The unease permeated every aspect of her being, poisoning her mind. Celestia’s hooves shook with a vague fear, stomach churning into knots. It was the same every night now, a threat she couldn’t see, a scene she couldn’t remember…
No, a scene she actively suppressed, one that had been on her mind ever since that day of fire and Badlands dust.
But the feelings were the same even amid the black dreams. It seemed to never end, a faint, familiar female voice calling out to her; and then came the relief, the brief burst of sunshine before she woke.
The alicorn nuzzled into the chest of her hippogriff, taking a deep breath as Nacreous’s fluffy feathers tickled her nose. His strong heartbeat made the shadows in her mind and body flee, the Paladin’s deep voice whispering sweet comforts in Celestia’s ears as talons brushed her mane tenderly.
And then she woke up.
The pillow clutched between Celestia’s hooves was nearly bent in half from the strain as the Alicorn flopped out of bed. It was a short walk to the diplomat’s suite and the scene played out the same as it had every night for the past few weeks.
A single series of soft knocks caused the door to swing open, and Celestia nearly collapsed into Nacreous’s arms in exhaustion. As the hippogriff carried her over to a pre-made bed on the floor, the Princess couldn’t hold back a whimper as Nacreous settled down next to her, neck draped over the alicorn’s protectively. Nacreous’s talons immediately held one of her hooves, the Paladin making sure Celestia was pressed firmly against his side as the Alicorn let a few tears trickle from her closed eyes. As her hippogriff pressed his neck against hers, those began to slow however.
It was only then the Princess of the Sun was able to get some sleep, a worried sister checking in on them moments later. Nacreous tried to hold back his own worry at seeing his love so distressed, the alicorn snuggled underneath his wing.
“Thank you, Princess! That helps a great deal!”
“Of course, take care now.”
Nacreous felt his heart ache at seeing Celestia go about her usual day court routine, her oblivious subjects not able to see through the carefully-curated mask.
Three weeks.
On the outside everything was going smoothly. The Council of Stewards was handling official negotiations with Equestria with Nacreous’s occasional guidance of course, and the effects of the Windigo attack were all but washed away. The new strain of virus had been eradicated, and normal life had once again returned to most of Equestria.
But if you lift the mask…
It had started a few days after the two had got back from Hauyne. Celestia had seemed rather tired, apparently a nightmare. Thanks to Luna, Nacreous had learned she had received another unpleasant visit from their mutual friend, who was promptly (and apparently, aggressively,) destroyed by the Lunar Princess. His, or its influence had faded, or so they thought after a day or two of bad dreams.
I’d be more comfortable if you were unaffected by that thing, Celly. At least it’s a cohesive enemy.
It was a pattern that repeated even the previous night. Her dreams, nightmares were dark and insidious. Even Luna could only guide them to a lighter ending, Celestia’s own mind actively working against itself.
As the Night Princess had told Nacreous privately, ‘I suspect it’s a fear she has not shared, or that has returned. My sister refuses to confront it and thus it festers and grows.’
Luna had been, in Nacreous’s opinion, a fantastic little sister. She even enchanted a gem or two to join their dreams on a whim if the worst should happen.
Apparently that involved Celestia’s room starting to melt from the heat, but Nacreous hoped it wouldn’t come to that. And naturally, as per the nature of the universe, another problem reared its sincerely ugly head.
Nobles. Ugh. Canterlot has some of the most vicious ponies I’ve ever seen.
It was only rumors but Nacreous and Celestia had been informed anonymously of some sort of opposition to the formal announcement of his and Celestia’s courting later today, as the upper-class would not take kindly to being left out of such news had had largely figured out the situation. Nacreous still operated as a Doctor in the castle, preferring to keep his formal title unknown until much later. That was for multiple reasons; he wanted the reactions to be genuine, for if individuals knew he was a king the reception would be different.
I have my reasons, one of which is to teach these nobles a lesson. You don’t get to publish some rumors about a ‘baby bump’ with some candid photos of Celestia and I talking in the throne room. Add that to the rumors of ‘objecting to the Highness’s choice of suitor,’ and you’ve got me rightfully peeved.
Thankfully, the King had a few tricks up his sleeve he’d address later today in terms of the anticipated legal challenge. Namely, one trick happened to be a letter he sent to a certain recommended noble by the name of FancyPants.
According to Celestia, Luna, a few maids in the castle, and a guard or two, he was ‘one of the good ones’, but time would tell. If news got out that Nacreous was a king before an announcement, he’d know such recommendations were in vain. A few other letters had been sent as well to some choice creatures and companies for similar reasons. Considering how tense Celestia was whenever he brought up the ‘noble announcement and objection’ topic, he wanted to handle this matter himself. His Princess had enough to focus on, enough weight on her shoulders.
