//------------------------------//
// Broken Peace 
// Story: Shards of Nightmare 
// by Stonedpony 
//------------------------------//


Broken Peace



Everything in Twilight Sparkle's mind was in shambles, the vast space of her metaphorical brain space was lit from below by the glowing ocean of magical power. It churned and bubbled uncontrollable threatening to over flow and rend the remains of the mare to cinders. Twilight’s soul was like a purple colored shadow that clung to shattered remains of her basic knowledge of a being a pony, it was luckily the part of her mind keeping her body breathing and her heart beating. If she lost contact with the shard, it would most likely be her end. Twilight felt like she was missing something, she didn't know what she lost just that something was gone, so much was gone. She didn’t even know her name, but she thought the stuff around her had something to do with who she really was.
The broken pieces of Twilight’s memories floated by her like shards of shattered glass, through them she could see the images of the events store with in them. She guessed they were through her own eyes. In one the mare's soul saw the face of a tire purple gray pony smiling at her, the mare had her mane pulled back in a bun and she was huge. Big enough to hold Twilight in her forelegs. It could have been that Twilight was just small at the time, she was sure the white walls and the equipment in the back ground held the clues to what it meant. Clues that she didn’t have the necessary knowledge to understand.
Another memory distracted the fading mare's soul, this one of some sort of celebration. A glowing pink pony, with a mane that seemed just too curly to be real, bounced around making sure everypony was having fun, talking too and dancing with the other ponies. A few others stood out against the other featureless ponies. They glowed like the first with a strange comforting light. One was a graceful white unicorn mare with a perfect mane and tail, another a strong orange earth pony with a brown hat and blond mane, two had wings one yellow with a pink mane and kind eyes and timid nature, the other brash and confident but friendly with a light blue body and a rainbow mane. Who were they, Twilight Sparkle couldn’t remember. She wanted to know, she needed to know.
Another memory passed in front of the celebration. This one was of a little purple creature that stood on two legs, or at least was trying to. He had cute little round cheeks, that turned red when he started to cry about falling again. Watching it any longer would have made Twilight cry too, this little creature was important to her. She knew it, why else would she be apparently teaching him to walk. She could hear the echos of her words to it as she watched it, “don’t Cry Spike, your so close.” was its name Spike, she couldn’t remember.
Twilight looked away, not knowing was just upsetting. Though which ever way she looked her heart broke for the same reason. She saw a scene of a stallion whose name she couldn’t know making love to her, he seemed nice though she could just barely tell with his eyes closed. She didn’t even know if the light tan stallion with a short black mane was her first or last. They could be married with three foals for all she knew. The only clues were the massive hourglass that dominated the center of the room they were in, she could see a castle out the large window behind him and the giant shelves full of books all around them.
Books. She knew books, she love them. Twilight looked around, there so many memories of her reading books and the information with in them. She may even know how to fix this, all the good it was doing her right now. Maybe if she could find the shard she would know more, and may even be able to fix herself. 
The shadow that was Twilight Sparkle 'stood up' it only had the vaguest of shape resembling a pony. She barely remembered who she was but she knew that giving up wasn’t something she did easily. The unicorn pony's soul looked around. There were so many shards that she couldn’t count, although Twilight didn't remember any numbers pass thirty seven. The task seemed daunting to the point of impossibility. Before she could decide where to start a bright blinding light pierced the darkness. Twilight’s soul felt drawn to the light, despite its harsh white color she felt at peace. Then everything went black and cold.
What ever Twilight was laying on was cold and hard. She could hear the muffled sounds of pony voices around her. Her eyes fluttered opened, even with blurry vision she recognized Princess Celestia with her horn glowing like the sun, and eyes closed in concentration. her friends were around her. Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Applejack all looked worried for their fallen friend and she could hear Luna giving some orders off to her left. Most of what happened flooded back to Twilight just then, she shot up and asked, “what happened. Wh-who attack us?” before anypony could answer she looked to Applejack and asked “AJ are you okay?”
the earth pony nodded “little worse for wear, but it was just a bug bite.” she tossed her head a little too cover the puffy bruised bite mark on her neck with her pony tail, even with magic a changeling bite will take time to heal and they look nasty till they do.
“thank goodness.” Twilight replied. “you had me worried.” she looked around at her friends as they said she had THEM worried and realized a few were missing, “where's Spike and Winchester?”
“their okay.” Rarity answered quickly, she didn’t want to let her injured friend panic it probably wouldn’t help. Celestia still had her eyes closed after all she may not be done. 
“blue boys pretty tore up but he was breathing last time we saw him.” Rainbow Dash added before Rarity could continue, earning scolding glances from the others around her, that defiantly wouldn’t help. The blue mare let the lack of concern for herself slide, Twilight probably just couldn’t remember that part yet.
“WHAT HAPPENED!” Twilight yelled jumping to her hooves. Celestia sat back and opened her eyes, sighing in relief. She was finished, even with her power it was hard putting a ponies mind back together. Twilight’s soul was undamaged which was the most important thing.
“your lover was left back in Ponyville. sir Sombra decided too only bring you and the other Bearers of Harmony to Canterlot.” Luna said as she joined the group, Sir Sombra the Undefeated walked beside her. 
“yes.” Celestia comment as she stood up to her full height, towering over everypony but her sister. “we have more important things to discus at the moment.” she looked grave as she checked to ensure that only ponies that should know what she was about to say were within ear shot. “Queen Chrysalis has stolen the armor of Nightmare Moon, the guards can provide you with a full report if you wish.” the Six Bearers of Harmony felt strange being told that, they were being treated as if they were a high ranking royal agents, which in fact they were since the defeat of Tirek, “but first we need to know what happened in Ponyville?”
“well, I was playing Scrabble with the Crusaders and I had Zebra on-” Pinkie stopped and lowered her ears and realizing something “oh, iiiiittttss not time for jokes is it?” everypony slowly shook their heads while Sombra rubbed his face grumbling under his breath. 
The Bearers of Harmony looked at each other then to Twilight, their de-facto leader. She sighed and looked up at Celestia “I remember.... that a Changeling was stealing the Elements of Harmony. It must have planed for mouths, it was so far ahead of use each step of the way. Even when we thought we had it, we were just falling into it's trap.” Twilight's head fell and her shoulders slumped as she spoke “I'm so sorry princess, we failed you.”
“it's alright Twilight.” the sun princess said, although she wanted to, Princess Celestia couldn’t force a smile. She could sense something dark on the horizon. “it wasn’t any of your faults.” the white alicorn looked each other bearers silently telling each that it was okay, “please, Twilight, go on.”
Twilight nodded unsure, “I don’t really know what happened next.” she shook her head and taped her temple trying to knock the memory into place “i think I remember seeing you?” she was about to apologize again but Princess Celestia put her hoof on the smaller mare's shoulder and told her its okay. Even Celestia couldn't fix what was beyond repair.
The lavender mare looked to Rainbow Dash, the blue pegasus shook her head “sorry. all I remember is flying out over AJ's Orchard, then Rarity waking me up and you out like a light. Must have taken Thunderlane and me by surprise. Conked us over the head or something.”she taped the back of her head with her hoof.
All eyes turned to Rarity, “Thunderlane said something to the same effect as Rainbow Dash.” Rarity said, a shiver ran down her spine just thinking about it, she adjusted the sword belt on her hip, its wight strangely giving her comfort, We chased the Challenging into the Orchard. I confronted the beast and when I was about to beat it, it spit venom in my eyes blinding me. Thankfully Winchester drove it off and Twilight was able to counteract the poison.” she took a deep breath and looked down, “that’s when Chrysalis showed up disguised like you, Princess Celestia. She used some sort of mental attack on Twilight” Rarity took another breath. “I felt the power she used on her, it.....scared me....and...... I just froze. I'm sorry I-”
“Its okay,... None of you are to blame.” Princess Celestia announced looking at the group of ponies before her. “the changelings fooled even my sister and I. Like Twilight said they were probably planing this for months maybe even since their last invasion, and deceiving others is what...They...Do.” the ponies nodded feeling a little better. Celestia then motioned for Rarity to continued.
