It was getting late.
Rainbow Dash and Rarity had been asleep for hours. Bright Lance and Johnathon relieved Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy from guard duty outside Princess Celestia's chambers, letting Fluttershy head off to bed, and, after dropping off the books they had brought, Spike and Cheerilee went to join them in the girl's shared quarters nearby, both of them having been awake all day as well. Pinkie headed off to the royal kitchens to prepare some food for everyone.
Luna and Applejack returned only minutes before the sun was scheduled to set, and Luna headed directly toward her sister's balcony doors with a nod. "I'm sorry, Tia. I didn't mean to leave it until this late, but there were so many petitioners this afternoon." she explained tersely as she flung open the doors going outside. Twilight rose to follow her, and Celestia jumped off her bed as well. The cowpony hung back, although she watched Luna curiously.
"Did court go well?" Celestia asked, looking slightly concerned. "It's not like you to be so rushed."
Luna paused, then shook her head. "In the main, yes. Mostly everypony was worried about the sun... and if everything would return to normal soon, although our nephew, Prince Blueblood, did cause a minor disruption toward the middle."
Applejack rolled her eyes. "Y'all could say that."
Princess Celestia frowned. "What is bothering our nephew now?"
Luna sighed. "Apparently he is convinced that, if any pony deserves to become an alicorn, it must be himself, and he seems personally affronted that a pony of no royal blood would dare supplant his royal prerogative." she sighed. "I expect he will continue to make a nuisance of himself."
Princess Celestia frowned lightly. "Strange... it isn't like him to actively seek more responsibility." she shrugged. "I'll have a talk with..." she blinked, remembering. "Well, I suppose I'll have to wait to speak with my nephew until after my true form is restored."
Luna nodded. "Hopefully he will be not cause any trouble before that." she glanced at the sky. "But in the meantime, time grows short, I must prepare to lower the sun." she walked slowly to the center of the balcony and closed her eyes, her horn starting to glow.
Twilight walked up slowly. "Princess, may I assist you? Or at least attempt to follow along with what you are doing? I've been working on my control all day, and I think I could manage at the very least to avoid getting in your way."
Applejack looked startled. "You really think you're ready to help move the sun, Sugar Cube?"
Twilight glanced at her friend, then nodded firmly. "I think so. I have to try sometime, right?"
Luna looked thoughtful, then nodded in agreement. "You may assist if you wish, Twilight Sparkle. We will begin by reaching out to the sun... just reaching out to touch... not to move it, but to sense it with our magic." she closed her eyes again, and took in a deep breath, her horn glowing once more. "Are you ready?"
Twilight moved next to her, and her horn also started to glow. "Yes Princess. I'm reaching out now."
Princess Celestia watched silently as her younger sister and her faithful student focused their magic and concentrated. She was tempted to try following along, but knew that her current magical strength would barely allow her to sense what they were doing, much less truly aid them.
Twilight's eyes went wide, and although Celestia could not see them from behind her student, she knew that they were now lit up like her horn. "I can feel it! It's so... heavy... so much power... so much heat...." she shuddered. "I'm frightened, Luna."
Luna nodded. "I know. It frightens me a bit as well, Twilight, but it will not harm us. Just... reach out... imagine yourself taking hold of it... wrap your magic lightly around it," she nodded again. "Yes... I can feel your magic... good, you've got a good firm grasp of it now. Ease off just a little... yes... that's perfect." the princess of the moon took a deep breath. "very good, Twilight! Just... keep holding it gently... just like that. Now... slowly, slowly, let yourself force it down, below the horizon," she frowned. "Be careful, you're losing your grip..."
Twilight grimaced. "It's difficult... it's so much energy... it's not very solid... like trying to hold a giant ball of water... except it's so hot... so... heavy...."
Watching and listening, Applejack was torn between blushing, chuckling, and being scared out of her mind. She was badly tempted to make an off color joke to ease the tension, but at the same time, Twilight was in the middle of moving the actual SUN in the sky! As fun as Twilight's responses to teasing might be, teasing her right now might be... bad.
Luna nodded. "Just hold on a bit longer. We're almost there. You need to increase the mana flow, put more energy into it, or you're going to lose it," Twilight's horn glowed brighter and brighter, and Luna nodded. "There... stop. That's just about perfect."
Twilight was straining, veins in her neck showing and her body going rigid with effort. "I don't know how much longer I can... keep this up." Applejack covered her mouth with both hooves to keep herself from saying anything.
Luna's own horn flared, and her eyes opened, and even as the sun sank below the horizon, the light from their eyes illuminated the balcony before them like headlights. "Almost... there..." she took a deep breath. "OK, stop pushing... now!" she winced and ducked as Twilight's horn flashed once more, sending the purple alicorn flying backwards with the sound of an explosion. "No!" she turned and her own horn glowed, enveloping Twilight in a protective cocoon that slowed her to a halt and gently put her back down on her feet. Luna sighed in relief. "It's alright, you just released your magic too quickly. When you're using that much energy, you need to back it down slowly... lest it feedback into you," Twilight staggered as her hooves touched the balcony again, and slowly collapsed.
Princess Celestia moved quickly to her side. "Twilight, Twilight, are you alright?"
The purple alicorn nodded slowly. "Tired... very tired, but... I think I'm alright."
Celestia frowned. "You shouldn't be this tired..." she glanced at her younger sister in surprise. "Luna, you... did you let Twilight do that by herself?"
