//------------------------------//
// Unexpected Happenings 
// Story: Colours of Dusk 
// by AlphatheGriffin17 
//------------------------------//

"Rainbow, quit fussin'," Applejack complained. "I'm well on the mend thanks ta the docs and Zecora, I don't need ya hover-hoofin' me."

"You let me be the judge of that," she said. "You want me to grab any more books for you from the higher shelf?"

"No, and I coulda reached 'em jus' fine, ya didn't have ta trouble yerself," she added. "A bum leg and a lil' chest pain ain't gonna stop me climbin' a ladder."

"Yeah, they wouldn't stop you falling from one either," she returned. "I thought you learned your lesson about being proud and stubborn when you needed help."

"Kinda like the pot callin' the kettle black, dontcha think?" Applejack chuckled. "I'm sorry, I jus' don't like feelin' I'm bein' a bother ta everypony jus' 'cause-a some silly injury."

"AJ, it's fine. You know I'm not gonna leave one of my friends in a jam."

"Yeah, guess that's true." She smiled at her. "That's real sweet-a ya, Dash. Thanks fer puttin' up with me."

"N-No sweat," said Rainbow. She tried to ignore how Applejack's compliment and smile made her chest flutter a bit. "Just uh, lemme know if you need anything. I'll be over there."

"Sure thing." She winked and opened the first book in the pile, flicking through the pages.

Rainbow sidled over to the bookshelf that she'd chosen, further down the aisle at the end. Unlike when they did the same for the Crystal Empire, they focused their search on the geography section. Granted, the geography section was still pretty big but it was better than the whole library and between the six of them, they'd find what they needed. Twilight was using magic to quickly scan her own large piles. Pinkie was flicking through them, tossing those aside that didn't have anything with a quick 'nope' and Fluttershy was reading hers very closely. Rarity wasn't too far from her, just below the shelf Rainbow was at. The students hadn't returned yet from the shelters, so they had the place to themselves.

She found herself glancing back at Applejack constantly. It wasn't that she didn't think she could handle herself. Rainbow had been through enough scrapes with her to know that. But there was just... something. Nopony had been able to match her like Osteo did in terms of strength and Rainbow couldn't help be concerned. She was trucking on, like she would expect her to but even so...

"It really is sweet, how much you're worried about her."

"Huh?!" Rainbow whirled to see Rarity, smiling in a weird way. "I-It's no big deal. She's my friend, I'd be the same with any of you."

"Naturally," hummed Rarity. She leaned in to whisper. "Unless, of course, there's a little more to it than just friendship."

"W-What?!" Rainbow clamped her hooves over her mouth, but nopony noticed her outburst. Applejack was too far away to hear anything above a hushed whisper, so she lowered her voice. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."

Rarity raised her eyebrows. "Really? Well, my mistake then. Apologies for presuming so."

"No sweat." A moment of silence passed between them. "I-I mean, not that I wouldn't. AJ's great. You know, she's strong and she's always happy to lend a hoof. Takes good care of her family a-and friends. We've been through a lot but uh... that's just because we're such great friends! N-Nothing more to it than that, right?"

"So you've already said." Rarity still had that smile. "I do agree with you, on all of those fronts. She's really quite lovely in her looks as well, don't you think? A sort of honest beauty, a strength that matches what she has inside."

"Yeah," said Rainbow absently. "Like she doesn't need to put any effort into looking good, she just always... h-hey, what are you getting at?"

Rarity tittered. "Simply making observations, darling. Nothing more. Applejack and I may not have the same standards of beauty, but I've always respected that she maintains an image that carries the integrity she maintains. What she is outside matches who she is inside, if you will."

"Y-Yeah..." Rainbow fiddled with her hooves. "So uh... it wouldn't be bad if I uh... n-not saying I do, but if I did... you know...?"

"Not at all, Rainbow. I think you and Applejack would make a splendid couple," she said. "You're a good match for one another."

