Sunset Shimmer tried to coax more information out of the young ponies that had apparently put themselves at great risk to come speak with her and Celestia, but they just kept glancing back at the hotel on the rocks above the dunes. She suspected it had more to do with the owner/proprietor than the hotel itself, but she was unsure. There were too many unknowns that needed to have a big flashlight shined down from on high.
So, as to ward away suspicion from prying eyes and ears without having to cast a spell, Celestia had asked the two teenaged colts and filly to gather materials so that they could start a small firepit on the beach. She was unconcerned if it was allowed, she was Celestia after all. Who was going to tell her no? The choice of fire over magic was simple, as she explained to Sunset. It would be warm and soothing to sit around as the cool night air set in and she could position the young ponies to be opposite of the hotel view across the fire in case Grassy Rio or some other staff were spying. Subtle obscurity had its place.
Once Celestia fired a small bolt of energy into the dried palm and brush the flames began to dance towards the night sky.
She gracefully gestured for them to sit. “Let me start off by apologizing to you. When we were selecting an island to have a small getaway vacation upon, we were unaware anypony was trapped here or that the island was cursed at all. If I personally had known there was a problem I would have come sooner.”
Sunset nodded in agreement. “That being said, I think you should start at the beginning. How did you end up here and what do you mean by ‘cursed?’ That word often gets misused in what it actually means.”
Celesta held up a hoof, glanced to Sunset, then back to the other three. “Before that, I think introductions are in order. I am Celestia, as you already surmised. This, is Sunset Shimmer, my daughter. Please refer to her as Captain Fury for now, however, since we do not know who amongst the hotel staff we can trust and that is whom she is pretending to be.”
The zebra mix colt who was apparently the leader of the group spoke first. “I’m Tatu, he’s Whistler, and she is Gentle Knoll. We… well, all of us ended up here basically the same way, either by accident, or by being captured by pirates. My father and I were on a private sailing ship that stopped off here for supplies, I dunno, maybe two years ago. It’s hard to follow time here."
Gentle Knoll whispered just loud enough, "I've been here almost six years. My mom tried to fight back so I could get away, to run for help or hide when the pirates stormed the hotel. She…”
The mare shook and her friends quickly offered hooves to comfort her. She smiled and nodded her thanks. Sunset’s expression darkened considerably. She could feel her wings extend and had to quickly reel them back in else they catch fire with her rising anger. They did not know she was an alicorn as well and it was too early to entrust that information just yet. Their emotions and gestures felt genuine, plus there was little benefit to them lying to her and Celestia. Even still, Sunset kept that fact in her proverbial pocket for now.
Celestia gestured for them to continue once the three had their emotions under control. “Please, elaborate on what you mean by a curse. If you can.”
Tatu nodded and let out a shuddering breath. “That’s what I’ve heard some of the others call it, the ones that have been here longer.”
“Wait, how many ponies are trapped on this island exactly?” asked Sunset with as much calm as she could muster.
“You probably came from the west, that’s how most Equestrian ships approach if they come this close at all. Over the dunes and through the small underbrush thicket on the other side of the island there is a plantation or so I’ve heard Dad call it. That’s where most of the food is grown. The pirates take what they want and leave the rest for us to fight over. It's not always enough. How many are there? I dunno less than a hundred, maybe fifty or so. My Dad is over there along with a bunch of other zebras the pirates brought here. I think for slaves or something. He never said. My Dad is a zebra and can speak Punda- um, I mean the Zebra tongue, he translates for some of the pirates so they don’t hurt him. He tries to protect the others, but they are nasty pirates and some like to hurt the others. He tells me to stay away as much as I can. Otherwise, they will make me work the fields too... or worse.”
Sunset stood up, but Celestia quickly placed a hoof on her daughter so that she would turn her eyes away from the dunes. “Sunset.”
“Children, Mom. They. Stole. Children.”
“I know.”
Sunset turned her eyes down to meet Celestia’s, a faint glow to the teal irises that Celestia had become familiar with. It took monumental effort, but the goldenrod alicorn reeled her emotions back in. Beneath the calm, collective mask and centuries of practiced patience, Sunset could see the burning fire smoldering in Celestia as well. Some day she would have to learn how Celestia was able to keep it all in so well.
