“Never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well.”
--Mark Twain
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12:00, 12/25/2015, ROYAL AUDIENCE CHAMBER, CANTERLOT
Due to her nature, Princess Celestia’s perception of time was uniquely different than those that lived within her kingdom. Luna came close to the frame of mind that the solar princess held, though her dalliances into the dreams of the common folks tended to keep her perspective closer to that of the mortal than the immortal. Centuries could and had passed for Celestia with very little effort, to the point where time was seemingly something that happened to other creatures and she was exempt from it.
It was that frame of mind that the solar princess sorely missed. Over the past twenty four hours Celestia had been briefed by her guard captains of the current situation, reassured Luna and Twilight that she was completely recovered before demanding that they both take a well-earned rest, held a conference with the other leaders present in Canterlot (which included a rather frustrating encounter with a changeling foal claiming to speak for Chrysalis), convened with her most skilled mages to try and locate Discord, before finally opening court to the public to add an element of normalcy back into the lives of those living in the capital.
Only twenty four hours had passed, but to Princess Celestia it felt closer to a year and a half. The sensation was… irritating.
Relief came in the form of a familiar face that approached the throne, though it was clouded with more than a little guilt and concern. “Cadance, dear, if you wanted to speak with me then you should have simply sent a messenger,” Celestia said as she stood and descended from her elevated seat. A quick glance to the door guards was all that was needed to seal the audience chamber. Such an action would have normally elicited more than a few grumbles from those still waiting in line outside the doors, but a solemn silence was all that met Celestia’s ears before the doors slid shut.
“The concerns of the citizens are more important than me simply stopping by to say hello,” Cadance replied. The words held the same humble nature that had been the trademark of the younger princess, and her voice almost matched what the elder remembered.
Princess Cadance had been a shining example of everything that Celestia had wanted for the future of Equestria so as not to repeat her own mistakes. Empathetic and kind, talented and confident, capable of leading her ponies to a brighter future without resorting to heavy-hooved tyranny. And while Celestia had slept, Cadance had sacrificed herself to save her people… and lost too much in the process. While the younger princess wore clothing and a scarf that hid the worst of what had been done to her, it had taken a single glance from Celestia to know just how badly her adopted niece had been tortured. Only time would tell just how much of the kind pony’s character had survived--
“Auntie, I think you’re melting the floor.”
The comment snapped Celestia out of her analysis, and she spared a single glance down to the marble floor. The air wavered with heat and lifting her hooves revealed faint indentations seared into its surface. Control, control, I must exercise more control. One mistake with my power and somepony could die. Everypony could die, Celestia thought as she cleared her throat. She motioned to the cushioned seats positioned by the windows and abruptly changed the subject. “Come and sit with me, Cadance. You must have been on your hooves for more than an hour waiting for your audience.”
The younger princess’s small nod and lack of humble refusal of the offer was perhaps more telling of the effort it took her to keep standing than any amount of words would. Only when she was suitably seated did Cadance finally relax. After a moment, she fixed Celestia with a look before finding her voice. “I know the impulse for self-blame is hard to overcome, and it’s quite easy to focus that into anger. You were like this after my wedding, I recognized the signs even before you wanted to brand the floor with your hooves. I accept your empathy for what happened but it wasn’t your fault.”
The immediate denial died before it could be voiced, and Celestia levelled a concerned eye towards the younger princess. She’s more assertive than before, that is certain… she thought as Cadance returned the look and held her gaze. “Then… perhaps I will simply state that I am grateful that you are here.” Her gaze fell to the prosthetics that were mostly hidden by Cadance’s dress, before meeting the younger princess’s eyes again. “How are our subjects handling the recent developments?” Celestia asked, and the subject change was rewarded with a smile from Cadance.
“Improving. I wasn’t present in the capital for most of it but I’ve been told that the situation became rather dire before turning around. The most recent developments have only built on the positive momentum,” the younger princess explained, a coy smile appearing on her face. “The recapture of High Peak and the return of the Myrmidons has gryphons in extremely high spirits, and rumors of little Alvar’s role in the battle in the Minon isles have all but solidified support for the young king with his people. When things settle down, there won’t be any succession skirmishes for the throne at High Peak.”
