Aegis Flare awoke with a gasp as she shot up in her bed looking around wildly. When her eyes landed on the form of her mother she let out a sigh of relief. “It wasn't a dream. She's really back.”
The alicorn relaxed as she looked over the sleeping form of her mother with her sister cuddled up on her other side. It still felt like it was all just a dream as she had nearly accepted that she would have never seen her parents alive again, yet here they were now with them finally reunited. Maybe one day she would wake up without that feeling, but none of the last week were that day. Her gaze drifted down to her mother's injuries and she remembered back to the day after the funeral when the stopped by the doctor to give her a checkup.
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“Now Mrs. Donna, I'll need you to come along with me while the rest of your party waits here for you.” The doctor stepped backwards a few paces as the full force of three glares hit him as the mother and two daughters focused intently on him. Realizing that the three were not going to allow themselves to be separated without a fight he quickly backtracked. “Of course if you really want they can join you as well, as long as they stay out of the way.”
The family was led to a simple examination room where the doctor left them as he went out to make some preparations. It wasn't long after they began to relax, the mother on the bed with her daughters on two nearby chairs, when they were interrupted by the door opening once again and two small figures rushing in before hiding under the bed. Moments later the door opened once again revealing the form of a harried member of the Royal Guard.
“Excuse me ma'am, your highness. But did you see anypony come by here?” The three shook their heads as the guard groaned before closing the door once again and taking off down the hall in search of the figures. Once the sound of hoofsteps had gotten out of hearing range, Scootaloo sighed before looking under the bed.
“You can come out girls.” Stepping back she from the bed she was followed by Sweetie Belle and Applebloom who were looking a bit embarrassed. “Now what are you two doing here?” The two fillies looked at each other for a moment before turning back to their friend.
“Well you were just grabbed by your sister from school without a word and we were worried something bad had happened. We were wondering if you were all right and when our sisters brought us here to Canterlot so much happened that we didn't have a chance to see how you were doing. And well...” Sweetie Belle looked over to the injured mare, more specifically to her hind legs that were still using the cobbled together hunks of wood and vines to hold her up which she moved using her magic for some amount of locomotion. Following the gaze of the two fillies the older unicorn, recognizing the look of curiosity that she had also seen on her daughter's faces, Bella Donna gave a sad sigh.
“I suppose I should tell you about what happened back then since it was supposed to be a simple delivery and not... this.” She gestured around her to where they were now as she let out a sigh. “I can't tell you much about what happened during the mission until I talk with Princess Celestia, but it pretty much turned from a delivery into a counter-espionage mission.” The fillies looked at her with confusion causing her to roll her eyes and smirk.
“Dealing with enemy spies.” The three let out 'ohs' of understanding while letting her continue. “Needless to say Vanator and I escaped by stealing an airship from their shipyard while they gave chase. We were somewhere over the ocean when they finally caught up to us and the ship exploded sending me over the side. Vanator... He...” She had to pause for a moment as the last moments with her husband came back to her. She felt a wing settle over her and she smiled at her oldest daughter before continuing.
“I'm still not sure how he did it, but with his wings shredded by the blast he managed to reach me in the air and slow our descent. Bracing for impact with the ocean he managed to put himself underneath me to absorb the blow. We were both surprised when we started falling through the canopy of a jungle the wasn't there moments before until we hit the ground below hard. After recovering from the impact I tried to stand but only then realized that I had lost my legs. Your father though...” With a sad look one her face she nuzzled at her younger daughter.
“He stayed with me for three days, but n the end his injuries were too much for him. His last words were to tell me to survive and get back to you two, and to tell you that he loves you and was sorry that he couldn't see you grow.” The two sniffled in sadness as tears threatened to fall once again from the two sister's eyes. The other fillies weren't much better as the tragedy of the story got to them as well.
“It might have been over for me as well, but that island... Well it is fitting that it was created by Discord as I didn't have to worry about food since not far from where we landed was a water park with everything you would expect at one. The food stalls never seemed to run out and were always fresh. Over time I managed to cobble these together so that I could at least get around, and with nothing better to do I deciphered everything that we had managed to take with before escaping. I'm not sure if my message ever got through to the castle, but seeing as Canterlot hasn't been conquered then something must have gone right.” Aegis Flare's eyes narrowed at the mention of a message as her mind drifted back to what her aunt had told her during Cadance's wedding. The fillies didn't notice this as they started peppering the unicorn mare with questions about the island. The doctor chose this moment to return and, seeing the two new figures, let out a sigh of annoyance at having more ponies to work around.
