Chapter Five
It was a little later in the night before Twilight made her way towards the small gathering of her fellow Princesses, casting her spells to prevent eavesdropping (including a few new ones she'd looked up in the intervening time) even as she entered.
"Good evening, Twilight," Celestia said, smiling at her as she sat at the table next to Luna who was nursing a cup of what looked and smelled like hot cocoa, which was further backed up by the fact there was one by Celestia as well as Cadance and one left on a platter, presumably for her. "How are you tonight?"
"I'm good, thank you," Twilight said as she took her cup with her magic. "Just... a lot to think about."
"There's a great deal to dwell on, young Twilight, but one topic at hoof this fine night," Luna said with a soft smile. "Lady Aputsiaq has caused a great deal of concern for us and the world, though I doubt any of it will result in anything you and your friends will need to deal with. Right Cadance?"
Cadance was about to reply when she saw the look on Twilight's face. "What is it?" she asked.
Twilight sighed and placed down her mug. "She's already approached me about a few things that I need to talk with you about," she said. "Such as reclaiming her people's ancestral lands, which I have already informed her I cannot unilaterally make a decision on."
"I am not surprised," Luna said matter of factly with a serious face, which would have been impressive if not for the fact she had a whipped cream moustache at the moment. "At both her wishing to reclaim the windigo territories from the yaks as well as approaching you. Has she asked anything else of you?"
Twilight frowned. "Well... there is one other thing. Earlier today, I got a letter from Queen Novo, King Leo and Queen Schuberta, offering to teach me some of their magical specialties. Lady Aputsiaq somehow managed to overhear, and while she seems to be trying to be helpful, I don't believe for an instant that she just 'happened' to be there at the right time. She's asked about meeting them as well, on grounds of Winter and Water being associated."
"I am not surprised; she is in a new world and is no doubt trying to get some advantage for herself and her people," Celestia said, looking at Cadance who was nodding her head in agreement. "We will need to keep an eye on her and her people lest they get too antsy. And as for her meeting the Lady of Water..." Celestia shrugged her shoulders. "While I am initially suspicious and hesitant, I have no good reason to object to her meeting Queen Novo nor do I have any power to stop her as she is not my citizen nor, as I said, do I have a reason to stop her."
"The question comes to the point if we think it is a good idea to have her accompany you," Cadance said, looking at Twilight. "She might take it as a chance to try and influence you to her plight, though from what you said I think she is aware that will not work."
Twilight nodded. "I've already made it clear that I would need a thorough understanding of all the facts from both sides before I could even begin to make a decision, and that I would need my fellow Princesses to approve of any final decision as well," she said. "As for her visiting Queen Novo... I can't think of any reason to object. As she's said, and Queen Novo before her, Winter is closely associated with Water and tends to align with Night." Twilight couldn't help but steal a look at Luna who sighed and nodded her head.
"I am partial to her plight and I can understand her point of view far better than the rest of you," Luna said, solemnly with the moustache still above her lips. "There are times, fewer than before, when I am reminded how displaced with the modern world and the years I have missed. The friends I left behind and certainties I used to know..." She sighed again. "I can understand her and her people's desire to take back what is theirs as that is how we did things in the past, Celestia and I felt that we could have won our war faster if not for the restrictions you placed on us while I was banished. Her direct manner of dealing with her political opponents is more to what was the norm in the past before your style of diplomacy became the standard and there are times when I find it infuriating to deal with nobles that speak only with honey tongues to hide the knife behind their backs."
"Believe it or not, I find such things infuriating at times myself," Celestia told her. "I'm just better at hiding it when I'm where others can see, though as you said, I have more experience in the matter." She sighed sadly and leaned into her sister, and Twilight was reminded at how long they had been apart and was wondering how it must have been for both of them to wait a thousand years to be reunited.
Cadance's ear twitched, and she looked at the two with a smile.
Twilight, meanwhile, was hesitant to interrupt and draw their attention away from one another, but she felt she didn't have a choice. "Much as I dislike relying on Blueblood's advice, I find I have to more so than usual when I'm around Lady Aputsiaq," she said. "To be careful and alert about what she says so I don't inadvertently end up agreeing to something I shouldn't."
