//------------------------------// // Royal Summons, Invitations, and Revelations // Story: Gathering Pieces // by Random_User //------------------------------// “You two ready?” Fierce said. “Remember, be sure of your target before you pounce.” Labra and Pyrite nodded and got into pouncing positions. Their tails wagged in anticipation. “I want to see good form from both of you,” Fierce said and knocked on the door to Twilight’s castle. After a short wait, Spike opened the castle’s door. “Hey Fierce! Is everybody else- argh?!” Labra and Pyrite cut Spike’s short by tackeling him. “We got you!” Pyrite declared. “That’s not fair! You’re supposed to behave when you’re going to someone’s for dinner.” Spike tried to get back to his feet only to collapse as the pups changed their tactics for keeping him pinned. “Ha ha ha! No tickling!” “Hello Spike.” Bonsmara said, giving each of the pups a pat on the shoulder signaling for them to let Spike up. “Thank you for greeting us.” Spike, still sprawled on the ground, snorted a puff of smoke. “I thought you were on my side.” Bonsmara smiled. “It is always good to see they have progressed in their skills.” Spike sat up and scanned the group at castle door. “Whoa! It’s a whole herd!” “I promised I would gather everyone,” Fierce said, as he helped Spike to his feet. “Though, I cannot take much credit since they were in one spot when I found them.” “Come on in,” Spike said. “Everypony is waiting.” Spike led them toward the library. “Now I see why Twilight wanted to meet in the library. I don’t think we’ve got another room with enough space.” The pups walked with him, one at each side. “Who’s here?” Labra asked. Spike smiled. “Twilight said I couldn’t tell. It’s supposed to be a surprise.” Spike turned to Pyrite, who was sniffing at him. “What are you doing?” “Granny, Twilight, Amore,” named Pyrite. He took another sniff. “There’s four more I don’t know.” “That’s cheating!” Spike grinned. “It’s cool, though.” As they approached, the library’s main door opened. “Good evening everyone,” a bat pony in full Lunar Guard armor greeted them. He gestured them to continue into the library. “We have been expecting you.” The pups stopped and looked up at the guard. He gave them a friendly smile. “Hello.” “Are you here for Mister Bat?” Pyrite asked. “I thought he didn’t do anything wrong.” “Mister Bat?” The guard looked at the group behind the pups. “Oh, that Mister Bat. No, I’m not here for him.” “Bitter!” Care dashed out of the group and gave Bitter a hug. She paused and looked at him. “If your here then-” Bitter booped her nose with a hoof. “Don’t spoil it.” The moment they stepped into the library, Labra and Pyrite froze. “Good evening little ones,” Luna greeted them. She laughed as the pups continued to stare. “Is my presence so shocking?” “It’s a real princess,” Pyrite said to Labra. He looked to Luna’s right, where Cadance was sitting with Flurry, and corrected himself, “Three real princesses!” Twilight sighed. “I keep forgetting I’m not a ‘real’ princess.” “You’re a princess, but you’re our friend!” Pyrite told her. “That comes first.” Twilight giggled. “That beats being a princess, most of the time. Thank you.” “We’re supposed to bow,” Labra said, bowing to the princesses. Pyrite followed her example as the rest of the group bowed. “Please rise,” Luna said. “We are not holding court, nor is this a formal occasion.” Flurry whispered to Cadance, who smiled and nodded. Flurry left her seat and approached Labra and Pyrite. “She’s an our size princess,” Pyrite commented to Labra, as Flurry approached them. “Are you the puppies that were so sick?” Flurry asked. “Cobalt, Gandma, and Amore helped us get better,” Pyrite said. “I’m Pyrite, and this is my sister Labra.” Flurry hugged the siblings, wrapping them in her wings. “I was so worried about you, when Mom told me about what happened.” “When I said I was coming to visit Twilight, Flurry insisted on coming with me to check on you. She’s wanted to meet you.” Cadance smiled at Flurry. “You can let them go now. You’re making Pyrite blush.” Flurry giggled at Pyrite. “Why are you blushing? It was just a hug.” “I’ve never been wing hugged by a princess before. You smell nice too.” “Pyrite!” Bonsmara closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. “You do not say something like that to a lady you just met, much less a princess.” Labra whispered to Pyrite, through clenched teeth, “She could have you thrown in the dungeon!” Pyrite’s tail tucked as he shrunk down and whimpered. “I would never do that! He was being sweet and honest!” Flurry moved to stand by Pyrite’s side, put a wing around him. “My name is Flurry Heart, Princess Cadence is my mom. Shining Armor is my dad.” “You’re Twilight’s niece?” Labra asked. Flurry nodded. “And Spike’s my uncle.” “She and I get into all kinds of stuff in the Empire,” Spike said. “Wanna see what we can get into before dinner?” Labra and Pyrite answered together, “Sure!” “Can I ask a favor?” Flurry said. Spike nodded. “Sure.” “Can we go to see the twins?” “Sure. They’ll be thrilled to see you.” Spike gave Flurry a teasing elbow. “Pound’s been asking how you’ve been.” Flurry blushed. “I’ve been thinking about him and Pumpkin too.” She turned to Cadence. “Mom, can we go to Sugar Cube Corner?” “Sure. Tell the Cakes hello and be sure to give a hug to Pinkie for me.” “I will.” “Guard Bitter, approach,” Luna ordered. Bitter neared Luna and bowed. “Yes, my princess.” “Escort the little ones to their destination. Be sure they do not cause mischief or stray too far. We expect them to join us for dinner.” “I would be happy to, my Princess.” “Bitter.” Bitter looked up, and Luna put a hoof to his nose. “They are not to overindulge