Cheerilee looked up to see a chariot approaching with two unicorns in it: one winged, and one not winged. "Do I dare bother them? Most of the people I've been meeting today don't seem to care about the princess at all..." She asked herself, in her mind. After a few seconds to build her resolve, she decided to approach the strange unicorns before her.
"Excuse me!" She said, approaching the chariot — despite her better judgment — trying to avoid expressing the desperation she was beginning to feel. "I seem to have lost--"
"somepony close to you?" Celestia asked, interrupting the pink unicorn's mentor -- who was now desperately swallowing a deluge of tears -- with a glowing smile. "I think I might be able to help you with that!" She said, with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes (which seemed to be aimed directly at Blueblood.)
"Aunty, you can't seriously be thinking about letting his riffraff in this chariot? She looks inbred, and deranged!" Blueblood said, backing as far away from the strange purple unicorn as he could, while still remaining in the chariot. "She'll attack us in our sleep!" Blueblood continued, intentionally speaking as loudly as he could.
"Blueblood!" Celestia chastised him, with a hurt shame in her eyes. "Is this how an heir of Princess Platina reacts when he sees one of his little pony's in need?" Celestia said, sighing to herself. All she could do was ask herself where she went wrong. It hurt her that she had failed to uphold the promise she made to Clover regarding Platina's family all those years ago. "Now Ms...." Celestia started, looking at Rarity's mentor, her smile returning.
"Cheerilee" Cheerilee said, her face softening a little.
"Cheerilee, please step in here." Celestia said, motioning with her hoof. "And I'll have somepony drop by to assist you finding them!" Celestia said, this time motioning with a wing.
"Oh thank you!" Cheerilee said, her voice filled with relief. "I knew someone in this strange city cared about the Crystal Princess!"
"Crystal Princess?" Blueblood said, once more with disdain -- getting a well hidden, but obviously agitated look from his 'aunt.' "What kind of nonsense is she spouting now!" Said an exasperated Blueblood to himself. "Don't blame me if we both end up at the wrong end of a cupcake party!" He said, pretending it was under his breath.
********
"So Rainbow Dash! How's it going." Said Twilight, with a smile. "I thought I'd bring you some high fashion magazines that Rarity let me borrow!" She looked down through the stack; one of the magazines, which Rarity fought tooth and nail to keep -- saying that it was the most important, and one she needed imminently "for important fashion research" -- had the headline: "dressing to impress: win the stallion of your dreams!"
Twilight resisted the urge to face hoof, these magazines almost seemed designed more to melt a mare's mind, then grow it -- nevertheless, she was a strong believer in reading. And Rainbow did really seem to enjoy Rarity's fashion magazines.
"Oh thank you, darling! These magazines look dashing!" Rainbow said, with a smile that was both extremely exuberant and extremely polite, at the same time. Before her smile started quickly fading.
"Is something wrong Rainbow?" Twilight asked, she knew besides rainbows, and riding them, fashion was like her third favorite thing -- and she wasn't expecting her joy to wear off so quickly.
"I'm sorry, darling! I really am!" Rainbow said, apologetically. "But for some reason I swore I recognized a young... unicorn filly." She said, after some thought, remembering something from her past. "And she looked like she was in trouble and I'm deathly concerned." Rainbow said, her eyes imploring Twilight for help. "I don't know why, darling, but I'm certain that little filly get's in more than everyone's share of trouble!" She said, her eyes glowing neon green, and her body shaking violently. Another magic burst came shooting out from her body, which was absorbed by the inhibiter around her neck and the custom bed she was now confined to.
"Rarity!" Rainbow said, remembering something a pony she swore she never saw before. "She is a darling friend; whom I met when she accidentally warped herself away from Unicornia -- which I've never heard of before -- with magic." Rainbow Dash said to herself, confused -- when would she stop getting these migraines? And why whenever she had one did it always result in her remembering something she shouldn't, first the Zecoras, now this Rarity unicorn.
"Strange, I thought you never met a unicorn, before yesterday?" Twilight asked, confused, referring to her meeting, the other day, with Twilight's Rarity and her sister.
"Neither did I." Rainbow said, with a sigh. "And yet, darling, I remember the whole adventure vividly: from her entering the sweet shop; to chasing her in that cart; to her splashing me with mud; to camping out in the woods; to losing my colors; to the First Rainbow of the Season. It's all very confusing, darling! It's like I'm reliving events that I never lived in the first place!"