"Sound advice, no matter whom it comes from," Luna replied. "In the end, however, I think the decision to take her along with you, providing you do agree to visiting the water triumvirate, rest with you."
Twilight nodded. "It would definitely be nice to see them all again, and to learn what they have to teach me." She paused and nodded her head. "And I think I will bring Lady Aputsiaq with me; as long as I am careful, I won't end up agreeing to anything she proposes without proper consideration. And it would be a rude start to our friendship if I were to tell her no about this simple request, right?"
Celestia nodded approvingly. "We will need to meet with her later on formally, to help her gain a spot in the international community, with her being the leader of her people, but I think for tonight, our matters are done."
"Speak for yourself, dear sister," Luna said as she rose to her feet. "I have just started my shift, and as the Lady of Night, I would very much like to meet the Lady of Winter." She then licked her lip clean and smiled. "As I thought; still tasty."
"I was wondering if you knew you had one," Celestia mused to herself, a smile on her lips that was poorly hidden behind her hooves.
"But of course." Luna smirked at her sister. "I will see you all in the morning, so until then." With that, she left the room.
"I think I should go back to bed," Cadance yawned, covering her lips with a wing. "It has been a long day and tomorrow is just around the corner."
"Enjoy your rest," Celestia told her, and Twilight said her own "Good night" to her sister-in-law before Cadance left, leaving just the eldest and youngest of Equestria's triarchy to themselves. After a minute, Celestia turned to Twilight.
"Is there something troubling you?" she asked.
Twilight sighed. "Just the usual," she said. "The more I learn about politics, the more I find myself frustrated by them."
"And yet, we must abide by them," Celestia sighed. "Things were different in the past, simpler in a way but far less elegant and prosperous for a long lasting effect."
"Did people actually just rely on brute force in the past to settle their disputes?" Twilight asked.
"Back then, it was might that dominated and not cooler heads," Celestia said as she lifted her cup to her lips. After taking a drink, she continued. "It was needed; Equestria in its founding was vulnerable to many foes and we had to show our foes, both without and within, that our ponies were not to be messed with. But as people began to civilize, we were able to craft more rules and have those install those rules into place so we did not need to react with force."
"And if Lady Aputsiaq sees that she cannot protect her people with diplomacy, she might use force to secure a possible homeland?" Twilight asked with Celestia narrowing her eyes.
"I doubt she would take that option unless forced into it," Celestia replied. "She is aware she has few allies and going a militaristic route would put her and her windidgos at odds with the entire world with no easy way out for her."
Twilight nodded. "Right. She also said she would give me a list of windigos who might be more likely to try to forcefully take the lands back from Yakyakistan. I have it with me, if you want to see it."
Celestia nodded. Then, to Twilight's surprise, she reached a wing over and embraced Twilight with it. After a moment, Twilight smiled and reached her own wing back to embrace the other mare.
The two sat there for a while longer, just enjoying one another's company, before Twilight handed over her scroll for Celestia to read. And once it was done, the two headed out to bed for the night.
"I'll see you in the morning, Twilight," Celestia told her as they stood outside their rooms. "And remember, if you ever have anything you want to talk to me about, I'll always be there for you."
Twilight smiled. "I know," she said. "And thank you."
Morning came, and with it, everyone gathered in the dining hall, where Twilight gave her niece a nuzzle, and Flurry Heart burbled happily back at her.
Nearby, Pinkie giggled at the sight. "She is such a little sweetie," she said with a grin. "I can't wait to throw her so many parties when she grows up."
"Let's not be in too much of a hurry for that," Cadance said hastily. "She's just a few days old, remember."
"Oh, I know," Pinkie told her. "But I like to plan ahead. I've got notes for the party I want to throw for my parents' fiftieth anniversary. And their one-hundredth. And their five-hundredth!"
"You will be pleased to know that you will be able to give plenty of parties to her, dear Pinkie," Luna said tiredly, leaning against Pharynx. "Alicorns such as Flurry tend to live long lives, far outpacing the rest of the tribes."
Pinkie grinned.
"So, what do we have planned for today?" Applejack asked.
