Artist's comment:

This piece is for sale

Prophecy levitated the mug to her lips and took a sip of vegetable broth; then she placed back on the nightstand by her hospital bed in my Equestria dreamscape. With this task completed she dabbed her lips with a linen napkin. Then she addressed the Royal Sisters who had patiently sat on a couple divans that had been brought into her room.

“Princess Celestia. Princess Luna.” She said timidly with a very tired voice. “I, I want to thank you for taking time from your busy schedules to come here and check on my well-being. I'm sorry... I've been such a burden for the Crown.”

Behind the sisters Doctor Healing Wings stood silently by with a couple of nurses and a cart of supplies...just in case. In each corner of the room stood one of the sister's security detail. The result was a rather crowd space, but nopony was taking any chances.

Celestia gave one of her signature smiles. Leveraging a thousand years of offering guidance and support she spoke softly. “Prophecy you need not apologize for anything. My sister and I are here because we were alarmed by your recent episode, but even more so by the conditions that might've triggered it.”

>>3703539 (grimdark, grotesque)

Princess Luna spoke. “Prophecy. We know you just recently had very traumatic experience, and if you don't wish to speak about it now we understand, but by chance could you tell us what triggered this most recent event?”

The young mare took a deep breath and nodded her head. “Yes, uh, I can tell you what I remember. I was uh–“

Suddenly dark bay's body shivered and as the Royal Sisters looked on Prophecy's ice blue eyes slowly rolled up into her head. Then like the drums in a slot machine a pair garnet red, vertical slit eyes rolled up and replaced them. The mare's timid mannerism was replaced air of confidence. When she spoke there was a crispness in the mare's voice that had not been there a moment before.

“Before we go any further. Understand that neither I or my sworn partner will permit you during this interview to put our charge any form of stress, either physical or mental, that will endanger her safety. This is not negotiable. Our greatest concern is first and foremost is her well-being. Do you understand?”

Celestia arched an eyebrow and stared directly into the garnet red eyes. Celestia had finally come face to face with one Prophecy's rider. Luna had told her about them, but the Princess had never observed this phenomenon herself. With a voice usually reserved for diplomatic summits she addressed the mare.

“Would I be correct that you're entity that goes by the name of Viper?”

“That would correct Princess Celestia. Princess of the Sun and Co-Ruler of Equestria. Forgive my bluntness but once again I will not permit this interview to continue until I have heard that our charge's well-being is assured.”

The white alicorn nodded her head. “Yes Viper. Myself and my sister will do nothing to deliberately endanger Prophecy.” She glanced over her shoulder at Doctor Healing Wings and then back the rider. “Also Prophecy's doctor and her select staff are here as an added insurance. I would like to take this moment to compliment you for taking Prophecy's health and well-being so seriously. Do these assurances meet with your approval Viper?”

The rider stared at Celestia for a moment; as if attempting judge the sincerity of the alicorn's words. Finally it nodded the mare's head.

“Yes they do. Understand your Highness that it is not just altruism that motivate myself and Creeper. It's in our own self interest that Prophecy has a long life. She's our link to the Waking World. Neither of us wish to return to the Howling Darkness of the Lower Dark Realms at this time. Now I will let you continue your conversation with–”

Celestia interrupted the rider. “Before you leave us Viper may I ask you a question?”

Prophecy's eyes narrowed. “That depends on what the question is. What do you wish to know from me specifically?”

Celestia pursed her lips for a moment as she formed her thoughts in her mind. “Did you or Creeper directly witness what caused this most recent episode, or the one that occurred in Ponyville?”

>>2058009 (grimdark, grotesque)

Viper slowly shook Prophecy's head. “Sadly no. Understand princess that even with our contract to our charge our connection to this world is tenuous. We can only directly observe it for brief moments of time. Like right now. Most we of our knowledge of this world comes filtered through the mind of our charges. This often skews our perception of events that happen to her. Our charge's preconceived notions, biases, fears, and emotions color our view of events. So when she's under extreme duress her ability to remember and convey events is often cloudy at best. Similar to obtaining accurate information from eye witnesses of a traumatic event. However I believe our charge will be of some assistance to you. Now–“

With at the garnet red eyes slowly rolled up in the mare's head, and her normal ice blue eyes rolled back into view. The mare resumed speaking as if there had been no passage of time. “ I was uh, lying on this bed getting ready to be discharged. Nurse Greenstick was reviewing my paperwork one last time, and Nurse Purple Primrose was brushing my mane when another pony came in the room. Then, then suddenly I was in the same room with that pony when....”

Prophecy closed her eyes and lowered her head. Silently she started shivering. Celestia rose from her divan and came over. Gently she settled alongside her on the bed. The bed frame creaked under this additional load but held. Carefully the Princess draped her left wing over the mare and pulled her into a hug. As she did this her horn started to glow gently.

“We're here with you Prophecy.” Celestia said softly. “My sister and I are here to help you. You're safe here in the palace. Do you understand.”

The mare said nothing as she nuzzled herself deep into the warmth of Celestia's silky, soft coat, but after a second she nodded her head. Luna rose herself and came over and sat down on the floor next to the bed. Luna swallowed nervously several times before finally speaking

“Prophecy. I would like to show you an illusion. It is just an illusion. Not the real thing. I want to see if you recognize it. It'll only be here for a second then I'll dispel it. Is that okay?”

The unicorn pulled her head away from Celestia's neck and nodded her. Luna closed her eyes and her horn glowed for a moment. On the bed a little 3D illusion of Applebloom appeared.

Luna's eyes were still closed when she heard a strangled gasp. Opening her eyes she found herself staring at Prophecy's terrified face. The mare was shivering uncontrollably and retreated under Celestia's wing. Said alicorn looked her sister in the eyes.

“Luna...” She hissed softly.

Luna immediately dispelled the illusion although now she found herself breathing heavily as well. It made no sense? How could Applebloom be causing these attacks? Finally she spoke.

“Sister. I must go to somewhere and confirm some things. Right now.” She looked at where Prophecy had retreated under her sister's wing. “Do you think you have things under control here?”

Celestia looked down at where the now hidden mare was. She sighed and then looked back up at her sister. “Yes Luna. I believe we will be able to–“

Suddenly from beneath Celestia's wing Prophecy spoke, but there was something about it that startled both of sisters. It had an alien timbre to it that made the alicorns shiver.

“Your concern for this precious little flame is a fool's errand. The Gatekeeper will snuff it out along with every inhabitant of this world if they succeed, and they will make your deaths a thing that will defy description. You will both scream for a hundred years! All for the Gatekeeper's pleasure.”

Slowly from beneath Celestia's wing Prophecy reemerged, but she now had the horizontal slitted emerald green eyes of the rider Creeper. Creeper looked Luna in the eyes.

“Princess of the pearl that traverses the nighttime skies, you and your sister have apparently said throughout the centuries that you care for the well-being of the inhabitants of this world. Were those words spoken in truth or were they nothing but empty platitudes?”

The Prussian Blue alicorn bristled a little at this accusation. “ Creeper. I spoke those words with honesty and sincerity”

Prophecy/Creeper nodded her head. “Very well. Then heed my words! The being that bears the likeness of that illusion must not be allowed to live! Or all will perish!”

To be continued.