Chapter 2
“Gloaming and Warden”
Soleil walked up to the dais and stood in front of Celestia. She gave a smile at her cousin. I’m still wondering how the hell these two could be related.
“How long has it been Celesti?” She asked, keeping her smile.
Celestia kept her composure as she said, “One Thousand Years.”
“Ah yes, that was after the little... incident with dear Luny,” Soleil said, glancing at Luna.
“That’s Luna, dear cousin,” Luna said, not afraid to keep the venom out of her tone.
“Still sore, Luny?” Soleil said. “I’m hurt that you would treat me this way after we haven’t seen each other in so long.”
Before Luna could speak up again, Cadence interrupted, “We welcome you to my home Princess Soleil.”
“So you are Mi Amore Cadenza,” Soleil said, turning to her. “I had heard about the Crystal Empire coming back. To think you would be the one to rule it.”
Cadence ignored what I could smell as bait and said, “While your arrival is, most unexpected, we will accommodate you none the less.”
“Though I must ask why you are here,” Voidera said, glaring at Soleil.
Soleil’s eyes grew wide upon seeing Voidera. “By Faust’s wings, is that you Voidera?”
“Last time I checked,” Voidera replied. Damn it man, you can’t resist being a scoundrel for five minutes?
“I had heard rumors but I didn’t know them to be true,” Soleil replied, she then looked at Celestia. “I would think you would go for a, lower maintenance mate.”
Voidera simply nodded, though I knew in the back of his mind he wanted to set her mane on fire.
Celestia went on, “There have been two additions within recent years aside from Cadence.” She gestured to Snowflake. “This is Princess Snowflake, Frostwind’s daughter.”
Soleil looked at Snowflake and said, “Yes, I do see the resemblance.”
“I am honored to be here with one so... close to the Sun and Moon sisters.” Snowflake said, although I could tell that too was politeness for politeness’ sake.
“Oh yes, Celesti, Luny and I go way back, before the horrible cataclysm that ruptured our world,” Soleil said, “Sadly I was on the wrong side of the planet from them. So, I simply picked up my losses and let some Equestrians settle in Calvaria.”
Something tells me the settlers got way more than they bargained for…
“And who is this with you?” Soleil asked, looking at Red Sickle.
The scarlet colt said, “I’m Red Sickle, I work with Snowflake in running the Snowlands.”
“A... mortal ruler?” Soleil said, raising an eyebrow.
“Co-ruler,” Snowflake interrupted. “Red Sickle is my friend, I will make sure it is known that we work together.”
“Most... interesting,” Soleil said, then she finally turned to Twilight. “So, you are the mare of the hour. My cousin’s personal student and savior of Equestria many times over...Twilight Sparkle.”
I looked over at Twilight, I could tell she was figuring out how to respond to what she was saying. Finally she simply said, “A pleasure to meet you, Soleil.”
I could see Soleil’s eye twitch a little when her title was not added. Nice one Twi! Mental hoof bump!
“I too, have a student of my own. She is on the road to becoming an alicorn herself.” Soleil turned to look at the unicorn mare. “Gloam, if you please.”
The mare looked a little nervous, she looked back at the guard who gave the smallest hint of a smile and nod. That seemed to be all the encouragement she needed to come forward. She bowed her head a little as she spoke to Twilight, “I am Gloaming Glitter, it is an honor to meet you, Princess Twilight Sparkle.”
Twilight smiled in turn and bowed her own head. “None of the titles stuff, we’re both students of alicorns in the end.”
Gloam nodded and returned to her Princess. Soleil spoke up, “Now that introductions have past, perhaps a demonstration?”
“A what?” Celestia said.
“After all, she has had time to get a handle on her alicorn magic.” Soleil said, looking from Celestia to Twilight. “I’d like to personally see how she’s progressed.”
“We already have preparations actua-” Cadence tried to interject.
“Oh come now, it shan’t take too long.” Soleil said, “Unless of course,” She gave an icy glare, “she’s not willing to accept a test…”
Twilight gulped, this was so obviously bait for something. I turned to Twilight and gave her a look that said, ‘Improvise.’