“well.” Rarity struggled to find her voice even with the princess's words she still felt like a failure, “when... Winchester showed up again I th-thought it was going to be okay.” how she wished it had been, “it looked like it was going to be, he couldn’t get through Chrysalis's force field but he was holding her back.....till his Axe exploded.”
“the Axe of Tirek was a mighty weapon but it's only as mighty as the will of its wielder. Celestia explained knowing most of the Bearers of Harmony were curious why that happened.
“And without a connection to us, Winchester's will is only that of a mortal stallion.” Luna added. 
“Chrysalis appealingly knew that too because she dropped her disguise and taunted Winchester before she-” a tremble stole Rarity’s voice for a moment. “i thought she had killed him..... and I thought she was going to kill me.....but she just.... Insulted me and left with the other changeling.” she sighed, “thankfully Winchester survived. he was the one that carried Twilight back to the farm, while I checked on Thunderlane and Rainbow Dash.....Sombra and the guard arrived not long after that took us to a train that brought us here.”
“yes.” Sombra said as he stepped forward to speak, “but Rarity, is there anything else you can tell us about Queen Chrysalis?”
Rarity was a little confused but thought hard, “i believe she may have been wearing the armor, but it looked so different.”
“how so?” the knight asked, the princesses listen intently but kept silent. It was their knights duty to find out what he would need to bring down the Changeling Queen. Luna and Celestia would weigh in if needed, but Sombra like all their knights was good at the job they were given.
Rarity racked her brain to find the right words. She was the only one to see anything so her friends just left her to speck, for once in her life Rarity didn’t like having everypony's attention. “it kind of looked like it was growing.” the white mare lowered her ears and added “i think it may have replaced her wings?” the knight encouraged her to elaborate, “it looked like, like metal bat wings, I guess.”
“that’s not good.” Princess Celestia said looking to her sister. Sombra looked to his rulers, he had his suspicions but only they could confirm them.
Luna looked grave as she glanced at her lover and knight, then looked back to her Sister and said, “yes her power and control over the armor is growing quickly.” 
“what does that mean?” Twilight asked.
“nothing good.” Applejack commented, mimicking her gods words.
“Oh Dear.” Fluttershy added from behind her mane “what are we going to do? If she can do what she did to Twilight so easily what chance does anypony have?”
“Better then you think.” Rainbow Dash said slapping her chest with her hoof, she was determined to not let the changeling queen get the better of her again.
Celestia cleared her throat to get her most valuable subjects attention, “there is nothing more that you can do about this matter this night. You six should get some rest.” she turned and call for some servants before saying, “I will send word to my Knights to report to Canterlot at once.”
“But Princess Celestia.” Pinkie Pie said stepping forward, “we got to stop the big meany.”
Celestia smiled as she bent down to the earth pony's level and said, “Dear Pinkie Pie, your determination and dedication is admirable” the princess place a hoof on the mare's shoulder.
“And unexpected.” Rainbow Dash commented under breath.
The white alicorn gave the pegasus a side long glare before smiling at Pinkie again and continued, “But I believe this job may be a little too tough for you right now.” The princess stood and looked around, “you all had a very hard night, so you need your rest. some need more the rest.” 
Twilight was sure that her mentor was referring to her. However the lavender unicorn felt like she wouldn’t beadle to sleep for days. Having your mind shattered and put back together can have that effect on a pony. However with the insistence of her friends and the attendant assigned to her, along with the princesses themselves, the mare finally agreed to get in the bed. She was asleep before the servant was out of the room.
Pinkie Pie briefly thought about sneaking out and seeing Flash. However she decided it was time to be serious. Rarity had trouble getting to sleep, its hard to do so when your crying so hard. No one would call her over dramatic for it this night, several near death experiences and the dreaded feeling of failure was a good reason to weep. Her only regret was that she used the pillow to soak up her tears. Thankfully the fancy bed have over half dozen. Fluttershy was strangely at peace, although she didn’t go to sleep till after a short prayer to the all mother. 
Applejack was the only mare too not get a room in the castle, is wasn’t from a lack of them. The princesses felt she should be watched by medical personnel. Changeling venom can have strange side effects, those effect were actually caused by the emotions the Changeling has absorbed. So there was no telling what they could be. The apple farmer hated all the fuss the doctors were making over her. Heart monitor, blood test, even some sort of brain activity monitor thing that the earth pony didn’t really understand when it was explained to her, something to do with magic she didn’t know. The only thing she enjoyed was that her nurse was a very attractive earth pony stallion. 
Rainbow Dash couldn’t sleep, she tossed and turned in the room giving to her. she finally hoped out of bed, she needed a flight and some alone time to clear her mind. She flew over most of the sleeping capital city, the only ponies up were night guards. After about twenty minutes the sky blue pegasus landed on a spire to rest, and the next think she knew she was asleep.

*          *          *

the sun started to peek out over the horizon and woke Rainbow Dash, she yawned and sat up. The young mare quickly realized that she wasn’t alone on the tower, four dark colored pegasi sat around her. one was in fact a thick chested bat pony with a tall crest on his helmet. They wore black angler armor with blades attached to their wrist. Rainbow Dash didn’t know it but these were members of the Shadow Guard, a company of the Royal Guard whose sole job it was to protect important ponies in Canterlot. They sat around Rainbow Dash like the gargoyles on an old castle, in a silent vigil over their charge. 
Rainbow Dash didn’t feel like dealing with them, and she guessed she didn’t really have too. So the half asleep mare just took off and headed back to her room. The soldiers followed her till she was safely inside, then they returned to their posts around the castle. Rainbow Dash didn’t care she just went back to sleep.
Around the same time not that far form Canterlot Castle in the main barracks of the Shield Bearers company of the Royal Guard, corporeal Flash Sentry trotted toward the exit wearing his morning work out gear, dark purple sweat pants and a gray sweat shirt. His mane was cut short the day before and the little blue patch of hair on his chin was trimmed up too. Despite the written noticed of the company being on call it was a normal morning. He was going out for ground jog before he met up with some of his squad mates at the gym for some wight training.
Everything seemed normal till he walked outside into the morning sun. the first thing he noticed was the puddle of steaming hot coffee he stepped. He cursed as he stepped back, it kind of hurt. He looked around for the source, it was another member of his company. The unicorn stallion stood staring at something the paper cup that held his coffee lay at his hooves. He wasn’t the only pony starring in that direction, there were at least six other stallion's doted around the front steps fixated on something in the same direction. Only a mare was not distracted by what ever it was, she waved her hoof in front of one of her two male companions trying to get him to snap out of it.
It took Flash a moment to find the object of everypony's interested, and when he found it he understood why so many would be distracted by it. Pinkie Pie was in the training yard doing stretches in skin tight light blue spandex framed. They hugged every curve of her body turning her rump into a work of irresistible art. She had fluffy orange leg warmers on her hind legs and a matching loose sweat shirt that hung off her shoulder revealing the white straps of her spandex. She had a white sweat band around her forehead, she had her tail tightly warped with a white ribbon about half way up. It looked like cotton candy on a stick.
