Exiled, A decade passed, and The Boss.

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Exile means to be away from one's home (i.e. city, state or country), while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened with imprisonment or death upon return. It can be a form of punishment and solitude.[1]

Twilight stood before her mentor who was looking down at the ground in anger, just as bad was Princess Luna who was glaring at her along with her friends and family while Cadence stood off to the side with a smug look on her face. She knew that there was something wrong and no one was taking her seriously, she had tried to take her brother aside and talk to him. Tell him his wife was actually a bug worked about as well as Twilight imagined. But even the Princess and her friends all blew her off, the years of friendship tossed aside stung Twilight like a dull blade. Spike was the only one that believed her now, and all that meant was that they were both in chains glaring at Cadence now.

"Twilight Sparkle and Spike Dracul, you have been found guilty of attacking a member of the royal family with neither provocation nor evidence of your claims of MY niece being a changeling." Celestia growled while Spike glared back at her.

"How ‘bout the fact that she didn't even know Twilight when she saw her? Or the dance? What about the spell she used on her brother?! Cadence was Twilight's foalsitter for years! They adore each other! Not to mention the way she treated her and her friends! Something isn't right!" The tiny dragonet yelled.

“ENOUGH!” Luna’s voice split the air silencing Spike’s protests. “Cadence is getting married today. Her nerves are allowed to be on edge, and on that note; Cadence hasn't seen Twilight in years! The spell she used on her brother was, as she said when she was attacked, is for headaches that naturally come with performing a spell as large as her Captain Armor has, a spell that even now keeps Canterlot safe!" Luna stated.

"And as I said before THAT WASN'T A HEADACHE SPELL! I think I would know that since I'm the Element of MAGIC!" Twilight yelled glaring at the smirking Cadence.

"You have gone too far Twilight and the only reason you still live is because you have done a great service to both of us personally along with this great nation.” Luna took in a breath before continuing, her voice as hard and cold as the lunar surface.

“Twilight Sparkle and Spike Dracul, for your crimes against the crown you are hereby exiled from Equestria, all of our territories and any of our allied lands under pain of death should you ever step hoof on our lands again. All of your assets are to be seized by the state at the end of the solar day." Luna stated with judicial finality. Celestia continued to looked down.

"Your sentence is to be carried out immediately," Celestia droned while Twilight and Spike looked on in shock.

"NO! YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE ME SHE'S NOT CADENCE AND CANTERLOT IS IN GRAVE DANGER!" Twilight yelled, trying to moved but the chains held fast, digging into the chafing flesh around her fetlocks.

"SILENCE!"

"NO! LISTEN TO ME SHE'S EVIL I KNOW SHE IS! YOU HAVE TO STOP HER NOW!" Twilight yelled tears streaming down her face.

"I SAID SILENCE!" Celestia boomed, the windows shook and even the sun seemed to darken as power radiated from her alabaster form.

"You have shamed your family and yourself enough Twilight. Be gone." They were the last words the faithful student heard from her teacher before he alicorn’s horn flashed with golden light. Twilight and Spike were gone.

On the Equestrian Boarder

Twilight and Spike appeared out in the wastelands but didn't move as Twilight up next to Spike, both were in a state of complete shock. They might have stayed there forever had all their things not appeared above them moments later.

"AHH!" Spike and Twilight leapt backwards, barely avoiding being crushed under their suitcases and what few sentimental possessions they had been allowed to keep. Twilight’s mind began categorizing what they had been left with by rote. It was a dull and meaningless exercise but she let it happen. Anything to keep from thinking about what she had just experienced.

A bag was sitting nearby, every bit she had ever saved spilling out of it. That would have be used carefully until they could find a job. One item checked off the list. Almost comically, they had let her keep her bed from the Golden Oak Library in Ponyville, much good it would do now cracked in half. She made a note to gather up the sheets and blankets though, nights in the wastes were cold if she remembered. Two items checked. Two suitcases containing the small amount of clothing Twilight had for various occasions. Out of one of them was spilling the sequined gala dress she had worn at her first Grand Galloping Gala.

First, last, and only, she thought bitterly. Maybe she could sell it. Either way she had to pack lightly, take the most durable things, leave the rest out, use the extra space for the bedclothes. Three items checked. Twilight stepped forward, having run out of the readily visible things to review and something cracked under her hoof. She looked down, it was a photograph of six mares posing together. All her friends surrounding her, Pinkie and Rarity on her right, Applejack and Dash on her left, and Fluttershy in the middle, almost seemed to hide from the camera behind her long pink bangs.

For several minutes Twilight just stared at the picture until Spike put a clawed hand on her withers and shook her out of her daze.

"Twilight we need to get moving there's no telling what's out here." He said in a dull tone, barely getting a nod from her.

"Yeah, you're right. Spike, I'm so sorry I dragged you into this," Twilight looked back at him with tears streaming down her face.

"Hey come on Twi it's gonna be ok. I know things seem really bad. Like, really, really, unequivocally awful. Like, the worst possible thing that could have happened ever-” With a herculean effort Spike clamped his claw over his mouth to arrest his downward stream of logic.

“...but I'm sure everything will work out ok," Spike finished lamely. The tiny dragon gave his mother figure the best smile he could, trying to reassure her as much as himself even as he wiped her tears away.

"Everything will work out some way or another, you'll see." He said helping her up. Under Twilight’s directions they moved to their meagre pile of things, grabbing blankets and any food they could find before splitting the money between them.

"Come on Spike lets go." Twilight said as he looked back at their things they had to leave, the beds all the furniture and any books they didn't think would be necessary which was hard for Twilight to choose from. But now they had to worry about survival.

"Where are we going Twilight?" He asked as she stopped before looking back at him.

"I don't know Spike, I just don't know." Twilight swallowed heavily as she put a hoof on the young dragon's shoulder to try and comfort him.

"AHHHHHHH!" Without warning Spike doubled over, screaming in pain as runes began to flare over his skin. Twilight gaped at what she was seeing, barely processing it through the maternal terror that was tearing through her at the sight in front of her. It was a contact rune with Celestia and it was being cancelled none too gently.

"Hold on Spike!" She grabbed him and wrapped her hooves around him again and began channeling numbing magic into him, praying it would help with the pain as the last rune sizzled away leaving blackened scars. Spike cried tears of confusion and pain, as Twilight cooed soft, reassuring sounds and held him close to her.

"Shhh it's ok sweetie everything's going to be ok." Twilight murmured over his sobs, running her hoof over his spines while she let him cry into her chest. Something inside Twilight snapped as she looked down at her baby dragon and it was at there, in that moment, that Twilight made a decision.

'Fuck Equestria.'

10 years later The Forgotten City

Six ponies made their way through the city streets, being sure to keep close together as creatures from all walks of life stared at them. More specifically for the direction in which they were headed than for their presence in the City. They headed for the heart of the city, passing armored boars and griffons with strange weapons who glared at them as they passed.

"Are you sure Twilight would be in a place like this?" A rainbow maned mare asked looking at the only stallion of the group.

“I mean, c’mon, that egghead?”

"From our reports this is the last and most frequent place she's been seen," The white stallion replied evenly as they came to the gates of a palatial villa. There were several griffons in suits standing guard.

"Can we help you?" The foremost one stepped up, looking at them through his tinted shades.

“I need to know if you’ve seen, had contact with, or know the location where this mare staying?" Shining asked holding up a picture.
The griffon leaned in, lifting his shades revealing a pair of feral, yellow-gold eyes. He took a good look at the picture and let out a harsh, barking laugh.

"Hey Talon, look at who these chumps want to see." The griffon nudged his friend who cracked a smile.

"BWAAAAHAHAHAH! You want to see her? HA! Hahahah… Oh man... No." The other griffon said, suddenly serious.

"What do you mean no?" The rainbow pegasus growled. The guards exchanged glances with each other before turning back to the her with a pair of matching smirks.

"What are you deaf or just stupid? No one see's her unless they got a death wish or an appointment." One said as the other chuckled.

"Same thing really, depending on the appointment," yellow-eyes stated as a red dragon came to the gate.

"Talon, Rust, the boss wants to see you two. Now." The dragon’s voice was strangely light and feminine for her imposing bulk. The two griffons paled and immediately took off towards the villa, the dragon sighed and came through the gate while another griffon landed beside her.

"Sorry about that they're new,” the dragoness gave a short bow, “from some small time gang we absorbed. Now, what can I do for you?" In response the stallion held up the picture.

"I'm looking for my sister Twilight have you seen her?" He asked, and she grinned.

"Yes, she's expecting you inside. Once the two newbies come back they will escort you to her. The boss likes to have her guards be well mannered around guests, so she just needs to instill some discipline, you understand of course, Captain." She said in silken tones. The stallion’s eyes widened a fraction before he mastered his surprise. Moments later the two griffons landed looking like they had gone through a meat grinder. Their eyes were swollen and they bleeding from a dozens of shallow cuts in various places as they opened the gate.

"We apologize for being so rude to you before please follow us." Rust stated, his even manner barely betraying the faint tremor of terror in his voice. They moved through a beautifully kept lawn, in the middle of which there was a fountain where a few children were playing near a large playground on property.

They were dragons, griffons, boars, and donkeys. Not one pony was playing on the grounds under the watchful eye of the guards kept an eye on them, making sure they didn't get hurt.

"Momma!" The six ponies watched as a young griffon ran passed between them and to one of the guards, leaping into her embrace.

"I guess those must be the guards’ children and family? Are all of those children the family members of your co-workers?" The white stallion asked.

"Nope, not of those kids are any of ours by blood. They’re orphans from the take over that happened a few years back when the boss came into power. The coup made for a lot of dead, and a lot of dead make for a lot of orphaned kids. Not that you’d know I suppose.” He spoke without rancor, instead it was almost like he was proud.

“Our city has thrived, we're even poised to start up international trade with some of the surrounding nations." Talon smiled as they walked through the doors.

Another drake was waiting for them, he had his claws behind his back, wearing a black suit with a white undershirt and red tie on. Over his hip was another one of those strange weapons.

"Hello, a good day to you," the drake smiled before looking at the two griffons and sighed. "What did you two do this time? How are you going to move up in rank if you keep pissing off the boss?" The griffons looked down, unwilling to meet the drake’s unusually intense gaze.

"I'll take it from here just go back to your posts and for the boss' sake don't fuck anything up on the way there." The well-groomed drake groaned as they left.

"Sorry about that come with me, the boss sent me to take you the rest of the way to her office." He gestured forward and strode ahead, fully expecting them to follow as they headed upstairs.

They stopped at a pair of double doors carved from some dark, heavy wood. The six ponies mouths dropped as they recognized the carving. It was her mark, each door had a great six pointed star carved intricately into the wood. Except there was something missing. The primary star was there but whoever had carved the door hadn’t included the five sparks that orbited it. The ponies shared worried looks between them. They had all noticed the omission.

The drake gave three brief raps on the door and, without waiting for a reply, pushed the doors open and led the group into a massive office. If the doors were a surprise, then they got the shock of their life seeing Spike, standing tall in a pinstripe suit with a red undershirt and black tie on. Next to him was a mare they had been searching the surrounding lands for.

For 9 years.

She wore a perfectly tailored black suit that hugged her body comfortably, beneath which was a white undershirt, the ensemble accented with a rich, royal purple tie. Resting on the table beside her right hoof was a fedora with a purple, six-point star pinned to the left side, the star was blood red. She was talking to another dragon as they entered. Unfortunately they caught the last leg of the conversation.

"-and make it look like an accident, you know what to do Gar." Her smile was almost predatory as she got a nod from the red dragon some of them recognized as Garbal from years earlier.

"As ya say, boss," the red drake replied with a deep bow. He rose and walked past the group, not even sparing them a glance.

"Dash, Rarity, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Shining,” she acknowledged each of them with a brief glance before leaning back.

“How can I help you today?" Twilight asked putting her hooves together in front of her face, looking at them with an unreadable expression.

"Uh, nice place you got here Twi." Rainbow said looking around getting a growl from the mare. The prismatic pegasus dropped to the ground at the sound and backed up.

"Don't you fucking insult me," Twilight snarled, each of them went wide eyed at the curse. And how easily it spat from her lips.

"Twilight w-we came to take ya’ll home." Applejack stepped forward and was rewarded by getting a raised eyebrow from Twilight.

"Is that so?” Twilight scoffed. “So I guess that I'm no longer exiled?" She asked getting smiles and nods from them.
Like a passing cloud her face went from unreadable to an angelic smile.

“Perfect! I was just waiting for my best best friends and BBBFF to come collect me, I’ll get all my things together and we can leave right away! I just had one teeny tiny question!”Everyone shared another mildly worried glance at the sudden change before Rarity stepped up beside Applejack.

“What’s that darling?”

“Do I look stupid to you?” Her voice, her expression, nothing had changed. But the bald, venom that hung in the words left the five mares working their mouths in confusion. Shining Armor went rigid.

“Well?” Twilight leaned forward with both hooves on the desk between them, her smile turning poisonous,

“Do. I. Look. Stupid. To. You?”

"Uhm, beg pardon?" Rarity asked getting a growl from Spike while Twilight held up her hoof.

"You really think after everything you’ve seen here that I would just come back with you to the country that banished me to die in a wasteland? I have far more gain here than I ever will in Equestria.” Twilight stood up, her posture carried with none of the modesty or shyness it once held.

“Being abandoned out here, you know? It really opened my eyes to the rest of the world and the struggles that so many have to go through to make it in the world. I mean, on these very streets just ten years ago you would have been mugged and beaten for your bits, or just because some sicko thought it would be fun." She stated leaning back in her chair as Spike came around to light a large cigar for her. Held in a telekinetic sheathe, Twilight took a deep draw on it before blowing out the pungent smoke.

"You six and the princess' sent me out here in exile to most likely die and I nearly did, Spike and I both have seen and done things neither of us are happy about as living beings." She said taking another drag.

"What do you mean darling?" Rarity asked seeing a sinister smile cross Twilight's face.

"I mean I killed, slept with, conned, and framed my way to the top. This city was a shit hole when I first got here with Spike and look at it now! Everything you see here is because of us, clean streets that are safe for families to walk through, crime is at an all time low unless you have a death wish. I put my blood, sweat and tears into this city and no one is going to take it away from me." She leaned back and smiled, taking another puff of her cigar while they stood in front of her, shocked.

"Twilight, I'm so sorry that this happened to you." Shining said looking down while she rolled her eyes. “We all are.”

"Well I'm not,” she retorted with a harsh laugh, “like I said it really opened my eyes to the real world, and not that friendship is magic bullshit that the sisters always went on about. Oh I kept meaning to ask, how's your little bug wife doing big brother?" Twilight smirked viciously as they all looked away from her, none of them could meet her eyes.

"Oh I'm sorry it didn’t work out, I'm sure you would have been a wonderful husk to her. Doesn't matter though, I know the queen personally and she’s kind of a bitch but she know's her place when it comes into my city." Twilight glared shocking them once again.

"You deal with that monster?" Shining asked.

"I deal with all kinds of questionable beings in this world, from changelings to, shadow governments, and to the black market. I do it all and all I have to do is look at my city to feel damned proud of it." She smiled.

"What happened to you Twilight?" Fluttershy asked as her eyes started to turned icy blue making them step back.
Twilight met her gaze, whatever power she had held didn’t seem to work on the purple mare

. "What happened?” She whispered, “what happened, was I was betrayed by my closest friends and family, thrown into the wilds and had to watch as a dragon I consider like my son screamed in pain as Celestia cancelled the contact runes on him. I had to kill and degrade myself to get where I am today." She stated standing up slamming her hooves on the desk.

"Do you know what it's like to have a griffon force themselves on you and have to watch as your little drake kills him with a FUCKING PENCIL?! You don't know anything about me OR my family. As far as I'm concerned, Equestria burned the day I was exiled so you and Equestria can kiss my hot purple ASS!" She panted with tears running down her face.

"SCALES!" She yelled glaring at them as a black and red dragon walked in ready to kill.

"Yes Boss?"

"Take these outsiders out of my city and make sure they don't touch my lands again." She smiled and wiped her eyes. "You are hereby banned from ever setting a single hoof in my lands again on pain of death for violating my rules. Now get out of my sight." Twilight’s eyes had a smoky purple aura coming off of them as she watched them leave before calling out to her soldier.

"Oh and Scales?” the dragon turned back at his mistresses word, “if they resist feel free to use whatever force you would like. Up to and including… deadly." She smiled looking at the scared looks on their faces as the doors closed.

"I want them dead, I want all of them dead, Spike." Twilight growled memories from the last 10 years came rushing back into the light after she worked so hard to suppress what she had been forced to do to survive.

"Just say the word Twi." He said giving small smile as he looked at the door.

"No, because no matter what, they are, or were come to think of it, the Elements of Harmony besides it's not like they are really going to do anything about it. My contacts in the royal palace can give me a months warning if they even hint at trying to take us by force. I would love to watch Equestria burn to the ground for what they did to us but we have our own things to worry about, like Kirin smuggling rings bringing loads of contraband drugs into my city." She stated looking over the map of the area.

"Now Rust said that there was a big deal going down tonight after he beat it out of one of the carriers. It's suppose to be around 3rd and 5th street in the downtown area. I want you to take some of our people and make a example out of them and anyone else that thinks they can make money in my city without my permission and without cutting us in on the deal." She stated puffing on her cigar.

"By the gods I love these things." She said leaning back in her chair while he smiled

"You know, now that I think about it, I’m glad we were exiled." Spike stated as she smiled.

"Yep, it’s been one hell of a ride hasn't it kiddo?" She asked finishing the cigar and stood up just as the doors burst open and a huge group of children ran in.

"MOMMA TWILIGHT!" They screamed joyfully. A griffon followed them in with a smile watching as the children tackled the mare.
"Sorry boss they wanted to see you as soon as you got out of your meeting," She said while Twilight laughed from under all the children.

"No Gilda it's fine really, you know I love to spend time with them." She smiled down at them before heading back to her chair.

"Ok boys and girls, who wants to hear a story huh?" She asked as they beamed.

"MEEEEEE!!!" They all yelled while Twilight gazed at them with nothing but love.

"Ok what do you guys want to here?" She asked.

"Tell us the story about The Boss!" A little dragon yelled as all the children agreed.

"Aww you want to hear that one again?" She faked a pout as they all ran up to her.

"PLEEEEEAAAAASSSSSEEEEE!?"

"Alright, alright, I'll tell it." She smiled, waving a hoof in defeat as they cheered.

"Ok settle down, settle down. Now who wants to help me start off? How did it go?" She asked faking ignorance.

"Momma Twilight you know how it goes! The little mare and her dragon got thrown out of their home!" A little donkey said while they all agreed.

"Oh yeah, ok so. Once there was a little mare and her best friend who were thrown out of their home by the evil rulers and their hinchmares in a land called Equestria." She started smiling as they glared.

"BOOOOOOOO!!!!"

Over by the door Spike wrapped his arms around Gilda giving her a kiss as they watched Twilight tell their story to the children.

"She really loves these kids, I know they are the real reason Twilight would never leave for anything." Spike stated getting a smile from Gilda who kissed his cheek.

"Them and the brave strong dragon that she had at her side." Gilda said while he just squeezed her resting his head on her shoulder.

Two Weeks Later

Shining Armor and the former Elements of Harmony returned to the capital with their heads bowed low. None of them had been able to stop thinking of what Twilight had said to them.

'We exiled an innocent mare to that, I can't believe this.' Shining thought repeated itself for the thousandth time as they stepped through the doors to the castle. They were greeted by an explosion of cheering from all the ponies in Ponyville along with Celestia and Luna and her family along with the real Cadence. It all died down when they saw Twilight wasn't there.

"Shiny where's Twilight?" Cadence stepped forward. Neither her husband nor any of the mares with him could so much as look at their faces.

"I need everypony in the room to leave, this is a family matter." Shining said as all the Ponyville ponies left while the last elements, the princess', and Shining's parents stayed.

"Shining where is your sister?" His mother asked as he looked away.

"Where is she Shining?!" She yelled as tears threatened to spill over.

"She's alive, and well off, but she is anything even close to the daughter and sister we knew. She's changed I don't even know who she is anymore." He stated. They all gave a sigh of relief at the news that she was ok before Cadence got curious.

"What do you mean she's changed?" She asked as they all looked at them.

"The Twilight we know is dead, we made such a horrible mistake! She hates us so much Cadence, all of us that were there. We watched both of them get banished and did nothing!" He said tears streaming down his face pointing at the sisters and Twilights former friends.

"Shining calm down it can't be-”

“SHUT UP!!" Everyone froze as the stallion snarled at Luna and Celestia.

"You weren't there I saw the look in her eyes, they're of a mare who has sacrificed everything and more to be where she is. She's been raped, slept with people for power and I'm pretty sure she killed them or blackmailed them to get where she is today. Twilight has changed so much princess and I don't know what to do with myself. I was one of the reasons she was exiled!" He started to pant holding his head plopping down on the ground while they just stared at him except for the mares that were with him.

"Twily's become so cold now. She's like a totally different mare. All I could see was this cold, calculating mare that at a drop of a hoof could have killed us all. She told us to our face that Equestria could ‘kiss her purple ass’ and would never go back with us." He finished, looking away from the others with a grimace.

"She's not the only one that has changed." Rarity started in a dull tone.

"He's become as cold as Twilight and has grown into a strong dragon. I can see that Spike lost his innocence long ago, he's not the Spikey-Wikey I used to know. He even was about to take arms against us after what Dash stupidly said!" She growled.

"Hey I was just trying to break the ice ok! I didn't see any of you saying anything!" Dash growled back.

"It don't matter!!" Applejack shouted shutting the two up.

"Twilight said it point blank to our face that she ain’t setting hoof in Equestria and if we ever set hoof in her lands again we will be killed on sight." She stated as the others looked at them with disbelief.

"I don't believe that." Shining's mother said.

"Believe it mom, the Twilight we all knew is gone replaced by this new and cold version of her." Shining stated. “And it’s entirely our fault.”

"Well what do we do?" Cadence asked as the others looked her.

"What can we do princess? Twilight has made it very clear she wants nothing to do with us." Applejack stated.

"Is there some way to get into contact with Twilight as officials instead of just walking up to her lands and getting somepony killed?" Celestia asked as they shook their heads.

"I need you to all leave. I need to think of a way to get Twilight to come here of her own free will." Celestia said getting a nod from the others.

"Tia? What are you thinking?" Luna asked softly. Celestia didn’t answer, staring at the door and seeing only a young purple filly playing with a baby dragon trying to teach him to read and write but the young hatchling kept eating and slobbering on the books.
Tears flowed down Celestia's face watching as memories played out till the last one she had of her came to her in this very room. She could see the betrayal on their faces as she rendered judgement on her for something that was true. She should have listened, she should have taken her student seriously but she just blew her off as just another one of her stress episodes she had. Not a week later the capital was attacked and it was only by luck that one of the guards found Cadence.
"Tia."
'Why didn't I listen?’ The thought came unbidden ‘Twilight would have never called Cadence a monster or claimed that she was brainwashing her brother. How could I have been so foolish?' She thought looking over at her sister sadly.

"Luna I think I just want to be alone right now." She said getting a nod from Luna.

"Twilight I'm so sorry."

Five Days Later, The Forgotten City

Twilight smiled humorlessly at the kirin boss and guard, like a predator would at wounded prey that she had nicely cornered. They were standing on a plastic sheet in front of Twilight's desk.

"Shanwu, Juntu. I believe we have a bit of a situation on our hooves." Twilight smiled while the the kirin and his bodyguard shook with fear at the mare and dragon across from them.

"Boss Twilight, we’re so sorry we never meant to intrude on your city, we had not heard the news about the city being taken over." Shanwu stated as they gulped at the cold look she was giving them.

"You have some brass balls to come into my city and lie straight to my face, I'm insulted, really, you could at least have had something more plausible than that." Twilight replied before giving a sharp nod to the two dragons behind them. Wordlessly, they moved in close and slit his guard’s neck, letting him fall to the ground choking on his own blood while Shanwu stared in horror.

"Please Boss Twilight! I'm sorry we were just trying to make some money for the boss back home is all!" Shanwu stated bowing low and whimpering.

"Such a pathetic creature you are, sniveling and snotting all over the place. You're weak, so I'm going to send your boss a message and you're going to give it to them." She smiled just as a knife was stabbed into the top of his head and he slumped to the ground.

"Round up and kill every damn kirin that works for this idiot and send them back to their boss. This is my city and by the gods I won't let some filth walk in here and sling Ash around like some young colt waving his dick around at some fillies! Now go, you know what I expect from each of you." She said looking at her captains who nodded.

"Yes boss." A griffon stated and left to gather his troops.

"Twilight, you know that this could start a war." Spike stated getting a smile from Twilight.

"Lu is a coward, Spike, threaten him seriously and he'll fold. Besides, I think it's time to clean up my streets for good. We’re going to track down anyone that isn't on board with my plans and cut them down. Every low life thug, drug slinger, and gangbanger will either join me or die. We've worked too hard Spike, and have sacrificed so much to get where we are today." Twilight slammed a hoof into the desk, adding crack to the finish as Spike passed her a cigar.

"Thanks kiddo, I don't know what I would do without you." She smiled up at him getting up and heading out the door and downstairs and out the manor.

"So, Twilight, where are we going?" He asked as she smiled.

"I received a letter in the mail yesterday from Celestia who wants me to come, personally mind you, to sign the legal papers absolving me of any crime against the crown and welcoming my return to Equestria." Twilight stated sarcastically, getting a nod from him.

"Ok, so?" Spike raised a single scaled eyebrow, clearly not thrilled.

"So, I’m going to the Crystal Empire in the frozen north. It’s the only chance I’ve had to start up a contact ring in the Empire and Equestria. I want to branch out and pull in more members to the family. I want my people safe, Spike, and that means never having to worry about the things that happened to us to ever again. You know as well as I do that there are worse things than death." She said her voice fading as they walked.

