A decent night's sleep wasn't something Twilight expected to get. She looked even worse than expected upon first glancing in the mirror when she got up and used the bathroom the next morning. She really wasn't sure what made the previous night worse – the way her talk with Spike caved in on itself, knowing what Rarity was doing or the eventual visit by Celestia and Luna. Granted, she hadn't any need to impress them with anything like friendship reports in quite a while but seeing her mentor still made her a bit nervous even to this day.
It was a lot later than anticipated when Twilight managed to drag herself out of bed. A faint hint of breakfast wafted through the air from the kitchen, but she didn't have much of an appetite. After finishing her morning routine, she headed downstairs, calling for Spike on the way. However, the condition of the kitchen told enough of a story.
There wasn't any dragon around; only a couple dirty pans, a single dish with some drying syrup on it and one lonely glass sat in the sink, all uncharacteristically dirty. Seemed Spike had already eaten and left, not even bothering to make anything for his caregiver or clean up his mess. One guess as to where he went.
With a heavy sigh, Twilight shuffled over to the refrigerator and decided on an orange, peeling it with a thought. In a couple hours, it'd be lunchtime and there was no reason to have anything terribly filling. As she gulped down the last slice, she turned her attention to the clutter begging for soap and water. May as well keep up appearances for when the royal sisters arrive, even if they never go into the kitchen to begin with.
Twilight's chore would have to wait, however. A distant knock came from down the hall, pulling her away. Ugh, all she needed was five or ten more minutes, but visitors came first. She shut off the water and fluttered to the entrance. A pair of opposingly-colored alicorns greeted her with warm, soothing smiles.
-----
The young princess spent the better part of an hour going over in fine detail what had been transpiring with her ivory friend and scaly adolescent – the attack in Manehattan, Spike's behavior, Rarity's antagonizing comments. Any questions the sisters asked were answered to the best of her ability. Telling her story gradually made her blood boil as she went, especially while repeating the fashion designer's justification for her actions. Despite trying to hide her anger, the sisters had little difficulty noticing it as they sat on their plush couches.
"I...I just don't understand why she'd suddenly be acting like this. It's like she's a whole other pony!" Twilight fumed.
"I'm not entirely sure," Celestia said. "It does seem like both you and Rarity, and even Spike as well, have made valid arguments. It's definitely not an easy situation with an easy conclusion."
"It's always possible that the outcome may not make everypony happy," Luna added.
"But I'd like to avoid that," Twilight countered. "There has to be some kind of compromise that I haven't thought of."
"Would any of the compromises you've thought of be directed your own way though?"
"I...well, uh...n-no, not really."
"We can understand why you'd be protective of your kin, Twilight, and want to fight for him as fiercely as you are. Unfortunately, there are going to be times where they may not understand or want to accept why you're doing it," the nightly princess explained. "Even I'm not going to deny that...well, even after so long, I'm still a little bitter over Celestia not covertly sending a royal guard or two while the Changeling Queen wasn't watching to summon me and my thestrals before the battle had begun outright. It could have turned the tide early for all we know."
Twilight raised a curious brow and coyly smirked. "Y'know, I don't think I ever did ask where you were that day."
"I was resting in my chambers in preparation for the evening's events. While I can function fine during the day, it's not unheard of around the castle for me to sleep during it similarly to how my sister here sleeps during the night." Luna glanced at her solar half and grinned. "Either way, I wasn't missing the party after the wedding. I'm always up for a good party."
"What about last year's Grand Galloping Gala? I don't remembering seeing you there."
"Eh, to be honest, I was never a fan of the Gala, even before my banishment. They were always so terribly boring. Celestia opted to meet-and-greet on her own with the guests a long time ago and I simply...never went. We always made sure to have a plausible excuse handy, and the citizens seemed alright with it." Twilight nodded as the dark alicorn continued. "But my original point still stands about Celestia's decision at your brother's wedding. Every so often, I like to use it to poke fun at her when we're arguing about something unrelated just to get under her skin a little but I mean no hard feelings in the end."
The sisters shared a chuckle as Celestia continued for the nightly princess. "You see, Twilight, my reasoning was that, if something happened to me, Equestria would still need a ruler in place to govern the land. Both of our chambers are heavily guarded when we're inside them, and, despite their numbers, a significant portion of their forces would have been needed to get to Luna as she slept. Plus...well, you know where our rooms are in the castle from when you were still my student. It wouldn't have been feasible for them to fight their way so deep into the castle to capture her even if they tried. You weren't a princess just yet yourself and there would have likely been a lot of in-fighting over who believed they were the rightful heir to the throne if I called for her and something ended up happening to the both of us."