"Really?"

"Of course. You share a love for athletic pursuits and competition, in a way that's measured and doesn't harm one another. You're both considered dependable by those closest to you and have admirable work ethics. But of course," she went on, still smirking, "we're merely speaking in hypotheticals. As you say, she's just a friend."

"Y-Yep, that's what I said! But uh..." She glanced around again and lowered her voice as much as possible. "M-Maybe um... maybe it's not just... just hypothetical. J-Just maybe!"

"I see," Rarity whispered. "For how long?"

"I-I guess since uh... since Twilight proposed to Dusk," she admitted. "Everything she said, about how your... your special somepony challenges you in the right ways and supports you, despite your screwups. I-I mean, we all do that for each other but Applejack, she's... she's different. I feel like she just... gets me. And I get her."

"Understanding one another is the cornerstone of any relationship, romantic ones especially," said Rarity. "Have you considered telling her this?"

"Sorta but..." Rainbow sighed. "You know me. Not exactly had the best track record when it comes to that sort of stuff. What with Dusk and Phoenix, I just think that... maybe it's not for me."

"Rainbow, you're too hard on yourself. The circumstances may not have been favourable in those cases, but that doesn't make you a lost cause."

"But it's not just that." She had to take a moment. Talking about this kind of thing was tough for her. "When I tried it with Phoenix, it was like I... like I had to try and move on. I-I thought he was cool and so did he about me. Figured that was enough but... it wasn't. I just thought that, what if the only reason I feel like this is... because of those two? Like because they're getting married, I need to try again?"

"Almost like a contest." Rarity gave an understanding smile as she nodded. "I can see why you might feel that way. I'll admit, I'm a little envious of them myself at times. I commend you for your maturity in considering it."

"Thanks, I guess." She sighed again. "Guess that means I shouldn't go for it?"

Rarity patted her shoulder. "Now, I never said that. The fact that you are considering it means you're considering how it might impact Applejack as well. You're not simply rushing into it for the sake of it. My advice would be to give yourself a little more time to consider but whatever decision you do take, Rainbow, I know it'll be the right one. And we'd all support you both, if she feels the same way and if you both decide to make a go of it."

"Yeah... yeah, that does make me feel a little better about it. Thanks, Rares." She gently nudged her leg with her hoof. "Glad somepony knows about this kind of stuff."

"Well, I do try. After all, it is thanks to my efforts the catalyst for your musings took place. Although..." She looked over at Twilight. "I certainly hope it hasn't been jeopardised."

Rainbow nodded. "He should have told us what he suspected."

"Perhaps, though I think we shouldn't judge him too harshly," she replied. "By his own words, we're all guilty of not always being completely honest about what our true thoughts and feelings are. Often after disastrous shenanigans have already ensued as a result of them."

Rainbow snickered. "You're telling me."

"Ugh, are you two done gossiping over there?!" Twilight snapped. "We're in the middle of something important and you're supposed to be helping!"

"Sorry, Twi!" Rainbow called. "Getting right on it!"

She huffed. "Good. And Pinkie, will you stop saying that every time you're done with a book?"

Pinkie clamped her mouth shut. "Whoopsie, sorry! Just trying to keep track of the duds."

"Then find another way and don't just toss them like garbage! Fluttershy, you've been on that same page for the past five minutes!"

"H-Huh? Oh, I'm sorry, Twilight. I-I hadn't realised." Her face flushed red. "I-I just... have a lot on my mind."

"Well so do I, but at least I'm not letting it distract me and can actually focus on what I'm supposed to be doing! Or do you actually care about stopping Fallen?!"

An oppressive silence followed this outburst. Rainbow had been willing to give Twilight the benefit of the doubt, given all that had gone on but that was too far. She could see Fluttershy's lip was trembling and her eyes welling up, hanging her head under Twilight's glare. Just as she was about to come over to defend the animal caretaker. However, she paused when Fluttershy looked back up and closed her book with a snap.

