After the initial shock and confusion from the sudden surprise party, the group of twelve ponies, two princesses, and a dragon were attempting to enjoy themselves. Especially after Laughter and Pinkie were reduced back to one pony apiece. Laughter merely dismissed their confusion with a wave of his hoof, before sending them back to the celebration.
Princess Celestia was more casually attempting to enjoy herself, but couldn’t deny her unease at the whole situation. Especially after the display of magic, that well, Magic displayed in the Castle gardens. If these Elements wanted to cause damage, there would be little even she could do to stop them. Which was one of the few things that Celestia just couldn’t stand.
Luckily, it at least seemed that the other Elements agreed that Magic was dangerous. They had, rather comically, sequestered the Element in the corner of the room. Making her sit on a stool, with a dunce cap on her head. The Element was grumpily pouting in her little corner of isolation. Celestia wanted to laugh at how ridiculous she looked, but didn’t think it would be quite appropriate to laugh at an Element of Harmony. Especially considering, that Magic had been one of her Elements when she and her sister had wielded them.
Celestia turned her attention away from the sulking Element and back to the rest of the party. Each of Twilight’s friends, and the various remaining Elements were spending time in various party activities. Honesty was doing his absolute best to keep Pinkie Pie from dragging him into dancing. Laughter and Applejack seemed to be in the middle of a pie eating contest, Celestia honestly couldn’t tell who was winning. Twilight, Fluttershy, Kindness, and Spike were in the middle of a game of ‘Pin the Tail on the Pony’. The larger Kindness finding it difficult to maneuver when spun and blindfolded. Doing his best to avoid bumping into object and ponies, and apologizing profusely if he did so. Celestia couldn’t put her hoof on why, but she always felt odd every time she looked at Kindness. She even occasionally caught him giving her odd, almost sad, looks.
Luna was conversing with Loyalty, and based on her expressions and posture, she was quite cross with him about something. While Celestia could not overhear what was being discussed the sullen look on Loyalty’s countenance peaked her interest somewhat. It was fascinating to see a physical god cowed in any way.
The last pair was Rainbow Dash and Generosity. Unlike how she might normally act, Rainbow Dash seemed to be intent on staying as far from the party as possible. Dash seemed to be still in a mild state of shock, while Generosity was grimacing in disgust at Applejack and Laughter’s eating contest.
It was this little group that Celestia steered herself toward, making sure to grab a slice of her favorite cake along the way. “Enjoying the party you two?” Celestia asked taking a seat between the two of them in between bites of some the moistest cake she had ever tasted.
“I wouldn’t exactly consider this, enjoyment,” Generosity cringed as another tin of pie disappeared down Laughter and Applejack’s mouths. Generosity pulled her gaze away from the contest and blanched in irritation as she watched Celestia happily consume her sugary treat.
“Yeah, tons of fun,” Dash said, with none of her usual enthusiasm and bravado.
“Perhaps you might enjoy yourself more if you joined your friends in the festivities?” Celestia asked, trying to get Rainbow Dash out of her funk as well as get a better understanding of Generosity’s personality.
“Like I could ever indulge in such obviously dangerous activities,” Generosity scoffed, taking a sip of her water. “Honestly, how in the world can they eat that much and not get sick? Do you know how much sugar Laughter put in those pies? Absolutely disgusting.”
Celestia shook her head. Unsure of what to think of the ponified Element. She held a vague reminder of her own mother. It was a strange sensation to bring up such old memories, and Celestia did what she could to push them to the side for the moment. Turning her attention back toward Rainbow Dash, her curiosity grew as to what exactly had her so morose. Based on what she had heard about Rainbow Dash, the energetic pegasus would never let the opportunity to show off pass her by. Yet here she sat, trying her hardest not to look over at her Element, still being chewed out by Luna. Celestia was slowly beginning to understand what might be causing the downturn in Rainbow’s mood, so she quickly devised a way to improve it. “Surely you wouldn’t let Applejack beat you in any sort of competition Rainbow?” Celestia asked, looking toward the competition which seemed to be reaching its end.