in sweets.” Bitter gave her a mischievous look. “So they may nibble on something small, then?” Four pairs of excited, young eyes looked to Luna. Luna removed her hoof from Bitter’s nose and nodded. “They may partake of something small.” “As you wish, my Princess,” said Bitter as he gave Luna another bow. Luna waved Bitter closer, as he stood again. When he was close enough, Luna kissed him on the nose. He blushed and touched his nose to hers. “Thank you, my princess.” He turned to the youths. “Shall we?” “Let’s,” Flurry said. She, the pups, and Spike followed Bitter out of the library. Luna glanced at Cadence, with one of her ears at an angle. “Why are you looking at me so?” “I’m enjoying that you two are still so in love.” “He is more precious to me than I can put to words.” Luna looked toward Twilight. “There now remains but one princess who has not taken a lover, which is causing my sister some concern.” “Let’s focus on the matter at hoof,” Twilight redirected. Twilight lit her horn, and the library’s furniture arranged itself in a wide circle so all could sit and face each other. In the center of the circle she placed a table. “First, I’ll escort Starless to Mend. Then, we can discuss the disturbance in our research.” Twilight left her seat and approached Starless. “It’s nice to see you again.” “Likewise, Princess,” Starless responded. “Please, follow me, and I’ll show you where the examination room is.” Amore giggled as Twilight and Starless disappeared from sight. “Mend will have a field day with him.” “You three youths, gather at the table,” Luna said, using a wing to indicate she was speaking to Care, Cobalt, and Windless. “All others, please, be seated.” Luna waited a moment for all to comply with her order and then regarded the trio at the table with a mischievous gleam in her eye. “You have drawn the eye of all four princesses with your machinations. That is an uncommon feat.” Windless bowed his head. “You honor us with your attention.” Luna smirked. “Speak not with such haste. You know not why we turned our gaze to you. We could be vexed at your conduct.” Luna made a point of looking Care, Cobalt, and Windless each in the eye. “One wonders what actions you have taken and scandalous secrets you keep.” “Be nice, Luna,” Amore chided. “You’re making them nervous.” “I am not the one they need be concerned with.” Luna looked to Candace. “A certain somepony has shown an almost predatory focus as to the recent events that have disturbed our work.” “Princess Cadance is looking at us pretty hard,” Windless whispered to Care and Cobalt. “Just how much trouble are we in?” “You who turned down your offer to enroll in our academy,” Luna said. “I would not fret about their fates, but look toward my own.” “Been nice knowing you,” Care whispered. “As least he made the attempt,” Luna stated. “Do not look at me with such astonishment, Care Package. Your family has caught my eye. There is little about you I do not know.” “Speaking of things catching others attention, we noticed that somepony was mixing magic the other night to great effect,” Amore said. “We were told, by a certain source, that the ponies involved were ponies we knew.” Edge approached Amore. “Your source was right. They have been mixing magic. They have brought samples of what they could accomplish.” Amore stood and moved towards the table. “Please, show me.” Cobalt pulled his pouch of gems from his saddle bags and gave it to Amore. “Here are some of the gems that Care and I fed.” Amore opened the pouch and poured its contents on the table. “My word!” Using her magic, she lifted a gem to inspect it. “These formed so fast and with such quality.” She closed her eyes and dipped her head. After a few silent seconds, Windless asked. “Are you all right?” “I’m fine.” She smiled and opened her eyes. “I believe you should examine the properties of this gem, Cadance.” Cadance took the gem and assumed a posture similar to the one Amore had held. Amore hugged Cobalt. “Congratulations.” Cobalt hugged her back. “Thank you, but I’m not sure what I did.” Amore released Cobalt and hugged Care. “Congratulations to both of you.” Cadance’s eyes snapped open. “There is something in Cobalt’s saddlebags that is responding to the gem and my magic.” Cobalt turned so that Windless could access the side pouch of his saddlebags. “I think you should be the one to show them.” Windless nodded and took a box from Cobalt’s saddlebags. He put the box on the table, opened it, and then removed a rockmoss planter from the box. “This is what we were able to do. The gems are not as large, but I’ve had to harvest several of them already.” Cadance beamed. “You did it! This is what we needed to prove our theory!” Windless gave Cadance a slight bow. “I’m glad we could make you so happy.” “You think I’m happy? Twilight‘s going to flip!” “Flip about what?” Twilight asked, as she re-entered the room. Her eyes went to the table. “What are those?” “The gems crafted by Care and Cobalt and the rockmoss the three of them fed,” Amore said. Twilight’s eyes lit up. She levitated a few of the gems to her and inspected them. “They are reacting to…” She looked to the rockmoss on the table. She returned the gems to the table and stepped closer to the rockmoss. “These are different, but they have similar magical qualities to the ones on the table.” “It’s because I helped them feed the rock moss,” Windless said. He took a step back, when Twilight turned her intense gaze to him. “You helped?” “I added my magic to theirs thanks to urk-!” Twilight grabbed Windless in a bear hug. “Our research was right!” “Remember your strength,” Luna cautioned. “You forced the air from him.” Twilight eased her hold on Windless. “Sorry, but