Pinkie Pie bent forward almost putting the top of her head on the ground in some sort of unusual stretch, she quickly noticed her coltfriend as she looked between her hind legs. The mare gasped as she leap into the air and rushing over to tackle Flash to the ground. The pegasus stallion could have sworn he heard a sonic boom just before impact. However he was too preoccupied kissing his marefriend to care, unfortunately Pinkie's mane didn’t hide her greeting for her coltfriend. The couple kissed deeply for a moment before the mare hopped back and Flash sat up to ask, “Pinkie what are you doing here.”
“oh uhhhh.” Pinkie's response was lost as she looked around. She did know what she could say. The bearer of laughter finally decided to be vague, “a uh, a bad guy is doing bad things and I'm-uhh, I need to toughen up.” the excited earth pony started to do jumping jacks.
Flash was confused and more then a little distracted by Pinkie's body again, it took a moment for him to pull his eyes from her form and asked, “what do you mean, Baby?”
“well sometimes I'm not much help when there’s bad guys around. so I want you to turn me in to a tough and rough soldier gal.” she smiled at him as she stood on all fours again. “please?” she added with a wider smile.
The stallion felt his heart skip a beat as he said “I'm not sure, Pinkie.” he looked her over, he knew her body very well and it was pretty soft in a good way. She could do with some exercise but she could get hurt if she pushed herself too hard too quick. “i really don’t think it's a good idea.”
The mare's smile vanished and her ears drooped. Then an idea came to her, the normally silly mare stood up straight with her head held high and she ordered, “As the Bearer of Laughter I here by order you to toughen me up.” Pinkie Pie had never sounded more serious about anything to Flash ever, well that first night in her room on his birthday but this was a different kind of serious.
Flash snapped to attention and replied with a firm, “yes Ma'am.” he smiled as Pinkie stole a kiss form him, “hey, Pinkie, your not going to pull something like that every time we disagree right?”
“only when its really really important. Like this.” the pink mare replied. Before too long Flash had Pinkie jogging along his normal route. To her credit she didn’t start really regretting this idea till the third block.
Breakfast was already being served when Twilight rolled out of bed, Princess's orders were to let her sleep but check on her every hour. The lavender librarian’s legs were sore, her head hurt, her back hurt everything just hurt. She felt like she had the worst hang over imaginable, but at least her mouth didn’t feel dry. The mare looked at herself in the mirror and sighed, she looked a lot better then she felt other then the mess of her mane the line of spit down her cheek. She growled at the bed as she rubbed her cheek dry, the comfy mattress had done little to alleviate the pain she had developed. The mare guessed being so close to death does that to somepony's body. Just as she was about to head toward the bathroom for her normal morning routine, there was a knock at the door. It sounded a little more frantic then what she would expect of a servant.
Twilight opened the door and was pleasantly surprised and relived to see Winchester behind it. He wore that mismatched armor of his, there was a noticeable absence of the massive axe, but his still had his blue handled long sword and a dagger on his hip. The stallion told Twilight once that he had dozens of hidden weapons on him, but she had never seen them. He had a bandage on the left side of snout another over his left ear that only covered the worst parts of the massive burn over his face and another bandage on the base of his neck covered a puncture wound. There were more Twilight couldn’t see, but she could see the twinge of pain in his eyes. The couple embraced, their lips met a few times before the mare let the stallion inside.
“are you okay?” Winchester asked circling his marefriend a few times to look her over.
“I'm fine, I'm fine” Twilight Sparkle replied as she used her magic to stop him in front of her. “I'm more worried about you, Rarity said you almost died.” the mare knew he was tough but she was still worried about him.
“Nah, no bug queen can take me down.” he waved his hoof dismissively, he fixed her with his piercing brown eyes that burn over his face only made it more intense, “are you sure your okay.”
“yes, Princess Celestia healed me herself.” the lavender unicorn answered knowing he wasn’t going to back down form his line of question. He was stubborn like that, “although, I'll never know if something is actually missing.” she kissed him on the unburnt cheek, the stallion released a sigh of relief. He knew she was right, he knew the damage that had been done to her the night before. He had felt so useless then. 
Twilight turned and took a few steps away from the stallion before saying, “i was just about to take a bath.” she gave him a needing look, “you can join me if you want, I still want to check your injuries.”
Winchester's eyes lite up and he nodded “i could use a bath.” he followed his marefriend quickly removing his armor as he went.
Breakfast was just about over by the time Twilight Sparkle and Winchester trotted down the white stone hallway, their hoof steps muffled by the. Their manes and tails still hung heavy with water, Winchester was in his armor again minus the bandages and face scare, while Twilight wore only her damp fur and a satisfied smile. The bath had been a good one, very intimate but not very clean in a biblical way. “so you left Butterscotch in charge of the library?” Twilight asked confused.
“well she was mad I was leaving, so I had to do something.” Winchester explained with a chuckle. He was still amazed with how good he felt, he didn’t know that it was just that he was with Twilight again or that she was such a powerful healer.
Twilight shook her head and rolled her but smiled still enjoying the game none the less, “what about Spike?”
“he's in charge of check outs and check ins.” 
“and I'm guessing Owlowiscious is doing all the book organization and orders?” Twilight asked with a smile, as Winchester chuckled and nodded. The couple paused and waited for two gold armored guards to open the door to the dinning hall. Inside was a large circular table, another smaller table was set in the center of the cut out of the first. The center table was shorter so the guest could see everything on it, it even turned so they wouldn’t miss anything. A young serving mare currently chatting with the stallion in charge of turning the table, both had one ear turn towards the princesses encase they were needed. 
Winchester smiling noting that the main table still had thirty two pony sized seats, a seat for each of the active knights. The Princesses were in their seats while the only knight present was Sombra, his seat was closer to Luna's then it needed to be. The princess of the moon had done that, she'll turn him into a modern stallion if it was the last thing she did. 
Twilight Sparkle smiled seeing Fluttershy, Rarity and Rainbow Dash on the far side of the table. The lavender unicorn greeted her friends and the princesses, they were all happy to see her. Smiles and cheerful wishes of a fine morning were given by all, even Sombra greeted her with a genuine smile and she returned it all. Winchester was offered the same pleasantries by his friends and former employers even the black furred knight welcomed him, The guards however did not. The one closest to the armored blue stallion held his spear out blocking Winchester's entry to the dinning hall. 
The armored writer almost dismissively looked at the wooden spear shaft across his chest, then up at the guard. The blue pony thought the guard was kidding, Winchester was wrong,  “its alright. He's with me.” Twilight said, the guard looked over at the lavender pony as she ordered, “let him pass.” the guard pony pulled his weapon back to his side, “Thank you.” the mare said as she and her coltfriend took a seat at the table.
“your looking well this morning Twilight” Princess Celestia said with a knowing smile, “did you sleep well? No ill effects?” the princesses, Bearers of Harmony and the knight were enjoying some after breakfast coffee and tea.
Twilight blushed slightly as she replied, “yeah I’m fine, little sore. like I slept wrong... on everything.” she laughed a little, she didn’t mention the good soreness she was feeling as well. Winchester meanwhile picked out some food out for the two of them, he was pretty sure what his marefriend liked. Plus it would give her a chance to chat.
“OH.” Rarity chimed in with a happy smile that hid how she really felt, “maybe you should join Fluttershy and I at the spa.” 
Fluttershy nodded “oh yes, Princess Celestia just told us about the best spa in town.”
“even had somepony run out to make them an appointment.” Rainbow Dash added with a yawn and a smile.
Twilight Sparkle thought for a moment then shook her head, “I think I'll pass today.” she hoped they weren’t thinking the wrong thing as she picked up her fork to. The food was good, despite it being cold. “I'm probably just going to go back to bed.” Rainbow Dash giggled and nudged Rarity with her elbow, the white mare just rolled her eyes she wasn’t in a joking mood. It was then that Twilight noticed a couple of her friends were missing, Applejack was probably still at the hospital. If something had gone wrong they would have know by now, but where was Pinkie Pie and she inquired just that.