"I'm leaving in three days and I need you to make sure everything is still running when I get back. Gilda and Silvertooth are coming with me so don’t worry." Twilight cut off Spike’s complaint. She knew he would feel better with Gilda at her side. Sure enough, he nodded, but she could see he didn't like it.

"Don't worry Spike you know I can handle myself if it comes down to that." She smirked her eyes turning blue as they walked while citizens cheered and came to greet Twilight and Spike as soon as they left the manor gates.
Twilight smiled, feeling a sense of pride and happiness that her people were safe and their lives were finally starting to fall into place. Twilight and Spike led a large group into the manor and sat down as the group surrounded them.

"Hello everyone, I'm happy to say that this years Forgotten Festival will begin in two weeks time." Twilight began, the assorted crowd cheered. "Ok, ok, settle down." She said getting them to instantly be silent.

"Ok now you all know that we’re a family and if you ever needed anything I will always be there to help you. But today I need your help." She said as they all leaned in.

"While my people were cleaning the streets they came across some Ash slingers from Neighpan. They’re from a gang there that would destroy everything we have worked for this past decade." She stated.

"What do you need Don Sparkle?" A griffon asked making her smile.

"I need you to be on the lookout for any Kirin strangers that you see in town. Report any suspicious activity immediately. You’re all my family and I won't have these outsiders harm that family, let your neighbors know as well and keep a eye on the children." She said getting serious looks from everyone there as a few Kirin came forward.

"Don Twilight what about us? What about the Kirin that live here already?" A female kirin asked.

"Don't worry, these Kirin are from Neighpan and are trying to poison our city with drugs that you and the rest of our people have worked hard to clean up. I have some of the city guard moving through the city as we speak marking resident Kirin houses so you won't get mixed up with these intruders." Spike stated as they all smiled.

"Thank you both so much for what you're doing." A donkey said getting a smile from the two.

"It's what family does, we look out for each other. Now I'm going to be gone for a few days to the Crystal Empire to set up contacts and to meet with the princess' there. Spike will be in charge while I'm gone so if you have problems or need help go to him and ask, you all know that we keep an open door for any issues you might have." Twilight said getting a nod from them.

"Well with business out of the way, does anyone have any concerns that need to be addressed?" She asked as a few stepped forward.

"There is a water main that was hit in last night’s raid and water is flooding the street." A donkey volunteered, Twilight nodded.
"Spike take a note please." Twilight said as the dragon nodded and pulled out some paper as a few more citizens came forward. After about 30 minutes the people were taken care of while Twilight got up.

"Spike be sure that this is done by the time I get back from the empire. Now ladies you all know that the annual cookout is coming soon so who would like to volunteer to help cook while the males do some of the heavy lifting?" Twilight asked as many hooves and claws shot up.

"Ok well come to me later in the day and be sure to let your friends know they can volunteer as well to help out. Guys you know what needs to be done so be ready and well rested for the parade and get your shops set up because you all know how crazy the Forgotten Festival is." Twilight said getting a few nods and laughs.

"Now remember be on the look out for any strange things going on in your neighborhood and report it to the nearest station phone so we can take care of it, I don't want any of my good people to be hurt by these idiots that think they can come into our city and destroy it." She said as they cheered.

"Now any of you fine males like to escort a lady to the market, I need some food and thing for the children as well so if some of you ladies would like to come you are more than welcomed to." She smiled getting up and moving with the crowd as some went back to relay the news to their friends and family.

Three Days Later, The Crystal Empire

Twilight, Gilda, and Silvertooth all stepped off the train and looked around at the ponies while Twilight had a sick look on her face.

"Misguided fools the lot of them." Silvertooth stated as the two females nodded.

"Indeed. Gilda see if you can get us come contacts started up while Silvertooth and I head for the castle." Twilight stated getting a nod from her as she took off.

"Are you ready Boss?" He asked getting a nod from her and started to head into town.

Twilight admired the place hearing about how Pinkie and Rarity saved the kingdom a few years back, barely. As she walked she could see ponies staring at them or whisper about them only catching a few things here and there.

"Who is that mare?"

"Wow she's beautiful."

"Is that dragon her servant?"

Silvertooth rolled his eyes but kept his head on a swivel looking for any threats as they came to castle and was greeted by the guards.

"Halt, do you have an appointment with the princess?" One asked as he eyed Silvertooth.

"Yes, under Sparkle." She stated getting a nod from the other who was looking over the appointment list.

"Go on in, one of the servants will guide you to the throne room." He stated getting a nod from the two just when a pony came down with a smile on her face till she saw Twilight light her cigar.

"I'm sorry but we can't have smo- HACK CAUGH!" The mare choked on the smoke blown in her face as Twilight came in close.

"I don't give a shit about your stupid rules, take me to Celestia so I can sign my papers and go home." Twilight stated getting a shaky nod from the mare as they headed upstairs and down the hall towards some large doors.

"The princess is insi- HEY!" She yelled as the two pushed open the doors making everyone inside turn to her most getting the shock of their lives to see the mare that has been missing for so long.

"Twilight?" Cadence asked looking at the mare who smiled at her.

"Hello Cadence it's good to see you're ok." Twilight stated only to be wrapped up in a hug.

"TWILIGHT! OH IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU!" The princess stated never seeing the dragon fixing to go for his weapon on his hip before he caught Twilight's eye and calmed down.

"It's good to see you to Cadence, it's been forever since we last saw each other." Twilight smiled glancing at the two other princess' before she looked back at Cadence.

"So what have you been doing all this time? I've been so worried about you." She stated looking at the cigar in the other mares magical grip.

"Well I run a business in the Forgotten City about a 4 days travel from here. I'm The Boss there, although that took some doing. I won’t bore you with the details. I’ve worked hard to clean it up, why, we’re practically upstanding now aren’t we? Isn't that right Silvertooth?" Twilight asked getting a smile from him.

"Sure are Boss, back before The Boss took over I was a drug and arms dealer, The Boss took me in no questions asked in my time of need and after a while made a proper dragon out of me. Been with her ever since." He stated with nothing but loyalty from the drake while the others stared slack jawed at this information.

"So, uhm, what do you do? Since you're the boss in the city?" Cadence asked.

"Kind of what a mayor does, just a little more… intense. All the better to help my citizens." She state, Cadence, for her part, looked confused but happy.

"Don't worry about it." Twilight waved a hoof just as the doors flew open and a filly ran in with a horn and wings.

"DADDY!!" She jumped onto Shinings back and wrapped her little arms around him.

"Starbolt didn't I tell you to stay with your grandma?" Shining asked just as his and Twilight's mother walked in.

"I'm so sorry sweetie she just- Twilight?" The mare in question just looked at her with a icy gaze making her freeze in place.

"Starlight," Twilight gave a stiff, glassy nod before looking back to Cadence with a smile.

"Well it looks like I have a little neice then, congrats you two I hope she lives a long and healthy life," this time her smile was genuine as she looked over at the staring filly before glancing back at Cadence. "Now, why don't we get down to business. I want to go home to see my own children." She stated as mouths dropped while Twilight paid them no mind and trotted up to Celestia who dropped the scroll letting Twilight pick it up and read over it before signing it.

"On behalf of the Forgotten City and my people, I thank you for lifting my banishment,” Twilight spoke the words with a dry, caustic voice. “Now I'm going home, keep your ponies out of my lands if you don't want to lose any heads." Twilight growled and headed out the door.

"Wait!" A voice called, prompting Twilight to look back as she took a drag of her cigar to see Cadence galloping towards, beside the pink mare was her parents. Silvertooth interposed himself between her and them. With a gentle touch on his leg he stepped aside just as they reached her.

"Twilight where are you going? Don't you want to come home?" Her mother asked but was ignored as Twilight looked over at Cadence.

"What can I help you with Cadence? If it's the same question as her then understand this: I am going home, far, far away from Equestria. I only came here for business and now that business is over with I'm going home, I have things that need to be tended to and the annual festival is coming soon and I need to be there for my people." She said turning around and continuing her path to the door.

"Hold on Twilight, lets talk about this." Her mother went to grab her but instead her hoof was intercepted by the dragon.

"No one touches the Boss." He growled throwing her hoof back making her stumble while Twilight smiled.

"You lot have been nothing but disrespectful to the Boss and it's only by her good graces that you all still live." He spat out glaring at all in the room.

"That's enough Silver, come, by the time we get home the festival will be right around the corner." She stated with a small grin thinking of this years floats and parade as they left the room.

The Bell Tolls for Thee(Edited)

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Twilight sighed as she went over paperwork in her office after she let her guards go and have some fun and enjoy time with friends and family. She could hear her people cheering and the laughter along with the wonderful smell of the food they were cooking.

She groaned wanting to actually be there this year but it looks like she was stuck in her office once again with paperwork.

Just as her mood started to really turn sour the doors to her office were opened making her sigh not even looking up.

"Look you two I know that you want me to enjoy myself but you know that I have a lot of work to do also so I-

"I don't know who you're talking to dearie but there is only one of me." Twilight looked up to see a old griffon standing in the doorway with a cane and walker smiling at her. She was speechless as the griffon made her way to her.

"Momma Odin? What are you doing here? You should be at the hospital momma!" Twilight stated jumping up coming around her desk only to stop as the griffon held her claw up.

"Twilight way aren't you at the festival?" She asked as the mare looked down not seeing the heads peeking around the corner.

"I, I just have a lot of work to do momma is all. I need to get this done for some shipments later this week and I don't want to be behind." She stated with her head still down.

"Now Twilight what have I taught you after you started to live with me?" She asked.

"I know, I don't need to sweat the small things in life since it's too short as it is." She sighed while the griffon smiled.

"So why aren't you out there then dear?" She asked getting a sniff from the mare as she was pulled into a hug.

"I just don't know what to do with myself, I want to but I just don't know how to act with the people. I've put such a big wall around me with only one gate that's locked unless it's for you or Spike. Should I stay The Boss out there or go as myself?" She asked holding griffon.

"I think your people would like to see the real you my dear, for once show your people that you can be a protector but aren't afraid to be yourself around them." She smiled running her claws through the mares mane.

"Besides dear all of your coworkers and friends are worried about you, on the way here the people were wanting to know if you were actually going to join this year." She said as Twilight looked up at her and then spotted Spike, Gilda, and all the children giving an awkward smile.

"You were?"

"Of course Twi I'm been worried about you but I knew you just didn't feel comfortable with crowds but as time went on I knew that you wanted to go but I just couldn't bring myself to ask you." He stated as she smiled and walked up to them as he bent down and pulled her into a hug.

"We actually have a float made just for you when you decided come and join us in the parade." Gilda said as the children walked up to her.

"Momma are you gonna be in the parade today? We helped make the floaty thing that Uncle Spike started." A small boar asked as Twilight sat down and pulled the children into a hug.

"Yes I'll go." She smiled letting a few tears fall.

"YAY!!!"

(Main street)

Twilight smiled as the float guided it self down the street while her people gaped and cheered as she waved while throwing beads to them.

She never thought she would be so happy as the people cheered her name or title before everyone started to chant 'Boss.' She smiled looking down at the float she had a paper made desk that she was sitting at while Spike and Gilda stood by her side all decked out in suits and sunglasses and their arms crossed bobbing their heads to the music.

(Rick Ross- Mafia music (instrumental)

In front of her were her children dressed up in little suits as well throwing out beads and candy while her other guards were in suits dancing to the music on the sides.

Twilights smile was so big it felt like the happiest day she had ever had watching her people and family letting a small tear fall while she laughed throwing a few black roses to the people.

She spotted Momma Odin sitting next to her and picked up the only white rose and handed to her while giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks for never forgetting me." She said in her ear making her smile giving her a kiss on the other cheek.

"How could I ever forget my daughter?" She asked while Twilight smiled hugging her.

(Later that day)

Twilight smiled as she walked with her children through the streets greeting her people as they went.

"Hello Don Sparkle so glad you could make it out this year!" A female dragon greeted her as Twilight stood on her hind legs returning a hug and kiss on the cheek.

"I'm glad I was persuaded to come out today." Twilight smiled plopping back down on all fours and herding the children through the crowds.

"Don Sparkle! Care for a taste of our food?" She looked over to see a boar couple waving at them making her smile and stirred the children towards them.

"Momma I'm hungry!" A dragon said pulling on her suit while a few others voiced their hunger.

"Ok how bout we get something here and then we'll go to a meat stand for some of you ok?" She asked getting smiles and nods.

"Ok well order what you want here and then we'll head over to get some meat for the others ok?" She said walking up to the couple with the children.

"Hello Don Sparkle what can I get you and the children today?" The male boar asked.

"Well the little ones are hungry so I hope you're ready to cook." She smiled getting a nod from him.

"Of course!" He smiled as his wife and daughter came up to the counter.

"Ok sweethearts what can we get you?" She asked as they all started to shout what they once.

"Quiet." Twilight said as they all went silent much to the shock of the family.

"You know to ask one at a time, now everyone that wants something from here get in a line while the others stand over here by me." Twilight said watching the children form a line while a larger group of kids crowded around her.

(Three hours later)

Twilight smiled as she sat at the park bench watching her children play with the help of a few of the other members of her family. She smiled watching Spike and Gilda chase some of the kids around after she got tired from playing with the 17 children.

"MOMMA WATCH ME!"

"I'm watching!" Twilight yelled at a little green and purple dragoness who was on a swing before she jumped landing on her feet while Twilight clapped for her.

"Woooo! Good job Blackfire!" She yelled as some of the other children came and grabbed the little dragon taking her with them to play tag.

"Hey! Gorehorn no running on the the bridge young boar!" Twilight yelled as he slowed down. She sighed and turned around to see her adoptive mother coming up to her making her jump up to help her to the bench.

"Oh Twilight it's so good to see all my children here enjoying their time with family." Odin said as she pulled Twilight to her.

"I know we hardly get to do this as a family." Twilight said resting her head on her mother's shoulder while the old griffon ran her claws through her mane.

"Do you remember how we met dear?" She asked feeling Twilight nod as the griffon leaned back.

"Looking at these children reminds me of Spike when he was just a young hatchling and the nights I saw you stay up watching over him trying so hard to help him sleep at night." She said looking over at Spike and Gilda playing with a few of the children.

"I remember that night the two of you came to my door in the storm. You were bleeding so much and were sure you were going to die." She said holding Twilight closer as she looked down at the mare.

"I remember you begging me to help you with him after he was hit in the head with a bottle earlier. I almost shut the door in your faces, but something made me stop and help you both. There is not a moment that I ever regret doing that." She said as Twilight looked up at her with a smile.

"You were so quiet and wouldn't speak for weeks till Spike was better and was awake. Such a terrible thing the poor boy had to go through, losing his innocents long before he was ready along with you. But now I look at the mare you are now after all the hardships, the planning and the take over. I'm happy to say I'm proud of you Twilight Sparkle and what you have done to help us in our time of need." She smiled looking over at Twilight.

"You're dying aren't you?" She asked still looking at her children while Odin sighed.

"Yes, dear it's a fact of life." She said as Twilight sighed.

"Did the doctors say when?" She asked.

"Next year at the most, 6 months in the least." She stated getting a nod from Twilight.

"I see." She stated while tears fell from her face.

"Now dear there is no need to cry, it's just a part of life and one day hopefully none too soon we will see each other again." She smiled letting her claw run through Twilight's mane as she sniffed.

"I don't want you to go." She stated not seeing Odin's smile.

"I know sweetheart but you have to accept the inevitable, death is just another part of life my dear." She stated as Twilight looked back at her own children and sighed.

"I'm going to miss you momma." Twilight said feeling her wipe away her tears.

"I'm not dead yet dear so we still have plenty of time before we ever have to part." She stated.

"I know but I'm just saying it's not going to be the same with you gone, no longer getting to visit you in the hospital or you messing with me about a male. Do you have everything set up?" Twilight asked getting a nod from her.

"Of course I had it set up and everything goes to you and Spike, I want to be buried in the meadow fields near where my own children were buried along with my husband." She said getting a nod from Twilight.

"I'll make sure it happens momma." She said before she clapped her hooves.

"OK EVERYBODY LETS GO! TIME TO GET HOME ITS GETTING LATE!" She yelled over the park as many tired children walked or was carried to her.

After a quick check to make sure all the kids were there before they headed back to the manor and after they dropped Odin off at the hospital.

The walk home was silent for Twilight after he sent her guards home to be with their families along with Spike and Gilda after the children were put to bed. Alone now Twilight sighed as she sat in her chair with a bottle of hard dragon liquor sitting on her desk as she looked at it.

She sighed as she uncorked it and started to pour her a glass but stopped unable to see as tears started to flow non-stop while she furiously wiped her eyes.

"Why won't they stop?" She asked herself not seeing the door open and Spike walk in stopping when he saw her.

"Twilight?" She froze and tried to blink away the tears but to no avail as she heard him pad over the carpet to her and felt his arms wrap around her.

"I can't get them to stop." She sobbed feeling his claws brush through her mane.

"Shh it's going to be ok mom. It's gonna be ok." He kept telling her as she broke down crying into his chest before passing out from the emotional strain.

(3 months later)

Over the three months Twilight was constantly by her mothers side as well as many of the family. They had moved her into the manor in her old room while the family doctor came every day to check on her.

She was passing much quicker and the doctors just didn't know what it was but Twilight and Spike did.

She was ready to go home with her other family and friends, she was ready to move on to the next life.

Twilight watched as her adoptive mother looked frailer and frailer each day, Twilight had begged her not to go so early but her only reply for that was her mother smiling and pointed behind Spike.

"He's waiting for me dear, Razor Beak is waiting for me along with my children they're ready for me to come home." Twilight had stayed in her office for hours after that alone before she came to accept what was happening and made sure that she was there during her mother's last moments.

When the day came Twilight was with her along with every member of the family and the people of the city waited for the inevitable word of Twilight's mothers passing.

It was so peaceful when the day came but Odin had one final thing to say to her adoptive daughter and grandson.

Twilight wept as she held her mothers claw and only barely heard her call her's and Spike's names.

"Twilight, Spike come here I must tell you something." The two were instantly by her side as they held her claws knowing that this was it.

"Twilight you and Spike are the world to me and never a day goes by that I regret ever taking you into my care, you are the grandson and daughter that I would have loved to have here with me today and for that I thank you." She said as she looked at Spike.

"Spike my grandson, you've grown into a handsome drake from the time I saw you. You're no longer a hatchling in my eyes, you're a real dragon and what most dragons should hope to be." She said as the he wiped his eyes and nodded.

"You have a beautiful griffon with you son, you will make a great father one day but promise me something." She said as she nodded to her not trusting his voice.

"I want you to look after mother while I'm gone she's going to need you after I'm gone." She said as he nodded while she looked at Twilight who was shaking trying to not to break down during her mother's last moments and requests.

"Twilight, my beautiful daughter. I'm so proud of you from what you have done for these people. You've accomplished so much in such a short time I couldn't be prouder of you my dear." She said running a claw gently over her face moving a lock of hair out of her face.

"I could never ask for better children and I hope that if mine would have lived they would have been just like you both. Twilight I know that your family, your real family has wronged you in the worst possible way." She said as Twilight choked back a sob.

"Twilight you know that there is nothing more powerful than family and trust. Your family destroyed that but they are still your family. Which is why I want you to promise me that you will try to make right with your family, friends are a dime a dozen but your family is what truly molds you to being who you are." She said looking at Twilight as she whipped her tears away.

"I don't know if I can forgive them momma. How can I after what they did to us?" Twilight asked holding Odin's claw to her face while griffon rubbed her thumb over her cheek.

"I know you can dear, I've taught you better than that. We forgive but we don't forget, you told me that you have a niece in the Crystal Empire. Are you going to hate that filly over something one of her parents has done?" She asked as Twilight looked down and sniffed while Odin smiled.

"I know you'll do right by this Twilight, they are your real family and I'm sure they wish to make right by you. After some time you need to go to them dear before it's too late and the wound will rot more than it already has. You need to heal Twilight, you and Spike both if you're ever going to put your past behind you." She smiled as Twilight nodded.

"Ok darling, I'm ready."

That day Twilight watched as her mother passed on with a proud smile on her face while her two adoptive children held her claws.

For 2 days the whole city weeped with sorrow as Twilight looked at the raining sky. She couldn't have picked a better type of day for this.

They had laid her out in the meadow fields like she wanted to where three other headstones were before Twilight had them replaced with a proper headstone with their names on them.

For the next two weeks Twilight sat in her office thinking after the duties of the day were over, thinking of what her mother asked her to do.

Could she do it? Or would she do it would be the better question. As she thought she looked up to see her children at the door with sad faces while they looked at her.

"Momma can we come and be with you?" A little boar asked as Twilight started to sniff and got up opening her arms as they all ran to her as she stared to cry.

"Momma we miss grandma." A little dragon said getting a sad smile from Twilight.

"I know babies momma does to. I miss her so much right now." She said holding them tighter.

"Momma are you gonna die?" A griffon asked as Twilight looked at their expectant faces.

"Not for a very very long time sweetie." She said.

Later that night Spike found Twilight in her room with all 17 of her children laying on and around her while he could still see the tear streaks on her face he knew that she would be fine in due time.

(1 month later)

Things had gotten mostly back to normal until the day Spike talked to Twilight in her office.

"Ok hun what do you need?" Twilight asked as he smiled and pulled out a diamond ring.

"I want to ask Gilda to marry me." He stated while Twilight eyes flew open and her heart soared.

"Oh Spike I'm so proud of you!" She squealed jumping over her desk and pulling him down into a hug.

"OH! When are you going to ask her?" She questioned getting a smile from him.

"Well I was actually going to ask her this afternoon in the park where we met." He said as she kissed his cheek.

"I'm so proud of you son." She smiled as he put the ring in his pocket just as said griffon walked through the doors.

"Hey Twilight, babe. You guys ok?" She asked as Twilight wiped her tears.

"We're fine mom was just talking to me is all. Hey mom do you mind if we take off today?" He asked turning back to her as she sighed.

"I don't know Spike did you get those errands done for me like I said?" She asked getting a nod from him and Gilda.

"Ok then I don't really have anything else for you both to do so go ahead." She said as Spike beamed at her.

"THANKS MOM!"

"Bye you two have fun!!" She called after them.

Later that day Spike had proposed to Gilda and was set to wed within the next 4 months.

Right now Twilight was in her office once again thinking of what her mother asked her to do before she saw Gilda walk in with the engagement ring that Spike had gotten her, a golden diamond that matched her eyes on a white gold band.

"Hey Twilight, um I wanted to ask you would it be ok to have the wedding here in the manor?" She asked rubbing the back of her head.

"Gilda don't be silly of course you can have it here, I was actually going to suggest it to you if you already didn't have a place to have it already." She smiled but was surprised when the griffon tackled her thanking her over and over again while the mare smiled after she got her bearings straight.

"Hey no problem I'll do anything for my little drake along with his future wife." She smiled as the griffon pulled back and froze at the icy blue eyes of her soon to be mother-in-law along with the iron grip on her wrist.

"But let me make this perfectly clear, if you ever hurt my son I'll be sure that Mr. Grinder won't even be able to ID the body. Do you understand me Gilda?" She asked the pale griffin.

"Yes ma'am."

"Good, now stay here I need to talk to both of you about something important." She said and had one of the guards find Spike.

It wasn't long before he strode into the office to see his future wife and his mother figure talking about the wedding till they saw him.

"Ok look there is no easy way to say this so I'm going to say it. I'm going to Equestria to talk to my family and try to pick up the pieces along with getting updates on what's happened in the last few months." She said getting a sigh from Spike.

"I see. Are you bringing anyone with you?" He asked as Twilight shook her head.

"No I want to face this alone and the first place I'm going is to see my little niece." She smiled a little remembering the little filly.

"Are you sure this is wise Twilight? Why don't you take Silvertooth with you just in case." Gilda suggested.

"No. I need to confront this myself, after the empire I'm heading to Equestria and from there back home. I don't know how long I'll be gone but I hope it's not more than a few weeks." She said as the two nodded.

"I want you two to watch after the children while I'm gone and I'll try to be back as soon as I can ok? I don't want the kids to worry too much and I don't want to put your wedding on hold." She stated getting smiles and nods from them.

"When are you leaving mom?" He asked

"Tomorrow early in the morning." Twilight stated getting a nod from the two.

"I already told the children that I'm leaving for a while so I just hope that I won't be gone for too long." She said as she headed to the door.

"I'm leaving the both of you in charge ok? I'll see you hopefully in a few weeks after I leave." She said heading to her room with a sigh greeting her guards with a nod before she got a shower and climbed into bed.

(4 days later Crystal Empire)

Twilight sighed as she got off the train with her saddle bags the very ones she was banished with as she made her way through the streets with an air of power to her making many would be flirts step back.

As she slowly made her way through the streets she saw her little alicorn niece running down the road not looking where she was going and slammed right into Twilight making her bounce off her.

"OW! HEY WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING!" She yelled as Twilight raised an eyebrow to her.

"You know most children are taught to say sorry when they run into somepony." Twilight said as the filly looked up at her.

"HEY! I know you, you're my Aunt Twilight!" She yelled with a smile while Twilight still gave a bored look.

"I am, now are you going to apologize for running in to me or am I going to punish you?" She asked as the filly shrank to the ground.

"S,s,sorry Aunt Twilight." She said getting a smile from the mare.

"Good girl, now since you are such a good girl why don't you show me where you favorite ice cream stand is." She said getting a beaming smile from Starbolt.

"OK!"

"No need to yell Starbolt." Twilight said giving a look to her making her look down.

"Sorry."

"It's ok just don't yell if you don't need to. I'm not feeling to good right now from my trip so why don't we go get that ice cream." She smiled getting a nod from the filly.

She smiled as the little filly showed her the way to the ice cream parlor. When they got there they saw a mare with a angry look on her face looking at Starbolt.

"STARBOLT!" The filly winced as she looked at the rage on her caretakers face.

"Um hey Sunny Daze." She said while the mare growled.

"Starbolt I told you not to run off like that while we're out in the city!" She yelled as the little filly whimpered.