I was so excited!” Windless drew in a quick, hissing breath. “It’s fine,” he wheezed. “Do you have any clue what this means?!” Twilight asked, touching her nose to Windless’. “No, Princess, I don’t,” he confessed, blushing. “We can power the Sphere like the ponies in the Empire power the Crystal Heart!” “That’s great!” Windless smiled at her. “But I have no clue what you are talking about.” “Oh, that’s right. No pony knows about the Sphere yet.” Twilight glanced at her forelegs, blushed, and released Windless. “Sorry, sorry, sorry! I got excited.” “What’s all the commotion about?” Mend led Starless into the library. “We could hear you down the hall.” “These are why I was so excited.” Twilight pointed towards the gems and rockmoss on the table. “Look at them and tell me what you think.” Mend picked up a pair of the gems on the table and examined them. “Seems that we found the source of magic that disrupted our trials the other day.” She looked at Care and Windless. “If my memory’s still working, I believe we have met before.” “These are my children, Mend,” Freight said. “You met them years ago.” “Ah, now I remember.” She turned back to the rockmoss and touched it with a hoof. “There were three sources with this one? No wonder the moss is overfilled with magic.” “I tried to direct the overflow to the other rockmoss planters, but the surge was more than I could control and it got a heavy dose,” Cobalt explained. Mend tapped Cobalt’s chest with a hoof. “What prompted you three to try something like this?” “He was helping me, ma’am,” Windless said. “If you’re going to scold anypony for what happened to the rockmoss, scold me.” Mend turned towards Windless and waved him closer. “Come here.” After Windless approached, Mend bopped his nose. “That was for telling a half-truth. Try again.” “He was helping me make sure I could mix magic with somepony, ma’am.” “Better.” She looked Windless over and smiled. “You turned out to be handsome like your father.” “Thank you.” “Hold still.” Mend put her hoof on Windless’ chest and closed her eyes. “Why did you want to know if you could mix magic with others?” “I’m going to the Empire to study and I wanted to know if could mix magic at all.” She opened her eyes and smiled. “I should give you another bop for telling me another half-truth, but I liked the part of your answer about going to the Empire so I’ll spare you.” Windless put his hoof over Mend’s. “What can you feel?” “That you have mixed magic with both Cobalt and somepony else.” Mend put her free hoof on top of the one he was using to hold hers. “I can feel you’re heart beating like a bird’s wings too.” “I’m scared I won’t fit in there.” Mend chuckled. “You should be more worried about having to fight off mares and stallions with a stick. You’re going to be exotic to them and you being able to mix magic will make you even more attractive. You read and write Old Ponish?” “Yes ma’am.” “Then quit worrying and enjoy it up there. If the Empire calls you, the best thing to do is see what it wants with you.” Mend patted Windless’ shoulder. “I would like to see your sister now.” “Thank you, Miss Mend.” Windless gave her a cautious hug around the shoulders. “I’m old, not fragile.” She returned the hug with enough strength to make Windless grunt. “It’s my back that gives me trouble every now and then, not my shoulders.” After giving Mend a proper hug, Windless moved so that Care could take his place. Care settled down in front of Mend, looking apprehensive. “Cobalt was right. You turned into a beauty.” Care looked down and blushed. “Thank you.” “Why are you nervous?” “Cobalt said you look over every pony you work with and who’s associated with them.” “Why is that worrying you?” “You’re special to him. You’re opinion goes a long way.” “Dear, look at me.” Care looked up at Mend. “Are you asking to know what I think about you so soon?” Care nodded. “Yes.” Mend cut her eyes towards Cobalt. “What have you been telling this filly about me that has made her so scared of me?” “That you and Amore have changed his world and that you are one of the most important ponies he has in his life,” Care told Mend. Mend looked back to Care with a grin. “You’re off to a good start.” She put a hoof on Care’s chest and closed her eyes. After a few seconds, Mend chuckled. “Remember to breathe. It’s difficult to do this with a pony that’s passed out.” Care took an audible breath. “Sorry.” “Cobalt, you too, breathe.” “Yes ma’am.” Mend opened her eyes. “There’s no doubt you’re the one I felt using magic with him. I haven’t felt two ponies’ magic flow together like that since my husband, Tea Cozy, and I first mixed magic charging my crystals.” Care, in a tender tone, asked, “Is he gone?” “No, he’s up in the Crystal Empire helping our daughter, her husband, and our granddaughter establish a new patch of crystal berry bushes.” Mend removed her hoof from Care’s chest and patted her shoulder. “If you think your magic blends well now, just wait till you get more practice with him.” Care’s ears perked up. “Yes, I approve of you two. Not that it would have mattered anyway. The way he’s talked about you, I’m certain he’d walk to the ends of Equestria and beyond for you.” She motioned for Care to lean close and whispered to her. Care’s face turned red and she shook her head. Mend looked at Care in disbelief. “Why in Equestria not?” “We just became special someponies tonight!” Care blurted. “You blended magic like that and you haven’t…” Mend looked at Cobalt with a wicked grin. “You, me, Cozy and Cobalt need to have a little chat on the some of the finer points of blending magics soon.” Cobalt blushed to the tips of his ears. Mend looked over at Twilight, who was taking notes on the