, and the Jackie Susan Apple that was Prime Minister of The Lunar Domain took over.

"Tell you what Twilight, I'm going to let you leave here. I can only return the favor you gave me." Before Twilight could respond, Apple fired a round from her pistol which hit not centimeters away from Twilight's hooves. "Leave now, before I have no choice."

Twilight frowned, but heeded the mare whom she considered an enemy, and teleported away. Not half a minute later, several Lunar Guards were in the area.

"Prime Minister Apple!" Lieutenant Servato called out. He was the person in charge of the direct Lunar Guard detail attached to her. "We heard gunfire!"

Prime Minister Apple looked wistfully at the Lieutenant and looked back at where Twilight had stood not a minute earlier. "It's alright, it was me," she explained. "Thought I saw someone."

"You really ought to get to bed, ma'am." The Lieutenant's concern was all-too apparent. "It's not good to be up this late."

Taking a glance at the Midnight Palace in the distance, and at the place where Twilight had stood, she sighed. "You're right, I should."

A little while later, as Jackie Susan Apple found herself in bed once more. Even though she took sleep medicine prescribed for semi-regular insomnia, she didn't sleep.

She was split over whether she should have shot her friend, or have begged for her forgiveness.

---

Lunar Investigative Agency Building, Midnight Court Federal District, The Lunar Domain, Universe 01

9:30 A.M. - April 17, 3028

Nearly four hundred and sixteen years later, a small, seemingly unimportant home burned down on the fringes of The Lunar Domain. In the capital of the nation Agent Poniard was searching through office space for Agent Circuit Board. He desperately hoped they would be a voice of sanity in this madhouse.

Finally, after a moment of looking through desks, he found a nameplate that read: A. Board. He looked up to see who it was, and to his dismay, it was the mare from before who had been watching a movie trailer on her computer.

Well, Poniard thought. So much for the possibility of sanity.

"What is it?" The mare didn't look back from her computer screen. "I thought I told you, don't bother me."

"The SAC told me to come find you," Poniard responded. "He said you might-"

"Let me guess, he said I might have some information for you." Circuit Board still didn't turn around, but opened up something on her computer. "Well, guess what, I do. Everyone here thinks it's an excuse to do nothing, getting assigned down here. Though I know you didn't rustle anyone's feathers, Agent Poniard."

"How do you know my-"

"I get bored down here."

Poniard started to realize maybe this mare was, in fact, a voice of reason. A video popped up on the mare's screen. On it a massive crowd of people appeared to be gathered somewhere.

He then noticed that this appeared to be from a helmet camera, for a rifle was seen being held by hands. Suddenly, a flash of light happened, and someone shouted "Return fire!"

The video stopped, and Circuit Board finally turned around. Her scarlet eyes looked up at Poniard's. "That's the last known possible sighting of Twilight Sparkle."

"What?" Poniard was utterly confused. He had seen nothing but seconds of some crowd and an order. Circuit Board sighed and rewound the video to a specific frame, and zoomed in on a particular point. She pointed towards what appeared to be a regular changeling. Poniard watched as the video started again, and the changeling... morphed into Twilight Sparkle.

Then the "Twilight Sparkle" fired off something from her horn, and morphed back into a changeling.

"Now the problem with that footage, obviously, is whether that is really Twilight Sparkle, or is it just a changeling. But the issue is, if it is a changeling, why would a changeling morph into her in particular, and also, in order for a changeling to morph into someone, they have to have met them."

"And here I thought I was going to be alone," Poniard said.

"Don't get too excited, Agent Poniard," Circuit Board sighed. "I'm on half the Agency's shitlist. I doubt I'm going to be able to get permission to travel to the Neighgara Territories, where the last living witness is. As for you, I doubt you'll be able to get permission because of your relative inexperience."

Yet soon enough, the pair would find themselves on their way to the Neighgara Territories.

[The Lunar Domain]

Waterfall Views Retirement Home, Neighgara Territories, The Lunar Domain, Universe 01

11:30 A.M. - April 18, 3028

Ahead of the agents was Waterfall Views Retirement Home. As its name would suggest, the home was built nearby one of the numerous waterfalls found within the Neighgara Territories. The building was right on the part of the Dappleshore River that led into a small waterfall. The parts of the building were either built in such a way that they were in front of the waterfall itself, or were beside it: to an observer, it was both very artificial, and yet somehow integrating itself into nature.

Much of the building’s frame was shined white in the sun that was nearly at its height for the day, and yet, just as much of the building appeared to be transparent, being made of glass.

As Agent Poniard shut his car door, Circuit Board took a look at the building ahead. She whistled. “Killer view, and a great location. Wouldn’t mind living here myself later on.”

“So,” Poniard inquired. “Major Ivir ‘Aurat is the man we’re here to see?”

Circuit Board stopped in her tracks, and turned to look at Poniard, all the while with her brow raised. “I hope that’s a rhetorical question, not a serious one.”

Poniard narrowed his eyes at the mare. “Are you trying to imply something about my age?” Poniard had joined the Lunar Investigative Agency only six months after he had graduated high school; that had been a little over five years ago, but Poniard had learned his way around the Agency very quickly. He was for all intents and purposes, a baby in the agency.

“Oh no,” Circuit Board quickly responded. “I’m just wondering because you did after all volunteer for this Task Force, and didn’t even bother to look into it.”

Poniard snorted, and made his way ahead of Circuit Board. “Coming from the person who hacked her entire section’s comms so she could now what people were talking about, I would expect that kind of answer.”

Regardless, the two made their way to the entrance of the home, passing by random people, many of whom were visitors either arriving or departing.

Poniard could hear bits of conversations as he passed by.

“...but I’m so bored!” a child whined.

“...if only we could afford this for her...”

Poniard became so absorbed in those nearby that he nearly rammed into the desk he had gotten in front of. It was only thanks to a random glance forward that he halted in his tracks.

“Welcome to Waterfall Views Retirement Home,” a clerk greeted. “How can I help you two today?”

Circuit Board got out her ID, and started speaking. “Hi, I’m Agent Circuit Board. This is Agent Poniard.” She gestured towards the earth pony. “We’re with the Lunar Investigative Agency, we came to meet with Major Ivir ‘Aurat.”

The clerk’s eyes widened ever-so-slightly. “Uh... Sure. Let me just check to see if he’s awake.”

As the clerk paged whatever responsible staff, Circuit Board rolled her eyes. “Five Lunar Credits says he has no idea what he is doing,” she whispered.

Poniard once again found himself glaring at Circuit Board. “He’s just doing his job, like the rest of us,” he reminded.

“Alright,” the clerk spoke up. “Mr. ‘Aurat is available to see you, just go up to the second floor and look for Suite 269.” He gestured towards the stairs.

“Thanks, Mr. Kinston,” Poniard said. “We really do appreciate your help.”

As the pair walked off, Circuit Board muttered to Poniard, “How did you know his name?”

“I looked at the badge he was wearing.” Poniard spoke in a questioning manner, and saw an opportunity to do something. “I hope that was a rhetorical question, not a serious one,” he added on.