And so, happier things were to be the focus for now.
Three words. I refuse to let the world know them before you hear them yourself.
An hour or so before afternoon lunch Nacreous got everything ready at their usual spot. It was a fairly minimalist setup this time, simply food and some triple-checked anti-surveillance runes.
She should have taken a nap and be up within a few minutes. So, now I wait.
Celestia *popped* into the park with a fizzle of magic, looking around-
And then found herself wrapped up in a loving embrace, the alicorn letting out a surprised squeak.
“Hello to you too,” she whispered, clearly not about to complain in the slightest, Nacreous letting out a soft hum.
“Have a nice nap?”
“Mmmmhmmm,” Celestia replied, drawing back to poke at the hippogriff with a hoof. “And you, Sir, have been doting on me long enough. How are you?”
“Doting? Me?” Nacreous gasped with a mock-shocked expression, placing a set of claws across his heart. “I’d never, ever do such a thing unless it was completely voluntary for my favorite alicorn,” he finished with a grin, Celestia trying her best to cement a deadpan expression on her face but failing miserably.
“Thank you though, Nacreous,” she whispered as a tender kiss occupied Nacreous’s beak for a good long few moments.
“You are most welcome, Celly. I just want you to be happy, and if nightly hugs are part of that, I’m glad to provide them,” now Nacreous reached forwards to trace a set of claws across Celestia’s cheek, pressing his forehead against hers gently. “If they help you feel better, I want to do anything I can for that.”
Between the gesture and his words, Celestia let out a sniffle, shifting to rest on his shoulder.
“I’m tired and you are just too sweet. I think I have an idea of what is bothering me, but perhaps later?”
“Later then, just know I’m here for you.”
Celestia nodded, then letting out a soft grumble.
“That blasted news about the nobles, I just…it’s eating at the back of my mind.”
“There is something related to that I’d like to talk to you about,” Nacreous replied, making Celestia’s ears perk up as she looked at him.
“Oh?”
“Well, yes,” Nacreous fought down the butterflies in his stomach as he struggled to maintain the nonchalant tone. Scooting over, he gently took Celestia’s hoof in his grip, the Alicorn looking at him in curiosity.
“I just wanted to make sure you knew how much I loved you. That is, before everyone else did.”
Giving a second or two of pause, Nacreous made sure Celestia’s watery gaze was locked onto his, the Paladin’s voice dropping to a whisper. “And I do love you, Celestia. It took me three weeks to reply to you, but…”
Celestia’s jaw worked up and down but no words came out, the Princess scooting forward to press against Nacreous’s chest as her sides shook.
“You heard me?” she whispered, a deep, rumbling chuckle making her smile.
“Loud and clear. I dared not have you hear it for the first time from when it’s announced to the world.”
Only able to smile Celestia snuggled close, a weight seeming to leave her shoulders.
“I love you too Nacreous, I have for some time.”
“Likewise, Sunspots. It just took us a bit to say it.”
A pleasant shiver ran up Celestia’s smile, Nacreous laughing at feeling her body quiver.
“Hmm. Maybe I’ll call you that more often…”
Celestia grumbled, her wings then drooping slightly before Nacreous hugged her tighter.
“I sense sad thoughts. Celly?”
“Just…how do we announce it all? I…” a very familiar beak decided to occupy her lips at that point, the alicorn melting at the tender but increasingly passionate gesture.
“I’ve been busy, Celestia. Would you trust me to make the announcement, as well as handle the potential challenges from such?” Nacreous added, two surprised violet eyes widening at his words.
“W-what? You’ve…of course you have,” Celestia sighed, letting out a soft huff. “You probably saw how much it was bothering me.”
“From a mile away. I can promise you a few things about the announcement though,” Nacreous said, trying and failing to suppress the wide grin on his face. “It will totally snub the nobles in multiple aspects, because I’m still not bitter about that article which ran. Also, it will lift up quite a few creatures who may not have caught a break. And I can also guarantee you’ll like it.”
Celestia reached up a wing to nudge her special-somegriff with it, only able to nod.
“Alright, Nacreous. You know that I trust you, and with this? I’m curious to see how it goes.”
Nacreous happily hugged his marefriend close, nuzzling the top of her head.
“Love you, Celly, and I can’t wait to say that many more times in the coming years.”
“I….” Celestia’s words failed her, the complete comfort in Nacreous’s arms nearly bringing her to tears again.
