"Are you ok, Cousin?" a stallion voices asked as the tickling of her toes has stopped.
Slowly Cadence turns her head toward the unseen pony talking to her, and her light purple eyes moist with joy upon seeing her cousin Prince Somnus Silverlight still wearing his full dress uniform from coronation ceremony appear before her.
"Thank you, cousin Somnus. I am fine now." Cadence said gratefully as Somnus release her from the stocks that held her. Slowly she gets to her feet and wraps her arms and wings around him to hug him.
"Is there something wrong, Somnus?" Cadence inquiry as she felt his muscles tighten went she hug him.
"I am sorry for tickling your toes cousin. But your light pink feet were too inviting to pass up." Somnus explained as Cadence walked to the front of the stock were the unconscious guard was. She lifts her foot up and grinded her heel into the guard back end.
"Don't be sorry, Somnus, unlike these despicable palace guards who tickle me just to embarrass me and break me. You tickle me because you love me. It one aspect of love that terrifies me as evidence by these guards, but you show this Princess of Love that went it done with love. It doesn't hurt the recipient." Cadence explains as she kisses Somnus on his cheek.
"Excuse me, Somnus and Cadence! If you are done having a moment! I am still trapped in this contraption! So now your cousin will allow you to tickle her feet went you like as long as you don't hurt her! End of story! Now get me out of this contraption this worse than being banished to my moon!" Luna bellows (mumbling to herself) as Cadence and Somnus quickly free Luna from the stocks.
Meanwhile, in a different part of the dungeon of the royal palace hidden by a very powerful illusionary wall in 8 by 8 square stone chambers chained to the wall of the room was the real Princess Celestia Silverlight, she was considerably weakened of her magic power.
The day before the anniversary of her beloved husband death, Celestia fell into deep sadness for some unknown reason. This allows Daybreaker Celestia's evil alter-ego to manifest in the real world as a living pony. But unlike her husband's alter-ego of Dream Eater, Daybreaker is not a separate entity onto itself. As long as the real Celestia magic power remains weaken Daybreaker can move around the real world as a living pony.
"Wakey-wakey (tapping the back of her hand on her cheek) my good side it time for your treatment. I'll let you pick what foot you want it on," Daybreaker said as Celestia's magenta eyes are slowly open.
"Neither you evil entity," Celestia said weakly as Daybreaker grabs hold of her left leg and place it on a short stone pedestal with a clamp. She positions her ankle in the clamp and closes it, forcing her foot to stand straight up with all her sole exposed.
"Why are you doing this to my beloved babies, Daybreaker? They have done nothing to you." Celestia asks as Daybreaker brings her hand toward Celestia's sensitive sole to begin the treatment to weaken her for another week.
"Believe it or not, Celestia, I was excited that you married; that meant if your husband angered you, I would come out. But those damn strong maternal instincts you have for those insufferable foals suppressed me. The more you wanted to be the best mother your foals could have. The weaker I became. If I didn’t come out right, then I would have faded away." Daybreaker said hotly as she begins to tickle her foot. Before long, the chamber is filled with Celestia's unrestrained laughter. This goes on for several hours until Celestia passes out from the treatment to weaken her magic power for another week.
~Back in 10 by 10 chamber~
"Auntie and cousin, don't put your pumps back on remain in your bare feet. It will be far easier to sneak you two out of the palace if you are barefooted." Somnus comment as Luna quickly removed her pumps, leaving her in her bare feet.
"Cousin, please, I don't like being barefooted it so embarrassing to admit, but it true. That why I am always wearing my gladiator sandals. It closes to being barefoot; I am willing to go. Please, cousin, don't make me stay in my bare feet." Cadence said, begging as tears streak her pink cheeks.
"Cousin, if I explain why I need you in your bare feet, will you do it?" Somnus asked concerned about his own cousin feeling as she shook her head.
"First off, Cousin, I never knew you didn't like being barefooted. But that answers so many questions about going to the beach went I was a colt and your unwillingness to remove your sandals in the sand (a loving smile form on her snout with those precious memories). But anyway, the reason I need you barefooted cousin. One my own ability, I can easier mask my own footsteps to move silently. But I can do that with you two if you are barefoot you are much quieter and can move silently." Somnus explains as Cadence agrees to remain barefooted for her cousin, even those she doesn't like being barefoot.
With that, Somnus slowly opens the iron door on the chamber; he sticks his head through the crack to scan the whole corridor for dungeon Palace Guards when none are found. He gestures his cousin and auntie to follow him into the corridor.
