Night Patrol 2 Awakening ch 14
By Foxgear
A crowd awaits at the air docks. Not a huge crowd, some guards, nobles, and Princess Celestia herself, all awaiting the arrival of the Taisho. Carrying aboard Princess Luna and Princess Cadence. Originally Princess Celestia, Captain of the guard Shining Armor, and Wonderbolt Captain Spitfire were the only ones waiting. Wanting to welcome back their loved ones and friends in a calm and peaceful setting after their certainly high-strung adventure in Germane.
Alas, this small intimate welcome party was soon crashed by a swarm of nobles, led by Prince Blueblood after a noisy reporter spotted the three on the dock. The word quickly spread and thus the three ponies that actually had a reason to be here were annoyed by the intrusion. Especially since the newcomers were particularly noisy about why they were all gathered here. As if they were forced to stay even after an hour passed with no sign of the incoming ship.
“Princess Celestia, Princess Celestia, would you comment on why you and two of the most powerful ponies in all of Canterlot are here today?” A Reporter asked eagerly, floating a pen and paper with his horn.
“Classified,” Celestia replies stonily. This being the third time answering the same question and not even from different ponies. It was the same pony reporter, every time as if he assumes she would tell him something different ten minutes later.
“No need to be so uptight Auntie, it’s only Cousin Cadence returning home is it not?” Prince Blueblood said, much to Celestia’s ire. She and Luna owe the descendants of Lord Blueblood, but perhaps a thousand years of favorability was enough. It’s not like Bluejay Blueblood knew why he was the only official blood noble in all of Equestria. The secrets of his family’s crimes and good deeds lost to all but her and Luna.
Celestia sighs, Blueblood’s loose lips made the reporters gasp and surround them with even more vigor. A rapid fire of questions bombarded at all three of them.
“Princess Cadence is finally returning? How did her trip to Europa go? Was she involved in the recent conflict between Prance and Hispania?”
“Captain Shining Armor! Rumor is you and Cadence are getting married soon! Tell us when the wedding is and who’s the guest list? Will there be foreign rulers attending? Or any celebrities?”
“Captain Spitfire please confirm if the rumor of you and Princess Luna being in a mare and mare relationship are true!”
Spitfire scoffs at the question, “This is fucking ridiculous. Why can’t we just make them leave?”
“It wouldn’t be right to shoo them away for simply annoying the Princess. She does have an image to uphold.” Shining retorts, Princess Celestia staying silent on the matter.
“She has like a hundred percent approval rating, I doubt it will drop by a percent if she shoos away a bunch of reporters.” Spitfire shot back. “Hell, it might even go up.”
Shining shakes his head, “This is why you will never make a good political leader.”
“And you would future Prince? What are you going to do that Blueblood doesn’t? Alright, nothing! Because there’s nothing for any pony else to do when you have an immortal ruler!”
Celestia frowns, (If only that were true.) “Hush now you two, you are acting like a pair of squabbling siblings!” She chides them under her breath. A quick slap of her wings had both Captains at attention!
“Sorry, ma’am!” Both shout causing some to look at them oddly. Having missed the Princess’s rare act of physical discipline. No pony outside of the EUP knew of how annoyed the Princess of the Sun could actually get. Slightly annoyed would earn you a stern look and a tongue lashing lecture. But if you tried really hard and got Celestia to slap you with her wing, even if lightly, you were in the doghouse. No pony wants to be in the doghouse.
The reporter ponies eventually slink away. Finally leaving the three lone. Soon the crowd began to disperse, Celestia unknowingly driving them away with her deep frown. The event that no pony was invited to would be in the papers tomorrow and on the front cover would be Celestia’s scolding face. All uninvited parties would find themselves under much ire in the coming days as the common ponies read tomorrow’s article.
“Huh, their gone,” Spitfire notes aloud after another hour passes by.
“Indeed,” Celestia replies, keeping her stare outwards the sky. Luna and Cadence were running late. Time Keeper was probably pitching a fit back at the castle. The two princesses were supposed to arrive about thirty minutes ago. On some small level, Celestia had to wonder if Luna was just waiting in a cloud. Knowing Time Keeper had probably scheduled a time for their arrival and she wanted to prank the time obsessed pony. The thought brought a smile to her lips. “I could see her doing that.” She said aloud with a chuckle. Earning a glance from the two ponies flanking her.
In the sky far away in the distant, to where only the eyes of pegasus could see, a tiny speck appears on the horizon. It drew closer, bring a small trail of clouds as it sails across the sky. An airship. A bone white airship flying a Nippon flag!