Celestia nodded in agreement at the sentiment, pausing for just a moment to summon a small teapot and a pair of cups. Alvar, the youngest of Gerhart’s hatchlings. Never would I have thought that the title of High Talon would come to rest upon the wings of one that fate had seemingly been content to forget, she mused as she used her telekinesis to pour a measure of tea into the cups before offering one to Cadance. “Young Alvar seems to have risen gloriously to the challenge of his position,” Celestia commented as she sipped from her cup. “I’ve even overheard talk from the gryphon guards that he’s earned the right to a rubric for his name. ‘Reclaimer’ seems to be the most popular title, but I think ‘Alvar the Avenger’ has a bit more of a ring to it.”
The restrained giggle from Cadance was a relief to hear for the elder princess. “The young king seems to be attempting to do everything within his power to avoid the attention. If he can maintain his humble nature, I imagine he’ll have quite a calming effect on the empire in general.” She took a sip from her own cup, only for her eyes to widen and and take a second sip. “This tea is rather good! Have you been hoarding some ancient stash of legendary tea-leaves for a thousand years or something?”
“The bakers that lived in Ponyville brewed this for me. I must confess to having acquired a great thirst for it since I woke,” Celestia corrected, taking another draw of the tea before setting the cup down on the saucer. “What of the minotaurs? I spoke with Asterion earlier and he was practically magnanimous. Seeing that bull in any other mood than surly or irritated was rather… jarring.”
“I think he has a right to a good mood, after all he was there to witness something that has never happened before for his people,” Cadance replied, pausing for effect before continuing. “The Council of Consensus reached a unanimous decision.”
The explanation had been timed perfectly, and Celestia nearly did a spit-take with her tea. “Unanimous? As in no dissenting opinions or members abstaining?” When the younger princess nodded, Celestia shook her head in disbelief. “Truly strange times we live in…”
“If ever there was an understatement, Auntie, that would be it,” Cadance smirked. “The Council of Consensus has voted in favor of total support for the war effort, abandoning their previous stance of limited support and isolationism. It’s a stance that Asterion has fought to change since the first meeting here in Canterlot to discuss the invasion.”
“A wise choice, given the likely outcome of the alternatives.” Celestia paused before addressing the proverbial elephant in the room. “And what of the humans? I must confess to being just a little bit on the back hoof regarding them, considering I don’t have centuries of history to predict their behavior.”
The smirk on Cadance’s face held just a single ounce of mischief but quickly vanished behind her teacup. “The majority are in high spirits after the most recent victories. They’re attributing their relatively low number of losses due to Luna’s planning and intervention at High Peak. The ones that have been here the longest are a bit more wary. The lack of activity from the invaders since my rescue is something that they consider rather ominous. Though it’s not all grim and serious though.”
“Oh?” Celestia asked with an arched eyebrow.
“Well… not counting my own circumstances,” Cadance began, lifting one prosthetic hoof to accentuate the point, “I would dare say that the humans are proving themselves to be valuable friends personally as well as allies for the future. It’s my understanding that Sky Bolt from your Dusk Guard has been comparing notes with her human equivalent that she met during their time on Earth, so I expect you might soon see a requisition order to create a successor to the Hummingbird as a joint project with chief engineer Shen. I suspect our little Twilight might have found her calling as well in teaching the humans about magic. They’re just now learning about it, and a rather startling number of them are discovering a capacity for it. I suspect she wants to set up some sort of school on Earth once this invasion is done, so she can teach them like she did her special human during her time there. I did also want to speak to you regarding an arrangement I had hoped to make for the future, once the current conflict is settled…”
“I would be thrilled to hear about what you have in mind, Cadance,” Celestia answered sincerely. Planning for the future rather than dwelling on the past… this is the Cadance I was afraid had been taken from us, the elder princess thought, and she had every intention of letting the younger alicorn explain herself but the full meaning of Cadance’s statements finally processed in her mind.
“WHAT!?”
“What ‘what’?” Came Cadance’s calm reply.
It took a monumental amount of effort for Celestia to stop from bursting into flame. “What did you just say?” she growled.
Cadance paused long enough to take a sip of her tea. “I said, ‘What’?”
An eyebrow twitch developed in addition to Celestia’s sudden urge to spontaneously combust. “Before that. About Twilight.”
The smile that Cadance adopted was definitely filled with mischief. “Oh yes, her school! I think she’s intending to take inspiration from you in that regard. She wants to name it ‘Twilight Sparkle’s School for Gifted Humans’ or something--”
“The moon awaits you if you do not answer the question you know I’m asking, Cadance dear.”