“I love you too Nacreous…” she then reached up to give him a playful tap on the beak with her hoof, a familiar fire returning to her eyes as the Paladin’s ears perked up. “And you’d better!”
Ink Set tried to stop himself from prancing in place with anxiety, the novice reporter double-checking his materials.
Camera, video camera, notebook, pens…
“Yo, Ink? How goes it?” a familiar voice called out to the dark blue earth pony, a tan Pegasus soaring in for a landing. Familiar reporter equipment donned his frame as the two bumped hooves, Ink shrugging his shoulders.
“Hey Feather Set. Uh, pretty good, I think? How goes life at the Falling Leaf news station?”
The other reporter shrugged, looking over his items as the two waited outside the main Caste gates.
“Pretty good. I mean, we’re neck and neck with your publisher too. Probably two of the only non-profit newspapers left in this place.”
“Yeah, well, we can’t be loaded with bits like the Canterlot Times. Pretty sure they have a strict requirement of what to publish, and feel-good news or anything not gossip doesn’t make the cut,” Ink grumbled, Feather laughing as his totally-not-bitter friend kicked at a rock.
“But hey, did you get the summons too? That hippogriff doctor wanted to see us, so…that’s something.”
“You boys too?”
The stallions blinked, turning to look at a lime-green mare with a vibrant teal mane.
“Fizzy Mic? You’re here?” Feather asked, getting a whack from Ink as he began to stare.
“Uh, yeah? Not sure why they wanted a radio host, but here I am, recorder and all,” the mare shrugged, now not able to resist a grin as she trotted over to give Feather a shove. “And you wouldn’t stare as much if you’d ask me out on a date already. Or maybe you would…”
“A..Bwa?” the Pegasus stuttered.
“You are so dense,” Ink sighed, turning to look as some guards motioned them forwards. “Looks like that’s our cue!”
The trio were guided through the castle to the throne room, the two novice reporters sweating bullets as they were granted clearance far above the general grounds where they usually occupied.
Fizzy apparently was more interested in looking around, not seeming nervous in the slightest.
“Ah, perfect, do come in,” a deep voice rumbled, making Ink’s head tilt curiously.
“That wasn’t the Princess. But why would the Doctor….” he whispered to himself as they were guided into the throne room.
Celestia and the hippogriff doctor were sitting at the base of the pedestal, the alicorn looking about as curious as the trio. Bowing, they looked at the Princess-
“Thank you for coming, you three,” Nacreous rumbled, looking at the three ponies. “Now, there’s a very good reason I asked you all here. There’s an announcement that needs to be made, a momentous one, and I thought you were the ones to do it.”
Ink raised a slightly-trembling hoof, never having spoken a few words even near the Princess, much less have her looking Directly. At. Him.
“Uh, Sir? If I may be so bold, why us? I mean, we barely get a thousand readers, and that’s city-wide for each of our publishers.”
“Pfft. Speak for yourself. I’ve got ten thousand listeners across Equestria,” Fizzy chimed in, then wincing, “Uh, sorry. Not used to this.”
Nacreous actually laughed, waving a set of claws as Celestia smiled.
“No worries. You all have something in common something the Canterlot times doesn’t have, and that is why you’re here.”
The two stallion’s eyes widened, Fizzy now starting to smirk.
“We’re the underdogs,” she guessed, a talon then pointing at her.
“Yes, in a manner of speaking. Non-profits, actual news, and I’ve never seen or heard of a gossip piece on your platforms. Quite a few positive stories too, and that is greatly lacking in publishers of late.”
Now the reporters were getting excited, Fizzy’s tale swishing with anticipation.
“So, with that out of the way, you should know that Celly here will teleport you back to your stations in a few moments, and you have the only rights to publish this story for at least three days.”
With a rather devious smile, Nacreous walked back over to Celestia and gave her a kiss, Celestia not able to suppress a laugh as they broke apart.
“And while I don’t think you need any introduction, Celly, I’d like you three to make the announcement,” Nacreous added, three recording devices being levitated out of her side satchel in a golden aura.
“I’d like you to let the world know that Princess Celestia is my marefriend.”
Celestia stepped forwards, making sure the recorders were indeed active.
“And that Nacreous is my special-somegriff.”
The three ponies could only stare for a few moments, but it was Feather who finally hopped into the air, doing a brief flip before landing.
“That. Is. Awesome!”
Ink facehoofed as Fizzy laughed, the three devices replacing themselves in their respective pockets. The reported hefted a camera, not able to resist a smile.
“I don’t suppose you two would be alright kissing again for the camera? And giving us a few details?” Ink asked.