“They’re here,” Celestia states with joy as the Taisho became bigger, Shining Armor finally able to see the ship clearly.
The ship bobs on the trail of clouds, bucking as it’s speed decreased. In the distant came the shouts of ponies, the sails raising as the ship began to turn sideways. The Taisho came skidding along the docks, barely a foot away from the edge as it came to slow and gentle stop. The boarding ramp was lowered and Lord Kiri of Nippon with his bodyguard, Kaki stood at the top. They march down side by side, exchanging greetings with the Princess and Captains.
“Celestia,” Kiri drawls casually as if he wasn’t speaking to the Princess of the Sun. Earning jaw smack looks from the captains as Celestia not only smiles but embraces the Nippon lord like he was her son.
“It’s been a long time Kiri,” Celestia says with joy. “How long as it been? How are your parents doing? Is this your marefriend? I must say she looks like a right fit for you… oh, that’s Kaki! My you’ve grown up so much as well!”
Kiri blushes, gently breaking the princess’s embrace, “Yes, well it has been ten years since we last come to visit. You should come to Nippon some time. Mother and Father would love to see you again and I have a little sister now, her names Miso.”
“I heard, Haibara sent me a letter when she was born. Luna also spoke about Miso, she absolutely adores her.”
“Yes, they seem to get along great,” Kiri mumbles, causing Celestia to frown.
“Is something the matter, Kiri?”
He shakes his head, “No, everything’s fine. Your sister and Princess Cadence are asleep. They’ve worn themselves out bonding the entire trip home. Luna has been teaching Cadence magic and other things on the way home. Well also attending to her duties of guarding dreams. It has left both very tired.”
“I see, how very like Luna to push herself till she can’t get out of bed. I shall attend to her, if you would take me to their rooms, please.” Kiri nods, walking up the boarding ramp. Celestia addresses the two captains. “You two can stay here. Actually, why don’t you organize a ride back to the castle for us? I do know how long this will take.”
“Yes, your highness, we will have a carriage waiting.” Shining salutes.
Celestia smiles, “Good. See you in a bit.” Walking up the boarding ramp Celestia walks beside Kiri, who was looking anxious. “It’s just us now, you can speak freely.”
“Yes, yes,” Kiri says as they slip into the captain’s cabin. He turns looking up at the white alicorn with fledging hope in his silver eyes. “Have you heard from Sake recently? Or hear any rumors about her?”
She mournfully shakes her head no, “I’m afraid not Kiri. I haven’t heard any news of your sister. She’s rather good at staying under the radar. The last thing I heard about her was three years ago, when some ponies thought they spotted her in Prussia, but that’s it I’m afraid.”
“I see,” Kiri replies closing his eyes. “Well, if you see her and if she still doesn’t want to come home. Could you tell her, I’m sorry?”
“Of course, Kiri, what kind of Godmother would I be if I didn’t?”
“I guess a rather poor one, logically speaking.”
Celestia awkwardly chuckles, “Yes… I suppose so. Oh, I haven’t introduced you to my student! Her name is Twilight Sparkle, I think you two would get along. You're both… unique in your social skills.”
“Is she like the last one?”
“She’s talented.”
“So borderline insane then?”
“Well… Twilight has her moments… but she’s making great progress.” (Way to not make your student sound not insane Celestia. Twilight isn’t Sunset! Sunset… I wish I could speak to her again.) “Why don’t you stay and meet her in person. I think she would be excited to meet a rinin for the first time.”
The Prince gave a pondering look. Celestia’s hope rising, already imagining Kiri and Twilight sitting awkwardly together. She was certain Kiri and Kaki would probably end up in the end, but Twilight could use some social experience with stallions. Nothing serious now, but Twilight needs to talk to other stallions other than Shining Armor and the library guard.
“I think not,” Kiri said finally, dashing Celestia’s fantasy. “I have some things that need my attention at home. I have much to learn if I am to take my father’s place.”
“Kusanagi isn’t ill, is he?”
Kiri shook his head, “No, no, my father is in perfect health. It’s just the way we do things in Nippon, in a few years I will be named ruling King, but my Father will run things for at least another two years, while slowly giving the reins to me. Eventually, he’ll be phased out and I’ll be in full control. This way there’s less chaos when the reins of power of transferred the heir. I assume that’s what you're trying to do with Cadence? Is it not?”
“Well, something like that,” Celestia replies looking away. “At least had I perished to Nightmare Moon that would be the case, but now… well, I have different plans for Cadence. Maybe in a few years, I can leave things to Luna and I can take a thousand-year vacation.” She chuckles, trailing off awkwardly as Kiri stares unamused at her. “Oh, I’m just joking, Kiri.”
