Chapter One Hundred and Eleven: Never Alone Again
~BlackRoseRaven
They found Archon, several nobles, and a group of Royal Guard secured in the barracks, past clusters of corpses and several pinned Husks. He seemed unsurprised to see Cadence, only giving her a brief nod before he asked grouchily: “Are they gone?”
Cadence smiled wryly in spite of herself and simply nodded back, and Archon had taken charge and started marshaling soldiers to take back the castle and secure the remaining Husks. Cadence had let him, uninterested in almost everything, it seemed like. She just itched to leave.
So instead they headed to the Magic Academy, and eventually convinced the mages to remove the barriers they had insulated the building with and to come out and help secure the area. They had at least protected most of the students, although Cadence couldn't help but wonder why Loki hadn't sent more soldiers to attack this place: his Harvester could have easily passed through even their most powerful magic. Hell, an Aetherhaunt could have done a lot of damage by itself before being destroyed, and that would be more powerful souls added to his Voidborn army...
No, maybe that was wrong. Maybe strength alone didn't determine a soul's quality. Maybe it was more complicated than that, and all these pony souls were roughly the same, whether they were lowly earth pony servants or powerful unicorn mages. Then again, Cadence reflected, compared to them the most powerful mage here was still a novice who probably wouldn't survive basic training in Decretum.
Not that it was their fault: it was more proof as to why Hecate was right when she said that these ponies needed something like Decretum, guardians who stepped in when things went past what your average pony could handle.
She could feel her father's presence soothing her, while Electra helped in her own way, gentle and diplomatic: she had been the one to convince the mages to help when Cadence had been tempted to just punch down their barriers and chase them out of the school.
She wondered for the thousandth time what it was that made her the leader: she was angry, erratic, cold-hearted; she knew by now that Hecate was anything but cold, no matter what she acted like. She could never handle that, she felt: sometimes she hated what a... well, a bitch she could be, but other times she was glad she could kill without empathy, or turn her back on the people who didn't benefit her or her team.
“How does it protect you to define yourself as a sociopath?” asked the Swan, and Cadence glanced at the entity that was striding beside her with a scowl. “That is what you say you are. The word is there, floating in your mind. You almost cling to it. Why is that what you want to be?”
“That's not what I want to be.” Cadence muttered in response, before she shook her head quickly and focused on thinking at the Swan instead of speaking out loud: I don't want to be what I am. What we are. We're just... I don't know...
“You do know, though.” the Swan said, before she paused and suddenly strode over towards Electra, studying her strangely before she said softly: “It has always been easier for you to deny, Cadence. But we cannot entirely blame you. You were taught to deny yourself, your instincts, your urges. To shut down, when things hurt: that is all you are doing. Shutting out, and shutting down.”
The Swan reached out, gently touching Electra, and to Cadence's surprise, Electra twitched and looked sharply at her, then up at the Swan as she stumbled to a halt, her jaw falling open for a moment before the Swan smiled and said quietly: “But if you truly felt the way you do, you would not value the life of a stranger like this one.”
“What was that?” asked Electra uneasily, and Sombra halted and frowned before Electra nervously looked at Cadence.
Cadence smiled awkwardly, then she shook her head and said after a moment, the faintest blush in her cheeks: “Sorry. The Swan uh... that other part of me seems to be... wandering.”
“I see.” Electra was quiet for a moment, and then she cleared her throat before she looked forward down the hall, saying suddenly: “When I first came here, I was very nervous, you know. Metanoia of course reassured and promised me that nothing would happen, that these ponies could be trusted.
“I was pleasantly surprised by how kind they were. They welcomed me, treated me like one of their own.” Electra fell quiet, spinning her parasol for a moment before her eyes flicked towards Cadence as she gave a small smile. “I am not helping you for you, Cadence. I am helping you, giving everything I can to you, because I care deeply for them. Do you understand?”
The generous, kindhearted Changeling looked at Cadence, looked into Cadence, and Cadence looked steadily back for a few moments before she finally sighed softly and lowered her head slightly, nodding grudgingly as she looked down and mumbled: “I wish people would stop scolding me.”
“I'm not scolding you, I promise. I'm only telling you that... we're all driven by selfishness, to some degree. I want to help, I do. But I do it because it will benefit me, in the long run, and because I honestly believe we all have to be together to survive... and that includes my survival, too.” answered Electra with a small smile, before she shook her head and said softly: “But selfishness doesn't make us bad. Stupidity and ego are what ruin us. And I don't think you're either of those things. Just... hard on yourself, and perhaps...”
“Not willing to feel.” Cadence said, and then she smiled awkwardly as she felt her father's gentle, silent gaze on her, shifting a bit before she looked back at him and murmured: “But you have to be willing to endure a little pain now and then yourself, if you're going to help others.”
“I know you have never feared pain, Cadenza. Rather, you should remember la superbia viene davanti alla rovina.” Sombra answered gently, and Cadence grimaced even as she nodded grudgingly. That was true, too: she tended to put her own pride before anything else.
“I guess I should take a lesson from Stronghold.” Cadence grumbled as they approached a door guarded by two soldiers, who both hurriedly saluted as they stared at Cadence with something like awe. Cadence pointedly ignored them both as she shoved her way through into the Royal Quarters, hurrying towards the source of the voices she heard... arguing?
She entered the bedroom to find Celestia laying in her own bed, surrounded by servants and officers, while Thesis was pointedly perched on a chair to one side, explaining blandly to some anxious noble: “Princess Celestia is fine and will be up and about in a day. Maybe two. Maybe a week. You guys will survive until then.”
