//------------------------------//
// 12. Investigation 
// Story: Our Lady's Courtship 
// by Rough_Draft 
//------------------------------//

Shimmering in the late autumn sunlight, it was hard to find a corner of the Crystal Empire that wasn’t gleaming. Photo Frenzy was thankful that he’d packed a pair of sunglasses as well as a scarf for the constant bone-chilling wind. How these Crystal Ponies weren’t blinded and freezing all the time he didn’t know, but he supposed he’d feel the same after a lifetime in this kingdom.

The other key thing that Frenzy noticed en route to the palace was the general mood of the Crystal Ponies. Of course he could pick them out from the tourists just by looking at their translucent coats and manes, but he also noted the difference in their reactions. They were pleasant, but a little distant. Seeing them interact with other Equestrians, Frenzy wondered if they weren’t still a little unused to being around other ponies since the mysterious return of their empire to the world. They looked more upbeat around their own kind than around visitors.

And in any case, thought Frenzy, it’s not like I’m here to make friends with just anypony.

Trotting at a determined pace, he made his way straight to the front steps of the Crystal Palace. Not a hard place to find; it was easily the tallest structure in the kingdom, a magnificent blue spire reflecting the midday sun from its peak. Frenzy paused long enough to admire the view and congratulate himself on choosing to come here. Even if he wasn’t working on a story, this was still a lovely place to visit.

Approaching the steps, the photographer found his path blocked by a pair of Crystal Ponies dressed in the gold armor and plumed helmets of the Royal Guard. He came up short, almost muzzle to muzzle with a grim-looking pegasus.

“Hold it right there,” the pegasus said in a clipped voice. “Public tours aren’t on the schedule today, so unless you’ve got an appointment—”

“No appointment, I’m afraid,” Frenzy replied cheerfully. Truth be told, he was nervous, but he could muster a smile. Sweet Celestia, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this anxious about any story he’d done. “However, I do believe Her Royal Highness will want to see me.”

The guard’s partner snorted. “And why’s that?”

“Well, you see, my name is Photo Frenzy.” As he spoke, he removed his press badge from his left saddlebag and showed it to the guards. “Formerly of the Trottingham Tattler. I’m the pony responsible for breaking the heinous story regarding her sister-in-law, Princess Twilight Sparkle. I figure she’d be interested in throwing me in a dungeon herself if it’s all the same to you.”

At this, the guards shared a quizzical frown. Then the pegasus turned back to him and said slowly, “Stay right here, sir. We need to confirm this.”

“Take your time, mate,” said Photo Frenzy, settling down into a recline. “I’m no hurry.”

He sat there on the front steps of the palace for a long time. The unicorn guard stayed at his post by the front door, never once engaging Frenzy in conversation. He kept his eyes focused on something in the distance and stayed perfectly still. Frenzy didn’t mind in the slightest. He was happy just to be somewhere besides Trottingham for a change. Humming a little tune, he let his gaze drift over the idyllic kingdom, watching Crystal Ponies come and go.

Finally, the doors opened again and the pegasus returned. Following him, however, was not Princess Cadance, but a large white unicorn with a blue mane. He glanced down at Photo Frenzy with an expression resembling disgust, then turned to the other unicorn.

“Did he give you any trouble?” Shining Armor asked.

“No, sir,” the guard replied.

Shining Armor turned back to Photo Frenzy. “Tell me. Were you seriously hoping to get an audience with the Princess?”

Frenzy got up and offered him a respectful nod. “Not exactly, sir. I wanted to apologize for the part I played in this scandal, but the real reason I’m here is because I wanted to speak with one of your palace guards.”

“Who?”

“His name’s Flash Sentry, I believe.”

At this, Shining’s eyes narrowed. “And what exactly are you looking to talk to Flash about, Mr. Frenzy?”

Photo Frenzy smiled, looking the royal consort right in the eye. “It’s about the storm, sir. The magic storm that’s threatening Ponyville.”

“Yes, I know all about that,” Shining Armor snapped. He took a step forward, easily bearing down on Frenzy with his superior height. “But what does Flash have to do with the storm?”

The photographer didn’t hesitate. “Possibly everything. And if you let me speak with him, I just might be able to help save your sister’s reputation and put an end to the storm all in one go.”

For a long moment, Shining Armor was quiet. He regarded Frenzy with the same narrow-eyed suspicion as before, but with a less defensive air this time. Frenzy felt like he was back in school, having to give another horrible presentation in front of the class. Only this time, the danger of failure wasn’t a poor grade, but a nationwide calamity.