For a moment it almost looked like Rainbow Dash was about to take Celestia up on her offer. A spark of excitement glimmered in her eye at a shot of showing off her skills. However, Celestia watched her eyes quickly dart back toward Loyalty and her growing eagerness to prove herself in a challenge seemed to deflate as quickly as it had come. She then took her head, and gave her temples a bit of a rub. “Hey Princess?” Dash asked, her voice a mix of confusion and frustration. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course my little pony, you know you can always ask me anything.”
Dash opened her mouth, but for a few moments nothing came out. She closed her mouth again and her face scrunched up, obviously struggling to find the right words to say. Celestia didn’t mind, in fact she tended to prefer when ponies took their time to speak to her. Most nobles that she had to deal with on a daily basis often spoke without really caring what they were saying. No matter how inane or self centered it tended to be. When Dash finally did speak she still sounded a little unsure of herself. “Have you ever not known what to do about something?” She asked.
“What kind of something?” Celestia prodded.
This only caused Rainbow Dash more frustration, as Celestia watched her mental gears fervently trying to come to a proper conclusion. “I mean, what do you do when you see something that goes totally against what you thought things were supposed to be?” Dash scratched her head as she spoke. “Am I making any sense here?”
Celestia merely giggled before finally answering. “Do not worry Dash, I understand you perfectly. Before I answer, do you mind if I ask you a question?”
“Oh, um of course Princess!”
“Wouldn’t it be better if things were occasionally beyond what you expected of them?”
“Huh?”
“If things were always exactly how you expected them to be, would that not be boring? When you encounter something that you didn’t expect, would you not feel better about yourself for overcoming it?” Celestia continued, watching as the gears in Rainbow Dash’s head began to turn.
“I...I guess you’re right,” Dash stared down into her partially empty cup of cider as her mind continued furiously processing Celestia’s words.
“Even things you had grown used to can change on you, or you find some aspect of something familiar that you might not have ever expected. When that happens, do you just lay back and do nothing? Or do you rise to the challenge and adapt?”
Rainbow Dash was silent for a few moments more before Celestia could see everything finally click into place. Her face quickly screwed into one of determination as she glared into her cup. That same spark of rising to a challenge formed in her eyes once more.“Excuse me Princess, I gotta go take care of something.” With that Dash was off, flying over to Luna and Loyalty. Celestia could barely hear Dash offer and apology before Dash grabbed Loyalty and flew off with him.
“You enjoyed that,” Generosity said with a smirk.
“Why shouldn’t I enjoy helping my little ponies?” Celestia asked back, a similar smirk on her face.
“That isn’t what I meant and you know it,” Generosity shook her head before continuing. “You know a bit too well what to say to ponies nowadays. I remember a time not too long ago when you actually had a bit of a stutter. The prospect of talking in front of a huge audience making you clam up. Yet here you are, able to get your little ponies to do nearly whatever you want with a few words.”
Celestia wasn’t quite sure if she wanted to feel insulted or honored by the Elements statement. “You make it sound as if I am manipulating them.”
“In a way you are,” Generosity said with a wave of her hoof. “Though to be honest, you do tend to have their best interests at heart. I cannot say the same for other so called ‘nobles’ in your position.”
“I take it you don’t approve of them?” Celestia giggled a bit to herself.
“Are you kidding!?” Generosity said, sighed heavily as she slouched onto the table. “Selfish jerks the lot of them. Don’t even get me started on that Nephew of yours. Why do you keep them around anyway?”
Celestia merely shook her head, a small smile on her face. It slowly faded before she finally answered the Element. “A relic of when Luna was gone. I needed some assistance to take over duties that she did before. After 1,000 years they have become so entrenched in the running of the Government, that I can’t just get rid of them.” The smirk returned as she continued, “even if I really want too.”
