//------------------------------//
// 30 Homecoming 
// Story: Knowledge Brings Change 
// by hydra30 
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"Fancy Pants."

Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia, and Fancy Pants had gathered together in Fleur's hospital room. Even though her illness appeared to have passed, the doctors had insisted she stay a few more days so they could monitor her condition, and perform some tests. She was stable enough to be moved out of the ICU though.

Which meant that Fancy Pants could shower his wife with lavish luxury, like he had always done.

The normally bland hospital room had been fitted with beautiful exotic flowers, extravagant paintings (all originals) and expensive oak furniture. Fancy had enough sense to leave the hospital bed, heart monitor and IV alone, but the hospital bed had been refurbished with fine silk sheets and Phoenix feather pillows. Fancy Pants looked up from his slumbering wife as she relaxed on the hospital bed, IV drip in her foreleg.

"Yes, Miss Twilight?" He answered the purple unicorn, his eyes still shimmering with unwavering gratitude.

"Remember, the potion only cured the adverse effects of Corprus," explained Twilight, swallowing a lump of guilt down her throat at her inability to do more for this couple who had suffered so, and likely had more challenges ahead. "She still has the disease, and it will prevent her from aging, or falling ill."

"I remember," said Fancy Pants, looking to his wife and shedding joyful tears seeing her beautiful coat unblemished by cancerous sores.

"She will live long, Fancy," assured Twilight, hoping he fully understood the gravity of the situation. "Far far longer than you will. In fact she will outlive almost everypony in her life...even..." Twilight swallowed again. "Even if you have children someday... she will outlive them too."

Fancy Pants frowned at that.

Fleur had wanted children for a long time, and the thought that she would outlive them if they ever got around to that step in their lives left a sour taste in his mouth. But his resolve was unwavering.

"At least now she can live in comfort," he said, stroking his slumbering wife's hoof, who moaned in her sleep at the touch. "And even if my time with her is but a mere fraction of the life she will live, I can't imagine living my life without being by her side."

Twilight smiled.

It was reassuring that Fancy was willing to stay by Fleur's side, despite the unknown future that lay ahead. Princess Celestia brushed a joyful tear away with a primary feather. She herself knew better than anypony what might be in store for Fancy and Fleur.

She could still recall the faces of so many special someponies she'd had had to bury in her longevity.

"Princess," started Fancy, looking to the Solar Matriarch with pleading eyes. "Doctor Stethoscope...?"

"Rest assured, Fancy, neither you or Fleur will be held accountable for the good doctor's death," reassured the Princess with a kind smile. "The monster Dagoth Ur is to blame for Fleur's condition, therefore, he is the only one accountable for poor Stethoscope's tragic demise. Unfortunately he is no longer around to face justice for his crimes."

Fancy Pants smiled in intense relief and gratitude, then collapsed into the visitor's chair, his monocle popping out and dangling from its chain.

Twilight and Princess Celestia could only smile sympathetically at the snoozing Fancy Pants. He most likely hadn't gotten a wink of sleep since Fleur came down with Corprus, and now that all was well, days of panic, worry, and eagerness for an absolution were taking their toll. He probably needed the hospital more than his wife did at this point, with how quickly he conked out.

"Come, my student," said Celestia, trotting towards the door. "We have accomplished all we can for their wellbeing. Let's leave it to the doctors and move towards what needs our attention with this very moment."

"What is that, Princess?" asked Twilight as she scurried to catch up to her mentor.

Celestia looked down at the purple pony walking alongside her, a look of amusement on her face. "Have you forgotten, Twilight? All this business with Dagoth Ur and his vile disease wasn't the focal point of your return from Apocrypha, remember?"

It came flooding back to Twilight like a sudden rainstorm. "Shining Armor and Cadance's wedding!"

"Yes," said Celestia as they reached the hospital lobby and exited out into Canterlot, the capital bathed in the light of early morning dawn. "The time has come for those two tragic betrothed to be joined together, they have indeed waited long enough."

"I will go get the others and bring them to the castle, we'll begin immediately," said Twilight excitedly, but found her tail caught in a shimmering yellow aura before she could speed down the street towards the hotel she and her friends had stayed the night before at.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Twilight," said Celestia as she turned Twilight around to face her. "While it's important to begin preparations for the wedding posthaste, there is something that must be taken care of first. Remember, your friends haven't seen their families, or their home of Ponyville, for quite some time. It's imperative that happens first, for their wellbeing, as well as the weddings."

Now Twilight also remembered that they had planned to extend the guest list to include as many friends and family of her friends who had been incarcerated in Apocrypha. She felt a brief sense of guilt at first, but soon excitement took its place. In a way, Ponyville felt more like home than Canterlot, for it was there that she first felt the joys of friendship, and now she was going to return as well.

Celestia smiled at the giddy expression that dawned on her students face, then in a flash of her magic, summoned a scroll and eight train tickets, and passed them to Twilight.

"Here are some tickets for you and your friends; you will leave on the morning train scheduled to depart in a few hours," said Celestia, then pointed to the scroll. "And this is a Royal Decree from me. Anypony in Ponyville who wishes to accompany you and your friends to the wedding is hereby excused from anything industrial, educational, or economical and will be allowed to attend. Any financial losses will be compensated by the crown."

