Chapter 1

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The room seemed so large. At this time of day it was normally overflowing with ponies, each of them either talking, arguing, or waiting for their opportunity to do one of those things. Considering what day it was, and more importantly what was happening on this day, the entire docket had been cleared. She was on her own and waiting. Patiently is how she would prefer to describe it, but she knew better.

“Superintendent Trueblood?”

The sound of her name caused her head to turn and her heart to flutter. Fumbling for a moment, she took a deep breath and smiled at young stallion on the far side of the room. “Yes, Cobblestone? Do you have news?”

“No, Superintendent. I’m sorry. I was just… I was just checking to see if you needed anything? You haven’t eaten anything all day, and you’ve barely had anything to drink. I don’t like it that you—“

“I’m fine,” she interrupted with a slight chuckle. “A little nervous, perhaps. Anxious. But I’m fine. Thank you.”

“If you say so, ma’am.” His reply was gracious, but his body language spoke a different tone. “If I may, Superintendent, you may not be handling this as well as you think. I’m very worried that you—”

“Cobblestone,” she interrupted softly with a single word. “There is nothing world threatening happening. No major—or minor for that matter—crisis has arisen calling for my immediate action.” As she smiled, a glint seemed to flash across her teeth. “I’m just anxious to see my marefriend.”

“I know, I know,” he said quickly. “I understand that, but you must understand that the ponies of New Equestria look to you as a leader. As a stable figure still trying to find some sort of hope in the chaos after Empress Coldheart. And I know that you know all of this, but it is my job to remind you. You know they need you and I worry that you interrupting the normal course of things—even for a good reason—might bring a bit of concern.”

“Would you rather I try to deal with all of the commotion normally going on inside this room while looking up every few minutes to see if anypony new had walked in?” She shook her head. “I think it’s better for them to wonder than to see me obviously distracted.”

His only response was a slow, steady nod.

“And,” Trueblood continued, “It’s not like I see her very often. She does live on another world, after all. Technically. So, I think I’m allowed a day off to see her, okay?”

A long moment of silence preceded him taking a deep breath. “Yes, ma’am. Of course.”

“It’s been four months,” she said.

“I understand,” he answered.

“She helped save our world. Helped to capture Fantasia.”

“I know that.”

“It was because of her that we discovered the Elements of Harmony here in New Equestria.”

“I’m well aware of that.”

“She’s also an ambassador from her own Equestria.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

A single hoof rose and struck down on the stone floor suddenly. “Then what is your problem with her?” Trueblood almost shouted.

“I—I don’t have a problem with her, ma’am. She—”

“Then just let me have this day.” Her voice returned to normal levels and she stepped over to him, looking him straight in the eye. “Just…just this one day. I just want one day.”

He took another deep breath and sighed. “Yes, ma’am.”

The soft sound of laughter fell between them, lying somewhere between nervousness and relief.

“Am I interrupting something?”

This time the voice penetrated Trueblood to the core. She was quite sure that her heart completely stopped for the several minutes—though in reality less than a second—that it seemed to take her to turn towards the familiar, and welcome, sound.

“Twilight!” In a flash of golden light, Trueblood disappeared from where she stood, reappearing instantly beside her target. The pristine white of Trueblood’s coat set off the lavender shade of Twilight Sparkle’s perfectly, and their manes intertwined as they brought their necks together in a close, impassioned hug. They separated a moment later, parting only far enough to come together once more in a kiss.

“I—I’ll leave you two alone,” Cobblestone said awkwardly as he trotted away.

“What? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to….” Twilight pulled back, looking over just in time to see the young stallion exit the room. She looked back at Trueblood with wide eyes. “Oh no. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

Not another word got out before Trueblood moved back in for another kiss, silencing the young mare. If it upset Twilight, she hid it extremely well. After an unmeasured time the two mares pulled apart again.

“Hi,” Twilight said softly.

“Hi yourself,” Trueblood replied, lowering her head slightly, causing a lock of her mane to cross over her left eye.

A gentle purple glow surrounded the hair, moving it away to give Twilight a better view of her marefriend’s face. “I really hope I wasn’t interrupting anything. I was just…. It’s good to see you.”

“No, no, you were fine,” Trueblood said, her voice barely above a whisper. “That’s just Cobblestone. He’s…. Technically he’s called my aide-de-camp, but he’s really like my right hoof. He’s just always there for me when I need something.”

Twilight pulled her head back slightly. “Really?”

“Not like that! Nothing like that!” Trueblood shook her head. “Strictly professional.”

Immediately, Twilight broke into a laugh. “I know that, silly. It’s not like I wasn’t raised around a castle or anything. Ponies like you need ponies like him. I’ve seen it many times.”

“Well, then stop getting me flustered! He was already worried about my mood, and now he’s going to be inconsolable,” she stated.

“Your mood?” Twilight asked. “What was wrong with your mood? Is something wrong?”

Trueblood snorted a short laugh. “Not really. I’ve just spent the day pacing around the room, wondering when you were going to get here. Hoping that the portal was still working. Trying to figure out if you were definitely going to make it. Praying that you would still be happy to see me. You know, little things like that.”

The cheeks on Twilight’s face turned a darker shade of purple as she looked towards the floor. “You were that worried about me?”

“Why wouldn’t I be worried?” Trueblood’s magic slowly wrapped itself under Twilight’s chin, raising her face back up until their eyes met once more. “I love you.”

“I love you, too!” There was no space between the end of Trueblood’s statement and the beginning of Twilight’s. “I just…. Well, you don’t need to worry about me, Tru.”

“I like worrying about you, Sparky,” she answered. “I mean, I would much rather worry about you on a much more local basis, but I understand that you have your responsibilities and all.”

“Yeah, about that…” A small fluttering sound rose from behind Twilight.

“Huh?” Trueblood stepped to the side, looking for the source of the unexpected sound. Her eyes grew to saucers as she watched a pair of wings rise up and unfold above Twilight’s back. Slowly, she turned back to look at Twilight. “Sparky?”

One eye on Twilight’s face closed tightly as she looked back with a wince. “Surprise?” she said softly.

* * * * * * * *

Every pony who passed wore a smile on their face. Some of them bowed their heads, while others awkwardly nodded and quickened their pace. A few even turned away when they saw her, doing their very best to make it appear to be coincidental rather than intentional.

No matter the reaction, Celestia smiled back and kept walking. It was an unusual sight, she realized, to see her walking the castle wearing neither crown, peytral, or shoes. Every pony she passed knew who she was, not to mention what she once was, which left them rather unsure of how to react. It had been several weeks now since she stepped down from the throne of Equestria, but that didn’t lessen the impact for anypony walking past. To them, she was still the ruler they had known all their lives.

Regal. Nobel. Inspiring. Powerful words to describe what was likely the most powerful being alive. They refused to see her as anything lesser than she was, and that made them very uncertain on how to react to her new status. Which left them with no precedence on how to react upon seeing her now, hence the varied and unique responses she witnessed every day.

And if it bothered her, she never let it show. In fact, to look at her it would seem as though her thoughts were many, many miles away. Which was likely what caused her to walk directly into the pony cleaning the floor in front of her as she rounded the corner.

Water spilled everywhere as the bucket clattered along the floor. The mare responsible for it whirled around blindly, her voice raised and angry. “Watch where you’re going you—” She stopped herself silent as her eyes seemed to triple in size.

“Forgive me!” Celestia hurried to catch herself, even as her golden horn came to life and caught the spreading water, redirecting it back into the bucket with ease. “I didn’t see you and I….” She sighed. “I’m very sorry. That was quite clumsy of me.”

“No, Your Majesty…. I mean, Princess, or, um….” The mare stumbled a bit herself.

Celestia repressed a laugh. “Princess is fine. I am still one, after all.”

“Of course you are! You…. I mean, yes, Princess. I know that.” Her voice trembled.

Celestia’s face turned even softer as she leaned down closer to the mare. “Would you like to leave now?”

“Yes, please.” She nodded quickly as she spoke.

Pulling back, Celestia nodded gently and the mare scurried away without another word, causing another smile to grow on the alicorn’s face.

“Are you tormenting our subjects, Celestia?”

The voice came from behind her, allowing Celestia the opportunity to close her eyes for a moment and gather herself before turning around.

“Of course not, Chrysalis,” Celestia spoke as she slowly swung to face the changeling—who was not alone. A pair of imposing figures, each equally as large as she, walked side-by-side towards her. And where the first to speak caused her to tense up, the other one took that tension away in an instant.

“She knows that, Tia,” Luna stated. “She is only teasing you.”

“Teasing?” Chrysalis recoiled in an overly dramatic display. “I am simply concerned for all of the subjects of Equestria. As their princess it is my duty, after all.”

Moving towards each other, Luna and Celestia met in the middle of the hall, bringing their necks against each other in a fond, if somewhat subdued, embrace.

“Were you looking for us?” Luna asked after she pulled back.

“No, not really,” Celestia said easily. “Just wandering about.”

“Well, I’m sure you have to come up with something to occupy your time now.” The words rolled off of Chrysalis’ tongue with a heavy coating of honey.

“Actually, I was using that time to think about what to do about our…situation. The next step in discovering where the invaders to our throne may be hiding,” Celestia replied.

“Yessss,” Chrysalis hissed. Her entire chitinous body stiffened, become more rigid than before. “I do wish you would allow me to be more of a part in that matter, Celestia. The fact that I am being held at a distance from it is very disquieting.”

“We’ve been over this, Chrysalis,” Celestia explained. “You’re too close to the problem. We need to keep you at a distance or run the risk of endangering you. You were their primary target, after all.”

“Which means I should be striking back!” Venom dripped from her mouth as Chrysalis took a step forward. “It is not right for me to be waiting for them to make their move.”

“You’re not,” Luna said, gently placing a wing on Chrysalis’ withers. “You’re being smart. You’re letting us find out more about this situation so that we can make the proper retaliation. Be patient, Princess. You’ll have your opportunity.”

With a long, slow twist of her neck, the changeling brought her face around to look at Luna. She closed her eyes slightly and turned her scowl to a smile. “Oh, Luna, thank you.” Taking a step closer, she brought her neck against the dark alicorn’s in a hug—and gently rubbing her muzzle into Luna’s coat. Without moving her head, her eyes shifted over to meet Celestia’s gaze. “It’s good to know that somepony here cares for me.”

“We all do, Chrysalis.” Luna pulled back, and as she did Chrysalis turned to look at her again. “You simply have to allow us to care for you.”

“I’m learning,” she answered and then glanced towards the tall windows along the wall. “Well, it’s getting late. I need to go to the Day Court and deal with the matters at hoof. It is my responsibility, after all.” Her eyes slowly blinked once as she turned back to Luna. “Will I see you tonight, Princess?”

“Of course you will,” Luna answered. “Have a good day, Princess.”

“And to you, Your Majesty,” she bowed slightly to Luna, and then turned to the other alicorn sister. “Good day, Celestia. At least you made it a pretty one.”

Without waiting for—nor receiving—a reply, Chrysalis turned and walked away from the gathering, heading towards the throne room. It was well after she turned a distant corner that Luna finally broke the silence.

“You’re a horrible liar.”

“What?” Celestia twisted suddenly to look at her sister. “What do you mean?”

Luna smiled. “You were looking for us.” Turning, with Celestia following suit, she began to walk down the corridor towards the tower holding their shared quarters.

“I was not,” Celestia stated bluntly. “There is no reason for me to lie about that.”

“Of course not,” Luna’s smile became a smirk.

Four steps later Celestia spoke again. “You are spending a lot of time with her, you know. Why are you meeting her tonight?”

“It’s not a meeting, Tia. It’s just us speaking to share information between the Day Court and the Night Court. You and I did the same thing, remember.” Luna answered.

They walked slowly side by side, the morning light through the windows playing against Celestia’s coat, which cast a constantly shifting shadow on Luna’s midnight-black. Celestia nodded in agreement as she spoke, “Ah, yes. Of course. It was just the way that she phrased it, I suppose.”

Despite her best effort to hide it, Luna giggled.

“What was that?” Celestia glanced over at her wife.

“Nothing. Nothing, it’s just…”

“What?” Celestia urged.

“You’re jealous.” Luna’s voice was laced with laughter.

“I am not! Why should I be jealous?” Her mouth hung open for a moment before Celestia turned to look straight ahead once more. “What would make me jealous?”

“Chrysalis,” Luna answered bluntly.

There was a roll of her eyes before Celestia spoke again. “I am not jealous of Chrysalis. If anything she is jealous of me and trying her very best to aggravate me.”

“It seems to be working.”

“It is not!” Spinning back to look at her sister, Celestia’s mouth once again hung open.

“Then why were you wandering the halls looking for me?” One of Luna’s eyebrows raised slightly.

With a heavy sigh Celestia answered, “I wasn’t. I already told you that. I just needed to get out of the room and change my scenery. I may not wear the crown any longer, but I do still have concerns of my own, you know. Responsibilities.”

They walked into a section bereft of windows, casting a heavy shadow over both of them momentarily.

“I’m sorry,” Luna said softly. “I know that you are worried. I still feel that you did the right thing. That we did the right thing. She’ll be fine.”

“I truly hope so, Luna, because it’s too late now. What’s done is done.” There was a frailty to Celestia’s voice hiding beneath the reassuring concern of her regular tone. A full minute of silence followed her statement, broken by her words once again. “Though…you were taking a long time this morning. You’re normally in bed by now.”

The corner of Luna’s mouth curled up once again, revealing a fang. “Oh? I hadn’t noticed. I must have lost track of time.”

It was Celestia’s eyebrow that raised this time. “Really? What kept you so distracted?”

“Chryssie and I were—”

“Chryssie?” Celestia interrupted.

“Hmm? Oh, ah, yes. Princess Chrysalis has all but insisted that I call her that. I…thought I had mentioned that before.” Luna cleared her throat after she spoke.

“I see. Do go on.” There was a brief ruffle of white feathers.

“As I was saying, Chrys…that is, Princess Chrysalis and I were discussing the matters of importance to the Day Court before today’s session, but it strayed away from business to other topics. Chrysalis is an amazing mare. She has been doing a marvelous job of learning the history and traditions of Equestria.”

“I have no doubt. And that caused you to lose track of time?” Celestia asked.

“Yes. Yes, it did.”

The pair walked up to the massive pair of doors that led into their shared chamber. With a slight urge of her magic, Celestia opened them and stepped to one side to allow her sister to enter before her.

“There was just…talking, then?” Following Luna into the room, Celestia gently pulled the doors closed behind them.

Magic the color of night lifted the crown from Luna’s head and deposited it on a runner table along the right wall. At the same time, golden magic pulled the drapes over the windows shut, blocking the majority of light from entering the room.

“You are jealous,” Luna snickered.

“Do I have something to be jealous of?” Celestia asked as she walked up to her beloved, staring her directly in the eye.

“Of course not, Tia. I love you.” A warm tone went with the smile that answered just as much as the words.

“I’ve never doubted that for a moment, Luna. Forgive me.” Closing the short gap, Celestia brought her lips to Luna’s, expressing her feelings physically. As they broke apart, each of them let out a long breath.

Celestia licked her lips. “Are you tired?”

“No, not really, my love,” Luna nuzzled against her wife’s neck.

“Goddess.” Stretching her neck up to allow Luna better access, Celestia spoke down with clear and concise words. “You will address me as Goddess.”

“Yes, my Goddess,” Luna said between kisses peppered down her sister’s neck.

A huge smile shone on Celestia’s muzzle as her great white wings rose from her back and gracefully enveloped her younger sister, covering her completely as Luna continued to kiss lower with every passing second.

* * * * * * * *

The sound couldn’t get past the protective spells on the walls and door, despite its best effort. Neither mare held back their growing vocalizations of passion which echoed back to them, but they were hardly aware of any of it.

The white coat on Trueblood faded slightly into the off-white sheets. There was enough contrast to set her off from the cloth, but just barely. The edges where hair met bed were hard to make out—made even more difficult by her constant motion.

Twilight’s lavender was easy to spot, even in the dim light. The majority of said light came from Twilight’s horn, with its faint purple glow casting a tinted sheen to the whole of the room. She stared down at Trueblood, watching the mare’s eyes intensely. Trueblood was doing her best to keep her eyes open, but the task was difficult.

Between them was a glowing shaft of magic, extending from one marehood to the other. Rhythmically, Twilight drove her hips downward, pressing the magic further into herself, and subsequently into Trueblood. Each thrust was accompanied by flap of her wings, adding to the power behind it, and creating squeals and moans of delight from both parties.

“Oh, goddess,” Trueblood moaned. “I…I’m so….”

“I’m almost there, too,” Twilight answered. She leaned forward, grabbing hold of Trueblood’s hind legs and forcing her hips upward, allowing her to increase her tempo. Faster and faster she rammed against her lover, to the point where their nether lips joined in an erotic kiss of their own.

Despite her best effort, the passion overcame Trueblood’s resolve and she closed her eyes. She sucked her lower lip between her teeth and bit down gently as her hooves reached up to take hold of Twilight’s. “Twilight,” she moaned.

“Yes!” Redoubling her efforts, Twilight sped up, her body more rocking back and forth than pulling away. The action continued to drive the magic dildo into both mares, but added something more. With each thrust forward, Twilight’s hardened clitoris rubbed against Trueblood’s, and then again repeated as she pulled back.

The bed beneath them strained, the wood screaming from the assault the couple unleashed. It was easily drowned out in both mare’s ears by the sound of their own lust. A steadily growing song that quickly reached crescendo.

“Oh, Twilight. Twilight!” Trueblood’s voice broke as she came. Her back arched up off the bed, pushing her sex higher, trying to join with Twilight even more closely.

It was only a matter of seconds before Twilight joined her. “Yes! Oh, Celestia, yes!”

A primal noise rose up from Twilight even as she pressed down harder, while the juices from her marehood soaked Trueblood’s coat. The rapid thrusts became a series of short, sharp ones, and her body twisted sharply for a moment, until she finally collapsed on top of her lover. The magical glow surrounding Twilight’s horn snuffed out, and they lay there together, each of them wanting to move but finding the thought easier than the action.

Finally, Twilight shifted her weight and fell off of Trueblood, sliding to the mare’s left side. She rolled over, extending her hoof out and laying her foreleg over Trueblood’s barrel, nestling her muzzle into the other mare’s neck.

“That was great,” Twilight purred. “I told you that trick would work.”

“Uh-huh,” Trueblood lay still, her eyes still closed.

“I’ve been working on it for a while, but with only myself to—ahem—experiment on, I could only guess on its effect. I knew that my calculations were correct though. The right frequency makes all the difference.”

“Uh-huh,” Trueblood droned.

“And now that there are two of us,” Twilight nestled in a little closer, pressing the whole of her body against her lover, “it’ll be easier to master the spell. We can give it another try here in a few minutes.”

“Uh…huh?” Trueblood’s eyes popped open. “No. Oh, goddess, Sparky. I…I can’t. That was our third go-round. I just…I can’t keep up with you.”

Raising her head up, Twilight’s eyes narrowed as small as tightly as her lips. “Oh no! I’m sorry! I…it’s the whole alicorn thing. I’ve got a lot more energy now, and—”

“A lot more doesn’t even start to cover it,” Trueblood laughed. She brought her right hoof across her body, and let it play in Twilight’s mane. “I’m not complaining—not really—but you gotta give me a few minutes. You don’t know what it’s like being a normal unicorn with an alicorn.”

“I, uh…” Twilight swallowed and twisted her face into a smile. “No. No, how could I possibly know anything like that?”

“Let’s just….” Trueblood shifted, turning her body so that she faced more directly towards Twilight. “Let’s just talk for a bit, okay? I didn’t even get a chance to ask you about the whole wing thing.”

“Heh, no, not really,” Twilight chuckled. “I was worried you were upset, but then you basically jumped me there in the room, and, well, it’s just a good thing we teleported up here. I hope no pony thinks you’re missing.”

“They’ll figure it out. Won’t be the first time I was suddenly gone,” Trueblood said.

“What? What do you mean?” Twilight blinked.

A quick shake of her head threw aside the question. “So, how did this whole thing happen? I thought alicorns were some weird personification of some thing or something. Or the child of an alicorn at the very least—at least sometimes. I could never tell if Fantasia was upset about me that way or not. She probably would have killed me on the spot if I was born with wings and a horn. In any case, you aren’t either one of those.”

“Uh, well, no.” Twilight’s eyes danced about briefly. “I’m…. Well, Princess Celestia referred to me as an ‘elevated alicorn.’ From what I gather its a very rare thing. It’s…it’s where a unicorn manages to accomplish something that unlocks a…. Wow, this is hard to explain.”

Reaching over, Trueblood moved Twilight’s mane away from her face. “Well, why don’t you just tell me what happened.”

After a deep breath, Twilight nodded. “I can do that. That’s easy enough.”

A long pause immediately followed.

“This would be the place where you would start talking, Sparky,” Trueblood giggled.

“Yeah. Yeah, I know that. I…uh….” A quick flick of her wings moved Twilight slightly on the bed. “Okay. All right. Well….”

“Do you not want to talk about this, Twilight? Did something bad happen?” Trueblood rose up from the bed slightly, her face scrunching together.

“No! Not at all. It’s just hard to describe, actually.” Twilight put her hoof on Trueblood’s shoulder and rubbed gently. “I mean, without it sounding just…odd.”

“I’m pretty used to odd. My mother is stuck in a giant heart of ice in the courtyard of this place, after all,” Trueblood said with a half-laugh.

“Right. Okay. Well, there was this spell, and I figured out what was wrong with it, and then I disappeared and reappeared next to Princess Celestia in some strange sort of…place. She never explained it to me. It was like some extra-dimension or something. Anyway, there was a brief ritual and….” She shrugged. “I’m an alicorn.”

Trueblood blinked. “That’s it? I was expecting some grand story with a heroic moment or something.”

“Well, like I said, this isn’t common. I’m the first unicorn to go through this in centuries.”

“Uh huh.” She nodded and looked over Twilight’s body and down to the wings. “So, why? What was it about the spell that got you there? I mean, I know that you’re pretty damn special, but…this is pretty damn special.”

“I don’t know. There’s a lot about it that I still don’t understand. I can’t even really fly yet. Not well, anyway,” Twilight answered with a smile. “You aren’t weirded out by it, are you?”

She shook her head. “Did it seem like I was weirded out?” Trueblood readjusted herself, putting her hoof on Twilight’s chest. “I mean, it’s a shock, yeah, but not a bad one, really.”

“I’m so glad to hear you say that!” Twilight beamed instantly. “I’m hoping everypony else here will feel the same.”

“I hope you don’t mean the other Elements. You were here the last time I saw any of them.”

“What?” Twilight asked. “Where are they?”

“Well…” Trueblood’s eyes traveled to the ceiling as she wandered through her memory. “Trixie is back in the Crystal Empire, both Gilda and Goldfeather are still off looking for some enclaves of griffons, and Ditzy went with Husk to try to find Toy…Chrysalis, I mean.”

“And you haven’t heard from your Chrysalis still? Not since the war?” Twilight followed up immediately.

“No. Husk has been trying to find her, but she either doesn’t want to be found or doesn’t want to be found by him. Or he’s not telling us about it, which I seriously doubt,” Trueblood said, looking back over at her lover. "He's as loyal to me and this place as any pony I've ever met."

“So, nothing. No problems. Not a single changeling issue at all?” Twilight asked.

Pulling her head back slightly, Trueblood narrowed her gaze at Twilight. “No, nothing. Why such an interest in Toy all of a sudden?”

“Oh, no reason. I just…. Well, we’ve had problems with Chrysalis back home, so I guess I’m just worried about what she might do here. That’s all.” Twilight moved her muzzle back to Trueblood’s neck, nuzzling her some more. “That’s all.”

“Don’t worry about us, Sparky. I’ve still got this under control,” she answered. “Everything is under control.”

They lay together in silence.

* * * * * * * *

She walked into the throne room with her head high and her step light. Every time her hoof hit the floor her hips shifted, moving her tail back and forth with a huge sway to it. A natural motion she exaggerated with an action that was just as natural to her now as walking normally.

The throne room was mostly empty, which wasn’t a huge surprise. This late in the day all of the activities of the Day Court were finished—what paltry duties it had these days, at least. It was odd to see the change, but it amused her to no end. A near complete change of responsibility. All of the major rulings and decisions were made in the middle of the night now, while lesser dealings and activities went through the day.

Of course, the fact that there was a changeling on the throne during the day didn’t help build confidence. Though, she did have to admit that Princess Chrysalis had done an exceptional job at creating a cozy little hole for herself here in the castle.

Which was the main reason that she showed up, actually.

“Ah,” Chrysalis purred as she finally caught sight of the young mare, “the renowned Miss Fleur de Lis. I’m so glad that you came by today.”

Fleur stopped and bowed her head deeply, bending a front leg to lower herself closer to the floor. “It’s an honor, Your Highness. How may a humble pony such as myself help you this day?”

Chrysalis laughed. “You can drop the facade, dear. It took me a little while to remember your face from that night, but now that I’m looking at you, there is no doubt. You’re the mare that came and woke me during that snowstorm. Dapifer was reluctant to give me your name for some reason, but…well, I have my sources.”

“I’m sure I don’t know what you are talking about,” Fleur replied.

“Of course you don’t.” The tone of Chrysalis’ voice dropped down near a growl. “Well, let me take a moment to explain it to you, then, just so you know.”

In a steady motion, Chrysalis rose from the throne and stretched to her full height. With every word spoken she moved down the ramp and closer to Fleur. “I was poisoned. Poisoned by a filthy hive of invading changelings daring to enter into my territory. It led me to act, oh, let’s call it irrationally, shall we?” She reached the end of the ramp and continued to pace towards Fleur, who stood unmoving. “That fact was discovered by somepony, who then came out just in time to prevent my likely demise, and halt a battle between the other two princesses which almost destroyed not only the city, but the foundation of Equestria. Does any of this sound familiar?”

Chrysalis made it to Fleur and walked past her, slowly progressing in a circle around the mare, her eyes glued to her the whole time. Fleur kept her eyes constantly forward.

“I’m a model, Princess. I’m just paid to look pretty. I heard some stories about a magical accident that happened, causing all three princesses to become ill, though. Is that what you’re talking about?” Fleur’s voice was deep and sultry, with no hint of waver to it.

Turning her head slightly to the left, Chrysalis spoke one word, “Leave.” As one, the guards in the room moved towards the exits in silence. In moments, the two mares were alone in the room.

“Now then,” Chrysalis turned back to Fleur, her smile growing wide and exposing her fangs fully, “let’s start again.” She walked back towards the throne, stopping short of the ramp, and turning back to the unicorn once again. “There is a great deal I do not know about you, Ms. de Lis, but the fact that you were there that night—that you were the mare who saved my life—is unquestionable.” The fragile looking wings on her back buzzed, echoing the drone always lurking in her voice. “I appreciate secrets. Being who and what I am, I find them quite wonderful in a way, actually. What I don’t like is when one of those secrets might be damaging to me.” She lowered her head, shadows seemingly growing up to cover her face. “I need you to tell me about those changelings.”

“I beg your pardon?” Fleur raised an eyebrow. “I thought you knew about the changelings. You’re their queen, aren’t you? And they are now integrated into Equestrian society—at least here in Canterlot. Isn’t that the case?”

The glowing green eyes peeking out of Chrysalis’ shadowed face narrowed. “Do not play stupid. You are the one who discovered them, I’m sure of it. Celestia is keeping that information from me, and—”

“Luna,” Fleur interrupted.

“I beg your pardon?” Chrysalis growled.

“I mean, wouldn’t it be Princess Luna who would be keeping any information like that? It’s my understanding that she currently rules Equestria while Princess Celestia is on sabbatical for personal reasons. So, Princess Celestia wouldn’t be responsible for any secrets, would she?” Fleur batted her eyelashes and tossed her mane back.

The corner of Chrysalis’ mouth twitched. And then again. Until it broke into a full smile. “Well well well, aren’t you delightful. Those were not exactly the words of a flighty model, by any standard. Why don’t we cut to the chase, shall we?” She stepped back towards Fleur, rising up to her full height once more. “I want you to work for me. I need somepony of your skills, Ms. de Lis. An actual pony—not a changeling—but a pony who can find out things for me. Be my eyes and ears in the castle.” She stopped in front of her, looking down at her. “What do you say?”

“I have no idea what you are talking about, Princess.” Her eyes opened wide and her mouth grew small.

“Don’t make me laugh,” Chrysalis stared at her, and then allowed her eyes to trace along the full length of the mare’s body. “You are hardly innocent. In fact,” A long tongue slipped from the changeling’s mouth, curling up along her cheek and slathering her muzzle with faintly green saliva, “I could offer you some…personal benefits as well. Something very special.”

“Oh my, Princess! Are…are you propositioning me?” Fleur gasped. “I’m honored.”

“You should be,” she purred back. “And you should also be saying yes right about now.”

“Well, I’m not sure what I could do to help you,” Fleur said. “And while I’m…intrigued by the other offer, I’m afraid I will have to decline.” She smiled. “I can’t have anything ruining my reputation. If I were caught in a compromising situation, well, the scandal could ruin my career. You do understand, don’t you?”

“Oh, I understand,” Chrysalis said with a nod. Her tongue came out to play across the front of her teeth. “I understand perfectly.”

“Well then, I guess I’ll be going.” For the first time since entering the chamber, Fleur moved. With a slight bow of her head she took a small step backwards. She didn’t make it any further before Chrysalis spoke again.

“This isn’t the end of this, you realize. You have information, and I need it. I want it,” she explained. “And I get what I want.”

“Well, then you better be talking to Princess Luna. She’s the one who would know everything, right?” Fleur took a couple more steps backwards and then turned and pranced towards the door. “Good-day, Princess.”

The door opened and closed, leaving Chrysalis alone once again.

“And good-day to you, too, Ms. de Lis. I simply cannot wait to see you again.” She smiled and walked back up the ramp to the Equestrian throne.

* * * * * * * *

“Tru?” Twilight squinted at the line of light falling across her face. The room remained dark, save for the brightness coming from beyond the cracked door. Her hoof once again felt the bed beside her as her eyes adjusted, both of them confirming that she was alone.

Rising up, she glanced around the room and found no pony there, either. She rose to her hooves and brushed her mane aside gently. The faint sound of a familiar voice slipped through the door alongside the light, bringing a smile to Twilight’s face.

“Tru?” She was only a step or two away from the door when she spoke, but the words beyond kept her from going any further.

“…and you’ve got to take some form of action, Superintendent. It’s becoming too much of an issue.” The voice was faintly familiar, but Twilight couldn’t put a name to it yet. “You can’t keep avoiding this.”

“What did I ask for? I asked for one day. That was all. You act like I tried to leave for a month.” Twilight winced. Trueblood’s tone was far more strained than she had ever heard.

“It wouldn’t have been the first time.” Twilight’s wings twitched as her feathers ruffled at the tone of the young stallion.

“I beg your pardon?” Trueblood’s tone matched Twilight’s response. “If you have something to say, Cobblestone, just say it.”

Cobblestone! The pony from earlier in the day. She knew she had heard the voice.

“Somepony has to, ma’am!” Twilight could feel the tension in the silence from the next room. Finally, Cobblestone spoke again. “I’m sorry. You know that I have nothing but respect for you, Superintendent. I warned you that something like this might happen.”

A second silence followed, this one lingering longer. It was time to break it herself.

“What might happen?” Twilight entered the room with her head high. The late sun of the day poured in through the windows on the western wall, casting a long shadow behind her. Both Trueblood and Cobblestone stood nearer the windows, beside a table covered in a multitude of scrolls.

“Twilight! I didn’t know you were awake. I was just…just…” Trueblood’s voice trailed off slowly.

“Just what? What’s going on?” She stepped over to Trueblood and placed her hoof on her lover’s withers.

“Everything, Sparky. Everything is going on. I didn’t want you to worry, but since you were here last, it’s just gotten…bad.” Trueblood lowered her eyes, focusing on nothing.

“Bad? What do you mean? What’s happened?” Twilight asked soothingly.

“If I may,” Cobblestone spoke up, “there has been a great growing unrest in the world. After the citizens of the Six Kingdoms came to realize that Empress Coldheart was, indeed, no longer ruling the world, many tried to fill the space left behind. The only voices of reason were the Elements of Harmony. They proved to be an inspiration, and rallied the ponies and others together.” He smiled. “It was decided that a council would be formed. No single pony would be allowed to rule ever again, but even so, there had to be one pony in charge of it all, and that pony was, and is, of course, Trueblood.”

“Okay,” Twilight answered with a slow nod, “I knew most of that. Basically. Tru’s told me the same thing in the letters we’ve exchanged.”

“Good, but did she tell you what happened afterwards?” Cobblestone raised his head. Twilight shook hers. “The Council. A gathering of what was considered the best and wisest of us all put into one place. It was such a good idea.”

“I…I don’t understand,” Twilight said softly.

“Too many cooks,” Trueblood answered, causing both of the other ponies to turn her way. “Too many recipes. With Fantasia gone, there was nothing unifying us. Ponies who I had known for years started to…change.”

“Superintendent Trueblood is responsible for running the Council. It is her duty to organize and see to it that Equestria and the other members of the Six Kingdoms all have a chance to benefit and grow. To be part of a new, equal government,” Cobblestone explained.

“Okay,” Twilight nodded and answered quickly. “I can see how that might be a problem. I would imagine that what one pony sees as necessary isn’t what the other one wants.”

“It’s not just that, Sparky.” Trueblood’s horn lit, and several scrolls raised up into the air. “You see these? There are a couple of dozen of these here, and everypony tells me that I should expect more to show up soon.” One of the rolled pieces of parchment levitated over between Trueblood and Twilight. “Each and every one of these scrolls calls for the same thing. It’s a piece of the Six Kingdoms that wants out. These are petitions of independence.”

“Oh…” Twilight muttered.

“And if that many separate countries form, it will lead to one certainty—war,” Cobblestone stated. “Superintendent Trueblood has been fighting to keep the Council together, but it has worn on her. Even she has been escaping duty lately.”

With a sharp turn of her head, Twilight stared at Trueblood. Her mouth fell open and she gasped. “Trueblood! That’s not right!”

“I know!” She blurted. “I know, but…but I don’t think that I can do this, Sparky. It’s not the same as fighting against Fantasia. I don’t know how to do this.”

“I can’t believe it,” Twilight said, shaking her head.

“I know. I’m a failure.” Slowly, Trueblood started to turn away, only to be stopped by a gently caress of purple magic.

“No, Tru. I mean I can’t believe you didn’t tell me any of this before now.” The ease of Twilight’s voice brought the rest of Trueblood back to facing her.

“I didn’t want to worry you,” she answered.

“Well, you forgot one thing,” Twilight said. “You have a secret weapon.”

“I do?” Trueblood pulled back.

“She does?” Cobblestone spoke almost simultaneously.

“Yes, you do. The key to all organization and structure. Something that can overcome even the most difficult of planning and scheduling to make sure that every pony gets their fair share of the spotlight.” Taking a step back, Twilight spread out her wings. For a moment it almost seemed as though a trumpet flare played in the background and a glow suddenly surrounded her. “Me.”