exchange. “You’re invited to come too. The Sisters know you need all the help you can get.” Twilight’s pen halted half way across the page. “What?” “Not what, who.” Mend pointed a hoof at Windless. “He would serve well for your first experiments. Besides, you wanted to know how his magic had mixed so well with Cobalt’s and his sister’s. Nothing like first hoof experimentation.” She asked Windless, “When are you supposed to be going back?” “Three days from now.” “More than enough time, you two can start tonight.” “He’s at least ten year’s younger I am!” Twilight protested. “I don’t know him that well either!” “You didn’t seem to mind when you were crushing the air out of him and rubbing noses with him,” Cadance teased. “I wasn’t thinking!” Twilight yelped. “He got me excited!” “He can do that again, I’m sure,” Mend said. “It will be in a different context, but he sure looks like he should be able to get a mare’s magic going.” “Neither of us are earth ponies!” Twilight argued, her blush deepening. “We couldn’t interact with a crystal or rockmoss!” Mend snorted. “You’re an alicorn, remember? You have all three forms of magic running through you.” “Oh, yeah,” Twilight rubbed the back of her neck with a hoof, “I keep forgetting about that.” Windless shook his head. “Even if she could channel our magic, I can’t help.” “What do you mean you can’t?” Mend asked. “Princess, I am sorry.” Windless bowed to Twilight. “Had circumstances been different, I would have been honored to help your studies. However, I have a practice special somedoggy’s feelings to consider. If I blended magic with you, it would hurt her feelings.” “I need to do a full evaluation to find out what’s wrong with this one,” Mend said. “I think he’s lost his marbles.” Cadance giggled. “I don’t think so, Mend. I can tell there he has affection for someone, but it’s not the romantic kind.” “You need not apologize,” Twilight said. “You’re a great practice special somepony for thinking of her.” “It must be catching,” Mend said. “Now she’s talking nonsense.” “He can explain what’s going on later,” Twilight said. “First, I want to tell everyone why we wanted them to join us.” She turned to the table, dipped her head, and used her magic to make a faceted crystal sphere appear on the table. “This is what we have been working on. It’s the Ponyville equivalent to the Crystal Heart.” “With all the wild stuff that goes on around here, we sure could use it,” Mosaic said. “The Everfree being so close, it will be nice to know we have another form of protection from whatever is crawling around in there,” Bonsmara added. “Those are the reasons for the creation of this artifact,” Luna said. “With the return of the Empire and its archives, we have worked to create this facsimile of the Crystal Heart. While it functions as it should, maintaining its power was confounding us.” We’ve proven it will work, when fueled with enough magic, to get it started, but we weren’t sure if we could keep it going without more crystal ponies being involved.” “You three have inadvertently shown that we do not need as many crystal ponies to focus power as we had thought,” Cadance said. “With ponies like you and Care acting as anchors and guides, we can gather magic from the whole population of Ponyville.” “Windless was the one that made it possible,” Cobalt said. “If he hadn’t have asked us to try, we wouldn’t have found out it could be done.” “I will be sure he returns here for the Ponyville Crystalings so he can help.” Cadance patted the unoccupied cushion beside her. “Come sit, Windless. I would like to get to know you, since you will be in the Empire.” Windless nodded, seeming at a loss for words, and sat beside Cadence. “Be careful,” Cobalt said. “Shining threatened to put me the Empire’s dungeon for being too friendly with her.” “I have half a mind to put him in a dungeon for refusing my Academy,” Luna muttered. Cadance smirked. “The Empire has much to offer a good stallion.” “So does the Academy,” Luna stated with conviction. “I wonder what caused him to choose my Empire over home too. Let’s hear it straight from the horse’s mouth.” “The ponies there, Princess,” Windless told her. “When I visited the Empire, a few years ago, meeting the Crystal ponies touched something in me. They share a connection each other through their community and their magic I want to be a part of.” He looked toward Care and Cobalt. “I didn’t think I had a chance until they helped me.” “He has a thing for Crystal pony mares too,” Starless supplied. Windless dropped his head. “Thanks, Dad.” “Tell them about that last night in the Emipire,” Care said, “and about the painting you did of that night.” Luna locked eyes with Windless, as he raised his head. “What painting does she speak of?” “When my family and I went to see Puca and Stone’s wedding, during the last night of the trip I stayed up and made a painting of the city. That night was one of the reasons I fell in love with the Empire. It was the most beautiful night I had ever seen.” “It’s one of his best works, Princess,” Freight said. “You inspired him that night.” “I would see this painting,” Luna stated in a manner that allowed for no argument. “It’s back home,” Windless told her. Luna left her seat and strode to Windless. “That shall not prove a hindrance.” Cadance waved at the two as if they were about to depart. “Bring it back with you, please. I want to see it too.” “Bring it back?” His head snapped toward Luna, as she put a hoof on his shoulder. “Princess, what-?!” A hum of magic and a flash of light cut his words off as he and Luna vanished. Twilight blinked at the space where Luna and Windless had been. “I didn’t expect that.” “I did,” Cadance said. “Once she