The grin devolved into a pout. “You know, you like to tease everypony on occasion but you’re terrible about getting teased yourself.” The younger princess paused to give Celestia a level stare. “You’ve trusted your faithful student to handle things that nopony has had to face in an age. Is it so alarming that she’s experiencing something that literally everypony faces at least once in their lives? You’re the first pony she will come to for help with a dire cosmic threat or a magical conundrum, but her family and friends are in a better place to offer her help on this kind of personal matter. Please, Celestia, trust us to watch out for her and do what’s necessary should something happen.”
A long moment passed as Celestia studied her niece. “It seems more than I had imagined has changed while I slept,” she stated slowly. “Were you always so wise, but simply reluctant to share?”
“If nothing else, I’ve had a long time to think and… regret what was left unsaid,” Cadance replied quietly, the implications needing no explanation.
Celestia drew in a deep breath and slowly let it out as her knee-jerk protectiveness wrestled with Cadance’s words. This will take some getting used to... “I apologize for straying from our earlier topic,” she finally said, her composure regained. “You were about to explain something you had in mind for the future?”
“Ah, yes. As I mentioned earlier, it’s looking like Twilight’s planned school is going to be her enduring legacy for the future. Princess Luna’s pet project has always been studying and mapping the night sky, and the health and happiness of our people will always be a credit to everything you do, Celestia,” Cadance explained, before raising her prosthetic leg to study it. “I… I know that there are people, both here and on Earth, that have suffered just as I have. I want to help them recover something close to their normal lives… just as I have...”
Evening folks.
While it rather terrible as far as an explanation for the past year and a half, my blog has been updated regarding my hiatus.
Regarding this chapter, I wanted to tie up a few of the lingering plot threads that I felt were adding to my writer’s block. Minon and the council of consensus, Alvar, and so on, without leaving them dangling given the climax a few chapters back. We are approaching the endgame, folks, and I think part of my writer’s block is due to wanting to get to the end (and revealing everything that I’ve planned that’s led up to this point) but feeling drug down by what increasingly was feeling like filler.
Anywho, let me know what you think, and thanks to everyone who’s stuck around until now.
update wooot!!!
Are there supposed to be 5 new chapters, 2 of wich are mid story?
edit: Love this story main content and what you call filler. The characters feel alive and ive actualy started to reread both stories as i apreciate it more having recently picked up xcom to play :d
Oh shit, it's back! Hell yeah!
Off in Ponyville, Matt wiped a bead of sweat off his forehead and regarded the damp piece of cloth with a frown. It had been such a pleasant day, grim sense of foreboding aside, then for no apparent reason, sweat. At least the temperature of the sun on his head had quickly returned to normal, although it might have been some sort of alien influence on the system's odd solar primary. He made a note to pass along to Shen before continuing with his paperwork.
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You know, I've always held a candle for hope of the story you've made, I would love to see you make some more chapters but alas life happens and the candle will burn on in hopes that you continue.
STAY PONY MY FRIEND
I was wondering if this would ever update again.
And this means we're that much closer to seeing a full power Celestia go on the warpath. (At least I'm hoping that's what happens.)
It lives! And now Celly knows about Matt, hoo boy. I can’t wait to see how THAT conversation goes!
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It's easily pictured how one wants to get to the end buy still have lingering conclusions from other scenarios in their stories to tell. Good that you decided to tie things up rather than having the details of this locked up for a later reveal making it less impactful if it were mixed in with the final conclusions for the story.
Though that's just my opinion of it so if anyone else feels different do feel free to just write it out. It definitely helps.
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Buddy, this story has been on my Favorites shelf for several years, and there's a darn good reason for that. I never lost hope that you'd pick it up again someday. Glad you finally punched through your writer's block -- it's great to have you back!
Also, now I'm contractually obligated to plop this video here:
IT LIVES! YES!
In other news, awesome chapter.
