“Okay, fine! We’re totally a thing…”
Months had passed since the Purifiers were dealt with. The Guardians had spent more time with each other, savouring the down-time. Canterlot was restored to its former glory; the houses were rebuilt, and ponies roamed the streets with no fear once more.
Now, the Guardians had gathered, along with the princesses, for a little bit of relaxation. In a secluded section of the castle, Mythic Moon had turned one of the smaller multipurpose rooms into a private lounge for the Guardians and their guests. Only they had the means to unlock the doors and enter.
In the center of the room was a large, round table for casual meetings or games. Large cushions provided seating around it, while additional seating was available in the form of scattered couches. To one side, there was a small bar with an assortment of drinks and glasses, though food would need to be brought in, whether from the Royal Kitchens or Donut Joe’s or wherever caught their fancy.
Golden Dusk and Scarlet Gem giddily clapped their hooves together at Mythic’s announcement. The unicorn mare had just admitted that she and Mel were, unsurprisingly, an item.
To their right, Wild Blaze and Azure Spark gave their round of congratulations, the former poking the latter for the bits he owed.
Princess Celestia smiled warmly, sipping her tea.
“If thou shall need someone to preside over the ceremony, you know who to ask.” Princess Luna winked slyly.
Mel blushed. “A little too fast there, princess,” she replied almost formally.
Mythic chuckled. “Yeah, and shouldn’t Goldie and Scarlet go first?”
“Don’t bring us into this!” Dusk and Scarlet shouted.
“Although,” Scarlet smirked, “I wouldn’t really mind~”
He simply grumbled and leaned against her. She giggled and nuzzled his head.
Celestia laughed. Not a formal proper giggle, but a heartfelt one that showed her to be just a regular pony.
“Ah, wait, who started the relationship?” Az asked casually.
The pair of older mares blushed, they’d had to retell the story, then…
“Well, it started when…”
~~~
After her sentencing, Lotus Mist was almost immediately brought onto a train. One guard had brought her there, still hobbled and with her wings still bound. With more force than necessary he placed her in a seat within the empty car, “Enjoy the ride,” he stated before stomping off.
Sighing, she looked out from the clear window and out to Canterlot once more. If this was the last time she’d be seeing the city…
Her chest tightened, and she took a deep breath. Moisture gathered in her eyes as she unashamedly glanced around the city’s sights. Her disdain for the nobles hadn’t left, no, but she could appreciate architecture when she saw it. The tall, elegant towers of Canterlot’s castle, the colors and materials that came together to give the city that regal air… it truly was beautiful.
Yet, that wasn’t the only reason she mulled over her banishment.
Suddenly, the doors to her cabin opened as a fairly muscular unicorn entered with a pink pegasus by his side. She almost immediately recognized them, so she hastily wiped away her tears.
“They didn’t even remove your chains…” the pegasus said, shocked at the state of Lotus’ mane and coat.
“Seems their attitude toward prisoners hasn’t changed,” the unicorn sighed, igniting his horn.
Lotus Mist felt warmth radiate through her body, but knew they had fired three spells. One for the chains that fell from her hooves, another freed her bound wings, and the other… she wasn’t sure. Casting aside her bemusement, the metal clanged onto the ground in front of her seat.
She swiftly got up and drove the tip of her hoof to the unicorn’s neck. A jolt of pain shot through her body, and she froze, flopping onto the ground. Lotus found herself unable to move or speak, only breathe.
“Mistake one, Lotus Mist,” Shining Armor sighed. “We have a spell cast on you that’ll do that when you try to either escape or attack others.
“And two,” the pegasus said, body shimmering. “Let us talk first.”
Princess Cadance’s disguised faded away, revealing her larger body, wings, and her horn. Her boney appendage glowed, releasing the seal.
Lotus gasped and sat up, disoriented. She placed a hoof to her chest, and her unwashed wings fluttered anxiously, not having liked being paralyzed.
“Shall we have a seat?” Cadence offered.
Figuring she didn't have much choice, Lotus obliged the princess. Cadence sat down, and she did the same opposite to her, expression blank.
“Well? What are the diarchs of the Crystal Empire doing here?” Lotus almost spat.
Shining Armor shot her a glare.
Cadance breathed deeply. “We… you’re going into our custody.”
“What?!” Lotus screamed. “I’m banished already, isn’t that enough?!”
What happened next stunned the other two. A tear ran down Lotus’ cheek, the only sign of vulnerability the mare has ever shown. She looked back at the princess with weary purple eyes, and pink sparkled within them.
“What more will you take from me?”
Cadence dearly wished she could hug the mare, but decided against it. For now, she had to keep things professional.
The princess bit her lip and continued, “We are hoping to give you a new start. You’ll take a post as our maid, since you’re experienced. You’ll be paid and treated fairly, which you might not get if you were to look for your own employment.” She shifted her gaze right back at her. “You would be a valuable addition to our staff.”
Lotus’ lips quivered as she sat back down, wiping away the tears.
“What happens during that?” she asked cautiously. “And why?”
“You’ll first be given time to acclimate to the empire,” Cadence nodded. “Then, we’ll introduce you to our staff. They’ve been informed to prepare lodgings for you.”
“And as for why…” She paused for quite a while.
“My aunt told me about you, about what drove you to this Lotus Mist.”
Lotus’ brain processed what she just said. Her wings flared as she leaned forward aggressively, having figured out what that meant.
“How?! I wiped my files!”
“There are a lot more back-ups than the years I’ve been alive,” Shining commented. “I thought you would know that… Specialist Recruit, Crystal Snow. Besides, Celestia knows every pony that has ever worked for her even indirectly.”
The mauve pegasus seethed with rage. They knew her real name? Her purple eyes glowed as magic gathered in her hooves, stomping them to the floor. The train shook slightly, enough to startle ponies outside.
“Please, Crystal, that won’t get you anywhere,” Cadence begged. The princess found it strange that her name didn’t fit her appearance whatsoever...
Crystal Snow huffed indignantly, and her magic dissipated.
“So, what do you want from me?” Crystal asked. “To fix me? To reform me? To make me serve under royalty?” she spat. “Nothing will change what happened, and they would still be here if it weren’t for the nobles.”
“I know,” Cadance reassured softly. “But, the Crystal Empire is different from Canterlot. You could live a better life there, and we’re the only real nobility in the entire kingdom, as King Sombra dealt with the nobles much the way your group would. There are still a few minor families, but they’ve learned to fear speaking up.”
She snorted. “Live a better life…working for royalty...” she sighed. “I… suppose it's… better than wandering around Equestria aimlessly…”
Crystal Snow sighed once more, looking at the princess with a hint of reluctance.
“I’ll work as your maid... but...”
She glanced between the two royalties in the car.
“Don’t expect me to enjoy it.”
Cadance tittered. “Welcome to the team then, Crystal. And, who knows? Maybe you’ll come to see us differently.”
Crystal laughed.
“I highly doubt that, princess.”