A guard rushed into the war room, gold armor gleaming. "Princess!" He hurried to her side and whispered to her. Her wings flared as her eyes widened.
"Bring her here immediately," she ordered.
Twilight looked over as the guard fled, "What's wrong?"
Celestia was looking at Soft Mane, "It seems you will have a chance to demonstrate your abilities. Twilight has invested her faith in the healing arts of your world, so I will as well."
Soft Mane swallowed heavily but nodded. Her patient was hurried in a few moments later in the form of an orange coated earth pony that looked like she had seen the wrong end of a sword a few too many times. Soft Mane hurried towards the form even as the guards gently set the injured pony down. She lifted her shirt slightly to make sure her brand of destiny could be seen and felt the healing warmth of Lashtada pour through her into the surroundings. It had little immediate effect on the injured, but it could buy her time to get to their side.
"Applejack!" cried Twilight, moving a hoof over her mouth. She let Soft Mane work, however. Soft Mane placed her hands on the prone form of Applejack while saying her prayers, conjuring the pink force of her goddess to soothe pains and mend broken flesh. The guards were returning, laden with more stretchers. Soon there were about ten ponies laid out. Long Road advanced beside Soft Mane, assisting her with soft taps of his hooves on the injured.
"What happened?" asked Rarity, "They all look simply dreadful, though our new friends are doing an admirable job."
Celestia shook her head, "They've begun attacking the trains, or at least they did this once. We can afford to delay no longer. This war must end, quickly."
Applejack stirred with a grunt, "Won't get any arguments from me on that," she said as she got herself upright, "Much obliged, pa..." she trailed off, looking at the curious creature that had healed her. "Uh, what in tarnation are you? Ah mean, no offense or nothing."
Twilight played the introduction game, swinging a hoof at Soft Mane, "Soft Mane, priest and healer, and this," she pointed at AJ, "Is Applejack, honest and dependable friend. Are you ok, Applejack?" When she got a nod, she grabbed Applejack up in a firm hug.
Applejack laughed at the embrace, returning it, "Ah missed you something fierce, and here you are with a couple of new friends even. Ya ain't considering replacing us now are you?" Her tone was jesting, but it still brought a momentary look of shock on Twilight's face before she began fiercely shaking her head. "Ya still didn't explain what, uh, she? is?" She raised a hoof to point at Soft Mane.
Her magic depleted, Soft Mane settled down against the table. "Mother's a pony, father's a human," she said a little tiredly. "Just think of me as a pony with fingers." She waggled the mentioned anatomy as a flash of a smile appeared briefly.
"Lands Sake," said Applejack, "Well nice to meet you. Any pal of Twilight's a pal of mine."
Of the many ponies stirring in the pile, one was staring at Soft Mane rather intently. She got to her hooves and approached quietly. Fortunately for her, Soft Mane was paying attention to her friends and only noticed when a soft snout bumped into a hand and began nuzzling.
"Oh!" squeaked Soft Mane, looking down at the pony who's fur wasn't that far off in coloration from her own. "Hello there."
"Hi," replied the mint green unicorn. "I'm Lyra Heartstrings. Your name is Soft Mane?" When she received a nod, she reared up onto her hind legs easily, as if she had much practice with it, "May I feel it?" She was reaching a hoof towards Soft Mane's hair. Soft Mane gave a more hesitant nod before Lyra began to inspect this supposedly soft mane. It was soft. Lyra suddenly grabbed Soft Mane's hand between two hooves and shook it, "It's like in my dreams..."
Rarity raised a brow, "Lyra, dear, we have important things to do. Equestria is in dire need of saving and all that."
Lyra shook her head quickly, "I know! I... can I help? I know some magic."
Twilight began to gently let Lyra down when Celestia spoke, "This is an excellent opportunity."
"It is?" asked Twilight.
Celestia nodded slowly, "Since you find it intimidating to take me on as your first pupil, we will see if you can teach this unicorn instead." She pointed at Lyra, who grinned with excitement. Soft Mane attempted to use the distraction to escape but Lyra pulled her close again.
"Are... you..." she trailed off, unable to finish questioning her mentor's instructions. "I'll do my best!"
Applejack raised a brow, "Now just what in tarnation are you about ta teach, Twi?"
Twilight raised a hoof, "First thing is first. Princess." She lifted two forks and placed them on the table, "One of these has the song of Everglow, and the other, Equestria. They are labeled. Can you please fix me? I want my old body and magic back. Spike's fine how he is."
Celestia lifted the forks in front of herself, carefully studying them before she struck them. The subtly different notes sang in the air. Celestia waved Twilight forward. Once she was seated in front of Celestia, the magic began. Celestia's horn began to glow brightly as those notes became louder and deeper, penetrating into Twilight's form and shaking it as if she would come apart from the force. Something broke loose inside of Twilight with a brief stab of pain, then relief.