"But I was just going to look around for a little bit and I was going to come back I swear." She said as the mare growled.

"Starbolt your parents hired me to make sure that you were safe! I can't do that if you keep-

"Stop yelling." They both turned to see Twilight giving Sunny Daze a piercing gaze making her step back.

"You don't need to yell." She stated as she looked at Starbolt.

"Young lady did you run away from your caretaker knowing that it would upset her?" She asked as the little filly looked down.

"I just want to look around the empire, I hardly ever get to leave the castle and I don't have any friends. I'm always cooped up inside doing my dumb royal training that mommy and daddy are making me do." She said sitting down sighing.

"I see. Let me ask you something Starbolt, what would your mommy and daddy think if something ever happened to you?" She asked as Starbolt looked up at her.

"Your mom and dad hired her to make sure no bad things happened to you sweetie. Do you know how scared I get when I couldn't find one of my children when they went missing?" She asked as the filly shook her head.

"I start to panic and cry. You don't want your mom and dad to cry do you because something happened to you do you?" She asked as the filly looked down.

"No." She pitifully said.

"No I wouldn't think you would. You see Starbolt not everypony is nice and will help you, especially since you are a royal child ponies and other beings will go out of their way to hurt you to get to your parents. You don't want that do you?" She asked watching her shake her head.

"But can't I just have fun for once, mommy and daddy are always busy with the empire and I have to do dumb school work all day and royal classes." She groaned.

"Tell you what, once I talk to your mom and dad we'll see about me taking you out more since I might be staying at the palace for a little while. So we'll get to see each other a lot more." Twilight smiled as the little filly looked at her with hope.

"Now why don't we get that ice cream." She offered as they passed the stunned mare.

"Hey wait you can't-" She stopped as she turned only to see Twilight in her face.

"You know that last being to tell me I couldn't do something I rammed a sword straight through his heart before cutting his head clean off his shoulders. What do you think I could do to a pretty mares face like yours?" She whispered in her ear as the mare started to shake.

"Aunt Twilight come on you have to try to lemon swirl!" She heard Starbolt yell from the ice cream stand.

"Why don't you take the day off Ms. Sunny, I'm sure you could use it." Twilight smiled as she turned to headed to the filly.

"Oh I don't think I can handle a lemon swirl but how bout I try the banana one while you have the lemon all to yourself." She called to the little filly who cheered.

(Crystal Castle)

Cadence sighed as she listened to some old fart that was whining about loud children in his yard or something like that. Cadence had tuned him out pretty much after he started.

She sighed again thinking she would had rather be out with her daughter for a day in the empire but was stuck here just like always listening to ponies cry about this or that.

"MOMMY!!!!!" Cadence jumped high in her chair as she bolted to the door only to get smacked in the face by said door as the filly busted inside before she felt her daughter slam into her chest.

'' MOMMY DON'T LET THE MONSTER GET ME!!" She screamed as she took a stance in front of her daughter who grabbed her leg when they heard a growl behind them before Starbolt screamed.

"AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!! SHE'S GOT ME I'M A ZOMBIE!!!"

"Hahahahaha I got you now little princess and your mommy can't do anything about it." Cadence was shocked to see the mare in front of her tickling her daughter.

"That was fun! Do you do that with your kids at home Aunt Twilight?" She asked panting a little and giggling every once in a while.

"Yes I do, my little girl Blazing Angel loves it when I play monster or when her Uncle Spike or Aunt Gilda are the monster and has me protecting her." She smiled.

"Oh can I go with you to The Forgotten City. PLLLLEEEAAASSSSEEE!!!!!" She begged.

"Sorry but that's all up to your mother and father if you can visit me." She said as Starbolt pouted.

"Hey none of that or I won’t come steal you from your royal tutors tomorrow and we can learn things the fun way." She smiled as the filly beamed before they heard Cadence clear her throat.

"Starbolt why don't you go play in your room for a little bit while Aunt Twilight and I catch up." Cadence said as the filly groaned.

"But I want to play with Aunt Twilight." She pouted.

"Go ahead Starbolt I'll catch up with you shortly and then you can show me your room and all your toys." Twilight offered as the filly beamed and ran out the room.

Cadence sighed before looking back at Twilight who was trying to get her cigar lit.

"Grr, stupid thing won't light." She growled before sighing and putting the cigar away.

"Good because you can't smoke in here." Cadence smiled while Twilight's eye twitched.

"Definitely not home anymore." She grumbled as Cadence pulled her into a hug.

"I'm glad you actually came back." She said and smiled wide when Twilight hugged her back and let out a sigh.

"It's good to see you ok Cadence, I'm sorry we didn't really talk but I just see red when I look at them." She said getting a nod from Cadence.

"I would feel the same if I was betrayed by everypony I held dear. Though you can't really blame-"

"Stop right there Cadence, I talked to Chrysalis about the attack. The spell that I saw was only temporary and only the first one she used since she took you prisoner. So don't try to defend him when everything he said to me that day was all him. I tried to get them to see it wasn't you and from what I heard it was only luck that you or anyone aren't husks right now." Twilight said while Cadence looked down.

"I'm sorry. It's just... What was it like Twilight? Living outside the safety of Equestria?" She asked as Twilight's eyes glazed over.

"It's was the single most horrible experience I ever had in my life and wouldn't even wish it on Discord." Twilight said as she started to fade back to her memories.

(Flashback 10 years earlier)

Twilight and Spike made their way through the trash and drug infested streets of the city.

Twilight was beaten and bloody after they were mugged by a pair of dragons. She had told Spike to run after they took his bags with their money in it.

"Twilight are you gonna be ok?" He asked as she gave a bloody smile. Her eye was swelling shut and she had a nice goose egg knot on the side of her head from where one of them stomped her face into the ground.

"I'm, I'm ok I think." Her vision swimming as she walked and bumped into a boar.

"Get the fuck out of the way you little bitch!" He yelled and shoved her into a wall getting a yelp of pain.

"TWILIGHT!" Spike ran to the downed mare and helped her up.

"Come on we have to get you to a doctor or something." He said when he was knocked aside by a griffon.

"Hey there pretty mare." He said grabbing Twilight by the neck and lifted her up choking her as she weakly struggled.

"Get off my mom!" Spike yelled but was backhanded and slammed into a dumpster as his vision started to darken the last thing he heard was Twilight scream.

(30 minutes later)

Twilight sat in a corner by a pile of trash shivering after what had just happened to her. She had been viciously raped and in public no less right in front of everyone and NO ONE stopped it.

She had never felt so dirty in her life and just wanted to get the feel of his claws over her off and just scrub herself clean. After he was done he just threw her by Spike and walked away like it was just another day at the office. She jumped when Spike started to stir before he jumped up.

(End Flashback)

"TWILIGHT!" She snapped her head to Cadence who had a horrified look to her face.

"It was only the first day." She said staring at the floor.

"Twilight, I, I don't know what to say." She said looking at this changed mare in front of her.

"What can you say, it's not your fault that I got raped." She shrugged as Cadence just stared her while Twilight finally lit her cigar taking a puff.

"It wasn't the last time it happened either Cadence, I've been raped a few times before I killed for the first time in my life.

(Flashback)

Twilight sighed as she trotted down the road towards her's and Spikes little shelter she made for them while they searched for scraps during the day and hid at night. Twilight was a little weak from the beating she got from a few females that spotted her and jumped her.

She sighed looking through some of the trash cans for something that could be eaten and not rotten or moldy. She smiled spotting a half eaten taco as she used her magic to pick it up and put it in her saddle bags with the other foods she found along with a small gem for Spike.

With that done she started to make her way to Spike when a griffon blocked her path.

"Hey there pretty pony, remember me?" He asked as she paled.

"Please leave me alone." She whimpered as he began to walk towards her with a cocky smirk on his face.

"Oh but I thought we could have some fun like last time." He said as she continued to back down the alley till she bumped into a wall. Dead end.

"Please just leave me alone!" She yelled as tears ran down her face while he just smiled.

"I love the face from you girls when we have our little fun times. Don't worry you'll get used to it." He said as he reached for her only for her to dodge and make to run but his tail wrapped around her neck.

"Hey! The fun is over here not that way." He said slamming her into the ground while the food she found went all over the place.

"Ready for another round of fun babe?" He asked licking his lips looking at her body.

"No! PLEASE JUST LET ME GO!!" She yelled crying watching him smile.

"Gods I love it when you beg." He said as she desperately looked around spotting a broken piece of rebar. She felt him tease her entrance and that was all the motivation she needed as her magic lit up grabbing the rebar and smashing him in the face with it. She didn't stop as he howled in pain as she beat him.

"Please stop I'm sorry!!" He screamed as her face turned cold as she continued to beat him.

"Die. Die! Die!! DIE!!!!" She screamed slamming the bar into his face as she screamed at him even after he stopped moving she kept going till his head was nothing but mulch.

She looked around to see all the food she spent all day looking for ruined as she stabbed him the groin over and over.

"THIS IS YOUR FAULT!!!"

"DIE DIE DIE!!!!!" She screamed before the bar got stuck in his pelvis and she couldn't rip it out anymore as she stumbled back covered in blood staring at the body before she puked whatever she had up in a corner.

For what felt like hours Twilight looked at the body before she got up grabbed her saddlebags and whatever food she could before heading back to Spike for a meager meal.

(End Flashback)

Cadence sat there listening to Twilight as the doors opened and in walked a tired Shining Armor who stopped looking over at the crying face of his wife while his sister took another puff from her cigar.

"Twilight? What are you doing here?" He asked moving to comfort his wife.

"I came to make amends. I want to try to make things right with our family Shining and I wanted to get to know my niece." She gave a small smile trying to cover up the rage and hate that was bubbling to the surface.

He walked up to her as she blew out some smoke towards the ground. The two siblings looked at each other one with hope the other unreadable.

"Twilight, I'm so sorry about what I said that day. I was far out of line and should have really looked into what you were talking about, I should've seen that something was wrong when you were talking about her the way you were." He said looking down.

"Yes you should have. But you can't change the past no matter how much you would like, believe me I know." She said the last part with a mumble.

"Twilight I wish I knew what to do to make it up to you." He said as she looked at him with a cold stare.

"There is nothing you can do to take away what's been done to me in the past 10 years Shining. Speaking of which why did it take you so long to find me? Why did it take a decade for you to finally track me down?" She asked as he looked down.

"We never thought you would have ended up in the wilds, Celestia sent you to a random location far away from Equestria and our allies we just never knew where she sent you." He stated as Twilight growled.

"I see so she could have sent me to a hydra nest along with my son that day and wouldn't have given two shits if I was alive or dead." Twilight narrowed her eyes while Shining remained silent.

"And neither would you that day huh Shining?" She asked as he snapped his eyes to her in disbelief.

"Twilight how could you say that I'm your brother for Celestia's sake!" He stated hurt that she would say that to him.

"Oh so that wasn't you glaring at me the day of my exile along with our parents and my so called friends?" She asked as he looked down while Cadence looked at her husband.

"I've never seen you so angry then you were that day Shining and it was all pointed at me. I tried to talk to you in private but you didn't listen and don't even try to say it was the spell because I talked to the bug bitch herself." Twilight smirked taking a seat in front of him while taking of puff of her cigar.

" I can understand that but 10 years Shining? What took you so long." Twilight looked at him curiously while out of the corner of her eye she saw Cadence leave to give them some space.

" We just couldn't find you Twilight, it was like you just disappeared and for a long time we gave up thinking you were dead." He sighed getting a nod from her.

"Ah so that would explain it really, you gave up." She sighed looking at the shame on his face.

"Can you blame us Twilight it was-

"Yes I can blame you because for the last decade a small part of me hoped that you would find me but I see now only when I leak my location to you get up and really start to look for me. I'm disappointed in you brother." She looked at him as tears fell down his face.

"I'm so sorry Twilight." Shining looked over at her and could see so much disappointment in her eyes.

"It's late for sorry Shining Armor, I would have gone everywhere to find you with or without our families help. The fact that you gave up on me really shows where you stand on your family." Twilight shook her head getting up with the cigar in her mouth as she walked past him before she stopped right beside him.

"What was it like for the last 10 years without me Shining? How did our parents take my supposed death?" She asked as he looked up at her silent.

"I see. So you just moved on like everything was just fine huh? Hm maybe this will be my only stop before heading home. I have to say the day that you lot threw me away was the day you were all dead to me." Twilight looked at the doors where Cadence left out of.

"Why didn't you speak up for me Shining? I'm your sister I'm more blood than your wife will ever be and yet you tossed me away like I was just some old toy in the yard when I didn't want to work right in your eyes. I looked up to you Shining you were everything I was proud of but then I saw your eyes full of hate looking at me with our parents and my friends, my mentor. I trusted all of you and this is how you stick up for family?" She looked back at him tears spilling down her muzzle.

"I hope while I’m here if Starbolt ever takes anything from me it's that family is everything even when they're wrong. They are the only ones that stick with you, at least that's what I thought." She sighed and walked away as he choked on a sob.

As she left the room she turned to see Cadence looking down before she saw Twilight and walked up to her pulling her into a hug.

"I never forgot you Twilight, every year I would send out spies to try and find you. I never gave up on you." She said as the first sob broke from Twilight before the eventual breakdown.

That night Twilight stood on the balcony staring out to the night sky letting the cool wind roll over her as she took a drink of wine that she brought with her.

'What do I really hope to accomplish here?'

Talking

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(Next day)

Twilight walked through the streets in the early morning in her suit with a small smile looking at the peace around her before it turned to a frown as she looked at the stupidity and ignorance of these ponies that know nothing of the suffering that happens in the world.

"Hello ma'am how are you this morning?" She turned to see a young stallion smiling at her from a store that he was just opening as another mare came out and smiled at her.

"Good morning." She nodded to her getting one in return.

"Good day." With that Twilight continued on her way to explore what was barely saved by two of her former friends. She smiled a little at that as she saw a few fillies running past her while their mothers ran after them.

'This is what I want to accomplish for my people, true peace.' She smiled picturing sparkling streets her children grown and married while her grandchildren gathered around her to listen to stories after she passed on the title of Boss to her son.

She smiled wide at that looking at his handsome face standing tall and proud as he led the city into a golden age. Her day dream was brought to a halt when she felt something run into her leg, she looked down and smiled at the little unicorn who was rubbing her head.

"Ow."

"Are you alright dear?" Twilight smiled helping the child up getting a smile from the filly.

"Yes ma'am I'm ok." She chirped but winced when she took a step.

"Here stay still and I'll take care of that for you." Twilight gave a comforting smile as the filly let her take her arm while Twilight's eyes changed to a calming blue while the filly watched amazed as the wound quickly healed till Twilight let go.

"WOW! I didn't know that unicorns could do that!" She cheered as Twilight patted her head.

"Sorry sweetie but I'm a special case." Twilight smiled getting up and walking away towards the Crystal castle.

Once there Twilight sighed as she moved through the halls of the castle passing her brothers and sister in laws room when she heard voices coming from the others side. She stood next to the door and listened to see if she could hear anything that would help her in her quest.

(With Shining and Cadence)

"Cadence what can I say to her? Oh sorry about the wedding thing totally my bad so we're good right?" He groaned feeling his wife rub his back.

"Shiny I know Twilight will forgive you but you have to let go of the image of the little mare you knew, she's changed far more than we could have thought and we have no one to blame but ourselves." Cadence nuzzled him hearing a sigh escape him while he looked back at her with tears in his eyes.

"But how Cadence? My baby sister hates me how can I possibly make it up to her after what we did to her? By the gods Cadence she was raped, she killed and Celestia knows what else she had to do to survive with Spike. By Luna the things that poor boy had to watch happen to Twilight and feel so useless, I don't know if I will ever forgive myself for what we did to them honey." He sniffled turning completely to face her burying his muzzle in her mane.

"I know sweetie but if Twilight truly hated you do you think she would come all this way to make up with us and be a family again?" Cadence asked as he looked up at her with hope.

"So what should we do?" She gave a smile to him running her hoof through his mane.

"Why don't go and ask Twilight out for dinner just the two of you and talk privately. Get to know her again see what she's been through and for the gods don't act like you understand what she's gone through Shining. Ask her about her children, about Spike and her city try to just talk to her and understand the new mare in front of you." Cadence smiled down at him while he nodded pulling her into a searing kiss.

"Thank you Cade, for putting up with this fool of a stallion." He smiled getting up and heading to the door.

(With Twilight)

Twilight sighed as she sat down and looked up at the stars after she flashed away when she heard her brother moving to the door.

'Hm a dinner huh? I feel so much anger for them all, can I really forgive them? Mom help me out here I don't know what to do.' She thought holding a glass of wine before moving into her room and caught a small flash of gold from her saddle bags. She moved over and choked on a sob finding the locket that her mother gave her and read the words on the inside next to a photo with her, Spike, and Odin smiling.

[Twilight my child, remember that friends come and go but the bond of family will never break no matter how bad it gets in life. With love your mother]

Twilight smiled wiping a tear just as the door opened turning to see Shining Armor with a nervous look on his face.

"Um Twilight I was wondering if you wanted to come with me for dinner tonight just the two of us so we can talk. I want to really get to know you and see how you changed." He said still looking down at the floor.

"I'll meet you at bottom of the stairs tonight then at 7pm, don't be late." She watched him look up and smile a little while she felt a little of her anger fade away letting a small smile come to her face.

"I won't." He beamed and rushed out the door closing it behind him as she went and grabbed her best dress.

(7 pm top of the castle stairs)

Shining checked over his suit for the 6th time that night before he descended the stair and saw to his surprise his beautiful baby sister standing in a dress.

Shining was stunned before shaking his head and smiled as she turned giving a small smile of her own.

"Hello Shining." Twilight smiled at the pin stripe black and blue tux he was in.

"Wow Twilight you look beautiful." He smiled stepping beside her getting a thankful smile from her.

"Thanks, so where are we going?" She asked getting a smile from him.

"Well there is this place that just opened up not far from here that's suppose to be really great." He looked over at her while she nodded and motioned for him to lead the way.

The two walked in silence while Shining was nervous and didn't know what to say.

"When was Starbolt born Shining?" Twilight asked suddenly making him blink before give a wide smile.

"About 6 years ago, oh Twilight it was the best day of my life watching her grow and I can't wait to be there for her as she continues to grow day after day. She was born in October on 15, mom was so happy to finally have a grandchild to spoil and so was dad." He smile remembering happy days before he frowned.

"But it always felt empty because you weren't there Twilight I know every night mom would cry after she watched Star open her presents. Time at home just wasn't the same without you." He sighed as she remained silent.

"She cried for me?" He barely heard her making him look at her.

"Yes she did, when the news came that the search was called off for you mom became an emotional wreck she didn't sleep, she barely ate she was a mess till Starbolt was born and that was when I saw some life come back into her Twilight when she held her. I think it was like holding you all over again." He said watching as she nodded.

"I see. I thought that you just didn't care that I was finally out of your mane and after everything that's happened to me and Spike, I just didn't care anymore." She looked up at Shining who was looking down.

"We never forgot you Twilight, we told stories to Starbolt about you and how your old friends saved the day or just stories when we were young. She loves the one about you saving Princess Luna and wants to be like you one day." He smiled watching a sad smile cross Twilight's face.

"I just hope she doesn't have to deal with the same things I had to, not just the exile or what I suffered when I first arrived in the city but the times we had to put our lives on the line to save everyone." She looked up watching Shining nod as they rounded a corner and a building that had neon lights showing the name of the restaurant on the outside of a large crystal cut in the shape of a castle.

"Come on we'll continue this inside." Shining smiled waving her to hurry up.

Bonding

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　The two walked inside to a beautiful interior everything was of course cut from the crystals. The were quickly seated while Twilight looked around as a unicorn waitress came up to them glancing at Shining as he smiled.

"Hey Crystal this is my sister Twilight Sparkle from the Forgotten City, I taking her out to catch up on the times since she's been gone for so long." Shining stated as the mare smiled at Twilight.

"A pleasure to meet you ma'am, I'm Crystal Clare a friend of your brothers. It's a honor to meet you." She bowed a little as Twilight gave a small smile.

"The pleasure is mine ma'am." She looked over at Shining as the mare pulled up her notepad.

"Now what can I get you guys to drink?" She asked.

"Just a water for me." Shining stated as he looked at his sister.

"Um I'll take some of your Crystal fruit drink." Twilight looked unsure to Shining as Clare smiled.

"Trust me it's very good ma'am." The mare winked getting a nod from Twilight as she looked over her menu while Clare went to get their drinks.

After the two found what they wanted they sat in a awkward silence, neither knowing what to say to the other.

"I have to say Shining these people are lucky to have you and Cadence helping them with getting caught up to the modern times." Twilight looked up at him as he smiled.

"Thanks Twilight it was rough for them before we got here." He sighed as she looked at him confused.

"How so?"

"Well before they returned they had been slaves to King Sombra undergoing harsh punishments and death for the littlest things, they lived in a constant state of fear even now they still fear for his return." Twilight looked down remembering her earlier thoughts of these people.

'Well I feel like an ass right now.' She thought looking around at the ponies.

"I see. The reports I got were sketchy at best when it came to what happened here, I have to apologize for judging them too fast. I got the impression they were just like Equestrians." She sighed as he glared at her a little.

"That's a little messed up Twilight. These people have suffered under a tyrant for years and even then after the sisters freed them they were cursed by Sombra before disappearing for a thousand years." He growled at her as she narrowed her eyes at him.

"I know that now Shining it's why I apologized." She growled back at him as he sighed.

"Sorry." The two said as Clare came back and took their order and refilled their drinks if they needed it as the two went back into silence.

"So tell me about yourself Twilight, tell me about my own nieces and nephews." He smiled a little while her face lit up as she launched into how great her children were, he was a little surprised at how many she had but that didn't stop the smile on his face.

"Skylance is a hoof full and Tusk is really quiet but I think he's a little like I was before, I met the girls." Twilight looked down feeling the years of loneliness in that statement as Shining looked at her with worry.

"You ok?" She sighed a little depressed even after all these years she never found a special person, she had lived off the love her son and children along with her mother but she didn't have any real friends let alone a special person that she could call her own. She just couldn't trust them enough and didn't want to feel the pain of a broken heart again. She sighed and looked up at Shining's worried face.

"Yeah just thinking is all, Spike is going to be getting married in a few months and it just kind of hit me that I haven't had a special someone ever since I was exiled." She sighed again as Clare brought them their food.

"Ma'am? Are you ok?" She asked as Twilight gave a sad smile.

"Yeah I'll be ok." Clare looked over at Shining who nodded while Clare gave a small nod.

"Well if you need anything let me know." Clare stated as she left to go help other customers.

"Don't worry Twilight I'm sure there is somepony out there for you." He patted her hoof while she sighed.

"Yeah right who wants a mare with 17 kids, and does what I do for a living? It's fine though I went this long without one and if I need to scratch an itch I can just ask Silvertooth to as a favor." She mused while he shook his head.

"It's your life Twilight, by the way last time you were here you mentioned something about a festival?" She smiled placing her hooves together in front of her.

"The festival is a celebration of our freedom from the last "boss" of the city and my take over and leading them into a brighter future. Its a chance for everyone to come together and make friends and just be together. It's also to remember the dead in the takeover and all the others that lost their lives in the battle." She smiled getting a nod from him.

" I see so tell me how is Spike holding up?" He asked getting another smile from her.

"Well besides him getting married he and Gilda have been dating about three years now." Shining looked very surprised as he ate his meal.

"Three years!?" He shouted as she giggled.

"I know I didn't know if he would ever propose to the girl." He sighed smiling shaking his head.

"How you guys doing over here?" Clare asked as the two smiled as they got up.

"It was very good thank you Clare." Twilight smiled and put some bits on the table and they went to pay for their meal before heading out to take a walk through the empire.

As the two walked a comfortable silence fell over the two as Twilight took off her dress and teleported it to her room in the castle and then continued to walk just content at the moment.

"So what do you plan on doing once you leave here, are you going to see mom and dad?" He asked looking at her as she sighed.

"That's the plan I had after I left here." She looked around as he nodded.

"Good, mom hasn't been the same after you left a few months ago and neither had dad." He smiled at her.

"My mother made me promise to reconnect with my real family on her deathbed and I'm glad I'm listening to her. This had been a very refreshing evening Shining." She smiled over at him as he gave thousand watt smile.

"I'm glad that we were able to talk Twilight, I've missed you so much." He pulled her into a hug surprising her making her flinch at the contact as he nuzzled her cheek.

"I'm so sorry Twilight I wished so many times that I could take back what I did to you that day but I hope that we can a least start over, I know we will never be like we used to be but I want to at least have you in our families life and I know that Starbolt already adores you." He held her a little tighter as she felt the first tears fall on her shoulder while she felt a crack in her wall around her heart.

'Can I really forgive them after all that's happened to me and Spike?' She thought as she looked over at Shining who had his face in her mane.

'Should I risk letting them in after all this time?' She heard him sniff and squeeze a little tighter as a small smile came to her as she wrapped her arms around him feeling him stiffen up.

'Maybe it's time to forgive, they are the only family I have left and I do want to see mom and dad again. I'm just so scared of what I'll do if I see THEM again, maybe I should have Spike come with me to Equestria after I talk to mom and dad. Maybe even invite them to the wedding if Spike is ok with it after he talks to them.' She felt tears falling down her face surprising her.

"Ok Shining lets start over a clean slate." She stated from his shoulder as a sob broke from him and he squeezed her tighter.

"Thank you, Twilly." He sniffled as a smile went over her face burying her face in his mane.

"I missed you so much big brother." She sniffed closing her eyes just soaking up having her brother with her again.

'I just hope I don't see them when I go Equestria I might not be able to hold myself back.' She thought leaning into her brother's embrace.

'This is good right?'

(One week later)

"Hahahah NO! Mommy she's gonna get me!" A filly ran through the park as a purple mare chased her.

"Get back her so I can eat you!" She yelled after the filly pouncing at her as she tried to fly away only for the mare to grab her.