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Much to her relief, Aegis Flare didn't have to worry about her mother getting sick after her time on the island as she appeared to be as healthy as ever according to the doctors. They even had new prosthetic legs brought in, but on seeing them Applebloom criticized how stiff they were while Scootaloo helped her mother with putting them on and attempting to walk around with them. Sweetie Belle, felling a bit left out, started singing a rhythmic song softly to give the unicorn something to try and keep pace with.
After laying there for a long while, the alicorn sighed as she slowly rolled out of bed and onto her hooves. The family was planning on heading back to Ponyville soon, but before they left she had some things to take care of with the Black Guard. Thankful for the plush carpeting in the room, the alicorn made her way out of the room at a casual pace so as not to disturb her family. Once she entered the hallway and closed the door she realized what she had thought and started prancing in place with joy.
“I still can't believe that she's actually back! Just the thought of her officially being home tomorrow makes me so...happy!” As if the word was a signal, music began to filter through the halls as she started to strut towards her destination.
Aegis Flare strutted down the hall to the beat of the music as she sang a cheerful song. The various guards and servants that she passed gawked at her as it seemed very out of character for her. Yet despite that they clopped their hooves against the floor as she passed by, caught up in the song themselves. By the time she entered the section of the palace containing the Black Guard offices she had a small train of ponies following her adding to the beat, led by Pinkie Pie. She noticed none of this until she arrived at the office reserved for the future captains and finished her song. Feeling a presence behind her she looked over her shoulder and quirked an eyebrow at the crowd behind her.
“Don't you all have something you should be doing right now?” The guards and servants blushed before rushing off back to where they were supposed to be, while Pinkie Pie just smiled and bounced away to do... something. Shaking her head the orange alicorn smiled at her friend's antics before heading into the office to get some work done. Steadily working through the paperwork in the office she soon finished after an hour. Most of it was routine work but two things stood out in their importance.
“Well, I guess I'll have to dip into my personal funds again to get the rest of these tools for everyone. I'm glad that all those investments paid off with what I earned from Celestia before all this alicorn stuff happened. Still it will be nice to not have to use it once everything is settled and a basic set of equipment is chosen.” Sighing she pulls up a tattered looking scroll that was wrapped with the skeleton of a bird, which also happened to be what delivered it.
“At least this one is something I've been waiting for. It took long enough for him to answer back, but it's good that he's agreed to teach D. Well, as soon as she finishes this first assignment and sends back a reply with this same bird.” She frowned at the dead bird before shrugging and setting it aside to give to the filly's guardians later. Cracking her neck she rose from her seat and left the room to check on those that stilled remained as potential candidates of the Black Guard, most of which were almost guaranteed to be accepted in the end, though none of them knew that.
As she walked through the halls towards the outdoor training area, she paused as she passed another training room that had recently been finished. She knew that she should just keep walking, but she felt herself getting rusty as she hadn't been keeping up with her usual training as much as she used to. “I suppose one short round couldn't hurt.”
Stepping into the room she walked over to the pylon at the side of the room and started toggling some of the gems to change the settings on it. Once she was satisfied she moved to the center of the room as a barrier began to encircle the arena in the center before she relaxed and prepared for the training simulation to begin. When a glowing point of energy started to bounce in front of her she shifted into a ready position as she focused on the object. Soon it was bouncing around the enclosure she was in with many more joining it every few seconds. As she got a rhythm going her movements became more of a dance as yet another song bubbled up from the depths of her soul.
She glided around the small arena as she sang, avoiding the projectiles by narrower and narrower margins until it was impossible to dodge as the came at her from every direction. But in time with the song she lit up her horn and burst out a wave of flames, incinerating them from existence and her dance truly began as she brought her wings into play as well. Wrapping a barrier around them she used them to deflect and knock away many that came at her from the sides while avoiding those from the other angles. When she came close to being overwhelmed she sent out more directed bursts of flames to clear out a path for her to avoid the rest. Soon the globes of energy were spawning as fast as they were being destroyed, with her in the center as a flaming tornado of death. As her singing came to a close she sent of one last burst of flame, clearing the room just before the training exercise ended.
As she started to catch her breath, her concentration was fully shattered as applause broke out from the entrance to the room. Whipping her head around she found her mother, along with D and the Cutie Mark Crusaders, just inside the room with a small crowd of Black Guard trainees arrayed behind them. “And that, little songs, is how an expert deals with multiple attackers.”
