//------------------------------// // Chapter 16 // Story: A Guardian's Hope // by Last Satisfaction //------------------------------// Twilight's first reaction to Prince Blueblood's question was to go to Canterlot Hospital. There, she was taken to a waiting room, where she remained with Sunset, the girls and Spike until the doctors finished the medical procedure.  It took some time, but eventually the head doctor entered the room. This was the first time in Equestria's history that a princess had been hospitalised, so it was more than a little understandable why all the doctors on duty that night were behaving like first year medical students. It took them referencing the medical knowledge of all three races to finally come to the conclusion that Luna’s prognosis was not life-threatening. That being said, the multiple fractures she had would take at least a week of rest to fully heal. Once Luna was settled in a room, Sunset set about ensuring every creature's safety and refining the signal from her tracking artefact to locate Pepper, drinking steaming tea all the while to keep herself awake.  As time passed, the long-time friends fell asleep on the room’s sofa one after the other. Every creature except for Twilight. She spent the rest of the night at the princess' bedside, Spike asleep on a second chair beside her, tormenting herself with a thousand and one actions she could and should have taken.  A little over two hours after Gamine raised the sun, Prince Blueblood entered the room as quietly as possible. Sunset jolted awake despite how little noise the stallion had made, but upon seeing who it was standing there, and assured that it was not an illusion from both the weak reaction from the artefact and the fact it was pointing south, she immediately calmed down. After looking towards the sleep deprived mare besides their princess, Blueblood decided to instead walk over to the newly awoken Sunset and quietly speak with her. "Good morning to you, Miss Shimmer, please let Princess Twilight know that she is expected at Canterlot Castle at ten o'clock, as the bat ponies have alerted all branches of Equestria Daily. There is a good chance reporters may have some questions for her regarding last night's events." Sunset replied in an equally low voice. "Can't you handle it? You are a Prince after all" "What a crazy idea," he said with a raised eyebrow. "Have you forgotten that my title is only due to my adoption?" “Right, I forgot about that. But, she can't go, the princesses' lives are in danger," Sunset continued. "That is a flimsy excuse. Bitter Truth has informed me via a letter that firstly; Pepper won't be entering Canterlot any time soon, and secondly; he assures that she will try absolutely nothing, provided that you, and he underlined your name three times, do nothing to alter this prediction." Sunset was silent for a moment, thoughtful. "You're telling me that the oracle gave you this information of his own accord? is quite the convenient rule when he wants it to be,” Sunset said, a hint of resentment tainting her last sentence. Blueblood gave a weak shrug. "The rule is only there for those who want to exploit his special talent. We are on very good terms, he and I." "Makes you wonder what he sees in you," Sunset murmured disparagingly. "The lack of ambition. Well, now that your fears have been allayed, I'll be heading back to the palace, wagons are waiting for you outside the hospital to escort the Princess' friends wherever they please," he murmured as he headed for the door, which he telekinetically opened before turning a sidelong glance towards Sunset. "Back to the topic, regarding Princess Twilight, some semblance of punctuality would be in order."  The mare remained silent as she watched the prince leave, closing the door behind him as quietly as possible. Far from being fooled by the order disguised as wise counsel, one look was enough for her to know that Twilight, as it stood, was not presentable for an official press conference. It wasn’t difficult to rouse the rest of the group and get them to move into the corridor outside of the room. There, once informed of the prediction of the oracle, they all left to go back to Ponyville. Spike, with the mission to put the elements back in the library, left in the same cart as Rarity, with Twilight’s crown in his hands. Rainbow for her part thanked the royal guards but left by her own means for the Wonderbolts academy to receive her orders from Spitfire in light of the current situation.  Once Sunset and Twilight arrived at the castle, Reynaud was standing there, a herd of maids hidden by his height and his broad shoulders. When his electric blue gaze fell on the two mares, he took out the pocket watch from his butler's jacket to consider how long it would take to achieve a proper result. He inhaled deeply to clear his throat. "You have twenty minutes." Before either of Celestia's two students had time to react, they were telekinetically dragged away through the service corridors to the royal bathroom.  Once there, Sunset managed to extract herself by vehemently stating that she could take care of that herself. Twilight did not have the luxury of doing the same, as only the combined efforts of the maids with curling-combs and brushes managed to restore her coat to its original shine, while others were busy smoothing out her feathers one by one. For the young princess, it could have been like a session at Lotus and Aloe, if the haste of the servants hadn’t turned the treatment abrasive. However, it did have the merit of giving her a little more time to enjoy a breakfast accompanied by Sunset. As the two ate, the latter's attention turned to the butler as he stood at the side of the dining room doors with a cart holding a large stainless steel bell covered tray atop it to his left. For as long as she could remember, there had been rumours circulating that the stallion was a retired high ranking Equestrian Armed Forces officer, and was simply holding the position of butler to keep himself busy. Some guards pointing to his imposing stature, being almost as tall as Princess Celestia, and the manner in which he carried himself as evidence for this. His posture and intransigence, according to them, was worthy of the best drill sergeants, making him a true father figure who managed the castle's stewardship like a conductor. Woe be to anypony who had the audacity to strike a wrong note. As she was staring at him, the butler discreetly checked the time and directed his attention towards them. "Princess Twilight, the press conference will begin in ten minutes." "Thank you, Reynaud," Twilight said before wiping her mouth with a napkin, she didn't have much of an appetite, knotted up with the stress like she was. Yes, she wanted the responsibilities due to her rank, but she still saw herself as an assistant to Princess Celestia, only ruling her own domain. She at no point had even prepared herself for the possibility of being thrust onto the throne to take her place overnight.  