Now it was Circuit Board snorting at Poniard. “Lead the way, Mr. Perfection.”

Taking a left down a hallway, having read a sign that indicated the room they wanted was in that direction, Poniard and Circuit Board passed by a small child.

This small child, an excitable 7-year-old human boy by the name of Steven Gallo Berne, noticed the pair.

Now, Steven Gallo Berne, like most children of his age, had a job he wanted to do when he “grew up”, and Steven wanted nothing more than to be part of the Lunar Investigative Agency. He had books upon books, mostly for children, although he had secretly gotten his brother to buy him one from the grown-up section about the formation of the LIA.

He knew that LIA Agents typically wore business suits as uniforms, and worked in pairs, so as a result, he deduced, correctly, that the pair were indeed Agents.

He ran up in front of Poniard.

“Oh my gosh are you guys LIA agents?” Steven spoke faster than he could draw breath.

Poniard stopped walking, and smiled at the child. Circuit Board, meanwhile, put her face in her hooves.

“Yes we are,” Poniard answered. Before he could further respond, the child started speaking once again.

“I recognized you by your suits!” Steven felt the need to divulge all of his knowledge to Poniard. “Who’s your partner? What are you here for? Are you here to find...” Steven lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Murderers?”

Poniard gave a small laugh, and maintained his smile. “I’m Agent Poniard, and my partner here is Agent Circuit Board.”

Circuit Board glared daggers at Poniard, who took no notice.

“As a matter of fact, we’re here on an investigation.” Before Poniard could further talk with the child, a worried mother came out into the hallway.

“Steven!” she shouted. “What have I told you about wandering off?”

“But Mooom,” he whined. “These are LIA Agents!”

“Steven, come back in, now,” Elyse Meg Berne growled.

Hesitantly, the child followed his mother’s instruction, and made his way to the door from which he had come. The mother now glared at Poniard.

“How dare you collared suits talk to my son?” Poniard was getting more confused than offended if anything. “He wants to be like you when he grows up, and all you do is get him prepared for slaughter!”

With that, the woman went off, and Circuit Board came up beside him. “And that, Poniard, is why you don’t try to talk to people you don’t need to.”

Ignoring what either women had just told him, he noticed the child hiding behind the doorway, still looking at him. Poniard looked him in the eyes, and spoke up. “We’re here to find one of them, Steven.”

Before the door slammed shut, Poniard thought he saw a small grin on the child’s face.

“Got a head full of bricks don’t you?” Circuit Board muttered. Poniard glanced at the sign next to the door that had just been slammed shut, and saw that it read Suite 265.

“Major ‘Aurat’s just a few doors down.” Poniard gestured forwards.

Hesitantly, Circuit Board followed Poniard’s gesture, and went down the hall beside him. In one way, he reminded her of how she used to be before she ticked off her superior in the Violent Crimes section.

“We’re here,” Poniard said. The sign beside a door read:

Suite 269

Maj. ‘Aurat

“Why don’t you knock?” Circuit Board asked. “Since you’re the sociable one and all.”

Poniard pretended not to hear that last part, and knocked on the door. “Major ‘Aurat?” he called.

Half a minute of waiting later, the door opened and there stood an elderly Sangheili. He was easily twice Poniard’s height, which was often the case with Sangheili compared to ponies.

“Re, om’a,” the Major Ivir ‘Aurat greeted.

Poniard for a moment was confused, until he realized that he had been speaking in Sangheili. Unfortunately, Poniard did not know the language, and hoped the Major spoke in English as well.

“Good day, Major ‘Aurat,” Poniard greeted. “I’m Agent Poniard, and this Agent Circuit Board. We’re with the Lunar Investigative Agency.”

‘Aurat looked at the two momentarily, and finally nodded. “Please, come in.” He stepped aside to let the two in.

Major Ivir ‘Aurat’s Suite at the Waterfall Views Retirement Home was relatively simple: it bore very little beyond what came normally with a suite. Perhaps the most outstanding article in the room was a picture of a Lunar Guard unit.

“Please, sit down,” the Sangheili said. Looking over towards what was the equivalent of a living room, Poniard and Circuit Board took a seat on a couch; ‘Aurat on the other hand, took a moment to sit down in a well-worn chair.

“Major ‘Aurat,” Poniard began. He figured that Circuit Board wasn’t going to care too much.

“Please, Ivir ‘Aurat is fine,” ‘Aurat cut in.

“Ivir ‘Aurat.” Poniard corrected himself. “Agent Circuit Board and myself are here to ask you a few questions about your service in The Lunar Guard.”

The very first thing Ivir ‘Aurat did, even though he had long left the ranks of the Lunar Guard, was reply with the standardized inquiry response. “Any questions about Lunar Guard service should be submitted to the Ministry of Defense,” he stated.

Poniard chuckled, having wondered if he would receive this type of reaction. “In any other case, Ivir, I make sure to do so before speaking with you. However...” Poniard pulled out a copy of one of the first official Executive Orders, issued on September 19, 2612. “In accordance with Executive Order #19, Agent Circuit Board, myself, and anyone else assigned to the task of hunting down Twilight Sparkle do not have to submit official inquiries to any Ministry in order to speak with its personnel.”

Ivir ‘Aurat’s eyes slowly widened in realization as it dawned on him exactly what Poniard and Circuit Board were here to ask about.

“Leave,” he said. It was not a request, rather an order.

“Excuse me?” Poniard asked.

“I said, leave,” ‘Aurat growled.

“Major ‘Aurat, I-”

“I’ll have the staff kick you out!” ‘Aurat started to get up to page someone, but Poniard quickly tried to stop him.

“Major ‘Aurat, if you do not answer our questions, it is quite likely, no, guaranteed that people are very soon going to die,” Poniard interjected. “You are the only lead that we have on Twilight Sparkle. And if you don’t help us, the only way we’re going to get more leads is when she leaves a body count. That’s something none of us want.”

‘Aurat looked back at Poniard, and felt torn between the desire to help out the LIA Agent, and the primal urge to tear him apart.

“Look, you may have been the one to give the order to return fire, but you didn’t do it to be a murderer.” Poniard took a breath. “But if you don’t help us here, you might as well be pulling the trigger on innocent people who will have their lives stolen away from them.”

“How dare you try to tell me what I did or didn’t do?” ‘Aurat growled. “Because of my orders, forty-three innocent people were killed. Because of my orders, our country nearly tore itself apart!”

“Major ‘Aurat, you swore to protect people’s lives, much like Agent Circuit Board and myself have done.” Poniard now was relying on his high school history education. “If you hadn’t given the order to fire, that mob would have stormed the Parliament building. Many more people would have died.”

All was silent for a moment, until ‘Aurat finally sat back down. “Ask what you came here to ask.”

Poniard felt bad, knowing he had violated an unspoken code. But he also knew that both the Major and him had codes they had sworn to.