“Mom!” The alicorn blushed at her mom using the words of her song against her, as well as catching her singing in the first place. Seeing her daughter looking looking embarrassed, the unicorn mare broke out laughing and was soon joined by the younger sibling. Glancing back to the others she waved them off.
“You all head on ahead. I need to have a few words with my daughter before I come join you.” As the group left, the trio of trouble only after D pulled them away towards her guardians with a skeletal bird soon following them, the alicorn worked to calm herself at being caught out like that. With a smile the elder mare toddled over before sitting down next to her daughter and tossed a forelimb over her back.
“I must say you found an interesting group to rebuild the Black Guard with. Most of them already have something in common to bond over, I still can't believe Princess Celestia didn't do anything about him, and it is already showing in how they interact. I have to ask about that little filly though. She seems a tad young to be involved in this, especially being such a powerful necromancer as well.” The alicorn was still grumbling a bit about earlier but she sighed as she looked after where the filly went with a raised eyebrow.
“Well she's a bit older than she looks, about the same age as Scootaloo. I can get you the file on her later, but her talent will definitely be related to necromancy, though just how is unknown. I'm guessing you stopped by the captain's office since she had that bird with her which was supposed to be part of her learning how to control her powers.” The unicorn nodded before she sighed as she watched a crystal pony walk by the door.
“Yeah, it was rather surprising to see her excitement about it. I've seen a few necromancers over the years, but just about all of them were rather grim in how they acted. The guard seems to attract the oddest beings to its ranks, such as Thorax who I need to give a good talking to.” Aegis Flare looked over at her mother in confusion at the name, but it was eclipsed as the stallion that had just walked by yelled out in panic.
“Abort! Abort! Identity has been compromised! Initiate Escape Plan Delta!” The stallion went rushing back by the door, and it was only then that the alicorn recognized it as Agent X in his usual disguise. Her mother just looked at the door in amusement until the stallions head peeked back around the edge of it with wide eyes at her.
“Wait, Bella Donna? Old friend, you're back!” Rushing into the room his disguise dropped revealing his changeling form before he pounced at the unicorn. On landing he started babbling out questions at a pace near that of Pinkie Pie as he looked her over. The unicorn, with a look that combined amusement and annoyance, placed a hoof over his muzzle to quiet him.
“It's good to see you, too. But were you seriously still using that silly name you came up with when you took the job as an operative? And how come you never told me about what changelings were? It seriously would have helped during that last mission.” The changeling flinched away before he crouched down like a scolded foal. With a sheepish grin he could only reply with the most annoying answer possible.
“Um, you didn't ask?”
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The rest of the day passed quickly after Bella Donna caught up with her changeling friend. Nothing happened until the next day when the family took the train from Canterlot to Ponyville, joined by the rest of the newest alicorns minus Rainbow Dash who had to stay back to meet with Spitfire and the Wonderbolts. As the train began to pull into Ponyville Aegis Flare was up on the tips of her hooves in excitement at being so close to home once again with her mother with her sister right next to her. The elder unicorn was the first at the door as it opened before a blast of confetti flew in her face.
“SURPRISE!” The unicorn blinked at the pink alicorn and burst of confetti in front of her before looking back behind her to where the mare was a few seconds before. Turning forward again she closed the door to the train before stepping back next to her daughters.
“Wasn't she just...?” The mares behind her just shake their heads as her daughter rests a hoof on her shoulder.
“Yeah, I wouldn't bother trying to figure her out. Even before becoming an alicorn she did things that should be impossible, and she was an earth pony.” Looking back towards the train Bella Donna narrowed her eyes.
“Really? And how long has she been doing that? I would think I would have heard of something like that back when I was in charge of the Black Guard.” Her elder daughter could only roll her eyes in response as she took a step towards the closed door to open it.
“Well when only unicorns are deemed important enough to be given the direct attention of a princess as well as be offered so much more then it's extremely easy for the other tribes or species to fall through. It doesn't matter if you can fly fast enough to create tornadoes by yourself, or ignore the basic laws of physics, or even control others just by looking at them, if you aren't a unicorn you won't be watched.” Bella frowned at her daughter's tone, but couldn't actually deny her claim as she couldn't actually remember any foals being put on the watch list that weren't unicorns. Still she made a personal note to talk to her later before she sighed and stepped up to open the door one more time.
“SURPRISE!” Once more she was blasted with a cloud of confetti as the doors opened, but this time she looked past it and the pink mare to the figures behind her. Many of them she had known casually from her time in Ponyville, but through her daughter she had gotten to know three of the figures in the shocked looking forms of Rarity's parents and Granny Smith. The fourth figure she wasn't prepared for as she fell back onto her rump when the cream mare pounced her.