Luna hesitated. "Once I felt her magic in place, I did allow her to supply most of the energy needed, yes. I kept a firm grip, however, just in case I was needed... and at the end, I did have to make some adjustments to the Sun's velocity... but Twilight did VERY well for her first try."
Twilight raised her eyes to Princess Luna incredulously. "You're kidding. You mean I really... I lowered the sun?"
Still watching from inside the room, Applejack slipped out onto the balcony to congratulate her friend. "Well ain't that something!" she said with honest approval in her voice. "Who's of thought our little Twilight would end up moving the sun all on her own!"
Twilight blushed. "No... I just helped. Princess Luna really did do most of it, right Luna?"
Luna shook her head with a smile. "You really did most of the work all on your own. I am quite impressed by how quickly you have mastered your new powers," she frowned. "I am, in fact, amazed. It took me... weeks to get it right the first time, when I first took over moving the moon. And you managed the sun with less difficulty than I did myself this morning!"
Princess Celestia smiled fondly at her student. "The embodiment of the element of magic, remember? Twilight's gifts are quite rare," she frowned. "Still, she should not be quite this tired. Lowering the sun takes quite a bit less power then raising it," her face cleared. "Ah... of course. Twilight's gift is magic... which is why she learns new types of magic so easily... but my talent is in my power over the sun. Even with the same amount of power, I would naturally have an easier time with my own element."
Twilight nodded slowly. "I'm sure you're right, Princess. But does this mean I won't be able to manage raising the sun tomorrow morning?"
Princess Celestia looked thoughtful. "I think you might manage, Twilight, although I expect it would be quite difficult. Nevertheless, between you and my sister, I have every confidence that you will manage nicely."
Luna nodded. "Certainly. Lifting the sun this morning was... extremely difficult, but with your help, Twilight, we should be just fine. I think you'll find your strength will return quickly. You'll be back to full strength well before it is time for us to raise the sun."
Twilight nodded tiredly. "I hope you're right. That was the most energy I've ever expended... although, I suppose I don't feel any more tired than I did when I created Rarity's wings," she nodded again. "And... I can feel my strength slowly returning." the purple alicorn smiled. "Yes, I do think I'll be alright soon."
Princess Celestia smiled. "That's very good," she settled down next to Twilight and levitated the book they had been studying over to float in front of her. "While you rest, I'll continue studying up on transformation spells."
Luna came over to peer into the book. "May I see?" she settled down on Celestia's other side to read with her. "Oh, interesting! That's one I haven't seen before!"
Twilight found herself intrigued. "Oh? Which one?"
Luna nodded her horn at the book. "This gender swapping spell. It's a simpler version then I've seen before," Twilight looked interested, and the two of them started chatting about various transformation magics, while Celestia looked on, bemused.
Applejack raised an eyebrow. "A what? You mean there's actually a spell to turn a filly into a colt?"
Twilight nodded blithely. "There are a whole lot of different transformation spells, Applejack. They are all temporary, though. I'm not sure why any pony would have created that particular spell, though."
Applejack frowned. "Huh. Well, I don't much get the reason behind most of those weird spells myself, but that's why I'm the farmer, and you're the Princess's student, I reckon," she shrugged. "Well, you all have fun with the magic books. I'm going to take a nap. Let me know when it's time for me to take my turn playing guard pony, alright?"
Princess Luna glanced at her, and nodded once, then turned back to the book with Twilight and Celestia.
"You know, I never really studied transformation magic in much depth," Princess Celestia admitted after a while. "Because, frankly, it's not something I ever had a talent for. I could never alter my own form significantly, and I didn't feel much need for it otherwise. I got quite good at restoration magic... and dispelling, of course, and they've been more than sufficient for me." she looked thoughtful. "Strange, after all this time, there is still so many things I know so little about," she looked at Twilight. "I've taken the time to study many things. You may find this hard to believe, but I was very passionate about farming for about fifty years. I learned everything I could about the subject, and I even ran my own small farm here on the palace grounds. Eventually I turned it back into the palace gardens, but I still take an interest now and then."
Twilight blinked, then smiled. "There are so many things I don't know about you, Princess."
The princess nodded. "We will have time, Twilight, when our current emergency has passed," she sighed. "Although as for that, there is always another emergency, although I must admit, this IS one of the more unique situations I've faced."
Luna was listening as well, looking at her sister in wonder. "I did not know that about you either, Tia. You practiced farming? Truly?"
Celestia nodded. "I really did." she smiled softly. "I must admit I cheated a bit at first. During several years, my fields got a BIT more sun... and a bit more rain than is perhaps the norm. I grew some truly spectacular pumpkins, although any records I may have set three hundred years ago have been beaten long since."
The two alicorns and the white unicorn chatted idly as the light faded from the sky. As it started to get truly dark, rather than light the balcony with magic, they went inside to continue Celestia's studies into the more difficult types of transformational magics. Luna joined the lessons, knowing quite a bit on the subject, and the three of them continued working late into the night.
***************************
Outside the princess's bedroom, Shining Star walked up to see Bright Lance and Johnathon standing guard outside Princess Celestia's chambers. "I'm here to relieve you," the unicorn guard said gruffly. "Anything to report?"
Bright Lance shook his head to clear it, looking very tired. "Twilight's gotten pretty proficient with her powers by now... I'm told that she even assisted with lowering the sun and raising the moon this evening. Otherwise, things are going according to plan, pretty much. Quite a few ponies were concerned about the sun's schedule...but no real trouble," he shrugged. "Although apparently Prince Blueblood is pitching a fit again."