“But an emissary from the griffin kingdom just showed up, what do I tell him? And what about the Royal Cake Bake or the-”
“You guys will survive, okay? Look. If you keep bothering the princess, then she's never going to get better. Go bother someone else. Other than the princesses, I already had to take that stupid clipboard away from Twilight.” Thesis said dryly, and then he sighed when the noble stared helplessly at Celestia, who smiled awkwardly.
But before anyone could say anything else, Cadence threw her head back and shouted: “Everypony who doesn't want to get punched in the face, leave immediately!”
The ponies all stared at her, and then Cadence bared her teeth and slammed a hoof into the floor hard enough to crack the hardwood, and immediately the herd of nobles and officers rushed for the door.
Cadence sighed as the last pony vanished, before she moodily turned her eyes towards Thesis as he said mildly: “Smooth, Cadence. Very smooth.”
“You always did have a way with ponies. I still remember what happened the one time I made you hold court by yourself.” Celestia said softly, and Cadence smiled lamely, rubbing the back of her head before she approached the bed.
They looked at each other silently for a few moments, and then Celestia smiled and said quietly: “Don't. I know you must be anxious to leave. I can't blame you, either, Cadence. It's hard, but I know this isn't your world anymore... that... everything has changed.”
She studied Cadence for a few moments, and then she asked softly: “Will you take off your helmet, please?”
Cadence smiled awkwardly, then she nodded once before she reached up and removed her helm, shaking her head out as her bun came undone her mane fell loose, spilling around her shoulders and down her back. Then she blinked as Princess Celestia struggled her way up to a sitting position, then she carefully reached one foreleg out, resting her hoof against her smooth forehead.
Cadence looked up at her, at how even so beaten and injured, Celestia radiated majesty and authority and warmth. Even as she had to paused to take a breath, Cadence felt nothing but respect and admiration for her, for how strong she was, for how she pushed through the pain purely for the sake of someone else... someone who didn't deserve this kind of kindness, Cadence thought with faint shame.
“Cadenza Danzsöngr, in the name of the sun, in the name of Equestria, in the name of all who came before me and all who will come after, I thank you, and I bless you.” Celestia said in a soft, strong voice, her eyes gazing down at the mare with somber love. “May the sun forever shine upon your path.”
“That's bad for black ops work.” Thesis commented, and Celestia smiled in amusement as Cadence glowered over at the stallion, before he leaned forwards and gently grasped Celestia as she settled down against the mattress, helping her lay back against the pillows as he said softly: “You try and get some rest now, Princess Celestia. Don't kill yourself. Then what am I gonna tell Mom?”
“Tell her that you were successful. And tell her that I'm jealous.” Celestia smiled faintly as her eyes shifted to Thesis, studying him silently before she murmured: “I never had a son. But it's been nice... to pretend for a little while.”
Thesis chuckled quietly at this, then he answered softly: “Now don't talk like that, you make it sound like you really are dying.”
Celestia smiled a bit again, then she closed her eyes and murmured: “It feels almost like dying. It's peaceful, and it's quiet, and for the first time in years I actually feel like sleeping and leaving the country in the hooves of the court for a little while. A week sounds good. Maybe a month. I need to make sure I'm fully healed, after all.”
“That's right.” Thesis smiled slightly, before he looked up and winked at Cadence, asking: “Do you mind checking on the other princesses? Once everyone's settled down, we can arrange transportation back to the Crystal Empire and head back to Endworld. I already contacted Seneschal and let him know to expect us.”
Cadence smiled awkwardly at Thesis as she slipped her helmet back on, and he shrugged a bit before he turned his eyes to Celestia as she looked at him with the faintest hint of regret. “Hey, we're just here to clean up the mess. We can't stay, as much as we might like to. You guys have to go back to business as usual, and you can't do that with us here.”
“You're right. Of course. But please make sure to at least say goodbye before you go, Cadence.” Celestia said softly, before she smiled and added: “And you too, King Serenite. No leaving without at least a goodbye.”
Sombra chuckled quietly, then he nodded and promised: “I would not dream of it, piccola. Perhaps if there is enough time, we can share a meal before we depart?”
“I can have a train arranged to take you back to the Crystal Kingdom overnight, if you're willing to stay until the evening.” Celestia said, and she smiled at Thesis when he shifted uncertainly. “Please.”
Thesis looked at Cadence, and the ivory mare shifted a bit before she sighed and nodded: she wanted to leave, but she recognized that was mostly because of her own selfish reasons. Even if she could come up with a hoof-full of good ones, like that they needed to report to Hecate, or that their continued presence here might draw more problems... those are dumb reasons. And another few hours won't make any difference. “Yeah. I think it's a good idea.”
“Good.” Celestia smiled as Thesis nodded slowly, before he blushed a bit when the Princess of the Sun turned her eyes back to Cadence, adding in a gentle voice: “We aren't going to try and make you stay here. I miss you very much. We all do. But... I know you wouldn't be happy here. And you have another path in life.”
“Thank you.” was all Cadence could think of to say, giving an awkward smile before she finally nodded and lowered her head, murmuring: “I... I promise that I'm going to do my best.”
“I know you will. You always have.” Celestia answered kindly, and then she simply closed her eyes and settled back into her bed, letting her hooves rest on her chest as she settled down and looked strangely content.
Thesis silently excused himself, following the others out before he gestured down the hall saying: “Luna is staying in the guest room and Twilight is in the... other guest room. I'll go ahead and find Archon, see where he is with getting everything calmed down. Tough old stallion, I have to give him that.”
“You have to give him more than that.” Cadence murmured, and then she shook her head before she smiled a little and glanced up, adding quietly: “Thanks for... you know.”
Thesis only shrugged and smiled briefly in return, and then he turned and headed away, Cadence watching him as he went with a strange warmth before she shook her head again and said finally: “Let's go. He's right. Stupid asshole is always right.”