Twilight shed tears of gratitude, respect, and awe at her teacher's generosity. "Thank you, your Majesty," she said, bowing her head respectively.

Celestia bowed in return, "You had better run along Twilight. It would not bode well if you and your friends missed the train because you could not decide how long you should thank me."

Twilight nodded and turned to head down the street, but stopped before making it more than a few steps while she was counting the tickets. "Princess, why is there an extra ticket?"

"Well, we must return Miss Zecora to her home," said Celestia almost chidingly. "It's the least we can do In return for her aid."

"Oh, yes, of course," said Twilight, scoffing at her own forgetfulness.

"Now please get going, Twilight," said Celestia almost impatiently. "I myself have responsibilities that have been put off for too long, plus, Luna said she had something she needs to discuss with me."

Twilight's pupils shrank to pinpricks as Princess Celestia took wing and headed back to the castle. In all that had happened nopony had had time to break it to Celestia what they had learned from Azura in Morrowind, and as much as she respected her teacher, nopony could learn 'that' and not be affected by it immensely. She prayed that Celestia was at least strong enough to accept what she was about to learn, if not at first, at least in due time.

But as unnerving as such a thought was, Twilight knew it was out of her hooves and decided to leave it to Luna, which would shock anyone who knew Twilight. Her knack for worrying about every little thing was a trait she seemed to have had shed while in Apocrypha, at least in regards to things that were undeniably out of her control. Head held high, the excitement of returning to Ponyville returning to the forefront of her mind, Twilight returned to the hotel to gather her friends and make way for the train station.

---

Celestia entered the Canterlot Castle Throne Room to find her sister standing before Shining Armor, multiple sets of odd armor laid out between them.

"Metallurgists, scientists, alchemists, anypony you can think of," said Luna gently, but also seriously, scooping Spike's Ebony helm up in her magic. "The durability of these metals is unlike anything I have ever seen before. If we can duplicate it somehow, it would greatly benefit Equestria, and not just in regards to defence and offence, but industrially as well."

Shining levitated Applejack's Daedric helm and struck it with a standard Canterlot guard's spear, the sound of metal striking metal ringing throughout the room. Inspecting the point of impact, Shining could not find a single blemish on the helmet's dark surface, not even a scratch. Turning to the spear, Shining's jaw dropped in amazement, for he was just in time to witness its entire head break out in multiple cracks, then shatter into metal splinters that showered to the floor.

"Magnificent!" moaned Shining Armor as he examined the now blunt spear handle. "I shall get right on it, your Majesty."

Shining saluted before scooping up all the armor in his telekinesis and departing the room, bowing to Celestia as he left.

"Is all well, my sister?" asked Celestia as she approached her sibling.

"Very much so, Celie," replied Luna, a warm feeling spreading through Celestia at the nickname. "I felt that it would be in Equestria's best interest if we had those metals at our disposal. It was thanks to them that Twilight and her friends survived many lethal trials."

"Well, Lulu, considering how much of the Royal Treasury you spent attaining them, it's only natural we get what we can from them," said Celestia in a teasing voice as she and Luna made their way from the Throne Room to towards the wing of the castle that housed their Royal chambers.

Luna blushed. "The Mudcrab Merchant drove a hard bargain."

Celestia still couldn't believe that some kind of crab sold that armor to Twilight and her company. That's the kind of thing she would expect from Discord; it was complete chaos.

"What is it that you need to talk about, Lulu?" asked Celestia as they entered Luna's room.

Luna swallowed with nervousness.

How was she going to explain to her sister that the mystery of their origin had been unraveled, Equestria's along with it?

"HERMAEUS MORA!?"

Celestia's shout brought Luna's attention to the wriggling tendril in her room, receding into a black vortex, but it was gone before she had a chance to react.

Celestia and Luna looked at each other nervously, then examined the room for any clues to what the sinister Daedra might have been up to. They found two books lying on Luna's bed that she was certain were not there before.

"The Daedra?" Celestia read out loud from the cover of one of the books. "History of the Dwemer?" she read from the other. "Why would Hermaeus Mora leave us these books?"

Luna had a theory.

These books would only help her break what she had to say to Celestia, and make it that much easier.

It would appear Hermaeus Mora was aware of the origins of the Royal Pony Sisters and Equestria, something Luna had been wondering about.

---

"OH MY GOSH... OH MY GOSH... OH MY GOSH!" shouted Rainbow Dash excitedly as she leaned out the window of the Friendship Express passenger car as the cheerful steam engine tooted down the tracks. "We're going home! Home, guys!"

The rest of her friends were gathered in the same car, bursting with as much enthusiasm as their athletic friend. Three years inside Apocrypha, gaining their new power, and though if only felt like seconds to them while inside that mystical book, they were all aware they had been away from home for quite some time. They were both excited and nervous.

Hopefully, not too much had changed in their absence.

"I feel you, sugarcube," said Applejack, wiping away tears. "Little Apple Bloom ain't gonna be as little as she was when I saw her last."

"I bet Sweetie Belle has grown too," said Rarity, shedding tears of her own at the thought of her own sister, her ever present mascara running down her cheeks in black rivers. "I only hope... they haven't caused too much damage to Ponyville in our absence."

That got a chuckle out of all of them... except for Twilight, who slumped in her seat, her ears lowered, and her eyes dim.