* * * * * * * *

“Hello, Princess.”

Luna did her best to show no reaction, but Fleur still noticed a slight twitch after she spoke.

“Good evening, Ms. de Lis,” Luna spoke with a friendly tone, even as the hair on her coat lay down even once more. “Despite my sister’s warnings, I’m still amazed at your ability to be silent.”

“Thank you.” Fleur walked over to the small table and sat across from the princess. “Coming from you, that means a great deal.”

The room hadn’t changed at all since Luna took over the task of meeting with her. Same small table in a lonely tower, with only a hint of decoration to it. The only light in the room provided by the moonlight pouring in through the windows. Luna glanced out the window and into the night, taking count of the ponies walking far below. She turned back to the unicorn.

“I think it only fair to warn you that, should you continue to approach so silently, there is a strong possibility that I may react poorly at some point,” Luna said with a calm even tone. “So, for your safety, stop doing it.”

“My apologies, Princess. It’s just become something of a second nature for me. At least when I’m on official business,” Fleur bowed her head as she spoke.

Luna took a deep breath. “Speaking of which, you asked for this meeting. What is it?”

Raising an eyebrow, Fleur opened her mouth and paused. After a moment or two she closed her eyes and then her mouth, and then opened them and began again. “Princess Chrysalis contacted me this afternoon. Apparently she’s been investigating what happened and has connected me to that night. I denied everything, but I thought you should know.”

“I see.” Luna nodded. “What do you think she’s going to do?”

“Continue. She offered me a position working for her, and I believe that she will follow through until I say yes or she finds what she’s looking for at the very least.” Fleur’s hoof traced along the edge of the table, while her eyes remained focused on the princess.

“I see. That does sound like her, yes.” Once more, Luna turned to look out the window. Reflexively, Fleur followed her eyes, tracking them from where they sat to the tower directly across from them. Both mares turned to each other at the same time. “I have to say, I’m uncomfortable with this.”

“No doubt. Chrysalis’ continued prying into my role that night endangers—”

“No.” Luna shook her head. “No, you misunderstand. I am not comfortable with this.” Her hoof motioned to the table, gesturing back and forth between them. “With you and I meeting like this in secret and talking this way.”

“I’m…I’m not sure I understand, Princess,” Fleur narrowed her eyes.

“Why are we doing it? What are we accomplishing?” Luna stood from the table and paced away, continuing to talk without looking at her. “This path has no good conclusion.”

Watching her pace, Fleur answered, “We are trying to preserve Equestria, Your Majesty. I was told to watch Princess Chrysalis to make sure that she—”

“She is a princess, and we are treating her like a criminal.”

“With all due respect, Your Majesty, before she was a princess, she was a criminal.” Fleur’s voice was hard. “And a genuine threat to all of Equestria.”

When Luna turned back, Fleur felt her heart move into her throat. A pale teal glow emanated from the princess’ eyes, and the gleam of her fangs shone in the pale moonlight. “She is a princess! I know better than any pony what it means to be pushed aside by others, especially in a time when you are feeling vulnerable. Do you want that? Do you want to see her go down a path that I know far too well? Or would you rather just see her gone?”

Pushing herself away from the table, Fleur stood up and faced Luna directly. “Several years ago I swore an oath, Your Majesty. It wasn’t to you, or even to your sister, but to Equestria. Since that day I have done everything that I can to protect it. Normally, that means making sure that the Princesses of Equestria are kept safe, but those rules changed when a known enemy was brought in and made a princess.” Fleur took a deep breath. “Not that long ago I was put in charge of a task force for the express purpose of finding out what I could, and then dealing with, the new Legion Hive of changelings. If you want me to deal with that threat, you’ll have to accept some of the more uncomfortable aspects of this job,” she took a step forward, “Your Majesty.”

“Your job is to report to me and then do what I tell you!” Luna growled.

“Only to the point where I feel that it will not threaten Equestria itself!” Fleur replied.

There was no comparison between them. Luna towered over the unicorn, in every conceivable way.

“Are you calling me a threat to Equestria?” Luna’s voice was barely above a primal level.

Fleur lowered her head slightly, keeping her eyes locked with the princess. “Of course not. I know better than that. You’ve proven yourself multiple times. The only pony doubting you right now is yourself.”

“How dare you!” Luna shouted.

“Princess, do you think for a single moment that I would be foolish enough to do anything to deliberately anger you?” Fleur shook her head. “No. No, there is something else at play here, and you need to ask yourself what it is. What is it about Princess Chrysalis that is making you act this way?”

Luna turned around and walked to the far window. “Go away.”

“You didn’t give me any instructions about what to do regarding Chrysalis,” Fleur stated.

With a single wave of her hoof, Luna dismissed her. “I said go away. You know your duty. Do it.”

There was a long silence as Fleur stared at the vague silhouette of the Goddess of the Night in the dark of the room. Without another word, she left as silently as she entered.

It was a full minute before Luna raised her hoof and slammed it against the wall, causing a fragment of stone to fall away.

“Damn it,” she muttered. “Damn it all.”

* * * * * * * *

“Good morning, sleepyhead!”

“Well, good morning to you, too,” Trueblood walked into the room, smacking her lips gently. “You’re up extra early.”

The table in the room was covered in reams of paper spread out in a seeming chaos. Beside the table were two of the other chairs foregoing their normal use, and instead currently serving as convenient impromptu bookshelves. Somehow, Twilight had managed to get multiple stacks of books to sit on the same chair at the same time.

“Well, there’s a lot to be done, so the quicker I got started the better,” Twilight trotted over and kissed her marefriend on the cheek lightly. “Cobblestone brought all of the scrolls and texts that I asked for last night, and once they got here I just—”

“I get it, Sparky. I get it.” Trueblood shook her head, tossing her mane over to one side. “So, what have you figured out?”

“Well, there are a lot of different issues at play here. All of the council members seem to be playing on various issues for their reason to secede. And the nuances of each makes it rather difficult to—”

“Uh, Twilight. It’s still early for me,” Trueblood interrupted with a smile. “Can you just tell me if there is a chance for us?”

“Breakfast!” Twilight answered.

There was a long gap between Twilight’s answer and Trueblood shaking her head. “What?”

“You need to have breakfast. It’s not good to do complicated work on an empty stomach.” With a happy hitch in her step, Twilight moved over towards the door. “Why don’t we go out and grab something to eat, and I can go over everything that I’ve read so far this morning? That way I get to give you the information, and we both get to eat.” She glanced to the side briefly. “To be honest, I’ve been really looking forward to you getting up. I’m starving.”

As she stepped over, Trueblood let out a short laugh. “Well, what kind of host would I be to let my marefriend go hungry?” A golden glow surrounded her horn and the door beside Twilight opened. “After you.”

“Why, thank you,” Twilight bowed playfully and stepped out. “I hope your chef has a stocked kitchen. I could really go for a plate of braised daisies with cream.”

“I don’t have a chef,” Trueblood answered.

“What?” Her head snapped around fast enough to make a sound. “But…but the castle has always had a chef. It…I just…I never even considered that this one might not have a staff of ponies.”

“It’s not as empty as the first time you visited, but right now it’s still basically me here, and I don’t want anypony thinking of me like they did Fantasia,” Trueblood explained. “So, every pony who lives here has to carry their own weight. Heck, I’m not too happy with the fact that Cobblestone acts like he does around me. All ponies should be equal. That’s the common theme we have around here now.”

The long hall felt as much like home as the castle Twilight knew, but it lacked some of the nuances. The stained glass. The familiar faces. Small things. Before she knew it, they were outside the castle proper and heading into the city.

“Where are we going?” Twilight asked.

“A little diner I go to sometimes. Best breakfast in Canterlot.” She elbowed Twilight lightly. “Better than anything a stuck up chef would make in a castle, anyway.”

The city of Canterlot itself was alive with motion. Twilight marveled at the ponies moving around and about. Her first trip here found a lifeless shell of a city, but it didn’t take long for life to come back once again. She couldn’t help but smile.

“There it is,” Trueblood stopped and pointed towards a single building. A one-story structure lined with windows. The place was already busy, with dozens of ponies inside it.

“Yeah, that looks like a diner. A popular one, too,” she said jokingly. “It doesn’t have a sign, though. Does the place have a name?”

“Hoofbeats,” Trueblood answered. She glanced over at Twilight and smirked. “Or at least that’s what I call it. C’mon.”

Twilight fell in behind Trueblood as they got closer. Her eyes kept scanning the street, trying to find familiar landmarks.

“It’s odd. It’s Canterlot. At a glance I can tell it’s Canterlot, but when I look closer none of the same details are there. None of the businesses are right. Well, right isn’t probably the correct word, but…well, you understand.”

“What did you expect, Sparky?” Trueblood laughed. “Your world isn’t the same as ours. We had a lot to rebuild.”

“So did we,” Twilight sighed.

“Oh. Oh, Twilight. I wasn’t even thinking,” her voice turned soft. “What Fantasia did to your world was…. I’m sorry.”

“No. No, it’s okay. I know what you meant.”

“How are things going over there, anyway?” Trueblood asked.

“It’s getting back to normal. It’ll be another year or two before all of the damage is repaired, but it’ll get done.”

The door opened as they approached. Two ponies stepped out of it, each of them smiling as they saw Trueblood. After the first one passed, the second one held the door open for both of them to enter.

“Thanks,” Trueblood winked as she walked in.

“Yes, thank you,” Twilight said just after. She met the pony’s eyes just long enough to see the expression fall on his face. The door almost hit her as he let go of it as she trotted past.

“Well, that was rude,” Twilight muttered.

“What was?” Trueblood looked back at her.

“That stallion let go of the door as I was walking in.”

“Hey, not everypony can look as good as me, Sparky,” she teased. “I probably threw his timing off.”

A quick roll of her eyes was all the answer Twilight needed.

“C’mon, let’s go get a booth,” Trueblood moved ahead, and after a few steps found her way to a seat.

“This place smells amazing,” Twilight said as she sat across from Trueblood. A simple setting with a checkerboard tablecloth and enough space to seat four ponies. If she hadn’t been so hungry, Twilight might have argued for them to take a smaller table, but in this case her desire for food overcame her social considerations. One of the menus from the table immediately levitated open in front of her. “If the food matches the way it smells, I’m going to have to give you a special thanks later.”

A quick glance over the menu confirmed the response Twilight was looking to achieve.

“I…might hold you to that, Sparky,” Trueblood replied as she smacked her lips.

“Well, it would have to be after we finished going over all of the paperwork. Like I was telling you earlier, each of those petitions had its own angle for wanting to leave. If it was one unified point they were trying to make, it would be easy to handle. This isn’t shocking, though. From the way you were describing things, the problem is that each of these different groups is wanting to have their own voice, and the feel like it is being drowned out because of all the other voices speaking at the same time. If we can find….” Twilight’s voice trailed off suddenly. “Uh, Tru? What’s going on outside?”

Looking out the window beside their booth, Trueblood saw somewhere around twenty ponies standing outside the diner. All of them were doing the exact same thing: staring at she and Twilight.

“That’s…not normal,” Trueblood stated.

“I’m not crazy, right? They are staring at us.” Shifting uncomfortably, Twilight moved the menu slightly to block a bit of the direct line of sight between her and the crowd.

“You’re not crazy.” Trueblood set her menu down and turned in the booth. Twilight’s eyes lit up.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going to go see what they want,” Trueblood said. “I don’t feel much like being stared at all breakfast.”

“Are you sure? They look…angry.” Twilight took a moment to glance back at the crowd, which seemed to have gotten larger since she last checked.

“Don’t worry, Sparky.” A glint of light appeared on Trueblood’s smile. “I can handle a small group of ponies.”

“That’s getting bigger with every second!” Twilight urged in a whispered tone.

“Hey, don’t worry about it. I promise you—”

“Excuse me.” The sudden voice caught the attention of both mares. It was a mare with a grey mane and dappled coat. On her flank was a light brown circular shape littered with dark brown dots.

“Cookie!” Trueblood’s voice sang. “I want to introduce you to Twilight Sparkle. She’s a guest of mine, and I was telling her about your place. She’s already complimented the scent and can’t wait to taste your food.” Trueblood’s eyebrows bounced.

“It smells delicious!” Twilight added.

Cookie’s eyes remained firmly on Trueblood. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“What? What are you talking about?” she asked in return.

“I need you to leave. I’m refusing service.” A hard edge grew behind the mare’s voice.

“Uh, I eat here all the time, Cookie. That doesn’t make any sense.” Trueblood’s brow furrowed tightly.

“I won’t serve her kind here.” The mare’s voice turned cold. “I need both of you to leave.”

“Her kind? What are you…” The answer came to both of them the same moment that Twilight’s wings fluttered nervously.

“No alicorns,” Cookie said. “Leave.”

Twilight turned her head to the window once again. The size of the crowd outside had easily doubled. She now realized that each and every eye was not focused on both she and Trueblood, but specifically on her.

And they didn’t look happy.

* * * * * * * *

“…and I believe that will complete your docket for tomorrow, Your Highness.”

Chrysalis sat back, staring out the window of her chambers to the garden maze in the distance. There was almost no sign of any destruction. If you didn’t know that the majority of it had been destroyed by a nigh-cataclysmic battle of goddesses a few weeks back, you wouldn’t be convinced by any story. Everything looked perfect.

She knew what that was like.

“Your Highness?” Dapifer repeated himself, leaning his head down slightly.

“Yes, yes,” she replied with a wave of her hoof, “plans and agendas. All neatly wrapped up. I understand.”

She could sense him standing there, staring.

“Go ahead and say it,” she urged. “Whatever it is that you are thinking, go ahead and say it.” She turned to look at him, and let her lips curl back into a smile to display her fangs. “I insist.”

“You are troubled, Your Highness,” he said. “It’s my duty to ask why.”

“Your duty? Of course it is,” she answered. “Don’t worry yourself. I’m fine.”

She stared at him for a moment, and then looked back out the window.

“May I speak freely, Your Highness?” he asked.

“Why not,” she laughed. “Impress me.”

“I don’t know if I consider myself your friend, but I do believe that I am the closest thing that you have to one in the city—and perhaps in all of Equestria. So, if you are unwilling to confide in me, you are going to have a difficult time in dealing with whatever personal issue it is that might be bothering you at any given time.” He raised his head up high. “Such as now.”

“Hmmph.” Her initial response was barely audible. The words that followed were quite clear, however. “Come here, Dapifer.” It only took him a second or two to step to her side. “What is it that you see outside?”

Craning his neck slightly, he tried to match her view. “The grounds of the castle, with the rest of Canterlot lying beyond.”

“Yes,” she purred—with something bestial beneath. “It’s lovely, isn’t it. So manicured and kept.”

“It is the finest garden in all of Equestria,” he replied. “For many centuries now, Princess Celestia has brought in the finest ponies to shape and maintain the grounds. I, personally, consider it absolutely wonderful.”

“Yes,” she droned. “Wonderful the way she tries to shape things to her personal vision, isn’t it? And you can’t even tell that it was virtually destroyed in the very recent past, can you?”

“Only if you know where to look,” he said.

“And why do you say that?”

“Well, I know those gardens. There were little details that I recall. Small subtleties that simply can’t be replaced.” He turned to look at her. “Why do you ask?”

She laughed softly. “It is the small things that make something unique, isn’t it? Any pony can copy an exact layout, but the details—the parts that most overlook—those are what create a truly one of a kind…experience.”

“Your Highness,” his voice became somewhat more resolute, “what is bothering you?”

Before any words passed her lips, she felt her response. Something growing from deep within her and building to a growl that she couldn’t contain. “I do not care for the way the sunlight is entering my chamber. It’s become too…glaring.”

He blinked. “Oh, I… Well, I can arrange for new curtains to be brought into the room, if you would like.”

She never got a chance to reply.

“Excuse me.” The voice was deep and smooth, like heavy velvet draped over the back of a chair. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

They both turned to look at Fleur de Lis standing just inside the room, the door closed behind her. Neither had heard it ever open.

“Well well well, to what do I owe this visit?” Chrysalis asked.

Fleur stepped closer, her hooves barely making any noise on the floor. “I’ve been considering your offer, Princess. I’d like to accept.”

As Chrysalis’ lips pulled wide across her muzzle, her eyes narrowed. Her tongue slipped out and ran along her front teeth twice before pulling back inside.

“Don’t bother with the drapes, Dapifer. I do believe I’ve thought of another solution to help with my little sunlight problem.”

* * * * * * * *

The sun was high above the horizon. Celestia knew its exact location without even giving it a thought, but that didn’t keep her from looking at the skyline and watching its slow progress. She glanced over her shoulder at the bed. Luna lay there sleeping peacefully. Without realizing it happened, the view brought a smile to Celestia’s face.

And then a heavy sigh.

Luna was late again this morning. Fourth time in two weeks—not that she was keeping track of that sort of thing. Blaming it on Chrysalis would have been wonderful, had today not been one of the days when Princess Chrysalis was not serving on the Day Court. That meant she hadn’t had the long conversation to link together the two courts, because she didn’t see her today. She wasn’t supposed to see her, anyway.

Celestia shook her head sharply, driving out the thought. There was no conceivable reason for Luna to visit Chrysalis. The thing that concerned Celestia the most however, was the overwhelming fact that she kept thinking about that possibility. She kept seeing them together in her mind.

No. No, she wouldn’t think about this. Not again. A short walk to the door and beyond took her into the castle, where she could walk and clear her mind once more. Bring her some normalcy.

The morning activities were always her favorite. The bustling ponies walking about. The fresh odor of the halls as the smell of purity accompanied the cleaning crew. It was a new beginning, which she always appreciated. There is nothing like a new beginning. A chance to get things right and create new hope and future. Celestia had long lived by the concept that the past was something you could not change, so there was no point dwelling there. You learn from it and move on. Concentrate on the future, and work on the present, as it is the only thing that you can truly affect.

All of the ponies walking the hall showed the same awkwardness they had in recent times. The stammering. The confused bows. It was hard to repress the smile. It would take time for them to adjust, but time was the one luxury that she could afford.

The colors of the passage changed as she moved past clear glass and into the great hall of stained portraits. Every alternate window on either side of the hallway was an artistic masterpiece created specifically for Canterlot Castle. Images recreating some of Equestria’s finest moments in a colorful tableau radiating during the morning and evening hours of the day.

One by one they passed by, and she allowed herself to look at them as she slowly walked down the hall. The evening side displayed the great battles and enemies of Equestria and how those challenges were met and overcome. The daylight side displayed images of peace. The achievements, wonders, and heroes of current and bygone days.

She stopped, turning to look up at a particular image. The return of a long-lost princess. Behind her was the one commemorating the battle that allowed this wonderful moment—featuring the Elements of Harmony in their battle with Nightmare Moon. She looked at the image of her younger sister in the days before she accelerated her aging, and well before her return to the Nightmare Moon personae leading to her current look.

Celestia glanced to her right. There should be another window. One to celebrate the most glorious moment in Celestia’s life: her wedding day. Nothing was there. No commemoration of it at all. All of the ponies knew of their relationship, but she wondered how they would react to seeing it on display in this great hallway.

Walking a bit further, Celestia stopped before the next window. The newest one in the hallway. There had been some argument that it should represent the arrival and coronation of Princess Chrysalis—mostly from Princess Chrysalis it seemed—but that event, too, was missing. This image showed the elevation of one of Equestria’s heroes to a new role. Something so unique that it hadn’t happened before in the entire annals of this historic hallway.

The image of Twilight Sparkle and her rise to becoming an alicorn.

Without realizing it, Celestia sighed and then closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes back, the corners of them welling up, and swallowed back her emotion.

“Forgive me, Twilight,” she muttered, barely audible to herself. “Please, forgive me.”

Slowly, Celestia turned and walked further down and exited this hallway, moving deeper into the heart of the castle.

...to be continued

Chapter 2

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In the center of the courtyard stood the heart of ice. A massive structure born of magic and hate that surrounded the ultimate perversion of love on at least two separate worlds. The figure of Fantasia Coldheart was faintly visible as an obscured silhouette who’s proportions shifted depending on where you stood and what facet of it faced you. At times it even seemed as though she was fractured into multiple figures inside her personal prison. If any pony were able to see it.

No pony was allowed in the courtyard, except for very select guards who patrolled the perimeter at all times. Each of them having to wear heavy protection from the frigid bite radiating from the icy heart, and still they felt chilled the entire length of their shift. The courtyard itself sat in the middle of three high walls connected directly to Canterlot Castle. The only way to see the heart without being in the courtyard itself was from the Castle, and then only from a select few rooms.

Every day the guards had to turn away ponies trying to get a glimpse of the captured despot. The majority of them went away calmly, but there were those who had to be dragged off kicking and screaming, swearing vengeance against the fallen tyrant. No pony aside from the guards was ever allowed to see the frozen prison of what every pony considered the most reviled being ever to live.

But there are always exceptions.

The view from the castle was obscured, but that helped to keep the pony hidden. The shadows of the room hid the pony and allowed time to stare out, sometimes for hours, at the icy display. Or, more accurately, the figure trapped inside.

“My empress…” The voice was deep and seemed to linger in the room for a moment. “This impudence will not be tolerated. Your glory cannot be contained. Your legacy shall continue. You will be freed,” the figure stepped back away from the window, disappearing into the shadows, “and those responsible shall pay.”

* * * * * * * *

Celestia adjusted herself, shifting her weight slightly to try to get a little more comfortable where she sat. Not that she was uncomfortable, just that she wanted to be as comfortable as possible.

Looking out the window, she confirmed what she was already sensing: the sun was moving low on the horizon. Soon it would be time for her to lower the sun and for Luna to raise the moon into the night sky.

Which meant she was going to have to let her up soon.

Looking at the prone figure beneath her once again, Celestia let her hooves run over Luna’s barrel, caressing her coat gently even as she shifted once more, settling her weight more fully onto her wife’s muzzle.

She licked her lips, marveling at the talented tongue that had been servicing her for…well, she wasn’t sure how long. Three orgasms so far, which tended to cause her to become a little distracted.

Her hips began to shift back and forth, rubbing her sex across Luna’s face, even as the Night Princess lashed her tongue out, desperately trying to keep pace with the rhythm Celestia had created.

Both of Celestia’s hooves planted themselves onto the core of Luna’s barrel, holding up enough weight to allow her to increase the tempo of her ride. Her eyes closed as she bit her lip, doing her best to stay off another orgasm—at least until she had one last thing.

Shifting again, she moved her weight forward, sliding her hips down Luna’s body until all of her sister’s face was engulfed between Celestia’s twin cheeks. No instructions were needed. Immediately, Luna began to administer to her sister’s tailhole. Pushing her tongue as far out as she could mange, she plunged it deep into Celestia’s ass, then pulled it back and began thrusting it in and out.

A deep moan grew from Celestia as she let her left hoof trail up Luna’s chest and towards her own marehood. She let it slide along her sopping wet slit, massaging it gently at first, but quickly turning vigorous. It didn’t take long for her entire body to shudder and convulse for the fourth time atop Luna. She sat there, letting the pleasure wash over her and allowing Luna to continue to pleasure her until the last spasm faded away.

Raising herself up, Celestia freed herself from her sister’s face. A desperate gasp for air filled the room, swelling Luna’s chest. Sharp ragged breaths followed, causing Celestia to pause for a moment, but the moment they began to subside, she smiled.

“You shouldn’t brag about being unkillable, Luna. You don’t need air, do you?” Celestia teased.

“I…I will be…fine…my Goddess,” she gasped as her breathing returned to normal.

“You’re welcome,” Celestia said, standing over her wife, staring intently into her eyes.

Luna squinted. “Goddess?”

“Well, I assume you want to thank me for the privilege of bringing me to orgasm. Several times, in fact. You should be very grateful.” Celestia raised an eyebrow as she spoke.

“Thank you, Goddess!” Luna said instantly. “You’re too kind to me.”

A small smile pushed its way onto Celestia’s face. “Well, even though it’s late, I suppose I still have time to amuse myself a little further.” She motioned towards a heavy wooden cabinet on the far side of the room. “Fetch the golden rod, will you?”

Luna looked at the cabinet from her position on the floor, and then back at her lover. “Yes, Goddess, but I…” Her voice trailed off to nothing.

“What? What is it?” Celestia asked. “Speak.”

“If you would, Goddess, I could teach you a spell that would allow you to…to grow your own…” Again, her voice trailed away.

The smile curled up larger on the right side of Celestia’s face. “My own? My own what?” She leaned down until her face was beside Luna’s ear. “My own cock? Is that what you want?”

Luna gasped. “I…I was merely suggesting that—” The tremble in her voice was cut off by Celestia.

“Show me!” She commanded in a whisper. “Cast this spell on yourself. I want to see what it does.”

“You…you know what it does, Goddess,” Luna whispered. “I’ve—”

“Don’t argue with me. Obey me,” Celestia nipped Luna’s ear. “Unless you are trying to anger me, which doesn’t seem wise.”

“No, Goddess. I….” A midnight glow surrounded Luna’s horn and genitalia simultaneously. Celestia stared down as she watch the magic coax forth a growth from her love’s vagina. Her clitoris expanded to become a fully formed penis.

“Very good.” Celestia’s magic surrounded her sister’s new member, stimulating it. “Very good, indeed.” A short motion brought Celestia above her sister, allowing them to meet eyes once again. “Do you like this?”

“Yes, Goddess,” she muttered.

“Do you want me to continue?” Celestia purred.

“Please.” Luna closed her eyes.

“Open your eyes,” Celestia commanded gently. “I want you to see this.”

Instantly, Luna obeyed. Her eyes opened up and stared down her body at the magic that undulated slowly over her rock-hard she-cock.

“Not there.” Celestia stood and took two steps away. “Watch me.”

With a blink, Luna slowly turned her head to look upon her sister. She stood there, her white coat all but glowing in the fading light, while her horn of gold radiated her magic from her brow. Luna could feel that magic working on her, driving her closer and closer to the edge.

“It seems only fair that you pay attention to me. After all, I’m the one giving you pleasure, aren’t I?” Celestia’s voice was steely silk on Luna’s ears. “So I feel that you need to watch while I explain something to you.”

The glow around Celestia’s horn increased, and out of the corner of her eye, Luna spied a glowing item approach from the far side of the room. She also felt something brush against her stomach and started to turn to look, but her sister’s magic held her head, keeping it focused on her.

“You seem to think that having that…thing…between your legs is special. What I find amusing is the simple fact that you believe that I cannot cast such a spell. That you would actually need to teach me.” Celestia’s laugh sent a shiver through Luna’s body. “Is it truly possible that I need to prove how much more capable I am than you?” Her eyes narrowed. “Again.”

The object from the far side of the room floated clearly into view. Constructed from gold, with elaborate decorations circling its length at semi-regular positions, it was immediately recognizable as a faux-phallus. A construct designed to mimic a horse cock in most every way. The part that seemed out of place came towards the base of the shaft, where it flared out wide and then curved sharply upwards.

“I do not need a spell to change who I am,” Celestia raised her head up. “I have no desire to change from mare to stallion. Not when I can remain a mare and be a better stallion than any pony alive.”

The phallus moved between Celestia’s legs as she positioned it carefully. Slowly, the upturned portion of it slid up, parting the folds of Celestia’s sex and sliding inside her. A low moan accompanied the action, as did Celestia licking her lips sensually.

Luna whimpered. Seeing her love looking like she did right now was almost enough to push her over the edge. The fact that Celestia also increased the tempo on her shaft only made it worse.

“I want you to orgasm now,” Celestia commanded. “I don’t have time to wait for you to finish on your schedule.”

If Luna thought that the sensation she felt before was intense, this was something beyond measure. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and she could only imagine what the magic must be doing to her. The intensity of it prevented her from being able to concentrate, but it seemed as though a million separate things were all stimulating her at once.

She screamed as she came. Her cock burst and throbbed, pulsing as she felt a torrent of cum rush from the end of her magically made member. It took her a moment to realize that she felt none of that ejaculate land upon her chest or stomach.

“Very good!” Celestia cooed as she stepped around to position herself between Luna’s legs. “Now, let’s see if we can’t do better than that, shall we?”

Her head once again free to move, Luna watched as her sister raised her hips up from the ground, holding her legs apart with her magic. The golden cock dangling between Celestia’s legs pointed menacingly towards her sex, waiting for the moment when it would finally invade her.

“I will get rid of the spell, if you like,” Luna said. “If you like, Goddess.”

“Please do.”

A moment later, Luna’s cock was gone, but her arousal had gone nowhere.

“I know that you’ve been working hard, Luna,” Celestia purred. “I’m sure you could use something to refresh you. Which is why I gathered this.”

Floating into her field of vision, Luna spied a large crystal goblet. It was filled with a thick, white fluid.

“You’re going to drink this while I fuck you,” Celestia said. “And if you let a single drop fall or go unswallowed, then I shall be most disappointed—and you don’t want that to happen.” A wide smirk curled up on Celestia’s lips. “Now, take the goblet with your magic, and start sipping.”

The magic pulled away from the glass immediately, and Luna was barely able to catch it before it could spill. At the same moment, she felt something long and hard push its way inside her marehood.

She gasped. Celestia’s phallus was specially crafted, and carried a magical property when it was being used. It was warm like flesh, but more than that it carried a charge of energy that coursed over its surface and transferred it to the recipient. It also conveyed that same sensation back to the wearer.

“Drink!” Celestia commanded as her hips began to drive against Luna’s. “I want to see you drink your own cum!”

Luna summoned the goblet to her lips and let the viscous fluid slide into her mouth. The salty, tangy flavor hit her tongue and played around her mouth before she swallowed it down. Luna’s body rocked back and forth as Celestia increased her tempo, making it far more difficult to empty the glass.

“What birth put between your legs isn’t important, Luna.” Celestia’s breath was already ragged. “I am more of a mare than you will ever be, and more of a stallion than you could ever be with!”

Celestia stared down at her sister as the goblet tipped up, draining the last of its contents down Luna’s throat. She ripped the glass from Luna’s hold and threw it against the wall, shattering it. Smiling, she watched as Luna’s eyes once more rolled back in her head, and she knew what was about to happen.

Luna convulsed beneath her, trembling and shaking as she reached the edge of ultimate pleasure. As she pushed over the edge, she screamed out loud.

“Yes! Chryssie! Yes!”

Celestia froze. Every muscle in her body refused to move, with the exception of her mouth and eyes, both of which fell wide open.

Writhing beneath her, Luna rode out her orgasm, oblivious to her surroundings completely. Any sensation was lost on Celestia. She had become completely numb. By the time Luna’s orgasm passed, Celestia had regained enough presence to pull out and step away, setting her sister gently back down to the ground.

Behind her, Luna moaned contentedly on the floor as Celestia slowly walked over to the cabinet that held her phallic creation. With scarcely any thought or sensation, she removed it from herself and floated it over to the open doors to put it back in place, mindlessly casting a sanitation spell on it as she did.

“Tia,” Luna groaned, “that was amazing. Thank you so much.”

“You…you’re welcome, my love,” she answered. “It is as much a pleasure for me, as you know.”

“Mmmm, I hope so.” Celestia could hear Luna twisting around, finally regaining her hooves. “You deserve to feel amazing after something like that.”

“Yes, I…do.”

By the time Celestia had turned back around, her face wore a huge smile. “You should go clean up, my love. You have court in a short while, and we really need to lower the sun and raise the moon before then.” With a nod of her head, she gestured towards the bathroom. “It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to show up to court looking rather disheveled, now would it?”

With a chuckle, Luna trotted over to her wife. “You are always thinking about decorum, aren’t you?” She kissed Celestia lightly on the lips. “I still have a lot to learn from you.”

“I’ll always be here for you, Luna,” Celestia whispered.

Luna gently rubbed her horn along the length of her sister’s spiral. “I’ll just be a moment, and then we can take care of the sun and moon.” She turned and walked towards the bathroom, swaying her hips wide with each step. “Though you’ve already taken care of the moon, in my opinion.” She glanced back over her shoulder. “I love you, Tia.”

The door shut lightly behind her as Luna entered the bathroom. As the sound of it closing faded, so did Celestia’s expression. The smile melted from her face and she walked to the window, staring out once more at the fading sun on the horizon.

“I love you, too, Luna,” Celestia whispered. “I love you, too.”

* * * * * * * *

“Mares and gentlecolts, and honored representatives from other parts of the Six Kingdoms, I want to take a moment to thank you for coming this morning.” Trueblood stood on the podium, looking out over the assembled group, doing her best to appear calm and collected. “All of you know me, but it’s not me that I would like you to listen to this morning.”

She looked out at the various faces staring back at her. The expressions ranged the full gamut, from curious to charmed to confused to confrontational. She swallowed and continued.

“It wasn’t that long ago that we learned we weren’t alone. That another world—another Equestria and similar nations—existed in another dimension. With that discovery came something that all of us had been fighting for all of our lives—the defeat of Fantasia Coldheart, and the restoration of freedom to the inhabitants of the Six Kingdoms.”

A murmur of approval swum through the gathering.

“Key in that event was a pony of unquestionable courage. A pony who risked her life to free us from enslavement and tyranny. A pony who is visiting us today.” Trueblood stepped backwards and to the side, raising her hoof up in a flourish. “I present to you all, Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight stepped forward, glancing towards her marefriend casually. “That was quite the introduction,” she whispered.

“You deserve it. Go get ‘em.” Trueblood whispered back as she stepped even further away, leaving Twilight as the lone focus of the room.

“Um, hello,” Twilight’s voice cracked. All of the butterflies suddenly desperate to escape her stomach stopped the moment she looked out at the crowd. A slight cough cleared her throat, and she raised her head up high. “Good morning!”

A smile beamed across her muzzle. “As Trueblood mentioned, my name is Twilight Sparkle, and I’m here as an ambassador from Equestria—that is to say, my Equestria—and I want to help.”

Her hooves shuffled, sliding her first right and then left. “I cannot say that I know any of you personally. What I can say is that I’ve read your complaints and petitions, and I want to help you find an answer.” Her eyes went from pony to pony, doing her best to meet each of them for a moment. “I can’t do it alone, though. I need your help. What I can offer each of you is an unbiased ear and a chance to bring all of us together.”

She could hear the sound of her own hooves clicking against the floor of the dais. It brought a smile to her face. As long as it was quiet enough for her to hear that, then the ponies in the room were listening to her.

“I propose that each of you—one at a time—is brought in for a private conference with myself and Superintendent Trueblood, where we can document your concerns and begin to structure a plan to bring all of you together peacefully.” Twilight smiled. “This is the time for friendship among all the ponies of your world to set the standard for generations to come.”

The silence during her words was reassuring. The silence that currently followed them left her uneasy.

“Is…is there any questions?” Twilight asked.

A long pause preceded any answer.

“The people of my home don’t want to serve anypony else,” a stallion uttered from the middle of the room. “We can be friends with our neighbors and still be ourselves, can’t we?”

“I’m glad you asked that.” Twilight began breathing again. “It’s not just a matter of being a friend to your neighbors, but not having to think of anypony as a neighbor. You said it yourself, all of you have been through a horrible ordeal, and if you separate, all you are doing is leaving yourselves open to fear and hate seeping in and isolating you from everypony. It is only by coming together that you can reach your potential.”

