Lupe sat in her tower room combing her still waist length hair out of both reflection and sadness. Word had reached Canterlot that Martin had become a pony seemingly out of nowhere and Twilight was currently scouring every source she could find to reverse the process. She straightened her white night dress and hopped down from her window sill and sat at the vanity table that was beside her bed and stared at the girl in the mirror. She looked at the reflection with sadness at what she had now become. She had some black bags under her eyes and her hair which was partially combed was still disheveled and naturally curly. Her electric blue and forest green eyes blinked in unison as she suddenly saw herself as…THAT girl. She blinked away the golden eyed and white haired version of herself and sharply turned to look at the door as it opened reveling both Princesses…looking rather casual in terms of clothing.
Lupe held the right side of her head, “Whats the occasion?”
Luna looked to the side, “What do you mean?”
Lupe gestured to them, “The lack of your usual attire.”
Celestia smiled, “We thought that since we came up here to talk we would enter as equals.”
Lupe chuckled, “Thanks I guess.”
Luna noticed her expression as she produced a wrapped box from behind her back, “My sister and I made you something I think you might like.”
Lupe raised her free hand as the box flew into it by an invisible force and it wasn’t long before she opened it and her eyes widened at the thing within. The object was a golden chain with a charm in the shape of the royal coat of arms attached to it.
Lupe smiled as she put it on, “You didn’t have to do this.”
Celestia shook her head, “Nonsense Lupe.
“
Luna nodded, “Indeed. After all it’s almost like your part of the family.”
Lupe suddenly felt a tad light headed, “What’s wrong with me?”
Luna looked at the ceiling innocently, “Well we haven’t been OVERLY busy so Tia and I decided to look into suppression spells to help with your…problem.”
Lupe looked at the royal sisters in a mixture of thanks and relief now that her burden had been lifted slightly. Truthfully she liked the sisters company ever since they started hanging out with her in the hospital to help her healing process along. Over the course of that time they formed a slight bond of mutual friendship for one another. Plus they did indeed feel almost like family since she had technically had been living with them since she came to Equestria which she was happy about and grateful.
Celestia then realized something which brought a smile to her face, “I just remembered the other reason we both came here. We are holding a dinner party this evening and I think you should attend.”
Luna nodded in agreement with her sister, “Yes you should, it will be good for you to meet more ponies and interact with society instead of cooping yourself up in this tower forever.”
Lupe though for a second but sighed, “I don’t think I can. I mean this is a high society event and I’m anything but.”
Both sisters looked at each other and gave her gentle smiles as they stood at her sides and looked at themselves in the mirror.
Celestia looked very confused, “That’s odd because I’m not seeing a regular girl. I’m seeing a strong and confident queen that needs to meet her subjects…”
Luna finished with her, “…and to stop wasting away behind the stone walls she is living in.”
Lupe placed her arms on the table with a very nervous look as Luna made her princess crown appear on Lupe’s head, “I must say it fits you well.”
Lupe placed the crown on its rightful owners head, “but it fits and looks BETTER on you. I don’t belong in this world…”, she placed her head in her folded arms face down as she quietly said, “…or on mine anymore.”
Both sisters shook their heads as they backed up and then pointed at Lupe as music seemed to start from nowhere which they didn’t even notice,
“Oooooooo!
You can dance
You can jive
Having the time of your life
Ohhhh!
See that girl
Watch that scene
Dig in the dancing queen!”
Lupe looked up and turned to look at the princesses as they changed into their usual attire and they both smiled as they did a little jig,
“Friday night and the lights are low
Looking out for a place to go
Where they play the right music
Getting in the swing
You come to look for a king…”
An image of human Martin materialized in her mirror thanks to Celestia, who stood beside it and placed a hoof on the mirror’s rim,
“Anybody could be that guy…”
The reflection vanished as she helped Lupe to her feet with magic as she pulled her beside her sister, who nudged the human,
“Night is young and the music's high
With a bit of rock music
Everything is fine
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance!”
Both sisters then danced beside Lupe,
“You are the dancing queen
Young and sweet
Only Nineteeeeeen!
Dancing queen
Feel the beat from the tambourine
Ohhhh Yeahhh!
You can dance
You can jive
Having the time of your life!”
Lupe smiled as she danced along with them which caused the sisters to appear on her bed and point,
“Ooooohh
See that girl
Watch that scene
Dig in the dancing queen!”
Lupe was then placed in front of her mirror by both sisters as Luna combed and styled her hair while Celestia was conjuring various dresses behind both of them,
“You're a teaser, you turn 'em on
Leave 'em burning and then you're gone
Looking out for another
Anyone will do
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance!”
Lupe was now garbed in a formal rose red gown and her hair was styled into a formal yet fun looking ponytail which caused her to stand with a smile and twirl on the spot as the sisters smiled in delight,
“You are the dancing queen
Young and sweet
Only nineteeeeeeeen!”
Lupe struck a pose and all three began to dance together,
“Dancing queen
Feel the beat from the tambourine
Ooooooh Yeeah!
You can dance
You can jive
Having the time of your life
See that girl
Watch that scene
Dig in the dancing queen!”
They all stopped dancing as Luna smiled, “See you look positively ecstatic.”
Celestia nodded, “It seems our cheering up method worked swimmingly. But I digress, come on Lupe and allow me to introduce you to some of the royal guard in PERSON.”
Lupe nodded but stopped, “Is this a private dinner party or can people or ponies be invited by guests?”