Twilight sighed. "I hate to admit it, but I should probably be heading back to Ponyville soon. I trust my staff, and I wish I could stay longer, but I want to check in on things at the school."
"Ah get that," Applejack nodded her head. "Ah should get back ta the farm; Ah do need ta talk ta Granny about Grand Pear."
"Who?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Mom's pa," Applejack told her, before looking around. "The one who turned his back on her when she fell in love with mah Dad and always regretted it."
Fluttershy frowned at that but Applejack shook her head. "Ah talked ta him and we're coming to an understandin'. Ah do need ta talk to Granny about everythin', an' tell Mac and Apple Bloom about it too."
"Why would he do such a thing?" Rarity asked.
"Professional jealousy between the families," Applejack admitted. "Apples and Pears had been feudin' for a long time - Ah mentioned this to you once, back when we were in the Packlands," she said.
Rarity nodded. "I remember now."
"Anyway, Mom and Dad were the first Pear and Apple not to care about the feud," Applejack said. "When Granny saw how much they really loved one another, she accepted Mom. But Grand Pear couldn't let go of his pride, and left her. And his pride is why he couldn't turn around and tell her differently for so long, until it was too late..." She sighed. "Until Ah found him, and gave him a second chance."
"So what are you going to do about the rest of your family, the Pears?" Pinkie asked.
"Ah don't know," Applejack said. "It all depends on how they react, Ah guess. But Ah do hope Ah can get in touch with them like Ah've been doing with the rest of mah kin."
"A wise decision," Celestia said, speaking up for the first time. "Family is important, and after everything that has happened in recent times, I would hope yours and all its branches would reconnect and strengthen their bonds anew."
Applejack nodded. "So do Ah," she said.
"What about you Rares?" Rainbow Dash asked. "You heading home or going to take care of some business here?"
"I... am not certain," Rarity admitted. "You?"
"I probably ought to be heading home soon," Rainbow Dash said. "Weather business and all."
"And I need to be back at my cottage," Fluttershy added.
"Well, I have my annual yearly meet-up with Maud in a week!" Pinkie said brightly. "We're meeting in Manehatten this time."
"Oh?" Velvet asked.
Pinkie nodded and began to explain as breakfast was served. Gradually, talk shifted to other things, but eventually, as everyone finished, they had to leave and get ready to head out.
As the groups headed to their respective skimmers, Twilight gave Shining Armor, Cadance, Caramel Lilly, Silver Vision and Flurry Heart all farewell hugs.
"I'll see you again as soon as I can, I hope," she told all five of them. "And you be good for your parents, okay?" she added to Flurry Heart.
The little alicorn burbled at her, and Twilight smiled.
"You take care too, Twily," Shining Armor told her. "Love you, sis."
"Love you too, B.B.B.F.F.," Twilight replied.
Then she boarded her skimmer, and with Spike at the controls, they headed for home.
It was a far quicker journey back to Canterlot, with both Twilight Velvet and Night Light enjoying the ride, and the time spent with their daughter and Celestia before the three had to disembark at the palace.
After bidding them a final farewell for the day, Twilight returned to her skimmer and headed back towards Ponyville, and her waiting friends (who'd gone in Luna's larger skimmer and been dropped off at home before the second eldest princess continued on to Canterlot).
When she and Spike exited though, they found somepony waiting for her.
"Princess!" Mayor Mare trotted up. "Thank goodness you're back."
"What's wrong?" Twilight asked, immediately concerned.
The mayor sighed. "I know you reassured everyone that things were well in hoof, and that you just needed to talk to some people about the situation with the holes in the skies, but some people are still worried about your being gone as long as you were... and your friends suddenly leaving too." She tilted her head. "I hope there weren't any complications."
Twilight smiled. "Not at all," she said. "It only took us two days, including travel time on the day of the sky rifts, to get everything straightened out. And most of that was just talking. But when we were about to come back, we got a sudden message and had to fly up to the Crystal Empire for a bit first."
"Oh?" Mayor Mare asked.
Twilight nodded. "My sister-in-law went into labor, and wanted all of us to come meet the newest member of the family," she said.