"Why the long face, Twilight?" asked Pinkie Pie, literally pulling Twilight's face to lengthen it. "You should be celebrating, you're returning to Ponyville too."

Twilight didn't react to Pinkie pulling on her like she normally would, she just gave them all a look with shimmering eyes. "I am happy to be returning to Ponyville...but I sometimes still can't believe what you all gave up for me. You all gave up three years of your life at home just to accompany me to Apocrypha, even though it wasn't your burden to bear..."

"The heck it wasn't," interrupted Rainbow, pulling her head inside and facing the mulberry unicorn seriously. "Twilight, we're touched that you feel grateful that we stayed in Apocrypha with you, but have you forgotten that it was our short sightedness that caused all this in the first place?"

"Yeah," said Rarity shamefully. "If we hadn't had so many stars in our eyes during the wedding, Chrysalis wouldn't have been able to pull the wool over them so easily."

"And you should have had us to rely on then," said Applejack, removing her Stetson and placing it over her heart. "Not been forced to seek help from some diabolical being who only looks out for his own interests."

The others whole heartily agreed.

Twilight smiled in gratitude, but in her opinion there was no reason for them to feel guilty about her relationship with Hermaeus Mora.

"Hermaeus Mora came into my life long before I met you all, long before I began my studies with the Princess even," said Twilight with a supportive smile. "Don't blame yourselves for that. Wedding or no wedding, he would have called upon me someday, somehow, you know by now how he operates."

"Yeah, he's scary," said Fluttershy timidly.

"I don't understand why he didn't speed up time for us," said Spike, crossing his claws. "He made Twilight experience fifteen years of studying in less than a blink. He couldn't have done the same for us?"

"To him there was no reason to," explained Twilight, her eyes brighter now that she had something else to focus on. "He would not have bothered doing the same thing with me either, but he feared that if Chrysalis succeeded in conquering Equestria, our knowledge would be lost."

"And in the end he killed that meanie-pants queen himself," said Pinkie crossing her hooves grumpily. "He should have done that from the start, not drag Twilight into his hair brained schemes."

"He couldn't, Pinkie," said Twilight, "remember we just recently learned that Equestria has an ether surrounding it that prevents the Daedra from manifesting in our world. It wasn't until Chrysalis inadvertently released a small portion of his essence that he was able to appear in Equestria physically."

"Oh, enough talking about that uncouth brute," said Rarity in irritation. "We're heading to Ponyville, our beloved home which we haven't seen in such a long time. I wonder how it's changed?"

"Well, why don't we ask the one person among us who was there for all that time?" asked Fluttershy, pointing to the other side of the car.

Zecora had joined in on conversation occasionally during her stay in Canterlot, but since she arrived on the train, she had insisted on taking advantage of the motion of the vehicle to meditate. The zebra shaman was balanced upside down on a bamboo pole by the crown of her head, her eyes closed and her forehooves pressed together. Whenever they hit a bump or turn, she would shift her weight so the wobbling pole didn't fall over.

Her reaction time was flawless, it was a feat to admire.

"HEY ZECORA?"

Until Pinkie stepped up to the plate.

Zecora's eyes flew open at the loud and sudden addressing, breaking her focus and sending her crashing to the floor. She had been able to tune them out until now, but if Pinkie addresses you personally, it's impossible to remain ignorant no matter how focused you are.

"Have you gone mad Miss Pie? Was there not a calmer method to try?" asked the irate zebra as she glared up at Pinkie, rubbing her sore temple.

"Miss Pie, how rude," said Rarity sternly. "You should be more subtle when addressing someone in deep concentration like that."

"Sorry," said Pinkie, ashamed.

The others rolled their eyes at their friend's antics and Twilight helped Zecora stand up with her magic,"We're sorry to disturb you Zecora, but we were wondering if you could tell us about any changes that might have occurred in Ponyville while we were gone."

Zecora shook the remaining dizziness from her head and fixed them all with a supportive smile.

"You need not fear, for remember, Ponyville is strong on tradition," she said, "to preserve their way of life is their mission."

That was true, if there was one thing Twilight and her friends loved about Ponyville, it was the dedication to family traditions; like the Running of the Leaves, or Winter Wrap Up. All those events haven't changed in Ponyville for generations, so it was no stretch that the rest of the village would follow suit.

"Is there anything different we can expect when we get home?" asked Rainbow, secretly hoping that something would surprise them when they arrive.

Zecora tapped her chin. "Other than the ponies the princess assigned to your professions, nothing comes to mind. Like I said, change in Ponyville is hard to find."

"Ah, yes, we heard about that," said Rarity with gratitude,"it was such a relief to hear my business hadn't gone under in my absence, I must remember to make the Princesses some complimentary dresses when all is done to show my thanks."

"I can't wait to meet the ponies who have been filling my horseshoes!" exclaimed Pinkie, licking her lips and drooling. "Princess Luna told me she really regrets giving them up as her and her sister's private chefs, but they were too loyal to their long time chef to just replace him. Even today, Luna occasionally sneaks out of court just so she can spirit herself to Ponyville to have some of their cooking, or so she told me."

