//------------------------------// // A nice night for a Wedding // Story: Night Patrol 2: Awakening // by Foxgear //------------------------------// Night Patrol 2 Chapter 54 By Foxgear Southern Equestria Near Irwind South of Macintosh hills, and north of the city of Irwind, near Arimaspi Territory, lay a town hidden from the rest of the Equestria. There was no road, no train, no way to get to this hidden settlement without the aid of wings or the bravery to tangle with an Arimaspi. Naturally, given these conditions, many would assume this town was nothing of note, that there was nothing there. Some would wonder why you would even build in such a dangerous and untamed land, rivaled only by the Everfree forest. That was an easy question to answer. In this place laid the Thestral City of Night Haven, the largest Bat Pony settlement in the entirety of Equestria. Night Haven could very well be called a fortress city. Built deep in the rock formations in the center of the territory, the vast majority of homes were carved out in the many cave systems, both natural and pony made. Its population was over fifteen thousand, represented by a race breakdown of one hundred percent bat ponies. Besides the floating city of Cloudsdale, it was the only other city with a single tribe living in it. Today, on this hot summer night, Night Haven was in full celebration. The cave walls and the limited number of outdoor streets and shops were decorated with moon lilies. Bright blue flowers that glowed in the dark. What was the occasion? A wedding. Usually, the residents wouldn’t put up such a grand display, preferring to keep things simple. Yet they made an exception this time. Not because of the bride and Groom, but because of a special guest. Their Princess, Princess Luna Selene Solaris, was part of the bride’s wedding party. “I hope I’m not overshadowing you on your big day,” Luna repeated for what must be the hundredth time. She was dressed as a bridesmaid, the design made by Platinum and Rarity, a long black dress with white roses and silver glitter. A beautiful dress to be sure, but nothing when compared to the masterpiece that was Sweet Dream’s gown. “It’s fine, it’s fine,” Sweet Dreams assured the Princess as Rarity fixed her hair, making sure not to disturb the elaborate decoration of her dress. The bride to be genuinely felt her gown was well above what she could pull off. It was a complex piece, with white in front around her neck that traveled below down her underbelly, slowly fading to grey and then black with lace, flowers, and glitter, it was supposed to be like the moon and night sky according to Rarity. She honestly didn’t get it, but it was beautiful, and even though Sweet Dreams was wearing it, she failed to adequately describe it. Her words failing her every time she tried. “I must say it was interesting to make a wedding dress that was more than just white,” Rarity said while fixing one of the stitched flowers. “You Thestrals certainly do things differently.” “Well, we love the moon and the night, so of course we’d want to honor it best we could. Full black dresses were in style when my mom married according to her.” Sweet Dreams said while puckering her lips so Rarity could apply lipstick. “Thank you for helping out, Rarity. Sorry I couldn’t get you part of the wedding party.” “Oh, it’s alright, I’m better served here. Still, I’m surprised by your choice of best mare.” “You’re not the only one,” Said the best mare herself, adjusting her dress. “Can I get some help? Please?” “I got you,” Platinum said, adjusting Spitfire’s straps for her. The unicorn wasn’t part of the wedding party; instead acted as Rarity’s assistant. She wore a light white dress that left a lot of leg exposed. The best it did was cover where metal and flesh met. Typically Platinum would probably steal the show for less than flattering reasons, but with Princess Luna, present ponies would overlook the metal legged mare over. “I still can’t believe you picked me for the best mare,” Spitfire admitted while trying to hide the fact she was beyond touched. Sweet Dreams looked sheepish in the mirror as Rarity did her eyeliner. “Well, my list of mare friends is… short. After I left home I kind of lost touch with all my old friends, that’s why I chose you guys because you know me, you are like sisters to me. Scary sisters, but sisters.” Spitfire looked away, embarrassed. “I guess I can see that.” The bridesmaids consisted of Spitfire as Best Mare, Princess Luna, Fleetfoot, Twilight Sparkle, and Essex. Essex had been a last-minute addition, and if Sweet Dreams was honest, they weren’t all that close, even though they’ve gone out for mare’s nights a few times together. The reason she was in the group was that her husband Shamrock was part of Goodnight’s party, and they apparently became excellent friends since the Second Crystal War. It probably had to do with them being in the same squad now. That was ok. Twilight Sparkle was another compromise because Misty Fly couldn’t make it today, and her, Twilight, and Goodnight were all acquaintances. So it’s not like they didn’t know each other. Also, Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor really, really wanted Twilight to get away from her training for a while. The purple unicorn acted like a mare possessed and didn’t look the healthiest with those black raccoon circles around her eyes. It took a lot of makeup to hide that. “You’re less nervous then I thought you’d be,” Luna observed. Sweet Dreams laughed nervously, “Well, I can’t say I’m not. Maybe it just hasn’t hit me yet, you know?” About a year ago or more, Goodnight and Sweet Dreams returned home after the Second Crystal War. They were only going to tell their parents they were dating. What they got was a very enthusiastic response from all parties. Which made them very nervous when they finished