"How dare you think that I don't care?" Though her voice was quiet, the anger within it wasn't. "I want nothing more than to go to that island and rescue Ray. I don't know what Fallen is doing to him and I'm... I'm so scared for him."

"Fluttershy, I..." Twilight's irritation faded. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

"No, you didn't, and that's the only reason I'm not going to tell you exactly what went through my head right now." Fluttershy stamped her hoof. "I know you're going through a lot right now. It isn't fair that you had to look after Canterlot without the princesses, but that doesn't mean you get to take that out on me or any of us. That isn't fair either."

Despite the situation, Rainbow couldn't help but feel impressed at her assertiveness once again. It had an impact on Twilight too, who looked suitably shamefaced.

"You're right," she said quietly. "Fluttershy, I... I'm so sorry. Y-You're right, I shouldn't have acted like that to you. To any of you..."

"It's okay, Twilight." Pinkie came around to give her a hug. "Like Fluttershy said, you've had an awful lot on your plate. But you've been doing such a great job! You protected Canterlot and you beat up a giant robot, kept a cool head whilst everypony else was losing theirs which is good. The last thing you wanna lose is a head that's also hot, because how are you meant to pick it up? It'd be too hot!"

That earned a little giggle. "I-I guess so. It doesn't really feel like I did though..."

"Don't beat yerself up too bad," said Applejack. "From the sounds-a things, ya did the best ya could with a real, real bad hoof that was dealt to ya. I don't think anypony could fault ya fer that. We sure don't."

They all nodded and hummed their agreement. They waited for Twilight's response as she looked around at them. She glanced at her wings, raising them a little.

"Girls... can I ask you something?"

"Is it to become the Royal Party Planner? 'Cause the answer is yes!" giggled Pinkie. "But kidding aside, of course you can."

"Well, about Fallen..." She paused for a bit before going on. "You're all willing to fight against him, right?"

"Like that's even a question," replied Rainbow. "That guy has a lot to answer for and no way are we letting him think he can get away with it."

"Right, right. And... you'd stand by that? Whatever happens?"

"Right ta the end," said Applejack. "We sure ain't gonna leave Equestria's newest princess up a creek without a paddle. We got yer back."

They all said much the same, even Fluttershy despite her obvious fear. Twilight gazed at them for the longest time. Rainbow couldn't tell exactly what she was thinking and was confused. What else had she expected them to say? She was about to ask her, when she spoke again.

"Okay. Thanks everypony." She put on a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Sorry, I guess I'm just... well, I'm still worried I suppose."

"We all are, darling, but not to worry. We're all here for each other, princess or otherwise."

"Yes." Twilight's smile faltered a bit. "Come on, let's get back to looking."

She started levitating books again. A glance around told Rainbow that she wasn't the only one who felt that wasn't the whole thing. But they couldn't exactly argue that they didn't have a task to complete and perhaps it was just lingering anxiety. The kind that wouldn't really go away until the proper cause was dealt with.

So Rainbow took one last look at Applejack. She saw and smiled back, making her chest flutter again. Rainbow returned it and did her best to focus on the books.



 A strong silence filled the Canterlot library. It was broken only by the turning of pages or the occasional sound of feet going to get another book. Someone might occasionally remark at something to themselves, but no one else responded to it.

Anyone entering would have found a truly eclectic group. Sombra was at the centre, poring over both books and his notes from translating the tablet. Gilda was trying very hard not to fall asleep in hers in the corner. Trixie was at a desk, alternating between a few different volumes. Zecora was mixing a few new herbal solutions while Strongheart was clearly having a hard time concentrating on her own book. Doom wasn't bothering at all, merely stood leaning against a wall, watching them all.

Occasionally, someone might glance at one of their fellows. If eyes met, it was only briefly before turning back to their work. The quiet wasn't an easy one. It was the kind that waited for someone to end it but no one wanted to be the one to do it.