Rainbow Dash and Rarity turned to Fluttershy for the answer, “I checked on her this morning and all I found was a note that said she was going to go 'Toughen up', I don’t know what that means.” Fluttershy answered with a shrug of her shoulders. Princess Celestia sipped her tea, she was sure that the earth pony had taken her words last night a little too seriously. Luna listen quietly, she was a tired from her night of work.
“oh, Strange.” Twilight commented as she started to eat, her friends agreed.
While the mares talked Winchester and Sombra were having their own discussion. “so Winchester?” Sombra had asked when the blue pony had finished making the breakfast selections for himself and marefriend, “how does it feel to not have the fate of the country decided by your actions.”
“it actually doesn’t feel all that different.” the blue stallion answered between mouthfuls of room temperature eggs, “but I will have to admit that the feeling of being able to walk away is liberating. I'm not bond to anything by some sense of honor or duty.” he looked at the weapons and armor he wore, “i only don these too protect her.” he looked at Twilight Sparkle with a loving smile. Celestia and Luna glanced at each other, they both heard him and both noted what he said.
Breakfast ended late with everypony staying to keep Twilight and Winchester company. Eventually Luna decided to retire to her chambers for the day, it was Celestia's time to run the country. Sombra joined his lady, he and the other knights would be heading out that evening so the couple wanted to spend this time together. Twilight went back to her room like she said she would, though not for the reason Rainbow Dash thought. The lavender mare really did go back to sleep, although she was wrapped in Winchester's warm embrace. He fell asleep too, the only rest he had gotten in over a day was being knocked unconscious by Chrysalis the night before.
Rarity and Fluttershy left for their day at the spa. The unicorn hoped it would help with this tension she was feeling. She was worried and afraid, almost jumping at shadows, even the echos of her hoof steps in the castle halls made her heart beat faster. The white mare though this is was how Fluttershy must have felt all the time. Although right now the yellow pegasus seemed unfazed by what was going on. Was she numb to it, was she so used to fear that another thing to worry about was just normal. WHAT WAS HER SECREAT!, Rarity’s mind screamed. She shook her head and gave an exasperated sigh, she hated this feeling. 
“Is something wrong, Rarity?” Fluttershy asked looking worried for her friend.
“oh.” Rarity replied realizing her thoughts had manifested in reality. “ooh! It's uh its-it's nothing, just really need a massage and pampering.” Fluttershy nodded expecting that answer and she even agreed with it.
the pairs first stop was the royal hospital. For being as old as it was, one of the first buildings built in Canterlot, it was one of the most modern hospital in the country. It had been expanded countless times, both magically and with normal construction. It was a classical style building built from strong white stone. The same used to build the castle, those inside would be safe even if the city was invaded. A few beautiful statues flanked the short set of stairs up to the guess entrance, they depicted the perfect example of what a doctor should be, determined and intelligent, always looking to a bright future. They watched the sun rise in the morning and wait for the dawn at night.
Rarity daintily ascended the steps while Fluttershy used her wings to easily drift up to the entrance. One of the heavy steel doors opened just as the pair got to the top, the two mares politely stepped to the side to let who ever it was out. Rarity swallowed a momentary spike of fear as she did. An orange earth pony in a stetson stepped out into the morning sun, “Applejack just the mare we were looking for.” Rarity said with a false chipper smile, however hard she tried the white mare couldn’t hide her anxiety form her closest friends.
“what brings y’all around here?” Applejack asked, she felt that same anxiety as her friend but knew it best to not draw attention to it. She was the rock of her friends and was determined to live up to that.
“oh we were just making sure you were still in one piece.” Rarity responded.
“well, I think I am.” the blond pony looked back at herself and shook her tail, “anything missing?” the three mares laughed together, all ignoring the nasty bruise on the earth pony's neck.
“well Applejack, Fluttershy and I were heading to the spa and were wondering if you would like to join us?” Rarity asked, feeling a little better with her strongest and most dependable friend near by, but her eyes and ears still darted around searching for threats. Fluttershy, on the other hoof, nodded always happy to include her friends in things.
“they got those hot mud baths?” the country mare asked.
“Certainly.”
“the Princesses recommended it.” Fluttershy added, “it has everything.” she was in as good a mood as one could expect from somepony in her situation. How was anypony's guess.
“well then lets go, this place sounds great.” the earth pony answered with a smile. The friends headed on to the spa. The streets of Canterlot were beginning to fill with high class ponies just now starting their days, like normal they weren’t in any hurry. none seemed noticed anything amiss even though there were many more then double the troops marching through the streets today. Most of the rich ponies didn’t even noticed them, as if it was beneath them to do so. Something the princesses disliked but really had no control over.
As the three mares waited for a group of soldiers to pass by, Fluttershy noticed a pony jogging along the far side of the street. The light orange stallion with a short blue mane and tail stopped at the corner. He wasn’t waiting for the soldiers to pass but for his companion to catch up. Pinkie Pie just about dragged her hooves as she joined the stallion at the corner, she was panting hard, covered in sweat with eyes unfocused. She looked like she was about too keel over any second.
“Babe, Maybe we should take a little break and get some breakfast? Your going to hurt yourself” the stallion suggested, he was worried and more then a little hungry.
The mare panted trying to catch her breath to speck, “no 'huff' I can 'huff puff' I can keep going.” she sighed and wavered back and forth as she stood, her head almost seemed too heavy to hold up so she could look at the stallion. 
“woe Pinkie, what'ra ya doing?” Applejack called as she, Fluttershy and Rarity approached concerned.
“trying 'huff' t-to 'puff' touf-toughen up.” Pinkie replied between heavy breaths.
“Darling you don’t need to kill yourself too 'Toughen Up'.” Rarity said using her hooves to emphasize her words.
“that’s what I said.” Flash added as he looked at his sweating and panting marefriend. “but when ever I try to tell her to take a break or that she should slow down or something and she gets all sad and begs me to keep pushing her.” 
“but Pinkie you don’t want to hurt yourself.” Fluttershy said concerned. Pinkie could get enough of a breath to reply.
“and I don’t want to hurt her,..but I did discover this.” Flash said as he leaned in close to the panting pink mare and kissed her gently on the lips. Lightning seemed to run through Pinkie as she jumped in the air, with eyes that looked like a pair of valentine harts and her mane and tail writhe and wiggled like an electrocuted octopus. A moment later she stood before her friends like she had just gotten ready for a days work out. “when ever I kiss her, shes ready for more.” Flash explained with a grin. He was tough and could keep going like any soldier but Flash Sentry was jealous of his marefriend's ability to recover like that.
“Lucky boy.” Applejack commented, earning her a scolding glare form Rarity and a embarrassed eep from Fluttershy. Where's Rainbow Dash when you need her, the country mare thought. 
Flash was trying to hid his smile when Pinkie said, “well girls I would love to hang out but I got toughening up to do.” she giggled and nudged her coltfriend, encouraging him to keep going. “See you at dinner tonight.” the mare said. Flash waved and said goodbye to Pinkie's friends before leading the way again.
The three mares as they continued on their way, Rarity's was noticeable forced. Their destination was just on the far end of the street from them but there was still one more surprise for the girls. A certain blue mare was standing outside the spa looking at the fancy but unmarked french style building. Rainbow Dash didn’t know how to feel about it, on one hoof it embodied everything she wasn’t, prissy, demure, refined, and feminine. On the other hoof, she knew how good a massage could feel. She felt pretty stressed right now and a could help that too. She also wanted too check on Rarity, she noticed how jumpy she was all through breakfast and if she could get relaxed in the process all the better.