“Major ‘Aurat, during the Parliament Riot, you and your squad had a visual on-”

“Agent Poniard,” the Sangheili interrupted. “When our squad saw the changeling that morphed into Twilight Sparkle, many of us were skeptical. We, along with the Ministry of Defense, believed that it was simply a changeling trying to further complicate the situation.

“I, on the other hand, believe something much more plausible. No changeling would have morphed into Twilight Sparkle without at least meeting her, and besides, changelings have to be in their natural form to use their magic to its full potential.

“Agent Poniard, I think the answer really is quite simple. It wasn’t a changeling impersonating Twilight Sparkle. It was Twilight Sparkle impersonating a changeling. She had learned changeling magic.”

[The Lunar Domain]

Lunar Investigative Agency Building, Midnight Court Federal District, The Lunar Domain, Universe 01

9:30 A.M. - April 19, 3028

“In other news, recently instated Prime Minister, Phalanx Spear last evening made a public statement in which he heavily urged The Lunar Parliament to pass legislation to assist in the aid of the thousands of recently arrived refugees fleeing persecution in the Medwedian Democratic Federation.”

“With the recent influx of survivors of the Medwedian genocide arriving in our nation,” Spear stated. “We must create opportunities for-”

Phalanx Spear switched the radio off. Lieutenant ‘Nurag, the Lunar Guard currently driving the vehicle, looked over at the Prime Minister. “Don’t like listening to yourself?” she asked.

“As a matter of fact, I don’t,” Spear replied. “Makes me question everything I say. But that remains between us.”

“State secret?” ‘Nurag joked.

“I’ll have you prosecuted if you even write about it.” Spear grinned at the Sangheili; the Lieutenant in charge of his security detail had made quick friends with the Prime Minister.

“Tritan 5-2, reporting in,” the radio crackled. “Clear to make approach.”

“Roger that, 5-2,” ‘Nurag replied. She looked over at Phalanx Spear. “Looks like you finally get to meet with Director Lyon.”

Phalanx Spear had been trying for the last week to meet with the Director of the Lunar Investigative Agency. Of course, the whole Medwedian crisis had interrupted that, and combined with planning for an international summit in Montesardo-East Adanzi at the beginning of the next month, he had found himself short on time.

But at last, on this particular morning, he was finally able to personally meet with the Director.

There was a purpose to the visit, of course, although Spear had intentionally not mentioned it to the Director. He found that telling people ahead of time of certain things often, obfuscated what was actually going on a daily basis.

In this case, Phalanx Spear wanted to visit the Task Force dedicated to hunting down Twilight Sparkle. She was the most dangerous threat to The Lunar Domain, especially considering the fact it was heading in a direction it had never gone before.

The vehicle came to a halt, and almost instantly, the Lunar Guards inside were out the door, checking the surroundings. Phalanx Spear, on the other hand, looked out to see Director Cassidy Lyon awaiting him.

“Area clear!” Sergeant Morab shouted. ‘Nurag looked at Prime Minister Spear, and nodded.

Opening the door, Phalanx Spear came out onto the street, and took note of his surroundings. Unlike his Vice Minister, the young earth pony had only lived in the Midnight Court Federal District for a few weeks, and still was learning his way around. From what he could tell, he was currently a few blocks away from Ministry Park.

“Prime Minister Spear,” Director Lyon greeted. Phalanx Spear quickly turned his head to look at the LIA Director, whose hand was outstretched. “It is an honor to finally meet with you in person.”

Phalanx smiled, and shook the Director’s hand with his hoof. “It’s a pleasure to be able to meet with you, Director. I can assure you that I have been quite eager to come to the Lunar Investigative Agency.”

“Well then, I suppose we’ll get right to it.” Gesturing for the Prime Minister to follow her, the Director led Phalanx inside.

After entering the main lobby, Phalanx Spear stopped the Director. “Director Lyon, I would very much appreciate, no offense to you personally, if instead of going to your office, we might be able to visit one of your sections.”

The Director smiled, and gladly followed his suggestion. “I would be happy to show you around. What did you have in mind? I suppose the Organized Crime division could be of interest.”

“Actually,” Phalanx responded. “I would like to visit the task force dedicated to tracking down Twilight Sparkle.”

Director Cassidy Lyon’s face lost its smile, instead bearing a look of utter horror. “S-Surely there are other sections that are more interesting to you,” she nervously laughed.

Phalanx’s smile quickly disappeared as well, now being replaced by a slight frown. “No, I would like to visit the task force dedicated to capturing Twilight Sparkle. Is there a problem with that?”

“Oh no, no, no. It’s perfectly fine,” Lyon lied. “Please, follow me.” The woman now was fearing how much longer she would retain her position after the Prime Minister found out what the Task Force had become.

Going into an elevator, the Director and Prime Minister, accompanied by Lieutenant ‘Nurag, headed up to the floor Task Force Sparkle was located on.

Although slightly suspicious of the Director, Phalanx Spear was oblivious to what he was soon to encounter. When the elevator’s doors opened, the Director led him to a disconcertingly decrepit wooden door.

That struck Phalanx Spear as odd, for he believed that such a prestigious task force would surely be well accommodated.

After the Director opened the door, Phalanx Spear entered.

“Go Ponyville!” Much of the task force was currently watching Ponyville’s gravball game against Vanhoover, and were crowded around the television they had set up. All were completely oblivious to who had just entered the room.

Prime Minister Phalanx Spear’s jaw dropped.

---

Pokin’s Way, Midnight Court Federal District, The Lunar Domain, Universe 01

9:23 A.M. - April 19, 3028

“I swear, of all days they have to be running construction on the roads, they had to pick TODAY!” Circuit Board honked the vehicle’s horn in frustration.

Pokin’s Way was the main road that led into the Midnight Court Federal District, and it also happened to have not been maintained in decades. On this particular day, construction workers had finally been able to get started. Unfortunately, this had created a major traffic delay, which Agents Circuit Board and Poniard were currently stuck in.

“Are you sure you’re not a person who likes to road rage?” Poniard joked.

Circuit Board rolled her eyes, looking out at the Municipality of Ponyville in the distance. “Yes, I am, Poniard.”

Both of the Agents were silent for a few moments, during which they barely moved ahead. “I don’t get it,” Poniard mused.

“Get what?” Circuit Board looked to her side at Poniard.

“Why everyone else was dismissing ‘Aurat’s idea,” Poniard explained. “I mean, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Justice just brushed off the notion that it might have been Sparkle.”

“I hope you’re not turning into a conspiracy theorist, because then I would have to kill you,” Circuit Board deadpanned.

Poniard frowned, looking out at the vehicles surrounding them on the road, all stuck in the same gridlock. “I’m not, it just all seems very odd.”

Circuit Board sighed. “Look, when the initial investigation occurred, it was during a time where the Agency had more pressing concerns than hunting down some alicorn princess. Besides, with all the paranoia over changelings at the time, they probably were quick to assume it was a changeling.”

“True... But still. I think ‘Aurat is on to something.”

