>>42350677
>“As always, the ARD will do what is necessary to ensure public cognition remains at zero. However, we require the crown’s blessing before we begin to expand our capabilities. Until now, we have been able to maintain the secrecy of our existence on our own, but moving forward, we may need further assistance to remain confidential.”
>He faced her fully, hands now clasped together in front of him.
>“I am aware that you and Princess Celestia are especially averse to deception where your citizens are concerned, but their ignorance is what keeps them safe from that which writhes just beyond their sight. I would not ask this of either of you if it were not absolutely necessary.”
>Luna’s brow furrowed as she wrestled with the notion of lying to her subjects.
>No, not just lying - obfuscation, misdirection, manipulation…
>It sat poorly on her conscience, in spite of her lack of a choice.
>She shut her eyes in frustration.
“Have you spoken with my sister yet? She sleeps poorly as of late.”
>“I have - she was in agreement. If you wish to speak with her first, though, I understand. I will be in my office whenever you have your answer.”
>He began to walk back toward the door, but stopped just as his hand grasped the knob.
>“That child might be useful to us,” he proposed. “If the words of that entity are to be believed, then I suspect her survival is not owed to mere happenstance.”
>Luna opened her mouth, ready to demand an explanation, but in the blink of her eye, her office was once again empty.
>She'd have to berate him for that ridiculous line of thought later.
>As she roused herself from the comforting grasp of her lounge and made for her sister's chamber, she couldn't assuage the pit deepening in her stomach.
>An ill wind bore down on the world she loved.

https://ponepaste.org/10915
at last, the AiE part of the story is revealed
also finally finished something after months of being lazy woohoo
there might be more from this storyline later on but i'm not gonna make any promises