"NOOOOO! NOT THE SNUGGLES AUNT TWILIGHT!" The filly cried as a stallion appeared before them.

"I'll save you my daughter!" He yelled and charged the two.

"YAY! GET HER DADDY!" She called him as the mare wrapped her in her magic as she stood in front of the filly.

"She's mine now prince you can never have her back!" The mare nuzzled and blew raspberries on her stomach getting a squeal from the filly.

"NO NOT THAT! HAHAHAHA!" The filly tried to weakly defend herself trying to bat her evil aunts dreaded affection.

The stallion charged pulling out a sword and struck down the evil mare who cried out letting the filly fall as the stallion caught her.

"YAY DADDY YOU GOT HER!" She giggled as the mare smiled while pretending to be dead flashing away appearing on one of the hills.

"YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE LAST OF ME PRINCESS, I WILL RETURN FOR MY SNUGGLES!" She yelled and ran down the hill cackling as she went before she came around the hill smiling and giggling as the filly came running up to her.

"That was fun Aunt Twilight! What do you want to do next?" She asked as Twilight looked up at Shining who was leaning his wooden sword onto the bench and trotting up to them.

"Well what do you want to do Starbolt, your dad is going to have to go back to work soon." Shining sighed hearing that as his daughter pouted.

"Can't you stay daddy?" She asked giving the dreaded puppy dog look to him making him cringe.

"I'm going to have a talk with your mother for teaching you that look." He grumbled while Twilight giggled.

After their talk Twilight really opened up to her brother and the two really bonded over the days that came and went. They had talked of their time away from each other and the things they did during that time.

One night while she and her brother were drinking she told him of her time while in the Forgotten City, needless to say Shining was pissed at himself, at the others, and those that did the things they did that to her.

Twilight sighed as Starbolt jumped on her back wrapping her arms around and looked at her father again but he was looking away.

"Sorry sweetheart I have to head back or I'm going to be late for work, tell you what as soon as I get off-

"Shining don't promise a girl something if you might not be able to keep it." Twilight interrupted as he sighed.

"You're right I'm sorry sweetie but I won't be home for tonight but I'm sure mommy and Aunt Twilight can play with you while I'm gone." He suggested as she looked down sadly.

"Mommy can't since she had a night court tonight." Starbolt sniffed before Twilight nuzzled.

"Well then that means that it's just you and me tonight squirt, what do you think about camping out in the fields tonight?" She asked looking at Shining as he started to protest but shut his mouth.

"YEAH!!" The filly beamed.

"Ok well since your dad has to got to work why don't we go tell mommy and then got get our gear." She felt the filly bouncing on her back making her smile and thankful it wasn't Ironclaw.

"I don't know Twilight." Shining rubbed the back of his head before spotting the terrifying look on his sisters face.

"Your daughter is cooped up on that castle all day and night because you and Cadence are to scared to let her go to a public school and meet kids her own age. She needs to get out a little and have some fun with kids her age and have some friends." Twilight growled as the filly gave a glare of her own making him flinch.

"Fine." He growled as she smirked with Starbolt.

"Just take care of her Twilight." He sighed as she gave him a deadpan look.

"Who has more kids than who here?" She asked watching a sheepish smile cross his face.

"Yeah, right sorry." He looked at Starbolt and smiled pulling her into a hug.

"Be good for Aunt Twilight ok sweetie?" The filly gave a salute making him chuckle and give one back.

"Ok well I'll see you two in the afternoon then." He walked away with a worried backwards glance as the aunt and niece headed towards the castle before flashing away. Shining turned to one of his guards and gave a nod to him.

"Flash watch after Starbolt and keep an eye on Twilight." Shining said getting a nod from the pegasus stallion.

"Yes sir."

(Castle)

"And then we can roast marshmallow! Mmm marshmallows." The little filly moaned.

"Well we can do all that as soon as I stop by one of my friends places and then we go and get our gear." Twilight looked back at the nodding filly who was behind her bouncing as she went.

"Now why don't you go and get your toothbrush and stuff together and I should be done talking to your mom by then." Starbolt nodded and ran ahead to gather her things as Twilight turned a corner opening the door to find Cadence about to open it.

"Oh hey Twilight! How was the day in the park with Shiny and Starbolt?" She asked heading out as Twilight fell in step with her.

"It was great, I wanted to talk to you since I already talked to Shining. Is it ok with you if Starbolt came with me on a little overnight camping trip?" She asked seeing Cadence stop and look at her.

"I don't know Twilight I don't want her to get behind in her studies." Cadence stated as Twilight sighed.

"Cadence please that poor kid needs some off time, all she does is study in her room and has barely any time to herself. It's just overnight, if it makes you feel any better I was going to ask if Clare wanted to come with us." She offered as Cadence looked over at Twilight.

"I don't know Twilight, this is really sudden." Twilight narrowed her eyes and set her jaw.

"Cadence Starbolt isn't like me who loves to study, even prisoners have some time outside. It's just for a day Cadence, it's not like I'm going to take her to the Everfree in the middle of Froggy Bottom Bog." Twilight pressed getting a groan from Cadence.

"Ok, ok, fine you win. What time is she going to be back tomorrow?" Cadence asked while Twilight smiled just when Starbolt jumped on Twilight's back.

"WE CAN GO! THANKS MOMMY!" She shouted with her little saddle bags on as the two took off before Cadence could change her mind.

(Outside)

Twilight trotted to her friends house with a little pep in her step with Starbolt giggling the whole way as they came up to her house as she knocked.

Over the last week Twilight and Clare just seemed to click both had a hard past and from what Twilight learned Clares parents beat her as a filly while as a mare she was a slave to Sombra and even before she could celebrate her freedom it was taken away be the former king. The two had bonded and became fast friends and when Starbolt was busy along with her brother or sister in law she hung out with Clare.

"CLARE OPEN UP GIRL COME ON LETS GO CAMPING!" She hollered as the door opened.

"Camping? Sure I get could get away from town for a while and I see that you kidnapped the shrimp to." Clare smiled as the filly stuck her tongue out at her.

"I'm not a shrimp I'm a filly Clare!" Starbolt pouted before Clare blew a raspberry on the filly's neck making her squeal with laughter.

"So where are we going to camp?" Clare asked as they walked through the marketplace.

"I'll tell you in a bit but first we have to lose the tail." Twilight nodded back at the crystal guard trying and failing to be sneaky as Clare facehooved.

"Looks like my brother doesn't trust me with his baby girl." Twilight sighed as she grabbed them their supplies and after handing the saddle rucks to the other two and paying the vendors they flashed away just as Starbolt turned and gave the guard and sly smirk.

(Forgotten City)

Spike sighed as he looked over at his brothers and sisters as they sat around the campfire while Gilda played with Razor who was a dragoness that was with some of her other brothers and sisters trying to learn to fly at the same time trying to tackle Gilda.

"14, 15, 16, 17. Ok they're still all here." Spike sighed his claw brushing his weapon as he spotted the scars on his body from where the contract was cancelled.

'If I ever get my claws on that fucking mare I'll be sure to leave some scars of my own on her.' He thought darkly counting the children for what felt like the 1000th time.

As the week turned into the weekend Spike decided that it had been forever since the family actually had a day to themselves and had some fun so he took a couple of guards and Gilda along with the children on a camping trip outside the city and into the forest.

"Spike?" He looked down to see Darkfire pulling on his tail.

"Hey munchkin what is it?" He asked smiling at the little dragoness.

"I miss mommy." She sniffed as he sighed.

"I know, know sweetie but you know that mom is visiting some family right now." He smiled at her as she climbed into his lap while a few more of the kids crawled up next to him making him look around and sigh.

"I take it you all miss mom to huh?" He asked as they nodded.

"Yeah I do to." He spoke looking at the stars with a little smile having a feeling that she was looking at the night sky.

"When is momma gonna come back?" Spike looked over at Raven a solid black griffon that asked.

"In another week or so, but no more than a month I'm sure. Don't worry mom is coming back, she would never abandon you guys." Spike said as he felt Gilda's arms slide around his neck.

"Mmm hey babe, you look cute over here with all these kids around you. Makes me a little.." She trailed off running a claw down his back and along his tail making him freeze up.

"Tease." He grumbled as Gilda laughed picking up Darkfire and sitting by Spike as his tail wrapped around everyone on his left while he pulled the other kids close to him on his right.

"I wonder what momma's doing big brother?" He heard Blaze the little red and gold griffon asked next to him.

"Don't know but I'm sure she's having fun though." He smiled.

(Crystal Empire)

Twilight smiled looking down at the sleeping filly next to her and then looked over at Clare who was sound asleep as well with her head on Twilight's back.

"Come on you two let's get inside before we catch a cold." She got up picking the other two up with ease in her magic as she put the two on either side of her as they snuggled up to her making her sigh in content.

As she started to nod off she felt Clare wrap her hooves in Twilight's and pulled her closer making her blush feeling her hot breath on her neck until she nuzzled her face into it.

"Mmm night Twili-zzzzzz" Clare mumbled as Starbolt snuggled into Twilight's chest before falling fast asleep.

"Ugh. You guys are just too much." Twilight giggled as she felt the warm claws of sleep begin to take her while she zipped up the tent and put the fire out.

Coming clean

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(Early that morning)

Twilight woke up before either of the two girls to find her arms wrapped around Starbolt while Clare had hers wrapped around her making her blush.

'Ok just got to switch places with Starbolt.' Twilight thought as she maneuvered her way around the little filly and switched places with her as Clare pulled the flilly closer to her.

Twilight smiled as she got up and unzipped the tent and headed outside being greeted by the chilly air looking up to see it was around 7am.

"Lets get breakfast started." Twilight whispered to herself as she moved to her bag and pulled out some cooking materials and used her magic to gather the wood she chopped earlier when they came to the campsite and start a fire.

'Hm what should we do till this afternoon?' She mused while she set the pots up and added the food.

A few minutes later Clare came out of the tent followed by Starbolt both moaning as the smell of food hit them making their stomachs growl.

"Hmmm something smells good Twi." Clare stumbled over to the cooking mare who smiled up at them as she sat down on the log and leaned into the blushing mare while Starbolt leaned into Clare.

"Morning you two, got some food ready for you so I hope you're hungry." Twilight grinned at them passing a plate to each before grabbing a helping for herself.

"What is it Aunt Twilight?" The filly asked looking down at her plate.

"Well it's berries smashed up mixed with oatmeal and some grits and carrots on the side." She smiled and looked over at Clare who was patting her stomach.

"Is there anymore?" She asked while the other two blinked.

"Y, yeah here you go." Twilight got her another helping just as Starbolt was finishing hers.

"Wow Aunt Twilight this is really good!" The filly praised as Clare burped blushing.

"Excuse me." The other two smiled giggling making her blush harder.

"So what's the plan today Twilight?" Clare asked giving her back her plate.

"Well I was going to teach Starbolt some magic and then we can go swimming in the river nearby and I'll show her some of my more 'fun' moves." Twilight smiled down at the drooling filly.

"I GET TO LEARN MAGIC!? THIS IS SO AWESOME!!!" She squealed hugging Twilight.

"Sure since I'm sure that you haven't even learned much about it since your stuck studying all day." Clare smiled over at the two letting a sigh escape her thinking of all that she's missed out on.

Every time Twilight brought Starbolt over after sneaking her away from some studies she just fell in love with the little filly. The kid was a hoot to be around and VERY smart and would be even able to stun her with some of the answers she give her.

But it had a drawback since before they were banished and Sombra took over her family had a not so great history with the people around them, her father and mother being a prime example before they were both killed by Sombra. Her father was thief and her mother a whore for the nobles.

She sighed as she looked over at Twilight as she was showing her some of the things she will be teaching her while Twilight weaved a spell bringing a butterfly to life before it dissipated the further it got away.

Even though the two had only known eachother for a very short time she came to trust the mysterious unicorn and loved all her quirks about her, it's what made her fun to be around.

"Clare! Come on lets go!" The mare shook her head and looked over at the path leading to the river where the two were looking at her from. She looked over where the tent was to see it gone, already packed up and on her ruck.

"Sorry I'm coming!" She called out to them rushing to her things and throwing it on her back and trotted up to them.

"Sorry bout that." Twilight smiled at her blush.

'How long was I sitting there daydreaming?' Clare thought to herself falling in step with Twilight while Starbolt decided to catch a ride on her aunts back.

(F. City)

Spike sighed as they all trudged home exhausted while Gilda leaned into him with a small smile on her face. He chuckled a little and wrapped his arm around her as she snuggled into him more.

"Hey Spike?"

"Hm?"

"I can't wait to be with you forever." She sighed in content while he watched one of his little sisters play around with one of his brothers.

"Gemteeth, Hawx calm down you two." He ordered as they stiffened at being caught.

"Sorry big brother." The spoke in unison as he sighed looking over at Gilda when a smirk went across his face.

Revenge is so sweet.

He let his claw stroke her head and could hear the griffon purr before his claw slid down and attacked her flight muscles pushing his thumbs deep into them.

"EEP!" Spike quickly looked away and had his claws behind his back looking everywhere but his griffon since he could feel the lustful glare she was giving him.

"You're so dead when we get home." He heard her pant. What many don't know is that a griffons flight muscles are WAY more sensitive than a pegasi, and are VERY easily aroused when even gently stroked. So when Spike grabbed Gilda's she was it put her in a state of lust that he will have to sedate ASAP or if Gilda has to wait too long she may just jump him on the path. Good thing the city gates were in view.

" Don't threaten me with a good time." He chuckled looking down at her and could already see her shaking with need.

'I win.' He thought with a smug smile.

(Woods outside the Crystal Empire)

Starbolt panted from the spells she was able to cast after 133 tries she was finally able to hold a small ball of water for a minute before she lost control.

"Good job Starbolt!" Clare grinned down at the filly as Twilight came back with a bottle of water.

"You didn't have to push yourself so hard sweetie, you could hurt yourself like that." Twilight cooed rubbing the panting fillies back.

"I know but I want to be like you Aunt Twilight, you're good at everything! Cooking, camping, tag, monster tag, being cool, you're pretty, brave, smart and magic! I just want to be like you." She sighed wiping the sweat from her forehead.

"Oh sweetie I'm not good at everything! There's plenty that I'm not good at." The little filly looked up at her in disbelief making Twilight giggle.

"Like what?"

"Well I tend to spaz out about some of the littlest things, I'm actually not that great a cook, your Uncle Spike can tell you that from experience. Everything I tried to cook would blow up in my face! Um let's see, OH! Back before my exile I once brainwashed everyone into liking my smarty pants doll, Um I spazed out so bad one time I actually went back in time to try and tell my past self not to worry but she wouldn't shut up long enough for me to get it out and ended up causing the spaz in the first place." She gave a sheepish smile as the two laughed.

Twilight smiled as Starbolt leaned into her taking a sip of her water.

"Thanks Aunt Twilight." Clare smiled at the two before Twilight got up and headed for the lake while the two watched her.

"Now watch and learn sweetie." She grinned stepping onto the water and walking out into the middle of it as she lifted a boulder sized ball of water out of the lake while the two gaped at her. She wasn't even panting and just smiled walking over to them and sitting down on the water while the boulder of water sank back into the lake.

"Keep practising and you can easily be able to do that. With you being an Alicorn Starbolt I'm sure you'll be able to catch up and pass me in just a few years." Twilight smiled down at the starry eyed filly.

"Really?"

"Yeah, you just have to study magic and do your best, I'll always have your back squirt no matter what." Clare grinned as the filly stumbled over to Twilight and wrapped her arms around her.

"Thanks Aunt Twilight, I wish that you could stay here with me forever." Twilight picked her up and placed her on her back as the filly dozed off.

"Come on Clare lets go home." Twilight lead the way as Clare blushed, even though she knew that Twilight didn't mean it like that she still couldn't but imagine Twilight in a apron as she came smiling at her before something started to burn.

Clare let out a giggle thinking of that as Twilight looked back at her with a raised eyebrow but was waved off by the other mare.

"Just a silly thought is all." The trio exited the forest and headed down a path that led back into the city.

"I had a great time Twilight, thanks for taking me out." Clare nuzzled Twilight's neck making the mare flinch but blush.

"No problem, I had a blast with you and Starbolt. We need to do something like this again before I leave next week." Twilight looked over and could see Clare looking away with a sad expression.

"You're leaving?" Twilight's eyes flew open realizing she never told Clare.

"Oh Clare I'm so sorry I forgot to tell you, but yes I'll be leaving for Canterlot in a week and then I might stop by here to see you and then I have to go home to my kids." Twilight nudged her as the mare forced a smile.

"Hey it's ok, I just didn't think you would be leaving so soon is all." For some reason Clare felt a pang of loss in her chest making her visibly flinch.

"Don't Clare." The mare looked up to see Twilight looking at her with a serious face.

"Don't put on some fake smile just so you can spare my feelings, it looks ugly on you." Clare was stunned at how Twilight was able to see through her smile and looked down frowning as she walked.

"Sorry, I should be used to ponies leaving in my life by now but, there's something about you Twilight Sparkle that just makes me want to know more about you. You're a mystery Twilight and I want to solve it." Twilight sighed as she pulled away from Clare continuing to walk.

"I doubt that you would find the real me very fetching, it's an ugly thing to see and I hate it to tell you honestly. But it's a necessity that I'm in the middle of where I am Clare, but I don't think you can understand it even if I told you who and what I am and why I do what I do." Twilight looked over at the confused mare and gave a sad smile.

"Whatever mystery you think I am, I hope you never solve. You may not like the truth that you find." Twilight walked a little ahead while Clare thought about what she said.

'Who are you Twilight Sparkle?'

(End of the next week)

Twilight sighed as she and Clare laid on the beach by the lake. Over the next last week Twilight and Clare had gotten really close even going so far as to flirting with each other until the very last day when they decided to take one last camping trip.

Twilight was stretched out with her signature cigar between her lips taking a puff as she went as Clare rolled her eyes.

"You know now I know why you haven't had a date in so long." Clare said while Twilight let her head roll lazily over to look at her friend.

"Oh and why is that?"

"Because of those nasty things you suck on!" Clare pointed accusingly at the cigar.

"You shut your whore mouth about the gods gift to me!" Twilight looked down at the cigar petting it a little.

"Hey it's ok she's just jealous she can't look as cool as me when I have you." She smiled hearing the sputtering from next her.

"Yeah right, that thing is going to kill you by the time you hit 40 and I'm gonna be at your casket and point at you say I told you so." Looked over to see her friend gone before she felt a weight pinning her to the ground.

"At 40 huh?" Twilight asked as Clare grinned.

"Yeah at 40 and you're gonna look like a old bat from it to."

"Am I now?" Clare didn't like the glint in the other mares eye as she ashed the cigar and leaned down as her horn started to glow.

"What are you-EEP!" Clare felt her magic sealed from her horn as Twilight used her mouth to place the sealing ring.

"Now you are mine and I'm gonna make you take back what you said about my baby here." Clare was a little scared till she saw the cute smile on Twilight's face making her relax a little.

"Oh and how are you going to do that?"

"By making you smoke it."

"No way!"

"Yep, come on I promise you that it's not as bad as you think. You won't even cough at all." Clare looked at the burning stick and shook her head.

"Yeah right I know that you hack up a lung on the first puff of those things!" She saw Twilight smile gently and it down pinning her legs to the ground.

"Clare would I ever put you in any real danger, I promise that these are not what you think they are." Clare looked back at the stick and then to Twilight and sighed.

"Ok, but only one puff and then if I don't like it you have to do something that I like to do." Twilight smiled and nodded as she put the cigar in her mouth as she inhaled.

Clares eyes widened at the taste of her favorite.... candy? She looked at Twilight grinned down at her.

"Pretty good huh, my own creation by the way. Real hush hush stuff if you know what I mean." Clare took another puff before Twilight pulled it away.

"HEY! I was enjoying that!"

"See I told you it wasn't that nasty stuff you were thinking about, it's why I'm so addicted to them. I even created some that taste like your favorite foods and drinks to, I'll have to send you some when I get back home." Twilight looked down along with Clare knowing that she was going to leave tonight.

"Yeah I'd like that." Clare sighed as Twilight pulled her into a hug.

"I promise I'll come visit as much as possible Clare, you're one of my only friends and it kills me to see you sad." Twilight looked up at her horn as a sadistic grin came to her face.

"What?" Clare watched as Twilight reached up and with her mouth making her mare moan loudly as she let her tongue slide across Clare's horn while slowly slipping the ring off.

Clare was panting hard as desire filled her while she leaned up licking Twilight's neck making the mare jump but not stop what she was doing.

"Twilight." Clare breathed shaking as she was gently pushed onto her back.

"Clare? Clare?! CLARE!"

Clare's eyes popped open to see the ring in Twilight's magical grip.

"You ok? You spaced out as soon as I took the ring off." Clare was blushing hard.

'Where did all of that come from?'

"Sorry, um I don't know what happened." She blushed even mare as Twilight put her forehead to hers their horns barely brushing against each other making her bite back a moan.

"Well you're a little warm and you're sweating more now, come on let's get you home and into a cool shower.

"Yeah sounds like a plan I am feeling a bit warm out here." She pulled back from Twilight as she led the way down the path.

"Come on I'll run you a bath and then make you some dinner before I leave." Clare nodded following behind her friend staring at her flank as she went as she face hooved.

'I have a crush on my friend. Oh boy.'

(Clare's house)

Clare sighed as she sat under the shower head just trying to get herself under control.

"Why now? And why her of all the ponies I know? Stupid feelings, stupid body, stupid Twilight and her sexy flanks and teasing." Clare grumbled sliding down into the tub.

"Ooh what am I going to do?"

"About what?"

"AAHHH!"

"AH!"

"Starbolt!" The filly grinned up at the mare as the shower sprayed down her covering her eyes with her bangs making her just look so cute.

"Aunt Twilight said that you got a little hot on your trip to the lake and asked if I could go check on you, but then you sounded upset so I was gonna surprise you." Clare sighed knowing that she couldn't be mad at the little filly since she only wanted to help.

"Yeah, I'm ok shrimp just got to hot is all." She sighed trading spots with the filly before bringing her into her chest so the water could run over them both.

"So why were you talking about Aunt Twilight's sexy flanks?" Clares shrank to pinpricks as she looked down at the confused filly.

"Um uh.."

"Do you think I'll have sexy flanks like Aunt Twilight's? Do you think I could get my cutie mark for that?"

"Oh maker. Ok stop!" Clare couldn't take it anymore or her head might explode from the embarrassment.

"What?"

"The reason why I said that is because I.... have a crush on your aunt." Clare sighed as the filly beamed.

"YOU LIKE AUN-MMFF!"

"Shhh! Starbolt she's right down the hall!" Clare hissed at the filly before letting her go.

"Well why don't you tell her that you do? I'm sure that Aunt Twilight would love to hear that, mommy said that she's a very lonely mare and could use a special somepony in her life after all she's been through." Starbolt looked over at Clare who just looked down and sighed.

"I don't want to jump the gun and tell her and she don't even like me like that and ruin our friendship." Starbolt sighed but nodded as she climbed out of the tub while Clare turned the water off.

"Just don't say anything to her ok, I don't want to ruin our friendship over my stupid feelings. Come on your aunt said that she was going to cook." Starbolt sighed but nodded as they dried off and headed out to the kitchen where they found Twilight finishing up the table.

"Dinner's ready you two come and get it." Twilight smiled up at them while her eyes lingered on Clare for a little longer then need as she walked up to her while Starbolt took a spot next to where Twilight was going to sit.

Twilight closed the distance and was nearly touching Clare's nose as the mare gulped trying to hide her panting as Twilight put her forehead to hers.

"Well you're still a little warm but not as bad as last time." Twilight looked into Clare's eyes and could see she was having a small panic attack.

"Clare you ok?" The other mare nodded before stepping past Twilight.

"Yeah I'm fine really." Twilight stared at her for a little while longer before shrugging and taking her place next to Starbolt as they all dug in.

Clare kept sneaking glances at Twilight while a small smile came to her face as Twilight and Starbolt talked while she started to daydream.

"Clare are you ok?" Twilight called to her as she shook her head and smiled.

"Sorry just got lost in my own little world for a second." Twilight narrowed her eyes at the nervous mare but nodded but kept her eyes on her.

'Grrr get it together Clare! You know you won't see her as often as you have been once she goes home so don't even try it!' She berated herself only to feel depressed at that thought.

'I wonder if I can go with her?' She looked down at her plate as she heard the chairs being scooted under the table.

"Hey I have to get going Clare but I'll see you in two weeks ok?" Twilight was getting really worried about her friend who just seemed to deflate at that while she put on a brave face.

"Yeah ok Twilight, see you at the end of the month." She sighed while Twilight narrowed her eyes before motioning for Starbolt to follow her so she could walk her home.

"Goodbye Clare!" Starbolt called back as the mare smiled at the filly.

"See you later shrimp!"

"I'M NOT A SHRIMP! I'M A FILLY!!" She yelled as the door closed leaving Clare in her empty house alone once again as she felt the loneliness start to creep in.

"Ugh! Why do I have it so bad for her?! It's just Twilight, she's just my friend!" She yelled swiping the table off making the food and dishes crash on the floor.

"I can't have these types of feelings for her! She's my, my-." She let a sob out as she put her head in her hooves.

" Stupid sexy Twilight." She growled as she stomped to the living room.

"Her and her stupid laugh and stupid smile and becoming my stupid friend! What is it about you Twi that just calls me to thee." She said to herself slipping into her old speech.

"Who art thee Twilight Sparkle?"

"Who do you want me to be Crystal Clare?" She heard behind her making her turn to see Twilight standing behind her looking down at her with a small smile.

"Twilight."

"Is it true?" She asked moving around the couch as Clare stood up.

"Twilight I'm sorry! I don't want us to get mmph!" Clare was surprised as she melted into the kiss from the mare as her arms went around her before she came back to her senses and pulled back.

"Don't." She stepped back as Twilight stepped forward.