“You have such an interesting relationship.” Electra said, and Cadence couldn't help but smile in amusement at this: that was probably an understatement, she thought, as they headed to the guest room. “I fear sometimes that because you do not treat the rest of us... similarly to how you do your friends, you might not be as fond of us.”
“I'll try and be more of an asshole to the rest of you, then.” Cadence said, and Electra smiled a little as the mare knocked once on the guest room door before she let herself in, and she was surprised to find Luna was already alone... or mostly-alone, rather.
Moonflower looked up with an awkward smile, while La Croix was fussing over the mare's wounds, grumbling: “Y'know, you a far cry from the worst Luna I ever seen, but you still ain't helpin' yourself heal doin' that, Madame.”
“They were making my brain hurt.” Luna croaked, before she uselessly rose one of her cast-covered forelegs, grumbling: “And it is not like I could do much else. I-”
“Shh, shh, shush now, y'idjit. You just gonna make yourself hurt worse.” La Croix said gently as he pushed Luna back against the bed, before he glanced back at Cadence and chuckled a little. “Cygne, maybe you can talk a little sense into her, huh?”
“I think this is good.” Moonflower blurted out suddenly, and all eyes turned towards him, La Croix cocking an eyebrow, and the stallion gave an awkward smile before he lowered his head even as he repeated in a murmur: “I think it's good, where we are right now, what we've done. I mean... I'm sorry everyone was hurt, but it could have been so much worse. And that's so...”
Moonflower fumbled with his words, but Cadence knew what he meant, nodding slowly as she said softly: “We have to focus on the good things, yes. The Princesses are alive, so are a lot of other ponies. They evacuated more of Canterlot and the castle than we thought, and that's good.”
It took a very conscious effort of will not to mention all the bad things that had happened, and to instead move forward with: “There are no more Voidborn, and it seems like the occupation here has ended. We're going to... stay a little longer and make sure and celebrate, I guess, and then we'll go home, back through the portal in the Crystal Kingdom.”
Cadence glanced back at her father, and Luna smiled before she asked curiously: “What s it like, King Serenite, to set foot in your old kingdom? I remember, when I was banished to the moon... I built my own kingdom there.” She smiled briefly, shaking her head before she murmured: “But one cannot have much of a kingdom without any subjects.”
“Yes, the people must always come first. I am glad and honored to see what the Crystal Kingdom has become. To see what the Crystal Ponies have evolved into, but they have always been a hardy people.” Sombra answered with a quiet laugh. “It is beyond all that I had hoped and dreamed, to be honest. Especially after what they were forced to endure.”
“Perhaps it is not in spite of, but because of what they were forced to endure, that they have grown into the strong and prosperous people they are today.” Luna answered, and then she grimaced when La Croix smacked her lightly on the muzzle before offering her a bottle.
“Taisse-toi and drink this, it'll make you feel better and help you sleep.” La Croix instructed, and Luna grumbled before the zebra said in a gentler voice: “You stop that now. You got the hell beaten out of you, and we all know it ain't 'cause you be weak, it's 'cause you fought the hardest.”
Luna smiled a little at this, opening her mouth, but La Croix tapped her on the muzzle and said gently: “Just drink the damn elixir, Madame.”
Luna sighed, then nodded grudgingly before she allowed him to tilt the bottle back, drinking the offered potion. She grimaced slightly at the taste, then settled back against her pillows, closing her eyes as La Croix said gently: “There. Now get some sleep, and don't you be sneakin' off.”
“Yes, yes. I apologize, Cadence, but... I hope we can talk later. I'll do my best to listen, though...” Luna smiled briefly as she opened her eyes, looking warmly at the ivory mare. “Thank you.”
Cadence only shrugged awkwardly, and La Croix chuckled before he looked pointedly over at Moonflower, who hurriedly nodded before he turned and scampered towards the others. The group headed out into the hall, and the zebra absently stretched before he said: “Guess I'll go see 'bout Celestia next. Monsieur L'Armee seems to have his sister on lockdown, but she be more drained than anything else.”
La Croix paused and hesitated for a moment before he asked finally: “How are you, Cygne?”
Both he and Moonflower looked at her, and Cadence felt the concern radiating from them both before she smiled a little as she said softly: “You guys seem a little anxious.”
La Croix shrugged awkwardly, and Moonflower smiled lamely before the unicorn said finally: “This feels different, doesn't it? Like this time... like, well... are you okay?”
“Yeah. I'm okay. And it is different this time around, you're right.” Cadence looked down at one of her golden hooves, flexing material that now felt almost synthetic before she reflected silently that she hadn't even dared to look at herself in a mirror yet: hell, she hadn't even dared to remove any of her armor. “I'm going to have to get my tattoo again.”
There were a few smiles at this, before Cadence sighed and nodded, reassuring: “I am okay, though, guys, I promise. It's just a lot to process. I know that goes for all of us, but... we're done the mission here, at least. We can go home, and...”
Well, Cadence didn't know what the hell they were going to do then. But thankfully, Electra provided an out by asking curiously: “What is your home like? I am very curious.”
“I would be glad to tell you what I know of the Clockwork Empire, Electra. Cadence, I am sure you are eager to see Twilight Sparkle, so don't let us keep you waiting.” Sombra said politely, and Cadence smiled in amusement and gratitude at her father. “La Croix, Moonflower, would you like to join us?”
“Sure, mon ami. Right, Moony?” La Croix pointedly shouldered Moonflower, who blinked before he nodded several times, giving a lame smile.