She raised a hoof up, quelling the murmur that started. “I’m not being foolish. I don’t think it will be easy. That’s why we want to talk to you as a group now, and then as individuals after. Once all of your concerns are outlined, we can put together a plan that will address them as a whole. And before you argue, let me ask you all something: Isn’t it worth the time to talk to us one-on-one rather than just give up and let the world fracture into smaller pieces?”

The murmur returned, but there was a new feeling behind it. A quick glance over was enough to see Trueblood smiling and nodding back towards her. The first hurdle seemingly was crossed.

“Bull hockey!” A sharp, twanging voice shouted from the back of the room.

Every head turned, looking for a figure to match the tone of that voice. A pale yellow mare with a crimson mane stood alone, away from the other ponies who had been sitting. Twilight squinted. Something was familiar about her.

“There ain’t nothin’ that you can offer that ain’t here for anypony to do themselves!” She stalked forward, unerring and unfazed by anypony here. “Ah think Ah know why you’re here!”

Twilight blinked rapidly.

The mare turned around and looked at the other gathered ponies. “Cain’t you all see what’s goin’ on here? This here pony is doin’ all of this for just one reason. She’s another dang alicorn! All of them just have themselves they worry about, an’ you know it!”

“Apple Bloom?” The name came out slowly, and barely loud enough for anypony besides her to hear—but still loud enough for the mare in front of her.

The yellow mare turned to look behind her. “Do Ah know you? I think I woulda remembered meeting somepony like you.” She turned back to the gathering. “Which is more proof that she ain’t normal!”

The tone of the crowd changed. The murmur grew into something louder and with a decidedly sharper edge.

“Ev-everypony just calm down,” Twilight urged. “I promise you that I’m here to help. I have nothing to gain in this, I just—”

“Then why’re you doin’ it at all? Can you tell me that, ‘Princess?’” Apple Bloom asked. “Why help?”

“Well, firstly, I’m not a princess. I just have wings and a horn, I don’t think that… Well, that’s not important, really. What is important is why I’m helping. Because it’s the right thing to do,” Twilight explained.

“Right for who?” A nameless and faceless voice asked from the crowd.

“For her, obviously!” Apple Bloom yelled. “I don’t know exactly what she’s up to, but she…she’s…well, look at her!”

“Yes! Look at her!” Trueblood stepped up beside Twilight. “She’s standing here being attacked for trying to help!” Pointing her hoof out to the side, Trueblood continued. “I’ve never known anypony more capable and considerate than Twilight Sparkle. The fact that she’s willing to spend her own time—traveling literally worlds away—to help us is not something that you should be questioning at all!”

“Why aren’t you?” Apple Bloom asked suddenly. “Ah thought that you woulda known the danger letting somepony like that tryin’ to worm her way in here.” The young mare squinted her eyes tightly. “Or is there somethin’ else we need ta know about you two? Are you in cahoots with her?”

“I’ll have you know that—”

“Excuse us! Everypony please calm down,” Twilight interrupted her marefriend. “Obviously things have gotten out of hoof, and I don’t want anypony getting angry with anypony else. Things have gotten off to a rocky start here, but I still want all of you to consider what I offered. Please?”

“Yeah, well, Ah don’t see exactly what you’re offerin’,” Apple Bloom said loudly. “All Ah can see is another alicorn, and we all know what they’re like.”

“Do we?!” Trueblood shouted. “One example is all you need to know something?”

“Well, it was a helluva example!” Apple Bloom shouted back.

“Calm down!” Twilight stepped between them, hoping to quell the rising tempers around the room.

“This meeting is over.” Turning on her hoof, Trueblood stalked off of the dais quickly, making a line for the heart of the castle.

“Trueblood!” Twilight took a step towards her and then stopped. The crowd behind her grew louder giving her pause and turning her head around. Her mouth moved for a moment with nothing coming out. She took a deep breath and tried again. “I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry. Just…just think about my offer.”

Immediately she trotted off, moving to catch up with Trueblood. Twilight could hear the temper rising in the crowd, all lead by the far too familiar voice of Apple Bloom.

* * * * * * * *

“So, the question that leaves, I suppose, is the identity of this Queen Ersatz.” Chrysalis’ voice purred slowly. The left side of her body weighed against the chaise, creating the edge of an indention that her right hoof slowly trailed along. “Beyond her name, I mean.”

“That’s not exactly the case, Your Highness,” Fleur answered. “It is, however, an accurate recap of the events of that night.”

The white unicorn sat some distance away from Chrysalis. Her front hooves crossed over each other casually, while a smile played in her eyes. Fleur looked somewhat out of place with her pristine coat in the dark, dull room. Shades of darker grey and deep green echoed through the space, from the walls to the surprisingly lush furniture.

One of Chrysalis’ eyebrows raised. “What are you keeping from me, Ms. de Lis?”

“Fleur, please.” The hint became a full smile. “Call me Fleur.”

“Well, then please answer my question, Fleur,” Chrysalis replied. “And also, there is no need for you to sit on the floor.”

“I don’t mind, Your Highness. I’m perfectly comfortable,” she said. “Though I must commend you on your new furnishings. It’s much nicer than I was led to believe.”

Chrysalis let her head loll back slightly, causing her tattered mane to shift and fall back away from her face. “Why aren’t you answering my question, Fleur? I won’t be drawn away from the matter.”

“I believe you are reading too much into the matter. All I was saying was that there are many, many things that still need to be discovered and resolved, not just the location and details regarding Queen Ersatz. Among them being where these changelings came from, why they are here, and why they decided to target you in such an elaborate manner,” Fleur explained.

With a shrug of her shoulders, Chrysalis’ head fell forward once more, concealing a portion of her face under the wispy strands of her mane. “That’s no secret. I rule all of the changelings of Equestria. This upstart is trying to usurp my throne. Not her wisest choice, actually.”

“Of course, but why now? Why here?” Fleur shook her head. “Those changelings didn’t come into Canterlot with a lack of understanding. They came in fully prepared with a plan to deal with three princesses. Rather ambitious, don’t you think?”

“No more so than trying to take my changelings from me. You might not be aware of this, but I have a bit of a…reputation preceding me,” Chrysalis laughed.

Fleur nodded slowly. “And what are your plans, Princess?”

“Plans? I have no plans. Celestia herself asked me to stand down and wait. For the…process…to unfold and then take the proper action in the proper way.” The point of her right fang snuck out of Chrysalis’ mouth. “I am a princess now, after all. I wouldn’t want to do anything improper.”

Like a slow-moving duster, Fleur’s tail brushed against the floor behind her. “And what is it that you consider improper, Your Highness?”

“Why, Ms. de Lis! Such brashness!” Her right hoof left its resting place on the upholstery and moved to her chest dramatically. “Do you consider it proper to even be asking such a question of one of your princesses?”

Fleur laughed. “The actual question, Princess, was whether or not you found it improper.”

A long pause separated the two mares even further as they locked eyes together.

“You should never question your betters, Fleur,” Chrysalis growled. “That is what I believe.”

“My apologies.” Fleur bowed her head slightly. “I meant no disrespect, of course.”

Her head tilted back as Chrysalis snorted. “You are a very strong-willed pony, Fleur. I admire that.” She leaned forward, angling her eyes directly at the other mare. “I just want you to admit that you understand who it is you are working for right now.”

For a brief moment, it appeared as though there was a quiver in Fleur’s lip. “I do understand, Your Highness. I’m working for you, Princess.”

“Princess?” Chrysalis’ voice raked over the edge of her fangs on the way out.

The delay in response matched the time it took Fleur to swallow gently. “Queen,” she said slowly. “I work for you, Queen Chrysalis.”

A purring trill sound rose from Chrysalis’ throat as she leaned back once again.

* * * * * * * *

“What was that?” Twilight paced back and forth. “I mean, seriously, what was that?”

“Now you see what I was talking about! Those ponies are just being…gah!” A quick stomp of her hoof completed Trueblood’s tone.

“Not them!” The two mares faced each other. “You. I had that under control. Stepping in like that only riled them up more. I expected there to be reaction from them, but not you.”

“What? I was stepping in to defend you!” The white’s of Trueblood’s eyes dominated her face for a moment.

“And I don’t need defending! The whole purpose of me going out there was to talk to them. Once you stepped in I was nothing more than your marefriend. I’m sure at least some of them knew that already, and after what you did I have no doubt the rest of them do now.” Twilight took a step towards the other mare.

“Oh, so you just wanted me to step aside? I’m supposed to let others attack you and just take it?” Trueblood responded with a step closer herself.

“Yes!” Twilight shouted, and then shook her head, lowering her tone. “No. I don’t know. If I imagine myself in your place, I can’t say that I wouldn’t have done the same thing that you did. What am I supposed to say here?”

Two more steps brought Trueblood face to face with Twilight. “I don’t know. And…and you’re right. I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry.”

The smile on Twilight’s face was awkward, but very genuine. “Well, it’s in the past. We just have to work forward from here.”

“Which means what?”

Turning, Twilight stepped away and once more began pacing. “I don’t know. We need to find something or somepony to help win over our point.”

“Well, who was that pony who stepped up? That young mare? You seemed to know her.” Trueblood moved alongside Twilight, matching her pace for pace.

“That…that was Apple Bloom. An older version of Apple Bloom, anyway.” Twilight glanced to the side. “You remember Applejack, I’m sure. Apple Bloom is her baby sister. Again, not so much baby here, though.”

“She seemed young to me,” Trueblood answered.

“Young, but grown up.” Twilight shook her head. “I just wasn’t expecting anypony like that to be there.”

“Hey, Sparky, don’t blame yourself. It’s not the type of thing you would think about.” With a shift of her hip, Trueblood bumped Twilight’s flank. “This place will keep you on the tips of your hooves.”

“And back to the matter at hoof. I think—”

A sudden knock on the door stopped Twilight in mid-sentence. Both ponies turned to look at it, but Trueblood is the one who responded. “Yes?”

Immediately the door opened, and a brick red pony cantered in without delay. “Superintendent, we…we have a problem,” Cobblestone stated.

“What’s wrong?” Stepping in front of Twilight, Trueblood moved towards her aide.

“It’s… Well, it’s….” He looked past Trueblood to the mare behind her. “I think you need to read this.” He produced a scroll from a bag on his hip and moved it up, where Trueblood took it in her magical field and brought it closer. With a familiar sound, the scroll opened in front of her, moving up and along as she read down.

“What is it?” Twilight asked, moving her head to glance at what her marefriend was reading. “What does it say?”

No answer came. A second time Trueblood shifted the paper, once again starting at the top of the scroll and reading down.

“What does it say? Tru?” Shifting to one side, Twilight once again tried to see the scroll clearly. “Tru?”

“It’s a call to action. It’s signed most of the ambassadors in attendance right now. Maybe all of them, actually.” She rolled the scroll up and levitated back over to Cobblestone. Trueblood faced her aide and spoke directly to him. “I need you to clear a path out of Canterlot. Some route where nopony will be watching. Do it as quick as you can.”

“Yes, ma’am. I was thinking the same thing. I think I can get the guards to set something up in a couple of hours at most,” he answered.

“What? Why? What’s going on?” Twilight’s brow furrowed as she moved up to join them. “What does that scroll say?”

Trueblood sighed. Her head went down and she closed her eyes, first gently and then tightly, causing her entire muzzle to wince. With another sigh she opened her eyes and turned to look directly into Twilight’s gaze.

“It’s about you, Twilight,” she said softly. “They are calling to have you arrested and imprisoned.”

“What?!” The word seemed to cause Twilight to stagger back a step.

“That’s not all.” Trueblood gently raised a hoof and put it on Twilight’s withers. “They…they are demanding that you be put on trial.”

“I…I don’t understand. What do they want to put me on trial for?” Twilight twisted her head slightly.

“Fantasia. They are wanting to try you for the crimes my mother committed.” Trueblood turned to Cobblestone. “Get that path cleared. Go.”

Without a word Cobblestone turned and sprinted out of the room.

“That…that’s ridiculous. I had nothing to do with Coldheart. I fought with you against her. I was one of the ponies that she almost took control of and…and…. I don’t understand.” Twilight’s voice went flat.

“It doesn’t make sense, Sparky, but that’s not the point. I read what they wrote. It’s not about sense. It’s about revenge. They want blood.” Trueblood took a deep breath. “And if we don’t get you out of here, then I fear they will get it, one way or another.”

* * * * * * * *

“You don’t need to be here, Chryssie.”

Luna’s eyes were directed down, staring at the pages of the open volume in front of her, as had been the case for several minutes. It was only one of several books and scrolls on her desk, all of them scattered about in a seeming haphazard manner. Odd stacks and piles that teetered and hovered on the edge of her oversized workspace, leaving only a small area directly in front of her chair where she could work. No pony could understand how she was able to accomplish anything amidst that chaos—and worse, they were always amazed at her ability to locate any single item instantly when asked for it.

On the other side of the room, remaining perfectly quiet, stood Princess Chrysalis. Currently, as seemed to be the normal case, a small, narrow smile played over her lips. She stood in the long shadows of the room, created by the slowly setting sun hanging barely above the horizon. All of her attention was focused on the black mare sitting with her back to her. She watched and she waited.

Eventually, Luna turned her head around, narrowing her eyes as she did. “Don’t think that I am unaware of you behind me. I said that you didn’t need to be here. Clearly you still are, so that leaves me to ask: why?”

“My pardon, Princess.” Chrysalis bowed deeply, lowering her eyes to the ground as she did. As she came back up her eyes remained half-lidded as her gaze intensified. “I know that you are preparing the annual speech to give to your—I mean our subjects, and wanted to check in to see what I might be able to do to help you.”

“You’re already helpful enough, Chryssie. Simply by dealing with the everyday issues of Equestria during the Day Court, you lessen the burden on me.” Luna turned back to the books in front of her, which was accompanied by a loud series of pops from her neck. Without being able to see her face, Chrysalis could see Luna wince.

“Ooh, that does not sound good, Luna.” With a barely audible click of her chitinous hooves on the marble floor, Chrysalis stepped towards Luna. “In fact, it sounded rather painful.”

Sharply twisting her head first to her right and then to her left, Luna popped the remaining joints in her long neck. “It’s these damned books!” Luna snarled. “Having to hold my neck down and read one after another, let alone the scrolls that are given to me on a daily basis. It’s madness!” Her voice turned to a low grumble. “I have no idea how Celestia did it.”

“Celestia? Oh, I sincerely doubt that she did it on her own.” By the time she finished her sentence, Chrysalis was standing directly behind Luna. “There were dozens of ponies sifting through all of these details for her. Her only real job was making sure that she was well spoken at the right moment.”

Luna snorted. “You obviously don’t know my wife,” the words were accompanied by a light chuckle. “I’ve never known any other pony who could answer questions quite as thoroughly as Celestia. Her mind is a prison of knowledge, and I don’t think that any of it will ever escape her.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t be too sure of that,” Chrysalis’ buzzed.

“What? Are you insulting—aaaah!” With the sudden turn of her neck, Luna cried out and immediately turned her head back straight in front of her.

“Oh you poor dear,” Chrysalis cooed. A green glow simultaneous surrounded both her horn and the back of Luna’s neck and upper withers. “Let me help you.”

“I don’t need…any…” Luna’s voice trailed off as her head fell forward slightly. “That…that feels wonderful. You have quite a gift, Chryssie.”

“Why, thank you, Princess,” the changeling purred. “I do try.”

Slowly swaying her neck back and forth, Luna sat in silence while Chrysalis’ magic worked on the length of her neck. Gradually, a moan built up inside her, seeping out from the back of her throat.

“And tell me, Princess,” Chrysalis whispered, “exactly what is the current state?”

“Mmmmm…well, it, uh…. Canterlot is still the worst for wear. Ponyville and a few other towns suffered some damage from Coldheart’s attack but, uh…uh, they have done well in recovery.” Luna’s words came slow and haltingly.

“And exactly how bad is Canterlot right now?” Chrysalis leaned in towards her ear.

“Recovering. There are still likely…likely three or four years left before the scars are healed.” Luna sighed. “That feels wonderful, Chryssie.”

“I can make it feel better,” she growled as her hoof slipped onto Luna’s flank.

The desk in front of Luna squeaked as its feet skid across the floor, unable to resist the pressure of Luna’s body suddenly lurching against it. Luna’s hooves scrambled as she rushed away from the desk and the changeling behind her.

“What are you doing?” Luna’s eyes scanned up and down Chrysalis’ body, rapidly darting from one location to the next.

One of Chrysalis’ eyebrows went up. “I was simply trying to relax you, Luna. I was going to use my hooves along with my magic to increase the sensation you were feeling. Why? Did I do something wrong?”

“No. No, of course not. I just…”

“Did I make you uncomfortable? Oh, I do apologize. I only wanted to make you feel good, Luna. You seemed like you could use some tender care.” The light buzz behind Chrysalis’ voice put an edge on the soft tones she was using.

“I am fine.” Luna stood to her full height and gave a shallow nod. “The pain in my neck is much better. Thank you.”

“Should I go?” Chrysalis asked. “I mean, I imagine that you have a lot of work to deal with, still.”

“Yes. Yes, I do. Thank you for stopping by, Chryssie.” Luna cleared her throat after she spoke.

“Of course. I’ll leave you here, then.” She started to turn, but stopped herself before she made any real progress. “Please do let me know if there is anything that I can do…for you, Luna. I would be more than happy to help you with any more stiffness that you may have.”

Two heartbeats passed between them. “I’m…I’m sure I will be fine,” Luna answered.

“Well, the offer stands.” Chrysalis turned and slowly walked toward the door, the dark plates of her chitin seemed to gleam due to the sun’s fading light. Luna watched every step. Just before exiting, Chrysalis looked over her shoulder, and Luna’s eyes snapped up to meet her gaze. “Good night, Princess. Perhaps we can share a meal later, if you are hungry?”

“I expect I will be busy all evening,” Luna answered, “but thank you.”

Without another word, Chrysalis stepped out of the room. As she walked back to her desk, Luna suddenly noticed the ache pervading her body.

* * * * * * * *

“Look at them.” Tiny figures filed out one by one far below, following in a line as the dark figure watched. “Following the pattern. Being perfect little pawns.”

After the last of the ponies exited, the dark figure turned and walked along the wall, pausing at every window.

“Fools. Each and every one of them are fools.” Each window brought a new statement. “Perfect fools. Tiny minds. Limited vision.”

A turn to the left and the figure crossed the room, arriving at a window with a very different view. A giant frozen heart stood alone in the center of the courtyard below.

“My Empress…” The deep voice trailed off slowly. “Every second that you are imprisoned is another moment of torture. One more tick of the clock where I cannot bathe in your radiance. Where the world is denied your glory.”

Two ponies crossed along the far wall. The mist of their exhalation obvious even at such a distance. “I envy those ponies. You can almost smell the fear on their breath. They don’t begin to understand the glory of what they have the chance to behold. Even through the walls of your prison you can touch them.” The figure’s head shook slowly. “They have no appreciation of your absolute radiance.”

“Aw, fer cryin’ out loud.” The second voice spoke from behind the dark figure. “Do you always have to talk so dang funny? Ain’t nopony around to hear you say all that stupid stuff.”

The dark figure didn’t move. A laugh preceded any words. “Ah, my beleaguered associate. I do hope that all went according to plan.”

“What do you think?” the young mare replied.

“Oh, Apple Bloom, remember the goal. The glory that we will achieve,” the dark figure said.

“Look, you got your reasons, and I got mine. Let’s just leave it at that,” she answered. “You ain’t forgettin’ my part of this deal, right?”

“No! Of course not!” The figure finally turned to look at the young mare. “I’ve given you everything you need to accomplish your task just so that we both will get what we want.” Stepping closer, the figure continued, “Once my goals are achieved, I promise that I will give you what you want.”

“Like Ah trust you,” Apple Bloom sneered.

“You wound me,” the figure laughed. “Then again, you also have no choice, do you?”

Apple Bloom’s face was steel, even as the dark figure smiled down at her.

“Ah hate you,” Apple Bloom said.

“Of course you do,” the figure said and turned to walk back over the window overlooking the courtyard. “How can you do anything but hate while the source of all love is imprisoned?”

She watched for a full minute longer before Apple Bloom turned and left the room.

* * * * * * * *

Celestia sat and stared across the table. Laid out in front of her was a wealth of delights, ranging from simple dishes of roasted carrots to complex creations of oats and grass melded with the finest flowers from across all of Equestria. Any pony sitting before it would be drooling and fighting to contain themselves.

And she was paying no attention to it at all. Her eyes were firmly locked on the chair that sat across the table from her. An elaborately crafted creation covered with images of stars and moons, subtle and delicate to the casual viewer, making them all the more dynamic to Celestia. Mostly due to the fact that they were currently unobstructed by an occupant.

“I’m so sorry that I’m late!”

The words were the ones that Celestia wanted to hear. The voice was not.

“Hello, Chrysalis,” she said calmly. “Welcome.”

The changeling sauntered up to the chair sitting to the side of the table on Celestia’s left, midway between her seat and the one reserved for her sister.

“Mmmm,” she purred as she sat down. “What a delicious looking display.”

“Yes, the chefs do a magnificent job.” Celestia turned her eyes towards Chrysalis. “Though I am surprised to see you here, I must admit.”

“I thought that I had a standing invitation to this dinner table, or am I misremembering what I was told by both you and your lovely sister?” The gasp accompanying her words was obviously forced.

“Indeed, that is true. You are always welcome at dinner.” Twisting her head slightly, Celestia forced a smile. “It’s just the fact that you don’t actually eat food that makes this surprising.”

With a slight shake of her head, Chrysalis answered, “After all this time, you still do not understand me or my changelings, do you, Celestia?”

A green light enveloped a pastry filled with spinach and cheese, floating it over to Chrysalis. “I can eat the same food as you. I can even enjoy it and gain…some nourishment.” Her teeth sank in, taking a large bite from the food in front of her. As the flavor splashed across her tongue her eyes grew in size. “And I’m finding this dinner absolutely delicious so far.”

“I’m sure you are.” Celestia took a deep breath. “What I am referring to, however, is the fact that you have only joined us for dinner once before, and that was many, many weeks back. What made you decide to choose tonight?”

“Hmm? Oh, that.” Her tongue came out and snatched the remaining half of the pastry from her magic. “When I was with Luna earlier we talked about having dinner tonight. I assumed that she was going to meet me here, actually.”

Celestia’s smile twisted with her head. “Earlier? I thought that you had the day free today? When did you see her?”

“Oh, I was in her private chambers earlier. She was very tense, so I just…relaxed her.” Chrysalis levitated an apple up to her mouth and licked her lips. After only a moment’s pause she tore a large bite from it.

Wordlessly, Celestia watched her chew. Their eyes slowly met, and stayed locked until well past the time that Chrysalis swallowed. A faint cough from one of the servant ponies hovering near the entrance broke the silence.

“Why are you really here, Chrysalis? What do you want?” Celestia asked.

“Dinner isn’t enough?”

“We’ve had this talk once. I want you to leave Luna alone.” The golden horn on Celestia’s head came to life, summoning a plate of woven organic hay to her. Delicately, she removed one and placed it on her plate.

“And I believe that I told you then that she was a grown mare. Or do you not trust your own wife?” Chrysalis narrowed her eyes.

A short snort began Celestia’s response. “Oh, I trust her completely. I wish I could say that about everypony, however.” She leaned in towards the table. “I’ll ask again: what do you want?”

“Why must there be a grand plan behind this? Isn’t it enough that I want the princesses of Equestria to be…friends with me?” Chrysalis clicked her fangs together.

“Princesses? Plural?” Celestia replied.

“Oh yes. I like to think of you in a very friendly manner. You’ll forgive me for remembering our more…intimate…moment, Celestia,” Chrysalis purred. “I have to admit that I’ve never found you more attractive than when you were beneath me.”

“Below you,” Celestia answered. “I’ve never been beneath you.”

Chrysalis shrugged her shoulders. “However you would prefer to say it.”

With a grace that defied the action, Celestia closed her eyes. After a count of five she reopened them, letting a smile once more cross her lips.

“This is unnecessary, Chrysalis,” she said. “You have proven yourself to Equestria. There doesn’t need to be any tension between the two of us.”

“Are you feeling tension, Celestia? Do you need me to help you relax as well?” A full row of fangs exposed themselves on Chrysalis’ muzzle. “Your sister seemed to enjoy it earlier.”

The table rattled as Celestia suddenly stood, causing a small tower of baked sweets to topple over. Immediately two servant ponies dashed towards the table to rectify the situation—only to be stopped by a single upraised hoof.

“Do not concern yourself, my little ponies,” Celesta said with a calm fluidity. “I find that I am not very hungry this evening. Perhaps I have become a little ill. I believe I will take my leave of the table.”

“Oh? Is there anything that I can for you, Celestia?” Chrysalis asked with a buzz of her wings.

“You’ve done enough this evening, Princess.” Celestia spread her wings wide. “Perhaps I just need some fresh air.” She stared at Chrysalis. “Good night, Princess.”

“And a good night to you, too, Celestia. I suppose I will take my leave of the dinner table as well.” Chrysalis smiled. “I do hate to be the only one eating anything.”

“I’m sure.”

“I wonder if your sister is hungry? I could always take her some—”

“She’s not,” Celestia interrupted. “As you said, Luna is capable of making her own choices.”

Standing, Chrysalis stretched up, bowing her back and rolling back her shoulders. “Well then, I will just retire to my room. You remember where it is, don’t you?” Chrysalis raised an eyebrow. “In case you wanted to come visit later.”

“Why don’t you wait up for me,” Celestia suggested. Chrysalis laughed.

A mighty beat of her powerful wings sent Celestia airborne, flying up and out of the high balcony above them. With no regard to the white alicorn, Chrysalis turned and exited through the same door she entered. Leaving the room empty—save for a table filled with uneaten food.

* * * * * * * *

“Is it clear?”

The guard gave a curt nod towards his Superintendent. Trueblood stepped up, her eyes darting back and forth, surveying the entire landscape, looking for anything unusual or out of place. Rows of buildings stood on either side of the long side street. Businesses, long closed at this hour, lined the way ahead, with no sign of anypony anywhere. Satisfied, she took another step forward, motioning for the ponies behind her to follow.

Surrounded by four guards, Twilight moved behind her marefriend. The dim light from the street lamps shifted over her face, revealing very little as it slid across. Her lips were a straight line. Her eyes a distance glaze. The movement of her hooves seemed more accidental than intentional.

“We’re down to the final leg,” Trueblood whispered loudly. “Once we get past the edge of the city it’s a straight line for you to get back to the portal. The guards will go with you just as a precaution. But once we’re out of the city, you should be safe.”

“Idon’tlikethis,” Twilight mumbled.

“What?” Trueblood trotted back to Twilight’s side, lowering her head down to get a better look at the other mare’s face. “I couldn’t hear what you said. Is everything okay?”

Twilight looked up, her eyes scrunching around her muzzle. “No. No, this isn’t okay. What about this is okay?”

“Well, if you ask me, the okay part is getting you safely out of town. Back to your world. Once you’re there then I can start to clean up this mess,” Trueblood stated. She leaned over and nuzzled Twilight gently on the cheek. “I gotta keep you safe, Sparky.”

“But what about you? What about this mess? You were already being questioned and the foundation for your new country was crumbling around you. I want to help you, too!” Twilight took a deep breath and let out a long sight. “I want you safe.”

“Hey, don’t worry about me. I got this.” She winked and smiled, a gleam shining off her teeth. “I fought against a power-mad goddess for years. I can handle a few unruly ponies.”

“But this isn’t just a few unruly ponies! This is your future!” Twilight pleaded.

“Superintendent,” one of the guards stepped up to the couple, “we have to move. We can’t guarantee this passage to stay clear without raising suspicion.”

“Right. Thanks.” Trueblood replied to him and then turned back to Twilight. “Let’s go. We don’t have time to talk about this.”

“I…but…” Twilight shook her head, and as she did she heard a slight ruffle from behind her. With a slow, halting motion she turned back to see a pair of wings. Her wings. She raised the right one carefully and stared at it.

“Sparky!” Trueblood shouted in a hushed tone. “We’ve got to go! Now!”

Twilight moved her wing, spreading it out to the side, then up, and then back out to the side. As she pulled it in against her body, her head moved back around to look at Trueblood.

“No,” Twilight said calmly.

“No? What do you mean, no? We don’t have time to—”

“I’m not going,” Twilight interrupted her. A smile grew across her face. “I’m staying here.”

“You can’t stay here! If you stay here the ambassadors are going to—”

“I know. I’m going to be arrested and put on trial. I understand.” Twilight stood up straight. “I think they’re right. I think it needs to happen.”

“What are you…? What? That doesn’t make any sense, Sparky. They’re going to railroad you. This won’t be a fair trial. This is a fancy lynching.” Trueblood insisted.

“I know. I know that’s what they want, or at least what they think they want. It’s my job to prove them wrong.” Her wings ruffled. “I have a…a responsibility.”

“Not here! Not to this place!” Trueblood got directly in Twilight’s face. “This isn’t your home. You don’t owe it a damn thing.”

“You’re wrong. I might owe it to your world more than my own, actually.” Twilight raised a hoof and placed it on Trueblood’s withers. “You need me.”

“I know! That’s why I want you to go!” Trueblood’s voice was far above a whisper at this point. “I…I need you, Twilight. You’re the most important thing in my world.”

Twilight’s smile warmed both of them. “And if I leave, then I won’t be in your world. Maybe ever.” She took a deep breath and stood up straighter. “What happens if I leave? Everything here will still end up in chaos, and who knows what will happen to the portal. Maybe there will be a war about controlling it—or even destroying it—to make sure that I, or any of the princesses, don’t ever come back here just because of what we are. If I go, nothing gets better. It probably gets worse.”

“Don’t…don’t do this, Twilight. Please.” The corners of Trueblood’s eyes grew damp, threatening to overflow.

“You’d do the same if the situation was reversed,” Twilight said. “I’m not going to abandon you or this place. I…” she glanced back at her wings. “I know what my responsibilities are, and I’m not going to turn them aside just because it might be dangerous.”

“You can’t do this to me. If you stay I…” Trueblood’s voice trailed off.

“I know. I know what you have to do. It’s okay.” Slipping her head forward, Twilight gently placed her lips on Trueblood’s cheek. “I’m okay. Go ahead.”

“I can’t.”

“You can. You have to.” Twilight took a big step backwards, her eyes still locked on Trueblood. Trueblood’s head fell, her eyes staring at the ground beside her hooves.

The street was still. Nothing moved and no pony made a sound. It lasted for a long moment before Trueblood broke it with a sigh.

“Guards?” Immediately the four figures around Twilight snapped to attention. Trueblood brought her head back up and she swallowed visibly. “Twilight Sparkle, in the name of New Equestria, I am placing you under arrest for crimes against this world. You will be treated fairly, I swear it.” She took another deep breath. “Take her to a holding cell and make sure that she gets everything she asks for. Everything! If anypony harms her in any way…”

“Tru, it’s okay,” Twilight said. “Everything will be okay.”

“You don’t know that! I certainly don’t know it,” she snapped back.

“I don’t, no, but I have faith.” She smiled and blinked slowly at her love before turning to the guard beside her. “I’m ready to go.”

The guard glanced to Trueblood, who barely visibly nodded in response. Motioning, the stallion directed Twilight back towards the castle, surrounded by four guards. Behind them, Trueblood matched their pace. Her eyes were no longer able to hold back the tears that now streamed down her cheeks.

* * * * * * * *

“I find my tolerance becoming increasingly small.” Celestia sat calmly—for the most part. Her tail, always in motion, was flipping far more vigorously than usual. “I know that it is wrong, and I know that she is taking pleasure that her actions are starting to irritate me, but…” She sighed. “It’s working.”

“What’s she doing?” the other mare asked.

“Everything,” Celestia laughed. “Oddly enough, I don’t have a single fear right now that Chrysalis has any ill intentions towards Equestria. She needs us, and has already seen the benefits of becoming a princess.”

“So I’ve been told. What is your concern with her, then?”

“That, sadly, is far more complicated.” Celestia raised a cup of tea up, sipping gently from it before continuing. “There was a…situation…that arose between her and Luna. I don’t feel the need to go into details about it, but suffice it to say that it has done something I thought impossible. It has raised…doubts.”

“About?”

Casually, Celestia glanced to her left, gazing out of the window of the tower. The moon sat high in the sky, having just crossed the apex of its journey through the night.

“I don’t doubt that Luna loves me. I could never doubt that. Not any more than I could doubt if I loved her.” She looked back across the table at the other mare. “You’ve spent time with her. You understand how she thinks and what she feels.”

“Who? Chrysalis?”

Celestia laughed. “Yes. Chrysalis. I should have been more clear. My apologies.”

“You don’t have to apologize,” the other mare stated. “And I’m not sure how I can help. Chrysalis keeps everything so guarded. Hidden behind so many layers and layers of falsehood that I’m not sure she even knows how or what she feels anymore.”

“But she does. She’s driven by her emotion far more than she wants to believe.” Celestia locked eyes with the other mare. “I know that I’m asking a lot of you, and I won’t force you to do anything, but—”

“No. Stop.” She leaned in to the table, smiling warmly across the way. “Don’t worry about it for even a second. I’ll do everything I can, Auntie Celestia.”

Cadance smiled at her, and Celestia couldn’t help but return it.

…to be continued

Chapter 3

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“Do you understand what I am asking of you?”

Twilight stared at her briefly, blinking slowly. Her surroundings lured her eyes away, trying to provide the opportunity for her brain to make sense of the oddness. An expanse with no true form or shape, extending beyond vision in all directions. The only sign of stability rested beneath her feet, in the form of a glowing white road.

“What?” Twilight asked, turning back to her mentor.

“I cannot stress enough what this will mean. What will happen in your life. Nothing will be the same.” Somehow Celestia seemed taller here. More regal in a way.

“I…I don’t understand.” Something about this was familiar. “Where am I? What’s happening?”

“This transformation will change you in every way, Twilight. Ponies will see you differently. Perhaps even those closest to you.” The tone in Celestia’s voice was serious. Very serious.

“I don’t believe that,” Twilight heard the words coming from her mouth, unaware that she had even said them, “my friends have always stood by me and are the most important ponies in my life.”

Swirls of color raced past them on either side, looking something like walls. Twilight was trying to figure out exactly where they were and what was going on. She was also wondering why she wasn’t asking any of those questions.

“Your truest friends, no. Those will always be with you, but you may find that there are ponies that you thought were friends—or even more than friends—who don’t see you in the same light.” Celestia was walking along the pathway now, and Twilight was following her.

“Then this is good. It will get rid of friends who aren’t really friends.” It still made sense to Twilight when she heard it again.

“Sadly, no. What it will do is bring out the worst in friends who will now see you as the means to an end. And more, it will create friends who aren’t friends at all—who just want to be near you because of what, and not who, you are.” Okay, so Celestia’s words made sense, too.

