> The Royal Apples
>  by Radical Gopher
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 01
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Blood spackled the half-frozen ground and surrounded the deeply embedded hoof prints that led out of the forest.  The soft glow of a full moon bathed the large stallion as he slowly made his way towards an isolated cottage.  Reaching it, he lifted a fore-hoof and rapped it several times against the door.  A light went on, followed a moment later by a gruff, and very annoyed voice.
“Who’s there?”  The door opened to reveal an old donkey wearing a sleeping cap, nightshirt and a scowl on his face.  “Do you have any idea what time it is?” he complained.
Without a word the larger stallion pushed his way passed the irate donkey and went over to a large sofa that sat before a stone fireplace.  The embers of a banked fire softly glowed with warmth.  
Angered even further, the donkey firmly shut the door and turned on the interloper.  “Just what the devil do you think you’re doing?”  Instead of answering the stallion twisted his neck and grabbed a large, blanket covered form with his teeth.  Gently he lifted it from his back and placed it on the sofa.  
“Look here!” snapped the cottage’s owner.  “You can’t just come busting into some pony’s house and…”  His voice tapered off as he saw the blood-soaked edges of the blanket and the droplets spattered along the floor.  
Pacing over to the couch he lifted the edge of the blanket.  Within lay a dark-blue filly, her mane draped raggedly across her face.  Her eyes were closed and her breathing was slow and shallow.  Her normally immaculate fur was soaked with crimson and a coppery smell filled the air.  The sight that astonished him more than anything was her horn and wings.  
“Princess Luna?!”  The donkey looked up sharply at the stallion.  “What happened?”
Before an answer could be formed the long, drawn-out howl of a timber wolf cut through the night.  The donkey immediately recognized it as a hunting call.  It was close, only two or three miles distant at best. 
The stallion trotted over to the door.  Turning, he looked at the old donkey, his eyes blazing with intensity.  “Get help!”  Opening the door he raced back into the night.  
Watching him as he galloped with an uneven gait, the donkey had the impression the other equine was pushing the limits of his strength.  A voice behind him drew his attention back into the cottage.  
“Who was that dear?”  
He turned to face his wife as she entered the room.  Her eyes drifted over to the figure on the sofa.  “Oh my stars!” she gasped.  “Is that...?”  
Cranky Doodle simply nodded.  He went over to the fireplace, dropped a log onto the coals and quickly stoked the fire.  Pulling a long scarf off a hook on the back of the door he turned to his mate.  “Can you watch her while I go get help?”
Matilda nodded then paced over to Cranky and hugged him with her fore-hooves.  “Stay safe,” she begged.
“I will,” he replied as he stepped through the door and galloped towards town.  
Matilda pushed the door closed, locking it behind her before moving over to the unconscious alicorn.

**********

Twilight Sparkle was muzzle deep in a research project when there came a loud knocking on the library door.  She ignored the sound at first, levitating a quill across a roll of paper.  When the knocking turned into an insistent pounding she huffed in frustration, dropped the quill and trotted over to the door.  
Opening it, the lavender alicorn came face to face with Nurse Redheart from the Ponyville clinic.
“Princess, I’m sorry for the intrusion.  The doctor sent me to get you and the other elements,” she explained breathlessly.  “We need your help.”
“Where?”
“Over at Cranky Doodle’s cottage, your highness.  Somepony’s been hurt and we need your magic to help her.”
Twilight quickly dampened down a spark of fear within her.  This was not a time to panic, at least not until she knew more about what was happening.  “Have you woken any of the others?” she asked
“No, Princess.  You’re the first.”
The unicorn nodded and magically summoned a set of saddlebags from a nearby closet.  Turning, she went over to the stairs.  “Spike!” 
A moment or two later an upstairs door opened revealing a short, bleary-eyed baby dragon.  “Okay, I’m up!  I’m up!” he grumbled.  “What do you need?”
Twilight magically settled the saddlebags across her back and wrapped a scarf around her throat.  “I need you to go get Pinky Pie and Rarity and tell them to meet me at the Doodle’s cottage.”
“What about Rainbow Dash?” the dragon asked hopping down the stairs one by one.
“She’s at Rarity’s sleeping off last night’s party.”
“Gotcha!” Spike replied, jogging out the door as fast as his tiny legs would carry him.  He was pulled up short by Twilight who quickly wrapped him in an overlong scarf then sent him on his way.
“How can I help, your majesty?” asked Redheart.
“I need you to go get Applejack,” the unicorn replied.  “You can get out to Sweet Apple Acres faster than Spike could.”
The pony nodded once, then galloped away; her white cloak flapping in the night air.
“And please stop calling me princess.  My name’s still Twilight!” she called after the nurse.  The alicorn settled a pair of ear muffs across her head, closed the door to the library then galloped off in the direction of Cranky Doodle’s, choosing to run rather than fly because she was still taking lessons from Rainbow Dash.  She stopped briefly to wake-up Fluttershy since it was on the way.  She and the butter-yellow pegasus arrived at the cottage shortly thereafter.  
The lavender alicorn knocked on the door and it was quickly opened by Matilda.  Seeing who it was she immediately let her in, a look of relief in her eyes.  “Thank Celestia you’re here!  The doctor needs your expertise.”
“What’s the problem?” Twilight asked, trotting into the room.  She could see the doctor over by the couch, a thermometer levitating in front of him.  He was aided by one of the Ponyville clinic’s younger interns.  He held a clipboard in his hooves.  
Matilda closed the door, cutting off the chill of the night air.  Cranky could be heard puttering around in the kitchen shoving wood into the old stove so he could boil water.  
“Temperature is normal,” the doctor muttered to his assistant, somewhat puzzled, “but she’s still ice-cold to the touch.”  He looked up and saw Twilight approaching.  “Princess Sparkle!  Am I glad you’re here!”
“It’s just Twilight, please, not Princess.  How can I help Doctor Stable?”
The doctor put the thermometer back into his saddlebags.  “Come and see for yourself.”
Twilight walked around the couch.  The first thing she notices were the droplets of blood on the floor and the horrifyingly massive red-stain on the blanket.  Her eyes went wide with shock when she recognized the figure lying before her.  
“Princess Luna!”  She looked up sharply at the doctor.  “What’s happened?  Is she badly hurt?  How long has she been like this?”
The doctor could hear the faint traces of panic in Twilight’s voice, so he shifted into his calm, professional voice.  “I’m not sure.  I was told the pony who brought her in didn’t remain long enough to answer any questions.  As far as I can tell, she hasn’t suffered any physical trauma.”
“But what about all this blood?”
“It’s not hers,” the doctor replied.  “I’m guessing it must belong to the stallion who brought her here.  As to how long she’s been like this I couldn’t say.  At the very least she’s been this way since she arrived.  However, in examining the princess I did find this.”  Reaching up with a hoof he gently slid aside Luna’s mane.  
Twilight peered closely and could see what looked like a black tattoo etched in her fur.  “It looks like a runic glyph,” she explained, “though I’m not certain what kind.”
“That’s what I thought,” the doctor replied.  “That’s why I sent my nurse for you and the other elements.  Maybe you ladies can figure out what to do here.  I’m out of my league when it comes to anything other than healing magic.”
“I’ll see what we can do,” Twilight replied.  Turning she looked at Fluttershy.  “Can you fly back to the library and bring me my copy of Runes, Glyphs and Totems?  It will be on the second bookshelf from the left, right next to my bust of Starswirl the Bearded.” 
“Uh…okay…if you really need it,” the shy pegasus whispered.  She went over to the door and opened it, stepping out into the moonlight.  Just at that moment Rarity, Pinky and Rainbow arrived.  Fluttershy stepped aside and let them pass before launching herself in the direction of Twilight’s tree.  
“Okay,” called out Rainbow as she trotted into the house, “What’s the big emergency…WHOA!”  She found herself staring at the princess, mouth agape.  “That is SO not cool.  
“Glad you’re here guys.  I could really use your help,” said Twilight.
“What do you want us to do, darling?” asked Rarity.
“I need Pinky helping Cranky in the kitchen with the hot water.”
Okey Dokie Loki,” replied the pink, cotton-candy maned pony as she cantered off.  “Rarity…” Twilight paused for a moment and looked around.  “Where’s Spike?  Isn’t he with you?”
“I asked him to keep an eye on Sweetie Bell while we were gone.  She’s staying with me for a week and I didn’t want her waking up to an empty house.  That’s alright with you, isn’t it?” 
“That’s fine,” Twilight said.  She looked over at Matilda.  “Can you get some clean blankets to put the princess on?” 
“Certainly,” she replied opening up a linen closet and pulling out a number of sheets and clean blankets. 
The lavender alicorn looked over at Rainbow Dash who was nervously pacing in front of the door.  “How long would it take you to fly to Canterlot with a message for Princess Celestia?”
“At top speed? About fifteen minutes I’d guess,” the colorful Pegasus replied.
Twilight took a quill and a scroll from her saddlebags.  Jotting down a quick message she rolled it up and handed it to Rainbow Dash.  “Make sure you deliver it directly to the princess.  Land on her balcony if you have to, but get it to her.”
“What about the royal guards?” asked Rarity.  “Won’t they try to stop her?”
“They can try all they want,” the Pegasus replied, a wicked grin on her face.  Within moments she was out the door and on her way.
With help from the doctor, Twilight carefully levitated Luna off the blood-stained blanket.  Rarity used her magic to gently lay out both sheets and blankets for the princess, tossing aside the ruined bedding.  They then arranged her as comfortably as possible on the sofa.  
Just as they finished there was a soft knock on the door.  Matilda opened it to admit Fluttershy who was carrying a book almost half her size.  Right behind her came Applejack and Nurse Redheart.  
“Sorry Ah’m late everypony,” Applejack said.  “Nurse Redheart told me somepony was hurt.  How can Ah help?”  She abruptly stopped and looked at the figure on the sofa.  “The Princess?  What’s she doing here?  What happened?”
Twilight levitated the tome Fluttershy had brought onto a nearby table and started going through it page by page.  “That’s what we’d like to know.  Right now the best thing you can do is be here to help when it’s needed.”
“Well, what kind of help?” Applejack insisted. 
“One thing you can do is track down that stallion who brought Luna here,” said Cranky Doodle as he carried a pitcher of hot water and a washbasin into the room, setting them down beside the princess.  “We won’t know exactly what happened until either she wakes up or he shows up again, if he does.”
“What do you mean if?” asked Fluttershy.
“Right after he arrived we heard some timber wolves on the hunt.  I’m guessing he ran off to keep them from finding his blood trail here.”
“Oh my,” whispered Rarity, levitating and examining the blood soaked blanket.  “He must have been pretty badly hurt when he got here.”
“I didn't get a good look but I think he was covered with blood from head to tail.  Even his cutie mark was obscured.”
Applejack looked at Cranky.  “How in tarnation are we going to find one stallion in the middle of the night?”  
“At the very least, we can follow the trail he left getting here, then we’ll just have to trust to luck.”
With the others agreeing, Cranky Doodle took charge and organized a search party.  It was decided that he, Nurse Redheart, Rarity, Applejack and Fluttershy would try following the stallion’s trail while Pinky and Matilda would help Twilight and the doctor with Luna.
A light wind was starting to blow the snow around some as they left.  Fortunately, it was not enough to obscure the trail they were following, at least not for the first half-mile or so.  As they approached the edge of the Everfree forest though the trail suddenly became blurred.  Both Applejack and Cranky peered at the patterns of lines crossing the show. 
“This looks like our stallion friend wiped the trail clean with a tree branch,” muttered the donkey.
“Why would he do that?” asked Rarity.  
“More than likely tryin’ to keep them timber wolves from tracking on Cranky’s place,” Applejack replied.  
“Uh…maybe if we, uh…spread out in a line we could, uh, you know pick up his trail again?” squeaked Fluttershy.  
“That’s not a bad thought, darling,” replied Rarity.  
“Well, it’s better than poking around in circles,” Applejack replied, slightly annoyed that she hadn’t thought of it.  
With Cranky in the center, the mares formed a line with about ten feet between each of them.  They slowly advanced towards the forest and stopped when Nurse Redheart called out that she had found something.  Gathering together, they all looked at the patch of frozen blood and the hoof prints leading along the edge of the forest toward the town road.  Two other sets of tracks overlay the first, both much fresher.  Fluttershy identified them as belonging to timber wolves.
“Funny,” muttered Cranky.  “You’d have thought we would have heard wolves calling out the hunt by now, especially this close to the forest.”
“Maybe these two are rogues that don’t have a pack,” offered Redheart.  
The wind freshened, dropping the temperature and pulling at the snow that covered the ground.  “Come on, you all,” called Applejack.  Pick up the pace before we lose the trail completely.” 
Galloping forward, the five ponies skirted the Everfree following the trail as best they could.  Fluttershy was the first to notices that the stallion’s hoof prints were not spaced as they should be for a pony at that gallop, nor were they following as straight a line as they had before. 
“Doesn’t look like this poor fellow has much running left in him,” Applejack observed, reaching down and picking up a piece of broken hoof from the snow.  
“Then we’d better find him before those wolves do,” said Rarity.
“If they haven’t already,” observed the middle-aged donkey.  They followed the tracks for several more minutes before losing the trail again.
“Now what?” asked Nurse Redheart.    

**********

“Eureka!” shouted Twilight looking up from her book.
The doctor nearly dropped his stethoscope at the noise.  “Could you please be a little quieter?” he said.  
“Sorry, but I found the glyph we were looking for.  It’s part of a paralysis spell.”  
“Is there a counter-spell we can use?” the doctor asked.
Twilight shook her head.  “No, but there is a potion we can mix that will wash the glyph off and break the spell.”
“Can you brew it here?” asked Matilda.
“I should be able to,” the alicorn said reading thought the text. “Many of the ingredients are common household items.  Everything else I have in my saddlebags.”  She finished reading the list.  “Well, almost everything.”
“What are you missing?” 
“I’ll need a cup of powered poison joke leaves.  Not to worry, I know where to get it.”
“Who around here would keep powdered poison…?”  The doctor’s eyes lit up with understanding.  “Zecora?”
Twilight nodded.  
“Okay, I can send my intern over to her place,” the doctor began, then stopped as he saw Twilight shaking her head.  
“It would be much faster if we sent Rainbow Dash.”
“But you already sent her to Canterlot, dear,” Matilda reminded the unicorn.  
“How long has she been gone?”
The doctor looked at his watch.  “About thirty-one minutes.”
“Which means she should be back right about…”  There was a soft thump outside the door.  “Now,” Twilight finished.  
Matilda opened the door admitting the mufti-hued Pegasus.
“Sorry I’m late guys, but there was a headwind coming back.”  She looked over at Twilight.  “Princess Celestia is on her way with a contingent of guards.  She should be here within the hour.” 
“Good,” replied the lavender alicorn.  “Now I need you to zip over to Zecora’s and fetch me half a cup of powdered poison joke leaves.”
“Poison joke?  Why would you need that stuff?”
“It’s part of a counter-spell that should help Luna wake up.  Just be careful handling it on the way back.”
“Who do I look like…Derpy Hooves?”
“Well, you might if you aren't careful,” Twilight cautioned.
Nodding, Rainbow Dash was off again in an instant.  
Twilight looked around.  “Where’s Pinky Pie?”
Matilda smiled.  “Poor filly must have been tired.  She fell asleep standing next to the stove, so I tucked her into an over-sized laundry basket in the kitchen.  It’s the first time I’ve ever seen her staying in one spot for more than five seconds.”
Twilight giggled slightly.  “She’s like that.  She parties at full speed for days, then suddenly crashes out without warning.”
“Do you need her for anything?” Matilda asked.
“No, not if you wouldn't mind helping me brew up a potion.”
“Not at all, dearie.  I always enjoy learning a new recipe,” the donkey replied.
With Matilda’s help Twilight quickly laid out all the ingredients they needed on the counter, measured in precise amounts and arranged in order.  By the time Rainbow returned, they had a small kettle filled with water bubbling away.  The blue furred Pegasus helped Matilda move Pinky and the laundry basket into a corner of the front room before collapsing across her friend in exhaustion and joining her in dreamland.
Following the instructions, the lavender furred alicorn carefully mixed the components together until she was left with a thick broth that had the texture and consistency of oatmeal.  When the poison joke was added the mixture thinned itself into a liquid and turned vermilion.  
“What’s next?” asked Matilda.
Twilight quickly consulted the book once more.  “We let it simmer for about ten minutes, then apply it to the glyph.  It should cancel out the spell and bring Luna around.”  The donkey nodded and set her kitchen timer for ten minutes.  She and Twilight returned to the living room and glanced down on the princess.  
“It’s hard to believe that anything could overcome an alicorn’s magic like this,” Matilda whispered to Twilight and Doctor Stable.
“Nothing living is immune to harm,” he replied.  “Not even an immortal princess.”
“That’s because we are not immortal,” said a voice, “just very long lived.”
Everyone turned to see a white-furred alicorn standing in the door, her multi-colored, pastel mane and tail flowing like water about her body.
“Princess Celestia!” cried Twilight with joy, trotting over to her mentor.  The others in the room bowed deeply except for Rainbow Dash and Pinky Pie who were both snoring loudly from their shared laundry basket.   
As Celestia gazed down on her sister Twilight told her everything she knew and showed her the glyph marking on Luna’s neck.  “I’m working on a potion that should remove the mark and break the spell.”
“How soon will it be ready?” asked Celestia.
There was the sound of a bell ringing in the kitchen.  “That should be it now,” replied Twilight.  She trotted into the kitchen and returned a moment later with a small cup of orange liquid.  Digging into her saddlebags the alicorn pulled out a small paintbrush and dipped it into the liquid.  Using her hoof, she gently traced the liquid over the outline of the glyph.
“Why doesn’t she use her levitation to handle the brush?” Matilda asked Doctor Stable.
“She’s being careful that her own magic doesn’t influence the sorcery contained in the potion.  All magical creatures are taught not to carelessly mix their magics.”
Finishing, Twilight sat back to examine the effect, then looked at Celestia.  “The book didn’t say how long it would take for the symbol to vanish, just that it depended on the strength of the original spell.”  Even as she said this Luna drew in a deep breath and her back hooves twitched slightly.  Within a matter of minutes the glyph had faded from view and the Princess of the Night’s eyes were fluttering open.  
Celestia gently nuzzled her sister.  “Lulu?  Are you awake?  Can you hear me?”
“Lulu?” whispered Matilda to Twilight.
“It’s family thing.”
Luna’s eyes opened and focused on her older sister.  “Tia?  Where?  What…What happened?”
“I was hoping you could tell me,” Celestia replied.
Princess Luna looked around and saw Twilight standing next to her.  “Princess Sparkle?  What are you doing here?  And where exactly IS here?”  She tried to sit up only to groan in pain.  “What happened to me?  Why does it feel like every muscle in my body is cramped up?”
“You’ve been under a spell,” Twilight explained.  “It paralyzed you for hours.”  
“A spell?”  The alicorn princess suddenly became agitated.  “NO…NO!  NOT AGAIN…NOT LIKE BEFORE!”
Celestia wrapped a protective wing around her sister.  “Calm yourself Luna.  It’s not like before.  You haven’t been possessed and Twilight was able to break the spell before any harm was done.”  She again nuzzled Luna and helped her regain her hooves.  “Do you remember anything of what happened?”
“I…I’m not sure.  It all seems unclear…confused.”  She looked up at her older sibling.  “It scares me that I can’t think clearly.”
Princess Celestia looked at her sister.  “It’s probably a side effect of the spell.  I can help you remember, Lulu, if you want me to,” she said, a note of compassion in her voice.
“Yes!  Yes!   Please, help me.  I need to know if…if I hurt anypony.”
The Sun Princess closed her eyes for a moment allowing the power of her magic to flow through her and into her horn.  It began to glow with a soft luminousness.  She lowered her head and delicately touched it to Luna’s horn.  	“Remember,” she whispered.  The glow passed from one alicorn to the other.
“I…I…remember now.  I remember everything.”
Celestia lifted her horn from her sister’s.  “What do you remember?” 
Princess Luna took a couple of breaths to help her relax then looked at the others as they gathered around her.  “Earlier this evening Prince Blueblood came to me with a message.  He said that you had returned to our old castle in the Everfree Forest and wanted to meet with me there in private.”
“Prince Blueblood?  But I dispatched him as an envoy to the Crystal Empire only yesterday,” Celestia responded.  “How was this possible?”
“As it turned out the messenger was not really Blueblood.  Your ‘message’ requested I leave clandestinely and take only a minimum number of guards in order to allay any suspicions.  I brought only six with me; one unicorn and one earth pony to ride with me and the prince in my chariot, and four pegasi to guide it.  All were loyal members of the Night Guard.”  Luna stopped for a moment as her eyes misted over.  She quickly brushed a foreleg across them and paused, trying to suppress the pain she felt.
Celestia gently put a hoof under her sister’s chin, looked deeply into her eyes and asked she continue.
The Princess of the Night refocused and continued with the story.  “Everything happened so quickly after that there was little time to think.  We were crossing over the edge of the Everfree Forest, guided by instructions from Blueblood, when something struck the chariot and threw it into a spin.  Everyone was thrown out, but I managed to spread my wings and levitate the prince and my two escorts toward the ground.  The pegasi guiding the chariot crash landed in a clearing.  From what I could see all were injured.  I set down next to them, intending to help when we were suddenly beset by at least a score of changelings.”
“Changelings?  I thought Queen Chrysalis and her minions were defeated months ago.” Doctor Stable said.
“Defeated…but obviously not destroyed,” Celestia replied grimly.
“Surprised and overwhelmed my escort was literally ripped apart by those monsters.  I tried to cast a spell to protect them and drive the creatures away when I felt Blueblood grab me.  This was followed by a burning sensation in my neck.  I fell to the ground, unable to move or see anything because my eyes were closed, but I could still feel and hear what was happening around me.”
“What did you hear?” asked Twilight, thoroughly enraptured by the story.
“I heard my Night Guard being killed, though judging from the sounds they managed to take some of the creatures with them.  Then silence, except for the chittering of those things and Blueblood laughing.  As he laughed, his voice changed, becoming sharper, more feminine.”
“Queen Chrysalis!”
“I think so.  At least that’s what she claimed.  I can hear her even now, her voice fading in and out as if she were circling me, gloating the whole time.  She planned to take my place long enough to kill you Tia and have the murder blamed on me.  It would throw Equestria into chaos and allow her minions to feed without fear from either of us.”
“What happened next?” asked Celestia.
“That’s where things get more than a little confusing.  As she was gloating I thought I heard first one, then another of the changelings give off a small shriek.  Initially it was too soft for Chrysalis to hear.  She noticed it the third time it happened and ordered her minions to spread out and search.  Shortly after that I heard the sound of fighting and what definitely sounded like the cracking of shells and the galloping of hooves.  The queen started to scream orders in a language I couldn’t understand, then something burst into the clearing and started attacking and killing the changelings right and left.”
“You couldn’t make out anything else?” Celestia asked.
Luna shook her head.  “All I could do was hear and feel…and smell the stink of changelings whose chitins had been ripped open.”
Twilight shivered.  “I remember what that’s like…brimstone and rotten tomatoes…ugh!”
“I could also smell…blood,” the princess continued.  “At first, I thought one of my Night Guard was attacking, but I could feel the hoof beats through the ground and they were much heavier than any of my guards could have made.  The most amazing thing is I think it was only one pony.”
“Only one?”
“Yes,” Luna replied.  “After a while the sounds of the other changelings died off.  The queen started yelling for whoever it was to come out and face her.  There was a long pause, then Chrysalis threatened to slit my throat if whoever it was didn’t show themselves.”  
“Oh my gracious,” muttered Matilda.  “What happened?” 
“Well, it’s hard to say.  The spell started to affect my hearing.  I think I heard the rustling of some bushes.  Whoever was fighting the changelings must have stepped out into the open.  At that point I think the queen started laughing.”
“Laughing?”
“Yes…in a kind of disbelieving, hysterical way.  It lasted for several very long seconds, then I heard her say something that was garbled and she fired off a spell bolt.  It was strong enough I could feel my fur standing on end.  She must have missed because she began cursing and cast at least two more spell bolts.  There was a moment or two of silence, then a sound like thunder and Chrysalis screamed.  She was cut off by what felt like a huge tree falling against the ground.”
“A tree?” Celestia responded.
“I’m not sure, but that’s what it seemed like.  After that, everything went quiet.  I lay there for several moments before somepony paced up to me, wrapped me in a blanket and hoisted me on his back like I was a load of hay.  He carried me for what seemed like hours before I passed out.  When I woke up, I was here with you.”
Matilda handed Luna a cup of strong tea which the princess sipped on tiredly.
“Is that the last thing you remember,” asked Celestia.  
“Not quite,” she replied.  “When I was being carried here by my rescuer I couldn’t help but think he had been badly hurt.  The smell of blood was everywhere.  That, and something else that doesn’t make sense.
“Which was?” asked Twilight.
“I thought I smelled apples.”

**********

Seeing that they’d lost the trail yet again, Applejack began circling around in a slow spiral looking for some clue or hint of the stallion’s hoof marks.  Rarity used her horn to light up the immediate area, hoping it would help.  Fluttershy though stood perfectly still and thought.  By this point the stallion had obviously tired.  That meant he had to know he couldn’t get away from the wolves.  She wondered what he would do.  What would somepony as strong as a stallion do?  What would she do if she were big and strong like him?  A thought came to her.
“Applejack?” she called timidly.  The cowpony ignored her and continued circling.
“Applejack?” she squeaked a little louder.  There was still no response.  Fluttershy took a deep breath.  “APPLEJACK!”
The cowpony pulled up short and looked in astonishment at her friend.  “Fluttershy?”
“Um…Uh, is there any place around here where you might make a stand, let’s say if you were being followed by something and you couldn’t get away?”
Applejack pushed her Stetson back on her mane and scratched her head.  She looked around at both the open fields and the forest, then her eyes went wide.  “The stone bridge at Deep Creek Crossing.  It’s only a quarter mile from here, just beyond that patch of woods yonder.”  Without a backward look the palomino cowpony galloped away with everyone following as quickly as possible.        
It only took a few minutes to reach the creek and parallel it towards the old stone bridge.  Rarity glanced at the creek itself.  At this time of year it was ice-cold, full and swift, making it difficult to cross anyplace but the bridge.  Rounding a curve in the stream the white-furred unicorn could see the bridge ahead in the moonlight.  Its grey stones dimly illuminated by the moonlight as it arched across the creek.  She shivered as the wind picked up yet again, giving the night air a frigid bite.  
The first thing they saw were large patches of frozen blood.  To one side of the bridge lay the body of a timber wolf, its lower jaw smashed and its eyes dead and empty.  Near the top of the arched roadbed lay a second, even larger beast, nearly twice the size of a stallion.  It too was dead.  Bits of flesh hung from its teeth.  Applejack looked around trying to see though the swirling snow even as she called out for the others.  It was Cranky who noticed the figure lying in the moon shadow of the bridge’s parapet, partially sheltered from the wind.  Rarity lit up her horn once more.  Blood-red fur shone in the light.  The pony lying before them was badly hurt, but Cranky had been only partly right.  While the stallion’s cutie mark was obscured by blood, he wasn’t completely covered in it.  It was an understandable mistake as his fur was already a deep red color.  Applejack took one look and cried out in horror.  It was Big Mac.
Kneeling next to her brother the palomino was near tears.  Dozens of small cuts crisscrossed his body along with a number of wickedly deep gashes and several fresh claw and teeth marks on his flank.  His eyes were closed and he was covered in blood, sweat and foam.  Both his back hooves were spider-webbed with cracks.  Cranky silently wondered how he’d been able to walk, let alone gallop when he left Luna at his cottage.   
Nurse Redheart quickly checked the stallion over.  His body was hot to the touch, despite the cold wind.  His breath came in slow, irregular bursts of fog.  She quickly found several serious gashes that were still bleeding.  These she immediately patched as best she could with both Rarity and Fluttershy’s help.  Applejack meanwhile had taken her brother’s massive head in her hooves and was tenderly cajoling him to open his eyes.  
Redheart looked over at the cowpony.  “We can’t do much for him out here.  We needed to get him out of this cold and over to the clinic as soon as possible.”
“Well how in tarnation can we do that?” asked Applejack.  Mac’s way too heavy for any of us to carry.”
“We need a cart of some kind,” announced Cranky.  
“There’d be one at the farm, out in front of the woodshed,” she replied.  She started to rise but Cranky waved his hoof.  
“You stay here, keep talking with your brother.  I’ll go get the cart.”  Without another word the old donkey spun around and galloped off into the night heading for Sweet Apple Acres.  
Nurse Redheart removed her cloak and draped it across the injured stallion.  She had everyone huddle as close as possible to Big Mac in an effort to keep him warm.  Fortunately, Rarity’s horn gave off heat as well as light, mitigating some of the effects of the cold wind.  
Fluttershy looked up at the full moon, noticing for the first time that it hadn’t moved in hours.  She silently prayed for Big Mac and Luna in the same breath.

**********

Princess Celestia came back into the cottage after dispatching two of her Royal Guards to find where exactly Luna had been ambushed.  Matilda was busy in the kitchen fixing a terrine of hot dandelion and mushroom soup for the rest of them.  When told by the guard captain that it wasn’t necessary, she scoffed saying that anypony who didn’t like hot soup on a cold night like this wasn’t sane.  
Luna sat on the couch patiently being examined by Doctor Stable.  The unicorn was determined that the Princess be given a clean bill of health before he returned to the clinic.  He lowered his otoscope from the royal filly’s ear and smiled.  
“Well, I can’t see any evidence of trauma in either ear canal, so I’d have to say that other than its paralysis effect, the spell was more or less benign.”
The Princess of the Night gave him a slightly impatient look.  “That’s what Princess Twilight told you fifteen minutes ago.”  She stood and went over to the window, glancing into the night.  “What time is it sister?”
“Four-thirty.  I was wondering when you’d notice,” she chided with a warm smile.  
Luna raised her eyebrows.  “Can you blame me for being…distracted?”  She focused quietly and closed her eyes, allowing her horn to channel the energy needed.  Moments later the moon shifted in the night sky, taking up position about thirty degrees above the horizon.  She turned back towards her sister.  “Do you think they’ve found him?”
“I wouldn’t worry princess,” Twilight assured her.  “If he’s anywhere close, Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy will find him.”
“I hope so.”  She looked down at the blood-stains on her own coat.  “It would be… distressing…to lose yet another pony to that evil witch, Chrysalis…Especially one as brave as he.”  She looked down at her hooves sadly.  
Doctor Stable finished repacking his saddle bags then bowed to the princesses.  “I hope you will forgive me but if I’m no longer needed here, I have other patients waiting for me at the clinic.”
“No forgiveness is necessary, doctor,” Celestia responded.  “Thank you for your assistance and courtesy.”  
The doctor bowed once more, then he and his intern left.
“I must remember his generosity next time I make a donation to the Ponyville Clinic,” the Sun Princess said.   
Matilda came into the room carrying half a dozen large mugs filled with soup.  “Would it be alright if I gave the Guards this now, while it’s still hot?  I wouldn’t like to bother them while they’re busy guarding the cottage.”
“Yes.  By all means,” said Celestia.  “I don’t think it will pose much of a distraction.  Just tell the Captain that I said it was alright.”
Matilda nodded and took the tray outside.  Celestia looked over at Twilight, a twinkle of amusement in her eyes.  “Frost-bit sentries are so hard to thaw out…don’t you think?”
The lavender alicorn’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment.  “I thought you weren’t ever going to mention that again,” she muttered is a whisper.  
Luna looked between one pony and the other, somewhat puzzled.  “Am I missing something?”
“During her first year as my student, Twilight Sparkle cast a spell that encased half-a-dozen of my personal guards in a block of ice from their hooves to their necks,” Celestia giggled softly, causing the blush on Twilight to deepen.  “It took hours to thaw them out.”
“It was an accident,” the unicorn insisted.  “I didn’t mean to turn them into guard-sickles.”
“Royal Guard-sickles?” chuckled Luna.  The two princesses smiled at this.  
Matilda came back inside carrying the empty tray and looked over at the Princess of the Night.  “If you’ll forgive me for being forward you’re looking a touch frazzled, your highness.  If you’d like, I could offer you the use of the shower so you can clean up a bit.”
“I wouldn’t want to impose…” the princess hesitantly replied.
“Actually, I think that would be an excellent idea, Lulu.” Celestia interjected.  “A good hot shower would keep those stains on you from setting, and make you feel better.”
“Do you think so, Tia?” the younger alicorn asked.
“We still have to be here for a while.  Go ahead and put the time to use.”
“Well…I guess I do need to clean up some,” she said quietly before looking back at Matilda.  “Are you sure I wouldn’t be taking advantage of your hospitality?”
“Now what kind of host would I be if I didn’t offer my guests a chance to freshen up?  Just follow me.”  The donkey guided her towards the modest bathroom.
Celestia watched them disappear into the back of the cottage and gave a small, worried sigh.  Twilight to look at her.  “Is Luna going to be alright?”
“I hope so,” replied the Sun Princess.  “Ever since Nightmare Moon was exorcised it’s been hard for her to make friends or have confidence in herself.  The time you spent with her last Nightmare Night helped, but I’m afraid Chrysalis’ scheming may have set her back some.”
Celestia turned towards Twilight.  “Please forgive me for bringing up one of your old faux pas, but I wanted to lighten my sister’s mood a little.”
“That’s all right, princess, though it may help more if Applejack and the others find her mysterious rescuer.  She seems a bit…concerned over him.”
“Yes, she does, and it might,” Celestia agreed.
There was a knock on the cottage door and the guard captain opened it.  “Your majesty?”
“Yes?”
“One of the scouts has returned.  He reports they’ve found where Princess Luna was attacked.”
“Very well.”  The princess looked over at Twilight.  “If it’s alright, I’d like you to stay here and keep my sister company.  I should not be gone too long.”
“Yes, Princess,” the lavender alicorn replied.
Celestia took half-a-dozen paces out the door then launched herself into the sky, the moon’s glow causing her wings to gleam like silver.  Three pegasi guards accompanied her and the remaining four, a unicorn and three earth ponies repositioned themselves around the cottage.  
Flying, it only took the princess ten minutes to reach the scene of battle.  The clearing was exactly as Luna had described it save for the numerous bodies that lay strewn around and the massive oak tree that lay across it.  Of Chrysalis there was no sign. 
Celestia touched down.  The wind had picked up some and snow was beginning to cover the clearing.  She paced over to the scout and he saluted her.  
“Your highness…we found the bodies of Princess Luna’s Night Guard.  After being killed, they were dragged over to the edge of the forest.  There were three Changeling bodies lying nearby, all showing evidence of having been killed with magic.”
“Possibly the unicorn guard with Luna?”
The pegasi nodded.  “We counted a total of twenty-seven changelings.  Except for the three killed by magic they all appear to have been kicked to death by somepony who shattered their chitin with a single blow.”  
“Could the other guards have done it?”
The pegasi shook his head.  “The hoof prints on the bodies were too big for any of them.  What’s even more amazing is that tree,” he said, pointing a wing at it.  “It’s close to a hundred and ninety feet high and fourteen feet round the trunk, yet it was brought down by the same pair of hooves that killed the changelings.”
The guard captain looked down at it and whistled softly.  “I don’t think I’d want to go up against anypony who could buck this down.”
“Did you see any sign of Queen Chrysalis?” Celestia asked
“Nothing…but there is a scorch mark on the ground under some of the heavier tree branches.”
The princess looked at the ground where the pegasi pointed.  She closed her eyes and a soft glow enveloped her horn.  After a moment or two she opened her eyes again.  “She was here, but she’s gone now.”
“You majesty,” called one of the other guards.  “I think I’ve found something over here.”
Celestia and the others cantered over.  There in front of them was a broken wooden plow collar.  It was both sweat-stained and covered in blood.  

**********

Cranky Doodle returned as quickly as possible, pulling the large apple cart behind him. With the help of the others he lowered the back gate and they moved Big Mac into the wagon.  Rarity used her levitation to do most of the lifting while the others guided and pushed the stallion’s limp form into place.  Applejack hitched herself next to the donkey and moments later they were headed for Ponyville.  Redheart, Rarity and Fluttershy all worked as best they could to keep Macintosh warm, but there was little they could do make the ride comfortable on the rough country road. 
They arrived at the clinic almost at the same moment as Doctor Stable.  The gold-furred unicorn immediately took charge and within only a few moments Big Macintosh was being treated by the clinic’s emergency medical team.  Cranky and the three fillies were ushered into a nearby waiting room.  Applejack joined them a moment or two later, escorted by one of the clinic’s nurses.  Breaking away from the others she trotted back and forth in the waiting room, clearly agitated by the evening’s events.  
Cranky gestured to Rarity and Fluttershy and they quickly joined him in a corner of the room.  “I really need to get back home.  I’ll fill Miss Sparkle in on what’s happened here.  I think it would be best if you two stayed with your friend and helped keep her as calm as possible under the circumstances.”  They nodded in agreement and the donkey left, promising to look in on Applejack and Big Mac later. 
Rarity and Fluttershy anxiously watched Applejack as she paced across the floor.  The farm-filly’s eyes were glistening, but the expression on her face was grim.  It was clear to her friends that Applejack was doing her level best not to cry in front of them.  
The two girls went over to her and gently hugged the earth pony.  “I’m so sorry this happened, darling.  But try not to worry too much.  Macintosh is the strongest pony I know.  He’ll pull through.”
Applejack turned on them for an instant, angry at the unsolicited intrusion.  She quickly regained control of herself and tried to smile, with little success.  “Thanks for the encouragement, sugar cube.  But Ah really can’t help but worry.  Mac’s had his share of injuries, all part and parcel of being a farmer.  But this… It’s the worst hurt Ah’ve ever seen on any pony.  All that blood; and his hooves… Even his hooves were… were… SHATTERED!”  
A few tears escaped to dampen her cheeks.  She tried to wipe them away with a fore-hoof.  Rarity levitated a box of tissues from the nurse’s station and held it up for Applejack to use.  The cow-pony allowed Fluttershy to guide her over to a corner of the waiting room where she stubbornly struggled to contain her anguish.  A short time later Pinky Pie, Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle arrived at the clinic.  Each hugged the golden furred pony in turn.
“How’d y’all know to come here?” Applejack asked, sniffling from behind a tissue.  
“Cranky told us what happened,” Dash replied.  “As soon as we’d heard we came right over.”
“Who’s watching Luna?” asked Rarity.
“She’s awake now,” explained Twilight. “I was able to remove the glyph thanks to some poison joke supplied by Zecora.  Cranky and Matilda are looking after her until her sister returns.”  She looked at Rarity.  “How is Big Mac doing?”
“We don’t know yet, darling,” the fashionista said.  “The doctor’s been with him for almost an hour now.  It may be some time yet.”
“Why don’t I go get us all some tea and oat cakes,” Pinky offered.  “I bet you’re hungry after all that running around this evening.”
“Y’all really think tea and cakes can make this any better?” Applejack grumbled irritably.
“Maybe not,” the cotton-candy pony replied, “but it can’t hurt.”  She quietly left.  Twilight couldn’t help but notice that for once Pinky wasn’t bouncing around the way she normally did.   She returned several minutes later with a saddle tray containing refreshments.  No one talked much as they sat sipping tea and waiting for the doctor.   
Applejack alternated between pacing and staring out the window watching the moon slowly set even as the night sky edged its way towards dawn.  The lines under her eyes and along her muzzle had deepened considerably over the last few hours and she was becoming more impatient.  By the time Celestia’s sun had crept above the horizon she was ready to march into the treatment room and demand to see her brother and know what was happening. 
Even as Rarity and Twilight tried to dissuade her the doors to the waiting room abruptly opened and Dr. Stable and one of his nurses entered.  They were both dressed in a pale green operating gowns.  Tiredly he pulled down his mask and looked at the group of ponies.  
“Miss Apple?” he asked.
Applejack stepped forward without hesitation and launched into a barrage of questions.  The doctor responded by holding up a hoof and waiting for her to give him a chance to speak.
“Your brother is doing as well as can be expected at the moment.  We’ve sutured the worst of his wounds closed, cleaned and taped the others, bound his hooves and put a pair of casts on his back legs.”
“His legs?” the cow-pony asked.
Stable nodded.  “The bones had a number of hairline fractures running through them, as if he’d tried bucking a boulder.  In addition he’s lost a great deal of blood, which we’ve tried to compensate for through transfusions.  Fortunately, his blood type is fairly common, so a replacement supply was relatively easy to find.”
“Is he gonna be alright?” Applejack asked.
“Quite frankly, I don’t know.”
“How can y’all not know,” she responded angrily.  “You’re a doctor, ain’t cha?”
“AJ, please calm down,” Twilight said softly.  “Give him a chance to explain.”
“Thank you your highness,” the doctor briefly said, nodding towards the lavender alicorn before turning back to Applejack.  “At the moment, your brother is in a coma, induced by loss of blood and hyper-exhaustion.  He’s also running a serious fever which I believe is the result of an infection from his wounds.  In his favor, Mr. Mackintosh is both young and has a robust constitution.  Therefore he has a much better chance than your average pony of pulling through.  I just can’t be absolutely certain which way he will go unless he responds to our treatment.”
“What are his chances?” asked Rarity.
“Right now, about fifty-fifty.”  He looked intently at Applejack and her friends.  “Can anypony here tell me exactly how he sustained his injuries?”
“He was attacked by a pair of large timber wolves,” the cow-pony responded.”
“Well, that’s consistent with the claw and bite marks we found, but there are a number of other slicing and stabbing wounds that don’t match.  Do any of you know how he sustained those injuries?”
“I think we could answer that for you,” replied a voice.  Every pony turned.  There standing in the door were the princesses Celestia and Luna. 
Everypony in the room bowed upon seeing the royal sisters, save Twilight, who instead paced up to Celestia.
“What did you find out?”
“It appears Applejack’s brother was the stallion who saved my sister, and by extension me from Chrysalis’ latest plot.”
Twilight’s expression was one of disbelief.  “Big Mac?”
The sun princess nodded then looked at Dr. Stable.  “He was injured as a result of fighting off the Changeling Queen’s minions.”  
“Was he exposed to that icor that passes for their blood?”
“Considering the number of them he ‘dispatched’ from this world, it’s more than a little likely he was.” 
“That would explain the fever,” the doctor replied rubbing a hoof under his chin.    “Changeling blood contains an enzyme that can cause bacterial infection.”
“Does that information help?” asked Luna.
Dr. Stable nodded.  “Definitely.  Now that we know what the infection’s source is we can do a deep cleaning of the wounds with an enzymatic neutralizing agent.  It will take time though, so we’ll use ice packs to bring his temperature down.”
“We… or rather Luna can help with that,” the Sun Princess offered.
“Anything you can do would be appreciated.”  Dr. Stable led the Moon Princess into the treatment rooms, handing her a mask and gown to wear.  As the door closed behind them Applejack looked up at Celestia.”
“Your highness?” she asked.  “Ya seem to know more ‘bout what’s going on here than anypony else.  So if ya wouldn’t mind… could y’all be kind enough to explain how in the hay ma brother got his-self hurt near ta death tonight?”   The tone of the farm pony’s voice was firm and more than a little angry.  
Twilight, Rainbow and Pinky opened their mouths in shock at their friend’s uncharacteristic rudeness.  Fluttershy cringed behind Rarity.  It was clear to the fashionista that Applejack was reacting more out of fear and stress than anything else.  She took a breath intending to try and calm her friend but before she could react Princess Celestia reached out one of her wings and gently enfolded the cow-pony with it.
“Please do not be afraid my little pony,” Celestia softly said.  “Luna and I… all Equestria owe him a debt that can never be fully repaid.  I promise I will do everything in my power to restore him to you and your family, whole and unbroken.”  
The white alicorn’s sudden embrace seemed to take all the steam out of Applejack.  Tears she’d been struggling with since finding her brother now flowed freely and she sobbed.  The others, unused to seeing such weakness in their friend looked down at the floor in sympathy.  Celestia pulled Applejack to her and used her other wing to give her the privacy she needed.

**********

Dr. Stable glanced at Princess Luna as she stood watching over Big Macintosh, an expression of concern on her face.  The large farm pony’s vital signs has improved slightly and it was easier for him to breathe.  The princess had used her magic to cool his body, eliminating the need for ice packs.  The fever was still there, but it was greatly reduced from earlier that evening.  
Picking up another chart, he skimmed through it quickly.  Big Mac was truly an amazing individual.  Being a unicorn, Stable was acutely aware of how each species of pony drew upon magic; unicorns to manipulate magical fields, pegasi to fly, and earth-ponies to connect with the natural world.  It was almost as if they had a direct tap-line to Gaia herself.  The doctor was convinced that Mac’s exceptional strength and constitution, the very reason he was still alive, was because his connection was so close to the earth.
“He’s dreaming again.”
Stable looked up at the Moon Princess.  “Did you say something your highness?”
“I said he’s dreaming again.”
The unicorn quickly examined the EKG printout and checked his patient’s eyes.  He shook his head.  “I’m sorry to have to disagree with you princess, but there’s no rapid eye movement and his brainwave pattern doesn’t show anything either.  Besides he’s comatose… he can’t dream.”
Luna shook her head gently causing the stars in her flowing silver-blue mane to shimmer.  “Never-the-less… he is dreaming,” she insisted.  “I can feel it.”
“What is he dreaming about?”
“I don’t know,” she replied.  “I’d have to actually go into his dreams to find out.”
Stable thought for a moment.  If she was right and could sense even the smallest of brainwave function…  “That might be of some help,” he said.  “Interacting with his dreams wouldn’t be physically invasive and it might just help bring him out of the coma.”
“I can’t do that,” the alicorn responded sadly.
“Why not?  A young pegasi I know said you can visit the dreams of children and ease their nightmares.”
“Adult ponies are… complex,” Luna explained.  “Moving through the dreams of someone like Macintosh would be like trying to gallop through a field of rocks.  There’d be too many things to trip over, too many ways to break a hoof or kick something important loose that needs to stay buried.  Children are much more open, much simpler and very innocent.”  She paused, looking down at the red-furred stallion.  “I wish I could do something to help… but the risk…”
The doctor pursed his lips in thought.  The power she possessed should have made such an effort more than a little feasible.  She was an alicorn after all, abet one who seemed to lack confidence in herself.
“The risk needs to be balanced by the benefit.  You said you could feel him dreaming.  What happens to him if we can’t bring him around before he sinks deeper into his coma?   He’s already so far into it none of my instruments can register normal brain function.  If his condition worsens, his body may actually began to shut down.  Can you really stand-by and allow that to happen?”
“What she can and can’t do is not something for you to judge, doctor.”  
Stable turned to see Princess Celestia standing at the treatment room door.  “Your majesty?”
“You are asking something of my sister that involves more than simple dream walking,” the white-furred alicorn said.  “It would require her to go deeply into Mr. Apple’s mind, to merge with the dream instead of observing and gently guiding it.  Doing so could prove to be a hazard for her as well as Big Macintosh.”
“I’m sorry princess… I didn’t mean to say she should unduly risk herself.”
Celestia shook her head.  “You knew exactly what you were saying, though I don’t really blame you.  You’re worried about your patient.  Such concern is commendable, but it is not an excuse for ‘guilt-tripping’ another pony into doing something they are not comfortable with.”
“Sister?”
Celestia turned to look at Luna.  The expression on her face was difficult to read.  
“Much of what Dr. Stable has said is correct.  I really can’t leave this stallion to suffer or die on my account.  I owe him my life.”
“Do you understand what you are saying?  What it may mean?” the Sun Princess asked.
Luna nodded. “What kind of princess would I be if I wasn’t willing to try to save one of our subjects?”  She looked at her sister.  “You are concerned about my doing this.”
“Some,” Celestia replied.  “It has been more than a millennium since you first mastered the skill and you have but practiced it with children since your return.  Are you certain you can do this?  
“I… believe I can, though I admit I’m nervous about the idea of dream walking through a grown colt’s mind, but what choice do I have?”
“Only you can answer that,” Celestia said softly.
The Moon Princess looked at Big Macintosh for several long, silent minutes.  As she watched a nurse came into the treatment room and replaced an I.V. bag that was empty.  When she had left Luna turned towards Dr. Stable, a decision firmly fixed in her mind.  “I will need complete privacy.  No one except my sister may be present.”  
The unicorn nodded and began issuing instructions to the staff.  Twenty minutes later the two alicorns and Big Mac were alone in a darkened hospital room.  All the monitors had been turned off so they could not distract the princess with their routine beeps and tones.
Celestia looked at the earth-pony.  Aside from his obvious physical size and strength, she could see a simplicity that was rare among most ponies.  It made her feel as if saving him was, at this moment, more important than anything else in Equestria.  She couldn’t explain it, but there it was.  Luna walked over and stood beside her.  
“I’m ready Tia.”
The Sun Princess nodded, then gently touched horns with her sister.  There was a soft glow exchanged between the two of them.  “Remember, I’m here and can add my strength to yours anytime you call.”
“I’ll remember, though if all goes well I won’t have need of your intervention.”
“Celestia sighed.  “Please, just be careful.”
“I will,” she replied looking at Big Mac, “for both our sakes.”  Luna took in several long, cleansing breaths.  She paused, then closed her eyes channeling the necessary energy into her horn.  It began to glow with a silver-white light, not unlike that of the moon.  Her wings flared for a moment, fanning the air briefly before folding once more against her side.   After several minutes she opened her eyes which were also now glowing brightly.  Leaning her head forward she touched her horn to the center of the farm-pony’s forehead.