Twilight regained her composure and said, “While I have not yet fully mastered my abilities, I think a small demonstration could be in order. I promise not to take too much time,” She looked to Celestia. “With your permission of course, Celestia.”
Celestia gave a smile, I think a small part of her wanted Soleil to be put in her place. “Very well, let us see what you have learned.”
Twilight slowly walked off the dais and the crowd moved to give her space in the center of the room. Her horn glowed, and a sphere of blue was displayed above everypony’s heads. Then it began to fill with little points of light, lines appearing between them. Then shapes of the various creatures that the shapes inspired. Typical Twilight, of course she’d go for an astronomy display.
“Impressive,” Soleil said, begrudgingly.
“Wait for it,” Celestia said with a small smile.
Twilight moved her horn around, and the stars all began to move and swirl around. The planets and suns were but paint on her tapestry of the night sky. I looked over at Luna...is that a notebook she has?
I looked back at Twilight’s display as the stars formed and lined themselves into various shapes. Some of her friends, family, one of Spike as a full sized dragon. Several all coming to one large clump in the center….and then…
Twilight looked at the glowing ball, and fired a small spark...it touched the ball and then it exploded into a thousand more stars and planets, before forming to a galaxy before our eyes. Twilight bowed as the room exploded into applause.
“Aww yeah! Way to show em Twi!” Rainbow’s voice could be heard as she cheered along with the rest of the crowd.
Soleil was only politefully clapping her hooves together. Celestia was too, although some part of me knew she was fighting every urge to hug Twilight like a mother after a piano recital that went well.
After the cheering died down, Twilight went over to Gloam. The mare smiled wide, “That was amazing Pri-I mean, Twilight.”
“Oh, it was just something I’ve been wanting to do for a while,” Twilight said, trying to sound humble.
That’s my wife for yuh.
“That was... most impressive,” Soleil said, “but, Gloam here has been studying for quite some time. I’m sure she would love to demonstrate her own abilities.”
Gloam suddenly looked glum as she went out to the center of the room. She looked back at the dark stallion from earlier. I looked over at the guy...was he shaking his head?
I turned my attention back to Gloam as her horn glowed a bright blue. She closed her eyes in concentration and was visibly sweating. But before our very eyes, a picture of the Northern Lights started coming into view. It was beautiful, it was bright it was…
Fading…
I looked down at Gloam and her horn was sparking at an uncontrollable rate. Suddenly a gust of wind blew everypony back as magic began swirling around her. I struggled to hang on to the dais as Twilight flew against the wind.
“What’s going on?” I yelled over the wind.
“Magical surge!” Twilight said, getting a grip on the dais too, “She can’t control herself! The spell she used was probably too complex for her, now the mana in her horn can’t right itself!”
“And if this keeps up?” I asked.
“We could all end up ash!” Twilight yelled, falling back a little before I caught her.
I then looked over and saw the guard from earlier struggling against the wind that was blowing.
“Hey! Get back from there!” I yelled. “Celestia will take care of it!” I looked over and saw Celestia was having just as much trouble fighting against the wind as the rest of us.
“Just get me to her! I can calm her down!” The guard shouted. “Trust me!”
Twilight nodded and her horn glowed brightly, the guard teleported and reappeared where Gloam was. “Gloam! You have to calm down!” He shouted.
“Warden?” Gloam said, tears in her eyes as her eyes were glowing. “I can’t…”
“Yes you can! Don’t you dare tell me you can’t!” Warden shouted. “Just concentrate, and let it out…”
Slowly, Gloam let out a breath, and the wind slowly died down.
Everypony slowly got up, I shouted, “Is everypony okay? Were there any injuries?”
“MY MANE! MY BEAUTIFUL MANE IT WILL TAKE ME WEEKS T-”
“Aw, Rarity, your mane always looks good to me.”
“Why thank you, Spikey Wikey…”
Okay, that’s dealt with.