"Well hopefully the doctors can figure something out." Twilight reassured the dashing earth pony. "They think maybe these memory issues of yours are, somehow, related to the magic bursts you've been having." Twilight said, with the most convincing smile she could muster. "In the meantime, I'll talk to the doctors about the filly, and see what I can find out for you."
"Yes! Please darling! That would be quite dashing!" Rainbow said, looking relieved. Asking herself, why was she so concerned about this filly in particular.
********
"Hello!" Shouted a young unicorn, as she tapped, lightly at first, on one of the guest room doors, then forcefully. "Celestia sent me to see how you were doing!" She shouted, not sure if she was being heard.
She contemplated shouting as loudly as she could, before remembering her instructions. "Remember, Begonia, this pony is special to me, and she lost somepony close to her: so try to be as kind as you can." Celestia had told her. The senior princess out of four, though didn't stop there. "Get to know her! Find out what she's been up to! Ask her how she's feeling, and why she's so upset! Find out how she got to Canterlot! And do let me know what you find out, I've been very concerned!" Begonia sighed, the princess gave her an important assignment -- it wasn't without perks, however. "With the exception of the delegation for the Griffon Empire, which leaves tonight. This will be your only assignment." This, of course meant that the assignment was extra important.
"I hope she hurries up!" Begonia thought to herself, looking at the position of the sun outside. "I have to tend to that delegation from the Griffon Empire as well!" She thought, calming herself with a sigh.
After a few minutes of tapping her hood on the ground, she decided to knock again. "Are you ok in there, Ms. Cheerilee?"
After a few seconds, the door opened, and before her was a very odd looking purple unicorn, with an oversized horn (not abnormal for Canterlot mind you, but everywhere else in Equestria), an enormous muzzle (ok that was definitely odd anywhere), and triple flower Cutie Mark. Her green eyes were puffy, and it looked from the doorway like her pillow was soaked. It appeared that the carpet had been moved out of alignment, probably from frequent pacing. And was this strange unicorn walking around, effortlessly reared up onto her hind legs?
"I apologize, if I got you at the wrong time, Ms. Cheerilee! But Celestia wanted me to be sure you were prepared for your formal audience with her!" She said, with the biggest smile she could muster. "You've been given the very last audience of the day, and then Celestia wishes you to join her and her sister for dinner." She said, with her best smile, all while wondering what Celestia saw in this pony -- she knew better then to ask the princess, though. "This is, of course, a great honor! And I was instructed to make sure you looked your best."
"Certainly." Cheerilee said, formally. "Will you come in?" She said, gesturing in with her left hoof; her right hoof distorted around the doorknob, allowing it to grip. Her wrist, and hoof eventually wrapping around the rest of the knob -- like a viper.
Begonia looked down for a second; she could tell this pony was upset, and Celestia did instruct her to attempt to cheer the pony up if necessary. "So Celestia tells me you lost some pony close to you. How are you holding up?"
"Actually I'm supposed to be mentoring her in how to be the rainbow princess. Some mentor I turned out to be!" Cheerilee said, looking down morosely. "I should've never left that wand where she could find it. Now Lord knows where she is! And it's all my fault! I've let her down!" Cheerilee said, on the verge of breaking down into tears.
Begonia looked around, this mare is obviously upset, but what should she say to her? Maybe she could try putting things in perspective. "Did you do everything you could?"
"Well yes, but-" Cheerilee responded, still feeling despondent.
"Then I'm sure she'll understand!" Begonia said, with a smile. "And I'm certain Celestia right now is thinking of ways to help you find her!"
"Oh thank you!" Cheerilee said, smiling largely for a second, hugging the nervous unicorn hardily. "I've just been beside myself with worry. What if she's hurt? What if she never forgives me? What if those monsters that attacked my village took her away? Or worse!" Cheerilee said, her mood starting to fail again.
"Wait... Monsters attacked your village?" Begonia said, surprised by what she heard. "Best not to worry the mare further!" She thought to herself. "Well! Try not to worry about it. Let's get you dressed for your audience with the princess. She said, trying to distract Rarity's mentor onto other matters.
********
"Well Ms. Sparkle. I'd love to tell you more about Ms. Rainbow Heart. But patient privacy rules clearly state." Doctor Stethoscope said, as if quoting directly from the rulebook. "That only friends and family can enter." He continued, with a frown. "And I won't break patient confidentially even for a princess." He reiterated, this time with authority.
"But what if I can help?" Twilight asked, undeterred -- normally, she was a stickler for the rules, but when it came to her friends, Celestia herself be darned.