“So do I, Poniard.” Circuit Board moved the vehicle ahead a meter, the furthest distance she had driven at a time within the past fifteen minutes. “I mean, it raises a question. How does Twilight Sparkle know changeling magic? I mean, yes she was the Element of Magic and all, but unicorn magic and changeling magic rely on utterly different principles.”

“You know this from school?” Poniard inquired.

“No,” Circuit Board huffed. “A friend and I tried to teach other magic when we were kids.”

“Oh,” Poniard said. “She was a changeling, I presume?”

“No, she was obviously a Sangheili,” Circuit Board replied sarcastically.

“Doesn’t changeling magic require love?” Poniard asked.

“To my knowledge, yes.”

It was a rather unfortunate factor to the Agent’s investigation. Even after the end of the Changeling Riots, many Lunar Citizens still harbored suspicions of the shape shifting species, and as a result many members of the species had stayed in the Changeling Territories after it became a state. While prejudice still existed now, most people had become more accepting of the species.

As a result of this, much knowledge had yet to be garnered on the workings of the Changelings, for little scientific inquiry had time to occur.

After another half hour, Circuit Board and Poniard finally found themselves free of the gridlock, and on their way to the LIA headquarters. Though when they turned onto Barau Road, they were greeted by a checkpoint that hadn’t been there when they left two days prior.

Also, the checkpoint didn’t seemed to be manned by Agency personnel, rather by Lunar Guards.

“Shit!” Circuit Board exclaimed. She slammed her hoof onto the vehicle’s driving wheel. “Now we’re going to take even more time.”

A Kig-Yar Lunar Guard strode up to the vehicle and knocked on the window next to Circuit Board.

Appearing to be repressing building rage, Circuit Board brought down the window.

“Good morning,” the Guard greeted. “I’m afraid that civilian access to the LIA headquarters is currently restricted.”

Poniard glanced at the headquarters, looking to see if there was any indication some sort of bomb or the like had gone off.

“We work at the Lunar Investigative Agency!” Poniard tried to get into view of the Lunar Guard.

“Can I see identification?” The Kig-Yar Lunar Guard, who was called Corporal Beyk, was simply trying to follow the standard procedure.

Both of the Agents pulled out their badges, which Beyk took a look at. After confirming over communications that both an Agent Circuit Board and Agent Poniard did indeed work at the Lunar Investigative Agency, Beyk handed the badges back.

“You’re good to go in,” Beyk stated. “Apologies for the delay.”

As the two drove into the headquarters’ parking structure, Circuit Board ranted about the Lunar Guard, and how they only made everyone’s lives more difficult.

After finding a spot and parking, the two made their way upstairs back to the Task Force’s room. When they got on its floor, however, they were greeted yet again by Lunar Guards.

But this time, a female Sangheili looked at the pair and let them pass.

Lieutenant ‘Nurag knew that the two agents were only heading into a situation they would regret.

---

When Poniard and Circuit Board came into the Task Force’s room, they were immediately greeted by someone whose voice was booming and furious.

“TELL ME AGAIN, WHY SHOULDN’T I TALK TO THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND ASK HER EXACTLY WHY THE FUCK A TASK FORCE DEDICATED TO FINDING THE MOST DANGEROUS PERSON TO THIS COUNTRY IS GOING AND WASTING EVERYONE’S TIME!” The bearer of the voice was most certainly male, and sounded oddly familiar to both Agent Circuit Board and Poniard.

“I told you before! N-No one’s even seen her-” The pair of agents recognized the voice as the Director’s, and quickly made their way over.

“BULLSHIT! I’M WILLING TO BET YOU AT LEAST FIVE DOZEN PEOPLE HAVE SEEN HER IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS! BUT BECAUSE YOU’RE SITTING AROUND HERE, DOING JACK SHIT, SHE’S GONE UNNOTICED!”

Agent Circuit Board and Poniard turned past a cubicle to find the entirety of the Task Force, along with the Director of the Lunar Investigative Agency, crowded together as if frightened in front of a lone earth pony stallion.

SAC MacKenna noticed the pair, and looked directly at them. The earth pony stallion saw the man’s eyes turn away from him, and he turned around to find out what exactly he found so interesting.

Both Circuit Board and Poniard were surprised to find out that the newly-elected Prime Minister was the one standing there.

Quickly, the Prime Minister walked up to the two, and Poniard reflexively held out his hoof to shake, against all reason of the current situation. “Mr. Prime Minister, it is an-”

Prime Minister Phalanx Spear smacked Poniard’s hoof down and glared at the two, all the while snorting. “Let me guess,” he hissed. “You two were out to breakfast!”

Poniard recovered from the embarrassing reflex, and started to respond. “No, sir. We just came back from the Neighgara Territories.”

“Oh, a little romantic getaway then.” Phalanx Spear sounded like he was going to kill the two, which he was very close to actually doing.

Circuit Board nearly laughed at the idea, but quickly stopped herself, not desiring to lose her job.

“No, we were interviewing a retired Lunar Guard on the last possible sighting of Twilight Sparkle.” Poniard even offered the Prime Minister the notebook he had used to write down information from ‘Aurat.

Swiping the book, Phalanx Spear, paged through it, alternating between skimming the notes, and glaring daggers at Circuit Board and Poniard.

“Major ‘Aurat...” Phalanx muttered. He knew who the Lunar Guard was, but was surprised that he was still alive.

Deciding that the two agents in front of him might have been actually competent unlike the rest of those in the room, Phalanx Spear’s expression softened, if only slightly.

“You went to the Neighgara Territories?” Phalanx inquired. “To talk to Major Ivir ‘Aurat?”

“Yes sir,” Poniard answered. “We left the day before yesterday.”

Phalanx nodded, and gave the book back. He turned around and looked at the Director. “Ms. Lyon, expect a call from the Minister of Justice later today,” he said. “They’ll be telling you whether this task force is going to be funded any longer.”

---

The Free State of Mustangia, The Lunar Domain, Universe 01

10:18 A.M. - April 19, 3028

Evaporating Mist was by all means, just an average person living in The Lunar Domain. She had a family and a house, along with the other general features of a prosperous life.

She also was extremely active in her community, being the chairperson of what was currently a local political party, The New Sun, a party dedicated to the ideas of old bore by the long-gone Principality of Equestria.

While the party certainly desired a government more similar to Equestria’s, they were not like the Royalists, nor were they willing to resort to violent means to attain their goals. As their motto went: “The past can only be achieved through harmony”

At the moment of 10:18 A.M. on the date of April 19, of the year 3028, Evaporating Mist was at home alone, working on making herself lunch. Her husband, Ivory Vine, was off at work, while her son, Mending Tailor, was at school.

The pegasus was startled out of cutting herself some bread when someone knocked at the door. Figuring it to be the mail delivery, she ignored it and continued on with making her meal. Half a minute later, someone was knocking once again at the door.

Annoyed, Evaporating Mist put down her things and walked over to the front door, wondering who could possibly want to talk to her at this particular moment.

“Who is it?” the mare asked.

No response came except for yet more knocking at the door.