Images flashed by. Moments in Twilight’s life plucked from time and put on display for both of them to see. Brief glimpses into events that shaped her life and turned her into the mare she was today.

“I…I understand.” She thought she did, anyway. “You can transform me.”

That brief nod made her feel good and confident, too—even if she was terrified inside.

“You’ve already done it,” Celestia answered. “I don’t have to do anything.”

“What?” Twilight looked behind her and saw a pair of wings standing proudly from her back. They twitched for a second, as though they were waving hello to her for the first time. “I don’t understand. There’s a ritual. A new magic that I have to undergo.”

“And let’s not forget that you have a mission to undertake. I’m not doing this just to see my most faithful student change into something new. I need you to help me, Twilight. I need you to do things for me. I can’t do everything myself, you know!” Why wasn’t Celestia answering her? And why was she talking that way? Celestia never talked that way. And she was walking so fast, getting further and further away.

“When did I get my wings? I’ve never had wings before.” The wings were new. No doubt about it, and there should have been something more to the way she got them. They don’t just appear out of nowhere or with a song or something. “Wait for me, Princess!” Twilight sprinted down the pathway, but Celestia kept getting further and further away from her.

“Twilight.” The voice startled her, and she turned to see Celestia standing beside her, smiling gently.

“I thought you had gone.” The words were more like a sigh than an actual statement, and Twilight thought they made her sound a little needy. “I have so many questions to ask.”

“You already asked them.” Twilight blinked at Celestia’s words. “We spoke about this and what had to happen for hours. You remember that.”

“What?” Twilight shook her head slightly. The walls along the path turned back into a distant nothingness. “I don’t…I don’t understand.”

“Of course you do. You just keep running through this same moment again and again. It doesn’t change, Twilight.” Celestia began to fade into the background with the emptiness. The path beneath her feet turned soft, and Twilight began to sink into it gently. “I’m sorry, Twilight.”

“What?” Twilight’s world went grey and the sound of Celestia’s voice changed as it became first more distant, and then closer.

“Twilight?” The voice was very close. “Sorry, but it’s time to get up.”

Get up?

“Hey, Sparky? I’ve got your breakfast ready for you.”

With a tired flutter, Twilight’s eyes opened to see her marefriend sitting beside her bed. The light was a little painful at first, but she adjusted quickly.

“Tru?” Twilight muttered in a groggy tone.

“Good morning,” Trueblood answered. “I’m really sorry to wake you up. I know it’s very early, but…. You seemed to be in the middle of a pretty intense dream.”

“I…. Yeah, I guess I was.” Her voice echoed off the walls, tinged by the iron that held her inside the small room. A single window with the requisite bars cast an odd shadow in the earliest light of the day. There was little to dim the echo, as the room only contained a table with two chair and the bed that she was currently using. The bed, however, was soft, and the table and chairs solid and well made. All in all, not bad accommodations for a prisoner—especially when she took a deep breath this morning. “What’s that smell?”

“Ah!” Trueblood pulled back, gesturing to the table. “That would be fresh blueberry pancakes with a warm strawberry compote, along with a side of hay fries.”

Obviously, she wasn’t fully awake yet. There was no way her marefriend said what she thought she heard. “Pardon? Did you say pancakes and…and hay fries?”

“Oh yeah!” Happily trotting a few steps away, Trueblood moved to the far side of the table, positioning herself in front of a healthy stack of food. “Have you never had pancakes and hay fries together?”

“Uh, no.” Twilight sat up and shook her head, letting her mane fall roughly into place. A quick jump down, followed by a few steps, took her to the side of the table opposite Trueblood. “And I’m having trouble believing that I’m seeing it right now.”

A loud tsking sound accompanied a hefty roll of Trueblood’s eyes. “And here I thought that your world was civilized. I’m going to have to re-assess where you’re from.” She couldn’t make it all the way through her sentence without snickering.

“Uh-huh. Well, the feeling is kinda mutual right now.” Twilight eyed the food with caution. Her magic brought a fork-full of food up to her face, and after only a moment’s pause she took the pancakes into her mouth. A warm, sweet sensation coated her tongue, drawing forth a pleasant sound from the back of her throat.

“Now the fries,” Trueblood said with a nod towards the side dish.

Twilight’s eyes narrowed, but she grabbed a couple of the fries up and held them. From across the table, Trueblood stared at her with anticipation. There was only a slight hint of hesitation as she popped them into her mouth. Her eyes went wide.

“Tha’s goot,” she muttered through a full mouth.

“Told you,” Trueblood’s said with confidence as she scooped up some food of her own.

Both mares ate for a minute, concentrating more on the food than on anything else. Twilight looked up and smiled.

“So, what’s happening today?” Twilight asked.

Trueblood swallowed her bite down with a little difficulty. “Let’s worry about that later, okay?”

“Tru,” Twilight sighed, “it’s not going to matter when you tell me. What’s happening?”

Now it was Trueblood’s turn to sigh. “As I suspected, the council has accelerated the proceedings. You’re going to be taken to court today to hear charges and opening statements.”

“Really? I…I thought I might have a couple more days to prepare a defense. Have something ready,” Twilight answered.

“You’ve got a couple of hours, not days. The court is to convene just after lunch.” Trueblood tried to smile, but her lips simply pulled back into a line.

“Okay. Okay, well then,” Twilight shoveled a massive helping of pancake into her mouth and began to chew madly. “I don’ haff time for a slow breagfass.” She swallowed and forced a smile onto her face. “I’ve got a lot of work to get done this morning.”

* * * * * * * *

The door clicked lightly behind her, sealing Chrysalis in her own private bedchamber. She stood there, staring across the room while her lips gently curled up on the edges.

“Well well well,” she purred, “to what do I owe this visit?”

She lay on the bed, the covers rustled and half covering her body while a single hoof traced small circles in front of her. With her head held low, she was able to look out from half lidded eyes with a smile.

“I believe there was an offer of some…special bonus for agreeing to help you out.” Fleur’s voice was thick and rich. Her tongue barely appeared between her lips as she pursed them gently.

Very deliberate steps brought Chrysalis towards the bed, and the mare waiting upon it. She raised her head up, and her eyebrows even higher. With every step her tail flicked out to a side, first right and then left, repeating over and over.

“And what makes you think that you get to determine what that meant? Or when it might happen?” Chrysalis stopped just shy of her bed, paused, and then turned left and began to walk around it slowly.

“I’m here,” Fleur answered with a shrug. “I suppose I can leave if I’m inconveniencing you.”

Her hoof moved to the edge of the sheet covering half of her body, but was quickly stopped by the words of the changeling queen.

“No. No, I don’t think so.” Chrysalis stopped at the head of the bed, positioned behind Fleur. “Unexpected isn’t always an inconvenience.”

From where she stood, Fleur was a long reach for her hoof, leading to Chrysalis’ magic taking the place of her actual touch.

Fleur craned her neck up, stretching and turning it to accommodate the magic caress running along it. With some magic of her own, Fleur pulled her mane to one side, leaving her neck and shoulders more open.

“You’re brash,” Chrysalis said.

“I’ve been called worse,” she replied, glancing back over her shoulder.

“I’m not sure if I like brash.” Chrysalis’ magic slipped lower, pulling the sheet down Fleur’s back. Fleur watched it move and slowly turned her head away once again.

Taking a deep breath, Fleur paused, waiting until the sheet had made its way to her flanks before replying. “I can still leave if it’s a problem.”

Chrysalis snorted a laugh. “You will leave only if I give you permission.”

“Oh? Is that how you play things?” Fleur asked.

“It is how I insist upon things,” Chrysalis growled in response. She yanked the sheet away, leaving the mare totally uncovered, with her multi-colored cutie mark radiating off her pristine white flank.

“Enjoying the view?” Fleur turned her head slightly, but not enough to look at Chrysalis directly.

“I’m about to do more than just view it.”

Fleur felt hooves move onto the bed, stepping up until the other mare stood over her. She looked up into the glowing green eyes of the changeling and smiled. A long tongue traced the outside of Chrysalis’ mouth before pulling it back in. A sudden burst of green flame surrounded the changeling, and when it faded she appeared exactly the same—for the most part. Fleur’s eyes moved across Chrysalis’ body, stopping on the obvious change. The rather large obvious change.

“You must be joking,” she stated plainly.

“I don’t believe that I am, no,” Chrysalis answered. She raised her head up and looked down her muzzle at Fleur. “I am without compare. I have had both of Equestria’s previous princesses whimpering and begging for more beneath me.”

An eyebrow went up on Fleur. “You must be proud.” She gestured towards the massive member dangling between Chrysalis’ legs. “Nonetheless, that…beast…is not going inside me. Any part of inside me.”

“Yes, it is,” Chrysalis growled.

Fleur stared her in the eye. “No, it is not. I promise you, Your Highness, that I cannot accommodate that thing at all.”

“You’d be surprised what you—”

“No.” Fleur moved on the bed, shifting her weight and sliding towards the edge.

“Stay where you are!” Chrysalis barked.

Fleur ignored her and took her first step off of the bed.

“You insolent mare! If you don’t stop this moment I’ll—”

“You’ll what?” Fleur turned on her, staring at her once more. “You’ll force me to stay? Make me have sex with you?” She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

For a few moments, Chrysalis’ glared down at her from the bed. Then, starting with the corner of her mouth, her attitude changed. Her lips curled up and her eyes closed down, and slowly Chrysalis lowered herself to the bed, lying very much in the same manner as Fleur had before her.

“I don’t believe that brash is a strong enough word.” The hum of Chrysalis voice was accompanied by a buzz of her wings. “Tell me, Fleur, what was it you had in mind, then?”

There was a hesitation, but Fleur made her way back to the bed, standing beside it, looking into Chrysalis’ eyes.

“Can you make that thing smaller? About half as big as it is now?” She gestured vaguely towards the other mare’s groin.

Chrysalis laughed. “I can do anything.”

Green flame erupted around her once again, and when it faded manhood between her legs had altered considerably.

“Much better,” Fleur’s voice turned silky.

“Excellent. Now crawl to me and I will—”

“Your Highness,” Fleur cut her off again, “why don’t you just lie back and…and let me treat you like the royalty that you are?”

“I set the rules in this bed,” Chrysalis said slowly.

“Of course! I am simply making a request, Your Highness.” Fleur closed her eyes and then barely reopened them. “Please?”

Chrysalis sat there, her fang peeking out from between her lips. Her tongue came out and teased the tooth, playing back and forth for a moment. Gradually, she leaned backwards, relaxing until her head lay propped against her pillow. “Show me what you can do, mare.”

A wide smile grew on Fleur as she slid up onto the bed, keeping her eyes locked with the changeling. She drifted closer, positioning herself between Chrysalis’ legs. Fleur’s hoof traced up along the chitinous leg, stopping when it reached the thigh.

“Thank you for this, Your Highness,” Fleur purred. “I understand the honor the I am receiving and the,” she paused and looked down at the member waiting before her, “gift that I am about to receive.”

Her hoof moved further, reaching the point where leg met groin and lingering.

“It’s not size that makes a magnificent lover, Your Highness. For many mares, a larger penis is actually worse than a lesser one. A mare can always work with something smaller, finding ways to pleasure both herself and the stallion, but,” her hoof gently passed across the base of Chrysalis’ shaft, “something too large can be a problem. A painful one. A normal mare can’t make herself larger the way that you can, Your Highness.”

The hoof began to move in a small circle, eliciting a reaction from Chrysalis’ member. It began to rise up to meet the touch.

“With what you currently have, there are many options available, however.” Fleur’s voice was coated in honey. “Some obvious, and some not so much.”

Bending over slightly, Fleur placed her muzzle alongside the now erect shaft. Her hoof moved to the side, allowing enough room for the mare’s tongue to take over. Beginning at the base, Fleur slowly licked up the length of Chrysalis’ tool, pausing to swirl around the head twice before she pulled back. Still staring at down, she spit onto her hoof, and then raised back up and looked Chrysalis in the eye once more.

“A stallionhood this size is one that fits in many places.” Her hoof moved back, now sliding up and down the length slowly. Her tongue licked across her upper lip. “For example, I could easily fit it into my mouth. My tongue already tasted it, so I know that wouldn’t be an issue. Just imagine me placing the head of it inside my mouth, where my tongue could play over it again and again while I apply a soft suction.”

Her hoof began to move more smoothly up and down.

“I doubt I could take the whole of it, even at this size—which, I’ll have you know would still put most stallions to shame—but I would try. My gag reflex is something that I am proud to control, and it would be nothing for me to push down on you until the head of your cock was actually into my throat, cutting off my air as my muscles tried to swallow it down. I would push myself down onto you, desperate to take every inch, but my need for air would fight against me, and I would have to pull back, gasping desperately.”

The tempo of her hoof on Chrysalis’ shaft increased.

“Again and again I would try, getting a little further each time, until finally…. The sensation of my chin striking the flesh beneath your dick would give you the proof that my will was able to overcome the limits my body tried to set upon me. In my own triumph, I would linger there, perhaps longer than I should, until I could no longer hold off my body’s needs. As I pulled off of you, choking and coughing, I leave a long trail of spittle behind, still connecting my mouth to your rock-hard cock.”

Every time her hoof reached the apex of her travels, she now added a slight twist, spiraling around the head before she slid it back down.

“And that was just the appetizer. Dripping wet from what I’ve done to you, I crawl up and position my own sex above yours, adjusting my weight until everything is just right, and pressing down. You penetrate the lips of my pussy, the warmth of my arousal flooding down over your hardness. That same liquid coats your cock and makes it easy for me to take you all the way down on my first try. My hips rest against yours as I shift and squirm, taking a selfish moment to enjoy how full you make me feel.”

Fleur shakes her head and bites her lip. Chrysalis’ breath has already become heavy and ragged.

“But that’s not enough. I move up until you are just inside me, and then push all the way back down. I want to continue to go slow, but we both know that isn’t going to happen, and I stop holding back. My body moves like a jackhammer, attacking your cock with an unrelenting passion. I want it. I want you to come. I want you to fill me up completely.”

Nodding, Fleur narrows her eyes to slits, still locked with Chrysalis’ gaze.

“And you’re going to, aren’t you? You don’t want to disappoint.”

Her hoof was a blur of motion along Chrysalis’ shaft.

“Don’t disappoint me, Your Highness. Come for me. Please.”

With a sound hovering between a snarl and a growl, Chrysalis erupted. Streams of white shot out, covering the changeling’s stomach and barrel in a sticky coating. Fleur didn’t stop, continuing to milk out everything she could; she kept her hoof in motion until the last drop fell from the tip of Chrysalis’ cock.

Slowly, Fleur removed her hoof, watching the thin line of semen trailing away as she pulled back until it snapped clear.

“I hope that was enjoyable, Your Highness,” Fleur said softly.

“You made a mess. I don’t like a mess,” Chrysalis grumbled with a smile. “Now what am I supposed to do?”

“Oh, don’t worry, Your Highness.” Fleur shifted, moving herself further up the changeling’s body. “I’ll take care of that. Our morning is just beginning.”

With an ease and grace belying the situation, Fleur’s tongue came out as she lowered her head down towards Chrysalis’ barrel.

* * * * * * * *

“I don’t believe it,” Luna said as she walked in the room. “They told me it was true, but I still wasn’t believing it.”

Turning over her shoulder, Celestia tore herself away from her view of the morning sun, looking back to see the luxurious form of her wife approaching. “What is it, Luna? Is there something wrong?”

The black alicorn stepped to the table, looking down at its contents. A small array of muffins, pastries, and fruits were gathered together in an attractive display. A plate littered with light crumbs rested in front of her sister’s seat, with only a half-filled cup of tea waiting beside it.

“You ate breakfast,” Luna said at a barely audible level.

“I do that every day, Luna. It’s a habit I’ve formed over the past several hundred years,” Celestia laughed.

The turn of Luna’s head shifted her ever-flowing mane, causing it to waft up and away from her head. Her mouth remained slightly open as she stared at her wife before speaking. “You ate in our room. Not at the table downstairs, but up here in our room.”

“I’m aware of that, too,” Celestia stated. “I was here for it.”

A heavy weight seemed to fill up the room as Luna filled her lungs. “Alone. You ate breakfast alone, Tia.” She shook her head. “Why?”

“No reason.” Celestia shrugged with a smile. “I suppose if anything I just wanted to be away from a certain princess this morning.”

The smile on Luna’s face was much thinner than her sister’s. “Which one?”

“What?” Celestia’s head pulled back slightly. “Chrysalis, of course.”

“Are you sure?” Luna stepped around the table, ending directly across from her wife. She sat down gently.

Both of Celestia’s wings twitched slightly as she adjusted herself where she sat. “What sort of question is that?”

“Why don’t you tell me? I would like it if you told me something. We haven’t really spoken much lately, it seems.” Luna tilted her head. “And we haven’t been intimate in days now.”

“Is that so? I’ve been so busy that….” She sighed heavily. “I’m sorry, Luna. I wasn’t aware.”

Luna blinked twice, and took in a deep breath. “How unusual. You’re normally very, very aware of everything that happens around you.”

“Well,” Celestia began and then paused, “sometimes it’s nice to not be aware of everything.”

A long moment hovered over the table, pushed away as Luna stretched her forehoof across towards her beloved. “Tia, please, tell me what’s wrong. We’ve had too much difficulty between us in the past. I want that all to be behind us.”

“I do, too!” Celestia was quick to answer. “I want that more than anything, my love.”

“Then why won’t you talk to me?” Luna pleaded, extending her hoof further towards her wife.

Finally, Celestia reached up and took Luna’s hoof in hers, holding it tightly.

“Because right now there is nothing to talk about,” Celestia answered weakly.

Luna sat there staring across the table. The only sound in the room came from the birds and the wind rushing past the open window. The sunlight beamed in, striking the table and illuminating both alicorns in a bright, pure light. Luna felt so cold.

“It’s late,” Luna swallowed back. “I need to be going to sleep.” She pulled herself away from the table and slowly stood back up.

“No. No, Luna. Please, stay and having some breakfast. There is still plenty here on the table,” Celestia stated.

“I’m not very hungry this morning, Tia. Sorry.” She turned and took several steps away.

Celestia moved, pushing herself slightly back from the table, but stopping before she rose all the way to her hooves. Her entire body leaned forward, almost trying to will the legs to stand and move after her sister as she walked away.

Then Luna stopped, her back still towards Celestia. In a singular slow motion, she turned back to look at her sister.

“You know,” Luna began, “once, long ago, I took some very drastic measures when I thought that ponies I didn’t know were shunning me completely. Do you wonder what might happen if something similar were to happen with a pony I cared deeply for?”

The words broke the final barrier holding Celestia back. She rose to her feet and took a couple of steps forward. “Luna, I—”

“No.” She stopped her sister cold. “No, Tia. Whatever this is, it is seated deeply in you and I am too tired to deal with it right now.” Luna took a deep breath. “I do not want to do anything rash.”

“You would never do anything rash, Luna,” Celestia said. “Not now.”

Luna’s lip curled up, revealing a sharp fang in her mouth. “And I thought you knew me better than that.” She turned back around and took a step forward. The shadows on the far side of the chamber grew darker and began to crawl across the room towards her. “I’m going to sleep, Tia. I’ll see you tonight at sundown.”

The darkness swallowed up Luna, taking the majority of the bedroom with her, leaving Celestia staring into it from the beam of sunlight radiating across her coat.

* * * * * * * *

“If the room would come to order, please.”

The pony sitting behind the bench in the courtroom was black with a light brown mane. Streaks of white at the edges revealed her advancing age, but no more than the deep lines surrounding both her mouth and eyes. She waited for the room to become completely quiet before continuing.

“I am Judge Maven of Canterlot, head of the First District Court of New Equestria, and I will be overseeing this case. This is a formal hearing of actions against our nation, and the defendant has waived the right to a trial by jury, requesting instead to have a bench proceeding. Today I will be hearing opening statements from both sides, beginning with the prosecution. After you have completed them we will recess for the afternoon. No direct questions or evidence will be brought into play today. Have I made myself clear?” Her voice was even and firm, with a slight rasp behind it.

Twilight nodded from her table, and looked over to see the two ponies on the other table nod as well. She hadn’t been given the names of the ponies, but seeing them made her feel a little dry in the mouth. Both of them—a mare and a stallion—were dressed in the most formal attire she had ever seen. It wasn’t regal like she had seen at court with Celestia, but more…intimidating. Clean lines and sharp edges to every cut of cloth. She made a mental note to ask Rarity what she should call something like that once she got back home.

“Very well, I believe,” Judge Maven looked at the notes in front of her, “Frank Axiom,” she nodded to the stallion, “and Vesting Claus,” indicating the mare, “are the prosecutors assigned to this case. Which of you will speak?”

“I will, your honor.” The stallion stood from the table and stepped in front of it. “Good afternoon. Well, as good as such a day could possibly be at least, for we are here with a most unpleasant task. Fantasia Coldheart was, at best, a monster. Every pony, griffon, dragon, and in fact, every living thing in all of the Six Kingdoms came to fear her and her seemingly unquenchable thirst for power and adoration. Every single mare, stallion, and foal knew what she looked like” He turned to look at Twilight. “That mare is clearly not Fantasia Coldheart.”

Twilight pulled her head back and narrowed her eyes at him.

“But she doesn’t have to look like her. She doesn’t even have to be her.” He turned back to the bench. “It is my understanding that becoming an alicorn isn’t something that simply happens. Now, I don’t profess to know and understand everything about the ways of the more elevated ponies of the world, but according to legend a new alicorn is born from the ashes of the old one—much like the phoenix that live in the Dragon Wastes.” He gestured towards Twilight. “So, where did she come from? Well, in part we can answer that: she comes from an alternate world, where Equestria and the surrounding kingdoms exist, not entirely unlike our own. So, surely that means that she has been reborn in her current form due to the untimely demise of one of her world’s rulers. Except…” He turned to look at Twilight, scrunching his face together slightly. “According to reports obtained from Ambassador Earnest of New Equestria itself, all of the alicorns of her world are fine.” He shook his head slightly. “No change at all.”

Immediately Frank Axiom spun back to face the judge. “Of course, there are also stories of some alicorn offspring being born with the same gifts, but it has been already established from her previous visits to the Six Kingdoms that Twilight Sparkle was born a unicorn. A very, very gifted unicorn, who, as I’m sure we all know, assisted us in gaining our long desired freedom from Fantasia Coldheart herself.” He turned and bowed to Twilight. “Thank you. We are in your debt.”

He walked a few steps and then turned towards the bench once more, shrugging his shoulders slightly. “So, why are we here? She’s a hero. Recognized as such on two worlds.” He nodded and then slowed to a stop with a twist of his head. “Except for the alicorn part. Where did that come from? Unless…”

His tone changed, hardening as he stood slightly taller. “Twilight Sparkle was present at the defeat of Fantasia Coldheart. She was there when the Empress of the Six Kingdoms was finally put down. What if she did more than that? What if Coldheart was able to impress some of her own power and transfer it to the most gifted unicorn present at the time? We all know of the Empress’ ability to absorb power into herself, so is it too far fetched to believe that Fantasia Coldheart was able to imprint herself onto another pony? Even without that pony knowing it herself?”

The stallion changed positions once more, staring directly at Twilight. “We put it to the court that Twilight Sparkle is not Fantasia Coldheart—yet. That a moment before her demise, Empress Coldheart transferred a fraction of her own power into this mare, and has begun to slowly transform her into a new vessel to contain her evil. That Twilight Sparkle is the living embodiment of Coldheart’s legacy!”

“That’s ridiculous!”

Twilight turned around to see Trueblood standing at the rail, glaring across it at Frank Axiom. Her breath was fast and short, causing her nostrils to flare out wide with each breath.

“Tru!” Twilight whispered loudly.

“I’m sorry, but that is total manure, and he knows it!” Trueblood’s voice remained at the same elevated volume.

“Superintendent!” Judge Maven drove her gavel against the bench. “You will remain respectful in my court, or you will be removed!”

“I—”

“Tru!” Twilight shut her down with one growled whisper.

She looked at Twilight and took a deep breath. Without another sound she sat back down in her seat in the first row.

Judge Maven returned her eyes to the proceeding. “Thank you, Mr. Axiom.” Her gaze shifted to the other table. “Ms. Sparkle, I understand that you have chosen to defend yourself? Is this correct?”

Twilight stood, raising her head high. “Yes, Your Honor.”

“I must warn you, Ms. Sparkle, that I do not condone this as a wise action. Are you sure that you wish to continue as your own counsel?”

“I am quite sure, Your Honor.” Twilight nodded once.

“Very well,” she leaned back behind the bench, “you may give your opening statement.”

Lighting her horn, Twilight straightened the papers sitting upon her desk, placing them in clean order. Then, she set them to one side, positioning them on the end of the table in three stacks. Content, she stepped around the table, moving into place precisely one-third of the way between her table and the bench, and three steps in towards the center of the room.

Lowering her head, Twilight cleared her throat and then raised it back up to look at the bench. She took a deep, heavy breath.

“Your Honor,” she began, “I’m innocent.”

Twilight turned around and began to walk back to her desk.

“Ms. Sparkle?” The judge called to her. “Is that the entirety of your opening statement?”

Looking back at the bench, Twilight smiled. “It is, Your Honor. It’s my understanding that the prosecution has to prove their claims through a presentation of evidence that will be weighed by you to establish the truth in the ultimate outcome of this trial. My claim is simple, and not one that needs complex confirmation. I’m innocent.” She shrugged. “What more needs to be said right now? I’ll say more as they present their case against me.”

“If that is your decision, Ms. Sparkle…” the judge clarified.

“It is, Your Honor. Thank you.” Twilight moved back behind her table and took her place once again.

“Very well.” Judge Maven brought her gavel down once more. “We are in recess until tomorrow, when the proceedings will begin.”

The entirety of the courtroom began to move, with the noise the judge had quieted earlier quickly returning. Twilight felt a hoof touch her just above her flank.

“Damn, Sparky,” Trueblood began, “how can you be so calm about this? I always thought that I had nerves of steel, but you put me to shame.”

A nervous chuckle preceded Twilight’s words. “Oh, please. I’m terrified. I’ve just been keeping myself too busy to worry about it. I could go off the rails any second now.”

“Oh,” Trueblood said. “I…I guess we better get you back to your cell, then. Wouldn’t want you to do that in public. It would look bad for the trial.”

“Yeah. That’s a good idea.”

The two walked together out of the courtroom and back towards her cell, allowing a small chuckle between them before they even cleared the doors.

* * * * * * * *

“Hello, Princess.”

The voice came from behind her, but Chrysalis didn’t bother to turn. She kept walking straight ahead, keeping her step and demeanor unchanged. She answered the greeting, regardless. “Ah, I had heard you were here on a visit. It’s so wonderful to see you again, Princess.”

“I feel exactly the same.” Cadance kept pace behind her, just off to Chrysalis’ right side. “I’ve heard some wonderful opinions about you, Chrysalis. You’ve done some magnificent things since your appointment.”

“Well, of course I have. After all, I have everypony’s best interest at heart.” She chuckled before she continued. “And I suppose you know all about heart, don’t you?”

The windows of the Hall of History were set very high, providing room for tapestries to cover the walls. As was the tradition, each tapestry was devoted to a different era from Equestria’s past. Notable stallions and mares were stylistically displayed, providing more of a hint at their nature than their true appearance. If any pony were to take the time, the plaques underneath each tapestry described the pony, the time, and the reason for its inclusion in this noted hallway.

Neither Chrysalis nor Cadance glanced to either side as they walked its length.

“I never did get a chance to thank you for coming in and aiding us after that unfortunate incident,” Chrysalis continued. “So, thank you. I’m glad you saw fit to clear me of all wrong doing.”

“You’re welcome.” Cadance’s voice was light and clear. “I take my responsibilities very seriously.”

Chrysalis stopped, and Cadance did the same, remaining a few paces behind the changeling. Turning to her right, Chrysalis moved around to face her body towards the wall, and a bright blue tapestry. Her head continued to swivel until she was looking directly at Cadance.

“And how do you suppose I take my responsibilities, Cadance?” Her voice buzzed lightly.

“I suppose that remains to be seen, but I know you care deeply for your changelings. I’m just hoping that the concern that you are showing for all of Equestria is just as genuine,” Cadance answered.

“How…pleasantly direct,” Chrysalis laughed.

“I’ve played enough games with you in the past, Chrysalis. I don’t see the need to do it anymore.” A toss of her head moved Cadance’s mane, sliding it away from her face.

“Games?” A single hoof went to Chrysalis’ chest. “I have no idea what you are talking about, my dear.”

“Don’t call me that,” Cadance answered. “Princess or Cadance is fine, but….”

“But don’t remind you of old times together?” A green fire erupted around Chrysalis, and when it faded a very familiar figure stood in front of Cadance. “What about now, sweetheart? Is this okay?”

Every hint of smile faded from Cadance’s muzzle, and her eyes narrowed to slits. “Change. Back.”

“But Cady,” the figure appearing as Shining Armor stated, “I thought this might be a better way for us to talk. You know, make you feel more comfortable around me.”

“I believe that I have made it clear on more than one occasion that you—or any other changeling—attempting to impersonate myself or my husband would be met with immediate action. Right now that action is telling you to change back,” a thin smile worked its way back onto Cadance’s face, “stay that way and we’ll see what might come next.”

A heavy sigh and another eruption of flame took Cadance’s husband away, and leaving behind a somewhat stallionish pegasus mare with a close cropped blue mane and deep purple coat. When she spoke, her voice was rough and dry, like brittle leaves underhoof.

“This better?” she asked.

“And who are you supposed to be now?” Cadance asked.

Her laugh was short and sharp. “Don’t know me? Princess, I’m none other than Commander Mistral. I led the airborne in the War of Dragon Aggression a few centuries back. Or don’t you read?” Her hoof pointed to the tapestry in front of her. “Y’see, I’ve made it a point to learn this kind of thing. It’s important to know your country and its history if you are gonna inspire everypony.”

“I…” Cadance’s eyes flashed between the figure standing in the hall, and the one stylized on the wall. The resemblance was undeniable. “It’s an excellent reproduction, Chrysalis. No pony has ever questioned your ability to fake things.”

Another flash and the true form of the changeling returned. “Oh, Cadance, you wound me. I fake nothing. Everything I do is very, very real.” Chrysalis turned her head. “Which reminds me: why are you really here, Princess? There is nothing on the agenda calling for a meeting for another two months.”

“Personal visit,” Cadance answered.

“I see,” Chrysalis purred. “Well, if you wanted some personal time with me, you could have just sent a message. I would have been happy to visit both you and your strapping husband in your own…home.”

There was a long pause. Cadance took a moment, breathing in while bringing her hoof to her chest, and then slowly letting it out again. “Not that kind of personal,” she finally answered.

“Well, the offer still stands.” Chrysalis’ body wavered slightly as she adjusted from hoof to hoof. “I miss Shiny’s touch sometimes.”

The sound of Cadance’s hoof smacking against the floor echoed only slightly, swallowed up mostly by the yards of cloth hanging on the walls. “Dammit, Chrysalis! I want to trust you. I really, really do. I always try to look at you with open eyes, trying to give you the benefit of the doubt, and what do you do? You throw things in my face. Again and again. Yet, you stand there with the audacity to ask me why I’m really here? Are you joking?”

“Fell Brightclaw!” Chrysalis shouted as she turned fully to face the alicorn.

Reflexively, Cadance took a step backwards. “I…I beg your pardon?”

“Fell Brightclaw, Princess. Ever heard of him?” Chrysalis’ hoof shot out, pointing once again to the blue banner beside her. “She did, I’m sure. But then, you weren’t sure about Commander Mistral, were you?”

Taking her own step back, Chrysalis tossed her head slightly, causing her wispy mane to rise up behind her for a moment. “Fell Brightclaw was in charge of the allied griffon forces that fought with Mistral in the War of Dragon Aggression. Neither Equestria nor the Griffon Empire had the forces to keep the dragons out of the sky by themselves, so they fought together. As one. Side by side, in a completely integrated force. Yet, there is no griffon here.” She turned slowly, looking around the entire hall. “Nor any non-pony for that matter.”

“What do you expect! This is a hall to honor Equestria’s heroes!” Cadance insisted.

“Then where?” She stepped up to Cadance, their muzzles practically touching. “Where are the tapestries for the others? The stained glass? Anything?” Chrysalis snorted, causing Cadance to sneer. “Before you answer, I think you should know that there is a statue of Fell Brightclaw AND Commander Mistral standing together in the War Memorial Garden of the Griffon Empire. Honored as one.”

There was no room between them, but Cadance moved forward nonetheless. “And are you aware that immediately following that same war, the Griffon Empire marched into Equestrian lands, claiming them as due reward for their assistance to Equestria during their time of crisis? If it wasn’t for Celestia another war would have immediately followed, but she had the foresight to see this coming and had already put measures into place. She agreed to let the griffons have that land, because of all the weather stations she had put into place along the border. They would take that land, but all the rain would be completely controlled by Equestria. The King backed down, removed his forces, signed the peace accord, and things have remained peaceful since.”

“Yes! More manipulation through threat by our dearest Sun Goddess!” Chrysalis bumped against Cadance, their horns crossing against each other.

“Defense! She made no aggression!” Cadance’s wings went wide.

The air hung in the hallway, defying any wind or breeze to move it at all. A light formed between the two horns, seemingly strong enough to push them apart slightly. Real or imagined, it was enough break to allow Chrysalis the opportunity to step backwards.

“Nor have I. Not since my coronation.” Her voice became a calm buzz in the hallway. “Despite what you and Celestia might think, my actions have never been made to harm Equestria since I took the title of Princess. Not without unnatural mental influence, at least.”

“Do you really believe that?” Cadance lowered her voice to match Chrysalis.

“You don’t? What would have you think otherwise?” She turned away, beginning to walk calmly once again. “Unless this is some other matter. If that’s the case, I have to ask what that has to do with the welfare of Equestria? Or are you not able to separate a personal matter with the affairs of state?”

Standing still, she watched as Chrysalis neared the end of the hallway. “You of all ponies should know the danger of letting emotion control your actions. Have a good day, Princess,” Chrysalis said.

The changeling rounded the corner, and then Cadance turned around and walked towards the other end of the hallway.

* * * * * * * *

The sound was making her skin crawl. It was something she couldn’t precisely describe. There was a tearing quality to it, but it seemed subdued, lying beneath a wet noise resembling walking through rain-soaked mud. Each and every time she heard it, Apple Bloom tried to turn further away, lest she see what was actually happening.

“I pity you, Apple Bloom.” The voice was calm and even, baffling Apple Bloom even further. “Stuck in such a simple form. Not understanding the limits it confines you to.”

“Look, uh…” Apple Bloom glanced over and immediately regretted it, though somewhere beneath the scars lay something identifiable, “…I’m gonna say lady. Look, lady, I don’t know why you called me here for this, but,” she turned away, “can we just get to the point.”

“I’m going to need you to act very soon,” she said directly, her hoof pulling a needle and thread through her skin.

“Act? Is that another way of sayin’ fer me ta get all the ponies riled up again?” Apple Bloom remained angled towards her, but kept her face directed at the ground. “Ah’ve been doin’ that pretty much ever’ day now.”