"Hello again, princess!" Said a haute Doctor Stable, as he entered the room. "You can't help, unless you can find a suitable magic donor for her." He said, raising tone for a few words, so as to be clearly heard by his colleague. "As you can see, she's running a little empty!" He said, opening the door. "And her condition is not good."
Doctor Stethoscope, swallowed a horrified gasp. "Why haven't you been fired, and stripped of your medical license yet?"
Doctor Stable, just smirked. "Because maybe, unlike you, I'm irreplaceable!" He said to his fuming colleague. "Now maybe, theoretically, 'The Princess' over here could use those 'magical' princess powers and get as many unicorns as she can together! And we can find out if anyone in this no-horse town is compatible with this foal."
Doctor Stethoscope, swallowed another horrified gasp. "You can't just give out information like that, this is for patient safety and!"
"Quiet, Stethoscope. Some rules have to be broken, sometimes, in order to save a patient's life." Doctor Stable responded, in a harsh voice.
"Or maybe, what you are doing is not so much saving lives, as being reckless!" Stethoscope replied, feeling his colleague had become a little too comfortable.
"Well maybe I can just transfer some of my magic to her?" Twilight asked. "It worked when Luna, Celestia, and Cadance transferred their magic to me for safe keeping!"
"Well, maybe you and the princesses can just trade magic around like candy to each other, using your 'magical' princess powers! 'oh hey, I'm running low on magic! No Problem: here's a giga-swirl to tide you over until next week!' But the rest of us have limits!" Said a sarcastic Doctor Stable, feeling self righteous in the superiority of his intellect.
"But Tirek, absorbed everypony's magic just fine?" Twilight countered, trying to keep clinical.
"Yes! But are you insinuating that this little, innocent harmless pink ball of fur is a DARK LORD?" Doctor Stable countered. "No! We will do this my way!"
"Sorry, no offense your majesty!" Doctor Stethoscope countered, clinically. "But what the jerk my colleague is trying to say is: given an amount of magic smaller than their own inherent magic, any kind of magic can be converted and absorbed. However, if a too much incompatible magic were to be given a patient." Doctor Stethoscope said, looking down at the little Pink unicorn, and gulping. "There could be... complications."
********
Begonia tried to calm the nervous Cheerilee, by engaging the strange mare in small talk; while she picked an appropriate dress. She would also, of course, need to talk about the finer points of etiquette. "So any luck finding your special somepony?" She asked, hoping to kick things off.
Cheerilee froze for a second. "What is she talking about?" She thought to herself. "Oh! You mean a boyfriend!" She said, the light turning on for a second. "Oh No! There are so very few eligible bachelors to begin with, and my work is far too important to take any time off from!" Cheerilee said, with a smile. It's not that she hadn't dated a stallion before, it had just been a very, very, long time.
"Ahh yes! you remind me of somepony with that whole 'I can't meet ponies, I've got too much to do!' Thing you have going on!"
"Who would that be?" Cheerilee asked, curious to know if Begonia was talking about herself.
"Princess Celestia." Begonia replied. "Oh yes! She says it's because she represents her little ponies -- and is, as such, married to the nation! But I think, the truth is, that she worries that, if she takes too much time off, then everything will go to Tartarus around here! I think she hasn't taken a vacation within my grandmother's lifetime! And I think to this day, she still sneaks out for hair and beauty appointments!"
"Yes, that does sound familiar." Cheerilee said, with a chuckle.
"This one will work well for you, I think!" Begonia said, with a huge smile. "I think it might even have some of the eligible stallions taking an interest in you!" She said, smirking to herself at the thought. "I might even get one for myself." She thought to herself, smiling all the way.
"So tell me more? How'd you and little... Rarity get split up?" She said, forgetting the little filly's name for just a second. "And how did you find your way to Canterlot." She said, pulling a light blue dress with pink trim from some of the ones they had on hoof, and a light blue tiara with a emerald inset. "Now let me get some measurements on you, to make sure it fits well!"
"What is there to say?" Cheerilee said, staring down at the ground. "Rarity's been having nightmares since that explosion on Christmas Eve!" She looked away, feeling it was all her fault.
"Ok... That must have been the same day as Harthswarming eve..." Begonia thought to herself. Why did the mare keep saying strange words like "everyone" and "person" instead of "everypony", and "pony"? And why did she keep getting the names of the holiday's wrong?