"And you heard my argument. My thestrals' unique physiology would have given them a couple advantages in sniffing out any changelings, even if they tried to hide amongst the populace during the attack - quite literally, might I add. They may have been able to mask their appearance, but I guarantee they don't smell like ponies. It's also possible that my guards may have been able to hear a difference in a changeling's heartbeat when compared to one of our citizens."
"I'm guessing you argued about it at some point, based on what you're telling me," Twilight queried, her ears hanging low. It wasn't an answer she was particularly looking forward to even though she suspected she already knew what it was. In all her years as Celestia's student, she just couldn't imagine her flying off the handle over anything; the Princess of the Sun always gave off a calm, cool demeanor no matter what, even during times of crisis.
Celestia nodded with a delicate frown on her regal face. "After everything had been cleaned up and we had some time to ourselves, I told Luna what all had happened. It...turned into a shouting match that lasted a little while."
"The guards were probably afraid that we were going to blow up the castle during our fight or something."
"In the end, neither of us was truly wrong for believing what we did."
"What upset me the most at the time was the issue of trust," Luna continued. "As the overseers of this land, it's our duty first and foremost to keep the citizens safe. By not coming for me, I felt it wasn't in Equestria's best interest. Plus, during our heated argument afterwards, I accused my sister of treating me like a child that needed to be protected even though we know that isn't the case. But that's water under the bridge now. However, trust is obviously the root of your problem here today."
"Yeah," Twilight sighed. "It still doesn't explain why she's acted the way she has recently. You both know that I think it's great that my friends are his too, but...well, as the closest thing he has to a mother, I just assumed I was supposed to be the one who helps guide him more than the others."
"Curious," Celestia chimed in, gently rubbing her chin, "did you by chance ever send me any friendship reports addressing a situation like this? Not like this one in particular, but one where you were having a fight with a friend and there didn't seem to be any resolution in sight? I honestly don't recall seeing any letters like that."
The young mare's eyes swiveled and twirled about as she thought long and hard. There had been so many reports! Still, things tended to work out for her and her companions more often than not, even in the worst of times. Call it diligence, call it dumb luck, whatever the case was; they always seemed to come out on top and any disagreements they had were sorted out with everypony happy at the end of the day.
"I don't think I ever did, no." The subtlest of smirks twisted her lips. "I suppose I can still learn–"
The squeak of a closing door and some gentle laughs swung her ear away from the conversation. Twilight and the elder sisters recognized the owners of both voices as they approached from down the long hallway.
"Oh good. I was hoping we could see them at some point today," Celestia said.
A few moments went by as the expected visitors got closer. Once it sounded like they were only a few feet from their gathering, Celestia gently made the door open from across the room, briefly startling Spike and Rarity. The royal sisters welcomed them with smiles where Twilight was much more reserved; it was difficult for the former unicorn to make eye contact. Spike, on the other hand, had no trouble glaring at her.
"Sweetie?" Rarity whispered into his ear. "Something tells me this is probably going to be a lot of girl talk you may not be interested in. Would it be too much trouble if I asked you to go fix us something to nibble on for afterwards?"
An eye flutter was enough to seal the deal. "Only for you, babe."
He added a wink for his girl and strutted down the hall toward the rustic kitchen. A sly grin made its way across Rarity's cheeks as she casually stepped inside and closed the door behind her.
"So, you actually came."
"You do not seem surprised to see us," Luna said.
"Your prize student forgot to tell you yesterday that Spike was at the boutique most of the day. We got a little surprise in the mail, so to speak."
"I see. Then you're aware of why we decided to stop by today."
"Yes, of course. So you can pass judgment and condemn me like Twilight has," Rarity snarled, her words laced with venom. "I wouldn't be surprised if you already did so before I even entered the castle."
The sisters blinked at each, bewildered by such aggression. "I'm sorry you feel that way, but that's not–"
"For rulers who claim to care so much about the well-being of their subjects, I simply can't believe you'd want to destroy a pony's relationship with one she truly cares for! What difference should it make if he happens to be a dragon?!"
"Rarity, that's not what we're concerned about," Celestia interjected. "The fact that Spike is a dragon is the least of it. Don't you think he's a bit young to be doing the things with you that Twilight has told us about?"
"Oh, yes, because nopony ever did anything a little adventurous or dangerous or exciting or rebellious when they were young in the history of Equestria! Do you two even remember when you were young? When was the last time you touched a stallion, hmm?"
"Rarity!" Twilight snapped.
"Where is this hostility coming from?" Luna demanded. "And why are you trying to redirect this conversation onto us? Your actions with Spike are why we are here in the first place! This has nothing to do with anything we did at any time in our lives!" Her sister rested a hoof gently on her own, trying desperately to calm things down. "Well, it doesn't!"
"You're right, it doesn't." The midnight-colored alicorn snorted in a huff and let her elder take over. Celestia's lavender eyes met with Rarity's, calm but firm. "If you must know, our memories are almost as long as our lives, but not once did we ever wish to mate with somepony who, for all intents and purposes, is a foal."
