//------------------------------// // Where To Go Next // Story: Conspiracy of the Heavens // by observer of dimensions //------------------------------// To her credit, Twilight Sparkle was not overcome by nervousness upon seeing royalty like she had several times before with both the former and current rulers. Though Queen Cadence's kind and loving nature did help ease any nervousness Twilight would have had. Now Twilight just stood yards away from the beautiful Queen. Queen Cadence was were Shining had said she'll be, sitting under a large tree. Standing not to far way from the queen was a single guard. A guard who had just noticed them. Instead of raising alarm he just tensed up. Noticing the change in the guard the queen turned her head to the newcomers. Queen Cadence's eyes widen and lit up like fireworks. While Twilight couldn't see her brother's face from where she was she knew he was smiling. Not a second later the two forbidden lovers bolted toward each other at breakneck speeds. As the distance closed the queen leaped into the air only to come down tackling Twilight's brother in a loving embrace. At the same moment the guard retuned to ease. As the two continued to hug Twilight began to scowl more and more at the site of her brother's show of affection to a married mare. She may not understand love but that didn't mean that she ignorant to it's existence. She would let the two have their moment together no matter how scandalous it was. The hug lasted for what seemed like a minute before the two separated. "I asked Spike to check on you and see if there was a way to get you out, but I didn't expect you to be able to escape right way!" Cadence spoke joyfully as tears of happiness fell down her face. " I had help." Shining smirked. He turned his head to face the others. The Queens's gaze followed suit. Twilight's scowl quickly disappeared as the eyes of her queen fell upon her. "Twi-Twilight Sparkle? You're alive!" Queen Cadence stared at her with awe. "They said that you mostly likely died in the attack if not the explosion...it's a relief that you're alive. It took me an hour stop Spike from crying." "Hey, I didn't cry... for that long" The queen gave a very unladylike giggle at Spike's attempt to be tough. Twilight on the other hoof was confused as to why the queen was concerned to her wellbeing. "I don't mean to ungraceful your highness, but uh...why are you so concerned about me?" The queen stopped giggling but continued to smile at the young mare before her. "I care for all my subjects, but if there was a particular reason I would say...that you were my favorite filly to play with." "WUT" replied a shocked and increasingly confused unicorn. This time not only did the queen laugh but her bother as well. "Twilly you may not remember since you were so young but Cadence used to play with you when she and her parents visited the noble families." Shining explained. " And Spike talked about you often after I took him into my care upon you having to start you training for Solaris Magnum." the Queen added in. Twilight didn't reply. After a few moments of continued silence from Twilight. Spike stood up on her back and extended his body so he could at Twilight's face. She was stare of blankly off into the distance. Spike waved a hand in front of her eyes. "Um I think you broke her." Cadence and Shining looked at each other with amused disbelief. Before she could indulge farther into the silliness of it all Cadence notice the other two guests waiting patently but with smirks at scene that had played out before them. "Oh, I'm so sorry, I don't mean to neglect the two of you." the queen bowed slightly. "It's no problem, in fact it's a nice change from our earlier adventures." Celestia said with Vlad nodding his head in agreement. Introductions were shared between the three. During the pleasant exchange the guard who happened to be a Pegasus trotted up besides Shining and whispered something into his ear. Shining shook his head and spoke some reply to the guard. Vlad caught this just before the queen grabbed his attention. "You said you were a mercenary?" The queen asked, eyebrows rising in interest. Vlad stood at attention. "yes, but I vas not on mission vhen I cross Equestia border." Queen Cadences' extended her head forward. A tall tale sign she wanted to hear more. Vlad inhaled and exhaled heavy before continuing on. "My family has alvays served the king. Even I a mercenary have pledged to serve the king if need be, but things in Avialae have not been good in long time. Long almost non-ending vinters have taken toll on griffin race. They vant to live in better land. Some vant Equestrian soil but most just vant homeland to be varmer. True king and his ancestors have tried to keep neutral relations with ponies even with country in turmoil. We are proud race but we are not varmongers or conquerors. That change six months ago. King died from illness, Prince lost at sea vhen returning from trip to Saddle Arabia. Now former duke has been crowned king." "What does that have to do with you crossing our border?" Everybody jumped at the sound of Twilight's voice. All were surprised to see the mare fully operational again. Never-the-less the surprise was short lived and answer to Twilight's question became more important. "Does it have to do with your family's position with the royal family?" Celestia popped in. Vlad nodded slowly. "Family is close to royal family even with king dead ve vill