**********    

Luna found herself standing atop a small hillock at the edge of a very large apple orchard.  It was night, and the pale glow of the moon shown down on the world, casting shadows wherever its silver light touched.  Beyond lay the Ever-free forest, as wild and beautiful as it was dangerous.  The moon’s radiance gave it a magical feeling to match its nature; an enchantment strong enough that a pony who didn’t know any better might be lured within to seek their heart’s desire.  
The princess looked around, trying to gain some insight to the dream.  She noticed a sizable patch of grass that had been flattened down, as if some creature had been lying there looking out on the world as she was now doing.  She placed a hoof against it.  As she touched the impression a white-hot surge of energy coursed through her body, rolling her onto her flank.  Sudden stabbing pains seemed to erupt across her body.  Her back legs and hooves felt as if they were burning from the inside out.  Spreading her wings, the alicorn leapt into the sky, her hooves lifting from the ground.  Just as suddenly as it had begun the pain stopped.    
Pausing, the Moon Princess hovered above the clearing, catching her breath.  She knew instinctively what had just happened.  Touching the impression in the grass had made a direct connection between her and Big Mac.  The earth pony was in agony, despite the fact he was unconscious and shouldn’t be able to feel anything. 
Luna looked around, circling the orchard in an expanding spiral.  With this kind of pain his sub-conscious would be retreating deeper and deeper into his mind trying to escape it.  No wonder the doctor couldn’t wake him from the coma.  She needed to find his avatar.  Perhaps if she could find it, find him, she might ease the pain enough to coax him back to reality.
Luna heard a faint sound.  She turned towards the Ever-free forest, looking for the source of the noise.  In the distance she thought she saw a faint, sickly green glow rising upward.  It was half concealed by the surrounding trees.  Flapping her wings, the princess steered herself towards it.  
As she flew lower she could see the wreckage of her chariot and her now dead servants, laying where they had been dragged.  Nearly two dozen changeling were also lying scattered across the ground, many hidden from ground level view by the thick tree line.  Green icor spread outward from their bodies.  Flying above a small clearing Luna saw herself on the ground, her mane splayed out like a halo around her head.  Near the center of all was Chrysalis herself, shouting out into the trees.
“QUIT HIDING, COWARD!  COME OUT AND SHOW YOURSELF!” 
A clear, firm voice answered from somewhere within the trees.  “Nnnope.”    
Chrysalis hissed in anger.  “Who are you?  WHAT ARE YOU? A WARRIOR?  KNIGHT?  MAGE?”  The anger in her voice was almost palpable.  “WHOEVER YOU ARE… FACE ME!  FACE ME IF YOU DARE!”
“Nnnope.” 
The Changeling Queen screamed her frustration, firing off several bolts of magic blindly into the woods.  She looked around angrily, her eyes alighting on the prone form of Princess Luna.  A wicked smile crossed her muzzle and her voice became icy.  “Have it your way, warrior.  If you choose to remain hidden from me I will simply kill the princess and be done with it.  However, if you wish to save her life then you will show yourself, before I count to five.”  
There was a long moment of silence where not even the sound of native insects could be heard.  “Have it your way, then,” Chrysalis warned.  She turned and levitated a sword from the sheath of one of the Moon Princess’ guards.  She placed the edge of the blade against Luna’s throat.  
“One…”
“Two…”
“Three...”  There was an abrupt rustling from some nearby bushes.  Chrysalis turned to face in that direction, careful to keep the sword firmly against the alicorn’s throat.   Moments later a dark red stallion stepped into the clearing.  Her eyes flew open in surprise when she saw that he was wearing a wooden collar.
“A farmer?!  A simple-minded plow-pony?  You’re the one who’s been eliminating my servants?”  
“Eeeyup,” Big Mac answered a determined expression on his face.  “Now let the Princess go!”
“It’s not possible,” the queen said, her mouth twisting into a disbelieving smile.  “You… YOU defeated my minions.”  She began chuckling, soft and deep.  Within moments the sound had turned into a full throated laugh.  “An earth-pony… A FARMER challenges my power and almost succeeds in undoing all my carefully laid plans.  I knew the spirits of darkness had a sense of humor… but THIS?”  Her laughter grew until it filled the night.
“Ah said let her go… NOW!”  Big Mac’s hooves braced against the earth, ready to make his charge.  The sword that was being held against Luna’s throat suddenly spun across the clearing straight at the earth-pony.  He ducked under it, flattening his ears as it scythed through his mane and was imbedded in a nearby tree.
“FOOL!” Chrysalis screamed.  A bolt of green lightning leapt from her twisted horn and slammed into Macintosh, knocking him to the ground.  He rolled with the blow and pushed himself painfully back onto his hooves.  
“You have no magic that can challenge me!”  
A second bolt danced across the clearing.  Somehow the red-furred stallion managed to avoid it as it scorched the ground where he’d been standing only a moment before.  Desperately he glanced around the clearing until he spotted what he was looking for.  He began to slide to his left, keeping his attention riveted on Chrysalis.
The queen scowled at Big Mac, her horn flaring again.  This time the green energy struck home, staggering the earth-pony, but to her surprise he didn’t fall.  Instead he began to back away slightly.  Sensing weakness, she advanced towards him, studying him with more than a little interest.  She saw several crimson drops stain the grass next to him.  He was no warrior… why was he willing to be hurt, to risk his life confronting her?   She locked eyes with the farm pony for an instant and reached out with her senses.  That was when she felt it, strong and deep and quiet.  She began laughing once more.  
“You LOVE her!” she said with a sneer.  Hungrily she absorbed the unexpected emotion, renewing herself even as she drained the farmer.  “That’s why you’re defending her.  You are in love.  You’ve loved her since the first time you saw her.”  Chrysalis laughed once more.  “A plow pony in love with a princess and her night,” she mocked.  “How droll.  How absolutely pathetic.”  
Watching the dream/memory unfold before her Luna continued to circle above the scene, her magic allowing her to observe beyond Big Mac’s single perspective.  Her mouth opened in astonishment at the revelation.  “He’s in LOVE with me?  No, it can’t be.  She has to be lying.  She’s trying to distract and overpower him.”  
Another bolt of green energy shot outward, striking the stallion in the flank and spinning him around.  His front legs nearly buckled, but again he remained on his hooves as he backed straight into a tree.  
Chrysalis smiled wickedly as she advanced on the earth pony.  “You’ve nowhere else to go,” she chuckled.  “But I don’t think I’ll kill you.  Not right away.  First, I’ll feed off you; off your pitiful feelings for a princess who wouldn’t give you the time of day, and when I’ve eaten my fill I’ll lay your withered husk at Luna’s feet.”
“Why don’t y’all stop talking an’ eat THIS!” Macintosh shouted.  His front hooves dug into the earth even as he lifted both back legs and slammed them as hard as he could into the base of the tree behind him.  The trunk literally exploded sending wood chunks flying around like shrapnel.  The tree toppled forward nearly catching the farmer as he dove and rolled to one side.  Chrysalis wasn’t as lucky.  She instinctively leapt skyward only to be caught by the wide canopy of the old oak and slammed back to earth.  
The clearing suddenly grew silent.  Several long moments passed before the sounds of heavy hoof steps could be heard.  Princess Luna gently touched down and hid in a thicket, watching as Big Macintosh slowly limped across the clearing.  The wooden collar he wore was nearly broken in two, struck by one of the heavy, lower branches of the tree as the pony had dove free.  Shaking his head, the red-furred stallion allowed it to drop to the ground before tiredly walking over to the wreckage of the sky chariot.  
Lifting a cloak from the caisson box in front, he went where the dream Luna lay on the ground.  He gently wrapped it around her, then carefully lifted her onto his back by holding the corners of the cloak in his teeth.  His first steps were unsteady, but as he continued walking he seemed to draw strength from somewhere within himself and his gait became surer, though not much faster.
The Luna who was watching him decided that now was the right time to try and weave herself into the dream memory.  She cloaked herself in shadow and softly paced up to the stallion.  “Big Macintosh,” she whispered, walking beside him.  She put a slight echo in her voice so it would sound like it was coming from within himself.  The illusion was easy enough to create in a dream.
“Eeeyup,” he muttered without looking anywhere except the ground in front of him.
“The fight’s over.  You won.  You can rest now...”
“Nnnope”
“Why not?”
“Cain’t.”
“You can’t?  But why?
“It ain’t safe.  Woods is full o’ varmints.  They’ll smell the blood an’ come a runnin’.  ‘Sides, if Ah stop movin’ Ah might not be able ta get started again.”
“But you’re hurt.”
“Eeeyup.”
“You need to rest.”
“Eeeyup.”
They walked silently through the dream for a few moments.  Standing this close to Mac Luna could feel a small portion of the pain he was feeling.  Reaching out with her magic, she tried to dampen it down a little.
“Is that better?”
“Eeeyup… some.”
“If you rested, it would help more with the pain.”
“Nnnope.”
Luna was becoming both frustrated and concerned.  She could feel the waves of pain sapping at her spirit and energy just as they were at his.   “Don’t you care about yourself?”
“Don’t matter.”
“What doesn’t matter?”
“’bout me.”
“Why not?”
“The princess is more important.”
“She is?”
“Eeeyup.”
“Why?”
Macintosh didn’t answer her this time.  Instead he focused on the path before them.
“Why is she more important than you?”
Again there was silence. 
“Is it because she’s a princess?”
“Some.”
“Some?  What’s the rest?” Luna asked.
“She’s Twilight’s friend and Twilight’s Applejack’s friend.”
“And that’s the rest of it?”
“Has ta be.”
“Why?” the Moon Princess insisted.
“Cain’t say.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
Macintosh didn’t answer for several very long moments before he sighed.  “Don’t wanna sound like no fool.”
“Would other ponies think you were a fool?”
“Eeeyup.”
Luna shook her head.  Foals were so much easier to deal with.  Their dreams were filled with images that told you exactly what they thought and felt.  Macintosh was hiding something not only from her, but from himself.  She decided that stronger methods were needed.  With a brief nod of her head she banished the dream version of herself he was carrying.
Big Mac stopped and looked back, his eyes opening wide at the sight of the empty cloak.  He turned around, scanning along his trail trying to see where she might have fallen off his back.  “Princess… Princess Luna?  Where are you?  There was more than a little fear in his voice.
“It’s alright Mr. Apple.  I’m here.  I’m safe,” the Princess whispered softly changing the timber of her voice.  She banished the shadows that kept her hidden.  
Mac’s last turn brought him face to face with Luna and he froze.  His eyes locked with hers and waves of conflicting emotions danced between the princess and the plow pony.  The Princess knew that confronted this way he could not hide from either himself or her.  Once their gaze had locked his mind became an open book.  She felt each tangled sensation as they twirled across his thoughts; anguish, warmth, desire, hope, despair, fear… but above everything was a passion beyond simple caring.  
Luna shook her head in disbelief.  It couldn’t be…  No pony loved the night this deeply.  All the things she had felt, the desperate loneliness that had make her susceptible to Nightmare Moon, the conviction that she was only worthy of being tolerated by ponies who worshiped her sister;  It was all false.  She was loved, for herself and for her night.  Chrysalis had not been lying.  Confronted in this way within a dream no pony could hide from the truth, or lie, not to themselves.  She saw it all in his eyes.  Big Macintosh was deeply, passionately in love with her.  He would do anything for her, even give his life to keep her safe.  He was also afraid.  Afraid that if anyone knew, even Luna, he would be rejected.  
The red-furred farmer suddenly dropped to the ground, hiding his face behind his forelegs.  “No… Don’t look, please,” he whinnied softly, tears forming in his eyes.  
Luna knelt next to him.  “Why not?” she asked, the strength of his feelings making her voice quiver gently. 
“It ain’t right,” he muttered.  “What Ah’m thinking ain’t proper.  What Ah’m feeling cain’t be shared.  It’s just a fool’s dream.  Ah’m an apple farmer.  You’re a princess, an immortal alicorn…”
“And?”
“Ah ain’t worthy.”
The world around them seemed to shimmer and dim.  Several dozen stars suddenly vanished from the night sky and the moon shadows darkened.   Luna looked about them alarmed as for an instant the ground beneath her felt insubstantial.  She heard Celestia’s voice sound within her head. 
“Sister… Sister… You must come back, you must leave his mind.  He is dying!”
Dying?  The thought brought a sense of panic to the Princess of the Night.  Dying?  No, he couldn’t.  Not now!  Desperation swept through her.  She couldn’t lose him!  He loved her!  She looked at Big Mac.  He had rolled over on his side.  His eyes were closed and his breathing had become shallow.  He was no longer hiding his face and she could see the long streaks of tears staining his face.  
She brought her face down as close to his as she could.  “Listen to me,” she whispered fiercely.  “Listen to me and know the truth.  You ARE worthy!  You are more worthy than a legion of titled lords and knights.  You are of the earth… you are of Life!  That spirit is as much a part of you as it is me.  We share that… equally, as equals of this world, as equals of Equestria.  If you leave… if you pass on I will be diminished by the loss of your passion, by the loss of… of… of your love as much as I would be diminished by the loss of the moon itself.”
Tears began forming even as the truth of her words cut through her very soul.  One cannot lie in dreams.  Even as she spoke Celestia’s words echoed in her very being.
“Sister… Luna… Come back!  Come back to us!  Don’t leave with him!”  Celli sounded desperate.
Princess Luna reached down, cradling Macintosh’s head between her front hooves.  “Please… come back with me,” she whispered.  “Come back… Please, come back with me.  Back to where we are loved and can share love.  Back to your sisters, your family and friends.  Back… back to… back to ME!”
She looked helplessly on the red stallion, his wounds bleeding him dry even in the dream as they had in reality.  
“Please come back…”  She paused, thinking desperately.  Maybe… just maybe she could shock him back to reality.  She felt for the right words and found herself saying them without thinking, without even choosing.  She let her heart speak for her and the words surprised her with their intensity, their honesty.  “Please come back to me… or… or… or let me go with you,” she sobbed.  “You must decide if we live or die.  You decide… for both of us.”  She leaned forward and kissed him on the forehead then lay her own head against his.  The shadows of the forest reached out and enveloped them, plunging Big Mac’s dream into total darkness.   

**********

Celestia watched helplessly as her sister slowly folded in on herself and sagged to the floor.  She projected her magic, surrounding the Princess of the Night with it as if cradling a new-born foal.  “LUNA!  LUNA WAKE UP!  DON’T LET THE DREAM TAKE YOU!”
Her cries brought Doctor Stable galloping into the room.  Seeing Luna he called for a crash cart and raced to both princess’s sides.  Even as the emergency room team arrived the dark-furred alicorn’s eyes fluttered open and she looked up in confusion.  
“Lulu… What happened?” Celestia asked, her voice choked with fear.  “For a moment, it felt as if you were slipping away from me, just like mother and father.”
“Tia?  Where?”
“We’re in the Ponyville clinic.  You were trying to help Macintosh Apple by going into his dream.  Don’t you remember?”
“Ponyville?  But how… Why?”  Luna’s eyes suddenly became as round as saucers and she leapt to her hooves breaking Celestia’s magical grip.  “BIG MAC!”  She raced over to his side.  The red-furred pony lay quietly beneath the sheets even as the Princess reached a hoof up and gently brushed his mane from his eyes.  “Macintosh,” she whispered, her words more a plea than a name.  “Can you hear me?  Are you still with me?”
There was a very, very long stillness.  The other ponies in the room went silent, watching the Princess as she hovered over the farmer.  Then came a raspy breath that beat at the air like a butterfly’s wings.
“eeeeyuuupp.”
Tears of relief trickled from the Alicorn’s eyes even as she planted the gentlest of kisses on Big Mac’s forehead.  The farmer’s eyes trembled open and he gazed up at her.  “Princess Luna?” he whispered, not sure if she were real or part of a dream.
“SSHH.” She replied quietly.  “Not princess… Not for you.  It’s Luna; just Luna… Now and forever.”
Celestia’s eyes went wide with amazement even as Dr. Stable’s mouth dropped open.  He quickly looked at the rest of his staff and found them all dumbstruck by their princess’s words.
Big Mac smiled at her and mouthed her name in response.  His eyes closed and his breathing deepened as he relaxed into normal sleep.  Dr. Stable quietly checked the farmer over and nodded in satisfaction.  He looked at Princess Luna.  
“I think we’re past the point of crisis.  His breathing is much better and his heartbeat’s stronger.  Whatever you did seems to have worked,’ he said with a smile.  “I’d say you just saved this pony’s life.”
“No doctor,” Luna insisted.  “He just saved mine…”
Celestia looked at both Macintosh and her sibling, her ancient and wise heart taking in the scene before her.  “I think we need to have a little talk, sister,” she muttered softly.
Without taking her eyes off Big Mac, Luna smiled.  “Yes, sister… we most certainly do.” 

> Chapter 02
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It is amazing how quickly things can change is a short time.  Take Sweet Apple Acres for instance.  Only a few months earlier it had been a modestly successful family farm operated by the three Apple siblings.  Three and a half if you counted Granny Smith.  Now it was a bustling enterprise with no less than a dozen ponies bucking, harvesting and pulping the latest crop of cider apples   
Everyone was busy.  Applejack, instead of bucking trees was spending most of her day superintending the work crews.  Applebloom, the youngest pony was splitting her time between school, chores around the house and crusading.  Her latest efforts focused on earning a cutie-mark in something she called ‘Bad Guy Stomping.’   Granny Smith was in the kitchen, making sure the meals were properly prepared and that the cook they’d hired wasn’t burning any of her pots.  She would have preferred burning them herself, but with a large number of farm hands to feed even she had to admit it made more sense to hire a cook.  
The only member of the family not out and about was Big Mac.  The red-furred stallion was sitting on the front porch doing the books, confined there by the wheelchair he would have to occupy for at least another week.  The casts that surrounded his legs rose all the way up to his withers, effectively immobilizing him.  He hated sitting still for so long, but there wasn’t much he could do about it, not if he wanted to be back on his hooves and in the fields before mid-summer harvest.  
Mac carefully transferred several sets of numbers from his writing pad to the farm’s ledger book.  He then vented his frustration by ripping the paper from the pad, wadding it into a ball and tossing it into a nearby trash basket.  “Two points,” he muttered to no one in particular as he closed the ledger and slipped it into a side saddle hanging from the wheelchair.    
He gazed out on the rolling hills of the farm with a practiced eye.  A slight tinge of yellow leaves along one line of trees hinted at a need to inspect them for bark beetles.  Caught early, they weren’t a serious problem, but if left to their own devices they’d keep everyone on the farm up all night with their infernal yapping.  
He looked around the farm’s compound, focusing on the large tent that served as a temporary bunk house until a proper one could be built for the new farm hands.  A carpenter pony and her apprentice were busy replacing damaged shingles on the roof of the barn; something Big Mac would have seen to himself under normal circumstances.  All in all everyone was busier than bees… everyone except him.  
It was a little bit of a letdown.  For the first time Sweet Apple Acres had more than enough money to do all the things that needed doing, and then some.  Saving Princess Luna had brought more than just fame to Big Mac.  There were markets and restaurants in Canterlot falling all over themselves to sign contracts for anything the farm could produce.  There’d even been a representative from a gravel company who wanted to buy rocks.  Applejack sent him down the road to the Pie farm.  Additionally Princess Celestia had gifted the Apples with a ‘small stipend’ as thanks for defeating a major threat to Equestria.  Finance would not be a problem for some considerable time to come.  There was a lot of work to do now and Macintosh felt left out.      
The stallion was just about to roll inside the house and see if he could find something he hadn’t read yet when he spotted a trio of ponies coming down the road, one trotting, one bouncing and one fluttering, though not very well.  Rarity, Pinky Pie and Twilight must have something to talk over with Applejack thought Mac.
“Howdy ladies,” the red-furred pony greeted them, a broad smile across his muzzle.
Rarity gracefully dipped her head.  “And how are you this fine day Sir Macintosh.”
“Ah wish you all would stop callin’ me sir,” he replied.  “Ah work fer a living.”  
“But what use is a title if you don’t use it?” the fashionista asked.  “You did earn your knighthood, defeating Queen Chrysalis all by yourself.”  
“I think that Big Mac means he’d prefer it if we skipped formalities between friends,” Twilight offered.  
“Eeeyup!”  
The lavender alicorn smiled, then suddenly lost control of her hover, bumping into s porch pole and ungracefully belly-flopping into one of the bushes surrounding the house.  “UUGG!”
“Y’allright Miss Sparkle?”
“I’m FINE,” she muttered, climbing out of the bush and brushing a few stray leaves and twigs out of her mane.  
“Looks like you need a lot more practice flying,” giggled Pinky Pie. 
“You think?” the alicorn muttered sardonically. 
“Iffen yer lookin’ for ma sister,” Macintosh said, “she should be out on the north forty showin’ the new bucks how ta shake a tree.” 
“Actually, dear sir, we’re here to see you,” Rarity responded. 
Mac looked at them, slightly confused.  “You are?”
“Yes,” the white-furred unicorn continued.  “Her honor the Mayor asked us to stop by and find out if you’d be willing to come to the opening of Ponyville’s new firehouse.”
“Me?”
“YESS!  She wants you to cut the ribbon, and maybe even the cake, or pie, whichever they decide to serve at the PARTY!” said Pinky Pie,  jumping up and down nearly as high as the porch eves and throwing confetti.
“Ah ain’t much of a public speaker,” Big Mac replied.
“Oh you don’t have to worry about making any speeches,” Twilight said.  “There’ll be lots of other ponies for that.  All they want you to do is cut the ribbon and declare the firehouse open.”
“And that’s all?” the stallion asked cautiously.
“But of course it is,” said Rarity, “except maybe for signing some autographs and posing for photographs, and of course looking absolutely spectacular in the tres chique outfit I’m going to design for you…”
“Outfit?”   
“Yes, darling.  With you modeling my Fall line of ‘Hero’ wear on the cover of every fashion magazine in Equestria it will be a spectacular success.”  The unicorn suddenly felt a magical tug on her tail.  She turned to find Twilight frowning at her:
“Rarity,” the alicorn whispered intensely.
“Is something the matter, dearie?”
“We are supposed to get him to WANT to come to the celebration,” the princess hissed.
“But who WOULDN’T want to be celebrated from one end of Equestria to the other?” Rarity asked.  She turned back towards the porch just in time to see the front door close.  Big Mac was nowhere to be seen.  The unicorn looked at Twilight, more than a little chagrined.  	“Oh, I know… I know!” said Pinky Pie.  “I’m guessing maybe Big Macintosh?” 
Twilight sighed, then took a deep, calming breath.  “Come on girls,” she said as she walked away from the farmhouse.  “Maybe we can get Applejack to convince him to come.”  She led the others off towards the fields.

**********

“Ah’m tellin’ ya sis, all this attention is right aggrivatin’,” Big Mac grumbled as they sat together in the living room later that evening.  “Why do they haff ta focus so much on what Ah did.  It weren’t like Ah did anythin’ other than what was necessary.”
Applejack listened sympathetically.  It was easy to see he was upset because he was talking a lot more than normal.  “Sometimes what seems necessary or ordinary ta you or me ain’t really so.  Least ways not ta ponies who weren’t there at the time.”
“But why just me?” the stallion asked.  “They didn’t pay nearly as much attention ta y’all when ya helped save Equestria, what is it, four times now?”
“Three,” she corrected him.  “Unless ya count the Chrystal Empire.”  She reached over and moved a black checker piece across the board between them.  Mac studied it for a moment, then jumped her piece before realizing he’d fallen into her trap.  Two swift moves later she was on his side of the board.  “Crown me!” she grinned.
“Ya gotta face facts, young un,” Granny Smith said from her rocker, popping one eye open to look at her grandson.  “Every pony loves a hero.”
“Ta answer your question, Ah think the reason they don’t pay near as much attention ta me is ‘cause Ah’m one of six.  If they focus on any one of us, it’s usually Twilight, ‘specially since she became a princess.”
“So why’d they make Big Mac a knight?” asked Applebloom looking up from the floor where she was doing her homework.  “He ain’t got no armor or sword.  
“It’s an honorary title, ta let every pony know that he’s done good fer other folk,” Applejak explained.
“Shouldn’t y’all be a knight as well?”
The palomino mare chuckled.  “Ah am sugar cube.  Why do ya think any official mail Ah get from Canterlot is always addressed ta Lady Applejack Apple?”  
“That’s only ‘cause they don’t know ya like we do,” Big Mac said as he captured his sister’s recently crowned checker piece.”
“That’s fer dang sure,” Granny Smith chimed in.  All four ponies laughed.  They were interrupted by a soft knock at the front door.  Sitting next to the window, Big Mac pulled up the shade to see who it might be.  His face broke out into a wide grin.
“Is it?” asked Applejack.
“Eeeyup!”
“Well then open the door and let her in, dang it,” ordered Granny.
Applebloom was on her hooves and racing for the door before anyone else could reply.  “Ah’ll get it.” She called.
The door was opened to reveal a blue-furred alicorn pony.  She had an even darker blue main and tail bedecked with stars that flowed gracefully about her.  
“Howdy Princess!” the young filly greeted her.
“And good evening to you, Mistress Applebloom.” Luna responded, nodding her head politely.”  Is your brother, Sir Macintosh on the premises this night?”
The crusader looked a little confused.  “Where else do ya think he’d be, seein’ as he’s still in a wheelchair?”
“Applebloom!” her sister warned.
Sensing she was on the verge of being in trouble the filly grinned nervously.  “Oops!  Ah gotta go.  It’s past ma bedtime.”  She suddenly vanished, galloping upstairs as fast as her hooves would carry her.  She was quickly replaced by Applejack.
“Good evening, yer highness.  Would y’all like ta come in fer some tea?”
“Or a sip ‘o cider?” asked Granny.
“Actually, I’m here to visit Big Mac, and see if he’s feeling up to taking a moonlight stroll.  But thank you for the offer, Lady Apple, Mistress Smith.”
“Ah ain’t anypony’s mistress, young un.  Ah’m a respectable filly.”
Luna looked at Applejack a little puzzled by the elder Apple’s response.  A.J. just shrugged and stepped back as Macintosh rolled up to the door.  
“Good evening Big Mac,” she said warmly, her eyes bright with joy.
“Evenin’ Miss Luna,” he responded with equal warmth.  “Did y’all say somethin’ about a stroll?’
“Eeeyup,” the princess responded, producing a giggle from both ponies.  Without another word the two of them went out on the porch and then down along a path leading towards one of the orchards.  The wheelchair glowed slightly as Luna guided it with her magic.  
Before closing the door Applejack noticed a number of the Night Guards stationed discreetly around the farm.  They weren’t taking any more chances with the princess after what happened before.   

**********

“…And so I told him if he wanted wings he’d have to screw them on,” Luna laughed.  Mac joined her, wiping a tear from his eye as he gradually caught his breath.  He leaned back in his chair and looked out on the Everfree Forest from his favorite watching place.  The waxing moon was a little past three-quarters full and it bathed the night with a ghostly, silver light.  Luna looked at the simple but ruggedly handsome stallion.  “Doth thou… oops, I mean do you like what I’ve done with the stars tonight?” she asked.
“Eeeyup,” Big Mac replied, “though Ah’m findin’ it a mite hard ta look at the sky with y’all sittin’ next ta me.”
“This is kind of like a dream come true.  Isn’t it?”
“Eeeyup.”
They sat there for several moments leaning together in silence before Luna pulled back a little and looked at the farmer.  	“Big Mac?”
“Eeeyup.”
“Doth thou mind … I mean, is it alright if I ask you something personal?”
“Eeeyup.”
Luna looked at the stallion nervously.  “Would it be alright if… if… if I became you’re favorite somepony?”
“Nnnope.”
“I know it sounds somewhat forward… WAIT!  What did you just say?”
Big Mac smiled mischievously.   “Nnnope.”
“Art thou rejecting me?  ME?  A PRINCESS OF THE REALM!”
“Nnnope.”
Luna looked at him more than a little confused.  “What?  I don’t”…”
The farmer gently took her head between his hooves.  “Y’all cain’t become somethin’ ya already are and that ya always have been.”  He leaned forward and they kissed, long and passionately, only pulling away when they finally needed to take a breath.  “Think Ah can ask ya somethin’ personal, Luna?
“Eeeyup,” she whispered dreamily.
“Are y’all gettin’ bigger?”
She pulled away and looked at the stallion quizzically.  “Well, that wasn’t very romantic.  Do you think I’m getting plump?”
Mac chuckled.  “Ah didn’t say fatter, ah said bigger… ya know, taller.”
It was Luna’s turn to chuckle.  “I think you’re the first pony outside of my ladies-in-waiting who’s noticed.”
“And?”
“Like the moon, I wax and wane a few inches each month, though it does not affect my powers.  It’s something that Tia doesn’t have because the sun is a constant.”  She looked at the stallion.  “Do you find that an unattractive attribute.”
“Nnnope.  As a matter o’ fact, it’s kinda cute,” the stallion replied. “How big do ya get?”
“Isn’t that a question I should be asking you?” the princess responded coyly.  The inside of Mac’s ears blushed and she laughed gently.  “At one time, my sister and I were almost the same size; but when I was possessed Nightmare Moon used a large part of my magical essence in her fight with Tia.  When your sister and the other elements restored me, I manifested in a younger form.”
“So y’all be growin’ back ta yer original size?”
“Eventually, but it will take time.”  Luna looked at Big Mac.  “You know, this is the first time I’ve ever talked about this sort of thing with anypony other than Tia.”
“Ah hope that ain’t a problem,” the farmer said.  “Ah mean ya ain’t tellin’ me no state secrets, are ya?”
The Princess chuckled.  “No, but even if I did I feel as if I could trust you with anything.  You, well your whole family, seems to have a kind of aura of honesty and trust about you.”
“Maybe so.  But Ah wouldn’t go sayin’ anything around Applebloom.  She and her friends were the queens o’ the tabloids about four months ago.”
“You’re joking.”
Big Mac shook his head.  “She learned her lesson about not minding other ponies business and what gossip does, but trust takes time to rebuild.  Just be careful what you say round her.”
“She hasn’t been telling anypony about my late night visits, has she?”
“Not as far as Ah know, but that’s cause Applejack and Granny both laid down the law on that issue from day one.”
“Then that particular ‘state’ secret is safe,” the Princess grinned.
“Eeeyup.”
They kissed again, then sat quietly watching the night sky in silence, taking comfort in each other’s closeness as they held each other’s hooves.  They stayed like this for almost twenty minutes before another voice cut into their private moment.
“Excuse me… Your majesty… Sir Macintosh?”
They looked up to see one of Luna’s Night Guards standing a few feet behind them.
“I’m sorry for the interruption, but your highness wanted me to remind her that the Night Court will be starting in forty minutes.”
Princess Luna sighed, unwilling to give up the gentle evening’s pleasure for royal obligation.  “Yes, Captain… I know, thank you.”  She looked at Big Mac.  “I’m sorry, but duty calls.  I hope you’ll forgive me but…”  She stopped speaking when the red-furred stallion put a hoof gently up to her lips.
“Ya ain’t got nothing ta apologize fer.  There are apples ta be bucked and they won’t wait on any season but their own.”
Luna chuckled.  “You never told me you were a philosopher.”  Standing, she nuzzled Big Mac on the cheek.  “I’ll see you tomorrow night,” she whispered conspiratorially.  
“Eeeyup,” the farmer responded, his heart warmed by the though.
Turning, Princess Luna’s manner became less gentle and more authoritative.  “Captain… see that one of your men is detailed to make sure Sir Macintosh is safely escorted home.”  
“Yes, your highness.”
With that, Luna spread her wings and launched into the night sky, looking back just long enough to mouth the words “Love you.” Before vanishing in the silver-blue flash of a teleport spell.  Her guards melted back into the night, left to make their own way back to Canterlot, all save a rather muscular unicorn.  
“By your leave, sir?” he said, gesturing down the hill and in the direction of the farmhouse.  
“Eeeyup.”  
With a gently push of magic the guard pony began guiding ‘Sir’ Macintosh back down the hill.  He’d taken no more than a dozen paces when a voice brought him up short.  
“Captain Ironhoof.”  
He turned and found himself face to face with Princess Celestia.  “Your Majesty?” he said with a deep bow.  “What brings you out here this night?”
“I need to have a private word with Big Macintosh.  I will make sure he gets back home safely.”
“Yes, your highness.  Of course.”  With that the Night Guard captain teleported away.  Celestia looked down at the wheelchair bound pony and smiled.
“How are you feeling this night, ‘Sir Apple?”
The farm pony shrugged slightly.  “Ah’m doin’ alright, your highness.”  
“The doctor tell me your leg casts should come off sometime next week.”  
“Eeeyup.  Then Ah’ll need a couple weeks o’ therapy ta get the muscles working again before Ah can get back ta buckin’ apples.”  The stallion looked up.  “But Ah don’t think y’all want to talk about that… your majesty.”
“No.  I want… I need to talk to you about my sister.
“Eeeyup.  Figured as much.”
“It’s important that you understand what it will mean to be the special somepony of an alicorn,” Celestia explained.  
“Yer talkin’ about bein’ immortal,” Big Mac said.
“That’s the first thing you must know.  We are not immortal, merely long lived.  We can heal almost any injury and are immune to sickness, but we can be caught and killed.  We can die from extreme old age, though none of us have for a very long time.”
“Ain’t this all somethin’ that Princess Luna should be tellin’ me?”
Celestia smiled gently.  “She will, once she starts thinking with her head again and not just her heart.”
“So why ya jumpin’ the gun?”
“I have lived for a very, very long time… and I have befriended, romanced and loved ponies of every race just as deeply as you and Luna now love each other.  Almost a dozen times I have shared a piece of my soul with another pony and been forced to mourn their passing.  I know what heartbreak is and I have lived through it.  Luna has not.”
“Ya cain’t be serious,” Big Mac replied.  
“I am.  Luna was very young when we defeated Discord using the Elements of Harmony.  That battle changed us from unicorns to alicorns.  Unfortunately Discord’s chaos was not as easy to undo.  He had disrupted the balance of nature for our world, requiring that my sister and I take responsibility for the raising of the sun and the moon.  Discord, our ascension and the work needed to restore the world left little opportunity to engage in affairs of the heart.  Luna especially threw herself into the work, ignoring the empty feeling one has when their soul is incomplete.  Unfortunately, this was what Nightmare Moon was able to exploit, and less than three hundred years after Discord, my sister turned against me.”
“Applejack told me that part o’ the story.”
Celestia nodded.  “Imprisoning her on the moon was heartbreaking for me, but it had to be done.”  She paused for a moment to look at Macintosh.  “That is something else that can kill an alicorn… a broken heart.”
“But you survived.”
“After a fashion.  During the first hundred years or so I was a cold and distant ruler.  I lost my connection with the Elements of Harmony and I might have remained unfeeling even to this day had it not been for Starswirl the Bearded.  He helped open my heart and made me understand what love is.”
“Ah visited the palace once on a tour.  Always did wonder why there was such a big statue of him in the garden.”
Celestia nickered lightly, sounding a little like a school-filly.  “He would be so vexed with me if he knew I went and put him on a pedestal.”  Big Mac chuckled with her, then she became more serious.  
“The point I am trying to make is this: You are now in Starswirl’s position.  Luna needs you, not only to love her, but to teach her, to guide her and help her understand that there is life beyond loss.  She is a very powerful being, second only to me, but she is also quiet vulnerable.” 
“Ah’m afraid Ah ain’t a very well educated pony.  Don’t have much more than some basic schoolin’.”
“Your schooling is not as important as your wisdom,” Celestia insisted, smiling once more.  “From what I’ve seen and heard of you, Big Mac, you are a very down to earth pony with more than a fair amount of common sense.  It a trait you share with Starswirl.”
“Then ya believe Ah can help Luna the way Starswirl helped you?”
The Sun Princess nodded.  “There is one more thing that I feel you must understand, depending on how your relationship with Luna may develop.  If you truly commit to each other, the same way Princess Cadence and Shining Armor have, that means you may well become a Prince of Equestria.  On that day your simple farm life will come to an end and you will have to take on a much larger role in society.”
Big Mac became very quiet for a long time.  This was something he’d been ignoring since his relationship with Luna had blossomed.  The princess was right.  If he did marry Luna his life on the farm was over.  “Did Starswirl have ta give up his magic when he married y’all?”
“No, because he never did become my prince consort.  Our relationship was much more… private.  He was, nevertheless, my own special somepony.”
“So, it’s possible ta have a private relationship with a princess?”
“Up to a point, yes,” Celestia said.  “Personally, I think that, like Candice, it would be better for Luna to have a more formal relationship.  She has a very young soul has always been far more sensitive to criticism than I.  She needs the confidence, the sense of commitment that a wedding would provide.  That, of course, is entirely up to you and Luna.”  
“If Ah did become a prince, ah wouldn’t be expected ta give up my family, would Ah?”
“Of course not.  As a matter of fact, I think that she would benefit from having a couple of younger ‘sisters’ to confide in.”  
Macintosh became very quiet at this point and looked at the stars above.  He was certain that his and Luna’s love was quite deep.  She’d lived in his dreams ever since that Nightmare Night when she’d visited Ponyville, and in the aftermath of Chrysalis’ attack she’d spent long hours by his side in the hospital; making sure he had the best care possible and helping his family thrive.  What she had done went beyond mere gratitude.  She’d risked her own soul to keep him from dying that first night, and when she wasn’t with him, it almost felt as if he were missing a piece of himself.  She had even whispered privately that she felt the same about him.  Big Mac smiled to himself.  If there was one trait he shared with his sister, it was that he could sense when somepony wasn’t being honest with him.  Luna, he knew, was telling him the truth.  
The farm pony made a decision.  He lowered his head respectfully as he spoke to Celestia.  “Yer Majesty.  Ah would like to have yer blessing ta love and marry Princess Luna when she decides the time is right.”
“That is a rather… interesting… way of proposing, Sir Macintosh.  Why not simply ask her for her hoof yourself?”
“As y’all said, Luna needs ta become more confident in herself.  It would help her more ta ask me than the other way ‘round.”
Celestia smiled.  “As I said before, wisdom doesn’t need formal schooling to be present.”  She regarded the wheelchair bound pony.  “It may take my sister time to build up the courage she needs to ask you.  Are you sure you’d have the patience to wait?”
Macintosh looked up at the Princess and returned her smile.  “Eeeyup.”

> Chapter 03
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	CRACK!  Applejack winced slightly as she watched the last chunks of plaster split and dropped off of Big Mac’s legs.  The red-furred stallion gave a big sigh and flexed his fetlocks.  He started to get up off the examination table, but was stopped by a hoof pressing down on his back.  
“Not so fast, Mr. Apple,” Dr. Stable said.  “I need to check your leg muscles for signs of atrophy.”  The unicorn began pressing on the farm pony’s legs, slowly moving from whethers to hoof.  Twice he elicited a small “Ouch” from his patient, but continued the examination in spite of it.  Finishing, he looked up at Big Mac.  “Alright… I want you to carefully put your weight on your legs, starting with the two front then moving to the back.”
Both Nurse Redheart and Applejack stood close by, ready to support Macintosh if need be.  The stallion slowly braced himself on all four hooves, then patiently waited as the doctor double checked the muscles.  When he finished he had his patient take a few steps forward, then turn.  Big Mac completed the maneuver without much difficulty.  The Doctor nodded in satisfaction.
“How come his back legs look so thin?” asked Applejack.”
“Long term inactivity combined with compression from the cast,” Dr. Stable explained.  “Not to worry.  A couple weeks of normal movement should restore his strength, muscle tone and flexibility; but I must emphasize it has to be NORMAL movement.  No running, trotting or cantering, and above all, absolutely NO apple-bucking.  The bones are strong enough now to support your weight, but not if you overstress them.  Am I clear on that, Mr. Apple?”
”Eeeyup.”
“Alright then,” Stable said.  He took a clipboard from the nurse and scribbled some notes on it, then handed Applejack a prescription form.  “Make sure he soaks his back legs in a mineral bath at least once a day for the first week and wraps them in hot towels before bed.  I’ve made out an order for pain medication, in case you need it.”
“Thanks doc.  Ah appreciate everything y’all have done fer ma brother.”
Dr. Stable smiled.  “You can thank me by following my instructions, and saving a bottle of cider for me from this year’s crop.”
“Consider it saved.  Ain’t that right, bro?”
“Eeeyup.”  
The red stallion extended his right fore-hoof which the doctor grasped and shook with his own.  Turning, the two Apple siblings left the clinic and crossed the town square.  Big Mac looked at his sister. 
“Ain’t home the other way?”
“Y’all heard the doctor.  Ya gotta soak yer legs in a mineral bath once a day, so we’re gonna take advantage o’ bein’ in town now rather than comin’ back later.”
Applejack guided him towards the town spa, ignoring his objections about it being a hangout just for fillies.  They were met at the door by a pink-furred pony with a medium blue mane and tail and a white band around her neck and mane.
“Mornin’ Aloe,” the farm filly said.  “Ah brought ya a customer fer yer mineral bath.”  Applejack looked at the stallion.  	“Now you play nice and Ah’ll be back in an hour ta walk ya home.”  She turned and trotted out the door.
The beautician smiled and led Big Mac into a back room where a large jacuzzi sat.  “If you’d just take a seat,” she said, “I’ll get the water jet going.”  The stallion eased himself into the tub, immersing his back half in the water.  It was hot, but not unpleasantly so.  As he watched, Aloe walked over to a set of billows that were hooked up to some peddles just opposite him.  Placing her hooves on the peddles, she began trotting slowly in place.  An eruption of bubbles stirred the water, massaging Big Mac’s lower half. 
The farm pony sighed contentedly and leaned back, closing his eyes and allowing the heat to flow into him.  He could smell the herbs mixed with the water, especially the eucalyptus leaves.  The sensation was very relaxing and he found it difficult to focus.  He briefly zoned-out.  When Big Mac next opened his eyes he discovered that the room was empty save for himself.  All the lights had been turned off and he could see a bright pattern of stars through the window.  
The stallion sat up, then felt a delicate hoof on his shoulder easing him back into the bubbling jacuzzi.  Glancing upward he could make out the form of Princess Luna as she put a hoof to her lips indicating he should be quiet.  Without a sound the blue-furred alicorn removed her slippers, torc and crown and climbed into the tub next to him.  They kissed.  It tingled and she tasted of peppermint and zap apple jelly.  
He inhaled deeply and then… woke up.  
Luna was gone.  Big Mac looked around for her in confusion.  The only other pony in the room was Aloe who had stopped pumping the bellows and was standing in front of him, a surprised expression on her face.  It suddenly dawned on the farm pony that in his half-dream state he had leaned forward and kissed the filly before him.  
Aloe would not have believed that a red-furred stallion like Big Mac could have gotten any redder, but he did, even as he slowly sank beneath the bath water, mortified.   

**********

“So what did you do?” the blue-furred pony asked as she helped her sister clean up the tub room.  
“Not much,” Aloe replied.  She laughed slightly.  “It isn’t as if he’s the first pony to have a dream after falling asleep in the bath.  Oh, he was so embarrassed.  I actually felt sorry for him.  He just wouldn’t stop apologizing.  For a while I thought that he would have drown himself in the bath if he could have.  I had to keep reassuring him that I knew it was an accident and that everything was alright.”  
“Poor pony,” Lotus Blossom chuckled.  “Well, at least he gets points for enthusiasm.  I wonder what Quake would think?”
“SISTER!  Don’t you dare go repeating this to anypony else.  Big Mac may be strong as ten other ponies, but he’s a very private stallion.  There’s no telling how he’d take it if this kind of story got out.”
“You’re right,” Lotus said, brushing a loose lock of pink mane from her forehead.  “Imagine the damage to our reputation if other ponies couldn’t trust us to keep their secrets.”
“Imagine the damage to our faces if Applejack heard we were spreading stories about her brother.”  The two beauticians shuddered.  