"Why not?" Twilight asked continuing to back her up as Clare shook her head.

"We do not want to hurt you, or our friendship because of our stupid feelings for thee." Clare had tears coming down her face as she bumped into her wall stopping her retreat while Twilight stopped in front of her.

"As long as you can accept who I am and what I do you will not hurt me." She walked toward her as Clare whimpered as Twilight stood nose to nose with her.

"Who are thee then? TELL US! Clare yelled glaring at her.

"Do not toy with our heart like this Twilight!" The mare smiled stepping back with a sigh.

"I'm the leader of criminal organization name simply the Family. But I have worked hard to bring them to the light but it's not a easy thing to do Clare." She sighed looking up at her as she looked at her shocked.

"I've killed, tortured, blackmailed, conned and ordered the deaths of hundreds all for the sake of a better future for my people. The city I now rule over Clare was a cesspool of the scum of the planet. Killers, rapist, you name it they were there. I'm known as The Boss there and I'll admit I love my job. The people after I cleaned up my organization love me as their leader." She turned not being able to look at the mare who she knew was going to reject her for the monster that she was.

"Ha. You know I wouldn't trade it all for anything that someone could promise me if I were to just walk away. Not even you Clare." She sniffed looking down.

"They, the people have become my family and I will NEVER abandon my family. I would love to have someone to be there with me to help me with the hard days, a shoulder to lean on, someone to talk to or just have some good times with but I know that no one will want a mare like me in their life. A mob boss with 17 kids none her own by blood, all orphans because of me and my soldiers during the take over." Tears fell from her muzzle while she took a breath.

"Twilight." She heard as she headed towards the door.

"I'm sorry but this will be the last that you see of me." Twilight spoke holding back her sobs like she had become a pro at over the years.

"Goodbye Clare."

Secrets

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Just as Twilight reached the door she felt a body slam into her making her grunt as they slid into the kitchen.

"Don't go please. We don't care who you are Twilight, we just want you." Twilight heard as she looked down to see Clare with her hooves on her chest while she had her head buried in the same place.

"Please don't go." Clare whimpered as tears soaked her chest.

"Clare?"

"Don't go Twilight I swear I just want you! I don't care about that stuff I believe you, you're my first friend and the only pony that's ever really interested me." She sniffed holding her tighter.

"I don't care how many kids you have, or what you do as long as I have you. I'll be there with you Twilight, I can leave today and we can go anywhere you want." Clare looked up to see Twilight's smiling face as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Thank you." Twilight pulled her closer as Clare moved in pulling her into a passionate kiss letting out a happy squeal.

The two moaned as Clare deepened the kiss letting her hoof trail down Twilight's chest when she seemed to shimmer making Clare pull back to see to her horror Twilights scarred body.

She was covered in scars that looked like from blades and other things as she looked up at the ashamed face of Twilight who covered her body looking away.

"Sorry I know I'm not that great to look at, this was a mistake." Twilight started to get up before she was gently pushed back down.

"No let me help you." Clare bent down kiss each and every scar on her body being as gentle as possible as Twilight moaned as she went of the more sensitive scars.

" I promise I'll stay Twilight." Clare couldn't believe how fast this mare had taken her heart in only two weeks and a few days Clare couldn't have been more happy than she was at this moment.

She had somepony special in her life and she was going to do her damndest to keep her there.

Clare let her tongue glide over a large scar that ran from her sternum to the middle of her breasts.

"Why don't we take this somewhere more comfortable?" Clare asked getting a lustful nod from Twilight.

(3 hours later)

Twilight sighed as she pulled Clare closer to her as the mare smiled looking back panting a little.

"Where did you learn all of that?" She asked only getting a kiss from the other mare.

"I'm with you now that's all that matters." Twilight smiled down at her as she propped herself up on her elbow.

"Clare I know that this is sudden but do you want to come with me to Canterlot? I can have Cadence tell your boss that you're going there for royal business." She offered as Clare laughed pulling her into a kiss.

"I don't care where we go as long as I'm with you Twilight."Clare sighed in her lovers embrace before she was pinned to the bed startling her.

"Twilight?" She looked up at the smiling face of her lover as her horn lit up.

"I know what you are Clare." Twilight spoke as Clares eyes flew open.

"W, what are you talking about Twilight?" Clare asked trying to get out of the stronger mares grip.

"You think I'm a fool that I wouldn't know how to spot a changeling?" Twilight asked as she discharged her spell showing Clare for who she truly was.

"Twilight please I can explain!" Clare tried but when she looked up to see the look of pure murder and hate in Twilight's eyes it died in her throat.

"Die."

"TWILIGHT PLEASE WAIT!" Clare tried to break free but her grip was to strong as the room was bathed in a ominous black and red while Twilight aimed her horn towards Clares head.

"TWILIGHT NO PLEASE!!"

"CLARE WAKE UP!!"

The mare sat up drenched in sweat with a worried Twilight looking at her as Clare panted with tears in her eyes while she felt Twilight's arms wrap around her.

"Shh it's ok, you're ok Clare." Twilight rubbed her back while the mare sighed.

"It was only a nightmare." Clare whimpered looking around finding they were still in her bedroom.

"I just went to the bathroom and found you screaming my name. Are you ok babe?" Twilight rubbed the mares back as Clare sobbed into Twilight's shoulder.

'She wouldn't do that to me, would she?' Clare thought feeling Twilight's love flow over her.

"You want to talk about it?" Twilight broke the silence as Clare shook her head.

"Ok, well come on we have to get to the train station in about an hour and by brother is going to be meeting us there. I already talked to Cadence and she said that she would let your boss know that you'll be coming with me." Twilight looked down at the shivering mare really worried for her.

"Are you sure you're ok Clare?" The mare nodded and just held onto Twilight like she was her lifeline.

"Yeah I'll be fine, just give me a second that dream really shook me up." Clare snuggled into Twilight breathing in her scent smelling of a desert rose making her smile letting out a content sigh.

"Ok I think I'm ok now." Clare got up while Twilight looked at her still worried.

"Ok if you're sure Clare, I'll meet you in the living room once you washed up." Twilight stated getting a nod from Clare who was heading to the shower.

'Would she accept me for who I am?' Clare thought feeling the worry from her marefriend.

'I'll tell her just not yet, I don't think I'm ready for that yet' She thought sighing feeling the water run over her.

Once Clare was done she and Twilight made their way to the train station where they saw Shining armor waiting for them.

"Hey girls bout time you made it." He smiled looking at how close Clare was to Twilight.

"Hey Shining, you ready to go?" Twilight asked as he nodded and they all jumped aboard just as the train was leaving.

Over the next few days Twilight and Clare would keep to themselves staying in their private room just talking and having a good time snuggling up to each other.

But Clare was still worried about what Twilight would do if she ever found out her secret, she wanted to tell her but the fear was holding her back. Twilight left to go and get some food for them as she sat looking out the window.

"What should I do? Ooh Twilight I really do like you I just hope when the time comes that I tell you what I am that you'll still stay with me." She sighed when she felt someone watching her and turned to see Twilight with a raised eyebrow.

"H-hey Twilight, what did you get?" Clare stuttered as the mare calmly put the tray down and looked at her with anger making Clare shrink into herself.

"So, what are you then Clare?" Twilight asked her voice even and devoid of emotion but Clare could pick up the anger and hurt coming from her making her shake in fear.

"Please Twilight let me explain." Clare stated as the mare sat down from across her and crossed her arms glaring at the other mare.

"What are you keeping from me Clare, I told you my secret I would have expected the same from you." She sounded disappointed as Clare looked down before in a flash of green fire there was a large changeling looking away as Twilight's anger shot through the roof making Clare wince.

"So you tricked me to love you for your hive huh?" Twilight asked betrayal in her voice as Clare looked back at her in a panic.

"NO! Twilight I would never do that!" Clare yelled taking Twilight by surprise.

"I wouldn't do that to you Twilight, I really do like you. When I said that you were my first friend I meant it, in over 3000 years you are the first true friend that I have ever had. I think that is what drew me to you so much especially after you told me what you do and who you are. Besides our looks you and I are not different Twilight." Clare sighed as the mare moved over closer to her making Clare squeal when she felt some of Twilight's love resurface.

"How so?" Twilight still was upset but she could understand why Clare did what she did, it was a security blanket and how she survived for so long.

"When the crystal princess took power she found my hive and after some talks we came to the surface from deep within the crystal caverns and lived among the crystal ponies in harmony." She smiled falling into her memories as Twilight scooted closer eager to hear the history of the empire.

"After a thousand years of peace there was a rebellion by a mare against the crystal princess stating that changelings were nothing but monsters and needed to be wiped from the earth. Of course we defended ourselves when her army came knocking at our doors and we were winning until the princess turned on us." Clare growled glaring at the wall seeing the mare face.

"What happened?" Twilight asked nuzzling the changeling snapping her out of her glare and giving Twilight a loving smile.

"It was a slaughter, she knew everywhere my children could hide and they were ruthless sparing none of my children. All of my babies were killed without mercy young and old and the only reason I still live is because of their sacrifice." Tears ran freely down Clares face until she felt Twilight's arms around her neck giving her a hug making her smile feeling the sorrow and comfort pouring off the mare.

"I'm so sorry Clare, I can never imagine what it was like for you to see your children murdered like they were." Twilight had her own tear as she tried to imagine the loss of Spike or one of her other children but she just couldn't.

"Thank you Twilight. I've lived with that guilt for many generations and have never had the strength to create another hive afterwards, the pain was just to great for me to risk it again." Clare looked back only to be pulled into a searing kiss by the mare making her moan into her as she slowly flipped Twilight over and began to nibble on her neck letting her smaller fangs graze Twilight's skin marking the mare arch her back at the new sensation.

"Ooh that's good." Twilight panted making the changeling smile that Twilight was enjoying herself before she pulled back making Twilight pout.

"Why'd you stop?" Clare sighed leaning down gave Twilight a passionate kiss making smile into her but pulled back before the mare could deepen it.

" So are you ok with the way I am?" Clare asked as Twilight rolled her eyes.

"Yes I told you Clare as long as you accept me for who I am I see no problems in our future." Twilight smiled making her own cover fall as Clare frowned.

"I wish I had known you sooner I could have helped you with the city." Clare reached down extending her fangs gently dragging them over Twilight's neck how shivered in pleasure.

"You're such a tease." Twilight moaned as Clare smiled.

"You love it."

"Every second of it." Twilight pulled the queen down as she retracted her fangs as Twilight explored the new sensations of Clares sharp teeth before pulling back for air with a bit of drool connecting them just as they heard knock at the door.

"Twilly we're about to pull into the station so get ready to head out!" They heard Shining. Twilight looked back up to see Clare with her unicorn form on making her smile.

"I actually think I prefer the real you. Although this one is pretty cute to." Clare smiled pulling Twilight into another kiss before hopping off her.

"Thank you Twilight for accepting me for who I am." Twilight shook her head and smiled at Clare.

"No thank you."

The screeching of the train coming into the station made many cringe at the sound as it came to a stop letting it's passengers off.

"Wow I've never been to Equestria before it is beautiful." Clare smiled looking around in wonder while Twilight glared at the palace.

"It's not really all that great to tell you the truth." Twilight growled walking past the mare who smiled at her.

"Remember love no killing the princess' while you're here." Clare smiled as the mare pouted.

"Fine! Spoil sport." She looked over at her mare before giggling and bumped her flank to Clare's.

"I'm glad I brought you along Clare I could use an anchor in case I them and can't pull myself back in."

"Don't worry thyself my mare, we will be sure to have you by our side till we depart." Clare smiled as Twilight blushed.

"I love it when you talk like that." Clare smile till they heard a groan from beside them.

"Are you two done being all sappy I haven't seen mom and dad in a few months and I'm sure that would love to meet your new marefriend Twilight." Shining smiled while Twilight huffed.

"I'm sure they will." She growled leading the way as Clare and Shining looked at each other.

As the trio led the way ponies would stop and whisper as they looked at Twilight who's eyes glowed an icy blue as she made her way to her parents home.

"HALT!" Twilight turned to see a guard with a few soldiers behind her moving towards them before they spotted Shining Armor.

"Captain Shining? What are you doing here and who is this mare?" She asked glaring at Twilight who gave one back making the mare flinch before turning back to Shining.

"At ease LT this is my sister and her marefriend. We're going to see my parents since this is Twilight's first time in over a decade that she's been home." Shining smiled as Twilight growled.

"This isn't and will never BE my home. Not since my exile." Twilight grumbled as the guards narrowed their eyes at her.

"Be nice Twilight." Shining said looking over at Twilight as she gave him a glare.

"I'll be nice when I leave here Shining Armor." Twilight walked passed them and continued to head towards her old house.

"Is she going to be a problem captain?" The guard asked as Clare went to catch up with Twilight.

"No, LT she won't." Shining smiled looking at his sister.

Clare looked over at her angry lover and nuzzled her making the mare look over at her.

"What's wrong Twilight?" Clare asked as the mare sighed.

"Just so many memories here and it just reminds me of their betrayal. I just want to get this over with and then head home. I miss my kids." Twilight sighed.

"TWILIGHT!" The mare turned and smiled as she saw Spike and Gilda walking towards them waving as the mare run up and hugged her son.

"Hey mom glad we made it in time." Spike smiled squeezing the mare as Clare walked up to them just as Shining walked around the corner and froze at the deadly glare that Spike was giving him.

"What's HE doing here?" Spike growled as the stallion walked up to them.

"I'm here to take Twilight home so she can see mom and dad again." Shining replied.

"The only mother she has is dead. Those two are NOT Twilight's parents, no REAL mother would ever abandon their child like they did." Spike spat as Shining growled.

"They gave birth to her and raised her so I think that qualifies as parents." Shining spat back as Spike smiled.

"Sure they WERE until they didn't even try to say anything during the trial for our exile, kind of sounds like a certain stallion that I once knew and looked up to." Shining looked down knowing he had nothing to come back with.

"Hmph, that's what I thought. Mom are you sure you want to do this? Just being back here is pissing me off to no end. I hate this place." Twilight sighed as she felt Clare nuzzle her while Spike's and Gilda's eye's flew open.

"I know Spike but I promised mom that I would at least try to reconnect the family." She said and looked up at the stunned duo.

"What?" She asked as the two pointed to Clare who was leaning into her making her blush.

"Oh! Um I'm sorry, this is Crystal Clare. I met her while having dinner with Shining Armor about two and a half weeks ago. She's very SPECIAL to me." Twilight smiled watching as a grin slowly made it's way over their faces.

"Well if that's the case welcome to the family Clare." Spike beamed holding out his claw.

"I'm Twilight's son Spike, and this is my future wife Gilda." He introduced them while she shook their claws while a huge blush on her face.

"Um, it's very nice to meet you both. Twilight has told me a lot about you and your past." Spike sighed but kept his smile.

"Well that's good to hear at least she didn't have the baby pictures with her." Twilight perked up at that making Gilda laugh.

"OH YES! I just remembered those! Clare you're going to love it, Spike was so cute as a baby dragon." Twilight gushed as the dragon rolled his eyes blushing.

"Me and my big mouth." He grumbled as Gilda laughed.

"Oh come on Spike she's right you know you were a cute baby." He looked over at her with narrowed as making her laugh harder before he smiled.

"Come on lets get this over with, I'm sure that Slivertooth has his claws full taking care of the kids and running the family." He stated getting nods from the others while Shining silently followed behind them.

'This is not good.' He thought.

A few minutes later and some teasing back and forth between Spike and Twilight everyone was in a happier mood till Spike and Twilight's old house came into view and then all laughter stopped as they reached the door.

"You ready for this mom?" Twilight sighed before knocking on the door.

"Hold on I'm coming." She heard her mother making her frown as the door opened and froze.

Starlight stared at her daughter along with her son. But the look Twilight was giving her looked like she was trying to melt her head.

"Starlight." Twilight spoke in a monotone voice glaring at her mother.

"Twilight." Starlight breathed as she looked to see Spike and a griffon along with another mare by Twilight's side far to close to be just friends.

"Can we come in?" Spike asked though it was more of growl than anything else.

"OH! Yes please come in, come in." She ushered as they all passed her while Shining stopped to look at her and nod getting one in return.

"Where is Nightlight at?" Twilight asked while they looked back at her.

"He's at work we weren't expecting you so soon after we got Shiny's letter." Starlight stated getting a nod from Twilight as Starlight walked passed them and into the kitchen.

"Would anypony like some tea?" She called back while Shining spoke up.

"Sure mom, just bring out the kettle." He called and looked at Twilight who was glaring at the kitchen like she was trying to set it on fire along with Spike as well who had smoke coming from his nose.

"Spike, stop with the smoke bud." Shining whispered as the dragon glared at him.

"I'm not your bud Shining Armor and I never will be, unlike mom I won't forgive you because she is my only family that I have. So you can take any of your petty niceness and shove them." Spike snarled making the others step back but Twilight and Gilda who had a smile on her face.

"That's my drake." She cooed nuzzling the dragon.

"Alright you two no PDA in the house." Starlight giggled while Twilight and Spike snarled.

"You got some fucking nerve to sit there and act like nothing happened MOTHER. Of all the people I figured you would have the most respect after you abandoned me to the gallows that day not even once trying to stand up for me and Spike." Twilight's glare was so intense Starlight took a step back in fear as the mare looked at the cup of tea before knocking it off the table sending it flying into the wall.

"Twilight please calm down." Star tried.

"Shut the fuck up." Spike snarled and turned to Shining who was about to say something but the look in both Gilda and Spikes eyes dared him to so he stayed silent.

"As I was saying, you think you can win me over with tea and some little nice talk and everything will be better? No, you and that sperm donor and this fuck face here sat there and did NOTHING as Spike and I begged you to listen to us but you just blew us off. Now you insult me and my family acting like nothing had ever happened." Twilight stood up along with the rest of them getting up and following her out the door just as Nightlight rounded the corner and froze seeing his daughter and her son there.

"Twilight." He mumbled shocked to see them so soon as they walked past him without even a glance as he heard his wife's sobs from inside the house making him run inside to check on her.

The group made their way down the road before turning down an alleyway and heading into a shop while a bored store owned looked up and snapped to attention.

"BOSS!" The mare cried out as Spike stepped up.

"Where is Blackwing at?" He asked as the mare motioned for them to follow her leading them to the back where a griffon was counting bits. He looked up nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw who it was falling back in the chair before scrambling to his feet.

"B-Boss I didn't know you would be here today." She stuttered while Twilight glared.

"I can see that, it looks like Equestria has made you soft Blackwing. Maybe I should replace you with a more serious family member if all you're doing is sitting around counting my bits and getting fat." Twilight growled as the griffon shook in fear.

"Gilda handle this and get a report Spike go check the other fronts and if any of them are like her handle it and make a note. I won't have my family getting fat here while we struggle at home." Twilight said walking out at the door closed and the screams from Blackwing were heard through the shop.

As the three passed the cashier Twilight looked over at the shaking mare and smiled.

"I think you can take the day off today ma'am I'll be sure to send a little more bits your way to compensate you for your time lost today and I hope that you keep working for us." The mare gave a shaky smile as she came around the corner flipping the sign to 'Closed'.

"Thank you Don Sparkle, my family needs the money after my husband died last year in a train accident." She stated as Twilight nodded and used her magic to give the mare a card.

"If you ever need any help, you just send me a letter and I'll make sure it happens dear. Now run along you have the day off so go spend it with your family." She smiled getting another one from the mare as she ran out the door heading home to be with her sons.

"That was very nice of you Twilight." Clare stated nuzzling her while they walked out the door.

"I take care of my employees and family Clare, Blackwing will understand that her slacking off has cost her and she won't let it happen again. I not cold Clare I'm just strict." Twilight stated as she walked side by side with Clare leaning into her.

The two made their way down the street when a familiar sight came into view making her beam at the store.

"Hey Clare have you ever had donuts?" Twilight asked getting a nod from the mare.

"But you haven't had one from Pony Joe's have you?" She asked.

"No why what's the difference?" Clare asked just getting a smile from Twilight.

"Oh you'll see." Twilight led the way to her favorite donut shop stepping through the door she was greeted with the familiar smells when she saw a tired looking stallion come around the corner.

"Welcome to Joe's Donut shop." He droned making her smile.

"Is that anyway to greet your favorite customer?" Twilight giggled watching the stallion blink looking at him before tears came to his eyes while walked around the corner.

"Twilight? Hun is that really you?" He asked as she smiled running into his arms hearing a sob escape him as he squeezed her.

"Ooh Twilight it's so good to see you finally home. I thought we lost you a long time ago." He sniffed burying his face in her mane getting the scent of a desert rose.

"I missed you to Joe. But I'm not staying in Equestria, I have my own family far away from here." She smiled pulling out a wallet opening it and showing her children.

"I see you've been busy kid! 18 kids counting Spike, how is that little drake now a days?" He asked leading them over to some tables and sitting down with them.

"Well he's not little anymore that's for sure, he's about three times my size now and is going to be married soon." She smiled as he laughed.

"Bout time I guess, well what about you Twilight I take it this is your wife?" He asked while the two mares blushed.

"Um no I'm Twilight's marefriend Clare, I'm from the Crystal Empire and am just here for moral support while she see's her family." She stated as his face darkened.

"So you know about what happened huh? Well I'm glad she has you hun, I know Twilight has had a rough time since she's been gone I'm sure so I'm glad she had somepony special in her corner." She smiled at him as he got up and headed behind the counter with a little bit more spring in his step.

"So ladies what can I get you?" He asked asked making Twilight smile.

"Let me get the usually and make it two one for each of us."

"You got it Twilight coming right out fresh out the oven." He called a huge smile on his face happy to have his favorite customer back.

After their visit to Joe's and Twilight left her card for him to stay in contact with her they headed through the city just looking around her old stomping ground while she waved at a few of the ponies that recognized her before she ended up at the park.

The two sat down just resting leaning into each other watching the sun go down over the horizon.

"This place is very beautiful Twilight I'm glad that I came with you today." Clare smiled as Twilight nuzzled against her.

"Me to Clare." She said getting up pulling her up as well.

"Come on I'm in the mood for a show so why don't we go see what's playing at the theater." Twilight suggested.

"Oh it's been ages since we were able to see a play." Clare beamed following Twilight down the road when they ran into the same group of guards from earlier.

"Halt." She called as Twilight turned looking at them.

"How can I help you officer?" She asked as the mare strode up to them.

"Where is your brother at exile?" She asked as Clare bristled at the comment but Twilight held her hoof up to stop Clare from saying anything.

"Probably still at my parents home not that it's any concern of yours. Now don't you ladies have something better to do that to harass two civilians who are on a date?" She asked getting a growl from the other mare.

"Watch it exile or I'll-

"Or you'll what you seem to think that I'm some citizen that won't stand up for herself when faced with the law lieutenant, and my name is Twilight Sparkle former exile. Maybe if you read your reports more you would know that." Twilight smirked while the mare growled.

"I'm watching you EXILE." She snarled as Twilight smiled.

"By all means watch all you like but stay out of my way or things may get ugly." Twilight glared.

"You threatening me?"

"Oh heavens no a mare of your stature should surely see that, I'm just giving friendly advice to the weekend guards is all. After all this is a rather rough neighborhood." She smiled getting a grunt from her.

"Let's go girls we have more important matters to deal with than a exile and her whore." She stated before she and all the other guards were flattened to the ground.

"My, my, my such a rude mare you are. Maybe you shouldn't let what little power you have go to your head my dear." Twilight walked in front where the mare could see her and leaned down so only she could hear her.

"You ever insult my mare again and I'll be sure that the only piece of you left will be enough to fit in a box that will be sent to your family. Now apologize to her or I'll make sure the last thing you see tonight is your guts spilling into the street." Twilight growled.

"I apologize ma'am for my disrespect to you on your date." She stated shaking with fear.

"Such a horrid mare you are but I will accept see to it that in the future you learn some manners." Clare stated as Twilight let them up before they flashed away.

When the two reappeared Twilight sighed and looked at Clare who was still obviously pissed.

"I'm sorry about that Clare for the things that bitch said, I hope that it doesn't ruin tonight for you." Clare sighed and smiled giving Twilight a quick kiss on the lips making her grin at her.

"No my mare we are just simply angry that, that mare would even say such things when not even provoked." Clare stated getting a nod from Twilight.

" I know so how about we head to the theater then and just put this behind us." She suggested.

"Lets." Clare simply stated as Twilight led the way.

(Theater)

The two smiled as they walked into huge grand theater and headed to one of the sky boxes just as the concert started.

Over the next hour the two enjoyed the concert more Clare than Twilight since she had been to these hundreds of times but one of her favorite plays were about to come and just couldn't wait as the conductor stepped up to his podium.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMAdMX6XJ1U&list=PLShKAQDNVJ-06kTD56nQoBt5Lz72DbcPM

Twilight smiled as the music began to play while a sorrowful smile came to her face thinking of home and her position as the Don until she felt Clare lean against her making her look over at her.

"This is truly going to be one of my favorite ones to come." She smiled getting a nod from Twilight. The two sat in silence just enjoying the music as it seemed to reach out to the two mares, before all to soon for them it was over and the two gave a standing ovation as the players bowed.

"Let's go Twilight I'm tired." Clare stated getting nod from Twilight as she led her to one of the high end hotels that she owned.

As the two made their way to the penthouse and washed and changed they headed to bed exhausted snuggling up to each other pulling the silk sheets over them quickly falling asleep.

(Sparkle house)

Shining sighed along with his mother when Princess Celestia appeared before them.

"I got your letter Shining Armor but the plan will proceed on schedule, I will deal with any complication if need be but we must have Twilight back if things are to go the way they should." Celestia stated getting a nod from Shining.

"Yes your highness, I'll send a letter to the elements to come here so we can begin when the time is right." He stated getting a nod from her.

"Very well see that you do Shining." With that the princess flashed away leaving them alone as his mother and father came back into the room.

"So it's still on we're going to have Twilight under watch soon?" Starlight asked getting a nod from Shining.