The mayor's expression changed to a happy one. "That's quite understandable then," she said. "If you could just tell the rest of Ponyville, that would be a big help in calming them."
"I will," Twilight reassured her.
Far, far away from Ponyville and Canterlot, and a few hours before the time Twilight was landing there, Moondancer raised her head and shook the sleep from her eyes. "Oof," she muttered. "That was a rough one."
"Duties keeping you busy all night?" Trixie asked from where she was fixing breakfast.
"Yeah," Moondancer replied. "Wish you'd been there."
Trixie nodded. "Trixie wishes she could have accompanied you as well, but she is not yet ready to leave her own dreams without Luna or Pharynx's aid," she said. "She is getting there though."
"I know," Moondancer replied as she got to her hooves. Silently, she wished she could share some of these dreams she'd had to calm with Trixie, if only to alert her to what they might have to deal with the next time they went in together - after all, she had a feeling that the sight of all those sudden rifts in the sky would be triggering nightmares for a while to come - but her oaths prohibited any discussion of individual dreams with those who hadn't seen them, for now at least (and last night had not been one of those where Trixie was receiving her own training in that area). Once Trixie had received sufficient training and could come with her into the greater dreamscape, they could talk more about what they'd seen together. But not until then.
What she could do was pass on messages Luna or Pharynx had specifically given her during the night (aside from what she'd already sent via their mirrors, which had included reassuring her that the source of said rifts was fully resolved before Twilight had gone to meet the one responsible), and she did so now. "Luna says that little Flurry Heart's doing well, by the way."
Trixie's eyes lit up. "Oh, that's good!" she said brightly. "Trixie is looking forward to seeing her in person when we can get to the Crystal Empire."
Moondancer smiled. "So am I," she said. "I am sure she will love you." She nuzzled Trixie's face before letting out another yawn. "I need to remember to ask them for what they do to stay awake in the morning because my body keeps telling me I need to sleep."
"An unfortunate side-effect of having your mind busy all night, even though your body was at rest," Trixie replied as she looked at the food she was making again. "I think a quick power nap or two during the day will help you catch up."
Moondancer nodded. "Thank you, though when we have more in the Dream Guards I think I will be able to rest more normally."
"Quite," Trixie agreed with a smirk, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "Though I believe your position as the Captain of the Dream Guards will leave you a busy mare."
Moondancer nodded again with a blush. "True... but having more well-trained help will definitely make things easier." She smiled at her marefriend and gave her a peck as well. "And at least I'll have you around to help remind me when I need to delegate some of it."
"That's what I'm here for," Trixie said. "For you, and others too, eventually."
Moondancer smiled, knowing exactly what she meant.
It was a while before Twilight could get home again, and when she finally did, she sat down with a sigh of relief.
"Got everything squared away?" Spike asked from where he was straightening some stuff out.
"Everything's doing good at the school, and the people who were worried about me being away for a few days longer have all been reassured again," Twilight replied, before groaning. "There are times when I wish my leaving town wasn't as associated with disasters as it is..."
"I absolutely agree," Spike told her. "But, people will be people, and they tend to latch onto some things more than others."
Twilight nodded, and sighed again. "I seriously wish we had more alicorns to help out with this... take some of the weight off my shoulders."
"I'm sure that's exactly what Celestia spent most of a thousand years thinking," Spike replied.
"And I don't blame her," Twilight said. "No wonder she was so happy to see me ascend. Well... and other reasons."
Spike nodded, before changing the subject. "So, you got any preferences for dinner tonight?"
"Whatever you feel like making will be fine with me," Twilight assured him.
Spike smiled.
"Ah'm home!" Applejack called as she entered her family's house, soon after Luna's airskimmer had dropped she and the others off in Ponyville.
"Well welcome home, Applejack!" Granny Smith called from the kitchen. "How'd yer little trip to Vanhoover go?"
Applejack set her things aside as she went in to see her grandmother. "Ah met Grand Pear," she said.
Granny turned, instantly looking serious. "And wut happened?" she asked.
"We talked, and..." Applejack sighed. "Ah believe him, when he says that ever since he left Mom behind, he's regretted it."