**********

“And which one is that?” asked Big Mac.
“It’s called Orion, the Hunter,” Luna explained.  “I decided that tonight it would look nice if it were thirty-five degrees above the southern horizon.  That way it compliments Virgo.  The large star in the center of his belt is called Betelgeuse.”
The stallion chuckled.  “They named a star after a stage play?”
“Stage play?  What are you talking about?
“Beetle Juice.  It was a comedy from when Ah was just a colt,” the farmer explained.
“	Why on Equestria would they name a stage play after a star?”  The two ponies looked at each other and laughed.  “Sorry,” said Luna.  “That’s something I guess I missed out on while I was ‘away.’”
“Well, when they do a revival Ah guess Ah’ll just have ta take ya to see it.”
“That sounds suspiciously like a date,” the alicorn smiled.
“Eeeyup.”  Macintosh looked over at the princess.  “Does hangin’ out with me in the orchard count as a date?”
“I don’t know.   How many nights have we been seeing each other like this?”
“Counting tonight?  About seventeen.  Almost every night since Ah got outta the hospital.  Feels nice not havin’ ta be in that wheelchair anymore.”
“If we’re going to count these as dates, shouldn’t we also count the time I spent with you in the hospital?”
“Nnnope.  There was too many doctors and nurses hangin’ around for it ta be a real date,” the stallion asserted authoritatively.
“How would you know?  According to your sister, the only date you’ve gone on in the last four years was induced by a Love Poison.”
“Ah wouldn’t exactly call that a date either,” the farmer said, chuckling.  “Besides, how can somethin’ be a date when ya cain’t remember anythin’ about it?” 
“Why shouldn’t we call hanging out together a date?” asked Luna.  
“Well, than yer right.  This is a date.  Though I think we should be doing something a little bit more… date-like.”
“Such as?”
“Well, such as my treatin’ ya to desert an’ tea at a nice café.”
Luna smiled and rose to her hooves.  “Well then, Sir Apple, you may lead us to yon treat.”
Macintosh stood and smiled, but abruptly pursed his lips in disappointment.  
“Is something wrong?”
“Ah fergot,” the stallion muttered.  “It’s after nine in the evening.  All three cafés in Ponyville are closed.”
“I know someplace that’s still open.”
“You do?”
“Eeeyup.  Just close your eyes and follow me.”
Big Mac looked confused.  “How can Ah follow you if ma eyes…”  There was a sudden flash of light from Luna’s horn.  An instant later the two ponies were standing in front of a shop in Canterlot called Pony Joe’s.  “…are closed?  	UURRRPP!!!”  The farmer threw a hoof over his mouth and staggered over to grasp and lean against a streetlight.  His head was spinning horribly and his stomach was flipping around so fast he didn’t know if he could keep anything down.  
Luna saw his discomfort and ran up to him, massaging the back of his neck with her hoof.  “OH… MAC!  I am so sorry! I forgot you’ve never teleported anywhere before.  That was horribly inconsiderate of me.”
“S’all right,” the farmer urped, gasping for air.  “Y’all didn’t mean any harm.”  He belched once more, loudly and his stomach began to settle down.  He closed his eyes and the dizziness faded, then he looked over at Luna and smiled.  “Ya see?  All better now.”   
She returned his smile, relief in her eyes.  The two ponies paced casually up the steps and into the shop.  The first one to see them was a unicorn with tan fur, a medium-brown mane and tail and a frosted pink donut as his cutie mark   He trotted up to the couple and smiled.  “Your usual booth, princess?”
She nodded and he led them to a table not easily seen from the rest of the shop.  Once they were comfortable he pulled out a pad of paper and pen which hovered in front of him while his horn glowed softly.  
“I’ll have a hot, green-tea latte and a blueberry cream éclair with hayseed sprinkled on top,” ordered Luna
“Right away your majesty.”  Looking at Big Mac the unicorn smiled.  “Same for you, Sir Macintosh?”
“Eeeyup.”
The colt jotted down their order then trotted behind the counter to fill it.  Big Mac looked at Luna.  “How’d he know who Ah was?” he whispered.
“That’s Pony Joe.  He keeps a small notebook under the cash register with pictures of all the celebrities and nobility of Canterlot.”
“Where would he get ma picture?”
“A newspaper clipping, probably,” Luna said.  “You’re actually quite a celebrity, and a bit of a mystery to most ponies here.  Everypony has heard of you, but they know little about you.”
“Ah knew there was a lot o’ fuss bein’ made over me in Ponyville, but in Canterlot?”
“Actually, the ‘fuss’ is all over Equestria,” Luna said.  “Everypony loves a hero, particularly the big, powerful silent type.”
“That include princesses?”
Luna gave him a soft peck on the cheek.  “Especially princesses.”  
Mac’s cheek tingled and he smiled, ignoring everything around him except for the alicorn.  His eyes half closed and he drank in her dark, cool beauty.  The stallion began to daydream of what life with the princess would be like, not fully realizing that she too was gazing into his eyes, the same half-lidded dreamy look cast on her face.  
The clink of plates and cups on the table brought both ponies back to the real world.  They looked up to see Pony Joe smiling at them, a twinkle of understanding in his eyes.  Mac looked around for the bill.  “Don’t bother,” the unicorn said.  	“It’s on the house.  Compliments to a hero and his special somepony.”  The unicorn trotted away.
“That felt a bit, unusual,” the farmer muttered.  
“Never been called a hero before?”
“Not clean outta the blue like that… Never been given a free meal, either, unless it were at a party o’ some kind.”
“Get used to it,” Luna said with a smile.  There won’t be a place in Canterlot that will take your bits, at least for a while yet.”
“But that ain’t right,” Macintosh muttered.  “It ain’t honest fer me ta take advantage o’ hardworkin’ ponies like this.”  He looked down at the food trying to figure how much it cost.  “Maybe Ah should leave a tip.”
Luna shook her head.  “Pony Joe is paying you a compliment.  If you insist on leaving bits on the table you’ll offend him.”
“But it don’t feel right.”
Luna looked around and nodded towards the cash register.  “If it makes you feel better, you can always drop the price of the meal in the charity box up front.  No one would object to that.”
Big Mac smiled.  “Good thinkin’.  Yer a natural-born diplomat.”
“Well then, let me be diplomatic with you.”
“How?” asked the stallion.  
Luna leaned forward and spoke quietly.  “You need to understand that when Pony Joe, or any other pony offers you a complimentary meal or service, it’s not because you’re inherently entitled to it.  That’s a mistake a lot of upper crust ponies and some nobility make.  You can’t demand such treatment, it is something you have to earn, and in spite of how much you may protest to the contrary, you, Big Mac, and your sister have definitely earned the honor.  Ponies will want to thank you in a lot of ways.  Just get used to it, and if it make you feel better, return the compliment by contributing back in some way.”
“Ah can see why you and Celestia do so much charity work…”  
Macintosh suddenly stopped talking when a trio of fillies came up and stood next to the booth.  All three were giggling and whispering back and forth with each other.  They quickly turned and bowed to the alicorn.
“Your highness… may we have permission to speak for a moment with your… friend.”
Luna’s manner and speech instantly became much more formal and she nodded her head briefly.  “Ay… if thou doth wish.”
The fillies turned back towards Big Mac, giving him the impression he was standing in the high powered beams of a searchlight.  “Can Ah help y’all?”
“Ohmygosh!, ohmygosh!.  Are you REALLY Big Macintosh Apple of Ponyville?”
‘Uh…Eeeyup?” 
“See…” said the smallest of the three fillies.  “I told you!”
“You are so handsome,” moaned one of the ponies.
“Sir Macintosh… would you… We mean, could you sign our autograph books… Please, please, please, please?”
He looked nervously at Luna who simply smiled and nodded once more.”
“Uh…. Eeeyup?”
The squeal of delight that escaped them threatened to shatter a nearby window.  Big Mac winced, then took their proffered autograph books and quickly scratched his name across the pages.  He was taken aback when one of the fillies unexpectedly kissed him on the cheek.  She and her friends giggled as they were gently ushered away by Pony Joe who’d come over to investigate the noise.  
The stallion looked at the Princess, his expression more than a little abashed.  “That was very… strange.”
Luna giggled.  “I loved the look on your face when she kissed you.”
“Sorry, Ah didn’t see that comin’.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not jealous.  You do realize you could have just sent them away, or called Pony Joe over when they first popped up.  He would have steered them out the door quickly enough.”
“Ah was tempted, but it might have hurt their feelings.”
“You were worried more about them than yourself?”
“Eeeyup.”
The alicorn smiled.  “Now you’re getting it.  Giving back isn’t always about status or bits.”  She placed her hoof over one of Mac’s.  “Sometimes, it’s just being patient with and learning from others.  That was one of the lessons I learned on my Nightmare Night trip to Ponyville.”
“And now yer teaching it ta me.  Ah couldn’t have a better tutor than you,” the farmer said.  
Luna blushed.  “Flatterer.”
“But it ain’t flattery… Ah’m bein’ honest.”
She chuckled.  “I know… Promise me you’ll always stay honest.  And whatever you do, don’t turn into a Prince Blueblood.”
“Ah don’t think there’s much chance o’ that.”
“You’ve heard of him?” Luna asked.
“Rarity told me about him.  She says he claims ta be Celestia’s nephew.” the farmer said.
“He’s not, at least not by blood.”
“So how’d he become a prince?”  
Luna sighed.  “Tia granted the honorary rank of Prince or Princess to the Patriarchs of Canterlot.”
“The founding families?”  
The alicorn nodded.  “Blueblood’s title is hereditary.  He received it because he is the oldest heir, male or female, in his family.  When he finally has a foal of his own, the title will immediately pass from him to his colt or filly.”
“Wouldn’t that make most o’ these nobles… foals?”
Luna took a sip of her latte.  “Tia set it up this way not long after the death of her fourth husband; about six hundred years ago.  She was feeling very lonely and wanted to be surrounded by foals who would look up to her like a maiden aunt.  That way she could have a family… of sorts.  She tries to help guide and inspire each generation, but leaves most of the rearing to their natural sires.  Most of the foals turn-out quite nicely.  Some turn out…”
“Like Blueblood.”  Macintosh became very quiet for a moment.  “Aside from you, don’t Celestia have any kin or foals o’ her own?”
The Princess of the Night stared down at the table and spoke quietly.  “She’d like that, but she can’t have a foal; not after our battle with Discord.  It was the price she had to pay to bring Harmony to Equestria.”
“Ah never knew…”  The stallion could feel his heart go out to Celestia.
“No pony does.  That’s the way she wants it.
Ah remember enough o’ ma history class to know there were eleven founding families.”
“Yes,” Luna replied.  “There were originally seven Princes and four Princesses.  Now there are only six, three of each.  Seven if you count Twilight’s brother.”  She smiled.  “Blueblood could learn a thing or two from Shining Armor.”  
“Prince Blueblood sounds like some colts Ah knew in school.  When they started humiliatin’ Applejack, Ah had a private talk with ‘em out behind the wood shed.  It straightened ‘em right up.”
“I can imagine,” Luna chuckled.  “Unfortunately, I don’t think that approach would work on Blueblood.”
“A bit too set in his ways?”
“Eeeyup,” giggled Luna.
Finishing their snack, the two ponies rose from their booth and headed for the door.  Pony Joe gave them a friendly wave and smiled when he saw Big Mac drop some bits in the charity box.  
Once they were back out on the street they walked side by side, occasionally rubbing up against each other in a playful manner.  The stallion was a little surprised that no one seemed to take notice of them, especially in light of his new found celebrity and her royal lineage.  When he asked her about it she smiled mischievously.
“After we left the café I might have put the tiniest of glamours on us.  Any pony looking our way will only see a pair of unicorns walking in the moonlight.”  She looked up at the farm pony.  “I hope you don’t mind my putting a spell on you.”
“Nnnope,” he said with a smile.  “Y’all had a spell on me since that first Nightmare Night.”  
Their stroll took them in the direction of the castle and into its gardens.  Despite the lateness of the hour there were more than a dozen couples either sauntering along the garden paths or nestled together on the benches scattered about.  Tall, graceful lamp posts helped illuminate the garden without obscuring the beauty of the night sky.  Statues showing the history of Equestria dotted the landscape, each grand is scale and design.  Big Mac didn’t really pay much attention to them, distracted by the velvet warmth of the princess walking beside him.  
The couple rounded a hedge and the stallion abruptly stopped, jolting Luna from her dreamlike reverie.  She looked up at Big Mac and found him staring at one particular statue, an intensity in his face she did not remember ever seeing before.  Following his gaze she found herself looking at the statue of a draconequus.  It was Discord.
“How can this be here?” the farmer muttered, more to himself than Luna.  
“The statue?” Luna asked.  
“It shouldn’t be here.  Discord was freed from his imprisonment and pardoned.  Ah know, Ah was there.”
The alicorn smiled at his confusion.  “Oh, I understand.  This isn’t really him.  It’s a recreation that Celestia commissioned and had put in the gardens.”
“Why would your sister do that?”
“Well, partially because he represents an important piece of our history, and partially as a reminder for him of what could happen if he breaks the conditions of his parole.”   Luna’s smile faded as she gazed at Big Mac.  He was definitely upset.  “You hate him, don’t you?”
The apple farmer took a deep breath as he shook his head.  “Ah don’t hate the varmint.  You cain’t hate something for living up ta its nature.  Ah just feel a might uncomfortable seeing him again, even if it is only a statue this time.”
“Why?”
“Well, let’s see… The first time he showed up in Ponyville he turned the town inside out, made ma sister a liar, put Granny Smith in bed fer a month by forcing her ta tap dance with her bad hip, and he had me diggin’ holes and tunnels all over the farm like a gopher… A GOPHER, dang it!  Then, the second time he ‘visits’ he floods half the orchard and nearly kills every apple tree by freezin’ the place solid.  Ah may not hate him… but Ah don’t like him.  Nnnope, Ah don’t like him at all.”
“That sounds like a sincere and somewhat salubrious sentiment.”
Big Mac and Luna turned at the sound of the voice.  Standing before them was a very scholarly unicorn.  He had chocolate-colored fur, a charcoal gray mane and tail as well as a van-dyke style beard, all with streaks of lighter gray running through them.  He was dressed in a charcoal gray tweed coat, a white shirt and a dark green bow tie.  His eyes were the same charcoal gray as his mane and he bore a cutie mark of a diploma bound by a green ribbon.  
“If I may introduce myself,” he said. “Professor Pony… scholar and sociological studies lecturer at Pony University, specializing in all things draconequusian.”
“Is that even a word?” the stallion asked, looking at the strange unicorn.
“Of course it is.  I should know because I made it up myself.”  He studied the unicorn couple standing before him then smiled.  “Not, bad… not bad at all for an elementary glamour spell.  But then I shouldn’t expect anything less from a princess, should I… Luna.”
Mac eyed the other pony suspiciously.  “Y’all know who we are?”
The professor looked at the farmer and chuckled impishly.  “Eeeyup.”       

> Chapter 04
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Princess Luna carefully regarded Professor Pony even as she let the glamour slip away from her and Big Macintosh.  “How is it you were able to pierce my illusion?”
“Well, your highness, let’s just say that in my studies of Draconequusian magic I’ve come across a few spells that aren’t available to most unicorns.  The one I used to see through your illusion is something I call The Absolute Truth until It Hurts Incantation.  With it I get purely random glimpses into the reality of what lies beyond normal sight.”
“Randomness is hardly an effective means of casting magic,” the alicorn replied.  “It negates control in favor of power, and that can have ill effects.”
“Ah… But don’t you see?  That’s the whole basis of a Draconequus.  Chaos as a balance to order.  Harmony is unachievable within a closed magical system without a counter-intuitive force.  If you do not understand what chaos is, then you have no concept of harmony.”  The scholar looked at Big Mac. “You’re an intelligent pony.  I’m certain you see what I’m getting at, don’t you?”
“Nnnope.”
The Professor’s ears drooped in momentary defeat.  “It’s amazing how little cognitive intellect exists in the world today,” he muttered to himself.  “How so like your sister you are.”
Big Mac pursed his lips together.  “Ya know Applejack?”
The chocolate-furred pony looked around guiltily as if caught with his hoof in the cookie jar.  “Uh… Did I say anything about knowing Applejack?”  He smiled nervously.
The farmer went muzzle to muzzle with the scholar.  “Eeeyup.”  
There was something distinctly wrong with this pony.  Macintosh could feel it.  He seemed real enough, but there was something about his manner that felt like a puzzle with pieces missing.  No.  On second thought the pieces were not missing… They were hidden.
“Y’all ain’t what ya look ta be… Are ya?” 
“My dear, young stallion… Of course I am who I say I am.  What pony else would I possibly be?  And even if I were, as you seem to think, somepony else, why would I need to hide who I am?”
“Ah don’t know.”
“Ah Ha!  The three words that point the way to knowledge!  You know, maybe you are smarter than you seem at first.  Of course it could also be that insufferable honest streak that runs so deep in your family line.”  The unicorn looked at Big Mac.  “So how does one balance honesty with self-delusion?  Is this love story of a Princess and a Plow Pony the stuff of fantasy or reality?”
“It’s real enough fer me.”
“As I suspected… illusion wins out over the cold, harsh grip of reality every time.”  He turned and leaned against the statue of Discord, looking at Luna.  “And what about you, princess.  Is your love for this ordinary dirt farmer strong enough to hide the reality of the inevitable?  Oh sure, you love him today when he’s young, and strong and viral.  But will you still love him when he’s wearing dentures and has an artificial hip?  Are you ready to be ‘saddled’ with this old geezer even as you remain young and beautiful?”  
Without warning the unicorn’s horn flashed.  There was a sound like the snapping of fingers and Macintosh aged sixty five years in an instant.  His red-fur faded to a dull pinkish-gray.  His mane and tail became a wispy gray-white.  His legs shook with the effort needed just to stand still.  “Don’t you see you’d be tying yourself down to a bag of bones?”
“REMOVE THY SPELL FROM HIM THIS INSTANT OR FACE MY WRATH!”  Princess Luna ordered using her Royal Canterlot voice.  Other ponies within the garden stared at the Princess and began to shy away, even as several members of the Night Guard who had been keeping their distance quickly moved to the alicorn’s side.  
“Alright, alright already!” Professor Pony said, his horn flashing once more.  “I was just trying to illustrate a point.”  
Big Mac vanished for a split second, only to reappear as a gawky pre-adolescent foal.
“Ooopsie!  I took a little too much off the top, didn’t I?”  Once more the unicorn’s horn glowed and there was a snapping sound.  An instant later Macintosh was back to normal, though if one were to look the farmer in the eyes they see more than a little repressed anger bubbling just under the surface.  Outwardly, he forced himself to remain calm.
“There you go, your highness.  One perfectly aged pony, as ordered.”
One of Luna’s more experienced Night Guards came up behind the princess.  “Who is this pony, and how can he do age spells so easily?      
“We could always find out,” Luna replied.  She focused on the unicorn in front of her.  Her horn began to glow with a silvery white luminance that spread to encompass Professor Pony.  The radiance faded and Big Mac lowered the hoof he’d been using to shield his eyes.  The scholarly unicorn remained unchanged except for his eyes.  The gray pupils had turned bright red and were mounted on a pair of yellow-gold sclera. His right pupil was twice the size of the left and his eyebrows, which had been black before, had turned a fuzzy white.  
“Oh… Look what you’ve done,” the scholar said, whipping out a pair of sunglasses which he quickly dropped across his face.  “Now you’ve spoiled the surprise.”  
“DISCORD!” Luna responded upon seeing the change in the unicorn’s eyes.
“In the fur as it were.”  He smiled   “I hope you like the look.  I’ve been working on it for months, developing the musculature, refining the color patterns.  It’s not all that easy to force chaos into a default form that is so… orderly in appearance, but practice makes perfect.  The only REALLY hard part is the eyes   I have a hard time keeping them from shifting back to normal when I’m tired or someone casts a spell intended to see through my disguise.”  He chuckled in a bemused way.  “I guess it’s true what they say.  The eyes ARE the windows to the soul.”
“Why art thou…?  I mean, why are you prancing around like an ordinary pony?” the alicorn asked.
Discord let out a small sigh of boredom.  “Your dear sister wanted me to mingle more with commoners.  You know, get to know the hoi-polloi, learn all about their lives… maybe even make some new friends.  She thought it would broaden my understanding and respect for pony-kind.”
“And this is how you show respect to others… by using your magic on them?”
“My dear Princess…” Discord replied, sauntering up to Luna.  “You know I’ve promised to use my magic to help rather than hurt.  I am merely using it to test the veracity of others, aiding them to confront truths and face up to their own weaknesses and fears.  Any transformative magic I use has a self-imposed time limit of sixty seconds.  Just long enough to get honest responses from some and force others to reevaluate their own self-delusional ideas.”  The brown-furred unicorn reached up with his right fore-hoof and gently patted Luna twice on the face, smiling as he did so.  “Your paramour would have returned to his full glory without any further intervention on my part.”  He turned to face Big Mac once more.  “Think of it as a new spin on the old Socratic method.”
WHAM!
The next thing anypony knew, Discord was describing a high, parabolic arc through the night sky.  Reaching the apex of his flight, he rapidly descended back into the garden, landing in a hedge not far from his launching point.  All eyes suddenly fixed themselves on Big Mac.  The red-furred stallion had spun around and bucked the were-draconequus so quickly no pony had seen it coming, not even Discord.  Mac was literally blowing steam from his nostrils.
“And y’all can consider THAT a new spin on showing proper respect ta ma special somepony.”  He turned back to look at Luna.  The guards surrounding her were staring at him open-mouthed.  She on the other hand had a somewhat subdued smile which she was trying to daintily hide behind a hoof.  Seeing it, the stallion couldn’t suppress a grin of his own.  “Y’all promised ta show me the statue o’ Starswirl before we left.  Now might be a good time.”  The two ponies paced away as a dazed Discord tried to extricate himself from the hedge.  
They’d taken only about two dozen steps when Luna noticed that Mac was beginning to limp and was favoring his back left leg.  “Are you alright?” she asked, concern in her voice.
“Uh… that depends on what ya define as all right,” he replied, his voice thick with pain.
Luna stopped him and began to examine his back leg with her magic.  She could literally feel his fetlock beginning to swell even as he lifted it from the ground to keep pressure off it.  “I think you may have cracked your foot.”
“Eeeyup!”
A voice behind them caused the two ponies to turn.  
“You bucked me!”
Luna and Big Mac looked up to see Discord, once more in his draconequus form towering over them.
“YOU BUCKED ME!” Discord repeated, glowering dangerously at the two ponies.  “In almost two thousand years no one… NO PONY has EVER assaulted me physically.  But YOU… YOU… you FARMER… BUCKED ME INTO A HEDGE!”
Macintosh moved to put himself between the irate Discord and Princess Luna even as her Night Guards raced to intervene.  The draconequus glanced over one shoulder and with a snap of his fingers they were all suddenly transformed into foals, their armor scattered about uselessly. He turned back to confront the stallion.
‘Ya make one move ta harm the princess, and Ah’ll buck ya clear to Manehatten!”
“You would… REALLY,” Discord laughed wickedly.
“Eeeyup!”
“You definitely have some nerve, threatening me that way, with no magic to back it up…  The expression on the draconequus’ face abruptly changed and he smiled warmly.  I LIKE it!”  There was a bright flash and Discord once more assumed the form of Professor Pony, though he retained his eyes.  
“You know, all things considered I deserved that hoof in the face… and for some reason, it felt good, somewhat cleansing if you will.”  
“It did?” Luna asked, rather confused by and wary of Discord’s change of tact.
“Yes… I admit, I haven’t been all that kind to Sir Macintosh and his family in past meetings, but maybe this can serve to clear the air between us.”  He looked at the stallion and reached out with his right foreleg.  “I hope you can consider starting over with me.”
Big Mac stared at Professor Pony long and hard, trying to judge the unicorn’s sincerity.  As he considered the offer there were a series of bright flashes.  Luna’s Night Guard were restored to their normal forms, though they were minus their armor which still lay scattered around the garden.  The farmer tried to gage Discord’s honesty.  Something inside made him feel as if the offer was genuine, but that he should still cut the cards.
The red-furred stallion tentatively reached out and shook the unicorn’s hoof.  Professor Pony beamed in satisfaction.  “I promise from now on you can trust me as far as you can buck me, which is rather considerable when you think about it.”
“Eeeyup.” Mac agreed.
“Come on,” Princess Luna urged gently.  “Let’s go into the castle and have our doctor take a look at your hoof.”
“Your hoof?” Discord asked.  “What’s wrong with it?
“Nothin’ Ah didn’t do ta myself,” Macintosh said as he started taking a series of slow, limping steps.  “Doctor told me this mornin’ ta take it easy and Ah forgot.”
Discord’s horn flared briefly and the farmer suddenly found himself enveloped by a cloud that rolled him on his back and suspended him a foot off the ground.  At the same time a doctor’s reflector appeared on the unicorn’s head along with a stethoscope around his neck.  
“The first thing we need to do is keep you off your hooves.  No sense making things worse.”  The draconequus placed the stethoscope to Mac’s foot and listened.  “So… how’d you hurt yourself?”
“Y’all got a hard head.”
Discord looked at him and chuckled.  “Not surprising.”  He moved the stethoscope around the farmer’s foot several times, then up his leg.”
“I don’t think you’re supposed to use it like that.” Luna observed.
“With all due respect, your highness, who exactly isn’t the doctor here?”  Stepping back he concentrated for a moment and then his horn flashed once more.  
The pain in Macintosh’s leg vanished instantly as did the inflammation.  Moreover, both legs suddenly appeared to be more fleshed out and solid.  “That should do it,” the draconequus said.  “Just make sure you see your own Doctor tomorrow, so he can check my work and be thoroughly confused as to your impossible recovery,” Discord grinned.  With that, both he and the cloud vanished, gently dropping Big Mac back on his hooves.  
The pony flexed his legs several times and smiled.  “Ya know, he ain’t such a bad fella, once ya get ta buck him.”     

**********

“So what did you do next?” Celestia asked her sister as she sipped on her morning tea.  Breakfast and Supper were the two meals the alicorn sisters took together, their schedules being so different.  
“Well, we strolled around the gardens for a while and found this lovely, private place to sit and talk…”
“And cuddle,” the Sun Princess said, a smile gracing her lips.  
Luna’s face turned a little red at her sister’s comment.  “Tia… what sort of pony do you think I am?” she protested.
“One who’s heart over hooves in love,” she responded.  
Luna sighed dreamily.  “Yes, I suppose I am.  Anyway, after that I had the Night Guard break out a sky chariot and fly Macintosh home.”  She yawned, and stretched.  “You know…I think I’ll turn in a little early this morning.”  Luna rose from the breakfast table and strolled to the door, her hips swaying just a little more than usual, almost as if she were practicing for somepony.  
“Pleasant dreams, Lulu,” said Celestia, smiling as her sister left.  “Oh, and that reminds me.   Before you go to sleep, could you please cast a cone of silence around your bed, just in case you have another of your erotic dreams like the one yesterday?  It tends to make the guards all hot and bothered when you moan in your sleep the way you do.” 

**********

By the time Big Mac arrived at Sweet Apple Acres there was a faint glow in the eastern horizon.  He hadn’t originally intended to be up all night, but that was before his impromptu visit to Canterlot.  Yawning, he paced up onto the front porch and went inside the farmhouse.  Granny Smith was in the kitchen mixing batter in a very large bowl for flapjacks.  Behind her their new cook, Funnel Cake, was busy baking apples, making coffee and heating the griddle for Granny.  The elderly Apple looked up as her grandson came into the house.
“Wipe yer hooves, young ‘un before ya track mud all over ma nice clean rugs.”
“Already done, Granny,” Big Mac replied.  “Is Applejack awake yet?”
“She’s in the livin’ room.  Been waitin’ up fer ya all night.  Don’t think the dear’s gotten a lick of sleep, lessin she were usin’ ma rocker.”
The stallion tip-toed into the living room and peeked around the bookcase.  Sure enough, Applejack was there alright, snoring without a care in the world as she sat in the old rocking chair.  On her lap was a worn, birch riding crop that Mac remembered his father using from time to time to get his foals back on the straight and narrow after they’d strayed.  He raised his eyebrows, wondering what his sister was doing with it.  Treading carefully across the room, he gently relieved Applejack of the crop and silently draped a saddle blanket across her.   
When he walked into the kitchen Granny immediately put him to work getting down plates, cups, bowls and silverware and taking it out to the long table set up next to the farmhouse.  He spread out the large red and white checkered tablecloth and enough place settings for himself, Applejack, Applebloom, Granny and the twelve farmhands.  Funnel Cake usually ate inside nibbling on her own breakfast while fixing food for everypony else.  The cool morning breeze ruffled his mane and he smiled.  He decided that if the doctor approved of Discord’s healing magic, he’d use today to get started laying out the foundation for their new bunkhouse.  He could see lights blink on in the tent the farmhands were using as one by one they began stirring.  
Once the place settings were distributed, Big Mac helped bring the food out and set it round the table.  He then went up to the porch and began ringing a large triangle.  “YEEHA!  ALRIGHT EVERYPONY, ROLL OFF YER COTS AND GRAB YER SOCKS!  CHOWS ON!  COME ON AND GET IT WHILE IT’S HOT!  THERE’S WORK TA BE DONE AND WE’RE BURNIN’ DAYLIGHT!”
He continued to ring the triangle for a solid minute before hanging the beater back on a hook on the wall.  Trotting down to the table he was joined by the rest of his family and the twelve farmhands.  Applejack looked like she was half asleep, but perked right up after taking a couple of sips of coffee.  Applebloom however was a bundle of energy having had a good night’s sleep.  
“So what did you and Luna do all night last night?” the little filly asked.  She was rewarded by a not too subtle kick under the table from Applejack.  A couple of farm ponies looked up at the mention of the Princess’ name.  
Trying to keep things as casual as possible Big Mac smiled. “She and Ah just wandered around town lookin’ at the sights before she had ta go home.”
“But y’all were out all night… weren’t ya?  OW!”  Applebloom glared at her older sister who glared right back and made a zipper movement across her mouth with her hoof.  The young filly suddenly understanding that the topic was off limits, especially in front of the hired help.  Unfortunately, the comments had already stirred up some interest.  
A medium sized pony with brown and beige fur and a black mane and tail chuckled. “Big Macintosh Apple… on a date with some filly?  That’s hard to believe.”
“Come on Ponderosa… Why not?  He’s just as much a stallion as the next colt.”
“Why not?  Because,” the pony said, “Mac’s already got a lady in his life.  She’s called Sweet Apple Acres and he’s too much of work pony to ever give that gal up.”
Several of the harvesters chuckled along with Ponderosa.
“Still… It’s kinda interesting that he takes up with some gal named Luna not six weeks after saving the Princess herself.”
“What exactly are you saying, Barnstormer.  That old Mac here and the Princess are dating?”  That elicited another round of chuckles from the farmhands.  
The stallion pushed his annoyance aside and smiled.  “Ah don’t recall ever tellin any of y’all anythin like that,” Big Mac said, trying to defuse the conversation..
“Don’t you young ‘uns have anything else ta do other than flappin yer jaws,” chided Granny Smith.  “As I recall yer all on fumigation duty this morning.  So the sooner ya finish breakfast, the sooner y’all can get after them bark beetles over on the hillside.”  She turned and looked at her grandson.  “Ain’t that right?”
“Eeeyup,” the apple farmer replied.  He didn’t miss Granny’s sly little wink at him when no pony else was looking. 
The conversation quickly turned to bark beetles and apple bucking for the rest of the meal.  Once they finished eating, Ponderosa led the other workers up to the barn where they collected their fumigation gear and headed off to the orchards.  Applebloom set about clearing the dishes and taking them into the kitchen where she helped Funnel Cake wash and dry them before grabbing her school bags, getting hugs and kisses from her family, and then galloping out the door.
As they watched the youngest Apple gallop up the road, Applejack tapped her brother on the shoulder and motioned for him to follow her.  She led them behind the toolshed and after checking to make sure no pony was listening she lit into her brother.
“Just where the hay did y’all go last night?”
“Uh… Canterlot.”
“CANTERLOT?  Y’all went off ta CANTERLOT without sayin’ a word ta me or Granny?”
“Well… Ah didn’t exactly plan ta go.  The Princess knew about this all night café she wanted ta show me and before Ah knew it, she’d teleported us and we were standin in front o’ it in Canterlot.”
“Okay… So y’all went out fer a quick dessert and tea.  Fine, but what kept y’all out all night?”  
“Well, after hanging out at Pony Joe’s she showed me the Canterlot Gardens and we got ta talking and one thing just led ta another and before we knew it, it were almost morning.”
“So nothin’ too personal happened tween ya and the Princess?”
“Nnnope.”
“Good.  Ah’m glad ya have the sense not ta get too comfortable with each other.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that ya ain’t causin any kind o’ royal scandal.”
“Since when is ma datin’ the Princess any kind o’ scandal?” Macintosh said irritably.  “Don’t y’all think Ah’m good enough for a Princess?”
“Of course y’all are.  Yer not only better than most, yer almost too good for her!”
Big Mac’s mouth dropped open.  “Are y’all sayin that she’s not good enough for me?”
“No… Ah’m saying yer ma brother and I worry about ya being happy.  Farmin’ has always been somethin’ that makes ya happy, but if ya get together with Princess Luna, ya may not be able ta work the farm anymore, and that might make ya unhappy.”  Applejack paused and looked into her brother’s eyes.  “Ah just want ya to know what y’all could be getting’ inta.”
“Do ya honestly think Ah haven’t thought about this, Applejack.  Do ya think Ah’m just some dumb hick farmer who cain’t figure things out fer himself?”
“No… Y’all are not.  What ya are is a pony heart over hoofs in love with his dream filly, and she’s in love with you.  Ah just don’t want ya ta forget about us… Yer family.”  There was a very long pause as the stallion and young mare looked at each other.
“Yer jealous,” Big Mac said quietly.  “Yer actually jealous o’ Luna.”
“AH AM NOT!” Applejack yelled a little too forcefully.
The red-furred stallion looked at his sister and slowly shook his head.  “Ya know what… Right now this conversation is gettin’ a little too intense and Ah’m too tired to follow ma own thoughts, let alone yers.”  He turned and started walking slowly back to the farmhouse.
“Where are Y’ALL goin?”
“Back ta the house ta take a nap.  If ya want ta talk more, we can do it later.”
Applejack watched as her brother slowly paced towards the house.  “AH AIN’T JEALOUS,” she called after him.  She watched as he disappeared around the front porch.  “Ah ain’t jealous,” she repeated to herself.  The palomino pony looked down into a rain barrel next to the shed, gazing at her own reflection.  
“Am Ah?” 

> Chapter 05
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“Ah just don’t know what ta think?  Ah mean, is Big Mac right?  Am Ah jealous o’ Princess Luna?  Am Ah afraid of losin’ ma big brother ta her?  It ain’t like the farm will fall apart without him.  There are more than enough workers there ta fill in fer Mac, and then some.  Add to that we’re finally goin’ ta turn a sizable profit.  We’ll do alright while he gallivants off ta Canterlot.  Lord knows how often he’s had ta hold down things on his own while Ah was off saving Equestria or the Chrystal Empire.  Am Ah bein’ sincere or just a whinny little nag?”  Applejack looked up from the couch she was reclining on.  “What do y’all think, Twi?”
The pen levitated across the journal page as the lavender alicorn scratched some notes to herself.  “Well… the first thing you need to do is ask yourself if Big Mac is really your BBBFF?”
“Actually… He’s more like my BBBFFFF.”
“BBBFFFF?”
“Big Brother Best Friend and Father Figure Forever.  After ma and pa died, he took over and helped Granny Smith raise me and Applebloom.”
“So that means you have an even stronger emotional connection with Macintosh than I have with my brother, Shining Armor.”	
“Ah suppose so,” Applejack said. 
“So now that you know how you feel about Mac, ask yourself how you feel about Luna?”	
“Well… First, she’s Celestia’s sister,” the cow pony said.  “I know and trust Princess Celestia ta always do the right thing, even though Ah may not always understand the reasons behind it.”
“That’s a good start,” Twilight responded.
“Ah know that she loves Luna as much as Ah love Big Mac,” Applejack continued.  “She trusts her… but…”
“But what?”
“Ah’ve seen Luna at her worst, when she was Nightmare Moon.  If we’d allowed it, she would have cast the whole darn world inta eternal night.”
“We all saw that,” the alicorn said.  “But you have to remember, Luna was possessed by an evil being who was using her.  We banished it, and freed her from its influence.”
“Ah know,” Applejack said.  “In ma head Ah know that.  Ma sense of honesty tells me she’s reformed, that she can be trusted…”
“What does your heart tell you?”
There was a very long pause.  The palomino pony tapped her fore hoof several times nervously, then she looked at her friend.  “In ma heart… she scares me.  She scares me somethin’ fierce.”
“You?… Scared?”
Applejack nodded, silently.  Twilight put down her journal and pen and rested herself at the foot of the couch.  “What is it about Princess Luna that scares you, exactly?”
“Ah don’t know,” she muttered.  
“Do you remember a time when you were younger, when you were a foal and you felt just as scared?”
There was another very long pause.  “When ah was little… not too long after ma parents died, I remember havin’ nightmares.  Lots of ‘em.”
“Do you remember what these nightmares were about?”
Applejack shook her head.  “Not exactly.  They was all jumbled up and mixed together with storybook characters that frightened most foals.”
“Would that include Nightmare Moon?”
“Maybe,” the farm pony admitted, “though I don’t really remember.  Often Ah’d wake up afraid Ah was all alone in a dark place.”
“And what would you do when you woke up?” Twilight encouraged.
“Ah’d run ta Big Mac’s room and crawl inta bed with him.  He’d always hug me and let me sleep with him and Ah’d feel safe.”  The cow pony paused for a moment in reflection.  “And when Ah was with him ma nightmares would go away…  Come ta think on it, he and Ah slept together every night fer almost a year.”
“So why are you afraid now?  Are you scared that Luna is going to take Big Mac away, that you’ll never feel safe again.”  The cow pony simply looked down at her hooves without responding.  “You know,” Twilight said, “I’ve felt exactly that same way, when Shining Armor and Princess Cadence were engaged.”
“Ya have?”
“Don’t you remember?  When Cadence didn’t seem to be acting normally, I thought she was out to take my brother away from me.  I was afraid I was going to lose him forever.”
“But in yer case, it was true.  Queen Chrysalis was tryin’ ta control yer brother so she could attack Canterlot.”
“Yes,” replied Twilight, “but I didn’t know it at the time.  It wasn’t until I found the true Cadence and worked together with her to foil the Queen that my fear vanished.”
“So yer sayin’ that if Ah spend some time with Luna, get ta know her as it were, Ah wouldn’t be afraid no more?”
“Maybe.  At the very least, you’ll be less likely to think of her as Nightmare Moon and more likely to see her for all the good she can do,” the alicorn said.  
Applejack thought about it for a minute or two.  “Alright, Ah’ll do it, though Ah don’t want Big Mac to know about it, at least not right yet.”
“Fair enough,” Twilight said.  “I’ll write a quick note to Princess Celestia and set things up.”
“Ya ain’t gonna tell her about our little talk, are ya?”
“No,” the lavender princess replied.  “I’ll just tell her that you’re going to be in Canterlot later today and ask if she can put you up in my room at the palace until tomorrow.  All you have to do then is invite Luna out for a late supper at someplace nice and have a friendly filly’s night out.”
“Today?  But Ah’ve got work ta do on the farm.”
“Can Big Mac fill in for you?”
“Well, yeah, Ah suppose; now that the doctor says he’s all healed up.  Fact o’ the matter is, he’s probably itchin’ ta get back ta work.  But how do Ah explain ma takin’ the rest o’ today and tonight off?”
“Just tell him you’re running an errand for me and you’ll be back tomorrow.”
“Ah cain’t fib ta ma brother.”
“It won’t be a fib.  I need to return some overdue books to the University library and you can do that for me.” 
Applejack smiled.  “Thanks Twi.  Ah’ll go tell Mac Ah’m gonna be gone and pack an overnight saddlebag.”  The cow pony started trotting towards the library door.  
“Good.  By the time you get back, I’ll have the letter sent, the train ticket bought, a list of good restaurants for you and the crate packed and ready.”
Applejack skidded to a stop.  “The crate?”

**********

The train trip into Canterlot was quite pleasant.  The majority of coaches were not crowded and since the journey normally only took a couple of hours Applejack arrived with plenty of time to hire a wagon and deliver the overdue books to the University.  The alicorn hadn’t been kidding when she’d mentioned a crate.  Most of the texts had been borrowed under a book exchange program that Twilight had set up between the Ponyville library and several other libraries in Canterlot, Manehatten and Fillydelphia.  Once the books were checked in and the fines were paid Applejack’s time became her own.  
Strolling past the university’s main gate, Applejack glanced toward the clock tower.  It was just after two-thirty.  According to the arrangements Twilight had made, she would be expected at the castle about five.  As she glanced around she noticed a small public bulletin board next to the gate filled with posts about everything from missing pets, to textbooks for sale or requests for roommates.  One notice, older than the others, drew her attention because of the odd language it used.  As best as she could make out, it said something like “Sic Semper Tyrannus ab Nox Noctis”.  Some other ponies had scribbled words like “idiots” and “fanatics” across it, along with a few choice words one would not use in polite conversation.  Having no idea what it meant, she shrugged and went on about her own business.   
The palomino pony decided that this might be a good time to visit the Equestrian Farm Bureau and catch up on the latest programs and regulations that had been put in place.  It took her about an hour, but when she left he had nearly a dozen flyers and notices tucked into her saddlebag.  One discussed subsidized health programs for elderly farm folk.  Another outlined a scholarship program for ponies working on degrees in horticulture, agriculture, animal husbandry or veterinary medicine.  Both Applebloom and Fluttershy might benefit from the information.
Turning down a side street, Applejack found herself in Canterlot’s theatre district.  Several playhouses advertised a number of popular shows such as ‘The Music Mare,’  ‘Three Pony Opera,’ and ‘Twelve Angry Colts.’  A thought suddenly occurred to the apple farmer.  Twilight had suggested having a filly’s night out.  Why not invite Luna out to a variety show.  It might be a good way to break the ice and get to know her better; and what better way to show her brother that she wasn’t jealous of the Princess. 
Finding a nearby Vaudeville Playhouse, Applejack checked out the marquee.  She recognized a couple of names and knew they were solid performers who always delivered a good laugh.  Add to that, the evening performance started at eight and would let out early enough for Luna and her to sit and talk at one of the restaurants on Twilight’s list.  Going to the box office, she found that there was, in fact, a private box available for that evening.  Being an off peak night, the price was actually quite reasonable, especially when Applejack took into consideration how much money she was saving by staying at the Palace.  
Having bought the tickets, she spent the rest of the afternoon strolling through several of Canterlot’s market squares.  The farmer in her wondered how much it cost to set up a stall here and how well their apples might sell, especially now that Sweet Apple Acres was becoming a ‘brand’ name.  The country filly couldn’t help but chuckle to herself over some of the very odd styles of mane, tail and clothing she saw all around her.
Applejack arrived at the gates to Canterlot Castle promptly at five.  There, a very professional looking Royal Guard checked her name against a list of official visitors.  He then signaled to another guards-pony, this one a pegasi, and had her escorted to the reception hall.  It always made the cow pony a bit overwhelmed to see the deliberately understated opulence of the castle.  It was almost as if the Royal Pony Sisters lived, not so much in a castle as an art museum.  	Reaching the reception room, Applejack was guided to a comfortable bench complete with satin cushions and politely told to wait.  She sat for less than two minutes before one of the castle stewards came over and guided her to the doors of the throne room.  They opened and she was passed on to another steward who promptly tapped his great staff three times against the tiled floor and announced, “Presenting to Your Majesty, the Lady Applejack Apple, Knight Bachelor to the Order of the Equestrian Star, Bearer to the Element of Honesty.”    
Applejack bowed in the direction of the throne.
Princess Celestia rose from her seat atop a raised dais and smiled.  She gracefully paced over to farmer and hugged her warmly.  “Applejack.  How wonderful to see you again.”
“Howdy yer Highness.  Ah hope yer havin’ yerself a good day.”
“It’s always a good day when I get to visit with friends… particularly when there is no looming crisis,” she nickered jovially.  
“It’s really nice to see y’all as well.”  
Even as she greeted the Princess, the Chief Steward paced over to Celestia and quietly whispered something in her ear.  The alicorn nodded and returned her attention to Applejack.  “I still have one or two more official visitors I must talk to, but I’d very much like to have you join Luna and I for supper, in, shall we say about thirty minutes?  Casual dress, of course.”
“Yes yer majesty.”
Celestia smiled again, her whole face shining, as the cow pony was escorted from the chamber and up to her room.  She discovered that instead of Twilight’s old room, she was being put up in one of the smaller ambassadorial suites, complete with balcony and an impressive view of Canterlot and the valley beyond leading to Ponyville.  If she squinted, she thought she could almost see clear to Sweet Apple Acres.  

**********

Supper, as Celestia had promised, was a casual and relaxing event.  Despite their status as princesses, when dining alone their meals tended to be simple, but savory.  It also provided the Sun Princess an opportunity to fill Luna in on key events of the day and prepare her for the night court on those evenings it was to be in session.  Tonight was not one of those occasions, so their conversation was much more informal.  Applejack suspected that Twilight had known this, which was why she insisted she visit Luna tonight.  
The cow pony, for her part, filled both princesses in on the local events in and around Ponyville, including some of the more humorous elements of a recent Pinky Pie party.   
“So what happened after the topee was found floating in the punch bowl?” asked Celestia.
“Pinky fished it out, slapped it back on its owner’s head and took a swig o’ the punch.  She then asked him what brand o’ mane conditioner he was using… said it gave the punch a nice kick and she wanted ta make it part o’ the recipe.”
All three fillies laughed long and loud.  “Perhaps,” the Sun Princess said, “I should consider putting her in charge of next season’s Grand Galloping Gala.”
“If you did, sister, t’would make the celebration much more… unpredictable,” Luna observed. 
“T’would?” asked Celestia.”
“Sorry, I mean it would.”  The blue furred alicorn sighed.  “Getting use to modern prose is hard.”
“Well, Ah think yer doin’ a slam-bang job, yer highness,” Applejack insisted.  “It cain’t be easy ta rethink the way ya talk, especially with all the public speakin’ y’all have ta do.”
“Truer words were never spoken, ‘Miss Elisa Doolittle,” Celestia replied, winking slyly at her sister.  Luna politely put a hoof to her mouth and nickered lightly.  Applejack just looked  back and forth between the two sisters.  
“Come again?”
“Sorry,” the Sun Princess said.  “I was referring to a stage play we recently saw called ‘My Fair Filly.’  You reminded me a bit of the main character.
Applejack smiled.  “Y’all are joshin’ me right?”
“Of course…”
“Naturally…”
The farm pony had the distinct feeling she was outside the loop on whatever joke was being shared by the two princesses, but she didn’t mind.  It gave her a perfect opportunity to spring her little surprise.  
“Speakin’ o’ plays, I happen ta have a couple o’ tickets ta a vaudeville show fer this evening and I was wonderin if maybe Princess Luna would like ta go with me?” 
“Me?
Celestia smiled broadly.  “That sounds like a wonderful suggestion, Lulu.  It would give the two of you a chance to have some fun… to get to know each other.”
“What about you, Tia?  What will you do this evening?”
“Something I’ve wanted to do all day… that’s have a nice, luxurious bubble bath then relax with a cup of tea, a few cookies and a good, trashy romance novel.”
The blue-furred alicorn looked down at her plate.  “I’m not entirely certain I feel comfortable with being out in public this evening,” Luna replied.
“Paparazzi nerves?” Celestia asked.
The Princess of the Night simply nodded.  It reminded Applejack a bit of Fluttershy.   
“Well shoot, if that’s all that’s botherin’ ya it ain’t no problem at all.  We can arrive at the show a tad late and sneak in the side door.   Ah got us private box seats so hardly any pony will notice us sitting there, lessen o’ course y’all break out inta song or cast a spell or do somethin’ like that.”
Luna smiled at this last and decided to accept the invitation.