But as she headed for the door, the old earth pony blocked her way. Holding the tray with his left hoof, he removed the stainless steel bell to reveal what he had purposefully kept hidden till now.  Twilight was initially surprised at what she saw, but that feeling was quickly overtaken by a sense of puzzlement. Sitting atop a white velvet cushion was her princess crown. "I know it's your duty to be prepared, so I won't ask how, but why did you hide my crown until the last moment?" she asked, placing the crown upon her head. "Because, Princess Twilight, it is not difficult for the pony who was the Sun Princess' personal butler for so many years to deduce how much you would be fretting over the responsibilities that await you, at least those you will need to deal with until Princess Luna recovers. I wanted to spare you from the weight of your responsibilities as much as possible." He inspected her face for any stain, before continuing. "But you will not be alone. Prince Blueblood will be there to assist you if he feels it necessary." "That's what Sunset Shimmer is here for," the young princess replied. "This is not about fulfilling your wishes, but doing what is necessary," retorted Reynaud before turning to Sunset. "With all due respect, Miss Shimmer, fifteen years away from Equestria creates a lack of knowledge that could put Princess Twilight at odds with the citizenry." The mare remained calm. "Presented that way, it's hard for me to disagree with you." "Any help is welcome, even from Prince Blueblood, but I don't understand why he doesn't do it himself? He's a Prince after all, adopted by Princess Celestia as her nephew," Twilight said. Reynaud lowered his electric blue gaze for a moment. "The concern lies elsewhere. By the time I explain, you'll be late for the press conference, and anyway, I have a feeling you'll understand soon enough. You're Princess Celestia's student, after all the hardships you've overcome, how much harder could it be to endure than a vitamin shot?" The reminder shot had the desired effect, despite a shiver of apprehension at the thought of the needle poking her rump, it chased away her doubts, Twilight gave a small laugh. "Thank you Reynaud." He smiled thinly. "Always a pleasure, Princess," he said before presenting the tray to Sunset. "Miss Shimmer, your weapon, please. Civilians are not allowed to carry weapons on castle grounds, let alone into the throne room." She remained silent for a moment, weighing her options, and decided to abide by the castle's internal regulations, so she removed the harness and placed it, with the katana still in its saya, on the cushion. "Glad to see you haven't changed, Reynaud." "Glad to see you've matured somewhat, Miss Sunset." Sunset turned to Twilight, coming to whisper in her ear. "Let's run away before he gets the idea to update our vaccination records." Reynaud lent himself to the charade, seemingly keeping his seriousness. "Funny you should bring that up, Miss Sunset, see you-" Sunset and Twilight widened their eyes, they didn't give him time to finish the sentence, teleporting down the hallway and running off at full gallop towards the throne room, laughing like two mischievous fillies. When they reached the edge of the great hallway they slowed down, and Twilight began to use the Canterlot step, an artificial gait meant to convey a sense of nobility, which consisted of a cadenced and majestic step in which she had to raise and extend her forelimbs up and forwards in succession while moving frankly and maintaining a collected attitude.  Out of respect for etiquette, Sunset walked beside but slightly behind her.  As they reached the doorway across the hall, two ponies curtsied as Twilight came up to them. As two royal guards opened the doors for them to enter the throne room, Twilight nodded to the non-guards. The first was a meek pegasus who looked younger than Twilight, with sparkling apricot eyes and a scruffy mane that matched Celestia's colouring. The second was a unicorn who looked to be in his fifties with a greying beard and a look in his deep blue eyes which held within them the severity of a school teacher. He wore a black trench coat and a matching hat atop his head. Once the doors were closed behind them by the guards standing on the other side of the doors, Twilight whispered to Sunset. "I thought there would have been a lot more reporters." Sunset raised an eyebrow. "Were you thinking this would be like when Celestia held court?" Twilight tried to think back, but she had very few memories related to that part of the castle, as she had spent most of her free time reading books. "Maybe?" Prince Blueblood was already there, standing at the bottom of the ramp, passing the guards standing in front of the throne to position himself perpendicular to the carpet, only to bow his head in reverence, mimicked by the guards when Twilight came up to him. "Hello, Princess Twilight," said the stallion. "Take a seat, at your ease," he said, indicating toward the throne. The alicorn looked up. With hesitant steps, she climbed the ramp, but once up there, she didn't dare step onto the throne, it wasn't hers, she preferred to stand at the edge of the ramp, three steps in front of it. Blueblood went to sit on the middle landing, to Twilight's left, before turning to her. "Princess Twilight, may I suggest that you offer the position of Royal Councillor to Miss Shimmer? I can take a day off from my duties, but as a diplomat, I cannot avoid it for the duration of your regency." The moment Blueblood made his suggestion, Sunset made a quick overview of the situation, then smiled. Twilight was surprised by the offer, but she preferred the idea of having Sunset by her side a hundred times over. She was about to do so when she saw the small smile of defiance hanging on Sunset's lips. Her annoying habit came back to mind, so she took a moment to think two moves ahead. "Sunset Shimmer, by the powers vested in me by my temporary status as Ruler of Equestria, I, Twilight Sparkle, offer you the position of Royal Councillor." Sunset lost her smile, in appearance. "I refuse, a pony such as myself has no qualifications to hold such a position." "You have lived for years outside Equestria, and I am the first to testify that you have the qualifications and knowledge that I lack. It would be very useful to me to have a pony like you to advise me." "Over a decade ago, I left my country without a backward glance, because my ego was bruised by a truth I couldn’t accept. I did nothing worth such praise. I don't deserve such an honour." "If you are consumed by remorse for your deed, then take advantage of the opportunity offered. By accepting this duty, you will be helping me to ensure the prosperity of Equestria..." She hesitated for a second. "... that, I'm sure, will make Princess Celestia proud of you when she returns." Sunset was shocked by this low blow, but she only appreciated it all the more. She thought, as the guards were hearing this, they would spread those words, the deception that the disappearance of the Princess of the Sun was only temporary. "I humbly accept the position of Royal Councillor."  "Now that had been taken care of, I would be grateful if you could leave the Japony etiquette aside for the rest of the day, Royal Councillor," requested Blueblood. Sunset’s smile broadened into a grin. "Why stop at Royal Councillor? In the longer term it would be interesting to make me lord high steward." "Oh?" The diplomat grinned mockingly. "I don't know how many positions you covet, but would you consider taking my place as well to handle relations with neighbouring kingdoms?" "Why would I consider it? You seem to be doing an excellent job so far," she replied, deflecting the jab. "No, I was thinking more about the position of royal mage that has been vacant since yesterday, and that of captain of the royal guard." "I’m surprised you aren’t aiming for royal treasurer and commander-in-chief of the E.U.P. as well, but one question remains. Do you even have the ability?" "The Princess herself recommended Sunset to me in a letter. She was Princess Celestia’s protege before me after all. I'm sure my brother Shining Armor can rest easy knowing that the safety of Canterlot will be resting on your capable shoulders. Sunset Shimmer, I entrust you with these responsibilities, I know I can rely on you." These last words constricted around Sunset's throat like a thorny ivy. She was the one solely responsible for the situation Twilight was in, all in the name of ridding Equestria of those she considered a threat. Prince Blueblood rolled his eyes. "Miss Shimmer, please sit there," he said, pointing with his hoof to the middle landing, directly opposite to where he was sitting. "I'll have you know that under the circumstances, I've taken the liberty of sending some fifth circle guards to speak freely with Latest once Detective has left the premises," he announced as she took her seat. Twilight and Sunset exchanged a look of confusion. Blueblood's gaze hardened, "You were given access to the Seventh Circle, the highest level of trust by Princess Celestia herself, and you didn't even bother to consider the implications?” He used telekinesis to massage his temple with his silk handkerchief, suppressing a sigh. "This afternoon, I'll give you a lesson to make up for that silliness. Lord high steward, I will take the opportunity to inform you of the laws enacted in your absence. I had been hoping to occupy myself with something more important."     Sunset turned her head away to sigh silently with her eyes closed, then breathed in to command the guards at the doors. "Send in the reporters." She didn't bother to ask Twilight if she was ready, she knew she wasn't. Like a filly who didn't dare get into the bath, the more sudden she made it the better. The reporters entered. "Detective, you go first," said the unicorn as they approached. "Oh, I already have an idea," said the young pegasus. "With Princess Luna taking a day off after searching for Princess Celestia in the far reaches of Equestria, Princess Twilight finally gets the throne she so coveted," he said with a smile. Hearing this, Twilight was so shocked that she stepped back and involuntarily spread her wings. Sunset saw red, the embers of her past were being rekindled by this headline, she who once saw herself as the successor to Princess Celestia by attempting to force her to cast the Heart Spell on her. Indignant, she turned her gaze to BlueBlood. Putting a silk square in front of his mouth, he pretended to calm a coughing fit, but that was only an excuse to hide a laugh. Her cyan gaze scanned the guards in turn, they were hardly holding back their laughter. This was too much, she would not let such impudence go unpunished. "How dare you!" she thundered, shattering the mood, before stepping forward to descend the ramp. Against all odds, BlueBlood stepped in, blocking her way. "That's actually a pretty good statement, how dare you speak to Princess Celestia's favourite columnist like that?" Sunset's impulse had just collided against the wall of her own ignorance. And the shock left her looking disoriented, this clash in her heart between the past and the present, she didn't know which leg to stand on. She looked at Detective for a moment, she gave him sixteen years at the most, before turning back to Twilight, then Blueblood, hesitance now plastered across her muzzle. "Well, it would seem that introductions are necessary." Blueblood walked down the ramp to stand at the young pony's side. "Sunset Shimmer, this is Detective Report, he is currently one of the youngest columnists at the Equestria Daily, he has been in charge of a page at the back of the paper, the Untold Chronicles, for three years now. Detective, would you be so kind as to explain why that is?" he asked, a smug smile on his face as he glared at Sunset, knowing that she was about to go down. "It was thanks to Princess Celestia. After she read my first column parodying Princess Luna's banishment as a forgotten game of hide and seek, just hearing her laugh about it, honestly, that's when I knew what I wanted to do, that's when I finally got my Cutie Mark. But honestly, after laughing so much during the Chucke-Lot, I wanted to make her laugh just as much. But never, ever, did I expect her to go and pitch the idea of including my columns to the editor of Equestria Daily." "What kind of pony would I be to refuse a request from the Princess herself?" commented Latest Scoop. "And as you might expect from that comment, Latest Scoop has been the editor of the paper for over thirty years now." "Detective Report, Latest Scoop, allow me to introduce Sunset Shimmer, Princess Twilight has temporarily given her the position of lord high steward, please be so kind as to forgive her for her outburst, she has lived in Japony for the last fifteen years and needs to re-acclimate to Equestrian politics." With no ulterior motive, the journalists bowed respectfully. Sunset, looking as low as her head was, realised that in her eagerness to protect Twilight, she had forgotten that she was here in Equestria, a simple, liveable kingdom that was nothing like Japony, with its hyper-codified systems of honour and etiquette. She mentally chastised herself for her thoughtlessness, forcing herself to take a step back so she wouldn't react like that again, she couldn't afford to put Twilight on the spot.  "What's the Chucke-Lot?" asked Twilight naively. Almost immediately, the stunned looks of everypony present, even the guards, turned to the young princess in disbelief. All except Blueblood, who returned to his place on the middle landing, an amused smile on his lips. "What do you mean, what's the Chucke-Lot?" said Sunset. "You're Princess Celestia's student, how can you not know about the Chuckle-Lot?!" her voice echoed around the room. Twilight leaned back, the feeling that her ignorance was a crime in itself. Once again, BlueBlood intervened, "It's easy to guess the reason for Princess Twilight’s ignorance, though, you'd have to have been around her when she lived in Canterlot," he said before shrugging, wearing an amused smile all the while. "After all, if Princess Celestia hadn't sent her to Ponyville three years ago, she'd still have her nose buried in a book in the library.” Twilight was somewhat offended by these words, but she couldn't argue with him.  With this clue in mind, Sunset understood what kind of student Twilight was. "Was it that bad? Considering she lives in the Ponyville library, why am I so surprised, really? Fatigue, no doubt." She turned her attention to the alicorn.  "Every spring, Princess Celestia holds a banquet, during which she indulges in clowning around on stage, Pinkie Pie style antics, to prove that even though in everyday life she's a Princess in the eyes of everypony else, she ..." <...you lived the life I dreamed of living...> The words Celestia had put down on paper suddenly came back to her mind, the same time the sob knotted her throat, which Sunset suppressed with a coughing fit. "...she's still a mare like you or me."  Detective laughed to himself. "Epidemic of acute deafness in Canterlot Castle, following the return of Sunset Shimmer, user of the Traditional Voice of Canterlot." Latest Scoop gave a short laugh. "If you're done, you'd better leave right now." "Not just yet." He turned to Twilight. "Princess, I have a question for you, as the pony, not as a reporter. Is there any news regarding the current whereabouts of Princess Celestia?" Twilight looked down for a moment, unable to meet his hopeful gaze knowing she had no good news to deliver. Directing a side glance towards Sunset, then Blueblood, Twilight found them to be silently looking away. It was up to her to respond, to keep hope burning as best she could. She shook her head. "No, still not." She forced herself to smile. "But I can promise you that the day I find out, you'll be the first pony I share the good news with." He curtsied, forehead to the ground. "Thank you, Princess."  "Detective?" asked Sunset. "Yes, Great Steward?" he replied. "Why would Princess Twilight covet the throne?" He chuckled. "Because there can't be a more comfortable seat for reading a book.” The logic behind that answer drew a smile from Sunset. "I see." Detective saluted Twilight. “Princess.” Then Blueblood. "Prince." Then Sunset. "Lord high Steward." He then left the room with a short trot. Latest Scoop returned Blueblood's knowing look, which didn't escape Sunset's notice, he inhaled, exhaled. "Well, if you don't mind, let's start with the most important question, what is the condition of Princess Luna?" "The Chief Medical Officer has assured us that Princess Luna is stable and her life is not in danger, she has, however, suffered serious injuries and needs at least a week's rest," the alicorn said. "I see. So from what I understand, Princess Luna was fighting an external threat, do you know anything more about it?" Twilight allowed herself a moment of thought to formulate a proper response. "The identity of the creature that threatened the safety of Equestria remains unknown, but the guards who accompanied Princess Luna assured me that the creature has returned to whence it came." Latest remained sceptical at the statement, it brought a small scoff to his lips. "Well, according to the information left by the bat pony who went to Dodge City’s branch office, Princess Luna also protected the changelings from this threat. After their attempted invasion during Princess Cadance and your brother Shining Armor's wedding, that's... surprising of her."  Twilight didn't know what to say to that, she turned her gaze to Sunset, but quickly realised that the mare had nothing to offer of her own. "Surprising? I don't think so," Blueblood said. "Inasmuch as Princess Luna is in charge of Equestria during her sister's absence, she thus serves as a proxy for her sister's legendary kindness and generosity, she had a duty to help. Despite their crime against Equestria, Luna acted purely out of sheer altruism, an act she would do again without hesitation, I have no doubt."  Latest restrained himself from commenting. "Last question, quite interesting I must admit. Princess Twilight, how did it feel to perform the royal duty of Princess Celestia, your former mentor, when raising the sun this morning?" Twilight and Sunset widened their eyes, before glancing at each other at this, the seized cogs of their minds trying to come to a conclusion, the most likely being that Pepper had done it, but if so, why? And if not her, then who? Blueblood was amused to see the two mares flapping about like two parakeets whose cage had just been shaken. He turned his attention to Latest. "None of the lessons prepared her for this, but Princess Twilight always knew how to make Princess Celestia proud." "That concludes the questions for the special edition," Latest gestured as he noted this line. "Permission to speak freely, Prince?" he asked as he tucked the small notebook into his jacket pocket. "You may, I've seen to that." "This is without doubt, the biggest tissue of lies I have ever heard, worse, sewn with white thread by you, and with which I will have to stifle the worries of the ponies of Equestria." "It is not a pure tissue of lies, more a well constructed patchwork to assuage any fears Equestria’s ponies may have to help them have sweet dreams as soon as night falls." "A matter of perspective." "That's why I'm sitting here. It affords me a better view than you." He took a more serious tone. "Detective seems to be doing better, or am I wrong?"  Latest shrugged. "First time I've seen him laugh heartily in at least a month. Sometimes I wonder if we're doing the right thing by lying to them all." "Considering the case of Princess Luna's banishment, the long-term consequences are more beneficial." "In the long run perhaps, but in the meantime, all suffer from her absence."  