"Good I can't believe what that little bitch said to me! I'll be sure to teach her proper respect soon." She growled getting a nod from her husband.

"All according to plan." He stated before they all headed to bed.

'You'll be back and not remember anything that's happened since 10 years ago little sister.' Shining thought before sleep took him though he couldn't shake the feeling that this plan was going to end horribly wrong.

Death and betrayal

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The next day Twilight woke up to find Clare gone making her look around till she spotted a note left on the coffee stand.

[Dear Twilight,

I just stepped out to get a box of donuts from your friend Joe this morning, you looked really tired so I didn't want to wake you. I should be back in a little while so do not worry.

Clare.]

Just as Twilight set the letter down she saw the door open and Clare come in with a bag of donuts along with Spike and Gilda.

"Good morning my mare." Clare chirped holding the bag with her magic as she trotted over her and gave a shy nuzzle.

"Good morning Clare I'm glad that you went out to get some food, looks like I got you addicted to Joe's." She giggled as Spike walked up to her bed with Gilda as everything turned serious.

"Report." Twilight ordered.

"I checked all of the fronts and it looks like a lot have gone soft, I recommend replacing them all with veterans of the take over war. They know their jobs and what is expected of them more than these up and comers." Spike stated as she nodded.

"Very well I'll see to it that it's taken care of when we get home." Twilight said as they all missed the knowing smile of Clare.

"There's more boss." Gilda came forward as Twilight pulled out a cigar offering one to Clare who shook her head.

"Continue." Gilda cleared her throat knowing this was going to upset her.

"We ran into an element yesterday." Twilight growled making Gilda sigh.

"Which one?"

"Generosity."

"Damnit! Knowing that walking gossip bitch all of Equestria will know by lunch that I'm here." Twilight looked over at Clare who was smiling before she started to laugh at the filled cheeks of her lover.

"What? We are hungry do not judge us!" The group smiled as the tension broke in the room while Twilight couldn't help but giggle.

"Looks like I got you addicted love." Twilight smiled as Clare smiled.

"Tis true you will be the death of me before long my mare if thou keeps this up." Clare winked as Twilight shook her head.

"So give me the run down Spike with the element." Twilight said as he nodded.

(Flashback)

Spike sighed as he exited another front rubbing his fist licking the blood off his hand while his eyes glowed green.

'They all have become weak here, just like I feared.' He thought growling a little when two claws went over his eyes making him smile before quickly turning grabbing the griffon by the waist hearing a surprised squeak from her.

"Hello dear." He growled feeling her shiver in his strong grip.

"Hey babe, are you finished for the night?" She asked getting a tired sigh.

"Yeah that was the last one, I have to say I knew that this would happen. I'm gonna talk to mom once we get home about having a 6 month rotation so that this won't happen again." He said as Gilda nodded.

"Well come on lets go get something to eat and then we'll go have some alone time at the hotel." Gilda stated slyly as a spark went through his eyes.

"Hmm you know I think I know just the thing to make you scream my name all during the night." He smirked loving the little moan she let out.

"Tease."

"And you love every second of it." He laughed setting her back down as he took her to his favorite spot in Equestria, Pony Joe's.

"Spike?" The turned to see a white mare with three diamonds on her flanks making the two groan.

"What do you want Rarity?" Spike sighed as she sputtered while trotting up to them as Gilda looked ready to rip her apart.

"Is that anyway to treat a friend Spike?" She asked as Gilda snorted.

"Yeah some friend you are, play with his emotions, use him since he has feelings for you and then throw him away when he doesn't go along with your plans. Yeah real friendly like." Gilda snarled as the mare glared at her.

"I would never do such a thing to my little Spikey Wikey" She huffed only to feel pain in her cheek as the sound of a slap rang in the air. Rarity slowly turned to see that it was SPIKE who had slapped her as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Spike."

"You can lie to others Rarity but don't lie to me and my wife. I knew that you were using me but I was too blinded in what I thought was love to notice and you would have let it continue unhindered for as long as you could till you got bored of me. You should have just told me how you felt instead waving a gem in my face and making promises." He snarled as she shrank back into herself holding her face where it was red.

"And don't you ever call him that degrading name again bitch, he's mine you lost your chance years ago when you betrayed him and his mother. Some element of generosity you are, I hope that you are alone for the rest of your life after what you did to those two." Gilda growled flying up and wrapping her arms around Spike hearing the mare gasp.

"So you really do hate us Spike?" Rarity asked as the two looked at her.

"With a fiery passion, you have know idea how much I would love to have you back home so I can have my own FUN carving you up after everything that's happened to me." Rarity seemed to go paler as she backed up while Gilda landed and they both took a step towards her.

"In fact I may take you now and just save you for later." His voice deepened as Rarity squeaked and flashed away as the two grinned.

"Stupid bitch. I dare her to look at you wrong again, I saw her eye you like a piece of meat." Glida snarled before moaning as he ran his claws down her back.

"And I'll gladly let you have her dear, but for now let's get some food I'm starving."

(End Flashback)

Twilight sighed while Clare looked a little worried before Twilight pulled her closer to her.

"It's ok hun I'll handle them if they become a problem." Twilight said as Clare looked over at her.

"What will you do. I don't want you to get in trouble Twilight." She said getting a smile from Twilight.

"Just scare them a little bit I have a feeling once she gets back to Ponyville they'll all come running." Twilight looked over at Spike and smiled.

"Come on lets head to Starlights house. I still need to see if I can salvage this family relationship." She sighed getting a groan from him.

"Ok but don't expect me to be nice." He growled as they all nodded while Clare gave a nervous look to them.

As the group made their way down the road they saw Shining walk out the door and spotted her and glared at her coming towards them.

"I hope you're happy Twilight mom has been crying since you left yesterday after that little stunt of yours." Twilight smiled walking past him as Spike shoved him out out of the way.

"Good she should after everything that has happened. But I'll be nice today if only to show that I can put this behind us if she can admit that she was wrong for what she did. I may forgive Shining but I don't forget." She smirked as she pushed open the door to see Starlight nursing a cup of tea as she looked up at Twilight and then back down at the coffee.

"I'm sorry Twilight, I didn't mean to insult you yesterday. I just didn't know what to say and I just made it worse by trying to ignore what was happened." Starlight sighed feeling the glare from her daughter.

"What are you sorry about? Condemning me to death or serving me tea after not seeing me for a decade?" Twilight asked as she looked at Spike and the others nodding to the door.

"Give us a minute ok? Take Clare to Joes and see the sights, I need to be alone for this." Spike looked unsure about this but nodded ushering the girls out while he stopped Shining at the door.

"You heard her, they need to be alone. If you think I'm going to let you stay and outnumber her you got another thing coming. Why don't you go check on your old friends in the barracks while they talk." Spike ordered while he looked at his mother who nodded.

Once they were all out just as Nightlight walked in and took a seat as Twilight glared at him.

"Father." She nodded while at the same time trying to see if she could crush his head with her eyes alone.

"Twilight." He replied while he held a glare of his own as Starlight looked between the two.

"Please lets be civil about this." She begged as Twilight took a seat and put her hooves in front of her face.

"Of course. So you still haven't answered my question Starlight." Twilight stated looking over at her as she looked down while her father growled making Twilight shoot him a dirty look.

"You have no right to be angry with me old stallion, if we were anywhere else you'd be dead and rotting for what you did to me and Spike." She snarled as he snorted.

"But we aren't and you have no power here little filly, I know that you're the boss of some mob family so don't think that your word is law where ever you go. This is my house and you will-

"You think I give a flying fuck if this is your home? While if it was anyone elses home I would respect them but when it comes to the likes of you two I could give a damn about what you expect from me in your home. I expected you to stand by me as my mother and father 10 years ago but lay down for the sun bitch no matter what she says." Twilight said with a straight face looking over her hooves.

"Then maybe you should-

"Leave? Trust me I would love to but I promised someone very special that I would try to make this work. Now shut up and sit down." Her tone was even and left no room for argument as the stallion sat down still glaring at her as she turned to Starlight.

"I'm waiting Starlight." The mare in question blinked before looking down at her tea again.

"For all of it. I'm so sorry sweetie but even after you came to us that day I just thought that you were jealous of Cadence like she was taking your brother away. So we just blew you off thinking you would get over it." She said as Twilight stared at her.

"I wasn't jealous of Cadence Starlight, I was happy that my brother was getting married but I was pissed that he waited till the wedding to tell me that he was even seeing someone. I would have thought that one of you would have at least told me what was going on. We did after all write to each other every weekend about what had been going on in our lives." She looked over at her father who was still glaring at her making her smile.

"But I should have known that once I was out of the house and out of your manes then you wouldn't have to worry about little old Twilight anymore and now you could focus on your careers and what noble you could suck up to, to get ahead in life." Night growled as she looked at him with a furrowed brow.

"You never wrote me and mom just kept saying the same thing in her letters like I was bothering her trying to stay connected to the family. Maybe now I can see why it was so easy for you to just let Celestia do what she did and not even bat an eyelash." He looked away as she grunted and looked at her mother.

"So did you really cry for me or was that a little show for Cadence to show that you missed your little baby girl?" She asked as Starlight looked at her shocked.

"Of course I missed you Twilight you're my daughter!" She yelled sounding hurt as Twilight got up slamming her hooves on the table cracking the wood.

"THEN WHERE WERE YOU DURING MY TRIAL!!!!?? WHERE WAS MY FAMILY WHEN I NEEDED YOU THE MOST WHILE SOME BUG WAS SUCKING MY BROTHER DRY OF ALL HIS LOVE!!??" She screamed tears budding in her eyes.

"WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE US DO TWILIGHT!!?? CELESTIA'S WORD IS LAW WHAT COULD WE DO TO SAVE YOU!!!???" Starlight yelled back standing up knocking her chair back.

"I EXPECTED YOU TO BE THERE AND HAVE MY BACK LIKE A NORMAL FAMILY AND BE IN MY CORNER AT LEAST PLEAD MY CASE BUT YOU JUST SAT THERE AND LET IT HAPPEN!!" Twilight shouted back tears going down her face as she glared at her parents.

"Do you have any idea what it was like for us!? Spike still has nightmares from when I was first was raped because he could do NOTHING but watch at the mare he saw as his mother violently raped in front of him multiple times. Do you know what that does to a child's mind seeing that kind of thing?" She asked as her eyes shown an icy blue as they froze.

"Of course you don't because you live in the peaceful land of Equestria. You can never understand what it's like to be raped, beaten, and killing to survive. You are pathetic." She growled pulling her chair back up and sitting down letting out a sigh.

"I hate you both so much and I know that will never change. I can never forgive you for what you didn't do that day and what it led to." She said wiping her eyes and looked over at the two.

"Even if I was still exiled it would have been nice to just know that you cared and loved me enough to go against Celestia. But you didn't and now here we are me hating all of you and would love nothing more than to have you all drop dead at my hooves." Twilight sighed as she got up as her parents watched her.

"Where are you going?" Nightlight asked as she looked back at him with a piercing gaze that seemed to look into his soul before opening the door about to walk out as Starlight sobbed.

" You're right Twilight we should have been there for you, it's what normal parents would have done but we didn't. We thought of our own image and what others thought of us if we did and it cost us your trust and love. I'm so sorry Twilight I wish I could take it all back and just have you home instead of having to go through what you have. Nopony should ever have to go through what you did and it's all our fault." She sobbed while Twilight paused at the door and looked at her with her own tears.

"You're right, it is." She stated her voice sounding hollow as she walked out the door and into the night just as Clare and everyone were coming down the road.

"Come Twilight let's go back to the hotel I know you have had a trying day." Clare nuzzled her leading the way to the hotel as Shining went to go check on his parents.

The walk to the hotel was a silent one as they made it to their rooms without a word. Twilight took a shower and walked around the room to see Clare looking up at the moon before she turned and gave a worried smile to Twilight.

"Art thee alright my mare?" She asked as Twilight sighed.

"I just want to go home Clare, I want to be with my children and be with my family. I hate being here and I think it's only making it worse and knowing that my former friends are surely on their way to try and make up with me just makes me want to leave earlier." She sighed leaning into Clare who was blushing heavily.

"I'm glad I have you here Clare, I don't know if I can do this alone." She nuzzled her before Clare gently pushed her away getting a confused look from Twilight before she nodded to the bed.

"Lets get some sleep Twilight I know you're tired today and I don't want you to be tired when you see your parents again." She said wagging her eyebrows making Twilight blush.

"Yeah I have a long day ahead of me but I'll make it up to you love. I know this is killing you as well with me being angry all the time." Twilight looked over at Clare who was smiling.

"We understand Twilight, tis a matter of family but don't push your friends away when they show up. You should at least give them a chance." Clare stated as Twilight glared at her.

"Why should I? They abandoned me not the other way around Clare." Twilight growled getting a nod from Clare.

"I know Twilight but you may be surprised for what they did to you, just give them a chance for me please. You know what it's like to have no friends and they were your best friends almost sisters to you if what you told me was true." Clare stated as Twilight sighed.

"I'll think about it Clare but no promises."

"That's all I ask." She smiled before she was pulled into a searing kiss giving a shriek of surprise before a moan escaped her as Twilight pulled away with a giggle.

"You act like that was your first kiss I gave you." Twilight smiled as the dazed mare had a stupid smile on her face.

"Taste like candy." She mumbled getting a laugh from Twilight breaking her out of her trance as a huge blush went across her face.

" Come on lets go to bed." Twilight said nudging the mare to the bed.

"No you go ahead my mare I wish to stay up for a little longer." She said heading to the balcony as Twilight looked at her confused but shrugged and climbed into bed.

Twilight smiled a little as she watched Shining and her father mess around in the yard while she drank some tea with her mother. Over the last week they had been able to come to terms with what had happened and now at least they were civil with each other. Next to her were Spike and Clare while Gilda was patrolling the grounds.

Though they were civil Twilight's hate for her parents was still a roaring flame but it was no longer the inferno that was there. It would take time but slowly they were mending the fences to their broken relationship.

"Twilly help!!" Shining called as she smiled and giggled.

"Oh no you're the one that challenged him not me! You got your own self into that mess." She giggled as her father pinned him to the ground as Twilight laughed along with her mother and family as Starlight looked over at her smiling.

"Twilight would it be alright if we threw you a party this weekend? I know it's sudden but I want to make it official to welcome you home even if you won't be staying, I understand the needs of you people but I want to have one before you go." She asked as Twilight thought for a second and looked over at Spike and Clare.

"What do you think?" Twilight asked as Spike sighed.

"If it makes you happy mom that's all that matters to me." He stated as she smiled before looking at Clare who was deep in thought.

"I think it would be nice and you could have some fun with your family like old times. We say go for it." Clare smiled as Twilight smiled and looked at her mother.

"You heard them, so what time do you need us here?" She asked as Starlight thought for a second.

"I'd say around 7 but Twilight I have to tell you that your friends will mostly be here. I got a letter from them asking if they could see you and I thought it was good for you and maybe work it out with them." She stated as Twilight growled a little before Clare put her hoof on her shoulder as Twilight looked back seeing her pleading face making her sigh.

"Very well. But as I told you before I make no promises, when are they due to arrive?" She asked as Starlight smiled.

"Tomorrow is when their train comes in would you like me to send them to you or would you like to meet them here?" She asked as Twilight sighed.

"Here please, I don't think that the hotel manager would like screaming in his hotel." She sighed getting a nod from her mother.

"Very well I'll be sure to have Shiny take them here so you girls can talk." She said getting a nod from Twilight.

"Thanks and could you stay inside while I talk with them?" She asked getting a nod from her mother.

"Of course dear." Star said looking over at the boys and smirked getting one in return.

Twilight leaned into Clare letting out a sigh as she pulled away and smiled at her pointing to her drink that was empty.

"Hold that thought dear, I'm really thirsty and I might as well fill yours up as well while I'm in the kitchen." She stated getting a smile from Twilight just as Gilda came around the corner and bit Spikes shoulder making him grunt.

"Hello love." He smiled watching Clare head inside while Twilight let out a sigh.

"What is it dear?" Starlight asked.

"Nothing to worry about it's just that Clare seems to be distant from me lately." She said as Starlight patted her hoof.

"I'm sure it's nothing dear, Clare I'm sure is overwhelmed from all the drama that's been going on lately so just give her some space dear." She smiled as Twilight nodded.

"I guess." She sighed as Clare came back out with two cups in a midnight blue magical grip.

"Here you are my mare." She smiled setting the cup down as Twilight gave her a smile.

"Thanks love." Twilight said as the mare sat in her lap making her giggle at her.

"OOF! Clare you're squishing me!" Twilight panted.

"Are you saying we are fat?!" Clare growled as Twilight leaned up nipping her back making her yelp.

"No but you do need to shift to the right love your tailbone is killing my leg." She wheezed as Clare smiled and bounced.

"We think we like this spot here." She huffed as Starlight giggled before Clare yelped again as Twilight used her magic to grab her head and pull her down into a searing kiss as Clare turned and straddled her waist and moaned into the mare.

"You are such a tease my mare." Clare panted as they pulled back as Nightlight cleared his throat.

"None of that on the furniture Twilight, not even me and your mother do that." He said as Twilight sighed.

"Well I think I'm going to head on over to get something to eat, do you guys want anything while I'm out?" She asked as they shook their heads.

"No thank you dear but it's sweet of you to offer." Starlight said as Shining came up to them panting.

"I'm good to Twilly but I'll see you tomorrow right? If I don't then I'm still in my meeting with the princess." He stated looking over at Twilight who was giving him a glare before he raised his hooves in surrender.

"Don't worry Twi, I'm not telling her you're here I'm just going over some of the guard formations and seeing where we can cut our losses at." He said as she nodded as they left.

Morning came too soon for Twilight as she made her way down the road coming to her parents house and headed into the back yard where she sat down at the table and waited for her so called friends to show up.

She didn't have to wait long when she got a devious smile and dropped the spell that hid her scars from the world just as they rounded the corner and froze seeing her there looking at them with a deadly glare looking over her hooves.

"Take a seat." She ordered as they shuffled over never taking their eyes off her body.

"Um hey Twilight." Rainbow started as she glared at her.

"Loyalty." She nodded as the mare flinched.

"Listen Twilight ah know that no matter what we say we can never make it up to you with how were acted to you that day but I want to be the first to say ah'm a might sorry for how I was to you." Applejack stated taking her hat off and putting it over her chest while looking down in shame.

"I have to agree darling, I'm so sorry for how uncouth I was that day and so very unlady like to my friend when you needed us the most." Rarity sighed taking a seat but couldn't help but stare at the scarred body of the other mare.

"We really are sorry Twilight, and I wish we could take back what we did that day but the fact is that we abandoned you when you needed us and that was not very fun for me when I realized what we just did." Pinkie said as tears looking at Twilight's body.

" We really are sorry Twilight, oh I know that we can never make it up to you after all this time and I know that you're angry at us for abandoning you but if we could I know we would take it back if we could." Fluttershy sobbed looking down unable to look Twilight in the eyes.

"We know what we did we very uncool and I left a friend hanging that day and it cost us 10 years and so much has changed for you and I just don't know what we could do to make it up to you." Dash sighed sitting in a chair as Twilight stared at them thinking.

"You're right, nothing you can say will make me forgive you after everything that's happened that day and quite frankly I hate every last one of you for leaving me at the gallows." She growled as Fluttershy burst into tears while Pinkies mane went flat while the others looked down before Dash shot up glaring at Twilight.

"HEY! WE SAID WE WERE SORRY WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT FROM US TWILIGHT?!" She yelled as Twilight growled.

"HOW ABOUT 10 YEARS SUFFERING IN A HELL HOLE. HOW ABOUT THAT DASH? CAN YOU GIVE ME MY LIFE BACK AFTER A DECADE OF SUFFERING? WHAT DID YOU EXPECT FROM ME? JUST BECAUSE YOU SAID SORRY THAT MAKES IT ALL BETTER?!" Twilight screamed up at the pegasus knocking her chair back and moved where they could see her more making them go wide eyed.

"CAN YOU GIVE MY INNOCENCE BACK DASH HUH?! WHAT ABOUT SPIKES HUH?! WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE GETTING ANGRY WHEN YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO BE MAD AFTER WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY!" She screamed tears in her eyes along with the rest of the girls before Dash tackled Twilight with a cry of rage and sorrow.

The two rolled over the grass as the others ran to them.

"Rainbow STOP!" Applejack yelled only for the pegasus to be slammed into the ground with Twilight glaring down at her.

"What are you so pissed about?! Can't come back with some clever remark or because you know it's true?" She asked down at the struggling pegasus who was gagging for air.

"Twilight let her up now, you're going to kill her!" Applejack yelled running to separate the two only for her to be picked up with magic and slammed into a tree and fell to the ground moaning.

"Maybe I do want to kill her! I'm sure it would make me feel a whole lot better after what you've done to my family!" She screamed only to be hit by a pink missile.

"Leave Dashie WHAA!" Pinkie yelled from on top of Twilight only for the mare grab her mane and thrust up on her body slamming Pinkie into the ground dazing her only for a hoof to slam into her face knocking her back and looked to see Rarity in her martial arts stance glaring at her.

"I won't let you hurt my friends Twilight!" She yelled as Twilight wiped the blood from her mouth.

"You sure? You let it happen without batting a eyelash when it happened to me and Spike." She shot back as Rarity growled and charged only to have a spin kick to the face knocking her back as Twilight turned glaring at Fluttershy who squeaked and shrank in herself as the other limped away from Twilight.

"This just proves that you can't even accept your guilt after this! You're pathetic! I give you a chance to make right and you attack me?! Fuck you and whatever we had if it wasn't over before then it is now! Get the fuck out of my face!" She screamed tears in her eyes as they looked down in shame leaving but Fluttershy who was to scared to even move.

"Fluttershy." Twilight called as the little pegasus meeped when she felt herself picked up and then felt herself set down in the grass and looked up to see Twilight looking down at her getting another squeal from her.

"Fluttershy tell me the truth, do you really mean what you said?" She asked as the mare shot up and looked into her eyes nodding.

"Of course Twilight and I know that the others do as well they are just to proud to admit how much we wronged you especially Rainbow since she doesn't know how to really show her emotions, you know how Dash is Twilight." Fluttershy said as Twilight sat down next to the mare.

"Twilight?"

"Hm?"

"Can you tell me about your time away and how you got these scars?"She asked while Twilight looked over at her.

"You sure Shy it's not a very nice story." Twilight warned but the shy pegasus nodded determined to hear her story.

"Very well. When we arrived at the city....

(3 hours later)

Fluttershy along with the rest of her friends that came back for Fluttershy sat looking down in shame as they heard about Twilight's life in the last decade.

"Twilight I..." Dash started till Pinkie jumped grabbed Twilight in a tight hug.

"I'M SORRY TWILIGHT!!!!" Twilight grunted before the rest of the girls pulled her into a group hug as the purple mare let out a sob and held onto them as she started to cry.

"Get off." She weakly tried to push them off as they held her tighter.

"Ah'm so sorry sugarcube! Ah'm so sorry!" Applejack sobbed holding them mare to her as tears ran down Twilight's face.

"Stop it." Twilight cried trying to shake them off.

"I'm so sorry darling!" Rarity held her in a iron grip as the purple mare wiped her face.

"No I hate you all get off." She tried again to get them off as her walls started to crumble before Rainbow slammed into her wailing and hiccuping.

"I'm sorry TWILIGHT, I'm so sorry, I'm sorry!" She cried as another sob broke from Twilight.

"I hate you!" She cried crying as Fluttershy gently took her head and held it to her chest.

"We're so sorry Twilight." She gently said as the mare broke down and hugged them back.

"I hate you all so much!" She sobbed as the final walls around her heart crumbled while she held them close to her.

'This is good right?'

(That weekend)

Twilight smiled as she sat in her old room upstairs as she heard everyone downstairs happy that she had such a great success while she looked down at the locket around her neck that her griffon mother gave her.

' I wish you could see me now mom, I have them all back in my life and even if it is going to take a while the wounds are starting to heal.' She thought looking at herself in the mirror smiling at her reflection.

'This is good right?' She thought. Spike and Gilda were out getting party supplies while Clare stayed at the hotel not feeling very good but told her to go ahead and have fun with her family. She felt a little bad about leaving her but promised to bring her some cake when they came back.

Twilight smiled hearing everyone laughing downstairs when she got a great idea to scare her family and friends. Her eyes flashed blue as she sank into the floor and coming down into one of the closets that was in the kitchen hearing them talk.

"So everything is set up for when she comes down right?" Shining asked and she heard her mother hum her agreement.

"All she has to do is drink from the cup that Pinkie will give her and in about 20 minutes she'll be out like a light." Nightlight said making Twilight's eyes widen.

"Ok so everypony remembers what they're to do right? Dash you take her to the princess and then she can wipe her memory of every being exiled." Rarity said as Twilight looked through the slots in the door.

"Oh we got it Rares, once this is over she won't remember a thing that happened and we'll have her here when Discord comes knockin." AJ sighed as Pinkie bounced next to her.

"Yeah and then we can have our little bookworm and plain old Twilight back." She squealed and hugged Dash.

"You guys remember once she wakes up she was in a coma from a accident for the last ten years and lost Spike in the crash. We got to be there for her since she's going to be emotional." Dash sighed trying to push Pinkie off.

"I don't think we should be doing this." Fluttershy whimpered as they all looked at her.

"Shy you know this is the only way to get her to help us and it would take to long for her to get from the Forgotten City to here if we ever needed her. Plus Princess Celestia already has plans for her in the future." Dash sighed patting her friend as she backed away from them shaking her head.

"No. I can't do this girls, Twilight looked so happy when we finally made up with her. We have her trust as little as it might be but it's there what's to say she still wouldn't help us if we ever called for her?" Fluttershy asked as Starlight growled.

"We can't take that risk Fluttershy it's this way or nothing, no buck up and be ready for your part." She hissed as the mare backed away shaking her head.

"I-I can't do this, not again!" She shrieked and ran out the door as they all grumbled.