"I, for one, am grateful for what they did for my family," said Applejack, relieved that Granny, Apple Bloom, and Big Mac hadn't been short a work hoof during her absence. "Though I hope they didn't utilize the Apples who live in Manehattan too much. I love my family, but the big city branches' talents lie mostly in the financial rather than the industrial."

Zecora gasped, drawing their attention.

"Applejack, forgive me, but I have forgotten to say," said the zebra as she approached the apple farmer. "Your farm has changed in a way."

Applejack grew concerned. "What happened? Is anypony hurt?" Applejack threw a hoof over her mouth in panic. "Sweet Celestia, don't tell me Granny is...?"

"Calm yourself, Applejack, do not fear," reassure Zecora, "your family is fine, that much is clear."

Applejack was so relieved she slumped in her chair. "So what is different at the farm?"

Zecora didn't respond immediately, she seemed to be deciding how best to explain. "Forgive me, but I cannot say, it is not my place to, anyway."

"What!" proclaimed Applejack aggressively, grabbing Zecora by her shoulders. "Why not!"

"What must you hear is best to be heard from your grandmother," explained Zecora, unaffected by Applejack's behavior. "It would be improper if you heard it from another."

Applejack didn't appear pleased, but let go of Zecora and sunk back into her seat. After all, if it was something best heard from Granny Smith herself she knew better than to question. After all, she had looked up to Granny her whole life, and she trusted her.

"I'm mighty sorry, Zecora," she said, apologizing for being so rough with the zebra.

"Think nothing of it, your dedication to your family is commendable," said Zecora as she sat in an empty seat, forgoing her meditation for now. "But I will say this, in regards to your work, your family hasn't been the only ones dependable."

Applejack didn't know what to say to that.

"But if you don't mind, I have questions of my own," said Zecora, looking at them all expectantly. "If you all will, for they can be answered by you alone."

"Of course, Zecora," said Twilight. "You've done so much for us, it's the least we can do."

Zecora smiled in gratitude, "I wish to know more about this realm where you were studying new magic, though I suspect that the tale is most tragic. And I wish to know about this Hermaeus Mora being. I was visiting Ponyville when he first appeared, and I don't blame ponies for fleeing. Such a sight was terrible to behold, it was understandable that it caused calamity to unfold."

Twilight and the others shared an uneasy look.

They had agreed through silent consent to minimize what they shared with others regarding Nirn and the realms of Oblivion, a fact made all the more crucial with what they had just learned recently. After all, if the original purpose of their world's creation ever became common knowledge, who knows what could happen? It wasn't exactly comforting news.

But they didn't have to share 'that' with Zecora.

The zebra shaman was curious of Hermaeus Mora, and since his introduction to their world had been anything but subtle, there was no reason to hide anything about him at this point. But they had to be wary. A single slip in the wrong direction in this conversation could inadvertently cause them to divulge something that should not be known, at least not yet.

"Alright, Zecora," said Twilight, suppressing a nervous gulp.

Zecora smiled and settled herself, getting ready for a long explanation, "Well, to put it simply, what exactly is he?"

Twilight and the others looked at each other again. That was a simple question, but the answer was complicated.

"That... may be a little hard to explain, dear," said Rarity.

"I expected such, but try anyway, if it isn't too much," insisted Zecora.

Twilight nodded to her friends, signaling that she would field this. Taking a deep breath, Twilight drew upon her knowledge and formed an explanation in her head: "To put it in the most simplistic of terms, Hermaeus Mora is an Et'Ada, Zecora. Formless, spiritual beings of immense power."

"Ee...taa...daaa?" repeated Zecora, bouncing the word on her tongue curiously. "Such a being I have not heard of, it would appear obliviousness I'm not above."

"You wouldn't have heard of them Zecora," said Pinkie excitedly. "Hermmy and the other Deadra aren't from our world."

"Daedra, I thought it was Et'Ada that Hermaeus Mora was called?" questioned Zecora, tilting her head in confusion. "I fear that now I am even more enthralled."

"Et'Ada, Daedra, pretty much the same thing," continued Twilight, "You mentioned that you saw Hermaeus Mora when he announced his presence, so I assume that you have deduced that he is a being of great power yourself?" Zecora nodded in confirmation. "Well,he isn't the only one of his kind. You see, long ago there was a certain series of events that split the Et'Ada into two categories, the Aedra and the Daedra."

The intrigue in Zecora's eyes only increased, "And, pray tell, what events be this? If it was grand enough to split such powerful beings into different factions, it could not be easy to dismiss."

"Oh, it wasn't," said Twilight excitedly, "what makes the Aedra and Daedra different was the creation of an entire realm."

Zecora blinked, and years of being a student told Twilight where to proceed to make the most sense: "You see, Zecora, as Pinkie said, the Et'Ada hail from another realm, and in the beginning, nothing existed there, it was an empty void."

"Such an explanation makes sense," said Zecora, apparently following Twilight's explanation so far. "For something to exist, space for it to occupy must exist past tense."

"Exactly," said Twilight, proud of her zebra friends for her intelligence. "When the Et'Ada arrived at this empty space, how that happened has always been up for debate, many pondered on what should become of it. The Et'Ada are powerful, even on par with Discord. Little is beyond their capabilities. But it was differing opinions that set the differences between the Aedra and the Daedra." Twilight's horn lit up, and the graph of the universe of Mundus appeared before Zecora.