**********

The two fillies arrived at the theatre a little after eight, riding in an ordinary carriage for hire.  The manager himself ushered them in and quietly led them to their box.  As Applejack had predicted, almost no pony noticed their late arrival, the audience being fully engaged with a lively pair of pegasi dancers doing an old fashioned ‘buck and wing.’
Naturally enough, there were members of the night guard seeded throughout the theatre.  Captain Ironhoof had insisted, but at Luna’s urging they were dressed in more ordinary attire so they blended in with the crowd.  The first half of the show went well, and the Princess began to loosen up and enjoy herself.  Both she and Applejack started exchanging humorous family stories between acts, with Luna hanging onto every word the farm pony had to say about Big Mac.  During the intermission they remained in the box while one of the two guards stationed in the hallway behind them went to the lobby to bring them some refreshments.  
With the house lights up, a number of ponies noticed the princess sitting above them and either waved or bowed.  Luna returned their greetings with a brief nod and warm smile, but was glad when the house lights once more dimmed.  
It wasn’t until a third of the way through the second half of the show that it happened.  Both Applejack and the princess were laughing at the antics of a couple of stage clowns as they hurled insults at each other and the audience.  One moment the farm pony was smiling and pointing to the stage, and the next she was looking at Luna in surprise and shock.  
From somewhere in the balcony a very large and unpleasantly over-ripe tomato struck the Princess in the side of the head.  Juice and rotten pulp splattered through her mane and fur and stung her left eye.  Applejack saw a lean, spiky maned unicorn jumping up and down in triumph.  
“Down with the Midnight Tyrant! Down with Nightmare Moon!” he yelled.  Several ponies sitting next to him saw what had happened and had grabbed him, outraged by what he’d just done.  Within moments, the Night Guard arrived, saving him from being pummeled.  The commotion brought the show to a complete stop and every eye was turned toward Luna, some fearful of the alicorn’s power.  The Princess slowly rose and looked out on the audience.
“Well,” she said, trying to keep her voice light, dabbing a hoof-kerchief to the red stain,  “Thou would think that with that kind of aim he’d be a hurler for the Canterlot cricket team.”
There was a light, collective chuckle from the patrons.  
Luna gestured to the performers on stage.  “Please, pray thee continue whilst I go… freshen up.”  She vanished in a flash of magic even as the vaudevillians bowed and tried to pick up the routine as best they could.  
Applejack also left the box and headed for a nearby powder room.  She arrived just as one of the Night Guard was taking up station outside the door.  Recognizing her, he allowed the farm pony to pass, but barred the way for everypony else.  
She entered the room and heard soft crying coming from a corner near the sink.  Sure enough, she found Luna curled up weeping in humiliation.  Her normally flowing mane drooped limply across her body, robbed of all its magical essence.  	“Princess?  Are ya alright?”
“Please,” she whispered softly between the tears.  “Let me be.  I am nothing but a monster.  They will never see me as anything else.  Leave me alone.”
Applejack looked upon the alicorn and wondered what it was that she’d been afraid of before.  This was no Nightmare Moon, no scheming pony trying to steal her brother from her.  What she saw was nothing more than a lost, hurt and frightened filly.  She knelt next to her and reached out to wrap her fore legs around her.  Despite her previous words, Luna leaned into the cow pony seeking comfort and reassurance.  They held each other for several long minutes as the princess tried to regain her composure.
“Y’all ain’t a monster ta most ponies.  Not ta me or Big Mac, or Granny or Applebloom.”
She reached up and grabbed several towels which she used to wipe at the tomato stain.  “The pony who did this was just one outta a whole theatre full.  Everypony in there was just as shocked and hurt to see this happen as you were.”
She gently coaxed the Princess to her hooves, then continued cleaning her hair and fur.  “Ah mean, did ya see how the Night Guard had ta protect mister spiky mane from the audience.  They were fit ta be tied.”  
Applejack pulled a particularly large glop of tomato from Luna’s mane.  “Ya know, come ta think of it, Ah believe that feller was jealous o’ you.”
“Jealous?  How?” the alicorn sniffed.
“Y’all see his mane?  Whew doggies, he has about as much fashion sense as a hedgehog.  He probably took one look at yer mane and was struck stupid with jealousy.”
Luna smiled slightly at the attempt at humor.  She began using her own magic to help Applejack remove the rest of the tomato from her mane, fur and face.  With the princess’ help, the task of ‘freshening up’ was quickly completed.  Luna’s mane once more began flowing.
There was a soft tapping at the door.	 
“Your majesty?”
Applejack trotted over to the door and opened it a crack.  It was the theatre manager.  
“Is her highness alright.”
“Yes?” called Luna as she wiped away the tear stains and went over to the door.  Seeing her the older earth pony relaxed.  
“Please excuse me, Princess, but we would very much like to finish our presentation for this evening and require your attendance to do so.”  
“Did not I request you continue thy performance without me?” Luna asked.  “I though thou prided thyself on the tradition that the show must go on?”
“Well, yes, you are correct on both accounts, however, I’m afraid that neither the performers nor the audience will allow it without your presence.”
Applejack grinned ear to ear.  “Well, don’t that beat all?”  The cow pony flung open the powder room door and trotted past the manager.  “Come on, yer highness.  You cain’t keep yer fans waitin’.”
Luna followed Applejack back to the private box, escorted by her Night Guard and the now beaming manager.  She hesitantly stepped back into the box and was greeted with a thunderous ovation.  
It took almost five minutes for the noise to subside enough for the show to continue.  The clowns from the previously interrupted act immediately launched into an impromptu game of cricket using tomatoes instead of kookaburra balls.  Their antics left the audience roaring with laughter, Luna among them.   
> Chapter 06
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	In the months that had passed since Applejack’s visit to Canterlot, Big Mac had gotten back fully into the swing of things around the farm.  He’d finished the new bunkhouse which sported a fresh coat of white paint with red trim, a contrast to the nearby barn.  He’d refenced the north orchard and built a small, private gazebo at his and Luna’s favorite spot.  
The spring harvest season for their cider apples had ended successfully with their entire supply being sold out.  It had proven so popular with some big city ponies that Macintosh was in negotiations with one of his neighbors to purchase about 30 additional acres of fallow land so future supplies of cider apples could be increased.  
Mid-summer was a growing season, so two thirds of the farmhands had moved on to other farms, with promises to return when the next cycle of apple bucking arrived in the fall.  The four who remained, Gala Apple, Apple Cake, Apple Seed and Caramel Apple were all cousins and part of the extended Apple family.  They were studying firsthand how a farm operated and, with Big Mac as their mentor, learning the basic carpentry and machine repair skills needed to keep an enterprise like Sweet Apple Acres viable.  Demand for Apple brand products was now such that even some of their relatives’ farms had increased sales, be they apples, carrots, hay or oats. 
Applejack, in addition to acting as fore pony, was taking a correspondence course on business management.  She was especially interested in finding out if they could incorporate their business to gain some tax advantages and protection from potential legal problems.
Even Granny Smith was livelier than ever.  Her hip problem had mysteriously vanished two weeks earlier after a sales pony had talked her into buying a new type of miracle health elixir.  When told that the stranger had sported a gray streaked van dyke and had a diploma as his cutie mark, Macintosh smiled knowingly.  
Applebloom was still, well Applebloom and had been using the last few weeks of summer to aggressively crusade in and around Ponyville.  .
Princess Luna continued making her nocturnal visits to the farm.  Though she seemed much more self-assured, she still wanted to keep her relations with the farm pony out of the public eye, afraid that too much attention might ruin the quiet of Sweet Apple Acres which she now considered a retreat from the life of a princess.  She also confessed to Big Mac that she felt a certain, thrill, in hoodwinking the tabloids and paparazzi who often wondered how she spent her free time.  The red furred pony didn’t mind if it meant he could be with Luna more often.  Besides, he’d promised Princess Celestia that he would let her sister decide the direction of their relationship.  
Naturally, with privacy in mind, whenever they went out on dates in Canterlot, she would use her glamour charm to disguise Mac and herself as unicorns.   Fortunately the farmer had gotten used to Luna’s teleport spell making quick trips to the city easy.  If they felt like visiting Ponyville, they would both look like earth ponies.  Her guards were the only ones who were allowed to see through the enchantment, but only as far as was necessary for them to do their jobs. 
At the moment, the two ponies were sitting together in their gazebo, leaning against each other, their necks entwined.  “It’s hard to believe it’s been almost seven months since the night Queen Chrysalis attacked us,” muttered Luna as she gently rubbed her cheek against the hard muscle and soft fur of the farmer.
“Eeeyup.”
“A nightmare that became a beautiful dream.”
“Eeeyup.”
“Are you ready for the investment ceremony?”
“Eeeyup.”  The red-furred suddenly stirred and looked at the Princess.  “Wait… What?”
“Your investment ceremony… you know, the formal ritual inducting you as a Knight Bachelor in the Order of the Equestrian Star.”  Luna studied Big Mac’s face.  “Don’t you know?”
“Uh… Nnnope.  Ah thought Ah already was a knight… whatever.”
“You have been nominated for the honor, yes, but it’s not official until the ceremony of investment takes place, and that won’t be until the Autumn Equinox in three weeks.”  She shook her head slightly.  “Hasn’t Sir Silver Lance been instructing you?”
“Nnnope.  Ah don’t even know who this Sliver Lance fellow is,” Big Mac replied.
Luna frowned.  “He was assigned as your mentor two weeks ago.  I am… surprised that he hasn’t even had the courtesy to call on you, especially with time getting short.”
“So what’s involved in this ceremony thing?”
“It’s pretty much the same formality that Twilight, Applejack and the other Elements went through two years ago after defeating Discord.”
“Ah remember that,” the farmer said.  “It had somethin’ ta do with a window if Ah recall.”
“Yes,” nodded the Princess.  “A stained glass window is being created showing how you earned your Knighthood.”  
Mac grinned.  “Granny is always joshin’ Applejack that the only windows in our family history are the barroom ones Gramps was always gettin’ thrown out of when he was younger.”
Luna chuckled hearing this.  “I’m afraid there’ll be no throwing ponies out these particular windows.  They’re too expensive and have enchantments on them to resist breakage.  Rainbow Dash found that out the hard way when she tried to bash an image of Discord.”
“Eeeyup…Sounds like Rainbow alright.”  
“I’ll talk with Tia about this and find out what happened with Silver Lance.”  
The alicorn nuzzled herself together with Big Mac and sighed softly.  Just being here with the stallion made the world a safe place.  Nothing, no pony, no evil influence could disturb her as long as he was by her side.  With this absolute peace and contentment came a soft, glowing warmth she hadn’t remembered feeling before.  She reached out with one wing and draped it delicately across the farmer’s back and drifted off to sleep, her horn glowing with the same albedo as the moon above.  
Looking down fondly on the Princess, Macintosh smiled, kissed her on the muzzle then rested his head next to hers.

**********  

There were times Princess Celestia found it hard to maintain her composure when conducting court.  More often than not these usually involved a blatant disrespect for one’s fellow pony, a social status conflict between nobility and commoners or some kind of ridged, bureaucratic rule.  Today, they involved all three.
Examining the document that hovered before her, the Sun Princess kept glancing back and forth between it and the three nobles who stood before her.  “The decree you cite is more than four hundred years old.” 
Prince Blueblood nodded towards the alicorn princess.  “Yes, Auntie, but as you can see this decree was clearly intended to prevent unworthy ponies from being given titles and honor which they did not deserve.”
“Do not presume to explain its intent to me.  I was the one who wrote it,” Celestia responded.  She glanced down on the Ad hoc committee of ponies before her.  Blueblood was, as usual, his normal, arrogant self.  Next to him stood a pegasus filly with green fur, a fancy gold mane and tail streaked with white, and more than enough jewels to fund the Ponyville clinic for a year.  Her name was Emerald Cloud.  The final committee member was none other than Sir Silver Lance himself, a well-proportioned, beige-furred unicorn with a black mane and tail.  He was dressed in the armor of a Colonel in the Equestrian Army. 
“Aunt Celestia I was just…”
“You were just trying to tell me how I should administer the honors system for this Kingdom,” she replied, a slight note of disapproval in her voice.  “When this decree was written, it was INTENDED to prevent ponies of wealth from buying themselves honors and titles that are reserved only for the most deserving… A knighthood is and must always be granted without consideration of origin or social status.  To do anything else dishonors the Order itself.  Any pony who has met the criteria of such honors must and will be knighted… ”
“Your highness,” Silver Lance began.  “I believe that Blueblood does have a point.  Traditionally, this honor is granted to high ranking nobles and military officers who have made significant contributions to Equestria.”
“Yes… I remember the rule as well.  To render service to the nation and the crown above and beyond the normal call of duty.”  She looked at the colonel.  “Simply because a pony is not a member of the military does not preclude rendering service above and beyond what would be expected.  Do you think that saving my sister and foiling a plot against the kingdom, single hoofed, has no merit, particularly as Sir Macintosh nearly died as a result of his efforts?”
“Your majesty,” interjected Emerald Cloud, “I do not think it proper to refer to Mr. Apple with the title, Sir, until he has been properly invested…when, and if that should ever occur.”
Celestia passed the document back to her secretary, closed her eyes and slowly began counting to ten.  At times like this she wished she hadn’t sent Princess Cadence to rule the Chrystal Empire.  Her presence was always calming.   “Macintosh Apple has earned the title and he shall be knighted… Of that I AM certain.”
“But Aunt Celestia,” Blueblood insisted.  “He’s nothing but a dirt farmer, an earth pony with no pedigree or status.”  The other two ponies with him winced.
The alicorn glared at the ‘Honorary’ prince, half wishing he would go annoy Discord with his arrogance.  She smiled thinking of all the things the draconequus would probably do to him that she would, or could not.  
“What did you have for breakfast, ‘nephew?’” she asked quietly.
“I… well… oat cream, with macadamia nuts and honey, tea and a mojito.” 
“And did you prepare this yourself?”
“No, of course not.  My servants did.”
“Did your servants grow the oats and nuts or collect the honey or gather the grapes and oranges for your mojito, or collect, age and sort the tea?”
Blueblood remained silent, finally realizing how deep the hole he had dug himself into was.
The Princess looked at the three ponies before her.  “Do you have your petition with you?”
Emerald Cloud nodded and handed a scroll to Celestia’s secretary who unrolled it and passed it to the alicorn for her examination.  She studied it for a moment, then very gently, very regally tore it into three parts, passing one to each of the ponies.  “As both the Privy Council and Parliament have already adopted my recommendation to grant Sir Macintosh Apple a knighthood, your petition to reexamine his qualifications is… declined.”
The three ponies bowed to Celestia and gracefully took five steps back before turning for the throne room door.
“Colonel Silver Lance… I would like to have a word with you in private.”
The soldier stopped and turned to face the Princess once more, bowing to her.  “As you wish your highness.”  He came to attention and waited.
The alicorn looked at her small retinue of guards, secretaries and ponies in waiting.  “Leave me, if you please.”  Without a word the others in the throne room bowed and immediately departed, closing the door firmly behind them.  Celestia rose from her seat and gracefully trod down the steps of the dais until she was standing about two feet in front of the unicorn.
“Colonel Silver Lance… It is my impression that two weeks ago I gave you an order to ensure that Sir Macintosh Apple was properly instructed in the investment ceremony.  Yet, this morning not only do I find he has not been so tutored, I am presented with a ridiculous petition, co-authored by you, that borders on insult.  You are a knight commander of the Equestrian Star.  This jealousy and pettiness is beneath you.  What, pray tell inspired you to act in such a rash manner?”
“With due respect, your highness, I do not believe my actions are rash.  Rather, they are the result of a careful examination of the situation.”
“Are they?” Celestia asked.  “How so?”
“As a knight commander of the Equestrian Star, it is my responsibility to protect the integrity and honor of the order.  Traditionally, a knighthood of this magnitude was only granted to either officers in the military or nobles who performed exceptional service, more often than not, related to military duties.  It is my judgment that to grant this honor to common citizens will create a precedence that will dilute the importance of the award.”
“So your objection is not the deed itself, but Sir Apple’s status as a civilian.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
Celestia paused and looked the Colonel in the eyes.  There was no doubt as to the sincerity of his belief… merely its appropriateness.  “Was it also your responsibility to disregard my instructions regarding Macintosh Apple?”
“Only as an extension of my first responsibility, your highness.” Silver Lance explained.  “I felt I could not obey until a review of the petition could be granted.”
“Yes… a petition signed by only five other members of the order and a dozen or so nobles like Prince Blueblood.  That hardly represents a majority opinion.”  The alicorn paced back to the foot of the dais.  “Tell me, Colonel, if you felt so strongly, why did you not object to the investment of the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony?”
“For that very reason, your majesty.  Not only had they saved Equestria twice, but they were Bearers of the Elements, thus de facto, part of the Nobility.”
“So it comes back to this.  They were acceptable because they had ‘social status,’ and Macintosh Apple has none.”  Celestia look at the soldier.  “Would you have an objection to this knighthood if I were to grant him a commission in the militia with an effective date of nine-months ago?”
The Colonel thought on it a moment.  “I believe that I might find it to be an adequate compromise, your highness.”
The alicorn flared her wings in anger even as her horn and eyes flashed.  “WELL I DO NOT!” she exploded in her most regal, most terrible Royal Canterlot voice.  She saw the pony visibly cringe before her.  Celestia took a breath and paused for a moment or two before speaking again in a calmer voice.
“That kind of compromise, Colonel, would be an insult not only to myself, Princess Luna and Lady Applejack, but to Sir Macintosh as well.  They may be only farmers in your eyes, but there is a deep seated streak of honesty that even the most dedicated military pony could learn from.  No… there will be no compromise that limits this honor to only those who have status.  You may as well resign yourself to that right now.”
“Yes, your majesty,” Silver Lance replied, his voice trembling slightly.  “As you command.”
Celestia turned and used her magic to open the door to the throne room.  Her retinue re-entered without a word and took up their positions.  She started to ascend the dais, then paused and looked back at the Colonel.  “On the morrow I would like you to dispatch one of your best Knight Bachelors to Ponyville and ensure that Sir Macintosh is made ready for the ceremony.”
“At once, your highness,” Silver Lance bowed. And started to leave, but was brought up by the Princess’ voice.  
“Oh… and please ensure whoever you send is some pony who did NOT sign your petition.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
 

> Chapter 07
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“I never should have listened to you… NEVER!” yelled Silver Lance as he paced back and forth in the parlor of Emerald Mist’s palace apartment.  “You said you had my back… that you had incontrovertible proof that Macintosh Apple did not deserve his knighthood, and I believed you!”  
“That was because you wanted to believe me,” Blueblood replied.  
The knight commander snorted in disgust.  “That stupid petition was only our way of gaining an audience with the Princess.  You were supposed to present your evidence to Celestia.”
“Yes, I was… And now, I have proven yet again how much of a fool I am, but what’s even better is that your reputation has been damaged.  Neither Luna nor Celestia will trust you without questioning your motives.  Quite the successful audience, wasn’t it?”
Silver Lance stared at the unicorn, his eyes widening slowly.  “You wanted this?”
“Of course.  Isolating the princesses is the first step in the plan.  Eventually, there won’t be any councilor she can trust…”  Blueblood was interrupted by a not so gentle nudge from Emerald Cloud.
“You’re doing it again,” the Royal Librarian warned.
“Doing what?” he asked, a frown creasing his muzzle.
“Monologing,” the pegasus replied, “and in front of the minion to boot.”
“Minion?” asked Silver Lance
Blueblood stopped, thought about it for a moment then smiled.  “Quite right, my dear, quite right…”  He gently touched muzzles with Emerald Cloud.  “What would I ever do without you?”
“Fail miserably,” she answered, a coquettishly wicked grin on her face.  Turning she stared at the knight commander.  The pegasus’ eyes began to glow with a faint green color.  “You no longer remember this conversation, do you?”
For Silver Lance it was almost as if somepony had opened a spigot in his head and all his own thoughts had flowed out.  “What?  Were you talking to me?” he asked weakly, his eyes glazed over.
“All you remember is that you talked yourself into presenting a ridiculous petition to Celestia and were rightly and properly chastised.  You no longer feel comfortable trusting your own judgment now… do you?”
Silver Lance visibly wilted in front of her.  “No… I… don’t”   
Emerald Cloud smiled hearing this.   “Then you should return to your duties… “ she said.
The unicorn turned and paced out of the room.  As soon as the doors closed behind him he shook his head and looked around, the glazed expression gone from his eyes.  How on earth had he wandered into this part of the castle?  The dressing down Celestia had given him stung, his memory of it fresh.  He must have just wandered here out of numbness.  Turning, he began trotting towards his office.  The princess wanted him to select a knight to train Big Mac.  Perhaps he should ask his friend, Blaze Storm for advice, or maybe even Crimson Shield, or Shadow Starlight.  One of them might be able to help him… he hoped.
When the doors closed behind Silver Lance, Blueblood looked at Emerald Cloud.  “How long will that spell last?”
“As long as I wish it, she replied.  Not only will he forget our involvement, but he will be in a perpetual state of mild confusion, making it hard for him to carry out his duties.”
“I presume you do not have to focus in order to maintain the spell.”
“That’s the beauty of it,” she chuckled wickedly.  “It’s a cast and forget enchantment.  I need do nothing to maintain it.”
“I didn’t realize how much power you truly had until now,” Blueblood said.  “Is he the fourth or fifth of Princess Celestia’s inner circle whose mind you’ve been able to oblivate.”
“The seventh, actually,” she replied.  “From this point on, we must take care how we proceed.  If too many of her councilors become ineffective in too short a time, the Princess may suspect something is amiss.”
“Perhaps we should focus on Princess Luna’s advisors for a short while.  I’ve noticed that since the “attack” on her last winter she has become more… confident.  It would not help our plans if her powers were fully reinstated and she became as she was before the advent of Nightmare Moon.”
Emerald Cloud paused for a moment.  “No… it would not.  I wonder what the cause of her new found strength might be?”
“Perhaps we should consult with… Chrysalis again.  See if she knows what has happened to Luna.”
The pegasus filly whirled on the unicorn.  “NO… ABSOLUTELY NOT!  I WILL HAVE NOTHING MORE TO DO WITH THAT… BITCH!  HER PART IN THIS SCHEME IS ENDED!”  Emerald Cloud closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to restore her previous sense of calm.  ‘Besides,” she cooed seductively, “am I not a much more desirable filly than the Queen of Holes?” 
“That you are,” Blueblood replied, gently brushing his cheek with hers, before planting a long, and very passionate kiss on the pegasus’ lips.  She responded eagerly, pushing her tongue into his mouth and entwining his.  
The unicorn’s breath deepened and became warm.  It smelled and tasted of mint.  Emerald Cloud inhaled his scent, his warmth, and in turn could feel the heat rising in her loins.  Rumor had it that the Prince was so much in love with himself that he could never make love to or satisfy a filly.  The pegasus knew that to be a lie.  
Breaking off the kiss, she stepped back and gently guided him towards her bedroom.  They disappeared within, each carefully calculating how much more the other would be bonded to them as a result of their love-making.

**********

Three hours!  Three whole hours of work wasted because of a silly tradition.  The red-furred earth pony finished hitching himself to the plow and began pulling it across the pasture, turning and refreshing the soil.  Applejack had wanted to have the field ready by lunch so the farm hands could plant a crop of carrots.  Now, because of his morning ‘lessons,’ Macintosh doubted he’d have it done before two in the afternoon… providing he didn’t stop for lunch.  
Watching the stallion from the farmhouse window, Shadow Starlight couldn’t help but admire him as he pulled the plow from one end of the field to the other without even one single misstep.  Reaching the end of a furrow, he swung his body around forcing the plow to follow exactly as intended.  
“You know,” the gray-furred unicorn filly said, a note of awe in her voice, “I’ve trained my whole life as a soldier and guards pony, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen that kind of precision or strength so well matched in one pony, not even on the drill field.  No wonder he was able to buck down an oak tree right on top of Queen Chrysalis.”
Granny Smith looked up from the apples she was peeling for pie.  “Iffin you’re talkin’ bout ma grandson, Ah gotta warn ya, he’s already spoken for.”
“What… Oh, Uh… No… No!  I wasn’t thinking about Big Macintosh that way.  Not at all,” she insisted.  
Granny cackled slightly.  “Ah’m sure ya wasn’t   It’s just that more than half the eligible fillies in town sound exactly like you when they see Mac a comin’ along the road.”
“He’s a bit of a heart-breaker, is he?” asked Shadow Starlight.  
“More than a bit,” she replied, “but not cause he’s a philanderer, mind ya.  If anythin’, it’s cause he’s always been too gall darned shy fer his own good.  A filly’s got ta know some fancy rope work ta lasso that colt.”
The unicorn continued to watch Big Mac as he worked the field.  She’d only met him yesterday and, though she tried not to show it, was surprised by his size and strength.  The descriptions she’d heard of him did not compare to the real stallion.  Add to that he was handsome in a rugged, practical way that put other, more groomed ponies to shame.  He was smart as well.  Obviously annoyed by the lessons on court protocol and ceremony, he nevertheless made an honest effort to learn what she was teaching.  She couldn’t help but like the farmer.  
“I take it his special somepony knows these tricks.”
“Y’all could say that,” Granny Smith replied, slicing up an apple into chucks and dropping them into a large mixing bowl.
Applejack trotted into the room and noticed Shadow Starlight looking out the window towards the field and Big Mac.  “So how’d today’s lesson go?”
“Well enough, though I still don’t see why he insists on getting such an early start in the morning.”  
“Well, farm folk like us just naturally like ta get the hard work done before the day gets hot.”
“Understandable.”  The unicorn looked over at the cow pony.  “Your grande-dame was just telling me that Sir Macintosh has a special somepony.  It might be a good idea if I met her and went over some of the protocol of a royal court she might encounter as his significant other.”
There was a long pause in the conversation as both Granny and Applejack silently looked at each other then broke out laughing.
“Did I just say something funny?”
“Sorry ‘bout that sugar cube,” Applejack replied, wiping a tear from her eye.  “Private joke.”
“Ah wouldn’t worry none about his special somepony,” Granny Smith said.  “She’s probably forgotten more about royal etiquette than y’all could find askin’ a hundred ponies.”
“She has?” Shadow Starlight replied, eyebrows raised.  “It sounds like you’re talking about somepony who’s a member of the Equestrian court.”
“Uh… Ah, uh, don’t recall sayin’ anythin’ about her bein’ a part of any court, royal or otherwise,” Applejack muttered nervously.  
The unicorn looked at both ponies long and hard, then shrugged her shoulders.  “Well, whoever she is, she certainly has herself a catch with your brother.” 
“That’s somethin’ we can agree on.”  Applejack looked at the old grandfather clock in the living room.  “Will y’all be stayin’ fer lunch?”
Shadow Starlight shook her head, her ebon mane dancing in the light.  “No, I have other duties I must attend to, but thank-you anyway for the invitation.  I will return on the morrow and continue with Sir Macintosh’s instruction.”
Applejack saw the unicorn to the door and she trotted off down the road in the direction of Ponyville.  Granny’s words still echoed in Shadow Starlight’s mind.  There was a certain ring of truth about what she had said.  It brought her back to wondering which member of the court might be carrying on a clandestine affair with Macintosh Apple.  Such things were not unknown within the nobility, but most nobles wouldn’t give the farm pony the time of day.   It was the kind of arrogance that grated on the filly.  Hopefully, whoever it was, would treat the farmer with the kind of respect and courtesy due him, both as a knight and an honest, hard-working pony.  Knowing how things worked, however, she doubted that would happen.  
She paused for a moment in her journey.  Big Mac was her student now and needed to know about the ceremonies involved with his investiture in the Order of Equestria, but there was no one able to teach him the ins and outs of court intrigue.   It was something often learned through painful experience.  She knew this intimately.  What the new knight most needed was a protector, someone who could ensure he was not abused then simply cast off like an old glove by some court floozy.  She knew beyond a doubt this was something she could do.  Then maybe the handsome stallion might notice her, maybe even desire her.  
Her mind made up, she resumed her travels.  She would become Big Mac’s mentor and defender.  The first step of course would be to find out which noble was toying with the heart of her pony and put them in their place.

**********

When Luna arrived at their private gazebo that evening, Big Mac was nowhere to be seen.  She waited there patiently for about twenty minutes, then went in search of the stallion.  She cast a glamour on herself so she looked like an ordinary earth pony.  Reaching the crest of a hill that overlooked the farm, she spotted the red-furred farm pony hitched to a stump and hauling on it as hard as he could.  Sweat poured down his brow and across his shoulders.  His eyes were screwed tightly shut with effort as slowly, ever so slowly one root after another began to snap.  It was a classic image of the immovable object meeting the irresistible force.  Luna had seen this same kind of thing in the Canterlot gardens, but there, the stump was only a third the size of the one Mac was hauling on and it had taken three, burley earth ponies to yank it free.  
As the Princess trotted down to the farmer’s side the remaining roots seemed to give up simultaneously, causing Big Mac to stumble forward and go down on his front knees.  One of the straps on his harness came loose and whipped around, striking Luna sharply across the muzzle.  It left behind a dazed alicorn and a large welt that stung like hell.  Her glamour vanished 
“OW!”
Mac looked up at the Princess.  “Luna?”  He leapt to his hooves and went over to her, examining her muzzle closely.  
“OW! OW! OW!  No… no… no… no… no!  Don’t touch it… it hurts.”
Ignoring her, Macintosh shook off his harness and guided the alicorn over to a small saddlebag that hung from one of the nearby fence posts.  Reaching in, he pulled out a small gauze pad and gently dabbed it across the welt, drawing off a few small spots of blood.  He then removed a small bottle and another gauze pad from the bag.  He doused the gauze with some clear liquid then held it above her muzzle.
“Now this will hurt just a mite,” the stallion warned.  He gently brushed the pad across the welt.  
Luna wondered for a moment what he was talking about.  The fluid actually felt cool as it was applied… for all of about five seconds.  It then felt like liquid fire.  The alicorn gritted her teeth and drew in a long, hissing breath.  The pain lasted for several very long seconds before fading.  “What was that?” she asked.
“Just a little diluted H2O2.  It’s good fer cleaning out cuts and scrapes and such, which we tend ta get a lot o’ around the farm.”
“The cure is almost worse than the cut.  Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Luna muttered as she looked at her reflection in a nearby rain barrel.  
“Ta be honest, Ah don’t rightly know,” Big Mac admitted.  “The important thing is that it works.”  
“I was up at the gazebo just now waiting for you,” Luna said.  “You were late.”
“Eeeyup… sorry ‘bout that.  Ah got distracted tryin’ ta get this here stump outta the ground.  Darn thing was almost as stubborn as Ah am.”
The princess nickered softly.  “Almost… but not quite.”  She leaned forward and brushed her head against Big Mac’s neck then abruptly backed off.  “All that hard work has made you a lot more… pungent… than usual.”
“Eeeyup.”
“Not to worry,” Luna said brightly.  “I know just how to handle it.”
“Ya do?” the stallion asked.  There was an abrupt flash of light and he found himself inside a large, tiled room with ornate decorations and inlaid gold mirrors.  Next to him was a large pool of clear, fresh water.  Steam gently rose from its surface, fogging the lower half of the mirrors and a strong scent of salts and minerals filled the air.  From the minor shudder in his stomach Macintosh knew the princess had teleported him some distance.  
“Where’s this?”
“It’s Tia’s and my private bath house, just outside Canterlot castle.  We built it atop an old, natural hot spring so the water is always warm and circulates naturally.”	
“Private bath house,” the stallion repeated.  “Won’t Princess Celestia object?”
“Why should she?  It’s mine just as much as hers.  Besides, you’re my guest.”  She smiled slyly at Big Mac.  “Why don’t you take off that harness and collar and get in?”
Shrugging, the farm pony removed his leather and wood horse collar, placing it to one side.  He gently dipped his right fore hoof into the pool testing the water’s temperature.  Without warning he heard a giggle then felt something shove him, hard.  Unprepared, the farm pony found himself tumbling into the water.  
The playful joke backfired on Luna.  Mac was much larger than Tia, on whom she normally played this prank.  The unexpected back splash caught the alicorn full in the face, drenching the front half of her body including her mane.   The stallion surface to see her soaked, her crown askew and water streaming down her face.  He grinned at her.
There was a soft glow as the princess of the night magically divested herself of her crown, torc and shoes and stepped daintily into the water.  Seeing her do this the inside of Big Mac’s ears blush almost crimson.  He hadn’t actually shared a bath with a filly since he and Applejack were foals. 	Without a word the blue furred alicorn began levitating a host of washcloths, soaps, shampoos, conditioners and brushes in and around the farmer.  They assaulted him vigorously, scrubbing at his fur until every last vestige of dirt and grime had vanished.  Luna couldn’t help but giggle as the farm pony’s fur changed from dark red to a much lighter shade.  “I’ve heard of Earth ponies being connected to the land, but didn’t know how much of the land was connected to you.” 
“Eeeyup.”  For the most part Big Mac stood quietly; enduring the process with no small amount of pleasure.  It felt good to have his coat and skin thoroughly massaged.  It wasn’t until a wash cloth brushed up against a much more intimate part of his body that he jumped a little, stirring the water around him.  “Uh… Princess… Ah… uh… don’t think…”  He felt a shudder race along his spine causing his tail to flip without conscious effort.  “Y’all should be….washin’ down around…there!!!”
“Around where?” Luna answered faking innocence.  The washcloth began moving slowly back and forth.  
“Uh!  There!” the stallion groaned feeling himself start to become excited.
“Where?”  The wash cloth was joined by one of its fellows and both began sliding up and down Macintosh’s stomach.
“There… Ah… Right THERE!!”  An electric shock seemed to envelop the earth pony, and he froze, unable to move for a second or two.
Luna looked at Macintosh and smiled wickedly.  “Oh, you mean right there!”  He inhaled sharply.  She stepped forward and kissed him full on the lips.  After a moment’s surprise he closed his eyes and leaned into the kiss, breathing in the scent of apricot body wash and cinnamon.  The kiss both excited and relaxed him, and he allowed the alicorn to continue massaging him without further complaint.  
When they broke their kiss Macintosh looked deeply into Luna’s eyes.  He could see both a mix of desire and a little fear.  “Are you sure?” he whispered softly, running his hoof against her cheek.  
“Yes,” she breathed, even as the warmth of the bath drew forth her own warmth.  They kissed again and Luna felt a tremor of excitement.  The stallion broke off the kiss and began nuzzling against her flank.  Luna inhaled sharply then moaned with long, pent up desire.  “Wait…” she muttered dreamily.  “Not here!”
“Where?”
There was a small pop of imploding air and the two ponies found themselves in a very ornate room, decorated with motifs of the night sky and furnished grandly.  The centerpiece was a large circular bed surrounded by lace curtains and covered with a white satin quilt that almost seemed to glow.  The quilt’s pattern was a stylized depiction of the moon.  “Here,” Luna said, gently guiding the farm pony towards the bed.

**********

The next morning Princess Celestia awoke before dawn and went to the bathhouse to freshen up.  There she discovered Luna’s crown, torc and shoes carefully placed against one wall, next to a wooden horse collar.  The alicorn looked at the items thoughtfully, then smiled, a small tear of happiness for her sister tracing a path down her cheek.


> Chapter 08
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Strobeshot trotted through the double swinging doors of the Canterlot Chronicle’s city office and straight up to the editor-in-chief’s office.  “Here they are, boss.  Straight out of the dark room.”
The grizzled blue furred earth pony with a black mane turned on the photographer.  “How many times do I have to tell you…? Don’t call me boss.  Now, let’s see what you’ve got.”  
The younger, somewhat skinny unicorn lifted a flap on his camera bag and spread a series of six photos across the desk.  “When the moon didn’t move after about ten last night I started taking a series of pictures using the castle’s clock tower in the foreground as a reference.   You can see that the moon just hung in the same place until just after four in the morning when it abruptly jumped across the sky, then set normally.”
The editor examined the photos for a moment.  “Any reports of abnormal events last night?”
“Except for a slightly higher tide than normal… nothing.  I asked Typesetter at the city desk, but there have been no stories about unusual activities.”  
The earth pony slid a picture across the desk.  “You didn’t over expose the negatives, did you?”
“Come on, you know me.  When did I ever screw up a photo?”
“Never that I recall.”  He returned his focus to the pictures.  “Call me crazy, but does the moon look… brighter than normal?”
“You’re not crazy,” Strobeshot replied.
The editor flipped a call button on his intercom box.  “Edwina?”
“Yeah, boss?” came the reply
“Get a hold of Burnwood and Woodstein.  Have them check their sources and see if they can dig up anything about the crazy moon last night; and tell them I want it on my desk BEFORE tomorrow’s weekly press conference.”
“Right away, Boss!”
“Think Luna was asleep at the switch last night, boss?” Strobeshot asked.
“I don’t think anything; I don’t assume anything,” the editor intoned.  “I just ask questions.  AND DON’T CALL ME BOSS.”
“How come Edwina gets away with it?” the photographer complained.
“She’s worked here longer than anypony else, including me.  That gives her the right to call me anything she wants.”

**********

“Your majesty.  I’m afraid that Princess Luna is still not answering her door.  We’ve knocked several times but the door remains locked with a magical seal.”  
Celestia looked up from her breakfast.  In front of her was the morning report along with a list of calendar items that needed attending to during her day court session.  The chambermaid who stood before her was one of the more senior of the castle staff and was often looked upon as an informal ‘house mother,’  
“If the door is magically sealed, then my sister must be inside; and if she is inside, she is most likely asleep.  It is daylight after all.”
“Yes… but it is normally her habit to join you for breakfast before going to sleep.”
“Granted, but if she had a busy night, then she might have decided to forego a morning meal.”  She smiled at the matronly pony.  “Not to worry.  I will ‘peek’ in on her later this morning and make sure she is alright.”
“Yes, your highness.”  As the chambermaid left the alicorn considered the implications.  She hoped Luna had been careful to use her magic to prevent conception.  While the galloping of small hooves was a desirable outcome, Celestia did not feel that her sister was quite ready for that kind of responsibility.   

**********

Big Macintosh leisurely looked around the darkened room.  Not a sliver of light shown other than the soft glow cast by the murals lining the walls.  It was a perfect room for the Princess of the Night.  Perfectly furnished, perfectly decorated, perfectly tenanted. He looked at the soft beauty of Luna, the peaceful, perfect face and mane, the incredible scent of a mare in the full bloom of love.  He knew without a shadow of a doubt he was home as much as with Luna as he was at Sweet Apple acres.  
She shifted in her sleep, gently nuzzling her head under his chin.  Her horn passed close to the farmer’s face but he felt no danger; no sense of threat.  They had made love at least five times before the princess finally drifted off into a pleasant sleep.  Even after she had closed her eyes the stallion had been unable to sleep.  Yes, he was tired, but his mind would not shut down.  He watched her through the night and marveled at how a simple pony such as himself could have won the heart of the most beautiful mare in all Equestria.  
He wondered what it would be like if she were his bride, what their foals would be like, or even their grand-foals, if he were fortunate to live so long.  It worried him that the princess would live far beyond his own years, not so much for himself, but for what Celestia had told him.  How could he possibly keep a heart as full of love as hers was from breaking?   
In the far distance he thought he could hear a rooster crow.  He chuckled to himself, thinking that some pony in Canterlot had a secret stash of chickens.  Exhausted at last, Big Macintosh fell asleep his head nestled against the princess’s neck, never realizing in his last moments of wakefulness that her own eyes had opened.  
Luna lay beside the farm pony and watched the slow rise and fall of his chest.  She rose and delicately slipped out of bed and went into her bathroom.  When she finished her business, she quietly stood in front of a full length mirror and examined herself.  She was amazed to see the image that starred back at her.  She had grown significantly in size and now rivaled Big Macintosh in height.  She still wasn’t as tall as her sister, but she felt stronger, more energized than she had in an eon.  Was this what love did to a pony?  She had never before lay with anypony.  Big Mac was her first… her only love and the effect surprised, and frightened her a little.  What would Celestia say?
Almost as if on cue there came a soft rapping at the door to her room.  Slipping into a sheer night robe, Luna went to the door, released her privacy spell and opened it a crack.  Her sister looked back at her, a knowing gaze on her face.  
“Morning Tia,” she greeted her quietly.  “Give me a second, would you?” 
The Princess of the Sun nodded and Luna stepped back from the door.  Using her magic, she drew a set of heavy curtains around her bed then brought up the lights in her sitting room and opened the door.  
Celestia entered and looked around.  “Is he still here?” she whispered conspiratorially.
“He?  Whoever doth thou mean, sister?”
The white furred alicorn simply smiled at Luna’s feigned ignorance.  “Oh please, Lulu.  I have eyes, after all… and a nose.”
The Night Princess nickered softly.  “He’s asleep on the bed, poor dear.  I think I wore him out.”
“How many times did you take pleasure in each other’s company?” Celestia whispered.
“How CAN you ask such a question?” Luna replied pretending shock while keeping her voice low.  “And if you must know, it was five.”
“FIVE!  I’m jealous.  My first time with Starswirl he only managed to make love three times before exhausting himself.”  Celestia paused and examined her sister.  “You’ve changed!  There are a lot more stars in your mane and tail and you’re more than a little taller.”
Luna gracefully turned in front of her sister.  “Do you think so?”
“I know so,” the white alicorn replied.  “You’re also walking funny,” she added a knowing grin on her face.”
“That’s because I’m sore in places I never knew could be sore.”  
“That is to be expected.  I remember waking up after my first experience with Starswirl.  I was sore as all get out but forgot about it when I saw my mane and tail had changed from light pink to their current pastel rainbow hue.”  Celestia’s expression took on a slightly more serious air.  “I hope you cast the proper, precautionary spells.”
Luna nodded.  “I had just finished when you came to the door.”  She glanced over toward the bed.  “As much as I love Big Macintosh, the last thing he and I need right now is to sire a foal or two.  There will be time enough for that later.”
“Yes, there will be.” the Sun Princess whispered, looking down at the floor for a moment.
Sensing her sister’s momentary unhappiness, Luna stepped forward and crossed her horn with Celestia’s, sending a brief flash of energy between them.  The white alicorn looked up and smiled.
“After all that frolicking you must be famished.”
The blue-furred alicorn nodded.  “Definitely,” she whispered.  “But I don’t want to leave Mackintosh alone in my room.  What if he wakes up?”
“I already have that covered.”  The doors to Luna’s room opened and a matching pair of oak tea service carts rolled in under their own power.  They were filled with every kind of breakfast delicacy imaginable.  Both princesses took seats on nearby cushions and allowed the enchanted carts to serve them.  They talked softly for hours, occasionally interrupted by the gentle snores of an exhausted farm pony.

**********

“Tintapper!  Tintapper!  Where are you, you lazy roustabout?”  Shadow Starlight searched around the armory looking for the metalsmith.  Across her back she carried a canvas cargo bag that clanked slightly when it bumped against anything.  She was already in a bad mood.  After getting up at an indecently early hour and taking the milk train all the way to Ponyville she had been stood up by her ‘alleged’ student.  Big Macintosh Apple had said to return in the morning and she had, only to find him gone and his sister unable, or unwilling to account for his absence.  If this was a typical example of his behavior, he would make a very poor knight indeed.  Added to her frustration was the discovery that the strap on her ceremonial dress helmet was broken and needed replacement.   This was the last time she would lend anything to that airhead, Goldenheart.  “TINTAPPER!”
“I’m right behind you Shadow… You don’t have to shout.”  
She turned and found herself face to face with a copper-furred unicorn with a gray mane, muzzle and tail.  A few slightly singed spots on his fur spoke volumes about his profession, working the forge.  “Good you’re here.”
“I think I just told you that myself,” he replied with a deadpan expression.  “Now, what do you need?”
She lay the bag on the floor and unbuttoned it, gently lifting her helmet out with her magic and holding it for him to see.  “I need to get this fixed and my armor burnished in time for the Autumn Equinox.”
“Rush job?”
“Yes… I have to officially sponsor a new candidate for knighthood.”
Tintapper looked at the helmet and nodded to himself.  “I can have this ready for you in about two and a half weeks.”
“Two and a half… Didn’t I say this was a RUSH job?”
“Take a number.  It’s the Autumn Equinox and I already have about fifty rush jobs ahead of you; and that’s not counting the extra work Princess Celestia gave me just this morning,” the metalsmith said pointing a hoof at his worktable.  
Shadow Starlight glanced over casually, then did a double-take.  “Is that a... horse collar?
“Yes.  Same one I fixed up a couple of months ago.  She wants me to clean off the sweat stains, buff it up, give it a nice coat of varnish, oil the leather and put a few augmentation spells on it so it will stay looking like new no matter what it’s used for.  On top of that I have to get it done this afternoon, so like I said, take a number.”
The guard pony didn’t respond, starring instead at Tintapper’s current project.  She recognized it immediately, even before spotting the small, engraved apple just behind the horns.  “Big Macintosh.”
The metalsmith turned.  “Did you say something?”
“Uh… no!  I was just wondering who it belongs to.”
Tintapper snorted.  “Don’t know, don’t care.  But, if you believe the rumor mill, then one of our princesses has a special somepony she’s seeing on the side.”
“One of the princesses?”  Shadow Starlight felt her heart drop through her chest.  She had suspected that a member of the court was playing around with Big Mac’s affections… but one of the princesses?  She had already convinced herself the naïve farm pony needed somepony to protect him from the intrigues of the court… but… this… this… this was unbelievable. “One of the PRINCESSES? WHO… WHICH ONE?”
“For Celestia’s sake…don’t yell.  I may have been pounding an anvil for most of my life but I’m not deaf.”  
“Sorry.”
“I don’t know, but if I were to guess, I’d say Luna.”
Shadow looked across at the metalsmith.  “Why Luna?”  
“Because her sister is practically married to Equestria.  She doesn’t have time for a special somepony.”  Tintapper looked over at Shadow Starlight.  “You sound a bit upset.  Anything wrong?”
“No,” the guards pony lied.  “Nothing’s wrong.  I just made some assumptions that turned out to be totally wrong.”
“That’s the problem with assumptions.  You can’t build anything lasting on them.”  The metalsmith looked sympathetically at Shadow Starlight.  She reminded him more than a little of his own daughter, or more precisely what his daughter would have been like if she and her mother had not died during the great storm of aught five.  He sighed.  “I’ll tell you what, promise to treat me to dinner at the Canterlot Lounge after the Autumn Equinox and I can have your armor ready by Tuesday.”  
Shadow thought about it for a moment, then gave Tintapper a soft smile.  “It’s a deal.”  The ebon maned unicorn turned to leave.  “See you Tuesday.”  
The door closed firmly behind her.  The metalsmith looked at his reflection in a polished shield that hung on the wall.  “You’re getting to be a softy, you old stallion.”  With a quick grumble he turned back to his work.”

**********

“BOSS…BOSS… STOP THE PRESSES!  I’VE GOT YOUR NEW HEADLINE FOR THE MORNING PAPER!! 
The editor of the Canterlot Chronicle whirled on his employee.  “STROBESHOT!  IF YOU CALL ME ‘BOSS’ JUST ONE MORE TIME, YOU’RE FIRED!”
“Okay… Don’t get your tail in a knot.  Just look at this.”  He tossed a photo onto the editor’s desk and grinned.  The blue-furred earth pony pick it up and studied it for a moment, then looked at his photographer.  
“What exactly am I looking at here?”
“Just the scoop of the year, that’s all.”
“I don’t see a scoop here, kid.  Just a medium range shot of Canterlot castle.”
“Okay, maybe you need to take a closer look.”  He switched out the picture with one that was blown up from the previous image.  “Look at the window.  Here, the one next to the balcony!”  
The editor studied it once more.  “All I see is a red and blue blob in the window.  It could be anything!”
“Alright, let’s try this one more time.”  He plopped a third photo down in front of the earth pony.  “On this one I was using a 100x zoom lens.”  
“I don’t like having my time wasted, Strobeshot.”  
“Just look at the picture, bos…sir.”
The editor looked, then picked up the photograph and studied it closer.  “I recognize Princess Luna alright, though she looks a bit… off.  Who’s this red-furred stallion standing next to her in the window?”
“I checked with Burnwood.  He says it’s that farmer who saved Luna’s life last winter.  You know, the one they’re giving a knighthood to in a couple of weeks.”
“So, you’ve scored a photo of the Princess and her savior standing next to each other.  Just why is this the scoop of the year?”
“It’s because that balcony and window lead straight into Princess Luna’s private bedchamber.  And see!  Look at the way she’s nuzzling against him.”
“I can see,” the earth pony muttered.  “Wait… how’d you get a shot of Princess Luna’s private window?  That’s in one of the tallest towers of the castle.”
“Woodstein asked me to hire a tethered balloon and stake out the castle.  I spend half the day up there before getting these shots.”
“Interesting work, kid, but unless there’s a story to go with this, it’s just tabloid grist.  I can’t use it.”
“Burnwood and Woodstein are writing it now.  They have a couple of inside sources that say Luna has a special somepony in her life and it’s him.”
“Now this IS interesting.  I can see it now, ‘The Princess and the Plow Pony.’  Should sell a lot of papers, providing the story can be confirmed.  You might even have earned your first byline kid.”  
Strobeshot grinned from ear to ear.  “Gee… Thanks-Boss.”
“OR NOT!  NOWGETHELLOUTTAMYOFFICE!”
The unicorn quickly retreated, leaving his photos on the editor’s desk.  The earth pony picked up the last one and punched a button on his intercom.  “Edwina…, get me layout.  We’re redoing page one.”
“Right away, boss.”

> Chapter 09
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The sun had set long before Big Mac trotted through the farm house door of Sweet Apple Acres.  Naturally, Applejack was there to ‘welcome’ her brother home, though this time her greeting was a lot less severe that before.
“Ya do realize y’all were gone a whole day, don’t cha?”
“Eeeyup.”  The stallion crossed the living room and went into the kitchen.
“And that Ah had ta get our farm workers ta cover yer chores?”
“Eeeyup.”  He casually pulled a large fork, a small plate, and a glass out of one of the cupboards.
“And that they didn’t come near ta doin’ as good a job as y’all would have?”
“Eeeyup.”  Mac rummaged briefly in the refrigerator and took out one of Granny Smith’s apple pies, followed by an ice cold milk bottle.
“And that y’all completely missed yer training with Shadow Starlight this morning.”
“Eeeyup.”  The farm pony carved out a wedge of pie so large it almost didn’t fit on the plate.  He then poured himself some milk and returned the bottle and pie tin to the refrigerator.
“And that we were all plum worried about ya?”
“Eeeyup.”  The stallion propped himself up at the table, grabbed his fork and dug hungrily into the pie.
“And that y’all haven’t been listin’ ta a thing Ah’ve said since ya walked in the door.”
“Eeeyup,” Macintosh mumbled, causing small flicks of apple pie to land on the table in front of him.  
Applejack began pacing back and forth in front of her brother.  Ya know, it’s more than a mite irritatin’ ta carry on a one way conversation.  Ah’d think y’all would have the courtesy ta at least tell me where y’all were.”
“Canterlot Castle.”
“Ah assume ya were with Luna the whole time>”
“Eeeyup.”
Big Mac’s sister stopped pacing and looked at him.  “So ya spent the whole night with the Princess?  Don’t cha realize that could lead ta something unfortunate?”
The stallion smiled.  T’weren’t anythin’ unfortunate about it.  As a matter o’ fact, we had ourselves a right frolic-some time.”
Applejack paused for a second.  “Now what in tarnation is that suppose ta mean?”
Macintosh swallowed another bite and looked at his sister, a grin on his muzzle.  “Yer a grown pony.  What do y’all think it means?”  
The palomino looked at her older brother for a moment or two, then her eyes went wide with astonishment.  “Are y’all sayin’ ya was…was… sleepin’ with Luna?”
“Nnnope.”
“Well, that’s a relief…”
“We were too busy makin’ love ta get much sleepin’ done.”
Applejack went dead silent.  She stood there in the kitchen, frozen in place, her mouth open in shock watching, but not truly seeing as her brother finished his slice of pie and downed his glass of milk.  She was having some difficulty processing his words.  It was just so, matter of fact… so casual… that she couldn’t believe he’d said it.  
Mac carried his utensils to the sink and washed them off, placing them carefully in the dish drainer.  When he finished he went over to his sister, lifted her Stetson off her head, kissed her on her forehead then replaced the hat.  “Goodnight A.J.  See y’all at breakfast.”  As he left, he flicked off the kitchen light.  
Applejack was still standing there fifteen minutes later when Applebloom came downstairs to get a drink of water.