“I hope you are. Forgive my bluntness godmother, but I don’t think your nation could survive without you. Princess Luna… well, a capable Warrior Princess is not suited to peacetime ruling. I see it in her eyes, she yearns to battle. To do things the old way, whether it’s the right thing to do or not. Without you, I’m certain she would spread the fires of war across the world.”
“You’re not wrong in your analysis Kiri, but Luna is adaptable, have faith in her.”
Kiri snorts, marching toward the door, “I can’t find myself trusting a pony who still hasn’t solved such a simple puzzle in months.”
“Puzzle? What are you…” Kiri already disappeared out the doorway. With a sigh, Celestia trots after her godson, knowing she wouldn’t be getting any more out of him. Once Kiri was done talking that was it. Following him down below deck Celestia follows Kiri to the bedroom at the end of the hall.
“They’re in here.” Kiri states opening the door. Peering inside Celestia sees Luna and Cadence, in the same bed and their horns locked together with a string of magic.
“Luna took Cadence dream walking with her?” Celestia asks aloud, looking to Kiri for an explanation. The white rinin merely shrugs. Indicating he didn’t know the reason for their actions. Walking further into the room Celestia caught the faint movements of Luna’s lips. She was mumbling something in her sleep. Leaning down Celestia listens in.
“Sixes…. Where…. Where are you?” Luna mumbles, her legs fidgeting. Judging from Luna’s withered frame she’s been pushing herself day and night. She was on the verge of magic exhaustion!
“Luna, wake up,” Celestia demands shaking her little sister. The connection between the two princesses arcs, Luna’s concentration faltering. Cadence began to stir from the jolt, but Luna kept on forcing herself to remain asleep. “Luna, you need to wake up, stop using magic and then actually go to sleep! Luna!” Her demands went unheeded, with no other option Celestia ignites her horn and connects to the two Princesses’ dream. Her magic may not work in the dream realm, but she could still go and see what was going on as long as she was connected to Luna.
Settling down the floor Celestia lays her head next to Luna’s and enters the dream world.
(The dream world)
“Um Auntie Luna, I think it’s time to call it a night. I think I can hear Celestia calling us.” Cadence says to Luna. A white thread connects their horns, Luna pulling on her love magic to try and fish the doors of Sixes and the other Rinin. For the past few nights, Luna has been feverishly searching for the rinin. The strain was even affecting her mental self as Luna was sporting deep black raccoon eyes and looking physically exhausted even well in the dream realm. “Perhaps it’s time to stop?”
“No, just a few more doors, just a few more!” Luna says skittishly as she pulls another ten doors before them. She opens all, peering into the dreams, only to slam them shut again when they weren’t the ones she was looking for. “Come on, Sixes, call out to me again! Please!”
“Auntie Luna…”
“What’s going on here?” Cadence perks up, turning around with joy as she sees Celestia appear behind her.
“Aunt Celestia! Is that really you?”
“Yes, I used your connection to enter the dream world, since you two refused to wake up. What is going on?”
“Well, remember a few nights ago when we all had that shared dream adventure?” Celestia nods. “Well ever since then Luna and I have been trying to call upon those dragon ponies, but we haven’t had any luck. I think it’s starting to get to her, she’s all but destroying herself searching for them. Maybe you can do something to stop her?”
Celestia looks at her frantic little sister, who this entire time hasn’t even stopped to acknowledge her presence. That wasn’t a good sign.
“I can try, but this is Luna’s domain. My magic won’t work here. So, I can only hope my words will get through to her.” Celestia steps uncertainly towards her sister. If they were to fight here. She would lose. Every time without exception. After all its only because of Luna’s power that’s she actually able to be in dream limbo, the space between dreams right now. A normal pony can’t enter dream limbo, nor can they leave their own dream, or enter another’s dream. Only Luna could. Only Luna. “Luna.”
“What?” Luna replies fiercely. “I’m busy!”
“It’s time to wake up, your home now.”
“No, I need to find them! I know there here, somewhere! I know it! I didn’t imagine! They were real!” Luna chokes back an agonizing sob, looking at her with tears flowing down her face. “They were real? Right? Sixes was actually there that night? He spoke to me… right?”
“I don’t know Luna. It was in a dream. Cadence was the one to summon them through your bonds of love. But maybe they were just manifestation of your love for them. Maybe your heart just longed to see them again so badly that you unknowingly summoned their image.”