their week's stay and returned to Canterlot. Not long later, they were told a venue for their wedding was reserved, and preparations were already underway. Their parents gifting them their rings as well. When they went to Cadence for help, hoping to slow things down, the Princess of Love set out to lecture their parents to let them love at their own pace. When Cadence returned, she hung her head with shame and embarrassment. “Your parents, both of them, really, really want grand foals… so um… here’s the date for the wedding.” She gave them the invitation and left after another apology. They didn’t ask what happened, because they genuinely didn’t want to know. That said, Cadence herself would be doing the ceremony, so at least Celestia got the day off. Somehow. “You’ll be fine,” Luna assured Sweet Dreams. “If my experience is anything to go by, your wedding and marriage will be smooth sailing. I mean, it’s not like your two ponies from warring clans or something. And you’re the same race, which I don’t think is a problem anymore these days, but it used to be. I remember when the first unicorn and earth pony married, now that was a red wedding!” She laughed, trying to play off one of the bloodiest massacres in pony history, but it hadn’t been the first. “Right,” Spitfire drawled, slowly moving to Sweet Dreams side. “What I think the princess is trying to say is everything will be fine, and I know no pony has brought this up, but this will definitely not be like the royal wedding.” The tension in Sweet Dream's body at Spitfire’s words, “Thank you, Spitfire. Though the three warships floating outside aren’t as reassuring.” Even though this was a lowkey wedding according to social status, all three Princesses were in attendance and a foreign leader as well. The three ships guarding Night Haven were from The Nippon first Fleet, tasked to safeguard not just Kira, but King Kusanagi, Queen Haibara, Prince Kiri, and Princess Miso. The entirety of the Nippon royal family was in attendance on this special day. Sake was here as well and was scheduled to be taken home after the wedding. There have been some delays for her retrieval, and things just happened to work out today. “Are you sure ponies won’t be mad you’re not Best Mare?” Sweet Dreams asked Luna again with rising anxiety. “I mean, your you and I’m just… me…” Luna restrained herself from hugging Sweet Dreams, less she messes up the bride’s dress and makeup. “Listen to me, this is your day, I’m honored you even chose me to be a bridesmaid. I hope you’ll accept the offer to my wedding!” “Oh… I mean, of course! Of course, I will!” Sweet Dreams blurted excitedly. “I don’t have to be named a Duchess or anything to do that, right?” They shared a laugh, “No, no noble status required,” Luna assured her. Keeping silent on the fact very soon, they wouldn’t even need to call her Princess. Right now, all Luna wanted is for her friend to have a happy wedding. Meanwhile, in the groom’s waiting room “I’m really nervous,” Goodnight gulped, unable to relax. His entourage consisted of his closest mates. Which happened to be mostly comprised of his comrades and superior officers. The lone exception was his friend and best stud, Trey, a distant relative of the Thrice family. The one that told him the stories of Night Patrol. He was a few branches removed but still showed some rinin features, though they were very minor. “Look, Goody, everything is going to be fine,” Trey assured his friend. “I know everything was a little rushed, but it’s not like you and Sweets only known each other for a year, you were childhood friends! You’ve been all but officially dating your entire lives. I mean, besides me, you don’t have any normal friends.” “I have other friends,” Goodnight protested. “Yeah, sure, then explain why besides me, every pony else here is a pony you’ve known less than a year. No offense.” He quickly added, looking the other males in the room. “None taken, ye gotta point!” Shamrock crackled heartily, already halfway through a bottle of whiskey. “I’m tellin’ ya, ye got a wonderful bouncy bonny lass, Goody! Be proud! And be stout as the mighty stone when ye take her to bed! Why I remember my wedding night, tis was some of the best I’ve ever had! So much love and passion! Bit of advice when ye frick, frick like it’s your last and frick like ya want nothing but to light her oven, yeah know what I’m saying, son?” Goodnight blinked, “No. No, I do not. Are you drunk?” “Wah? I’m not the one given the speech, right?” Shamrock turned to the others for confirmation. “Right? I’m given no speeches, right? Shit, am I? Oh, I’m sorry, Goody! I got nothing for ya then!” “Shh… sober up.” Sixes whispered, covering Shamrock's mouth and laying him on the couch to snore. The green rinin fast asleep. “He never stopped drinking, even after the bachelor party. Some rest and anti-toxin should fix him up before the ceremony.” “Thank you, Commander Sixes, for taken care of Shamrock and for agreeing to be apart of this. All of you.” Goodnight bowed to the gathered ponies. Goodnight’s party consisted of Trey, Sixes, Fury, Shamrock, and Gloves. He had asked Shining Armor too, but the unicorn wasn’t comfortable being paired up with a mare that wasn’t his wife. That was understandable, especially since Cadence would be the one marrying them. He and Sweet Dreams tried to pick ponies they knew were together or already dating just to keep the pairings simple. It was easier than they expected, really. The only genuine singles were Twilight and Trey. Hence why they were paired together. Twilight’s family and close friends were oddly excited about it, which made things awkward for the two ponies that met only a few weeks ago. “So, with the marriage expert out, for now, do you guys have any advice?” Goodnight really just wanted something else to focus on besides himself and his