An extremely smug grin dawned on Nacreous’s features, Celestia not even having time to roll her eyes before being yanked into a deep kiss.
Judging by how much she made the Doctor’s feathers fluff in returning the gesture, she wasn’t about to let him lead things completely.
Nacreous let out a content sigh, looking out over the evening cityscape. Celestia was relaxing in her study, currently enjoying the voice of Fizzy still taking calls in about the newest announcement. To say she was pleased with Nacreous’s choice of ponies was an understatement, the alicorn having yanked him into a hug as soon as they had left.
With the announcement made that was one less hurdle to cross, yet two remained. The nobles were evidently not happy (to which both Celestia and Nacreous agreed meant very little at this point,) and then there was Celestia’s nightmares.
One thing at a time. Once I deal with these upstarts, we can tackle your fears, Celly. Perhaps this is part of it?
“Your Highness?” A refined voice asked as a unicorn trotted over to Nacreous as he sat on the secluded balcony of the castle. The noble was clad in a sharp grey vest and monocle; a well-curated moustache visible on his upper lip.
“Ah, may I assume you are Mister Fancypants?” Nacreous asked as the unicorn waved a hoof.
“Just Fancypants, please. I received your letter, obviously. I am rather flattered that I am seen so highly by so many. I have not told anyone of your true title of course; I assume that was a test.”
“You’d be correct. I had to make sure of your views of course, you understand.”
Fancypants snorted, sitting down next to the hippogriff as the King took off his crown as a gesture, setting it carefully on the ground. The unicorn clearly understood, a bit of tension leaving his shoulders.
“Make sure that I am not one of the slimy newts seeking to undermine my Princess’s happiness? Ensure I wouldn’t blather about to increase my own social circle?”
“I was going to say, ‘having a sound moral compass,’ but yes, that too.”
Fancypants chuckled, levitating a large folder out from a carefully-disguised vest pocket.
“Highness, you didn’t ask for this amount of detail but I did some research of my own. Words cannot convey my disgust at what Silver Ledger is doing, has been doing, but I hope this action suffices as such. His biography, shady dealings, his plans to undermine you, and more.”
As Nacreous read the file, his eyes widened in surprise as the neatly outlined points.
“Fancypants, you didn’t have to get all of this. I was just asking if you knew what law was going to be using to challenge us…
The unicorn stayed quiet for a few moments, the noble finally sighing.
“Except I did have to, Highness. I am fully aware of the corruption in much of the wealthy class of this city. If I can do anything to burn out such an infection, I will. That report outlines each law he intends to use specifically,” the unicorn then winced slightly. “I may have to ask a favor, however. Some of his servants may be needing additional employment, as they aided me in getting this information at their own risk. I am more than willing to add them to my staff roster, but until they get acclimated, I…”
Nacreous grinned, holding up a set of talons to forestall any more words.
“I would be more than happy to recommend them to the Council myself for employment in the Northern Kingdom. Speaking of which, this is for you.”
Nacreous passed over his own folder, and Fancy’s monocle promptly fell from his eye as it widened in utter shock.
“Sire…I can’t-”
“You can, and you will, Fancypants,” Nacreous rumbled kindly. “You did all of this not expecting any payment, and I drafted this report expecting such. You get premier trading and visiting rights to my kingdom before any other private company; it’s the least I can do on short notice. Celestia means so much more to me than mere trading rights, but I hope this gesture suffices.”
Fancypants replaced his monocle, bowing briefly.
“It means a great deal, Highness,” he paused, now smiling himself. “I’m glad the Princess found someone like you, if I may say so. Too many nobles don’t see past the mask she wears, nay, too few ponies don’t.”
Nacreous blinked, prompting a chuckle from the unicorn.
“Yes, I see it too. When you are in the noble world, but not of it, you learn to seek out those who are in similar positions. You make my Princess happy, King Thunderwing, and to that I cannot do anything but lend my absolute support even if that means undermining my colleagues.”
“You don’t sound too put out about that prospect, if I may be so bold.”
“Sire, I’ve been waiting years to pin this butterfly to my wall. Why do you think I had so many contacts ready and waiting? I have an army of lawyers eager to make this case open and shut.”
The hippogriff let out a surprised laugh, quickly regaining control of himself.
“I was not expecting such ferocity, Fancypants.”
“You don’t know the moral decay Silver Ledger embodies, Sire. It is all mentioned in that file as well. If I can help destroy him, I will.”
Seeing the rather steely glint in the unicorn’s eye, Nacreous held out a set of talons in thanks.