“Rainbow Dash, I thought you said you weren't going to join us at the spa.” Rarity commented surprised, the more the marry right. Sadly despite the smile the white mare still had a feeling of dread in her heart. She hoped to feel safer with her best friends around, she knew Rainbow Dash and Applejack would die to protect their friends but that thought seemed to make the fear worse.
“yeah.” Rainbow Dash replied nodding her head “but a girl can change her mind right?” she smiled, “plus I don’t got my boy around to keep me occupied, like a certain friend of ours.” Applejack agreed with a laugh.
“Well I never.” Rarity said as she held her head high, the refined unicorn didn’t like to speck of such things in public, specially now it that it gave her a pain of loneliness, “if you can keep that kind of talk to yourself... then I guess you can join us.” 
“Okay, Okay, I'll keep the dirty talk to myself.” Rainbow Dash replied with a smile, “but you cant tell anypony about me doing all this. Got it.” she eyed her friends till the other mares agreed and all happily trotted inside. 
Just like the outside everything inside was refined and beautiful. The walls were rich dark mahogany with a royal blue tile floor and gold colored grout. Beautiful ferns flanked the pair of benches that lined the walls. There were enough paintings hanging from the walls to keep them from feeling overbearing but not cluttered. The front desk had flowering vines that cascaded over the front too blend into the Secret Royal Garden logo on the front. The hostess was a thin pale blue unicorn mare, she wore a simple but elegant short dress.
Rarity and her friends thought it was going to be a simple affair, and it would have been if they had a reservation for four and not two. Thankfully they didn’t have to bargain with the desk attendant, because a certain light pink mare with a long horn, delicate wings, and a flowing elegant walk despite the large round belly she had happened to be leaving just then. Cadence paused long enough to figure out what was going on. She happily vouched for her friends, knowing it wasn’t uncommon for imposters to try and get preferential treatment by saying they were the Bearers of Harmony. Sadly Cadence couldn’t stay, she had some sort of pregnancy class to go to and a final check up with her doctor. The baby was due the week after next so there was a lot to do.
After some thank yous and some goodbyes to the princess she left with a smile. the Bearers of Harmony chitchatted as they waited for the hostess to do some rearranging. They didn’t mind really, it wasn’t like they were in any hurry. It took a couple of minutes but the hostess got it done some snobby rich mare would have to do without the VIP treatment today, but hey the Bearers of Harmony deserve it more right. The hostess apologized to Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack and Rainbow Dash as she summoned their VIP attendants. The girls would have told the hostess it was alright if their jaws didn’t hit the floor when they saw the stallions.
The four Earth pony stallions that trotted out of the back looked like they had been designed in a lab. They had perfectly feathered manes that cascaded down their necks following the curves of their strong, defined muscles. Broad chests and kind eyes, pearly white teeth in a perfect smile. Deep, smooth voices that could melt the heart of just about any mare completed the package. The four friends giggled and all too happily followed them into the actual spa for their day of pampering. 
Applejack being the only single mare in the group put some serious thought into hooking up with one of the attendants but she was sure she would hate herself in the morning, unless these boy's bucked apples as good as they looked. Rarity would never break her bond to Thunderlane, willingly. Besides, her attendant handsome face was merely a distraction from the terror in the world, the white mare did her best keep the thought that he could be a changeling out of her mind. she already had enough to worry about. Fluttershy was of course her normal shy self, to her these stallions couldn’t hold a candle to Big Mac. Mean while Rainbow Dash wondered what the limits of her unofficial official thing with Soarin were. The Four Bearers of Harmony were so focused on their escorts that they never notices the rich mare behind them getting the bad news about her appointment time being taken by very, very important ponies.
First on the list of pampering was a magically treated mud bath with seed weed wraps. Only Fluttershy was bothered by her attendant having to use his hooves too help wrap her in the seed weed, he only did the parts that were appropriate for the stallion to touch any way. Applejack was really wondering if her helper could buck apple well enough to take home as she felt his firm but gentle touch as he tied the wrap around her chest and upper belly. the attendant also helped cover the mares front legs and necks. The rest the handsome stallions simple stepped back and instructed the mares on how to do it themselves helping only if asked Which Applejack and Rainbow Dash quickly did. Fluttershy actually had hers turn around, while Rarity just used her magic to do the job.
The mud bath was where the true luxury began. That was saying something with the how lavish the changing rooms were, with their light refreshments of expensive vineyard flowers and grapes, along with mineral water both sparkling and non. The magic with in the perfectly warmed mud healed any inflamed joints the mare's may have had as they sank up to their necks into the thick, earthy liquid. A finely dressed pale cream colored mare played a soothing melody on a harp in the corner of the room, her flute playing companion returned from a break cut short to play for the royal guest. Another employee scurried around the room insuring not a speck of mud marred the white marble floor. 
The princesses were right this was one of the best spa's any of the four mares had ever gone too. After the mud bath Rarity and her friends were given a nice warm bath in what the attendants said was a filtered mineral spring water river bath. Rainbow Dash was just about falling asleep in the moving water as it rushed through her fur removing the mud in a most relaxing way, thankfully the gilded lay down tub had a cushioned head rest. It got better when the girls were served fine fruits and sparkling juices. An other attendant offered them a wide selections of wines as well. The girls took full advantage of it all. It was all compliments of the spa, in appreciation of their service.
The massages that followed the baths were complete bliss. Again they were given the royal treatment, the Bearers of Harmony had the choice of nearly two dozen techniques for relaxation and pain relief. All of them approved and enjoyed by the Princesses themselves. Rarity had to of course try all of them, however her friend were a little more conservative, choosing just a couple. Rainbow Dash in particular preferred to just indulge in the fortified wines after her massage.
By the time a light lunch was served Rainbow Dash was so relaxed she didn’t mind getting a hooficure with her friends. When the four Bearers Of Harmony finally left the spa they were thoroughly, physically relaxed. Not a muscle, joint, or knot hadn't been loosened or relieved. The four mares felt so good it was almost hard to walk, or in Rainbow Dash's case hoover. However despite how good she felt on the out side, Rarity was still tense and jumpy on the inside. Her friends could sense it, but they all felt the same thing to some extent, the pampering had done little relieve the feeling of foreboding they all had.
It all came out as the four friends passed a cafe. One of the busboys slipped carrying a tall stack of plates and cups, the fine china came crashing done silencing everything but Rarity's shriek. The unicorn's horn lite up as she armed herself, unfortunately all with in her reach was silver wear.
The white mare's friends looked around as a multitude of knives floated around them all, “its okay Rarity, your safe.” Applejack said stepping in front of her friend blocking her view of the world, hoping that her own calm demeanor would help settle Rarity down. The earth pony had never seen her friend so jumpy or stressed especially after a massage, “there's nothing to worry about.” most of the ponies in the cafe were watching them now.
“yes, there is.” the white unicorn replied with a trembling voice between quick breaths. She glanced at the ponies around them tears forming in her eyes, “you know there is, how can you be so calm.” with a deep breath the white unicorn set the knives down in a pile on a near by table. 
Applejack took a deep breath of her own, she paused to watch as a few dark armored soldiers trotted into the outdoor cafe. The patrons didn’t need to be told to ignore four mars as the soldiers stood in front of them. Applejack had her guesses to why the troopers were there, they had been following them all day after all, “We know, Rarity, we are all scared, But dwelling on it wont help.”
“Yeah, AJ's right. Dwelling on it wont help.” Rainbow Dash added, Applejack looked at the pegasus with a raised eye brow. While Fluttershy stood back unsure what to do or say, “Yes.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes as she continued, “i know, coming from me that seems dumb, me dwelling on the Wonderbolts lost me my job.... but since I moved on I’ve been talking to my boss and may beadle to get my old job back. Cloud Kicker apparently hates it.”