“Teacher! You're back! I didn't think I would ever see you again!” The unicorn reflexively wrapped her forelimbs around Bon Bon to comfort her as she lightly wept in relief. Aegis Flare knew that the mare had been taught by her mother, but she never expected them to be this close. The interruption was enough to snap the other ponies out of their daze at seeing the long thought-to-be-dead mare.
“Well ah'll be. She really wasn't pullin' our leg. Ah never expected ta see that youngin' back after she up and vanished all those years ago.” The elder pony sighed as she looked back towards Sweet Apple Acres, in the direction of two weather-worn stones that she knew were at the far end of the farm.
“I heard that you were one of the few to survive Sweetie Drops. But what made you choose Ponyville? I would have thought the Everfree would have kept you away if you were trying to stay in hiding.” The younger mare froze up at the sound of her old name as a green mare stepped forward from the crowd.
“Bon Bon, why did that mare call you Sweetie Drops?” Looking back at her 'best friend,' Bon Bon gave a small embarrassed smile before she slowly walked over towards her.
“Um, well, you see.” Bon Bon sighed before she hung her head. “Can we talk about this back at home? I don't feel comfortable speaking about it out here.” Lyra looks at her suspiciously before she nods and they move off back into town. Bella Donna watches as they move off with a raised eyebrow before looking back towards her daughter.
“I'm guessing that they are together and she never told her.” Her daughter makes a so-so motion with her hoof, while the other alicorns look at her in confusion.
“Wait, are ya telling me that Bon Bon was part of the Black Guard? How come ya never said anything ta us?” Aegis Flare just shrugged at Applejack before turning to watch as her mother lit up her horn again to control her rear legs to stand and walk forward.
“It never really came up, and it's not like I had the right to reveal it for her. It's all in her past anyways. She's happy with her shop from what she's told me.” The farm mare frowned before she nodded. The group watched as Bella Donna was greeted by many of the ponies that knew her back when she had lived there. With a large rush of air, Rainbow Dash landed next to the group as she finally arrived from Canterlot.
“Ugh, remind me the next time that I decide to try and get the Wonderbolts to do something different to bring a big stick or something.” Turning from watching the unicorn meet with old friends and acquaintances, the other alicorns looked at her questioningly.
“Whatever do you mean, darling? I thought that you were getting along with Spitfire.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes at Rarity before she sighed.
“We get along fine, but even she has a hard time changing things. In fact since she took over she has been trying to update the Wonderbolts' training, but she is denied at every turn because of 'tradition' and stuff like that. It's like they don't even want to improve since they think they are the best.” The cyan mare flew upwards for a moment to grab a cloud before she brought it down to flop on and sulk. Her friends glanced at each other before responding to her.
“Well why not put them up against somepony that's even better than them? If the lose out against some other group then it might motivate them to listen.” At hearing Twilight's words, Rainbow Dash could only roll her eyes.
“That sounds good and all, but where am I going to find a group that can actually compete with them?” Looking around, Twilight pointed towards a group of pegasi moving clouds around the sky.
“What about them? I remember seeing a couple of the weather ponies around here going to that training for the Wonderbolts Reserve, and I doubt that there are many weather teams that have to deal with weather or other problems that come out of the Everfree Forest.” Rainbow Dash looked thoughtful for a small grin appeared on her muzzle.
“Huh, that's actually not a bad idea. It can't be a real threat, but I bet we could come up with a training exercise or two for them to react to in the middle of some sort of competition. Good catch, egghead.” The lavender mare rolled her eyes at her friend's nickname for her, but takes the praise for what it was. With the idea in mind the cyan mare took off again to look into what she needed as the others shook their heads at how their friend had trouble sitting still. Soon the townsfolk started moving off through the town as Pinkie led them towards the party that was prepared for the mare of honor.
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“It feels so good to be home again. Of course it looks like you two picked up some interesting decorations while I was gone.” Bella Donna looked around the main room of her old home at all the unfamiliar decorations from her seat in the room. The other alicorns, as well as their younger family members, had joined the family at their home after the party. Scootaloo pointed over towards her sister at her mother's question.
“This was all sis' stuff that she picked up from the Everfree. She started putting it out here when she ran out of space in her room.” Aegis Flare shoved her sister lightly at throwing all the blame on her as their mother looked around at everything.