"Except he's not a foal," the unicorn shot back, sauntering over to the sisters and meeting them with a smirk. "How much did you ever learn about dragons over the course of your long life?
"Thousands of years ago, Luna and I met with several dragon matriarchs that ruled over their respective broods. A peace pact was signed that has remained intact ever since. Occasionally, a rogue dragon did something that technically violated the treaty, but things never escalated to the point of war. Their actions were always dealt with quickly and peacefully."
"What about their own life spans? Did you ever ask them about that?"
"Rarity, stop badgering them!" Twilight hollered with a stamp of her hoof. "This is getting ridiculous! We're trying to talk to you about the 'now' and you're going on and on about stuff that happened long before any of us were even a thought! Stop trying to ignore the fact that you slept with a baby dragon, one that most ponies would call my child if they knew the circumstances behind his birth!"
"I'm sorry, but I wasn't addressing you. You'll have to wait your turn," Rarity droned, not even bothering to glance over at her sudden rival. The young princess' face blew up red with a rage she fought hard to keep in check. Celestia and Luna could barely contain their shock with every other thing that came out of Rarity's mouth. They knew from Twilight's letters that she could sometimes be a hooffull, sometimes downright melodramatic, but nothing ever suggested that she could be so insulting! "Now, did you ever ask them?"
The two ivory mares stared each other down, waiting for the other to crack. The Solar Princess had eons of patience behind her, but even she could be worn thin. It slowly seemed to be working its way there. "No."
"Hmph. You never really did learn much about them at all, did you? Well, it seems over the last couple weeks I've learned a thing or two more about dragons than you have in your excessively long lives. Isn't that something? Maybe you should crown me the Princess of Dragons! Then we can all flaunt our royalty around in this room like one big, happy family! Wouldn't that be special?" None of the actual royalty found Rarity's jab particularly amusing. While the Celestial rulers narrowed their eyes in disdain, Twilight ground her teeth behind her fuming lips. It was a wonder she didn't break any.
"Would you like to know what I've learned? Apparently, they tend to feel rather unappreciated and sometimes downright ignored, even by those who claim to care for him the most."
"Oh, that's a bunch of–!"
"I was guilty of this for a while myself until I opened my eyes," Rarity kept going, sticking her nose in each of the princess' faces. "There was also apparently more than one time where they wanted to come help who they believed were their friends on some excursions and they were constantly pushed to the wayside."
"He came on plenty!" Twilight yelled.
"The one thing that seems to bother them the most, however? An appalling lack of respect. I've given them the respect and compassion they deserve for being who they are, not what they are. Frankly, you all should do the same."
"This is preposterous! You know just as well as I that–"
"You know what your biggest problem is, Twilight?" Rarity butted in, poking at the mare's chest. "You can't stand the fact that Spike is changing and you can't control it. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you wished he could stay as tiny as he is for the rest of his life so you can dictate every last thing he'll ever do! Well, maybe you should take a page out of his book–" The indignant mare pulled away from her adversary and threw an accusing hoof at the sisters. "–even you two of all ponies, and grow up!"
"Alright, that does it!" the youngest princess hollered, stomping her hooves into her seat cushion before bounding onto the floor. A series of jabs was given right back to the room's antagonist, each one sending Rarity back another step toward the door as Twilight hammered home her disgust. "I don't know what happened to turn you into such a witch but I'm finished listening to you! Just where do you get off coming into my home and accusing me of not knowing the dragon I raised since hatching him?! You stand there and act like you know everything that goes through his head, and while there's always room to improve and strengthen our relationship, the only reason he spilled his guts the way he did is because you...you fucked him – an underage kid!"
Celestia and Luna leapt to their feet as Twilight shoved Rarity into the hallway with enough force to throw her to the floor. The unicorn barely got to her hooves before another violent push flung her toward the front door.
"Twilight, we know you're upset, but take it easy!" her mentor pleaded.
"There's a better way to do this!" Luna added.
The raging, spitting princess ignored the advice as they followed a few steps behind her. "And I'm not going to stand by while you throw one insult after another at the Princesses – not after everything they've done for us! And you know what else? If we were anypony else, you'd probably have been arrested for what you've done to Spike! Frankly, after what you've put me through personally, I'm considering it anyway!"
"You think throwing me out or threatening to put me in prison is going to keep Spike and I from getting together? He's already snuck out to my place before and he'll do it again if he feels like it!" Rarity spat back, fighting back as much and as frivolously as she could.
"I don't want to ever see you back here again! Do you understand me?!"
"You can't stop him, Twilight! Just accept it!"
"Get out!"
"And you two aren't stopping her! I knew you were against us!" Rarity shouted at the sisters.
"Get out, get out..." The exit flung open with the fashionista's body being used as the battering ram, one that barely managed to stay standing upright. "...Get out!"