“Annnd yoou’ve beennn doinnng it magnnnnificently.” Her voice suddenly elongated every word, distorting them slightly. Curiosity got the better of her, and Apple Bloom looked up to see the needle sewing together a piece of the mare’s cheek. A bit of bile rose up in Apple Bloom’s throat before she could turn away. “But no, it’s timmme to move beyonnnd that now.”

The sound of lips smacking together was almost enough to get Apple Bloom to look up again, but experience over ruled and she kept her face down. “Ah don’t understand.”

“The trial won’t work. She’s going to win. She’s too clever and the fools working against her are little more than charlatans,” she said. “We’ll have to take other measures.”

“What?!” The word was a shot, and Apple Bloom’s head sprang up with it, staring at the mare once more. “You told me all Ah had to do was git that alicorn lady into enough trouble that she’d be taken to trial. After that all I was supposed to do was keep talkin’ bad about her! That don’t sound nothin’ like what you’re sayin.’”

“I’ve changed my plan,” the mare said as she set her equipment down on the table next to her. “Further steps are going to have to be taken.”

“You best not be askin’ me to hurt her,” Apple Bloom stated.

The other mare laughed, with the echo in the room reminding Apple Bloom of creaking trees in a high wind. “Hurt her? What do you think was going to happen to her from all of this?”

“You said you just needed some of that magic she had. That you was gonna get that to fix yerself and then…”

The mare waited, but Apple Bloom remained silent. “And then what?”

“Then you was gonna give me back mah family.” The scowl on the young mare darkened her face beyond the shadows of the room.

“And I will,” the mare stated, “after you’ve done what I’m asking now.”

“And then what? You keep addin’ stuff to this and I ain’t never gonna get them back! You promised me! You said you knew where they was, and that I was gonna—”

“Apple Bloom!” the mare snapped at her. “Look at me. Look!”

Without moving her eyes, the younger mare replied, “Ah see you.”

“Do you really?” She stepped back, letting the light wash across her more completely. “Have you ever truly looked at me?”

“Truth be told, Ah try not to.”

The mare was a somewhat tall unicorn with long, thin features, but that was the least notable thing about her—if you could say she had any one distinguishing trait at all. Her entire body was a lacework of flesh. A stitched together arrangement, quilting various colors and textures of skin and fur. The thin bits of mane remaining on her neck fell in small patches along the length, a menagerie of colors that complimented both none and all of her simultaneously. Her eyes were of different hues, one blue and one green, and there was something about her mouth that seemed…wrong. It never truly seemed to line up with the angle of her eyes.

“You see a monster, don’t you?” she asked. “Everypony sees a monster. They never bothered to truly look at me, either.” Her eyes trailed to the table and the needles and suture lying upon it. “It’s my gift to be able to do what I do. To be what I am.”

“And just what the heck are you anyway, lady?” Apple Bloom sneered.

Another laugh before she answered. “You know my name and you never use it. Eidolon. Say it once, just to amuse me.”

“No,” Apple Bloom answered.

“So brazen.” Eidolon turned away and walked several steps. “No pony knows this castle like me. I can be anywhere I choose. I know everything that happens here. It’s my home.” She turned back to the younger mare. “And I know where Empress Coldheart imprisoned your family.”

Apple Bloom leapt forward. “Where are they?! Tell me, please!”

“Ah ah ah! In time, child. In time.” She took a deep breath before continuing. “First you have to do something for me.”

“Ah…ah need to know they’re all right. Just…just let me talk to ‘em, okay?” Apple Bloom pleaded.

“I can’t do that, child. And I’ve already brought you proof. Many, many times. Bits of their coat. Samples of their writing. Secrets only they would know.” Eidolon shook her head. “No, I think I’ve done enough. It’s time for you to finish your end of the deal.”

Taking a step back, Apple Bloom’s face went hard. She brought her hoof across her face, wiping away any trace of a tear that might have formed against her will. “Ah won’t hurt her. Not even for mah family. Ah won’t hurt her.”

“Hurt her?” A smile grew on Eidolon’s face, stretching the fresh stitches on her cheek and parting the flesh slightly. The shadows once more swallowed Eidolon as she stepped further away from Apple Bloom and deeper into the room. “I don’t want you to hurt her. I just want you to make her very, very angry.”

* * * * * * * *

No pony ever saw this room except for her. Not even Celestia, though Fleur knew that was only due to the respect they shared. As secret as she would like to think it was, there was no hiding something in the castle from the princess. It was likely that Celestia had shared knowledge of it with Luna at this point, too. It only made sense.

Of course, the situation with Luna was very different from the one she shared with Celestia.

The familiar whistle rang through the room, causing Fleur to close her eyes and raise her shoulders slightly. Immediately she reopened them and pulled the kettle from the flame, levitating it over to her. With her hoof she lifted the lid from it and peered inside, making sure there weren’t too many bubbles forming—she had no desire to scold the leaves, after all.

Replacing the lid, she moved the kettle over the top of the ceramic bowl. As she poured the water, the leaves contained inside began to dance. Flecks of green, brown, and black all scattered about, interlacing and tumbling on top of each other until the pour stopped and they began to settle into their new role. Even as Fleur moved the kettle away her mind began to count down. After so many times it had become second nature to her.

Setting the kettle down onto its lace cozy, Fleur carefully shifted the cup into place. Porcelain the width of heavy paper rested on a slightly thicker plate, both a color that matched the mare’s coat, but with a weaving line of gold tracing along its outermost edge. Resting it upon a fine lace doily, she adjusted the handle of the cup to point directly to the right, causing a delicate tinkle of sound for just a moment.

The countdown came to an end, and Fleur lifted the ceramic, carefully straining the contents into the porcelain. When it was half filled, she lowered the bowl and put a matching cover on top of it. The vapors from the cup lifted up, covering her nose at first, and then being pulled inside as she inhaled deeply.

Her lips smacked softly as she pulled a single cube of sugar from a nearby bowl and dropped it gently into the brew. A spoon of pure silver was raised up and then lowered into the cup and turned around circumference three times before being removed and put back in place.

Looking down at the table, Fleur smiled. Everything was in its proper place. Sitting up perfectly straight, she floated the cup to her mouth and allowed a slight slurp as she took in the first sip of this newly brewed cup.

“Ooooh,” she purred. “Heaven.”

She allowed herself a second sip before placing the cup—handle directly to her right—back upon its saucer.

A turn of her head and a flare of her horn cast the spell that turned the unseen bag visible once more. The paper rustled as she pulled it free and carried it over in front of her, looking over the various pages briefly before moving them along to the wall a few steps away and directly across the table from where she sat.

Portraits of three princesses—Celestia, Luna, and Chrysalis—hung upon the wall, surrounded by a clutter of papers that had been assigned to each of them. Long strings wove their way from one image to the next, sometimes stopping and sometimes moving on to another and even another before finally coming to an end.

The new pages floated over, one by one being put into place on the wall in what Fleur deemed their appropriate place.

The teacup rose up once more and Fleur sipped from it once more, even as the strings began to weave a new web to integrate the newly added papers on the wall.

* * * * * * * *

“I do believe this is a first,” Luna said with some pride. “All four of Equestria’s princesses sitting together at the same table.”

There was no reply. Silence ruled over the table, as Luna sat opposite her sister, while Cadance and Chrysalis stared at each other across the narrower distance between the two side chairs. The array of food was in place, but no pony made any motion to eat just yet.

Finally, Celestia broke the spell. “It is momentous, Luna. And as I look over this table I see a great promise for the future of Equestria. Strength and compassion in equal measure, enough to guide our ponies into a prosperous life.”

“Well said, Auntie Celestia,” Cadance stated. Using her magic, she raised her goblet. “A toast to Equestria!”

“And to the Crystal Empire!” Luna added, raising hers in unison.

“As well as the Changeling nation,” Chrysalis chimed in.

Celestia laughed softly. “Of course, but there is no need to single those out. We are all a part of a greater Equestria today.”

“Indeed we are,” Chrysalis buzzed. “It’s always good to know that you have a warm, welcoming home for you and your kind.”

“As long as they stay warm and welcoming in return,” Cadance replied.

“Cadance!” Luna snapped. “I would request that you not bring any past issues into the present. We are at peace today, with no sign of that changing.”

“I must agree with Luna, Cadance. We shouldn’t be bickering over irrelevant matters.” Celestia raised her goblet higher. “To Equestria and its princesses!”

She took a deep drink, followed by Cadance, Chrysalis, and finally Luna in short order. As the cups returned to the table food began to move to plates. A melange of berries passed between several plates, followed by a casserole of beats and carrots accented by fennel, and many other delights created by the chefs of the castle. The one plate that remained empty was Chrysalis’, who waited until the dishes came to a rest before summoning a mushroom pate to her plate accompanied by some whole-grain crostini.

“It always amazes me at your ability to calm matters, Celestia,” Chrysalis said as she spread some of the pate neatly. “It’s a wonder that you stepped down from the throne at all.”

“It was time,” Celestia answered. “And it is only a leave, not an abdication.”

“Oh that’s right.” She raised the crouton up and took a delicate bite. “How long is that going to last, anyway? Have you already made your plan to demote your sister once again?”

“You know there is no timetable,” Luna answered for her sister. “There is no need to be antagonistic, Chrysalis.”

Turning to Luna, Chrysalis bowed her head slightly. “No offense meant, Princess.” She shrugged. “I was simply wondering how scared she was of you.”

“Scared?” Cadance asked. “There isn’t any fear between them.”

Chrysalis raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I’m sorry. I must be tasting the wrong emotion, then. I would hate to question your authority on the matter, Cadance.”

“It has nothing to do with fear,” Celestia chimed in. “Luna is an excellent ruler, and Equestria is in good hooves.”

“And you have no reason to fear me, do you, Tia?” Luna asked.

Taking a deep breath, the corners of Celestia’s mouth forced themselves upwards. “Of course not, Luna. That time is well past.”

“Yesitsbeenseveralweeksnow,” Chrysalis mumbled.

“What was that?” Cadance asked. “I’m afraid I didn’t quite hear you, Princess.”

“Oh, forgive me. I was just thinking out loud,” Chrysalis stated more clearly.

“No, I would really like to know what—”

“I am curious, though,” Luna interrupted Cadance, “how long do you think you will sit aside, Tia? You seem to be a bit…uneasy lately. Are you having second thoughts?”

“What?” Celestia recoiled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Well, you have been somewhat distant,” Chrysalis stated while chewing a second bite of her meal.

“I have not!” Celestia proclaimed. “Where did you get such an idea?” Her eyes locked upon Luna, who stared back across the table.

“Just an observation,” Chrysalis said gently.

“Observation or conversation?” Celestia asked as she turned to Chrysalis.

“Well, let’s call it observations of conversations,” Chrysalis laughed.

“Stop it!” Cadance shouted. “You are just being a petulant child, Chrysalis! Just…stop!”

“I’m simply making small talk at dinner, Princess. If you don’t like what I’m saying, please feel free to offer up a topic of your own,” Chrysalis stated. “Like how productive a visit you’ve had so far.”

The table rattled, causing several items to rise into the air, and a few to fall to the floor. Three of the gathered princesses pulled back, their magic grabbing items close to them as they leapt away from the table. Then their eyes slowly tracked to Luna, as she stood up, her hoof still resting where she slammed it down.

“This is a pleasant meal,” she growled. “A place of respite from the ordeals of the day. I will not have this turn into something that adds to my stress! All of you will behave yourselves or you will be removed from the table—at a minimum.” Slowly, she lowered herself back down to a sitting position. “Have I made myself clear?”

A moment hung in the air, waiting for someone to claim it, which was finally done by Cadance.

“Of course, Auntie Luna.” Her voice was tender and low. “I’m sorry.”

“As am I,” Chrysalis continued, “please do forgive me, Luna.”

Luna looked at both of them and nodded in turn, then moved her eyes across the table to her wife. Celestia stared at her and Luna thought she saw something glimmer in the corner of her sister’s eye.

Without another word, Celestia looked at her plate and raised a bite of food to her mouth as the servants rushed to the table and began to straighten the mess that had been made.

…to be continued

Chapter 4

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A faint creak turned her head towards the door, reminding her at once that she needed to have the servants oil it immediately. Luna walked through it quietly and directly, striding up towards her with a casual nonchalance.

“Good evening, Chryssie. How are you today?”

Chrysalis glanced at the window, squinting her eyes as the sun shone brightly into them, just to confirm that she hadn’t lost complete track of time.

“Good afternoon actually, Luna,” Chrysalis answered. “You’re up rather early today.”

“Not so early,” Luna answered as she stepped through the ante-chamber of the throne room towards the window, using her magic to pull the sheer fabric of the curtains to lessen the glare. The color of the cloth cast the entirety of the room in a cool blue. “I woke up, so I saw no need to waste any time.”

“So I see,” Chrysalis raised an eyebrow and turned to face towards the other princess. Her eyes covered over every inch of the dark alicorn, lingering where she thought appropriate. “If I may, Princess,” she took a step closer, “you seem distraught. Not to mention looking rather spent. Is everything all right?”

Luna’s nostril’s flared wide with her snort. “I’m just tired. It’s nothing for you to concern yourself with.”

The words hung for a second or two before Chrysalis replied. “Does this have anything to do with last night’s dinner? I do apologize again for my actions. I just felt somewhat attacked and naturally chose to defend myself.”

Pacing past the window to the far bookcase, Luna scanned over the titles slowly. “I believe that is a matter best left undiscussed, Chryssie. We all had our bad moments last night.”

“Well, I just want to make it clear that the last thing in the world that I want to do is cause you any undo stress.” The changeling’s hooves clacked against the hard floor as she closed towards Luna. The tint of the light darkened the coats of both mares. Luna’s already black fur taking on an indigo shade, while Chrysalis’ severely dark green turned the color of the nighttime seas.

The metal shoes Luna wore gave a very different sound than Chrysalis’ chitinous hooves as she turned to face the changeling. Her eyes seemed to glow in the room’s current hue.

“Then why are you?” Luna asked directly.

Chrysalis raised up higher, never breaking eye contact with Luna. “Why am I what?”

“Causing stress. You know you are doing it. You’re anything but a fool. I defend you more and more it seems, and I want to know why it is that you are making me do it? Every time it is becoming more difficult to forgive or explain away. Why, Chryssie? Why are you doing it?” The only tone detectable in Luna’s voice was akin to the look in the eye of a hawk circling on high.

“I’m sure that I don’t know what—”

“Stop it!” Luna barked. “Don’t play innocent. Every day I have to defend you because I believe that you genuinely do have the best interest of Equestria in mind, if only for the welfare of your changelings, but I am finding myself taxed. I want to know why.”

Taking a deep breath, Chrysalis let a smile precede her words. “It’s not easy on my end either, Luna. I’m questioned every day, too. And to see Cadance brought here for no other reason than to antagonize me? That is a slap in my face. I can’t believe that Celestia—”

“Mind your words, Princess!” Luna’s wings flared out to the side. “I do not want to remind you that Celestia is my wife!”

“For the moment,” Chrysalis buzzed.

Both of Luna’s lips curled back, exposing the sword-like fangs in her mouth. “And what is that supposed to mean?”

A deep sigh came from Chrysalis, followed by a wide smile. “Luna. Luna, dear, please forgive me—again. I speak only from concern. Admittedly, I worry about you more than I do your sister, so if I seem to take a biased view, it is only because I don’t want to see you hurt.”

“If that is so, then tell me why you persist with this nonsense? Answer me that one question, honestly and directly, and I will forgive you,” Luna snarled.

The next words that came from Chrysalis’ mouth were little more than a whisper, but not so quiet as to go unheard. “So beautiful.” Luna’s eyes responded, but she wasn’t given the chance to voice anything before Chrysalis continued. “Your sister and I got off on the wrong hoof, and it hasn’t gotten any better between us since. We have a…difference of opinion regarding a great many things, political and otherwise. I am always on guard around her, leading me to seemingly have a rather unpleasant mien. I don’t know if it is intentional or just her nature, but Celestia brings out the worst in me. She feels the same towards me, though, I am sure, so I am only half to blame.”

“Chryssie,” Luna’s tone softened, but only slightly, “Celestia is the most giving and forgiving being in all of Equestria and beyond. If you took the time to speak with her—not argue, but actually speak—then you would understand.”

Lowering her head slightly, Chrysalis turned it to one side, looking at Luna through the tatters of her wispy mane. “Is that what is happening between you two? You are taking time and speaking and coming to an understanding? Forgive me, but the tension there is rather obvious.”

Once more Luna rose up. “What happens between my wife and I is not the subject of this conversation. Do not distort the concern. This is about what happens between two other princesses of Equestria, and that must be resolved.”

Matching the alicorn’s height and demeanor, Chrysalis raised her head and smiled. “Oh, I couldn’t agree more.”

In the blur of events that followed, Luna lost track of the order of things. There was a gentle magic that grasped the back of her neck. Chrysalis closed the gap between them. Luna’s breath went away in a sudden gasp. Her eyes closed reflexively.

When time came back to its normal flow, Luna’s eyes reopened to see Chrysalis’ face in intimate detail, and felt her own lips pressed firmly against the changeling’s. She pulled away instantly.

“What are you—” Luna was unable to finish her sentence, as her mouth was once again occupied by the firm contact from the other mare. It was surprisingly warm, and it wasn’t until Luna felt Chrysalis’ thin tongue pressing between her lips that she finally broke the kiss—and turned her head as she stepped back.

“You need to go.” Luna’s voice resonated against the floor, building timbre slightly.

“Do I?” In response, Chrysalis’ voice raised up and hummed through the room.

The flash of light in Luna’s eyes broke the blue veil of the chamber for an instant. “Princess Chrysalis, I am ordering you to leave this chamber this very second. Do not make me repeat myself.”

Taking a small step backwards, Chrysalis spoke with a near sigh in her voice. “If that is truly what you wish, Luna.” Her eyes met the alicorn’s. “It is what you wish, isn’t it?”

“Leave!” The volume of Luna’s voice was low, but her tone was clear.

“Of course.” Chrysalis bowed her head and backed away towards the exit. The blue light of the floor hid any shadows that might have crept along with her exit, becoming lost in the various pasticcio of colors melding into one throughout the room.

Before reaching the door, the retreating princess was stopped by Luna’s words. “Chrysalis!” The changeling looked up to see a dark shadow standing in the corner of the room with two pale eyes staring back at her. “I’ve had to remind my sister already, but since you are new to Canterlot and Equestria, let me give you a warning: do not try me. I have been known to have a bit of a…temper.”

“Oh, Princess,” Chrysalis smiled with a hint of a fang showing, “I assure you that I want you to be anything besides angry.” Once more she bowed before exiting the room completely.

Alone, Luna looked towards the sunlight glowing against the thin drapery of the room. Something about it left her uncomfortable.

* * * * * * * * * *

“This courtroom will come to order. You may be seated.” The sharp bang of the gavel against the hard wood of the Judge’s desk served as the final indicator for the ponies of the room to sit down and wait for instruction.

Glancing down at her own desk, Twilight read over her notes in a glance. Not a single word on them made any sense. Well, actually there were many words she understood clearly, but putting them together was not resonating in any comprehensive way right now. She remembered writing them down, and then going over them as recently as breakfast, and everything was clear then, but right now it was just a bunch of words on paper.

A hoof touched her gently on the back. Her skin jumped for her, but the rest of her remained fairly still. Turning over her shoulder revealed Trueblood sitting directly behind her. Her touch was warm and that feeling spread out from the point where her hoof rested until it covered all of Twilight.

Twilight’s muscles relaxed, much to her own surprise. A smile grew across her face. Weak, but a smile nonetheless. Turning back, she looked at her notes once more and went over them carefully.

And then she waited. The judge made small motions behind the bench, and—as Twilight expected—had the prosecution begin speaking. Twilight listened as the stallion—Frank Axiom according to her notes—began speaking. He didn’t speak for long, and basically repeated what he said the day before. All the while, Twilight remembered to breathe. Keep the air going in and out. Let this play itself out. According to what she understood, she was going to get a chance—eventually. She wasn’t exactly sure when she would be able to give her side of things, at least not the way that she wanted to present them. They would have to present their evidence—whatever that might be—and she would get the chance to refute it. So, she waited.

The stallion sat down, and the mare stood up. A glance at her notes reminded Twilight that the mare’s name was Vesting Claus. She nodded, ready to hear what she was going to say. For all intents and purposes, all she was doing was giving a full recap of Empress Coldheart and her crimes against this world, including, but not limited to, murder, torture, and enslavement.

And then, it happened.

“I would like to call Twilight Sparkle to the stand,” the prosecutor requested.

A nod from the judge prompted Twilight to move from her seat to the one off to the side. As she sat down she glanced over to the ponies gathered in the room—far more than she would expect, honestly—and specifically to Trueblood, who gave her another reassuring smile.

“Miss Sparkle,” the judge began, “you understand that you are here to defend yourself, but still must answer all questions honestly. Any lie will be detected by the spells cast upon that chair, and that information will be relayed to me. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Your Honor.” This sort of trial wasn’t practiced in her Equestria. The princesses oversaw any dispute of this measure, but she wouldn’t be surprised if Celestia and Luna used a similar spell themselves.

Judge Maven looked to the prosecutor and spoke, “You may begin.”

The mare was wearing the same clean, black outfit she had on the previous day. Her sand-colored coat stood out nicely from it, and she kept her dark brown mane in bump knots on the back of her neck. Despite the harsh clothing and strict look to her mane, Twilight saw a light in her face and eyes.

“Hello, Miss Sparkle. I want to personally thank you for everything that you’ve done for this world. It is appreciated.”

“You’re welcome,” Twilight replied, mostly from instinct.

“Now, to the matter at hoof.” The prosecutor turned and took a couple of steps back before facing Twilight once again. “When was your first contact with Empress Coldheart?”

“Well, I can’t tell you the exact number of days off the top of my head, but it was on the first day that I came to visit this world. The end of that day, actually. I was only supposed to be here for a few minutes, but…well, things went awry, and I decided that the best course of action was to find help. I found out about this world having a Canterlot, and naturally I assumed that there would be help there. I traveled here, and that’s when I met Coldheart.”

“I see.” The mare nodded in agreement. “Totally understandable, considering the nature of your world as it has been described to me. Elaborate on what you found here, though.”

“Uh, well,” Twilight took a deep breath, “I found Empress Coldheart, like I said. I came into the castle and made my way to her throne room and there she was.”

“You saw her in her throne room? The same one that she used to display all of her…trophies, shall we say?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Twilight answered with a nod. “It was very, very disturbing.”

“Then why didn’t you run?” the prosecuting mare asked. “Surely you wanted to, correct?”

“Well, yeah, but, as I’m sure you know, Empress Coldheart had the ability to make ponies fall in love with her instantly. She didn’t want me to leave, so I didn’t.”

“So, you’re saying that she forced you to stay?” The mare stepped lightly to one side as she spoke.

“Yes, ma’am. In a sense. She made me not want to leave,” Twilight answered.

“Ah. So, she controlled the way that you felt. The way that you thought,” she stated.

“Excuse me,” Twilight said to the prosecutor as she turned to the judge. “I would like to object to this line of questioning, Your Honor. I am hardly the only pony that fell under Coldheart’s power. This direction seems pointless.”

“There is a point, Your Honor,” Vesting Claus stated, “if you will allow me to continue.”

“I’ll allow it,” the judge answered.

“Thank you, Your Honor,” the prosecutor replied. Twilight frowned internally. “Now, back to the matter: you do admit to being controlled by Empress Coldheart, then?”

“Yes, of course,” Twilight answered. “It’s what happened, but again I’m not the only pony that’s had that experience.”

“But you are the only alicorn who has,” Vesting Claus said with a slight rise to her voice.

“Well, that’s not entirely true. There were other alicorns, actually, and I wasn’t even an alicorn at the time,” Twilight stated.

“True.” Vesting Claus nodded gently. “Can you tell us what prompted you to become an alicorn, Miss Sparkle?”

“Prompted?” Twilight swallowed. “I’m not sure I understand the question.”

“What were the events that led to you becoming an alicorn rather than a unicorn? Surely there was something—some prompt—that put you on the road to becoming what you are now. What was it?”

“It wasn’t me, actually,” Twilight said. “Princess Celestia—the ruler of my world—made the decision that I should be elevated to alicorn status. She actually had to talk me into it.”

“Did she? Well, then she must have had a good reason to do it. There hasn’t been an alicorn elevated from unicorn in hundreds—if not more—years on your world. Why you? What was it about you?” Vesting Claus walked a few steps away and stood there, staring at Twilight. The light in her eyes seemed very focused all of a sudden.

Twilight swallowed again. “I don’t know why she chose me. I guess it’s because of my relationship with her—I have been her student for many years—and my being the bearer of the Element of Magic in my world.”

“That’s right! You do have that role, don’t you? Well, that makes you very formidable already, I would surmise. You were able to stand up against Coldheart’s minion, Toy, and eventually defeat her with the other Elements—or so the stories say.”

“Well, I had a lot of help. I couldn’t do any of that on my own,” Twilight explained. She glanced over to Trueblood, who responded with a quick nod. “I’m very lucky.”

Vesting Claus laughed softly. “Well, you are certainly lucky to be an alicorn. Most unicorns don’t even dream of that happening. So, why did your Princess elevate you? What was her reasoning?”

“I…I just told you that.” Twilight blinked.

“No, we were talking about why she chose you. Now I want to know the reason that she chose anypony. Why did you get elevated?” The prosecuting mare walked up to stand directly in front of Twilight.

Twilight felt her wings twitch. She fought to keep them still. “That was Princess Celestia’s decision. I had nothing to do with it.”

“But you did agree, didn’t you? She didn’t force it on you, right?” the prosecutor asked.

“No, she didn’t. Yes, I agreed.” Twilight shifted in her seat and glanced over at Trueblood once again. Her marefriend’s brow was knitted tightly.

“Then tell us why. Why did she change you? She told you why she wanted to, didn’t she?” she asked calmly.

Twilight’s wings fluttered and her eyes danced a little. “Yes, she told me.”

“Would you please share that with us, Miss Sparkle?” Vesting Claus’ voice was smooth and silky.

It wasn’t a glance, but a long, direct stare at Trueblood this time. Twilight kept her eyes on her marefriend for several passing heartbeats, and with every one that went by, Trueblood’s face dropped a little more.

“No,” Twilight finally answered as she turned back to the prosecutor. “No, I won’t answer.”

A murmur quickly rose in the room.

“Miss Sparkle,” Judge Maven broke in, “you need to answer the question.”

“No, Your Honor. I am obliged to tell the truth, but nothing more,” Twilight said. The words came out rough, and she suddenly realized how dry her mouth had become. “I won’t answer that question.”

The murmur became something more.

“Order!” Judge Maven’s gavel struck the wood of her bench firmly and the sound dimmed. She looked back to Twilight once more. “Miss Sparkle, if you do not answer this question, it will weigh poorly for you when I make my decision.”

“Miss Sparkle,” Vesting Claus brought the attention back to herself, “are you hesitant to respond because of any fears you might have about it incriminating you?”

“No!” Twilight snapped. “No, that’s not it.”

The prosecuting mare took a deep breath. “Isn’t it true that you were elevated to alicorn status for the precise reason of coming to this world? That you were transformed by your princess so that you could have better access to Empress Coldheart directly? That you became an alicorn because of Fantasia Coldheart?” Vesting Claus’ voice changed, creating an icy razor across her words.

All color blanched from Twilight’s face. “How did you…?” She looked to Trueblood, finding an expression as wide-eyed as her own. She turned to the judge, with her mouth moving to catch up to her racing thoughts. “I… It’s not like that! I didn’t…” She spun back around to Trueblood and rose to a standing position. “Tru! You’ve got to believe me! I didn’t… I would never…”

The assembled crowd roared. Practically every pony leapt to their hooves, shouting epithets towards the stand and the mare sitting upon it. The guard ponies stepped in quickly, positioning themselves between the throng and the trial itself. Judge Maven’s gavel pounded onto her bench, trying to find enough volume to overcome the swelling sound of the gathered ponies—to no avail.

Twilight could hear sounds like words, but no clear phrases. She felt her heart pounding in a seeming attempt to escape her chest, as though it was giving her some clue as to what she should be doing herself. The image of the ponies overrunning the guards and swallowing her up flooded her mind and she searched the crowd for Trueblood, but she was lost in the mass of ponies.

“Tru?” The din of the crowd devoured her words, losing them with the rest. “TRU?!” She shouted louder, hoping to clear space. Panic set in. She looked to the prosecutor, who had moved back to the far side of her desk. The judge was next, but she was standing and shouting orders to the guards, paying little head to Twilight and the fear boiling up inside her. No one was there for her at all.

“TRUUUU!” The dam broke, unleashing a wave of magic that coursed through the room, silencing every voice save her own. A faint lavender glow filled the space, covering everything—living and not—inside the courtroom. The only sound left was the sharp, desperate gasps for air coming from Twilight herself.

All of the anger that was fueling the crowd was gone, and in its place was something else entirely. Looking over the crowd, every pony wore the same expression as they moved away and began to slink low and into the background.

“I…I’m sorry.” Twilight dispelled her magic. The glow was gone and the sound of a pony whimpering was instantly heard from the back of the room. “I was just…I wanted to see Trueblood, and she couldn’t hear me so I…” The heart that had been racing less than a minute prior now skipped a beat. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

“Guards,” Judge Maven’s voice threatened to crack, despite her best effort, “please escort Miss Sparkle back to her cell. Court is adjourned for the day.”

The guards hesitated. One of them stepped out of the room through a door behind the judge’s desk. Several looked away, but the rest stared directly at Twilight.

She took in a sharp breath. “It’s okay. I’ll go. I promise.”

Another moment passed, but one guard finally stepped forward. As he reached Twilight, two others moved in beside him, and then a fourth, surrounding her. The first guard motioned towards the door leading to the holding cells and Twilight nodded, taking a step that way.

She looked over her shoulder after three steps, spotting Trueblood sitting still in the first row of the gallery. Right where she had begun the day. Trueblood’s face was blank and expressionless. Twilight’s mouth opened, but she stopped herself before any words came out.

Following the guards, Twilight exited the room quietly.

* * * * * * * * * *

She stood there humming a tune as the brush went through her mane. Each pass through her hair seemed to make her smile grow slightly wider, but she was too busy watching the brush in the mirror to notice herself. She did however, notice the imposing black mare who was now standing at the back of the room.

“Auntie Luna!” Cadance jumped slightly, spinning around to look at the other mare directly. “I didn’t hear you come in. You startled me.”

“My apologies, Cadance.” Luna stood still, the majority of her form shrouded in shadow away from the lights near her niece. “It was not my intention to surprise you. How are you tonight?”

“I’m fine, thank you.” Cadance trotted lightly over to her aunt, and put her neck up beside the taller dark mare in an affectionate hug. “What are you doing here? Can I help you with something?”

“Perhaps,” Luna said with a sigh. “I’ve been….” She walked past Cadance, stepping into the center of the room and looking around slowly. “I’ve not been in this room since it was rebuilt. This was the room you had when Coldheart attacked, isn’t it?”

“Yes. It’s the same room I stayed in while she occupied the castle. It was mostly undamaged during the war, actually. The only real damage came at the end when Celestia challenged Fantasia and she blew out the wall.” Cadance moved her eyes from point to point, as though directing the events visually.

“It seems that the room is very different. Or am I misremembering what it looked like before?” Luna moved to the places Cadance looked, examing those spots more carefully.

Cadance moved up beside her, smiling as she took in a deep breath. “No, you’re not wrong. Since I spent so much time here, Celestia asked if I wanted the room changed at all. And honestly, the less things that remind me of Fantasia, the better.”

A low laugh from Luna barely reached Cadance. “Are you afraid of falling to the same sort of darkness as her?”

Luna turned to look at Cadance at the same moment the younger mare turned to her. Their eyes met and kept each other as they waited for the time to pass. It was small, but Luna saw Cadance’s smile fracture. “Yes. Yes, I’m terrified of it, actually.”

“Why?” Luna asked softly.

“Because…” Cadance finally broke and lowered her head. “Because I could. Because I felt that power for a second when I fought against her—and she knew it. She wanted me to be like her. But it’s not the idea of the power that scares me, it’s the thought of what would drive me to it. The idea that I just wouldn’t care at all, and I would look at life and love as nothing more than—”

She stopped herself. Her eyes closed and she took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. When she looked back up at Luna her smile seemed softer. “You understand, don’t you, Auntie? If anypony would understand, it seems like it would be you.”

“I do understand. Everypony has a dark side, Cadance.” Luna’s smile revealed a little more fang than Cadance remembered. “Mine is just slightly more obvious.”

The were both silent, standing and staring at each other—until Cadance started to laugh.

“That’s one way to phrase it, I suppose,” Cadance stepped back, and gestured to the table near the window. “But I’m guessing you aren’t here to go over our mutual fears of taking over Equestria. Do you want to have a seat? I can pour us some tea—or whatever you might like to drink.”

Even before any words left her mouth, Luna was already moving towards the table. “I think I would like that, yes.” She glanced to Cadance. “But no tea. If you have something slightly stronger, then I will take that, please.”

“I actually have a bottle of brandy, if you want that,” Cadance replied.

“Perfect.”

As Luna settled into her seat, Cadance brought the bottle and two glasses to the table. A quick flare of magic removed the cork and then poured a small amount in each glass. Taking the glass from Cadance, Luna brought it up to her nose and inhaled gently. Immediately, that was followed by a swirl of the glass and a small sip, which raised her right eyebrow.

“Very good. I’m impressed.” Luna took another sip and set the glass on the table.

Cadance finished her own sip and placed the glass opposite her aunt’s. “I hope so, it’s from your and Celestia’s private stock.”

“You’re stealing my alcohol? Mine?” Luna chuckled. “You do have a dark side.”

“I’m a rebel,” she laughed back. A soft sigh followed. “So, why are you here, Aunt Luna? What’s wrong?”

“Actually, that’s what I wanted to ask you,” Luna said. “What’s wrong, Cadance? Why are you here?”

“I can’t just be here for a visit?” She lifted the glass back up and swirled it in front of her. The flickering light of the flame played over the golden brown color of the liquid as it danced up the side of the glass.

“Yes, of course. You are always welcome here,” Luna’s smile was long and thin over her face, “but is that why you came?”

Cadance’s head tilted slightly to one side. “What are you asking, Luna?”

Luna’s lips made a small smacking sound as they opened before she spoke. “Did Celestia ask you to come here?”

There was a pause, and then Cadance levitated her glass to her mouth and took another small sip before returning it to the table once again.

“Yes,” Cadance stated. “Yes, she did.”

“Why?” Luna’s voice remained calm and even.

Looking down at the table for a moment, Cadance finally looked back up at Luna. “She’s scared.”

“Scared? Celestia? My Celestia is scared?” Luna answered slowly.

“Terrified, actually,” Cadance sighed.

“Of what?” Luna sat back slightly, casting her head to one side a small bit.

“You.” Cadance kept her tone calm.

