They stepped off the train, one big happy family. "Hm. It's not that different from the dream." She could actually make out people's faces properly, a fact she had just not even really noticed in the dream. "Here we are!" Umbra waved up at the big obvious castle. "Let's get going."
Shifting adjusted the bag hanging from her shoulder. "Is she awake? Luna's a night owl, right?"
Morning smiled in a pleased fashion. "We know when to strike. Mother, you have good timing."
"We're here to exploit her, not attack her." Umbra tut tutted at Morning with a wagging hoof. "Don't forget."
"Ah... Apologies. I was excited." Not that she was emoting her excitement very well. "What do we do then?"
Umbra led her family up to the gate she remembered from her dream. There were two guards, just like then, and they looked at her oddly, just like then. Well, she was a shadow princess of darkness. There was something to be nervous about... "Good day. I'm here to visit Luna, at her request, but I imagine she's sleeping."
The one on the left nodded. "That is correct. One moment, please." And they marched off swiftly.
The one on the right stared straight forward, unmoving.
The other returned on steady hooves. "Princess Celestia extends her warm welcomes. Please, this way." He guided the family inside. "Your suite is... here." He waved to a door inside the many halls of the castle. "If you need anything, the maids and butlers are always available."
Shifting threw open the door with a flick of a wing. "Woah! Fancy." She scurried inside and did the most important thing, bouncing on a bed to test it. "Nice..."
Umbra nodded at the guard. "Thank you." She stepped inside with Morning, the guard already marching off. For the front gate? It felt likely. "Morning, this is our room for now." As promised a moment before, it was a full suite. It had more than one bedroom, a kitchen, and everything else one would need. An apartment, really. "Mmm, two bedrooms. One for foals and one for adults?"
Morning scrunched her nose. "I will use my room for schoolwork, mother, but for little else."
That was a warning that she'd be sleeping with Umbra. Umbra chuckled softly. "You are a loving, and fearsome, creature."
Shifting bounced down from the bed, hurrying over to rejoin the meeting. "No special hugs on this trip." She didn't sound all that upset. "Sounds warm though." She went in for a nuzzle on the filly, and Morning did not resist. "How much schoolwork do you have?"
Morning set her backpack down and rooted through it, producing several books. "Two weeks, assuming I spend approximately an hour a day on them. But if I attack specifically, I can have it done in a day or two and be free to do as I wish."
Umbra tapped her daughter on the nose. "An hour a day. Rushing means you won't remember half of it. Besides, that's 23 hours to do anything else."
"Hm." Morning moved to put her books down on a table there. "I will consider that."
Shifting giggled at the exchange. "Well, I plan to do fun things tomorrow. If you want to come along, you'll have to take a break from your schoolwork." She tapped at her chin. "Did you know the ponies around here celebrate their victories in stained glass? Every battle and trial, put up for all to see."
Morning's eyes widened faintly, even if they sank back into place. "How grotesque. I love it. I would like to see that."
Shifting bounced towards the kitchen. "Then get your hour for today and after you finish your hour for tomorrow, tomorrow, I will gladly take you to see them."
Umbra grabbed both of them, one under each arm. "I love you both so much." A smooch for each cheek. "You be good and I'll get you a treat, hm? Luna has many tricks related to nightmares. I may share one..."
Morning nodded firmly. "I will earn that." She slipped away back to her work table. "First, this." She got to her schoolwork diligently.
Shifting glanced at Morning. "Can Umbrum learn unicorn spells? I could, in theory, but I also have a horn, sometimes. She doesn't have one of those."
Umbra frowned in thought. "She has a thing for nightmare magic... I'll show her that and she'll either get it or not. She likes a challenge."
"I do." Oops, that Morning could hear them was made clear. "Especially with a prize I covet."
Umbra nodded at her daughter. "As she said. What's for dinner?"
Something knocked on the door, interrupting the question. "Hm?" Umbra trotted over to it. "Hello?"
"Pardon the interruption." Celestia, from the sound of it. "I heard you had arrived."
Umbra willed the door open smoothly. "Celly! Good to see you."
"And I you." Celestia stepped in, guards moving in to flank her. "I trust your trip here went without trouble?"
"As if any could stand in my mother's way." She was facing her schoolwork, but had no problems speaking her part.
Umbra let out a strained laugh. "Foals! Oh! Did you meet her?" Umbra waved at Morning. "This is Morning Dew, my daughter. She's doing some schoolwork right now."
"Charmed." Morning didn't look up.
Celestia inclined her head, but unlike some others, she put together what was going on without asking more questions. "I see. Very kind of you. You know, I have adopted foals myself. Never in name, I will admit, but in about every other way. It is a rewarding task, but challenging. You never know what they will become, in the end, and can only try to direct them in the right path."