"I don't look different?" asked Twilight, looking over her body.
Celestia nodded, "I make it a point to not use transmutation magic, but your gift should be in working order."
Twilight looked uncertain a moment before she gave her wings a flap. Flight came easily, without willing the magic within her. With a squeak of joy she made a quick circle around the room. Celestia added, "Your magic as well. You should be able to use your alicorn reserves again."
Twilight bobbed her head before leaping forward to embrace Celestia in thanks. She reclaimed her forks and tucked them away, "Now, what I'll be teaching you," she looked at Lyra, "Is a different way of doing magic. It doesn't rely on horns. Anypony can learn it."
Applejack blinked, "Anypony?"
"Anypony," said Twilight with a nod. "Assuming it works here, which I have no reason to believe it doesn't, since I've already used it."
Applejack put a hoof behind her head, "So, uh, even an earth pony?"
"Yes," said Twilight quizzically, "That's what I said."
AJ nodded, "Then you have two students, Twilight."
Twilight tilted her head at Applejack, "I thought you didn't like magic."
"Well," said Applejack, shuffling, "Ah reckon part of that was it just not being an option. If ah can be the first earth pony t'do it, that sounds mighty fine. Not to replace hard work or nuthin', but..."
Rarity came up beside Applejack, "We make it look easy, darling, but magic is plenty of hard work on its own."
Applejack nodded quickly, "Right right, just saying. I don't plan to harvest no trees with it, but scaring off timberwolves, or vampire fruit bats? Ah reckon no harm in that?"
Long Road approached Applejack, "It is admirable to expand your horizons, Lady Jack, and a pleasure to meet you. I am Long Road, Twilight's Knight."
Applejack looked over at the donkey, "Huh, you're the most combat ready donkey ah ever did lay my eyes on." She thrust a hoof forward at him, "Pleased to meetcha, and just call me Applejack."
They bumped hooves amiably before Applejack turned her eyes on Soft Mane and Lyra. "Lands sake, girl, why are you hanging off of her like that?"
Lyra became self conscious, blushing deep through her fur, "I... it's hard to explain." With a bit of magic, she conjured a lyre and set it before Soft Mane, "Look at this. It's not meant to be played with hooves." She brought Soft Mane's captive hand to the strings and let them go, "Go on, try it."
Soft Mane looked quite skeptical, but gave it a soft twang, then another. She had no idea how to play a lyre, but she was content enough to lightly pluck the cords in what seemed to be a pleasant enough pattern.
"See," said Lyra, "A natural. If I want to play it, I have to use magic, and that's my cutie mark!" In her excitement, the lyre vanished, no longer fueled by her personal magic. "Tell me where you're from."
"Everglow," said Soft Mane, "It's another world."
"See!" repeated Lyra. "It came from another world." She flopped on her bottom, "You're like... me, from another world, with those... things." she pointed a hoof at Soft Mane's hands.
"Hands?" asked Soft Mane.
"No, the things on the ends of them," corrected Lyra.
"Fingers?" Soft Mane wriggled her fingers for emphasis and Lyra bobbed her head, almost palpably jealous of the digits.
Twilight gave a slightly exasperated chuckle, "If Sweetie Drops heard you right now."
This struck Lyra, making her shrink back, "Don't tell Bon Bon!"
Rarity tilted her head, "I don't mean to pry, darling, but whyever not? She always seems supportive of your... eccentricities."
Soft Mane smiled and couched down to be on the level with the cowering Lyra. "You sound like you really like this Bon Bon. If you are true friends, then she will understand."
Lyra nodded slowly, "Yea, I suppose so. Still, this is amazing..." She reached forward again to get those talented fingers when Celestia cleared her throat.
"Lyra Heartstrings. You are to remain in the castle until such time as Princess Twilight Sparkle has sufficient time to tutor you. You will be my guest until your schooling is complete," said Celestia, her tone offering no chance for arguments. After Lyra nodded, Celestia pointed to the door, "The guards will see you to your room." Dismissed, Lyra departed, still star struck.
Applejack gave Soft Mane a soft nudge, "Don't see what all the big fuss is about."
Soft Mane shrugged as she rose back to her full height. "They're handy."
Twilight snorted at the pun and rolled her eyes before looking to the princess, "Well that's all of us now. We should get started."
The deafening report of a cannon made everypony in the room jump. Confetti rained down on them along with invitations.
Hello friends,
Come to the dining hall on the east side of the palace for the besterest party of the year!
No Need to RSVP,
Pinkie Pie
Applejack snorted as she read the small card, "That gal's not changed one bit. Ah reckon we better git on over there before she comes after us."