“In the thousands of years that I have known Celestia—off and on—I have never known her to be scared of me. Startled, yes. Concerned, yes. But not scared. Trust me, I tried to scare her several times.” Luna almost laughed at the end of her sentence.

Cadance shook her head. “No, you didn’t. Well, you tried to, I guess—that is, Nightmare Moon tried to, anyway—but all that was going to do is strengthen her resolve. She never had a reason to fear you until now.”

The corner of Luna’s lip went up far enough to show what lay beneath them. “I don’t know if I should be flattered or insulted.” The mouth opened farther, fulling exposing her fangs. “By either of you, actually.”

A short gasp stopped Cadance for a moment, but she continued. “Think about it, Luna.” Cadance swallowed. “Celestia has never had this much to lose, because before now she’s never had you. Not like now.”

Turning to the side, Luna looked out the window into the night. “That I understand.” Slowly, she turned back to Cadance. “What I don’t understand is why she’s scared. Why she called you.”

They stared at each other for a long moment, with Cadance growing an uneasy smile. “Yes, you do.”

Luna’s first response was a loud snort, followed by a ruffling of her wings, and then finally she spoke. “You don’t trust her, either.”

A series of rapid blinks came from Cadance. “Trust her? You mean the creature that took me prisoner, locked me away, impersonated me, brainwashed my husband, and then tried to take over all of Equestria? Gee, why would I not trust her?”

“She’s not the same. She is a princess of Equestria now.” Luna rose up higher as she looked across the table.

“Maybe. That’s what Celestia brought me here to find out.” Cadance rose up as high as she could, trying to meet the other mare as best possible.

“You’ve been here for a while now. What do you think?”

Shaking her head, Cadance frowned. “That’s not the important thing. What’s important is what you and Celestia think of her. And before you even ask, that’s not a question that I’m able to answer.” She paused. “Not yet.”

“Able…or willing?” Luna replied.

A genuine warm smile covered Cadance’s face. “Auntie Luna, the one thing you don’t have to worry about is me.”

The glass of Brandy levitated off of the table and found its way to Luna’s mouth. She drained it dry in a single drink. Returning it gently, Luna stood and began to walk towards the door—stopping halfway there. She turned and looked back at Cadance.

“I love her,” Luna said.

Cadance took a deep breath and nodded. “I know.”

Luna turned and walked out of the room.

* * * * * * * * * *

“Superintendent?” Barely making it in far enough to get his muzzle past the door, Cobblestone warily announced his arrival to the room. “Superintendent Trueblood?”

He pushed a little further in and saw his target sitting alone beside the fireplace. No flames burned in the hearth, but she sat still, back to him, facing towards the cold stone. A deep breath filled his heart with enough courage to step fully into the room and approach her carefully.

“Superintendent?” The clatter of his hooves on the floor sounded like thunder in his ears. Each step he tried to make slightly softer than the one before it, but somehow it only seemed to get louder. When he made it to the side of her chair, Cobblestone could see her eyes staring blankly ahead. “Superintendent Trueblood? I have news.” He took a small breath. “Twilight Sparkle has been asking to see you.”

The unicorn nodded, at least acknowledging that she heard him.

“Is there something you want me to say to her? Some message?” He took another step around to be further in front of her. “Or would you rather go see her yourself.”

Trueblood’s tongue came out of her mouth and started playing around the right corner of her lips. She poked and prodded there, waggling it back and forth slightly, enough so that Cobblestone looked to her face to see if she had split her lip or something similar.

“Nope.” Cobblestone jumped back when Trueblood spoke. “I can’t. You can’t. Can’t send her any message at all.” She looked up at him and smiled—a wide, and to Cobblestone’s reckoning, genuine smile. “She knows that. Or if she doesn’t yet, she’ll figure it out. She’s smart. Too damn smart, I think.”

Popping up from the chair, Trueblood cantered over to the bar on the far side of the room, levitating up a glass and filling it with a small amount of cider. She tossed it back quickly and then turned to face the lagging Cobblestone, who’s face was suddenly rather twisted in confusion.

“Relax,” she laughed. “I’m okay.” Moving across the room, Trueblood went to her desk and started to rustle through some papers. “I gotta give it to that mare, she knew what was going on way before I did. She tried to tell me, too, I was just too stubborn to hear it.”

“What?” Cobblestone moved up to stand across the desk from her. “I don’t understand.”

Trueblood laughed. “Don’t be hard on yourself. Like I said, I didn’t either.” She took a moment to look up at Cobblestone. “How did the prosecutor know that about Twilight? That specific information about how and why she became an alicorn?”

“I…I don’t know,” he answered with a shake of his head.

“Well, let me help. The short answer is, she couldn’t. There is absolutely no way that anypony here could possibly know what happened on her world.” Trueblood’s smile became wider. “And Twilight knew that.”

Cobblestone’s eyes narrowed and his head turned a little to his right. “I’m still not following you, ma’am.”

“Twilight told me,” she moved back to looking through the papers, “that this wasn’t about solving this one problem, this was about finding the core of the matter. She didn’t phrase it that way, she said something about this dealing with beings of her kind and not coming back and things getting worse, and that’s all I heard at that moment.” Trueblood looked up at Cobblestone. “Until the trial today.”

He stared at her and then slowly shook his head. “Superintendent, I am completely lost.”

Taking a deep breath, Trueblood looked at him gently. “Alicorns. In her world they are a symbol of hope and leadership. They guide the ponies of the world and serve as a…a paragon. Something more to look up to and know is there when needed. Here,” she nodded over her shoulder, “all we can remember is Fantasia. This was about creating hope, one way or another. Or at least making sure that there was the chance for hope. If the only thing we know about alicorns is the nightmare my mother left behind, then… Well, Twilight wanted to change that, even at the cost of her own life, if need be.”

Cobblestone’s head bobbed slightly in acknowledgement. “Okay, but what does that have to do with no pony here knowing about her becoming an alicorn?”

Both of Trueblood’s eyebrows went up. “It means when somepony here found out about her being an alicorn—one specific somepony—they made her a focus. They didn’t want her here, or worse, they wanted her dead, just because she was an alicorn. Because it went against what they wanted.”

“We knew that. All of the ambassadors—”

“All of the ambassadors were terrified when she displayed her power. They’ve been terrified all along. I was there when she was spotted out in public and it was the same. Fantasia made everypony fear alicorns, but somepony realized she was more than that: she was a symbol. And they wanted to make sure that she was a negative symbol,” Trueblood said softly. “Those ambassadors were too scared to act against her, and too angry to work together. Somepony changed that. I want to know who.”

“And you think that pony was able to find out what happened in her world, find out how she became an alicorn, and gave that information to the prosecutor? How? Why?” Cobblestone asked.

“I’m not sure. Obviously to get a reaction—probably from her—but I’m not sure to what end. I don’t think it was just to make everypony scared, but I might be wrong. That’s what I haven’t figured out.” She looked back at the paper. “That’s what I need to do.”

“Okay. Okay, I think I understand.” His voice went up slightly in tone. “So, we should go tell Twilight all of this, so that she can help.”

Trueblood sighed. “No, we can’t. I can’t tell her anything. Whoever is behind this obviously has some way to monitor her and is doing that, so I can’t go see her or talk to her or…or anything. I have to stay away and figure out who that is and why they are doing all of this.”

“But what about the trial?” he asked.

She rolled her eyes. “She’s not going to be convicted. There is absolutely nothing to connect her to Fantasia’s crimes. All of this is just a show to get her on display and…and do something.” Her hoof hit the desk. “Dammit! I’m sure it’s here somewhere. What is it they want?”

“Twilight has been very upset, Superintendent. She’s been asking for you constantly,” he explained. “Are you sure you can’t say anything?”

“I’m…sure.” Her hooves began to sort through the papers again.

Cobblestone watched her for several seconds. “Superintendent?” 

“Hmm?” She kept her eyes down.

“What if what the prosecutor said was true?” His voice became very soft. “What if she was made an alicorn to get closer to Coldheart? What does that mean?”

Trueblood stopped. Her eyes were locked on the desk, motionless like the rest of her at that moment. “We’ll worry about that when the time comes.”

Raising her head up, Trueblood met Cobblestone’s eyes. He saw all he needed to know.

“What can I do to help?” he asked.

After taking a deep breath, she smiled and then went back to work.

* * * * * * * * * *

Her silhouette was outlined against the window as she stared out at the sun. Once more the door behind her knocked, and like every time before on this day, she ignored it. Unlike the all the previous attempts to get her attention, however, this one didn’t end at just a knock.

“Auntie Celestia?”

She heard Cadance’s voice and felt herself smile. A look over her shoulder confirmed what she knew.

“Hello, Cadance. Please, do come in,” Celestia said in her normal, easy tone. “And if you would shut the door behind you, if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” The magic came from Cadance and closed the door with a slight click. “No pony has seen you today. I was worried, so I came to check on you.”

Turning around, Celestia sat once more in the same place, but with a different orientation. “Straight to the point, eh?” she laughed. “Well, as you can see, I’m fine.”

“I’ll agree with part of that.” With an easy gait, Cadance moved over to stand in front of Celestia for a moment, and then she sat down as her tail flicked off to the side with little flourish. “I can’t agree with all of it, though.” Cadance took a deep breath. “What’s wrong?”

The idea passed through Celestia’s head to tell her that nothing was wrong. That she was just feeling slightly under the weather and had decided to stay in her room for the day. She had been running that cover story through her head all morning, in fact. So, it doubly surprised her when she told the truth instead. “Luna never came home last night. To our room, I mean.”

Celestia could tell that she tried to hide it, but Cadance looked over to the bed. Pristine and clean, and very unslept in for the night. “Did you hear from her at all?”

“No,” Celestia answered. “No, it was just me.”

“Oh…” The way that Cadance spoke caught Celestia’s ear.

“Oh? Do you know something?” Celestia’s ear twitched, despite her best effort to control it.

The smile that Cadance put on was rather weak in Celestia’s eye. “I saw her last night. We spoke.”

“About?” Celestia felt her heart skip a beat.

“You, mostly. Well, the two of you.” Her answer was calm and direct—and not enough for Celestia.

“And her?” she prodded. “You talked about her, too, didn’t you?”

Cadance’s chest swelled as her lungs filled up. “Of course we did. It’s why you asked me to come here, isn’t it?”

A slight blur formed at the corner of Celestia’s eye. She smiled harder in an effort to push it away. “It is. Did you find out anything?”

“Nothing conclusive. I’m sorry.”

Celestia turned her head to the right, attempting to hide the eye that was trying to betray her beneath her mane. “Very understandable.” She took a breath. “Do…do you know where she went last night?”

“No, Auntie, I don’t. I’m sure she just went off to think. She seemed distracted and upset.” Cadance rose briefly. Just long enough to move a step closer.

“Well, she has her own places. I wouldn’t think to intrude upon her there.” Celestia felt her jaw tremble as she spoke, but hoped that it didn’t affect her words.

“Oh, Auntie!” The impact against her jostled Celestia, but the strength of the hug around her kept her in place. “It’s all right. I promise that everything is all right.”

The dam broke, and the tears that were being pushed back flowed easily. Celestia wrapped her hooves around Cadance and pressed her muzzle down into the pink alicorn’s shoulder as the emotions began to empty along with her tears. So many feelings that were pushed down and away spilled out, flowing with the tears onto Cadance’s coat. It took her several seconds to realize that she was sobbing out nigh-unintelligible words.

“It’s okay,” Cadance whispered into her ear. “I’m here. Just let it out.”

She pulled back, looking into Cadance’s eyes through her own tear-stained vision.

“Are you all right?” Cadance asked.

And she was. For this one moment, everything was right. Thanks to Cadance.

Even she didn’t realize she had done it until she felt the other mare’s warmth against her lips. It was broken as quickly as it happened, with Cadance pulling away quickly.

“Celestia! What are you—”

“Shh.” Celestia moved a hoof up to touch Cadance on the lips. “Let this happen. Please. I need this.”

Without waiting for a response, Celestia leaned in once more, reconnecting their kiss. The brief hesitation on the other end faded quickly, and the larger mare used her position to push forward, catching Cadance with her wing to gently lower her to the floor without breaking their embrace.

Immediately she followed, pressing down on top of the younger alicorn and moving the tips of her wings to begin playing along the boundary of Cadance’s feathers, causing them to ruffle and flare out slightly. Breaking away from the lips, Celestia began to plant kisses along Cadance’s muzzle, heading towards her neck.

“Celestia,” Cadance spoke in a hushed, breathy tone, “are you sure about this?”

“Yes. Yes, please let me do this,” Celestia urged as her mouth moved down Cadance’s neck. Both pairs of wings moved, and the outlying edges gently intertwined, falling feather over feather to create an interlaced mix of white and pink. “Please.”

The soft moan that Celestia heard was beautiful to her ears, causing her to renew her barrage down towards Cadance’s shoulder. As she moved further down, her wings strained to hold onto Cadance’s, eventually needing to pull themselves free. Celestia folded her wings to her side, and lit her horn to continue massaging the sensitive area along the outskirts of Cadance’s wings. Gentle tendrils pushed their way into the space between the feathers, surrounding and massaging the point where quill met skin.

“Oh,” Cadance moaned. “Oh, that’s…that’s nice.” Celestia smiled, realizing that experience was enough to even impress a goddess of love.

Moving down Cadance’s belly, ideas, bordering on hopes, raced through Celestia’s mind. Images formed in her head, causing her to swallow back the craving to blurt them out, even as her haunches soaked with her own desire. As she reached the edge of her ultimate goal she paused, pulling back just above Cadance’s coat.

“Turn around,” Cadance suggested with a voice full of musk.

Celestia could feel her own breath against Cadance’s skin. The heat that was reflecting back to her only redoubled her eagerness.

“No.” Celestia looked up along the other mare’s body, meeting her eyes as she looked back down at her. “No, please let me just pleasure you. Just let me…let me…serve you.”

She watched as a smile grew across Cadance’s lips and a light ignited in her eyes. “You may,” her voice took a deeper tone, “but do it well.”

Celestia felt her breath catch in her throat. She bit her lower lip and held that breath inside her as temptation tempered her decision making. The magic she used to stimulate Cadance’s wings disappeared, moving to the cabinet on the far side of the room. The doors swung open, and then the back of the cabinet opened again, allowing her to obtain the objects she needed.

A ring, large enough to slide halfway down the horn of a unicorn—or alicorn—floated alongside something resembling an inverted teardrop, easily the size of Celestia’s hoof, with a post attached to it, capped by a large, dark amethyst. Both the ring and the object were cast from a silver that glistened with a black hue. The ring floated up towards Cadance, stopping in front of her.

“This….” Celestia’s throat was too dry, causing her to swallow and start again. “This is something that I had made. The ring won’t harm you, it will just…just monitor how you feel and transfer it to the—”

“I understand,” Cadance interrupted. “Go ahead, you have my permission.”

Even as the ring settled down onto Cadance’s horn, Celestia closed her eyes so that she could concentrate. The large anal plug moved into position behind her, waiting there until Celestia felt she was ready. The magic on the metal lubricated it enough, she knew, but that wasn’t the cause for hesitation.

She let her body relax, as much as she could, at least, and then pressed the tip of it against her opening. Twisting it slightly as she pushed, she felt it spread her tailhole open and then slide inside. Only a little at first, but as she increased the magic on it, it found its way deeper down her rear passage. Then, after reaching a certain point, it almost seemed to be swallowed in a single second, stopping only when she closed around the metal shaft holding the amethyst outside, just below her tail.

The sensation almost overwhelmed her, and she dropped her head down between Cadance’s legs, putting her tongue to work. Her mouth exploded with flavor, sweet and pungent, with a unique quality all its own. And with every lick, she felt Cadance’s arousal course through her from behind. Small shocks pulsed through her anal passage, reaching all the way to her clitoral nerves—and the stronger the sensation hitting her, the more she wanted to please the mare in front of her.

A loop of stimulation grew, filling the room with the impassioned moans of both mares, growing continually until neither of them could contain it any longer. Celestia screamed first, muffling the sound of her release by burying her mouth into Cadance’s sex. The sudden action was all it took for Cadance to go over the edge as well, filling Celestia’s mouth with a torrent of juices. In her excitement, Celestia was unable to take them all in, and they ran down her mouth and pooled beneath the both of them in a slightly milky puddle of sex and saliva.

As Cadance’s orgasm began to subside, Celestia felt the stimulation that was powering her’s also start to fade, eventually coming to a full stop. Her body collapsed, spent and exhausted. She felt the moisture under her neck, as well as the spreading basin of her own ejaculate underneath her belly, but she truly didn’t care. None of that mattered right now. Not at this precise minute of her life. She just let herself be content.

“Are you okay?” Cadance’s voice was close, and Celestia opened her eyes to see the other mare had turned herself around. She simply smiled at her and nodded.

“You should probably go.” Celestia did her very best to sound normal, but there was so little strength in her words that she realized it likely came out very fragile. “I don’t want somepony to come in and catch us like this.”

It was Cadance’s turn to nod. “Okay, I’ll go, but if you need me, just send me a message. Through a guard or however you like, and I’ll be here for you.” Bending down, she placed a soft kiss on top of Celestia’s forehead. “And you were wonderful, by the way.”

“Thank you,” Celestia replied.

“Oh, and you’ll be wanting this back.” Carefully, Cadance levitated the ring off of her horn and moved it between them. “Where do you want me to put it?”

“Just here on the floor is fine,” Celestia nodded easily in front of herself.

Laying the ring down, Cadance stepped backwards and took a deep breath. “You might want to rest some, Auntie. You look like you need it.”

“I think that I will, actually,” Celestia half laughed. “Thank you—for everything.”

“You’re welcome. Now rest.” And with that, Cadance turned and walked to the door. She glanced back at Celestia as she reached the door, but said nothing else before she left the room. There was only one thing left for Celestia to do.

“Ugh!” The sound was as much from overstimulation as anything as Celestia’s magic once more gripped the plug and pulled it from her tailhole. Once free, she cast a simple sanitizing spell on it and brought it around to set it in front of her beside its ring counterpart.

She stared at the dark silver metal engraved with a series of interlocking crescent moons surrounding both the ring and the plug. A gift that she had yet to give her wife, to confirm her ownership of that part of her body. The recent change in the power structure of their relationship didn’t warrant that type of claim for Luna, but she had every intention of giving it to her eventually.

And she let another mare use it first.

The corners of Celstia’s mouth slowly moved down, and her pupils shrank to dots. “Oh no,” Celestia’s voice cracked. “What have I done?”

The sobs came in sharp stabs as she pulled both of the pieces of metal against her coat and surrounded her head with her wings, hiding herself from view.

* * * * * * * * * *

The flesh sloughed off of her leg, collapsing onto the floor in a small heap beside her hoof. Carefully, she moved it to the side, and looked to the leg opposite it, studying the intricacies of her own design. Her horn came to life, and a spell revealed where she needed to begin removing the seams holding the outer flesh sheathe to her own tattered body.

“One skin,” she mused aloud as her magic pulled a suture out slowly. An inky black liquid spilled out, spreading out and disappearing as it struck the ground. The skin sagged slightly, and she smiled. “How sad it must be to be trapped with only one skin. To be trapped.”

Her voice grated against itself. Every word fought its way out of her throat and past her lips, escaping for a brief freedom before dying in silence.

“None of them know what it is to live.” The sutures pulled free one by one, loosening the husk that hid her true form. “They cannot help their own shortcomings. They’ve had no one to show them any difference, have they?”

A glow barely more than the dying ember of a fire at midnight hardly illuminated the small space, leaving more shadow than light. Completely devoid of windows and only a single door, it seemed to be carved from stone. The walls were smooth, but only just, seeming more worn down than shaped that way.

“Thankfully, they have me. These ponies must be restored to the light. To the true path awaiting them.” The last bit of flesh from her leg came free, falling easily to the floor. Once again she moved it delicately away. A quick look up brought a smile—or what passed for one on her face—aimed at the others in the room. “And we are all fortunate that our new savior, Twilight Sparkle, chose to come to our world. We were beginning to think that we might not have an avenue to return our Empress. She is wise, though, and the Empress provided us with a way. The Empress is wise and giving.”

The sound that echoed from her could only be identified as a laugh, though by definition a laugh is meant to display emotion, whether it be joy and amusement to derision and nervousness. There was no feeling behind this noise, only a semblance of appearance.

Magic caressed over Eidolon’s chest, revealing a deep line that ran from the base of her neck to the space between her hind legs. As she began to unweave the binding, darkness fell out, spilling over her hooves and spreading out into nothing. Her eyes moved across the room, covering one by one those to whom she spoke. “We will guide them. Make them understand. And, if they cannot understand, then they may have no choice but to join us here. We will make room, won’t we?”

The last piece of suture slipped free, causing the entire shell covering the core of her body to slip free. A sigh gargled out of her as she stood revealed entirely in her own flesh once more. Hundreds of scars and stitches crossed her body, creating a lattice of mismatched flesh.

With her magic she gathered up all the pieces that were just removed and transferred them to rest with the armor and clothing she had previously taken off. Each piece—flesh and other—was put in place, carefully arranged beside each other.

Her head turned, accompanied by the sound of dry wood cracking as her revealed, barren flesh broke open fresh sores. The right side of her lip curled up in a half smile, showing a row of pristine teeth beneath it. Her magic summoned a thick, black bag to her, tied tightly with a heavy red cord. Three tugs in the proper order loosened the tie.

When she pulled open the bag, light spilled from the top of it, coating the room in a bright purple tint. The growling sound from her seemed out of place with the content looking expression showing in her mis-matched eyes.

A crystal levitated up, glowing brightly from the inside with a deep lavender magic, revealing everything in the room in detail.

“A gift from our Empress, as given through Twilight Sparkle.” Her breath rasped in short heavy spurts. “Alicorn magic.”

She looked across the way at her audience. Dozens of skins and faces, with empty holes where eyes once rested, the shells of ponies who once were. Each of them carefully arranged to stare back at her from their mount upon the wall. Each waiting for her to wear them as she needed.

All of her friends.

* * * * * * * * * *

Cadance sat down with an audible plop, accompanied by a very heavy sigh. There was a smile on her face, but whether it was contentment, relief, or genuine joy no pony could say—not even her.

Her hoof came up to gently rub against the right side of her muzzle, working its way up to her temple. Closing her eyes, she let the events of past twenty-four hours wash over her.

The difficult talk with Luna was rather unexpected, but likely a very good thing. The air needed to be cleared and the reason for her being here had to be known eventually.

And then there was the…well, what happened with Celestia. While she couldn’t actually say that she disliked what happened, she was concerned. For a wide variety of reasons, actually. She caught herself licking her lips, and stopped with a sharp intake of air.

“No, no. No, Cadance,” she said to herself, “you are not going there. You are a married mare, and that’s just…it’s going down the wrong path. You love both your aunts, and you are here to help them any way that you can.”

“I’m very glad to hear you say that.”

Cadance’s eyes popped open instantly and she spun her neck to face the speaker. She recognized her immediately, causing her heart rate to slow and her muscles to relax. With a smile growing on her face she stood back and up and turned to face the other mare directly.

“What are you doing here?” Cadance asked as she took a step towards her.

“I came here to see you. It’s time that you and I talk. We have work to do.” With a wide smile of her own, Fleur de Lis stared directly into Cadance’s eyes, where a tiny glint of light appeared.

…to be concluded.

Chapter 5

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Each hoof hit the floor with a solid step. She was hoping that it would somehow sound louder, though. As it was, she just created a very noticeable walk, and not the imposing stomp that she was hoping to convey.

Whatever the case, it worked. It brought the attention of the pony she was looking to find.

“‘Bout time you showed up,” Apple Bloom huffed, staring at the shadowy figure on the far end of the room. “Ah’ve been waitin’ here darn near an hour now. Ah was startin’ to think that you might not show.”

“Oh no, I cannot leave just yet.” Eidolon’s voice was deeper than Apple Bloom remembered, and it was echoing or something now. “This is my home, after all. Where else would I go?”

“Well, to be honest, Ah don’t give a two ticks on a toad where you go, so long as Ah get what you done promised.” Apple Bloom narrowed her eyes and took a big step towards the mare. “An Ah’ve done mah part, so give me back mah family.”

A chill ran through Apple Bloom, freezing her in place instantly. The laugh echoing through the room didn’t seem to originate from Eidolon, but rather came from everywhere at once—and it was unlike anything she had ever imagined.

“Slaves do not give orders, girl,” Eidolon’s voice growled.

“Slave? Ah ain’t your—”

“You will do everything that I tell you or I will bring your family to you one piece at a time.” She didn’t mean to, but Apple Bloom took a step backwards. Eidolon didn’t move, but it felt to Apple Bloom like she had shifted—that she was closer somehow.

“What…what happened to you?” Apple Bloom whispered. “What did you do to yourself?”

“Do?” The shadows in the room repositioned, spreading out and around, closing in towards Apple Bloom. “You say that as thought it is completed. No, it’s what I’m still doing.” Eidolon took a full step forward and smiled. Her teeth seemed to glow through the shadow. “And what I’m going to do.”

“But you said that you was—”

“You never met Empress Coldheart, did you?”

“Uh, no.” Apple Bloom took a small step backwards.

“There has never been, and never will be again, a creature as lovely—as magnificent—as she. And she is wise, so very, very wise. It was her wisdom that created me. She…she molded me,” Eidolon stepped forward, and the shadows of the room moved with her.

Apple Bloom stumbled backwards, her hooves falling over each other.

“But each lesson, each time she made and remade me, I grew stronger.” A glow grew in Eidolon’s eyes, and then began to leak out and fade to the sides. “And I learned. She showed me what it takes to be in control. And I will have her back with me. We will be together at last—forever.”

“To-together? Like…like a couple,” Apple Bloom scurried backwards.

“Oh no,” she growled, her voice beginning to fill the room completely. “We will be much, much closer than that.”

“Ah…Ah don’t…”

“And I need you to do one last thing for me,” Eidolon smiled, revealing two perfect rows of teeth, “before I am finished with you.”

* * * * * * * * * *

Darkness surrounded her. Whether by design or accident—or a convenient combination of the two—no light reached her at all. Which was exactly the way that she wanted it to be.

Luna sat perfectly still. If anypony had been able to see her, they may have mistaken her for a statue, or a misplaced shadow lingering well past its lifespan. No pony saw her, though. The only ponies who might be able to see her in such absolute darkness were the other princesses who inhabited the castle. A castle that she supposedly ruled.

Without turning her head, her eyes moved through the room, traveling slowly from point to point, item to item—and always returning to the same place. The same item that sat directly across from her. Resting high upon the final tier in a series of dais, with a gradually rising ramp covered in lush red carpet, it stood as a golden reminder of the status of Equestria.

The throne.

The high oval back was covered in a rich, lush, red velvet, framed in a gold leaf construct of heavy aspen. Atop the entire thing was an abstract icon of a star—or rather a sun—cast in solid gold. In the dark it was all just varying shades of grey. The shine was missing, but the message was not. Despite how long she stared at it, she could only see one thing: Celestia. This was not the throne of Equestria, it was Celestia’s throne.

A light appeared, piercing through the darkness as brightly as a beacon. Seemingly pouring from Luna’s eyes, the midnight blue energy glowed as it trailed away from her face and towards the ground, dissipating before hitting the floor.

As the dripping magic grew stronger, the light in the room grew with it, eventually casting the whole room in a dark shade of blue, and revealing Luna’s face. The magic streamed down her coat, flowing freely from her eyes.

With each tear that struck the ground her lips moved further back, twitching and wrinkling her nose until it formed a frown, which quickly grew into a scowl. Her fangs barely poked out from her lips, but the jagged teeth at the back of her mouth were on full display.

The first sign was a slight twitch of her wing. The outermost feathers moved, just slightly, but it only takes a tiny rock to start an avalanche.

A few feathers turned into a full ruffle, which then flared out away from her body. Luna’s shoulders rolled back and her neck twisted first left and then slightly right. Her chest swelled out, rising and falling with a slow, steady rhythm. Then her right forehoof lifted from the ground and dropped down, scraping at the floor of the room. The sound of her shoe on the floor echoed through the room, only to be replaced by the sound of flooring being dug up and dislodged with a sharp cracking sound.

The light in the room grew brighter when Luna’s horn finally came to life. Her summoned magic spread out in three separate beams, spiraling from her horn and circling the room, winding its way towards the single focus of Luna’s attention.

When the first strand of magic hit the throne it wobbled, teetering as the power entered into its structure. The second strand moved through the throne, turning it sharply and then lifting it into the air where it hovered over the dais. It was when the third fiber of Luna’s magic that the destruction began.

A sharp cracking sound helped to reveal the break that ran the length of the throne, which quickly grew as the throne split in two completely. The two halves of the chair began to spin, orbiting each other and moving faster and faster in mid air. Splinters began to trail behind each piece of the throne, creating a trail of debris that followed them like a tail. The fragments became a blur, details of them lost in the whirlwind they created.

And then, they exploded. Blossoming out in a blue plume of light and debris, the fragments filled the room and then slowly pulled back together into a solid ball hanging steady above the dais—and then dropped in a shower of splinters onto the platform that once held it.

Luna’s face relaxed into a smile and her eyes narrowed to near slits.

“Step one,” she growled.

* * * * * * * * * *

For the third time in less than a minute Twilight looked over her left shoulder. Each time she held on to the precious hope that the result would be different than the time before, and each time she was disappointed.

Trueblood wasn’t in her normal seat. In fact, the room sat empty. All of the audience that had been there before was missing, leaving the room still and quiet.

Without realizing it, Twilight began to rock back and forth in place. Her mane was a disheveled mess, but she didn’t care. Glancing at her notes, some part of her brain recognized the fact that they weren’t in the proper order, but all she did was stare at them.

When the judge spoke she finally looked up and away from them.

“Come to order.” Twilight shook her head and stared up at Judge Maven. She was reasonably sure that she was smiling.

The judge wasn’t smiling back. “Ms Sparkle, are you all right?”

“Hmm? Oh sure! Yep, I’m right as rain!” Twilight’s right eye twitched. “Yes, ma’am! Rain sure is right, and I’m just like the rain! Good old reliable rain!”

There was along second before the judge answered. “I…see.” Judge Maven looked to the prosecutor’s table and then back over at Twilight. “As you both can tell, I have kept the courtroom clear of all disturbances today, and I trust that you will both cooperate in maintaining the decorum of the court. I am specifically referring to you, Ms. Sparkle.”

“Y-yes, Your Honor,” Twilight squeaked.

“This does also reflect upon both of the prosecutors in the case, as well. The theatrics of yesterday were a direct result of your actions. While I appreciate what you were trying to accomplish, the manner and means that created it will not be repeated. Am I clear?”

“Yes, Your Honor,” Vesting Claus answered.

“Good, now that we can proceed without any undo interruptions, why don’t we—”

The door to the chamber slammed against the wall as it was thrust open. All eyes turned to the entrance, and Twilight found her heart suddenly caught up in the middle of her throat.

“Hi there,” Trueblood said calmly. “Sorry about that, but I could hear you on the other side of the door and it seemed like the perfect time to come in.” She looked over towards Twilight and winked, and suddenly Twilight felt herself exhale completely.

“Superintendent Trueblood!” Judge Maven banged her gavel against her desk. “I just finished explaining to both the defendant and the prosecutor that I will not tolerate any more disturbances! If you do not leave immediately I will have you thrown into a cell until the trial is complete!”

Waving a hoof, Trueblood shook her head casually as she stepped into the room. “No need, Your Honor. It would be a waste of time, anyway.”

“I beg your pardon?” The judge’s eyebrows went up.

“Well, unless I’m way off base regarding the law—which I admit is possible—trials like this one don’t allow outside tampering, do they?” Trueblood walked up towards the bench, casually passing by Twilight.

There was something different about Trueblood. Something Twilight hadn’t seen in a long time. Since they had first met, in fact. A swagger. The confidence that originally attracted her to the white mare.

“That’s a bold accusation, Superintendent,” Judge Maven leaned forward as she spoke. “You had best have evidence to support your claim.”

“Evidence! What an excellent subject to bring up,” Trueblood turned and smiled at Twilight once more, and a sharp gleam of light shone from her teeth. She turned back to the judge before she resumed speaking. “So, what evidence do we have against Twilight Sparkle? So far it’s just a collection of theories and hearsay. Nothing substantial, and certainly nothing that is strong enough to convict her of such a heinous crime. Which reminds me…”

Trotting up to the prosecutor’s table, Trueblood casually rested one of her hooves on it as she stared at the two attorneys. “How are you doing? Let me ask you, where did you find that little piece of hearsay that you entered yesterday? The one about Twilight trying to get closer to Coldheart and that’s why she became an alicorn. You remember that part, don’t you?”

“Of course I do,” Vesting Claus said.

“Great! Well, would you care to tell us where that information came from?” She glanced back at the judge. “It’s okay that I ask that, isn’t it?”

“The admission of evidence is challengeable, yes,” she answered.

“Great, thanks.” She turned back to the prosecutors. “So, where did you get that evidence?”

“My partner provided it,” Vesting Claus answered, glancing to her left.

The stallion looked over to his right with a twisted expression. “No, I didn’t. I thought that you presented it.”

“What do you mean? It was in our notes. I didn’t put it there, so you must have,” she turned to face him directly.

Frank Axiom sat back and brought his hoof to his chin. “I didn’t, though. You told me about it, in fact.”

“I didn’t. You told me about it,” she stated.

“One moment,” Judge Maven interrupted. “Are the two of you saying that you do not know where that information came from?”

“If I may, Your Honor.” Trueblood kept her eyes on the prosecution. “Can I see the document that you used? Your notes?”

Twilight watched the attorneys file through their notes, moving one after another until they settled on a single piece of paper. Even from where she sat she could see their expression change.

“That’s my writing,” Vesting Claus stated. “But…but that’s not possible. I didn’t write that.”

“Yes, you did,” Trueblood said plainly. She turned back and looked at Twilight as she moved away from the prosecution, the right corner of her mouth turned up, and then she turned her attention back to the judge. “Tell me, Your Honor, how much do you know about magic?”

“I’m not an expert if that is what you’re asking, but I do know the basics, Superintendent,” Judge Maven said.

“Well, let me explain something about magic, if I may.” Trueblood’s horn lit up and a small sphere of light appeared in front of her. “When you are casting magic, it is what we like to call ‘obvious,’ meaning that you can see the magic in effect, and in many ways it is trackable. The color of magic is linked to the caster. My magic is a golden color, and that is indicative of the glow around my horn, and the glow surrounding the small ball of light hovering in front of us.”

“This is fairly common knowledge, Superintendent,” Judge Maven commented.

“Bear with me, please.” The sphere of light faded. “Now, tell me, where is that spell? Can you see it? Can you tell that I had just cast it at all?”

The judge looked blankly.

“I get it.” Twilight’s voice was soft, but confident. “Oh wow, how did I miss that?”

A quick look to the side brought out another smile towards Twilight, and this time she smiled back.

“Would you care to explain it to me, Ms. Sparkle?” Judge Maven leaned back slowly.