Celestia and Luna smiled in understanding as the led Lupe out of her tower and into the afternoon sunlight to which she shut her eyes and basked in.
*
Meanwhile in Martin’s Home
Martin was sitting on his bed deep in thought on these new turn of events. He looked up at the sound of a noise and saw AJ standing in the doorway. They both smiled at each other as she approached and stood nearby.
Applejack looked at the spot next to him, “This seat taken?”
Martin shook his head, “Pop a squat.”
Applejack smiled and sat down next to him only for her smile to disappear as they both sat in absolute silence. The silence dragged on for some time while both ponies idly fidgeted.
After what seemed like an eternity AJ snorted, “AW! Ah can’t stand it!”
Martin looked at her, “What?”
Applejack placed her hat down, “ah know you’ve only been a pony for a day. But ah’ve…all the emotions ah’m feelin are drivin me crazy!”
Martin placed a hoof on her back, “What do you mean?”
AJ sighed, “Ah know this happened to you outta the blue but I’m probably not the only one thinkin about it…”
Martin thought for a second only for his eyes to open wide in realization, “oh…”
Applejack ignored his comment, “Ah love ya Martin, with all mah heart and ah want to express it in a way to make us BOTH happy but…”
Martin completed her sentence, “It would be just too awkward right now.”
AJ nodded with a smile, “Exactly.”
Martin smiled as he gave her a quick kiss, “Don’t worry about it. It will get better I promise, I am still me…”
AJ nodded but noticed the way he said the lst bit of his sentence, “Martin, is there something yer not tellin me?”
Martin shook his head, “Just a VERY bad nightmare…”
All of a sudden there was a knock on his front door which caused both ponies to stand up and approach the door. The second Martin opened it however caused both ponies great surprise as they saw the face staring back at them.
Phobos raised his hand in a slight wave, “Hello…”
AJ immediately slammed her back legs into his torso as Martin leapt onto him and brandished his horn as an impaling weapon, “HOW ARE YOU HERE!?”
Phobos disappeared from beneath the unicorn and re-appeared in front of him as AJ joined Martin’s side, “Martin Fairbridges I mean you no harm I only wish to talk.”
Martin shook his head in disbelief, “Yeah right!”
He then discharged a bolt of magic at the aspect who easily sidestepped it as Martin fell onto his back dazed, “how did I do that?”
Applejack helped him up, “First time magic discharge is always the most powerful. At least that’s what Twi told me.”
Phobos looked at Martin with more of annoyance now, “I merely wish to talk but if you keep insisting on attacking me I will be FORCED to retaliate!”
Martin responded by shooting another more precise bolt into Phobos’s chest which caused the aspect to stand in anger as his robe became black fire and his eyes became ball of black light as his skin seemed to get whiter. An ominous wind whipped his hair around as it seemed to become almost energy like, and then a pair of skeletal bat wings exploded from his back alight with black fire as well.
Phobos then spoke in a booming demonic voice as the light around them seemed to dim as the shadows seemed to lengthen and become denser, “I AM THE ASPECT OF FEAR AND DARKNESS! DO NOT TAKE ME FOR A FOOL TO BE TRIFELED WITH!”
Martin and AJ actually backed up in surprise and fear as Phobos reverted back to normal and spoke in an exasperated tone, “I am no longer your enemy. Please just listen to me.”
Martin exhaled, “Fine what do you want.”
Phobos sighed, “I have sat idly by and watch my brother be miserable and distant for so long that I can’t take it anymore. So I come before you today to ask you…nay…beg you to ask for Sortitus’s help.”
Martin nodded with a frustrated look, “so that’s it then, HE just sent you down here for you to beg on his behalf. Jeez I thought deities had a spine.”
Phobos shook his head, “That’s not why…”
Martin cut him off, “Plus I distinctly remember him agreeing to my terms of not coming back here…EVER.”
Phobos was getting annoyed now, “listen to me…”
It was Applejack’s turn now, “Why should we? Not only did ya try to kill us last time you were here but Sortitus did sumthin unforgivable to a friend.”
Phobos was now visibly angry, “Let. Me. Speak.”
Martin shook his head, “and now he has the gull to send someone down here to apologise for him? That is by far the most cowardly…”
Phobos appeared in front of Martin and picked him up by his jaw in a vice like grip, “You ungrateful INGRATE! Do you know what my brother had to DO just to make the bridge for YOU?!”
Martin gasped in response as Phobos continued, “He dropped everything he was doing to help YOU! To do whatever was necessary for YOU’RE benefit. He HELPED YOU to fight Discord and stop me and asked for nothing in return and you won’t even swallow your foolish pride and anger to ask for his assistance!? If it were up to me you would all BURN for such insolence.”
A white lightning bolt struck down as a silver Alicorn appeared, “PHOBOS THAT’S ENOUGH!”
Phobos turned his head and nodded as his anger vanished. The Alicorn looked at Martin and morphed into a familiar being.
Sortitus fixed Martin with a stare, “We need to talk. But first…”
Sortitus approached Martin and tapped him on the forehead as Twilight rounded the corner with several papers in her mouth, “MARTIN I FOUND THE…”
She stared at the human Martin and let out a frusterated groan but stopped upon noticing Sortitus who pointed at her, “Bring the others. Aequivalere is collecting Lupe and The princesses as we speak.”
Applejack approached Sortitus, “What for?”
Sortitus answered gravely, “So we can prevent Doomsday.”