At the Zeppelin Port in Vanhoover…
“Honey,” said Twilight to her wife, “please get off your knees and stop kissing the ground. This is my hometown, ponies still know me here. And ponies are watching!”
“Hush, darling, give me this. I don’t want to have to make it an order!”
“The day you order me around is the day you order extra blankets. Because it’ll be cold sleeping in bed, by yourself!”
“You’d do that?” asked Dream Walker standing up.
“You don’t want to find out,” said Twilight kissing Dream.
Levitating their bags, the two smiled and hailed a taxi.
“Nice city, I remember this from my first time here,” said Dream as they went through the streets of the northwest Equestria city.
“Yes,” said Twilight. “You’ll notice the number of Ponybucks coffee shops, they were started here.”
“There always appear to be a great number of street side craft and food carts.”
“It’s quite the bohemian city,” said Twilight with a small smile. “Something I miss in Canterlot.”
At that moment they passed by a large sprawling building. It was painted dark blue and had a prominent large white crescent moon. There was a large perimeter wall that enclosed a large area. The gate was open, but it could be secured to either keep ponies out or, more likely, keep ponies in.
It looked out of place.
“Excuse me,” said Dream to the pony drawing the taxi, “what was that large building that we just passed?”
The pony turned his head so they could hear.
“That’s that Church of Nightmare Moon’s Witnesses. They built it two years ago. Not a lot of ponies know what goes on in there.
And not a lot wanna. Most ponies see it as an eyesore.”
With that the pony spit as if it had left a sour taste in his mouth. Then he returned to what he was doing.
As they continued through the city, Twilight thought how many things had changed, even in the 3 years since their last visit. To tell the truth she was a little apprehensive of this visit, especially with the information that they were given about the current stances of the NMW’s. Twilight was pretty sure that her mother wouldn’t be a problem.
But thinking about when she has to confront Moon Shadow and that pompous ass, Meteor Shower, Twilight didn’t like the possibility.
“Honey,” said Dream, “you don’t have to be nervous, I’m with you and I won’t let anypony harm you.”
“I’m not nervous,” lied Twilight.
“My Little Vixen,” said Dream Walker with a chuckle. “You and I have a disadvantage that other married couples don’t. Being Ψ ponies, we have trouble hiding our emotions from the other, especially when distracted.
Does your family know what we do? I mean, they were at our wedding so they know we’re officers in the Royal Guard. But have you told them exactly what we do?”
“Mom has some idea taking into account my ‘special talent’, you as well. But she’s said that she’d never tell anypony for our safety. Moon knew a little, but not too much, I don’t think. How much Meteor Shower knows, that I’m not sure. I’ve never attempted a mind scan on him and I haven’t scanned my sister, since we were foals, when I’d get her to do my chores.”
“We just might have to.” Said Dream, “if we do, I’ll do it. That way if he is Ψ aware, it won’t be you they’d be upset with.”
Twilight just nodded her head.
Ten minutes later found Dream and Twilight standing in front of a house much like the rest in the neighborhood. There were flowers in the window boxes and well-manicured lawn.
Twilight was just standing there looking at the house. Images flooded her mind, and so Dream’s as well.
“It’s alright my love,” said Dream Walker, giving Twilight a little kiss.
“Like I said on our wedding night; let’s get this over with,” said Twilight.
“You did not!” chuckled Dream, knowing her wife was trying to lift her own spirits. “You snapped all the buttons off my tunic trying to get me undressed so fast!”
“At least I didn’t tear your skirt in the process!” Said Twilight, and then she kissed her wife. “You’d have thought we’d never had sex before.”
The two giggled.
They walked up to the door. Twilight was going to open it, but then she thought better, especially with the info they’d been giving about NMW’s and her brother-in-law’s mind set.
Twilight knocked on the front door. They stood there for a moment, but nopony answered. Twilight was about to knock again when the door opened.
“Velvet!” said the mare that answered the door excitedly. “I was wondering when you’d show up.”
Twilight Glow hugged her daughter warmly then she looked at Dream Walker and hugged her.
“And Dream Walker,” said the mother, still hugging her daughter’s wife, “so glad to see my daughter-in-law as well.