People always treat filler like an "F word"... Am I the only one that enjoys it?
while i feel bad you had writers block, i'm in the camp that just loves getting material.
life happens dude, and as long as the site is up, the notifications work as it should, i'll continue to read.
but why didn't celestia demand details? everyone loves the nitty gritty. it was like some one bringing something up and then saying don't worry about it.
when authors drop chapters for stories that haven't been updated in a long while, its a perfect excuse to go back and re-read everything to be brought back to speed.vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/6/69/First_Pinkie_Pie_smile_S1E23.png/revision/latest?cb=20111009164913
First and foremost, welcome back and thank you for keeping at it. Speaking from personal experience, I know how difficult the creative process becomes when other factors (personal or otherwise) demand your attention. I've never been a fan of the "suffering creates better art" school of thought.
Sure, there's suffering for your art (which any dancer or professional athlete can attest to) but that doesn't translate into better work. Talent, discipline and knowing when and how to take care of yourself are always strong pillars for better art. That's just my two cents, though.
I guess what I'm taking too long to say (as usual) is that it's good having you back and that you have my best wishes both for this story and everything life throws your way.
Speaking of the story, this was a short but easy way to get back into the swing of things. Celestia's disorientation in particular felt very natural. Probably won't be long before she lets the entire restrained act go and goes full-blown vengeful elder god. After everything that's happened I wouldn't blame her.
Finally, on a somewhat story-related note, it feels kind of odd coming back to this narrative that's still set roughly around season four's ending. Since this story started back in 2014 a lot has happened with the main series. The CMC got their cutie marks, Starlight Glimmer and most of the changelings went from intimidating villains to well-developed friends of the Mane 6 and Equestria, Chrysalis was confirmed to be a malicious despot to the core, Starswirl returned from a limbo dimension, Spike just sprouted wings a few days ago. Hell, even Sunset Shimmer and the Equestria Girls series have become great additions to the main series.
Coming back to this narrative feels like opening a time capsule from a parallel timeline. You remember the events contained within, but the knowledge of what has happened since that time makes you (and the memories within said capsule) feel a little older than they really are. The fate of all alternate universe fan fics, I guess.
Anyways, good to hear from you again, commander. Best of luck for the future.
The zombie, it shambles! Hopefully it'll return to full life.
Nice chapter. And of course Chryssie would continue trolling everyone by proxy.
... Cadance wants to organise an orgy!
Holy sht
I'm so glad i can continue with this story!
I've read through the entire series about four or five times now.
Thank you Arad!!!
Finally Arad realesed from the Moon!
Glad to see Mi Amore Cadenzborg is keepin' on.
Glad to see you are too.
Ooo. Updated, might actually be worth reading now.
It's aliiiiiiiiiiiive!!!!
It's alive!!!!
Oh, I thought this was over. Could to see it back!
Twilights school name would make many comic book nerds happy for reasons she wouldn't understand (or misinterpret).
Celestias reaction to Cadances trolling was perfect, could easily see her following through with that threat, even for just a few minutes to get her point across.
Don't fall for it! We won't see another chapter in a decade!
God damn I hope I'm wrong.
Two years later... Well. I find most writers don't take two-year hiatuses and finish their story unless they outright cut it short and wrap up. If you're just posting out of some kind of obligation, I suggest just wrapping the story up and giving it an ending. If you're really giving it the old college heave ho and are determined to get it done the way you originally planned on though, then best of luck to you.
It's alive! I was hoping this would come back some day. So many things on my Favs list were gathering dust. It's refreshing to see life again.
Wow! Just wow!
I clicked on fimfic right before going to sleep for no particular reason, and I fell out of my goddamn bed when I saw this.
@arad, did you base all this on XCOM long war? 8 in a skyranger, fatigue, infantry, weapon damage, psi training instead of testing, psi concealment, Zhang using psi neural gunlink, the separation of Rocketeer and Gunner, and a lot else is very familiar. I was playing a terror mission today with my Concealment scout Lana and my engineer Fujikawa when I realized how thematically consistent exalt terror is with your book rather than the XCOM Canon. I love it.
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I'm in love. It's because of this story that I'm 250 hours into XCOM now, and I'm so happy you're back. I can't wait to see all the rest of the story beats. The temple ship, exalt HQ, what becomes of advent, and maybe a Christmas card with Twilight's family away from home. At this moment, XCOM is at Gauss and lasers, but with teleportation and Titan armor. Zhang shot down the overseer before the first firestorm was manufactured. I can imagine Spiegel in the cockpit defending a spire and taking down battleships singlehandedly. I'm just so goddamn excited.
This was a lovely bit of getting Celestia up to speed.