flash terrors of something happening during the wedding. The one before had been Shining’s and Cadences, and he was still having PTSD flashbacks. It was silly, but Goodnight and others feared there would be another invasion. Unfortunately, while the ponies gathered were experts in combat and military tactics, Romeos they weren’t. “Don’t marry a pony you have zero compatibility with,” Was Sixes’ two cents. Fury’s was, “Can’t help you.” Trey shrugged, “I don’t even have a marefriend, dude.” And Gloves, “Honestly, I don’t know how I even got into my relationship.” “That was my boat, too,” Fury added. Goodnight closed his eyes and slowly exhaled. How was the drunk the most qualified to talk about marriage? Shamrock stirred, riveting the room with his drunken wisdom. Kind of. He was speaking in a very thick Clydesdale accent. Maple syrup thick. “Do ya boi, yeh gonna change and she’ll get chang’ and ye both change and both fall in love again, again every year! Never stop being romantic! Always tell her how beautiful she is and remember even when ya at each other’s throats ya still love her! And when you got tiks, always remember to give her attention! Even if da kits cryin’!” “Ah… thanks… I’ll remember that.” Goodnight looked to the other for a translation and only got shaking heads. They had no idea what Shamrock said. “Well…” The groom chugged the remainder of his beer. “I guess this is it.” Fury nodded and shouted, “Form up!” At his command, every stallion in the room stood at attention and gathered in position around Goodnight. “Mr. Package is on the move, keep Miss Package out of Hall 3, repeat Hall 3, moving out.” Spitfire’s voice crackled over the com, “Roger that, Miss Package is on route in Hall 7, we won’t cross paths. We’ll see you at the altar.” “Copy that,” Fury took his claw off the receiver. “Alright, let’s go get you married!” Goodnight could only sheepishly agree as he was escorted secret service style down the hall. It was strange for him, a pony whose job had been to protect VIPs, suddenly being protected like a VIP himself. It was kind of embarrassing. “Hey, yeah, alright, Boi?” Shamrock asked, patting his shoulder as they rounded the corner. “Yeah,” Goodnight felt conviction rising. “I’m good, I’m better than good, I’m great! I’m getting married.” “Good to hear, now don’t forget to breath when you see her, I’ll give you a pat on the back if ya do.” Shamrock offered graciously. Goodnight didn’t quite understand until he was at the alter, and Sweet Dream was being escorted by her father with Trina as the flower girl. His breath caught in his throat, and he forgot to breathe for the entire time it took her to walk down the aisle. A hard smack on below his neck joisted his lungs into working again. “Thank you,” He muttered as Sweet Dreams reached the top of the stairs to stand under the arch with him. Cadence cleared her throat, beginning the ritual, “Thank you all for gathering this day to witness this union between Goodnight of the Rossignol clan and Sweet Dreams of the Pomme clan. I Mi Amore Cadenza, Princess, and Alicorn of Love, give this couple my approval and blessings on this day. The love these two ponies have was forged by time, tempered by shared hardship, and refined by their love. Though they will face much more going forward, it is without a doubt that while days will come where one or the other will fail, together they shall overcome as one unit. Goodnight!” Goodnight stood at attention. “Do you take Sweet Dreams as your lawful and only wife? To care and aid her in all endeavors, sickness, and heath, rich or poor? To protect and love her?” “I do!” “And Sweet Dreams, do you take Goodnight as your lawful and only husband? To care for him, aid him, and love him?” “I do!” “Then, by the power invested in me, by the power of Harmony and… other cosmic forces, I, Mi Amore Cadenza, present Mr. and Mrs. Goodnight. May Harmony’s blessing be upon you, and you be as fertile and prosperous as the Apples.” Sweet Dreams broke out laughing, “I don’t want that many kids.” “Ya need at least six or ya don’t qualify as a true Apple!” Jazz jeered light-heartedly, causing everypony to chuckle. As the couple marched down the aisle, the wedding party filing out behind them. In the crowd, Trifecta, who sat next to Jazz, leaned over and asked, “Isn’t Pomme Prench for Apple?” This caused her to look to Applejack, who turned to Granny Smith, who looked at AJ the Eighth, who looked at the fifty-odd Pomme and Apple family members taking up over half of the chapel. “Their cousins,” Eighth replied with a shrug. Night Haven Banquet Hall 10:00 PM After the wedding, there was the reception, filled to the brim with extra guests and food. While Goodnight and Sweet Dreams enjoyed their night, blushing as the crowd clanged their glasses for them to kiss. Their guests were getting to know each other and inquire how they knew the bride and Groom. One table, in particular, was fascinating as it brought to long-separated families together. At table 33, Trifecta sat in the middle of his brother’s two families. On his left was Thrice the fourth, Little Thrice, and Trina, on his right, was Trinity’s descendants, Sakura, Momo, and Kaki. The three sisters wore elaborate Kimonos for the occasion, each one a different color. Sakura wore red with her hair down, Momo green with her hair in a loose side tail, and Kaki blue, her hair tied up with chopsticks like Kira. This would be the first meeting between all three families in hundreds of years. The air thick with awkward silence as none of the adults knew how to open up conversations with the other. Luckily there were kids at the table, and they didn’t even notice it. “Your hair is beautiful,” Trina said, breaking the ice. “All of your hair is, it looks so silky!” “Aw, that’s so sweet!” Sakura gushed. “I’ll have you know; I was the one who shampooed