The only sound that can be heard was the very soft pitter-patter of the two mares' bare feet as they traverse over smooth worn stone of corridor. The group reaches a large open area of the dungeon full of dusty and cobweb-covered torture devices that haven't been used for eons. Sitting at a table at the foot of the staircase leading to main floors of the palace were two earth pony dungeon palace guards. They were discussing the latest superstar on the Canterlot hoof ball team.
"Please, cousin, don't hurt them. It, not their fault that there are following the orders of your mother." Cadence said softly concerned as she placed her hand on the small gun Somnus was drawing from his holster.
"(Kissing Cadence on her cheek) this gun is a dart gun with a very powerful sleep drug in it. The worst effects are the guards come to with a bad headache, cousin." Somnus explain as Cadence return the kiss on his cheek and remove her hand from the gun.
Somnus lift the gun and hold it level at the two earth pony dungeon palace guards sitting at the table. Their very soft pop from the dart gun sticks in the neck of a first earth pony and the effects are instant as he falls asleep. The second guard stumbles about the room, trying to reach the alarm button on the far wall to press it and alert the rest of the palace of the escape. But can't as he collapses unconscious to the floor soon after. Quickly Cadence takes a position at the stairs watching for any guards coming down to the dungeon, why Luna and Somnus drag the unconscious guards into the shadows to hide them from being seen by other Palace Guards that happen by.
With the two dungeon palace guards safely hidden in the shadows, the group ascended the stone staircase to the main floors of the palace; the satisfying plop-plop of mare’s bare feet on marble tiles of main floors was a welcome change. The group quickly ducks into a small room just as Daybreaker appears at the foot of the dungeon staircase, passing herself off as Princess Celestia Silverlight.
She undoubtedly upset with the two dungeon palace guards who are not at their post and show her displeasure by burning the table with her fire breath. She storms up the staircase and quickly put on the mask of benevolent Alicorn mare. Watching through a crack in the door was Somnus; his face showed visible relief that the mare that came up the stair from the dungeon was not his mother, Celestia.
"Auntie.That mare is not my mother." Somnus said, trying to convince his Aunt Luna that this Celestia is not her sister.
"Somnus, I know it hard for you to admit that your mother can be this cruel even to her own foal, but by denying it, you are making things worse," Luna explains as Somnus pulls away from her and stands in the corner weeping. A moment later, two pink feathery wings wrap around Somnus in a loving embrace.
"You don't believe me either cousin that the mare sitting on the Sun throne is not my mother.” Somnus said in a quavering voice as he begins to weep again.
"Of course, I believe you Somnus, for bucking sake, I have followed you this far, and you make me do something I would have never done in all my life you made me take my shoes off and walk barefooted," Cadence said consoling as Somnus turn around and hugged his cousin Cadence.
"If that case Somnus, then who is that mare pretending to be your mother? And where is your real mother?" Cadence proposes as Luna able to open one of the palace windows allowing the group to get out of the palace into the City of Canterlot.
Down in her cell after the latest treatment, the real Princess Celestia Silverlight was able to hold back just enough of her magic energy to send a simple message to her beloved foals through the special bond a mother has to her babies.
That simple message help. In the back alleys of Canterlot, Somnus watched his auntie and cousin gather together scrap pieces of fabric to fashion a pair of rudimentary shoes to protect their bare feet from the hazards of city life. Somnus was amazed that his auntie and cousin had these skills being that they are princesses as Luna and Cadence finish making their rudimentary shoes for themselves, Cadence chuckles.
"During a quiet season in the Crystal Empire, your father sent me a message asking me to join him at the camp in the Equestria forest since I need a break from the Crystal Empire; I took him up on the offer. I arrived a few days later, and he greets me as he normally does . He led me into a large command tent and asks me to sits down in a chair. Went I sat down, he proceeded to untie my boots and remove them follow by taking my socks off leave me barefooted. I was upset about it. but then he brought over a large pile of fabric scraps using my foot as a template he fashions a shoe for me to wear he gave me the same as amount of scrap and explains how to make a shoe before long I had a matching pair. He told me those are the only shoes I can wear." Cadence explains as Luna chuckled in response.
"Huh, Justice has always been sweet on Cadence; it was not the same for me. He did the same thing to me, took my boots and socks off leave me barefooted, I did mine it. but he gave me two hours to search for fabric scraps in the tent if I failed I would have to stay barefooted and in a forest with many think that can poke a barefoot pony it best to complete the task." Luna comments as the two princesses' finish making their shoes.
"Auntie and cousin, did father teach mother these skills like you?" Somnus inquiry as Luna and Cadence look at each other and laugh.