"You see, the Aedra decided to create a plane of existence similar to ours; where planets and people and such exist, whereas the Deadra decided to create pocket dimensions within this new realm." Multiple little spheres appeared inside the graph, centered around a planet which seemed to be the main focus. "The realm is called Mundus, that planet is Nirn, and they function similar to our realm. The smaller dimensions are called Planes of Oblivion, and each one reflects the personality of the Deadra that created it, though this has lead most of them to function in ways that defy explanation."

Twilight paused there, for it was apparent by the look on her face that Zecora needed to come to terms with what she had learned. The zebra sat stock still, her eyes wide and her jaw limp. Twilight and the others couldn't blame her, it was a lot to absorb all at once.

"They... have the power to create a world? " She stammered, as if fighting to retain feeling in her jaw. "What kind of thing has now unfurled?"

"It's the truth, Zecora, and how they did it is what separates the Et'Ada," explained Twilight. "The people who live on Nirn titled them so; for you see, translated, Aedra means 'our ancestors' since it was the Aedra who created the world that they live on, and through extension them. Daedra translates to 'not our ancestors' since they decided to create their own unique Planes of Oblivion, rather then take part in the creation of the physical world."

"Fascinating," mumbled Zecora, in a shocked stupor. "Truly fascinating. Such power and skill, to be able to conjure something like this at will."

"Yes," agreed Twilight, "these beings aren't to be taken lightly, especially on Nirn, where people worship the Aedra and Daedra both as Gods."

That seemed to take Zecora's surprise to new levels, "The people who live on that world devoted to such beings? I understand the Aedra, but why do the Daedra deserve such a reverence feeling?"

"The people of Nirn worship the Aedra out of gratitude, that much is true, but the Daedra have something they don't," explained Twilight. "They're still around to be revered."

Zecora looked shocked. "I am afraid I don't understand your meaning? What could become of such powerful beings?"

"Creating the world took a huge toll on the poor Aedra," said Pinkie. "They were so party pooped after using so much magic that they now sleep in the sky, unable to wake up."

Zecora looked downtrodden, "A tale most tragic, and the Daedra didn't suffer from such a drain of magic."

"As interesting as the Planes of Oblivion are, they aren't nearly as big as Mundus," explained Twilight, "Creating them wasn't anywhere near as taxing."

"And that is why the Daedra are still on the loose," said Rainbow, "Bamboozling people with their power so they will worship them and their freaky Oblivion houses."

"And Hermaeus Mora?" said Zecora, deciding to steer the conversation back to him. Now that she had a basic understanding of what he was she wanted to know about him. "He himself rules one of these Planes? I don't believe he would be left out of creating his own domain."

"You are correct," said Twilight, "Each Daedra, or Daedric Prince as they are also called, have a certain title that symbolizes their abilities and personality, which, in turn, is reflected on their Plane of Oblivion. Hermaeus Mora is the Daedric Prince of Knowledge and Memory. His Plane of Oblivion is Apocrypha, a realm where all the knowledge he has collected is stored."

"Prince of Knowledge?" inquired Zecora, remembering that Hermaeus Mora had said as much when he appeared in the sky. "He said so himself, but I didn't believe him. A being composed of tendrils and eyes would be more suited to swim."

"I didn't believe it either until I laid eyes on the guy's home myself," said Rainbow, shivering slightly. "Only an egghead would live in such a place, and I gotta say, it changed my outlook on how sinister eggheadedness can get."

"Egghead, you say?" Commented Zecora, "So this Apocrypha is a library in some way?"

"A perverse, warped, evil library," said Rarity, trembling with disgust. "A gigantic sea composed of ink, a sickening yellow sky filled with those awful tendrils, and not to mention islands and buildings composed entirely of books. The lack of interior decorations literally turned my stomach."

Zecora was actually having a hard time picturing what they were describing. She had been curious about Hermaeus Mora before, but now unease took its place.

"I must admit, I find the pursuit of knowledge most beneficial," she said,"But I hope I never encounter Hermaeus Mora, he sounds most fickle."

This time Twilight did swallow nervously. Ever since Hermaeus Mora found his way into Equestria, she had a good idea of who might draw his interest. Who he might extend invitation to Apocrypha. And he wasn't the type to take no for an answer.

"I..." Twilight didn't want to do it, but Zecora had a right to know. "Zecora, that might not be avoidable at this point."

Now Zecora looked full blown nervous now. "Come again, my dear Twilight? I don't think I heard you right."

"I am sorry Zecora, but it's more than likely that you will encounter Hermaeus Mora in person sooner or later." It crushed Twilight to see the look of fear was over Zecora.

"I am afraid your meaning I fail to see, for what purpose would Hermaeus Mora have to see me?"

"Come on, Zecora, it's not that hard to believe," said Rainbow, "Hermaeus Mora collects knowledge, all kinds of knowledge, and you have more knowledge of plants and medicine than anypony we know."

"Hermaeus Mora's has followers who are scholars, scientists and other such intellectual types in that other world, and he wants to do the same here," said Applejack. "That's pretty much why he's here in Equestria. And unfortunately, it's possible he will want to add your knowledge to his growing collection."

Zecora held her nervous look for a second, but then tilted her nose up, trading her uneasy expression for one of defiance. "Well, if that's the case, he is tragically mistaken, my knowledge I will not allow to be taken."