all our hair. I had to work particularly hard to clean up Momo here, she’s a grease monkey, and her coat was just coated with black muck! I had to ask one of the mages to pressure wash her fur.” “Ok, you don’t need to go into that much detail, Cherry!” Momo bit out embarrassed. She was never too particular about her appearance, but she didn’t like her sister, making her sound like a slob. “And I’ll have you know I bathe every day after work! The grime is just too thick sometimes.” The Thrice family cocked their heads at the use of the Equestrian version of Sakura’s name, not knowing it was a dig at the pony in question. For Nippon, ponies saying the Equestrian version of their name was akin to verbally slapping them in the face. It was also a way to show you were cross with somepony. “Well, PEACH! Maybe if you didn’t just lightly scrub in the water for five minutes, you’d get that tough grime out. Mom and Dad are worried about your upcoming marriage interviews.” Momo raspberries her sister, “HA! They’re worried about me? That’s rich, coming from you! I know enough grease-stained stallions I know I can choose from if I ever feel the need. Dad had to throw a bonus on your dowry!” “Kaki!” Sakura whined to the eldest pink triplet. Kaki set down her drink with a heavy sigh, “You two are far too immature to even be thinking about marriage. Great Mother, how are you two the same age as me?” Kaki’s retort raised the tension between the families. The Thrice’s uncertain how to interact with the siblings’ squabble, Trifecta burst out in laughter to the point he began to tear up. “Ahaha! You three are definitely my brothers’ kids. It’s refreshing to see you all bicker like that. Reminds me of the old days.” Trifecta wiped away his tears, settling down, a broad happy grin on his face. “It’s nice having all three of us together again.” Thrice the fourth smiled, nodding in agreement with his uncle. “Very true, Uncle Trifecta.” Thrice turned to the Nippon Triplets. “Besides you three and your parents, how many others are there in your family? I think we have over sixty in mine. Like you, we’ve had our fair share of twins and triplets. My father was part of a batch of triplets with my brother and I being twins, and our two sisters also being twins. My sister Troika in Filly is expected to have another set of triples before the end of the year.” “Oi, that’s exciting!” Squealed Sakura. “Wait, wait, wait,” Momo waved. “She’s having triplets, or she’s having another set of triplets? I’m confused.” “I believe he said another, implying this is the second time, correct?” Kaki interjected calmly. Thrice rubbed the back of his head, “Sorry, it’s a bit confusing, I know. What I meant to say this will be her third batch of triplets.” “THIRD?” The Nippon Triplets screamed. However, it was Kaki who appeared the palest by this news, “How does she… every time? What?” Thrice just chuckled, not noticing their distress, “It’s strange I know, but I think it’s because we married a lot of mares that were twins too, it bumped up the chances I guess. How many do you have on your side of the family?” “We have at least one set of three every generation,” Kaki answered, calming down. “That’s really impressive, though, and kind of scary, I couldn’t imagine having that many kids in such a short time. How old is your sister?” “Hmm, she’s younger than me by six years, so thirty-five? I think each batch is five years apart or something like that?” “She was twenty during her first batch of triplets?” Momo gasped, doing the math. Thrice shrugged, “I guess. Quick question for you three, since we're talking about the family tree, do the male or females have a higher chance of having twins or triplets? This isn’t a science, but I think for us, females always yielded more than the males on average.” “We’ll have to look back in the family tree for Kaki’s sake,” Momo said, “She is the one most likely to have kids the soonest. She’s getting married to Kiri this year, right?” The eldest by one minute, blushed, “Yes, in the winter.” “Because she’s cold-hearted.” “Sakura!” Momo snapped. “What? It’s true!” Momo wrapped herself around her elder sister of two minutes, “Kaki is a kind-hearted, loving big sister, with the face of a sculpted angel!” “Meaning she’s stone-faced, right? And we have the same face, too, you know?” “Well, your face is pudgy! I bet it’s from eating all those sweets on guard duty!” “There’s nothing to do for hours most days! We get like one or two ships in a day for an inspection! And at least my face isn’t grease-stained!” “It’s my passion!” “That tank cost you your entire life savings! And you blew it up in your first match!” “I had insurance! I have enough money to buy a new tank or repair mine if I want.” “Oh yeah? How about paying rent?” “I was fine sleeping in my garage, but no! You dragged me off my well-worn couch to sleep on the floor at your place!” Kaki, once again red from her sisters' embarrassing banter, cut in with the bone-chilling tone that made her the favorite of their parents. “Momo, that couch had lice in it and Sakura… maybe don’t put so many cookies in your lunch for now on? Your armor has been looking rather tight lately.” Sakura began to sniffle, her face a comedic display of cartoonish waterfall tears. “I hate that you can say that so casually, but I also hate that your social grace is at about zero, and you have no malice when you say things like that. So, I can’t even get mad at you.” Kaki scoffed, “You say I have zero social grace? I am or was Prince Kiri’s personal guard and retainer, I have plenty of social grace!” “No, you stood beside him like a statue, never talking to any pony. You also had this really nasty glare whenever a mare would try to approach him. Bone-chilling stuff.” Sakura spouted with a firm nod from Momo. “And don’t try to tell me wrong. Every time I had