"And it's the same horrible one! Apparently, Brights Brightly, Whistle Wishes, and Lily Lightly, along with Unicornia disappear into the darkness." She said, looking down. "And then, even I disappear into the darkness." She said, sighing. "And the dear is convinced, every time she has that dream, that she let me down." Cheerilee said, speaking with some grief. She apparently felt as much guilt as the filly did. "So when our village got attacked by bug ponies today." She said, looking away.
"Changelings... But why there? And why not the Crystal empire?" Begonia asked herself. "Wouldn't that make more sense?"
"She used the magic wand. I don't know how she even knew about it. I haven't even shown it to her yet! And I certainly didn't teach her the teleportation spell she used." Cheerilee said frantically, starting to cry. "I should have never let her touch it! Now Lord knows what's happening to her! And what's worse! What's even worse! Is that she probably thinks she let me down again! When it was really I that let her down!"
"There! There! You can't live in the past! And if you did everything you could!" Begonia replied, jotting down some final measurements to send to the royal dress maker -- this would have to be a rush job.
"And what if I didn't do everything I could have! What if I could have done more!" Cheerilee shouted, sobbing. "She could be gone and it would be all my fault!"
********
"I bet you all want to know why I’ve asked Twilight to gather you all here?" Asked a surly Doctor Stable to a room packed with unicorns (apparently Twilight can pack a room if she wants to!)
"Yes, I was wondering that, please! Thank you!" Asked Rarity, as politely as she could. "I have very important dresses to finish, and I would rather be at the boutique, unless I have a good reason to do otherwise, of course!"
"Well, we have a very sick filly in there, clinging onto life, and we need a magic donor, or else…" Said Doctor Stable, trailing off.
"Don’t you have systems for that, dearie?" Rarity asked, wincing a little bit at the poor filly's plight. "I mean, can’t you find a donor in your systems?" She asked curiously.
"We would! If she had… say… MAGIC!!! Or records." Doctor Stable replied, sarcastically to the fashionable white unicorn, causing her to pull back a hair. "And to make things worse, a lack of magic means taking a magic sample is just plain out."
Rarity sighed. She had important business to attend to, but felt that she should help if she could. "Oh, very well. But only because of the circumstances." Rarity said, with a sighing again. "Shall we get this over with?"
"So basically, because of the odd circumstances: instead of normal, reasonable, medicine, we’ll be using an old ooga-booga test that they used before modern medicine came into vogue." Doctor Stable replied, belligerently, feeling this was probably the worst test possible -- that being said, they were running out of options, and time was of the essence. "We will be teaching each one of you a spell, which you will cast in the presence of the filly. If done right, we will see an effect ranging from nothing to an arc of magic between your horns. The bigger the effect, the stronger the compatibility of your magical energies." Doctor Stable said.
"We are looking for 90% compatibility or more; however, even if, we decide that, you don’t match, you may be asked to remain, if you have come close enough. Otherwise we will be sending you home."
"Ok. First: Lyra Heartstrings." Doctor Stethoscope said, motioning to a green unicorn with a harp cutie mark. "Please step into the next room." He said, opening the door, and motioning the green unicorn through.
"Excuse me, Doctor Stable." Twilight said, approaching the old doctor. "After Lyra, could I take the next turn? I have important business to attend to and --"
"Actually Twilight." Doctor Stable said, in an unusually polite tone. "Doctor Stethoscope and I were talking, and we feel that it would be best if we didn’t use you."
"And why not?" Twilight asked, befuddled.
"Between the strange diseases you’ve suffered in the past, such the magical shedding at the wedding -- oh and that whole Dragon Flu incident." He said matter-of-factly. "And the fact that you have very high level of magic, even before your ascension… Well…" He said, before his sarcastic smile started to return. "We, basically, think that since your magic is a whole lot stronger now, that, if we attempt to use it then, your magic will blow her horn clear off!"
Of course, Twilight left in a huff, muttering something about "taking this all the way to Celestia's desk!"
********
Begonia entered the audience chamber as quietly as she could -- making sure to close the large door as quietly as she could. It appeared that Celestia was correct in telling her that her audience with the delegation from the Griffon Empire would be brief.
She could see Celestia holding her "I’m important face", while Luna was angrily arguing with the crown prince (in the Royal Canterlot Voice). Complaining, something, about a lack of respect.
Begonia had expected this important diplomatic summit to last a while. And that she would have to wait until Celestia noticed her and could politely excuse herself. Instead she found herself coming in only to be passed by the Griffons angrily removing themselves — swearing something about repercussions.
