Somehow just playing chess was working. Nocturne was coming back with all of us, since none of us dared contradict Gaia. They had one closed doors meeting, but all of us, even Gaia, listened at the various doors. We just heard soft talking. I think Nocturne planned on taking my advice, but only managed to remain calm and distant, neither hostile nor positive. Then they saw the chess set in the common room for some of the bedrooms and they began to play. It's been days and I think neither has slept. There's no telling how many games they've played, or who's been winning as the second one match ends the next starts the second the pieces can be returned to their places.
"Twilight, we're almost there."
"Huh. What was that Spike I was…"
"Staring at the two of them doing nothing. I know. Come on, lets at least go look out a window, maybe even the observation deck."
"Spike, it's Canterlot. I admit this might not seem too interesting, we've seen it a million times, and often from the air. Nothing has changed."
"It's not like if you look away for one second something is going to happen."
I turned around to look at him on my back. "Spike Chess is a beautiful game and while yes it can be stretches of nothing happening…"
"Very well I concede the match and the point." Said Nocturne "For now the past stays in the past."
I turned around to see the board had rapidly changed. Oddly neither stallion was even in check, despite many pieces still being on the board including each side's princess. How was that a win for either of them? Then we passed though one of my brother's shields. Based on its near flatness it had to be large enough for the whole castle, maybe even all of Canterlot. Why in the world would he put up a barrier that large?
"It seems you were both wrong Miss Sparkle."
Spike and I both jumped at the sound of Gaia's voice behind us. Spike fell off me since jumping isn't good for remaining on a narrow perch. Gaia walked past me, the two dark alicorns still at the table with the chessboard, and then quickly out of the room. Luna then laughed, followed by a similar one from Nocturne a moment later. I'd quickly realized Nocturne's voice seemed to be a smooth mix of both Luna and Nightmare, most of the time the line impossible to discern. Her laughter being the one exception, clearly sounding like either one or the other depending on her mood.
"So clearly grandma is not to be trifled with, and used to getting her own way."
"Yes." Luna laughed again "She has changed far less than one might expect. Also surprisingly I wonder if she may now be more dangerous."
"Huh?" said Spike
"Mother had great power, physical and magical. She used to rely on this power but without it she still demands the same respect, and even if it is in truth illusory, gives the impression she is to be feared regardless."
I blinked "So if she got her power back…"
"Then she would not have to rely on any one thing. In the end this is no great danger, mother is harsh, but fair."
"But it's still scary." Added Nocturne.
Then the black bat winged alicorn that would surely haunt some ponies nightmares after today shuddered. I was worried, but not about Gaia. Unless I was wrong about the barrier my brother was very worried about keeping something that wasn't supposed to be here out. The exclusion barrier could have had all sorts of different parameters, so maybe it was something silly like some noble getting some ridiculous plan to rid the city of rodents approved, but I doubt it.