"Welcome to good parenting!" Umbra clapped her forehooves once. "Glad to hear it, really. Considering you're basically mother of the country, you having an odd look on motherhood would be a bit worrying, truth told. Who was your latest?"
Celestia skewed an ear back. "Do not inform her, she would die of embarrassment... But Twilight Sparkle is like a daughter to me, and one I intend to leave a mighty inheritance to. She is a curious example, having loving parents in addition. They could think me of just as well as a doting grandparent, but her progress is of quite the interest to me."
Umbra snorted softly. "Really?! Hm... That makes some things make more sense..." She turned to Morning. "Not sure if she'd even want my job though."
"I will consider it." She scratched with her pencil at her paper. "I would like to know more about it, mother."
Celestia smiled gently. "That is a step. Now, I did not come here only to greet you, as much as that is worth doing. I have work to return to, but, later, we could share dinner? Luna should awaken and join us about that time. It is breakfast for her, poor thing."
Shifting emerged from the kitchen. "Well, forget that then! It must be hard, being sisters and co-rulers on opposite schedules like that."
Celestia nodded at Shifting. "It presents challenges. But, like many things on this world, things that are worth it, usually are."
Umbra laughed, throwing a hoof across her front. "You can say that twice. Now, don't take this the wrong way, but curious, why Twilight? Is it magic? Starlight seems good at magic too."
Celestia smirked faintly. "There's more to it then magical ability, or you would also be on the list."
Umbra sat down. "I didn't even think of that. Shoot... you probably think I'm eyeing the throne now."
"Actually not." She reached to set a metal-clad hoof on Umbra's shoulder."I have earned some measure of understanding. Even if I offered it, I doubt you would take it."
"That is a really big responsibility... and would mean I would have to stop all my other responsibilities, and I like those... so nah. You keep that throne. You're doing a dang fine job of it."
"Thank you." Celestia tipped her head forward. "You are a curious one. Few would so openly speak to a monarch of their inheritence without being quite close to them, but here you are, without fear. That appears to be an umbrum trait."
"We don't know fear," agreed Morning, turning to the next page. "We make fear."
Umbra considered that with a soft hum. "She may have a point. I only won... against them because I marshalled the defenders to throw away their fear. The fear of the invaders, of death, of everything. Grim determination I had called it."
Morning closed her book and looked at her mother with a new light. "You mastered fear enough to pass on bravery to others? I am proud. I have an exceptionally terrifying mother." Being terrifying was, clearly, a good thing in her book. "If the umbrum had to lose, at least it was to a master of terror."
Celestia regarded the filly a quiet moment. "Is she...?"
Umbra nodded swiftly. "She is, maybe one of the last two. We're not sure... By the way, we'll have our eyes open, hers especially, for others in the area."
"You will not extract that information from me." Morning sat up proudly. "Bring out your best torture implements."
"I would not." Celestia returned her gaze to Umbra. "You know this, I hope?"
"I know you would fail if you tried to torture it out of her." She winked at Celestia. "But we are curious if there are any others out there."
Celestia relaxed, catching Umbra's meaning. "I will send a guard to escort you to the dining hall when the time is right. Please, enjoy your stay. The castle is open to you, save for the forbidden wing of the library."
Oh, how Umbra pouted. "You have one of those? And you won't let me peek? I bet you have all the fun spells in there!"
"For certain definitions of... fun." Celestia hrmed, shaking her head. "You have no need for those spells, and do quite well for yourself. In fact, some of your spells may end up in there, in time."
This only pleased Morning. "You will require a new wing just for the terrible magical creations of my mother. Ponies will die of fright gazing on the covers of those dread tomes, and whispers of their true nature will be whispered in hushed fear."
"I look forward to her contributions." Celestia turned in place for the door. "But I have contributed spells of my own, I will remind."
Morning perked at that. "You have? I thought you were scared."
"I am concerned about the results... But desperate times... I am the princess of the sun. The sun is a figure of great and terrible power, older than any we know, and will be there when we are all gone. It screams into the void, and, with the right magic, its power can be drawn, if you have that bravery and skill..."
Morning clapped her forehooves. "My estimation of you has changed entirely. I would like to see you call upon this power. Can this be arranged?"
"We shall see." Celestia left, her guards leaving with only the jingle of their armor to announce it.
Shifting grabbed the filly as soon as the door was closed, shaking her about with a laugh. "You're going to scare your mom to death."
"Good." Morning inclined her head at Shifting, still held. "What did I do that was that terrifying?"
"Celestia is about the most powerful pony around, and she wants to make a good impression, which means she's trying to not be scary around her."
Morning's ears twitched, but sagged shortly. "Oh... I am getting in the way of your ruse, mother. I apologize."
Umbra wrapped her wings about both of her family members. "You were fine. She loves you, even if she's a little curious what makes you tick. But, hm, so am I? That she teased you was a good sign."