Both of you get your flanks in here. I’m sure you’ll want to tidy up from your trip. I’ll get some tea going while you do that.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Glow,” said Dream.
“What did I tell you about that!” said Twilight Glow with a stern voice, yet smiling, “it’s mom to you!”
The mother hugged Dream Walker deeply; Dream didn’t need Ψ to feel real love.
The couple went to Twilight Velvet’s old bedroom and dropped off their bags and then to the bathroom to freshen up. Soon enough they were sitting in the living room, having tea with Twilight Glow. The conversation was pleasant enough. It was brought up that they were there to celebrate their 5th anniversary with family. They would have included Dream’s family, but her mother and father were off on safari in the distant zebra lands.
‘How’re you holding up, my love?’ thought Dream.
‘Honey,’ thought Twilight, ‘I think I’m doing well. I just want to do our job without too much drama.’
‘You’re worried because of the possibility of your brother-in-law being mixed up in this.’
‘Well yes,’ thought Twilight, ‘last time we dealt with NMW’s, we had to wipe the minds of 3 very nice ponies that took us in without question.’
‘That isn’t the real reason,’ thought Dream, ‘is it.’
‘Honey, we had to murder about a dozen ponies to escape; ponies we didn’t know. But this is family. What if I had to wipe mom’s or my sister’s mind. Or worse, had to kill Meteor Shower? I mean, I don’t like him, but I don’t think my sister would appreciate if we killed her husband, even in the line of duty.’
“All right you two,” said the mother, “I know enough that if you two are sitting there quiet, holding hooves, then you’re ‘talking’ about something serious or work. I just hope you aren’t talking about me behind my back!”
The mother laughed at this.
“Sorry, mom,” said Dream, “I guess we just get used to doing things a certain way. We’ll try not to be rude that way.”
“We promise to only talk about you in front of yourself,” snickered Twilight.
“So you two decided to grace us with your presence,” said a voice.
The ponies turned to see whom it was that entered.
“Moon Shadow!” said Twilight getting up and embracing the sister.
At first Twilight felt some resistance, and then Moon Shadow realized that despite all her past ‘pushback’ the hug she was receiving from her sister was warm and genuine. She then returned the hug warmly as well. She actually had to fight back a tear.
“Hello, Moon Shadow,” said Dream Walker approaching her wife and her wife’s sister.
Moon Shadow looked at Dream and then to the surprise of Dream and Twilight, hugged her sister’s wife.
Moon Shadow released the hug.
“I guess you’re here for your anniversary,” said Moon, “I hope we can spend some time together as my business allows.”
“Little sis,” said TV, “I’d love that.”
“You too, Dream,” said the sister with a smile.
Dream walker nodded with a smile.
Moon Shadow, Dream Walker, Twilight Velvet and Twilight Glow sat in the living room talking, gossiping and laughing. The mother had brought tea and everypony was relaxed.
That is until…
The front door opened and a stallion of green with a red mane and tail entered. He had a cutie mark of three shooting stars.
He looked at the mares quickly. His grim visage didn’t change a bit.
“Sorry Mrs. Glow,” said the stallion humorlessly, “I wasn’t aware you had company.”
“Yes Meteor Shower,” said the mother. “Twilight and her wife are here for their anniversary.”
“I see,” he said, turning to Velvet and speaking flatly, “hello Velvet, I hope you enjoy your stay. Moon Shadow, we’re going home now.”
The snub of Dream Walker was obvious.
With that, he turned to the door. Moon Shadow felt the hurt her sister must be feeling.
“I’m sorry ladies,” said the mare getting up.
Twilight and Dream got up and hugged Moon. But Meteor said gruffly:
“I said now!”
“Sis…” said the older sister, but Moon just shook her head and turned to leave.
Before the door shut, they heard the voice of the stallion scolding his wife.
“I’ve warned you about hanging out with moral degenerates!”
“But she’s my sister…”
That was all that was heard.
“I’m so sorry Honey,” said the mother, then to Dream, “you too Sweetie.”
The mother got up and went into the kitchen to check on the meal, but more to hide her tears.