Luna shook her head, exhaustion settling in as she lay on the cosmic floor of the dream world her head hung low. “They were real. I know it. At least… I thought they were.”
“I’m not saying you have to stop looking for them, but you need to take care of yourself. Your running yourself ragged and it’s not healthy. Besides. You already know that they left you a clue of some sort. Wouldn’t be better to be looking in the waking world, rather than searching in the endless voids of the dream realm?”
“Yes… perhaps your right,” Luna says tiredly, exhaustion settling in. “I will end my spell, but before that, one last try. This time with all three of us.”
“Luna…”
“Please Celestia, just one more time.”
Celestia looked uncertainly between the two Princesses. Cadence wasn’t looking much better then Luna, none the less the pink Princess looked willing to help. So, she laments to her sister’s request.
“Fine, I will give you my aid, but after you must wake up. Kiri is eager to go home and you need to sleep and I mean actually sleep.” Luna nods. Celestia crosses her horn with Luna’s and Cadence adds her horn, all three of them sending out one last dream line into the void. It was a different experience for all of them. They felt the web of dreams through Luna’s magic and the bonds of love through Cadence’s. They follow Luna’s love for the Night Patrollers, Celesta adding her own love for them to strengthen the line. They reach deeper and deeper into the void, reaching out to the furthest regions of the dream world.
At first, there was nothing. Then there was a spark. A faint glimmer like a faraway star. All of them felt it and saw it in their minds. They reach out toward it, connecting to the dream, an overwhelming wave of love come through the bond. A love for Luna. They reach out calling for the ones on the other side of the bond come to them. Gradually the love began to come closer, moving towards them, only to suddenly stop. The star in the distance refused to move! The three-princesses tug at the bonds like a fishing line, reeling in the star, but the soft longing love for Luna was replaced with searing hot rage of hatred for Celestia! The dream lines were severed as the hatred slams into them with such power and force that all three of them wake up!
(The Taisho, Luna’s Cabin)
Celestia awoke with a start, her horn burning like she’s just fired off a hundred bolts of magic at once! She jumps to her hooves, the dream line between Luna, Cadence, and herself severing and burning away in a fantastic display of sparks. She backs away from the bed, sweating and panting, never before as she ever, even from her worse enemies, felt such hostilities towards her. A pure scolding hot hatred straight from the flames of Tartarus. She looks down towards the bed, Cadence cradling her horn, which was glowing red from overuse and the connection rebounding, and Luna… looking was staring at her with disbelief, confusion, and rapidly growing anger.
“What did you do?” Were her first words, they were filled with demand and spite. “What did you do to them?”
Celestia sucks in a breath, looking her sister right in the eyes and says, “It’s a long story.”
“Then start talking.”
“If you’re going to talk then go do it in your own castle, I want to go home,” Kiri says breaking into the conversation. Luna shoots him a glare and he shoots one right back, not intimidated in the slightest. Normally it wasn’t wise to mess with the Princess of the Night when she was angry, but from lack of sleep, overusing her magic, and just generally being worn out. Luna’s bite wasn’t as big as her bark at the moment.
“I’ll take you home and then I’ll explain. Ok?” Celestia said hoping to quell her sister’s rage.
Luna, dead tired, flops in the bed with a pout. Too exhausted to even stay angry. “Don’t treat me like a foal.” She grumbles like a foal. Much to her charging everypony started grinning at her expense as her ethereal mane disappears, exposing her actual mane to the world. She officially had magic exhaustion and now couldn’t move or do spells. “I will allow you to carry me home, but no piggybacks! I have my dignity!”
“Whatever you say, Luna,” Celestia says lifting her sister with her magic, laying Luna’s limp body squarely on her back. Luna grumbles as Celestia piggybacks her out to the carriage waiting by the dock.
“I will get you back for this,” Luna growls as Celestia lays her on the padded bench seat.
Celestia only smiles, “Maybe, but I gotta have my fun too. Now you go rest, we’ll talk when you wake up.”
Luna’s eyes falter as she drifts off to sleep, actual sleep, this time to her own dreams. “Fine, also you need to tell me why you didn’t tell me the truth about Cadence.”
Celestia looks perplexed as the others pile into the carriage. “I thought it was obvious. I mean I introduced her as Mi Amore Cadenza. You wouldn’t think I would allow any pony else to bare that name other than the real one, would you?”
Luna snorts, giving out one last laugh, “I suppose it was.”
Luna awakens on her bed feeling, well not great, but better. Her and magic exhaustion have a rather long history. After maybe the first two times perhaps she would learn her lesson, but nope! She just couldn’t seem to remember where her limits are.