“If Silver Ledger seeks to part me from Celestia against her will by any means, then that may be his fate indeed. Thank you, Fancypants.”
Fancypants shook the outstretched talons, bidding the king good-night and making his way back home. He was careful to conceal his paths, making a few stops at shops and the like that evening.
What the Noble couldn’t hide, however, was the shiver that ran down his spine every time he remembered the predatory glint in Nacreous’s eyes as he had spoken those final words.
The Shadow let out a grumble as a familiar Windigo mare flitted about in the icy cavern, keen gaze fixed on his figure.
“You have not left for over two and a half weeks.” It was a statement rather than a question, the mare clearly curious about her companion.
“I did what meddling I could, not that there was much to be done. A thousand years of memories and fears don’t need more than a slight push to send a mind into turmoil,” the shadowy unicorn replied. “And you clearly are still here- or did you go exploring again?”
“There is a remote weather outpost near here. It may be suitable to shelter in now that we’re….”
The words trailed off, the unicorn looking up at the unsettled mare with a huff.
“Now that we can be affected by the elements, at least to some extent? We continue to change, but if I’m right, this will be the limits of such. We shouldn’t need to eat, I think. I doubt we’ll continue to degrade from our previous forms.”
“And yet you lack the malice from before.”
The Shadow grunted, settling down on a bit of rough stone.
“I don’t pretend to understand what happened when our lovely link to this world got obliterated by the Solar Empress. You clearly have a body of sorts, as I do, and the initial task given to us now seems optional.”
“And rather unpleasant.”
A grating laugh left the unicorn’s mouth, looking at the Windigo as she refused to meet his gaze.
“Wait…you’re serious? You exist off hate, do you not? So, wouldn’t going against inciting such be against your very existence?”
The mare shrugged, now pacing on the floor this way and that.
“The same could be said about you,” she mumbled.
“I suppose you are right.”
Her ears perked up at that, not having heard the Shadow act so genuinely pensive in a few days.
“We do not wish to die, but now that which keeps us alive is losing its savor, and I don’t know why. Shouldn’t that be an intricate part of us? If that’s the case, why doesn’t it feel like I’m losing anything? Why do I even feel something about my past actions?”
The mare shrugged, sitting next to the wispy unicorn.
“I don’t know, and yet we remain. Perhaps the Princesses will allow us to live, for study if nothing else.”
“I won’t allow my existence to be that of a cell, poked and prodded for all eternities!” the Shadow hissed.
“I only lent my power to the others, and you have only meddled in the ethereal. We have not directly caused death, perhaps that can blunt our sentence?”
The unicorn let out a humorless chuckle, head shaking back and forth.
“I doubt Celestia will be so kind, regardless of our feelings on the matter.”
The mare frowned, drawing designs in the dust on the rocks in front of them.
“I thought of a name.”
That caused the Shadow’s head to whip around, staring at the Windigo in shock.
“A name?” It was clear the thought hadn’t even occurred to him.
She nodded, drawing it out carefully in the dust.
“Ever since that pony gave us-me intelligence, I’ve wanted one,” she whispered, hoof carefully tracing each letter. “I don’t know why, maybe that’s why I always volunteered to spy on our enemies…”
“You weren’t always doing your job. You were watching them, their lives,” the Shadow remarked, grey eyes flickering over to the letters on the ground.
“Yes. They were fascinating. We had one purpose, they had…infinite ones. They were free, I was not. I couldn’t understand that until the Emissary was destroyed.”
“You envy them.”
The Windigo mare’s eyes widened in shock, looking away as the Shadow grinned at her.
“Oh, don’t deny it. It’s rather obvious now of course. My question is why. We’ve had three weeks to sit in this cave and think. And while that has been productive, you’ve clearly been changing faster than I have.” The unicorn looked down at the name, letting out a soft huff of amusement. “Icait…interesting.”
“It’s similar to one of the minerals in this cavern. I read it in…” her voice drifted off as the Shadow continued to stare.
“You have been busy indeed. I suppose it matters little if individuals this far away see you though. I take it you’ve been visiting the pony outpost to our north?”
Icait nodded, the Windigo’s shoulders drooping.
“Half of me says to not go, half of me does. I used to be whole, but now I’m torn.”
“Welcome to life. From what I have gathered, life is a series of never-ending choices,” the Shadow remarked.
“What choice will you make then? Will you take a name?”
The unicorn’s mouth worked wordlessly, the stallion finally standing up and shaking his head.
“I’m going to check the tunnels.”
As he left, Icait let the barest smile edge onto her ghostly features, a hoof prodding her name in the dust.
“I have a name.”