Rolling her eyes, she unlocked the door, perhaps expecting it to be a friend of hers.

The second the door swung upon something heavy swung at her head, and she saw stars.

As Evaporating Mist lost consciousness, another mare, that was identical in appearance to her, stood above.

[The Lunar Domain]

Lunar Investigative Agency Building, Midnight Court Federal District, The Lunar Domain, Universe 01

4:37 P.M. - April 19, 3028

Poniard looked out the window down onto the street below. In just a little under half an hour, many of the civilians employed by the national government would be heading back home.

Poniard wondered if tonight he would head home permanently, at least from the Lunar Investigative Agency. Everyone was packing their things, while no notification had been made of the Minister of Justice’s decision, it wasn’t hard to see the writing on the wall.

Both Circuit Board and Poniard had a slight glimmer of hope, though, as they had been the ones to show the Prime Minister they had actually done something.

Nevertheless, even Poniard, who had barely time to settle into the Task Force, had packed their things.

Poniard saw a group of people walking towards the Lunar Investigative Agency Building, and sighed. He felt disappointed, or even melancholy. He had just begun a hunt for someone who posed great danger, and now there was a great chance he wouldn’t be able to do so.

“Poniard,” Circuit Board said.

The earth pony turned around to look at the mare, and saw that her desk had been cleared.

“What?” Poniard didn’t even try to hide the cynicism present.

“When we head to the Changeling Territories, let me do the talking.”

“When?” he laughed. “You’re implying we’re going to have a job by the end of today.”

“Poniard...” Circuit Board came beside him. “They’re not going to fire us. I know that for a fact.”

“Don’t tell me now you’re buying into positivity bullshit.”

“Oh trust me, I don’t. But Prime Minister Spear, if he’s as smart as I think him to be, won’t get rid of the jobs of two people who are already pursuing a lead.”

The second Circuit Board finished that sentence, the door to the room opened and in came a lone suited unicorn. Bearing a white coat with touch of tan, and a violet mane, the pony stood out to Poniard for some reason.

Figuring it to be no one of concern, Poniard looked back out the window, and Circuit Board did as well.

Almost no one heard the unicorn clear their throat the first time, even though there was very little noise: everyone was absorbed in their own thoughts. The unicorn tried once again, being a bit louder.

A couple of people glanced over momentarily, and then got back to packing their things. Finally, the unicorn almost shouted an “ahem!”

Finally, most people’s attention was drawn to the unicorn, Poniard and Circuit Board being among those who finally paid the unicorn attention.

“I am Fleet Quill,” the unicorn greeted. “I have been appointed by the Minister of Justice to supervise the activities of this Task Force in its search for Twilight Sparkle. Any and all requests to utilize Lunar Investigative Agency resources will be made to me and not to SAC MacKenna.”

Poniard noticed MacKenna standing outside his office, having an almost wistful look to him. Circuit Board, though, looked as if she had just gained a major victory.

“Allow me to make this clear, the Minister of Justice, and the Prime Minister, will not tolerate this Task Force conducting its daily business in its previous manner. If any person does not conduct themselves in the manner expected of an Agent, they will find themselves without a job.”

---

D’jak Nim, Changeling Territories, The Lunar Domain, Universe 01

7:35 A.M. - April 20, 3028

Agent Poniard had never once seen a security checkpoint in his life on a state border. Yet, now he was behind a vehicle that had just finished being inspected by the New Lunar Republic Army forces that had been deployed to help for the umpteenth time in curbing the excessive chaos that occurred in the Changeling Territories.

Circuit Board drove the vehicle forward as the one in front went on their way, and they were immediately greeted by an Unggoy corporal.

“Good morning,” Corporal Zapes said. “What are you fine folks doing here?”

Circuit Board looked at Poniard for a second with a look of utter disdain, but he knew it wasn’t directed towards him.

“We’re wanting to go into the Changeling Territories.” Circuit Board tried to keep herself as neutral as possible, but her snarkiness still came through a bit.

“Uh huh...” The Corporal took notice of the pistols that the two Agents had. “What do you plan on doing with those pistols?”

Even though the Corporal should have inferred by the fact that the two had military-grade weaponry that they were in fact not civilians, he had learned over the past few months to watch out for anyone with a weapon. Even though the Lunar Charter guaranteed all Lunar Citizens the right to bear weaponry, he’d had to figure out ways to get people to turn around and go home, as it was obvious on numerous occasions that those bearing them didn’t plan on just defending themselves.

“Nothing, hopefully.” Although the response was meant to be neutral, Zapes took a slight hint of a threat and subtly moved his hand closer to his sidearm.

“Right, well if I might ask-”

Poniard was now getting angered. He had barely kept his job, and was still part of the Task Force he had wanted to be in, but now a cautious soldier was going to stop whatever chance they had of finding Twilight Sparkle.

“Look, trooper.” Poniard made no effort to veil the irritation in his voice, and Zapes flipped the safety off. “We need to go in. I don’t care who the hell you are, I am not going to allow you to endanger people’s lives.”

“Sir, settle down.” Zapes made it more of an order than a request.

“I’ll settle down when you let us through!” Poniard was starting to garner the attention of Zapes’ comrades, and Circuit Board silently hoped he would shut his mouth. Although she was interested to see this side of Poniard, now wasn’t the time.

“Sir, if you continue making demands of us, I’m going to have to ask you and your wife to turn around and leave.” Zapes gripped his pistol, unsure of what was going to happen. The other Army troopers also prepared themselves for something they hoped wouldn’t happen.

“Demands?” Poniard shouted. “We have every damn right to make demands! You’re obstructing a Lunar Investigative Agency investigation and violating an Executive Order!”

Zapes was about to draw his weapon out before he realized what Poniard had said. “Lunar Investigative Agency investigation?”

“Yes damn it, we’re LIA agents!” Poniard grabbed his badge and threw it towards the trooper.

Catching the badge, Zapes saw that he was indeed an LIA agent, and suddenly felt very embarrassed.

Handing the badge back, Zapes let go of his weapon. “Sorry for the trouble, Agent. We get a lot of nutjobs out here. You can go on through.”

Wasting no time, Circuit Board quickly drove off and looked over at Poniard. “I swear, if one more person says I’m your lover or something, I will hit you.”

---

B’rkt Xit, Changeling Territories, The Lunar Domain, Universe 01

10:38 A.M. - April 20, 3028

Tkart was a relatively well-to-do Changeling. She was born in Vanhoover and had lived there for the first few years of her life, until her family, in the face of aggression that wasn’t necessarily overt, decided to move back to the Changeling Territories.

That was about nineteen years prior, and today, she was a mother of an adopted Sangheili boy who had barely turned the age of five.

She had tried to shelter young Thel ‘Mirik from the harsh realities of the Changeling Territories ever since she had first taken guardianship of him. Despite the Lunar Charter, and its guarantees of equality for all, the Changelings still suffered the prejudice and paranoia of others; and the Changeling Territories itself was much more of what many might call a slum.