Gloam looked up at Warden and said, “Thank you so much Warden, I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Warden gave a shy smile and said, “Hey, what are friends for?”
Friends huh…?
“Private, no,” Twilight said, glaring at me. “I know what you are thinking, but you are not going to play matchmaker after that.”
“Can’t I drop a teensy hint?” I asked innocently.
“Nope,” She said with a firm nod.
“Was worth a shot I guess…” I grumbled.
“Are you well Gloam?” Celestia said as she walked over to the unicorns.
“I am fine, your highness,” Gloam said, getting up with a little help from Warden. “I was a little scared, but I’ve had these surges before, I’m just glad nopony was hurt.”
“Indeed,” Soleil said, coming up beside her cousin to look down at Gloam. “Celesti, I apologize for my student’s... accident, during this ceremony.”
Celestia simply nodded and said, “It is quite alright Soleil. The only casualty was Rarity’s mane and that can be fixed. I believe we all should simply move on to the festivities.”
Soleil simply looked back at Gloam and said, “I will see to my student, and her guard.”
With that, Soleil joined her own guards as they walked towards the hallway. Gloam followed her, Warden by her side.
Celestia spoke up, “After we spend some time fixing up the place, the dance can begin!”
With that, everypony went to work getting things ready for tonight’s celebration.
I hope I remember my dance lessons with Rarity….
__________________________________________________
The ballroom had been cleaned up to resemble its former glory, the banners, and other things back in place, and the refreshments… well… refreshed. Princess Celestia must have volunteered to provide the entertainment, because off to the side was a very familiar quartet of ponies providing the music. I immediately recognised Octavia and her cello, along with Frederic Horshoepin, Harpo Neighdermane, and Symphony.
As for me, I was just trying not to step on Twilight’s hooves.
One-two-three, one-two-three, I mentally counted, as I waltzed with Twilight, we carefully using one another to balance, as we went through the simple moves of the dance. Rarity seemed to enjoy teaching me, and though this seems a bit silly, it’s nice to dance with Twilight.
I smiled as I danced with Twilight on that floor. I wonder if she picked up some moves from Grapes because she is certainly holding her own. To be fair, she also has to make up for my semi lax dancing skills.
Twilight came to me and put her head under mine, pressing her nose into my neck. “This is going better than I thought. To think I was nervous about all this,” She said.
“And nary an accordion in sight…” I said to myself.
“At least we don’t have to listen to Soleil do her best Trixie impression,” Twilight said, rolling her eyes. “Private if I ever become like that, just lock me in a room and ground me from books for a week.”
“You want me to create a princess that is both arrogant and insane?” I said, smirking.
“Jerk,” She said, poking me in the chest for the jab.
I then looked over at the punch bowl, and saw Gloam was all by herself. Twilight turned around to look too and said, “She doesn’t seem that bad, in all honesty.”
“You sure I can’t hook her and that guard up?” I asked.
“Let me talk to her,” She said, “After all, I am an alicorn, and she’s going to be one. I think I am more qualified to help her with whatever is bothering her.”
“Don’t be gone too long okay?” I said, kissing her on the lips quickly.
She kissed me back and said, “I’m not going away forever, trust me.”
With that, my wife walked towards the Punch Bowl.
Ah well, I needed a break anyways, dancing takes a lot out of you.
___________________________________________________
Perspective: Twilight Sparkle
I picked up some punch, and took it over to Gloaming Glimmer. She seemed like a nice mare, who just had a rather… Let’s say she’s got a difficult teacher, and leave it at that. I can’t imagine how anypony could learn under that… Ahem. Calm down. Just because Soleil rubs you the wrong way doesn’t mean that she acts like that all the time. Let’s concentrate on making a new friend and helping her through her rough patch. And keep Private for playing match-maker.
“Hi,” I said, offering the punch to Gloaming. “I thought you could use some punch, after all that. How are you holding up?”
“Oh, I’m doing alright.” She said, taking the punch in her magic and sipping it. “I just feel so embarassed from surging in front of everypony.”
