Luna slipped out of the room so as to not disturb her savior’s Mothers though she never had previously thought to include her sister in such a term it fit her. She shut the door lightly behind her and headed first for the barracks. “Senior Lt. Fire Mane I have need of thee. Walk with me.”
The unicorn mare leapt to her hooves and kept in stride with Luna. She was a bit confused. Last she had heard Captain Armor and Princess Luna were preparing a rescue mission. Yet here she was requesting her assistance and not the captain. She stayed quiet knowing her Princess would explain when she was of a mind too.
“There are three to be former guards within the dungeons. As of now, they are in a holding cell. That will need to be rectified in the short term. My sister is too busy to charge them at this moment and I must admit I am not in a good mind to do so. How long can they be held without being formally charged?” Luna finally spoke once they were outside in the gardens. Though she did not pause in her stride her muscles seemed to contract in her back.
“Legally a pony can be held for seventy-two hours before they must be formally charged. If that is not enough time. I don’t believe anypony would mind too much if the hour they were taken into custody was…fudged a bit, my Princess.” Fire Mane frowned as she wondered who she would have to replace. “If I may inquire?”
“I am unsure of their names. Only that all three are stallions of the Solar Guard.” Luna answered the unasked but obvious question.
Of course they were
“I sense this wasn’t the only reason you requested my presence, my Princess?” Fire Mane asked hesitantly as Luna slowed her pace and finally stopped.
“No, I need you to choose four guards, two from the Solar Guard and two from the Lunar Guard. They must be trustworthy. They must be willing to die for the pony who they will be protecting. Single mares or stallions only. No families. Do you understand?”
Fire Mane gave a firm salute “Yes Princess Luna! I hear and obey. May I request to know who they will be guarding?”
“My elder sister’s student and my savior Twilight Sparkle. As you are aware she was kidnapped by the Changelings.” Luna paused as Fire Mane simply nodded. “And you are also aware that it was believed that we were fooled by a drone who had taken Twilight Sparkle’s place.”
“I… heard something about it. I am guessing this pertains to the three former guards in holding right now?” Fire Mane was pleased to see Luna smiling at her.
“I was right, my sister doesn’t allow stupid ponies to be promoted to your rank. I am in need of a Captain of my Lunar Guard. Do well to consider that.”
“I-yes, I will consider such an offer my Princess Luna.” She bowed as her eyes grew wide. “The drone was Twilight Sparkle. Oh, Sun and Moon above what did those stupid stallions do to her?!”
“Things best not discussed outside of a locked room. I will have her medical files sent directly to you. Now you understand the necessity of such guards.” Luna looked up at the half-set sun and gave it a tap knowing that Celestia had likely lost track of the time as she nudged the moon awake.
“Of course. I’ll begin my search as soon as I return to my office Princess. Is there anything else you need from me?”
“As of now, neigh I am certain my sister has no plans to leave Twilight Sparkle’s bedside tonight but please have your choices prepared so I may speak with them in the morning. And that is an order, Senior Lt. Dismissed.”
Luna felt rather saw the mare leave her side as she stared up at the twilight, her eyes narrowed as she considered how many ways she could tear Chrysalis into pieces without killing her. She shook her head. revenge only causes regret. Justice will be had… in time.
Spike glanced around as the girls chatted eagerly, having enjoyed their day exploring Canterlot. He had enjoyed it at first. He worried with his tail as he glanced at the setting sun. Twilight was supposed to have joined them for dinner. She should be here by now… He had a horrible feeling.
He turned quickly at the sound of the doors to the dining hall opening hoping to see Twilight looking a bit sheepish as she had lost track of time. But quickly his hopes sunk even lower and he knew something was wrong as Princess Luna walked into the room shutting the door behind her firmly.
“Greetings to thee Elements of Harmony and of course to you young dragon Spike. I apologize for not being here upon your arrival but I was…detained I am a feared.” Luna took a seat at the table and took a sip of water as she seemed to consider how best to begin.
“Princess, we greatly appreciate you joining us for dinner but I must admit that we are… a touch confused you see we were expecting—” Rarity was interrupted by the very brash voice of Rainbow Dash.
“Where’s Twilight Sparkle? We were told she’d be here when we got back from sightseeing!”
“Yes, Twilight Sparkle…” Luna sighed not certain how best to explain what happened to their friend. “There was…an incident A case of mistaken identity. The ones responsible have been detained pending charges.”
Rarity gasped covering her mouth as even Applejack grits her teeth understanding somepony has harmed Twilight.
“Somepony hurt her, was it bad?” Spike asked in a quiet voice.
“I’m afraid it was young Spike, she is in the hospital being watched over by my sister and her Mother. There is however more. As I said this was a case of mistaken identity. You see. Twilight Sparkle no longer is a pony. She has been transmorphed into a changeling.”
Rainbow Dash who had flown into the air crashed to the floor with a horrified look on her face. “No, no…NO! We were too late No!”
Fluttershy wrapped Rainbow Dash in a hug as the strong mare collapsed against her. “You got there as soon as you could.”
“Is she…I mean will she…I…” Applejack was sure how to ask the question that meant everything.
“Have no fear Applejack. Mentally your friend Twilight Sparkle remains herself. You truly did save her.” Luna smiled at the relief that spread across the faces of her savior’s friends.
“How badly was she hurt?” Spike asked firmly as he saw Lun close her eyes fear once again gripping his heart he got to his feet and raced to the hospital not stopping even as guards told him to halt he only stopped as he crashed into a very familiar leg
“Princess! Twilight is she?” Spike stared up at Celestia’s worried face as she gave him a sad smile.
“Twilight will be alright Spike but she is very hurt are you sure you want to see her?”
Spike nodded firmly “She needs me as her number-one assistant. More now…than ever.” He looked at his feet. “If I had only been there.”
Celestia gently raised his chin with her hoof. “Spike, you misunderstand…no one pony or dragon would have been able to stop this. You should never blame yourself for this even I could have done nothing.”
“Even you?”
“Even me. You are correct she will need you. Come on then.” Celestia led the baby dragon into the hospital room and helped him into the chair beside her bed. She smiled as he glanced between her and Twilight before focusing his attention on Twilight.
“Twilight? I’m here. I’m not going anywhere and the girls are coming too. Princess Luna was telling us and I…left I needed to be with you. You still need me right Twilight?” Spike reached a small claw towards her but stopped just prior to touching her bruised cheek afraid to hurt her. He stopped himself from flinching as her now blue pupilless eye opened staring at him.
“Spike? You’re really here… I don’t scare you?”
With a quick intake of breath, he shook his head hearing Twilight’s voice within the reverb of the changeling's voice. “Nah, you’re Twilight Sparkle. If your test stress doesn’t scare me away nothing will.”
She chuckled a bit and oddly it was a comforting noise to Spike. “I’m so glad…I was afraid… I never wanted to lose my number one assistant” Her eye closed again but Spike felt something like a hug embrace him. He looked up to see her now jagged horn glowing green eyes wide he realized she was feeding on his love. His first instinct was to get away but he paused.
It doesn’t hurt, sh-shes hugging me. And anyway, she's only feeding on what was already hers. He smiled and cupped her cheek lightly with his claw.
“I love you too Twilight. Don’t worry I’m here to protect you now.”