That was the only real benefit of living in the state: Changelings suffered relatively less discrimination, but it wasn’t too uncommon for some Lunar Citizens to go on a “hunting trip” in the Changeling Territories.

At the moment, Tkart was looking over some spreadsheets of the past year’s sales made by Carousel Boutique Incorporated. She worked from home, as the nearest offices complex was a few hundred kilometers away.

Someone knocked on the door, and Tkart sighed. Getting up from her computer, she made her way down the hallway to the entrance.

“Who is it?” Tkart’s voice bore the slight insect-like buzz that Changelings had.

“Hi Tkart, can you let us in?” The voice sounded oddly familiar, and against her better judgement in this kind of situation, she opened the door.

Outside stood a earth pony stallion and unicorn mare, the latter of which Tkart knew she had seen before. Both were clad in formal business attire, and Tkart realized that both had holsters on their side.

“Hi, Tkart, it’s been too long.” The unicorn mare gave a smile and looked into the Changeling’s eyes. “It’s me. Circuit Board. We were neighbors for years.”

Tkart suddenly felt very much at ease. Tkart and Circuit Board had indeed been neighbors, and had been friends with each other for as long as either could remember them being there.

“Circuit Board,” Tkart greeted. “You... Uh... You gave me a bit of a scare. Is this your husband?”

The earth pony looked slightly confused, while Circuit Board’s eyes widened slightly and her ears slightly lowered in embarrassment. “No he isn’t. Also sorry, I kinda forgot about our firearms for a moment; I work for the Lunar Investigative Agency now.”

If it was anyone else who said that, Tkart might have gotten a bit more frightened. Since it was Circuit Board, however, she knew that she bore no ill will.

“Well, come in.” Tkart opened the door fully and walked back into the hallway.

Tkart heard a thud which she presumed to be from the door closing, and a male voice yelp “Ow!”

Tkart turned around to see the stallion rubbing his foreleg and Circuit Board bearing a look of innocence. “How long have you lived here?” Circuit Board asked.

“About eight years,” Tkart answered. “You’ve been living in the District?”

“Yes, in an apartment. That’s all they have there that’s affordable for lowly agents such as myself and Poniard.”

Tkart led them to the living room of sorts, which was more of which a room with a television on one wall and a few padded folding chairs. A shoddy table that appeared to be homemade lay in the center.

“It’s not much, but... Take a seat.” Tkart gave a crooked smile. Poniard took a seat, but Circuit Board looked at a picture hanging on the wall of Tkart with Thel.

“This your son?” Circuit Board looked over at her old friend.

“Yes, he’s Thel ‘Mirik.” Tkart bore the tone of a doting mother, which she was. “He’s at preschool right now.”

Poniard muttered something under his breath as his datapad, issued courtesy of the Ministry of Justice, started buzzing violently. He grabbed it out of his suit’s pockets, and tapped it. Poniard’s eyes widened as he saw the reason as to why it had vibrated.

“Look, Tkart,” Circuit Board sighed. “I won’t lie to you. I’m out here because Poniard, myself, and several others are conducting a major investigation.”

“An organized crime investigation?” Tkart presumed that was what they were out here for, although organized crime, ironically, was almost non existent in the Changeling Territories.

“One could call it that,” Circuit Board answered. Circuit Board frowned, and looked apologetically at the changeling. “Look, you’re the only person I know who I could ask these questions to, and I really need your help.”

Now Tkart was frowning as well. “What do you want to know?”

“Remember how when we were kids we tried to each other magic?” Tkart nodded, those days had been some of the best of her childhood. “Is it possible that somebody, namely a person a massive amount of understanding and power with magic could learn changeling magic?”

“I mean... I guess.” Tkart tried to think of how to respond right. “But to learn such a thing, as you said, would require an immense amount of skill, something no one but probably alicorns would have. What’s got you interested?”

“Nothing to worry about.” Circuit Board hated to lie, especially to Tkart of all people, but right now she needed answers. “And isn’t love required to power changeling magic?”

“Power magic?” Tkart laughed. “Has it really been that long Circuit Board?”

Circuit Board bore a look of confusion.

“Love doesn’t exactly power our magic, per se. It’s like nourishment. Changelings rely on emotions, although love is the most... potent, or filling, if you will. We can go without food for weeks, but we can’t go for maybe more than a few days without emotions. And it doesn’t require any sort of parasitism.” Tkart made sure to add in that last part. While she knew her friend didn’t bear any prejudice, she wasn’t sure about the one called Poniard.

“So... You don’t need emotion to power changeling magic?”

“Well, if you’re a changeling, you’re going to need emotion to be able to survive to use your magic, but no, you don’t.”

The stallion got up and tapped Circuit Board, and both her and Tkart looked at him. “Circuit Board, we need to get going now. Give me the keys.”

Circuit Board did so, and frowned at her friend. “I wish I could stay and talk longer but... Duty calls.” She said that last part with as much optimism as she could muster.

“Take care, Circuit Board.” Tkart wasn’t sure what was going on, but she nonetheless hoped the best for her old friend.

Poniard hurriedly led Circuit Board out to the car, and she spoke quite bluntly. “What the hell is wrong with you Poniard? We can’t just-”

“Somebody just robbed Stalliongradi Armory and left a solar symbol.” Poniard opened the driver side door and got in.

“What?” Circuit Board couldn’t make sense of that statement, because it seemed utterly absurd to her.

“Somebody just robbed Stalliongradi Armory and left a solar symbol.” Poniard repeated.

Circuit Board realized that Poniard was dead serious, and got in as quickly as possible.

[Lolloh]

As the roaring fire arched over his head, the hamster pushed with all his might, barely avoiding a serious burn, and only narrowly avoiding falling from his desk to certain doom.
"Sorry, dad, Verrik gave me dragon pox," a sniffling changeling said, casting his compound eyes in the direction of the dragon sitting next to him, easily 3 times his height, sitting on his haunches. "Did NOT!" Verrik shouted back at his adopted brother. Dragon pox was the eternal scourge of the Lollohian health system: A bacterial infection stemming from draconic hormones, the infection attacked the cells of a non-dragon, changing their genetic code so that they grew scales, large ears, vestigial wings, and, in some cases, began to breath fire. If let untreated, it would fully transform one into a dragon. Despite all the advances in medicine, several hundred involuntary (and irreversible) transformations occurred every year.
"Did TO!" the changeling shot back, angry.
"Oh, quiet, Trundler, really, you two! 108 and 9 and you both babbling like toddlers!" Ingrained by several years of odd family life, the two, much larger than their adopted father, recoiled slightly at the remarks. They'd always suspected that their father had taken them more for the financial incentive than anything else: With half of changeling kids abandoned, adopting one resulted in an upfront payment of Ty20 000. Adopting a dragon was five times that. This, plus his position as MP and Crown Prince, had earned Namurri a decent house for the entire family; his aides constantly complained about having to scuttle the entire distance from one room to another, but, when his son unexpectedly offered to carry them in his jaws, they shut up.
"Well, boys," began Namurri, looking at the two, who seemed genuinely scolded,"you know that that's not behavior that's tolerable AT ALL! Really, burning down someone's locker, stealing their wallet, and using their credit card for a binge at the supermarket?"
"But we..." Verrik trailed off as he looked at Trundler, who, obviously, did not need to eat food. "I was hungry!"
"Hungry enough to buy 128 packs of meat, 38 tins of lard, and 504 kilos of Brussel Sprouts?" questioned Namurri, reading from the police report filed earlier that day. "Boys, I've just been elected Prime Minister, I can't have you two gallivanting across the prairie doing as you please!" The news came as a shock to the dragon and the changeling, who, despite all the political talk they'd heard at home, hadn't been expecting their diminutive father to ever get above his hereditary position in the House of Hamsteria. However, they sheepishly nodded. "Good, now go and do your homework!"
The two quietly backed away, and left, leaving their father, a hamster Prime Minister, to shuffle the first papers from his new occupation.