“darling, this is so different. Its not a job, its our lives.” Rarity said starting to get aggravated, it was like they didn’t understand what was going on, “your trying to compare apples to oranges. We could all die and bring Equestria down with us.” her voice trembled as she looked at her friends, their faces told Rarity that she was wrong. They knew that all too well.
It was Fluttershy's turn to act and she knew just what to do now, she shot forward and wrapped Rarity in a hug. The white mare froze as Fluttershy's sweet voice filled her ear. The yellow pegasus was praying just loud enough for all four of them to hear. She prayed to the All Mother the ancient deity who watches over the lives of all of the creators work. Her teachings of loving and caring for others, no matter who they may be, Fluttershy held very dear. Right now the yellow mare was praying for help, for protection and the strength to face the next day, she did it for herself often but right now it was for all of her friends. Rarity wasn’t much of a spiritual mare, but the meaning of Fluttershy words struck home, “even though the future is uncertain we know that you will protect us and guide us, and when the end comes you will except us into paradise with open hooves.”
Rarity looked at Fluttershy then her other friends, “thank you.” she said as she hugged her yellow friend tight. She motioned to the other two mares join the hug, “sometimes the best stress relief is that provided by your friends.” Rarity told her friends, they agreed. The four headed back to the castle ready to face the scarey future, together.

*          *          *

Twilight Sparkle yawned as she brushed her mane attempting to control her all day bed head. Winchester currently busied himself with replacing the mare's wet pillow. She had the unfortunate habit of drooling when she was very tired. A servant had woke the couple not long ago to tell Twilight that the princesses requested her for a royal function. The unicorn wanted to look presentable, her friends already thought she spent all day in bed having sex or something, so she didn’t want to give them a reason to believe that. Winchester already took a comb to the face for saying that’s what they should have done. Twilight had indeed slept the whole day away but she still felt tired.
Soon enough Twilight Sparkle and her armed coltfriend were ready and heading out to the parade grounds of the castle. The sun had set and lanterns had been lite revealing a gathering of sixteen ponies already outside. Some wore heavy armor others wore next to none, some were armed with only their hooves others were walking arsenals, but all had one thing in common, they all wore a small badge or patch with a white wing unicorn and a black winged unicorn circling around a sunny horizon and a night sky. This diverse group of ponies were some of the knights of Equestria.
Most of the knights were loosely circling two others. One a large brown earth pony who wore the pelts of many beast, the other was Sombra who wore his black and sliver armor under his red cloak. Featherweight was on the black ponies back, a large mace that looked like it was made from a single massive blue jewel leaned against the other pony. The air around the parade grounds was thick with tension. They were locked in a battle of wills, the first to back down would loose, but both were knights and knights don’t back down. It would go on till the princesses called them. Even if no victory would be named every eye was on Sombra and the other pony named Boulder. 
As Twilight looked at the group of ponies her friends trotted up behind her to servery the scene as well. They were equally as curious as they were confused. “I thought there was more of them?” Twilight Sparkle asked as she counted the ponies under her breath, she was sure there was suppose to be around thirty of them.
“yeah and they don’t seem to like each other.” Pinkie Pie said she wasn’t bouncing like she normally did, exercising with Flash all day had burnt off most of her normal energy, “we should throw them a party, OOOHHH! Like a Knight Mixer or something.”
“Pinkie, Darling, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Rarity commented, she didn’t like the look of these ponies. They had the bearing of great ponies but at the same time they seemed to be brutish and unsophisticated like a common thug. 
Rainbow Dash looked through the assortment of ponies before her, there was this orange and yellow pegasus mare hovering over the group that caught her attention. If she didn’t know any better she would have sworn it was Star from the Wonderbolts Training Camp. The mares steel studded flight suit hid her cutie mark so there was no way to tell.
“i would say this motley crew couldn’t be knights” Applejack commented as she looked at Winchester, “but I’ve met you, so I guess they are.”
the blue stallion was looking at the group of his former comrades, his eyes sparkled with a nostalgic gleam. He sighed and looked at his friends around him, “you all talk too fast I can barely keep up.” he chuckled and looked back to the gathering of warriors. “these are the only knights that can make it to Canterlot in such a short time.” the stallion raised up on the tips of his hooves like he was trying to look over the crowd, “i think their just waiting for one more, the rest will meet up with them along the way.” 
Winchester smiled holding back a chuckle “as for them appearing to be ready to tare each other apart.” he looked to the mares around him, “Well the knights are proud ponies, many prone to vainglory and holier then thou attitudes, they like to test their strength and skill against the strongest of foes. And well in Equestria is hard to find a more formidable foe then the other knights. Its why their not allowed to duel unless the princesses say so.”
“Sounds sort of like somepony we know.” Applejack said with a smile.
Twilight giggled, “but who?” she slily eyed her coltfriend.
“you shouldn't talk about Rainbow Dash like that.” Winchester cut in, he laughed with the mares before they turned their attention back to the knights. “fools the lot of them.” he said gesturing with his head towards the other armed ponies.
Before Winchester could continued to speck a large winged pony landed in front of them all. The amber colored stallion was easily three hooves taller then Winchester, almost as tall as Princess Luna, he wore heavy chrome armor with red gold trim. It was strange for a pegasus to wear such bulky armor, but the horn on his head revealed him to be something more. The alicorn tossed his flowing honey colored mare back before he looked at the Bearers of Harmony, his handsome face seemed to approve of what he saw. a smile crossed his face as his eyes fell on Winchester, “you should watch what you say Civilian. Your brash speech could get you punished.” he shifted the long black lance on his back with his wings, the tip of his weapon was shaped by like a five pointed stare.
“that same brash nature got the job done.” Winchester smirked, “you saw it for yourself, you even complimented me on it and approved of it.... and me.....Eventually.” the male alicorn nodded, there was a lot of history between the two, both good and bad. This was the very knight that brought Winchester and his friend’s names to Celestia's ear. He was also the Knight that saw the blue unicorn outlive his companions as they saved Equestria, but alas so few every heard of it, “haah, but I am a simple mercenary now, so this is no place for me.” the blue stallion stole a kiss from Twilight's cheek before he turned and trotted off.
The alicorn knight joined the other knights on the parade grounds. It wasn’t long till Celestia and Luna descended from their tower to the stage in the parade grounds. Twilight suggested that she and her friends should join them. The Bearers of Harmony climbed on stage and stood three on ether side of the princesses. The Bearers of Harmony being present for this was one of the few traditions of the Knights, like all of them they had a meaning. When ever the knights of Equestria were involved with matters of the Elements of Harmony, their bearers would be present to send them off. It was some sort of temporary transfer of duty or burden.
Twilight and her friends looked out at the gathering of knights. The armed ponies had formed into three lines with out being told to. They were more then the Princess's finest soldiers, they were an extension of their will, so the knights didn’t need mundane orders on how to stand. The princesses would give them their task soon but first the white alicorn said, “my Knights.” with a curt nod.
the gathered ponies responded by saying, “my princess.”
Luna then copied her sister by saying, “my Knights.”
“my princess.” was again the assembly's reply. this all may have seemed just a simple greeting, it wasn’t. The words were used to activate a spell that linked the knights to their princesses, The knights that weren’t present would feel compelled to speck those same words in the direction of Canterlot distances didn’t matter. The spell opened the warrior ponies' hearts and minds to their holy monarchs. The mortal fighters could hide nothing from their immortal rulers, no deed, thought, or feeling could escape the Alicorn's inspections. Not that any knight would do so, they would not be sent on this quest and they wouldn’t be able to add the deeds done to his or her history. A history that only the princesses could remember, but that was all that mattered to the mighty warriors. 