gets a thought in her head, you might as well step aside and let her charge on with whatever it is.” Twilight knocked her forehooves together. “This is awkward. Do I keep explaining or do I wait for them to get back.” “Since we don’t know how long they will be, keep going,” Mend said. “We can catch Windless up later.” Twilight nodded and took a seat. “To make things short, we were hoping to have the ponies with experience with the Crystal Empire’s magic guide the rest of Ponyville’s citizen’s magic during the initial charging of the Sphere and during any Crystallings afterward in a network of power similar to what Luna did during the shared dream when Ponyville helped fend off the tanabus. We were about to start tests to see if were even possible to gather magic from ponies that were not earth ponies, but Care, Cobalt, and Windless have already shown that it can be done.” “Would you two be interested in serving as examples of how it’s done?” Amore asked Care and Cobalt. Care’s wings fluttered against her sides. “I’d love to!” Cobalt nodded and answered, “Me too.” “Good, it will be part of your training,” Mend told them. One of Care’s ears tilted. “You mean his training, right?” “No. I meant what I said.” Mend gestured towards the table. “You two work beautiful magic. I want to see what you can do after some pointers.” “But, I can’t feed magic to anything on my own.” “You won’t be able to at first. There are ways around that we’ll introduce you to.” A flash of light and a pop announced Luna’s and Windless’ return. Windless swayed on his hooves, “I don’t think teleportation is for me.” Luna steadied Windless with a wing. “Forgive me. I forget most do not fare well with long distance teleporting, and you have suffered it twice.” “You forgot the painting too,” Cadance pointed out. “So I did.” Luna patted Windless shoulders with her wing. “He carries enough for you to amuse yourself with till I return. Start with the green one in the left pouch. You will find it most interesting.” Luna lit her horn and teleported away. Using her magic, Cadace lifted Windless’ saddlebags from his back. “I’ll hold onto these.” “Thank you, Princess,” Windless said. He leaned against the table, and closed his eyes. “I thought the first time was rough. I was wrong.” Cadance opened the saddlebag’s left pouch and peered into it. “What have we here? Oh, sketch books!” She withdrew a green sketchbook from the pouch. “ Windless’ ears snapped up. “Let’s not start with that one, please,” Windless begged, as Cadance flipped opened the book. Cadance smiled and raised an eyebrow. “I see you like figure drawing.” Windless blushed and nodded. “That’s when I was studying classical paintings and trying to copy the ponies in them.” “I have to say, these are good. You have a good eye for earth pony anatomy and your pegasi.” She flipped another page. “You’re not bad with Unicorns too. It looks like you end to spend more time on your mares than your stallions.” “What are you doing?” Care asked, as Windless sunk to the floor. “I’m going to hide for few minutes.” Windless slid himself under the table. “I didn’t want to bring that one. Princess Luna insisted that I did, after she looked through it.” Care ducked her head under the edge of the table. “Windless, please tell me that’s not the one I think it is.” “Why do you think I’m hiding?” “Alicorns too?” Cadance asked, through a giggle. “I’ve see the original of this. You did Celestia proud.” Windless admitted, “I based the pose off of Feather Touch’s Matriarch in Repose Amongst Clouds.” Twilight gasped. “You copied that painting?!” “Oh, Luna above!” Freight said, hiding her face in her hooves. Cadance turn a page and returned the book to upright. “You were right, Frieight, Luna’s here too.” “Beauty Emerging from Evening Waters by More Neigh,” Windless credited. “Did she like the drawing?” “Yes,” Windless answered Cadance, sliding backwards and further under the table. Cadance turned another page and paused for a moment. “Windless, come out from under there or I’ll go under there after you.” “I apologize, Princess.” Windless came out from under the table and kept his eyes one the floor. “I should not have copied such an intimate moment.” “It’s beautiful.” She put her hoof to the edge of the sketch. “My little girl, there are days I wish she were this size again.” Cadance turned the sketchbook so all could see. The drawing showed Cadance holding Flurry nestled against her chest while in a bed. “It’s the announcement picture from Flurry’s birth,” Twilight cooed. “That photographer did such a good job, but this seems to capture the emotions of the moment more. It’s like you put your feelings into the lines.” “Thank you,” Windless said. “I saw how happy she was holding Flurry and wanted to capture it in my own way.” Cadance passed the sketchbook to Twilight. “I want copies,” she told Windless. “I’ll be glad to provide you with however many you want.” “You’ll be making them in the Empire’s dungeon,” Care said. “You left out Shining Armor from the picture, it I remember it right.” “Thanks for pointing that out Sis,” Windless grumbled. Two pops and two corresponding flashes of light signaled the return of Luna and the arrival of Celestia. “If anyone needs me, I’ll be back under the table.” Luna caught Windless in her magic, before he could slink out of sight, and levitated him in front of Celestia. “Dear Sister, here is the talented, but somewhat traitorous, artist I spoke of.” Windless curled up as if he were a kitten being carried by the scruff of the neck. “Hello Princess Celestia.” He gave a weak wave. “I would bow, but I can’t at the moment.” “Luna tells me you have the makings of a prodigy.” Celestia gave him a too sweet