The gala was a lot busier than I expected. As we made our way into the castle, ponies bustled around everywhere trying to get into a line that stretched all the way down the hallway. However, once we got out of the initial crowd, it wasn't as bad. In fact, the ballroom was actually pretty empty. The other ponies must be waiting for a show or something out in a room down the hall.

I turned to Amber and Glaze. "Alright, we got in... Now what?"

"We didn't exactly think out the plan this far..." Amber looked around. "Shouldn't the princesses be here somewhere?"

"You'd think so..."

"We should split up."

I glanced over at Glaze. "Why the hell would we do that?"

"Because it's no use taking chances. If ponies from the Factory are here, they'll be looking for all three of us.
If we split up, it'll make us harder to find. They'll initially be looking for a group of three, and even if they do end up capturing one of us, the other two still have a chance. Assuming they don't kill us, at least. I don't suppose they will, if they have the choice. They'd probably love it if they could get some extra rainbows out of us after they killed all of this month's flight school failures right before we left."

"Not all of them!" Amber boasted with a grin.

We both ignored her, which seemed to make her mad.

I sighed. "Alright... You're actually making sense... If we split up, we can cover more ground while we search for the princesses. They must be somewhere in this castle. Let's do it."

Glaze nodded his head once. "If the princesses aren't out yet, then we can at least put this time to good use by patrolling for Factory guards. If we see any, we can notify each other to make sure none of us are captured or killed. This palace is so huge, they could be anywhere."

I looked around the ballroom at the numerous ponies, then over at the open doors that led to the outside. "Ok... I'll... I'll take the courtyard... You and Amber split up and do the castle." I suggested, really just looking for an excuse to get away from all these ponies. I'm extremely antisocial, I know.

"Fine, but I get this room. There's food here." He glanced over at the buffet table, eyeing a delicious looking apple pie.

I rolled my eyes. "This castle is huge, you'll have to cover a few more rooms than just this one, but sure, have your stupid food."

"So... If I'm patrolling the other side of the castle, does that mean... Y'know, if I see something I want to check out..."

I sighed. "Whatever, go ahead, it may just help you blend in more. Just... Keep a look out, ok? Remember, we're not here to have fun."

She nodded. "Oh, thank you thank you thank you!" She darted off.

"Amber wait-" I called, but it was no use, she was gone.

Well, at least I thought she was, until she stuck her head back in the room and yelled "Remember, be polite!" At us, then dashed off again.

I sighed and rolled my eyes. "Got it Amber."

"Pffttt, I can plenty polite," Glaze scoffed, stretching his wings.

"Alright well... Guess I'm off to the courtyard." I turned and walked off. I hope Amber knows that if they are here, the guards will probably be disguised... I thought worriedly.

A cold wind hit me as I made my way outside. The courtyard was actually quite beautiful, with perfectly cut hedges and strings of glowing lights strung between the trees.

Alright... What to do first? The most logical thing to do is probably to find out if Celestia and Luna are even here... They're sure to show up at some point, I mean, this is their castle. The question is, when?

I glanced around the clearing. Maybe I should ask around. We didn't really look much at that pamphlet the guards gave us... But somepony here must know.

My eyes fell on an orange mare with a braided magenta mane, wearing a turquoise dress. She was walking with a light pink unicorn, who had a blue mane that faded to purple, and a brown earth pony with a mane and tail that reminded me of those chocolate swirl candies that they used to sell at the sweets shop in Cloudsdale.

They look nice enough, I thought, beginning to make my way over to the group.

"Umm... Hey, can anypony tell me where I can go to meet the princesses?" I asked nervously.

The orange mare looked up. "Yeah, the royalty meet and greet doesn't start until 2:00. It's in the courtroom."

"...Sorry, I'm new here, where is that?"

The pink pony spoke up. "Down the hall from the main ballroom. There's arrows to direct you, don't worry. I know this place is a maze."

I nodded. "Thank you. Does anyone know the current time?"

"Around 1:30, I believe." Said the candy pony. "Though if you want to get in, you might want to go now. I heard the line up is already all the way down the hall."

I paused. Im such an idiot! That must have been what that huge line up at the door was! How the hell are we going to get to them now?! It's a zoo in there!"

"... Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." I slowly walked off, then broke into a run. Gotta find Glaze. We'll find a way to get through the line up. We have to.

As I ran towards the building, a flash of movement caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. I turned my head, just in time to spot a familiar yellow Pegasus disappear into the hedge maze across the clearing, trailed by three ponies dressed as chefs.

No. No. No. He's going to get himself killed. They found us again. How the buck did they find us?!

I began to run after them, frantic thoughts racing through my brain. Our plan is slowly going down the drain. Nothing is going as planned. We're going to die.

I tried to follow their path through the winding hedges, but sure enough, I lost them. Great. Just great. Now I'm lost.

I sighed and began to walk. This is absolute crap. I continued to turn corners until I reached a clearing. Hmm... I must be in the center. Now... Which way to the exit...

WHAM.

I let out a yelp as I was knocked over from one side.

"Mystery?!"

"Glaze?! What are you doing?!"
I scrambled to get up.

"What are you doing in here? I thought you were patrolling the courtyard."

"I followed you in here, idiot. Did you lose the guards?"

"Guards?"

"Yeah. You were being chased, weren't you? They looked like chefs, or something like that."

"Oh, you thought those were Factory guards? Pfft, no, those were actual chefs." He grinned and dropped a full apple pie at my feet. "I stole this from the food counter, unfortunately one spotted me and it led to a full on chase."

"You bucking idiot! You took an ENTIRE pie?! So much for being polite and staying undercover! Sweet Celestia, you're such an idiot!" I facehoofed multiple times.

"I was hungry, jeez, I was going to share with you and Amber, but not anymore!"

"Pffft, you were never going to share with us. Plus, all the food here is free. Why the buck did you need to steal an entire pie?!"

"Look, we haven't eaten for a day and a half. We were fed 2 square meals a day at the Factory. They treated us well there! Now I'm freezing cold, hungry, filthy, without a home or any place to stay, and it's all your fault."

"What does that have to do with stealing a pie?! I bet Celestia would have treated us to an entire buffet if we could just get this done! A buffet, Glaze!"

"And if we fail?"

"Then we'll be too dead to care."

He rolled his eyes. "I'm not going to die... I can't."

"What do you mean you can't? We fail, we're all going to die. No ifs, ands, and buts. We can't run from the Factory forever, and they're not going to stop tracking us down anytime soon."

"That's not what I meant. Nevermind, it's not like you'll listen anyways."
I stopped. "What do you mean, am I missing something here?" I shook my head and looked around for a way out. "Nevermind, we should go."

"Hmph. I was finally going to tell you what you wanted to know, and now you won't even listen to me."

I sighed and looked up. "What is it?"

"Nevermind."

"Tell me."

"Nah."

"Glaze."

"Nah."

I sighed and and picked up the pie that was lying at my feet, then held it up in the air, threatening to throw it at him. "Tell me."

"I thought you wanted to get going."

"I do, so make it quick."

"It's not a quick story."

"Story?"

"Nevermind."

I raised the pie again. "TELL ME."

"I'm not scared, I already know you have horrible aim. Bet you couldn't hit me even if you tried."

"Oh, you wanna find out, mule?" I hissed.

He sighed. "Do you want to hear the truth, or not?"

"YES. Just... Make it quick."

"We got time. It's only 1:30, we've still got half an hour before the meet and greet starts."

"Yeah, but apparently the line up is out the front doors."

"Exactly, so it'll be no use going early if we can't get in. We'll go and crash the party after it starts, that'll definitely get their attention."

I sighed. "I suppose you're right... Very well, go ahead. But if we mess this up, it's all your fault."

He rolled his eyes and sat down. "Alright. Hmm... How shall I start this... First of all, contrary to what you may think, I didn't choose to work in the Upper Factory, and I didn't want to stay for the reason you seem to think I did. You've got it all wrong."

"I'm listening..." I gestured for him to continue.

"You see... The reason I wanted to stay was because I needed the money... And as far as I know, I still do need the money. That's why I still want to go back... Not because of the killing, because of the pay."