"You may find that is easier said than done. The allure of Apocrypha is not easy to resist, least of all to those who are kindred to its calling, much like I sense in you."

For the first time since they had known her Zecora actually screamed in panic, scooting back within her booth until her striped back impacted the train car window, though her hind legs continued to try and push her further back. Hermaeus Mora had appeared in the train, eight tentacled vortex's, four with eyes, hovering in the isle between the chairs. Twilight and her friends surrounded their zebra friend protectively, though it was a futile gesture, given that they were shielding her from a Daedric Prince.

"Now just hold your wad there mister," said Applejack with a scowl. "We all know what you're about Hermaeus, but you can't force Zecora to come to Apocrypha."

The others agreed fully.

"Your loyalty to your zebra companion is commendable, and you are most astute, I find her knowledge desirable and intend to seek it out." Zebra, dragon, and pony tensed up. "But that isn't why I am here as of now."

Twilight and the others looked to Zecora protectively, then at each other curiously, and then back to Hermaeus Mora nervously.

"So... you're not here for Zecora?" asked Twilight.

"Indeed I am not, my champion," said the formless Daedra. "In fact, my purpose for being here is you, my champion."

"Now hold on," said Pinkie. "We had a deal Hermmy!"

"Do not assume, pink one. I am merely here to claim what is mine," said the Daedra. "If you recall, I expect recompense for my assistance in your most recent endeavor."

That had actually slipped their minds, but had no reason to deny his request. Twilight levitated her bag from the overhead luggage rack and withdrew from it Divayth Fyr's extensive notes on Corprus and offered them to the tendrils. As Hermaeus Mora accepted his payment, Twilight pulled more objects from her bag.

"Please return these to their rightful places," she said, pointing to the newly reassembled Gray Cowl of Nocturnal, Oghma Infinium, vial of dragons blood, and Elder Scroll. "They are not safe in Equestria, and Equestria isn't safe with them here."

"These are objects of great power, my champion," said Hermaeus Mora. "Much can be accomplished with them, and you're just going to hand them back over to me?"

"We have no need for their power now," said Twilight gently. "And besides, their powers aside, these objects carry historical value, they should be revered, not exploited. I would feel better if they were somewhere safe, where they can get the care they deserve."

"Your morals continue to surprise me, my champion,"said Hermaeus Mora, accepting the artifacts and drawing them into his vortices, receding into them as well to return to whence he came.

Zecora looked extremely relieved to see him go.

"Soon, Zecora."

Zecora's heart nearly stopped.

"Easy, Zecora," said Rarity, stroking the zebra's mohawk. "He may be intimidating, but Hermaeus Mora doesn't mean us harm."

"It's inevitable that he will seek you out someday Zecora, but there really isn't a reason to be afraid," said Twilight supportively. "Apocrypha is full of useful knowledge and Hermaeus Mora will grant you access to whatever you wish to study. He shares his knowledge with his followers fairly."

"But... he's so intimidating," said Zecora, trembling at the memory of the tendrils being so close. "Associating with such a creature isn't very inviting."

"Can't argue that he is scary," said Fluttershy. "But... in truth, we were lucky it was him who found us, rather than one of the others."

Zecora looked at Fluttershy as if she had grown a second head.

"It's true, Zecora," said Spike at the zebra's look of confusion. "As hard as it is to believe, Hermaeus Mora is actually one of the more reasonable Daedra when compared to his brethren."

Zecora hadn't expected that. "What are the others like? If that is true, how much worse can they get, Spike?"

"Well, if your talents lie in treachery and murder, it's pretty self-explanatory," said Spike, Zecora's stripes melding together as her whole face went white.

---

A tangible silence had settled over Princess Luna's private quarters.

The midnight colors of the walls and furniture only added to the eerie stillness. No one would ever think that the room was occupied at the moment if it weren't for the light cast from a blue lamp on a nightstand projecting shadows of two still alicorn figures onto the wall as they sat on an extravagant four poster bed decorated in stars, moons, and midnight hues. The only movement from either of them was the constant flowing of their elegant manes as they fluttered in a breeze that wasn't there, their shadowy counterparts mimicking the movement, casting flickering light over the room.

The two books Hermaeus Mora had left lay open on their spines.

The book on Daedra lay open on a page depicting an elegant Dark Elf woman in a flowing robe, a crescent moon in one hand, a bright sun in the other. The book on the Dwemer lay open to a page depicting an average dwarf, garbed in gold robes, and a beard that encompassed his entire chest.

Luna did her best to leave her sister be. She had just relayed what she had learned from Azura, and to say she hadn't taken it well would be an understatement. Like her, Celestia had denied it with every fiber of her being, saying such a thing couldn't be true for a multitude of reasons, each more outlandish than the last.

Luna could not blame her.

Not only had Celestia resigned herself long ago to accepting that the mystery of their origins would never be solved, they never once comprehended they could be the offspring of something as malevolent as a Daedra. But once Luna explained that Azura's dress was composed of the same material as their baby blankets, a material that existed only as two baby blankets in all of Equestria, it became undeniable. She could have denied Luna's claim, but Celestia hadn't lost enough of her mental fortitude to try convincing herself of such a feeble excuse, especially since Luna would never concoct such a cruel tale for any reason.