Granny nodded her head and gave her a look. "And what da ye propose we do next, Applejack."
"What you mean?" Applejack blinked in surprise.
"Yer been going all over the world and getting our kin ta act proper and repairing our relations," Granny told her. "You gonna keep doin' it, and include the Pears too?"
"Ah guess Ah'd like to, but don't ya need me on the farm?" Applejack asked.
"Applejack." Granny Smith laid a hoof on her shoulder. "Ah'd love to have you around. But we've got plenty of extra help if we need it now. If helpin' all our kin reconnect is what you feel like doin', then go for it." She gave Applejack a meaningful look. "And if yer worried about missin' out on bein' with yer siblin's, then don't. Sweet Apple Acres will always be yer home, and you'll always be welcome to come back here between goin' out to see the rest of the family, no matter what."
Applejack smiled. "Thank you, Granny."
"Now, give me a hoof with this, will ya?" Granny gestured to the pile of apples next to the sink. "Gotta get 'em all peeled, cored and sliced!"
"Sure thing, Granny," Applejack told her before she went to work.
"And you can keep tellin' me about yer trip as ya work, too. Ah want to hear all about old Prickly Pear an' what he's been up to."
Applejack laughed. "Will do."
Luna was still dozing when their skimmer landed in Canterlot, having fallen asleep on the trip back home, and her husband allowed her to rest, seeing to it that she was carefully tucked in in their private quarters before he went out to handle other things.
But when the late hour rolled around, she was awake again, and the two joined Celestia for dinner, along with a few other guests.
"Enjoy your sleep?" Celestia asked her sister as Luna sat down at the table.
"Very much so," Luna replied. "And how was your day?"
"It was a day," Celestia replied. "My staff wasn't very happy with me suddenly vanishing into another country for a while. Luckily, there wasn't anything urgent going on that wouldn't keep for a few days, but I'm going to be dealing with their disapproving looks for a week or so now."
"You could always invite young miss Pie's sister to accompany you when you have to deal with them," Tempest suggested. "One of her Looks would have them all falling over themselves to do whatever you asked. Hay, it nearly got me a few times when we were all on our way back to Canterlot after... well, you know."
"Tempted as I am to do just that, I think she's happier where she is now," Celestia said. "I don't suppose you know anyone who could replicate the technique and would be willing to join my staff."
"Not sure, but I'll see what I can do," Tempest replied, and shrugged. "I think Maud Pie was about the only one who was on the ships then besides Pharynx and Grubber who wasn't at least partly afraid of or resentful towards me. We weren't exactly close, she was just indifferent to almost everyone. But it's still better than I expected."
"She is the sister of Pinkie; I doubt she has it in her heart to turn away from another she has no reason to," Luna said. "And she does care deeply about others; if you could only see her dreams you would know how wide her heart is. She just does not express herself the same way Pinkie does."
Celestia nodded. "As the human saying goes, Pinkie wears her emotions on her sleeve." She ducked her head. "Sunset taught me that, while I was there the first time."
"Speaking of emotions," Pharynx grinned, tapping the table. "Word among those keeping an eye on the Element's family has said that there might be a new addition to the Pie family soon. It seems that a stallion has caught her eye and the feeling is reciprocated."
"Oh?" Luna's ears perked up. "Anyone we would know?"
"Sorry, my love, but even if we did, I wouldn't say," Pharynx said looking elsewhere. Celestia was worried for the two before she noticed Luna catch her husband's eyes and gave an understanding nod.
"Changeling matters?" Tempest asked, raising an eyebrow as she caused Pharynx to flinch before he nodded his own head.
"There are some things we really don't speak of," he said. "This is one of them."
"In anycase, I know of another that might..." Luna trailed off before shaking her head. "Nay, I doubt my niece would share any details about matters of the heart."
"She is quite the matchmaker, but she does prefer to be subtle about it," Tempest admitted. "Or not so subtle sometimes, like when she was asking me what I looked for in a stallion."
"Oh?" Luna asked. "And what did you tell her?"
Tempest blushed. "Well, after I heard about some of her past and figured out she wasn't too soft for me to get along with, I told her, and... it involved your husband's personality," she admitted. "I know he's taken, but I like that type."