I rolled my eyes. "You're not making sense. Why would you need the pay? It's not like you have anywhere to spend it. I've never gotten payed once, this whole time."

"No... It wasn't for me. Something that you wouldn't know, because you have no living relatives, is that normally, your pay is sent home to your closest family member, which in my case was my mom. She... Needs the money."

"Needs it for what?"

Glaze sighed. "... My family is... Really broke."

I looked up at him, confused. "...really?"

He shrugged. "I grew up as the second youngest in a family of 4, my dad left my mother when I was just a foal, and since she doesn't have the time for a job, it was our responsibility to make money for all of us. My two older siblings were supporting us fully until I took my flight test. They honestly weren't doing the best job either, I mean, they tried, yes, but their jobs really didn't pay that much. After I took my exam, since I was now a full member of the flock, I was old enough to get a job, so I applied for a position at the Weather Factory. My job of simply mixing the spectra didn't pay much either, but I worked hard, hoping for a raise. My family could use the extra money. The Factory seemed to notice my enthusiasm, and promoted me several times before..."

He looked up at the sky.

"Before there was an accident in the Upper Factory. I... Didn't even get to say goodbye to my family before I was employed to work at the Pegasus Device, where I've been ever since. The only thing that's kept me from going insane, was the knowledge that my position was the highest paid in the facility with the exception of Rainbow Dash and Dr. Atmosphere, and that the money was being sent home to my family every pay day."

I nodded slowly. "You know, I wonder if that's another reason why they agreed to hire me straight away to the Pegasus Device. I worked for free, since I don't have any living relatives to send the money to..."

He pawed at the ground. "It would make sense. The factory is incredibly cheap, and like to save money wherever they can. I guess they were desperate, I mean, none of the workers in the lower Factory had the qualifications for the job, so they reached out to the public. Pretty lucky they even got a decent worker."

"I was a decent worker?"

"Honestly, you were an excellent worker until you lost your mind with this crazy escape."

I rolled my eyes. "I thought you were an excellent worker up until my 'crazy escape' too."

"Hmph."

I glanced over at him nervously, not sure whether to ask the question that had been on my mind since the start of this conversation. I... Guess it's worth a shot. "So..." I sighed. "If you don't mind me asking... What happened with your... Brother?"

He gaze hardened. "Well, It's not exactly something I like to talk about."

I looked away. "Ok, I just..."

He shook his head and sighed. "No, it's fine... I guess it's nice to get this stuff out sometimes. Even to ponies like you."

"And what is that suppose to mean?" I scoffed.

He rolled his eyes, ignoring me. "He... Was the only one who actually understood me when we were kids. None of my older siblings ever payed any attention to us, they were only concerned about their jobs, and the welfare of the family. My brother and I used to play together all the time... He was devastated when he learned that I had left, and would never be coming back. He sent me a letter... Of course, I wasn't allowed to send one back, with the Factory protocol and all that. I felt so guilty for not replying, he would think I had forgotten about him, but there was nothing I could do. I tried to forget about it all, and immersed myself in my work. I didn't mind killing fillies that much, I mean, it's not that bad after you get over all the blood and gore, learn to conceal your emotions and block out all the screams. I never let it get to me..."

He closed his eyes. "Then he showed up one day. I knew he wasn't an extremely skilled flyer, but I never, once in my life, expected him to fail his flight exam. His expression when he saw me... It just..." He shook his head angrily. "It was like he was scared of me. I don't blame him. I'd become a monster. As much as I wanted to tell him that I was sorry... I stood my ground. I couldn't let Dash see..."

"So... You did it anyways? And Dash... Never caught on?"

He sighed. "She... Did catch on. When he was up there, strapped to the platform, I hesitated. I didn't think I could do it. But... He looked over and smiled at me, and told me to pull the lever, to get it over with, because the family couldn't survive without my pay. It had seemed he'd guessed the consequences of rebellion. Dash gave me a raise after that too... Said I was the best worker she's ever had."

"How could you just... Listen to him like that? You could have done exactly what I did! You could have saved him, Glaze!"

He sighed again, and blinked slowly. "I know... I was a coward... I shouldn't have listened. I should have put my life infront of his. I would've gone through the Pegasus Device for him, I really would have... But I didn't. And it's haunted me ever since."