“Well it's quite the variety of things, even considering what that place is like. I mean is that a zebrican fertility mask? And over there, that looks just like an official favor trinket of Marelantis.” As she looked over the various objects, her older daughter smirked as she slowly pulled a book out in front of her and her sister.
“Um, what is that sis?” The darker orange alicorn's smirk widened as the rest of the alicorns leaned over to look.
“Oh, nothing much. Just a photo album of many of the things mom missed while she was away. Think of it as a thank you for your laughter earlier and for just now.” Scootaloo's eyes widened in horror as the book was opened to the first page revealing a younger version of the filly curled up with a plushy panda that was larger than her. Her face turned red as a chorus of 'awws' rang out through the room led by her mother.
“Aww, you were so cute back then.” She shot a glare at Sweetie Belle as her blush deepened even further as page after page of her went by. Soon they came to a page that would have had her laughing at her friend as well if she wasn't caught up in it as well.
“What's this? Did my little angel get a marefriend and dragonfriend while I was away?” The trio blushed as they were confronted by the picture of the day when the Cutie Mark Crusaders had Fallen asleep around Spike. Applebloom just smirked at the other three as she had to put up with their antics ever since.
“W-when did you even take that?!” Scootaloo glared at her chuckling sister as she pointed at Pinkie Pie.
“She had a camera nearby, in fact many of these were taken by her. Some of these even I didn't know about until...” Turning to the next page the elder sister froze before turning a glare at the pink mare who just smiled at her. On the next page were more photos, but this time of some of her achievements and embarrassing moments. She still continued paging through with the group as her sister had her own time to laugh, enjoying her mother's looks as she saw many of the missed moments of her children.
“All these years, and I missed so much. I have so many stories that I could tell you, but it's just not that same.” Looking around the room her eyes settled on Twilight before she smirked, causing the mare to shuffle about in worry.
“Such as all the things that happened in Canterlot when Princess Celestia took you on as her student. Did you ever tell them about that incident you had with the quesadillas?” Twilight's eyes widened in horror as she tried to get the older mare to stop by waving her hooves at her. Spike had other ideas as he saw an opportunity to tease his caretaker.
“Oh yeah. That really was a horrible mess that day and Twilight won't even go near the things any more.” The unicorn nodded before shaking her head.
“She was so excited to show off that Come-to-Life spell at dinner that day and used it on her food. It took a dozen guards to subdue it and I bet even now those stallions won't talk about it.” Twilight at this point had curled up as her mind drifted back to that day.
“No, not there, get away from there you evil cheesy monster. Please, no more.” The others looked at their broken friend before Rarity excused herself to help her friend back home, taking Spike and Sweetie Belle with her. Seeing as the gathering was ending, the others started to leave, one by one, until the residents of the home were left, along with Fluttershy who shuffled around nervously.
“Um, I guess I should go as well. I wouldn't want to interrupt your reunion any longer.” She was about to leave but was quickly blocked by a bat wing.
“Come on now, Fluttershy. We're all family here and you should take some time getting to know your aunt.” Bella Donna looked at them curiously as her daughter realized that she hadn't been told yet.
“Oh right, well we found out that her father was one of dad's brothers who abandoned her and her mother. She's probably the only good thing to come out of Uncle Douchebag.” Her mother groaned as she rolled her eyes at her daughter.
“Of course it would be him. I wonder if he'll even admit to anything even after she became an alicorn. Still, it's nice to see that you managed to find some form of family while I was gone, though most of your father's side refuse to acknowledge us. I think your father's sister is the only one that still talked with us.” Her daughter nodded as she responded.
“Yeah, she's one of Luna's lieutenants now, but she's away from Canterlot right now or else you would have seen her. Knowing her as soon as she hears that you're back she'll be rushing right over.” She looked back over to Fluttershy who had yet to say anything.
“Well, I would love to, but I really need to get back and check on my animals. Maybe tomorrow?” After a moment the group nodded as Fluttershy took off. With the three alone the sisters led their mother up towards her room, and paused as she looked inside before freezing.
“It... it hasn't changed a bit. Did you two really not touch this place since then?” The two looked at each other before looking away from their mother.
“Well, we did sleep in here when we were really missing you over the years. It... it became a safe place for use as we hoped to see you again.” Their mother looked at her daughters before she smiled sadly and waved a hoof at the two.
“I'm here now, so how about once more for old times sake?” With a smile from the elder daughter, and a shout of glee from the younger the two entered the room as their mother moved over towards the bed. That night, the three slept better than they had in years as they indulged in a ritual that they had not taken part in in years.