King Trafalgar Maximilian Augustus Leopold the III stared intently at doppelganger of Applebloom in my Equestria dreamscape. >> 2490996 s Regaining his composure he stood up and bowed at the second filly although his sapphire blue eyes remained locked on the filly’s caramel brown ones.
 
“I haven’t gone by that name for quite some time.” Standing up straight he crossed his arms. “And I never expected to see you here. In fact I never expected to see you ever again? Can I assume you’re the doppelganger that has been trying to influence this dear filly in her dreams?” The king tilted his head over at the immobile Applebloom.
 
The doppelganger addressed the king. “Kar-Ra…”
 
“I prefer King Trafalgar Maximilian Augustus Leopold the III these days.”
 
The doppelganger gave the tiny figure a stony gaze. “Ya always were the one who went fer fancy doohickeys and big names, but ta answer yer question yeah, I’m a trying ta git her up ta speed.” The second Applebloom looked over at her motionless twin. “She’s not my first choice, but ya work with ya got.”
 
“Why are you involving her at all?” The king was staring intently. “In fact why are you involving anyone at all in your affairs. You’re oath swore you to remain hidden and to only watch. What’s changed?”
 
The filly shook her head. “The words of my oath only say can’t directly act or reveal my actual name or form ta beings in this world. However my oath does give me the liberty ta interact with others in their dreams or ta have them act on my behalf as my proxy.”
 
The doppelganger stared up at the nighttime sky. “There’s threat ta that which I’ve sworn an oath ta protect. If this meddling is not dealt with the consequence could be terrible.”
 
The king’s eyes went wide. “You mean that…” he went silent for a second before resuming. “Threatened? How?”
 
The duplicate continued to stare up at the stars. “Another party is gitting involved, and they’re looking ta claim a stake in it. However even just pecking around edges could be devastating fer this world, and if they tamper ta much the results would be–”
 
“Horrifying.” Said the king softly.
 
“Yeah it would be. Everything we worked fer and all of our kin who fell won’t be worth a hill of beans.” She glanced over at the still immobile filly. “But this one has some unique properties ta her. So I’m trying ta git her head in the game before the storm arrives.”
 
“You’re actually going to involve her in this? You know what will probably happen to her!” Roared the king.
 
The doppelganger shrugged her shoulders. “Yeah. She probably won’t make it, but if she can be put ta good use she might be able ta keep the losses ta a minimum.”
 
“And I say its madness to involve one this young and fragile in your affairs!” The king stomped his tiny foot and the steps and the entire farmhouse shuddered. “If you think I’m going to let–”
 
“Ya have no say in this matter Kar-Ra!” Roared the duplicate as it jumped to its hooves and seemed to grow in size. It’s eyes burst into white hot coals and it’s mane and tail erupted in flames.
 
“Ya forfeited yer say in this matter when ya declined the burden I accepted! Ya swore an oath just like me ta remain silent and ta not interfere in my affairs in return fer being permitted ta remain in the Dream Realm! Dontcha even think of trying ta break the pact ya signed becuz if ya do I’ll crush ya! DO YA UNDERSTAND!” An aura of yellow-green fire erupted around the being.
 
The little rodent-like figure stepped back and seemed to shrink even more in size. Then slowly he bowed his head. After a few seconds he spoke softly. “Yes. Yes you are correct in the matter. I will not interfere in your affairs. I just wish…” He glanced back at the still frozen filly. “I was just hoping for a more happy ending for this one. For one so young she’s already had to endure so much.”
 
The aura flames subsided and the fiery mane and tail vanished. the doppelganger closed it eyes and when they opened again they were once again they’d become brown again. The filly sighed. “Believe me. I take no pleasure in this, but if this threat is permitted ta run unchallenged then untold numbers are gonna perish. And the billions of our kin who died ta stop it will have dun it in vain! I can no longer intervened directly in the physical world, so I have ta work others. Others who are more fragile then I, but them’s the breaks.”
 
She slowly walked over and with a front hoof gently stroked the mane of the still motionless Applebloom. “I’ll do what I can ta give this one here a fighting chance, but if it is her fate ta fall then so be it.” She glanced back at the king. “Speak not with her or any other pony what we’ve discussed. You may provide whatever aid ta this one that is permitted under the terms of yer oath, but that’s all. I will remind ya once again. Don’t meddle in my plans. Now. Swear to it.”
 
The king sighed and then slowly dropped one knee. “I King Trafalgar Maximilian Augustus Leopold the III hereby swear to not discuss the matters for which I’ve been taken into confidence about. Nor will I deliberately interfere in your office or the duties bestowed upon you. Upon my name I swear it.”
 
Then he rose and looked up at the doppelganger. “Well now. Is there anything else that we need to discuss?”
 
“Nah! That should wrap things up just fine. I’m gonna mosey off now.” The duplicate nodded its head over at Applebloom. “She’ll stay like that fer another 10 seconds or so after I skedaddle so that will give ya some time ta git yer affairs in order. Good night.”
 
The king nodded his head. “Yes. Good night to you as well.”
 
Then the other blinked out of existence.
 
King Trafalgar Maximilian Augustus Leopold the III watched the other vanished. Then he sat down once again alongside and still frozen filly. He closed his eyes. Took a deep breath and once again smiled. A few seconds later the filly started swinging her back legs again and clunking her hooves on the steps. She looked down at him.
 
“So yer Majesty do ya think it’s something like that Deception vermin trying ta git in my head again?”
 
The king smiled. “I don’t think you have to worry about the likes of that evil being anymore.” He picked up his mug. “Could I possible get another glass of lemonade from you?”
 
To be continued.