Blueblood understood his point of view, and not wanting to decide matters in his favour by his authority alone, turned to the guards present. "Affiliates of the Fifth Circle, I summon your honest opinion on the present subject. Are we in the wrong for wishing to preserve the happiness of the ponies of Equestria by concealing the truth from them?" None of the guards had the conviction to side with Latest. The mere idea of shattering the hopes of those around them, of imagining their reactions if this were to be made official, the inconsolable sadness that would follow, this possible future was unbearable. Latest, seeing the grimaces, had to face the fact that he was the only one who thought like that. "It would seem that I lack foresight after all." "No pony here could blame you for that. Like anyone else, you only want what’s good for all, like everypony else." Hearing these words, three figures came to Latest's mind. "Maybe not everypony," he said in a darker tone. "It would be surprising if they didn't turn up given the opportunity that’s being offered on a silver platter." Blueblood smiled thinly. "It would be more surprising if they weren't already behind the door." "Seeing as I'm done with the questions, I'll take my leave. Personally, the less I see of them, the better I feel. Princess, Lord High Steward, Blueblood." Without further ado, Latest left the room. As soon as the door closed, Sunset turned to Blueblood. "Who was he talking about?" "There's no need to worry, you'll soon get the answer." And it didn't take more than a minute for it to come true. The door opened again, one of the guards entered the room and announced loudly. "Lady Storm, Sire Adamantium, and Lady Shawarma request an audience." This sentence echoed in Sunset's head. A hundred memories of that door opening to let them into this place preceded by that sentence resounded within her skull. Countless times the herald voiced that sentence all those years ago spewed their way back into the forefront of her mind. That sentence answered any question she may have still had and left her with nothing but apprehension. "When we learned of the unfortunate incident with Princess Luna, we hurried as fast as we could in order to assist you with the regency of Equestria," said Adamantium. "After all, who better to help you keep control of the kingdom than us? We are the best in the business," pointed out Storm. "From Las Pegasus to Manehattan, there is not a place in this land to which we cannot offer some sound advice about," concurred Shawarma. Sunset did not hear it that way. Learning from experience in Japony to play the game of politics, she could see that beyond the good-natured appearance of the three nobles, they were just three hyenas who had come to take advantage of the opportunity to twist Twilight into a puppet. She, however, stood in their way to the throne. "Good morning to you, ladies and sire, imagine my euphoria at seeing you again, with the same panache as fifteen years ago," she said as she came down the ramp to block them. The trio stopped their advance and bowed to the mare. "Miss Shimmer, I think I can speak for my companions when I say that this pleasure is shared." Sunset noted the lack of surprise. "A short-lived pleasure I’m sure when I inform you that Princess Twilight appointed me lord high steward before your arrival."  The announcement shocked the trio, and soon, an unconcealed spiteful look turned to Blueblood. "This is your doing, I suppose," Adamantium said. Blueblood was secretly amused by the accusation. "I would never advise anypony to give such responsibility to..." He glanced at Sunset with a half-assed attempt at disapproval. "...a mare who was conspicuously absent for the better part of two decades. The one responsible for that decision is Princess Twilight. That being said, despite my misgivings, I stand by her decision.” A thin smile then began to form across his muzzle, spreading from ear to ear. “If any of you take issue with this, I’m sure the Princess would be more than happy to hear your input” They immediately bowed to Twilight. "We shall revere the decisions of Princess Twilight, who no doubt derives her great wisdom from the lessons of her mentor, Princess Celestia. To the extent that we are assured that our presence is not required, we will take our leave. Princess, lord high steward, Prince."  "It would seem that the day you obtain the object of your desire will be the day the sun is raised from the south," said Sunset in a low voice. Adamantium gave her a murderous look, but after some thought, he smirked. "If that was the only requirement, that day may come sooner than you think," he said before leaving the room with his peers. Once the door closed, Twilight dared to speak. "What just happened?" she asked uncertainly. Sunset returned to her seat. "You're not asking the right questions. Why do they seem to know me but are unsurprised by my presence? More importantly, if only a biteful of individuals, all sworn to secrecy, are aware of last night's events, how can they be aware this early?" Twilight, after a moment's thought, responded. "Someone would have to have been spilling the beans?" Blueblood smiled thinly. "There's nothing to sell when everything has already been bought." Twilight and Sunset turned their attention to the prince. "What do you mean?" they asked in unison. "You see, for almost eight hundred years now, the founding families have set out to buy Equestria back. While Princess Celestia has ruled the kingdom for centuries, generation after generation, the three families have built a financial empire within that kingdom." "And the princess has done nothing to stop this?" asked Twilight bewildered. "They're only owners, there's nothing wrong with that," commented the stallion. Sunset understood Adamantium's point, he could undoubtedly pay all the unicorns in the kingdom just enough for them to agree to sacrifice a small amount of their magic in exchange for such a service. "That explains why you refused the regency, to avoid a civil war," Sunset said, her eyes crinkling. Blueblood merely nodded in her direction, still smiling. "I don't understand," Twilight said. "If Blueblood were to become regent, Adamantium could raise the masses in insurrection due to him having more legitimacy to rule Equestria." Twilight couldn't keep up, and it was glaringly obvious from how much she was missing from the words. "What you don't know, Princess Twilight, is that Adamantium is the more direct descendant of Princess Platinum. I am only the child of the late second son of our grandfather." With the last piece added to the puzzle, Twilight’s reaction was immediate. "You're cousins?!" Detective arrived back at the Equestria Daily headquarters. However, unlike the other times he had entered, he was greeted by a deafening silence, not even the receptionist was at her post. He didn't pay much attention to it, but when he entered the office, he found that no one was there either. The only proof that the building was still in use were the magical missives from all over Equestria, stored in the racks named after the cities they came from. "Where did they all go?" he wondered. "They went to brunch, at the Princess' expense," Bitter Truth said from Detective's office. When the pegasus came face to face with the unicorn, he began racking his brain as to what he should do. "Who are you?" "I am Bitter Truth, an unofficial agent of Princess Celestia. I have come to entrust you with a mission," he said as he took the royal seal out of the inner pocket of his coat to back up his words. Detective was doubtful. "And sending everypony that works here to brunch was necessary? You couldn't have given me a date?" Bitter