Shining Star grunted. "Well, that's nothing new," he nodded to the door. "So, is the Princess in?"
Bright Lance nodded. "Both Princesses and Twilight Sparkle are inside. Most of the other element bearers are asleep now, although miss Applejack will be relieving Mister Dwire in a few more hours for her shift at guard duty."
Shining Star rolled his eyes. "Oh great... so I'll be babysitting a human and an earth pony?"
Bright Lance frowned. "You're in charge of the guard detail while I'm gone, but be respectful, Shining Star. The element bearers in particular have done more than enough to prove themselves already, got it?"
The lower ranked unicorn guard nodded reluctantly. "Yeah," he glanced at Johnathon. "No offense, sir."
Johnathon waved a hand dismissively. "None taken. And you don't have to call me sir," he shrugged. "I've done a few years worth of security work while I was putting myself through college, but I'm fully aware of my limitations. Certainly I don't have your training. Still, I can keep my eyes and ears open for you, for what that's worth."
Shining Star frowned and nodded. "It's something, anyway."
Bright Lance yawned heavily, and nodded at Johnathon Dwire. "I'll say goodnight then. It was nice meeting you, Mister Dwire."
"Same here, Bright Lance," the archeologist told the captain of the guard. "Get some sleep. You look dead on your feet."
"Not quite dead yet," Bright Lance muttered as he walked off, his head drooping. "But I'll be unconscious about half a second after my head hits a pillow."
Shining Star took up a position on the other side of the ornate doorway to the Princess's chambers from Johnathon, and for several long minutes, they stood in silence. "Probably going to be a quiet night," he commented finally.
"Hopefully," Johnathon agreed. "Guard duty usually is pretty quiet... but I prefer it that way."
Shining Star nodded thoughtfully. "Less paperwork."
Johnathon laughed. "Isn't that the truth!"
The unicorn sergeant at arms took a moment to look at the human standing watch with him curiously. "So... you used to be a guard?"
Johnathon shrugged. "Sort of. I worked security, which isn't quite the same thing. I certainly wasn't a guard for anything as important as this."
Shining Star grunted at that, and he was silent for several more minutes before speaking again. "Ever run into any trouble on the job?" he asked curiously. "I've never really heard much about your world. Is it as warlike as I've heard?"
Johnathon glanced at him. "I don't know what you've heard, but compared to what I've seen of Equestria, it's probably less peaceful, anyway." he shrugged. "As for trouble, I had my share of incidents, but nothing serious," he frowned. "Well... a few messes that COULD have been serious, but like I said, I was never on a security detail for anything really important. The worst thing I dealt with was a small gang of drug dealers...." he glanced over at the unicorn. "I don't suppose you have much of that sort of thing here?"
Shining Star blinked, then frowned. "Not much... if I am understanding you correctly. We have some crime, of course... but the royal guards don't generally deal with it." he raised an eyebrow. "Drugs? As in medications? You had trouble with a group of medication sellers?" he looked thoughtful. "Illegal medication sellers?"
Johnathon nodded slowly. "Something like that. For a while I had a patrol route in a downtown area... in a pretty big city, and generally they'd run when they saw me coming. Once, though, I wandered into a deal going down. Half a dozen dealers, and one supplier. I didn't figure out what was going on until I wandered right into the midst of them, and saw the drugs and money changing hands."
Shining Star blinked. "Seven of them, huh? What did you do?"
Johnathon grinned. "I ran like heck. Lucky for me they didn't see me coming either... so when I walked into the midst of them, they all sort of froze in shock. Then the supplier yelled at the rest of them to get me... but I had reacted first. I ran for it, down a few flights of stairs, and hid behind a pillar. They ran right by me, and I kept hiding, and called for backup... and my backup called for the police."
Shining Star nodded. "Seven on one... running was probably the right move."
Johnathon shrugged. "I might have risked staying, but all of them were armed, and while I'm pretty good, I can't stand up to that many guys with knives at once," he shrugged. "Anyway, the dealers all got away, but I kept an eye on the supplier till my backup arrived, and we caught him... so it worked out alright."
Shining Star looked thoughtful. "So... you haven't been in any real combat?"
The middle-aged man wrinkled his nose. "I've been in some fights... a lot of fights actually, but that time was probably the most danger I was ever in. Up to that point, I never had to deal with anyone with a weapon... not seriously."
The unicorn raised an eyebrow. "Are weapons common on your world?"
Johnathon nodded. "Oh, pretty common, yes... but like I said, I never guarded anything really important. On my world, bringing a weapon to commit a crime makes the penalty much worse, so I never had to deal with criminals with weapons, because it generally isn't worth it for them to carry one. There are places that use all armed security, because they guard more important things... but I never did any of that."
Shining Star nodded. "Ah," he sighed. "Well, like you said, at least you can help me keep watch."
Johnathon nodded agreeably. "That I can do pretty well."
They were silent again before Shining Star spoke up again conversationally. "So... I take it you don't use weapons yourself?"
Johnathon hesitated. "Well, yes and no. I've never relied on one in a real fight. I've always used my unarmed combat skills whenever I got into that sort of situation. I prefer it that way. It's easier to avoid doing any permanent harm. I do, however, know how to use quite a few different kinds of weapons."
The unicorn guard looked curious. "What kinds, can I ask? Maybe we have something in the armory you can use?"
Johnathon raised an eyebrow. "You want to give me a weapon?"