[The Lunar Domain]

Formed Anvil Manufacturing Plant, Republic of Stalliongrad, The Lunar Domain, Universe 01

4:49 P.M. - April 20, 3028

The tires of the vehicle Poniard had been frantically driving screeched to a halt, leaving tracks on the road beneath. Seconds later, Poniard literally jumped out of the vehicle, and went running towards the police barricade around the plant.

Circuit Board closed the doors, and raced to catch up with the near galloping stallion. “What’s gotten into you?” she asked. She had by now already read the Midnight Report article about the incident that had occurred at the plant, but didn’t know why Poniard was in such a hurry.

“No time to explain,” Poniard replied. He led her to a police checkpoint, whereupon arrival they were stopped by what looked to Circuit Board like a lesser equipped Lunar Guard.

“I’m sorry, the Plant is off limits to all non-authorized personnel.” The officer bore a tone of harshness that Circuit Board found unusual. Nevertheless, she pulled out her badge.

“I’m Agent Circuit Board,” she stated. “We’re with the Lunar Investigation Agency-”

“I don’t recall the Lunar Investigative Agency being called out here.” A uniformed earth pony mare came walking up, and Circuit Board almost laughed. She looked like a stereotypical Stalliongradi toughie. “In fact, I don’t think I want you getting involved. We can handle ourselves without your help, чинуша.”

Circuit Board knew that whatever the mare had said in that last part had to have been some form of insult. She would have made a comment about the mare not having the courage to say it so they could both understand, but Poniard spoke up before she could say anything.

“Commissioner,” Poniard said. “I don’t think you understand, I need to get inside.”

“You are violating your own law, чинуша,” the Commissioner laughed.

“Это ещё что такое, Комиссар?” A man in a business suit came walking up, and both agents presumed that he worked for Stalliongradi Armory. “Что тут делают эти люди?”

“Они из Лунного Разведовательного Агентства.” Justice sounded irritated that she had to explain. “Хоть их и не вызывали.”

“Лунного Разведовательного Агентства?” The man turned to look at the two agents, and started speaking in English. “Who are you?”

“Agent Poniard, and this is my partner, Agent Circuit Board.” Poniard sounded slightly irritated that he had to introduce himself for some reason.

“Poniard?” The man looked confused for a second, but then his eyes widened in realization. “Oh, my apologies, Agent.”

“Разрешите им пройти,” the man spoke. “Они здесь по нашему требованию.” The man looked at the police officers, who hesitantly stepped aside.

The man began leading them not directly into the plant, but rather around it, walking at a brisk pace that barely didn’t qualify as running.

Circuit Board wasn’t exactly sure what importance Poniard had that Stalliongradi business men were recognizing him, nor why businessmen were giving orders to law enforcement. Then again, she hadn’t ever been to Stalliongrad, which so far, it seemed, Poniard was familiar with.

“We’ve been getting a lot of people wanting to come inside,” the man explained. “Most are press, but others have been officials such as yourself.”

“LIA?” Poniard asked.

“Yes, and we’ve told them they need to first consult with the local police.” The man led them around a corner, and within a few hundred meters stood an office building, which Circuit Board presumed to be the corporate offices. “And, beside the stubborn pride that Commissioner Justice has, we also asked her not to let any LIA in.”

“Excuse me?” Circuit Board didn’t like this one bit. Right now, she was literally hearing that the Stalliongradi Armory was purposefully obstructing an investigation, even one that was into them being attacked. “Since when has it been legal for civilians to be dictating how an investigation works?”

The man stopped and looked at Circuit Board, while Poniard quietly gestured now wasn’t the time. “Miss, I can assume you have not ever been here before. Stalliongradi Armory is the reason why the law enforcement department here has the equipment it does. Stalliongradi Armory designed, manufactured, and sold the SM6B pistol that you have on you. Stalliongradi Armory is the reason this city is prosperous. So with all due respect, Agent Circuit Board, do not speak about things you do not know the context of.”

The man started walking again, and Poniard gave an apologetic look to Circuit Board. She was, to say the very least, angered by the man’s response.

Poniard tried to change the subject to the reason why they were here. “So the scene is preserved?”

“Yes,” the man answered. “Although Commissioner Justice shared a similar attitude to your partner at first.”

Circuit Board would have loved to pistol whip the man right there and then, but that fantasy was stopped as they entered the office building, where two armed security personnel bore what appeared to be military-grade equipment.

The doors slid open, and they walked into what had to be one of the grandest lobbies Circuit Board had seen. In the center was a water fountain, with a statue of what looked like a worker at its center. The floor itself appeared to be made of marble tiles, and various golden statues stood at either side of the staircases that were on opposite sides of the room.

Coming up to a desk, an elderly looking mare smiled and buzzed the two into a hallway that led to an elevator. When its doors opened, the elevator looked just as regal, and had a glass face to the river nearby.

The three entered, and the doors slid closed, and Circuit Board felt it begin to ascend.

“Look, Circuit Board, you know how you did the talking back in the Changeling Territories?” The man raised an eyebrow at the mention of the state, but didn’t say anything. Circuit Board just nodded. “I need you to let me do the talking.”

---

Stalliongradi Armory Headquarters, Republic of Stalliongrad, The Lunar Domain, Universe 01

4:56 P.M. - April 20, 3028

Doctor Metal Chevron did not consider himself to be a stallion who got frustrated easily, but right now he found himself on the verge of shouting.

Currently, he was in conversation with the Chief Executive Officer of Cloudsdale Defense Solutions, a pegasus by the name of Glitterati Precocity whom Chevron sincerely believed was full of himself.

Stalliongradi Armory and Cloudsdale Defense Solutions had always been rivals, both competing to gain Ministry of Defense contracts and the massive amount of money that came with them. Chevron believed this was not the full extent of this rivalry, however: he personally believed that it came from a more basic root. His idea was that the rivalry came from the basic fact that Stalliongradi Armory had always been the result of hard work made by the people of Stalliongrad, and had been the result of blood, sweat, and tears; Cloudsdale Defense Solutions, on the other hand, was based more on the machinations of those who held the power in the company.