"Well we knew that she would get cold hooves but we have a back up." Rarity sighed looking over at Pinkie who saluted.

"I'm on it! TWILIGHT!!!" She yelled bouncing out of the room.

"So what about Twilight's little marefriend?" Rarity asked as Starlight grinned.

"Princess Celestia took her about a week ago after their first night here. Said something about making things right and had Luna pose as her." She shrugged as Twilight sank back into the wall and up in her room just as Pinkie busted open the door.

"TWILIGHT YOU'RE HOLDING UP THE PARTY!!" She cried as Twilight forced a smile.

"I'll be down in a bit just start without me, I'm going to get some air real quick since I feel a little stuffy. I'll go and take a walk around the block and be back before you know it she said beaming as the mare giggled.

"OK! Just hurry up Twi or I might eat all the cake!" She giggled and bounced out the door while Twilight made her way down the stairs and out the door breaking into a run and turning a corner running right into Spike and Gilda.

"Whoa! Mom what's the rush the party is that way!" He smiled as she looked back at the house.

"Spike I want you to take Gilda and go home. Now the party is over but I have one more thing to do before I leave and then I'll be right behind you." She said in a dead tone still looking at the house.

"Mom what's-

"THAT'S AN ORDER SOLDIER!!!" She screamed making them jump as she looked up at them making them see the tears and the hollow look in Twilight's eyes.

"Yes Don Sparkle they bowed dropping the party decoration and headed to the train station while Twilight headed to the castle.

(Four hours later)

Twilight sobbed as she held the body of her lover on an examination table like some kind of sick experiment, she had been cut open with her insides spilling out on the floor. She found a recording of the sick experiments that Celestia had conducted on her as she screamed for her to stop while at the same time she asked information on their relationship so Luna could pull it off without a hitch.

Twilight sobbed as she heard the last words from Clare making her hold the changeling closer.

"I"m so sorry Clare, I wasn't there to save you. Why didn't you wake me up, wouldn't have been mad I swear, I'm so sorry." She sobbed pushing the little recorders play button.

[Entry 45, it seems that this is the end of promising specimen.]

[Twilight. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.] She heard Clare weakly call out.

[Even in death you call out to my former student. To bad things ended this way. End entry 45.

[Twilight.] With that the tape ended as she wiped her tears.

"I'll kill them, I'm going to kill them all Clare. I'll have my revenge on them all, only one will be spared to tell the tale.

(With Luna)

The moon was high in the sky as Princess Luna walked the halls of the castle before the smell of copper filled her nose making her blink, not because of the smell but how thick it was as she looked around the hall when she spotted one of Tia's guards helmets on the ground on the ground facing her, the bottom of it partly blocked by a plant.

'What on the moon is going on?' She asked herself walking down the hall the sounds of her hooves echo slightly disturbing her.

'Where are all the guards?'

Luna was halfway down the hall when she saw a grey hoof sticking around the corner as a guard pulled herself around the corner making Luna nearly lose her lunch.

"Princess..." She weakly called trying to crawl to her as Luna stared in horror.

"By the gods." Luna could do nothing but stare in horror at the poor soul everything from the bottom of her ribs seemed to have been ripped off while her insides trailed behind her leaving a path of blood over the former pristine white marble.

"Ugh." While in mid reaching motion to her the mare gave her last breath at Luna's hooves.

Luna was shaking badly before rage took her while a fire lit in her eyes and ran around the corner only to stop and this time losing her lunch in the plant where the former soldier came from.

Down the hall was a blood bath filled with bodies left where they fell, it looked like they hardly even fought back at all.

"What could have done this?" She asked still feeling sick as she pressed on stepping over the dead many of them were missing body parts or died in very gruesome and violent ways. She even saw charred remains of some ponies here and there making her shake.

She looked up to see a doorway that led to Tia's room and a faint light coming from it and where it seemed that the were piled the most at like that had charged the door only to be slaughtered for their efforts.

As Luna came to the pile of bodies she had to bite back the bile trying to force it's way from her throat while she used her magic to take hold of one of her night guards and pulled.

Squelch!

"AHHH! BLAHHHH!"

As Luna pulled the guards upper body was pulled free from it's lower slapping the floor with a sicking sound as Luna threw up again.

"By the mother!" She looked to see her legs covered in blood while she shook in fear.

She looked back at the pile as the bodies had shifted sliding down like sick pool of flesh and blood making it easier to step over them.

Luna stepped over the bodies trying not to touch any of them more than she needed to and looked into the dark room to find a door to the left where Celestia's private room that even she was forbidden to go into open showing a staircase that led down.

Luna stepped into the doorway where two more bodies of mares one that was missing her head and it looked like her right side was cut off while the other was hanging from a spike that pierced through her armor and out of her chest.

Luna could hear mumbling coming from the opening where there was once a heavy wooden door that was now laying in pieces scattered into the darkness.

Luna tried to steel herself as best she could and started to descend the stairs her hoof steps seeming to be louder than she remembered. As she passed the threshold her blood ran cold seeing more bodies scattered around the dark room with various beings inside large tanks and even on tables where it looked like old blood was dried.

She looked to her right to see to her horror a body of a changeling on a operation table cut open exposing it's insides with some of it hanging over the side and onto the floor.

"Tia what is this place?" She asked herself and saw a door open up as all the lights in the chamber blew out.

"Who's there show yourself!" She called only to hear laughter come from the darkness chilling her to the core but she seemed to recognize it.

"The princess of the night commands you to show yourself! HUGH!" Luna slammed into the wall by the door while the door leading to her escape sealed and could hear the other seal as well.

She heard hoofsteps in the darkness making her shiver in fear since even she could not break the bonds holding her in place as a magic sealing ring slipped onto her horn paralyzing her with fear as she saw only the horn slowly coming towards her.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?"

The unicorn said nothing as she stopped right in front of her, her horn shined a little brighter as Luna's head was forced back against the wall showing her attackers face.

"Tw-Twilight?"

"This is the last time you or any of them betray me."

All through the castle if you listened you could hear the screams of the night princess well into the night.

As the hours ticked into the beginning of the morning Celestia's secret door opened and out walked a bloody princess followed by a unicorn along with a black bag as she knocked away the bodies by the door and headed out the front gate where two bodies of the solar guard were impaled onto the spiked gate.

'They betrayed me for the last time, this is what I get for trusting traitors but I'll remedy that.' Twilight thought as she let a giggle slip from her lips.

'Time to pay everyone a visit.'

(20 minutes later, train to Crystal Empire.)

Twilight sniffed as she looked down at the letter and smiled knowing one of her only other friends would help her.

[Dear Prince Winter,

I'm sorry I have not contacted you in a while but things have been more than stressful old friend and I would like to ask a favor from you. You know of my past and with Equestria so I'll skip those details and get right to the point.

I recently have uncovered a plot from Celestia and Luna along with my family and former friends besides the element of kindness to wipe my memories against my will to prepare for the coming of Discord once more. When I went to investigate this plot I found my marefriend murdered and experimented on in the most cruel of ways.

Please I'm begging for your help John, or you know that I'll level all of Equestria.

Sincerely Twilight Sparkle.]

She had to start over a few times as she since her tears were smearing the ink before she looked at the other letter beside it.

[General Chance, mobilize the troops we are at war with Equestria. Begin operations in two weeks.

The Don.]

She stamped it with her seal to show it was real.

"You're all going burn for this, mark my words." She said remembering Fluttershy's face.

(Flashback)

As Twilight carried the body of her changeling on her back she saw Fluttershy crying on one of the benches and walked over to her just as the train was coming in.

"Fluttershy." She called watching the mare freeze and look up at the mare.

"You tell them I'm coming." She said boarding the train and looking back at her.

"YOU TELL THEM I'M COMING AND I'M BRINGING HELL WITH ME! IF THEY WANT TO DANCE WITH THE DEVIL WELL HERE I AM!!!" She yelled shaking the poor mare to the core as she ran.

The Start of War

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{Dear Princess Celestia;

I received this morning Twilight Sparkle whom demanded to know if I intended to uphold our agreements made during her first visit some time ago. Shocked at such an implication I asked that she explain herself, which she did. I at first could not believe what I heard. I refused to believe the allegations that Twilight was laying at my hooves. Then she showed me the body and the recordings.The moment Shining Armor stepped off the train I had him brought before my court to hear his side of the story. He confessed to everything. I cried, and I will probably never cry again as much as I did when I ordered my own husband arrested for Treason. I spoke with my court, with Twilight present, and we agreed that there was no alternative. I must protect my little ponies. I am sure you can understand that as a ruler I have no choice in the matter. You attempted to assassinate my sister-in-law, the Head-of-State of an Ally of the Crystal Empire whom was a diplomatic guest in your capital city. You murdered one of my citizens in cold blood. You betrayed both me and my ponies that you swore to protect when we freed them from Sombra's rule. I have no choice but to declare that as of this morning a State of War has existed between the Crystal Empire and Equestria.

May Faust forgive us.

Signed; Princess Cadence Mi Amore Cadenza

Empress of the Crystal Empire}

Her hooves were shaking as she read before she looked at the other paper.

[Dear Princess Celestia,

Let it be know that at the time of 6:00 am on the evening of August 21, the Kingdom of Solstice has entered a State of War against Equestria. Any attempt to cross into my borders will be met with extreme force. All communication between Solstice and Canterlot is to cease immediately.

I have given you far too many chances, Celestia.

No more.

Prince John Winter,

Prince of the Kingdom of Solstice]

Princess Celestia looked at the two letters of war with a smirk at her foolish niece and former friend.

"Sister?" Celestia looked over and grunted as Luna walked up beside her and looked at her with worry.

"What is it Luna? I'm very busy at the moment." Celestia all but growled.

"What are we going to do? There is no possible way we can defeat three nations at once! What has happened to you sister? Has the nightmare taken you?" Luna stood her ground as Celestia turned to her and sighed.

"No little sister the nightmare has not taken me, I suppose I should tell you why all this has happened." She sighed and looked down at the spot where Spike and Twilight once stood in chains.

"It all started at the wedding and every time I looked at Twilight, come here and I'll show you what I've seen."

(Flashback/vision)

"Princess please you HAVE to listen to me, I know that mare out there isn't my foalsitter! She doesn't even know our dance or who I am!" Twilight yelled as Celestia stared her with a glazed over look before shaking her head.

"Twilight I understand that you are under a lot of stress my dear but I would think I would recognize my own niece. Now please put your worries aside for now and once the wedding is over I promise we can look more into your claims." Celestia smiled but on the inside she was shaking looking at the unicorn who was glaring at her.

"IT'LL BE TOO LATE AFTER THE WEDDING! UGH! FINE! If you won't do something about that imposter princess then I will, come on Spike, we're going to the library." Twilight stormed out with Spike on her back as Celestia shook her head as flashes of what was to come finally showed itself.

(Vision)

Celestia stood with fire all around her when out of the smoke she could see two blue fire orbs making their way towards her.

"THIS IS YOUR FAULT TWILIGHT!" She heard herself yell over the roaring of the fire and green dragon in the background.

"NO! IT'S YOUR'S IF YOU HAD LISTENED TO ME A DECADE AGO NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE EVER HAPPENED!!" Twilight yelled back as another earth shattering roar from the dragon was heard along with the screams of the dying and shouts of orders from the leaders/

"I knew this day would come! It's why I banished you in the first place Twilight, you and Spike were to be something great! But now I see I have failed you my former student." Celestia sighed.

"The only ones you failed were your subjects Celestia, Spike and I were just the first." Twilight said stepping through the smoke as Celestia growled at her appearance.

She was covered in black smoke from head to tail with wings made of black smoke as well. She had on black armor and an evil looking sword in her magical grip.

"I see you have let the nightmare take you Twilight, and for that I'm sorry I wasn't able to help you overcome. But the time for talk is over." Celestia felt herself square herself against the threat just when Twilight opened her mouth everything started to get blurry and the sounds faded.

(End vision)

Luna gasped pulling back before she steeled her face and nodded to her sister.

"I see now sister, have you showed the others this vision?" Luna asked getting a nod from Celestia.

"I showed them a few days after the banishment, the only reason why I didn't show you till now was because you nevered questioned me but since you asked I believed you had the right to know." Celestia stated getting a nod from Luna.

"You have my support sister, when the time comes we will beat back the invaders of our lands. I've already took the liberty of calling the draft along with all retired leaders back to service. With Shining Armor in prison it's only a matter of time before our enemies come knocking at our door." Luna stated getting a nod from Celestia who sighed.

"I wish my plan could have worked but I never counted on her being the leader of anypony much less a City State like THAT place." Celestia stated getting a nod from Luna.

"I agree sister but time grows short we must- THOOOOMMMM!!!!!"

Celestia and Luna looked outside to see one of the small mountains obliterated by something.

"What in Equestria's name was that!!!"

(Forgotten City)

Twilight smiled as she looked at her own creation that took years of planning now finally come to life.

Sitting 12 miles from the border of Equestria was a massive railway rail gun pointed right at Equestria as a changeling walked up beside her.

"I have to say Twilight Sparkle you are a force to be reckoned with when your mad." She said watching as her children worked the gun.

"Chrysalis I'm not mad, I'm infuriated." Twilight stated simply as the gun teams adjusted for another round that was being prepared.

"I can see that and what ticked you off so much that you have me in this war of yours?" She asked as Twilight glanced at her before looking back at the massive gun.

"Because all of our criminals, the Crystal Empires criminals, Winters criminals, and Equestria's criminals are all going to you for your help in this war to get your hive back on its hooves. I know you are struggling for love so you get them along with your little boy toy Shining Armor, his parents, and possibly the elements." She stated getting a nod from the changeling queen.

"You drive a hard bargain Twilight and I can't believe that Cadence agreed to this and you're giving me your family." She said looking over at Twilight.

"I have no family besides Cadence and my niece. Celestia killed the only love I have briefly in my life. So have fun with your little husks." Twilight droned as Chrysalis stared at her for a moment before nodding.

"I accept your offer and what makes it even better is I don't even have to get my hooves dirty." Chrysalis smiled getting a nod from Twilight.

"Just be ready to move when the order is given." Twilight stated while a scroll appeared before her making her smile, grabbing it with her magic Twilight read it before rolling it up with a smile.

"The Crystal Empire is on the march with Cadence at it's head, you sure you don't want to join us Chrysalis?" Twilight asked while the changeling shook her head.

"As much as I would love to plant my flag in Celestia's head and stand in Equestria's ruined lands, I'm not going to run the chance of getting killed and my hive die out." She said looking over her shoulder at the thousands of griffons, boars, dragons, and other species that made up Twilight's army.

"It's amazing you were able to make such a large army of so many different creatures and work in harmony with each other." The queen stated as Twilight smiled.

"I work with the people as much as I can and made sure to raise an army as soon as I became in power. I wanted a fighting force that the world would fear and today they would see their might.

Twilight grinned as shadows of her battle blimps slowly moved into postion and landed awaiting for her orders. She couldn't help but smile seeing her cutie mark on the side of the blimps as they landed.

'We're almost ready.' Twilight thought as the cannon raised ready to fire again.

(Canterlot 5 hours later)

Celestia stood at her throne with her sister as leaders from her allies were in front of her.

"My friends I have showed you what Equestria's future will be thanks to my former student along with her allies who will not see that they are helping a tyrant rise to power. If Twilight is allowed to take power there is no telling how long it will be before she sets her sights on your lands as well, it's why I ask you if you will help us in our time of need. I don't want to see your people suffer as ours will from this war." Celestia stated hearing them murmur before the minotaur ambassador spoke up.

"Princess Celestia, have you tried to reason with your student? I know that you said that she is a brilliant mare who only sees things from a logical standpoint. Could we try to talk this out at all?" He asked as Luna sighed.

"Twilight has gone to far into the darkness, there is no way that she can see the light anymore. We have tried to talk to her but she will not see reason." Luna stated getting a nod from the others.

"You have our support princess." The griffon ambassador said getting a smile from them as more voiced their support.

"Very well we look forward for a quick end to this war with your help." Celestia stated rising and bowing to them as they did the same to her.

"We'll meet again on the battlefield my friends." Luna stated as they filed out.

"With their help this war will be over quickly sister." Luna stated while Celestia still looked worried.

"I don't know sister, something tells me that the body count only will rise." Celestia stated.

"Lets open that this does end quickly then sister and Twilight and the others will see that this is only going to end with their defeat." Luna stated with absolute assurance.

"I hope so Lulu."

War in the South!

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(One month later)

Twilight smiled as she stood in front of her troops as griffon and dragon air forces flew overhead as a Pegasus landed beside her with a teenage unicorn filly.

"Derpy so glad my favorite spy is home safe and sound." Twilight smiled nuzzling the mare and gave the little unicorn a kiss on the horn.

"Dinky so glad that you could make it home." Twilight smiled as the little unicorn blushed.

"I'm glad to be home Ms. Twilight with my friends." She smiled still with a small blush on her face.

"Well your job is done why don't you and your mother go and relax it's been to long since Greenflame and Hawx have seen you." Twilight smiled getting a nod from Derpy as Dinky stayed making the two look at her.

"Was there something else dear?" Twilight asked as Dinky blushed and looked down.

"I want to help you Twilight, I want to help with the war." She said shocking both mares.

"Dinky sweetie you have helped more than most have, giving me information from Ponyville while your mother sent me info on anything that Celestia even thought and sent through the mail. You don't have to help me anymore than you already have Dinky." Twilight tried to tell her as she shook her head.

"No I want to help more, everypony else is doing something for the war effort and I want to help to. Please Twilight." She begged as Twilight sighed and looked at Derpy.

"It's up to your mother since you are still so young, I only asked you to listen to rumors and report them to your mother. I don't want you to be in the line of fire with this war Dinky." Twilight said looking over at Derpy along with Dinky.

"Please mom! I want to help more I can help Twilight with the battle plans nothing on the front lines if she lets me. Please." Dinky begged as Derpy sighed and looked at Twilight.

"As long as she stays away from the front I don't mind." She sighed while Twilight looked conflicted.

"Tell you what why don't you be our moral officer so when the going gets tough we'll need some hope from home." She stated as Dinky sighed.

"Ok if that's what you want Twilight." She groaned as the two mares nodded.

"Very well, report to the radio room Captain Dinky." Twilight smiled handing her a medal along with Derpy.

"For your service to the city I award you both with the Medal of Valor. Now go home you two it's going to be a long war from the information that you sent me." She said as the two nodded and headed home.

Twilight turned and spotted another Pegasus land in front of her looking down as Twilight smiled.

"Fluttershy, I'm happy to see that you accepted my offer." Twilight stated as the Pegasus squeaked but smiled a little.

" Twilight you promise that you'll keep our friends alive after this is all over?" She asked while Twilight turned serious.

"I can't promise that Fluttershy but I'll try as much as I can to take them and send them your way. We could use your help in the hospitals Fluttershy if you want to help we could use you there." Twilight stated as Fluttershy whimpered.

"I don't know Twilight, I don't think I'll be any good at that kind of thing." She said as Twilight smiled.

"It's ok Fluttershy if you want why don't you head over to the radio room and help Dinky with moral." Twilight stated as Fluttershy nodded and took off to the city as Twilight turned to her soldiers once more channeling magic into her vocal cords.

"COMRADES! TODAY IS THE DAY WE SHOW THE WORLD THE STRENGTH OF THE FORGOTTEN! TODAY THE WORLD WILL TREMBLE IN FEAR OF OUR MIGHT! TODAY IS THE DAY THE WORLD WILL NEVER FORGET THIS VICTORY OF THE FORGOTTEN ARMY!" Twilight yelled as the troops roared.

"TODAY WE WILL SHOW THEM THE MIGHT OF THE FORGOTTEN!" She yelled as they held up their weapons cheering.

"Listen to your commanders and they will keep you alive!" She yelled as they started to move out.

'Today they will remember the forgotten.' Twilight smiled as a shadow from a blimp floated over her.

"They will regret the day they fucked with me and my family." Twilight said to herself as a unicorn walked up beside her.

"I must say my dear, you really are going to show the world what has lived in the shadows all this time." He said as Twilight looked over at him.

"Prince Blueblood. Good to see you made it, but aren't you scared that Celestia will find you out?" She asked as the stallion scoffed.

"Aunty Celestia and Luna think that I am in Saddle Arabia for business and for the war effort. I'll be leaving here soon so they won't be suspicious." He said as she nodded.

"Well as you can see we are well on our way along with our allies." She stated while they continued to watch them move out towards the trains that led to Equestria.

"You better get going Blueblood, I don't want you get in trouble if you're late for a meeting with the sultan." Twilight said as Blueblood nodded and started to leave.

"Oh and Blueblood." She called making him turn.

"You know what will happen if you betray me." She said getting a nod from him before he flashed away.

(Equestria)

Celestia sighed as she looked over the battle map as Luna walked in with a small limp getting a concerned look from her sister.

"Luna are you ok? What's the doctor told you?" She asked while Luna sighed.

"Major bruising along my chest and wings as well as a minor fracture in my left wing and right hind leg and mostly minor cuts along my chest and arms." She said looking down.

"Tia what is that room and why was there a dead changeling on it cut up like it was?" She asked as Celestia sighed.

"Luna while you were gone times were not very well here, mostly what that room was used for was interrogations and experimentations. I know it was even horrible back then but it needed to be done, most of the changelings we had from the Canterlot invasion died when they were hit by the love blast so we could never really get a live specimen. I knew that mare with Twilight was a changeling the moment they entered Equestria, I couldn't pass up a opportunity to learn and see what made them tick and find their weakness if they were to enter this war." Celestia stated looking over at Luna who had a horrified look on her face.

"Tia that's barbaric even by those times, I thought you said you would never go into that room again after hearing the screams every night!" Luna yelled backing away from Celestia who walked up to her taking hold of her face as her eyes flashed making Luna twitch.

"Everything is going to be fine Lulu, now go ahead and rally the troops." She ordered gently getting a nod from her sister before walking away as Celestia turned to the table.

'I sorry Luna but I can't have you turning on me now when this is going on. I swear I'll make it up to you.' Celestia thought looking over the map as she heard the sound of cannon fire in the distance.

(Equestrian border)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXtsiqrhqsU#t=16

Along the border Equestrians and their allies were dug in when the first shells started to land.

"MOVE MOVE MOVE! KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN LETS GO MOVE GET THAT GUN UP AND READY!!!" A griffon yelled at some ponies who were moving a cannon into position when it was hit by a shell blowing them apart along with the gun.

The griffon ducked behind cover as he watched dragons spew fire into the trenches burning all alive before they could duck inside their dug outs. Just hours ago all along the border a dragon dropped papers stating that if they put down their arms now they would not be hurt.

Right now in this hell he had wished he had taken the advice as the screams of pain and explosions were starting to get to him when a shell landed right beside him killing ponies and their other allies alike knocking him to the ground when he heard the sound of screaming come from over the trench. He looked over and turned white as a wall of gray clad soldiers charged towards him when the sound of a whistle was heard.

He picked up his rifle and aimed at a boar and fired taking him down before switching targets to a griffon but never got the shot off as he felt a blinding pain in his neck. He turned to see a dragon pulling the bayonet of his rifle back twisting as he did and looked back waving his comrades forward.

"Press forward! Drive straight to the heart!!" He called while the griffons vision faded the last thing he saw was griffons boars and dragon jumping over the trench as a unicorn hopped down into the trench and looked at him.

"Such a waste, press forward Spike I want their command post by this afternoon." She stated before his word faded completely.

Twilight watched at the young griffon took his last breaths as she shook her head.

"Why does the young always have to die for the old?" She asked herself and looked at her own troops seeing the young and spirited soldiers.

" I know this war is not going to be a short one." She said as she watched more of her troops go down before jumping out of the trench and charged with them putting up a barrier in front of her troops blocking the incoming rounds as she saw a dragon swoop in spewing fire into the trench making her look away.

'By the gods.' She thought freezing as she watched those still alive and on fire screaming as they tried to jump out of the trench or roll in the dirt trying to get the fire out.

She looked to her right to see a pony on fire before they were shot dead by one of her troop ending their suffering before moving on. She looked up to see the air war going on as griffon, pony, and dragon alike fell to their deaths.

To her right she saw young griffon private inside of a crater holding herself rocking back and forth before she was grabbed up by her leaders and led to the front continuing the charge.

"TWILIGHT!" The mare jumped and turned to see a bloody Gilda looking at her with concern.

"Gilda, you got blood on you. Are you hurt?" She asked getting a worried look from the griffon.

"No I'm not but you need to be at the front we're taking a beating from the last trench." She said getting a nod from Twilight.

"Ok, I'm going." She nodded again before running to help out her soldiers throwing up another barrier as she ran past Spike and his soldiers hunkered down in crater as a trumpet was blown signaling for the charge to continue.

"FORWARD!!!!" Spike screamed bursting from the hole followed by his soldiers just as they reached the trench where the fighting was brutal.

Hooves and claws flying along with rifles firing and the screams of the wounded, Twilight jumped down and fired a spell into a minators check blowing a hole the size of her head out of it before she turned and was tackled by a mare before she took a bayonet to the side screaming before being bayoneted again in the head.

"I got your back Boss." The dragon said only to be shot in the neck by a griffon before Twilight blew her away and looked to see the young dragon dead.

The sound of a trumpet was here giving the signal that they were victorious. Twilight looked up to see the enemy retreating when she felt a claw on her shoulder making her jump and turn to see Gilda and Spike.

"What's your orders Boss?" Gilda asked as she swallowed the lump in her throat.

"Take count of our dead and wounded and fortify this position, move the batteries up and be ready for reinforcements coming from the rear." She ordered as the two nodded and began to pass the word along.

"This is going to be a long war." She said to herself looking down at the young dragon and mare.

Operation Bull Run

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(6 months later ,Winter)

Twilight sighed as she sat by a fire barrel trying to keep warm with some of her troops before their next big push into Equestria with the help of Cadence and Prince Winter in the North.