pocketed back the royal seal. "I prefer that those with whom I need to speak are unprepared for my arrival. Now that I have answered your questions, your mission will be to focus your next columns on Damoiselle Sunset Shimmer." "The lord high steward? For what reasons?" "The ponies need to know that the one who was under the tutelage of Princess Celestia before Princess Twilight has returned and will now watch over Equestria." "Wait, what?" "You were barely born at the time. I've taken the trouble to ease the job for you, writing up the outline of her past. Starting tomorrow, you'll publish a page of her biography every day, using my writings as source material for an interview." "Why me? I'm just a columnist making a mockery of events to make everyone laugh." "And in these troubled times with the disappearance of Princess Celestia, the ponies need to laugh more than ever before. So make them laugh, if you don't want to do it at my request, do it for her," he said as he gave him a frame that adorned the desk. The picture was a simple autographed portrait of Celestia smiling as usual, offered to him by Celestia herself, during his first day of work. Detective did not breathe a word, repressing sobs and tears as he nodded, clutching the precious gift to his chest for comfort. In the late afternoon, on the other side of Equestria, the two humans sat around the fire like statues. Pepper's gaze was lost in the contemplation of the flames, her thoughts turning to the events of the day. First the case of Trixie, employed to follow her for three days. Then the case of Nightmare Moon, coming to ask her a question out of the blue as if someone had whispered the crazy idea of restoring Celestia to her. A pony with precognition? No, the assumption was too preposterous for so many reasons. With such ability, this pony could have, among other things, warned Celestia. But the princess's power, ridiculous as it was, was now her own, proof that this idea was most unsound. It was better to conclude that both events were a quirk of fate, and to think no more about it. Gamine was equally disturbed by a detail she couldn't accept, so she hesitantly raised her attention to the only person who could give her some semblance of answers. "Pepper, about the call I felt the day I undertook the journey to the Badlands. Do you really think it was only from Aglowing Shell?" "Yes," the Regicide replied confidently, abandoning her thoughts and contemplation of the flame to give it her full attention. The young guardian stood up to protest. "But-" "I am stopping you right there," Pepper said in an uncompromising tone. "You ask for my opinion, I will gladly give it to you, but I will not waste my time arguing that it seems illogical to you." Gamine resumed her seat on the rock where she had been sitting. "So you're saying I should put this aside, continue my quest without worrying that the despair of a single child reached me, all the way across the kingdom?" Pepper nodded. "Yes." It was then that she froze, alert. Over Gamine's shoulder, she had spotted a figure. Puzzled, the teenager remained silent for a moment, sure that she was being stared at by her interlocutor who seemed so nervous, worrying her to no end. "What?!" "Someone is approaching," she replied simply. Terrified by the mere sight of Pepper more tense than a bowstring about to break, Gamine jumped when she felt a large presence behind her, which immediately placed a hand on her right shoulder. Trembling, she turned her head to see who was standing there, but was dazzled by a bright light. Blinded, she heard Kyndal’s voice speaking to her in a soft voice, as if not to rush her. The young guardian woke up from this repeated nightmare. The campfire had long since died, Trixie was also nowhere to be seen, and the sun was still high in the sky. Gamine tried to stand up, but the earth gave way under her hooves and she collapsed, gasping for breath. "What is happening?" she thought, distressed. "The benefits of the flame have worn off, it will take a few days for my body to replace the lost blood." She paused briefly to think. "Let me have the body for a moment, I can infuse a small amount of the primordial life energy into the ring to keep my body healthy until then." "About that, I was wondering, why didn't you go into the flame right away instead of telling me how to get there?" the latter asked as she let Pepper control the body. Pepper cringed at the turn of phrase. "I felt myself fainting, so I thought I would give you the means to get there," she explained before opening a portal to her dimensional refuge. She walked through the portal painfully, becoming a mere human again, the ring falling to the ground as she revived, exposed to the flame. "And you leave a stone there just in case you need it?" "Without magic, I cannot move or destroy the stones that hide the entrance. The day I dug this hideout, I left myself a way to escape. Now if you are done with the questions, I would like to focus without being disturbed," she said in annoyance. Assured of the required silence, she gazed at the artefact for a moment, Gamine's word on her mind, dark memories came to her mind which she promptly dismissed with a sigh. Using her magic, she collected a tiny bit of flame, a glow in the palm of her hand no bigger than a pinhead, before infusing it into the gem of the ring. "Will that be enough?" asked Gamine. "More than enough," said Pepper as she turned back. Hoverver, halfway to the exit she stopped, glancing towards the doorway as she thought, she walked into the prison, to the third cell across the aisle, which was filled with magical accessories of all kinds. "What are you looking for?" Pepper turned her attention to Gamine, shooting her a look that didn't hide how much her patience was wearing thin. "What?! I can't read your mind. I'd rather make sure you're not up to no good!" she said in her defence, returning an accusing look. Pepper rolled her eyes, "I made a promise to Trixie, since I am here, I am preparing in case she can not open a portal."  