//------------------------------// // Song of Hearts Part 1: A Typical Day in Luna's Study // Story: Brony Recon: Ascension // by Freescript the Bard //------------------------------// THREE DAYS LATER >><<>><< Shift's POV "A friendship letter!" I looked up from my book on shadow magic to look at my now-alicorn fillyfriend. "Huh?" Usually Twilight isn't this active in the morning, often taking a cup of coffee and a shower to wake her up. "That's how we tell Celestia I'm an alicorn! She always enjoys my letters, and I DID learn a valuable lesson about friendship yesterday." I thought about it for a moment, tapping a hoof to my carapace chin. It had been a while since Twilight's last friendship update. "Sounds great, Twi. SPIKE!" There was the very audible sound of the dragon falling out of bed, then tumbling down the stairs. Dexterity in the morning was never a strong point for most ponies, Spike included. Shaking his head, the assistant stood at attention, then immediately tripped again. Twilight's and my own facehoof rang throughout the library. "Spike, take a letter…" Twilight instructed. Spike pried himself off the floor and grasped a quill and parchment from the desk. Ready to take the note, he looked to Twilight. I nodded at her and she began her dictation. Dear Princess Celestia, A few days ago, I was taught a very important lesson in friendship by Applejack and my coltfriend, Shift. I learned that even if it seems the very world is going to tumble down on top of you, you can always rely on your friends to help you through anything that you feel scared or threatened about. Like growing a pair of wings overnight. Even though I panicked, my friends were still there for me when I needed them. Hopefully they will be there when I start learning how to fly as well. Your Faithful Student, Princess Twilight Sparkle "Um… Princess?" I asked as Spike sent the letter via dragon-fire. "Isn't that laying it on a little thick?" "Well, I AM an alicorn now," she said proudly. "Logically, since all Princesses are alicorns, then all alicorns must be Princesses, right?" I shrugged, only having a basic knowledge of the Equestrian caste system. "I guess, but still…" I sighed. "Whatever happens, I honestly hope it doesn't interfere with my studies." Twilight raised an eyebrow at this and peeked at the title of the book I was reading. "'A Reference Guide to Shadow Magic'?" she asked, looking over my shoulder. "What exactly are you studying?" "I'm trying to figure out how giving enough shadow magic to level Ponyville to a unicorn that uses light magic turns her into an alicorn," I responded. "The only thing on alicorn magic I could tie into this it that it's connected to either a celestial body or powerful force." Twilight tapped a hoof to her chin thoughtfully as her wings gave a slight flutter. "We could ask Princess Celestia, or even Cadence or Luna." "Maybe I could ask Skyblaze. He's gonna be one eventually," I said flatly, remembering Sky's confession at the cottage. Twilight shot me a quizzical look. "Gonna be a… what?" I shrugged. "An alicorn. Evidently when one marries an alicorn, their hearts bind and BAM! You have a new alicorn!" Wow, I said 'alicorn' a lot. Only when Owloysius did an impressive face-wing from his perch did I realize my mistake. Twilight's brother married Cadence. Cadence is an alicorn. Oh sweet bucking Celestia, what have I done? As the revelation hit the lavender mare, her normally purple eyes turnings deep fiery orange. I didn't know it was possible for the insides of your pupils to light on fire. "Shining Armor… is a… and he didn't tell…" With the Fausticorn as my witness, I will never prank again! Just let me live! "He… is… DEAD!" She stormed down the stairs with Spike and I in hot pursuit. Twilight was shaking with anger at this point, her mane and tail giving off sparks and black smoke. "Shift, cast a disguise spell on my wings. We're going to Canterlot." >><<>><< Luna's POV Skyblaze calls it a facedesk. Aptly named, I must say, as it perfectly describes the action of slamming one's face upon a desk. The reason for this action? Prince Blueblood. The noble wasn't even a real prince, mind you, but an unfortunate descendant of Princess Platinum of Old Canterlot. However, he still acted as of everypony else was below him, myself and my sister included. Because of his large holdings in Canterlot, he styled himself the hierarch of the city, claiming to rule it as his own. All because of his bucking father playing his cards right in a political standpoint. Yet even now, Blueblood continues to be an ever-present pestilence. For the fourth time in the last month, I received a petition stating that I end my affairs with, quote, 'that low-life commoner scum who should have his blue wings clipped from his body'. I liked Sky's wings. They were very soft. But now, the scourge himself was in my study, presenting me with yet another petition. Like all others, it would have even more signatures that the previous one. Not many nobles were happy with my relationship with Sky, as many saw him as disruptive and distracted. Disruptive? Maybe. Distracted? Definitely. "…and furthermore, I wish to have the ruffian banished from Canterlot." Well, at least he was finished with his rant. "Prince Blueblood, in all due respect, will you please remain out of my personal affairs?" I pleaded with the incompetent noble. "Humph! And let a filthy commoner such as