Now would be the perfect time, Frenzy thought, for me to wake up and realize this was all a bad dream. And then I can get back to my real life with my supermodel marefriend on a beach…

Shining Armor suddenly glanced at the two guards and nodded. For half a second, Frenzy expected to be seized and thrown into a dungeon anyway, but instead the guards stepped aside and waved for him to enter the palace.

“You’ll meet with Flash Sentry,” said Shining, falling in step beside the photographer. “You’ll do it under my watch, and if I see or hear something I don’t like, then your stay in the Crystal Empire will be cut short immediately. Understood?”

He knew it was in poor taste, but Photo Frenzy smiled and answered, “Crystal clear, sir.”





Hooves thundered in the distance, louder and louder as she fled the storm’s approach. She didn’t know why she was running. It seemed as if she’d been running her whole life. But no matter how hard or how fast she galloped, the storm drew closer and closer.

Fluttershy shook her head while she ran. Of course this was all a dream, but that didn’t mean she could simply wake up. All she could do was panic and run, which she’d do even if she were awake.

Now the storm began to envelop her. Cool gray mists overtook the Everfree Forest where Fluttershy had found herself. The mists didn’t make the twisted branches around her any less frightening; if anything, they only heightened her paranoia. Any second now, she’d see it. The nightmare that never ended. That terrible, awful thing that stole away her breath every chance it got—

Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop!

One by one, they appeared from deep within the mists. A single round eye, unconnected to any face or skull. Peering directly at Fluttershy with unblinking, unrelenting scrutiny.

A thousand disembodied eyes floated through the mist like vultures, circling Fluttershy with silent menace. She let out a terrified squeal and buried her face in her hooves.

“No, please!” she whimpered. “I-I’m not a bad pony! P-please leave me alone!”

Fluttershy! Fluttershy! A memory of mocking fillies’ voices rose up, becoming a distant echo throughout the bleak gray landscape. Fluttershy can hardly fly!

“S-stop!”

But even as the words left her mouth, Fluttershy choked on the sobs welling up inside her. She curled up into a fetal position, trying to shut out the voices and those callous eyes bearing down on her.

Of course it was all her fault. She was sorry she’d ever kissed Twilight or gotten in the way of Rarity’s happiness or—

“Leave her be.”

Those three words cut through the fog and the hideous sea of eyes with cold precision, ringing out from beyond the edges of the dream. Fluttershy could feel the power of those words deep in her bones.

They were real. Not some figment of her imagination—real words from a real pony.

Then a hoof rested on her shoulder and a gentle voice asked, “Will you not tell me where it hurts, my dear Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy saw Princess Luna towering over her. For a moment, she conjured up the mental image of Nightmare Moon grinning down at her, but she shook her head and the image faded. Only Luna persisted, even as the mists and the forest and the cruel eyes faded away into a seamless white background.

With a tender smile, Luna knelt down beside her. “Perhaps you only need to be someplace more… suitable to discussion.”

Fluttershy blinked. When she did, the scene changed and the pure white landscape gave way to a cozy living room. She was wrapped up in a blanket and clutching her teddy bear—the one she’d had as a filly, not the ragged old thing she kept around as a grown-up. Luna sat on one side of the couch while Fluttershy sat on the other. They stared at one another while a fire roared and crackled only a few feet away, casting golden light and a pleasant aroma over everything.

“There now,” said Luna. “Is that better?”

Fluttershy clutched the teddy bear to her chest. “M-much better, th-thank you.”

“I apologize for the intrusion, but as Mistress of Dreams, I have a responsibility to all my subjects when they sleep. Some of the worst monsters in Equestria are the ones we dream up in the dead of night.” Luna’s smile was soft and reassuring, even more so under the flickering light from the fireplace. “And your nightmares are particularly strong tonight.”

“I-I’ve had this dream before,” Fluttershy admitted. Her cheeks burned, but not because of the heat from the fire. “Many times, actually.”

Ever since she’d been a foal, she’d dreamt of eyes that chased and watched her without fail. She’d grown up under the cold visage of her father and the mocking laughter of her schoolmates, just as her friend Rainbow Dash had grown up with two encouraging parents and a whole host of fillies and colts who cheered when she achieved the world’s first sonic rainboom. Fluttershy only drew somepony’s attention when she’d messed up.