"I quite understand," Luna told her warmly. "It is a most wonderful type to have." She chuckled as she leaned over to bite Pharynx's ear, with the changeling leaning over to aid her.
"Too bad there don't seem to be many like that around," Tempest sighed. "And the good ones are all taken."
"I'm sure you'll find someone someday," Velvet spoke up from where she and Night Light were sitting. "It took me a while to find my husband too."
"Luckily that you were too focused in that book, or otherwise we might not have crashed into one another," Night Light said, earning a playful smack on the arm from his wife.
"Twilight definitely inherited her love of reading from me," she said wistfully. "In fact, we both practiced basic telekinesis by trying to lift books so we could walk and read at the same time."
Celestia smiled at the mental image that brought. "Well, I for one am glad of it," she said. "After all the joy she's brought to all of us."
"I cannot imagine a world without her being present," Tempest said. "There are so many things she has done that I can scarcely begin to picture what it might be like otherwise."
The two alicorns present exchanged glances, before Celestia nodded. "It would be a poorer world, that is for certain," she said. "A place where Sombra or Chrysalis took over, or others of our past enemies..."
"Not to mention myself in my darker times," Luna said.
Celestia looked down. "Yes, that too..." she said. "But that is not the case, and for that, I am eternally grateful."
"What other types of worlds have you actually seen, besides the one we went to?" Night Light asked.
Celestia winced. "Aside from a certain world I went to back before Starswirl and his allies disappeared, I don't like to look into them too often," she said. "More often than not, doing that sort of thing leads to a lot of second-guessing one's self."
"Who exactly were these allies, again?" Velvet asked. "Because I know Twilight rather idolizes Starswirl, but none of what she shared with us during her research binges mentioned him really working with anyone other than yourself, and Clover the Clever."
Celestia smiled. "It wasn't widely publicized, but there were other heroes of Equestria whom he became acquainted with in order to deal with certain threats, such as Adagio Dazzle and her then allies. They included two Earth ponies, one of whom was known as Mage Meadowbrook - not the Eastern unicorn of the same name, known for her eight enchanted artifacts, but an herbalist who specialized in healing remedies. The other was Rockhoof, who went from a weak and scrawny youth to a mighty warrior with great strength when he acted to protect a village from destruction. In fact, your grandson has read some comics that feature a character based on his legends," she said to Velvet.
Velvet nodded, and Celestia continued. "Then there was a unicorn named Mistmane, who sacrificed her own youth to restore life to her homeland, and two pegasi, one named Somnambula who never gave up and was willing to risk herself to finally drive away the sphinx that was terrorizing her village. The other was Flash Magnus, legendary for his courage in the face of great danger to protect his fellows from a dragon. There are... rumors that they had another pony who followed after them, recording their stories, but if they are true, Starswirl never mentioned this pony to me. Then again, he didn't like to talk about his personal life much at all."
"They sound a lot like Twilight and her friends," Pharynx remarked.
"You know, they almost do," Celestia said thoughtfully. "But I don't think they were anywhere near as close to one another as the girls."
"What makes you say that?" Velvet asked.
Celestia smiled. "Well, for one, while Starswirl and his companions may have been allied with one another... Queen Tegmina was present when Twilight told the girls about her plans to travel the world with Spike, and overheard a bit of their conversation that she later shared with me, because she felt I should know," she said. "In which Twilight informed the girls that they were more than her friends. They were her sisters."
Velvet and Night Light smiled happily at that.
"Yeah, I heard her say it too," Pharynx admitted, causing Luna to look at him. "I didn't say anything sooner because I figured it was a private moment, and they'd tell you all if they wanted you to know."
"Quite understandable," Luna told him. "But it is also very happy to hear that her bonds have become so strong, even greater than they were before."
Velvet smiled. "It seems we have more daughters now, Celestia," she said with Night Light groaning, though there was a smirk on his face.
"Quite," Celestia agreed. "But I would not tell them we know about this, until one of them brings it up. For the same reasons Pharynx said."
"Of course," Velvet said. "But I hope it's soon."