With a final, livid snort, Twilight magically grabbed the giant double doors and slammed them shut, shocking nearby Ponyvillians with her behavior. Rarity glared at the barricade long and hard before turning up her nose and stomping away. Any citizens in the way quickly vacated her path as she assumedly headed home. Their attention swung back and forth between her and the crystalline castle, leaving them baffled beyond belief as to what just transpired. The Princess of Friendship screaming at one of her closest friends and telling them to 'get out'? What in Equestria could have happened?
While the populace tried to piece things together outside, inside the castle, Twilight stood staring at the door as her blood pressure slowly dropped back down to normal. Behind her, a pair of alicorns remained still with their jaws hanging silently open. Eventually, the purple mare spun about and crawled her way past them to parts unknown, her eyes falling toward the floor as she mulled over what just happened.
"Twilight," Celestia muttered after a moment, "she may have been abrasive, but...you barely even tried to iron things out."
Luna stepped forth and rested a hoof on her shoulder, forcing the young mare to stop. "What about your council? Without all of its members...there's no point to it. Equestria needs you all together."
"After everything the two of you have been through, you're just going to give up on her like that?"
The words sunk in, but they no longer mattered. "I guess I didn't know her as well as I thought. I'm sorry, your Highnesses."
Twilight would have continued on her path to wherever in the castle she wanted to go and stew if it hadn't been for a certain reptile racing in from the kitchen with panic in his eyes. "What's going on? I-I heard a bunch of yelling in here."
His surrogate took a deep breath. Was she ever not looking forward to laying down the law. "I threw Rarity out, Spike. You can't go see her ever again – and that's final."
He rolled his eyes and smirked. Like he hasn't heard something like that before recently.
"Don't give me that look! I mean it! I know you've snuck out, so there are going to have to be some changes around here. But one thing stays the same and that's what I say goes. I don't want you leaving the castle until further notice."
A fist was clenched, almost to the point where he broke through his scales, and he marched off, not interested in what he felt was just a bunch of empty nonsense by now.
"And just where do you think you're going?" Twilight growled.
"To my room – away from you."
She went to chastise him again, to try and drill a lesson about obedience and listening to her authority into his stubborn skull, but chose instead not to escalate the issue anymore for the time being. A kick of the floor and the grinding of teeth was all the frustration she could muster at the moment.
Once Spike was gone, Twilight's ears fell and she glanced behind her just enough to see the Princesses gazing sadly at her. Sighing heavily, she mumbled, "I'm sorry for wasting your time. You might as well head back to Canterlot."
"You're sure there's nothing we can do to help?" Celestia asked.
Her former student shook her head. "I...I just need to be alone for a while."
The sisters shared a somber look and honored her request, closing the doors behind them as gently as they could. Twilight's legs didn't want to move. Another sigh escaped her as her eyes again sagged to the floor and began to water.
-----
Roughly twenty-four long hours went by, and Rarity sat at the table in the kitchen having a mid-morning snack. A knock at the door swung her ear about. Ugh, probably another stupid customer. Didn't they see the 'Closed' sign? Either way, she needed to put on a happy face. Instead of one of the few clientele she decided to do any sort of business with lately, much to her surprise, a dusty blue pegasus and a grey earth pony stood in her doorway, looking as serious as a heart attack.
The dressmaker blinked and raised a single blow. "Already? I honestly didn't think it'd be so soon."
"Mhm. We raced over as fast as we could. I'd say you have maybe twenty minutes."
"Oh, wonderful. Keep an eye out here."
The mare slammed the door in their faces and sprinted upstairs. Every last little thing that seemed out of place was returned to where it went. The bed was swiftly made, the curtains were closed, and the lights were killed. Downstairs, the first stop was the kitchen. The couple plates that were messed were scrubbed clean at the same time and just as quickly dried and put back in the cupboard. The trash was collected and taken out the back door into the refuse bin.
By now, she only had a hoofful of minutes to go. She locked the back door and took a fast look around. Everything looked in order. Like in the bedroom, she shut the curtains and hit the light switches as she raced into the lobby.
Things looked fine here too. It wasn't as if she spent much time there to begin with lately. A flick of the lights and a closing of the last series of drapes and things were all set. She yanked open the door and turned the lock on the way out, giving the place one last smirk as she departed with the two patiently waiting ponies outside.
The trio trotted in earnest across town, Rarity all the while keeping an extra eye out for any of her other friends. Neither she nor her escort happened to spot them at any point. Eventually, they came to a stop at a newer home with family of recent arrivals. The pegasus and earth pony took one last glance around before leaving, not seeing anypony particularly interested in their presence there. Rarity nodded as they took off and knocked on the door. A few minutes passed before there was an answer. Curtain Call opened the door and wordlessly let her guest inside.