The Unicorn shrugged. "Well, if for some reason you do need to act in defense of the princess, it can't hurt for you to be a little better prepared," he frowned, looking the human up and down. "I mean... no offense, but you hardly seem very dangerous. You're... tall, and all, but even an Earth Pony stallion would be more of a threat."
Johnathon grinned slightly. "I'm a bit more dangerous than I look, although I understand your point of view. After all, I don't have hooves, or a horn, or magic... or wings," Johnathon raised his hands, showing the unicorn the gloves he was wearing, his welcoming gift from Rarity. "I do have these, though," he made a fist. "I can do some damage with these, trust me."
The guard frowned. "If you say so. I guess you can hit with them?"
Johnathon nodded. "I can punch through a couple inches of wood pretty easily with these on, and without hurting my hands. I'd say I can hit about as hard as a pony my size could kick."
Shining Star raised an eyebrow. "Well... that's something, i suppose," he shrugged. "Still, perhaps we can give you more of an edge? What kinds of weapons do you know how to use?"
Johnathon frowned. "Well... quite a few, actually, but I'd be surprised if you have anything appropriate. I mean...." he held up his hands. "I use these to hold stuff... including weapons. Ponies don't have hands, so I'd be surprised if you have anything appropriate for someone like me."
Shining Star looked thoughtful. "That's a pretty good point, actually. Still, we do have some weapons from some of the other races in the armory. The Diamond Dogs and the Griffons used to use weapons with their claws sometimes, and we have some stuff from old border skirmishes. I suppose most of it is pretty old... but the Princess did say you could borrow anything you needed."
Johnathon hesitated, looking torn. "It's not that I don't want to protect the Princess as well as I can... she's been good to me, and I think she's a truly good... pony, but..." he frowned. "One thing about carrying a weapon is that if you do, you generally end up having to use it eventually, and weapons kill."
The unicorn guardspony looked at him seriously. "I can respect that choice, I suppose," he shook his head. "It's not one I've ever had to make, thankfully. The royal guard also rarely goes armed... and we haven't had to use lethal force in quite a while. Honestly, the Princess is more than capable of dealing with any threat, so long as we can give her even a moment's warning first," he nodded to Johnathon. "So if that's all you can do, do that," he frowned. "The problem right now is, that we're supposed to be making sure that... er... Miss Elegant Note is safe as well, and she's not as... capable of protecting herself as Princess Celestia is."
Johnathon nodded. "Well, Twilight Sparkle should be with Miss Elegant Note most of the time, and Twilight should be quite capable of handling any real danger herself, from everything I'm told."
Shining Star sighed. "You're probably right. Still, the idea of the princ... I mean, Miss Note being so vulnerable right now has me on edge. If Twilight Sparkle, or Princess Luna aren't around if somepony tries something against Elegant Note, I'd prefer to be as ready as possible. If we could just bring more guards in on this!" he growled, sounding frustrated.
Johnathon nodded. "I sympathize," he wrinkled his nose. "Listen, if we do have to guard Miss Note without an alicorn around to help, I'll seriously consider carrying a weapon for that purpose, alright?"
Shining Star grinned. "Fine with me. I'll take you by the armory myself after Bright Lance relieves me in the morning."
Johnathon nodded agreeably. "Alright. If it'll make you feel better."
****************************
Hours passed, and Applejack, Twilight, and Princess Luna came out of Princess Celestia's chambers together. "Princess Celestia is sleeping now," Twilight said quietly. "We thought it best just to let her rest. She's been working hard all day," Shining Star frowned, then hesitated, obviously looking like he wanted to speak, but uncertain if it was his place.
Princess Luna noticed his hesitation. "Speak your mind, Sergent." she told him calmly. "What concerns you?"
Shining Star faced her. "Yes Princess Luna. I simply feel that, for safety's sake, perhaps either you or Miss Sparkle should remain with..." he hesitated. "with Elegant Note while she's staying with us?"
Luna and Twilight exchanged a glance. "That is probably a wise suggestion, Sergeant," Luna agreed. "Hopefully unnecessary, but wise, non-the-less," she glanced up and down the hall. "As is your discretion, but I can assure you that, at the moment at least, we are quite alone. No living being is within range of earshot save those already aware of my sister's current state, and no magic fields that I do not recognize are present."
Shining Star blinked. "Well, that's good to know. Unfortunately, I don't have your talents, Princess, so I tend to err on the side of caution."
Luna smiled at him. "As well you should, when my sister's safety is your concern. I approve," she glanced at Twilight. "Shall we take shifts watching over my sister as she slumbers? I am more rested than I was earlier today, thanks to your assistance, so I do not need rest tonight."
Twilight hesitated. "Honestly, I could use a nap... I'm not hungry, thanks to that big snack Pinkie brought, but I am still a little tired from helping you with the moon."
Luna looked thoughtful. "Well, I should make an appearance at my night court, Twilight Sparkle, but if you are willing to watch over my sister for a few hours, I will come back to relieve you before the night is over, so you will have at least a few hours to rest before dawn."
Twilight nodded. "I'll go back inside and watch Princess Celestia then, Luna. Thank you."
Luna nodded and headed down the corridor. "I will return soon! If I am needed, Shining Star should know where I can be reached."
Twilight glanced at the sergeant. "I'll tell you if we need anything."
"Yes Ma'am," the unicorn guard said with a crisp salute. Twilight smiled at him and went back into the Princess's chambers.
Applejack sighed. "Well, it's about time I take my turn at playing guard pony I guess," she said with a wry smile. "You about ready to hit the sack, Johnathon?"