carry out his vishes. Even before fake king took the throne he has made moves contradicting the king's. Fake king knows family vould be against him. He has branded family as traitors to be killed on site. I vas able escape because I vas told by friend vhen returning home from mission." "That sounds horrible, I hope your family is ok." Queen Cadence said empathically. "So do I. Especially my-" Before Vlad could finish a loud siren pierced the air. "escape prisoner alert." Both Shining Armor and the Queen's guard said at the same time. "the dungeon guards must have finally woken up." Shining added with a dejected tone. "Great, just great now there is defiantly no way back the way we came. While it's sad that you have bad things happen to you recently your background tale may have just cost us our getaway. Twilight spoke with indignation at Vlad. "Twilight!" Celestia yelled in a tone a mother would use to scowled her foal for doing something wrong. "ah guys." "That was rude and unnecessary. Did your parents every teach you to respect others?" Twilight jerked her head to face Celestia. Shock and confusion dominated her face. Twilight opened and close her mouth several times but didn't say anything. "Twilight, Celestia" Under Celestia's hard gaze Twilight's scowl softened. Finally the scowl completely disappeared changing into one of pain upon her ear being pulled. "OW! SPIKE!!" Twilight cried out. Instantly she rose a hoof to rub the sore ear. "Sorry but I wasn't getting your attention by calling your name. Anyway we have a way out. If you were listening instead of arguing you would've heard Queen Cadence say she can teleport us outside the castle walls. The two mares turned to see the rest of the group staring at them. Needless to say the two of them blushed in embarrassment. "Really? all of us?" Twilight asked through her redden face. "Yes, I have been to the other side and the spells and wards that keep other ponies from teleporting into or out of the castle grounds do not apply to the royal family. Now, group together the less space between you the less energy I need to use. Twilight and Vlad hustled a non specific spot not to far form the queen. Shining Armor gave Cadence a quick kiss on the lips before joining his sister. Celestia trotted up to the queen right as Shining left. "It was nice meeting another Alicorn, I wish we had more time to talk." Queen Cadence blinked in confusion "Another Alicorn?" Celestia however had already moved away joining the group. Spiked jumped down from Twilight's back. A look of sadness spread across his face. "I guess this is goodbye then Twilight." Before Twilight could reply the queen spoke. "Actually Spike I want you to stay with them. "You will be more help to them the to me right now." "Really!" "Yes, besides I don't like having to spilt you up from Twilight a second time after such a long time apart." The queen smiled. "Thank you, thank you thank you." the baby dragon cried out with glee. The queen held her smile for a second longer before taking on a more serious expression. "Spike once you are all outside take them to see Fancy Pants. He will help you out of the city." The little dragon saluted. "Yes your Highness." The queen nodded and begun channeling magic through her horn . Her wings spread out as if to gather additional power. "Griffin." the guard called out. Vlad looked at the Pegasus in reply. "Shining Armor told me to trust you. I ask that you hold true to that trust he has put in you." The griffin nodded back. "Flash Sentry. Take care of Cadence, keep her safe." Shining called out. "Will do, sir." the orange furred guard replied just as Cadence's horn let out a flash of blue light. A moment later the group disappeared from the garden. It is not easy for group of three ponies, one griffin and one baby dragon to sneak across the capital without being seen. The group remained mostly silent throughout their trek to the house of Fancy Pants. They only made noise when quickly communicating on how to proceed around an obstacle. Spike, for his part was do a fine job. His short stature and speed allowed him to stay out of sight while proving assistance to those following him. It did leave Twilight wondering how he became this sneaky. Eventually they arrived at white mansion surround by an acre of land. rows of small evergreen trees lined the pathway to the mansion itself. After making sure the coast was clear the group quickly but quietly made their way to the front door. Spike turned around to his followers. "Let me handle this, I've been here before few times already with the Queen so everypony here knows me. While the siblings and griffin gave each other unsure looks Celestia nodded at the dragon as if to encourage him. Taking a deep breath Spike knocked on the door. It took only a moment before the door was opened by a tan unicorn. "Hey there Jeeves It's me spike, remember me." The unicorn stallion stood there quietly looking down at Spike who was smiling nervously back. "Oh the Queen asked me to bring these guys here saying Mr. Fancy Pants can help us." The stallion looked up at the ponies and Griffin behind the baby dragon. Without batting an eye the unicorn spoke. "You have brought some interesting characters here young Mr. Spike, one of them a griffin no less." Shining instantly reached a hoof around the griffin's neck and pulled him close. Vlad was surprised but did nothing to counter what Shining was doing. "He's good, I can vouch for