‘I think he’d make a lovely mental vegetable,’ thought Dream. ‘We could plant him in the window-box where he could be watered and get some nice sunshine.’
‘I’m starting to agree with you,’ thought Twilight.
The two smiled and kissed. They went to the door to watch the other couple leave. But they saw something that demanded their attention.
“I’ve warned you about hanging out with moral degenerates!” ranted the husband.
“But she’s my sister,” defended Moon Shadow.
“I don’t care if she’s Celestia’s sister!” Said Meteor Shower. “My conservative constituents demand proper moral decorum. You don’t know how it’d reflect on me if I were seen with degenerate ponies with which reproduction is not the reason for their marriage. All else is seen as perverted!”
“Then how are you able to look them in the eye with there being no children with us?” asked Moon getting a bit upset. “What would they think if they knew that their great upright leader doesn’t even try to give me a foal? I guess I could cuckold you to make you look normal.”
“You ungrateful little whore!” said Meteor, with hate in his voice.
The stallion drew back to strike his wife, as he was want to do. Even Moon Shadow wondered why she stayed and put up with it.
But before he could do it, there was a violet aura that held back his leg. It was purposely painful and felt as if it was getting hotter by the second. He looked to see that his wife’s sister and her partner galloping up to them.
“This is none of your business, bitch!” bellowed the stallion, as if giving an order, as Dream was getting in his face..
“That’s Brigadier General Bitch to you! So you better listen pal, and listen closely!” said Dream Walker now muzzle to muzzle with the stallion. Truthfully, it was intimidating him. “You may not approve of Twilight’s and my relationship. But we’re still officers of the Royal Guard, so if we so much as hear that you improperly laid one hoof on this mare. We’ll have you on the train to Canterlot dungeon before you can say, Oops!
Capeesh?”
“What would your conservative constituents think of their paragon of virtue having to do time for domestic violence.” Said Twilight releasing the leg.
“You wouldn’t dare!” said the stallion trying to be threatening. “I’d have you two court-marshalled before you knew it!”
Twilight looked at Dream. They both laughed hard. This stallion had never had ponies not intimidated by his position. He could tell that this wasn’t forced laughter. Did his position mean that little? Was he just a joke, as he secretly feared?
“What do you think my teacher and mentor, Princess Celestia would say about a petty politician demanding that a Lieutenant Colonel and Brigadier General be court-martialed because they stopped him from assaulting his wife.”
“I think he’d be laughed out of court as they dragged him off to the dungeon,” said Dream.
Twilight looked at her sister.
“You going to be alright, sis?”
“Yes Twi,” said the sister as she walked off home.
Twilight’s aura pulled the bully to herself, muzzle to muzzle. The fire in her eyes was frightening.
“Meteor Shower,” said Twilight, “we’re not joking. And believe it or not, we will know if you do anything to my sister! So I wouldn’t even think of it!”
Dream closed her eyes, then she spoke.
“Go ahead and send your message to Personnel at Royal Guard Headquarters in Canterlot,” said Dream with a smirk, “and see just how much your influence is really worth, especially with the Special Unit. The Commandant is General Moon Light. Tell your little Red Coat yeoman contact to tell the general that Dream Walker and Twilight Velvet, his best agents, said hello.”
“That’s if he can even get admittance to the Special Unit’s office,” said Velvet.
Meteor Shower was dumbfounded and slightly frightened that Dream Walker knew just what he was thinking at that moment. He knew his bluff was called and he had no power over these two mares.
“Now you see that we weren’t joking,” said Twilight, “and consider that this is your only warning.”
“And know that we, as officers of the Royal Guard, are authorized to use deadly force, at out digression, to protect Equestria’s citizens,” said Dream Walker projecting a vision of Meteor Shower being mercilessly pummeled to death by Dream Walker and Twilight Velvet.
When released, he turned and tried not to look like he was terrified, but the speed of his trot said otherwise.
“Can I mind wipe him now?” asked Dream not quite jesting.
“No Honey,” said Twilight, “if it comes to it… He’s mine!”
The two walked back to Twilight’s mother’s home.