I looked at the ground. "I... I'm sorry."

He shook his head. "Don't be sorry. It was my choice, and I made the wrong decision. Whatever, it's over and done with. I can't change the past."

"No, not that, I mean, yes, I'm sorry you had to go through that, and I'm sorry for your brother and all, but... I'm even more sorry for how I've been treating you. It seems like... I've majorly misjudged you. I thought... You were some heartless maniac who killed little fillies just for the fun of it... I mean, I was starting to have my doubts, but... Now... Now I know it's not true. All this time, I thought you were only being a jerk because you left your precious killing factory behind... But I get it now. You were only upset because if you lost your job, you'd lose everything you've ever worked for... Your brother wanted you to kill him so that your family could survive... If you threw everything away, it would be like he died for nothing.... Am I right?"

Glaze nodded sadly. "I wish there was a way to avenge his death... I mean, I could kill Dash and Atmosphere all I wanted, but the real culprit wouldn't be dead until I killed myself."

I shook my head. "Killing yourself is no way to deal with it. I mean, if anyone is allowed to kill you, I think it should be me. For not telling me this sooner." I grinned. "I think your brother would be plenty proud of you if you shut down the Factory. You could get a job as a musician, like you said you always wanted to, and support your family that way. Better than the stupid factory, isn't it?"

He nodded. "...true." He smiled for the first time in forever. "True." Then he grinned and turned to me. "Ok, now it's your turn."

"What?"

"You said if I tell you my backstory, you'll tell me yours."

"You... Actually want to know?"

He shrugged. "Why not?"

"You didn't give a buck before this."

"Oh come on, it's only fair. I think I deserve to hear your entire story just as much as you did mine."

"THATS EXACTLY WHAT I SAID TO YOU ON THE TRAIN."

He shrugged.

I sighed. "Ok well... I guess you could have said I had a pretty good childhood. My parents were probably the best a filly could have, always supportive, always kind... Everything anypony could ever want. I didn't have many friends, though, who needs more than one, when you have as good a friend as Jace?"

He tilted his head. "So... I don't get it, what was the problem? Why weren't you happy?"

"That's the thing, I was happy. I didn't have a care in the world... Until I got into flight school. Those four years... They were pure torture. When I was little, no one ever judged me for my handicap. But in flight school... It was different. Those fillies, they didn't tolerate anypony who wasn't perfect... You make one mistake, they'll criticize you for it. One wrong move, they'll beat you up. I don't know what was wrong with them. What gain did they ever get from picking on the ponies that can't fly?"

"That's... Really mean. I never had problems with bullies in flight school, and I made hundreds of mistakes throughout my years."

I shrugged. "They were some vicious little foals. I wouldn't be surprised if they were locked up behind bars by now. They terrified the entire flight school to the point where Jace started to abandon me because she didn't want to get picked on... And I honestly didn't blame her. They didn't care one bit about anypony's feelings... To the point where they burned down my house."

"They WHAT?!"

"Yeah, you heard me correctly."

He stared at me, a look of pure distaste on his face. "I think I have some serious flank to kick after this is over."

I laughed. "Oh please, the second they find out we've been killing ponies for the last few years, they'll go running with their tails between their legs."

He grinned. "I'd pay to see that. Sorry, continue."

My smile disappeared. "Both my parents were killed in that fire. Died helping me get out in time. My dad, he was crushed by a falling beam, and my mom was trapped behind it. She yelled for me to go, that she'd find another way out, that she'd meet up with me somewhere in Cloudsdale..." I sighed.

"She... Never did. I never saw her again... I lost everything in that fire, not just the two ponies that I cared about most in the world, but every single memory of them along with it. The only thing I have left is the locket my mother gave me on my 12th birthday, as a good luck charm for my flight exam. I was wearing it when I escaped the fire, that one dreadful night. I... Guess it wasn't such good luck. I chickened out anyways and went running off to the Factory for help."

"So... You left the thing back at the Factory, right?"

I nodded.

"Probably better that way. Wouldn't want it to get damaged."