Twilight trotted around her table, and moved over to stand beside Trueblood. “Magic is transparent after it is cast. Once the spell has occurred, there is no immediate trail back to the caster. It’s invisible. Here, let me show you.” A lavender glow surrounded her horn and one of her stacks of notes floated up past her and landed on the judge’s desk. “Okay, you watched me move those papers, right?”

“Yes,” she answered.

“But, at this point you can’t tell that I moved them with magic. I might just have easily carried them there and placed them on your bench,” Twilight explained. “But there is an obvious after effect. The papers are now on your desk.”

“Okay, this is interesting, but what’s the point?” Vesting Claus asked.

Twilight smiled. “You don’t remember writing that information down. The one about me becoming an alicorn.”

“No, I don’t,” she answered.

“Which means, in all likelihood, you didn’t write it,” Twilight stated. “Somepony else had you write it.”

“Ms. Sparkle,” the judge began, “are you suggesting that somepony controlled Ms. Claus’ mind?”

“Exactly,” Trueblood said with a beaming smile. “Somepony else gave them that information without them even realizing it.”

“But how did they get it?” Frank Axiom asked.

“Well, it’s safe to assume that if they were able to take over one mind to convey that information, they might be able to…” Twilight trailed off and looked at Trueblood. “They might be able to read the mind of somepony who had that sort of thing on their mind a lot to get it.”

“Meaning, Your Honor,” Trueblood took a deep breath, “they got the information from Twilight’s thoughts. They read her mind.”

“Is…is that even possible?” Vesting Claus asked.

“It is,” Twilight answered. “It’s a very dark form of magic. Something that ponies in my world avoid except under the most dire circumstances. Well, all of the good ponies, at least.”

A long silence hung in the courtroom.

“Twilight is innocent.”

The voice came from the side of the chamber. It was high pitched and carried a thick accent.

“Apple Bloom?” Twilight pulled back slightly.

“She’s right. Ah was helpin’ out to make sure the ponies comin’ in here were in a bad state. Everypony was supposed to hate Twilight.” Apple Bloom looked at Twilight and lowered her head. “And Ah was wrong fer doin’ it. Ah’m sorry.”

Judge Maven rose up and looked down at the young mare. “Are you telling me that you are responsible for all of this, Miss?”

“No.” Apple Bloom shook her head sharply. “No, Ah only did what Ah was told ta do.”

“Who told you to do it?” Twilight asked.

Apple Bloom swallowed visibly. “She calls herself Eidolon, an’ she sent me here to tell you that she’s gonna go free that trapped Empress lady—right now.”

* * * * * * * * * *

“Do you think this will work?”

Fleur looked over at Cadance, tilting her head slightly. “Are you worried about trying?”

Cadance rolled her eyes and laughed. “I’m not worried about trying, I just don’t want to possibly make things worse.”

“I won’t make any promises,” Fleur’s smile eased Cadance slightly, “but I’ve put a lot of thought into it. I don’t think that I’m wrong about this, especially not since talking to you.”

“Well, I do agree with you, and I must say that I’m impressed with your deductive skills.” Cadance casually looked around the hallway, seeing ponies moving about in their normal early morning routines.

Fleur kept her eyes forward, with a smooth, steady gait to her pace. “Thank you, I do try.”

They walked on in silence, with Fleur’s head forward while Cadance nodded at the ponies who smiled at the pair. A few hushed comments and the occasional giggle accompanied the two of them walking past, eliciting a repressed smirk from Cadance.

“I think that everypony is a little curious as to why we’re together this morning,” Cadance chuckled.

“They think that we slept together last night. I have that reputation.” The words came from Fleur with a light, casual ease.

“I…I beg your pardon?” Cadance blinked.

“It’s necessary for me to keep a rather flighty reputation. I can’t be seen as what I really am, so I do tend to sleep around a good bit. Think of it as a disguise.” She looked over at Cadance with a smile in her eyes. “You wouldn’t be the first pony in the castle, by the way. Or the first time between the two of us, actually.”

“But I’m trying to get rid of that reputation! I’m a married mare!” Cadance whispered loudly enough to be heard. “And besides, no pony knows about that first time, except me, you, and Twilight.”

“Sorry.” Fleur laughed.

“Shining Armor has already had to deal with me having, shall we say, lapses. If—and I’m going to say if—he hears about this, he’ll—”

“He’ll have you to tell him the truth,” Fleur interrupted. “Or do you not think that he trusts you?” She looked over at Cadance once more, letting her lip curl up. “Besides, would it really be that horrible to have happened?”

“I didn’t say that,” Cadance replied, and then immediately added to her statement. “Not that I thought about it! And don’t even reply to that! You just… Look, I’m supposed to be the one that flusters other ponies.”

“Oh, you do, trust me,” Fleur said softly.

Cadance looked over with one raised eyebrow. “What is that supposed to—”

Fleur’s right hoof crossed in front of Cadance, stopping her abruptly. Both ponies looked straight ahead at their intended destination. A half dozen guards stood shoulder-to-shoulder, blocking the doors to the throne room.

“That’s not normal,” Fleur stated.

“I would have to agree, which is why I’m going to go find out what exactly is going on.” Cadance moved past Fleur’s hoof, trotting up to the line of guards.

A curt nod from one the guards both acknowledged the Princess’ approach and suggested that she not come much further.

“Good morning,” Cadance began. “What’s going on here? We have come by to see Princess Luna.”

“I-I’m sorry, Princess, but Her Majesty, Princess Luna, has instructed that no pony is to disturb her. She gave no exceptions.” The guard’s voice faltered slightly as he spoke.

“What? Why did she do that?” Cadance asked.

“She didn’t say, Princess. I’m sorry,” the guard answered with a swallow.

“This is a matter of national security. You need to let us pass,” Cadance stated.

The guard’s mouth opened and moved without any sound. Then, after a quick glance to his right and to his left, he leaned in closely and whispered. “I don’t know what’s going on, Princess, but something has been happening in there. Lots of noise. Not good noise. I’m…I’m concerned.”

“Define not good noise,” Cadance spoke to the guard but stared at the door behind him.

The sharp sound of something breaking—possibly wood, but possibly stone—carried through the door, causing Cadance to pull back and bump into a stock-still Fleur de Lis.

“That kind of noise, Your Highness,” the guard mumbled.

Cadance glanced to Fleur and then looked back at the guards with no mirth in her eyes. “Why don’t we do it this way: I overpowered you, temporarily incapacitating you and the other guards, forcing my way past you into the room.” It was at this point that Cadance smiled. “Or we can actually carry that through, if you prefer.”

After blinking twice, the guard in front licked his lips and swallowed. He stepped to one side slowly. “Make room! Princess coming through!” He followed that statement with a light cough.

The gap gave the two mares clear passage to the door, but they stopped for a moment before entering. Cadance glanced over her shoulder. “You may want to move off, just to be safe.”

Without a word, they did just that. Cadance watched them, waiting patiently until they were just out of sight, and then she carefully opened the door to the throne room. She walked through the door, with Fleur only a half-step behind.

Cadance gasped.

The chamber was a capsule of destruction. Virtually none of the room stood whole, save the walls, floor, and ceiling themselves. All other things in the space were in various degrees of dismantling. A mix of wood, stone, cloth, and other things intermingled to create a battlefield inside a single room.

“What in Celestia’s name?” Fleur whispered.

A massive piece of stone rose into the air, hovering five meters above the floor in a deep midnight field of magic. A brilliant flash of white sparked at its core, and the piece exploded, scattering shards of stone to all four walls. Both Fleur and Cadance were able to erect a shield at the last moment, preventing any of the dangerous debris from reaching them.

“Celestia isn’t here.” The voice was deep and thick, carrying something dark beneath it. A shadowy form of a pony rose up, slowly climbing over the mountain of remains in the center of the room.

Cadance felt her pulse quicken and her breath slow. “A-Auntie Luna?”

“I thought I told the guards that I wanted to be alone. Do I have to make my orders more clear next time?” Slowly, Luna began to descend the gathered pile. A pale teal glow shone in the back of her eyes.

“No. No, I made them let me in. They didn’t have a choice,” Cadance answered. “You know they couldn’t stop me.”

“True.” Luna reached the floor and walked directly towards the two mares.

“Your Majesty, what are you doing? What have you done?” Fleur raised her head up and narrowed her eyes.

“This?” Luna motioned behind her with her head. “I’m just…purging.” She looked at Cadance. “You understand, don’t you? It’s not a good idea to let negative things build up inside your soul.”

“I…do.” Cadance took a step forward, positioning herself between Fleur and Luna.

There was only a short distance left, and Luna covered it quickly, stopping when she stood in front of her niece. Then she smiled, bent her neck down, and hugged the princess warmly.

“What are you doing here, Cadance? Is something wrong?” Luna asked.

Cadance’s eyes popped, turning into pools of white with tiny spots of color in the center.

“What…I…you…” Her head twisted quickly, moving around to stare at the destruction around her. “Auntie Luna, what are YOU doing here?!”

“I told you, I’m venting. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, and I decided to make a few changes around the castle.” She looked to the side with a smirk. “Starting with the throne room.”

“Are you…?” Cadance pulled back.

Luna raised an eyebrow. “Have I gone over the edge? Returned to my, shall we say, darker ways?” She shook her head. “No. No, this is a step to hopefully prevent that sort of behavior—plus a little more.”

“Is it working?” Cadance asked.

“Well, I have yet to decide to level Canterlot and declare myself Queen of Equestria, if that’s what you’re asking,” Luna chuckled. “Besides, I haven’t had much luck with that approach in the past.”

“Good. That’s…good,” Cadance nodded. “Auntie, if you need to talk, I’m always here. You do know that, right?”

“Or course I do.” Luna smiled. “But sometimes I want to do things to help myself. My way.”

“We want to help in our way,” Fleur stated as she stepped up to stand beside Cadance. “We’ve been talking.”

“Have you now?” Luna scowled at Fleur. “And what has the pony with the very long nose been putting it in this time?”

“Luna, Fleur is only wanting to help,” Cadance said in a soothing voice. “She and I did have a long talk, for most of the night, actually. We’ve come to the same conclusion, and we think that we might be able to help.”

She paused, staring at the two mares, and then Luna took a full step backwards and sat down slowly. She smiled. “Please, do explain.”

* * * * * * * * * *

“How did she even get there?”

Twilight stood beside Trueblood, Apple Bloom, and a gathering of guards, voicing the question that was on all of their minds. From their current position at the edge of the wall, they could only see a faint outline of a pony in the midst of a swirling shadow inside a darkness that had engulfed the entirety of the courtyard holding Coldheart and the heart of ice.

“No pony knows,” Trueblood answered. “Every attempt to get close to her has been less than successful.”

“Has anypony been hurt?” Twilight looked over at her marefriend with concern.

“Yes, but thankfully nopony has been killed. Whatever that shadow stuff is, it’s nasty,” Trueblood stated.

Twilight looked back over towards the mare. “It’s dark magic, and a lot of it. Whoever is inside there, she’s messing with some nasty stuff.”

“Miss Twilight,” Apple Bloom stepped up a little closer, “you just gotta go in there. She says that she’s got mah family. Please, ma’am?”

“Don’t worry, Apple Bloom.” Twilight smiled at her. “Applejack is a dear friend of mine back home, so this is kinda personal to me, too.”

“Maybe, but I don’t want you going in there alone,” Trueblood stated, putting her hoof on Twilight’s withers.

“I don’t think we have a choice. If it’s only me that she wants in there, then any other pony is going to get hurt.” Twilight shook her head. “I won’t let that happen.”

Twilight and Trueblood looked at each other and let the seconds pass between them. The moment collapsed as the space between them closed, ending with Trueblood’s lips pressed against Twilight’s. Neither of them thought that the kiss lasted nearly long enough.

“For luck,” Trueblood whispered.

Without another word, Twilight stepped into the maelstrom of darkness.

Immediately her senses were disoriented, lost in the constant motion around her. A reflexive bubble of protection went up around her, creating an oasis in the chaos, and giving her a clear view once more of the mare she was after. One hoof followed the other, moving towards her goal.

And then there was calm. The eye of the chaos opened up, leaving a hole in the shadows, and bringing her face to face with the creator of the darkness. They stood there, staring at each other, and Twilight felt herself cringe despite her own efforts. The mare was a patchwork quilt of flesh, sewn together in the most crude and obvious manner—while wearing a perfect smile.

“Who are you?” Twilight asked. “What do you want?”

Eidolon’s head twisted, falling off to the right as the rest of her stood still. “You, Twilight Sparkle. We need…you.”

The voice was rough and grating, with no firm foundation. A deep, dark echo of the words surrounded Twilight, playing back onto her ears.

It was frighteningly familiar.

“Sombra.” The name froze in her throat.

The other mare straightened up and stared at Twilight. Her eyes closed as she focused in on her. “How do you know that name?” And then her eyes opened wide. “We’ve met. On your world, we’ve met.”

“No. No, not like you,” Twilight said.

“Noooo?” Eidolon moved her head, lolling to the left before pulling it back up straight. “No. It doesn’t matter, does it? Only now matters.”

“Yes. Right now. We…we can help you. Help you now. Today. It’s not too late.” Twilight looked at the mare’s body. “We can…fix you.”

“Fix me? I am not broken,” a chilling laugh cut deep into Twilight, “though you shall soon make me whole.”

“What are you talking about?” Twilight asked, stepping slowly to her right. Eidolon turned with her.

“Alicorrrrnnnn.” The word slurred and dragged from Eidolon’s throat. “I need alicorn maaaagggic.”

A dark glow formed at the corners of Eidolon’s eyes and began to bubble and churn.

“Why? What is this about? What do you want with me?” Twilight continued to move slowly, sliding around to reposition herself.

“The hearrrrt. I cannot penetrate the heart. I need alicorn magic,” she growled.

“And you think that I’m going to help you?” Twilight replied.

“Not your help,” Eidolon smiled, showing her perfect teeth. “Only your maaagic.”

“Sorry,” Twilight narrowed her eyes, “but I’m still using it.” She gestured over her shoulder. “Why would you want that monster back?”

The laughter pierced the space and tore a gasp from Twilight’s mouth.

“She loved me,” Eidolon said. “Loved me enough to show me my true self. How can I not help her? Give myself to herrrrr?”

“G-give yourself? What do you mean?” Twilight stopped moving, standing directly between Eidolon and the heart of ice.

“Let me showwww youuuu.” A long crystal appeared in front of Eidolon, glowing with lavender magic. A twisting ray of black power wormed out of Eidolon’s horn and struck the crystal, changing the dark magic into a concentrated line of indigo that pierced the protective bubble around Twilight and plunged into her body.

Twilight screamed. She felt something tearing through her body, arcing through each bone and sinew, before passing through her. Images—faces—filled her mind. A cavalcade of identities and thoughts not her own danced delicately through her memories, leaving behind a breadcrumb trail of history. Her entire body trembled, spasming and convulsing, as she felt the magic rebound, moving through her in the opposite direction. Dimly, she was able to see Eidolon as the magic hit her. It coursed over her body, penetrating into every seam and stitch, lifting her from the ground as she began to absorb the power.

“No.” Twilight’s voice was weak, barely more than a whisper. Inside, she felt herself harden, her own magic welling up and turning into a shape. A point. A disk. A shield. A spear. “NOOOOOO!”

Lavender power spread out from her in a wave, passing into and through Eidolon, and shattering the darkness that surrounded them both. Light flooded down onto her as the cloud of darkness was destroyed, and Twilight faintly heard the sound of a scream, and realized that it wasn’t her own.

As she fell to the ground, Twilight saw a cloud of darkness twist and turn through the air as it raced away from the courtyard. The sound of hoofbeats came next, and before she could react she heard a voice beside her.

“Twilight? Twilight, speak to me.”

She recognized Trueblood’s voice and felt herself relax.

“What happened? We heard a scream, saw lightning, and then an explosion followed by another scream, but we couldn’t see any details. Are you all right?” Trueblood’s words raced, and she felt the delicate touch of her marefriend on her coat.

“We…we have to hurry,” Twilight muttered as she stood up. Her knees nearly buckled beneath her.

“Hurry? Why?” Trueblood asked.

“She…she wasn’t trying to free Coldheart.” Twilight shook her head, clearing the last of the cobwebs. “I saw her plan. I saw everything.” She looked at Trueblood. “She was trying to give it a new body. Her own body. She was taking the power for herself. Trying to become the one pony she always wanted to be. The pony who did this to her. She wanted to change herself into Empress Coldheart.”

“That…doesn’t sound good,” Trueblood stepped back.

“We have to find her.” Twilight swallowed and took a deep breath. “We have to see how much power she absorbed.” Her wings spread out and her neck pulled back as a breeze caught her mane and blew it out around her neck. “Fortunately, she left me with enough memories that I know where she would run to. I know where she is.” Twilight turned and looked at Apple Bloom, who stood a solid meter away. “I know where everypony is.”

* * * * * * * * * *

She stood at the door, hesitating. Somewhere in the back of her head, she heard herself chiding her own indecision. A part of her argued that she was being patient, but that was quickly shot down by the centuries of experience that knew exactly what patience truly meant.

Her hoof raised up, ready to knock on the door, but she held it still. Slowly, it went back to the floor and rested. She closed her eyes and tried to stare at the image in her mind. The possibilities that might be waiting for her—both good and bad.

When Celestia finally reopened her eyes, it was accompanied by a deep breath. Magic surrounded her golden horn, and the door swung open silently. After she stepped inside, Celestia quietly closed the door behind her.

“Luna?” she said softly. “I’m…I’m sorry if I am intruding. Are you here?” She walked into the room a little further. “Luna?”

“What do you want?” Celestia froze at the tone of Luna’s voice.

“I…I just wanted to see if you were all right. I was just worried about you.” Her hooves obeyed her once again, and Celestia moved further into Luna’s private chamber. She looked around at the deep colors on the walls—the blues and violets—and felt herself smile. All of the things that she remembered being in this room were still there. Still in place. “Luna? Where are you?”

“What do you want, Celestia?” Luna’s voice asked once more.

“I want to see you. Is that asking too much?” Celestia stopped and looked around the room, focusing in on the bed. It lay neat and clean, and apparently undisturbed. “Luna? Where are you?”

“I’m here.”

“I was afraid you had gone,” Celestia said softly.

“Where would I go? To our old castle? I’m trapped here…with you.”

Celestia’s body slowly rose up, seemingly growing larger as every heartbeat passed. Her wings flared out from her body and the color of her mane became darker. In the area immediately around her, the temperature of the room raised noticeably.

“Come out.” Her voice was like boiling metal. “Chrysalis, I will give you this one opportunity to come out under your own power, or so help me….”

A figure moved from the shadows of the room, stepping into the growing light emanating from Celestia. Chrysalis’ face hovered somewhere between amusement and disappointment. “Oh, you will tell me where I went wrong, won’t you? I thought I copied her voice perfectly.”

“How dare you,” Celestia growled. “How dare you impersonate my wife! And then you go so far as to invade her private quarters? We made it clear that you are specifically NEVER to take the form of any member of the royal family!”

“But I didn’t!” Chrysalis pulled back, holding a hoof to her chest. “I looked like myself the entire time. I simply was practicing my vocal skills.” She turned her head to one side. “Now, was it something I said? Or was it how I said it? And please, be detailed, I can only get better if somepony gives me an honest critique.”

Celestia’s head moved closer to the ground and she angled her horn towards the changeling. Bright, glowing eyes stared out under narrowed lids. “You are very lucky that I place honor so highly, Chrysalis. Otherwise, I would…”

“What?!” Chryaslis’ wings buzzed and she turned herself in the air, coming to face directly towards Celestia. “What would you do, Princess? What is it that you think you could do to me?”

One corner of Celestia’s mouth curled up. “Well, if we want to speak hypothetically….” She raised her head back up. “No. No, you won’t get me to go down that path, Chrysalis. I won’t sink to your level.”

Step after step, Chrysalis moved towards the other mare until they stood as close as possible without touching. “You aren’t on my level, Celestia. You come close, but we both know that I’ve beaten you before.” She leaned in until the edge of her twisted horn brushed against the metal of Celestia’s spiral. “Or is that what you want? Do you like it when I beat you?”

The explosion of light sent Chrysalis stumbling backwards and shielding her eyes. When the brilliance dimmed slightly, she saw Celestia hovering in the air, her wings beating in a steady motion while her entire body radiated power.

“HOW DARE YOU!” Celestia’s voice filled the room. Her eyes were a solid field of white. “I have put up with your childish actions long enough!”

Chrysalis turned, her eyes glowing with green power as she faced the radiant sun goddess. “Fine. I’ll stop if you will.” She took a half step forward. “Let us deal with the matter as mares, shall we?”

“Matter? What matter?” Celestia hovered in the air. “The matter that you have been trying to STEAL MY WIFE?!”

“I can’t steal what’s being given to me!” Chrysalis shouted. “If you cannot hold onto your own possessions, it is certainly not my fault!”

A pulse of shadow shot through the room.

“ENOUGH!” Both mares turned to see the dark figure filling the corner. Luna stepped out towards them with her ears laid flat and her mane flowing wildly. “This endless bickering will cease NOW!”

As her hooves touched to the ground once more, Celestia spoke softly, “Luna, I—”

“Silence!” Celestia pulled back from the sound of Luna’s voice. Moving from Celestia to Chrysalis, her intensity did not diminish. “Neither of you will speak. You will both listen!”

Taking a deep breath and pulling back, Celestia waited. Chrysalis raised her head up, and her eyebrow even higher.

“I am not a prize,” Luna stated, staring at both of them. “I am not something the two of you get to fight over to decide who has the right to claim me. Neither of you possess me or own me. If you want to hate each other, then by all the stars in the sky do so, but do not bring me into this matter.”

Luna raised her head high and stepped towards the pair. “Neither of you decide anything for me. I am my own mare, and not yours. Is there anything I need to do to make that point more clear to either of you?”

Celestia’s eyes dropped and she slowly shook her head. When Luna turned to Chrysalis, she saw the changeling’s tongue finishing its journey across her lips before disappearing into her mouth once more. Luna came to a stop between them, standing equally apart from either.

“Now, if you would, sister, please teleport all of us to the throne room. There is another matter I wish to discuss.” Luna looked to her wife, and Celestia thought for a moment that she saw a smile in Luna’s eyes.

“Of course,” Celestia answered. A brilliant flash of gold filled the room, accompanied by a soft implosion of air, and the trio found themselves in a different setting.

What remained of the throne room.

“Luna, what have you done?” Celestia gasped as she took in the surroundings. Only destruction stood in the place where she spent so many centuries on the throne. A wrecked memory of what once was.

“I decided to redecorate,” Luna laughed.

“I like it,” Chrysalis stated.

“This is no laughing matter!” Celestia turned to her sister. “Luna, why have you done this? This is madness!”

Her laugh only grew louder. “No, Tia, this is not madness. Madness is thinking that three massively powerful beings could live under one roof while fighting over a single chair.” She shook her head. “No, this is sanity.”

Luna walked ahead and then turned back to her companions. “Oh, and I have also abolished both the Day Court and the Night Court, effective immediately.”

Celestia blinked. “Explain yourself.” Her voice was soft in tone, but harder than stone in resolve.

“Starting next week—I’ve given our counsel that long to arrange things—there will be only one court, running from noon until midnight.” She looked from Celestia to Chrysalis. “One court where we will oversee things—together.” Turning her back, Luna began to climb the mound of rubbled where the throne had directly sat. “And the single throne that rested here will be replaced,” she glanced over her shoulder, “by three thrones sitting side-by-side. Where the princesses of Equestria will sit in unity.”

Her mouth hung open for a moment before Celestia spoke while a smile gradually began to play around her lips. “And you didn’t feel it appropriate to discuss this matter among us before acting?”

“Why? I rule Equestria. I decide what is best for it, and this was my decision.” Luna raised an eyebrow. “Do you disapprove?”

A slow easy shake of her head emphasized her words. “No. Not at all. I find it a lovely and graceful decision—as I would have expected from you.”

Luna bowed her head towards her sister and then turned her attention to Chrysalis. The changeling simply stared back up at her.

“Nothing to say, Princess Chrysalis?” Luna asked.

“Would it matter if I did?” she droned. “Though I will say that the thought of having to constantly argue in front of our subjects is a little…curious.”

“We won’t,” Luna answered. “When we are on the thrones we will act like princesses. Behind closed doors matters may be different—as I said, if you two want to hate each other, do not let me stand in your way—but when we are seated, we will show the respect and decorum that is expected of our place and our position. Is that clear?”

“Well, I think Celestia—”

“That was not a matter of debate, Chrysalis!” Luna snapped short, cutting off the other mare. “It is how things will be. I still hold the central throne until it is decided otherwise.”

Chrysalis’ hum echoed of approval. “And how do we decide otherwise?”

“I believe that a consensus is easy to count in a group of three, Chrysalis,” Celestia stated.

“Then when shall we have our first vote? I have many ideas that I think would be lovely to consider.” The easy growl behind her voice was far from threatening.

“Not today,” Luna answered quickly. “Tomorrow we will begin discussing the details of the new throne room, but other than that, there are no official duties to be performed at the moment.”

“Oh, I wasn’t thinking of anything along those lines, Luna.” Chrysalis stepped forward as Luna once more reached the floor of the room—and watched as the dark alicorn passed her by.

“I’m sure you weren’t,” Luna said plainly. “However, at this time I have other matters that must be attended to.” She stopped in front of her sister. “Princess Celestia, will you accompany me to our chambers?”

Celestia stared into Luna’s eyes, searching them. All she found was a dark reflection staring back at her. “Of course, Luna. I would be delighted.”

Stepping past her sister, Celestia paced towards the doors, with Luna falling in immediately behind her.

“So, the two of you just simply intend to waltz out of here and leave me in this broken room all by myself? How rude,” Chrysalis commented with more than a slight tinge to her voice.

Luna slowed down, but did not stop. She glanced over her shoulder, not fully looking at Chrysalis. “We are not waltzing, Chrysalis. My sister and I are simply walking. At least for now.” She turned back to look ahead of herself as she continued. “Besides, I never said that I was leaving you alone, either.”

The doors shut behind Luna and Celestia, clicking closed with a distinct sound. Raising a single eyebrow, Chrysalis slowly turned around to see what—or who—was in the room with her.

Cadance and Fleur stood together, smiling at her warmly. It was Cadance who spoke.

“Hello, Chrysalis. I do hope you were expecting to see me.”

* * * * * * * * * *

“Why this place?” Trueblood asked. “I’ve seen this place a hundred times. It’s nothing.”

The wall stretched up above them by ten times their height, but was only barely able to stand two ponies shoulder to shoulder. It lay in the deepest bowels of the castle, among the cages and cells that housed dozens of ponies in their day. Each lay empty now, but the aura of fear and pain still lingered. An easily overlooked alcove.

“It’s a door. Well, of sorts.” Twilight answered. Her magic ran over the stone, searching for some identifying mark.

“A door? I don’t think so, Sparky,” Trueblood stated. “This is a wall.”

Twilight looked at her and smiled. “Which is what makes it sort of a door. It’s very well hidden.”

“Okay, well, if it’s a door, how do we open it?” Trueblood asked.

“We…don’t.” Twilight took a step back, and in doing caused Trueblood to step with her. “We don’t open it, we just go through it.”

“Well, that’s a difficult thing to do, usually,” Trueblood turned her head slightly.

“We both can teleport,” Twilight said. “And she can, too. Sombra moves through the castle in the passages that are behind this wall. We just have to take that leap.”

Both of Trueblood’s eyes doubled in size. “You want us to blindly teleport into a wall?”

“Not a wall. A passage. A space between walls. They lace all through the castle.” She looked over at Trueblood. “I’ve seen them before. My Canterlot Castle has them, too. I just never thought about them being here.”

“Okay, well…” Trueblood smacked her lips. “This is going to be an interesting trip.”

“You don’t have to go. I can do this alone. It might be better if you stay, actually,” Twilight suggested.

“And leave you with no back up? Nuh-uh. That’s not happening,” Trueblood said with a shake of her head. “Where you go, I go.”

“Ah wanna go, too!” They both turned to look at the younger mare staring at them with a pleading expression.

“I’m sorry, Apple Bloom,” Twilight said with a sigh, “but you can’t. We’re barely going to be able to get ourselves in there safely. I can’t teleport with you and stay safe. It’s going to be dangerous as it is.”

“Ah don’t care about mah safety! Ah gotta get in there and find mah family!” Apple Bloom stomped a hoof defiantly.

“Well, I do care about your safety! Applejack would kill me if she found out I took you in there.” Twilight reached out and placed a hoof on Apple Bloom’s shoulder. “I’ll bring them back. I promise.”

Apple Bloom stared into Twilight’s eyes, measuring what she could. “Ah’m holding you ta that.”

Twilight simply nodded in reply. Turning to look at Trueblood, Twilight took a deep breath. “You ready?”

“So, just straight through? How far?” Trueblood asked.

“Three meters?”

There was a pause. “You said that like a question, you know.”

“Just being honest.” Twilight nodded. “Let’s do this. We don’t have time to wait.”

Trueblood gestured wide with her hoof. “After you.”

A purple implosion began the trip, and then concluded it with the arrival of Twilight Sparkle in the middle of a hallway slightly wider than she expected. Her head turned around, taking in her surroundings as quickly as possible, and then stopped when an implosion of gold appeared barely out of reach.

“You made it,” Twilight said.

Trueblood let out a sharp breath. “Right next to you.”

“Let’s go.” Twilight didn’t wait for a reply, but broke into a light gallop and headed down the passage. She could hear Trueblood’s hooves echoing off the walls behind her as she turned and moved through the narrow maze. The image of the halls was still fresh enough in her mind that she never hesitated, working her way on until she saw her destination.

Without breaking stride she hit the door, pushing open the heavy wood and moving directly through, stopping only at the image of dozens of ponies staring back at her from a wall. Twilight moved slightly as Trueblood ran into her and then slipped to one side.

“Oh no,” Trueblood gasped. “It’s just like Fantasia’s wall.”

“I think that’s where she got the idea,” Twilight replied.

“Friennnnndssss.”

Both mares turned as one to look towards the voice. She stepped from the darkness of the corner, slipping free from it and into the dim light cast by the combined horns of Twilight and Trueblood.

“Sure, we’ll be friends. Just surrender and we’ll be great friends.” There was more than a slight hint of uncertainty in Trueblood’s voice as she spoke.

“I don’t think she was talking about us,” Twilight explained as she stepped forward. “Surrender, Sombra. It’s over.”

“Sommmmbra?” Her voice droned long, snarling through every word. “Yesssss. Yessss, that is it. I am of his line.”

She stepped completely from the shadows. The flesh that had once been a crudely stitched patchwork was now whole, though heavily scarred. Deep grey flesh and a rich black mane were offset by the dark magic surrounding her eyes and horn—and her horn was another matter entirely. Shards of purple crystal were embedded in the long spiral on her forehead, pulsing and growing slightly darker each time.

“My ancesssstor was king. King of the Crysssstalll Emmmmpirrre. Coldheart took his head, and put it on her wall. There were ponies—cryssstal poniesss—who wanted me to be their queeeen.” She shook her head. “My Empressss did not like thissss. She took me. Brought me to her cassstlllle. Made me…better.”

“I know,” Twilight said. “She…she did horrible things to you. It’s not too late, though! We can save you!”

“Save me?” A rough laugh shot rumbled through the room. “I do not neeeed to be saved. I have begun my journey to perfectionnnnnn. I have taken in a portion of the Empresssss.” Her head raised up and a large pair of fangs shone in the dim light. “I am now Queeeeen, as I was meant to be. Queeeen Sommmbra. I will go hommmmme and rule. My cryssssstal poniesss. My cryssstal slavessss.”

“I can’t let you do that. I’ll do what I have to do, but I don’t want to hurt you,” Twilight said as she took a half step towards the dark mare. “Don’t do this. Please, let us help you.”

“You caaaan help me,” Sombra growled. “You can give me powwwerrrr.”

Bubbling black magic rolled out of Sombra, lancing across the room towards Twilight—and missing its intended target. Twilight stood still, staring at Trueblood who suddenly appeared between herself and Sombra. Time slowed to a crawl, and Twilight swore she could see every detail of the dark magic ripping into Trueblood’s flesh, burrowing deep into her being. The scream that welled up sounded like a dim echo to Twilight, as though it was something happening to somepony far away. Twilight’s own scream was just as faint to her, even as she unleashed a powerful ray of energy that shot past her marefriend towards her tormentor.

Sombra recoiled, roaring as the bright beam of purple magic washed over her body. From the corner of her eye, Twilight saw Trueblood collapse, which only strengthened her action. A wellspring of power that she had never known before came up, and the beam of power took on a briliant white around the edges.

Twilight could see Sombra’s form, fighting against her onslaught. Dark magic slipped over Sombra’s skin, coating her in a shell of energy. And then the first edge of Sombra’s form faded, losing itself in the shadowy magic around her.

The beam from Twilight’s horn stopped, and in the sudden silence that followed the only audible sound was the heavy breath of Twilight panting through clenched teeth. She stared at the figure of Sombra, lying prone against the floor. Half of her body seemed to be in a shadow that rolled and coiled around her form, but she lay unmoving. The horn on her forehead was different now, encased completely in purple crystal, and bent in a slight backwards curve.

A faint groan brought Twilight back and she looked down at Trueblood. The white unicorm’s chest rose and fell, softly but distinctly.

“Tru!” Twilight dropped down, her hooves quickly picking up the other mare’s head. “Tru, are you okay?”

“Ouch,” Trueblood replied weakly.

“Why did you do that?” Twilight’s eyes were still scanning over her marefriend, checking for obvious injuries.

“What? Y-you’re my mare. I wasn’t gonna let her…do anything to you.” She smiled up at Twilight. “Besides, Sparky, you’d have done the same for me.”

“Hrrrnnnnnn.”

The gurgling growl caught Twilight’s attention immediately, and she looked up to see Sombra stirring. Her head was raising up and the early trickle of dark magic played around the shadowy mare’s horn and eyes.

Twilight’s lips pulled back, showing tightly clenched teeth. Her eyes glazed over white and her mane began to flow around her head as though blown by an unseen wind. The words that came from Twilight sounded an octave too low for her voice.

“Go. Away.”

The flare of lavender magic filled every corner of the chamber. When it finally faded, the only ponies in the room were Twilight and Trueblood. The only sign of anypony else was a faint, pony-shaped outline barely visible on the far wall.

Falling back down, Twilight covered Trueblood, wrapping her arms and wings around the mare gently.

“I’m so sorry,” Twilight wept. “I’m so, so sorry.”

* * * * * * * * * *

“Well, well, well,” Chrysalis purred. “How delightful to find the two of you together.” She licked her lips. “Please tell me this is a social visit.”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” Cadance answered. “Though really, isn’t that what your best at, after all?”

“I beg your pardon?” The translucent wings on Chrysalis’ back buzzed slightly.

“Flattering yourself.” Taking a few steps forward, Cadance grew closer to Chrysalis, though the angle of her walk kept her at more than a hoof’s reach away. “Ever since I can remember you’ve gone on about how good you are at this and how wonderfully you can do that.” She shrugged. “Frankly, I don’t see it.”