The two mares giggled quietly to themselves as a third slowly joined them. Princess Luna had a confused look as she glanced back toward where Dash and Loyalty had flown off too. “Do you know what that was about?” Luna asked, giving a slight bow to Generosity.
“I do believe it was simply Rainbow Dash asserting herself after a bit of a scuffle with Loyalty earlier this morning,” Generosity said with a smirk. “I tried to warn Loyalty that she would be a hoofful, but did he listen to me? Of course not.” She huffed a bit setting her head on her hooves.
“By the way dear Sister. What were you discussing with Loyalty before you came here?”
“Merely how his etiquette needs work. While he may be the Element of Loyalty, he has difficulty in following orders.”
“Oh?” Celestia raised an eyebrow in confusion at that. Why would Loyalty, out of all the Elements, disobey orders?
Luna nodded as she sat down next to her sister. “I had ordered him to accompany our guardponies in apprehending his brethren. While he did eventually meet up with Magic, he had abandoned his station with Applejack and Rainbow Dash. He claimed he was in pursuit of Laughter, but I am not so certain.”
“That actually sounds like Loyalty,” Generosity sighed. “He gets so caught up in following one order, that he ignores or bends another.”
“He shouldn’t have charged off like he did all the same. He was still technically under arrest when he bolted off.”
“You should have seen some of the stuff he did when writing down the rules of reality. We had to get him to tone it down a notch, as his so called Laws of Physics interfered too much with magics functionality. But did Loyalty care all that much? Oh no, ‘everything must have its proper place,’ he said. Took us nearly two centuries in your time to show him the system with magic would work just as well.”
“He sounds like quite a hoofful,” Celestia said, taking a small sip from her own glass of cider.
“No, simply stubborn. Both him and Honesty tend to get that way,” Generosity looked over to Applejack and Laughter again. The farmer was looking a little green, while the Element basked in his moment of victory, before promptly ducking under the table. Based on Applejack’s reaction, the pies he had eaten had made a comeback tour. “Is it any wonder that their bearers share the trait?”
“Stubbornness can be a benefit,” Luna said, inspecting one of the cupcakes that were spread out on the table before them.
“Depends on what that stubbornness is applied too,” Generosity scoffed. “And don’t eat that Luna. It’s terrible for you.”
Luna simply raised an eyebrow. She then quickly unwrapped the cupcake and tossed it whole into her mouth, chewing and swallowing the sugary treat with a satisfied moan. One of Generosity’s eyes twitching was the Element's only response. “Element or no, thou are not our mother. I shall eat what I desire.”
“Stubbornness at its best,” Celestia said with a smile.
Before any of them could say anything more a sudden burst of confetti and sound of a popping balloon signaled the arrival of a certain pink party pony. With smile and a flourish, she quickly placed a few party hats on each of them. “So how are you all enjoying the party?” Pinkie asked, following her question with a blow from a party blower.
“It’s quite lovely Pinkie, though it seems a bit much for such a small gathering,” Celestia gestured to the rows and rows of tables that could have fed a party four times this size with ease.
“Well me and Laughter might have gotten a little carried away,”
“Little is an understatement,” Generosity grumbled.
“I for one think that it was a lovely sentiment. Thank you for the party Pinkie Pie.”
“You make it sound like it's over already!” Pinkie cheered grabbing Celestia’s hoof and beginning to drag her away from the table. Despite Celestia’s superior size, and physical strength, it seemed it didn’t even matter as Pinkie effortlessly moved her to the dance floor. “C’mon Celestia. It's not a real party until everypony is having fun!” With that Pinkie quickly changed the record on the gramophone with a bump of her hip. The song that now belted from it was far more upbeat, and had a deep bass beat that shouldn’t really be possible to achieve with a gramophone. “Let’s see how a Princess really shakes her hoove thang!” Pinkie cheere, breaking into her own bouncy dancing style.