Satisfied with what they felt in their knights the princesses decided it was time to give them their orders, “Queen Chrysalis has stolen he Elements of harmony.” Celestia started.
“and the armor of Nightmare Moon.” Luna added, “you are to retrieve them.” the knights were always given simple orders.
“the changelings are not your targets.” Celestia answered the question a few of the knights wanted to ask, “but nor are you the let them stand in your way.” the princesses continued to explain everything they believed could help their knights, from the powers the elements of Harmony would grant her, how to possibly combat her so powerful in the battlefield of the mind, and even what the armor growing could mean.
Finally Luna turned to Twilight and said, “Bearer of the Elements of Harmony, please, chose who will carry the Standard.” normally the princesses did this, the pony that carried the banner of the knights was also trusted with keeping them on track, and more or less in line.
Twilight Sparkle looked to her friends, they had been told what to do. First thing they would need is the actual banner. After a quick check of the stage the six mares easily found a large chest about three pony lengths long at the back of the stage. Twilight unlocked the heavy brass latch so Rainbow Dash and Applejack could open the lid. Inside was a long gilded flag pole and a folded banner. As Rarity slowly unfolded the long cloth, Twilight lifted the pole with her magic. Fluttershy picked up the two cross members that the banner hung from, she waited for Rarity too hold up it so she could slide the guild bars though the holes in the cloth and screwed them tight. The banner was a thick purple cloth that had a depiction of the land of Equestria encircled by a black winged Unicorn and a white winged unicorn. Six shooting stars followed the representation of Luna while six comments followed the one of Celestia. A reminder of the twelve paladins, the first knights.
Twilight and her friends turned around to see Pinkie Pie looking out at the knights very intently. The pink mare looked over her shoulder at her friends and said “I think we should give it to that dark guy.” she pointed out the stallion she was talking about. He was an thin athletic earth pony with a charcoal gray coat, and black mane. A tattered, black cowboy hat hid his shaggy mane and tufted ears, he wore a matching weathered duster. He had the knight's crest over his heart like a police badge. On his back was his gift, a shield that looked like to large golden ten pointed star and a white hoof sized jewel was in the center, a glowing feather seemed to be floating with in the jewel.
Twilight Sparkle approached him, she saw no reason to not take Pinkie's suggestion. Something about it seemed right. The lavender mare walked over to the knight and silently held the banner out for him, like she had been told too. He bowed his head to her before he reached over and took the gilded pole in his grasped. The mares turned and returned to the stage. Celestia and Luna announced that “the Unforgiven” would be the standard bearer. The Princesses thought it was fitting for a pony that was so lost he gave up his name was now on point to help save Equestria. With one last look at the knights the Princesses dismissed them. The chosen warriors of Equestria marched out into the dark city. Celestia and the Bearers of Harmony headed to the dinning hall for dinner, Princess Cadence joined them tonight her husband was going to be in a meeting with other captains for most of the night. The young pregnant alicorn was barraged with questions about her unborn foal, she happily answered all the ones she could. However She and Shining Armor had chosen not to learn the sex of foal, although she was given news that she was having twins.
Princess Luna however had other plans, she meet the knights at the city gate, although she was only there for one of them. The Princess had one last tradition to fulfill, but this one had nothing to do with knighthood or being a princess. Sombra stepped out of the group to greet his lady, the other knights just quietly watched. The midnight blue alicorn mare pulled the same color handkerchief from her royal garb and held it for the stallion to take. That was the wrong way to do it but Sombra approached to take the token none the less. Just steps away he was suddenly pulled into a loving embrace and a deep kiss. Sombra was liking this new interpretation of the old tradition. 
Sombra had an idea as well, with his normal stoic expression he stepped back from his love and looked at the ground. His red crystalline horn glowed and a small crystal grew from the between the cracks in the street. The thine stick of purple crystals sprouted two little leaves as the end ballooned out till it look like a closed rose bud. Luna smiled as she plucked the crystal flower with her magic. Before the princess's eyes the false rose opened, the perfect facets of the crystal reflected the light of the moon. Luna had received several crystal trinkets from Sombra, but this was the best he had ever made. “when I return, may we be wed?” Sombra's question distracted Luna from the gift, the stallions heart was vulnerable and his face was hopeful. Technically they had been engaged all these years. The stallion felt that it was time to right that wrong, he hoped Luna agreed. 
“No.” Was Princess Luna’s heart breaking answer, Sombra was mortified. The knights around them showed their silent sympathies. However mercifully the princess continued, “Dear Sombra,” she lifted his chine to see face, “every time we make plans something bad happens.” she leaned in and kissed his cheek before moving to his lips, “so lets be more spontaneous.”
the black stallion nodded, “i hear spontaneous ponies now a days head over to Las Pegasus to elope.” his pain was quickly replaced by a smile.
“OH! we can be marred by Elvis!” Luna commented with sparkling eyes, the princess had become a fan of the supposed King of Rock and Roll in the past few months. He may have past on but he had plenty of impersonators out there. She giggled playfully, she didn’t care that the other knights were watching.
Sombra laughed and nodded “I like the sound of that.”
Luna's face grew grave, “so please return to me, my love.”
the mirth fade form the knight's black face as well, “too my princess my only vow is that I will enforce her will.” he stepped closer too Luna, “but to the mare I love, I promise I will return to her.” he had to lift himself up and place a hoof on her chest to brace himself so he could kiss her when she was at full height. Luna smiled and bid her lover good luck. The other knights were jealous, not of Sombra having Luna's love but that their own loved ones weren’t there, or that they didn’t have somepony to love like that.
Luna watched as Sombra rejoined the ranks of the knights. she couldn’t be more proud, he was who he was suppose to be again, confident and strong but he had a softer side and she loved that too. Just out of the Canterlot gates the knight's march became a gallop and they vanished into the darkness of the night, with hearts fed by the sun and guided by the moon they wouldn't stop till they reached their destination. The remaining knights would meet them along the way. Soon the might of Equestria, the sword of the Princesses would fall on the challenging queen.
*           *          *
the next four days were strange, the Six Bearers of Harmony were treated as royalty. Even siting beside one of the princesses as they held court. Although Twilight and her friends normally didn’t have much to add, but they were learning so much about their county and its place in the world. Equestria was more or less the peace keepers of its neighbors, being ruled by the only deities in the material world has that effect. 
Celestia had her reasons for keeping the Bearers of Harmony so close, Winchester said its was just so the guards could be massed around the most important ponies in Canterlot. He explained that the Shadow Guard was a small company so it was hard to have group of any real combat strength when you have too guard nearly two dozen ponies other then Twilight and her friends. However Celestia and Luna had the Gold and Black division of Equestria's First company respectively. The First Company was Equestria's finest warriors other then the knights themselves. It had been the First Company's Duty to accompany the Princesses where ever they go since the inception of the guard, so with Twilight and her friends close to them they were afforded that same protection. As well as the power the Princesses wielded.
The six friends had lots of time on their hooves, something that Applejack just didn’t know what to do with. For over 20 years the mare had gotten up early to work, and gone to bed tired almost everyday. Sure there was the Apple Family vacation and holidays, but even then she was still doing things. Now she woke up well after sun up, did next to nothing all day, she didn’t consider siting in on meets with dignitaries and emissaries hard work, and then went to bed feeling like she was supposed to do something. She just didn’t know what she could do, going to plays and the like just didn’t seem important, it had to have some meaning. The apple farmer thought maybe she should start training with Pinkie Pie.