"Kibitz! I think we should take a couple of minutes to cool down after this delightful exchange!" Celestia said, winking at the unicorn, now standing as far away from the stage as she could. "I know Luna certainly could!" She said, winking at her sister in the most noticeable way possible.
"Tis Lies!" Her sister shouted, snorting. "WE SHALL SMITE THESE GRIFFON SWINE WITH OUR JUST WORDS, AND..." She shouted (in all caps), pulling out a giant... "BATTLE HAMMER!"
"Yes, I see what you mean, your majesty. We shall take a few minutes break, and then reconvene." Kibitz said, sighing (he knew full well Celestia had other plans in mind, but he wasn't about to bug her about them. Besides, everypony knew that when Luna broke into Old Equiish, it was time to take a break!) "But be aware! We have only a short while, there are quite a few things still left on your schedule before nightfall!"
Celestia nodded at her advisor, before turning to Begonia. "Walk with me." Celestia said, to the awaiting Begonia.
"Of course, your majesty." Begonia replied, following Celestia back through the large doors and into the hall.
"So tell me, my dear Begonia! How's she holding up?" Celestia asked, with a frown, looking out one of the ornate windows that filled the castle's hallways.
"About as well as can be expected." Begonia replied, taking a peek out the window, herself. "Apparently Cheerilee's village -- I think she called it 'Unicornia' -- was attacked by changelings, and her young mentee used powerful magic to teleport everypony to safety. " Begonia said, matter-of-factly.
"Interesting... I wonder what Queen Chrysalis is up to." Celestia said, under her breath. "I certainly thought she would be attacking the Crystal Empire. And how could Cheerilee even show up? And what reason would Chrysalis have to attack Cheerilee and Unicornia in the first place?" Celestia said, continuing to talk to herself under her breath.
"You ok, your majesty?" Begonia asked, with a concerned demeanor. "You normally reserve my services for ponies you have suspicions of. Are you concerned that this isn't your friend?" Begonia asked, trying to swallow her suspicions.
Celestia looked around, and over both her shoulders. "No, my dear Begonia. I believe this is the real Cheerilee!" She said, her voice dropping just a little to ensure an inside tone.
"Then my apologies, you majesty." Begonia apologized, formally. "Do you mind if I speak out of turn again?" She asked, hesitantly -- but couldn't resist asking the question.
Celestia waved her hoof. "Go ahead, I don't mind!"
"Has your friend betrayed Equestria?" She asked the princess, desperately trying to figure out why Celestia had assigned her to the purple unicorn.
"I wish, that it had been her that had betrayed me..." Celestia said to herself, under her breath. "No Begonia, she's been nothing if not loyal!" She replied.
"Then why are you so concerned then, your majesty?" Begonia asked, completely baffled.
"Oh Begonia, maybe I'm just concerned because I know the pain of losing somepony close to me?" Celestia asked, innocently (demonstrating why she was the poker champ of Canterlot 400 years running.)
"I suppose, your majesty." Begonia replied. "But I'm not sure I believe you." She said, with fervor. "Certainly, wouldn't Sweet Heart be a much better choice?" She asked, with hesitation, fearing how the princess might respond. "This Cutie Mark, stands not just for empathy, but also discernment. And hers is certainly exclusively empathy!" She said, wondering why she was picked for a simple 'pick-me-up' mission when a much more qualified pony was available.
"And maybe, I think you'd be the perfect pony?" Celestia said to Begonia, as if trying to reassure somepony.
Begonia only looked back, as if she was being lied too, but eventually relented. Maybe she had something special only Celestia could see.
"And you would be concerned too if you knew what I knew." Celestia said to herself, under her breath. Looking back solemnly. "I suspect a certain Draconequus has been violating his parole!"
********
"Ok Lyra! That’s good enough." Doctor Stethoscope said, with exasperation. "Lyra Heartstrings: 0%" He wrote on a piece of paper (underlining a couple of times.)
"Hey Doc, you forgot to put a ten in front of that zero!" Lyra said, with an enthusiastic smile.
"No actually, he means zero!" Said Doctor Stable chiming in. "You may leave." He said, loudly motioning the unicorn away.
"Next up: Dinky Doo. Please step forward." Said, Doctor Stethoscope, motioning the small violet unicorn child into the room.
"Woo hoo!" yelled the child’s mother, from outside the window. "That’s my girl!" She said, crashing into the outside wall.
"Please keep it down!" Scolded Doctor Stable. "This is a hospital! Not a sideshow!" He shouted through the window next to the indented wall.
Dinky looked at the little filly, and then back at Doctor Stethoscope, with a puzzled expression.