Normally the Princess of the Sun would be more than happy to join in on any sort of party activity once invited. However there was one simple problem with the current predicament. Celestia didn’t know how to dance. Now it might seem that a pony of Celestia’s age would have learned a few dance moves over her lifetime, maybe even inventing a few. But Celestia’s experience with dances had been strictly limited to the incredibly formal kind. While they were elegant and entertaining in their own way, they were very simple. Any other kind of dancing was only known to the Solar Diarch via passing study. So now Celestia stood in the middle of a dance floor, with several ponies staring at her, and for the first time in a very long time, she had no idea what to do.
“Thank you very much Pinkie, but I think I would rather spend the party with Twilight and my sister if you don’t mind,” she said, trying to politely as possible excuse herself.
Pinkie paused for only a moment before she gasped “That’s a great idea!” and dashed off. Celestia watched as the pink blur grabbed up her sister, and Twilight, before unceremoniously plopping them down in front of Celestia. “Who better to dance with than the ponies closest to you! C’mon you three, let's see those tail’s shakin!” Pinkie gave her own tail a few flicks into the air for emphasis.
On the one hand, Celestia knew all too well that attempting to avoid showing off her lack of dancing skill had only made her situation worse. Twilight, for her part, looked about as nervous as Celestia felt. That small bit of relief was quickly melted away as she saw Luna already beginning to bob her head in time to the music. “Come dear sister,” Luna said with a smile grabbing Celestia by a hoof. “The pink one is most correct. While the audio quality is limited this is one of DJ-PON3’s best tracks. We simply must dance.”
Celestia heard the mischievous tone in her younger sister's voice. Despite their long time apart, Luna could still read her like a book, and apparently picked up on her reluctance. Her fate was sealed now, there was no way that Luna would let her get away. “Do not fret Twilight,” Luna continued draping a wing over the smaller pony, who was attempting to extricate herself from the situation as fast as possible. “Together the three of us shall show all these ruffian’s exactly how royalty parties!”
“That’s the spirit Luna!” Pinkie cheered from the sidelines.
Twilight glanced nervously between the two Princesses, then back to the eager faces of her friends behind her. Then Twilight began to do something that Celestia did not expect. Twilight began to dance. It was a rather poor, jerky dance, and it was painfully obvious that Twilight just couldn’t fully relax in Celestia’s presence. The studious unicorn had made great strides in letting herself go in her mentor’s presence, but much to Celestia’s own disappointment she still had some ways to go. Though there was also the distinct possibility that Twilight just couldn’t dance.
Before Celestia could react her sister had grabbed her hooves and began to spin her around the dance floor. The larger Alicorn doing her best to try and keep up with her sister's wild movements. Before she had even realized it, they had switched partners, and Celestia found herself dancing with Twilight. She froze up near instantly when the Princess of the Sun rejoined her on the dance floor. Celestia felt sorry for her, and oddly herself at the same time. It was then that Celestia made a decision. If she wanted Twilight and her friends to loosen up around her, and thus allowing her to let down her decades old mental barriers, she would have to make the first step. So with goal in mind, Celestia started to dance.
Celestia felt the beat of the music flowing into her as her hooves began an unsteady canter with Twilight. The steady rhythm soon causing her hooves to tap in tune with it. She felt her head bobbing along with each thrum of bass, that the gramophone was still strangely producing. She probably looked ridiculous, just moving in whatever way her body willed her to do so. It was liberating, and apparently Twilight’s friends thoroughly agreed. The next time she opened her eyes to take in the dance floor around her, Twilight's friends had all joined in on the little dance party.
Celestia even noted that Twilight was getting a bit more lucid in her movements. With the aid of her friends, and Celestia’s own attempts to embarrass herself, she found herself freed up. Celestia smiled as she continued to bob and sway with the song. The Alicorn ignited her horn and picked up her crown, laying it down on a nearby table. “I know you can dance better than that Twilight,” she really didn’t, but was curious as to how Twilight danced. “Do I have to make it a royal decree for you to enjoy yourself?”