The human archeologist nodded. "I could use the break, sure. I'll go see if I can get something to eat from the kitchens before I get to sleep though. Do you two want anything?"
Applejack hesitated. "A couple apples would go down right well," she said cheerfully. "I find that an apple keeps me going when I'm tired... which is lucky, seeing as I farm em."
Johnathon chuckled. "A couple apples it is. Anything for you, sergeant?"
Shining Star hesitated, then shrugged. "That actually sounds good to me too."
Johnathon nodded and turned to go. "Right, I'll grab half a dozen if I can find them, and bring them back," he looked thoughtful. "I'm going to see if I can find some rope too."
Shining Star and Applejack blinked. "What'cha need rope for anyhow?" Applejack asked curiously.
"For you!" Johnathon told the cowpony with a grin, turning to the unicorn guard. "Applejack's the best with a lasso I've ever seen. If you want us to be as prepared as possible, you could do worse than having Applejack with a good rope by your side."
Applejack blinked. "You think that's necessary? I hardly reckon I'll be needing to rope anypony in the middle of the night."
Shining Star, however, was nodding thoughtfully. "It can't hurt. Good idea, Mister Dwire," he turned to Applejack. "So... how good are you with a lasso?"
Applejack grinned at him. "Ponyville rodeo champ ten years running," she said proudly. "I can lasso an apple off a tree a couple dozen yards away on the first try, every time, near enough."
Shining Star found himself assessing the physical condition of the earth pony with a trained eye, and his eyes went slightly wide as he realized how much muscle lay under the sleek coat of the orange cowpony. "I expect that could come in handy... and as Mister Dwire says, it would reassure me if we could take every precaution we can think of."
Johnathon nodded. "I'll bring those apples, and a good rope for Applejack then," he stretched and yawned as he started walking off. "I do believe I know the way to the kitchens by now. I'll be back soon."
Several minutes passed before Applejack spoke up, breaking the silence. "So, how long you been a guard pony for the princess?"
Shining Star didn't look toward her as he spoke, keeping his eyes on the corridor. "Ten years now."
Applejack whistled, then looked curious. "So, been in any tough spots? Does it ever get dangerous?"
Shining Star looked thoughtful. "Well, during the time Discord returned earlier this year, we had our hooves full keeping Canterlot in one piece, but... no, it's usually not bad. Although there was this one time, during some trade negotiations with the griffons that I thought things might go badly. A few of the younger griffons on the ambassador's security force were a bit hot headed."
Applejack looked interested. "What happened?"
The unicorn guard shrugged. "They were just trying to show off... scare us a little. We stayed calm, and their ambassador calmed things down. It was a tense couple minutes though."
Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Huh. I'd have thought being a guard pony for the princess, you'd get a bit more action."
Shining Star shrugged. "I like to think what we do is important, but honestly, the Princess hardly needs a guard detail. No pony would harm her, even if they could, which is extremely unlikely in any case. Still, it has been my honor to serve."
Applejack frowned thoughtfully. "Well, even if you're just helping the princess have some peace and quiet from time to time, I reckon that's pretty important."
Shining Star shrugged agreeably. "Not every pony gets to be a hero..." he nodded to Applejack. "From what I've heard from the Princess, you and your friends have seen a lot more action than most of the guard. I've heard some pretty impressive things about you six."
Applejack shrugged slightly. "Just being in the right place at the right time, is all, I think. I didn't do nothing special really."
Shining Star found himself grinning at the cowpony. He had always wondered what made five mares from a small town so important. He could understand about Twilight Sparkle, she had been hoof picked by the Princess after all, but the others? He'd never really believed that they were more than conduits for the magic that Twilight had wielded. As he'd learned more about them, he'd slowly changed his opinion, but he never had understood why a pair of Earth ponies of no special ability had been part of that group. A farmer and a baker? It hadn't made any sense to him.
He had been there for the awards ceremony after Discord's defeat, where the Princess had unveiled the new piece of stained glass that commemorated their defeat of the Draconequus, and from that point on, he had wondered about them. Shining had done his homework. Rainbow Dash seemed suitably heroic. Her flying skills were well known, almost legendary. Fluttershy herself had seemed an odd choice, but he had heard rumors of her staring down a dragon. Rarity was at least a unicorn, and a rather gifted one, even if she seemed a bit flighty, but the other two? He had to admit that it was harder to dismiss Applejack while in her presence. She was disarmingly charming, and obviously a powerful and athletic specimen. It was still a mystery to him why a pony as odd as the baker would be counted among those who had defeated Discord, but he was starting to think that there had to be something more to her as well. She couldn't possibly be as useless as she seemed.
Applejack, however... she was indeed as fine a mare as he'd seen. Athletic, humble, and with a flank that you could bounce bits off of...
"You done staring at my flank?" the cowpony said with a raised eyebrow and a slightly annoyed expression.
Shining Star blinked and immediately turned away, doing his best not to blush, staring at the far wall of the corridor rigidly. "Yes Ma'am! Sorry Ma'am!"
Applejack snorted and rolled her eyes, and they went back to a now uncomfortable silence. Just then, an earth pony wearing a maid's uniform trotted around a corner, looking nervous. When she spotted him, she headed toward Shining Star with a slightly frantic expression.
"Excuse me... are you Shining Star?" the maid asked him hesitantly. "I was told to tell you, sir, that Princess Luna requested your presence at her chambers right away."
Shining Star blinked. "The Princess wants me to come to her chambers?"