It took several deep breaths and meditative counting, but logic was once more in control of Sunset Shimmer. There were too many unknowns. Who was in on it? What was the enemy strength? Were some of the victims and prisoners in danger if they attacked without a plan? Too many variables. Much like her wife… well, both Twilights in fact, too many variables in the equation were a source of frustration.
“So, what do we do?”
“For tonight, we eat and keep up the pretense. Then, we go back to our room to rest, which you three are welcome to stay in if you have no place safe to sleep tonight. In the morning we begin to investigate this plantation and of course send a letter to Spike who will be able to relay the information to Twilight since they are both in the Crystal Empire by now.”
“That will still take time for them to organize anything our way.” Sunset growled under her breath, kicking at the sand. “If our crystal communication project was working we’d be able to call for help quicker. Hell, these kids would not even be in this mess! I should have worked harder. I should have...”
"Peace, little sun. We cannot change the past or what we could have done had we known better. Ever forward."
Sunset sighed and nodded.
Celestia stood as well, her joints popping as she stretched out her long legs and large, magnificent wings. The young ponies ‘oooh and ahhh’ at the sight of the goddess before them. Sunset simply smiled and rolled her eyes. She understood though, remembering being young and in awe of her mother’s… well, everything. “We make due with what we have as long as it does not endanger anypony, especially the young ones. Plan where we can, improvise where necessary.”
“Right.”
Celestia smiled warmly at their guests and gestured with a wing to the hotel. “Would you three care to join us for dinner? You look like you have not had a decent meal in quite some time.” Their eyes grew wide at the thought of food. “Remember to keep what we have discussed to yourselves, please. That is for everypony's safety.” They all nodded vigorously.
A few things surprised Sunset Shimmer once they had returned to the hotel. First, was the presence of their boat captain, Steady Course, off his deck and on dry land. His posture and movements were stiff and ridged, but he seemed to relax a bit at the sight of Celestia and Sunset.
“Ah, good,” Steady said with a grunt under his breath. “I was a little concerned where you were off to after some of these louts started asking for the food stuffs you had brought along. I figured they’d want to unload it eventually, just wasn’t expecting it all at once.”
“An unavoidable development, apparently,” Celestia replied smoothly. Her words were to convey ease and calm, but Sunset recognized the look in her eye and the gestures with her hoof. It was a silent signal that was used among the guard to tell them to stand ready and alert without worrying the public or overhearing ears. Steady must have spent some time in the guard or been around them enough he picked up on it as well, nodding ever so slightly.
The second thing that surprised Sunset was the pleasant smell coming from the back of the lobby, likely where the kitchen was located. Whoever had made off with their food supplies had also put them to use in a pleasing way. The delightful mixing aromas caused Sunset’s mouth to water and her stomach voiced its own demands with a loud gurgle.
“Heh, excuse me,” Sunset blushed a bit and patted her belly. However, she was outshined by their guests whose stomachs also gurgled loudly in chorus. Perhaps even louder than the alicorn in disguise. This caused Celestia and even Steady Course to laugh.
The laughter died quickly as Grassy Rio emerged from the back. The portly pony stopped dead in his tracks and balked at the sight of the younger ponies. It did not go unnoticed by the alicorns that the proprietor recognized the colts and filly. Neither alicorn let on that they had noticed. Ever forward, as Celestia had said.
“Good evening, sir,” Celestia began cordially, a faux coy smile once again gracing her alabaster face. “We were enjoying the beautiful beach and surf when we came across these young ponies who delightfully kept us company. They looked hungry so, I thought it only hospitably to invite them to dine with us.”
“Of, of course, Your Highness. It was you who provided these fine provisions. Obviously, I have no say in the matter.” Grassy Rio gestured to a mare who had been standing near the door who quickly went to retrieve three more chairs. A moment later, Cedar Hill emerged from the back with a trolley cart smelling of fresh greens, garlic bread, and pasta. The three younger ponies were practically drooling on the table from the sight and smell.
Celestia gestured to the plates in front of colts and filly. “Please, serve the children first.”