palace duty and saw you two, you were like that. That is until you were alone with the Prince.” Her smirk widened by a vast margin, looking almost vicious. “So how long was that secret love affair going on?” “None of your business!” Kaki growled with rosy cheeks. “Ok, ok, that’s enough girls,” Trifecta said, the only one brave enough to get in between the sisters. Even though they barely knew him, his status as their Ancestral Uncle put him very high in the family hierarchy, which was made all the more hilarious by the fact he didn’t know there was one. That didn’t, however, protect him from what was to come. “Uncle Tri?” Trina asked with her cute squeaky voice. “Yes?” “When are you getting married?” That innocent question. Spoken with no ulterior motive or malice drew the attention of not just the Nippon sisters, but those seated near them. One of those ponies was Queen Haibara. Her hobby was that of a matchmaker, both official and unofficial, her role in getting Kiri and Kaki together was not minor. Having done a lot of behind the scenes, gathering support from the noble clans of Nippon’s so they would except the two’s union. Naturally, as a mother, she always wanted the best for her children. Sometimes ensuring that involved threatens and blackmail. “If you are willing to wait a few years, my youngest daughter will be coming of age in ten years. In full-blooded rinin’s time, that’s nothing really.” Trifecta felt the steamed carrot and potatoes rise up in his stomach at the offer, his gaze fell on the filly looking confused by her mother’s words. He let the offer slide gently. “No, thanks, I… ah… no… just no…” Haibara nodded, “Good, I had hoped you’d say that. Now I can present my real offers. Here are photos of the single of age mares in the Shiroyama clan. All of the good stock, of course. Also, just to clarify, of age is over twenty-five, with the extended life spans from the rinin blood, we’ve had to make some adjustments.” “That’s… um…” Trifecta was overwhelmed as both sides of the family dogpiled him with their options. “Oh, oh! This one is pretty!” Trina exclaimed excitedly, pointing to one of the pictures. “Oh, I know her!” Sakura pointed to the picture of a tall white/silver mare with evident rinin genes and pink hair. “She was in my class, growing up! She’s so pretty! And really smart! I think she’s a professor at one of the colleges.” “Isn’t that Washuwaka?” Momo added. “Oh, she’s designing the next-gen of tanks! You gotta at least date her! At least enough to let me meet her, please! Please, uncle Trifecta!” “You two are shameful!” Kaki barked, pushing another photo to the fore. “Obviously, Lady Misa Ko Ryo is a better fit for Uncle.” The picture of Misa Ko Ryo had her posing in a densely layered white kimono, her brown and teal hair in a high tail, and looking very stern. Her coat a light brown color. “She’s kind of plain,” Sakura said snippety. A sudden dark aura fell over the table. The second oldest triplet turned to see her Queen looking outright demonic at her. “Hey, hey! My cousin looks plain to you, huh?” Sakura compared the picture of Misa and the Queen; they could have passed for sisters or mother and daughter. “Oh… oh… oh shit!” Sakura tried to run, but the Queen already had her in the crook of her foreleg. Though it appeared, she was merely hugging her around the neck, but it seemed harmless to the outside eye. And not that Sakura was struggling to breathe. They were going to be in-laws soon. Nothing wrong with some friendly affection, right? “Let’s go have a little chat about appearances, shall we, dear?” “Kaki, please help me!” Sakura begged her older sister, who merely took another sip of wine. “This is a good vintage.” “Kaki!” Sakura’s fading pleads disappeared in the chatter while they ignored her plight. “Daddy, can I learn how to use a sword?” Trina asked suddenly. “Me too!” Little Thrice begged as well. Thrice looked across the table to Kaki, who gave him a discreet claw up. “Ahh… let’s ask your mother first.” “Aww…” The twins bemoaned, while the adults chuckled. Table 64 While others were engaging in light-hearted banter and creating bonds, those at table sixty-four were experiencing a less cheery atmosphere. Seated across from each other was Celestia and Twilight, Kira and VeeVee adjacent to the Princess and her student. The tension between the two that were almost like mother and daughter was so thick it would take a hacksaw to cut it. “Twilight, how nice of you to join us.” Celestia greeted after a long uncomfortable silence since Twilight sat down at the table. A whole three minutes if she was accurate. “You look like you need to talk about something serious. Naturally, I’m all ears, but is this truly the best time and place?” The Princess’s tone came off a little condescending, which made Twilight’s lips curl slightly, much to Celestia’s surprise. Celestia adjusted her tone, striving for that motherly tone ponies were used to, but her own frustrations got in the way, and she couldn’t produce said voice. Much to her chagrin. (How childish of me.) Hopefully, turning her anger at herself would give her some semblance of balance. (I guess this shows just how much I do care for her if I’m this upset. It feels like I have a daughter again.) That little thought was enough for Celestia to right herself, and project the aura and authority ponies came to expect from her. The sudden change startled Twilight, cowing her slightly. “I’ve put this off for some time already,” The unicorn began slowly. “I hope since we're both in public, we’ll keep a cool head.” “Not a bad plan,” Celestia praised, keeping the fact she knew Twilight was more worried about herself making a scene. “Alright, speak your mind, I’m all ears.” “I…” Twilight stalled, looking to VeeVee, but the raspberry rinin was a much harsher teacher then the sun princess. She angrily