My Little Dynamite: Book One

by Fuzzyfurvert


Therapy was Involved

Chapter 13

Celestia sipped from her tankard-sized warmug as she took her seat on the throne of Canterlot. The throne room was empty at the moment save for herself and a smattering of her Battle Mage guards and some castle staff that were busy cleaning the great frosted glass windows. She settled herself comfortably into the giant chair and let her thoughts calmly flow around the niggling issues that she was dealing with.

On one hoof, there was the issue of her niece, Cadance, being missing along with her top Battle Mage, Twilight. Spike had sent her a cryptic note days ago about going to a trusted place. She felt that they were still together though and she held on to that hope. Twilight would keep Cadance safe no matter what.

Celestia exhaled slowly through her nose. Twilight, I wish you well and pray for your victory. I shall endeavor to apologize to you properly once this is all done. You are the only one I can trust for this. After you beat Luna...I knew you were the one. Celestia huffed and took another long sip of her Neightucket Blend.

Cadance’s safety went shoe-on-hoof with the second issue: Chrysalis. The changeling was becoming more erratic again. She had been doing so well too. I just hope she gets my note and is too distracted to get into real trouble. But the appearance of new changelings...this bothers me. And what did Chryssy mean by ‘the Midnight Lord’ sent the assassin? The name seems vaguely familiar. Maybe I should ask Luna?

Celestia turned and nodded her head to signal her majordomo. The light grey colored mare stepped forward and straightened her glasses. “Yes, your Highness?”

“Raven, is there anything important on this morning’s agenda?”

Raven lifted her clipboard and scanned the itinerary briefly. “No ma’am. Nothing more important than deciding on today’s lunch.”

“Excellent.” Celestia stood and stretched. “Tell Creamy Goodness I want a full platter of protein-rich sushi and miso on the side. Her choice on ingredients. Otherwise, I am going to check on my sister, call me if I am needed.”

“Yes, your Highness.”

Celestia nodded and trotted off toward the tower where her sister’s chambers were. It was early yet, but she knew Luna would be up for her physical rehabilitation session. If the doctors were to be believed, she’d soon be back to the point of walking around without needing the aid of her wheel harness. Luna was proud of her achievement of just being able to stand and walk slowly. But regaining her full range of motion and stamina for simple movement without pain was still months of training away.

When she reached the doors to her sister’s room, Celestia nodded to the two Shieldmaidens posted there. She opened the door and stepped into the dimly lit antechamber before proceeding on to the main room where Luna took her sessions. The room held exercise equipment, weights and balance bars where she had seen Luna ease her way along, wings spread for purchase as she wobbled forward on weak legs.

Twilight really did a number on her. I’m still surprised Luna doesn’t hold something of a grudge about - wait a tick. Where is Luna? Celestia blinked. The space was empty.

“Luna?” Celestia’s ears perked up when she caught a muffled sound. Was it a voice? She turned and regarded the side door that lead to Luna’s bedroom. Had her sister decided to sleep in? She drew a deep breath and pushed the door open, a mantra of ‘please be alone’ repeating in her mind. She was met on the other side by a yellow colored pegasus that was hastily placing her nurse’s cap on her head.

Celestia blinked and smiled awkwardly. “Um...hello again, Miss Fluttershy.” She looked over Fluttershy’s tousled mane and mussed coat. “Is my sister in?”

“Oh, uh, hello, your Highness.” Fluttershy adjusted her cap slightly and blushed deeply, going silent for a long moment before answering. “Um...yes, she’s resting. In bed. Alone.”

Celestia chuckled and rubbed the back of her hoof against her shin, her eyes shifting around uncomfortably. “Yes, of course she is.”

They both stood there, their cheeks flushed and neither one able to look at the other until Luna cleared her throat loudly. Fluttershy jumped at the sound and slipped around Celestia in a gallop. The door to Luna’s chamber closed with a bang a second later, leaving the sister’s alone.

“What is it, Celestia?”

“Sorry. I came to speak with you, Luna.”

“Then make it quick.” The darker colored princess struggled into a sitting position on the bed and glared at Celestia from behind sweaty bangs. “I was technically in the middle of a physical therapy session and I’d like to continue it before she tries to fly away.”

“I’m sorry for interrupting.” Celestia shifted nervously. “I wanted to ask you if you recall hearing of anyone called the Midnight Lord?”

Luna stared at her blankly. “No. Was that all, Celes...wait - Midnight Lord? That rings a very old bell, I think.” Luna rubbed her chin. “I’ll need to think about it though. Can it wait?”

“For now.”
“Then go fetch my physical therapist, Tia, and return her here. I wish to continue my session with her.” Luna crossed her hooves over her chest. “I will speak to you again at breakfast.”