“While I am just as disheartened as anyone else to hear of the tragedy that occurred this morning, Doctor Chevron,” Precocity spoke. “I am not sure it is within either of our best interests to conduct the loan that you have proposed.”

Chevron would have loved to smack Precocity, but sadly, it was only a holographic representation of the stallion. The system installed in the penthouse of Chevron’s had cost more than an average worker’s salary, and had arguably a better quality to it than even what the Prime Minister had.

“May I remind you, Mister Precocity, that I personally gave you twice the amount of money you had lost five years ago in the plant fire.” Chevron made his displeasure apparent, but retained civility. “I ask you for much less than that. Even in the face of our petty-”

“Oh, I’m truly sorry, Doctor Chevron, but I do appear I have a meeting that I must be getting to. I will speak with you later.” The holograph flickered off, and Chevron stamped his hoof onto the floor.

“Pretentious prick,” he said. “Probably hasn’t done a single minute of hard labor in his life.”

Something started beeping, and Chevron sighed. Walking over to his desk, he was about ready to tell his secretary to say to whoever was there that he was busy. “Yes, Ms. Shirling?”

“Sorry to interrupt sir,” Shirling’s voice answered. Chevron would have laughed and told her it wasn’t a problem, but thought better of it. “I have an Agent Poniard and Agent Circuit Board here to see you.”

Chevron’s mood brightened upon hearing Poniard’s name, and he quickly responded. “Send them in.”

For the first time that day, Chevron had a bit of a smile on his face.

---

Penthouse Lobby

“Go right in, Agent Poniard,” Miss Shirling said.

Poniard didn’t recognize the secretary, having remembered a different person working as Chevron’s secretary. Nevertheless, he treated her with the same respect. “Thanks, Miss Shirling.”

Poniard could tell that Circuit Board was wondering what the hell was going on, and felt both guilty and nervous. He knew that she was about to find out a bit more about him momentarily.

Walking into the penthouse proper, both Poniard and Circuit Board looked at another person in business suit, this one an earth pony stallion with a reddish-brown coat. The graying mane, tail, and beard hinted towards the stallion’s age.

“Poniard!” The stallion greeted. “I haven’t seen you in months... I wish I could see you under better circumstances.”

“Yeah, I wish I wasn’t here because of what happened this morning,” Poniard responded.

The stallion frowned slightly, and looked over at Circuit Board. “You are Agent Circuit Board, I presume?”

Circuit Board should have been surprised that he knew her name, but by now she wasn’t too surprised by what she viewed as the corrupt business known as Stalliongradi Armory. “Yes, and you are?”

The stallion raised his eyebrow. “Hasn’t Poniard told you already?” he asked. Poniard tried to avoid his momentary gaze, a mannerism of Poniard’s that appeared whenever he felt he had done something wrong. “I’m Doctor Metal Chevron, the Chief Executive Officer of Stalliongradi Armory, and more importantly, Poniard’s father.”

For a second, Circuit Board’s brain tried to process the new information, attempting to remember if she had ever saw this when she had looked at his files. She slowly realized she had only looked at the correspondence between SAC MacKenna and another Section Chief, and not Poniard’s profile itself.

She looked at Poniard, utter bewilderment apparent on her face. “You’re the son... Of one of the richest people in the nation?”

“Yeah...” Poniard put his hoof behind his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. “It’s not something I exactly go around and advertise.”

“Not to be rude,” Chevron said. “But you Agents have been brought here for a specific reason.” Chevron started heading out of the penthouse, and gestured for the two to follow. Poniard did so without question, although Circuit Board took a moment.

Leading them back to the elevator, Chevron started speaking. “When I started hearing about the assault from the security guards, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.”

“Excuse me, but you are using assault to describe it?” Circuit Board was in the state of mind that she thought he was subtly exaggerating events.

Chevron looked at Circuit Board, and nodded. “This wasn’t just an armed robbery. These people... They knew what they were doing. First, they took out our security surveillance, so we couldn’t even see anything going on. Then, from what many are presuming was a changeling, they impersonated personnel in order to get through secured areas.”

“You don’t think there was a changeling involved?” Poniard asked.

Chevron looked at Poniard. “After hearing about your report from myy good friend the Minister of Justice, I am hesitant to believe that any changeling could bear the amount of magical power the leader had.”

“This is all based on eyewitness accounts?” Circuit Board was starting to warm up a little.

“They’re the only thing we have to go off of.” The elevator dinged, and Chevron led them out onto the street, and towards the plant.

“Why are you not letting anyone in to the site?” Poniard inquired.

“Because I want to keep the scene as preserved as possible for you.” The rest of the walk was spent in silence, upon arrival to the Plant’s entrance, the mixture of security personnel and law enforcement let them through until they finally reached a large room that bore a manufacturing line.

“This is where the major firefight happened.”

It wasn’t too hard to tell: casings lined the ground, and blood was splattered on various surfaces; holes dotted many of the walls.

“Did any of the perpetrators get wounded or killed?” Poniard tried to ignore the fear of the violence of the scene.

“No,” Chevron answered. “According to some of the security officers, it seemed like illusionary magic was being used at times. They would shoot at what they thought was one of the robbers, only to find that they would just wink out of existence.”

“What were they armed with?”

“Looked like the previous generation of assault rifles, as they didn’t have the new hybrid round.” Chevron led them down a corridor to where the finished products would normally be stored until shipped out.

“That firefight you saw back there I’m thinking was just meant to keep us distracted. Because I can assure you that this room this morning had much more equipment than it does now.”

Crates dotted the room, and all of them were opened up, and had very obviously been looted. Boxes were strewn about, and some equipment littered the floor. But of more interest to Poniard and Circuit Board was a certain article of graffiti.

It resembled the cutie mark of an alicorn long dead, and while it was hastily made, it almost had a degree of beauty to it. Underneath it, in scrawled writing, a message was visible.

“The time has come for the moon to set, and the sun to rise once more.”

---

First Federal Territory, The Lunar Domain, Universe 01

9:40 P.M. - April 20, 3028

What appeared to be the mare who led The New Sun, Evaporating Mist, finally felt she could get some rest for the day. Dropping her disguise, the pegasus morphed into the alicorn Agents Poniard and Circuit Board had been hunting for.

Things had gone smoothly: after killing Evaporating Mist, a mare whose only use had been as a source of a disguise to Twilight, she had disposed of the body. Soon after, at the meeting of The New Sun party scheduled later in the day of April 19, 3028, with the help of a bit of mind manipulation magic Twilight had been able to procure herself a small group of angered persons.

In addition to this, she had been able to establish contact with a sympathizer to her cause in the capital of The Lunar Domain who had been quick to inform her that she was already being hunted down, and that suspicions were on about changeling magic being used by her.

While this certainly presented an issue, Sparkle had already accomplished one of the more difficult parts of her plan, and now she had modern equipment, something she would need. Of course one of the first things she had done back at the factory was magically fry the transponders embedded within them so they couldn’t be tracked.

Twilight smiled as she knew her revenge drew ever closer.