That did it. Celestia watched with amusement as Twilight’s eyes first went wide, before becoming determined. Then Twilight truly began to dance, and it was terrible. Truly Celestia had never seen any more nerdish way of dancing in her entire life. And she had seen some truly embarrassing dance crazes spring up in her long rule. Celestia’s smile grew wider as she doubled her own efforts at the dance, turning this into another in a long string of little ‘tests’ that Celestia had given Twilight over the years. Even if there was nothing at stake with this one.
As the dancing went on, a few of the Elements began to join in. Kindness danced with Fluttershy, a reserved dance for two that the large stallion showing an unusual amount of grace and dexterity despite his bulk. Pinkie and Laughter, however, were dancing on a nearby wall. The last pair was Generosity and Spike. The poor Dragon being more dragged around the dance floor rather than properly joining in with his partner.
Celestia nearly burst out laughing as she saw the odd couple. As her dance with Twilight brought the two closer to the bizarre pair Celestia couldn’t help but be a bit curious. “I thought you didn’t like parties Generosity?” At the very least that was the impression she had gotten.
“Hardly, that’s more Honesty,” she said gesturing over to the stallion who seemed to be trying to catch his breath. “I just don’t particularly like the choice in food. Besides, like I would pass up the chance to give my custom made body for a dancing test drive.” She had a slightly manic smile as she said that last part.
“That’s the spirit Genny!” called Pinkie, who had rejoined the dance floor proper with Laughter.
“Push that flank to the limit!” Laughter said with a giggle as the pair twirled off.
“Don’t I get a say in any of this?” Spike asked as he did what he could to keep up with Generosity’s dance.
“Not until this song ends you don’t,”
“If you don’t mind Generosity,” Twilight interrupted, stepping away from Celestia. She could make out a slight nervous tone in her student's voice. “Would you mind if I cut in?”
Generosity smiled and quickly bowed away, letting Twilight take up the dance with her faithful assistant. Celestia caught Spike mouthing a thank you as the pair danced away. She also saw Twilight lose much of the tension in her body as she mouthed a you're welcome back. The young unicorn still didn’t seem to be able to remain too calm around her mentor. It made Celestia’s day that she was able to loosen up even as much as she did.
However now that she found herself without a dance partner, Celestia politely excused herself from the dance floor. She found a nice seat next to Honesty and watched from the sidelines.
“I fail to see the fun in this. Nor how Laughter believed it was a good idea to throw a party after Magic and Loyalty ended up partially trashing your castle,” Honesty sighed as he tried to straighten his mane.
“I find it beneficial to the running of things if one is allowed to let loose every so often.”
“Perhaps, but not so suddenly.” Honesty turned to look at Celestia, his face unreadable. “If you had postponed the wedding for instance, Chrysalis wouldn’t have gotten as far into her plan as she did.”
“Yet her invasion was still repealed, and nopony was permanently harmed. Overall I say that my decisions were worth it. After all if I had pushed to cancel the wedding, Chrysalis’ moves would have become unpredictable.”
“You act as if you knew Chrysalis was at the wedding at all. I know that you did not.”
Celestia was silent at this. Still not too proud of her behavior, and her defeat, at the hooves of the changeling queen.
Honesty sighed before turning back to observe the party. “Your intentions were noble, I cannot deny this. But you cannot protect Cadance. By giving her that fleeting moment of happiness you will only make her heartache that much worse.”
“She is stronger than that. Besides, both Luna and I will be there to help her when that time comes.”
Honesty glanced briefly at Celestia, as if sizing her up. “For the sake of both herself, and the Crystal Empire, she will have to be.” Celestia flinched slightly at the mention of the long lost city. A movement only the keenest of eyes would have even picked up on. Based on the look Honesty gave her, he had. “It is coming Celestia, and Cadance must take her rightful place.”
Celestia took a deep breath, trying to keep from getting shaken again. She had hoped that the empire would not return this generation. Things had been hectic enough with Luna’s return, and Discord’s temporary freedom. To think the Empire would return amongst all of this. It would put her skills as a leader under a strain she hadn’t felt in a thousand years. “Both she and Shining Armor will be prepared. Their love is strong enough to purify any lingering taint in the crystal ponies.”