him. Shining said giving the unicorn a big smile. "And you are?" "Shining Armor." Upon hearing the name Jeeves eyes lit up. "I see. You are earlier the expected. Please come in." The unicorn stepped a side ushering the group in. Once everyone was in the unicorn looked outside briefly to see if anypony was watching before he closed the door. The group was now in a large hallway that extended the length of the building. Along with doors leading into various rooms two staircases on either side of the hallway led up to the second floor. "Please wait here until I retrieve Mr. Fancy Pants" Jeeves said. before trotting to the stairs. "Early? Expected?" Twilight tilted her head in confusion. Her brother answered the best way he could, He shrugged. The two siblings then turn their sights on the baby dragon looking around the room. Feeling the two pairs of eyes staring at him Spike looked back at their owners. "Wut?" The two unicorns shook their heads. Spike wouldn't have been told anything, even if he was reliable it would be dangerous to his being if he had knowledge of plans that would go against the will of the King. A talon on his shoulder made Shining turn his head to the griffin beside him. "It seems that queen pony does not just vait around and do nothing vhen life of lover on line." Shining gave a small smile. Even if his sister hadn't come Cadence had already planed for his escape. At the same time that Vlad had drawn Shining's attention Celestia had done the same by coming up beside Twilight asking to speak with her before trotting a distance away from the others. Curiously, Twilight followed. Once Celestia had determined that they were at a good enough spot she stop and faced Twilight. "I need to talk to you about how you acted back at the garden." she huffed. Twilight's head dropped in disbelief. She didn't know why Celestia needed to bring that up again. It was in the past and she was stating the facts. Vlad's history did cost them valuable time. Celestia spoke again stopping Twilight from voicing her thoughts. "I understand you were just pointing out the cause of our lost precious time but the manner of which you did it in was wrong. Vlad may have seemed unfazed when telling his tale but that is mostly due to what ever training he got back in his homeland. Deep down Vlad is worried about his family. Tell me Twilight how would you feel if your family was in danger and while telling ponies who could help one of them just calls out and tells you that your just wasting you time by even trying to find help?" Twilight lower her head in defeat. Celestia was right no matter how much she hated to admit it. Celestia was not done yet. "What you need to do Twilight is look past the facts and try to grasp what the pony or griffin in this manner are feeling. It will help you understand how others think and how you should act given the situation." Twilight nodded solemnly. Believing that she had lectured Twilight enough she gave the mare a curt nodded and began trotting back to the others. She stopped short at Twilight's head. Lowering her head till her muzzle was near the purple mare's ear. "Besides I would think it is better to be friends with a Griffin then I have one hate you for past discretions." Celestia canter back to the group leaving Twilight to her thoughts. Shining Armor notice that his sister hadn't rejoin their little group as Celestia did. Before he could call her a new voice drew his attention to the stairs. "Ah Shining Armor and guests. I am deeply sorry for making you wait." The owner of the voice was a white unicorn male with a blue mane and tail. He wore a black blazer and a monocle on his right eye. He also had a mustache which wasn't very common in ponies. "Mr. Fancy Pants I presume?" Shining asked. The stallion nodded before trotting down the stairs. "You are earlier then plan. I can only assume with the number of soldiers about that something happened. "Yeaaaa, My sister and her friends came and freed me earlier then what I assumed was planed." Fancy Pant's ears perked up at the mention of Shining's sister. "Twilight Sparkle? but how?" "By traveling through a secret passage way that is supposedly known only be the royal family." Twilight called out trotting toward them. "How do you know me? I don't think we have ever met." Fancy Pants took a moment just to stare at the mare blankly. "Yea, how do you know Twilight? I don't think I or the Queen mentioned her much." Spike piped up. Drawing himself out of his stupor Fancy Pant finally answered. "Well spike first it's the Queen or I not I or the Queen. Second, Twilight's name has surface in a few conversations but I don't believe there is a need to go into that right now. I am however, curious as to how you Twilight Sparkle survived the Griffin attack on Solaris Magnum." Twilight let out a small sigh just before beginning recounting the events that transpired that very morning. ~~~~~~~ By the end of Twilight's story they had all moved to the dinning room. The two stallion, griffin and dragon looked the pair of mares in verging degrees of interest. Shining and Fancy seem the most surprised by the events that had transpired that very day. Spike was just satisfied to learn the truth behind the mystery mare and her association to Twilight. He turned his attention to a pile of jems that he had been served to him not to long after that had taken seats at the dinning table. Vlad was worlds away in his own thoughts analyzing the information that had just been given to him. It was Fancy Pants who broke the silence that had befallen them. "Is it true? You are an Alicorn and one who controls the sun.?" He asked taking the monocle in his hoof and cleaning it with a cloth that came from his blazer never taking eyes off of Celestia. "Yes...I think it's safe to drop the spell." Celestia nodded sternly. "That will give you proof that I am who I say I am....That's what you want isn't." Fancy's Eyes widened in surprise. 