smile. “She also says you have an appreciation for classical paintings.” Cadance offered Celestia Windless’ sketchbook. “He appreciates you and Luna.” Celestia took the sketchbook and flipped through its pages. She studied one drawing. “I remember this. It took Feather Touch wooing me for days before I agreed to pose for him.” “Wooing?” Twilight asked. “Oh yes. He had quite the silver tongue. He said he wanted to capture my beauty to allow all of Equestria to see me as a mare and not a political figurehead.” She looked to Windless. “Why did you choose this piece? There are more famous, and far less revealing, works with me in them.” “In the painting, you’re relaxed and without your regalia,” Windless said, looking to the floor. “In most of the pictures of you, you’re in a formal pose or you’re statuesque. You’re pretty in them, but your emotions seem locked inside yourself. This reveals your radiance on all levels.” A touch of red came to Celestia’s cheeks. “Thank you.” She turned another page and her eyebrows rose. “I believe More Neigh painted this.” “It was him, Princess,” Windless answered. “Tell us why you chose this piece. After hearing your reasoning for the last drawing, I am curious why it caught your eye.” “I chose it because of the impact it had on me when I first saw it,” Windless offered. After waiting for a moment, Luna used her magic to give Windless a light shake. “We would have more details.” Windless curled into a ball and offered no response. “Windless,” Cadance said, drawing his worry filled eyes. “If needed, I will provide you sanctuary in the Empire, but give her a whole and honest answer.” Windless looked back to Luna. “Your wet mane trailing into the water mixed with the stars reflected in the water, the steam rising from your coat, the look in your eye, they overwhelmed me. It felt like the image of you in the painting was inviting me to swim into the lake so you could use your powers to guide me from there into your sea of stars.” “So you are both an artist and a poet,” Luna said. “That painting was part of the inspiration my painting of the Crystal Empire.” “Which I would like to see,” Cadance hinted. Luna turned her head. The glow around her horn brightened for a moment, and Windless’ painting appeared in the air beside her. Twilight gave Luna a look. “You didn’t go to get the painting did you?” “I did. While returning to Windless’ home to retrieve it, it occurred to me that Sister might wish to join us. I went on a frolic to invite her, which delayed my return.” Luna looked to the painting. “I would hear as to the creation of this piece.” Cobalt told Luna: “It was the last night we would be in the Crystal Empire. I wasn’t going to see Cobalt and his family for a while, and it was the last night I would be in a guest suite of the palace. I couldn’t sleep with those thoughts running around in my head. I went out on the balcony of our room and I saw the Empire at night and inspiration struck. I couldn’t help but draw the city.” “He about gave me a heart attack,” Freight said. “I think his getting up set off my maternal instincts. I woke up, went to check on him and Care, and he was missing from his bed. I was about to go ask a guard whether they had seen him, when a cool breath of air made me notice the balcony door hadn’t been shut all the way.” “I didn’t want to wake Care, if it made noise shutting,” Windless explained. “I walked on the balcony and found him wrapped in blankets, with his sketchbook, drawing away and lost to the rest of the world.” Freight looked at Windless and sighed. “He begged me to let him stay and finish. The sketch was shaping up so well, and he wanted to finish it so badly, I didn’t have the heart to tell him no. I made sure I wrapped him up as best I could, and went back to bed.” “Cadance, are you okay?” Twilight asked and poked Cadance with a hoof. Cadance continued to stare at the painting. “You turned a sketch into this?” Windless nodded. “I had some of my color pencils with me, so I tried to get samples of the colors, before the dawn came, and then worked from memory on the painting when I got home.” Cadance beamed at him. “This is what the nights at home look like!” “When I went on the balcony, I had to draw what I was seeing. The few lights of the city and the shapes of the buildings looked like they were stretching up trying to be a part of the night sky. With Luna’s pale silver moon hanging between the city and the stars, the aurora’s ribbons of color seemed like Luna was using her magic to form a path for the city lights to travel up to join the stars. It felt similar to looking at Beauty Emerging from Evening Waters, but the feeling was that she was inviting the city to join the wonders of the night sky.” The sound of young voices and small paws and hooves could be heard from the hallway. “I wondered where Flurry and the others were.” Celestia smiled at the returning young ones, as they entered the library. “Good evening everyone.” “Aunt Celestia!” Flurry rushed into the room and gave Celestia a hug. “I didn’t know you would be here.” “Luna insisted that I see art by an up and coming talent.” Celestia returned the hug and kissed the top of Flurry’s head. “Day Court was not as busy as usual, so I was able come at the last moment.” “Who is the artist?” Flurry asked. Windless held up his hoof. “That would be me. I mentioned that I did a painting of the Empire’s sky at night, and Luna took things from there.” Flurry looked to Luna. “Why are you holding him in your magic like that?” “The way he speaks of my nights, and his skill at capturing them, I am tempted to order him to serve as my royal artist and end this talk of him traipsing to the Empire.” “No!” Labra sprinted