“And what of Twilight Sparkle?” Honesty asked, his piercing gaze focusing on the unicorn. Twilight was oblivious to his attention, watching instead a returned Rainbow Dash and Pinkie face off in a punch drinking contest. “Will she be prepared for her own kingdom?”
This only resulted in confusion for Celestia. “Twilight is no Alicorn.”
“Yet.”
“That’s impossible.”
“It isn’t. Starswirl nearly accomplished it.”
“He failed.”
“She won’t.”
Celestia went quiet for a moment as she looked over at her prized student. She knew that she was quickly gaining ground on Starswirl’s accomplishments. Especially considering she managed to replicate his time loop spell with only a casual glance. Celestia knew that being bonded to Magic would increase her abilities, but ascension? She had suspected that Twilight might be able to access the ethereal plane, but wasn’t sure exactly what to think about her becoming an alicorn on top of that.
“If you had not intended for Twilight to reach such a plateau, what exactly have you been training her for?” Honesty probed.
“I had planned for her to be at my side yes, but as a unicorn. I would never want her to share in my curse.” Celestia said, shuddering slightly as she thought of Twilight experiencing the pains of immortality.
“In that regard you do not have a choice, but you will be pleased to know she won’t outlive her friends,” Honestly continued. “You wanted us here to ask what we have planned. Twilight’s ascension is paramount to the safety of this world. A darkness is coming, and it will take all of the skills that you have taught her. Without it, even our power may fail against it.”
Celestia looked back to Honesty. Trying to glean some more information from the Element. Yet his face remained as stoic and unchanging as a mountain. “Then why risk coming here? Do you intend to ascend Twilight now?” She asked, thinking back to when Honesty burst into her throne room early that day. His confused and disoriented actions being quite different from how he carried himself now. A part of her wanted to believe that she could just ignore everything he said on the grounds of mental instability. But everything he had done since then had quickly dissuaded any such notion. “Is that why you came when Twilight called?”
Honesty shook his head and continued to watch the party goers. “It is not time yet. You were correct when we spoke back in the throne room. Attempting to advance things faster than some are prepared for can cause more damage than not preparing at all.”
“Then why come at all?”
Honesty then turned back toward Celestia, and the princess was able to get a good look into his eyes. They were deep, and old. The same kind of eyes she saw in herself every time she looked in the mirror. They were the eyes that carried the weight of ages, but even Celestia felt herself sinking under the sheer force that Honesty’s eyes exuded. “She would die otherwise,” was his simple reply. He then picked himself up and turned toward Magic, who still sat grumpily in the corner. “I shall make sure that Magic keeps to our little promise,” he continued, trotting away from Celestia. “She will follow my orders, I can assure you of that.”
With that Celestia turned her attention back to the little party of Bearers and Elements before her. Her thoughts heavy with Honesty’s words. Thinking of what could possibly be so dangerous that not even the Elements could stand against it. It was then she noticed two sets of eyes watching her from the crowd. One belonged to her sister. The moon princess having split her attention between dancing with Kindness, and watching the discussion between her and Honesty. Luna gave a slight nod, a confirmation that she had been listening as well, before turning her attention fully back to her partner. The second set troubled the sun princess a bit more. These belonged to Twilight who was less subtle about her observations. She quickly attempted to hide behind a cupcake she was daintily chewing on as soon as she realized Celestia had spotted her.
Celestia smiled, doing her best to conceal her thoughts from her prized student. Celestia would never dare willingly let Twilight see her depressed. It was hard enough to get Twilight to loosen up around her as it was. She couldn’t imagine how Twilight would behave if she realized what kind of thoughts plagued the sun princess. She picked herself up and trotted over to Twilight, who paniced slightly as she stuffed what remained of the cupcake into her mouth.