Celestia nodded sheepishly and backed up. “Sorry. Again.”

Luna huffed. “At least I’ve never walked in on you and your shapeshifter.”


Twilight stretched her legs and rolled her shoulders. She grimaced at the snaps and pops she heard. After breakfast she was feeling much improved but her long downtime had played hell with her muscles. She needed to walk and work up a sweat.

“Hey, Spike, you said Zecora has been sending you out for supplies?”

“Yeah.” Spike looked up from where he was sitting, listening to Cadance and Zecora speak with each other in the zebra’s native Swahay-li. “Like specific herbs and things for Ms. Zecora’s potions that she was giving you.”

“Have you gone out for any today?” Twilight looked over her shoulder and out the window at the rising dawn.

“Nope.”

“Then let’s go get some.”

“But I don’t think Zecora-”

Twilight cut him off with a hard look. “Let’s go get some, Spike. I could use the exercise.”

“Um…” Spike looked back at Cadance and Zecora for a moment and then stood. “Yeah, exercise would be good for us both.”

Spike lumbered over to the cottage’s door and pushed it open for Twilight. The canopy of the forest kept the small clearing in the front shady in the early morning and there was a slight chill to the air. The underbrush swayed in a light breeze that felt heavenly as Twilight stepped outside.

“Watch for the choking vines there. And that over there is some sort of giant fly eating plant. Eats more than flies, so watch out from the bones underfoot.” Spike pointed as they walked. “I don’t know what that is, but best to not touch it. Almost lost my arm last trip out.”

Twilight stopped a short distance from the clearing and the cottage. She turned and faced Spike who already had his arms crossed and was regarding her with an expectant expression.

“So…” Twilight started and sighed, her gaze falling to faint trail that they had been following. “I need to ask you something and I want your oath, Spike, that you will never speak of this to anyone else, ever.”

“You know you have that, Twi. What’s eating at you, sis?”

“Well...it’s just...last night, when I woke up, Cadance got in the bed with me.”

Spiked snorted. “She’s been doing that since we got here. So what?”

Twilight blushed and looked back in the direction of Zecora’s cottage. “Well...she sorta...offered herself. To me. And I’m not sure how I’m supposed to respond to that. I mean, I like Cadance. I really like Cadance, but I don’t have any experience with mares! Or...anyone, actually.”

“Wait. Wait wait wait! Cadance…Princess Cadance...like, one of the top five prettiest mares in the world… has offered herself to you? Are you serious?” Spike gaped at Twilight’s nod. “And you turned her down‽ Did the poison make you crazy or something?”

Twilight startled. “What? No! I just...I just wanted it to be something we both decided on, ok?”

“Twi. Sis. You have been given explicit permission to touch the booty of an Equestrian Princess. The goddess has smiled upon you, so stop looking all scared and depressed!”

“I don’t think she said anything about touching her butt…” Twilight blushed harder and looked at her hoof. “I mean, I wouldn’t mind touching her…”

Twilight faded off, her eyes locked on her hoof as her blush intensified to the point she should have been giving off steam and whistling like a teapot. I could touch Cady’s plot. Like, whenever I wanted.

Spike snapped his claws in front of her eyes to get her attention. “Twilight, focus. This is awesome news!” He grinned and put an arm across her shoulders. “Now, we aren’t just siblings. We’re bros! We can talk about all the hot mares together!”

Twilight raised an eyebrow and looked at Spike skeptically. “As a mare myself, I’m not sure how I feel about that.”

Spike smirked. “Don’t be weird, Twi. Just bask in my full support of you and Cadance being special someponies.”

Twilight continued to look at him in silence until her face softened slightly and leaned into him. “Thanks, bro.”

“Now...my advice on how you should proceed…”


Celestia looked up from the newspaper in front of her when the door to the private dining room opened and Luna, once again in her wheeled harness, entered with Shining Armor in full parade dress. She blinked at the polished cobalt-colored plates and chromed rivets that framed black lace around the neck and at the vambraces. The battle skirt flared much wider than the usual battle dress version and had more black lace and white satin ribbons that floated gracefully behind the stallion as he marched with military precision.

Shining helped Luna into her position opposite of Celestia and then turned smartly on his hooves so that he could begin fixing a plate of breads and cheeses for her.

Celestia raised an eyebrow and took a sip of coffee while her horn flashed and established a psychic link with her sister. What’s that all about?

I was feeling grumpy after having my physical therapy session cut early this morning. This makes me feel better.

Isn’t that a bit foalish, Lulu? Celestia put down her warmug and levitated her own plate of breakfast over to herself.

Hush. I don’t tell you how to conduct your battle mage underlings, now do I?