**********

Big Mac was in the barn early the next morning when Shadow Starlight arrived.  He had been searching the apple bin for a dozen of the most perfect apples he could find and placing them carefully into a wicker basket after washing and drying them with a clean towel.  The basket also contained a jar of Zap-Apple jam and a small jug of Sweet Apple Acres cider, from the family’s ‘special’ reserve stock.  The stallion couldn’t remember a time he felt more alive and at one with the earth.  He glanced over his shoulder when he heard the unicorn enter.  
“Mornin’ Miss Starlight.  How are ya this fine day?”
“I would be doing a lot better if I hadn’t seen the Canterlot Chronicle this morning on my way to the train station.”  She magically flipped open one of her saddle bags and drew forth a copy of the newspaper.  She unrolled it and held it up for the stallion to see.  
The pre-dawn light in the barn wasn’t the best for reading, so Mac had to squint to view the headlines.  “The Princess and the Plow Pony?  Now what kind o’ headline is that?”  Beneath it there was a picture of Luna and him taken through a window.  She was gently nuzzling against him, her eyes closed in bliss. 
“It’s the kind of headline that’s going to stir up a lot of trouble.  Do you realize how many ponies out there look upon Celestia and Luna as near goddesses?  The thought… the very suggestion that one of them might take up an affair with a lowly farmer will make the princess seem all too… normal.”
“There ain’t nothin’ lowly about bein’ a farmer,” Big Mac insisted.  “As a matter o’ fact, Ah’m right proud ta do the kind o’ work Ah do.”  
“I know that, and probably the majority of thinking ponies do as well.  It’s just that for a vocal minority it’s going to be difficult to accept, especially for those who think status is important.”
“Why?  Ah was always taught that every pony in Equestria was equal, be they earth ponies, pegasi or unicorns.  Ah don’t see no reason fer me ta change my mind about that, or even let it worry me.” 
“No?” Starlight asked.  “Then maybe you should take a look at the opinion page.” 
Big Mac flipped the paper open to the back page.  There were a number of opinion pieces about current government policies or administrative decision, which looked fairly routine.  What drew his eye though was a short article asking, hypothetically, whether or not a candidate for knighthood was taking advantage of his status as a hero to advance himself socially, and perhaps politically to a position he did not merit.  It did not name names, but it was clear that HE was the unnamed candidate and that Luna was the ‘naïve innocent pony’ who was being imposed upon and/or threatened.  It wasn’t until he read the name of the article’s author that it suddenly made an odd sort of sense.  
He smiled as he folded the paper up and handed it back to Shadow Starlight.  “Ah might be a bit more worried if this here opinion were written by somepony of importance… but Prince Blueblood?  Ah don’t think there are enough ponies out there who take him seriously enough to matter.”
“You might be surprised.  Politics in Canterlot can be… convoluted at best with every pony owing every other pony political favors.  That’s the stock in trade.  Unfortunately, despite his poor sense of how to deal with his ‘Aunt,’ Blueblood knows just enough about manipulating things behind the scenes so that there are a lot of ponies who owe HIM favors.  It’s just enough to make him a significant nuisance.” 
“So… what’s his beef with me?”
“I don’t know.  It might not even be with you.  It might be with Princess Luna.  She doesn’t like him much and he despises her.  You may simply the path of least resistance to get to her.”
Big Mac snorted.  “Well, if he tries ta hurt Luna, he may just find out how resistant a path Ah can be when Ah get riled.”  The stallion grinned wickedly.   “Y’all may not realize it, but earth ponies in general, and Apples in particular can get rather… physical if need be.”
“Seriously?” the unicorn asked.
“Don’t believe me… just ask Discord.”
Shadow Starlight smiled ruefully.  “That might be something I’d pay some bits to see.”  Putting away the newspaper she then pulled out a thick roll of parchment.  “Let’s see what you remember about protocol from our last lesson.”

**********

“So… how exactly did this pony…”
“Strobeshot, your majesty.”
“Strobeshot then… manage to get a picture of my sister’s bedroom window?”
The Captain of the Pegasus Guards tugged nervously at the collar of his armor.  At the moment, this was the last place in all Equestria he wanted to be, but truth be told, it was also the one place he absolutely had to be.  Rank and position had its responsibilities.  “According several sources, he rented a tethered sight-seeing balloon and paid its operator to keep it airborne for most of the afternoon… with him in it.”
“Yes, we’ve seen those often in and around the city, but none are allowed to operate within a mile of the castle.  How did it get close enough for this picture to be taken without the palace guards taking note?”
“It didn’t,” the Captain replied.  “Strobeshot owns a rare, and rather expensive telephoto lens.  It allowed him to… I believe the term is, zoom in… on Princess Luna’s window and take a very close-up image.”
“Is ownership of such a device legal?”
“Yes, your highness,” the pegasus replied.  “It’s a less advanced civilian version of the kind of lens we use for our more powerful battlefield telescopes.”
The white furred alicorn tapped a hoof against her chin in thought.  “It sounds certain that no laws were broken, nor were any sensitive state secrets revealed… just some inconvenient… personal ones.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
“Thank-you Captain.  We appreciate your candor.”
The pegasus bowed, keeping his eyes downward as he took the required five steps backward before turning to leave.  He paused when the princess spoke again.
“Oh, and Captain;” Celestia said, a gentle smile on her face.  “Worry not.  There has been no failure on the part of your guard ponies to keep this castle safe.  We shall duly note this in our court record.”
“Thank-you Princess,” he replied.
Celestia watched as he left the throne room.  As soon as the door closed behind him, Princess Luna stepped out from behind the massive throne.  She was carrying a copy of the morning paper tucked under one wing. 
“Well… now we know the source of this morning’s picture.  The question remains; what to do about it,” Luna observed.
“I don’t know if there’s anything we can do,” the white furred alicorn replied, “not without undermining our own ‘Regis Lex Legis’ and the promises we made when we became rulers of Equestria.”   Turning she levitated the paper out from under Luna’s wing.  Opening it, Celestia skimmed quickly through the story once more.  Much of it was subjective speculation, but unfortunately, it was very accurate speculation.  She almost found herself admiring the skill of the writers and their deductive reasoning.
“I admit, I am more than a little disappointed with the Chronicle.  Normally, when they’re preparing a story involving a member of the court, they have the courtesy to inform us in advance so we can either request a delay in its publication, or prepare a response. ”
Luna looked at her sister.  “So that’s why we always inform the Chronicle first about any official statements or Royal news… quid pro quo.”
“Which they’ve unfortunately broken.  I would have expected a story like this from a tabloid… not the Chronicle.” Celestia frowned.  She passed the newspaper back to her sister which Luna promptly open to an interior page.  			“Regardless… we’re still going to have to come up with some kind of response to this revelation.”
“You and I both know it was only a matter of time before other ponies found out.”
“True… but we still…” she was cut short by a small squeal from her sibling.  
“Tia… look!” bubbled Luna holding up the paper.
“What?”
“They’re having a sale at Hoofington’s Department Store tomorrow!”
“Lulu…” the Sun Princess replied irritably.  “Can’t you be a little more serious?”
The dark furred alicorn looked coquettishly at her older sister.  “…on wedding veils.”
“Wedding what?”  She caught Luna’s expression and suddenly understood.  “Are you hinting at what I think you’re hinting at, and if you are, are you SURE?”
“Absolutely… Of all the stallion’s I’ve met, Sir Macintosh’s the most open, sincere, honest, brave and trustworthy one I’ve ever known.  And after yesterday, I know in my soul that he loves me.”  She giggled slightly.  “Well, actually I’ve always known he loves me, but now I KNOW he loves me.”  Luna became a bit more somber.  “My only worry is how to get a pony as shy as he is to pop the question.”
Now it was Celestia’s turn to smile.  “I don’t think that’s going to be a problem.”

**********

“Just what the hell were you thinking?” growled the publisher of the Canterlot Chronicle.  He was a rather formidable looking earth pony with light-blue fur and a black mane and tail, each with a gray streak.  At the moment he was pacing angrily back and forth chomping on a rather short cigar, the ashes of which threatened to set fire to his thick, wire brush moustache.   “You knew full well that any and all stories about the royal court in general, and the Princesses in particular, had to be routed through my office for approval.”
The editor frowned, glaring at his boss while sitting in a chair normally reserved for reporters who had earned the publisher’s ire… which as of today was perhaps 97% of the staff.  “What I was thinking was I had a good story and a chance to get it into the morning edition before any other newspaper got their hooves on it.  And I didn’t run it through your office because you were out with your family and had given strict instructions NOT to be disturbed for anything.  Quote unquote!”
“Since when did you ever listen to me in the first place?”
“Since last month when you promised to fire me, my wife and my brother-in-law, even though neither of them work for you, if I ever disobeyed another one of your direct orders.”  
The publisher paused in his pacing and puffed several times on his cigar.  Large clouds of smoke defused through the air, obscuring the NO SMOKING sign that hung next to his desk.  “Crap!” he grumbled.  “Do you realize what this is going to do to our ‘understanding’ with the Princess?  We had a sweet deal… just let them come up with a response and we had a pipeline into any exclusive story involving the Royal Court.”  He kicked a nearby trash can in frustration.  “Crap!  Crap!  Crap!  And Double-Crap!   
The editor looked at his box with some confusion.  “Why would it affect our ‘understanding?  We gave them a chance to respond before putting the paper to bed and they sent back that ridiculous editorial by Prince Blueblood, which we printed.”
“That piece of dreck was their response?” 
The editor nodded.  
“Then why did I get this letter from Princess Celestia claiming we had lowered ourselves to the status of a tabloid?”
“I don’t know.  But if you need proof… “  He reached across the publisher’s desk and hit one of the intercom buttons.  “Edwina?  Would you please bring the contents of my IN box up to Mr. Jay Jay’s office?”
“On my way, boss.”
Moments later the editor was rifling through an assortment of papers.  “Here it is!” he responded triumphantly holding up a large manila envelope.  “If you look, it’s got a royal time-stamp on it as well as a routing sheet, copies of the photo and article, and Prince Blueblood’s editorial.”
The publisher studied it for a moment.  “Whoever signed for this scrawled their name so badly I can’t read it.”
“Doesn’t matter,” the publisher nickered triumphantly.  “Grab your hat and that envelope.”
“Where are we going?”
“To see a princess about our agreement!”
The editor pony looked at himself in the full length mirror his boss kept in the office.  “But I’m not dressed for the Royal Court.”
“Don’t worry about it.  If I can get in… you can get in.”

**********

“MMMMRRRRHHHHHHH!!!!”  Emerald Cloud screamed into her gag and muzzle bindings.  The inverted studs on the leather straps biting into her fur and making small perforations across her face.  Her fore hooves were bound so tightly that they were numb.  She lay on a studded blanket and could feel each and every one as they pricked at her chest and belly.
The pegasus mare had been forced to her back knees, her hindquarters elevated.  The pain was unbearable, which made the pleasure that much more incredible.  “MUURR, GEEHRR, HUUUH, HUH, HUH!”  
“I think… you are… enjoying… this… entirely… too much, my dear!” Blueblood huffed.  Bending his neck forward, the unicorn grabbed a small mouthful of her silky mane then abruptly jerked his head upward.  The strands tore painfully free from her head.
“MMMAAAAAUUUHHHH!”  Tears of agony flowed from her eyes as she gasped once more.  Blueblood repeated the mane stripping twice more, the final time tearing skin as well as hair.  A trickle of blood slowly dribbled across the pegasus’ neck.  The unicorn stood atop the bed for a brief moment, making sure his fore hooves pressed down once more against her wings.  There was a final, violent pop as he leap from the bed, dislocating them in the process.  Emerald screamed one last shuddering time into her gag then went silent.  
Blueblood left her there for almost half an hour as he showered and carefully quaffed his mane.  Returning to the bed, he studied his lover for several long moments before finally removing the enchanted necklace that inhibited her power.  The first thing Emerald removed was her gag and muzzle straps.  Painfully turning her head she looked at the self-satisfied stallion.
“Your magic has become unstable,” she said quietly.  
Blueblood quickly looked at himself in a nearby mirror.  Sure enough his eyes were tinged with green and very small patches of his normally white fur had become dark, dark gray.  His horn glowed for an instant immediately restoring him to his normal appearance.  “Thank-you my dear.”  With uncharacteristic grace, he offered the pegasus a hoof as she painfully rose from the bed, supporting her until she could feel her front hooves once more.  
Emerald Cloud staggered over to the mirror and examined the damage.  “You really outdid yourself this time,” she observed as she looked at her tattered mane and her wings which now dragged on the floor. 
“I hope it was as good for you as it was me,” he nickered.  
“Better, I think,” she replied with an evil smirk.  She closed her eyes and focused her magic.  There was a swirl of energy and within seconds she was completely healed.  She knew Blueblood liked hurting mares and these ‘torture’ games were something to be savored as often as possible.  The healing spell faded, leaving behind a dull ache that suffused her whole body and gave her a sense of… fulfillment.  
The mare turned and looked at her lover.  “Feeling better?”
“I’m still angry with the situation, but now I feel more focused… less out of control.”  He strode over to the window and looked out upon the castle’s main courtyard.  “By now, the story we intercepted will be printed and circulating throughout Canterlot, along with my so-called editorial.”
“So what do we do now?  Our backup plans required Princess Luna to be weak… ineffectual.  The fact she’s taken a lover for the first time in her life is going to seriously embolden her.”
“Is love so strong?”
Emerald Cloud chuckled in amusement, planting a nipping kiss on Blueblood’s cheek.  “Believe me, it is.  I know from firsthand experience.”
“Then what we’re going to have to do is split-up the two lovers.  If we can break ‘Auntie’ Luna’s heart it should turn her into a mewling filly, ripe for our manipulation.”
“And how do we accomplish that?”
“You’re not going to like it,” Blueblood warned.
“What?”
“It’s time we reunited our ‘triumvirate’ so to speak.  We need to bring Queen Chrysalis back into our scheme.”
“NO!”
“We don’t have any choice!”
“NO!  ABSOLUTELY NOT!”
“Why not?” Blueblood asked, his voice becoming dangerously low.
“BECAUSE SHE’S COMPLETELY UNRELIABLE!   She had her chance last winter and she completely blew our first plan because she couldn’t deal with a simple farmer.”
“I happen to know something about that farmer, and believe me, there’s nothing simple about him or his family.”  Blueblood glared at Emerald Cloud.  “We ARE bringing her back in on this, whether you like it or not.”
“NO!  IF SHE’S IN, I GO.”
The unicorn abruptly slapped her across the face.  “THEN GO!”
The pegasus mare looked at him in shock.  “What?”
“I SAID GO!  IT’S EASIER WORKING WITH THE QUEEN THAN YOU!”
“But… but I… I don’t want to go,” Emerald replied.  “I… I love you.”
Blueblood brought his hoof up to her face again and touched it where a red welt was just beginning to form.  He pressed against it and she hissed in pleasure.  “I know you do,” he said.  “But you were right.  You and Chrysalis can’t be together, but you can still be my lover and part of the plan.  Just work with me… alright?”
“Will you send for me?  Will you call me back to you?”
“As soon as I can…” the unicorn promised.”
Emerald Cloud nodded sadly and kissed Blueblood’s hoof.  She took several steps back and looked at him longingly, then closed her eyes.  She dissolved in a swirl of sickly green mist, only to reform seconds later as Chrysalis.
The Queen glared at Blueblood.  “It’s about time.  So, what have you and that green-furred strumpet been up to?”

> Chapter 10
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Queen Chrysalis paced angrily around the room.  “What do you mean, three weeks?  You’ve had me cooped up in that pegasus’ body for more than three WEEKS?!”
“It was necessary,” Blueblood explained patiently.  “It isn’t safe to let you out too often or for too long because there are a lot of detection spells set up around both the castle and city.  If you were to walk out of this room you’d be found out within two minutes.  Any changeling would, no matter what their form.”
“So why let me out now?” She asked, her long, green mane trailing on the floor.  
“Our ‘Plan B’ has run into a snag.”
“What snag?  Haven’t you been undermining Celestia’s more trustworthy advisors and subverting others?”
“Yes… quite successfully I might add.” Blueblood replied proudly.  “And just as you suggested, she’s turning more and more to Luna for support and consultation.”
Chrysalis stopped pacing and chuckled wickedly.  “Celestia is so predictable.  Putting her trust in a sister who was so weak willed she couldn’t resist Nightmare Moon’s siren song.  Well, when the opportunity comes we’ll have a siren song of our own, and this time, the Sun Princess won’t be able to call on the power of the Elements to save herself.”
“That’s where the snag is.”
Chrysalis turned and looked at the unicorn.  “Explain.”
“Princess Luna is in love.”
The Queen went silent for a moment, her wings buzzing briefly in agitation.  “Damn… are you certain of this?”
“Very certain,” replied Blueblood.  “It explains why she’s been coming more and more into her own power.  The last time I saw her she literally reeked of confidence.”
“I thought you were taking steps to erode her self-esteem.”
“I did, but unfortunately, the organization I secretly sponsored was very slipshod.  It recruited too many extreme elements, too many fanatics to make it a credible influence with other ponies.  In the end I cut off my support because of several, less than effective, attacks on Luna’s character.”
“This is… unfortunate”  The Changeling Queen began pacing irritably back and forth once more, her hole filled hooves creating a hollow sound as she walked.  “A first love can be extraordinarily empowering.”  She paused in her pacing and looked at Blueblood.  “Who is this special somepony she’s found?  Why haven’t you had him killed yet?”
“We only just discovered the affair this morning.  Luna has apparently been very good at keeping it out of the public view.  As to killing him, it may not be an option.  He’s become something of a hero in Equestria, so much so they plan to knight him at the Autumn Equinox.   A sudden, unexpected death might draw unwanted scrutiny.”
The Queen thought about it for a moment, then nodded.  “You may be right.  We will have to ‘break-up’ this affair some other way.  Weaken Princess Luna by separating the two lovers.”  She sat for a moment on several of Emerald Clouds satin cushions, enjoying the feeling of their cool softness. “Does this fool have a name?”
“Macintosh Apple… His sister is one of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony.”  The stallion paused as he gave Chrysalis a shrewd look.  “As a matter of fact you’ve already met him.”   
“I have?”
“Yes… he’s the same pony who foiled your first plan and left you laid up, plucking splinters out of your flanks.”  The unicorn retrieved his cravat from the back of a nearby chair and began putting it on.  “What’s even more ironic is he’s being knighted for having ‘defeated’ you in personal combat.”
The Changeling Queen froze in place for a moment, her mouth dropped open.  “HIM… the love sick farmer?” She whirled on the stallion.  “Are you telling me that same, blight-ridden, dirt grubbing pony, is putting our new plan at risk?”
“Apparently.”
Chrysalis stood and angrily kicked the cushions to one side.  “I don’t believe this.  The dark fates have to be conspiring against me!”  
“I don’t know what the fates may have planned, but they are certainly working to some purpose other than ours,” Blueblood observed dryly.  
“If this…Macintosh…is in fact the same pony who defeated my minions and me, then we can’t play around.  He has to meet with a fatal accident, one that cannot be traced to us.”
“Why not just discredit him?” the unicorn asked.
Chrysalis pursed her lips momentarily as she examined herself in the mirror.  “Two reasons.  First, when we struggled that night I saw into his heart.  His dedication to Luna is complete, absolute and unshakable.”  She levitated a brush from a nearby vanity and began running it through her long, wispy mane and tail.  “You’d never be able to get him to stray.”
“And second?” asked Blueblood.
“There is something about him.  Something so strong that he was able to withstand a direct magical attack from me and remain on his hooves.”
Now it was the unicorn’s turn to be amazed.  “How was THAT possible?  You took out Celestia herself during Cadence’s wedding.”
“I don’t know.  An earth pony’s only magic is a passive connection to the land itself.  This farmer though seems to be able to actively draw on this power as a source of personal strength.”
“So he was invulnerable to your spells?”
“No… I hurt him, badly, and I would have killed him if he hadn’t brought that oak tree down on my head.”  
“So,” the white-furred unicorn said, “What we need is some way to get rid of Sir Macintosh that looks like an accident.”  He paused.  “If he’s as strong as you say, then a physical attack has no guarantee of success.”  Blueblood thought for a moment.  “What about poison?”
“It would have to be undetectable, but how to poison him without raising suspicions…”
“What about a poison that looks like a disease?”
“It would have to be fast, but not too fast.  Perhaps something that would sicken and kill him over a ten day period.”  Chrysalis looked over at Blueblood who smiled wickedly.  “What?”
“I have an idea.  Look around and see if you can find a hoof file in the vanity.  I’ll check the bathroom and see what’s there that we can use.”
The Changeling Queen opened the vanity drawers and quickly found the file.  As she turned she found the unicorn carrying several items from the bathroom.  Among them were a small, ceramic mortar and pestle used for grinding and mixing powders, a glass vase filled halfway with water and several empty bottles.  Placing the items on the vanity, he reached up and touched his horn as if sliding something along it.  When his hoof reached the tip a large, black, bone ring appeared in his hoof.
“Careful,” Chrysalis warned.  “If you drop that the whole game’s up.”
Blueblood looked at her with more than a little annoyance.  “Try telling me something I don’t know.”  He cautiously held the bone ring over a piece of cloth that was laid out on the vanity.  Using his magic, he slowly ran the hoof file across base of the ring, producing a black, fine grained powder.  The ring seemed to heal itself wherever the file touched it.  When he finished, the stallion had a small pile of finely ground black powder.
Replacing the ring on his horn, Blueblood turned to Chrysalis.  “Would you be kind enough to chill the water in that vase until it turns to ice?”
“Are you going to tell me what you’re doing?” she asked as she cast the spell.  In seconds the vase was filled with ice.  
The stallion smiled.  “Watch and learn,” he muttered.  Taking the powder, he dropped it into the container.  There was a dark, reddish flash and a black crystal grew, filling the vase.  Using his magic, Blueblood carefully broke the container apart and removed the crystal.  This, he then broke it into pieces.  Using the mortar and pestle, he ground it once into a powder, much finer than the grains he’d originally removed from the bone ring.  He carefully poured this into an empty make-up jar and sealed it tight. 
“So, after all that, you have yourself some eye-shadow for a Goth pony,” Chrysalis observed.  The unicorn held the jar up to her.  
“Actually, what you see before you my dear is some genuine shadow crystal.  Powerful, potent and perfect for our purposes,” he said with a wicked sneer. 
“What do we do with this shadow crystal?” the dark queen asked.  
“We slip in into his food, or better yet his drink.  The powder will then lodge within him until activated by magic.”
“So you have to perform a magical spell?”
The unicorn shook his head.  “Not at all.  If Sir Macintosh is exposed to any kind of active magical spell, the crystal powder will start to form into minute shards, sharp as a razor and impossible to flush out.   They will then start to cut him apart slowly from the inside.”
Chrysalis scoffed.  “And how will this not look like a magical assassination attempt?”
“Unless someone knows EXACTLY what they are looking at, the clumps of crystal will look like dark, cancerous growths that have spread throughout his body.  He will show symptoms similar to advanced stage cancer.  Uncontrolled bleeding from the mouth, nose, and elsewhere, weakness, dizziness and lethargy.  Within a week… two at most he will be dead.”
“Leaving poor Luna to weep and morn for her lost love,” Chrysalis laughed.  “We shall have revenge against this Macintosh Apple and return Luna to her former, weak and uncertain self.”  She looked over at Blueblood.  “Will his death be painful?”
“Excruciatingly so,” he replied.  “No doctor will be able to help him because no one has seen an illness such as this for more than a millennium.”
“For our sake, I hope that’s the case,” the Changeling queen replied.  She looked over at Blueblood.  “You’re ring is still showing.”
The prince looked in a mirror.  Sure enough, the black, bone ring rested visibly at the base of his horn, locked in place by its enchantments.  “Well…that’s awkward.”  He focused for a moment and the ring vanished. 
“You had best pay more attention to the details, the queen admonished.  We’ve come a long ways towards our goal and neither of us want premature exposure of our conspiracy.”  Almost as if in response there was a knock on the door.  The unicorn trotted over, gesturing to Chrysalis to remain quiet.  He then opened the door a crack and peeked out.  “Yes?”
He found himself face to face with a female unicorn guard.  She seemed slightly taken aback.  “Prince Blueblood?  My apologies… I was looking for Emerald Cloud.  Princess Celestia has summoned her.”
“Can you give her about five minutes to…uh, freshen up.  We would both appreciate it.”
The guard, fairly use to court ‘affairs’ showed no further surprise.  “Of course, sir.  I will wait out here until she is ready.”
The stallion nodded and hastily closed the door behind him.  “You need to change back, now!” he whispered.”   Celestia wants to see Emerald.”
The queen wrinkled her muzzle in disgust.  “Fine…, but I want to be kept ‘in the loop’ on this.  I expect to be freed once every twenty-four hours until our plan is firmly back on track.”
“Fine… Fine… I’ll guarantee it myself.”  Blueblood whispered.  “Now, quickly… change!”
Chrysalis closed her eyes and focused.  Her horn began to glow and her body faded, turning to mist before the stallion’s eyes.  Moments later the mist coalesced into the form of the green-furred pegasus, Emerald Cloud.  She staggered for an instant, then regained her balance and looked over at Blueblood with a smile.
“You kept your promise!” she said.  “I’m free again!” 
“Of course I did, my dear.  You don’t think I could stomach being with the queen of holes for any longer than necessary… not when I have somepony as rare and beautiful as you to grace my side.”  Hearing the compliment, Emerald nuzzled and kissed the unicorn passionately, but to her disappointment, he broke off and took a step or two back.  
“I’m afraid that will have to wait for later,” he explained.  “Right now, Celestia wants to see you.”
“Celestia?  Oh, that’s right.  She probably wants to review the additions we’re making to the Royal Library.”
“Probably, but if she mentions anything about today’s newspaper story remember to cast the blame on me.  It will sound more credible if I fouled things up than if you did.”
“Always looking to protect my reputation, aren’t you?”  She playfully flicked her tail against his flank even as she placed a pair of reading glasses around her neck and lifted a saddlebag filled with blueprints and spreadsheets and tucked it under her wings.  “See you later,” she smiled as she opened the door.
Walking outside with her he watched as Emerald Cloud and the guard pony trotted together down the hall.  Now would be a good time to make himself scarce.  He was not in a mood to be chastised by Celestia more than twice in one week.  Sometimes, it was hard to play the fool, but the potential rewards would be worth it.  He closed the door and left, carrying the jar of shadow crystal powder with him.    

> Chapter 11
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“Here they come again!” called Applejack as she peeked out the kitchen window and saw the herd of paparazzi cantering through the front gate and heading for the farmhouse.  “Ah swear, the harder ya try ta keep them out, the more o’ them there are.  They’re worse than parasprites.”
“Eeeyup,” her brother agreed.  The red-furred stallion pulled the curtain aside and glanced out the front window, causing an eruption of flashbulbs.  Fortunately, he had the foresight to put on a pair of sunglasses before exposing himself to the photographic assault.  “Ah count at least thirty o’ them along the front porch.”
“Yeah,” said Applebloom, “and there’s another five between the backdoor and the old outhouse.” 
“Well then, there ain’t nothin’ ta do but stampede them varmints off the farm,” Applejack said.  “Y’all ready?”
Big Mac grinned at his sister.  “Eeeyup!”
Applebloom stood next to the front door, a green flag in her hoof.  “Alright Apples… On yer mark… Get set… GO!”  She dropped the flag and flung the door open wide, jumping back as Big Macintosh charged out onto the porch, down the front steps and plowed through the crowd of paparazzi, knocking several aside.  In seconds, he was in the clear and galloping towards the main gate.  Every reporter still on his or her hooves bolted after him, calling for interviews and trying to take snapshots of the charging stallion.  The half-dozen or so ponies, dazed by Big Mac’s charge, lay sprawled in the front yard until Applejack or one of her cousins casually trotted up, hogtied them and tossed them into a nearby applecart for transport to the Ponyville Jail.  The palomino paused in her labor to replace the sign one of the reporters had arrogantly torn off a nearby fence post.  It read: WELCOME TO SWEET APPLE ACRES.  TRESPASSERS WILL BE BUCKED.   The cow pony turned and looked at her cousins Gala Apple and Apple Seed as they carried a pegasus up to the cart.
“We caught this one sitting on top of the barn watching her fellow paw-per-aw-zee chasin’ after Big Mac.  She was so busy laughin’ she didn’t see us sneakin’ up on her.  Put up one hell o’ a fight, but we lassoed her good.”
Applejack looked at the blue-furred pony with the rainbow hued mane and tail.  “Hold on one second, cousins.  This one’s on our side!”  They put the pegasus down and within seconds the cow pony had her friend untied and ungagged.  
“What the hay!  That was so not cool!” Rainbow Dash grimaced, stretching her wings to get a kink or two out.  
“Sorry about that sugar cube.  We’ve been tryin’ ta deal with these newsponies friendly-like for the past four days but they’ve been gettin’ downright disrespectful.  Yesterday, some of ‘em even knocked down half a dozen saplings in order ta get Big Mac outside fer an interview.  O’ course y’all realize that means war, so we put up the signs and we’re takin’ this lot over ta the sheriff.”
“Where was Big Mac running off to?” the pegasus asked.
“Ah don’t rightly know.  He just said he had a plan and took off.”
“Well it must have worked because he’s coming back and there aren’t any paparazzi with him.”  
Applejack looked and sure enough here came her brother, trotting casually through the front gate, a little bit of a strut to his step and a small, satisfied look on his face.  There was a thick layer of mud on his back legs and hooves.  He reached the cart and begin hitching himself to in for the journey into town.  
“What happened ta all yer admirers?” the cow pony asked.
“Y’all all know that rickety old wooden bridge down by the creek?”
“The one at Mud Flat Ford?” asked Applejack.
“Eeeyup.”
“What about it?”
“It ain’t there no more,” Big Mac explained.  “No one apparently told them reporters it could only be crossed one pony at a time.”
“Y’all mean…?”
“Eeeyup.  Every last one o’ them.  Likely the mud ruined a couple hundred bits worth o’ camera equipment, but Ah recon it serves ‘em right.”
Applejack grinned wickedly while Rainbow Dash collapsed on the ground in a spasm of laughter.  After a minute of non-stop snickering the pegasus got back to her hooves.  “Boy… this I’ve got to see for myself.”  She rocketed off the ground and headed in the direction of the creek.  Big Mac finished hitching himself to the cart and both he and his sister headed into town, leaving the morning chores in the capable hooves of their cousins.  
They reached sheriff’s office after about thirty minutes and off-loaded the ponies.  Both farmers stood next to the sheriff, a pony named Silver Star, and watched as one of the deputies processed them and herded them into a jail cell.
“Hey… What about Freedom of the Press?” one reporter complained.
“What about respect for property rights?” the sheriff responded.  “You saw the ‘No Trespassing’ signs, so stop complaining and pony up like any respectable colt.”
“Don’t be too surprised when y’all see a bunch o’ ponies straggle inta town plastered in mud,” Applejack warned him.  “They collapsed the Mud Flat Ford Bridge.
“Were they part of this group too?”
“Eeeyup.” 
“None of them hurt, I hope.”
“Only their pride,” the red furred stallion assured him.
“Well… I figure their fines should just about cover the cost of rebuilding the bridge.  Thing was becoming a hazard anyway.”  He grinned at the two farmers.  “Don’t worry, Miss Applejack, Mr. Macintosh.  I’ll have a little talk all these fellas and see they respect your privacy in the future.”
“Much obliged,” Applejack replied.
The stallion turned back to hitch himself to the cart when his sister put out a hoof.  “Hold it there big bro.”
“What?”
“Ain’t y’all suppose ta get together with Luna this afternoon?”
“Eeeyup.”
“Well, look at yer-self.  Yer flanks are covered in mud and y’all haven’t had a decent curry or hoof-a-cure in some time.  Unless ya like lookin’ scruffy fer yer lady-love, Ah’d suggest y’all join me and a couple o’ ma friends over at the spa.  They’ll have ya lookin’ like a million bits in no time.”  
“Kind o’ expensive, ain’t it?”
“We can afford it, sugar cube.  Y’all should try ta relax some and enjoy yer-self.”
“Well…”
“Besides… We got a Hearts and Hooves Special coupon in the mail the other day.  One free make-over for every filly who brings a colt ta the spa, and since Ah ain’t got no special somepony ta use it with....”
Big Mac thought about it for a moment.  “Well… as long as it’s free… Though it seems a might strange ta get a coupon like that four months after the holiday.”
“Probably got lost at the post office.  Who cares, as long as it’s still good.”
The stallion shrugged and the two ponies cantered off towards the spa.

**********

“So, Lulu… just what exactly are your plans for tonight?” asked Princess Celestia as she sipped on a cup of coffee over breakfast.  
The dark-blue furred princess smiled coyly.  “Well, I arranged for tickets to that new musical, Sweeny Trot.”
“The one that opens tonight?  What’s it about?”
“I do not know… but considering who it stars, it should be both a bit fun and offbeat.  Besides, I kind of like being surprised with something new.”  Luna paused as she delicately took a sip of her tea.  
“Then what?” her sister asked.
“After that, we have a reservation at the Canterlot Lounge for dinner.  I plan to pop the question over desert.”
“Splendid,” the sun princess said.  “Ambush him after a good meal and he might not refuse.”
“Tia!  Are you suggesting he would turn me down?”
Her sister gave her a wicked grin.  “He might… if you don’t do something about those teeth of yours.”
“What’s wrong with my teeth?”  Luna levitated a small silver plate in front of her and examined herself in the reflection.  Sure enough, she had grown a pair of rather large fangs that hung down like that of a saber tooth pony.  
“DISCORD!!!”
There was the echoing sound of laughter that faded quickly into the distance.  Moments later, her teeth returned to normal.  
“Honestly, Tia, I wish you’d reconsider giving him permission to prank one of us every morning to get his day started right.”
Celestia chuckled.  “It’s a small price to pay to keep him happy and under control.  Besides, I remember you laughing yesterday when he turned me into a reptilian version of myself.”  
“He called it a Kieran, or Dragon Horse, not a reptile.”
“Still, what’s good for the goose?”  She paused for a moment.  “Does Sir Macintosh know he’s going to have to dress-up for this evening?”
“I sent a note to Applejack.  She promised to have him, as she put it, all spit shined by this evening, though she doesn’t yet know why.”
Celestia chuckled.  “I can almost picture the look on his face when you propose.  It’s going to be priceless.”

**********

“Wouldn’t it be easier if Ah just wore ma regular horse collar?  Princess Celestia had it all spiffed up fer me…”
“Absolutely NOT, darling!  Rarity replied.  “Applejack said you were going to a Canterlot premier, and as nice as your horse collar is you need to be bedazzling when you step out with a Princess.”  A number of bolts of cloth fluttered around the room, laying themselves one by one against the farmer’s flank.  The fashionista examined each color individually.  	“No… No… No… well maybe… definitely not!”  She smiled at Big Mac.  “Red is such an unusual color to compliment, especially for summer fashions.  I just love a challenge.”
“Y’all sure Ah’m not puttin’ you out any?” the farmer asked.  “I mean, this is kinda last minute and all...”
“Don’t be absurd.  I’ve already finished the designs for my fall collection and business has been a little slow for my liking, so it really is my pleasure.  Besides, when you show up to the premier in one of my creations I’m certain to get at least two dozen orders from Canterlot alone.  If you prefer, just think of it as doing ME a great big favor.  Now… knees straight, chest up… That’s better.”
The door to the shop opened and in trotted Applejack, accompanied by Twilight and Fluttershy.   “So… how’s the designin’ comin’?”  
“As well as can be expected,” Rarity assured them. “There are so few colors that compliment red fur without seeming garish.  I can’t go with a standard black, not on a summer design.”  She took a few steps back and examined Mac from several angles.
“Well, what about white?” asked Twilight, trying to be helpful.  
“The trouble with white is it tends to gleam too much against a black background, and it is an evening premier… Humm!”  Rarity suddenly brightened. “OH MY…IDEA!” she practically sang.  A cream colored bolt of subdued satin pressed itself against the farmer.  “PERFECT!  This, with a matching white vest and a pale lime shirt with a slightly greener cravat to match his eyes.”  A yellow tape measure practically flew across the stallion’s body, measuring him carefully.  “Rarity… you’ve done it again!”
“Does it bother any pony else that she’s startin’ ta sound a little like Trixie?” muttered Applejack.  Fluttershy quietly stifled a giggle when she heard this.  
“Alright ladies, you may have him for now, but I’ll need him back here in one hour for a final fitting.”
“Sound’s alright by us,” Twilight replied.  She looked at Big Mac.  “Why don’t you join us for lunch over at Sugar-cube Corner?”
“But Ah still have some chores ta do back home afore ma date.”
“Nothing doing, Big Brother.  You are officially off chores for the rest of today.  Y’all can make up for it tomorrow.  Ah don’t want ya chipping a hoof or messin’ up that nice curry job ya had this morning.’  
“Yes,” asserted Twilight as she and the others escorted him out of Carousel Boutique.  “This is the first time you and Princess Luna will be appearing in public as a couple, and you really do want to look your best for her, don’t you?”
“If ya put it that way, Eeeyup.”
They arrived at Sugar-cube Corner and, with the help of Pinky Pie found a table off in one corner away from most of the other customers.  They quickly placed their orders and sat back to talk about the latest doings around Ponyville.  As always, Big Mac simply listened while everyone else talked, adding his trademark “Eeeyup” and “Nnnope” whenever asked a question.  The meal was pleasant enough and rather uneventful except for the inevitable collision, or two, between Pinky Pie and the other waiters, one of whom the stallion didn’t recognize.  Throughout the meal the stallion found himself thinking of Luna, wishing she were there instead of Twilight.    
When they all finished, they returned to Rarity’s and watched as the fashionista made final adjustments to Big Mac’s wardrobe.  When she finished, she put the stallion on display for all to see.  Much to his surprise, the clothes were quite comfortable.  Perhaps not as much as his normal horse collar, but better than he had expected.  
“Wow!” said Twilight.  “He looks so… distinguished in that outfit I think he even puts Prince Blueblood to shame.”
Rarity frowned.  “I thought we agreed never to mention that name around me!”  
There was the sound of tinkling bells and Shadow Starlight entered.  “There you are!  Finally,” she neighed in frustration.  “I’ve been looking for you all morning.  We still have some work to do on the investment ceremony... “  Her voice trailed off as her eyes fell upon Big Mac.  All she could mutter was a soft, “Wow,” before shaking her head and focusing once more on business.  
“I also have the proofs of your shield for your approval.”
“Ma what?” asked Big Mac.
“Your shield.  Every knight has a heraldic shield made for them.”  She looked at Big Mac.  “Hasn’t your sister ever shown you the shield she earned as one of the Elements of Harmony?”
“Nnnope... Not as Ah can recall.”
“Well, yours is to be Giles, on an Engrailed Bend of Or, Flanked by crossed Scythe and Pitchfork above and an Apple, Vert, below.  Like all other Equestrian knights, your crest is a Sun and Moon entwined.”
“Uh... What does all that mean?”
“Oh it’s simple, darling,” Rarity explained.  “It means you have a red shield representing strength and selflessness with a gold, diagonal bar with wavy lines running across it that represents the land’s generosity.  Above the bar are a pair of farm tools representing hope and fruitful harvest and below a green apple representing hope, joy, loyalty in love, liberality, felicity and peace.”
Shadow Starlight looked at the fashionista.  “You’ve studied heraldry?” 
“My dear, my life is the art of the dress.  You wouldn’t expect anything less than perfection, would you?”
“I suppose not,” she replied, removing a scroll from her saddlebags which she opened up for all to see.  It was an artist’s rendering of Macintosh’s shield.  “What do you think?  Do you like it?”
The farm pony looked at it for a moment, then nodded, a smile crossing his face.  “Eeeyup.”
Rarity looked over Shadow’s shoulder then suddenly brightened.  “OH... OH MY!  IDEA!” she sing-sang.  Big Mac found himself abruptly confronted with a veritable cloud of sewing needles and several spools of thread that, under the unicorn’s precise guidance, threaded themselves with the needles.  “Now, whatever you do... DON’T MOVE!”
The stallion gulped and closed his eyes as the needles vigorously attacked the left lapel of his jacket.  Two minutes and forty-two seconds later he heard Rarity tell him it was safe to look.  He opened his eyes and saw a mirror being held in front of him.  In it was the reflection of a miniature version of the shield, embroidered onto his lapel.”
“That was simply amazing,” said Shadow Starlight.  I’ve never seen anyone with that kind of magical dexterity before.”  She looked at the fashionista.  “Do you take special orders?”
“Rarity smiled.  “All the time, darling.”
“Wonderful!  I have a cousin who’s getting married in about two months and I want to recommend she come to you for her gown.”
A small business card floated up from a nearby desk and hovered in front of Starlight.  “Just have her contact me sometime this week so I can book her into my schedule,” Rarity said.  She then proceeded to delicately strip her work from Big Mac, hanging each piece up for final inspection and trimming of loose threads.  For a moment, the plow pony found himself standing completely undressed in front of a gaggle of appreciative mares, well, except for Applejack who politely turned her head and Fluttershy who hunkered down and covered her eyes.  He quickly donned his horse collar, making him feel a bit more, ‘decent’.
Shadow Starlight glanced around the boutique. “Is there someplace where I can continue preparing Sir Macintosh for his investment?”
“You can use the library,” offered Twilight.  “It’s not far and there’s a small conference room that could easily suit your purposes.”
The unicorn bowed gracefully.  “Thank-you, your highness, but I wouldn’t want to impose my presence on your home.”
“Please, it would be my pleasure,” the alicorn insisted.  “The library’s open to all; and if you would, save the formalities for, well formalities.  My name is Twilight.”
“Yes Prin... ah... I mean Twilight.  Thank-you!”  She turned to the stallion.  “Come along, Sir Macintosh.  We have quite a bit to cover before your chariot for this evening arrives.” 
Applejack looked at her friends.  “Speakin o’ which, Ah should get back ta the farm and make sure our cousins haven’t burned the place down.”  She turned to face Big Mac.  “You play nice and keep ta yer lessons.  Ah’ll be back in time ta see ya off on yer shindig.”
“Yes... and I should really get back to my cottage and check on a couple of sick otters I’m treating,” said Fluttershy.
With that, everyone departed the boutique, leaving Rarity to finish her work. 

> Chapter 12
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“Okay,” said Shadow Starlight.  “Let’s try this one more time.  Take a deep breath and repeat after me.  To the Honor and Glory of Equestria... To the Princesses of the Sun and Moon...  I pledge my Loyalty, my Strength and my Valor, defending this Land, this People, and this Nation.”
Big Mac closed his eyes and concentrated.  “Ta the Honor and Glory o’ Equestria... Ta the Princesses o’ the Sun and Moon... Ah pledge ma Loyalty, ma Strength and ma Valor, defendin’ this Land, this People, and this Nation.”
The unicorn tiredly shook her head.  “Well, you have the words memorized well enough, but that accent has to go... at least for the oath.”
“What’s wrong with ma accent?”
“First...it’s to, not ta.  Second it’s of, not o’, third it’s I, not Ah, forth it’s my, not ma and finally you have to stop dropping your G’s at the end of words.”
Macintosh snorted in frustration.  “Ah don’t see how Ah’m goin’ ta change so much about how Ah speak in such a short time.”
“Well... let’s try a different approach.  How many ears do I have?”
“Come again?”
“Humor me... How many ears?”
“Uh... two.”
"What’s the opposite of on?”
“Off.”
She reached a hoof up to her face.  “What am I covering?”
“Yer eye.”
“Alright... and what do you use with a pen?”
“Ink?”
“And finally, what am I pointing to?”
“Ma eye.”
“Good, said Shadow.  Now let’s try a few creative substitutions.”  Five minutes of effort later, Big Mac’s oath began sounding something like this.
“Two the Honor and Glory off Equestria... Two the Princesses off the Sun and Moon... Eye pledge m’eye Loyalty, m’eye Strength and m’eye Valor, two defendink this Land, this People, and this Nation.”
“Better.  I’m going to go over your entire oath and make a whole bunch of phonetic changes, though we will still have to work on the g’s and the off’s.”  
There was a gentle knock on the door and it opened to reveal Twilight’s dragon assistant, Spike.  Shadow Starlight smiled.  “What time is it?”
“It’s only about two-thirty,”
“Good.  That gives us about another hour before you have to be back over at Rarity’s.” she said, looking at Big Mac.  “You up for a few more tries at the ending?”
Having made some progress, the stallion was eager to see what else he could accomplish before his date with Luna.  “Eeeyup,” he replied.
“Is there anything I can get for you?” dragon asked. 
“Well, maybe another half pot of this delicious tea.”
“Coming right up,” Spike replied, grabbing the tea cart and rolling it back to the kitchen.  He always liked it when his culinary efforts were appreciated, even with something as simple as tea.  He refilled the kettle and plopped it onto the stove, lighting the pilot with a small huff of his own dragon’s breath.  He then grabbed a step-stool and clambered up to the counter.   He rinsed out the tea strainer and quickly repacked it with a fresh scoop of tea leaves.  This he placed into the teapot to await the hot water.  A small gust of wind caught him by surprise and he noticed the window above the sink was open, though he didn’t remember having opened it himself.  Clambering into the sink, he reached over and closed it, latching it firmly.  
A few minutes later the kettle began to whistle.  He reached over and scooped it up barehanded.  (Being a dragon, he had no reason to wear oven mitts.)  He filled the teapot about half-way, and while it steeped, he went to the icebox and brought out a small carton of cookies left over from a recent Pinky Pie party.  He dropped about a dozen of them on a plate, put it and the teapot on the tea cart and rolled it back into the library.  
Behind the small dragon a shadowy figure watched from a dark corner.  Evil green eyes flashed with the desire for escape and as soon as the kitchen door closed, the black form seemed to flow up the counter and over to the closed window.  It struggled for a moment to re-open the latch.  As it did, the creature slipped, knocking over several canisters including the ones for sugar, tea, coffee and salt.  The noise, while not loud, startled it and in a panic it raced out of the tree and hid in some nearby shadows.  It waited there several hours until the sun began to sink in the sky.  From its hiding place it watched as the unicorn mare and the stallion left.  It continued to watch when a sky-chariot, guided by a quartet of white pegasi guard ponies, landed on the village green and picked up the stallion, who was now dressed in more formal attire.  As the chariot disappeared into the night the creature smiled.  He must report back to his mistress.  She would be pleased to know he had accomplished his mission.  His form shifted and with a buzzing sound he vaulted into the night sky.  
Back inside the kitchen, Spike discovered the counter-top mess and the opened window.  The sight of small, rodent-like footprints in the sugar convinced him that at least one of the squirrels living in the upper branches of the library tree must be the guilty party.  He would have to ask Twilight to see if Fluttershy could come by and talk them out of using their home as a pantry. 
He began cleaning up the mess, but then paused when he noticed that there were some kind of black granules mixed in with the tea.  Curious, he licked his finger, dabbed it in the black powder and put a pinch of it on his tongue to see if it was some kind of herb.  It dissolved instantly, but the slight bitterness made him wonder if there was something wrong with the tea.  Oddly, it tasted more like a gemstone than an herb.  Neither Shadow Starlight nor Big Mac had complained, but then they hadn’t consumed nearly as much of the second pot of tea as they had the first.  Spike finished with the countertop and resealed the canister of tea, putting it aside so he could take it back to the grocer and ask about it. 