himself into the ranks of nobility? Not likely!" Shining Armor silently facehoofed behind the noble. Because of the recent attacks from the Aliyess, Shining had, along with Skyblaze, taken up the role of my personal guard. Where Skyblaze was now, I had no idea. It was probably for the best, seeing as we were discussing him. I shook my head. "I'm sorry, Blueblood. Your claim has been denied. I do not hold any prejudice against you or your colleagues…" That was an outright lie. "…but this is a matter that transcends politics. Who I choose as my spouse is none of your business. Besides, in what way is my love 'disruptive'?" CRASH! Oh you have got to be bucking kidding me. To my right, one of the stained-glass windows shattered, two pegasi tumbling in and crashing into the opposite wall. One I recognized as a grey-cloaked Aliyess mare. The other, much to my chagrin, was my betrothed. Skyblaze recovered first, pinning the cultist against the corner, aiming the tip of his switchblade at her throat. "Okay talk! Where's your- oh, hi Luna -leader?!" The Aliyess mare's face split into an insane smile. "Repent! The Darkness cometh! All who do not believe shall perish in eternal flame! Hail to the True--" SMACK! The cloaked body slumped to the ground as Sky silenced her with a solid punch to the face. Sighing, Skyblaze sat against the wall, rubbing his face. "This is the fifth attack this week alone, Luna," he said, sliding a hoof down his muzzle. "These guys don't know how to quit!" It was then that Skyblaze noticed the extra presence in the room. Blueblood was staring at him with absolute horror. "Oh my! Where are my manners? Tis the esteemed Prince Blueblood himself!" Sky bowed low, much the surprise of both Shining Armor and myself. "I apologize deeply for my intrusive behavior. Especially in the presence of one so honored. Such is necessary, however, in order to keep the peace of your fair city intact and my own fiancé safe." What the hay had gotten into him? Sky was never this humble on the normal occasion. Blueblood's expression softened, looking more confused than irritated. The white unicorn looked Skyblaze's bowing form over and harrumphed. "I approve," the false prince said plainly, exiting the room without another word. My mouth was hanging open in absolute surprise. I looked over at Sky. "How did you do that?" He gave a sly smile as he brushed dust off his blue wings. "You gotta know how to play the nobility, Luna. I believe I just reached the status above Mister Snobby's own servants." I was about to give a response when a bright green flash lit the center of the room. A purple unicorn with a yellow mane and tail glanced around in a panicked fashion, pausing when his gaze alighted on Skyblaze and Shining Armor. "Sky! Shining! Thank Celestia I found you!" he said in a desperate voice. "Listen, I don't have much time. Twilight's coming, she knows Shining Armor is an alicorn, and she is bucking pissed!" "Shift?!" Sky exclaimed. "What the buck is going on?" Suddenly, an explosion rocked the castle, throwing everypony off their hooves. Shift's irises shrunk to pinpoints as he looked at the door. "Every pony for themselves!" he shouted, diving behind Skyblaze. "It's too late! Shining, run while you still--!" BANG! The doors to my study flew off their hinges, nearly crushing Sky and Shift. In the threshold stood a very peeved-looking lavender unicorn. Her eyes, seemingly blazing, locked onto the single white stallion in the room. "You!" Twilight Sparkle stormed over to her brother and blasted him with a bolt of lavender energy. Shining Armor's ever-present captain's garb disintegrated, leaving his blue-tipped wings exposed. Sky and Shift seemed content trying to hide behind one another, with mixed levels of success. Twilight Sparkle had backed her brother into a corner and was now glaring at him with the fires of Tartarus. "Uh… hey Twily…" he greeted nervously. "I suppose I have some explaining to do…" "If you think eternity is going to save you from me, you have another thing coming, buster!" she exclaimed, narrowing her eyes. "Because now, we're spending it together!" Everypony looked at the fuming mare questioningly. "What do mean?" asked Shining, raising an eyebrow. Twilight spun to face the purple stallion, who was currently cowering behind my fiancé. "Shift, take off the spell." "But I…" the unicorn pleaded. "Now, Shift!" He complied almost instantly, firing a magical beam at the unicorn. Twilight Sparkle's sides glowed the green of the stallion's magic, almost seeming like a pair of… "Oh sweet Fausticorn…" I whispered. The glow faded, revealing a pair of elegant lavender wings, tinted purple at the feather-tips. Everypony was struck silent at the unveiling of the newest alicorn. Even Skyblaze, whose uncanny ability to spoil any dramatic moment was stumped at the current situation. It was then that my sister entered, reading a piece of parchment. "Dear sister, you would not believe this, but I just received word that Twilight Sparkle is…" Tia trailed off, examining the room. My study was in such a state, one window smashed in, the doors off their hinges, and the extra five ponies. "Oh… I think you already know… please be sure Shining Armor isn't hurt too badly. My presence is needed elsewhere." As Tia made her leave, Shift and Sky looked at each other. "Trollestia strikes again!" they exclaimed, slamming their hooves together in a euphoric 'brohoof'.