“Your Highness?”
Celestia smiled warmly at Cedar Hill. “There is no crown upon my head. There is no hierarchy here and I do not wish to see young ponies suffer hunger a moment longer.”
Cedar complied and began to pile salad into bowls before lightly coating them with olive oil. The greens were nearly completely wiped out before he even began plating the pasta and bread.
“Whoa, slow down there,” Sunset said holding out a hoof. “No o- er no pony is going to take it from you and if you eat too fast you’ll make yourself sick.” Reluctantly, however soothed by Sunset's warm smile of concern the three nodded and began to relax.
Dinner was a quiet affair. There was little to discuss and the dining area was not private enough to speak about what were the true concerns. Celestia and Sunset constantly meeting each other’s eyes while they covertly surveyed their surroundings. Sunset had no doubt they would discuss their findings later. Captain Steady Course had not said a word in regards to the situation or the children, choosing instead to just eat silently. Once the plates were clear the three younger ponies looked a bit lost on what should happen next.
Sunset Shimmer stood and settled in behind the three before they left their chairs. She leaned in and asked softly, “Do you have a safe place to sleep tonight?”
Tatu visibly winced, shying away from wanting to answer. Whistler and Gentle Knoll made no effort to fill the conversation void. That was all either alicorn needed to come to the same conclusion.
“We have extra beds. I would like you three to join us tonight.” Though it was said as just a simple request, Celestia had a way of implying her words were an order and should be taken as such. The three nodded without argument. “Captain, I think it would be best if you stayed on you ship tonight.”
Steady Course nodded in understanding. “My thoughts exactly, Your Highness.”
“Stay here a moment so I can rearrange the beds,” said Sunset before heading off to their room. It would be tight, putting the beds back to a two-by-two format, but she had no problems cozying up close with her mother like they used to do when she was a filly. Of course, Sunset had another, more important reason for checking the room first. Though unlikely, it never hurt to be sure when you had no idea who was friend of foe. Sunset had learned long ago that Just because it was paranoia did not mean they were NOT out to get you. It was possible that the children had been lying to them as well, that all they wanted was to get close and possibly get an easy meal out of them. But there was something in their words, their body language that told Sunset that was not the case. Tongues could waggle and lie, but tired, desperate eyes, and thin coats with ribs beginning to show through spoke louder than words.
Sunset quickly lifted all the beds in her magic. It was cliché, but she still wanted to ensure there were no unexpected guest underneath. She needed to move them anyhow. She next checked the bathroom and also found it unoccupied and just as they had left it. Last, but least likely, Sunset sent out a pulse of energy from the center of the room. To any non-magical creatures and/or objects it would be as if a blast of air had crossed them. However, if a pony or most other magical creatures were hiding by invisibility spell or enchantment it would shock them and disrupt their spellcraft matrix.
It was an oldie but goodie Sunset had found long ago in an advanced unicorn dueling book she had checked out when she had still been Celestia’s personal student. Celestia had not outright forbid Sunset from reading the book, but had strongly reminded her that if she provoked others into fights just to see how badly she could beat them that there would be consequences. Naturally, Sunset had not listened and had found herself dueling the Captain of the Royal Guard as punishment. I thought I did pretty well for a fourteen year old against a battle hardened veteran like Galant Hardwood. Heh, that old war horse would probably have had a coronary if he knew I became an alicorn.
With a satisfied grunt Sunset was certain the room was clear. She returned to the small group in the hall and waved them over. “All clear. Come on in and get settled in.”
The room tour had been incredibly short considering there really was nothing to show other than where the toilet was. Sunset had explained to the younger three that though she had pressed the beds together they would still have to share. She considered that they could probably sleep two in one and one in another if that was more comfortable. That option however had been unnecessary as the three quickly snuggled into one another as if they had done it many times before, which as Sunset considered what Tatu had said earlier may have been the case. Perhaps they were closer than friends? Thoughts for another time, Sunset concluded, simply pleased at the sight of calm, sleeping ponies.