The smell of ozone lightly filled the air as a spark ran across Chrysalis’ horn. “Well, perhaps I should show you, then, as a reminder. Or maybe I should pay another visit to Shining Armor. Has he been asking about me again?”

There was a long pause, with a multitude of answers visibly crossing Cadance’s face, until finally she took a deep breath and smiled. “Believe it or not, I’m not here to argue with you, Chrysalis. I’m actually here to help.”

“I already suggested a way to help, but you seem opposed to it.” Her voice kept a primal hint beneath it.

“Fleur, would you step in here? I’m afraid that Chrysalis is not really ready to listen to me,” Cadance said without looking towards the unicorn mare.

“Oh, no worries there,” Chrysalis leaned towards Cadance, “Fleur has already given in to my charms.”

“Actually, that was just work,” Fleur answered dryly. With an exaggerated slowness, Chrysalis turned to look at her. “No offense. You are pretty good, but I wasn’t there for that.”

“Odd. It certainly seemed otherwise.” Turning her body so that she faced her directly, Chrysalis stared at Fleur as her eyes turned to slits.

“That was the idea. I wasn’t expecting you back in your room so quickly. When you tripped the alarm I had set up outside, I had to act quickly.” She shrugged. “So I crawled into your bed and let you think that I wanted to be there.”

The right side of Chrysalis’ mouth began to twitch, and slowly roll up into a snarl. She glanced over to Cadance, and then turned her attention back to Fleur and took a pair of steps towards the mare. “Not that long ago, that would have been enough for me to tear every ounce of emotion from you and then shred your body apart to be eaten by stray animals.” She smiled. “But…I’m a princess now.”

“Okay, that’s not helping.” Cadance quickly trotted over to stand beside Fleur once again. “Let’s start this over, shall we?” She took a deep breath. “Chrysalis, we’re here to give you a proposal.”

Chrysalis opened her mouth, but never got a word out.

“And before you turn that into another sexual innuendo,” Cadance interrupted, “what I mean is that, after she and I had a long discussion, and then spoke with Princess Luna about it, we’ve come to a decision.” Cadance looked over to Fleur and then back at Chrysalis. “We’re going to help you hunt down the hive.”

“I beg your pardon?” Chrysalis’ eyes blinked and then opened rather wide.

“Originally I was working with Princess Celestia, monitoring your actions here in the castle,” Fleur explained. “Then, after she took her leave of absence, I was working with Princess Luna. She, however, wasn’t quite as sure how to use my abilities, so I ventured off on my own accord, following the original edict put in place by Princess Celestia.” Fleur smiled. “I was spying on you.”

“You were giving me information, as well,” Chrysalis turned her head slightly askew, “or was that nothing but lies?”

“Oh no, all of that was true,” Fleur said, “I just didn’t tell you everything.”

“The point is,” Cadance jumped back in, “Celestia was worried about your temper and your loyalty coming into play when it came to the idea of hunting down this new hive of changelings. She was afraid—with good cause, I believe—that you might forego your duties to Equestria to pursue this as a personal matter.”

Chrysalis’ head rolled slight to her right and she closed her eyes for a brief second. “Fair enough. I can understand her being afraid of me.”

“Right,” Cadance took a deep breath. “In any case, after my research and Fleur’s investigation, we both believe that you…aren’t.”

“Aren’t what?” Chrysalis asked.

“You aren’t going to give up on Equestria. That you aren’t going to betray us.” Cadance nodded. “So, we are going to help you.”

The light chuckle that came from Chrysalis was far from amusing. “If you honestly believe that I do not take the arrival of this new hive as a personal affront, than I’m afraid you have seriously misjudged me.”

“Oh no, we know it’s personal. That doesn’t change things, though.” Cadance shifted slightly closer to Fleur. “In fact, it being personal even resonates with our cause. We both believe that you are placing the new safety and well-being of your hive above personal vengeance.” She turned her head. “Or are we wrong about that?”

Chrysalis stared at them silently. Her head raised up and her tail flicked behind her, the thin, wispy nature of it appearing as though it had suddenly caught a solid breeze.

“Why the two of you?” Chrysalis asked. “Why are you the ones helping me?”

“Oh, that’s easy,” Fleur said. “I’m going to be assisting you because it’s my job. And I have some friends who will be able to help us, as well. I’ll look into having them meet with you.”

“I can’t wait.” Chrysalis licked her lips and turned to look at Cadance expectantly.

“Me? Well, as a Princess of the Crystal Empire, I’m not in direct competition with you here in Canterlot. So, I can be politically unbiased in my approach to how and when I can help you out. You and Celestia have an obvious issue with each other, and you and Luna have a very different sort of issue, so I’m the natural choice.” She shrugged slightly. “Plus there is that one other thing.”

“What other thing?” Chrysalis asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh, just the fact that I can kick your ass.” Cadance’s smile turned into a full smirk.

“I beg your pardon?” Rearing her head up high, Chrysalis looked down her muzzle towards the pink alicorn.

“You remember, right?” Cadance took a step forward. “You had Celestia beaten and locked in a cocoon. Twilight and her friends were helpless and at your mercy.” She took a deep breath. “And then Shiney and I tossed you and all of your hive right out of the city. Just like that.” She leaned forward. “You DO remember that, right?”

A rumble somewhere below a growl echoed from Chrysalis’ body. “I seem to recall capturing you, imprisoning you, and replacing you in your fiancees bed.”

“True. You caught me off guard, drugged me, and then put me in a maze with no food, water, or any idea of direction at all.” Cadance nodded. “And then I still managed to beat you.” She let out a heavy, fake sigh. “Oh, and let’s not forget the fight you had with Coldheart—the me from another dimension—when she literally almost beat you to death.”

“Not the same, I don’t think,” Chrysalis snarled.

“No, not really.” A shadow fell over Cadance’s face. “I would have to have somepony do something that I thought was truly horrible for me to become like her.” A single smile shattered the dark light. “But we don’t have to worry about that, now do we? We’re working together.”

In two steps Chrysalis was standing in front of Cadance. Her body dwarfed the alicorn, staring down at her through green, glowing eyes. Cadance looked up at her, unblinking.

“We will see, won’t we?” There were razors laced into Chrysalis’ words. “I will expect you to respond and respect any and all of my requests.”

“Within reason.” Cadance’s voice was flat.

“Within…reason.” The breath that Chrysalis took in gurgled past the back of her throat. She never took her eyes off of Cadance. “Fleur, I will see you tomorrow morning in my office—not my chambers, but my office. Dapifer will see you in and we can begin our planning.” Another breath went in past the edge in her throat. “Then, Cadance, I will contact you when you are needed. Don’t bother showing your face to me before then.” Finally, Chrysalis pulled back. “And then we shall see, Princess. Then we shall see.”

The rubble on the floor shattered beneath the heavy hoof falls as Chrysalis exited the room. Both of the other mares simply stood and watched in silence until the last echo of the changeling’s exit had faded.

“You are a braver mare than I,” Fleur said.

“Tell me about it.” Cadance let loose a full breath and her body seemed to sag slightly. “I think it worked, though.”

“Oh, I would say it worked.” Fleur moved up to stand alongside Cadance. “I think the rivalry she was feeling with Celestia is suddenly on the back burner.”

“It just has to be for a little while,” she answered. “Both Aunt Celestia and Aunt Luna needed the break. I can handle this kind of thing for a little while.”

Fleur turned to look at her. “Are you sure?”

“I…yeah. Yeah, I’m sure,” Cadance answered.

“I’m going to be there to help.” Fleur’s voice took on an edge of compassion. “And hunting down this hive is going to keep her distracted.”

“And that’s a whole different level of fun,” Cadance said. “Plus, I get to explain all of this to my husband back home.”

“Well, you knew the job was dangerous when you took it, Cade,” Fleur said as she put her hoof on the alicorn’s withers.

Cadance looked over at her with a twisted muzzle. “No, I didn’t.”

“I meant this particular job. The Chrysalis one.” Fleur corrected.

Looking up, Cadance let her head bob in a shallow nod. “Okay, yeah, that one…”

The two mares looked at each other and after a moment started giggling softly. As one they began to walk towards the door, chuckling with every step.

* * * * * * * * * *

As the door shut to the Princess’ personal chamber, Luna’s horn lit up, casting the room in a bright glow tinged with deep blue.

“What was that?” Celestia asked.

“I’ve sealed the room,” Luna explained. “A collective spell. It will take both of our magic to unseal the doors so that we can exit. The time has come to resolve this matter between us, Tia.”

Celestia smiled. “Luna, if either of us truly wanted to get out of this room, the walls themselves couldn’t hold us in.”

“True, but think of it as a gesture.” Luna took a deep breath and stared at her wife. “I feel odd asking you this, but…how have you been, Tia?”

They stared at each other for a lingering time. Celestia swallowed roughly, forcing a smile to her face.

“Miserable,” Celestia said finally. “I’ve been miserable.”

“Let us talk, shall we?” Luna said. “Do you want to sit down?”

“Not really. Standing here is just as good for me,” Celestia replied.

Luna turned and walked across the room, standing with her back to her sister. Even from her perspective Celestia could see every labored breath as Luna gathered herself. Eventually she turned around, her face a piece of stone.

“What happened?” There was a harsh edge to Luna’s voice.

Celestia’s face scrunched into a tight point. “What…what happened? Are you serious?”

“Yes! I want you to tell me what it was that made you so…so distant lately.” Luna took a couple of steps forward, and each step saw her face become slightly more intense.

There was a visible tremor that ran over Celestia before she thrust her wing out, pointing it towards the heart of the castle. “She happened! You LET her happen!”

“I what?!” Luna reared up and stared at her wife. “And just how was it that I was able to ‘let her happen?’”

“Every time I saw you, she was there.” Celestia took her own step forward, and her face took on a golden glow. “Even if she wasn’t there physically, she was with you. In your head. Always standing there putting herself between us!”

“You put her there!” Luna paced forward, coming to stand in front of Celestia. “Chrysalis is a Princess of Equestria now and as such is going to be a part of our lives. That was the cost of having her work with us to fight Empress Coldheart! A price you agreed to! I wanted to send her away, remember?”

“You are the one who made that agreement! And we cannot simply go back on such a promise! You know that!” Celestia snorted. “But it isn’t the fact that she is a princess that is the problem. It’s the way you’ve let her into your head!”

“I did no such thing! She and I worked together, and you were the one who—”

“YOU CALLED OUT HER NAME!” Celestia screamed in Luna’s face, stopping the dark mare in mid-sentence. A light froth formed at the corner of Celestia’s mouth, and her breath was harsh and ragged. “You called out her name.”

“What?” The sound of Luna’s voice was almost completely hollow.

Celestia turned away, moving a couple of steps to the side and staring down to the floor. “One day while we were making love. When you…when you orgasmed. You called out her name.”

They didn’t look at each other. Celestia’s eyes focused on the ground in front of her while Luna stared up blankly at nothing. There was no sound in the room, not even the sound of breathing—or tears. It was a blanket of nothing.

Until Luna’s voice broke through.

“So what?” she growled.

Celestia stiffened. Her neck pulled up and her wings pulled away from her body. With a hard click on the floor with every step, she turned around to face her sister once more.

“What did you say?” Celestia’s voice matched her continence.

“What difference does it matter what I said? It was, very literally, in the passion of the moment. Until a minute ago, I didn’t even know I said it,” Luna snarled.

“And that’s supposed to make me feel better?” Celestia screamed. “It tore my heart out, Luna! You called out HER name!”

“And how many times have I caught you with another mare?!” Luna’s voice topped her sister’s, causing Celestia to recoil.

“What? Th-that’s ridiculous!” Her eyes traced up and down Luna’s body. “I would never…” She stopped herself.

“In your dreams, Tia,” Luna said in a much softer tone. “I doubt you remember them. You might even remember them being with me, but that isn’t always the case.”

“You go into my dreams? Luna, I thought we agreed that you wouldn’t do that!” Shock laced Celestia’s voice.

The sigh that came from Luna was half shrug and half apology. “I couldn’t help it. I wasn’t going to tell you. I just…I wanted to share that part of your life too, Tia.” She smiled. “I do have problems with being a bit rebellious at times, remember?”

For a moment Celestia’s mouth hung open, but she finally closed it and stood back up, ruffling her wings and laying them down on her side gently. “Fine, but what happens in my dreams is different from what happens in the real world.”

“Not for me,” Luna answered. “I don’t dream. I can’t. When I sleep I visit others in their dreams. I don’t have the luxury of having any of my own.” She shook her head. “So I live my dreams—and I let one slip out.”

Stepping softly, Luna walked up to once again face her sister directly. “It was a fantasy, Tia. Nothing else. Since the experience with the changeling poison, I have had nothing to do with Chrysalis. Not intimately.”

“But you wanted to,” Celestia said.

“No. No, I fantasized about it. Chrysalis has a…a raw quality to her. A primal nature that appeals to, well, to the darkest side of me. Nightmare Moon would have taken her in as an ally in a heartbeat. That side of me still wants that to happen, but it’s a fantasy, Tia.” Luna brought her head down and rested it beside her sister’s, rubbing their cheeks together. “I love you, Celestia. Only you.”

Celestia pressed her muzzle up against Luna’s. “You’re certain? As much as I hate it, if you aren’t happy with me, then—”

“I’m certain, Tia. I’ve been certain since she tried to kiss me the other night,” Luna whispered.

Immediately Celestia pulled back and stared into Luna’s eyes. “She did what?”

“You heard me,” Luna laughed. “It was all I needed to jolt me back to reality and out of fantasy. I realized that all she saw me as was a conquest. There was no warmth.”

“You weren’t attracted to her warmth,” Celestia said.

“No,” Luna agreed with a shake of her head. “I was aroused by her. Drawn to her raw sexuality and ability to be so…overpowering—at least sexually. What she lacked was the emotion I truly needed—that I still need. The emotion that I can only get from you. I was being stupid.”

Celestia swallowed visibly. “Well, I have to tell you that you were not the only pony being…stupid.”

“Go on,” Luna hummed.

“The other night, I… It was late, and I was having a bad night, and…” Celestia took in a deep breath and held it.

“Say it, Tia,” Luna urged.

“I slept with Cadance,” Celestia muttered weakly.

One of Luna’s eyebrow’s tented high on her forehead. “I beg your pardon?”

“I don’t know what happened. How it happened. I was just… It was a moment of weakness. I regretted it immediately, especially since I…” The words trailed off.

“Since you what?” Luna’s voice was surprisingly level.

“Since I…” she took a deep breath again. “Since I used the toy that I had made for you—with her.”

Luna’s eyes fell into shadow. “That does upset me.”

“I’m sorry! Luna, I am so sorry! And don’t blame Cadance, none of this is her fault. I just—”

“I’m not mad, Tia,” Luna said calmly. “In fact, if I had know that a tryst with Cadance was an option, I’d have suggested it a long time ago. I’ve wanted to pry into that plot for a while now.”

“Luna!” Celestia gasped.

“Oh, please. She’s gorgeous. I’ve watched her walking away more times than I can remember.” Luna jostled her head to snap back to the other matter. “Besides, I seem to recall you and Twilight Sparkle sharing in a moment together not that long ago—more than once, actually. You’re not quite as chaste as you like to think you are, Tia,” Luna laughed.

“That was different! We weren’t married!” Celestia replied.

“I’m aware of that, but having a ring doesn’t make infidelity a greater crime. If you cheat on somepony, you cheat.” Luna shrugged. “I’ve always known you would have a wandering…eye.”

Celestia gasped. And then snorted. And then made a sound not too far from a whinny as she shook out her mane. “I feel you have misjudged me. I am faithful to you.”

“Yes, you are,” Luna moved around to stand beside Celestia, bringing them both facing the same direction. “You are also very prone to your libido. Just because you fuck another pony, doesn’t mean that you don’t love me and won’t be sharing your life with me.”

“Luna! Don’t say it that crudely,” Celestia chided, glancing up and down at her sister. “And I cannot believe that you are being so…cavalier about this. The thought of you having sex with Chrysalis almost destroyed our relationship.”

“Only because it was Chrysalis, I think. If it were anypony—and I mean that almost literally—other than Chrysalis, I’m not sure it would have upset you so much,” Luna said.

A sharp breath came out of Celestia. “It’s not so much her as how she just…” She took a deep breath. “For a queen, Chrysalis shows very little in the way of courtliness.”

“It’s just her nature, Tia. The changeling world is different than ours. More harsh. She has to be the same or it will overcome her,” Luna answered. She then drew herself up and tapped her hoof lightly. “Which reminds me…”

“What?” Celestia looked to her sister curiously.

“Nature. We’ve got to stop this silliness,” Luna said. “I think it has played a major part is what happened to us over the past few weeks.”

“Our nature? Would you please explain what you mean?”

“It means that, as much as I appreciate you letting me explore my submissive side, as well as your dominant side on my account—”

“Which I did very well!” Celestia added.

“—that the past few days have reminded me one thing.” Luna’s eyes glazed over teal. “I am not a submissive. You are. We are denying ourselves, Tia. By doing that we are only putting more pressure on the two of us, and with everything else…” She shook her head. “It isn’t a good idea.”

“You weren’t enjoying yourself?” A fragile tone hid behind Celestia’s words.

“Quite the opposite,” Luna answered. “I was having a wonderful time, in fact. Perhaps from time to time, it might be nice to…switch. To change things up for a night. Allow each of us to take on that alternate role.”

“I…would like that, actually,” Celestia answered, and Luna could see a tinge of pink on her sister’s white cheeks.

Luna sighed. “And perhaps…perhaps you should be the one on the central throne when it is rebuilt.”

A wide, warm smile dawned on Celestia’s face. “And why would I want that?”

“Because you are meant to rule!” Luna snapped. “Since I took the throne there has been nothing but chaos in this castle. You wouldn’t have let that happen.”

“Really?” Celestia chuckled. “I think that, for one thing, you very seriously overestimate my abilities, but even more, you underestimate your own.” Raising her wings up, Celestia bowed her head. “It was your wisdom to restructure Equestria to match the current ruling body.” She looked back up. “I was too stagnant to see it. I will gladly sit beside you and aid in your decisions, but let’s keep you in the central position. At least until Chrysalis is accustomed to her new role as well.”

“You want her to learn her place, then?” Luna raised an eyebrow.

“So to speak,” Celestia laughed again. “If she’s having to deal with me directly, then…well, we’ve seen how that ends, haven’t we?”

“And how should I deal with you directly, Tia?” Luna asked.

Celestia took a deep breath. “Equestria is yours. You tell me what role I can best serve.”

“I know the exact role for you,” Luna said. “It’s one that you should be very familiar with, despite a lack of recent experience.”

“Really? What position are you suggesting for me?” Celestia raised an eyebrow.

“I’m suggesting that you prepare to be lying on your back while I grind my cunt down over your muzzle, that way while you are showing your Mistress how much you appreciate her, I can torment you in any way I see fit.” Luna pulled up her lip, showing a bit of fang.

“I…see.” Celestia’s tail lifted up behind her.

“Why don’t you go fetch that toy you were telling me about. The one that you abused by allowing Cadance to use it first.” Luna lifted her muzzle higher and narrowed her eyes. “Perhaps I should punish her for that, as well. You’ve already had her, so she should at least get a chance to experience the better of us.”

“If that’s what you feel is best…Mistress.” The word came with some hesitance, but filled with an undeniable hope.

“It’s not your place to question me.” Luna’s voice took on a sharper edge. “You will be punished for that, slave. Now, what are you standing there for? I told you what I wanted. Step to it!”

Moving to stand directly in front of her wife, Celestia’s head lowered to the ground with her wings spread wide out to either side. “Thank you, Mistress!”

Keeping her eyes diverted to the ground, Celestia backed away from Luna and then turned to head toward’s the cabinet to retrieve the magical toy. Three steps in, just as she was about to break into a trot, she stopped. Turning around completely, Celestia stared straight into her sister’s eyes. She felt her heart tremble.

“I love you, Luna,” Celestia said softly.

“And I love you, Tia. I always will,” Luna answered with a warm smile. After a moment, she raised one eyebrow, the smile turned colder, and turned her head slightly. “Well?”

Celestia dropped her eyes once more. “Yes, Mistress!”

As Celestia moved away, Luna smiled and let out the long sigh she had been holding in. She watched her wife as she walked away, moving across the room to retrieve a special gift for them to share. They were together. They were as they were meant to be, and that was enough.

In fact, that was the only thing that truly mattered.

* * * * * * * * * *

Epilogue One

She groaned. Apple Bloom was sure that she heard her groan. Instantly, Apple Bloom was at the side of the bed, hovering over the figure resting in it.

“Applejack?” she asked softly.

Despite the groan, Apple Bloom didn’t want to push. The first thought that Apple Bloom had when they brought Applejack out of the maze of tunnels was that her sister was dead. She was nothing more than a frail shell. All of her ribs, her shoulders, her hip bones, and even some of the bones in her neck were visible from the outside. It was like she was a skeleton with a thin skin stretched over it, but no meat—no muscle.

And Applejack was the lucky one. There was a funeral for both Big Macintosh and Granny Smith, but the caskets were closed. They didn’t even have Apple Bloom identify them. Apparently, Twilight Sparkle’s familiarity with her world’s version of the Apple Family was enough for officials here.

Naturally, Apple Bloom protested. She wanted to see her big brother and granny. She wanted that chance to make sure the ponies they brought out actually were her family and not somepony who just looked a little like them. Twilight said that she had to use magic to properly identify them, but even so it didn’t seem fair that she couldn’t get that last moment.

Twilight Sparkle had her own issues to deal with, after all. The first pony she brought out with her was Superintendent Trueblood. She was alive, but very badly hurt. Just like her, Twilight had been spending the past week doing nothing but sleeping in the room with the Superintendent.

The biggest difference was that Twilight was able to talk to Trueblood. All Apple Bloom could do was watch and wait. Twilight had been nice enough to come into the room at least once a day to check on both of them. Apple Bloom could tell that she cared—genuinely cared—but she couldn’t do anything to wake up Applejack.

The doctors said they thought Applejack would make a full recovery, but every time they said it, Apple Bloom could only focus on one word: thought. That meant they weren’t sure, and that terrified her more than Eidolon—or as Twilight kept calling her, Sombra—ever did.

“Applejack, can ya hear me?” Her voice was low and gentle.

Apple Bloom wanted the first thing her sister to see to be her. To be a member of the Apple Family.

Her mind kept wandering back to that mare. The mare that did this to her. It didn’t matter what anypony wanted to call her, she was the same twisted monster by any name. Twilight told her not to worry. That she had taken care of her, but that wasn’t an answer, and she was getting very tired of unicorns and alicorns and all those ponies with them treating her like she was just somepony to pat on the head and set aside. Twilight claimed to know her family, but she might not understand what it truly meant to be an Apple.

If that mare—that Sombra—was still out there somewhere, she was going to find her. She was going to make her understand the true strength of the Apple Family.

“Apple Bloom?”

The words were so soft that she wasn’t sure she heard them. The young mare looked down at her sister and her eyes widened. Right there, right on the bed, she opened her eyes. Not much, but just enough to see back up. Just enough so that their eyes met.

“Applejack?” Apple Bloom felt her cheeks grow damp. “Ah’m right here!”

She turned her head away and shouted at the door. “Nurse! Nurse, she’s up! She said mah name!”

The youngest Apple looked back at her sister. Applejack’s eyes were closed once more and Apple Bloom watched her tears trail down onto the sheets below. Her hooves grabbed Applejack’s forehoof and held onto it tightly.

“Don’t go nowhere, AJ. Don’t you leave me now!” she insisted.

Her sister’s mouth moved, causing Apple Bloom to lean in closely to hear the faint words. “…real tired. Ah hope your real. Ah can’t take no more lyin’.”

“Ah’m real, sis. Ah’m right here, and Ah ain’t leavin’ you no way, no how.” Apple Bloom buried her muzzle into her sister’s neck, weeping openly. “Ah ain’t goin’ nowhere.”

She could hear the medical staff rushing in through the door, but there was no way that she was going to move or look away. Applejack was alive. They would have to drag her out of the room if they wanted her gone, and that wasn’t going to be a good idea for any of them.

* * * * * * * * * *

Epilogue Two

“Did you hear? Applejack woke up.” Twilight’s voice was light and cheery as she trotted into the room.

“Somepony told me,” Trueblood answered. She turned herself around from the window, wheeling into position to look at Twilight. “I’m glad.”

Cantering over to her, Twilight bent over slightly and gave her marefriend a quick kiss hello. The room was bright and airy, filled almost to overflowing with flowers and balloons. “How are you feeling today?”

Trueblood looked down at the chair she was sitting in. It was hospital issue, but they said a custom one was being made for her. They came in to measure her for it two days ago, in fact. It seemed like a long process, but they said it was only the beginning. Lots of adjustments still to come.

She looked back up at Twilight. “Just sitting here,” she joked.

Taking a deep breath, Twilight smiled—awkwardly. “I’m glad you can make a joke.”

“Beats the idea of me crying or screaming about it,” she answered. “How about you? Have you had any luck?”

“Not really,” Twilight’s smile became even weaker. “I’ve been going through the tunnels trying to find more things Sombra had hidden in there, but the memories I got from her faded very quickly. I can’t recall what she had done, and the place is a maze. I was hoping that magic would help me find anypony else that she might have locked away, but the whole thing is shielded somehow. I guess it was to keep her hidden from any magical detection.”

“Yeah, and it worked. Well, I’m sure you’ll find anypony that’s left,” Trueblood held out her hoof and Twilight took it in her own.

“I almost hate to say this, but I hope not.” Twilight shook her head. “After what we’ve already found, I’m not sure I could stomach much more.”

“You can. Any sign of Sombra herself?”

The weak smile came back. “I told you, she’s not there. She’s…gone. I sent her away.”

“Where?” Trueblood asked. “Where did you send her?”

“I don’t know!” Twilight pulled away, taking a few steps back. “I was angry and scared and I just…. I don’t know where I sent her.”

“Hey. Hey, it’s okay, Sparky. I was just seeing if anything had come to you about it,” Trueblood’s voice was calm and reassuring.

“It’s not okay! If I hadn’t just stood there, then you wouldn’t have gotten hurt! You’re in that chair because of me!” Twilight’s wings ruffled out.

“No!” Trueblood wheeled forward. “I’m in this chair because of HER. You didn’t do this to me, she did. And if you hadn’t been there, who knows what she might have done.”

“If I hadn’t been her, then….”

Trueblood gave her a chance to continue before she spoke. “Then what?”

“Then she wouldn’t have had access to alicorn magic. She wouldn’t have been able to do…whatever it was she did. Use that magic to syphon off some of mine. Use that crystal. Tap into the heart. Become what she became.” Twilight shook her head. “All of this is my fault.”

“Have you found out anything about her?” Trueblood asked.

“Maybe. I don’t know.” She shrugged. “I got a message to Trixie, who looked through the archives in the Crystal Empire. There are no records of King Sombra having any descendants. He never married. I’m not sure that she came from there at all. We don’t know who she really is still.”

“Maybe not. She was…well, not to sound rude, but she was nuts! I’m not sure she really knew who she was or where she came from. The idea that Sombra was her ancestor might have come from anywhere. A book. A story. All we know is that she was fanatically loyal to Fantasia, to the point where she actually wanted to become her.”

“I know,” Twilight said. “I’m guessing that when Coldheart left and went to my world, she suddenly felt abandoned and alone. She wanted everything back the way that she thought it was supposed to be, I guess. She was as lost as anypony in the passages behind the walls. Those tunnels ran everywhere. I’ve seen some like that back home, but I never knew they were quite that extensive. She had access to everything.”

“She was a sad creature,” Trueblood said with a shake of her head. “Fantasia always took a perverse pleasure from taking creatures apart and trying to put them back together. I wonder how many times she did that to that poor mare?”

“I don’t know.” Twilight’s body sagged a little as she stared at her marefriend. “How can you be like this? You sound more like you feel sorry for her than you’re mad at her.”

Trueblood laughed. “I am. I grew up with Fantasia, remember? I know what kind of monster she is, and just how much that can affect a pony. I was the lucky one because she couldn’t use her magic on me. This Sombra mare didn’t have that.” Her face contorted slightly. “Speaking of which, you’ve been keeping an eye on Fantasia, right? She’s still secure?”

“Frozen solid.” Twilight nodded. “As far as I can tell there’s been no visible or magical change to her. So, at least we have that going for us.”

A long moment passed between them.

“Sparky? Why did you come here?” Trueblood’s voice was soft, but far from gentle. “Why did you become an alicorn?”

Twilight stared at her and swallowed. Twice she took a deep breath, but as far as Trueblood could tell, she never let the air back out. “I had to.”

“That’s not an answer. It’s okay, Sparky, you can tell me.” She forced a smile on her face.

Another deep breath caused Twilight to close her eyes. “To check on you. To check on Coldheart. To make sure that…to make sure that no pony was coming through into our world.”

“You know they weren’t. We monitor that sort of thing,” Trueblood answered. “And you didn’t need to be an alicorn to check on that.”

“I did.” Twilight turned her head, looking away. “I wasn’t just checking on what we monitor, I was here to get to the heart. To…” She looked back at Trueblood. “There’s been an invasion in my world. Another one. A new hive of changelings has appeared, and we don’t know where they came from. We thought there was a chance that Chrysalis—your Chrysalis—had come through to our world. That she had tapped into Coldheart’s magic again and become something very dangerous. We can’t let that happen.”

Trueblood blinked. “I don’t understand. Why didn’t you tell me that when you got here?”

“Because I couldn’t. There was no way to be sure that you were actually you, or that you weren’t under her mind control.” Twilight said. “I’m sorry.”

Trueblood frowned. “You couldn’t tell? I mean, we did kinda sleep together.”

“Oh, I knew it was you almost immediately,” Twilight’s smile was weak, “but it’s much tougher to tell if a changeling is mind-controlling somepony. They were able to do it to our princesses back home.” Twilight sighed. “I became an alicorn to help defend against that happening when I came here. That and to…”

“To what?” Trueblood leaned in. “To do what, Twilight?”

“To…get rid of the heart. To take it away from you.” Her voice cracked. “That’s what the spell that got rid of Sombra was for. I was supposed to use it on the heart.”

The words ran through Trueblood’s head for a moment. “Why? If you were able to tell it wasn’t Chrysalis, then why get rid of the heart?”

“To protect us.” A tear ran down Twilight’s cheek. “I’m sorry.”

“You were going to come here and just…get rid of it? You weren’t going to tell me? You weren’t going to ask me? Nothing?” Trueblood’s body pulled forward, dragged by her hooves.

“No. No, I wasn’t. I couldn’t. If I did, then you might have talked me out of it,” Twilight wept.

“So, you didn’t even trust me to understand?” Her eyes narrowed.

“I did! I do! I just….” She dropped her head. “I’m sorry.”

Trueblood’s chest swelled and relaxed as she sat back in her chair. “What about now? Are you still going to get rid of the heart?”

“I…I can’t. I could only cast that spell once. It’s too late.” Twilight’s eyes drooped as she stared at her marefriend. “Forgive me? Please?”

“That’s…” Trueblood hesitated. “Don’t worry, Sparky. I love you. I can work through this, but this hurts. A lot more than being in this chair, actually.”

“I’m sorry.” Twilight repeated.

“I know. I know, and I accept that. I just have to let this sit in my mind, and my heart, for a bit.” She looked over at her. “Don’t ever lie to me again, though. Not like this.”

“I won’t! I swear it!” Twilight took a step forward. “From now on you’ll know everything. I won’t be keeping any secrets.”

“Good. We already had one pony who was skulking around this place in secret, I don’t need another one.” Trueblood forced a smile onto her face. “Hey, at least you are better looking than her. Of course, she was completely malformed, so you have a slight edge.”

“Almost,” Twilight replied. “She was almost completely malformed. Her teeth were perfect.”

“Really? Huh.” Trueblood mused that over. “I suppose my mother wanted something to remind her that she once was…whatever she was. I wonder if she was pretty before?”

“She certainly had a pretty smile.” Twilight smiled and stepped closer to Trueblood. Her heart fluttered in hope. “It doesn’t matter what she was, though. It matters what she became. Right?”

Reaching out, Trueblood took Twilight’s hoof once more. “Sparky, we’re going to be okay.”

Twilight fell into Trueblood, wrapping her hooves around her in a full hug. One that lingered.

“Sparky?” Trueblood whispered. “I can’t breathe.”

“Oh!” Twilight jumped back and ran her hooves over Trueblood’s withers, straightening her coat. “I’m sorry.”

“You’ve gotten strong,” Trueblood said.

“Yeah,” Twilight muttered. “Alicorn.”

“Huh.”

“Yeah.”

It started as a snicker, but soon enough, both mares were laughing at each other’s side.

* * * * * * * * * *

Epilogue Three

“Knock, knock?” The door creaked open and Fleur stuck her head inside.

“Come in!” Cadance was standing beside the bed, closing up the last of her luggage. “I’m just finishing.”

“When is your train?” Fleur crossed the room, her hooves slipping one in front of the other, causing her hips to sway more than just slightly.

“In an hour.” Cadance levitated the piece of luggage to rest with the others near the door of her quarters. “I’ve just got enough time to say my good-byes and then leave.” She trotted over to Fleur and wrapped her hoof around the mare’s neck. “So, I guess you get the first official farewell.”

“Not farewell,” Fleur replied. “We’re going to be seeing too much of each other for this to be a farewell. It’s more of a…have a good trip.”

Cadance pulled back, laughing. “I suppose so.” She motioned to the door and opened it with her magic. Taking the cue, Fleur stepped out with Cadance right behind. “So, how are things going with Princess Chrysalis?”

“Well enough, I suppose. She’s made it clear that I’m working for her, not you, and that she expects quick action on this whole Legion Hive matter,” Fleur said in a cool, husky voice. “I don’t think she likes you very much.”

Cadance smiled. “Well, that was the plan. And it seems to have worked. Luna and Celestia seem to be very happy once more.”

“Yes, which is wonderful. Celestia means the world to me. I’ve admired her since I was a filly. I’m just glad that she and Luna have some peace now, thanks, in part, to our effort. But then, Chrysalis is easy to manipulate,” Fleur said.

“I beg your pardon?” Cadance’s eyes fluttered.

Fleur looked over at her. “Her ego. If you play to it, she barely notices that you are tricking her. It’s like when she caught me in her room while I was searching it. She thought I was there for her, so I started to play on it. And the fact that I kept reinforcing her position—calling her ‘Your Highness’ with every opportunity—just made her feel more and more in control.” She shrugged. “It was fairly simple.”

Cadance’s eyes stopped fluttering and became huge. “Wow. Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

Fleur chuckled. “You don’t have to worry, Princess. I have pledged my life to Equestria, which means I will always honor those who rule it—so long as they are loyal to Equestria themselves. I will do everything in my power to make sure that Equestria and its princesses are safe.”

“Good. It’s comforting to know that somepony like you is out there.” Cadance smiled over at Fleur.

“Thank you.” Fleur smiled back at the princess.

Her teeth were perfect.

THE END

Who Rules?: Relations

by Nom_deCheval

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5