“Uh, yes, of course!” Moonflower blurted out, nodding awkwardly before he clapped his front hooves together and gave a lame smile, clearing his throat before he said finally: “We're... you know, just... we are here for you, Cadence, and... and I'm sorry.”
Cadence frowned in surprise at this, and Moonflower glanced down before he shook his head and murmured: “It just seems like I've attracted so much trouble recently... in the past I'd brag about it. Oh, you know 'of course they're interested in me, the most powerful of all evils...'” Moonflower twirled his wrists as he posed laconically. “But... it feels a lot less fun these days, and after what happened before-”
“Moonflower, none of this is your fault. Don't be stupid.” Cadence said, a little more forcefully than she meant to, and Moonflower flinched before the mare sighed and continued in a gentler voice: “Look. Loki wants to hurt all of us, but he's obviously smarter than just blindly striking out at us. He's got other goals here, bigger than me or you. He's just... using the bad people from our past to try and attain those goals.”
She shook her head, then looked up and said finally: “Look just... stop being a dick and making it all about you. Because it's not. It's not all about me, either. This is Loki's fault, and what we should really be concentrating on is kicking his goddamn ass.”
Moonflower smiled a little at this, then he winced when La Croix slapped him firmly on the foreleg, saying mildly: “'Sjust what I been sayin' all along. Now come on, Moony, let's go. Only pretty girls get to cry, and close as y'are to a girl, y'certainly ain't pretty.”
“Oh ha ha, La Croix. Very funny.” Moonflower huffed, but he was smiling all the same even as he retorted: “Well, at least you've finally found your use, stripehorse, which is taking care of all us superior ponies.”
“Yeah, fixin' you up 'cause you keep gettin' broke. But that's always kind of been my job, I suppose.” La Croix answered wryly, and then he turned to follow Sombra as the unicorn left, Moonflower huffing and hurrying after the two.
“Interesting friends. Good friends, at that.” Electra said softly, and then she gave a small smile before she simply nodded to Cadence, then turned and followed after the others.
Cadence hesitated for a moment as she was left alone, thinking about how easy it would be just to slip away; but as if she'd heard her, the door at the end of the hall opened, and Miss Take leaned out to call gently: “Twilight would love to see you, dear, if you have a moment. So would the rest of us.”
Cadence sighed a little, then she nodded before she turned around with an awkward smile, striding to meet Miss Take at the door. The half-Changeling looked at her tenderly, and then she reached up and gently took her by the face, Cadence wincing slightly as she felt her head being turned back and forth before she grumbled when Miss Take slipped her helmet off.
“You have such a pretty face, dear. There's no need to hide it, or who you are.” Miss Take said almost tenderly, and Cadence shifted a little, glancing awkwardly away before the half-Changeling grasped her by the shoulder and lightly tugged her into the bedroom, announcing: “Cadence is here, Twilight Sparkle! Now be kind to her, she's been through quite a lot herself here, you know.”
Twilight smiled tiredly as Cadence approached the bed, Shining Armor shifting awkwardly to the side: still Twilight's Big Brother Best Friend Forever, Cadence saw with a wry smile, before she turned her eyes back to the Princess of Magic as Twilight said softly: “Your horn.”
“Yeah. Well... every time I die, I change.” Cadence said, but she didn't know how to describe it beyond that, so for a moment she just shifted awkwardly before asking lamely: “How are you feeling?”
“But without your horn... can you do magic, still?” Twilight asked worriedly, steamrollering the question, and Cadence sighed and shifted before she held up a hoof.
There was no question, no hesitation, and no surprise, when she felt the magic gather as it always had, before white flame flared across her golden hoof, Twilight's eyes widening in surprise as Cadence murmured: “I guess the training with Freya helped a lot, but... it's always just been there, naturally, too. The Swan... I'm not really a pony, I guess. Not really. I don't know if I ever was, but even if I was, I'm not anymore.”
Cadence fell into a brooding quiet for a moment, before Miss Take said gently: “Now stop that, dear. You'll insult all the rest of us not-ponies.”
Chrysalis grunted, and Cadence glanced up in surprise to see the Changeling Queen sulking in a corner, scowling at them. But the ivory mare could sense a weird mix of emotions in the Changeling mare as Chrysalis grumbled: “Incredible how you vanish for a few years and come back some kind of mutant, Princess.”
“Almost as amazing as coming back to find out you've become part of pony society, Chrysalis.” Cadence shot back, and Chrysalis glared at her as she rose her head high.
“The only reason I'm here is because the Queen Mother wishes for us to have peaceful relations with Equestria! And if I-”
“Yes, Chrissy, we know, you don't want to be spanked or to have all your drones taken away from you.” Miss Take said kindly, and Chrysalis scowled horribly before the half-Changeling added gently: “You don't have to work so hard to impress everyone, you know, dear. The only person here worried about you is you.”
Chrysalis grumbled under her breath, and Cadence forced a smile before she took a breath and strode over to the Changeling Queen. The two looked at each other for a few moments, and then Cadence extended a hoof, asking: “Can we put things behind us?”
“No.” Chrysalis said in a surly voice, and Cadence sighed and rolled her eyes before the Changeling Queen grimaced and said moodily: “The last thing I'm going to be is your friend. But since I know Metanoia will tattle on me if I don't behave...”
Chrysalis reached up and awkwardly took Cadence's hoof, then she winced at the iron grip of the mare, leaning backwards slightly as her eyes widened when Cadence leaned in and said gently: “Don't worry, Chrysalis. I don't want to be your friend, either. But that doesn't mean we have to be enemies.”
Chrysalis scowled, then yanked her hoof away and shook it awkwardly out before she grumbled: “Great, then we're not enemies. See, Metanoia? I'm not enemies with her.”