Gamine noted a doorway that led even deeper into the darkness. "Is there anything else further down?" Pepper collected an amulet adorned with a perfectly chiselled sapphire, which almost resembled the ornament used by the illusionist to attach her cloak. She weighed the pros and cons before answering. "Items that are a little too large to fit in these cells." She opened a small portal to the hiding place beneath the two sisters' castle and telekinetically deposited the amulet next to the toothpaste tube. "I am done with the preparations." Gamine regained control of her body. "Aren't you planning anything in case Equestria wants to avenge Luna?" she asked as she headed for the exit. "The only threat would be Twilight, do not give her time to use her artefacts on us and we will be fine. If there really is a way in Equestria to restore anyone, you can not afford for that to happen." Gamine picked up the ring as she left the dimensional refuge, closing the portal behind her as she slipped the ring onto the base of her horn. Trixie arrived at full speed, carrying various foodstuffs in a wicker basket, all provided by the bat ponies' camp. But when she saw Gamine standing there, she stopped her run, her hooves slipping on the still wet grass of the forest before stopping a few steps away from her, one eyebrow raised. "Pepper, are you up? I was sure you had anaemia." "I'm not Pepper, but the other human Nightmare Moon revealed last night, my name is Gamine. This is the first time we've been able to talk so it's a pleasure to meet you, Trixie Lulamoon." Trixie put the basket down, a little dazed by the statement. "Oh, I realise that now that you're talking, your tone of voice is softer. It's a shared pleasure." "Now that the secret is out, I have no reason to pretend to be Pepper. At least with you, the changelings and the bat ponies. Tell me, what is anaemia?" Pepper rolled her eyes at the question. "Anaemia is defined as an abnormally low level of red haemoglobin. When ...you? were sleeping, I'm sure you had symptoms, so I went to the Moon Guard camp to get some food to help fix it. Cheese and hard-boiled eggs." "How can I help her know?" Gamine wondered. Pepper's attention was drawn to several concealed presences, from which there was no hostility emanating. "Focus your attention on Trixie, we are being watched, best to feign ignorance for now. I am left-handed and you are right-handed. That should be enough," she pointed out. Gamine thought Pepper had a point. In the heat of the moment, it would be hard to notice this detail. "From now on it's mainly me who'll be there," she said before using her magic to manifest a hand on the end of her right forehoof to take a piece of gouda. "If Pepper or I ever need to inform you of a change, we'll gesture with our hooves, I'm right-handed. Pepper is left-handed," she said before beginning to consume the cheese. "Her medical knowledge will probably be more useful than her prestidigitation skill, considering the mission ahead." Gamine ignored the pragmatic comment. "How did you come to learn medicine, is it in case you get hurt on one of your trips between cities for your performances?" "Did you hear what I said to Pepper yesterday?" "Just like Pepper is hearing everything you're telling me right now. She says your knowledge of medicine is a great asset." That was all it took to boost the illusionist's ego. "The Great and Powerful Trixie will do everything she can to help you." But it was short-lived. "To answer your question, when I was just a filly, I had an idol. Sunset Shimmer, the mare who stood next to Twilight yesterday. At the time she was a pupil of Princess Celestia. She studied a little bit of everything, medicine, law, history, heraldry, the list goes on and on, as if she was trying to learn everything possible. And having had the opportunity to read her notes, I became interested in a few subjects, particularly medicine and law." "Yesterday was the first time I saw her. Ask where she has been all this time," said Pepper.  "Pepper said she'd never seen Sunset before, did she live somewhere else?" asked Gamine before peeling a hard-boiled egg to eat it in small bites. "A few years later, in the middle of the school year, she was suddenly conspicuous by her absence. After several days without news, I went to see Princess Celestia. When I asked her about it, she told me that Sunset was no longer her student, nor a student of the school. I didn't ask about it because she could hardly keep a smile on her face. Even her family did not know where she had gone. For my part, I wanted to try to take medical classes, having a head start because of the notes I had read, it helped me stand out." She gave an embarrassed laugh. "That's how the other students started calling me the great and wonderful Trixie, it made me so happy personally. But after several years of study, I realised that medicine was too much responsibility. The idea that a mistake on my part could have serious consequences for others was too much for me, what I love is entertaining ponies, it is my special talent after all." "Another student of Celestia? Seems like Sunset Shimmer is an extra danger you shall have to watch out for," noted Pepper. "Thank you for that clarification Trixie. Getting back to the subject of anaemia, Pepper has enchanted this ring,” Gamine stated, gesturing up to the ring around her horn. “The magic in the gem should keep the body healthy. However, thank you again for your intention.” "Trixie will have to try to open the portal I created, if she can not, that is where the amulet I put in the hiding place will be useful. It should give her the minimum amount of magical power needed to do so." "The portal to the moon that Pepper created last night is the same type of portal that you asked her to create, because of this, she would like you to try to open the one in the camp." "I'm not risking anything by trying, am I?" asked Trixie worriedly. Gamine finished peeling another egg. "Of course not, it's only to make sure you can do it, if not she's already prepared an amulet that will allow you to do it." Trixie's eyes widened. "Oh no no no no no," she shook her head. "I'll never use an amulet again, not after what I did with the alicorn amulet." Gamine swallowed the half egg she had started to chew. "What happened?" "I could no longer control myself, the power made me evil, so much so that following a duel of magic, I banished Twilight from Ponyville which I locked in a force field, and enslaved its inhabitants." "For how long?" asked a startled Gamine. "A whole afternoon," replied Trixie in shame. "Wait for what? Half a day?" asked a puzzled Gamine. "Yes," admitted Trixie. Gamine was wary, she was about to bite into the second half of the egg but she wanted to back up an idea. "Was anypony badly hurt?" "What? No, of course not. Why would you ask such a question?" "I just want to fully understand the seriousness of your crime," pouted Gamine before finally gulping down the half egg and chewing it to give herself time to think. "I do not know about you, but to me it is insignificant, but to the ponies of this realm, I suppose her crime is almost on a par with Chrysalis', in that the changelings who feed without consideration for their prey," commented Pepper. A word from Kyndal came to Gamine's mind. "And you are sorry?" "I am, yes."  "If my mother were here, she'd tell you, don't look back at the past and be sorry, face your future and become better," the young guardian smiled weakly. "You don't understand. What I have done is serious. I should be in jail! A year I've been waiting for the law to come and put the irons on my hooves before throwing me in a cell to rot! But for some reason I can't understand, I'm still free.” "Oh, that I can explain," Nightmare Moon said with wings unfolded to make a point as she moved closer, pretending not to come out of hiding from where she had spied the conversation with Aglowing and Chitin following close behind. "After the delegation from Selludite Arabia had retired for the rest of the evening, Twilight told us her side of the story in its entirety. Whereupon, Celestia, as usual, under the pretext that this had allowed Twilight to learn a little more about the magic of friendship, decreed that this crime would not be prosecuted. Luna was not happy about this, but since it had taken place during the day, the princess of the night had no say in the matter. As a result, Celestia made sure to save some of the budget for her personal expenses, to compensate the ponies of Ponyville."  Trixie's guilt refused to leave her so simply. "I don't think I deserve-." Before she had time to finish her sentence, the unicorn was thrown onto her back by Nightmare Moon's telekinesis. The shock was as brutal for the body as the guilt of her crime was to her mind. "Hear our word, my little pony, for we speak as the Herald of Celestia! For she is the Princess of Equestria, her goodness and generosity have dictated a sentence and her word is law!" Said the mare, striking the earth with her hoof. "We hereby declare that you are to live happily as any other pony in Equestria!" Again she struck the ground, acting on her word like a judge banging his gavel. "Under the gaze of the sun and moon, you shall devote the rest of your life to living by the talents that are yours." She struck her hoof again, the force making the illusionist flinch as she felt lightning strike not far from her. "Thou shalt not deny thyself the friendship and love of those whom thou shalt consider thy friends and the love of thy life, when in thy heart thou shalt recognize them as such!" She knocked. "And if by the greatest misfortune thou shalt have offspring, then devote the rest of thine life to making other ponies' foals happy!" she struck. "Thou are strictly forbidden to consider thine life worthless!" She knocked. "To live in the past!!" She struck. "Nor in regret!!!" She knocked, breathless, an unquenchable anger overwhelming her as she spoke. It took a few seconds for the alicorn to suppress it, regaining her composure while catching her breath, but eventually she continued, her tone much calmer now. "Have we made ourselves clear?" "Y-yes." said Trixie tearfully. "Very well. Now leave our sight until the sun is lowered," Nightmare Moon ordered, pointing with her hoof in the direction of the forest. "Our time is too valuable to waste on dispensing Celestia's words to a pony who is deaf to her generosity," she breathed. Trixie trotted off without a second thought, holding back tears as she went. Once she was gone, Nightmare Moon turned visibly concerned to Chitin. "I can not command you, changeling, but I would be grateful if you would agree to go watch over this pony from afar." "Watch over my caesar in the meantime, we'll be even, monster," the warrior changeling said before leaving to follow Trixie. "Was it really necessary to go through with this?" snapped Gamine, who had resisted the urge to intervene as best she could, trembling from the adrenaline rush. "Oh yes, It was," Nightmare Moon replied as she pinned Aglowing against her chest with one hoof to share a hug. "And again, my first thought was to slap her face."  "What's a slap Moony?" the hybrid asked ,curious about the word she was hearing for the first time. "That's exactly what I just did to her..." began Nightmare Moon while taking a piece of melting brie. "...but instead of hitting the ground, hitting her," she finished as she nestled the piece of cheese in the beak of the talkative magpie. "Quiet now," she growled with squinted eyes before turning her attention to Gamine. "Sometimes kindness is not enough. I knew a pony in the same case," she said, thinking back to Luna creating the Tantabus from scratch. "Based on the latter, I can assume what Trixie went through. After leaving Ponyville, everything was fine, but gradually the guilt ate away at her. According to her, she has been waiting a year for the punishment to come. She forbade herself to live happily. The other pony, not seeing the punishment coming, began to punish herself for the crimes she had committed. It is only a speculation, but Trixie might -or might not- have sought to punish herself afterwards. Yes, it was necessary to come to that." "And if it was not enough?" asked Gamine. "As long as she's going to guide you to Starlight Glimmer, you'll be by her side during the trip, you can watch over her, help her if the need arises. Now, if you're done, I want to talk to Pepper, give her back control." "How do you know it wasn't Pepper, Moony?" the child asked. "Just look in her eyes, it's not hard to tell the difference." She smirked. "It's like night and day," she said, repeating Pepper’s words during her first conversation with Luna. "Did you tell her?" noted Pepper, who followed the child's gaze as she leaned on her chest to get out of the hug and come to check if Pepper's gaze was so different. "It was simple to explain in that I was able to use Chrysalis and myself as an example of your situation. Aglowing let me know that you refused to be her friend, would you be so kind as to express the reason for that?" Aglowing didn't see much difference, but she had only been around Gamine for a few moments, and during that brief pause, she had her attention riveted on her friend. "Because I did not want to have to deal with your legendary jealousy," said Pepper flatly. "There is merit in your reasoning, but you forgot my legendary anger in the rush. Also, for making her cry, you will make amends by agreeing to be her friend and promising to watch over her as long as you remain in Equestria." "Why me? There is a guardian not far away who would be happy to look after her." "I don't want the protection of a guardian! I want the protection of a monster willing to destroy what little harmony is left in Equestria to protect my friend, Pepper! You will assure me that from now on you will watch over Aglowing in this way!" the thousand-year-old mare raged. Aglowing tried to be intimidating. "You'd better agree or I'll give you the Fluttershy eye!" she said with a frown that only made her look cuter. "She wants to leave this world with peace of mind. And apart from the changelings, she sees you as the only viable alternative," deciphered Gamine. "Obviously I do not have much of a choice," sighed Pepper, feigning duress. "I vow to protect our mutual friend. I will think of a way to make sure she remains safe as I go to see this Starlight Trixie told us about." Nightmare Moon hid her relief in a sigh of satisfaction. "Well, you do that, in the meantime I'll go rest. I will meet you back at the camp and we'll go to the Moon once Gamine has lifted it into the sky," she said before leaving, Aglowing trotting after her.