Celestia shrugged and rolled her eyes before picking up the Canterlot Times from the table and folding it back. “The ‘light show’ down in the Southern Ward has finally fallen off the front page.”

“Oh? It hasn’t even been a week. The citizens move quickly these days, don’t they?” Luna nodded to Shining as he set her plate in front of her and then look a step back to assume a rigid ‘at-attention’ posture. She smirked when she was certain only Celestia would see it and continued silently. At least the press is unaware of Cadance going missing.

There is that at least. Celestia turned the page of the paper. Speaking of that, about this ‘Midnight Lord;’ you said it rang a bell?

Luna nodded. Celestia could feel the sharing between them cloud as Luna kept her thoughts to herself for a moment.

It was from a long time ago. During my self-banishment. I met a unicorn that was called the Midnight Lord by his slaves. I don’t recall if I told you about it, but he was the reason that I returned when I did. He killed all of my guards. Luna paused, gathering her thoughts as her body went through the mechanical motions of eating. My army, back then, numbered in the thousands and one pony killed them all. I sealed him away, before he could get to me. That’s why when I returned, I was weakened so much.

Celestia put the paper down and looked at Luna, her eyes searching. Her sister appeared calm and collected, at peace - at least on the surface. She could see the small tells, the angle of her ears, the near invisible frown at the corners of her mouth when she wasn’t chewing. Luna had always been the more reserved one of them, when it came to showing strong emotions, but Celestia could tell she was reliving a memory that hurt her deeply.

No, you never told that. How could a single unicorn do that? And what do you mean by ‘seal him?’ I have heard from my contacts that the changelings sent to kill our niece were sent by him.

Luna reached out with her hoof and pulled a glass of water closer. She took a long sip and sighed gratefully. He never ran out of magic. He had enslaved his entire empire. They were mostly earth ponies, I think, but he did something to them, made them look like living crystals. He used them as arcane batteries, Tia. He killed all my forces by draining the life and magic out of them the same way a mage recharges with a mana gem. When I ran out of eunuchs, he came for me. I had to stop him. So I crafted a shield that would seal him and all his vile magic away. Like what I used on that explosion at the safe house, though larger and permanent.

Luna looked back at Celestia and smiled in a way that she hadn’t since the Everfree fell. I sealed Sombra and his whole crystal empire outside time and space. I spent the last of my godhead on erasing that evil from the world. I paid for my past transgressions that day when I cast my Gibbous Shield. There is no way he sent any assassins. Your pet bug is lying to you.

Celestia shot her sister a look over the rim of her warmug. Perhaps, but that is a highly specific name, you must agree. Why try and pin this on the ghost of a pony long gone?

Celestia cleared her throat and picked up her toast. She isn’t my pet, Luna.

She’s a lot more than merely your enemy. I did some digging and now that I know what to look for, finding her prints in our history is not so difficult. I noticed that on more than one occasion she went by false names that match up with ponies you’ve been known to have a...close relationship with. Luna’s eyes sparkled playfully. Several times. If it were just once, that might be a coincidence…

Celestia blushed and looked away, shutting down her end of the sharing as memories flashed in her mind. She was fairly positive which of her few dalliances over the years Luna suspected were actually the changeling in disguise. She knew of two for certain, both one night stands separated by more than a century. She regretted neither one. They were part of the reason she knew in her heart that Chrysalis was redeemable.

That might be, but back to the point, why indicate Sombra? Is he still as sealed away as you claim?


“It’s about time you two got back.” Cadance leaned against the door frame of the sage’s hut and smiled lightly. “Zecora wants us to accompany her on a little trip into the Everfree ruins. She needs to gather some plants and she thinks we might find some more info on Chrysalis and maybe the changelings.”

Twilight smiled and nodded. “Ok, I think we can do that. I feel pretty much back to normal now.”

“You look good.”

Twilight chuckled nervously. “Um...thanks. Really.”

Cadance grinned and stepped out into the little bit of sunlight that made it past the canopy at this early hour. “You’re welcome.” She looked at Spike and tilted her head. “Ready to fly big guy?”

Spike laughed and thumped his chest. “Am I! I haven’t felt the wind in my face in days now.”

The door to the hut closed with a solid sounding bang and the old zebra, Zecora joined them in the small clearing. She was wearing a harness that had dozens of loops and pouches on it with small bottles filling most of the loops and rope was looped loosely through her belt. “I am ready. We ‘ave far to go, but you dragon make it quick. It will be dangerous, but you make it safe.”

“Alright. If this gets us closer to some answers, all the better.” Twilight’s horn flashed and her cloak and staff appeared on her. “Ok, Spike, let’s get some air.”