As the train rolled to a stop, the group noticed several guards on the platform. As they departed the train a Palace Guard officer walked up to them.
“Twilight Sparkle,” said the guard, “We have a couple wagons to take you and your party to the castle.”
“Thank you, Strong Hoof,” said Twilight.
The rest the party walked up, but two fillies rushed up.
“Hello Mr. Strong Hoof,” said Celestia.
The guard smiled, and turned to the other troopers.
“Look sharp stallions!” said Strong Hoof, “we have Princesses Celestia and Luna here!”
They all gave a small bow to the fillies.
“Stop it or I’ll tell my uncle on you,” said Luna.
All the ponies laughed, but Strong Hoof hugged the fillies.
Cheerilee and Twilight smiled at the love and acceptance of their children.
“Let’s get going,” said Strong Hoof, “the other princesses are waiting.”
The Throne Room of Canterlot Castle was well known to all save Trixie. She’d been with Pinkie for eight years now, and their marriage had been performed by Princess Celestia. Pinkie and she’d been to Canterlot several times by themselves and with the group of friends. But she’d never been before the princesses on their high seats in all that time. Trixie was in awe. She was also awed to realize in spite of her knowledge of Twilight and her friends’ notoriety, she only now realized the importance of this group of friends that she was now part of.
The Throne Room doors opened and the group was bid enter by Princess Celestia.
“We came as quick as we could,” said Twilight.
“I’m so glad,” said Princess Celestia, “but you were rushed here without thought of giving you a break from your journey, I’ve ordered refreshments for you in the dining room. Please go there and refresh yourselves. I’ll send for you there.”
The group bowed and turned to leave.
“That is, all of you save the foals,” said Princess Luna with a smile. “They’ll remain here for the moment.”
“Yes,” said Princess Celestia, “we never get enough time to visit with our nieces, and their cousin is welcome to stay as well.”
The foals looked at their mothers. The mothers smiled and nodded to let them know it was okay.
In the castle Dining Room:
“Twi Honey,” said Cheerilee, “what do you think we’re here for? The princesses didn’t appear to be overly concerned. But they’ve never summoned you and the others with their Elements like this since we’ve been married.”
The rest of the friends looked at Twilight to see what she might say.
“Cheeri my love,” said Twilight, “I’m unsure. I doubt this is some kind of drill, nor do I think it an excuse to see the kids. And with the incident with the Changeling on the train. There has to be something deeper going on. I fear that we might find that Queen Chrysalis is up to something again.
If that’s the case, I’m doubly afraid. Before it was just my friends and myself. But now I have you and our children to worry about. If anything happened to any of you, I would die!”
“We all feel the same Twi,” said Rainbow, rubbing her abdomen.
“Twilight,” said Trixie, “I’m bound to Pinkie. I’ve sworn that her fate will be my fate. I’m sure everypony feels the same. We are all in this together. That makes us strong.”
“Trixie,” said Twilight with a smile. “I used to think you were an annoying showoff (everypony, including Trixie snickered). But with the love and acceptance you have expressed to Pinkie and all your friends…
I still think you’re an annoying showoff. But we all love you for it.”
Trixie and Twilight hugged.
The talk turned lighter, mostly to hide everypony’s nerves. About an hour later, Princess Celestia came into the room along with Luna and Celestia Sparkle along with their cousin, Zap Apple.
The ponies gathered stood and bowed.
“Right now,” said Princess Celestia, “that is not necessary. We are all here as family, or at least friends closer than family.”
Then with a smirk;
“However Rainbow, there is one point of official business I need to conduct with you. I was informed by this handsome gentlecolt right here, that I was to command you that when you go buy the new foal, that you get a colt.
Congratulations, by the way.”
“Thank you, Highness,” said Rainbow with a chuckle. “I’ll see what I can do about buying a colt.”
Everypony broke out laughing, although Zap and the fillies didn’t understand what was so funny.
At that moment, a guard entered the room.
“Highness,” said the guard.
“Yes?”
“Princess Luna asks to have the foals come back to see her,” said the guard.
Luna looked shocked, she looked into the eyes of her sister who then closed her eyes.
Twilight and Cheerilee both heard Celestia, their daughter, in their heads:
‘He’s a Changey-ling!’
Apparently, Celestia heard it too. She turned and faced the ‘guard’.
“I think not!” said Celestia angrily. She emitted a bolt of gold from her horn.
The guard tried to dodge the beam, but there was a purple aura holding his hooves in place.
The beam struck the guard, he let out a scream and crumpled to the floor. As he did, there was a green flash and his shape changed to that of a Changeling.
Pinkie walked to the fallen form of the Changeling.
“Soldier,” said Pinkie with some disgust. “Probably was with the pony from the train.”
Celestia walked to the doors and looked into the hall.
“Guard,” called Celestia, then she waved for Luna to come to her.
A guard walked to the princess and bowed. Celestia looked at her niece.
“He’s ‘k aunt Celestia,” said Luna.
“Guard,” said the princess, “please ask my sister to join us here. Then send for guards to take this thing to the dungeon to be secluded. He will be under an enchantment that will take away his ability to shape-change.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” replied the guard and he turned to find Princess Luna and have other guard come to get the Changeling. That is after Luna Sparkle cleared the guard.
“Princess Celestia,” said Twilight, “may Cheeri and I speak to you a moment, alone?”
“Most certainly,” said the Princess as they walked to the far corner of the room, away from everypony else.
“I surmise that you’ve discovered that you and your children have been exhibiting some kind of deeper connection. Am I correct?”
“Yes Tia,” said Cheerilee.
“When we shared minds and bodies while the two of you were pregnant,” said the princess, “there was a connection made that linked our minds, permanently. You’ve probably noticed, by now, that Lu and I along with your children and yourselves have some link. To be honest with you, you’ll find out that your family are going to age much slower than the common pony. Your children will mature at the normal rate until adulthood. That is because you were imbued with some of Lu’s and my vitality. We said that be our minds will forever be linked. And this will also have consequences for the near future. That you’ll understand in the right time. Well my loves now is the time to understand.”
Twilight and Cheerilee were shocked.
Then they noticed that Princess Luna had walked up and joined them.
“This is why Tia and I have called you and your children here.” Said Luna, “We have intelligence that Queen Chrysalis is planning another attack on Equestria. And it is determined that her first goal is the removal of the ponies that helped to defeat her last time. That is why we asked you to bring the foals here. Aside from that, Tia and I see them, by extension, ours as well. And as such, we will keep them safe, it will be three less weapons to use against us.”
“As far as we know, all of our guards are unaware of our secret sanctum.” Said Celestia, “when the children are not with us, they will be safe there. That is if that is alright with the two of you. We will ask Rainbow as well as swear her to secrecy about the rooms. We will get from her, what is it you call it?”
“A Pinkie Pie swear,” said Cheerilee with a snicker.
“Pinkie Pie swear,” said Celestia, “perhaps apropos for this situation.”
“I don’t have any problem this, Tia,” said Twilight.
“And I don’t think Rainbow will as well,” said Cheerilee.
Rainbow was told about the need to safeguard her foal. She was assured that her husband will be told that the colt will be well taken care of and there would be no need to worry, and there would be frequent reports. Spike would be staying at Sweet Apple Acres for his safety and so messages could be sent quickly.