The pink mare's training was started to pay off, she was already starting to thine out a little bit, her muscles were firming up and started to show the kind of definition Applejack's had. However despite the improvement Pinkie was no where near as strong as the farmer. Pinkie Pie was excited by it all, she thought she may even be useful when kicking bad guy butt as she put it. She also couldn’t help but tell her friends how Flash loved to feel her new tone legs, he seemed to enjoy caressing them and even kiss them when they were in bed together. Fluttershy always excused herself when every her friends would speck of intimate things, not just because she was embarrassed by them but that she had no experience in the subject. Not that her friends ever went into any real detail, other then maybe a broad description of their partners skill or the frequency of their encounters, or maybe when they did something new that they liked or disliked.
Rarity on the other hoof was made terribly jealous when ever things of a romantic nature were brought up, her coltfriend couldn’t afford to come be with her and as she put it “she missed Thunderlane so.” Twilight tried to not reminder her that Winchester was with her but it was hard, he could be a bit overly affectionate at times. Not to mention Rainbow Dash didn’t seem to feel the need to hide anything when Soarin showed up in town with the Wonderbolts. She was ready to continued their unofficial official thing, the stallion however was unaware there was anything unofficial about it. When Rainbow Dash heard that she did flips in the hallway.
The fifth day started out normal, or what had become normal in just a few day. Pinkie went for an early morning jog with Flash and his squad. Twilight and Winchester took forever to get out of their shared room, The mare had stopped trying to hide why. Everypony knew, why waste the energy. Rainbow Dash was accompanied on her flight by more then just the Shadow Guard, Soarin was there and happily pushing the sky blue mare hard so she can break her limits. Limits already far beyond his own. Rarity wrote another letter to Thunderlane, she couldn’t wait for his reply that night. Fluttershy was writing a letter too, though hers was more then just to her coltfriend. She had written at least a page for each of her animals, she really hoped that Big Mac wouldn’t mind reading it too them all. The red earth pony had already taken on so many responsibility with just feeding all the animals and she didn’t even ask him too now she wanted him to read almost three dozen pages to her animals. Applejack just didn’t know what she should do, she didn’t even have a significant other to write too. However this simple day wouldn’t last, the Bearers of Harmony learned they and both Princesses would be meeting with a representative from the Griffon emperor. It was a rare thing to have both the princesses meet with someone.
Princess Celestia and Princess Luna sat in their joint throne a seldom used feature, the Bearers of Harmony sat on the lower level of the steps that led up to the throne on plush pillows that matched their coats. This was going to be different from the other meetings over the pass week. When they met with the representatives from the Antelope league it was just Celestia. The meeting went well, Antelope were peaceful and understanding, but Griffons were aggressive and entitled especially those that speak for their emperor. Twilight and her friends didn’t really look foreword to this, they had seen the bad side of a griffon before. Finally half past twelve the ambassador arrived at the throne room, the meeting was suppose to be at elven o’clock.
To say the purple rob wearing griffon was plump would be an understatement, the bald eagle headed lion rumped ambassador had a large round belly from one too many feast and soft muscles from inactivity. He pranced with his head held high, nose pointed to the rafters. Gold jewelery jiggled with each step, jewels sparkled on each of his painted claws. Everypony got an overwhelming feeling that he thought he was better then everyone around him. He was nothing like the strong deadly predators that guarded him.
The two Griffons in front of the ambassador had orange fur with black strips, sharp claws and beaks meant for tearing flesh like that of a hawk. They were armed with pairs of khopesh blades. The two griffons that brought up the rear were smaller with black spots and yellow fur and falcon heads. They were deadly balls of speed armed with bows and arrows. All four of the guards wore chain mail armor. they locked eyes with each of the pony guards that lined the walls, the ponies returned the gesture. a sign of respect and a silent agreement that they were watching each other.
The griffon ambassador gave the princesses a flourished bow “greeting Princess Celestia and Princess Luna fair rulers of the lands of Equestria.” he said with a flowing voice that hid his true intention, like the vial for an assassins knife. he glanced at the bearers of harmony then added “I thought this was to be a private meeting?”
“you have your guards, we have ours.” Princess Celestia replied neutral faced, she knew the ambassadors name but decided to not use it. Twilight Sparkle and her friends didn’t react, just like they had been told too.
“no, Dear Celestia.” the griffon said motioning to the Bearers of Harmony, “I mean these commoners, they do not belong here.” Rarity's brow twitched, she was no common mare. meanwhile Rainbow Dash shook a little wanting to punch the griffon in the beak. This bastard didn’t even know them. The other mares kept their reactions in check, the insult was just the words of some griffon they didn’t know after all.
Celestia looked at her most trusted subjects and explained “these Commoners, as you call them, are the Bearers of Harmony, and in these changing times I have seen fit to teach them the ways of the court, for it may fall on them to use such knowledge to protect our subjects.”
“oh.” the griffon looked at the six mares again, he made no attempt to hide what he thought as he looked down his beak at the six mares. In his mind they were beneath him as children to a king. He was on equal standing with the princesses or so he believed, “Very well, I have heard of your pension to teach. but have they not lost their elements?”
“Enough with the veiled insults and posturing.” Luna said calmly, the flower Sombra gave her neatly tucked behind her ear, “let us discus what it is you came here for.”
the griffon bowed again, he may of thought little of the pony princesses but angering them would not further the cause of his emperor, “of course princess, I meant no disrespect.” he hid his grin well, “my emperor sends you his regards for any losses you have suffered from the Changeling attacks. As well as offers assistants.” he stood straight again, “the Griffon empire will send a reasonable number of troops to reclaim Equestria's lost artifacts if they will return the favor in kind-”
“the emperors war with the humans is not Equestria's concern. We will send forces to keep the peace but We will not assist in an invasion.” Celestia answered before the ambassador finished, Celestia had been involved in whipping out far to many races and countries for one eternity, “i can only offer the emperor the same advice I gave his predecessors, he should unify his own country before worrying about others.”
“but princess Celestia the hairless apes take all four legged kind as slaves.”
Luna cut the ambassador off with a stomp of her hoof, “that is only a few human kingdoms and they have never taken from our lands-” the sound of shattered glass stopped the princess mid-sentence. The guards of both races had their weapons at the ready. Fluttershy jumped and hid under her seat while, Pinkie's mane and tail looked like she had stuck her hoof in a light socket. Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle stood ready to defender themselves. Rarity too readied for a fight drawing her sword Black Lace from it hiding place under her seat. She took her proper fencing stance, she was ready for this dreaded moment and would face it with her head held high.
All eyes were locked on a broken stain glass window, slowly everyone shifted their gaze to the thing that had shattered it. A gilded pole that was now embedded in the center of the room, the tattered and burnt flag of the Equestrian knights half hung from it. Celestia and Luna stood, feeling that something bad was about to happen. They were right, all the windows of the throne room shattered as something was thrown through them forcing all those inside to shield their faces.
When the carnage was done thirty two ponies laid on the floor of the throne room, they were diverse group with no two armed or armored the same. However they all had one thing in common, all had the crest of Equestria some where on them. “LEAVE US!” Princess Celestia ordered the griffons as Luna started to cry a panicked “no!” the moon princess hurried down the steps into the mass of fallen ponies.
the griffons looked around and had to be ordered to leave again before they complied, the ambassador mumbling about the emperor needing to know this. The doors closed behind griffons just as Luna found the thing she dreaded. The blue alicorn slumped to her knees before the pron unmoving form of Sombra, his green eyes were closed tight like his last moments were nothing but pain. The princess weeped “No!” repeatedly as she reached out to touch his cheek, at the very least she wanted ease his pained expression. As soon as her booted hoof touch his cheek, all the bodies popped like bubbles leaving nothing behind.
A laugh echoed though the throne room and most of Canterlot, the voice of Queen Chrysalis taunted the Princesses by saying “They were yours but now their mine, all of them are mine and they will be your doom!”