To the surprise of no one who knew her, it was Gilda. Her instincts were telling her she was being watched and she didn't like it.

"Hey, tall, dark and jerky!" she snapped at Doom. "You gotta problem?"

"None that concerns you," he rumbled.

"Then how come you're staring at me?" She set down the book, flexing her claws. "You got something you want to say, then say it."

Doom seemed to consider this.

"You're not worth my time."

"Oh yeah?" Gilda started to cross the room. "How about you come and say that to my face!"

Doom gritted his teeth. "I'll do more than just say it."

"Both of you, enough." Sombra went to stand between them. "Your bickering is in aid of nothing."

Gilda wasn't deterred. "Who do you think you are? You can't tell me what to do!"

"Show respect!" Doom snarled. "This stallion is better than you could ever hope to be!"

"Doom, don't speak for me," said Sombra. "Now is not the time for such things."

"But she showed disrespect! She radiates it! You can't let it-!"

"By Celestia, will you stop?!" shouted Trixie. "He already said to cut it out, so do as you're told for once!"

"Trixie, don't feel you have to-"

"And you presume to order me?" Doom cut off Sombra to glare at Trixie. "Don't think I'll hold my tongue on your say-so."

"Oh, I miss the days when I could just keep you in that jar!"

"Don't push me, Lulamoon because if you do-!"

"You will do nothing." Strongheart lowered her head to him, blocking Trixie from his view. "I've already said, we can't make enemies of each other. You're a fool to seek that out."

"Yeah, you tell him!" cheered Gilda.

"You're not much better," she told her. "You could have simply ignored him, yet you chose to raise his ire."

"Hey, who asked you?!"

Sombra approached her. "Strongheart, that isn't helping."

"I'm only pointing it out to her," she argued. "They're both at fault and that shouldn't go unchecked."

"Well, Trixie didn't ask you to speak for her." The unicorn flicked her cape over her shoulder. "Especially not against this meathead."

Strongheart glared at her. "I'm on your side! Are you just as foolish as he is?"

"Don't speak to her that way!" Doom snapped.

"Oh and now you're defending her?" Gilda scoffed. "Make up your mind, dude!"

All semblance of coherence was lost as they all descended into a cacophony of yelling and shouting. Until a very loud boom stopped them, originating from the cauldron of the only one who hadn't participated.

"The former king and young buffalo are right. Among ourselves, we should not fight." Zecora kept her eyes in her work. "Why continue to scorn and spur, when there are much more interesting things to be learned?"

"You mean in these stupid books?" Gilda scowled at the one she was holding. "Feels like we've been here for hours reading this stuff and it's all so dry and boring!"

"If reading is proving to be a bother, you may be surprised at what you learn from each other." She looked up with a smile. "If you give yourselves the chance you ought, you'll find there's more in common than you thought."

She went back to her potions. The rest of them looked around at each other as another awkward silence descended upon the room. Most of them seemed to think that Zecora was talking nonsense, but no one wanted to be the one to tell her that.

"Well," began Sombra, trying to keep his voice light, "I don't suppose anypony else here is guilty of being a tyrannical despot?"

"The way you speak implies more than one of us here holds that distinction," said Strongheart.

"Uhhh…" Trixie raised a hoof awkwardly. "Guilty as charged. Um… ta-da."

"Only by one count." Doom drew himself up. "I have claimed dominion over Ponyville no fewer than three times, in some form or another."

Gilda cocked an eyebrow. "You know, that isn't exactly something to be proud of."

"The zebra said to share. I'm sharing," he shrugged.

"Okay, wow. You guys are… something," Gilda snickered. "Makes me feel a little better about what I did."

"Indeed? Pray tell, Gilda," prompted Sombra.

"Well… it was still pretty bad," she muttered. "I acted like a total jerk and… I lost one of my best friends because of it."

Nopony said anything in the wake of this, not at once. Then, Doom snorted.