gestured for Twilight to get on with it and returned to eating her cake. “I have some questions. About you, the war, and about me, I guess.” Celestia nodded, “Alright, ask away.” “Are you…” Twilight bit her lip, uncertain how to phrase her words. “Are you wearing a mask? Is the Princess I know, fake?” She asked with great fear. Celestia’s ears drooped at the question. “Oh, I see.” The Princess said sadly. “The answer to your question is difficult for me to answer. Yes, I wear a ‘mask’ as you put it, but it’s me constrained by social grace, and society, but still me. However, I don’t think that’s the answer you want. No, you want to know if I wore a mask when I was teaching you? Right?” Twilight nodded slowly, a lump rising in her throat. “No, that was one of the few times of my day I could be myself. Not many ponies have that privilege.” “I know,” Twilight acknowledged. “I knew my studies were different from the other students, but why didn’t you teach me any battle magic? What did you want for me?” Celestia closed her eyes, “Hmm… another tough one, but if I must answer. I had greater expectations for you than that of a mere mage. I still do. However, I’ve come to realize it is not my place to decide your destiny. Whatever path you choose, be it mine or your own or a completely different one. I will accept it.” Twilight took a deep breath, “Ok, then why did you bring my family over from Maredor? Did you not want a strong mage bloodline in Equestria?” The purple unicorn closed her eyes and waited for the answer, bracing herself for words she was too afraid to hear, but wanted to hear anyway. She waited. Seconds passed, and then a full minute, Twilight opened her eyes again, seeing Celestia looking absolutely confused. “What are you talking about, Twilight?” “You stole a member of the Sparkle Clan from Maredor when you invaded it! One of Sombra’s maids confirmed it! The Sparkle Clan were a well-known mage clan at the time, and you took one after the battle, correct?” Celestia blinked, completely lost. “We took in refugees, many children among them, so it’s possible, but I wasn’t headhunting them.” “Then how do you explain my family coming here? Was it really just happenchance? How could you overlook the fact a powerful magical bloodline just happened to come to Equestria after the war? There’s no way you couldn’t have known!” “Twilight,” Celestia said evenly, teeth clenched hard. “I can plainly see what you accusing me of, but contrary to what you been told or believe, I did not steal a member of the Sparkle Clan from Maredor. If I must defend myself, I was too busy fighting the war and then dealing with the aftermath.” “You could have easily told somepony to do it.” “Twilight, I would appreciate some benefit of the doubt here. This was during a war. A fierce one I might add. Magically gifted or not, I did not have the time to think about snatching up magically gifted foals.” “What if I thought there was a reasonable doubt?” Twilight pressed slightly, rising out her seat. “Twilight, mind your manners,” VeeVee said, suddenly coming to Celestia’s defense. Stunning Twilight and gaining Celestia’s interest. “I know it’s hard to trust a pony like Celestia after your image of her shattered, but while the Princess may have secret agendas. I doubt they’re as malicious as you imagine. Good intentions gone aryne aside, Princess Celestia is not a villainess.” Twilight hung her head, sitting back down. “Your right Master VeeVee, I’m just… confused right now. I know I shouldn’t trust Cien’s words, even if it was to torture me, I don’t believe she was lying. What you did to Skaggi… it’s shaken everything I believed you to be, Princess.” “Yes, I suppose it would,” Celestia muttered sadly. “I wasn’t always the way I am now, but I’d rather not return to the way I was before if I can help it. The world and I were very different. You’ll never understand what things were like back then. How cruel and wild the land was before the dawn of Equestria. What I needed to do to survive and keep my sister safe. You will never understand, and I hope you never have to, but I will never apologize for it!” There was a bite in the Princess’s words and fire in her eyes. Her voice was low and harder than steel. It was the voice of a pony who accepted her judgment and didn’t care what her accuser thought of her actions. For a moment, Celestia revealed the face of the Warrior goddess she was once called to her student, and like rain washes away dirt, it was gone. “Is there anything else you want to ask?” Celestia said in a flowery tone that could almost be construed as a dare. A deep sigh suddenly penetrated the atmosphere, it was Kira, shaking her head and looking very distraught. “To think ‘that’ would lead to this. Unbelievable, Karma must really exist.” “Huh?” Both Celestia and Twilight said, looking at the white rinin with curiosity. “Kira, please explain what ‘that’ is concerning this conversation.” The Great Mother Queen of Nippon coughed, taking a drink to clear her throat before beginning her tale. “So, a thousand years ago, during the Maredor invasion, I was partnered with Gadget, he was acting as an engineer, trying to keep the tanks running. We spotted some of Sombra Son’s elite guard breaking rank, and I chased them down and killed them. What I had not known at the time they were fleeing into their home. Which was half destroyed by this point, very sad. Anyway, inside in a cradle was a filly, probably less than a year old. A purple unicorn filly if you must know. Midnight Sparkle was written on the cradle.” The pieces quickly fell together for both the Princess and her student. “You took her,” Twilight accused. Kira shook her head, “No Gadget took her, I just kept silent about it.” “Midnight Sparkle… that was Gadget’s apprentice.” Celestia murmured, remembering the unicorn in question. She had been