“That's very good, and a very big step for you, Chrissy. I'm very proud.” Miss Take said kindly, before she smiled in amusement over at Cadence. “But I don't see what the benefit is for you there, Cadence, dear. You're not going to be here for much longer... are you?”
There was almost a hint of eagerness in Miss Take's voice, and Cadence smiled faintly before she shook her head and said: “No, I have to leave. There's... too much at stake and too much I'm involved in. But before I go, I want to fix as many mistakes as possible. That just seemed like the easiest.”
“Great. I'm easy.” Chrysalis said drolly, but she sounded a little bit surprised. “What mistake was that, anyway? Not letting me steal your hubby away?”
Cadence admittedly felt like punching Chrysalis in the face, but she resisted the urge as she turned back towards her, answering dryly: “No, Chrysalis. That was stupid of you. The mistake was blaming you for everything that happened and... thinking you were evil. You're not evil. You're a royal bitch, but you're not evil.”
Chrysalis scowled, but then she only snorted and looked away, and Miss Take chuckled before she gently grasped Cadence by the shoulders and pulled her back over towards the bed. “Now stop that. There's nothing you have to apologize for there. I'm sure she's had her own share of unfair thoughts about you, after all.”
Cadence smiled awkwardly as she sat back at the side of the bed, looking at Twilight, then at Shining Armor. There was silence for a moment between the four of them, until Cadence finally looked down and murmured: “I'm sorry I can't stay or do more. I feel... I hate leaving like this, I do. To be honest, it was hard coming back here, and I was afraid of... a lot of things.”
“I suppose dying wasn't on that list, though.” Miss Take said gently, and Cadence smiled wryly as she reached up and silently touched her own smooth forehead. “You died for us. Again. How do you think we feel? That was the one thing Shining and I promised wouldn't happen, and there you are, selfishly dying.”
Cadence couldn't help but laugh a little at this, shaking her head before she said softly: “I guess that's always been one of my biggest problems. Being selfish. Thinking only about myself.”
“You... I wouldn't say you're selfish. Maybe you could be a little self-centered, but not selfish.” Shining said softly, and Cadence glanced up, giving him an amused look at this distinction. “Hey, it's true. You think about yourself and how things affect you and you... you'd always get mad at me about something stupid I did or didn't do, but never right away. You never put yourself first. You put everyone else first, then get mad when... you aren't the first in line.”
Cadence scowled a little, and Shining Armor winced back a bit before the mare sighed and lowered her head, saying grudgingly: “I guess you're right. Asshole.”
Miss Take chuckled at this, and Twilight smiled faintly before she said softly: “I always thought I had to take care of everything myself, too, that I was responsible for every last thing... but I'm not. And neither are you, Cadence.”
There was silence for a few moments, and then Cadence nodded and sighed a little before she said finally: “I guess I like feeling like it's all my responsibility, because then I feel like... maybe I can change things, too. Even when I can't.”
The others looked at her, and then Cadence absently flexed a hoof and added grumpily: “And it gives me an excuse to get involved and punch it, too.”
“And here I was about to congratulate you for making a little progress, dear.” Miss Take said amusedly, and then she said softly: “I hope you know that, even if we aren't nearly as strong as you and your friends, and I expect the other friends and allies you have, we're still here and ready to lend you any and all support we can. If this Loki gets his way, everything will be destroyed, won't it? Then of course we have to lend you all the help we can.”
Cadence smiled a little, before her eyes turned to Twilight Sparkle as the mare struggled to sit up a bit, adding quickly even as her brother gently pushed her back down: “I... I mean, as Princess of Equestria, and your friend, I can definitely ask the other princesses if we could prepare some kind of... special foreign defense squad...”
“I can do it! Let me!” said a cheerful voice, and Cadence glanced up in surprise as Discord squeezed his way into the group, waving a hand wildly before he clicked his tongue and said suddenly: “Right. But that's not why I'm here.”
He paused, then he eyed Cadence for a moment before he suddenly became serious as he leaned down towards her, saying quietly: “I've always been a little coy, a little fey, but this is probably the one thing that would make me want to put all that aside. Primordials? Very bad news. Very bad news indeed. About the only thing worse than that is the Prime, and, well...”
Discord shivered a little, hugging himself, before he glanced up as Twilight said moodily from the bed: “You tried to release Tirek once.”
“Well, the key word there is 'tried,' and furthermore, once he did get out, your good friends the Changelings promptly kicked his poor face in. I felt a little bad for him. He was crying, Twilight. Crying.” Discord nodded seriously several times as he placed a hand against his chest, before he added pointedly: “Let's not forget, either, that I like when things keep moving, and changing. The Prime will change things too, certainly! Except they'll start by literally erasing us from existence. That's a sort of change I'm just not ready to commit to.”
Miss Take nodded with a smile, saying kindly: “He has a point. But tell me, just where did you go, in that case? Is this friend anyone we happen to know?”
“Oh, no. No, no, no. It was a long-distance call I'm afraid.” Discord said blandly, twirling a wrist idly before he winked as he leaned over Cadence, looking down at her before he said in the old language: “Not all of the rats of Ginnungagap came to feast with the crows. Some of us brought cheese. And some nibbled at his bonds, not his entrails.”
Cadence felt the Swan grasp her shoulder, and Discord flinched back as his eyes snapped in shock to Danzsöngr, paling visibly as she asked curiously: “And why would you do such a thing?”
Discord laughed awkwardly, before Cadence said dryly: “I wouldn't lie to her if I were you. She's a lot less nice than me.”