"You had a best friend?"

"Up yours, jerkwad!" she retorted. "Least I have one!"

"Who says I want one?" muttered Doom.

"I'm guessing that's Rainbow Dash then?" asked Trixie. "You two seem like you know each other pretty well."

Gilda nodded. "Yeah. Blamed her for the longest time. Easier than thinking I was the problem, I guess."

"I know that feeling. It was Twilight for me," said Trixie. "I put it on her for ruining my magic show, when it was really ruined by my own boasting."

"I confess, though it was in a less direct fashion, I also found myself in a conflict with Twilight and her friends," said Strongheart. "Though that was largely due to legitimate grievances held by two opposing sides." She paused. "I did help to steal a tree and indirectly kidnapped Spike, but that was as bad as it got for me personally."

Gilda's eyes widened. "Wait, Spike? That other dragon? No way, he actually seemed pretty cool! Shame on you, Strongheart!"

"And a poor, innocent tree!" added Trixie. "Have you no shame?"

"Perhaps this one is more ruthless than I thought," put in Doom.

"No, it wasn't like that! It was only an…" Strongheart trailed off when they all laughed. "Oh, that was just dirty."

"What do you expect? Apparently we were all pretty rotten at some point. Except for Zecora," said Trixie. "She seems pretty spotless."

"And how do you know, my little pony, that there is not more to me than what you think you see?"

The glow from Zecora's cauldron bathed her face in an eerie green glow. She fixed Trixie in a piercing gaze.

"What uh… what do you mean?" Trixie asked.

"The graves of many I've helped to make, leaving countless dead in my wake. The lives of others I drain, to keep myself youthful and sustained. My knowledge of the arcane is next to divine and now with this brew…" Thick smoke rose from the potion as she leered over it. "Your soul will be mine!"

Trixie shrieked and hid behind her cape. Zecora held her expression for a solid five seconds, then smirked.

"Gotcha."

"Huh?" Trixie peered out, her face flushed as Zecora chortled. "Hey! That isn't funny!"

"Oh, but it's very funny!" Doom guffawed. "Ah, I like this one! For a moment, even I believed her."

"Though it was but a jest, never put me to the test," said Zecora. "Though when I first made Ponyville my home, I was at first isolated and alone."

"Isn't that because you live in the middle of a dangerous forest?" asked Gilda. "Can't expect many house calls if that's the case."

"Though its location may seem averse, it's needed to help me gather herbs," she said. "Though it was at first believed I was an evil enchantress, brewing foul potions and doing evil dances. Most fear what they do not initially know, until a friendship is given time to grow."

"We're a long way from friends," muttered Doom.

"A good conversation helps bring together what is apart. At the very least," said Zecora, "it's a nice start."

"I suppose so," agreed Strongheart. "I'm sorry for the part I played in our earlier disagreement."

"Yeah… guess I'm sorry too," added Gilda, shifting in her spot. "Still working on that."

"We all are," said Trixie. "Well, not exactly all of us but more than I thought really."

"You don't need to have a dark past to seek to improve who you used to be," said Sombra. "We all grow and change over the course of our lives. Having friends can make it that little bit easier."

Doom said nothing, but anyone looking closely could see the tiniest of smiles fighting against his usual scowl.

It left his face quickly when his ears flickered and his scowl deepened.

"Quiet, all of you."

"Doom, I realise you're still grappling with your emotions but if all of us are enjoying a moment of-"

"I mean there's something going on outside. Listen!"

They all did. The unmistakable sound of many hooves galloping in one direction, mingled with the clattering of armour.

Sombra was already drawing his blade when he opened the door and caught the attention of a guard.

"What's going on? Are we under attack again?"

"The princesses, sir! Celestia and Luna, they're back!"

A sense of relief swept through them all and even elation. Setting down their books, they hurried out to follow the trail of guards.