all but adopted officially by Gadget/Starwind. Her talent for magic was enough that Celestia offered her a scholarship for Magic School, but Midnight refused, pursuing engineering to following Starwind’s footprints. Even when Starwind left for Nippon Midnight followed him and didn’t return to Equestria for several years. Celestia lost track of her after that. “So, you two kidnapped her.” “I prefer to think of it as atoning for killing her parents. I did grant her Nippon Citizenship and let her attend our schools for basically nothing. Didn’t cover living expenses though, that was on her. I was surprised when Starwind just up and left her on her own when she turned eighteen, but maybe he couldn’t bear the guilt, or maybe he had other reasons.” “Starwind probably felt like he was dishonoring Dusk by raising Midnight. I assume. He seemed happy when they were together.” Celestia looked sharply at the Nippon Queen. “Still, it was wrong of you to take her like that. And keep it secret.” “No, your just upset we kept it secret from you.” “Am not!” “It doesn’t matter now anyway, but if you really feel that upset about it.” The smile on Kira’s lips unsettled Celestia as the rinin leveled her gaze at Twilight. “How would you feel about marrying into my clan and coming to Nippon Twilight? I’ve got several available studs who’d take you at my word alone. Might I add, Nippon has a vast secondary education infrastructure. I think there are about eighty colleges. The Mizugami school of Magical Biology, Hydrology, and Botany would welcome you warmly.” “Eighty schools…” Twilight murmured. Clearly on the verge of taking the offer. However, a swift kick under the table from VeeVee made her snap back to reality. Sort of. “That’s tempting, but would I have to stay in Nippon? Could I come home to visit my parents and friends?” “You can visit them as much as you can afford to. Some might find it distasteful, I couldn’t care if you spent half the year in Nippon and the other half in Equestria. Just as an example. That said. You would be marrying into nobility, and that comes with social obligations. It varies from clan to clan to what social duties they adopt. Using the Mizugami as an example, you’d have to professor in rural Nippon every once in a while.” “When did that policy start?” Celestia asked, interested, but Kira only blinked. “Policy? There’s no state law saying they have to do it, it’s just something they do. Kiri also goes to the rural towns and farms and teaches the sword, offering ponies there a chance to become samurai if they want.” Kira explained with a heartily laugh. “Honestly, ponies will take care of themselves for the most part. I see my role as a ruler to ensure they can do so in peace.” “We do something similar here in Equestria, though many prefer to run things by me first. Mostly for funding reasons.” Celestia mentioned, starting a pseudo-debate of public policy. “Some causes just need a little boost.” “Bleh, if it’s important enough, the money will get there. There is no reason to force everypony to pay into a special interest project. In fact, I believe if you don’t, ponies are more willing to give. But we’re getting off-topic, Twilight, what’s your answer?” “Ah…” “Stop trying to scout my student, Kira!” “Oh, hush! You pick her up when she’s five and get mad when I try at eighteen? She’s an adult! She can make her own choices.” “Yes, but she needs all the facts first.” “And I am giving her all the facts.” “You’re just offering her a honey pot!” The two rulers continued to bicker back and forth. Though their tones were hard, their expressions were soft. They were enjoying the verbal debate, with both being able to treat the other as an equal. It was very refreshing for both of them. Meanwhile, Twilight found her self relatively forgotten by the sidelines. Though she still had questions, a weight has been lifted off her mind. Watching Celestia verbally spar about policy with Kira gave her yet another version of Celestia she’s never seen before. Dare say the Princess seemed happy. Chatting with little filter or pomp or flair. She came off as very casual. “You ok?” VeeVee addressed her with concern. “Don’t mind them. They’re just decompressing from having ponies fond over them twenty-four seven.” The raspberry rinin stared at Twilight with worry. “Are you considering Kira’s offer?” Twilight chewed her lip for a second before shaking her head. “No, it’s a little too early for me to think about romance like that or moving to another country.” She looked on fondly at Celestia. “Besides, I still have things to sort out here and more lessons to learn.” VeeVee smiled at her, patting Twilight on the leg. “That’s good. Very good. Take your time to figure things out. I’ll be right here to help you.” “Thanks, VeeVee, you’re a good friend.” “I’m glad to hear that, Twilight.” Wedding Party Table The scene before Luna was a magical one. All the ponies gathered to celebrate Sweet Dreams, and Goodnight’s union really made her heart melt. Truthfully, she was kind of a sucker for things like this. The section of trashy romance novels on her bookshelf a testament to that. What made her even happier wasn’t that fact she was among her thestral children or within a thestral city. No, it was seeing her night patrollers laughing, drinking, and interacting with ponies of this Era. Her own integration into this new Era was rough enough. Night Patrol seemed to fit in better than she did, but it was in a war role. One that piled on their stress and chance of death. Luna wanted the Night Patrollers to move on and retire from their lives of death and blood. She just knew it wasn’t going to happen without preparation. The Commando unit brought her some hope. Showing there were ponies of this time that could and would step up. Cadence’s quick adaption to fighting reassured her Equestria had high-level