“Don’t feel embarrassed,” I said gently. “The first time I surged was during the exam to get into Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. I turned my mom into a plant actually.” I laughed a little at the memory.
“Was she hurt?” Gloaming asked nervously.
“Oh no, Celestia managed to fix everything up,” I said. “If it wasn’t for me surging, I would never have met her.”
“She seems really nice,” Gloaming said. “To be honest, she is more than I expected.”
“What do ponies say about Celestia in Calvaria?” I asked out of curiosity.
Gloaming shook her head, “We don’t talk about her. Princess Soleil doesn’t like anypony talking about her cousin.”
Something tells me it’s mutual.
I changed the subject, “So, aspiring Alicorn huh?”
“I guess so,” She said, a little unsure of herself. “In truth, I’d just be content with learning everything. I don’t know if I’m ready to be a princess.”
“Neither was I, but, Private convinced me otherwise,” I said, trying not to grin at some of the memories.
“You and he are, close?” She asked.
“Married.”
“Oh my gosh, really?” Gloaming said, her jaw dropping.
“Why is that such a shock?” I asked.
“I always thought it was forbidden for normal ponies to marry Alicorns,” She replied.
“Let me guess, Soleil?” I asked flatly.
She slowly nodded.
“How about we take a break from all this and go to the library?” I asked, setting my punch aside. “I’m sure a little exchange of knowledge could help us when we both have a crown on our heads.”
“You’d really do that? With me?” She said, looking on me.
“Course, I’m trying to make a friend after all,” I said with a smile.
She smiled in turn, she actually seemed really sweet. “I have a few books from my own collection, I do read a lot. I’ll show you some that you don’t have in Equestria.”
….B….F...F…
_________________________________________________________
Minutes later…
Perspective: Private Eye
Where is Twilight? She left with Gloam about ten minutes ago. I hope they are okay.
Stop worrying Private, Twilight can handle herself. She’ll be fine.
I hope so anyways.
I saw the guard from earlier, that Warden guy. Well, I guess I could make casual conversation. Not matchmaking at all no sir.
I walked up to the guy as he stood at attention, looking around at the crowd. “Hey, Warden was it?”
“Blaze Warden,” The guy replied. “You are Private Eye? Another guard told me about you.”
“Yeah, but we all kind of owe our lives to you,” I said. “You are the one that calmed her down when she was surging.”
He blushed a little, and looked away nervously. “I… You’re welcome it was nothing.”
“You and she seem, close.” I said, smiling.
He nodded. “I’ve known her since we were foals. We grew up in the same neighborhood,” he explained, his tone showcasing he wanted to get out of this conversation with as less embarrassment as possible.
“Something tells me there’s more to the story,” I said, narrowing my silver eyes and smirking a little.
“You, don’t make it easy to hide secrets,” Warden pointed out.
“It’s my job. I’m a detective after all,” I said.
“So you make a habit out of prying personal things from ponies?” Warden asked me.
“Nah, this is just me being friendly. So, you care about her don’t you?” I asked.
He slowly nodded, “Yeah. I became a royal guard to be with her, but some days I feel like I hardly see her. She’s so busy with being a student of the Princess that I wonder if she’ll even remember me the next time I see her.”
I put a hoof on the guy’s shoulder. “Trust me man, if she truly cares, she’ll remember you every time she sees you. She’ll also think about you whenever you’re not there. That’s what being a true friend is about.”
“Right,” Warden said with a smile. “You ever consider writing self help books?”
“My wife has heard enough to publish one,” I said with a laugh.
Warden joined in the laughter, that was until we heard a yell.
One of the Crystal Pony guards came up and ran directly to me. “Sir Eye! We have a report!”
“What’s going on?” I asked.
The guard explained quickly, “I was walking by the rooms to make sure none of the guests wandered off. That’s when I saw that somepony has broken in to Lady Gloaming’s room! There are signs of a struggle and it appears that somepony dragged her away!”
Warden’s eyes grew wide and he shouted, “Gloam has been kidnapped?!”