'W..well...I...I didn't want to impose but if you are willing I would like to see what you truly look like." Celestia gave a slight smile to the group before closing her eyes. A yellowish golden aura surround her horn and then "STOP." Spike yelled at the top of his lungs. Needless to say Celestia stopped and all heads turned to the little dragon. "SPIKE! What the hay! You know-" "Sorry Twilight." Spike interrupted. "But she shouldn't do high level spells...and well ah...age and illusion spells are high level right?" The four ponies in the room nodded. "Spike, what do you mean Celestia can't use those spells." Shining asked. "It's because that before I headed to the dungeon the guards grabbed me and had me send letters all over Equestia, and I so happened to take a peek at one. It was orders to have unicorns with sensing spell to seek out high magical energy with a particular aura signature. Then there were a something about a sample already being sent." "So that means I can't case a number of my spells." Celestia commented. "Fancy shifted in his seat. "That is definitely a problem." he glanced at Celestia who gave him a sad apologetic look." Yes well, I'll give you the benefit of a doubt for now Celestia." This resulted in Celestia given him her thanks by bowing. As Celestia rose to her former posture Jeeves opened the door and trotted to Fancy Pants. After a moment of the two whispering to each other Jeeves left. The rooms other occupants leaned inward waiting patently to hear Fancy Pants speak. "Originally the plan was to get Shining Armor on one of the sky ships sailing for Fiilydelphia. That is now impossible for the time being." Fancy frown. Fancy wish things could be easier for them. When the Queen had asked for his help to save Shining Armor he had accepted full-heartedly. Not only was he a friend to Queen's parents but if it wasn't for the Queen's help the love of his life Fleur would have been deported back to her homeland. He wasn't, however about to give up. Clearing his throat to gather the attention of his disheartened guests, he spoke once more. "Fortunately there is a backup route. If everything goes well you should all arrive at Ponyville." "Ponyville?" Shining spoke up quizzically. "Isn't that the clo-" "Rarity...I can see Rarity again." Spike cut in to Shining's chagrin. At the name of somepony who clearly was female escape the mouth of the young dragon Twilight raised an brow. "Rarity? who's Rarity?" Twilight asked narrowing her eyes. "Oh Just his latest crush." Shining smirking causing Celestia and Vlad to laugh a little and spike to pout. "What's wrong with that? Rarity is the most beautiful pony I ever saw. No other pony could hold a candle to her." Spike continued to pout at the three laughing creatures. "Oh, and what about Moondancer? You were trying to win her heart when I left saying she was the pony you were destined to be with, Casanova." Twilight deadpanned. Spike was not able say anymore then "umm." Before Shining, Celestia and Vlad busted out laughing. Shining even fell onto the floor but continued laughing as he picked himself up and returned to his seat. Even Fancy Pants couldn't help but smirk a little. After the room calmed down and Spike started to grumbling quietly to himself Fancy once again addressed his guests. "Actually I was going to suggest that you meet with Rarity. While she isn't as you would say, part of our inner circle she is a reliable acquaintance of mine." Spike's grumbling stopped at was replace by a toothily smile that would be creepy if it wasn't coming from the young dragon. The others were more or less neutral on the subject; trusting the word of their host. See that everything that needed to be said had been spoken. Fancy Pants removed himself from his seat and headed to the door. Preparations for the getaway still needed to be completed and a other problem he didn't mention needed to be solved. "Wait!" the voice of a mare called out. Fancy paused and turned his head to the mare who had spoken. "Yes Ms. Sparkle?" Fancy inquired. Twilight made a grumbling noise in her throat. Now ready to speak Twilight looked sternly into Fancy's eyes. "There is a problem that we almost overlooked that could spell doom for us if we don't think of a way pass it." Fancy raised a brow but did not speak. Instead he waited for Twilight to continue. Twilight lifted a hoof an pointed at Celestia who sat on the opposite of the table. "The barrier spell covering the city will detect her if she tries to leave and since they have ponies looking for her via magical aura there is no way for her to leave in her true form either." At this Fancy stroked his mustache with a hoof. "Hmm...I was trying to find an answer to that myself. Nothing as of yet however." Suddenly Fancy jumped slightly as he had an epiphany. "I think I have an answer to that. I'll give it to you by the time everything is ready to go." With that said Fancy left the room leaving the others to wait for their next move.