defenders. Even Shining Armor showed potential. Really it was scenes like this was made her anxious for her own wedding. “Your legs shaking, you cold?” Sixes wrapped his claw around her foreleg, his body heat radiating like a furnace. “The room is chillier than expected, even though it’s packed with ponies, but really I’m just excited. Being here, it makes me wish the castle was done.” Sixes pattered her leg, “It should only be a few more months to a year. The interior work is taking longer than expected. In the meantime, we have plenty of forest to conquer.” “Yes, your right. I hope we can clear enough space to have small towns and maybe even a small city like this one.” “Your wish is my command, we’ll get it done.” Building infrastructure in the Everfree Forest was a mountain of a task, but like every seemingly impossible challenge, it wasn’t as hard as it seemed once you started. The real problem would probably be not cutting down the whole forest once they brought it to heel. It was still in the preproduction phase, but rumors from the engineering staff suggested there was a way to get the wily forest under control. Before building a cobblestone-road had been a task of its own. Now they were laying train tracks right up to the new castle from Ponyville. Speaking of Ponyville, the small town entered what could best be described as an industrial revolution. Plots of land were bought up by Fancy Pants for cheap, factories, and other facilities were being built, as well as a housing development for the influx of workers. The single train track was now a hub that received cargo from no less than three of the major cities, with others coming in from mining country delivering raw materials. Those materials were then processed and shipped into the forest via armored railcar. Currently, every delivery was accompanied by the sound of cannon fire and battle. As the train crew fought off the forest itself and the creatures that dwelled in it. The number of monsters suggested organized attacks. “We might have kicked a hornet’s nest,” Luna remarked. “We may have to fight a war with the last of the monsters.” “And it will be the last. Those savage beasts’ numbers were already in decline from our work in the past. If their smart, they’ll leave.” Sixes snorted, confident their campaign would be successful. Luna had her doubts. “I don’t think you're giving them enough credit Sixes. Besides, we don’t want them scattering across the lands and starting their own war for land and food. If possible, I’d rather round them all up in one place and then wipe them out. If there is some creature organizing them, it makes things even more difficult. But what is their goal? And didn’t something like this happen recently… oh yes! That time in Tartarus!” Slapping her hoof over her mouth Luna sheepishly smiled and waved to the wedding guests. In a soft voice, she said to Sixes, “Have a unit stationed near the entrance to Tartarus to back up Cerberus. I fear if we push the monsters of the Everfree too hard, they’ll storm Tartarus to free Tirek or someone even worse.” Her greatest fear was Campe, the Jailer of Tartarus. It was only by the bounds of magic even older than Celestia and herself that Campe was bound to Tartarus. The legend goes Campe was an alicorn that broke a taboo law and was cursed with the body of a Centaur with a scorpion tail. She hadn’t volunteered for the job, and the years of fulfilling that duty made her insane. It was very likely if Campe ever escaped, she would probably want revenge. In her studies from the last few months, Luna happened upon an old, old text, a poem really. Written by an unknown author with only a faded emblem to serve as a signature. If Luna were honest, it was the mark of infinity. Dusk’s mark. The poem read as such: For her crime, she shall dine in the hall of flames With the clank of bastard’s cages, she walks with a crone’s cane Never to leave, never to die, yet never to live Only upon the last day, when cells lay bare Bound by duty no more, her freedom restored. That was a modern translation of the poem. The rhyming was off because the scholars weren’t sure if they had the right interpretation. So long as the meaning was there, Luna was satisfied. She truly believed this was one of the works donated by Dusk. A warning of one of the worst futures. From what she could glean from the poem was if Tartarus was ever emptied, Campe would be freed from her punishment. After all, if there were no prisoners, then there was no need for a jailer. The last break out had been dangerously close, letting the old crone out. She probably sat back and let it happen too. Only when they were present did Campe actually do her job. “This might be inappropriate, but could you slip out and get a message to McGather right away? I would hate to leave this issue any longer.” Sixes nodded, kissing her cheek before leaving. His pace restrained to not draw attention. With her partner gone, Luna sat and smiled, waving to the ponies that passed by. Denied pictures while explaining it would be inappropriate without the bride or groom present. Which led her to her suddenly being asked to join in for photos of the couple. “Sorry about this,” She apologized profusely. “This is your day.” “We can’t hardly blame them,” Sweet Dreams giggled as the cameras flashed. “Besides, now ponies will actually believe we’re friends.” Luna smiled, “I suppose.” When Sixes returned, he wore a serious expression while giving her a solid nod, indicating her command was fulfilled. She relaxed glad the matter was being taken care of. It was nice to have ponies she could trust for issues like this. Not that she wouldn’t follow up to make sure everything was going smoothly, but right now, her priority was the wedding. If the world needed her attention afterward, it would have it. Right now, everything was fine.