There were many more ponies packed into the throne room than Sombra had ever seen. Not only that, but he recognised them. They were crystal ponies and they looked as stricken by fear as they had been during his dark reign.

His heart leapt when he saw Luna in the crowd, appealing for calm and attempting to organise those gathered. He wanted nothing more than to kiss and embrace her, but knew not to interfere. Instead, he sought out her sister.

She was by the throne, her wing around Cadence. The young princess had her face buried in her aunt's neck. Parts of her wings were burned, badly, and she had a notable cut on her flank. Guards were gathered around somepony on the ground. Somepony with white fur.

A pit formed in Sombra's stomach as he approached. Celestia saw him and in a gesture he wouldn't have expected from her, looked relieved.

"I'm glad to see you safe, Sombra," she said. "Where is Twilight?"

"At your school, highness. She and her friends are engaged in vital research." His eyes turned to the prone form surrounded by guards. "Is he…?"

"He's alive," she murmured. "But…"

Sombra pushed past the guards, who were lifting him onto a stretcher and saw what she meant.

Blood looked as if it stained every inch of Shining Armour's fur. His purple armour was in tatters. Worse, part of his right foreleg was missing. Cut off at the knee. The flow of blood had been stemmed with magical cauterisation but there was no sign of the limb.

"Som… Sombra…" His eyes opened weakly. "Twily… is she…?"

"Alive and well, my friend." Sombra stepped back to allow the guards to lift him. "Rest well and recover your strength. You're in good hooves now."

A strained smile came to the prince's face. He winced while he was carefully placed onto the stretcher and carried off.

Sombra turned to Cadence, who had removed herself from Celestia and latched onto him now.

"It was him," she whispered. "Fallen Soul, he… he did this. The Crystal Heart it's… it's gone…"

Though he was no longer the Empire's king, this news was a blow to Sombra. One way or another, it was his home. He didn't need to ask about the state of the Empire itself. The loss of the Heart answered that.

"You're safe and so are your subjects. That's what matters." He looked to Celestia. "The summons was a lure, then."

She nodded morosely. "One which left us trapped. Fortunately, it was relatively near the Empire and we felt Cadence's distress by the time we escaped. But by the time we arrived, it was all we could do to get as many out as possible." She tilted her head up to look behind him at the approaching form of her sister. "Luna saw to that."

"Indeed." The Princess of the Night caught her king in a loving embrace. "I tried to teleport as many as I could, but some of them had begun to flee during the destruction. There… there wasn't time to go back for them."

"You did all you could, my stars and moon." He kissed her forehead. "Thank you for saving my people."

"And thank you for protecting ours," she returned. "Our worst fears have been realised."

"It's not over yet," said Celestia. "The Crystal Empire was just the beginning. We know where he'll be coming next. We must prepare to-"

"Princess!"

They were cut off by the voice of the youngest princess, having appeared at the doorway to the throne room. Twilight ran in at a gallop, which turned into her taking flight straight into the waiting hug of her mentor.

"I'm so sorry, I tried, I really did! B-But there was an attack and you weren't here, why weren't you here?!"

Shame coloured Celestia's face as she held Twilight closely.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Twilight. I'm sure you did all you could. It's I who should apologise. We were deceived and led into a trap. It was a foolish error on my part, one which our enemy took advantage of."

"You've faced a great hardship, Twilight," said Luna, hugging her as well. "You should never have had to face it without us. We won't be making that mistake again."

Twilight choked on a sob and looked around. "W-What's going on? Why are all the crystal ponies here? Cadence?"

"Twilight… I…" But Cadence's resolve broke once more and tears flooded down her face. Sombra was at her side at once. "I'm… I'm sorry…"

"Sorry for what? What's happened? Where's Shining Armour?" A heavy silence met Twilight's question, one that worsened Cadence's sobs. Dread filled Twilight's face. "Where's my brother?"

"He lives, Twilight," said Luna carefully. "But… you may wish to prepare yourself for when you see him.