towards Luna and Windless. Bonsmara sprang to her feet. “Labra!” Celestia held out a wing and stopped Labra’s advance. “Hold on little one.” Celestia scooped Labra up and held her to her chest. “Why are you so upset?” “She can’t take my practice special somepony! I don’t care if she’s a princess! “He needs to go to the Empire!” “Labra, it’s okay!” Windless assured Labra. “She’s kidding!” He glanced at Luna, who raised an eyebrow and gave him a predatory smile. “I think she’s kidding, anyway,” Windless amended. “You’re the biggest princess!” Labra pleaded to Celestia, “Tell her she can’t have him, please!” Celestia smothered a laugh. “That is not quite how it works. We are much like you and your brother. I can only influence her so much without being mean.” “She can’t just take him!” “While she can’t order him to,” Luna gave a snort at Celestia’s words, “she can offer Windless a deal for his services.” “I assure you, he would not languish in some cage,” Luna told Labra. “I would pay him handsomely for the pieces he creates for me. I would grant him the best education in Equestria at my Academy as well.” Cadance, Celestia, and Twilight gave Luna a scathing look. “But he wouldn’t be happy,” Labra said. “Are you certain?” “He wants to learn from the old artists there too.” “I can arrange so he, and others interested, could study under the returned masters. In fact, such plans have been put into place.” “True,” Cadance said. “We were planning to do a rotation with some of our instructor’s visiting Equestrain schools while instructors from here visited the Empire’s.” “He has to find his special somepony there,” Labra added. Cadance’s ears raised to their fullest height. Twilight sighed. “You’ve done it now.” “Why does his special somepony have to come from the Empire?” Candance asked. “That’s the only way he can use magic the way he wants.” “She doesn’t have to be from the Empire,” Windless said, in a sheepish tone. “To tell the truth, I would rather have real love than magic.” “Mom, you’re getting that look again,” Flurry warned. “You need to calm down.” “He’s looking for his special somepony. As the Princess of Love, it is my duty to help him.” “I served as the princess of love, before you usurped by title,” Luna teased. “My knowledge of the magics of the north surpass yours. I am sure I help him find a suitable special somepony, crystalline or otherwise, and allow him to wield the magic he seeks, if he were to attend my Academy.” “He’s registered to attend the Empire’s University already, and I know the ponies of the Empire,” Cadance countered. “If he is looking for love with one our citizens, I will be the one to help him.” As the princesses continued to banter, the ears of the bat ponies and diamond dogs in the room went up. A second later there was a knock from the front of the castle. Fierce chuckled. “This could prove to be a problem. It would seem that dinner and the last of the guests have arrived, and the table is not set.” “You get the door, we’ve got this,” Bitter said. “Psst, you three, come here.” Bitter waved Flurry, Pyrite, and Spike close and whispered to them. “Got it?” All three nodded and said, “Got it.” Flurry and Pyrite approached Luna and bowed. Spike drew the attention of Amore, Edge, and Mend, and led them out of the room. Flurry said to Luna: “Aunt Luna, Pyrite would like to ask a boon of you.” Luna gave her a knowing smile. “Bitter has made you his agent, has he not?” “Yes, but for a good cause.” Flurry patted Pyrite on the back with a wing. “Go on.” Pyrite stepped forward. “Please, Princess, let Windless go. Mister Guard Bat said if I asked nicely and offered you a hug and to let you hold me you would let him go so we can eat.” “His sister is wonderful to hold,” Celestia said, giving Labra a pat on the back. “I think receiving the hug and some cuddles would be a fair trade for Windless’ release.” “Let us see.” Luna put Windless down and released him from her magic. “Wander not too far; I would still have words with you.” “Yes, Princess,” Windless said and rejoined Care and Cobalt at the table. Luna held out her forelegs to Pyrite. “I would have my hug.” Pyrite’s tail wagged as he scampered towards Luna. Luna picked Pyrite up, tucked him in the crook of a foreleg, and nuzzled him. “I know not when I last held a pup, diamond dog or otherwise.” Luna teared up and sniffed. “However long ago it was, it has been far too long.” Pyrite looked at her in horrified shock. “Princesses aren’t supposed to cry!” He shifted in Luna’s hold so he could hug her around her neck and buried his nose in her mane. “You can hug me whenever you want, just please don’t cry!” “I shall hold you to your promise.” Luna gave Pyrite a light squeeze and put her cheek on the top of his head. “Sister was right; you are a delight to hold.” “I’ll take that from you,” Twilight offered, looking toward the painting. After getting a nod from Luna, Twilight took the painting in her magic and set aside in a safe spot. Fierce stepped through the doorway. “The last of our guests, and dinner, has arrived.” Making a grand motion, he bowed and slid from in front of the doorway.” “There is no need to announce us. We do not mean to cause a fuss.” Zecora paused and smiled, after stepping into the room. “So many friends I see. I hope we have enough to feed everypony.” “Zecora!” Twilight trotted to the zebra hugged her. “I’m glad you could make it.” “Gauze didn’t give us much of a choice,” Grayson said. “She intercepted us at the train station and insisted that we drop our stuff off at home and then follow her.” “She was most kind and helped us out,” Zecora said.” “With as much luggage as she carried, it is clear she is stout.” “Speaking of