**********

Standing on her balcony in the tallest tower of the castle, Princess Celestia looked out upon Equestria and watched as the last rays of her sun slowly vanished over the horizon.  Turning to the east she focused her magics and felt the soft glow of a crescent moon climb into the sky, veiled by a cloud of stars that spread out into a predetermined pattern of constellations.  This was still Princess Luna’s arrangement.  All Celestia had done was give her sister the evening off.
From her perch high in the castle, the Sun Princess watched as Sir Macintosh arrived in the sky chariot and trotted, happily to judge by his gait, into the gardens to await his lady fair.  About ten minutes later Luna stepped out into the garden and joined him.  She was wearing a silver and gold gown that shimmered gently in the nightlights.  They exchanged a gentle, if somewhat protracted kiss, then the farmer presented the alicorn with a small corsage which he gallantly wrapped around her left leg.  Celestia had the feeling that either Twilight or Rarity was behind the gesture.  The two left, side by side and climbed into a royal carriage for their trip to the theatre.  The Sun Princess recognized it as the same one Princess Cadence and Shining Armor had used following their wedding.  She wondered if that was by design or fate.
Turning, she strolled back into the castle, humming a tune she remembered once hearing Pinky Pie sing during the Grand Galloping Gala.  It was rather funny and offbeat, but it seemed to fit her mood perfectly.  
“And lo, the young lovers amble forth into the world, hearts entwined and hooves apace with each other.”
Celestia looked around, then saw a brown furred unicorn leaning casually against a nearby column, poised as if holding the castle up.  She put on her best regal smile and turned to face him.  “Pleasant evening, Discord.  What brings you about?”
“Oh, nothing much.  I just wanted to see how you were doing, now that your so recently rescued sister is flying from the nest.”
“She’s hardly ‘flying’ from the nest.  She’s simply going out on a date with her special somepony to see a musical play.”
“Yes, I know.  Something called Sweeny Trot,” he chuckled.  “It will be her first ‘official’ appearance in public with the great and powerful Macintosh Apple.  Defender of princesses, harvester of produce and brave bucking bronco of Bohemian bores.”
“I assume that last is a reference to you?”
“None other,” Discord replied, whirling around and lifting his tail for the alicorn to see.  “I even have the hoof prints to prove it...”
“I happen to know for a fact that Big Mac booted you in the chin.  You’re just trying to get me to look at your ass.”
“Aww... and such a lovely derriere it is too.  You’re really missing something Princess.”
“I’ve seen better,” she countered.
“You’re no fun,” the Draconequus pouted.  He suddenly brightened.  “Say, I have an idea.  Why don’t the two of us disguise ourselves and tag along with the lovers to the theatre?”
Celestia shook her head firmly.  “No, Discord.”  This is Luna’s big night and I’m not going to ruin it for her, or for that matter allow you to ruin it.”
“And what makes this night any different from any of the other secret dates she and Sir Apple have been on?  I mean, she’s not proposing or anything... right.”  When there was no immediate comeback from the alicorn Discord looked at her.  The expression on her face was unmistakable.  “No... You’re kidding, right?  Luna’s not actually going to... to... propose to that big lug... is she?”
“And what if she is?”
To Celestia’s amazement the Draconequus started chuckling, then laughing, then guffawing until his pony form melted away and he was restored to his normal serpentine one.  Even then the laughing didn’t stop as he curled up on himself to the point he looked like a flemished rope on the deck of a ship.  By this time tears were coming to his eyes.
The princess looked on, a sense of dread growing within her.  “What did you do?”
“Do?” Discord gasped between bouts of laughter.  “Do?  Why nothing... nothing at all.  It’s just... just!”  He burst out laughing again.  “Your sister is going to propose marriage after taking her beloved out to see the opening night of a musical about... about CANNIBALISM!”
“WHAT?”
“As Professor Pony I was asked to sit in on this afternoon’s dress rehearsal so I could write a review for the college paper.”
“And you didn’t think to tell Luna?”
“Why would I?  As a Gala Premier date, the idea was funny enough that I just couldn’t bring myself to spoil the adventure of discovery.  But now... now the idea that she’s proposing is HYSTERICAL!”  His laughter grew, filling the hall.  
At first, the Sun Princess was annoyed with Discord, but on reflection, she could see he didn’t have anything to do with the situation, and she had to admit it was quite funny.  That, and the Draconequus’ laughter was so infectious she found herself chuckling alongside.  
“Oh... Poor Lulu!”
“I wouldn’t worry about her,” Discord said.  “Love has made a better pony, and stronger ruler of her than anything you or I could devise.  She’ll triumph in the end and you’ll have yet another wedding to officiate over.”
“Yes, I will won’t I?”
“You know, I’m going to have to give them an engagement present.  Something practical, yet wickedly clever.”  
“Perhaps you can turn the Canterlot Gardens into an apple orchard.”
Discord looked at her thoughtfully.  “That’s right, isn’t it?  If he becomes a Prince Consort, he’ll have to leave behind a life-style he loves.  That’s not good.”
“I’ve already spoken to him about it.  He understands the sacrifice he’d be making and still wants to be with Luna.”
“True... he is a very level headed pony.  Too bad he can’t have his apple cake and eat it too.”  The chimera tapped a claw against his tooth thinking for a moment.  “Wait a moment.  He can!”
“What do you mean?” asked Celestia. 
“His cake!” the Draconequus said.  “Look, you remember that portal mirror you had moved up to the Crystal Empire a few months ago?”
“Yes... It’s an ancient magic which no pony truly understands.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t exactly say no pony,” Discord replied with a grin.
“YOU?”
“Yes... one of my better spells.  I can create another pair of matched mirrors that would allow either Macintosh or your sister to step through and be instantly transported to Sweet Apple Acres.  It’s easy because it wouldn’t have to cross dimensional boundaries and the two portals would be relatively close to each other, all they’d have to do is step through and voila.  He could work the farm to his heart’s content and be instantly available here should the need arise.”
“Instantly?”
“Well, almost instantly.  At least as long as it would take a pony to be summoned from one end of the castle to the other.”  The Draconequus started to get excited as he thought of the possibilities.  “I could even add a grooming element to the mirror so when Sir Macintosh stepped through he’d look like a Prince, no matter how much mud or sweat he’d accumulated.”
Celestia smiled.  “You know... that does sound like a truly practical, and wickedly clever gift.”
“No time to lose,” he shouted.  “I must get started on this project while the muse is with me!”  There was a sudden pop of air and Discord once more took on the shape of Professor Pony.  “Quickly Igor... to the secret lab!”  Celestia watched as the brown furred unicorn dashed out of the room and down the hall.  A small end table with a potted plant atop it came to life and galloped in pursuit.  The Sun Princess quietly wondered what in Equestria he wanted with the table, or for that matter, the plant.

**********

“Well...” Luna observed as the curtain came down, the applause slowly faded and the house lights came up.  “That was certainly... uh... interesting.”
“Eeeyup,” Big Mac replied, blinking as his eyes adjusted once more to the normal glow of the overhead chandelier.  
“The songs were good...”
“Eeeyup.”
“And I think the acting was quite respectable, if a little off beat.”
“Eeeyup.”
“And you could say the stage décor was... appropriate.”
“Eeeyup.”
“Overall, the director did a suitable job, don’t you think?”
“Eeeyup.”
“Is that all you have to say about the entire play?” Luna asked.
The stallion looked over at her.  “Did it have ta be pies?” he asked.  The expression on his face was such that the princess burst out laughing even as Macintosh grinned mischievously at her.  
“Eeeyup,” she replied.
The curtains at the back of the private booth opened and one of Luna’s Night guard presented himself.  “We are ready whenever you are, your majesty.”  With that, the alicorn and the earth pony both rose from their seats and made their way to the front lobby.  A crowd had gathered, and there was polite applause for the couple.  The lead actor and actress stepped forward, the former giving both Luna and Big Mac copies of the playbill signed by every member of the cast.  The actress, a rather handsome, middle-aged mare smiled and presented Luna with a dozen roses.  The Princess thanked her, then removed one of the roses from the bunch, broke its stem, and tucked the flower through a button hole in Macintosh’s lapel.  There was another round of friendly applause and the couple strode out onto the street to be greeted by a dozen or so flashbulbs going off in their face.  
Ignoring the questions being thrown at them, the two ponies, protected by a royal honor guard, stepped up into their carriage.  The door closed, the guards moved back, and the vehicle advanced out into the street.
“Ah can see why you and Celestia spend so much time in your castle.  Just walking down the street can be a chore,” the stallion observed.  
“Oh, it’s not so bad.  We do it a lot more often than most ponies realize.”
“In disguise?”
“That’s part of the fun of it,” giggled Luna.  She sat quietly for a moment, trying to settle the butterflies bouncing around in her stomach the closer they got to their destination.  Arriving at the restaurant there was a short repeat of what had happened outside the theatre.  Thankfully, there were fewer paparazzi, though these seemed a little more aggressive than the ones at the theatre.  Big Mac thought he recognized one or two of them from this morning.
It did not take long for the maître d to seat them in a secluded corner and to ensure they were promptly served.  The stallion told Luna about his encounter with the press.  
“You really should take care how you treat them,” the princess cautioned with a smile.  “It is within their power to influence public opinion.  They can make other ponies like you or hate you, based on how you well you respect them.”
“Maybe,” the farmer said, “but they were still wrong.  The saplings they pulled up were supposed ta be part of another whole new orchard.  Applejack had just signed the paperwork ta buy thirty acres o’ land from the next farm over.  No pony likes ta see their hard work tossed down the cistern.”
“I can most assuredly understand,” Luna replied.  “Given similar circumstances, Tia and I would probably have chastised them in a like manner... then thrown their muddy flanks into the dungeon.”
Big Mac grinned.  “Y’all know what they say about great minds.”
“Eeeyup.”  
It wasn’t long before the food arrived and the two lovers were occupied with playfully feeding each other and joking about friends and family.  Appetizers of dandelion soup and endive salad were followed by plates brimming with walnut and spinach pasta, hayseed cakes, carrot soufflé and a bottle of champaign.  Much of the food was fancier, and a touch richer, than the stallion was used to, but the flavors were so amazing he couldn’t resist at least sampling a bit of everything.  By the time dessert arrived, he was tempted to turn it down, that is until he discovered it was a zap-apple torte from Sweet Apple Acres preserves.  Luna, who’d never had anything made from zap-apples before was amazed at the flavor.  
They finished their meal and Luna delicately used her napkin to dab a bit of pastry off the farmer’s mouth.  “Uh... Mac, Darling?” she started nervously.
The stallion paused and looked at her, sensing something important was happening.  The princess had never called him ‘Darling’ before.  The intensity of his gaze threw the alicorn off slightly.  “Okay Luna,” she thought to herself, “Get a grip.  You know what you want to say... just put one word in front of the other and get it out.  Oh, I’m so nervous!”
“Sir Macintosh...?”
“Eeeyup?”
“You can do this... You can do this... Why is everyone looking at me?”  
“Mac?   Uh... Dearest?  I... Uh... I mean we... No, I... I wanted to ask you...”
“Eeeyup?” the stallion asked.
“Oh Tia... where are you when I need you?  NO!  I don’t need Tia for this.  This is something I can do... have to do... WANT TO DO!”
“Would... would you... would you like... to... to...” Luna’s mind froze for an instant as she looked into the eyes of the pony she loved.  “The heck with it...”
“LET’S GET MARRIED!”
The words exploded from the princess’ mouth like one of Pinky’s party cannons going off.  All conversation around them came to a sudden, and somewhat jarring stop and one nearby waiter dropped a tray of dishes.  Luna closed her eyes and face-hoofed.  
Before she knew what was happening she felt a pair of warm, gentle lips press against hers.  She opened her eyes and found Big Mac kissing her.  He broke off the caress and leaned back, looking at her, a broad, gentle smile on his face.
“Yes!” he whispered, grazing his cheek against hers.  
Around them arose a gentle, polite applause as other ponies, smiling, brought their hooves together in approval.  When they left the restaurant a few minutes later word was already racing ahead of them like wildfire.  There was going to be a new Prince in Canterlot.  
Neither the princess nor her stallion noticed the small drop of crimson staining her napkin.

> Chapter 13
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“Rise and shine Big Brother.  We’re burnin’ daylight.” 
Macintosh Apple felt the blanket being pulled off him as he struggled to wake up.  The sun was just peeking over the horizon and the farmer realized overslept.  “What time is it?” he asked groggily.
“About five-forty-five in the monnin’” Applejack replied, stepping back as the stallion slowly rolled out of bed and planted his hooves on the floor.  “Considerin’ how late y’all got back from Canterlot, Granny and Ah thought it’d be a good idea ta let ya sleep an extra hour.”  She turned and left the room to give her brother a chance clean up.  
“Thanks,” he muttered to no one in particular as he tried to brush the sleep from his eyes.  He couldn’t understand it.  Why did he feel so tired?  Normally, a short night didn’t bother him much, even one with Luna.  For some reason though, he was feeling a little ‘off’ this morning.  Macintosh ambled slowly down the hall and into the bathroom.  He tried throwing water on his face, then soaking himself down with a cold shower.  Neither did much to wake him up.  Returning to his room, he put on his collar and went downstairs.  The stallion didn’t understand why, but like so many things that were off this morning his horse collar seemed unusually heavy.  He wondered if he were getting sick, but he dismissed the thought.  He hadn’t been sick since he was ten years old and had the pony pox.  That was, of course, IF you didn’t count the occasional farm accident related trips to the Ponyville Clinic.   
Everypony was already outside at the large table next to the house eating breakfast.  Getting himself a cup of coffee, he went outside to join them.  As soon as his hooves hit the ground he started to feel a lot better, more energized.  He smiled, took a sip on his coffee and sat down to a hearty breakfast, his appetite restored.
“So what are your plans today?”  Granny Smith asked as she bit into a piece of toast with apple-butter jam on it.  
“After Ah finish ma lessons with Lady Starlight, Ah thought Ah’d get the plow out and start preparing the new acreage fer planting.”
“Why bother?” Applebloom asked.  We ain’t got nearly enough saplings gathered yet ta plant the orchard.”
“Maybe not,” said Applejack, “but that piece o’ land’s lain fallow fer way too long.  If we turn the soil now and get it properly fertilized...”
“And get rid o’ all them dad-gum rocks,” Granny chimed in.
“... and get rid o’ the rocks, the land’ll be ready fer the saplings when we’re ready fer the land.” 
“Eeeyup,” added Big Mac. 
“That makes sense,” said Applebloom.  She suddenly brightened.  “Maybe some of them rocks are really gold.  If me and the crusaders helped, we could earn our cutie marks in gold mining.”
Grins were shared all around the table at the red-maned pony’s enthusiasm.  “’Fraid not young-un.  School starts next week and we’ve got ta get ya into town and buy supplies,” said Applejack.  
“AW!”
“Don’t worry,” said her cousin, Apple Seed.  “You’ll have lots o’ time to ramble around with your friends this afternoon.”
A distant whistle cut through the morning air and all eyes turned towards the front gate.  “Sounds like Derpy’s getting an earlier start than normal on the mail,” observed Granny.
“I’ll get it,” Applebloom announced, leaping out of her chair and galloping towards the main gate.  Several longer than normal minutes went by before she reappeared, dragging a leather satchel behind her that was almost twice her size and so overstuffed it was leaking letters.  Big Mac got up and went over to help, easily lifting the mailbag off the ground.  Applebloom went back and chased down the trail of envelopes that stretched back to the main gate.  
“What in tarnation have we got here?” asked Applejack.  
The stallion put the satchel on a clear area of the table.  Apple Cake and Carmel Apple started sifting through the post.  “Looks like most of these are telegrams for Big Mac,” said Carmel.  He paused for a moment.  “Why are some of them addressed to Prince Macintosh?” 
“Prince?”
“That’s what they say,’ said Apple Seed who joined in the sorting.  “Ah... here’s my copy of the Equestrian Gazette.”  He unrolled the paper and stared at the headline, then held it up for every pony to see.
PRINCESS LUNA TO WED!
Paramour Plow Pony to become Prince!
Sir Macintosh Apple Named as Consort.

All eyes turned to Big Mac.  “Is there something y’all need ta tell us?” asked Applejack.

**********

Shadow Starlight didn’t feel at all well.  When she had dragged herself out of bed, several hours later than normal, she’d made the mistake of looking in a mirror.  Her ebon mane and tail hung in ragged strands, her eyes were bloodshot and her gray coat was frizzed as a result of the night-sweats.  Worse, when she tried to brush her mane out the mere act of lifting the brush from the vanity next to her bed brought on a splitting headache.  She slowly walked to her bathroom and filled a glass of water by hoof, then removed a small bottle of aspirin from her medicine cabinet and shook out two tablets.  She swallowed them with the water then went back to bed.  
Reaching above her bed, she pulled on a small bell rope to summon the duty orderly.  A few moments later there was a soft knock on her door and it opened to reveal a palomino earth pony with a blue and white striped mane and tail, trimmed in neat, military style.  
“May I be of service Lady Starlight?”
“Yes,” she replied.  “I’m feeling somewhat under the weather this morning.  If you could, I would like you to send a message to Sir Macintosh Apple at Sweet Apple Acres in Ponyville.  Inform him that I shall not be able to meet with him today and will see him on the morrow.”
The orderly nodded.  “Yes milady.  Would you also like me to inform the Knight Commander that you are currently indisposed?”
She shook her head.  “I have no scheduled duties today, so I don’t believe that’s necessary.  All I need is some bed rest and plenty of fluids.”
“Yes, your ladyship.  With your permission I will send your message then bring you a bedside table with some apple juice and water for your convince.”  
“Yes, thank-you very much, corporal.”
“My pleasure, ma’am.”  He closed the door and trotted off to fulfill her request.  He made a mental note to send for a surgeon’s aide if the Lady Starlight was not feeling better by evening.  This he would do, with or without her permission.  Such was his duty as a Knight’s Orderly.

**********

The sun was up and Twilight Sparkle was just getting ready to catch a short nap, having once again spent the entire night studying about ancient mythological creatures.  As she entered her bedroom she noticed Spike was still curled up in his small bed.  It seemed rather odd, since he’d gone to bed early last night and was not prone to oversleeping.  
Gently, she went over to him and pulled back his blanket.  He half-opened one eye and groaned loudly.  “Is something wrong?”
“Uh!  Ugg!  Oh!  Bellyache!  Monster sized!”
“Have you been into the ice cream again?” Twilight asked, a gentle chiding tone in her voice.
“No I haven’t... Urk!”  He burped, then a panicked expression washed across his face.  “WINDOW... QUICK!”
The alicorn knew exactly what that meant.  Scooping up the dragon with her magic, she carried him over to the bedroom window and flung it open, aiming him up and away from the tree.  What followed was a tremendous belch, backed by a tongue of green flame at least a hundred feet in length.  It lasted for more than fifteen seconds, then sputtered out like a lighter running out of fuel.
“Whew... Oh boy, does that ever feel good!”
“What in Equestria did you eat?”
“Nothing out of the ordinary... I swear.  I didn’t even have anything from my stash of snack gems.”
“Well, that belch certainly wasn’t your normal ice cream belch.  You sure you didn’t eat something magical?  A flower?  An herb?  Maybe a parasprites?” 
“Yech!  Why would I eat a parasprite?”  Spike paused for a moment.  “Come to think of it, there were those tea crystals.”
“Tea crystals?”
“Yeah.  I found some black powder in the tea canister that tasted a bit like crystal.  Come on, I’ll show you.”  The dragon led Twilight down to the kitchen and climbed up his step-stool.  He stopped when he got to the counter and looked around.  		“Where is it?”
“What?”
“The tea canister.  I set it aside right here so I could take it back to the shop and get a refund.”  He noticed the window was opened once more.  “You don’t suppose the squirrel has it?”
“Squirrel?”
“Uh huh.  We’ve got a tree squirrel that keeps sneaking into the kitchen and messing around.  I think he’s after some food.”
“And he took the canister?”
“I don’t know.  It was here, but now it’s gone.”  Spike looked at the alicorn.  “You haven’t been in the kitchen, have you?”
“No... I was so busy with my research I ordered out.”
“Twilight!”
“It was just a small pizza and some dandelion juice.”  
The dragon shook his head.  “You know you’re supposed to eat more greens.”
“Well, there were bell peppers on the pizza,” she grinned but Spike wasn’t buying it.  “Anyway, what does that have to do with the missing tea canister?”
“It doesn’t,” the dragon replied.  “But I wanted to show you that black powder.”
“Did you use any of the tea yesterday?”
“Yes.  I made some for Big Mac and the unicorn who’s been teaching him.  Shadow Starlight.”  He suddenly snapped his fingers.  “Wait a second.  I poured out the teapot, but I forgot to clean out the tea strainer.”  He quickly looked through a small pile of dishes he hadn’t yet washed and pulled out the small strainer.  It was acorn-shaped with a top that unscrewed and a small chain.  Holes in the side allowed hot water to seep in and leach out the tea.  Laying a clean dish towel on the counter, the dragon unscrewed the cap and dumped the moist tea leaves onto it.  Both he and Twilight examined the refuse.  
“I don’t see any black powder,” Spike said.
“It probably dissolved in the hot water.  How often did you make tea yesterday?”
“Just twice.  I opened a new box because they were guests and the canister was almost empty.”
“So only Big Mac and Starlight drank from that box,” said Twilight.
“I guess, unless that squirrel had some.”
“Enough with the squirrel, Spike.”  The alicorn carefully folded the edges of the cloth together so nothing would spill from it.  		“I’m taking this down to the lab and see what I can see.”
“You think it’s that important?”
“Well, something gave you that belly ache this morning and it if was magical I want to know exactly what we served to our guests.”

**********

With breakfast over, the core of the Apple family gathered in the farmhouse to sort the morning mail and other matters.  Macintosh went over the whole evening step by step and filled them in on all the details up to the point where Princess Luna had teleported him home about two in the morning. 
“So let me get this straight,” Applejack said.  “Luna proposed ta ya last night over dessert.”
“Eeeyup.”
“And y’all accepted.”
“Eeeyup.”
Applebloom was on the living room floor still sorting through the mail, organizing Big Mac’s letters into piles labeled Prince, Prince Consort, Sir and just plain Macintosh Apple.  “So if ma brother is a prince...”
“Prince Consort,” Applejack corrected.
“Okay... a prince concert, what does that make me?”
“An annoying little squirt?” said Apple Cake as he handed her yet another pile to sort.
“Ain’t cha suppose ta be out in the south forty spreading manure with your cousins?” said Granny Smith.
“Can’t Ah spread some in here?” he asked with a grin.
“This ain’t no time for ruining ma carpets,” the matronly Apple replied.
Getting the oblique hint, Apple Cake rose to his hooves.  “On ma way,” the pony replied, trotting to the door.  “Maybe once he marries Princess Luna they can declare the farm a duchy.  That way Granny could be the Grand Duchess of Sweet Apple.”
“GIT!” 
Big Mac couldn’t help but notice a bit of a grin on Granny’s face as their cousin went out the door.  He sighed, then rubbed both temples with his hooves.  Applejack noticed immediately.
“Y’all feelin’ alright, sugar cube?”
“Got me a bit of a headache,” the stallion replied.  “That and the house feels a might stuffy.”
“Probably too much o’ that fancy champaign and celebratin’.”  Applejack thought for a moment.  “Tell ya what... Why don’t y’all take Applebloom inta town fer her supplies and Ah’ll hold down the fort here.  The walk will do ya some good, help ya clear yer head.”
The stallion thought about it for a while, then nodded.  “Sounds like a good idea... Ah could use the air.”  He looked over at his little sister.  “Come on squirt, get yer saddle bags.  We’re off ta do some school shoppin’”
Moments later the two of them were outside and cantering towards the main gate.  They reached the road and turned left heading towards Ponyville.  Like before, the moment Big Mac came into contact with the earth he started feeling better.  His head still ached a little, but now it was dull and far away like any pain that was slowly fading.  He also found it easier to breathe and the warm air of late summer filled his lungs comfortably.  As always, there came a point where Applebloom wanted to race some and Big Mac obliged her, but he found himself tiring far sooner than normal and after only a few minutes, his pace slowed to a walk.  
The headache came back, though not as fiercely as before.  He stopped to catch his breath and watched as his disappointed sister trotted back to his side.  “Y’all okay big brother?” she asked.  
“Eeeyup.  Just enjoyin’ the mornin’ sun,’ he said, trying not to worry his sister.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t exactly the truth.  He knew it, and being an Apple she could sense it as well.  
“If yer not feeling so good maybe we should go back home so y’all can lie down.”  
The stallion just shook his head.  “Got chores ta do in town.  Ah’ll rest when they’re done.”  With that, they continued their trip.  
As they approached the edge of Ponyville the two Apples could see something unusual was going on.  Before they could investigate they heard a small hiss from above them.  They looked up and saw small blue, rainbow maned pegasus sitting on a small cloud.  
“Hey you two... get out of sight before anypony else sees you.”
“Rainbow Dash?” asked Applebloom.  “What in tarnation’s goin’ on?”
“Your brother is what’s going on,” she replied.  “We’ve got ponies arriving from every city in Equestria with a newspaper or a magazine or even a comic book company, all trying to figure out a way to interview the new Prince of Plow Ponies here.  Sheriff Silver Star is doing his best to steer them away from your farm, but it’s like herding cats.  If they get one look at you coming into town then the game’s up.”
“Aw... but Ah was hopin’ ta see Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle at the stationary store.  Big Mac was bringing me in fer school supplies.”
“I’m afraid your friend is right,” said another voice.  The farmer turned and came face to face with a purple-furred mare with a white and light purple mane and tail.  On her flank she wore three smiling yellow daisy’s. 
“Miss Cheerilee,” beamed Applebloom.  
“Howdy, ma’am,” said Big Mac.  “Lookin’ forward ta the new school year?”
“As always,” replied the school teacher.  “But I’m not looking forward to the riot that might break out if either of you are seen in town.”  She looked up at the stallion.  “I already know what supplies your little sister will need for this next term.  Why not let me buy them for her and you can reimburse me later.”
“Ah’d hate ta impose...”
“Oh, you wouldn’t be imposing.  I’m off to the stationary store myself to get a new lesson plan and roll book.  Believe me, it would be a pleasure to help.  I’m hoping this year Applebloom might become her class valedictorian.”
“Valadic,,, whatis?”
“She means the class egghead,” Rainbow Dash explained.  Cheerilee shot a look at her which could have fried her pin-feathers off.  “Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” the pegasus finished lamely.  
In the distance there was a bit of yelling taking place in front of both the city hall and the sheriff’s office.  “You should get going now, Cheerilee urged.  I’ll stop by with Applebloom’s supplies later today.”
Both Apples thanked the teacher and Rainbow Dash and turned around heading back towards Sweet Apple Acres.  As they walked into the distance the pegasus landed next to Cheerilee and looked at her.  “Is it my imagination, or did Big Mac look a little run down?”
“If you mean was he sweating for no reason and were his eyes bloodshot, then no, it wasn't your imagination.” 
> Chapter 14
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The sun was slowly dipping towards the horizon when Corporal Cedar Shield returned to Lady Starlight’s apartment in the military quarter’s annex of Canterlot Castle.  Officially it was called the Morning Sword wing, after a stallion of great leadership ability and martial prowess.  All Canterlot Guards officers, Captain and above, who did not have personal homes in the city resided there, along with a handful of unattached Knights of the Equestrian Star.  Currently, twenty-three of the thirty-six apartments were assigned.  Shadow Starlight was the youngest of the Equestrian Knights, and the only young female currently in residence.  As a result, all the male orderlies tended to be a bit more protective of her than some of the other wing’s occupants.
Knocking gently on the door, Cedar waited a moment or two before trying the handle.  It was unlocked.  “Lady Starlight... ma’am?  Are you awake?“  There was no response.  The orderly pushed the door open further and cautiously paced into the sitting room portion of the quarters.  The curtains separating the sitting room from the bedchamber were tied back as before, leaving Cedar with an unobstructed view of the unicorn’s bed.  He could see her lying there, chest slowly rising and falling.  The pitcher of water he’d left on a folding table next to her bed was still there, partially drained, though the drinking glass next to it was on its side and a thin train of water could be seen dripping onto the carpet. 
Embolden by his obvious duty to tidy up, the corporal quietly went over to her bed and righted the glass.  Looking at the mare he suddenly froze in shock.  Her pillow was drenched in blood which seemed to seep lethargically from her mouth and nose.  A thin trail of red tears leaked from her closed eyes, pooling at the base of her neck.  Now that he was right next to her, the orderly could see that the slow rise and fall of her chest was actually a labored effort to breathe.
“Mi...Milady?  Are you all right?”  It was a stupid question which Cedar Shield would berate himself later for even asking.  One bloodshot eye partially opened and for the briefest moment focused on the earth pony.  “Please... Help... Me.”  
She winced as a spasm of pain wracked her body.  Shadow Starlight did not see the orderly racing out of the room or hear his desperate call for the medic.  She was much too busy struggling to take her next breath.

**********

“I don’t understand this at all,” muttered Dr. Bluestar.  The white-furred unicorn pony with an ice-blue mane and tail stared intently at the X-ray.  His cutie mark consisted of a crossed pair of scalples.   The pony standing next to him had a golden coat.  His mane and tail were fire red in color and he sported a thermometer and stethoscope as his cutie mark. 
“What’s not to understand?” asked Dr. Goldleaf.  “You’ve seen cancer before.  It’s unfortunate that such a young, brave and beautiful filly such as Lady Starlight has to suffer its effects, but life isn’t fair.  We can’t pick and choose who lives and who dies.”
Bluestar shook his head.  “That’s not what I’m talking about.  Yes, this is stage four cancer, but it shouldn’t be here.”
“Why not?”
“Because I gave this patient her annual physical less than a month ago.  It was a standard, full spectrum examination and I’ll swear to Celestia that there were absolutely NO indications of cancer at the time.   You can’t go from zero to stage four in only a month.  It’s impossible.”
Goldleaf examined the images as well.  “No,” he said cautiously, “you can’t.  Not unless this is some kind of new virulent strain that’s unclassified.”  
Bluestar switched out the X-ray photo for another one and paused, then pointed to it.  “Look at this!  The spread of the disease is...remarkable.  It starts here,” he said.  “In the stomach.  But instead of traveling through her intestines and into her lower organs and G.I. tract it jumps, straight into her chi centers.”
“Her what?” Goldleaf asked.
“Sorry.  I forgot you aren’t a specialist in metaphysics.  Her chi centers... the paths that magic travels through a pony’s body.  The cancer jumps from her lower stomach straight along the chi paths of her nervous system, eventually winding up in the brain and spinal column and horn.  It’s almost as if the growth is stimulated by magic.”
“How is that possible?” asked another softer, more mature voice.  The two doctors turned and found themselves face to face with Princess Celestia.  They both bowed deeply.
“Your highness.  I am sorry, had I but known the Lady Starlight was an acquaintance I would have informed you personally of her illness.”
“Any pony residing in the castle is of concern to me.”  She strode up to the photo and looked at it.  “How can you tell its cancer?”
“These black growths along the bone and imbedded within the organs don’t match anything else.  What distresses me is the speed at which this is advancing.”
“What are you doing to help her?”
Goldleaf stepped forward.  “When she arrived we immediately began draining the excess fluid that had built up around her lungs.  Her breathing has thus improved.  We’re using a combination of plasma and whole blood to replace what she’s lost so far, but we haven’t been able to stop the bleeding completely.  We have her on an IV drip of saline and another of morphine to help with her pain, which judging from the muscle spasms must be considerable.  We also did an emergency biopsy and are awaiting the lab results before we take further action.”
“So is her condition stable?”
The two doctors looked at each other and shook their heads.  Bluestar explained.  “We’re barely able to hold ground against the cancer.  If allowed to progress unimpeded, she will be dead within a few days.  Even with our intervention, I don’t know how we can keep her alive for more than a week.  
Princess Celestia paused for a moment, unhappy to hear such a dire prognosis.  She turned and stood over by the window of the ICU and looked in at Lady Starlight.  A variety of tubes, some filled with crimson, were connected to her, drawing off blood that still leaked from her nose, mouth and now her ears.  She was hooked up to a ventilator which made breathing easier and her eyes were closed.  An occasional twitch or tremor marked the passage of yet another spasm.  
The alicorn’s expression became somber. “You were saying something earlier about this illness being unnatural, possibly magical?” 
Dr. Goldleaf looked at the princess.  “We don’t know that there is any magic involved here.  We were discussing its unusual progress and its seeming affinity for chi paths, but with only the one case to examine, it’s merely speculation at best.”
“But as a specialist in cancer, you find it... unusual?”
“Very much so,” he confirmed, “but not altogether unbelievable.  There’s so much we don’t know about how this disease works that often treatment is a matter of hit and miss.”
“I see,” replied the princess.  “Well, if that’s the case can you confirm if magic is involved?”
“There are some tests we could run, but they take time to administer.  We wouldn’t have a definitive answer for at least 36 hours.”
“Then you should run your tests,” Celestia suggested.  “If magic is involved, then magic may be the only way to save your patient’s life.” 
“Yes, your majesty,” the two doctors replied.  
The alicorn turned to go, a number of thoughts running through her mind.  At the very least, she should start an informal inquiry, not so much because she believed something was amiss, but because she wanted to eliminate as many potential explanations for Starlight’s sudden illness as possible.  Once that was done, then whatever was left should be the truth.  
Leaving the intensive care ward Celestia was joined by her standard retinue, two guards, a lady in waiting, her chancellor and a scribe.  She turned towards this last pony and paused to form her thoughts.  “Take a letter please...”

*********

Big Mac stood outside the farmhouse breathing in the cool night air.  Being in the open felt good, but it wasn’t helping him settle dinner too well.  His appetite was way down from this morning and he felt uncomfortably warm.  Not sick mind you... at least not yet, but definitely uncomfortable.  Judging from the moon’s position it was a little past nine-thirty.  On any other night, the stallion might have expected a visit from Princess Luna, but tonight she was holding her Night Court, so she wouldn’t be able to see him until tomorrow.
The screen door opened and closed behind him and he turned to see Granny Smith standing on the porch.  
“How’re ya feeling, young ‘un?”
“About fifty-fifty,” he admitted reluctantly.  He knew what she would say next.  It was as inevasible as apple bucking season.
“Sounds ta me like it’s time y’all head down ta the hollow.”
“But Granny...”
“Don’t but me no buts, young ‘un.  If yer feelin’ poorly, then it’s the hollow fer ya.”  She studied her grand-son’s expression for a moment and smiled.  “Come along... Ah’ll go with ya ta keep ya company.”
“Y’all don’t have ta...”
“Maybe Ah don’t have ta,” she replied warmly.  “Maybe Ah want ta.”
Mac took a deep breath and gave in.  What could it hurt?  The two ponies walked along in silence until they got to a short, rocky outcropping not too far from the barn.  Granny, who was carrying a lantern led the way.  Somepony years before had put in a short series of steps that led down into a small grotto.  In the center was a large circular wooden cover, about eight feet across.  Above this was a rope and pulley arrangement attached to the rocks above.  Taking one end of the rope, the stallion slipped a hook that was tied to the loose end of the rope and slid it through a handle along one side of the cover.  He then went over to the other end of the rope and with the pulley lifted the cover free.  A small cloud of steam rose from the hole that was revealed.  
“Yer grand pappy always said there was a touch o’ magic about this place, and this here was its heart.”  Big Mac looked at the large hot springs mud pit that bubbled gently before him.  “He believed that this was why yer father and his brothers and sisters were hardly ever sick a day in their lives.”  Granny looked over at the stallion as he finished moving the cover.  “Okay... In ya go, young ‘un.”
The farmer hesitated for a moment before sticking a hoof into the muck.  It was as uncomfortably hot as he remembered, but not dangerously so.  He carefully eased himself into the mud bath until it covered him up to the base of his neck.  As he adjusted to the temperature he let off a long, exhausted sigh of relief.  Granny stood above him, smiling and talking all the while.
“Ah still remember the day when y’all was born,” she said.  “Yer mother was feelin’ poorly so grand pappy and your dad brought her down here to relax.  Low and behold right in the middle o’ her mud bath she goes into labor and afore anythin’ could be done, you popped out, down the chute and out the door.”  Granny Smith cackled in laughter.  “Oh ya should o’ heard the ruckus she made.  Thought her little foal was good and drown, that is until y’all surfaced, squeaking and gurgling as if t’were nothing but a big game.”
“Eeeyup,” Big Mac replied.  He couldn’t remember how many times before he’d heard the story.  
“Yer grand pappy always use ta joke that yer red fur was because y’all were born par-boiled,” Granny chuckled.  “Your mother refused ta ever come near this place again, leastways when she was with foal that is.  One poached pony was all she could take.” 
The stallion couldn’t help but smile.  He was definitely feeling better than before as he let the warmth from the hot mud seep into his body.  The bath always made him feel connected with the land in a way that was impossible to explain to anypony else.  Only his grand pappy and father had seemed to understand.  The one thing he truly disliked about the mud bath cure was the length of time it took for him to clean every speck of dirt out of his coat, mane and tail.  
“Ya know... if y’all hadn’t been visitin’ yer cousin Braeburn when ya came down with the pony pox we could have dunked ya in the hollow and cured ya in a day.”
“Maybe... but it doesn’t always work.”
“No, it won’t unbreak bones or heal cuts or bites, but it’s good fer curin’ most ailements.” Granny looked at Big Mac.  	“Feelin’ better young ‘un?”
“Eeeyup.”
“Okay then, climb on out and let’s get back home a ’fore the others miss us.”  After re-covering the mud-pit, Macintosh followed his grand mare back to the house.  When they arrived she pointed over to a large hammock strung up in the middle of the yard between two trees.  
“Why don’t y’all sleep there tonight?  Let the mudpack dry and we can wash ya off in the mornin’.  “Ah’ll get ya a couple o’ pillows and an old blanket in case it turns cool tonight.”
“Eeeyup.”  The stallion tiredly went over to the hammock and lay down, looking up at the moon and thinking of Princess Luna.  He smiled and rolled over on his side.  By the time Granny Smith came back from the house he was fast asleep.  She gently tucked a pillow under his head, careful not to wake him, and draped a blanket loosely across his body.  She then turned and returned to the farm house.  In the darkness she didn’t notice the small black beads of sweat that dotted his forehead.  

**********

Blueblood and Emerald Cloud had to travel well beyond the outskirts of Canterlot before they found an isolated enough place to summon Chrysalis.  When she appeared the stallion immediately rounded into her.
“You incredibly stupid BITCH!  What the hell were you thinking... sending one of your mindless minions to poison Sir Macintosh?” 
The Changeling Queen hissed angrily at him, her fangs bared.  “First... my changelings are not mindless, nor are they simple minions.  Second, that was the plan, wasn’t it?  To kill Princess Luna’s one true love and thus weaken her enough emotionally so we could use her against Celestia?”
The prince paced angrily back and forth.  He was finding it hard not to cuff her sharply across the face with his hoof.  “Killing him without raising suspicion was the plan... NOT poisoning two, or perhaps more ponies simultaneously.  One death from shadow crystal would raise few suspicions, especially if the victim was an ordinary earth pony!  Multiple deaths from the same cause will trigger a formal investigation.”
“Multiple deaths... What are you ranting about?”
“Your ‘faithful servant’ put the poison in some tea, which was then served to Macintosh AND his mentor, Lady Starlight.  He then left the crystal-laced tea behind, possibly to be used again by other ponies.”
“And how do you know all this?”
“Your changeling waited outside Canterlot until he saw Emerald Cloud taking her late evening workout flight.  He then reported everything to her since, as far as he was concerned, she is you!  Thankfully, she had the presence of mind to send him back to Ponyville to retrieve the poisoned tea... From Princess Twilight Sparkle’s house!”
“Twilight Sparkle?”
“Yes... The Princess of Magic!  Possibly the ONE pony in all Equestria who might actually recognize what shadow crystal is!”
“Did he successfully recover the tea?”
Blueblood stopped pacing and nodded.  “Thankfully yes.  Without a sample to work with, I doubt she can figure anything out, but that doesn’t solve our problem.”
“What else is wrong?”
“As I said, Lady Starlight was poisoned, and being a unicorn the properties of the shadow crystal were almost immediately activated at a highly accelerated rate.  I found out from a reliable source earlier today she’s in Canterlot Hospital and will most likely die.  Unfortunately for us, one of her doctors knew she was in perfect health less than a few weeks ago.  Therefore, there is speculation that her condition might not be caused by cancer.”
“DAMN!  
“OH... It gets even better,” Blueblood said.  He magically lifted the flap on his ornate, ermine lined saddlebags and removed a copy of the Canterlot Chronicle which he contemptuously tossed on the ground in front of Chrysalis.  She looked down at the headline:  

ROYAL WEDDING!  
PRINCESS CELESTIA CONFIRMS FORMAL ENGAGEMENT 
OF SISTER, PRINCESS LUNA AND SIR MACINTOSH APPLE.

“When did this happen?” Chrysalis spat.
“The other night, AFTER your minion poisoned him.  It won’t be long before he begins showing symptoms.  A day, possibly three at most since he is extraordinarily strong... then he’ll collapse and be sent to the hospital.  They’ll make a connection between him and Lady Starlight and the shit will really hit the fan.  
“So, what do we do now?”
“We come too far to back off and cover our tracks.  Celestia will suspect something when she recalls our bogus petition against Sir Macintosh’s knighthood and she will investigate... fully.”
“Thus it comes down to a head-on power play.  Our resources against Celestia’s, with Luna as the keystone.  If we control her we win... If we don’t...”
“You probably get banished to the moon and I wind up back in Tartarus as nothing more than a cloud of black soot with a grudge.”
Chrysalis nodded to herself... ‘So be it.  Diversion, Strike and Conquest.  We plan this as a series of strike steps, one right after another and force the confrontation.  What will be the signal for our attack?”
“Sir Macintosh!  As soon as the poison strikes him down, we move.  Luna will be distracted and without her defender.”
“Ripe for the plucking...” 

> Chapter 15
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Twilight carefully mixed several grams of tea leaves into the catalyst.  As she watched, the liquid in the beaker changed color from green to dark red.  She then poured the contents into a test tube which she capped and placed in a small centrifuge.  She spun the device with her magic, setting the spell so it would run for about thirty minutes.  
A small clock at the far end of the thaumatorium reminding her it was well past midnight.  She was tired, having stayed awake reading all last night.  However, Spike’s concerns about the ‘crystal tea,’ as he’d called it, combined with the message she’d received from Princess Celestia only a matter of hours ago had her so wound up she couldn’t have slept even if she wanted to.  
Trotting upstairs, she went into the kitchen and opened the ice box.  She pulled out the other half of a spinach and dandelion sandwich Spike had made for her earlier and poured herself a small glass of pomegranate juice.  She returned to the library and removed half-a-dozen books which floated over to a nearby table.  They were all on the subject of gems and crystals and she began rapidly skimming through them as she nibbled.  When she finished eating, she returned to the thaumatorium just as the centrifuge came to a stop.  Twilight removed the test tube and examined it.  The liquid had become clear and she could now see a small collection of what looked like black grains of sand sitting on the bottom.   
She carefully poured the liquid through a cloth strainer, then placed the grains on a slide and put it under her microscope.  On close examination she realized that the ‘sand’ was actually minute shards of black crystal.  A light suddenly went on in her mind and she galloped back to the library, hurling aside the previous books she’d been studying and replacing them with a copy of A Complete History of the Crystal Empire.   
As the heavy book slammed down on the table it woke up Spike.  The bleary-eyed dragon came out of the second floor bedroom and glared down on Twilight.  “Did you just set off another bomb?” he asked sarcastically.”
“Sorry, Spike... I didn’t mean to wake you, but I think I’m on the verge of finding out what that black powder you found in the tea was.”
“I thought it had all dissolved?” said the dragon, now awake and unable to immediately go back to sleep.”
“Not quite.  I was able to isolate some of the trace residue that stuck to the tea leaves, then modified and distilled it into a form which, with the right reactive agents, converted it from a liquid back to its original solid, molecular form.”
“Could you speak Equestrian, please?” asked Spike.
“Uh... I used alchemy to restore the black powder you found.  Turns out you were right, it is crystal; shadow crystal.”
“How do you know?”
“I’ve seen it before.  Remember my telling you about our first trip to the Crystal Empire and how my brother’s horn was infected by a black crystal?”
“I was there... remember?”
“Yes... well... that was shadow crystal, or at least a variation of it.  It’s not much different from what you found in the tea canister.
“That’s amazing,” the dragon replied.  “Do you think it will help Lady Starlight?”
“I don’t know,” the alicorn said.  She flipped through several pages of the book, checked the index, and then turned to the table of contents.  When she found the section she wanted, she quickly read through the tome.  “Here it is!”
“What does it say?”
Twilight began reading aloud.  “Among the many curses King Sombra brought to this land the most devastating was the Clouded Heart.  Ponies afflicted with this ailment would slowly bleed to death after being forced to swallow a poison made from a crystal grown from the horn of the Shadow King himself.  There was no known antidote and the ability to create the poison vanished with Sombra following his battle with the Eternal Princesses.”
“No antidote?  Twilight, I tasted some of that powder.  Does that mean I’m going to die?”
“No Spike.  Dragons have a natural immunity to poisons, even magical ones, thanks to their fire.  That belch you gave off was you expelling the poison from your system, and your bellyache was caused by the backpressure from your fire.  You have nothing to worry about, but Lady Starlight and Big Mac do.” 
Twilight bookmarked the page and returned to the thaumatorium.  Grabbing up a saddlebag, she packed a number of instruments along with her notebook, several samples, and a couple of carefully selected chemical compounds.  She then stopped in the library where she collected several books along with some scrolls, pens and ink and packed them as well.  
“Where are you going?” Spike asked.
“I think I know who might be able to help me with a cure, but before I visit her I need to stop by Applejack’s and see how her brother is doing.”  
Spike looked over at the clock.  “Kinda early for a visit,’ he observed.
The alicorn just smiled.  “They’re farmers.  They’ll probably be up and having breakfast before I get there.”
“Well, if you need me for anything, I’ll be in my basket asleep,” the dragon responded tiredly.  He trotted upstairs as quickly as his small feet could carry him. 
As expected, the lights of the farmhouse were already on when Twilight reached the gate.  She noticed one of the local deputies casually standing watch not too far from the entrance, but being a princess had its privileges and she was able to trot past him without the slightest challenge, aside from a respectful bow on his part.   
She spread her wings and launched into a graceful glide down the hill, landing in front of the house without even raising a cloud of dust.  It still wasn’t easy to fly, but she was slowly mastering the basics.  The alicorn went up onto the porch and knocked on the door.  
“Ah swear,” came a very irritated voice,” if this is another one o’ them somnambular reporter types, Ah’m gonna buck him all the way back ta Canterlot.”   The door opened to see a somewhat irritated Applejack.  She brightened instantly upon seeing her friend.  “Mornin’ sugar cube.  What gets y’all out and about so early?”
“I came by to see how Big Macintosh was doing.”
The farm pony pushed back her hat and scratched her mane.  “Mac?  Why in tarnation would y’all be worried about Mac?”  It was obvious to Twilight that Applejack was trying to side-saddle around the question.  The Apples were such honest folk that dodging the truth was difficult for them.
“You know Shadow Starlight.  Well, she’s extremely ill at the moment and since your brother has been spending a lot of time with her, studying, I thought he might be able to shed some light on what may have made her sick.”
Applejack studied the alicorn for a moment, then cut straight to the truth, concern in her voice.  “Y’all are worried that he’s caught whatever she has, ain’t ya?”  She stole a glance towards the kitchen were Applebloom and Granny Smith were preparing to carry plates out to the large table outside.  She lowered her voice so only Twilight heard.  “It ain’t contagious, is it?”
“No,” the alicorn replied, “but it is virulent.  Has Big Mac been feeling alright?”  
Applejack came outside on the porch with Twilight and closed the door, then led her over to the side of the house.  	“Actually, the last few days the big lug’s been keepin’ somethin’ ta himself, until last night that is when he admitted he weren’t feeling so good.  Granny marched him down ta the hollow and made him soak there fer a while.” 
“What’s the hollow?”
“Can y’all keep a secret?” the farm pony asked.  She smiled when she saw Twilight’s deadpan expression.  “Well, back round that hill is a kind o’ hot, mud spring that only the family knows about.  Most o’ the time, when one o’ us ain’t feelin’ too frisky, a quick dunk in the mud’ll whip us right inta shape.”
“Interesting,” said the alicorn.  “I remember Dr. Stable once telling me that the Apples were the healthiest family in Ponyville.  That could explain it.”
Applejack grinned.  “Pa once told me there was a bit o’ magic about the place that only worked on earth ponies.”
As they rounded the house, Twilight could see a pair of spruce trees with a hammock stretched between them.  A large, heavy form lay in the hammock.  “You had him sleep outside?”
“Had to.  Covered in mud the way he is it woulda made a mess out of the house.”  The farm pony stepped up to the hammock and shook it gently. “Rise and shine Big Brother.  We’re burnin’ daylight.”
There was a muffled yawn, a stretch and the form rolled over, still covered from head to hoof with the blanket.  Applejack responded by grabbing the blanket with her teeth and pulling on it.  It moved about an inch, then snagged on something and began tearing.  “What in tarnation...?”
Twilight used her magic to lift, rather than pull the blanket off Big Mac.  What the two ponies saw in the dim light of the pre-dawn made them stare with their mouths open in shock.  The red furred stallion was covered from head to hoof in mud and small, sharp, black crystal shards.  
Big Mac looked up groggily at his sister, standing above him.  “What’s wrong?  Is my mane all frizzy again?”  He rolled out of the hammock, then staggered dizzily and went down on his knees. 
“OOF!”
Applejack was immediately by his side.  She raised a hoof to his face and felt along his forehead and cheek.  “Feels like he’s got a fever.”
He looked up at his sister and snorted.  “Dunkin’ me in the mud last night worked well enough for a while, but right about now Ah’m feelin’... unsettled.
“What in tarnation does that mean?”
“Small headache, small stomachache, dizzy, tired... Ah mean really tired, and its hard ta take a really, really deep breath without starting ta cough.”
Twilight looked closely at some of the shards protruding from the stallion’s neck.  “Except for their uniform length and distribution, these look almost exactly like the crystals that were growing from Shining Armor’s horn after he was attacked by King Sombra.”  She gently grasped one with her magic and tugged.  It wiggled a bit like a loose tooth, then abruptly popped out, leaving a small, bloody pock mark behind.
Big Mac grimaced, but said nothing.  
“This isn’t anything like Shadow Starlight’s symptoms,” the alicorn observed studying the shard
“Lady Starlight is sick?” asked the stallion.
Twilight nodded.  “I had a letter from Princess Celestia last night saying that she was in the hospital with something that resembled cancer.”
“Tain’t possible,” Big Mac asserted.  “The day Princess Luna proposed she was up and about as if nothin’ in the world bothered her... except ma accent.”
“She didn’t start showing any signs until the day after.  By that evening she collapsed.”  Twilight abruptly stopped talking and looked over at the stallion.  “Wait a second... What was that about Princess Luna proposing?”
“Honestly, Twi...,” said Applejack, Ya ought ta get out o’ that library more and pay attention ta the world.  Luna and Big Mac are going ta get hitched.”
The alicorn broke out into a wide grin.  “I guess congratulations are in order, or will be once I can solve this whole mystery illness thing.”
The farmer looked over at Twilight.  “Ya know, now that ya mention it, Lady Starlight got sick the same time Ah started feelin a mite poorly.  Y’all don’t suppose I gave her something.”
“If it’s what I think it is, then no, you didn’t,” she replied.  Twilight wrapped the small crystal she’d removed from the stallion in a handkerchief from her saddlebag.  She then looked at Applejack.  I’m going to stop by Zecora’s and ask her to take a look at your brother.  With her knowledge of herbs, plants and cures she might be able to help.” 
“And what are you going to do?” the palomino pony asked.
“I’m going to Canterlot and check with Celestia and the doctors at the hospital.  I’m also going to send one of the royal sky chariots to pick up Big Mac and take him to the hospital.  The doctors treating Lady Starlight will need to examine him as well.”
“But what if Ah don’t want ta go ta no hospital?” asked the stallion, stubbornly.
“Then consider it a royal command!  I’ll see you there later...”  There was a sudden flash of energy and the lavender alicorn vanished.
The two farm ponies looked at each other and shrugged.  “Come on, Big Brother.  Might as well dunk ya back in the hollow ‘til Zecora gets here.”  She helped a somewhat unsteady Big Mac to his hooves and guided him in the direction of the mud springs.