"After all this is over Somnus why do you ask your mother that question? On that day come speak to me first. I tell you how to get your mother to demonstrate her skill for you." Luna suggests as Somnus agreed after all this is over, and his real mother is back on the throne, he will talk to his aunt.
"With that done now what Somnus we can't keep hiding in the back alleys of Canterlot forever. Whatever that faker has done to your mother to keep her from responding to save her city, she will not last long." Luna comments as Somnus leans against a dumpster in the alley.
"Besides that, Somnus. We still have no idea where that faker stashed your real mother and if she is still alive until we find her. That faker on the throne by all accounts is your mother Princess Celestia Silverlight and the ruler of Equestria, which means she has the backing of all the Royal Army with the exception of your sister solar guard unit Royal Division. All the soldiers we been dodging up till now have been Royal Army Troops Nothing of them has been from your mother's elite protection unit Why?" Cadence inquiry as she reaches up and scratches her chin with her painted nails a few times.
"That easily answered , Cadence. To parlay a conflict of interest with the sitting Princess. Somnus's mother can't call up the Solar Guard Royal Division without her own daughter's approval. That goes for our own troops as well. That real reason that faker had us arrested and put in dungeon. I sense those unprovoked tickle attack on our vulnerable feet were planned to weaken our resolve. If this faker retained the real Celestia's memories, she knew that and use it." Luna explains as Cadence blink with surprise.
"So they were tried to break me, Auntie!" Cadence exclaimed with a quiver in her voice as a chill ran down her back with the thought.
"Yes, Cadence. Your army is second largest in Equestria next to the Royal Army." Luna explains as Cadence looks towards her cousin even more grateful of his impeccable timing to free her.
"I have only allowed one other stallion to call on me went every wanted that stallion was your father, Justice. So I am now granting you that privilege son of my Uncle Justice. No matter what it is, don't hesitate to call on The Princess of Love Cadence Sparkle; I will come to your aid. This Princess is forever in your debt." Cadence said obligated as she kneeled on the ground in front of Somnus, who gape in stunned silence.
"No, cousin! I don't wish to be the Master of Love. You are an independent mare that has her own feelings and thoughts. If I accept this privilege, I will strip you of who you are. My honor willn't allow that on you." Somnus said honorable as Cadence's light purple eyes moisten.
Because that was the exact same answer Somnus's father gave her went she offered the same privilege to him went she was forever in debt to him. With that answer, Justice and Cadence grew closer. It was tough for anyone in Canterlot to tell them apart as two of them were always together went she had Royal Business in Canterlot at the Grand Royal Palace. Cadence quickly gets to her feet and hug and kisses Somnus who reel with astonishment. A moment later, Cadence gently flicks Somnus' snout with her painted fingernail.
"What was that for cousin?" Somnus said sourly as Cadence flicked Somnus again on his snout.
"You didn't fully think out your plan for us, did you? You thought up to went we escape from the palace. but nothing after that point, cousin." Cadence said sharply, flicking his snout again.
"I say stop that, cousin in these back alleys, no one will hear you pleading for me to stop tickling your feet. I will not stop until you say you are sorry." Somnus said threatening as Somnus and Cadence begin a staring contest.
Sitting on a wooden barrel in the alleys watch the whole thing was Luna it brought back a lot of memories went Justice and Cadence went at it, went he didn't fully think out his plan. She hops off the barrel and walks up to the two of them, she lifts her fists up and strikes them on top their heads laying them flat, breaking up the fight.
"Now, you both behave yourself I know where we can go." Luna said as the two of them rub the bump on their heads that Luna gave them.
"Where?" They both said.
"The only independent city estate in Canterlot and Equestria. The Silverlight Stable. Your father's family estate. Went your real mother was on the throne to parlay a conflict of interest once again with the second most powerful family she marries into she granted them independence. As your great grandmother is vassal to your mother. Your mother can't interfere with their affairs." Luna explains
With that, the group using the back alleys of Canterlot makes their way to the noble ward the location of The Silverlight Stable. But that was their luck ends as they hit a solid wall as no back alleys enter into the ward. This forces the group to emerge onto the busy main streets of Canterlot. Before long, they are spotted by a Canterlot Royal Army pursuit unit, and they give chase. After Daybreaker discovered that Luna and Cadence escape from the palace dungeon, she deemed them traitors along with the Royal Foals. This allows the ponies to be terminated on sight; it also causes the loyal Solar Guard forces to Princess Aurora Silverlight to not support Princess Twilight as the next Sun Princess.
The same order cause Princess Luna troops and the small detachment of Crystal Empire troops loyal to Princess Cadence to not support Princess Twilight as the next Sun Princess. These three units are now confined to their barracks at the palace.