“Because... well, where do you think we came from? Chaos! Of course, we never thought he'd come back.” Discord said awkwardly, rubbing at his face nervously. “And we thought... he was the Hatter. But the Hatter is so Mad that he turned out to be someone entirely different, who it made no sense for him to be, and our so-called savior is the Prime! How backwards is that? How crazy, how senseless, how irrational, how... utterly predictable, because it's everything that shouldn't be.”
Discord slumped a bit, rubbing at his face nervously before he cleared his throat and brushed at himself, then he peered nervously at Danzsöngr again for a moment before he said finally: “Can you tell your shadow to stop staring at me? I know we never got along all that well, but I don't think I deserve the death stare from the stuff of your worse-than-nightmares. Why do all you ponies have terrible things inside of you, anyway? I don't have anything awful inside of me. I don't think I even have blood or guts. Candy maybe. Cake. Pure unadulterated chaos. Adult-rated movies, although you didn't hear that from me.”
Discord waggled his eyebrows, and then he flinched violently when Danzsöngr reached out and calmly poked him, slapping wildly at her hand before he fell over and vanished in a burst of smoke.
The trio of ponies all looked up at Cadence, and the ivory mare smiled embarrassedly as she thought pointedly: Danzsöngr, we are going to have some words.
“We can have as many as you like, Cadence. I am simply still trying to understand things as they are. But I agree. There is much to decide, much to understand, much to speak upon.” the Swan said softly, as she flexed a claw slowly, before she asked: “Why have you not explored these changes?”
Cadence was spared having to answer by Twilight sitting up a little and asking uncertainly: “Do you have any idea what Discord... Shining, I'm fine, really...”
But Shining only gently pushed Twilight down, saying soothingly: “No, you rest, and that's all you have to concentrate on, okay? Cadence will still be here when you get up and you're doing that thing you do when you get overtired. So sleep, and we'll figure things out.”
Twilight Sparkle grimaced, but then she nodded as she settled back before half-sitting up suddenly, Shining wincing a bit as the Princess of Magic almost begged: “But wake me up before you go, alright? Don't... don't leave without saying goodbye, Cadence. Please.”
“I promise.” Cadence said with a small smile, and then she sighed a little before saying quietly: “Sunshine, sunshine...”
“Ladybugs awake.” Twilight replied with a small, touched smile, and then she laughed a little before she nodded and finally settled, murmuring: “Okay. I trust you.”
“I know.” Cadence said softly, and she smiled faintly before she let Miss Take gently grasp her shoulder and turn her around, Shining Armor staying a moment longer to tuck his sister in goodnight as Chrysalis hurried to the door. Cadence realized as she left that her helmet was still inside on the nightstand, but she only smiled as the door closed.
She would be back, after all. And there were more important things than helmets in her life.
It was a whirlwind: there was laughter, there was crying, there was a wonderful dinner and Cadence laughed as she did that old, stupid dance with Twilight she had always done back when she had babysat her as a foal...
A Princess, foalsitting a mare who would just one day happen to grow into a Princess. How much had Celestia known? How much has Celestia planned? How many of those carefully-crafted plans had withstood the test of time, and how many of those strings had frayed, fallen apart? It was strange to think about.
But she supposed, ultimately, she wasn't surprised: Hecate was a Celestia too, after all.
And now? Now they were on a train, heading back to the Crystal Empire. She had left her helmet behind as a memento for Twilight Sparkle: she thought that was okay. No one had questioned it, anyway.
They had said a thousand goodbyes, and it had felt like too much and not enough. They had made a lot of promises, too, and Cadence didn't know which ones were real and which ones were sweet nothings, one-in-a-million hopes. And then all of a sudden, she was on a night train to the Crystal Kingdom, and she was sitting, alone, at the back of the passenger car, staring out the window and watching the flickering lights of Canterlot fade into the distance.
She glanced up as she heard the seat shift in front of her, and she smiled a little at Thesis as he settled across from her, smiling back at her before he asked: “You okay?”
Cadence shrugged, then she simply reached up and flicked her long white mane back, and Thesis chuckled before he said softly: “Looks good, braided, though. It was nice of you to let Twilight do that. To hang around a little more, Miss Hurry Up And Wait.”
“Shut up.” Cadence replied, before she softened as she leaned back in her seat a little, gazing down the aisle to where her team was seated with Shining Armor, Miss Take, and Electra, the mare asking in a quieter voice: “How are they all holding up?”
“Good, I think. Moonflower's... processing. He's doing a good job of putting on a strong face, but I think everyone can tell he's pretty... well, he's feeling pretty bad about everything.” Thesis smiled a little, glancing over his shoulder for a moment before he returned his eyes to Cadence. “La Croix is doing well. His leg isn't acting up anymore, but he'll need to have it examined back home. Contraband and all that. I'm supposed to be the only defected Voidborn.”
“You're defective, alright.” Cadence said softly, before she asked after a moment: “And Daddy?”
“Purifier is holding up pretty well, looks like. He's doing good. Unless you were calling me Daddy, I mean. That's cool. I can try and work with that, even if your Dad totally scares me.” Thesis said mildly, leaning back before he waggled his eyebrows at her. “So do I call you babe? Baby girl? Filly? Is that too creepy?”
Cadence rolled her eyes, then she glanced at the Swan as she asked: “Why don't you tell him? Why don't you ask him? Why is it 'too much?'”
“Shut up and get the hell out of my head. How do you even... usually I can feel you digging around in my thoughts!” Cadence snapped as she blushed slightly, before she blushed deeper as she realized Thesis was staring at her, and she looked awkwardly away before she mumbled: “Sorry. Horses of Heaven, this is going to be hard to get used to.”