In the years since flight camp, that was something that hadn’t changed.

Luna nodded. “Indeed, you’ve suffered under those cruel eyes for a long time. However, it doesn’t seem to be stage fright that’s bothering you tonight.”

Fluttershy bowed her head. “No, it’s not. I’m just…” She sniffled and drew the blanket tight around her, just as she was probably doing in her own bed. “I just want it to stop. I don’t want ponies writing and reading about us in the papers. I don’t want them hounding my friends and my…” She choked on the word parents, and after a few tries, managed to squeak out, “F-family…”

“And do you think that a few weeks inside the palace will make such nonsense disappear?” Luna smiled, but her tone was sad and tired. “Believe me, my dear Fluttershy. Such things don’t leave on their own. Even after I was reformed, it took our subjects over a year to accept that Nightmare Moon was truly gone.” When Fluttershy shivered, Luna held up a reassuring hoof. “But don’t worry. I know you made the same mistake. I don’t judge you for it.”

“S-sorry…”

“But as I said, these mistakes in judgment don’t leave on their own accord. It takes effort to dispel such notions from somepony’s mind. In my case, it took a few Summer Sun Celebrations before I could feel truly accepted among my own kind again.” The smile that Luna wore brightened. “What made the difference was that my dear sister stood proudly beside me. When they saw us together, acting in harmony, nopony could doubt my integrity any longer.”

Fluttershy nodded. Her own feelings about Luna had changed in the same way. Even though she still remembered Nightmare Moon’s short-lived reign of terror, it was the kind face of Luna, who raised the moon and guarded everypony’s dreams, that she appreciated the most. And that was only possible because of how brave and accepting other ponies had been with her. Brave ponies like Princess Celestia.

Brave and beautiful like Twilight Sparkle.

She accepted me, Fluttershy thought. So did Rarity. They didn’t turn me away. They love me still…

Love was, in many ways, the most terrifying experience Fluttershy had been through. But it was also the most rewarding.

“Um, Princess Luna?” Fluttershy lowered the blanket just enough to look the alicorn in the eye. “What do you think I should do, then? If you don’t mind me asking…”

Luna didn’t respond at first. She rose from the couch, extending to her full height and letting her shimmering blue mane cascade behind her. When she turned to the fireplace, Fluttershy noticed it changing. The whole room was changing, in fact.

Once more, in the blink of an eye, the dream had shifted. They were outdoors again. Fluttershy didn’t recognize the street, but the opulent architecture and the fair night sky told her that they were in Canterlot. A far better place to find herself than in the heart of the Everfree Forest.

In the distance, she heard those thundering hooves again and shivered. Fluttershy flew into the air—finally remembering that she could still fly in her dreams—and began to scout the night sky for signs of trouble. There was something in what Luna had said. She had to be brave like Celestia and Twilight had been. Or like how Rainbow Dash had saved her from countless bullies over the years.

There was a reason, after all, why she had an embroidery hoop at home, stitched with the words What Would Rainbow Dash Do?

“Go,” Luna whispered. Fluttershy looked around, but the Princess was nowhere to be seen. Her voice seemed to come from all directions. “Go and be with the ones you love.”

Fluttershy swallowed and let the dream take its course. She felt herself gliding through the open air toward the sound of those hooves. She knew somehow that the magic storm would be waiting there, just as she knew it was the same cloud that had surrounded her earlier.

Just as before, she was lost in a sea of gray mist. Fluttershy squeezed her eyes shut, but she could still hear the dreaded pop-pop-pop of those disembodied eyes all around her. She grit her teeth and flew hard against the heavy vapor that threatened to drag her down to the earth.

Fluttershy! Fluttershy! the bullies from her past chanted. Nopony crashes like Fluttershy!

“It’s none of your business,” she whispered back.

Fluttershy! Fluttershy!

“I asked you to please stop!”

“Fluttershy!”

“Stop—!” The shout died halfway in her throat as Fluttershy opened her eyes.

That last voice wasn’t teasing her.

That was somepony calling for help.

Picturing Rainbow Dash’s determined expression, Fluttershy dove into the clouds, breaking free of the misty claws and tree branches that reached out for her. Her wings beat a path through the darkness, scattering water and ice crystals everywhere. She felt unstoppable and reached out her front hooves to grab the falling lavender mare before she hit the earth—

Wait a minute. Fluttershy blinked. Twilight?