“What are my limits again?” She asks aloud rolling on her back to look up at the ceiling. “Ever since Nightmare Moon and I become one my magic has seemed… well endless. Seems like my body gives out before I actually run out of magic.”
Trying to sit up Luna found that every muscle in her body was sore, forcing her to quickly lie back down, seething through her teeth. Seems she used too much magic that even her muscles were affected more than usual. It felt like she just did full body workout for two weeks straight!
“You shouldn’t strain yourself.” Luna turns her head, cringing with every degree till Cadence’s muzzle was in view. The pink Princess looking down at her with concern and guilt. “I should have been more insistent on stopping you, but… I was too afraid to speak up to you.”
“This is nothing new for me,” Luna told Cadence gently. Kicking herself for once again running headlong into magic exhaustion. “Also, always feel free to voice when you think I’m being a dunce. Just don’t expect me to listen when I’m being a dunce. So, how long was I out?”
“Ah… about that…”
“Cadence…”
“Three days?”
She chuckles, causing Cadence to look at her oddly, “Sorry, I just find it a little funny is all. I might have set a record this time. So where is Celestia? She and I have some talking to do.”
Cadence grimaced, “About that…”
“Let me guess, she’s been called away?” Cadence nods. “I see, where is she?”
“Prance, acting as the third party in a ceasefire treaty with Hispania. Time Keeper estimated she’d be back about a week before my wedding. Making you acting ruler, but since you were unconscious it fell to me. Please let me say, I’m glad you awake! There’s this list of a hundred things I need to do and I’ve barely gotten a quarter of the way through. The merchant guild is asking about the new tax code and… and…”
“Cadence! Take a breath!” The Pink Princess sucks in a huge amount of air, her cheeks puffing out as she held her breath. “Now slowly exhale like I showed you.” Cadence exhales, her posture and muscles relaxing. Luna nods with satisfaction. “Good, now as I see from my window, Canterlot is still standing, so I’d hazard a guess that things, well not smoothly from your tone, have been going as best they can. You have to remember, you’re not Celestia, nor should you try to be. That’s a mountain no pony can climb.”
“Not even you?”
Luna fell silent, staring up at the ceiling, “I have my own mountain. I don’t need to try and climb Celestia’s.”
“I think I understand,” Cadence said uncertainly. Not quite getting the metaphor. Checking the clock, cringing at the placement of the hands. “I’m afraid I have to go to meeting… again. I hope you recover soon, I could use your help.”
“My dear niece, you are doing an amazing job and let no pony tell you different. You can do this, have faith and confidence, but if you find you need advice I will be here if you need me. Because I still can’t move my legs and probably won’t be able to for a bit longer.” Luna said with a chuckle, earning a smile from the troubled Princess of Love.
“Thanks, I needed that.” Cadence giggles nuzzling Luna’s cheek. “I’ll come visit again after I’m done with the day.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Cadence nods taking her leave. In the hallway, she is greeted by Canary. Who’s been acting as her schedule keeper the past three days. “So, what’s next on the list?”
“Your meeting with the merchant’s guild and after that, you and Shining Armor have dinner with Fancy Pants and his wife,” Canary said reading off Cadence’s schedule. “Then you have a dress fitting, picking your cake, decorations, and etc. Celestia’s decorators have narrowed down your choices, so it should be a simple pick.”
“How thoughtful of her,” Cadence comments sourly. Last, she checked this was her wedding. “Let me guess, the guest list has been added too again?”
“Yes, The Mayor of Manehatten and Los Pegasus have been sent invitations.”
“What of Twilight Sparkle? Has her invitation been sent?”
Canary nods, “Yes, before she left Celestia… I mean Princess Celestia sent Twilight Sparkle her invite personally, as well as an invitation to all her friends, the Elements of Harmony.”
“That’s good. I can’t wait to meet the ponies that got my soon to be Sister in law out of her shell.” Cadence smiles gleefully. “I wonder if any of them are stallions?”
“Well, Applejack is somewhat of stallion name. Unless that’s short of Applejackalynn.”
(I guess I’ll just have to be surprised, then.) “Thank you very much for your help these past few days Canary. You’ve really stepped up for me and I can’t thank you enough. Seems like you know my schedule better than I do.”
“Oh, it’s a pleasure, Princess.” Canary smiles wickedly her eyes flashing green as they turn the corner. Shining Armor and Brick’s waiting for them. She tosses a glance to Brick’s, who nods back.
(A little longer.) She muses following the royal couple. (Just a little longer, my favorite snack.)