Thesis smiled a little at her, then he leaned forwards, looking over at the Swan as he said quietly: “Electra mentioned she could actually see the Swan. I heard from a little birdie that apparently Discord could, too... and he might have had contact with Ginnungagap, maybe even the Mad Hatter. Funny... the Hatter's been staying very clear of this whole situation. But not clear enough: like Heaven, he's operating in the background. Not... part of our story, I guess Loki would put it.”
“Yeah.” Cadence halted, then she said finally: “I feel like... Heaven, the Hatter, everyone else who could possibly help, they're all sitting back and watching. I mean, some people, like the former backers, they obviously want to watch and wait it out for their own sake. But then there's people like Melinda, who... I honestly believe she does want us to succeed. She wants us to be prepared. But in order to prove that we are...”
“We have to be hit with everything. And we have to do everything ourselves. She's done us a lot of favors... all of us.” Thesis emphasized, and Cadence smiled briefly, nodding slowly to him. She knew it was true, even with as rough Melinda had been with them before. “I think it must be especially hard for her because she's spent so long in the Void. For her, that is home. A home where she's been able to meet and study who knows how many different cultures and peoples, and yet at the same time live in her own little safe vacuum, unchallenged. I guess she sees... both sides. And as much as I hate to say it... if we can't stop Loki...”
“Everything ends eventually.” Cadence said ironically, looking out the window before she shook her head and murmured: “No. Valthrudnir was stopped. We can stop this asshole, too, no matter what he throws at us, because that's all he is. Not some hero, not the Prime, not some prophet or god. He's just an asshole.”
“Do not underestimate him.” the Swan said, and Cadence turned towards her, Thesis pausing to study Cadence as she clearly switched her attention to something he couldn't see, couldn't hear. “Do not forget that Loki obfuscates and plots. All could be shadows. All could be conspiracy and gamble. And we still do not know his true aim.”
“We have enough of an idea. Become the Prime, return everything to the Void. Maybe he wants to build something new, maybe he's just throwing a hissy-fit, maybe he's even being manipulated by the Prime itself, whatever the hell the Prime really is. I know that none of that changes things, though. He's a giant asshole, and I'm going to punch his face in.”
“You're very poetic.” Thesis said mildly, and Cadence gave him a dry look before Thesis hesitantly held a hoof out, asking: “How does the Swan... talk to people?”
Cadence winced a bit as the Swan began to reach forward, then she sharply reached out and slapped the Swan's claw away, glaring up at her defiantly. But the Swan only looked back at her calmly, before Thesis said gently: “Hey. I'm not going to love you any less.”
Cadence blushed slightly, then she grumbled as she sat back and crossed her forelegs, and Thesis smiled a little as he held his forelimb out, remarking: “Look on the bright side. To everyone else, I probably look pretty stupid just... just...”
He broke off as the Swan gently grasped his hoof in one scaly claw, the two looking at each other for a few long moments before the Swan said calmly: “We speak through the Astra. It is how we become real.”
The Swan gently squeezed Thesis' hoof, and the stallion marveled at the fact he could feel it, and how when he gave an experimental tug, he couldn't actually pull away. It felt real... “We are real. We are Astra. The Astra is everything. The Astra is within everything.”
“Right.” Thesis said slowly, studying the Swan intently before he asked: “So does this mean that... you're not inside Cadence anymore, so to speak?”
“No. Cadence is our anchor. We still require a physical body, a container, a source. But now we are able to act without it because we feel that we are whole again... or very nearly.” The Swan meditated for a moment, then, to Thesis' surprise, she released his hoof, but he was still able to see her. “Yes, it is because we are still in contact. The Astra that flows through us remains connected, even when we appear to be apart. The Astra is all of us, everywhere, in and of everything: through this, we are one, even when we are separate.”
“I am so confused.” Thesis said honestly, and Cadence sighed a little even as she smiled briefly. Sure, he was a little confused, but it was much less than he put on. That was always the way it was with him, and that was part of the reason she loved the bastard. He knows when it's okay to be dumb. And when to be serious. Unlike some ponies I know... “So do you have all your powers back, then?”
“We believe so. It will take experimentation.” the Swan answered calmly, and Cadence scowled. Thesis cocked his head curiously at this, but the Swan ignored Cadence, instead asking bluntly: “Are you aware that your time is growing short?”
Thesis glanced up at the Swan as Cadence bared her teeth, but the Swan was unfettered, continuing evidently: “It has affected you deeper than you would have us believe. You have stumbled in combat. You have not brazenly thrown yourself against foes, as you would in the past. You had trouble standing up after saving us.”
“You weigh a lot. Hurt my... well, what's left of my back.” Thesis answered mildly, gesturing absently at himself before he said in a quieter voice: “I'm focused on the time I have left, not the time I'm not going to have, Danzsöngr.”
“We don't want you to to die. Please don't die.” the Swan said bluntly, and Thesis blinked in surprise as Cadence blushed slightly and looked sharply away. “You are the most important thing in our life. More important than Father. More important than ourselves. More important than the mission. Please don't die.”
Thesis silently studied Danzsöngr, before he smiled faintly as she vanished from his vision and left Cadence in embarrassed silence. But the stallion only slipped out of his seat and around the table, sliding into the bench next to her, not speaking as he wrapped his forelegs around her and embraced her tightly.
Cadence rested against the safety of his chest, listening to the beat of his heart, breathing slowly in and out through her mouth before she finally murmured: “I hate thinking of all the time we're never going to have together. All the things we'll never get to do. It... it hurts a lot.”
“I know. But like it or not, there are bigger, more important things than us out there, too.” Thesis said gently, and Cadence grumbled as she mashed her face against him, then she smiled briefly as her smooth forehead rubbed against his breast. That's nice, at least.