"You looking at her muzzle?" The doctor asked, as softly as he could.
She nodded back.
"Don’t worry, she’ll be fine. We’ll figure out what happened to her when she recovers." Stethoscope replied. "I know she looks different, but she would be in a very bad shape without your help." He said, looking into Dinky's eyes with his most convincing smile. "Now I have a super simple spell for you to try!" He said, hoping she'd be able to cast this spell. "Just visualize a wire traveling between your two horns — that both of your horns are touching."
After a few seconds a very thin arc flowed between the two horns, then fizzed.
"Good, let’s go back to your mother." The doctor responded in an enthusiastic voice. This might be a good start after all!
She nodded.
"So?" Asked Doctor Stable.
"87%, but she might be a little young for a magic transfer." Replied a concerned Doctor Stethoscope, to his colleague quietly.
"We’ll chalk her up as a maybe." Said Doctor Stable replied, taking notes on a notepad.
"Next up: Rarity!" Doctor Stethoscope said, beckoning to the fidgety fashion designer -- who was starting to lose her patience after waiting so long.
"Very well." She said, rapidly regaining her composure, as she entered the room with Doctor Stethoscope. "I suppose if Sweetie has to do this, then so should I!" Rarity said to herself, reminding herself of the chore.
"Did you see mommy! They chalked me up as a maybe!" Dinky said to her mother, bouncing enthusiastically.
"My little muffin is a little Star Swirl!" She pronounced, racing her to her daughter to hug, and running into a wall instead.
After a few minutes, Rarity returned, looking exasperated. But quickly regained her composure, when she returned to the room.
"And how does the prima donna stack up?" Asked Doctor Stable, with a smirk -- probably hoping that she either scored very well or very, very, poorly.
"Rarity Unicorn: 85%" Doctor Stethoscope relied, to his colleague. "Not as good a fit as the Doo filly, but definitely old enough for a magic transfer."
"Ok. Chalk her up as a maybe." Doctor Stable replied, his smirk growing by the second.
"But, darlings, I have urgent work to finish! And I’m certainly not above 90%. And, as much as I want to help the dear, I really need to get back!" Rarity said, on the verge of panic. "I have an urgent order that needs to be in Vanhoover by tomorrow afternoon!"
"You aren’t going anywhere, except for the maybe line! Stand over there!!" Shouted Doctor Stable chastised, suddenly losing his smirk and getting very, very, serious.
Rarity looked at Doctor Stethoscope, with an apprehensive expression. Her face begging him to let her go.
"Sorry about that, Ms. Unicorn." Doctor Stethoscope frowned. "But considering the circumstances, and my colleague’s temperament." He said, now playing good cop. "I’m concerned about what the grinch my colleague will do if you leave. " He said, with an apologetic smile.
"Uggg… Quite!" Rarity whined, wishing for her fainting couch.
********
"So, how are you holding up, my little pony?" Celestia asked, with a concerned smile, sitting across a long rectangular table from a quietly sobbing purple unicorn. "You must feel dreadful." She said, pouring a cup of tea for the two of them, and levitating one of the cups over to the senior member of the rainbow quartet -- who's eyes promptly turned into saucers.
"How did you do that?" The purple unicorn asked with shock.
"Do what? Celestia asked, with a soft smile.
"How did you cast magic without a wand?" She asked, in shock.
The ageless alicorn smiled, cryptically. "Oh! That's just one of my special talent's!"
Luna quirked an eyebrow. "But sister? Why dost that not tell her that all unicorns can cast magic as such?" She said, her eyes speaking with profound skepticism.
The princess of the day returned by giving a firm glare, her eyes motioning at her neighbor across the table.
Her sister returned a quizzical expression, herself pointing with her eyes.
Finally Celestia gave her an expression that might as well be her eyes shooting daggers. Finally giving a firm expression that almost screamed 'later'. "Oh Luna!" She said, chuckling softly. Her face, once again softening turned to her guest. "As I was saying. You must be deafly worried about poor Rarity."
Cheerilee paused for a second, her head buzzing with questions. How did the princess already know Rarity's name? Did Begonia tell her, or did she just know about this year's Rainbow Princess? And how did she cast magic? Did she just do that using her horn? No she couldn't have -- she must have had a wand, right? In any case, she decided to answer the princess' question. "I'm holding up the best I can. I just feel like such a failure." Cheerilee said, starting to cry. "And what's worse is that it seems like no one around here seems to know much, or care about this year's Crystal Rainbow Princess." She said, choking on all the tears she was swallowing.