"Perhaps we could arrange a gathering for all the immediate families at some point?" Luna suggested. "Including Moondancer's and Trixie's, since... well, Moondancer and I have bonded quite a bit since we discovered our shared interests." She smiled in Celestia's direction. "Likely after she comes back to Canterlot in a few months, since I have promised to call her back in time to meet your new niece or nephew when they are born."
"If they're agreeable to it, I wouldn't mind in the slightest," Celestia told her. "How goes her training, by the way?"
"Very well, and while Trixie is a ways behind her, she has the drive to match Moondancer in her skill," Luna replied. "I believe those two will have more than earned the highest status among the Dream Guard by the time they are done, including the extras that come with it." She gave Celestia a meaningful look.
"And we have already started to look for more to join the ranks," Pharynx said quickly. "There are a number of lucid dreamers that have caught our eyes and there are those among them that seem capable of the training."
Tempest looked between them, and narrowed her eyes. "Why do I have the feeling there's more to this than you're saying?" she asked. "Is this related to what the Storm King was talking about when he said he wanted to take your special magic?"
Both alicorns looked startled, and finally Celestia spoke. "It... might be," she said. "What, exactly, do you think is going on?"
Tempest sighed. "When Twilight and I confronted the Storm King, he said he wanted to use his staff to take Twilight's power," she said. "And the other Princesses' power. But then he said something about 'all your precious powers'. Back then, I didn't really think about it, but I've kind of been wondering if there wasn't something more to it than just alicorn magic. If there is, and there's something you need to keep quiet from the rest of the world, that's fine. I just..." She sighed again. "I just want to know that it's not me you don't want to know about this."
Two alicorns and one changeling prince exchanged glances, and then Celestia's horn lit up, as she called in a pair of scrolls and a quill. "If I may have a moment," she said, before writing something down on each, and then sending it off.
It took just minutes before replies came back, and then she nodded, casting a variety of spells around the room, greater even than the ones Twilight had used in the Crystal Empire. When that was done, she looked at Tempest. "Twilight and Discord have both said they feel you to be worthy of being told this," she said. "I myself have had no doubts in the matter, and if I am reading my sister and brother-in-law's expressions right, they have no objections. And while Velvet and Night Light have some awareness that there is more to Twilight and her friends than most know, it is time for all three of you to be fully made aware of the truth."
Then, at her sister's nod, she began explaining the origins of the multiverse, and its Powers, including the nature of the Dream Guard.
When she was done, all three unicorns were staring at her in surprise.
"That explains so much," Tempest muttered. "The Storm King always did put a special emphasis on the word 'powers' when he said it, but I had no idea he was talking about this."
"And I had no idea Twilight's power had such... extra to it," a startled Velvet said. "I'm not upset about it, but that... that's quite a story."
"Though withholding it..." Night Light said, looking at them for answers.
"It is for our safety as much as it is for your own," Luna said. "If the exact nature of Twilight's Power became known for example, then anyone with the right alchemic setup, funds and patience could craft a weapon that could harm her, if not outright kill her - though another Power would have to be involved in some way for that to happen - with Twilight having very little means to protect herself. A pure magic devoid blade could pierce any shield she might throw up as a natural reflex, expecting it to save her. She is aware of this, and so has sworn to keep this information a secret; only other Powers and some family of certain Powers, such as Spike and Shining Armor, plus three trusted individuals - yourself, Tempest, along with Moondancer and Trixie - know the truth about it."
"There are more dangers and secrets that we will need you to keep," Celestia added. "I promise, we will tell you as much as we can, when we can."
"Is... is Flurry Heart a Power too?" Velvet asked, almost hesitantly.
"Not at this time," Luna said. "Though it would not surprise me if she were to inherit one some day, if Cadance's Name Dream was accurate..."
"For now, she is just an alicorn," Celestia said. "And as a normal alicorn, she will grow up, age slowly as alicorns do and..." she trailed off, the words too hard to say.
"And if she does not become a Power, then after a few millennia, she will eventually pass away," Pharynx said sadly. "It is something we also have to accept; that there is a strong possibility that we will outlive our children by many years and be the ones to put them to rest. Normal alicorns are not truly immortal, just one of the longer-lived species."