boxes, Fierce, could you help me get these boxes off my back? A couple of them are cooking me.” “I thought I smelled roasting duck and singed cat hair,” Fierce jabbed, moving to help Grayson. “Ha, ha. Just get the ones on my haunches first.” Labra waved. “Hello, Uncle Grayson and Aunt Zecora!” “We’re glad you’re back!” Pyrite told them. “Hello to you two too.” Grayson tilted his head. “How did you end up being held by the princesses of Equestria?” “Celestia stopped me from rescuing Windless,” Labra told him. “Then she picked me up and hugged me.” “I gave Princess Luna a hug so she would let Windless go.” Pyrite puffed up with pride. “It worked, and it made the princess feel better too!” Grayson glanced at Windless. “What did you do to need saving?” “Let us discuss things as we feast,” Luna said. “Now that the food has arrived, my appetite has made itself known.” “We’re going to need another table,” Spike pointed out. There was a flurry of activity as everyone hurried to rearrange the room , serve the food, and find their place. Luna stood and addressed everyone: “Before we sup, I wish to tell you why I have gathered you all here. There were three motivations for this illustrious gathering. The first being that those of us working on the Sphere wish to invite you all to attended the first Crystalling of Ponyville as guests of honor for your contributions to Equestria and the parts you played in the Sphere’s creation.” Thanks and other appreciative words were given from the many creatures gathered. Luna held up a hoof, and room returned to silence. “The second is that I would like your help making sure that all is ready for the event. We ask that you contribute a small measure of your time for the last of our experiments and testing to ensure that the Sphere will function as it should when we hold the first Crystaling.” A flurry volunteering and enthusiastic nods answered Luna’s words. She paused till the room calmed. “Now we come to the final motivation.” Luna’s smiled changed as she turned her gaze to Puca and Stone. “Lady Puca and Sir Stone, my friends, please stand.” Puca and Stone glanced at each other and then got to their hooves. “We wish to ask a favor of you.” “We will do whatever we can to help,” Puca said. Stone nodded. “What do you need, Princess?” “We wish your foal to be the catalyst for the first Ponyville Crystaling.” Puca gasped and put a hoof to her mouth. Luna’s smile brightened as she asked, “Will you do us the honor of allowing your foal to be first to serve as the focus for the Crystaling?” “Princess, I am sorry,” Puca said. “We will have to decline.” Luna’s expression changed to one of pure shock. “Why?!” “We are having a nymph, not a foal,” Stone told Luna. Luna’s expression softened and she gave them an understanding smile. “The nature of your child is of no consequence. So long as the nymph is loved, the Crystalling can be performed.” She looked to Cadance. “If memory serves, a variety of creatures have contributed to the Crystal Heart’s powers through Crystallings.” Cadance nodded. “Diamond Dogs, yaks, griffins, hippogriffs, a whole list of creatures have helped with Crystallings. Such events were held in celebration of births of foreign dignitarie‘s childeren, but anyone could have a Crystalling celebration if they wanted. Crystal ponies love sharing their magic with others and celebrating new life coming into the world.” Puca’s smile returned. “Then we would be honored for our nymph to take part.” Stone smiled, hugged Puca to his side, and kissed her head. “Then all is set.” Luna made a grand gesture towards the food on the tables. “Let us feast.” “Neigh, Luna, we cannot begin.” Celestia stood and gave Luna a wicked grin. “First, you must speak of our backup plan, had they refused.” A blush came to Luna’s face. “No, Sister, now would not be an appropriate time. This night is for them, as thanks for all they have done and will allow us to accomplish. It would be remiss of me to take attention from that.” “You won’t detract from anything,” Grayson insisted. He looked towards Flurry, Labra, Pyrite, and Spike with a look that invited mischief. “Right?!” “Right!” they answered Grayson in chorus. “Luna, you are among admirers and the dearest of friends,” Amore said. “Your joy will bring us all joy.” Bitter stepped toward Luna. “I would like permission to speak freely.” “I believe we’ve been off shift since about the time you came back with the little ones and I brought Grayson and Zecora,” Gauze said. “She speaks true.” Luna lit her horn, and Bitter’s armor vanished. “Now, speak unburdened by the trappings of your duty, but as my love.” “Whoa!” Pyrite stood in his chair and put his front paws on the table. “She can do that?!” Flurry wrapped a wing around Pyrite’s shoulder and guided him into sitting down again. “Aunt Luna can do a lot of cool stuff.” She whispered to him, “Let’s keep quiet though, Miss Bonsmara and Mom are giving us looks.” Pyrite, blushing, whispered back, “Yes, Princess.” Luna hid her smile and turned her attention back to Bitter. “Please, speak your mind.” “If I had to choose any group outside the castle to tell, this would be the group I would choose. They are the ones that allowed us to meet and encouraged me to approach you.” “You infer that had they not been involved our courting may not have happened?” “That’s along the lines of what I was thinking.” He grinned and shrugged. “Besides, what can it hurt? The news will get out eventually.” “You speak true. We are among friends and somepony will notice as I wax to resemble my full moon.” Luna drew Bitter against her side with a wing and revealed, “The secondary plan was to use Bitter’s and my foal as the catalyst for the first Crystalling.”