"I for one, think you are doing fine." Said the princess with a reassuring smile. "And I apologize for my little ponies, sometimes they can be thoughtless." The Princess said, sipping her tea -- which was held in her magic -- her face darkening slightly (probably thinking about her "nephew".) "They just don't understand how special young Rarity is!" She said, looking off into the distance.
"And what' s worse, is that everyone acts as if I'm crazy." Cheerilee continued, staring down into the teacup she was holding, by its handle, in her distorted hoof.
"They also sometimes react poorly, if they see somepony different." She said, swallowing a sigh. "I received a letter a couple years back regarding a zebra, that was causing quite a ruckus in Ponyville." Celestia said, wistfully, remembering the letter that Twilight had sent the day she met Zecora.
"That's odd, because everyone back in Unicornia looks like this." Cheerilee said, with a perplexed expression. "Do you get these kinds of reactions? I've never seen a winged unicorn before. Maybe you could give me advise?"
"Well, my little pony, I'm kind of an exception." The princess said, blushing. "They instinctively see me differently, like I should be their leader. Among other things..." She said, muttering quietly to herself on the last part. "But don't worry, dear Cheerilee, I am already doing everything in my power to find young Rarity." She reassured the young pink unicorn's mentor.
"Have I told her Rarity's name yet?" Cheerilee asked herself, again; after a few seconds shaking her head to clear her thoughts. "I'm just glad I found someone else that knows about this year's Pink Unicorn Princess. It's a real shame, since she's been Pink Unicorn Princess since the fall equinox -- and then there was the whole induction ceremony. And to top it off, everyone had to vote on her. How could no one know all of a sudden? Have they all forgotten? Or do they all just not care?"
Celestia looked at the perplexed purple unicorn for a second; and, as if trying to change the conversation, asked a question. "So tell me, besides young Rarity are there any other ponies you are mentoring?"
"No, Rarity is the only one this year." Cheerilee responded, her face softening. "I mentor a new blue unicorn every five years, and a new yellow unicorn every three years -- I've had to mentor all three at least once."
"So, Cheerilee, how long do you serve for?" Celestia asked.
"A purple unicorn is chosen for life, and is mentored by the senior of the blue and yellow unicorns." Cheerilee responded. "Someone needs to mentor the others, thus the purple is considered the second most important unicorn of the four, with only the pink unicorn being more important."
"So how long have you been serving?" Celestia asked.
"About thirteen years, give or take. I believe Whistle Wishes is the third blue unicorn I've trained, and Brights Brightly is the fifth yellow unicorn I've trained."
"And do you mind, if I ask what your cutie mark stands for?" Celestia asked.
"My emblem? I think it stands for my love of flowers, but it's hard to say! I've had it all my life!"
"That is intriguing." Celestia said, not as surprised as her sister, who was sitting right next to her. "So tell me, how did you like the dress that Begonia and I chose for you?"
"I truly liked it, princess. But how did you know I liked Emeralds?" Cheerilee asked, politely, wondering how this princess, whom she never met, was so well acquainted with her.
"Oh... You look like somepony who would like emeralds." Celestia said, with a smile, with a twinkle in her eye (once again! This is how she stayed the queen of poker, despite being only the princess of Equestria!)
********
"Ok!" Doctor Horse spoke up. "Where are we at?" He asked the collection of doctors, once again assembled in the room.
"Nowhere!" Replied Doctor Stable. "We have three or four maybes and a ton of no-gos. And we are basically out of time."
"Well... What do we have then?" Asked Doctor Horse, attempting to hide his concern.
"Well..." Said Doctor Stable, his sarcastic voice blaring again. "Lyra Heartstrings: birds egg. Dinky Doo: 87% -- maybe. Rarity Unicorn (who was still sulking in the maybe line): 85% -- maybe. The rest of the Unicorn family: 72% -- mother, 60% -- father, and 77% -- younger sister." He said, starting to hold the list of unicorns in a demeaning manner. "Do you want me to continue?"
"Look doctor, we've got a life on the line -- and we can't accept no for an answer. What else do we have?" Begged Doctor Stethoscope.
"Ok! You asked for it. Amethyst Star: 82% -- maybe. Minuette: 74%, Royal Pin: 25%. Oh and here's two young colts and a filly. Snips: 33%, Snails: 67%, Diamond Mint: 10%. Do you still want to continue? There's no compatible pony in this whole Celestia forsaken town!" He said, throwing up his hooves in disgust, before proceeding to trot out the door.