“F-Fluttershy?” Twilight stared up at her, as though she’d forgotten all about falling to her doom.

The two mares hung in the air, staring at each other in total silence. Even the storm had quieted down into a gentle background hum.

Slowly, Fluttershy pushed her way toward Twilight and took the mare into her forelegs. Twilight returned the embrace, burying her face into Fluttershy’s shoulder.

“This must be Luna’s doing,” Twilight murmured. She lifted her head and wiped a tear from her eye. “She was just talking to me and then all of a sudden, I—”

“I know.” Fluttershy brushed at Twilight’s mane. “It’s okay. We’re all scared.”

“I heard you shouting.” said Twilight, nuzzling Fluttershy for a moment. “I want it to stop, too.”

“Then let’s make it stop together,” a new voice called out.

The two mares turned and then the whole scene changed again—





They were sitting at their usual table in Le Abreuvoir. Fluttershy smiled at Garcon as he refilled her glass with strawberry wine and then took a cautious bite of the assortment of cheeses on her plate. She didn’t realize how hungry she was—

Oh, wait, she realized. This is still in my dream.

“Of course you’d bring us here,” Twilight said, sitting to Fluttershy’s left. She was wearing the golden regalia that she’d had on the night of their disastrous dinner outing.

“Darling, I thought you’d like it here!” Rarity was seated to Fluttershy’s right, wearing a large summer hat and a tasteful dress to match. She smiled and took a sip of her wine, then gave Fluttershy a sly wink. Fluttershy giggled and sipped at her own wine as well.

“In any case,” Rarity continued, “not all nightmares are as violent as being chased by an evil storm cloud.” She gestured to the rest of the restaurant. “Case in point…”

It was only then that Fluttershy became aware of a strange noise that had been lurking in the background. She thought it was the same mocking laughter from her bullies at flight camp, but the sound was much deeper and richer. When she looked around, she saw other ponies seated at their own tables—or rather, silhouettes of other ponies.

All pointing and laughing at them.

“Oh, Rarity,” Fluttershy whispered. She reached out and pulled her friend into a hug.

“Thank you, dearest,” said Rarity. She patted Fluttershy’s head as she let go. “It’s been simply dreadful facing this torment on my own, but then Princess Luna came and told me—”

“That you don’t have to face it alone?” Twilight finished.

“Er, yes, actually…”

“We got the same message in our own dreams.” Twilight glanced at Fluttershy and smiled. “I’m beginning to think she’s made her point.”

Fluttershy’s ears dropped, but she felt brave enough to reach out and take Twilight’s hoof into her own. “I think she’s right. We shouldn’t be afraid to be open about our love.”

“Are you sure you’re ready to face that?” asked Twilight, her grip tightening a little. “They’ll be asking you questions non-stop. Pointing cameras in your face and putting your picture up everywhere.”

“I-I’ll be fine.” Fluttershy leaned into her marefriend. It was easier to focus on Twilight’s face than on the laughing ponies in the background. “I know you and Rarity will be right beside me.”

Rarity squealed and rushed over to throw her forelegs around both mares. “Of course we will, Fluttershy! You don’t seriously believe we’d abandon you now, do you? It can hardly be called love if we were so callous!”

Twilight’s face softened. “I’m proud of you, Shy. You’ve actually shown more of a backbone about this mess than I have.” Her eyes dropped toward the floor. “All I ever do is run away.”

“Now, Twilight, you did what you thought was best,” Rarity insisted. “If you can explain that to everypony, then I’m sure you won’t have any trouble.”

“It’s easy enough to say that now,” Twilight retorted. “We’re still dreaming…”

But even as she spoke, Fluttershy could feel herself fading. The whole restaurant grew out of focus, as did her marefriends. But she wasn’t scared. She knew they were only waking up.

And she couldn’t wait for what happened once they did.





Every step that Celestia took from her bedchamber to her private dining hall was slow and ponderous. Monday mornings truly were the worst, even for princesses. It wasn’t always galas and public tours. Sometimes she had a stack of papers to read, stamp, and sign. And as Raven cheerfully announced the night before, no less than forty-eight reports from the Treasury, the Secret Service, and the Cultural Heritage Committee would be waiting on her desk after breakfast.

Breakfast. A simple word, but for Celestia, it was one of the few things that promised salvation in a dark and dangerous world. Right alongside the salvation of a good lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and dessert, of course.