Celestia chuckled before she spoke. “I have been told those are bad for you. Though personally I find them quite pleasant.” To prove her point she grabbed a cupcake of her own, mimicking her student by eating the treat whole.
“They…they are nice,” Twilight stuttered, nervously shifting in her seat.
“I still wouldn’t recommend eating too many though.” Celestia said, gesturing out toward the party. “I am sure you could work off whatever might be in them if you rejoined your friends in the party.”
She watched as Pinkie and Laughter had once again dragged a few guards into the celebrations, starting a small food fight with the sheer amount of food the pair had made. Loyalty and Rainbow Dash quickly joining in to support the outmatched troops. Loyalty marshalling his new forces to set up defensive perimeters and organizing with Dash to perform aerial bombardments with cupcake bombs.
“Well it wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.” Twilight said as several snacks landed a bit too close to her and Celestia for comfort. She fidgeted nervously once more as numerous thoughts crossed through her mind.
Celestia recognized this behavior at once. She had practically been a second mother to the little unicorn, and had become quite familiar with her various quirks and follies. “What’s wrong?” She asked, trying to get Twilight to voice her unease. Despite focusing on Twilight, she still couldn’t completely draw herself away from the strange pastry combat in front of them.
Pinkie and Laughter had quickly drawn Spike into their ranks, using the dragon to eat the wayward projectiles before they could cause any harm. “It would seem that you should be celebrating. Your spell worked wonderfully,” she continued as she watched Luna join into the makeshift battle royal. Becoming a sort of heavy artillery for Pinkie and her Element.
“The Elements are a part of us right?” Twilight asked as she stared back down at her hooves. “I mean they are as much a part of who we are as we are a part of them.” Twilight went silent again as she looked at the slowly growing battle. The only ponies not participating were Magic, Honesty, and the two of them. Twilight seemed to want to keep it that way.
“Ponies are not always what you expect them to be,” Celestia said, already figuring out what was distressing her favorite pupil. Celestia glanced over to see Pinkie making a rather dramatic display of her “death” after getting struck by a well placed jelly filled doughnut flung by Rarity. The fashionista having taken up a position deep within Loyalty and Rainbow Dash’s territory, serving as their resident sniper.
“I know and I know I really shouldn’t do that but, I can’t quite shake the feeling that I am missing something.” Twilight glanced over at Magic, who seemed to be deep in conversation with Honesty. However, as soon as the Element noticed Twilight's gaze, she sent the unicorn a rather, eager, look. This made Twilight shiver slightly and move to place herself a bit more between Celestia and her own Element.
Celestia, for her part, merely nodded her head. She wasn’t quite sure what exactly had happened between the two, but based on Twilight’s behavior it wasn’t exactly pleasant. Yet Celestia understood all the same. If her own Element acted so different as to unnerve her than could she too be just as strange? Celestia chuckled to herself as she realized that Magic was channeling more of her personality than Twilight’s. “I think you just need to give this all a chance. They are a part of you, but there are many parts that make a pony up. Some parts of yourself you might not ever show to another. Some you may not even know exist. This does not make them bad in any way. It just means you have to learn a bit more about yourself, and that can be frightening sometimes, but you always come out better for learning it than you ever would for keeping it in the dark.” Celestia said smiling down at Twilight.
The purple pony seemed to calm down slightly as she processed what Celestia had said. She always took every little thing her Princess said to heart, and the solar Princess occasionally used it to her advantage. Twilight’s growing positive mood however was soured slightly as she turned back to the chaos of the ongoing sweets war. The space between the two bases having become a cream and frosting filled no-mare’s land. While Twilight herself seemed a bit disappointed at her friends' actions Celestia was getting other ideas.
With a small golden glow Celestia picked up a nearby cake. While she was loath to waste such a tasty treat, it was to a very good cause. “Why don’t we show these ponies how to properly use a few projectile spells?” Celestia asked, giving her faithful student a knowing smirk. At first Twilight looked unsure, but then with a flash of purple magic she joined her mentor in glorious combat.