The maid nodded quickly. "That's what I was told. It sounded urgent, sir. Could you come right away?"
Shining Star frowned. "I can't leave my post..." he hesitated, glancing at Applejack. "But it must be important, or Princess Luna wouldn't have sent for me by name."
Applejack shrugged. "I'll keep watch, don't y'all worry none. Johnathon will be back in a spell anyhow."
Shining Star hesitated for a moment longer, the nodded. "Very well. I will return shortly," he turned and followed the anxious looking maid away, and around a corner, and Applejack frowned to herself, wondering.
"Huh," she murmured. "What's wrong with this picture?" Applejack prided herself on being able to smell a falsehood, and the maid had seemed sincere, but why would Luna call away one of her sister's guards?
Applejack shook her head and started to scan the corridor with her eyes, the hairs on the back of her neck raising as she realized she was the only pony standing between an enemy and Princess Celestia. Of course, Twilight was inside the room, and if any pony could handle protecting the princess, it would be her, especially right now, but.... Applejack couldn't help but be nervous. And then she saw him. A white unicorn stallion with a blond mane strode confidently down the corridor toward her from the opposite direction that Shining Star and the maid had gone, and Applejack put two and two together.
"I should have known you'd try something squirrelly," Applejack said with a frown. "So you told that maid that Luna wanted to see Shining Star, did ya?"
Prince Blueblood looked affronted, even as he kept walking calmly towards her. "What a base accusation," he said crossly. "How dare you accuse a prince of the blood of such deceit!"
"Ya ain't denying it," Applejack noted wryly. "And ya ain't getting in to see the Princess either!" the large white unicorn was forced to stop as Applejack placed herself firmly between the Princess's chamber doors and Blueblood. "Now stop right there, and turn yourself around, mister, or I'll have to get rough with ya!"
Blueblood snorted. "You? A common dirt pony, lay hoofs on me? Your prince? You wouldn't dare," his eyes narrowed. "I know you... you were the one whispering slander into Auntie Luna's ear during the day court..."
Applejack's eyes went wide with indignation. "What the heck are you talking about! I ain't never slandered no pony!"
Blueblood sniffed disdainfully. "So you claim. Regardless, I do not have time to banter words with the likes of you. Out of my way. I would have words with my dear Aunt."
Applejack hunched her front legs slightly, as if bracing herself. "Ain't moving," she said firmly. "Now git."
Blueblood tried to step around her, only to have the cowpony block him with her shoulder, hard, driving the wind out of him and sending him a couple staggered steps back. "How...?" he panted, catching his breath. "How... dare... you!" his eyes narrowed and his horn glowed and Applejack found herself choking, her front hooves reaching for her throat as a light blue glow wrapped around her by the neck and lifted her into the air.
Blueblood's eyes were narrowed in rage. "How DARE you attack me!" he said dangerously. "I am your PRINCE! You... dirt ponies need to know your proper place!" his horn was glowing brightly as he lifted Applejack up into the air by her neck. The orange cowpony struggled helplessly, fighting for breath but unable to break free, or even call out for help with her airway constricted. Her eyes flitted to one side, going wide for a moment, and Blueblood frowned. "Why would you look away from me?" he asked, then he turned as he finally heard the faint sound of movement from the direction she had looked.
Johnathon Dwire had been sneaking quietly up towards Blueblood for several long moments, trying to get close enough to jump the unicorn prince before he could spot him, but when the angry unicorn turned toward him, the archeologist abandoned all pretense at stealth. He raced forward the last few steps and crashed into the unicorn stallion, grabbing him around the neck.
Blueblood's eyes went wide and he started to struggle. The glowing energy around Applejack's neck vanished, and she fell to the floor, panting as the stallion and human fought. Blueblood tried to use his magic on the man, but before he could focus, Johnathon had stomped hard down on the back of the Prince's front left leg, forcing the unicorn down on one knee. The Prince grimaced and focused past the pain, grabbing the human and trying to pull him away with brute force. Johnathon felt his arms losing their grip, and brought up his knee hard under the unicorn's chin, slamming the stallion's teeth together even as he fell backwards.
Blueblood's eyes rolled in his head as his mouth was slammed shut with enough force to make his eyes water, and he lost his grip on the human. Johnathon staggered back as well then, caught his balance and lunged forward with a punch, striking the prince on the temple with enough force to snap the unicorn's head to the side, causing Blueblood to stagger and sway as he tried to stay conscious. Less than half a second later, however, the human had leaped forward, slamming his other knee into the prince's chin, snapping his head backwards a second time. Blueblood stopped moving, and didn't even feel the double fisted smash on top of his head that knocked his senseless body to the floor.
The archeologist stood in a guarded stance over the unconscious unicorn's body, fists up defensively, his eyes flashing angrily. He took the weight off of his front leg as if to stomp down on the prince, but lowered it after a moment, restraining the impulse to do further damage.
"Applejack, are you alright?" he asked tersely, glancing up and down the corridor for more enemies. "Twilight!" he yelled. "Get out here!"
Applejack rose to her hooves shakily, coughing once. "I'm a bit better off than him, I reckon," she said with a grimace, nodding down at the fallen prince. "Sorry about giving ya away like that. I was just a mite surprised to see you sneaking up behind Prince Blueblood."
Johnathon shook his head. "Forget about it," he blinked, looking down at the unconscious stallion in surprise. "Wait... this is the prince?" he grimaced. "Oh damn. That can't be good."