Velvet bowed. "Well..." Then she suddenly thought of something. "But... Cadance and Shining Armor-"
"He knew about this before he married her," Celestia said. "And he accepts it. He also accepts that while being attached to Cadance's Power which will give him more time with her, it will not grant him the same type of immortality she has nor will it grant him the promised paradise that awaits us loyal Powers upon our own deaths. Though I have no doubt that he has more than earned it just by virtue of being himself."
"My chosen Adjuncts, on the other hoof, would be as immortal as myself," Luna said. "It comes of sharing the Mantle with them, making them the Captain or Captains of my Dream Guard - Dreams and Nightmares are both capable of doing so, because they often require an assistant or two to lead others in protecting the Dream realm - the larger population makes it a great deal harder for one individual to handle every dream in a single night, so the Creators long ago agreed they would be permitted to share their Mantles if needed. And before you ask, Death is the only other Power capable of creating Adjuncts, though their position does not allow immortality of the same stripe as mine - they only recruit those who are already dead."
"Is that something you're planning for Moondancer?" Velvet asked.
"Verily, if she chooses it," Luna said. "Herself and Trixie both, after I provide them all of the information they would need to make such a decision."
"And you're sure our son can't do the same with Cadance's Mantle," Night Light said, almost accusingly.
Luna nodded. "Regrettably, unless Life themselves chose to extend his lifespan to match his wife's, he will eventually pass on. And before you ask, one does not force Life to do anything against their will. Only both of the original Creators working in tandem would have that kind of power, and they do not interfere in the mortal realm anymore."
The room fell silent for a few minutes, before Tempest finally spoke up.
"Can... can Powers still visit their loved ones in the afterlife, if they want to?" she asked. "Say, if Applejack wanted to visit her parents, could she drop in on Paradise for a bit and see their spirits, just to talk with them? Or vice versa, a spirit coming back to visit a Power?"
"That... is a bit of a complex answer," Celestia said. "Death only rarely permits the dead to visit the living, or the other way around. You see, our allotted place in Paradise is our reward so I do not think Death would be so willing to reveal it just because one of us asked nicely enough. As for calling them out to the mortal realm... well, there are many forms that they could appear as, though with few being something ponies could accept and most forms would cause massive panic, unrest and potentially reveal far more of the world's truth than what we would be ready for. So it is rarely if ever done... and for alicorns, it is almost unheard of, unless the one making the request is ready to accompany them back."
All looked down for a minute, before Pharynx gave something of a smile. "Hey, what are you worried about?" he asked. "Ponies in general have long lifespans - way I hear it, Applejack's grandmother is well over a hundred, and still going strong when she feels like it. You two will still be around for Twilight for a good long while, even without a Power or Powers affecting your lifespans."
"He is correct as he is handsome," Luna said with a chirp. "When we say that alicorns are long-lived, we are talking about millennia before Flurry would begin to appear as my sister is now. Dragons have nearly the same lifespan - there are dragons alive and well today who were adults when Equestria was founded."
Celestia nodded. "We were nearly as old as Granny Smith is now before we got our Cutie Marks," she said. "But we looked much as Twilight did the day she ascended."
"Whoa." Tempest looked at them in surprise. "That's... impressive."
"I'll say," Night Light said, as he rolled things over in his mind, before he looked at the three Royals. "Regardless. Velvet and I will pass on one day, from old age if nothing else, but you'll still be there for Twilight and her friends, right?"
"Barring being killed, yes," Celestia said. "And that is very hard to do, barring the actions of another Power or a Creator. Alicorns, both natural and ascended, do not die easily. When my sister said a non-magical blade could harm Twilight, it would need to be a lethal blow or the alicorn body could begin to repair itself. There is a good chance that it wouldn’t even pierce her skin unless it had significant force behind it."
“And we are not at such a technologically advanced state that such weaponry can be crafted without drawing attention,” Luna said. “Perhaps a ballista bolt fired could be enough but I doubt it.”
"Then as long as she has people to watch over her after we're gone, that's all that matters," Velvet said.
And that was that.