I came stumbling out of the bar in the early morning. Luna's moon still hung perfect above me, and I wondered vaguely if she could see me like this... Yep, the spirits were still strong, and it was still damn hard for me to get drunk. Guess when you're a creature of chaos and water with a talent for entropy, something as crazy as drunkenness was commonplace and boring. I shook myself, dispersing much of the buzz, and glanced around. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, but I certainly found something.

Rarity was trotting along at the side of a fancy-looking unicorn stallion. She was happily flushed and giggling at something he'd said. Before they could reach me, he leaned over, kissed her, then headed into a large, multi-level apartment. I fell into step alongside her as she went toward the train station."Evening, Rarity."

She jumped slightly, glancing at me. "Good heavens, I didn't see you there Lantra. I was having an evening out."

"With your colt-friend?"

She flushed. "No, no, he was just accompanying me. Hoity Toity is far too important a pony for a little mare like me..."

"Oh? He didn't seem to think so."

"I, well, what about you?"

"What about me?"

"Why weren't you there for Derpy's show today? It was huge!"

I stared at the ground. "I don't attend royal events. You enjoy high society, but I do not miss it."

"Miss it?" Rarity turned her attention from the approaching station to give me an astonished look. "You were a part of-"

A large guard in the celestial armor stepped up from the shadows, cutting her off. "Lantra Riverspeaker?" I nodded, surreptitiously releasing my knives partway from their sheathes. "I require a word with you. If you would kindly keep moving miss- this does not concern you."

Rarity started to protest, but I held up a hoof before her face. "Go, Rarity. I will see you in Ponyville." She seemed to want to argue, but the guard's imposing figure was looming, and she silently complied with several backwards glances at me.

Once Rarity was gone, the uicorn spoke again. "I need you to come with me. The Princess wishes to speak with you."

My heart made friends with a block of ice. "Why? What could she want with me?"

The soldier shrugged. "That's not my concern. Please come with me."

"No thank you. The princess can message me, if it's all the same."

The guard stared. I was defying a direct order from Celestia! I couldn't help but chuckle internally at the look on his face. "Sir, I was told to locate and retrieve you. Now, I need you to step this way, or else I will have no choice but to make you." Ahh, there was the 'kind, loving' nature of the quee-sorry, 'princess'.

I looked the guard up and down, judging him. ...Too easy. "I'm leaving. Have a good night." I turned, and he stepped forwards, a sword leaving its sheathe. He and I glared at each other challengingly for several seconds before a quiet voice made me jump.

"Please... don't fight." We both looked over as a unicorn mare stepped into the light, so she was standing in the darkness from her shoulders, her elegant neck and head on display. That voice... Those eyes...

"Ma'am!" The guard dropped to one knee. "I was bringing him along, you didn't need to-"

"You were told to find him and ask him to come, not to force him."

"But Celestia always-"

"Leave us."

"...Princess Ayana, he is obviously rebellious ,and I don't feel that-"

"Leave us. That is an order." The guard glared at her for a few moments, then at me, then turned and trotted off into the darkness. She waited until his hoofsteps retreated out of hearing, before stepping into the light fully and siling gently at me. "So, you are Lantra." I wasn't paying any attention to whatever she said. My focus was locked on her wings. "I was hoping to speak with you. You see, I have a coronation coming up soon-" Another one. There was another one, out and about in Canterlot. Her daughter? "And I was allowed to choose my own decorations. I hadn't really had any ideas yet, but then-" There was no way that was it... I'd have heard. ...Besides, like that frigid bitch would have ever been with a stallion. She was too good for that. What then? Was Celestia actually allowing deviations of power? ...Deviations? That new "Love alicorn... She ruled over the Crystal Empire Whooves had said. But who put her there? Thusly did the Blood Sun rule that land outside her empire... "I saw your piece back at the shop! It was amazing and unique. I mean, I thought the castle was amazing, but even there-"

So then, where would she rule ove- what! What!? My mind was instantly focused on her as it rushed to catch up and process what it had heard. Wings and power splits forgotten, I stared at the glass sculpture she was holding. "But I smashed it."

"there's nothing like- hmm? Oh, yes. Well, I found an expert repair unicorn. Something so precious shouldn't be abandoned. Would you mind if I keep it?"

"...Sure, I don't want it."

"Oh thank you! Now, where was I? Oh! I was hoping that you could tell me where you got this?"

"I made it."

Her wings flared happily. "Perfect! Are you open for a big order? I need quite a few glass sculptures of all kinds of designs and sizes for the coronation. Are you available for the work?"

I was about to jump at the offer, when something held me back. I frowned at myself internally. This was a chance of a lifetime! I could become famous and rich! That was just it, though... Fame brings attention. Attention brings royal scrutiny. Royal scrutiny brings death. ...But I needed the work! ... "Yes, on two conditions."

"Oh?"

"Firstly, I deal only with you. I want no contact at all with the other princesses, or any of the guards."

"But why?"

"That is my business, and my first condition. Second is that you canot tell anyone who you purchased the pieces from. Not to the people, not even to Celestia herself."

"But your pieces are amazing! You'll be famous!"

"That's just it- I don't want fame. I want work, but fame would rob me of its joy."

She considered me, then nodded. "You have my word. Here is a list of what I need, please contact me when it is done."

I took it with a nod, knowing the risk I was taking, but I was feeling dangerous. I started to head towards the station, then turned back to the newest alicorn princess. "How did you find me?"

She smiled sadly. "I can always feel a breaking heart. If you need a friend, you are never alone. Just remember that. Have a good night, Lantra." With that, I was left alone. The train whistle tried to scream into me, but I ignored it. As the train started to roll, I blew the street light above me's bulb, letting darkness fall over em, and shifted to a pegasus for the first time in centuries. Canterlot shimmered far below me, simultaneously beautiful and threatening.

The night air helped clear my mind, whipping through and tearing the pain and anger away. If only I'd ever flown with her, then maybe... No, she didn't need me any more anyways. She had a new, happy life, and I quite clearly iddn't fit into it. I closed my eyes, letting the wind rip away all thoughts and tears alike, heading home.

Awesome, a chapter up much faster than usual. Hopefully you all enjoy this one. Don't worry, Ayana is not intended to replace Derpy, as much as Lantra might end up confused about who he wants. Hopefully you're all enjoying, but no reviews means I have no clue, so I will hope and write on.

As always, I do not own MLPFIM.