The doors glowed purple and burst open, Twilight Sparkle rushing through them with a concerned expression. "What's wrong? What's going on?" she looked down at the unconscious unicorn and blinked. "Why is Prince Blueblood laying unconscious on the floor?"
Applejack and Johnathon Dwire exchanged a glace before the cowpony started to explain. "Prince Buckface here wanted to get in to see the Princess, but when I told him no, he tried to force his way in...." she began. "He got real mad when I gave him a shove, and grabbed me by the throat with his magic and started choking me..."
Johnathon took up the story. "I saw AJ hanging nearly from the ceiling with this..." he grimaced and restrained his desire to swear. "This unicorn under her, his horn glowing... so I snuck up behind him..." he shrugged. "I jumped him, we fought, and I knocked him out," he finished, frowning. "You'll probably want to get him some medical attention, though. I was in a rush, I didn't have the luxury to be gentle."
"Quite understandable," Princess Celestia said from behind Twilight, who stood aside as the white unicorn walked out into the corridor to gaze down at her nephew, the expression on her face grave. She turned to regard Applejack, peering at her closely. "Are you seriously injured, Applejack?"
The orange earth pony rubbed her throat gingerly with one hoof. "I reckon this'll bruise pretty nicely by morning, but no permanent damage done."
The Princess smiled, although it did little to touch the sadness in her eyes. "I'm glad. You should still get yourself looked at. You might have some damage to your neck or spine that you simply aren't feeling yet," she glanced at Johnathon. "And you? Are you injured?"
Johnathon shook his head. "No." He glanced down at the Prince. "We really should get him to a doctor."
The Princess nodded, turning back to her nephew. "I will ascertain how badly he is injured," her horn glowed, and she focused on the prone unicorn stallion, a beam of light going out to illuminate his body, passing down from head to flank, and then back up. "He has a concussion... some minor contusions, some serious swelling behind his left eye, a badly sprained right front ankle and his... gums are bleeding?" she blinked, then shook her head, her horn going dark. "But he is in no real danger, I believe."
Johnathon lowered his head. "I apologize if I was... overzealous... but I didn't want to let him focus his magic... he seemed pretty powerful, if he could hold AJ in the air by her throat like that."
Princess Celestia sighed. "I apologize as well. You should not have needed to act at all. In a desire for secrecy, I have put you all in danger. I should simply have shared the truth with more of my guards, and not chosen to burden you," she looked Johnathon in the eyes seriously. "I cannot truly judge your actions, since I did not witness them," she turned to Applejack. "But I will trust the word of the bearer of the Element of Honesty, who did."
Applejack blinked, then frowned. "Johnathon did nothing more than he had to, I reckon," she said firmly. "I was in trouble, I couldn't breath... if he hadn't come when he did, I might have...." she shrugged. "But Johnathon didn't do nothin' wrong. He did what he had to, then stopped when the prince went down, as much as I could tell he was tempted to keep hittin' the... the bugger."
Johnathon blushed. "I wouldn't strike an unconscious opponent, but I wasn't sure he was out yet."
Princess Celestia turned to Applejack. "May I ask why the Prince was... throttling you?" she looked uncomfortable when she said it, her eyes troubled.
Applejack hesitated. "Well... I have ta admit I kinda gave him a bit of a nudge. He tried to get by me, and I hit him with my shoulder. Then he got right angry."
Celestia snorted lightly. "I can imagine," she nodded. "You were justified in using force to stop my nephew, I judge, Applejack, so do not fret on that account, although in retrospect, I almost wish you had simply let him walk by you," she sighed. "My nephew would not have harmed me, even if he had learned the truth... and certainly Twilight Sparkle would have protected me." she saw Applejack getting ready to protest, and shook her head quickly. "Not that I disapprove of your actions, Applejack. As I said, you were justified, and I am grateful for your loyalty. No... I only regret what this has done to my nephew."
Johnathon winced. "I am sorry I hurt him..."
Celestia shook her head again. "Again, you were justified, Johnathon, and his injuries will heal. No, I regret what I must do to him now."
Before anyone could ask what fate the Princess had in mind for Prince Blueblood, a crack and the feeling of air being displaced suddenly caused them all to look to see that Princess Luna had teleported into the corridor, looking anxious. Her face cleared in relief as her eyes lit upon Celestia, then darkened as she spotted the unconscious body of her nephew.
Luna strode over to them, her face calm but her eyes flashing. "When Shining Star informed me that he had been told that I had summoned him, I was most upset. I assume that it was a ploy by our nephew to get in to see you, sister?"
Princess Celestia nodded. "I would assume so. I'm afraid our nephew assaulted Applejack in an attempt to get past her. Thankfully Mister Dwire was able to subdue him without causing any permanent harm."
Luna's eyes flashed dangerously, causing the others to blink. "Unfortunate," she said with a fierce expression. "For our nephew. I might feel more lenient if he had suffered some permanent injury in his attempt to get past your guards."
Celestia sighed. "He SHOULD be transported to the infirmary for treatment," she told Luna with a sigh. "And since I am currently in no position to give orders that would supersede his, I'll have to ask you to act in my stead. Please see that he's treated for his injuries, and that he is well guarded, and held until he is able to speak in his own defense."
Luna nodded. "Very well, Tia," in the distance, the sound of many galloping hooves rapidly closing on their position echoed in the corridors. Luna frowned, her horn glowing lightly, causing Prince Blueblood to gently levitate off the floor in a protective bubble. "I will intercept the rest of your guards on the way, but for now, perhaps you should get out of sight... Elegant Note."