**********

“With all due respect... your highness... your area of expertise is magic, not medicine,” insisted Dr. Goldleaf.  
“Which is exactly why I should be present when you examine the biopsy of Lady Starlight’s ‘cancer,’” Twilight explained.   “If I’m right, I think I may be able to help steer you towards a cure.”
“I don’t see what harm there is in letting her look,” Dr. Bluestar said.  “As I pointed out before, the cancer seems to be traveling along our patient’s chi path, which is magical.  She might be able to give us an insight or two that would be useful.”
The two stallions discussed it back and forth for several minutes before coming to a consensus.  “Very well, Princess Twilight, you may indeed join us in the lab to examine the biopsy results,” Goldleaf conceded.  “But remember, strict medical protocols must be observed at all times.”  
The alicorn nodded, then followed the two medicos down into the basement of Canterlot Hospital.  Donning sterile garb, the three ponies went into one of the labs and called for an assistant.  Within moments, they were taking turns looking thought a standard medical microscope at a series of slides.  
“It’s just as I explained.  The cancerous tissue is spreading rapidly though Lady Starlight’s body interfering with the normal function of her organs and chi path.  Nothing we’ve been able to do has slowed its progress.”
Twilight glanced through the microscope and adjusted the lens.  “Is this the most powerful microscope you have?”
“It the most powerful one available anywhere,” Dr. Bluestar explained.  
The alicorn nodded then called for the lab assistant to bring two more identical microscopes over and place all three side by side.  She had the doctors remove the biopsy sample from their microscope.  As they watched, Twilight’s horn began glowing.  A violet aura surrounded all three devices.
“Your highness... what are you doing?” Goldleaf asked.
“I’ve put a spell on the microscopes that will increase their magnification by about fifty time their present ability.  Don’t worry, the spell’s temporary and won’t last more than a couple of hours.  The Alicorn then took out a small test tube, uncapped it and carefully placed some of the dust on a slide.  She then used a mortar and pestle to grind up the shard she’d removed from Big Mac and placed a small sample of it under the third microscope.  She then had Dr. Bluestar replace the original biopsy under the first one.  She quickly checked each, then backed away.  
“Would you please look at each slide and tell me what you see?”
The two doctors quickly examined the slides, moving from one to another, then back again.  They looked again, then started talking in whispers back and forth.  They called the lab assistant over, had her look and got her opinion.
“By Celestia... they’re all crystalline, and they’re all the same,” said Dr. Goldleaf.  
Dr. Bluestar joined in quickly.  “... Which means that Lady Starlight doesn’t have cancer... or at least not a form we’ve seen before.  Where in Equestria did you get the other two samples?”
“One is from a patient who will be arriving sometime this afternoon from Ponyville.  The other I extracted from some tea leaves which were imbued with that same crystal.  Both patients happened to share the pot of tea in which these leaves were used.”
The two doctors looked at each other then back at Twilight.  “Wait... are you hinting that they were... poisoned?  No WONDER our treatments wouldn’t work.”
“To be honest, I don’t think anything you have would work.  You’re dealing with something called shadow crystal, and it hasn’t been seen for almost a thousand years.”
“Then where does it come from and how do we deal with it?”
“That’s is what we have to find out,” said Twilight.

**********

It was just after three in the afternoon when the sky chariot landed in front of Canterlot Hospital.  Twilight, Drs. Goldleaf and Bluestar and a number of orderlies were on hand to meet it.  Three figures dismounted from the carriage.  One was a large, red-furred stallion who had to be supported by several of the orderlies as he was walked into the facility.  He was covered by a blanket and splattered with traces of dried mud.  Applejack was the second one and she hovered close to her brother.  The final passenger was cloaked in a hood and cape.  She carried a pair of extremely large saddlebags filled with earthen jars and other accoutrements.  In her teeth she carried a medium sized iron cauldron.   
Twilight nodded at her friend.  “Dr. Goldleaf, Dr. Bluestar... I’d like you to meet Zecora.  
Placing her cauldron on the ground, the zebra pulled back her hood and smiled, bowing slightly to the unicorn and earth pony.
“Your acquaintance I‘m glad to make, for there is now here much at stake.
Our knowledge needs we must combine, to seek now for a cure most fine.”
The two doctors stared at Zecora for a moment or two before speaking.
“She’s a zebra!” muttered Goldleaf.  
“She rhymes!” responded Bluestar.
“And she’s a Witch Doctor!” both ponies said in unison.
Twilight rolled her eyes and sighed even as Zecora looked on with a somewhat bemused expression.  “The proper term is Shaman,” the alicorn patiently explained, “and if you are seeking a cure for a magical poison, then potions, not medicines, are what you need.”
She was suddenly interrupted by a crash coming from the direction of one of the examination rooms.  Twilight, along with Zecora, the doctors and several orderlies headed in the direction of the noise.  They found one of the orderlies picking himself off the floor, an apologetic Big Mac looking down at him.  
“What happened?” asked Dr. Bluestar.
“Ah’m... sorry,” the large red stallion slurred.  Ah... accidently... kicked... yer... assistant... when... he... tried... pokin’... at... ma... spines.  They’re... sort... o’... sensitive...”
“Spines?”  The doctor’s horn lit up for a moment and he lifted the blanket.  Even Twilight gasped for there were now at least twice as many of the shards protruding from Big Mac as there had been this morning, and some were starting to leak blood.  
“Excuse me,” said one of the admissions clerks who was standing nearby with a clipboard, “But I need the patient’s name so he can be processed into the hospital.  
“Macintosh... Macintosh Apple,” said Applejack who was hovering near her brother. 
“Macintosh Apple...” the clerk paused.  “Wait... you don’t mean SIR Macintosh?  Princess Luna’s fiancée? “
“Yes, Ah do... but let’s not spread that around just yet, okay?” asked the palomino pony.
“But somepony will have to inform the Princess.  I mean if he’s her fiancée...”
“Nnnope!
“What?”
“Ah said Nnnope!” the stallion replied firmly.  “Ah don’t want Luna knowin’ about this... worryin’ bot this.  Not... until they can figure... figure... figure out whaatsss.... wroongg.”  Without warning Big Mac collapsed to his knees and the world around him faded into an inky blackness. 

> Chapter 16
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The explosion of air was so powerful and unexpected that the half-dozen or so news ponies who were gathered outside the Canterlot Hospital were literally blown off their hooves.  When the nearest of them looked up he saw the figure of Princess Luna materialize out of nothing.  Without pausing for even an instant, she whirled and galloped madly through the main entrance.  Anypony watching closely would have sworn she was crying.  The reporters picked themselves up off the ground, only to be knocked down by yet a second explosion of air.  This time it was Princess Celestia.  She too entered the hospital, but her movements were less panicked and more deliberate.  
The white alicorn caught up with her sister as she was in the process of nearly assaulting one of the orderlies, demanding to be taken to Sir Macintosh’s room immediately.
“LUNA!” she commanded, her voice timbered more for force than volume.  “Sister!  Get a hold of yourself.  You are causing a scene and scaring the other ponies here, many of whom are sick.”
The Princess of the Night turned to face Celestia.  “Thou doth not understand... We must find HIM.  He hath need of us.”
“Do not fear, sister,” she said gently, this time modulating her voice into a soothing stream of words, “we will find your beloved and see to his aid.”  The Sun Princess could feel Luna’s heart as it beat wildly.  She reached out with both wings and enfolded her sibling, concealing her tears from their subjects.  They turned together and headed for the Intensive Care Wing of the building.  
It hurt Celestia to see Luna in such a state.  She had become stronger, more self-assured these past months.  Now in an instant of fear it was all being washed away.   For Luna’s sake, the Sun Princes had to believe that given a chance, Big Macintosh would recover.  No other outcome was acceptable.  She pondered on just how slim a thread her sister’s confidence seemed to hang.  Yet, though slim, it was a thread of iron.  It was a thread that would not, could not break of its own accord.  It was one that had to be cut.  Knowing now what her former student, Twilight Sparkle had discovered, Celestia was grimly determined she would find the hoof that held the knife.  
When they entered the Intensive Care Ward, they were confronted by several very odd sights indeed.  Two of the rooms were currently occupied; one by Sir Macintosh and the other by the Lady Starlight.  Neither of the ponies were conscious.  In the case of the stallion, he was resting on a magical cloud provided, strangely enough, by Discord.  The ‘bed’ prevented pressure from being placed against the shards that stuck out all over his body.  Naturally enough, Discord being Discord, the cloud was pink in color and occasionally leaked chocolate milk.  The hospital staff had quickly adapted and placed several bed pans on the floor with which to collect the saccharine precipitation.  At least, the charge nurse had commented, it wasn’t made of cotton candy.   
In another room a laboratory had been set up, complete with test tubes, Bunsen burners, microscopes, slides and an array of both scientific and alchemical tools.  Still stranger was the sight to be seen in the adjacent chamber.  There another Bunsen burner had been set up, but in this case it was positioned under a medium sized iron cauldron within which a brown liquid bubbled gently.  Celestia thought it looked like mud.  The shelves surrounding the room were filled with earthen jars and a couple of small tribal masks hung from one wall.  A zebra stood over the kettle, stirring it with a wooden spoon and singing softly in an ancient language as she added several different powders.  She was being helped by Applejack who, brought her various ingredients as they were called for.  
Both of the patients’ rooms had been sealed with makeshift airlocks so there was no chance the oxygen being used within could leak out and find an open flame.
Upon seeing Macintosh, Princess Luna broke away from her sister and went over to the window of his room.  Dr. Bluestar was standing there making an entry on a clipboard as the alicorn approached.  By now, she had managed to gain control of her tears, though the evidence of them still lined her face.  She looked over at the unicorn.  
“How... how doth he fair doctor?”
“Well, your highness, in truth he’s doing better than we expected.  Maybe it’s his constitution, maybe it’s the fact he’s an Earth pony, but the illness...”
“Poison,” she corrected him, grimly.”
He looked over at Celestia who simply nodded.
“Ah, yes... the poison has not progressed as far as in Lady Starlight’s case.  As a matter of fact, it seems to have taken a different turn with him.  Instead of internalizing the toxic elements, his body seems to be fighting to expel them in the form of these shards.  I think that if we can find a way to remove them, without causing a catastrophic loss of blood, he will survive.”
“Then why dost thou not simply remove them?”
“We tried.  We carefully removed about half a dozen; which actually came out rather easily, but in every instance we had a difficult time staunching the blood flow from the cavities they left behind.  Also, with half the extractions a new crystal grew in the place of the old one.”
“Canst we go in to see him, to be by his bedside, such that it is?”
The doctor sadly shook his head.  “While Sir Macintosh is not himself contagious, he is in a weakened state and we don’t want to risk the possibility of outside infections complicating his recovery.”  Bluestar looked at the expression on Luna’s face.  “I’m sorry, your highness, but it’s for the best.”
The alicorn turned back towards the glass and simply stared silently at the stallion.  Wishing not to intrude on her thoughts, the doctor went over to talk with both Goldleaf and Celestia.  
“How long before Princess Twilight returns?” asked the gold-furred earth pony.
Bluestar shook his head.  “I don’t know.  It shouldn’t be long.  She just went down to the medical supplies to get a catalyst for her formula.”
“Will it work?” Celestia asked.
“The science part of her theory is sound enough, but I’m not all that certain how well it will mix with her friend’s potion.”
“Twilight’s knowledge I do trust, her spell will do all that it must,” said Zecora as she joined the other three.  She looked over sympathetically at Luna, lowering her voice to a near whisper.  “Your sister’s sorrow I observe, leaves her as fragile as a bird.  Her strength relies on love’s true art, it gives her meaning, hope and heart.”  
“Yes,” Celestia replied.  “That is why we must do all we can to cure Sir Macintosh... and Lady Starlight.”  
The door to the Intensive Care Ward opened and Twilight Sparkle entered carrying a small beaker in the air in front of her.  “Zecora... I added the catalyst and you were right, the formula turned blue.  I think we’re ready...” she stopped when she saw both princesses there.  “Oh, your majesties... I didn’t know you’d be here.”
Luna turned and glared at Twilight, fear, taking form as anger, flashed in her eyes.  “Thou should hath known you canst not hide my heart from me,” she said grimly, her voice drenched in reproach.
“I’m sorry, but Big Mac was afraid that you would be hurt seeing him like this.  He asked we not sent for you... At least not immediately.  I wanted to see if we could find a cure first.”
“Luna... please,” Celestia gently spoke.  “Twilight was just using her best judgment, and I believe that under the circumstances she was only trying to fulfill Sir Macintosh’s wishes.”
Emotion and reason clashed briefly, then the Princess of the Night lowered her head.  She knew how much the stallion cared for her, how much he wanted to protect her.  “We are sorry.  Thou doth not deserve our anger.  We know thou art doing what thou can.”
“It’s alright,” Twilight said before turning back to Zecora.  “The formula’s ready.  How about your potion?”
“A small sample of my potent brew I shall get, to see if science and magic together will set.”  The zebra went back to her cauldron and ladled out a small amount of the concoction into a small bowl.  She carried it over to Twilight.
“Is that... Mud?” asked Dr. Bluestar.
“A special kind imbued with earth’s own charm.  A magic which can heal and never harm.”  As they watched Twilight held her beaker over the bowl and allowed three tiny drops to fall into the mix.  She then levitated a small, metal stick and began blending the two elements together.  
“Three stirs to the right,” she muttered to herself, “then five to the left... and tap twice.”  There was a small, hollow metallic ring as she tapped the edge of the bowl.  This was followed by a small pop.  A tiny mushroom shaped cloud rose from the mixture, then dissipated in the chilled air of the room.  “Eureka,” the alicorn cried.  “Now to see if it works.”  She put a surgical mask across her face and entered Big Mac’s room, accompanied by Dr. Bluestar.  The others remained outside and watched through the window.
Carefully, the doctor magically grasped one of the shards protruding from the stallion’s flank and pulled.  It came out easily, followed by a thick stream of blood.  Twilight then applied a dollop of the potion to the hole.  Within seconds, the wound vanished, leaving behind a small patch of bare skin, minus the fur.  They repeated the process half-a-dozen more times, then carefully examined the patient.  There was no sign of any new crystal growth.  
“Excellent,” observed Dr. Goldleaf.  “Removing the shards will prevent the toxins in them from spreading.  It should give Sir Macintosh a chance to recover normally.”
“Is there a way you can adapt your potion to help Lady Starlight?” Celestia asked.
Zecora looked at the Sun Princess.  “I do not know if what we have will work.  For tis inside where all her poisons lurk.  But do not fear for we shall do our best.  To find a cure and bring her ills to rest.”  
Twilight and Dr. Bluestar came out of Big Mac’s room.  “It works,” the lavender alicorn announced happily.  Now all we need do is mix up a large enough batch of this compound and we can remove every piece of crystal safely from his body.”
Within a few minutes the unicorn medico was back at work, pulling crystals while two unicorn nurses assisted him with applying the mixture and cleaning the small amounts of blood that did flow from the stallion’s body.  Dr. Goldleaf looked over at Twilight. “How much of this, ‘mud’ did you bring with you?” he asked.
“Why do you ask?”
“Well,” he started, “I was wondering... if this is how the toxins were leached from Sir Macintosh, perhaps, if we had enough extra, we could apply it to Lady Starlight as a kind of salve and draw out the toxins in her the same way.”
“Ah ain’t so sure that would work,” warned Applejack.  “Ta the best o’ ma knowledge, this special mud bath is somethin’ that’s only been used on Earth Ponies.  Granny said it was a kind o’ magic o’ the Earth, maybe even the same kind that allows us ta grow Zap Apples.” 
“Would it hurt to try?” Dr. Goldleaf asked.
Applejack thought about it for a moment.  “Ah don’t recon it would.  Leastwise, she wouldn’t be any worse off than she already is.”  
With help from Applejack, Zecora and Twilight, the doctor applied a thick coating of mud to Lady Starlight’s body.  It was a bit of a messy process, but eventually the unicorn was covered on one side from neck to flank.  They stood back to examine their work.  Twilight was the first to speak.  “I’m not sensing any kind of magical reaction going on.  Is there something we missed?”
Applejack clopped a hoof to the side of her head for being so forgetful.  “Well, dah!  We need ta get that mud warmed up some.”
“Warmed-up?” asked Dr. Goldleaf.  
“Yep!  Like a hot spring.”
“How do you propose we do that... without tossing my patient into an oven?”
“I think I can help with that,” said Princess Celestia who had put on a mask and entered the room behind them.  She closed her eyes and focused for a moment on the filly in front of her.  Her horn began to softly glow.  The others stepped back as they began to feel heat rising from Lady Starlight.  Within a few moments, the mud was bubbling softly, but not vigorously.  Dr. Goldleaf touched it briefly with a hoof, then stuck a thermometer into the thickest part of the mud pack, watching it carefully.  After about twenty minutes Applejack spoke up.
“That’s about how long one o’ us sits in the mud back home.  If it’s gonna work, the magic should be takin’ hold about now.”
“Yes,” replied Twilight.  “I can feel something coming off the mud... Uh... Wow!  It feels somewhat... primordial.”  
“Prime-mordy what?” asked Applejack
“Like it’s ancient magic.” Princess Celestia explained as she released her spell.  The mud quickly cooled and Dr. Goldleaf herded everypony from the room.  
“Let’s stand back and give the magic a chance to work,” he said hopefully.  
Twilight went over to Princess Luna who was still standing outside Big Mac’s room watching the procedure intently.  By now a little more than half the shards had been removed and they were gently turning him so they could access the other half.  His fur looked like it was made of a hundred or more individual, evenly-spaced polka-dots.    None of the crystals had regrown and it appeared that the stallion was breathing a lot easier.  
Luna looked at Twilight, studying her for a moment.  “Thou should... I mean, you should go lay down somewhere.  You appear to have need of some sleep,” she observed.
Zecora joined them.  “The princess is right.  You’ve had a long night.” 
“It’s alright,” Twilight insisted.  “I feel fine.”
“But you don’t look fine,” Luna replied.  
“There are still things that need to be done...”
“And there are other ponies here who can do them,” Dr. Goldleaf said.  “Go get some rest.”
“But...”
Applejack stamped her hoof on the floor.  “Twi... go ta sleep before Ah hogtie ya and put y’all to bed ma self.”
The lavender alicorn looked to Celestia for support but found none.   The Sun Princess gave her a kind of half-smile and looked over at Applejack.  “What she said!”
Defeated, Twilight went over to the nurse’s station where she found a small cot.  She was asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.   

**********

Blueblood was walking down a corridor of the palace when one of the admission clerks from the hospital approached him.  The pony looked around to make sure he wasn’t seen, then said a few words to the unicorn before trotting off as if everything was normal.  The prince watched him go, then made an about face and headed for the quarters used by higher ranking castle staff.  He quickly found Emerald Cloud’s suite.  He raised a hoof to the door and knocked twice, paused, then knocked three more times before opening the portal and walking in.  
The green-furred pegasus was just stepping out of the shower, her mane wrapped in a towel as he entered.  
“It’s time,” Blueblood said.  Send the signal to Chrysalis’ minions.  I want them on the move now.”
“Alright...” she replied playfully, “but next time you plan a coup, would you be so kind as to allow a lady to dress first.”  Removing the towel and shaking her mane out, she walked out onto the balcony just outside her quarters.  She paced slowly once around its circular edge, then deliberately went to the center and faced northeast towards the mountains.  Once positioned, she fanned her wings several times, then stretched them above her head first twice, then thrice, then once as if stretching them.  To other ponies it simply looked as if she were trying to loosen up her wings in preparation for flight.  However, to a pair of changelings hiding in the western mountains with a scrying crystal it would be a signal.  Even now, one or both would be heading off to deliver a simple message.  
Re-entering her rooms, Emerald Cloud looked over at Blueblood.  “If all goes according to plan, we should be waiting in the ante-chamber of the Throne room about two hours from now.”  She seductively flipped her tail and turned away from the unicorn and show off her flanks.  “I wonder how we can occupy ourselves until then.”   

**********

Fluttershy was the first to hear the buzzing noise coming from the Everfree forest.  The trees muted the sound enough to make it seem both strange, yet oddly familiar at the same time.  Putting down the drying cloth she’d been using on her dishes, the yellow and pink pegasus pony went over to the window of her cottage and looked out.  The noise was slowly getting louder, and the effect it was having on her animal friends was alarming to say the least.  Most were dashing around the yard trying desperately to find somewhere to hide.  Even Angel Bunny, who spent the majority of his days sleeping on the couch was outside trying to force himself into a smaller than normal hole at the base of the tree in her yard.  
Dashing out the front door, she tried desperately to calm her friends, all the while feeling a growing sense of dread building within her.  The noise increase yet again and she glanced towards the edge of the forest less than a quarter mile away.  Even before she saw them, Fluttershy suddenly remembered where she had heard that noise before.  Frantically she turned in the direction of Ponyville and launched herself into the air.  Granted, she didn’t stay more than a dozen or so feet above the ground, but the speed of her flight would have impressed even her friend, Rainbow Dash.
By the time she reached the outskirts of town Fluttershy was in a complete panic, so much so that her eyes were screwed shut in fear and she was flying blind.  Fortunately the first thing she collided with was both resilient and exceptionally soft.  Rarity had just come from the spa where she’d had a conditioning treatment done.  As she was luxuriating in the silkiness of her fur, mane and tail she too had her eyes closed, breathing in the scent of her own perfume.  Her reverie was abruptly ended with a thump, a tumble and a splat as both she and Fluttershy skidded into a nearby mud puddle.
The fashionista opened her eyes to discover the frightened, dazed and gasping pegasus lying atop her.  Her first thoughts were concern for her friend.  These were abruptly driven from her mind when she discovered the cold, clammy, thick muck clinging to her body.  Rarity’s wail of angst and horror was enough to alert half the town.  Thus, when as the changelings arrived a moment or two later, they had not achieved absolute and complete surprise.  

> Chapter 17
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“I believe it’s working,” said Dr. Goldleaf as he watched over his patient.  He was joined by his colleague, Dr. Bluestar who had just finished removing nearly three hundred crystal shards from Big Macintosh.  The blue maned unicorn looked.  Sure enough, small, black beads of sweat were beginning to form along Lady Starlight’s face and muzzle. 
“What’s her temperature?” he asked.
“It’s down almost a full degree and a half, and those are definitely crystals forming,” Dr. Goldleaf smiled, lines of worry diminishing slightly with the increased hope.  He turned to look at Zecora, a zebra shaman and resident of Ponyville.  	“Without your mud pack, this wouldn’t be happening.”
“You must put credit where it’s always due.  Nature itself deserves its own share too.”  
“Yes, of course,” said the unicorn, “but you brought it to our attention and it appears to be the key to stripping this toxin from our patients.  I do wish you’d share with us its location.  There are many more ponies who might benefit from its use.”
The zebra shook her head, causing her hoop earrings to jangle.  “Its secret I have vowed to keep from those, who might through misuse bring on greater woes.”  
“Fair enough, but should the need arise might we call on you for assistance?”
“My door is open to all pony folk, but when you come, avoid the Poison Joke.”
“Poison Joke?”
Zecora smiled.  “A flower, blue, that grows beside my home, Protecting me from beasts who nearby roam.”
“We’ll keep that in mind,” said Dr. Goldleaf.
Princess Luna broke away from the window where she had been watching Big Mac and came over to join the conversation.  “How long do you think Sir Macintosh will sleep?” she asked.  
“I’m not certain,” Said Dr. Bluestar.  “His body’s been through something of a traumatic shock, between fighting the toxin and dealing with blood loss when we removed the shards, it could be some time before he awakens...”  The doctor was interrupted by a small groan from the red-furred stallion who then partially opened one eye.  “...Or not!” he finished, raising both eyebrows.
Luna was instantly by his side, gently brushing his mane back with a hoof, even as one of the nurses scrambled to get a mask over the princess’s muzzle.   “How are you feeling my love?”
“Ah’ve felt worse... Ah think,” he muttered, then looked up at her.  “Course, getting’ ta wake up with y’all next ta me is an improvement by anypony’s standard.”
The alicorn leaned over and kissed Big Mac gently on the forehead.  He smiled, then tiredly slipped back into a restful slumber.   
“Oh my...” said a quiet voice, “such a lovely performance.  Worthy of the great bard, Hoofspear himself.” 
Everyone in the room turned save Princess Celestia who rolled her eyes then took a deep, calming breath.  When they did they found themselves facing a simple brown unicorn with a black and gray beard, mane and tail.  
“Good morning, all... Oh, wait!  It’s afternoon already, isn’t it?  I’m sorry, I tend to lose track of time when engaged in a really, really big project.”  
As he was speaking, a small watch, as if on cue, clambered out of his jacket pocket, dropped to the floor and rolled towards the exit under its own power, the watch fob and chain trailing after it like a tail.  Without even batting an eyelash Princess Celestia delicately raised a hoof and brought it down on the chain, preventing the watch’s escape.  She smiled pleasantly. 
“Good day to you... ‘Professor Pony.’  And to what do we own the pleasure of your... company.”
“Well, my purpose is two-fold,” he explained, levitating the watch back into his pocket and zipping it closed.  “First, I wanted to find out how Sir Macintosh was doing.”
“He’s doing fine,” Dr. Bluestar interjected.  “We have him passed the crisis and now all he needs is time to rest and recuperate.”
“Splendid,” the brown unicorn said.  “That means the second reason for my visit hasn’t been a waste of time or magic.”  
“And what reason would that be?” asked Princess Luna.
Professor Pony smiled in a sly, if not devious manner.  “Why, your fabulous and incredibly unique engagement present mon cher Princesse de la Lune.”  He put a small whistle to his mouth and blew on it, but no sound came out.  Moments later though, there was the clatter of slow, squeaky wheels and around the corner came a small cart with a large rectangular object on it.  A cloth curtain was draped over it.  The cart was being pushed by a pair of smaller than normal diamond dogs, one of whom had a hunch on his back.  
“Here is it, boss,” said the taller of the two.  “We did good.  Got it here without any bumps or oopses.”  They both stood next to the object, wagging their tails expectantly.  
“Yes, you did well my fine canine compadres.”  Professor Pony reached into another pocket and pulled out a couple of doggy biscuits which he casually tossed to the diamond dogs.  “Here you go... a reward for your assistance.  They caught the treats in their clawed hands, then quickly left the room, passing by Applejack who was returning from the hospital cafeteria, a small tray with assorted beverages balanced on her back.  
“Diamond dogs?” she asked, nearly spilling the drinks as she did a double take.  “What in tarnation are they doin’ here... and what the hay is that?”  She pointed towards the large covered object.
“Ah... Applejack, Element of Honesty.  How perfect that you’re here for the unveiling.  After all, it is a family affair.”
“Professor...” Princess Celestia cautioned, “Now may not be the best time for a long, drawn out, grand presentation.  Please simply show them what you’ve made.”
“Spoil sport,” the unicorn muttered.  “Oh very well... Here!”  With that the cover was whisked off to reveal an extremely beautiful and highly ornate full length mirror.  
“It’s... wonderful,” Luna said, but I already have a mirror.  How is this one unique?”
“Well... let me show you,” the professor said excitedly.   “Just repeat after me... Aperiesque ostium.”  Luna repeated the phrase.  As she finished speaking the reflection in the mirror seemed to ripple like the surface of a lake.  As the ripples faded a room became visible in the surface of the glass.  “Is... is that my private bedchamber?”
“Yes...“ Professor Pony said.  “Isn’t it perfect?  I took the liberty of having the mate to this mirror set up in your room for the purposes of my demonstration.”
“Thou went into my private chambers... Without my LEAVE?” 
“Well, it was necessary, and besides, you and your sister were otherwise occupied here.  Be that as it may, what you see before you isn’t simply an image of your room... it’s a portal,” explained the professor.  
“A portal?”
“Yes... the two mirrors are linked, providing a doorway from one to the other, no matter where either one may be.  They open on command and are monitored to allow only two individuals to pass through them.  You, and your intended.”
“This is very generous,” Luna smiled, suddenly understanding the implication.  “With this, my love can continue to work his family’s farm yet never be far removed from his duties as Royal Consort. 
Professor Pony grinned and looked over at Celestia.  “By George, I think she gets it.”  The brown furred unicorn was so pleased with his efforts that for an instant his eyes flashed from gray on white to red on yellow, then back again.
“Focus... Professor,” whispered the Sun Princess.
“Ah, well, um, yes!” muttered the disguised draconequus.  “Perhaps it’s time I were off.  I’ll just leave the second mirror here for now and when he’s feeling better Sir Macintosh can take it home with him.”  He turned and nodded at the two doctors.  “Splendid job here, Doctors.  Thank you for your efforts.  You’re a credit to your profession.”  He turned to face Celestia one last time.  “Your majesty, by your leave...”  There was a small pop and the unicorn vanished in a puff of smoke.  
“Well... uh, he certainly was a character,” observed Dr. Bluestar.
Both the princesses chuckled.  “You don’t know the half of it,” they said in unison.  Luna looked at her sister.  “Do you think this ‘gift’ of his might be another joke?”  
Celestia shook her head.  “No, he actually talked the idea over with me first.  I believe he’s sincere, at least about this item.  Though I wouldn’t put it past him to prank us both tomorrow at breakfast as payment.”
Applejack looked all around the mirror as if searching for a button or switch.  “Ain’t this something.  Now Sweet Apple Acres is gonna be an annex o’ Canterlot Castle.”
“Yes,” said Celestia, “but only for Big Mac and Luna it would seem.”
There was a commotion in the hallway outside the Intensive Care Ward.  Before anypony could react, the doors were pushed opened to reveal Sir Silver Lance in full armored regalia.  “Your Majesties!” he said, bowing deeply in the presence of the two alicorns.  “We’ve just received word that Ponyville is under attack.”
“Attack?” Celestia asked forcefully.  “By whom?”
“Changelings, your majesty.  Thousands of them.  Initial reports say they are coming from the vicinity of the Everfree forest!”
“Commander... Assemble all available troops on the parade grounds within the next thirty minutes; Full rig and 48 hours of water and rations for all.  I want you to immediately dispatch the Guard Wing to Ponyville.  Tell the flight leaders not to engage head on, but harass the attackers, keep them disorganized until I can arrive with the 2nd Lancers and the 14th Regiment of Hoof.”
“Right away your majesty.”
Celestia turned to her sister.  “Luna, with me!  “I’ll need you to assemble your Night Guard!”
“But what about Big Mac?”
“Leave his care to Applejack... She’s his sister.  She’ll watch over him for you.”
The Princess of the Moon nodded once.  “Right behind you Tia.”  With that, the two alicorns stepped into the hall and vanished in a puff of air.

**********

The first wave of changelings over-ran the city hall and the sheriff’s office within a matter of moments.  Mayor Mare was able to elude the creatures by taking refuge in Sugar Cube Corner, along with about a third of her staff.  Fortunately, forewarned by a combination of ear flops, tail twitches and rattling teeth, Pinky Pie had closed the shutters on every window and blocked every possible access point to the building, including the chimneys.  When Chrysalis’s minions actually were able to break down the front door, they found the Cakes had taken their foals and led everypony into the basement.  The door leading in was steel because it doubled as a dry stores room. It would take a lot more than mindless pounding to break it down.
When she saw the changelings invade the town, Rarity shifted from Prima Dona mode to that of Equestrian Knight.  She scooped up Fluttershy, threw the terrified pegasus across her back and charged towards the Library tree, screaming the whole way.   Hearing the scream, Spike opened the door and jumped back to allow the two ponies, along with several other Ponyville residents to take refuge.  When he saw the changelings he quickly barred the door, then ran around the tree slamming every window closed and locking them.   
Once the tree was secure, he dashed into the kitchen and raided the icebox, pulling out a large bottle of root beer.  Going back to the front room, the dragon peeked out a window and saw a group of eight to twelve changelings milling about.  As he watched, they were joined by four more creatures.  This group was carrying a long, heavy log and as they gathered the others about them, it became obvious they planned to batter the front door down.  
Spike ran over to Rarity and dragged the fashionista towards the front door.  “When I give you the high sign, I want you to open the door, but be ready to slam it shut if those things try to get past me,” he instructed.
“What are you going to do?” she asked.
“What I do best,” the dragon replied.  With that he took out the bottle of root beer, uncapped it and guzzled about half its contents.  When he finished, he put the bottle aside and began to vigorously jump up and down for about thirty seconds.  He stopped, and held a hand up as if signaling the unicorn to standby.
The door trembled from the first impact, shaking dust off it as one would beat a rug.  Twice more it quivered under the blows of the battering ram, then Spike took in a deep breath, swallowed it and held up both thumbs.  Rarity used her magic to lift the bar and fling the door open.  Before the changelings could react, the small dragon let out a belch to rival that of an ursa minor.  Green flame enveloped the creatures, vaporizing them in an instant.  When the last bit of flame had dissipated, Rarity slammed the door shut again.
“That should hold them for a while,” the dragon grinned, hands placed dramatically on hips.  

**********

Princess Luna watched as her sister led four-fifths of the available Palace troops south towards Ponyville.  As much as she longed to be by Celestia’s side, she knew that one or the other of them must remain in Canterlot to assemble and organize the local militia, just in case the main Guard regiments needed reinforcement.  She had already alerted and dispatched most of her own Night Guard to fill in where necessary around the castle.  
The alicorn was in the middle of signing orders for the militia’s call-up when there was a very large green glow.  Without warning, eight changelings and a huge log materialized out of thin air.  Unprepared, they all dropped to the ground with the log landing on about half of them.   Luna immediately cast a spell, trapping them in a large sphere of energy.  Stunned as they were, they didn’t put up any fight.  
One of the younger guard-ponies, a newly-minted lieutenant, stared at the creatures in disbelief.  “How the devil did THEY get in here?” 
“I believe Ponyville’s resident dragon is putting up a bit of a fight.” The princess responded, a rueful, knowing grin on her face.  “Hopefully some of the other citizens are being equally resourceful.”  She looked at the fledgling officer.  “Restrain these creatures, then have them taken to a holding cell in the dungeon.”
“Yes, your highness,” the unicorn responded.  Within moments the changelings were in shackles.  Four of the six guards present were dispatched as escorts to ensure there’d be no trouble.  
Luna returned to the small pile of papers which had to be completed so reserve troops could be mobilized.  Signing the last one, she passed them off to a steward for immediate delivery to those who would oversee the call-up.  It was at this point that one of the castle chamberlains entered the throne room and bowed to the princess.
“Your majesty, Prince Blueblood and the Emerald Cloud are waiting in the antechamber.  They say they have important news regarding the current situation.”
The alicorn pursed her lips for a moment.  She truly hated dealing with the stuffed-up unicorn and she had a suspicion that whatever he had would not be relevant to the attack on Ponyville.  The fact, however, that Emerald Cloud, one of the Royal Librarians, was with him gave his claim a level of credibility that could not be ignored.
“Very well,” Princess Luna said.  “Show them in.”
The chamberlain bowed again and left, returning a moment or two later.  He stepped to one side of the door, tapped his staff twice on the tiled floor and announced, “Prince Blueblood and Emerald Cloud.”     
The two ponies entered and walked half-way to the dais before bowing.  
“It is my understanding that you have important information on the invasion of Ponyville.”
“Yes your highness,” Blueblood responded.  He pulled a tightly wound scroll from his saddlebags and levitated it to the Princess of the Moon.  “Emerald Cloud found this in the archives last week but didn’t understand its importance until today.  She brought it to me for a second opinion and asked I help her present it to you.”  
Luna took the scroll and broke seal, then opened it.  An instant later a blast of arctic wind swept outward from the scroll catching the alicorn full in the face with its icy breath.  In less than a second she and the dais were encased in a thick sheath of ice.  The two remaining Night Guards charged Blueblood, intending to avenge their princess.  Emerald Cloud spun on her left front hoof and whipped her wings across her body in a slashing movement.  The wind blast she created was violent enough to tear some of the Guard’s armor off and send them hurtling into a nearby wall where they were knocked unconscious.   Two of the princess’ courtiers tried to escape the throne room only to be paralyzed by a bolt of energy cast by Blueblood.  
The white furred unicorn scanned the scene before him.  “That was easier than I thought it would be.”  His statement was punctuated by a momentary silence, followed by the sharp cracking of ice.  Within seconds the frozen sheath surrounding the throne shattered, replaced by a nearly blinding, silver-white luminousness.  
“WHAT ARE THOU PLAYING AT, IMPUDENT FOAL?”  Luna’s voice shook the rafters.  
“Who said I was playing, Auntie Luna,” Blueblood challenged as a blast of lightning shot from his horn and struck the princess.  She raised her wing, using it as a shield.  Nonetheless, she was still forced back several paces by the intensity of the attack.   He repeated the attack, but this time she was ready for him.  She caught the energy bolt in the curve of her other wing and spun, flinging it back at him.  It landed at his feet, blackening the marble floor and causing the prince to jump to his left.”
“CEASE THIS AT ONCE!” the Princess of the Moon ordered, pouring both force and will into her voice.  She still could not quite believe that Blueblood was attacking her.  It made her more vulnerable that she should have been.  
This time the unicorn reared up on his hind legs and slammed his fore-hooves into the floor.  It cracked, sending a ragged split in the marble straight towards Luna.  From it rose a wall of black crystal, sharp and nearly opaque.  One edge of it caught the princess along her shoulder, gouging a bloody tear that ran up and across her back.  
Luna saw the crystal and hesitated, recognizing the shards for what they were.  She whirled on the Unicorn, white fire raging in her eyes.  “THOU!  THOU WERE THE ONE WHO TRIED TO KILL MY BELOVED!?” A bolt of energy lanced outward from her horn, catching the prince as he threw up a shield spell.  It knocked him to his knees even as it was deflected upward, blasting a large hole in the ceiling of the throne room.
“Surprise!” Blueblood mocked.  The black crystal next to Luna abruptly exploded, sending hundreds of shards outward in all directions.  Several of them were imbedded in her, drawing blood as she was thrown from the dais, tumbling downward to its base.   The alicorn’s right foreleg twisted under her and there was an audible pop, but there was no accompanying pain.  Anger drove all such sensations from her.  
She lifted herself into the air, gathering the ambient magic which surrounded her.  Again, she hurled it at the unicorn.  This time however he did not meet the attack with another shield.  Instead, he teleported out of the way, leaving behind a dark cloud of soot that spun in a vortex when struck by the bolt of magic.  The princess side-slipped, turning to search the room for her foe.  
Something struck her from the flank, clinging to her and dragging her back towards the ground.  Luna had a brief impression of pale green fur as she struggled to throw off the extra weight.  She was astonished that the librarian was throwing herself into the fight on Blueblood’s side.  “WHAT DOTH THOU THINK THEE ARE DOING, FOOLISH MARE?” 
A wicked smile caressed Emerald Cloud face as she suddenly misted out of existence to be replaced by Queen Chrysalis.  “Me...Oh, merely conquering a new kingdom for myself.”  She bit down, driving her fangs deep into Luna’s neck.  The alicorn could feel the burning sensation of the venom as it began to spread through her body.  She twisted, rolling in the air and slamming her attacker against one of the columns supporting the roof.  
Momentarily stunned, Chrysalis slid free.  The princess crashed to the floor and slid for several feet.  Dizzy, she closed her eyes and turned her magic inward, burning out the poison before its effects could spread further.  In the distance she could hear the sound of magical alarms going off, triggered by the presence of the Changeling Queen in the palace.  There was a pounding of hooves on the throne room door, but they were silenced as a wall of black crystal sealed every portal and window from the outside world.  
Luna pulled herself to her hooves, balancing on three legs as she opened her eyes.   Shock raced through her as she was confronted by the face of an ancient enemy... “KING SOMBRA!”   
He smiled wickedly.  “I’m touched you’d remember after all these years.”  Before the princess could react he slipped what looked like a black ring onto her horn.  It slid to the base and burned itself into her forehead.  The last thing she heard as the world faded from her senses was the unicorn’s evil laugh and triumphant cry.  “WE HAVE HER!”

> Chapter 18
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Macintosh Apple slowly opened his eyes and looked around without moving any other part of his body.  His mind felt oddly conflicted.  Part of him was urging that he wake up while at the same time telling him he was still tired and wanted to slumber.  Opting for the latter, he closed his eyes, but quickly realized he simply could not go to sleep.  Something was prodding at his mind and would not go away.  Well, there was nothing too it, he thought groggily   If he couldn’t sleep then he’d have to tire himself out so he could rest.  He rolled out of bed and planted his hooves firmly on the tiled floor of the room.  Reaching up, he used the back of his forehoof to slowly wipe the sleep out of his eyes.  
He paced into the central room of the Intensive Care Ward.  To one side he saw Zecora and Applejack standing in front of the window of another room watching several medical ponies remove crystal shards from Lady Starlight’s body.  Beyond, out into the main hallway, he could see dozens of orderlies, nurses and other hospital staff ponies as they rushed back and forth.  There seemed to be a flood of patients, many of whom were sitting on seats and benches that lined the corridor.  Most appeared to be guard ponies sporting a wide variety of wounds and bandages.  
Two other rooms contained seriously injured ponies with several members of the nursing staff helping to hook them up to monitoring devices.  He peeked in at the nurse’s station and found Twilight Sparkle, sound asleep on a cot.  Turning back he saw the most unusual object of all.  At one end of the ward was full length mirror mounted in very ornate, almost chaotic looking frame of gold and silver.  He beheld his own reflection and was taken aback by what he saw.  His body was covered with small, round polka-dots of bare flesh, making him look like some kind of kewpie doll.
“What the hay!” he muttered to himself.  His voice drew the attention of both Zecora and Applejack.
“Macintosh!” his sister said sternly.  “What in tarnation are y’all doin’ out o’ bed?”
“Cain’t sleep,” he replied.  “What’s happenin’ ‘round here?”
The two ponies looked at each other then back at the stallion.  “The city is under attack, by foes of strength which we do lack,” Zecora replied.
“Where are Celestia and Luna?” the farmer asked, his mind slowly clearing.
“Princess Celestia took most o’ the guards south ta Ponyville ta fight off an army o’ changelings,” Applejack replied.
“And Luna?”
“We do not know of Luna’s fate.  She’s locked behind a crystal gate.”
The palomino pony saw the confusion on her brother’s face.  “Zecora means she was last seen in the castle, but no pony can get in now.  It’s completely encased by black crystal.”
Hearing this, Big Mac’s mind snapped into clarity.  The nagging sensation in the back of his mind... he knew it was Luna, calling to him for help.  “Ah have ta get ta the princess.  Ah have ta find Luna.”
“The only thing ya have ta do, big brother, is lay back down.  Yer still recoverin from bein’ sick.”
“Nnnope!”
“What’d y’all just say ta me?” said Applejack.
“AH SAID NNNOPE!”  
“Can you ponies talk any louder?” said a tired voice.  Everyone turned to see a lavender alicorn standing just outside the nurse’s station.
“Twilight... yer awake.”
“Well, dah!” she replied grumpily.  She suddenly noticed the injured guard ponies outside the ward.  “What’s going on?”
Applejack quickly explained everything they knew and had learned about the situation.  Zecora, for her part remained quietly thoughtful.  Twilight’s expression became grim.  
“That sounds like shadow crystal.  Oh... this is bad.  We need to get Celestia and the army back here as quickly as possible.”
“Then we don’t have a moment ta waste,” said the cow pony.  “We have ta get ta Ponyville and get the other elements together as well.”
“Right,” the alicorn replied.
,Zecora looked at Twilight.  “Before you go I have a deed, that you can do with your great speed.  A box which on my mantle rests, I must now have to make some tests.” 
“Alright,” the princess nodded.  “I’ll be back in a flash.”  There was a small pop of imploding air and she vanished.
“Did she really mean ta say that?” asked Applejack to no pony in particular.
A brief moment later Twilight reappeared holding a small wooden box in front of her.  “Is this it?”
“Yes indeed, that’s what I need!” the zebra replied.  She took the box and set it aside.  “Now off you go to Ponyville, to warn Celestia of great ill.” 
Big Mac stepped forward.  He had recovered his collar from a closet used to store the personal effects of patients and had put it on.  It did little to hide his polka-dot appearance. “Ah’m goin’ too.”
To everypony’s surprise Zecora suddenly whirled on the stallion, “NO, YOU WILL NOT!  YOU’LL REMAIN ON THIS SPOT!” she shouted.  Shocked by the zebra’s uncharacteristic tone Big Mac sat down where he was.  She then turned to Twilight and Applejack, dismissing them with a wave of her hoof.  
The alicorn nodded, then put a hoof around the cow pony and they both vanished.  Applejack’s hat hovered in the air for a split second before it too vanished with a pop.  Zecora turned back to Big Mac.
“There isn’t time to wait for aid, we must act now your bride to save.  I feel the evil of our foe, if given time will only grow.”  She opened the box and removed a small trinket which she gave to the stallion.  He placed it around his neck so that it was not visible beneath his work collar.  “This charm should ground you to the earth and grant you strength of greater worth.  But careful of it you must be, to keep your mind and spirit free.”  
“Eeeyup... but how do Ah get inta the castle if it’s surrounded by this black crystal?
Zecora guided the farmer over to the large mirror he’d seen earlier.  “Repeat what I say, but do not hum.... Aperiesque ostium.”  
Big Mac looked at his image then spoke.  “Aperiesque ostium.”  The image shimmered, then changed.  The stallion recognized Luna’s bedroom.  He’d read enough stories about magic to realize the mirror was a doorway.  He turned and looked at the zebra.  “Are you coming?”
She shook her head.  “No pony but you can walk on through.  So, now go and do what you must do.”  
Nodding, the farmer gritted his teeth and put out his hoof.  It passed into the mirror easily followed by the rest of him.  As soon as his tail cleared the portal it closed again.  He turned and looked back, but could see only his reflection.  Amazingly enough, his polka-dots had vanished and he looked like he had just spent a day at the Ponyville Spa.  Whatever kind of magic was being used here, it was certainly... interesting.  Walking as quietly as possible, he went over to the door of Princes Luna’s bedroom and opened it.  