"It's probably the most important thing I have left. It's... Not exactly something that can be replaced." I sighed. "But enough of that. Back to the point. That night, after I finally accepted that my mom wasn't coming back, I noticed a Rainbow Factory notice posted on a wall. It said that everypony was useful... Even a useless filly like me. So I went to the Factory the next day, and when they asked for my flight school certificate, I explained the situation. Rainbow Dash may be cruel, but she's not heartless. She took me to the exam grounds one night, and tested me herself. Though she wasn't qualified to give me an official certificate, she was impressed enough that she employed me. And... Well, I guess you know the rest."

"Then Dash assigned me to train you. Yeah, I guess not much happened after that. Though I'm still surprised after you got over the cruelness of your job so fast."

I shrugged. "I was horrified at first, but then... That first shipment. The one that we worked on together while you trained me? The first foal I ever killed all by myself, the brown one with the blue mane, remember him?"

"Erm, no. You really think I could remember to back then?"

"I guess not... Well, he was one of the worst bullies. It looked like he broke one of his wings during the exam, probably doing something stupid to show off. His face when he saw me was priceless."

Glaze paused. "Wait... I do remember that one... Was he screaming apologies at you?"

"That's the one." I grinned. "I just smiled at his useless pleas and mouthed back 'you deserve this, worthless mule' or something like that, and pulled the lever. Probably one of the only deaths that I don't regret to this day."

"Not one bit?"

"Not one bit."

"Good, he bucking deserved it."

"I know. That was how I came to love my job..." I grinned, then shook my head. "I should get back to patrolling for guards. Eat your stupid pie." I kicked the pan over to him.

He grinned and cracked the dessert down the middle. "Want some?"

"Pffft, when did you learn how to share?"

He shrugged. "Take it as an apology. I misjudged you just as much as you did me."

I shook my head. "I don't need an apology. You were right all along."

"Fine, I won't apologize, but I do owe you one thing."

"And what's that?"

"A thank you."

"Wha...huh?"

He sighed. "I was so ungrateful for all those times you saved my butt. I should have said it a long time ago. Thank you, Mystery."

I stared at him for a second, then my face slowly broke into a smile. "I... Guess I never thanked you for getting me out of that fire either... Err, thank you."

"Eh, that's what's friends are for."
I looked up at him, surprised. "Are we friends?"

"Why not? I have nothing to hold against you anymore. Do you want to be friends?"

I grinned. "Sure, I guess if you do turn back into a jerk, we can just forget about each other after the Factory is gone, right?"

"Of course." He pushed the remaining half of the pie over to me; the other half had mysteriously disappeared while we talked. Well, maybe not so mysteriously... Glaze had some crumbs on his face. I guess I hadn't noticed that he was eating because I was too busy staring at the ground.

He stood up. "Eat the rest, it actually tastes really good. I'll take over patrolling for a little while, you go have fun."

I shook my head, taking a bite of the pie. "This isn't a time for fun. It's better to have both of us patrolling at once."

"Come on, you've been walking around out here for over half an hour now. At least go inside to look around."

I shrugged. "Alright, I guess I could do my patrolling inside the castle. I mean, since you left your post, we need someone to take over, right?"

"There you go." He shoved me towards another path. "Good luck finding your way out of this thing."

"I have wings, if worst comes to worst." I turned back to him and grinned. "Oh, and by the way, being 'friends' doesn't change anything. You're still an idiot, just not as much as before."

He grinned back. "Hey, it's not a friendship without the insults."

"Course not." I flicked him across the face with my tail.

He growled and shot me an annoyed glare, then turned off in the other direction.

And with that, I began to weave my way out of the maze once again.

Wow, this has been a pretty awesome day. We got into the gala without a problem, the royalty meet and greet must start in about ten minutes, I've settled my differences with Glaze, and there's been no sign of any factory guards whatsoever.

I smiled a little. "After all this misfortune, we're finally getting some good luck..." I thought aloud to myself.

But it didn't last. Suddenly I was barreled over onto my side, sending a sharp jolt of pain through my body. I struggled to get up, but my head was pushed back down by a hoof that I couldn't see.

I heard a sinister laugh from above me, then a familiar voice smiled and said: "Too bad that luck has run out..."

And that was when everything went black.