Said baby blankets lay draped over Celestia's foreleg, the unique material being gently caressed by the other hoof. A crystalline drop splashed lighty over the slightly older one which Celestia had been found in.

"Sister?" choked Celestia as she tried to dry her eyes. "You... are certain?"

"I am just as familiar with the material of our blankets as you, Celie," said Luna sadly. "There is no mistake, they are exact."

Celestia caressed the blankets again.

She had carried the mystery of this unknown for so long that to have it solved so abruptly brought no comfort. But that she could live with, if she was honest with herself. You weren't a sole ruler for a thousand years without learning how to handle unpredictable situations. No, what made this so hard other then the truth of their parentage was that their origin was tied in with such unfathomable truths.

Celestia looked at the picture of the Dwemer, then outside Luna's window towards the vast kingdom of Equestria.

"Then... Equestria... our realm... these Dwemer creatures..."

"I'm afraid it's true," said Luna in as supportive a voice as she could, taking her older sister's hoof. "And multiple sources say that this is indeed what the Dwemer were capable of, Twilight concluded due to all the research she did on them in Hermaeus Mora's realm. They were the most prominent, prosperous, and powerful race Nirn had ever known. Any endeavor they put their mind to, they succeeded in in ways that baffled the imagination of others. The only thing that rivaled the size of their success was the size of their egos.

"Eventually, it came to pass that the Dwemer set their sights on conquering the only thing they viewed as their adversaries, The Daedra themselves. And after the discovery of the Heart of Lorkhan, that became a real possibility. But the Dunmer, who were devoted followers of the Daedra, would not stand for such blasphemy, so they took up arms against the Dwemer, even though they had once been allies. And after much bloody conflict, the Dunmer were able to pin the Dwemer down at their fortress at Red Mountain, where the experiment that was to transform the Dwemer race into divine beings was underway. Kagrenac, the Dwemer in charge of experimenting with the Heart of Lorkhan, realized that even if the experiment succeeded, the people of Nirn would reject them, same as they had rejected the Daedra, so he modified the plan."

"By creating a new world they could rule from the very start," exclaimed Celestia dully, looking out the window at their beautiful world. "A world we now call home."

"Yes, and the Dwemer poured all of their willpower into creating it, and succeeded as they always did," said Luna, but looked out the window with a frown. "But their streak of success, long as it had been, had to end. Influenced by Azura, Kagrenac rushed the final phase of the plan, and in so doing botched it.

"The Dwemer, despite their vast success, were unable to maintain their new, all powerful forms, for such a feat was beyond even them. One by one, the Dwemer were consumed by the new power they had so coveted, dispersing into lifeless, formless bits of energy among the stars. Kagrenac, who was undeniably the strongest and wisest of the Dwemer, despite being the most corrupt, recognized what was happening and gathered what few Dwemer remained and tried to return them to primordial form, but by then the damage was too great. They did regain physical nature, but not as they once were."

"As ponies," finished Celestia, swallowing, "The first ponies to ever walk this world."

"And with no recollection of their past lives," said Luna,a shallow smile upon her lips. "For which, in my opinion, is for the better."

Celestia smiled a little too, for her sister was right on that front.

"And, the difference between Nirn and Equestria's magic?" she inquired, the thought just popping into her head.

"According to Azura, the Dwemer built it that way because they theorized that magic would have less drawbacks if it came from within rather than an exterior source," said Luna. "On Nirn, magic, or Magika as they call it, come from sun and starlight."

"That... actually explains something I have been pondering," said Celestia, thinking back to when Hermaeus Mora first arrived, awakening inert abilities in a hoofful of foals in her school. "No matter how much time passes, connections with your roots exist inside all of us. Somehow, those four children from my from the triple C of my school must share a more powerful connection to our Dwemer origins than others."

"Makes sense," said Luna, remembering the students from the Cutie Case Class. "The Dwemer were proficient at all forms of magic, including Conjuration."

Celestia's smile faded, "Sister...is it really true, about you and me?"

"The Dwemer made a serious error Celie," exclaimed Luna, "Without a divine being to move the sun and moon as Azura does, this world was falling apart. Azura took pity on this newborn world and provided it the final piece of the puzzle. Beings who could move the sun and the moon without being drained of all their magic." She stroked her sister's hoof. "Me and you."

Celestia sniffed again.

"You should not let it get you down, sister," said Luna. "We may be the offspring of Azura, but it doesn't matter. Azura said it herself, our connection to our parentage isn't sufficient. It has no sway on how we should live our lives."

Celestia had heard all this before, but now it was finally sinking in. "Our mother... might be a shallow creature, same as Hermaeus Mora... she created us for a purpose... that is unfathomable cruelty... but she does have an air of wisdom."

"She is several millennia older than us, sister," said Luna bitterly, but her face became serious. "But for all that Azura is, I am glad we take after her more than our father."

A shadow fell over Celestia's face, her horn lighting.

The book on Daedra's pages flipped in her magic, stopping on a certain page. Vaermina, the Dream Weaver, was depicted on the page.

"Why would mother choose to join with such a creature?" asked Celestia as she read Vaermina's sinister history. "Why was it even necessary? Azura is beyond powerful, why did she even need a union of any kind?"