The teenagers had apparently been as tired as they had been hungry and fell asleep long before the moon was high in the sky. After some quiet small talk, review of their findings, and a calming cup of tea Celestia had settled into the other set of beds. Sunset could have stayed up later, she was more of a night pony than a morning pony, but with no one else to speak with and no immediate danger Sunset settled in next to her mother.
Sunset Shimmer never got a chance to ask how they were going to handle the limited space as two white forelegs wrapped around her, pulling her back and wings into a soft, warm barrel. A few shifts about and they both settled in with Celestia snuggling into her mane, breathing quietly.
“Heh.”
“Yes?”
Sunset smirked even though she knew Celestia could not see it. It was not her mischievous smirk or her sarcastic smirk. It was as Twi would have called it her, ‘loving smirk.’ “It’s just been a while since we’ve been like this. Not since before... you know. I kind of got used to being the big spoon.”
Celestia pulled her daughter closer, Sunset could feel her whole body being wrapped in an unseen blanket of love and warmth so much so that neither felt the provided sheets would be necessary. Sunset felt light lips kiss the top of her head through her mane.
“Forgive an old mare for trying to make up for lost time. No matter how big you get, you will always be my little sun.”
Sunset tried to hold back her emotions, but a small gasp sniffle escaped along with a few tears of joy. It felt beyond good, beyond blissful to have the Goddess of the Sun looking after her again... like she had on rare occasion so long ago. Sunset finally croaked quietly, “Goodnight, Mom. I love you.”
“Goodnight, my beloved Sunset.”
----------
Sunset Shimmer was not sure when she had fallen asleep. If she had dreamed it must not have been very memorable or caught Luna’s attention because she did not recall speaking with her aunt. However, she did recall casting a tripwire spell over the doors and windows before finally settling in with her mother. She did not have to move to know Celestia was still wrapped around her like she was a pony body pillow. If not for one of the spells being disturbed Sunset would have been far too comfortable to be so easily awakened.
Unlike shield barriers, tripwire spells were the ‘set and forget’ type that the enchantment would stay active on its own without having to concentrate on until the applied power ebbed and gave out over time. They were especially useful when setting up camp in possibly dangerous situations and you still liked getting sleep.
Sunset eyes flew open, but she did not move. Someone had just carefully and near silently opened their door, stepping inside. She began to tense up to prepare to leap from the bed, horn blazing when she felt her mother’s breath right in her ear.
“Not yet. Let them come closer.”
Sunset blinked twice before mental slapping her own forehead. Of course, Celestia set her own tripwires as well. Duh. You don’t rule an entire nation for close to two thousand years without being smart and paranoid. It's really sad how often I forget who I'm dealing with.
Sunset could hear them stop near the center of the room, there were at least two of them at a guess, but definitely no more than three. If they were speaking they were being incredibly quiet that even her alicorn hearing could not make it out. They were probably waiting to see if anyone would move after they broke in. No, that wasn’t the right word. The rooms had a basic punch card key lock so that even non-magical users could have a level of personal privacy. The door had not been forced open. That meant at least one of them worked for the hotel and had a copy of the punch key. Sunset already had a feeling who one of the intruders were.
“On my move, teleport to the bed with the children. I will be by the door. Kinetic blast together to the far corner.”
Sunset did not move until she felt Celestia tap her with a hoof. They both disappeared in near simultaneous teleports. Celestia reappeared at the door while Sunset was standing next to the bed with their guests. The intruders gasped, but before they could react or defend two horns lit up, one gold, one crimson, and unleashed concussion waves of energy. The little furniture there was in the room was upended along with two ponies and tossed into the far corner opposite of the door.
Celestia’s horn lit again and several small mage lights hovered to shine some light on the room. Sunset approached and dropped a shield bubble over Grassy Rio and another stallion they had not yet encountered before they could move or call for help.
It took a moment, but Grassy Rio finally focused on the sneering face of goldenrod with teal eyes that were as hard as diamonds. “You woke me up and didn’t bring me coffee. That's grounds for justifiable execution.”
Celestia finished calming and comforting the three younger ponies who had been startled awake and were holding each other. She stepped up next to Sunset and looked down without an ounce of sympathy in her tired magenta eyes.
“I suggest you explain yourselves before things truly get ugly.”