And Cadance was great. I hope Matt can survive having a God-Empress-in-Law.
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I have needed this for so long, the return to a timeline that has always stuck with me. I literally have returned to this site if not every day then every week to see if this story has updated, to see that it has brings me a great amount of joy. I never lost hope that it would return, welcome back from the cold. Even after two years your writing is still of the highest quality and I still remember everything. I've read stardust and Celestia multiple times, I geeked out over the sweetie bell crossover. I love this story and this chapter. It's short but sweet, exactly what it needs to be.
Thank you Commander and as always, we are watching.
Finally..
You know, if I were stupid rich, heck if I suddenly became stupid rich(as in winning the lottery), one of the things high on the list of things I'd pour money into, would be to commission artists to make a comic or manga out of all of the Stardust series.
I think that would be awesome.
I'd suggest a kickstarter for it, but I'd bet both Hasbro and Firaxis/2K would frown on that.
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I’m so glad your back! Never feel bad for having to take a hiatus, you come first! That being said, yesssss! More more moreeee!
Holy moly... IT LIVES!!!
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Writer's block is a bastard and a half, so it's understandable what you've gone through/going through. Especially regarding plotthreads and not only updating us with the status, but also adding a few more to be interwoven into the mix, in a nice... calm, and slightly humorous chapter. Calm before the storm as it were. While I do hope it's nothing but victories from here on out, but not everyone can be a Commander Keibin. (That's my name on Xcom 1&2. 0 deaths aside form tutorial IM&HC, etc. etc.) So I do dread what may or may not happen in the future regarding our favorite pastel colored pony friends and the rough 'n tumble human alliance.
I am quite happy to see that Cadance and Celestia are able to find consolation within each other, but Celestia does bring up a good point. Things that traumatizing do tend to lead to rather.... lingering effects into the future. Having also studied that, those who have lost limbs... or more, will always feel a phantom pain. I just hope that vengeance is swift and righteous for the ponies, and your writer's block having exploded violently as well.
Always looking forward to the next chapter. - C.F/E.S.
Thou has come back from the Dead! Rejoice, fans of this series! Our Savior hath come!
*Reads Arad's new blog*
I can only hope that it will continue.
Well, this was a really tall cliff.
Hey, I was just thinking about this story the other day! It feels good to know this story isn't cancelled forever. The ending of this chapter is super abrupt, though — to the point where I have to ask if some of the chapter got cut off?
Hmm, Cadence’s request intrigues me. I wonder how she plans to accomplish that wish.
Yay! An update!
I have been a fan of the Stardust series for almost a year now, and have read every word of every book 4 times! Thank you so much for one of the best stories on this site! You are an amazing writer Arad!
Well worth the wait. Welcome back and may your pen be swift!
Omigosh you're back ... definitely rereading Stardust and this again
i'm looking forward to whatever shenanigans are going on in this chapter ... i'll be back in a few days with another comment
Yay! This is being updated again. Great to read it and good to have you back. Looking forwards to seeing the story picking up once more.
This Celestia and Solaria are the same pony?
mention the devil... eh, i mentioned "Mente Materia" a week ago in comments and here, we have it
u/Aradamis
https://www.reddit.com/u/Aradamis
I fucking found him. I was searching r/XCOM for the phrase "great commandy one" to find the best XCOM shitposts, and I found this gem on a thread from 2y called "slogans for the other XCOM departments, like the psi labs or kitchens"
"Doorn Ex Machina (Self Explanatory)
I also write a wee bit of fanfiction, where the PSI division's motto was 'Mente Materia'."
https://www.reddit.com/r/Xcom/comments/3c5va9/xcoms_other_divisions_specially_psionics_need_a/cssimwd?utm_source=reddit-android
Beats the hell out of what canon-Twilight's making for an educational facility.
I have a months worth of updated and new stories to go through, and then I see that Mente Materia patch and nothing else exists.
I cant even relay how excited I am! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! :D
I really hope this story makes it to the end. I have enjoyed the entire series. Keep up the good work
It is great to see you back! The recap chapter is also very well appreciated.
When this appeared in my update, I did the happy dance. It was justified. This was a great, if short chapter and not unexpected. You had written about trying shorter chapters and you pulled it off superbly. As always you leave me wanting more. Thank you so much for making my day.
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I think you're the first person to point out that meta self-deprecation moment, which was surprising for me. XD