********** 

The library tree in Ponyville was still under attack, but not as aggressively as during the first wave of changelings.  There were too many targets of opportunity and the little monsters were easily distracted by their hunger and desire to draw upon the emotions of other ponies.  At one point there was a knock on the door of the library.  Fluttershy peeked through a crack in the door, then unbarred and opened it, admitting a somewhat dazed looking Rainbow Dash.
“This is so uncool...” she begin.  “You wouldn’t believe all the stuff going on out there.  Why I even...” 
Before she was able to say even another word Rarity had decked her with a solid left, forehoof cross.  The pegasus dropped to the floor stunned, then shimmered slightly and changed form, back into a dark skinned changeling.  
“How’d you know Rainbow was a changeling,” asked the mail-mare, Derpy.
“In all the years I’ve known her,” the unicorn replied, “Rainbow has never, just walked into the library.  Zoomed, skidded, even crashed, but never walked.”
Spike quickly bound the creature with a bit of clothesline and tossed him into a corner with two others they had captured. 
“Maybe it’s time you and the other elements used your magic, to drive off these attackers,” Suggested Filthy Rich.  Both he and his daughter had taken refuge in the tree when the attack first started.  
“We can’t,” explained Fluttershy for about the tenth time.  “We need Twilight to magically unlock the case and the other four elements to use their powers.”
“Well, that isn’t a very good explanation, especially under the current circumstances,” the stallion frowned.  “It seems to me you and your friends are lying down on the job.”
Fluttershy scrunched down under the verbal assault.  “I’m sorry,” she squeaked.
“You should be...“ Filthy continued.  “Why if you worked for me I’d see you were fired...”
“Knock it off, Dad.  You’re embarrassing me and every pony else here.”  Said Diamond Tiara.  The small filly stepped between her father and the buttercup yellow pegasus.  “If she say’s they can’t do anything, then they can’t.”
Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo, who had also taken refuge in the library, stared at their classmate, mouths opened.  This was a side of their nemesis they had not seen before, or expected for that matter.  After a moment’s hesitation they trotted over to her, along with about four other ponies as well as Rarity and Spike.  They formed a line between the stallion and Fluttershy.   Filthy looked at the other ponies and quickly backed down.  
“Don’t think this changes anything between us, blank flanks,” whispered Diamond Tiara as she went over to join her friend Silver Spoon.  
“Of course not,” grinned the two Cutie Mark Crusaders.

**********

Advancing at double-quick time, the 2nd Lancers and the 14th Regiment of Hoof had made the forced march from Canterlot in a record one hour and twenty minutes.  Celestia watched with no small sense of pride as the two regiments prepared to form into skirmish lines for the final push into Ponyville.  They were exceptionally well trained and had made the trip without even breaking a sweat.  Scouts had reported the town was infested with about four hundred changelings, while another group of close to a thousand had formed into ranks to meet the advancing Equestrian Guard.  Including the Guard Wing of Pegasi sent ahead to harass the attackers, Celestia estimated she outnumbered the changelings at least three to one.  She turned to her five main field commanders.
“Form the companies into alternating blocks of hoof and lancers, with three companies of hoof in the center of the line and lancers on either flank.”  
“Is that wise, your majesty?”
Celestia turned to look at the pony who spoke.  It was Sir Silver Lance, commander of the 2nd Lancers.  “Do you see a problem, Colonel?”
“No, your majesty.... I... I mean, yes. You are breaking up the regimental integrity of both units by splicing them into a single line of advance.”
Now Celestia really looked at the unicorn, scrutinizing him intently.  “It’s a maneuver they’ve both practiced numerous times before.  What makes this different?”
“Our foe, your highness.  The changelings could... could infiltrate the ranks, sow confusion by changing themselves into duplicates of our own guards’ ponies.”
“Which is precisely why they advance in mixed blocks.  The combat spells of the Lancers will negate the changelings’ ability to transform themselves.” 
“But what if they’ve found a way around our tactics?” Knight Commander continued, his voice trembling slightly.
The alicorn didn’t like what she saw as she looked in Silver Lance’s eyes.  Confidence had been usurped by fear and wisdom by self-doubt.  She turned to a white furred earth pony wearing the armor and rank of a Brigadier.  “Wildstorm... Colonel Silver Lance is relieved.  Have his second in command take charge of the Lancers and carry out my orders.  The colonel will remain by my side.”
“At once, your majesty.”  He and the other commanders galloped off to carry out her orders.  Celestia turned on the Knight Commander, ready to chew him out, but she stopped, biting her words off in her mouth.  The unicorn was actually trembling violently, tears streaking his face.  
“You... you’ve taken... taken my regiment... my regiment, my... my Lancers.  It was my father’s before it was mine... and now it’s lost... lost, gone and forever lost.”  
The princess scanned Silver Lance with her magic, then muttered in surprise.  He was under an enchantment.  She quickly traced out the patterns of the spell, then gently broke its threads, unraveling it completely.  The Knight Commander stiffened for a moment, then, to the alicorn’s surprise, collapsed to the ground as his heart stopped.   Celestia whirled and called for a medic. 
A pair of field doctors were at the colonel’s side within seconds.  They successfully managed to administer CPR and then moved the unconscious unicorn down to the aid station that was being set up near Ponyville depot.  Brigadier Wildstorm approached Celestia as she watched Silver Lance being taken away on a litter.  
“Your majesty... the troops are ready to move at your command.”
The princess turned to him.  “Very well, Brigadier.  Keep the troops in skirmish formation.  I am going to delay the advance long enough to scan the regiments for any pony who might be under an enchantment.”
“Is there a problem, your highness?”
“Colonel Silver Lance had a spell placed on him.  I want to make sure no pony else may endanger our rescue of Ponyville.”
“It will take time we can ill afford.”
Celestia nodded.  “Better we take the time now than have our assault line crack because some of our troops have been compromised.”
“Yes your majesty.”  
The alicorn launched herself into the sky and circled the troops performing a series of slow, horizontal spirals above the skirmish line.  The ponies on the ground cheered her, thinking she was blessing them before battle.  The irony didn’t escape her that, in a sense, that was just what she was doing.  When she finished she discovered three more ponies were under a similar sort of spell.  All were mid-level officers whom she knew by name.  The implications were disturbing to say the least.   
Landing, she directed the Brigadier to have them report to her at the aid station.  Once they were removed from the line and replaced by their deputies, she ordered the attack forward.  The princess and her command staff took point on a small hillock and watched the advance into Ponyville.  
Just before the two skirmish lines met, the formation of changelings leapt into the sky and pulled back, first to the edge of town, then into town itself where they gathered up the remainder of their forces and swarmed back towards the Everfree forest.  Two squadrons of the Guard Wing pursued, but pulled up when they reached the edge of the forest.  They were too well trained to chase an enemy into unfamiliar ground. 
A ragged cheer went up from the assembled troops, accented by as slightly less powerful but equally enthusiastic cheer from the residents of Ponyville who were slowly coming out of their shelters and homes.  Celestia stood with her commanders and watched the retreat, her mouth lined in grim determination.  
Brigadier Wildstorm gave voice to the obvious thought shared by all present.  “This was too easy.”
Celestia looked over at one of the signals officers, an Earth pony lieutenant named Dottie Dash.  “Has the telegraph system at the Ponyville station been reconnected?”  
“Yes, your majesty,” the mare replied with a salute.
“Good... then have a general alert sent out to all stations.  Report anything out of the ordinary directly to Command here at Ponyville.”  The mare saluted again and galloped off to complete her orders.
“Diversion?” muttered the Brigadier who was once more standing at the alicorn’s side.
“It would appear so... The question is, where is the real attack coming? I don’t want to wear out our troops quick-marching them all over Equestria.”
“If I were to guess, I’d say Mane-hatten.  Large population... good feeding for a large number of changelings.  Add to that weather reports say there’s a thick fog building off the coast.  It would make excellent approach cover for a flying species.”     
“Valid point,” remarked Celestia, “but I’m not entirely sure feeding is their principle objective.  The overall strategy seems too... focused.”
There was a sudden “pop” of exploding air between the hillock and the trailing edge of the skirmish line.  A cloud instantly formed, and just as quickly dissipated to reveal Princess Twilight and Lady Applejack.  The two ponies turned, trying to orient themselves, then spotted Celestia.  They galloped up to her as quickly as possible. 
“Princess.... Princess Celestia,” gasped the lavender alicorn, “Canterlot Castle is under siege.  It’s been encased by what looks like shadow crystal and no pony can get in or out.”
“What of Princess Luna?”  
“No pony’s seen mane nor tail o’ her since the castle was captured,” replied Applejack.  Some o’ the guards tried breakin’ in but they wound up in the hospital fer all their efforts.”
“First, the Clouded Heart, now this,” said Celestia.   “If it is shadow crystal, then somepony has access to King Sombra’s magic.  He’s the only one who knew how to exploit those type of spells.”
“But how is that possible?” asked Brigadier Wildstorm.  “He’s been dead and gone over a thousand years.”
“The how isn’t as important as the why... and it all ties together.  Whoever is behind this wants my sister!”
“Princess Luna?” asked Applejack.  “But why?”
“Though much of her power is repressed, she is potentially the equal of me.  That was why I had to use the Elements of Harmony to banish her when she was Nightmare Moon.  It was the only way I could overwhelm her magic.”
“So if somepony could gain control o’ her, or her magic...”
“They’d become more powerful than me.”  Celestia turned back to the Brigadier.  “The 14th of Hoof and one squadron of the Guard Wing will remain here in Ponyville.  I want the 2nd Lancers and the remaining Guard squadrons with me.  Have those Guards elements form-up at the Ponyville Depot in ten minutes.  We’re moving out... NOW!”
The princess turned back to Twilight and Applejack.  “Gather your friends and the elements and get to Canterlot as quickly as possible.”
“How do I get them there that fast?”
“Fly... Gallop... Teleport... How doesn’t matter... How fast does.  Commandeer the Five O’ Five express train if necessary, but get there.”  Celestia threw herself into the sky and vanished.”
“Commandeer the express?” mused Twilight... How do one steal a train in the first place?”
Applejack poked her friend in the ribs.  “Yer a Princess, Twilight.  Just tell ‘em ya want the train and they’ll let ya have it.”  The farm pony galloped off towards Ponyville.
“That’s what I’m afraid of...” muttered the alicorn as she raced after her friend.”
	
> Chapter 19
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Leaving Princes Luna’s room, Macintosh slowly made his way down the darkened corridor.  He looked towards the large windows that lined one wall, half expecting to see curtains drawn across them.  Instead the glass was obscured by a layer of dark crystal that blocked most of the light.  Reaching the spiral stairway that led up to the tower rooms the earth pony began a careful descent deeper into the castle.  He tried to think back to the first time Luna had given him the “Grand Tour” of the castle.  Unfortunately, he’d been paying more attention to the princess than the castle, so many of the halls and passageways seemed alike.  
He thought that if he could find his way to the first floor he’d have a chance of finding the throne room.  More than anywhere else, that was where the Princess of the Night was likely to be.  When he arrived at the bottom of the staircase he had a choice of two doors.  He picked the one on the left.  It led into a large, well designed kitchen, big enough to provide food for an army if needed.  He closed the door behind him and turned a corner looking for another door.  That was when he bumped into the first of the castle’s staff.  
The pegasus mare, dressed in a chef’s jacket, was cowering behind one of the counters, hooves out as if warding off some monster.  She was encased in a dark, translucent, crystal sheath.  It rocked back and forth slightly from Big Mac’s contact with it.  The farm pony stepped back abruptly, a flash of fear stabbing at him when he saw the pony’s eyes move.  They fixed on him, but nothing more about the mare changed.  Looking about, the stallion found an ice pick and a small mallet used for tenderizing beets.  He tried to use them to chisel the mare free, but the ice pick bent double against the crystal.  Nothing short of magic was going to free the cook.  
Macintosh put his face as close to the mare as he could.  “Ah’ll try and find some way ta get ya out o’ there... Ah promise.”  The mare blinked twice, acknowledging the stallion, then closed her eyes as if going to sleep.  
The farm pony continued his journey, working his way through the kitchen and several storerooms before coming on a smaller set of stairs leading upward.  Next to them sat an empty dumbwaiter.  This must be how food was brought up to the dining room.  Climbing the stairs, Big Mac found himself in a small ante-chamber filled with linens, silver place settings and assorted china as well as glasses of every imaginable kind.  A swinging door led outward into a large grand hall, down the center of which ran a large series of heavy oak dining tables, organized like a giant letter U.  This place he remembered from the tour.  It was the main hall for the Grand Galloping Gala. 
Since leaving the kitchen, Macintosh had come across more than a dozen ponies like the cook who were trapped in crystal, like living flies in amber.  They were all asleep, save for the one or two whose prisons he had tapped on.  Their reactions had all been identical.  Their eyes opened, moved around, responded to him, and then closed again in sleep.  The farm pony decided not to disturb any others unless it was unavoidable.  No sense in causing these ponies to feel worse by waking them up to a living nightmare.  
As he exited the hall he came across a very odd scene in one of the corridors.  Four of Luna’s Night Guards were standing as if they were guarding something, the way one guards prisoners.  In the center of the formation was a pile of eight empty manacles.  Slightly further down the hall were a group of five servants, carrying a large log.  All were frozen in place by the crystal.  The corridor he was in was much more opulent, as if intended to impress as well as beautify.  He turned left and followed it to yet another spiral staircase.  Climbing up two levels, he found himself in an incredibly massive library with books lining every inch of wall space as they rose upon towering columns of shelves.  Looking around, he suddenly appreciated why Twilight was such a knowledgeable mare.  If he read even one shelf of books here, he’d have the equivalent of a college degree, if not two or three.  Several ponies could be seen standing about, also encased in crystal.  One was even precariously balanced atop one of the larger ladders reaching for a book.  
Pursing his lips, the stallion carefully climbed up the ladder until he reached the pony, then carefully brought him down, step by step, before setting him safely on the ground.  At least he’d done something to help somepony around here... he hoped.   
Leaving the library he turned into another corridor that appeared to contain a series of offices.  Suddenly he knew exactly where he was.  These were the executive and staff offices.  They were just down the hall from the Royal suite where both Princesses worked when not holding court or conducting a special audience.  Beyond that was the council chamber and the Throne Room.  As he silently made his way past the executive offices he found many more ponies who had been trapped in crystal, having made the mistake of taking refuge rather than fleeing the castle.  Near the end of the hall he came upon a contingent of Guard ponies, all brandishing weapons, all ready to deal out death and destruction, and all trapped like flies in amber.  
One particular crystal drew his attention and sickened him.  One of the Guards, a lieutenant by the looks of him, had been trapped and then that crystal had been shattered, scattering pieces of pony about like a jigsaw puzzle.   Big Mac quietly approached the door to the throne room and tested the handle.  It opened readily enough, but the doorway was covered by a thick sheet of crystal.  At this point, there was nothing to do by make his presence known.  Turning around he bucked against the dark, translucent material.  He felt it shake beneath his hooves but it didn’t break.  Rearing back he tried again and was rewarded by a spider-web of cracks.  He got mad at the stubbornness of the pseudo-rock.  Closing his eyes and focusing he reared up once more.  With his eyes closed, he did not see the faint glow of red as it outlined his hooves.  He bucked, and the crystal shattered, spinning off in a hundred directions.  
Without hesitation, Big Mac leapt through the opening and looked around.  He was in the Throne Room, but all he could see were the remains of a fight.  There were no ponies present save the unconscious bodies of a couple of guards who had been hurled aside and broken against a nearby wall.  They too were encased in crystal.  Noticing several pieces of armor lying around, the stallion examined them briefly then cast them aside.  None of them would fit his large frame.  He paused to consider.  Here he was, running around through a castle trying to find some incredibly powerful foe, save his love and free those now trapped inside, and he had nothing with which to fight.   A glint of dark, polished metal drew his attention.  He went over to it and picked it up.  His anger flared once more as he realized he was holding at Luna’s crown.
“Ah wish ah at least had a suit of armor right ‘bout now,” he muttered to no pony in particular.  To his surprise, all four of his hooves began to glow red.  It spread outward across the marble floor causing the stone within it to flow like water.  In an instant it surged towards Big Mac, cresting over him like a tidal wave.  When it ebbed, the stallion found himself wearing a suit of armor similar in design to most of the castle’s Guard Ponies, only his was made of white marble.  He raised a leg and found the joints between the plates of stone moved easily and silently.  His work collar had been incorporated into the design and he could feel a slight warmth emanating from beneath it.  He was surprised that the ‘charm’ Zecora had given him even worked.  The marble armor was heavy, but the farmer could almost feel the strength needed to carry it easily flow into him.  
He looked around, trying to spot some clue as to where Luna might be... then he heard something.  It was a heavy, rolling sound, the kind a mountain might make if it could laugh, and it was coming from outside.  Big Mac galloped over to a large window that overlooked the castle and cautiously peered out.  Through the dark, translucent crystal he could make out the figures of two ponies, whirling around the castle gardens as if they were dancing at the Gala.  Nearby, standing as if poised on a pedestal was the figure of Princess Luna.  Unlike the other ponies, she was not encased in crystal, but stood, paralyzed, one leg raised as if she were favoring it. 
The couple below whirled carelessly around her, gloating in triumph.  Again, anger rose in the mind of the normally placid farmer and Big Mac literally glowed red.  Moving away from the window he began galloping towards the exit.  He’d been in the garden before and knew how to get there.  They’d hurt Luna, and there would be a reckoning.

**********

Below, King Sombra and Queen Chrysalis paused in their waltz as the distant sounds of hoof beats could be heard echoing through the castle.  
“It sound as if you missed one,” chided the queen of holes.  
Sombra smirked.  “Probably some poor messenger hiding in a storeroom when I took possession of my new castle.”
“Our new castle,” she reminded him.
“Quite right... our new castle.”  He smiled at the changeling queen.   “Would you like to do the honors of flushing the intruder out?”
She smiled, baring her fangs and turned to eight changelings who were standing at attention near the door.  “Go... Find the interloper, pummel him and drag his sorry carcass back here for our amusement.”
There was a rapid beating of insect wings and all eight of her servants launched themselves skyward and headed for an open window in the castle.  The queen looked up at Princess Luna.  “I wonder what she thinks of all this?” Chrysalis asked.  “Her kingdom gone, her sister soon to be defeated, her lover, lying in the hospital slowly bleeding out.  Too bad she cannot hear us gloat.”
Sombra chuckled evilly.  “Oh... but she can my dear.  The shock of the ring only momentarily robs a victim of their senses.  By now, she’s recovered and is listening to and watching everything we do.”  He paused, studying the paralyzed princess for a moment.  “Look!  If you watch her long enough you can see her eye move.”
“And there’s nothing she can do to free herself?”
“Absolutely nothing.  The ring grants me total control over the wearer.  I can keep her paralyzed and plum her magical essence to my heart’s content, feeding my own energies to levels beyond even that of Celestia.”  
“So why not use her to attack Celestia at the same time you do?”  
“That would require me to split my focus between myself and my puppet.  I’d have to think for two, and in a fight, it’s hard enough just to think for one.  No my dear, it’s much better I leave her trapped and immobile and tap her powers myself.”
They were momentarily interrupted by the sound of crashing from within the castle.  Sombra grinned at the queen.  “It sounds as if your changelings have found a playmate.”
“Undoubtedly.”  Chrysalis looked beyond the castle.  “I can hardly wait until you capture Princess Celestia and gain even more power over our kingdom.  
“Oh, I don’t have to wait for power.  It comes to me as, and when, I desire.”  He kissed the queen, leaning into their embrace with as much vitality as he could.  
She shuddered, closing her eyes and allowing him to grip her tightly.  Her lips caressed his hungrily as she sought to draw out from him the love she fed on but had not herself ever experienced.   With her eyes closed, she did not see the danger until too late.  
There was no warning as Sombra slipped a black ring over Chrysalis’ horn, pushed it past the broken curves and pressed it against her forehead.  
Feeling the sudden burning sensation, the changeling queen leapt back, shock and betrayal dancing across her eyes.
“YOU...” she collapsed in a heap at the Witch King’s hooves.  
“Yes... me,” he said. “Sorry my dear, but you know, considering how strong Celestia is, and how repressed Luna is, I need an edge.  Controlling your power, and through you your minions, will be quite advantageous in the long run.  Be happy.  You still get to play an important part... just not the one you thought you’d played.”  He lowered his mouth to her ear, “Oh, and by the way, Emerald Cloud was a lot more satisfying than you.”  
Sombra backed away and his horn glowed briefly.  Moving as stiffly as a puppet, Chrysalis pushed herself to her hooves, then tried a series of experimental poses before settling on one that satisfied the evil unicorn.  Her body locked itself in that pose, and after a few moments her tip-tilted eyes could be seen moving back and forth in impotent rage.
The Witch King smiled in satisfaction.  He could feel the magic as it now flowed from both Luna and Chrysalis into him.  Combined with his own strength he was more than a match for Celestia now.  Laughing, he raised a crystal dome above the garden, cutting down the light to something more comfortable for him.  He began wandering around, admiring the statues that graced the pathways.  Most of the ponies and other figures immortalized there were unknown to him, though some few he recognized.  One, the figure of a young, slim alicorn maid brought a smile to his lips.  
“Ah... Cadence,” he muttered.  “Such youth, such beauty and fire.  I almost had you once, when you weakened yourself for the sake of my old empire.  When all Equestria is mine I shall return to you.  I shall break your crystal heart and reclaim my throne, adding it to my new kingdom.  Then I will teach you the ways of passion to be found in the shadows of the mind; and after... I will set you up alongside your mentors and draw upon your power as well.”
It was in the midst of this reverie that something small and scaly struck him on the back of the neck.  Armored as he was it caused no damage but he did stagger forward from the unexpected blow.  Whirling, King Sombra looked for the source of the attack.  He found it in the form of an unconscious changeling that had been thrown at him from somewhere.  He heard a whistling noise and looked up just in time to catch a second of the little monsters full in the face this time.  It too was unconscious, but its fangs scraped across his muzzle leaving behind parallel tracks.  These first two were followed by half-a-dozen more, most of which missed because he was able to easily dodge them, but the assault was humiliating to say the least. 
“WHO DARES!” he thundered, taking a step forward.  Sombra unexpectedly felt something yank on his hooves and he stumbled, slamming nose first into the ground.   Before he could react the grass in front of him glowed red, then reached up and wrapped itself around his muzzle.  Within seconds he was bound, mane to tail in the garden’s grass.  Angered, the Witch King caused the plants surrounding him to all age and whither.  He ripped himself free of the binding grass then cast a sight spell, looking for the unicorn responsible for this outrage. 
As he sought his opponent he suddenly became aware of the sound of stone grinding against itself.  He turned, just in time to catch the statue of Cadence full in the face as it collapsed on top of him.  Again, his armor protected him, but he could still feel a few scrapes and bumps across his new body.  It wasn’t something he was used to, having existed for so long as a formless cloud of soot, and it hurt.  He pulled himself back to his hooves, pieces of broken statue rolling free as granite dust clung to his form.   
Sombra looked around and it dawned on him he had wandered away from his two captives.  Whoever was responsible for this, he didn’t want to risk them getting too close to his source of power.  The King galloped towards the center of the garden, only to have a thick hedge spring up from the ground in front of him.  He skidded straight into it, flank first, only to discover is was festooned with long, sharp thorns that somehow pierced the joints in his armor.  In seconds, he found himself surrounded on all sides by closely packed rows of similar hedges.  Angered by the pain, his horn glowed and the plants surrounding him burst into flame and crumbled away.  Unfortunately, having reacted without thinking, Sombra also suffered some of the effect of the fire, singing his mane, tail and eyebrows.  
The pain actually helped him some, focusing his thoughts and subduing the blind anger that had been building within him.  He focused his magic creating a wide carpet of crystal that spread before him, preventing any new plants from sprouting up and causing additional havoc. He advanced along this crystal path, looking constantly for the source of his trouble.  Reaching the two mares, he paused to renew his strength, drawing more magic from them.  He then spread the crystal carpet farther ahead and around himself.   
Big Mac watched the Witch King as he spread a layer of crystal around where he stood.  Now it would be impossible to entangle him with any of the natural growth that made up the gardens.  Somehow, the stallion had to figure out a way to close with his foe before Sombra could use any of his ranged magic to stop an attack.  He focused on a part of the crystal carpet to see if he could move or change it in any way.  Unfortunately, crystal was different enough from good old earth that he couldn’t work it as he had the plants in the garden.  His ‘charm’ was powerful, certainly, but it wasn’t something that was easy to use.  It responded to his wishes readily enough, but only when he allowed his anger to get the better of him.  Though not a warrior, he knew it wasn’t a good way to fight, just as it wasn’t a good way to work.  
Big Mac dug into his memory, trying to recall everything and anything he knew about magic.  It wasn’t much.  Unlike pegasi and unicorns, earth pony magic was more practical... less flashy.  As a matter of fact, most his own experiences with magic were times when he found it used against himself.  Love poisons, the Flim-Flam brothers, Discord...  He suddenly stopped as an idea came to him.  Peering up from behind a large hedge he gauged the distance between himself and the Witch King.  He always was rather good at such practical figuring.  Now it was just a matter of getting angry, which, as it turned out wasn’t hard to do, seeing Luna trapped as she was.  A red glow suffused his hooves and legs. Leaking ever so slightly from his eyes.  Now that he was angry, he had to stay focused.
Sombra continued to search the area around him.  So far he hadn’t been able to detect any signs of unicorn magic and Luna was the only alicorn present, so what he did detect had to be coming from her, or rather him as he fed off her essence.  It was puzzling.  Who in Equestria could be attacking him?  And in such odd ways.  He no sooner completed this thought then be began to feel the ground vibrate.  Again, he scanned the garden and nearby castle but could not identify the source.  It wasn’t an earthquake.  What was it?  
Luna could feel the vibration as well but, paralyzed as she was, could do or say nothing.  Her eyes turned toward Sombra.  In that instant the crystal carpet exploded beneath his hooves and he was catapulted high into the air.  Two back hooves withdrew into the hole that had suddenly appeared and from it, covered with mud and dirt, climbed what looked like a stone gollum.   It took the princess a moment or two to realize what she was looking at, and when she did her heart leapt within her chest.  It was Big Mac, wearing what looked like some kind of stone armor. 
The stallion cast a quick glance towards his beloved, then charged in pursuit of the Witch King.  He couldn’t afford to give the unicorn even a slight chance to recover from the surprise attack.  
Sombra reached the top of his ballistic arc and began falling again.  He landed in a small peach tree some twenty feet from his launch point.  Without pausing even a second, the farmer rammed the tree trunk with his armored shoulder.  It cracked, then split, sending the king of soot tumbling to the ground.  Furious, he leapt to his hooves and whirled, just in time to catch a full frontal apple buck from the stallion.  
The Witch King flew across the garden.  His body slammed into the wall of the castle, knocking loose some bricks and mortar.  He shook his head, trying to clear it.  Instead of standing, he slammed a hoof into the ground.  Large crystal shards leapt up from the ground, trying to skewer the charging pony.  Big Mac skidded to avoid them, then used the slick crystal carpet to spin and kick a set of shards that had appeared in front of him.  They snapped off and flew at Sombra, forcing him to roll aside or be impaled by his own weapons. They struck the wall and imbedded themselves there, vibrating slightly.  
The Witch King was still struggling to regain his hooves when Big Mac, sliding along the crystal carpet, body checked him against the castle wall like a hockey player.  He went down again, but unfortunately did not have the wind knocked out of him.  From his prone position the unicorn opened his mouth and blasted the farmer with gout of dragon flame.  Now it was the stallion’s turn to find himself tumbling though the air before striking and skidding along the crystal carpet.  A good portion of his stone armor was fused and cracked by the heat, but it had protected him well enough so he wasn’t much more than singed.  He threw aside the useless parts of his armor, hurling them at Sombra with all his strength.  Again, the unicorn found himself having to dodge projectiles.  
Big Mac charged again, the magic of his charm giving him traction when he wanted against the slick, dark crystal.  With most of his armor gone, Sombra suddenly recognized his attacker and his eyes opened in shock.  
“YOU?  IT CAN’T BE... YOU’RE DEAD... YOU HAVE TO BE DEAD!  NO PONY CAN SURVIVE THE CLOUDED HEART!”  His horn flashed and a forest of crystal spikes sprang up in front the stallion.  Had Macintosh continued charging he would have impaled himself.  Instead he threw himself down onto his belly and, sliding along the crystal, plowed his way through the spikes using his stone helmet.  Broken pieces of spike cut him in several places, but did not seriously injure him.  
The stallion leapt to his hooves only to realize that Sombra too was standing; facing him.  They were too far apart!  The Witch King smiled.  “Maybe you were able to survive my poisons, but you won’t survive THIS!  
His horn glowed.  A bolt of lightning lanced through the sky striking Big Macintosh full on.  This was followed by a second, and then a third.  Luna screamed within her soul as the charred and blackened form of the stallion collapsed to the ground.  She struggled to free herself and in the process Sombra could feel the power from her fluxuate, then stabilize.  	Walking towards the princess he felt at the loose teeth in his mouth and wiped away the small trickle of blood dripping from his nose.  
“It’s no use, your highness.  You are trapped.  Your power is mine, and when she comes, your sister will be mine as well.”  He looked up at Luna.   A single tear could be seen trickling from her eye.  Sombra chuckled.  “What’s this?  A tear for your fallen hero... for your love?”  He reached up and wiped it away with his hoof.  “I shouldn’t waste it, not on a common earth pony.  In the end he wasn’t much more than practice.”  The Witch King looked up at Luna and gloated.   “You might as well face the truth, princess of the moon.  He’s dead... dead and gone forever.”
“NNNOPE!”
King Sombra whirled, only to find his face connecting with a very large, very solid forehoof.  Instead of allowing the unicorn to fall backward out of reach, the charred, red furred stallion rose on his back hooves, grabbed him around the neck and landed a series of close, intimate hoof to face blows, knocking out teeth and blacking both eyes.  When he did let go, it was to spin and buck the Witch King about fifty feet into the air.  The blow not only launched him upward, but it shattered his horn.  A large, black bone ring fell free and bounced along the ground.  
Luna felt a wave of dizziness wash across her as she suddenly found herself able to move again.  Turning her head, the first thing she saw was Chrysalis, who was holding a hoof to her own head.  Before the queen of holes could react, Luna executed a beautiful one legged spin and bucked her across the garden where she landed, unconscious, in a nearby hedge.  The shadow crystal filling the garden and surrounding the castle suddenly evaporated into smoke. 
There was a thud as a white furred pony face planted himself in the grass.  Prince Blueblood looked up groggily.  “Last call... already?” he muttered before passing out. 
Luna looked down at the bone ring lying on the grass, then very deliberately raised her hoof and crushed it.  There was a long, echoing scream and the ring dissolved into a cloud of soot etched with Sombra’s face.  It quickly dissipated in the wind.  The princess then turned to Big Mac and watched in awe as his body miraculously healed itself.  Burned skin and fur regenerated in a matter of minutes and the stink of scorched flesh and ozone faded.  
She looked at him incredulously.  “How?”
The farmer slowly reached under his now ruined horse collar and pulled out a small, triangular charm.  It was black and red with the image of a male alicorn on it.  “Ah guess this thing works, even fer earth ponies.” 

> Chapter 20
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Luna, Celestia and Twilight sat together atop the throne room’s dais, each occupying a chair of their own.  The room was filled to capacity with spectators who were watching the Royal Inquiry.  At the moment, they were all listening to a report by Dr. Whitecoat, the resident psychologist at Canterlot Hospital.  
“As far as we can tell, Queen Chrysalis is suffering from a classic case of split-personality, aggravated by a severe bi-polar disorder.  What makes her case unique is that the personality split was self-induced.”
“How?” asked Princess Twilight
“After the queen’s second failure to seize control of Equestria, Princess Celestia cast a spell that would immediately detect any changeling activity in and around the city of Canterlot.  To circumvent that protection, the queen kidnapped the mare, Emerald Cloud and completely subsumed both her physical and mental form, effectively killing her.  She then overlaid the pegasi’s original personality over her own.  This allowed Chrysalis to move anywhere she wanted within the castle, providing she maintained herself as Emerald Cloud.”
“How did the split occur?” asked Luna.  
“Within the overlaid psyche of Emerald Cloud was a deep resentment of being “used” in this manner.  Add to that, she had become enamored with Prince Blueblood prior to her capture and the two had formed a close... uh... relationship.  Using the pegasi’s access to library archives, Chrysalis discovered the existence and location of the Bone Ring of Sombra, one of several which are suspected to exist.  With it, she could summon the spirit of the Witch King from Tartarus and have it possess a living host, in this instance, Blueblood.  She assumed, incorrectly as it turned out, that Sombra would be a co-equal conspirator.  
When the queen engineered Blueblood’s possession, the Emerald Cloud psyche split from that of Chrysalis.  They knew of each other’s existence, and both were working towards the overthrow of Equestria, but they hated each other.”
“So effectively, the real Emerald Cloud was dead this whole time and cannot be held in any way complacent with current events,” Celestia asserted.  
“True,” replied Whitecoat.  
“And what of Blueblood?” asked Princess Luna.
“As to Prince Blueblood, his was a clear case of possession by a spiritual entity without his knowledge or cooperation.  Therefore, he should not be held responsible for any of the actions he instigated during the conspiracy.  Simply put, he wasn’t in control of himself, King Sombra, or rather his spirit, was.” 
All eyes turned towards the unicorn prince who sat quietly apart from other ponies.  He was currently on the mend and any pony looking at him could see he’d been in a fight.  Both his eyes were black, there were a number of obvious bruises around his face, he was wearing a retainer to hold his recently replaced teeth in place, and he had a thick neck brace.   Add to that his horn had been broken off and had to be filed down to a small nub so it would regrow properly.  All that was on the surface.  The part that truly hurt though couldn’t be seen.  He really had liked Emerald Cloud and now she was lost to him forever.  The only up-side to his present circumstance, if one could consider it an up-side, was for the first time in a very long time, more ponies felt sympathy for him than despised him.  
Princess Celestia returned her gaze to Dr. Whitecoat.  “One final question Doctor.  In your opinion, is Queen Chrysalis mentally fit enough to stand trial and actively aid in her own defense?”
“Your majesty... I’m sorry to say that unfortunately, the answer is no.”
“And why is that?”
"It is because Queen Chrysalis no longer resides within her own body.  As of this morning, her mind has fractured into a multiple series of personalities, some of whom are functional, most of whom are not.  So far, we’ve identified eighteen distinct entities.  However the personality we know as Chrysalis is no longer there, or at least no longer identifiable.   The same is true for the Emerald Cloud personality.  What complicates this more than anything else is that because she can change form, each of the new personalities has its own unique shape.”
“If this is so, what do you recommend we do with the Changeling Queen?” asked Princess Twilight.
“I recommend that she be confined in an appropriate care setting until such time as she is capable of standing trial for her crimes.”
The three princesses put their heads down and crossed horns.  There was a soft, pulsing glow and the audience became silent as they watched their leaders commune.  After a few moments they raised their heads and Celestia rose from her seat.  Her eyes glowed white as she timbered her voice for all to hear.  
“Very well... let it be known that the being known as Queen Chrysalis is hereby ordered placed in medical confinement until, or if, such time arises when she will be capable of standing trial on the charges of Usurpation, Assault, Kidnapping and Murder.  In the case of Prince Blueblood, all charges relating to crimes committed during the recent attack upon this kingdom are withdrawn.”  She paused a moment for dramatic effect.  “This Royal Inquiry and this Triumvirate is closed.  	LONG LIVE EQUESTRIA.”
The call, “LONG LIVE EQUESTRIA,” was taken up by the assembled ponies and repeated three times, once for each of the princesses.

**********

There was a soft knock on the hospital room door.  Lady Shadow Starlight gently put down her book and turned towards it.  She smiled when she saw Big Mac quietly tip toe into the room.  “Ah ain’t disturbin’ y’all or nothin’, am Ah?”
“Not in the least, your majesty.  It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
The stallion looked at her earnestly.  “Ah’d appreciate ya not callin’ me, yer majesty.  The weddin’s not for another month at least.”
“As you wish, then, Sir Macintosh.  To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”
“Ah just wanted ta find out if y’all are doin’ alright,” the plow pony said.
Starlight nodded politely.  “Quite well, considering the circumstances.  The doctors say that all the poison has been flushed from my body, but there was some organ damage.  Not being as ‘robust’ as the Apple family, I will have to remain ‘laid up’ as it were for another week before I can resume my duties.”
“Do ya think ya will still be able ta sponsor me at the investment ceremony next week?”
“Wild changelings couldn’t keep me away,” she replied looking at the stallion.  
“That’s good,” he replied.  He then stood there for a moment awkwardly shuffling his hooves.  
“Was there something else you wanted to discuss?” she asked.
“Eeeyup.  It seems they changed ma oath and Ah was wonderin’ if ya could help me memorize it.”
“Changed your oath... now that’s unusual,” She muttered.  “Do you have a copy of it with you?”  Big Mac handed her a scroll which she unrolled and began reading.  Starlight got about halfway through the document when she stopped and looked up at the stallion.  “This is the oath for a Knight COMMANDER of the Equestrian Star.”
“Eeeyup.  Ah was told the knighthood was advanced in rank because Ah beat up another pony a couple o’ days ago.” 
“Beat up another pony?” Starlight chuckled.  “Well that’s putting it mildly.  I heard you single handedly took on an ancient, evil entity and soundly thrashed him.”
“Maybe... Turned out it was only Prince Blueblood the whole time.”
“Same difference,” said the unicorn. 
“Y’all know twern’t his fault,” Big Mac gently chided her.
“I know... and I’ll probably be much more forgiving once I’m out of here,” she replied.  “But for now, he’s still the same little annoying snot-nosed ‘colt’ I grew up with and learned to dislike.  
“Maybe not so much anymore,” the farmer replied.
“Maybe,” Shadow Starlight agreed.  She held up the scroll for Big Mac to read.  “Now let’s take a look at this thing and work it out.” 

**********

“Do you have the picnic hamper?” Luna asked.
“Eeeyup.  Now remember what Ah said.  Ya gotta be ready for anythin’.”
The princess nodded then turned to the mirror in her room and spoke the activation spell.  “Aperiesque ostium.”  There was a rippling of the mirror’s surface and then Big Mac’s room at Sweet Apple Acres came into view.  Luna took a deep breath and stepped into the reflection.  She vanished and the mirror closed behind her.  
Big Mac waited a moment, then repeated the phrase and followed her.  Stepping out of the mirror he almost tripped on the small, brown-furred platypus that was sitting on the floor, its arms crossed in disgust.  
“Tho... how long doeth thith latht again?” it lisped.  
“Until you say his name.”
“And what if I refuthe?”
“Ah can always take you swimmin’ in the pond.” 
The small marsupial snorted in disgust then grudgingly gave in.  “Oh, alright... DITHCORD!”  There was a sudden peal of laughter from the mirror followed by a bright flash as Luna returned to her normal form.  “Well that’s better... What about you?”
“Me?”  The stallion turned to look at himself in the mirror.  He now looked like a full-sized version of Twilight’s Smarty-Pants doll, complete with one missing button eye and a notepad and pencil.  “DISCORD!”  There was another peal of laughter and a bright flash as Big Mac found himself restored to normal.  
“Well... at least it only happens on YOUR side of the mirror,” Luna chuckled.  
The two ponies went downstairs.  Funnel Cake was in the kitchen preparing the mid-day meal for family and farm workers alike.  Granny was downstairs as well, snoring in her nearby rocking chair.  Luna and Big Mac quietly tip toed across the carpet and out the door.  
“Which way?” the princess asked.  
“There... in the hollow,” the stallion pointed a hoof.  Walking together the two lovers quickly found themselves in a very quiet and isolated part of the farm.  When Luna saw the grotto with the hot mud she paused and closed her eyes.  Her horn pulsed with energy and she looked over at Big Macintosh.  
“The amount of magic in this place is amazing,” she commented.  “I think your ‘hollow’ might actually be a node.”
“A what?”
“A node.  It’s a place where a great deal of naturally created magic accumulates and is released into the world.  Sort of like a release valve on a steam engine.  We know of at least a dozen more that exist in and around Equestria.  Canterlot rests upon one, which is why so many unicorns live there as compared to other cities.”  
“So great grand pappy was right.  This place is magic.”  
“It would seem,” said the princess.  “I really shouldn’t be surprised it’s here.  After all, your farm butts up against the Everfree Forest which is the largest single known node in the world.  I wonder why no pony outside your family ever found this place before?”
“Pa use ta speculate that this grotto was once a natural cave that was worn away and finally collapsed in on itself.  It covered the mud pit until great grand pappy found it and removed most o’ the rocks around here ta sell fer cement.  That was how it got uncovered again.”
“Oh... that looks so inviting.” Luna cooed.  “I don’t think I’ve had a mud bath in over a millennium.  It’s so good for the complexion.”
“Especially for platypi?”  
Luna responded by sticking her tongue out at the stallion.  She went over and daintily dipped a hoof in the mud which burbled tranquilly.  “Oh... it feels nice.  May I try it?” she asked as Big Mac came up beside her.  
“Eeeyup.” 
The princess carefully removed her slippers, torc and crown and went over to the edge of the mud pit.  Her eyes went wide however when she suddenly felt a pair of hooves touch her flanks and give a gentle, but firm shove.
SPLORCH!  
She surfaced moments later, sputtering slightly as she cleared the tiny amount of mud which had gotten in her mouth.  Luna looked up to see the grinning face of Big Mac who himself was spotted in mud.  
“OH... How DARE thee, you... you... PLEBEIAN!”
Before he could react the stallion found himself levitated into the air and dangling, upside down, about six inches above the mud.  Grinning wickedly she released him.
SPLORT!
Luna magically scooped up two large balls of mud, ready to pelt Big Mac when he surfaced.  When he did not immediately come up she frowned, then panicked thinking he might be trapped in the thick muck.  She dropped the mud balls and began searching frantically for her love, until something grabbed her tail and yanked her under.  She bobbed up a moment later and saw the grinning, mud drenched equine casually leaning against the side of the mud-hole.  
She grabbed a hoof-full of muck and was about to plaster him when he leaned forward and locked lips with her.  Luna pulled back slightly, sputtering a little.  “Yuck!  Mud-mouth.”  Her horn glowed for an instant and the mud sloughed off both their muzzles.  She then leaned forward and began passionately kissing the stallion.  Their lips and tongues twined around each other wrestling for supremacy.  
The hot mud fueled their passion and they continued to kiss for a long... long time before finally pulling apart.  They made love in the soft, warm muck and the afternoon vanished in a haze of soft kisses and gentle caresses.    
When they finally separated, they both leaned back in the mud, gently nuzzling and kissing.  Luna glanced at their picnic basket.  “We forgot lunch,” she murmured contentedly.
“Did we?” Big Mac asked.  “Ah thought we always started with dessert...”

**********

The next week was a frantic series of rehearsals, speech practice, pattern making and measuring for Big Mac’s “official” uniform, patterned after that worn by the Ponyville militia, and more than a dozen press conferences, interviews and formal presentations.  Through it all, the stallion still managed to spend nearly every night with Luna and at least half the morning working the fields of Sweet Apple Acres.  
The morning of the Autumn Equinox found the stallion up at four and plowing the new fields until “rescued” by his sister who hurried him up to his room and through the mirror.  Macintosh could not remember any day before when he had felt so at one with the farm and the world.  No plow, of any size or weight, would have been impossible for him to move.  His strength was, for lack of a better word, indomitable, as was his spirit.  He'd felt it since the moment he'd awakened.  It was as if every step he made across the open ground sent a small surge of energy... no... more than that, a surge of life into his hooves.  It was the equinox, when night and day were in perfect balance... when the world was in harmony with the universe.    
He stepped into Luna’s room, groomed and cleaned and polished as any pony could be just as the princess was trying on her official robes.  The princess turned and looked at him, smiling.  
“You look magnificent, my darling... but where is your uniform?”
“Ma... OH, Ah forgot it in ma closet.  Wait here, Ah’ll be back in a second.  He spoke the activation spell and vanished, reappearing a moment later carrying his new uniform.  
Luna turned and her mouth dropped open... Good Heavens! What are you?”  
The stallion, or rather red-feathered griffon, looked down at himself and mumbled a few choice invectives.  “Ah forgot ta say Discord again... didn't Ah!”  
“Indeed,” the princess smiled, trying not to giggle.  “Though I have to admit you do look extremely fetching, especially for a young lady.”
“Lady?”  Big Mac’s brows furled and he whirled about once more. “Aperiesque ostium!”  He practically leapt through the portal.  There was a very long pause, then the mirror shimmered once more and the stallion returned.  
“Ah... uh... um... Ah think Ah broke it!”
Luna turned and took one look at the farmer then immediately sent for her sister, Princess Cadence, who was visiting for the celebration, and Princess Twilight.  
Celestia was the last to arrive at Luna’s chambers and was struck dumb by what she saw as she entered.  Standing before her was Sir Macintosh, red-fur shinning and curried to perfection, an ideal physique, mane and tail trimmed into the neat, short style preferred by most stallions, hooves polished to a glow.  But in addition to that, he now had a magnificent pair of wings and an equally magnificent single horn growing from his forehead.  
“You... You... You’re an ALICORN?!” she finally managed to say.
“Ah am?” he squeaked.
The four fillies all called out in a single, roof-shaking, musical chorus.  “DISCORD!!!!”
There was a small pop of exploding air and the draconequus appeared.  “Do you really have to yell like that?” he complained.  “You’re starting to sound like a gaggle of Hoofspearian witches.”  He glanced over at Big Mac.   	“GAAAHHHKKK!  ANOTHER ONE!”
“Change him back!” Princess Luna ordered.
“What... You think I did this?  I’ll admit, I’m clever, resourceful and powerful, but why would I change a farmer into an alicorn, especially when there are already too many of you for my liking.”
“Ah think your mirror broke,” said the stallion.
“Hum.”  The draconequus pulled out a stethoscope and proceeded to examine the device, poking it here, tapping it here with either a finger or a small rubber mallet.  “No... It wasn’t the mirror.  It works perfectly...” he reached through the glass and retrieved a piece of cheesecake and a cup of coffee.  “See...  It works perfectly.”
“Then why is he an alicorn?” asked Twilight.
“Did it ever occur to any of you that he may have reached a plateau of enlightenment, the way you four have?”
“It’s possible,” muttered Celestia.  “But to evolve, new magic has to be created, and we’ve seen no new magic since Twilight...”
There was a sudden, frantic knocking on the door.  “Princess Celestia?  Are you there?”
“Who could that be?” wondered Cadence.  
“It’s probably some dreary plot development, if you ask me,” mumbled Discord.
The white-furred alicorn went over to the door and opened it.  Before her stood the Chamberlain of Ceremonies, carrying a small wooden box under his wing.
“Yes... what is it?” she asked.
“Your highness.  This morning the royal jeweler was putting the finishing touches on the medals you were to present at this afternoon’s ceremony when one of them... well changed, all on its own.”  He held the box out before her.  
Celestia opened it as the other three alicorns crowded around to see.  What should have been the medal for a Knight Commander of the Equestrian star was now a simple green apple.  It pulsed with energy.  Twilight gasped slightly.  “A new Element of Harmony!” she whispered in amazement. “But what kind?”
Princess Celestia turned and looked at Big Macintosh.  “Courage,” she said simply.
Discord leaned over to the farm pony. “Told you,” he whispered.