"He's a jerk, but I don't believe I've seen that reaction before." Said Doctor Stethoscope to the doctor beside him. "Do you think that the old jerk has a heart in there somewhere?"
"Maybe. Let me think for a second, maybe I can figure something else out. I mean we have a couple of valid maybes -- maybe I can find a way to use one of the two of them? Why don't you try to find Doctor Stable."
********
"Blow her horn off!" Twilight pouted to herself returning to the library. "Maybe I can show him some magic that would blow his off! And where does he get off talking about a princess of Equestria this way? Celestia's personal student! And the Princess of Friendship no less!" She fumed to herself, opening the door causing it to hit the side of the tree.
"Spike I'm back!" She shouted angrily, slamming the door behind her. "And I'd like to write a letter to Princess Celestia!" She shouted angrily, looking around. Where did that dragon go?
"Oh Twilight, glad to have you back!" Spike responded. "The princess sent like five letters while you were out, and..." Spike continued, trailing off as he looked at Twilight's face. "Let me guess, bad day?" He said, with a smirk, as his sister/adopted mother snorted out of her nose. "Remember what the Princess says Twilight: 'nightmares are born from bad feelings.' So even though you look hilarious, I should say don't be angry and blabbity blabbity blah!" He said, waving his claws around, wildly.
"Fair enough." Twilight said fighting to regain her composure. "But do you believe it! we have a sick filly, who is dangerously low on magic and doctor smartier-than-thou has decided that I, a princess of Equestria, should just go home! 'Too much magic!' He said. 'Blow her horn off' He said!" She said, in a sarcastic mocking tone. "I'll figure out some way to fix this and shove it right in doctor 'superiorities' face!"
"Sorry to hear that!" Spike said, trying to comfort his surrogate mother/sister. "Can't you guys just use your rainbow powers like you did after that Tirek incident earlier this year?" He asked, an idea occurring to him.
"No!" She said, shaking her head violently. "That's very powerful magic, and I don't know how it'll react." Twilight said, waving her hooves. "It really could blow her horn off!"
"Didn't you restore all that magic that Tirek stole using it though?" Spike asked, not convinced.
"Yes, but that was spread over all of Equestria! Not one pony." Twilight said, with panic apparent on her face. "And number two, we aren't returning stolen magic here! We are trying to give her body's magic reserves a boost!" Twilight corrected her number one assistant.
"Sounds the same to me!" Spike said, crossing his arms.
"Well! You would be wrong! Didn't you read the book I got for you four birthdays ago on advanced spell craft, and magical mysteries?" Twilight asked, once again baffled.
"Um... No!" Spike said, with a smirk. "Should I have? I prefer lighter reading for my bedtime stories!" He said, sarcastically. "Not giant monster textbooks! I mean who wrote that thing? Starswirl the long winded? (Somewhere Starswirl the long winded rolls in his grave!)" The baby dragon said, holding a claw against the side of his mouth, and pointing with the other, sarcastically.
After a few breaths, and a couple of trips to the fire extinguisher. Twilight decided that it would be better to read Celestia's letters. "So Spike, show me those letters!"
"Kay! Here you go!" He said, handing her a stack of letters, all sealed with Celestia's seal, but none of them were using official paper.
"Must be a personal request." Twilight said to herself, confused. Normally the princess used official paper. "Let's take a look here." She said, as she began to scan the letters.
The first couple of letters read easily enough. "Ok, apparently the Changelings and 'my mother' didn't attack the Crystal Empire, but rather a small village to the west of the Crystal Empire." She said before stopping. She looked up from the letter, looking quite puzzled. "But the only village west of the Crystal Empire is Vanhoover, and that's a fair amount to the south also." She said, unfurling one of her maps on an flat surface. "Also why not the Crystal Empire?" She said, desperately trying to get into Chrysalis' head.
She continued reading the next couple. "Apparently they don't know what happened to the denizens, but some apparently escaped, including an old friend of Princess Celestia's." Once again she stood there dumfounded. Another friend, and apparently one close enough to write a letter about; but why hadn't she ever heard of this friend?
She started on the final letter. "Apparently she was looking after a very young filly, but the filly got lost in the attack, and Celestia was hoping I had seen her." Twilight said, scanning down to the description. "She's a filly, no more than five, with a pink coat, blue eyes, a rainbow mane and tail, and a... Heart and rainbow Cutie Mark..." Twilight said, remembering something.
"Spike! Take a note!" She shouted to the young dragon, who dutifully took out a quill and scroll