“I don't think so.” she said stubbornly, and Thesis laughed despite himself before he silently stroked through her long mane, Cadence shaking her head before she sighed a little and muttered: “I know. I know. I can't just be a little filly about the whole thing. It just... it drives me insane. I just... I wish... I just wish...”
She trembled, then shook her head vehemently before she headbutted his chest when he began to reach up. “Don't say anything. Just... shut up and be here with me.”
Thesis smiled a little, nodding and simply holding her close. After a few minutes, Cadence finally sat up a little, but she refused to remove her foreleg from around his shoulders, keeping their sides almost clamped together as she muttered: “I'm not going to let you out of my goddamn sight.”
“God damn, goddamn.” Thesis answered with a wry smile, and then he winced when Cadence headbutted him, grabbing awkwardly at his snout. “Ouch.”
“That brings back memories.” Shining Armor said mildly as he slipped into the seat across from them with Miss Take, and Cadence smiled despite herself at the unicorn, who smiled back before he said softly: “Be nice to the big guy, huh? We can't all be as tough as you.”
“No one's as tough as Honk.” Thesis said mildly, before he winced when she smacked him. “That was a compliment!”
Cadence rolled her eyes, and Miss Take chuckled before she said softly: “I'm glad that you found someone, Cadence. Handsome, strong, bombproof. He seems like a real keeper. Much better than your last one.”
“Hey.” Shining Armor huffed a bit, but Miss Take only tipped him a wink before the unicorn hesitated, then he said finally as he looked at Thesis: “Yeah. I guess... you found yourself a pretty good guy. He seems like kind of an asshole, but... the last guy you dated was kind of an asshole, too.”
“Why the hell does everyone think I haven't dated anyone since Shining? I've... I've had lots of sex since Shining.” Cadence argued with a grumble, even as her eyes shifted slightly to the side.
“With yourself doesn't count, dear.” Thesis said kindly, and Cadence turned a glower to him before he added: “Although you did actually use pretty much all those gigantic sex toys on me, so, I do have to wonder...”
“We made a lot of jokes about that and her being the Princess of Love.” Shining Armor said blandly, and then he cleared his throat and blushed slightly when all eyes turned to him. “Well. I mean. We did. You know. Sex. Love. Anyway it was funny to me when I was a dumb young stallion. A dumb, impressionable young stallion, who she-”
“Put stuff in the butt of.” Thesis finished mildly, and Shining Armor spluttered wildly as Miss Take laughed and even Cadence grinned. “Look, I don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure that out. Especially with how much stuff she's tried to put in my butt. The key word there, by the way, is 'tried.' I won't admit to anything actually going in there.”
“Boys, boys, boys. And Cadence! You're all terrible.” Miss Take said, hiding a smile behind a hoof before she shook her head and said softly: “You know, as smooth and sultry as I am, dears, I'm more of a sensual person than a sexual one. I find the teasing is the most enjoyable.” She idly reached up, stroking gently along the underside of Shining's muzzle, before she continued: “But of course, for me love is two things: food as much as pleasure. And I have to pace myself, or risk hurting dear ShyShy or becoming addicted to it.”
She looked thoughtful for a moment, before she asked curiously: “So how much time to do you two actually spend together? I imagine the nights must be raucous, if you don't mind me saying so. But you're both very... career-oriented, so to speak. Those nights alone must be few and far between.”
Cadence scowled, but it was partly out of embarrassment and a feeling like shame, as she opened her mouth, but she was surprised and cut off by Thesis responding easily: “Yeah, unfortunately. But I think Cadence and I are going to take some time off when we get home. We'll have to scramble if there's any emergencies, sure... but this is the last major Void investigation we've been assigned to, and we've dispatched quite a few Voidborn now. Loki is wounded and now his forces have been pushed back. He'll have to recoup and recover.”
“You seem very confident.” Miss Take said mildly, and Thesis shrugged with a smile. “Well, I hope for your sake and dear Cadence's, you're right... but why hurry home, then? Why not stay a few days here? You could come around for dinner, and we could catch up on old times...”
“Mission's not over until debriefing.” Thesis answered, before he added honestly: “But I'm sure Cadence will be back one day. Sombra, too. Everyone. And I can't thank you enough for your help.”
There was silence for a few moments, and then Miss Take smiled faintly and nodded, reaching across the table to gently touch Thesis' face as she said softly: “I wish we could come with you, dear, but we're needed here.” She stopped, then turned her eyes to Cadence, winking and adding: “I suppose you don't really need our help anymore, either, do you?”
“I'll always need good friends. Thank you for... everything.” Cadence said, and she smiled a little as she sat up, resting back against Thesis, and not sure of what else she could say or do.
But there wasn't any need to say or do anything as Miss Take only shrugged, and Shining Armor smiled at her before he gave a tiny nod, meeting her eyes and telling her in that moment that everything was okay, that the past was the past, and while their futures would take them to very different places, he would never forget her.
And Cadence slid a hoof across the table towards him, Shining Armor looking surprised before he hesitantly reached out and rested his own hoof against hers before she said quietly: “You're still family to me. And you'll always be my friend, Shining. I'll never forget you.”
Shining Armor smiled, and Cadence smiled back before she said softly: “I hope you and Miss Take have a long, good life together. And a lot of kids.”
“Don't worry, dear. We'll name at least one of our daughters after you.” Miss Take answered with a wink, and Cadence laughed and shook her head, before the half-Changeling said honestly: “And I hope everything works out for you and yours. Remember, dear, you can always come back here. You don't have to face this all alone.”
“Don't worry... I know.” Cadence answered, as she glanced over at Thesis with a smile before her eyes roved past Miss Take and Shining Armor to where her father and friends sat.
No, she wasn't alone. She never had to worry about that again.