Such thoughts formed a savory barrier against the woes of the day as Celestia entered the dining hall. By the time she reached the table, she was close to being fully awake and smiling.

Spread out on the table before her was, by alicorn standards, a fairly simple spread. Nothing more than a plate full of buttered croissants, twelve slices of toast with blackberry jam, six eggs (sunny side up, of course), a bowl of oranges and grapefruit, and an ordinary teapot seated next to a pair of white china cups. And catering to this minor feast was a staff of eight waiters in pristine red and gold uniforms—the Morning Corps of the Royal Household, hoof-picked for their discretion regarding the conversations and dining habits of their regal superiors.

“Good morning, dearest sister,” Luna called out from the other end of the table. She took a bite of her toast and frowned as she chewed. “Mmph. However, I must call you to task about this most… meager breakfast. Are there not enough funds in the Treasury to support a proper meal anymore?”

Celestia chuckled. “I’m afraid Equestria is growing too fast for us to keep up traditions. We’ve had to make cuts wherever possible.” She sat down and smiled graciously at the mare who poured her a fresh cup of tea. “Besides, it’d do us some good to learn a little frugality.”

After a thousand years, Celestia knew every rumor that circulated about her personal life. Some of them, however, had a ring of truth to them. Such as the rumor that she and Luna, before the days of Nightmare Moon, had enjoyed magnificent daily banquets in the privacy of their castle, with breakfasts and dinners that lasted for several hours at a time.

Once again, Celestia couldn’t resist a chuckle as she lifted the teacup to her lips. Her subjects could accuse her of greed all they wanted, but they simply didn’t appreciate the supernatural metabolism of an alicorn. Meal portions simply couldn’t correspond to a normal pony’s diet.

Which reminds me…

Celestia lowered her cup, still smiling as another waiter served her a plate of eggs and toast. “Excuse me, but has anypony seen Princess Twilight or her marefriends? I believe I did extend an invitation for them to dine with us.”

The Morning Corps ponies glanced around at one another, sharing expressions of concern and shaking their heads. The stallion whom Celestia had addressed turned back with a mild frown. “I could send somepony to their quarters, Your Highness—”

“No need,” Luna interrupted. She winked at Celestia, then added, “I believe they’ve all had a restless night and are only sleeping in. We can afford them the small courtesy of waiting.”

Well played, Luna, Celestia thought. Even with the distance that lay between them, she knew her sister could read those thoughts as if she’d spoken out loud.

If what Luna was implying had gone as planned, then that left only another piece to fall into place.

Not a moment too soon, the side entrance to the private dining hall swung open and Raven trotted in. Celestia nodded at her secretary, doing her best to radiate patient concern as the little pony quickened her pace to the Princess’s side. Raven being anxious was nothing new; what was surprising was the slight disarray of her mane. A shocking oversight for somepony so concerned with following decorum every minute of the day.

“Ahem.” Raven coughed into her hoof and quickly dropped into a rigid pose beside Celestia. “Good morning, Your Highness. I apologize for interrupting, but—”

“Not at all, my dear.” Celestia winked and floated a plate full of pastries over to the smaller mare. “Croissant?”

“Er, thank you.” Raven snatched a croissant from the plate, clutching it to her chest as though it might squirm away on its own. She never once broke eye contact with the Princess. “But I’m afraid it concerns Princess Twilight Sparkle. She’s made a rather bold move regarding her current public relations… er…”

“Disaster?” Luna suggested with a twinkle in her eye.

Celestia shook her head. “Better to call it a press scandal.” She glanced down at Raven again. “And where is Twilight now?”

“With Miss Rarity and Miss Fluttershy. Her Highness asked me to put together an information packet and obtain your permission to speak with the Press Secretary’s Office about scheduling a press conference this afternoon.”

“And there goes my chess game with Fancy Pants,” Luna grumbled, too low for Raven to hear.

Celestia nodded. “Very well. I suppose a press conference about my former pupil’s love life will prove to be more… entertaining than another garden party. You may tell Twilight to speak with Spinning Top and see that all the necessary forms and conditions are fulfilled.”

Raven bowed her head and slowly backed away. “Of course, ma’am.”

“And please reiterate my invitation to breakfast, for both Twilight and her marefriends.” Taking another sip of tea, Celestia smiled. “Well, I suppose it would be brunch at this point…”

However, her mouth was running on autopilot—a fairly easy trick for any political leader. All Celestia could think was, Well played, Luna…