Princess Celestia nodded quickly, slipping into her room. "Twilight... Johnathon, Applejack? Come inside with me. I think it's best we let Luna handle this for now." the others quickly followed her, and Twilight closed the doors behind them as soon as they were all inside. Princess Celestia's eyes were hard. "This has gone on for long enough, I think," Her horn lit up, and the spellbook containing Strangehorn's spells floated over to her and flipped open to the page containing the permanent transformation spell. She let the book settle on the floor in front of her, looking down at it, then nodding. "I think I've been playing around long enough. It's time to try this."
Twilight hesitated. "Princess, are you sure you're ready?"
Princess Celestia hesitated. "No," she smiled slightly. "But I must try. I have put you and your friends in danger for long enough," she took a deep breath. "Twilight, will you assist me?"
Twilight hesitated. "We should wait for Princess Luna. If there is a backlash...?"
Princess Celestia considered that. "There will be no backlash unless I fail to do the spell correctly, and unless I do it perfectly, you will retain all my powers. You'll be more than able to contain any magical backlash I can currently produce."
Twilight hesitated. "I'm not sure.... We should at least get the others out of the room, just in case."
Princess Celestia smiled at her. "We can wait for my sister if you are frightened for your safety, Twilight."
Twilight blinked, then shook her head. "No... I know you won't harm me," she glanced at Johnathon and Applejack. "But I think I'll send you two out of harm's way, just in case."
Johnathon blinked. "Now wait just one..." he blinked as he and Applejack were enveloped in a bright light, and staggered, finding both himself and Applejack in the quarters he had used the previous night. "minute..." he finished lamely. "Damn," he turned to Applejack, who looked just as startled as he did. "What should we do?"
Applejack hesitated, then shook her head. "We trust em." she decided. "Princess Celestia knows what she's doing, and Twilight won't let her hurt herself."
Johnathon sighed. "I hope you're right."
Back in her private chambers, Princess Celestia faced Twilight squarely, her face determined. "Are you ready, Twilight?"
Twilight Sparkle nodded firmly. "Let's do this, Princess. I trust you."
Princess Celestia smiled at her. "I know," she lowered her head, her horn glowing, and bathed Twilight in it's light, concentrating hard.
Twilight's horn lit up as well, her eyes closing as she felt the Princess casting the spell. "That's it... now all you have to do is the final weave. You can do it!" Celestia's horn grew brighter, and she grimaced as she pushed her magic to it's limit, working and reworking the complex spell. For several long seconds, it seemed like nothing was happening. Twilight's eyes widened, however. "That's it! You've almost got it! Just keep going! You've almost got the pattern!" she felt a drain on her magic, and grimaced. "That's... that's it!"
The room exploded with light, and Twilight collapsed, feeling incredibly weak. At first, she was afraid that her magic had been drained completely, but after several long moments she forced herself to calm down. She opened her eyes, took a deep breath, and rose to her feet. She let herself relax and looked in wonder at Princess Celestia, who stood towering over her, restored to her normal form.
"Are you alright, Twilight?" the Princess asked in concern.
"I'm alright." Twilight reassured her, growing confident of that fact as she remembered what it was to be mortal once more. "Back to normal." she closed her eyes, and levitated Strangehorn's spellbook toward her, looking at the spell in question. "I'm a bit tired, but... I feel like... myself," she nodded. "You did it."
Princess Celestia sighed in relief. "I wasn't positive. I knew I wasn't quite getting it at first," she admitted. "I could feel it... the spell wasn't working. I was using up my strength so quickly, I was afraid I'd exhaust myself before I got the pattern correct."
Twilight blushed slightly. "I kind of was suppressing your magic at first," she said quietly. "I could tell you didn't have the pattern right, and we couldn't afford for you to make a mistake."
Celestia smiled. "Quite alright."
Twilight beamed at her. "But I could feel you trying to adjust... and you were getting it! So when you managed to find the right pattern, I let the spell through," she glanced down at herself. "And it worked!"
The Princess sighed, then smiled. "Ah well... I suppose my vacation is over for now," she looked at Twilight in concern. "You do not feel overly drained?"
Twilight shook her head. "Not at all. I feel... well, normal. Maybe just a little light headed... but... otherwise I feel fine."
Princess Celestia smiled. "I'm glad," she sighed. "Now I must deal with my nephew."
Twilight looked worried. "What are you going to do to him?"
Celestia shook her head. "Honestly, I am not sure yet," she sighed. "I hope it will not come to a trial. Hopefully my nephew will agree to accept my judgement on the matter. I don't want this incident to spiral out of control."
Twilight looked even more worried. "Could that happen?"
Princess Celestia nodded slowly. "Unfortunately, if he calls for a public trial, things could get rather messy. He would still be punished, probably quite severely, but at the same time, Mister Dwire and Miss Applejack would be called on to testify, and the nobility would not take their assault on him well. I would, of course, not allow any retribution, but...."
Twilight sighed. "They'd want to punish them anyway?"
Celestia nodded. "Most likely. I'd prefer it if we can avoid that," she nodded firmly. "I will go join my sister, and we will take steps to prevent this situation from escalating," she looked thoughtful. "Why don't you join your friends. I think it might be best if you stay put tonight. I will have a guard stationed at the room they are sleeping in. I'll come let you know what's happening in the morning."
Twilight nodded. "I'll get Johnathon and Applejack, and we'll go to the barracks with the others," she agreed, then looked upset. "I'm sorry about your nephew."
Celestia sighed. "So am I, Twilight. So am I."