"I thought so too," said Luna, "According to Azura." She paused and swallowed. "According to mother, while most everything linking ponies to Dwemer was lost, ponies still revisited ancient Dwemer battles in their sleep.

"Someone with power over dreams needed to intervene, or this race of new creatures would be driven to madness by such bloody horrors. Azura didn't have the necessary power, but one other did."

"And that is why she joined with Vaermina?" Inquired Celestia.

"Originally, we were both supposed to be capable of accessing the dream realm, but for some unknown reason, only I received this gift," said Luna, almost embarrassed.

"Oh, I am so jealous," said Celestia with heavy sarcasm, breaking out of her stupor for the first time. But something troubled her. "Lulu, did you meet our father in that place?"

Luna opened her mouth to answer, but her mind locked up, her eyes dilating.

---

"Don't fear, my child. I have a grand destiny in store for you." Vaermina's translucent serpents lunged through the air and embedded themselves in Luna's chest, slithering into her heart as if it was their new domicile, the moon princess letting out a soundless scream.

The bizarre audience in the distance applauded.

---

"No, thank goodness," said Luna. 

Celestia looked relieved and looked out the window. Her next thought was wondering how poor Fleur had come down with a vile illness, with a nagging suspicion that it wasn't just a random act.

---

At the base of Canterlot mountain, lush green trees waved in the wind.

Then the wind picked up speed, pushing the leafy tuffs at the end of a sizeable branch together, casting a shadow over a shrub that grew from the forest floor below. If anypony had been around, they would have noticed the added shade allowed an ominous red gleam to bleed out between the bushes branches.

---

There were few ponies that could challenge Rarity for the crown of drama queen.

In fact, the only known ponies who could even come close to the overzealous fashionista were a trio of sisters, who, surprisingly enough, also called the tiny hamlet of Ponyville home. Roseluck, Daisy, and Lily Valley, were a renowned group of earth ponies, who fussed over every little thing that went awry with the flowers they grew with a passion rivaled only by the Apple family, and today was no exception.

"Oh, the horror, the horror!" moaned Lily Valley as she and her two sisters fidgeted at the train station.

"He said our order would be on the train from Canterlot today," said Roseluck nervously, "If it doesn't arrive before the market opens...?"

"Oh, the horror, the horror," repeated Lily Valley practically falling into Daisy's hooves, though she wasn't doing much better.

Normally, such behavior from these three was common knowledge, most likely related to a single withered flower petal, or slightly bent flower stem, but today, if the full details were known, nopony would blame the flower sisters for being so worked up. Despite their sensitivity, the flower sisters had a huge clientele that they cater to; demand for their flowers was nothing to sniff at. And while normally they could keep up with demand, it wasn't unheard of for an order to be placed that was too big for a single florist operation.

To compensate for this, Daisy, Lily Valley, and Roseluck had partnered up with several other florists from all across Equestria, to pitch in when jobs grew too big to handle on their own.

Such an order had been placed last week, and not only had the flower sisters needed assistance with it, this time it was more crucial than ever for them to receive outside help. A few days after the order had been placed, an aphid swarm had descended upon Ponyville, decimating a good portion of vegetation before the local pest-pony had worked his magic and driven the ravenous insects away, the sisters' beloved flowers being swept away in a hungry tide. The 'only' solution for them was to reach out to a fellow florist, the closest one being stationed in Canterlot.

It was going to be a close save from the start, and with the deadline for the order of flowers being that day, it was understandable for the flower sisters to be nervous.

It was also understandable that when the familiar chugging of train wheels could be heard, followed by the trademark horn, that the flower sisters literally piled onto the receiving area.

"Hurry up!" shouted Roseluck nervously, the steward of the train exiting a car to give them a look of criticism.

"Ladies, stay calm," he berated them sternly.

"There's no time for that!" Daisy shouted, her and her sisters racing to the luggage car, where their precious flowers should be waiting for them.

"Hey, you're in violation of the safety code!" called the steward, his mustache billowing.

The flower sisters paid him no mind, too focused on opening the train car...

"DAISY, ROSELUCK, LILY VALLEY!"


Only for all three of them to be bowled over by a pink, pony shaped missile, knocking all to the ground. The three blinked, but a second later, were hoisted up and brought into a bone crushing hug by the one pony they knew that could pull off such a feat and so effortlessly.

"PINKIE PIE?" they inquired all together, looking to Ponyville's resident party pony who had been sadly scarce these last three years.

"It's me alright!" said Pinkie, suddenly releasing the flower sisters and pointing behind them.

When they looked...

"Pinkie, how did you get in the luggage car?" asked Applejack as she and the others exited the train. "You were with us not a second...?" She was interrupted when three earth pony mares hit the deck in a dead faint.

The rest of the mane six, plus Spike and Zecora, shared an uneasy look before breaking out laughing.

Despite overwhelming the poor flower sisters, if such a familiar element of Ponyville had been right here to greet them just upon arrival, as proof that not much had changed, this place was still going to feel like home.

"I have a delivery for one Daisy, Lily Valley, and Roseluck," said another steward, exiting the train and wheeling out a huge cart of flowers, but facehoofed when he saw the unconscious trio of mares. "Celestia's Cutie Mark, not again. What did I do to the flowers this time, breathe on them wrong?"