The two alicorns had been met by fierce resistance but had crushed it after only a month of back and forth fighting. Twilight had called all sleeper cells in Equestria into action as they destroyed and assassinated key leaders and supplies for the United Front as they called themselves.

Twilight was in a white coat and hat along with some snow shoes for her hooves. She carried a pistol on her made especially for her with their flag on the grip along with the motto that has carried her through all these tough times.

Might. Power. Friendship.

She smiled running her hoof over it as Spike came up to her with a few of his guards and gave a salute to his leader.

"Ma'am we are ready." He stated getting a nod from her as she walked with him towards the front where her tired but spirited soldiers were.

In the months that came Twilight's spies and other agents had destabilized much of the population to the point that many had came to her joining her in her crusade against Celestia and her allies.

She had tried to go to the leaders of the other nations but they would not hear or even try to see her evidence that she had of Celestia, going so far as to call HER a traitor and liar. It was during one such event she had lost her right eye by an assassination attempt by the griffons.

After that day there were no such things as prisoners or soldiers saying that they were only following orders. Many of the enemies on her front feared her troops knowing that any fights with them would only lead to death, many had deserted their posts and moved to fight in the north knowing that they had a better chance of surviving in the northern front if they were caught.

Twilight subconsciously rubbed the black patch over her eye where the bullet had passed through completely destroying the eye.

"How's the eye Twilight?" Spike asked while she grumbled.

"It still hurts if that's what you're asking." She growled shuffling through the snow.

"Don't worry I think you look pretty cool with it on, like the time when you saw your future self." He smiled watching her take out a cigar and lighting it up.

"Hmph."

The four walked in silence as they stopped in front of her troops while they heard the sound of artillery shells flying overhead and could see pegasus, griffon, blimps and dragons moving to the front.

"SOLDIERS OF THE FORGOTTEN!" Twilight watched as they snapped to attention, making her smile.

"YOU ARE ABOUT TO EMBARK ON A GREAT AND NOBLE CRUSADE TO DESTROY THOSE THAT WOULD DARE THREATEN OUR WAY OF LIFE!" She shouted as a dark look came over her face at the betrayal of her friends and family along with the suffering this war has caused her family and the families of these soldiers.

"THE ENEMY WILL TRY AT NOTHING TO STOP YOUR EVERY ATTEMPT TO SECURE VICTORY, BUT I KNOW THAT YOU WILL PREVAIL AND FREE THIS LAND FROM A TYRANT THAT WOULD SEND HER OWN SUBJECTS TO THEIR DEATHS FOR NOTHING MORE THAN TO BUY THEM TIME!" She paused for a minute to let what she said sink into the ponies that were in the ranks and could see their eyes harden making her smirk.

"TODAY WE WILL SHOW THEM THE MIGHT OF THE FORGOTTEN!" She yelled pumping a hoof in the air as the soldiers cheered.

"At 1400 hours we and our comrades in the north will launch the end game of this war with a new weapon that will turn this stalemate into our favor. Soldiers prepare yourselves." Twilight stated as a strange thing rolled up to the front of the formation.

"This is our secret weapon that has been in development for the last few months, using the brightest minds and engineering persons at our disposal! It is impervious to small arms fire has a protective coating that makes it resistant to magical shots." She stated as a much larger vehicle pulled up beside the smaller one as 7 griffons jumped out while four boars piled out of the other and stood in front of them.

"Also introducing the next step in weaponry for all infantry and air force fighting units." She called out and looked over at the two teams who nodded and jumped back into the vehicle pulling them up to a firing range next to the formation.

"FIRE!"

TATATATTATATATATATATATAT!!!!!! The soldiers watched in awe as the smaller vehicle shredded the target dummy to pieces along with the larger one.

"With this advancement in warfare we will crush the enemy." Twilight yelled and nodded to the commander of the larger vehicle.

"FIRE!"

BOOOM!

The soldiers were shocked as the large gun on the top fired blowing a stone wall apart.

"The enemy will have no where to hide and no where to run once we deploy these weapons to the front. Now who would like to be the first to join the Tank Corps?" She asked watched with pride as claws and hooves shot up.

"Captain Fluttershy will be at the mess hall to take all volunteers and screen them for duty." She said as they all started to talk excitedly.

"BATTALION ATTENTION!" Spike yelled as they instantly went silent and obey their commander.

"DISMISSED!!" He ordered before following Twilight.

"So Twilight how many do you think will sign up?" He asked as she looked back at him with a smirk.

"More than we can take." She said before heading to her tent.

(2 months later)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSYG8OdNJ5Q&list=PLShKAQDNVJ-2kLu_PKZzCM4q-MUbDIYeM

Twilight smiled as she watched from the back of one of the tanks she was riding on while blimps dropped fire bombs on cities that had been abandoned and where the armies of her enemies would be buried alive.

Operation Bull Run had been a complete success, using Prince Winters navy they had completely caught the enemy by surprise taking heaps of ground and pushing into the heart of Equestria. They were not prepared for her forces overall momentum as they surged into Equestria from all sides before they had to stop so they wouldn't overextend the line of supplies.

But now she had a since dread as her old hometown came into view. She could see Applebloom all grown up and tending the farm along with a stallion and two colts running around playing.

[All forces halt.] She ordered hopping off the tank while it ground to a halt.

"Captain do a recon of the area I don't want to destroy this place if I don't have to." Twilight stated getting a nod from the boar as he went to follow his orders.

She pulled out some binoculars and laid down over a hill looking at the banners hanging from every Ponyville window making her sigh.

"It seems that Luna's soldiers are stationed here." She said to herself watching as a formation of soldiers walked through the middle of the street.

"Twilight?" She looked up to see Spike looking down at his former home with a worried look in his eyes.

"What are your orders Twilight?" He asked as she sighed.

"Do a leaflet drop on them and be ready to move in, we'll give them till nightfall." She stated getting nod from the dragon.

She looked back at the town and prayed that they would leave as she watched a squad of griffons fly over dropping papers on the town.

'Please evacuate, I don't want to hurt anyone here of all places if I don't have to.' She thought walking back to the tanks.

That night Twilight could see massive troop movements around the town as they waited for the attack that Twilight was going to unleash on the town.

She looked down letting a tear fall before looking up at Spike with sorrow on her face while he gave a grim nod.

[Commence firing.] He radioed and could hear the distant thunder of cannon fire before they watched the town be reduced to rubble. At least the civilians were evacuated, homes could be rebuilt not lives.

She ordered her tanks forward hearing the sound of machinegun fire and rifle fire while her air forces swooped in fighting with luna's bat ponies.

"CHARGE!!!!" Twilight ordered rushing past the tanks as they fired into the trenches surrounding Ponyville while a small barrier went up over the trenches.

Twilight growled at the new tactic charging her horn she fired a beam straight through the head of one of the unicorn guards making the barrier fall as she dived in, blasting a griffon blowing a hold out the back of it and turned firing another shot that went down the line turning many of the enemy to as.

She watched as the tanks rolled over the trench and into the town blasting a hole through her old home making groan.

[They're really pounding us over here!] She heard the sound of artlliery coming in as the first hit a tank dead on blowing it apart while some exploded over the area bathing it in fire burning hers and their enemies alive.

[FALL BACK ALL NON DRAGON GROUND FORCES FALL BACK!] She screamed jumping out of the trench as more fire rounds and regular rounds landed around her, killing friends and foe alike.

[Tanks move in! I want a counter battery now! They're killing us!] She screamed while more tanks rolled into the town as Twilight watched flashes from a distance of her own artillery firing.

Twilight grit her teeth as Spike ran past her with a company of dragon foot soldiers behind him.

"MOVE IN SECURE THE VILLAGE, THE TANKS CAN'T DO IT ALONE!!" He ordered charging into the hell in front of him as fire erupted him from a fire round.

Twilight's eyes went wide and held her breath before she saw Spike emerge from the fire ball still charging. Twilight let out a sigh watching her son moving with his soldiers.

'Go get them Spike.' She thought plopping down on the grass with her own soldiers.

(Canterlot)

Celestia stood at the balcony watching the battle rage on and could see the fires that engulfed Ponyville gritting her teeth. This wasn't how it was suppose to be she was sure the that her and her allies would be able to crush Twilight and her own allies.

Luna walked up beside her looking at the destruction that befell the small town, before looking at Celestia.

"Why did you order the artillery to fire when my troops were still in the middle of the kill zone?" Luna growled as Celestia looked over at her.

"Your soldiers were doomed no anyway, their sacrifice will be remembered." She simply stated.

"Tia what is wrong with you?" Luna asked as fear began to eat at her. Her sister had done this many times over the months to simply slow Twilight down while their allies struggled to hold back Cadence and Prince Winter's forces in the north.

"Nothing is wrong with me dear sister, after Twilight and her allies last attack they have pushed our forces so far back that we can barely make a credible defence! Along with our own ponies turning on us one town at a time, desperate times call for desperate measures." She said looking back at the burning town while Luna just looked at her sister when the remaining elements ran in with horror on their faces.

"Princess' is it true that Ponyville is gone!?" Rainbow yelled as the two looked back at them with sorrow on their faces.

"It is, Twilight and her forces have taken the town and will be moving here soon. I hope you're prepared for the coming battle." She said as they each gave and defeated nod.

"We'll do our best your highness." They answered walking back out to mourn the loss of their homes just as a explosion went off outside the castle.

They all ran out to see four carriages on fire while the bodies of griffons, minotaurs, griffons, and ponies littered the area.

Celestia and the others ran to help anyone that they could and pulled everypony they could away from the burning carriages.

"Sweet sun what happened!!?" Celestia cried pulled a group of griffons away from the fire.

"Ugh...." Luna looked over to see a minotaur who was burn pretty badly on his legs and the left side of his body.

"Please you must tell me what happened." She stated as they others helped who they could.

"It was a trap, they knew that we would be here. Those were the commanders and ambassadors from the other nations." He stated while her eyes widened at the news.

"I warned them not to get envolved and this is what they get for staying." They all turned to see Twilight standing behind them glaring.

"This is your fault, their blood is on your hooves for draging them into your your mistake. I was and never will invade their nations but they didn't listen because of you." She growled while they glared at her.

"This war will be over soon Celestia, and there is nothing you can do to stop me from reaching you all." She said and looked at her friends as her eyes turned a purple, green, and red color.

"All these deaths are on you Celestia, I'll be sure to plant my flag right in your chest while I watch Canterlot burn." She said as chains of golden magic wrapped around her followed by mid night blue.

She looked at her bindings and smiled at the seven glaring mares.

"You think these will stop me from taking my revenge?" She asked.

"It's over Twilight, you foolish to come here alone." Luna stated getting a arragant smirk from Twilight.

"Here I thought our little talk would have shown you the truth, but like your sister you chose to ignore everything I told you." She stated as her eyes turned an icy blue.

BOOOM!!

The seven covered their faces and looked back to see Twilight had changed.

"So I see the nightmare has taken you like my sister said Twilight." Luna sneered getting a laugh from Twilight.

"Nightmare? No, this isn't the nightmare this is my HATE, my anger, my sorrow, my insanity." She snarled as they took a step back as a purple, black and blue portal opened up behind her as she went back to her normal self while they saw a green and purple dragon rise from the portal.

Twilight shot a beam into the sky while explosions rocked the city and gunfire was cracked in the sky.

“This war ends today.” She sneered

AN

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Sorry everyone for it taking so long with the updates on your favorite stories but REJOICE!!! FOR THE PAPERWORK AND ARMY THINGS ARE DONE!!

If you've read my blog or know me a little bit then some of you know that I just got back from active duty and finishing reenlisting into the reserves for the next 2 years, so I've been VERY busy getting everything sorted out with my life.

So expect a chapter within the next week or so for the epic conclusion of The Forgotten and Exiled before the ALT version comes out which will probably go out as another story in itself. Anyway just wanted to drop by and say that before I got to work on the next chapter.

Also everyone thank this guy for giving me the inspiration and kind of knock me out of my writers block.:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfPEoYXsbPE&feature=player_detailpage

Last AN

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ok so many of you were disappointed in the ending so I'm gonna go back and try to redo a lot of it at least to a certain point. Most of the fight scenes will stay but I will put more dialogue in and make a whole new ending.

At Wars End

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"This war ends today." Twilight stated as Celestia's guards rushed her while Luna teleported the other elements away to her former home in the Everfree.

Twilight smirked as fire spewed into the ranks of guard turning them to ash before they could even scream.

"You think it's that simple? You think this is a game?! YOU HAVE KNOW IDEA WHAT WE'RE CAPABLE OF!!" Spike roared as he shrank down to his normal size to prepare to fight the sisters.

Celestia and Luna glared as the ashes of their guards blew away in the wind.

"You will pay for this Twilight Sparkle." Luna said as her horn lit up.

"Not before you both pay with your lives." Twilight said before they lept at each other while spells were fired meeting in the middle when they exploded taking much of the square and the castle with it as the fighter flashed away to safety.

Celestia and Luna appeared in the downtown area and growled when they saw a griffon fire a shot into one of their guards heads.

"RAHHH!"

The two looked up to see Twilight and Spike falling towards them with fists covered and in green and purple magic.

BOOOOM!!!!

Twilight and Spike found themselves in the sewers of Canterlot as they looked around for their foes, only to be on the end of the mother of all bucks from the two making them crash through the upper ceiling and back onto the surface where they crashed through at least three houses.

Twilight groaned only to look up to see Celestia's hoof screaming towards her before it planted into her face. Twilight felt her vision swim as she was sent through the street along with Spike.

Twilight felt herself slam into stone as a cry of pain escaped her along with a moan from Spike.

"Ugh. This sucks." He groaned starting to get up only for Luna to appear and buck him into his side sending him through the tunnel wall where while she gave chase.

"This is what you call power Twilight?" The mare in question looked up only for the royal hooves to be planted in her chest making her scream in pain before she blew through the same wall.

Twilight slammed into one a solid wall cratering it into a pony sized indent, she looked over to see Luna drop Spike on the ground where he groaned.

"I'm disappointed Twilight, I never picked you for a boaster. I figured would have learned that lesson from Trixie herself all those years ago. Also the fact that you think that you could ever challenge my sister or myself in one on one is stupid. Yet another thing I never picked you for." Celestia sighed pulling the beaten mare from her crater in the wall.

"You think I would challenge you if I didn't think I could beat you? I never would have thought the wise Celestia while not be able see underneath the underneath." Twilight smirked as she blasted Celestia away while Spike did the same while giving chase.

Celestia looked stopped herself only to feel the pain of a slam into her cheek along with her head and body going through the stone wall that was beside her.

Celestia felt herself stop only for her sister's body to slam into her making her grunt in pain.

'What in the world?' Celestia looked over her sister to see a green and purple fireball headed right towards them. She gasped and grabbed Luna and teleported away.

On the surface Celestia sighed when an explosion rocked the area making her stumble a bit while her sister groaned.

"Oh my head." She moaned in pain only for both to cry out as a blinding pain it them from the side carving a path of destruction through the city streets and homes nearby.

Twilight smirked panting a little along with Spike as sparks danced across their bodies.

"Oh my, my, my. Twilight Sparkle and her not so little lizard friend fighting with the rulers of Equestria. What have I missed?" A voice called out making the two look back to see Discord floating above them.

"Discord." She plainly stated watching him blink.

"That's it? No overdramatic yelling of my name or glaring or growling?" He asked as she shrugged.

"Eh, I knew you would break out sooner or later. I'm just surprised it took you so long." She stated blocking the blade of Celestia's sword with one of pure magic while Spike dodged and gave Luna a hammer fist knocking the moon princess through the street and into the sewers below.

"I was biding my time dear for my grand entrance but I have to say this is much better that what I had planned." He stated watching Twilight parry Celestia's sword strikes before she buck Celestia into a house across the street.

"I see you've grown in power as well. So tell me what has caused you to turn on your teacher/ruler?" He asked ducking under a spell that was sent his way.

"HEY! That's just rude." He yelled as a panting Celestia stumbled out of the rubble.

"Twilight we must set our differences aside to seal Discord before it's too late." Celestia stated as the chaos lord raised and eyebrow and looked at the unicorn and dragon.

"Are you going to get in my way during this fight Discord?" Twilight asked looked to see him in his chair eating popcorn.

"OH PLEASE TWILIGHT! Like I would really pass up this chance see how this all plays out." He stated throwing a handful in his mouth and happily munching.

"Don't be a fool Twilight, even if you were to defeat us there is no way you will have the power to stop Discord. Even my sister and I could not defeat him in our prime." Luna called from behind her squaring off against Spike.

"Hm maybe you're right. I'll take care of it now then." She smirked as her eyes flashed red for a second and Discord slammed into the ground cratering it.

"If you think I'm going to let you seal me away again, you have another thing coming." He growled struggling to get up while he watched as steam rose from Twilight.

"Oh you silly little filly who said anything about sealing you again?" She giggled trotting over to him to where she could lean down by his ear.

"Why would I waste my magic to seal you when I could kill you here and now?" She asked bringing her sword up while his pupils shrank to pinpricks.

"I'll be good I swear!" He yelled trying to struggle to break free but even as he tried to get away he felt his airway closing.

"You know what the funny thing is about you and the princess'? You three are not gods. Want to know how I know?" She asked looking at the two alicorns who were glaring.

"Because gods, don't, bleed." She stated looking over at the bloodied and bruised princess' while Discord gagged under her.

"You must be wondering why you can't do anything right? Well you see The Forgotten City has many, well forgotten and lost things. That includes technology, literature, science, and magic." She grinned as his eyes widened.

"That's right, even chaos magic that you wrote yourself if you can decipher all the nonsense that you put in it. I never picked you to be a brilliant writer Discord, but I guess things were different 1000 years ago." She stated before letting go of him.

"No you are going to sit over there on that cloud and not make a sound. Got it?" She asked getting a quick nod from him as he flashed away while she turned back to Celestia only to be sent flying through the city center while Spike was able to dodge Luna only to be sent by Tia to join his mother.

"We must not delay. Twilight is far more powerful than I thought she could ever be. We much end this now." Celestia said to her sister who nodded as they went into their true from using the very power of the sun and moon itself.

"Lets go sister we cannot let them regroup." Luna said as they shot off towards where Twilight and Spike landed.

Twilight groaned as she pulled herself from the rubble and looked around for her son.

"Spike?" She looked up just as Celestia slammed into her chest breaking through the cobbled streets ending up once more in the lower sewers.

"I'm sorry Twilight but this has gone on for far too long, I have no choice but to end you and destroy your army along with all your allies. I never wanted this, this isn't how it was suppose to happen." She said as a tear ran down her cheek as she gathered her magic.

"How was it suppose to happen Celestia, hm? Was I suppose to become a pretty pony princess and be the queen of friendship?" Twilight scoffed as Celestia looked at her in sorrow.

"Not anymore." She stated and with a flash of light and a scream from Twilight it was over, nothing was left of the little unicorn as Celestia's power faded as she saw a red flare fired into the sky from where her sister had disappeared to.

Celestia flew to the street level as she saw griffons and ponies running for the edge of Canterlot before leaping off while taking all those that couldn't fly with them to friendly lines. She sighed watching the last of the retreating enemy as her sister landed beside her.

"Shall we finish this once and for all sister?" Luna asked getting a nod from Celestia.

"What did you do with Spike?" She asked as Luna looked away with tears going down her face.

"I had to end him." She simply stated as she felt her sisters wing around her.

"We will mourn later, for now we have a war to end." Celestia stated as the two prepared for flight when a sudden spike of power made them pause briefly before their world went dark as a sudden explosion ripped from below them.

Celestia moaned in pain as she stood feeling debris fall off her while grabbing her head sitting down as she opened her eyes and gasped at the destruction of most of Canterlot as far as the lower wards.

"I have to say this is the most entertainment I've had in eons." Celestia looked up to see Discord above her floating around just as Luna rounded the corner.

"Sister." Celestia smiled at her before she saw her rocket away from a hard punch to the face that hit with such force that it blew some of the surrounding rubble away and made Celestia lose her footing a fall to the ground.

"Oh well if that's not amazing regeneration then I don't know what is." Discord smiled at the dragon before looking over at Celestia.

"I would move if I were you dear." He stated but she wasn't fast enough as she looked up.

"HA!!"

KA-THOOOM!!!

Celestia's world spun as she felt herself free falling. She blinked the dizziness from her eyes as she watched the bottom of Canterlot speed away. She groaned and righted herself before heading back into the fray just as another explosion from the bottom of the capital happened and her sister shot passed her.

Celestia dived and caught her sister as she shook her head and nodded as they once more went to their true form and shot through their respective holes to face their enemy.

They landed only to both be hit with a wicked buck and fist that sent them flying into the upper districts bulldozing through houses as they went before coming to a stop in one of the many intersection.

The two shot up and looked around alert for any threat that looked above and all around but they never counted on an attack from below as the street erupted once more with fire hitting the two with a massive amount of force that flattened everything around them.

"Wow and here I didn't think things could get more interesting." Discord said chuckling before the red eyes of the mare below him turned to glare at him.

"Right sorry." He stated as the dragon and mare headed towards the crash site of where the two princess' were before a shock wave slammed into all and a pillar of fire rose into the sky along with a pillar of darkness.

"Looks like we really pissed them off huh Spike?" The mare asked with a grin.

"Looks like it Twi, this is going to get tougher by the minute." Spike stated looking at Twilight with his glowing green eyes as small flames would dance around his body.

"Here they come." Twilight stated as they got ready just when the rubble in front of them exploded and the two shot forward to meet their foe.

(Hours later)

Smoke filled the air as fire crackled in the burning rubble of the once glorious city and capital of Canterlot in the middle of it all were four figures.

One that shined in the darkness bathing everything in the light of the sun and a ray of hope to her people and allies.

Next to her was her sister the mare was the essence of the night itself seeming to be cover all in her soothing darkness a beacon of hope as well even as their nation crumbled around them.

Opposite from them was a mare and dragon that stood tall against their former banishers and sought revenge against them for their lives ruined because of the two sisters.

So here they stand in the last final battle that would decide the fate of the once peaceful Equestria.

The mare seemed to be rage incarnate as she stared down the two rulers watching them like a hawk as her mane billowed like fire while her dark purple coat and white cutie mark stood barely seen in contrast to their opponents.

"I see the nightmare has taken you my former student." The princess of the sun stated while the mare scoffed.

"If it did then you have only yourself to blame for this. Had you heed my warnings we wouldn't be in this situation now would we? It's hard being wrong isn't it Celestia?" The fiery mare asked getting a growl from said mare as she looked at the dark mare.

"Luna you should understand this more than anyone." She said panting a little from the earlier battle.

"No we allowed the nightmare to take over because we were jealous of our sister but we never harmed anypony when we turned. Look around you Twilight Sparkle and see the chaos you have created." The mare said waving a hoof out to the destroyed capital.

"Oh I know isn't it just beautiful?" A figure above them asked making Twilight sigh.

"Discord, I believe I told you to sit there quietly." She grumbled while the newly released chaos god put his hands up in surrender.

"Sorry dear but I can't help but admire a fellow artists work." He stated as she growled and he was encased in a dark purple glow and brought to her face making him flinch at the look of murder in her red and black eyes.

"One more word from you and I'll make sure that today is the last day you ever see in your long life." She threatened as he gulped watching the billowing mane spark with power.

"Sorry, not a peep." He stated and snapped his fingers appearing on a cloud sitting on his throne.

She glared at him for a second before looking back at the two princess' with a raised brow.

"I'm surprised you didn't attack." She stated with a small smile watching them grit their teeth.

"I've known you long enough to know when you are and aren't listening." Celestia stated getting a nod from Twilight who looked over at the dragon.

"Spike? You've been awfully quiet." She stated a little worried for her son as he stared at their surroundings.

"Sorry, just looking at everything compared to what it used to be." He stated as Twilight sighed.

"Sweetie if you don't want to fight anymore you can leave, this is more personal than anything else. I just included you since you were just as affected as me." She stated getting a smile from him.

"Thanks but I've come too far to quit now, I want to see this through." He smiled looking down at her before glaring at the two.

"Besides they deserve whatever they get in the end after everything they did to us." He growled snorting fire at the two.

"You two are like a broken record going on and on about how miserable your lives were after we exiled you." Luna stated while rolling her eyes watching as the rocks and rubble around them began to float into the air while the other two looked calm as ever.

"Luna what are you doing?" Celestia asked as her sister scoffed.

"Please sister, how do we know that Twilight even went through all of what she say when there is no proof?" She stated as Twilight's eyes began to glow red while Spikes were green.

"This is true for all we know she did that and then cried wolf to make ponies feel better.

The ground under the two began to crack and crater while the two sisters began talking while the other two's eyes returned to normal but the ground continued to crater while huge boulders broke from the ground rising in the air. Luna smirked as she looked at the two glaring at them.

"Oh I'm sorry we-

THOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!!!!

(Ruins of Ponyville)

Gilda watched in awe and fear as Canterlot and most of the mountain were completely obliterated.

"HOLY-

FOOOOOOOMMMMM!

Everyone around were knocked off their feet from the resulting blast wave making even some of the more light vehicles tip over from it.

"By the spirits." Gilda looked back to see one of the generals of Twilights army stare in shock at the damage as the mushroom cloud rose higher into the sky.

"I hope that was Twi or Spike that did that." Gilda stated as one of her friends patted her on the shoulder.

"Don't worry Gilda, I'm sure they are ok." He smiled before going back to help with anyone that may be hurt.

'I can't believe how much this has escalated.' She thought looking over at some of the sleeper agents that were in Canterlot before Twilight had signaled for the retreat.

(Canterlot Valley)

Celestia could feel herself falling as she blinked away her blurry to see she was alone, her sister no where in sight making her worry for a second.

"I would worry more about yourself princess." Celestia's eyes widened as she felt her hind legs grabbed before she began to spin like a top before being let and sent towards the ground like a bullet slamming into it creating a massive dust cloud, until it was blown away as what felt like a freight train slammed into her making her cry out in pain.

Celestia blasted her former student just as she saw Luna slam Spike into the ground with devastating force making her shield her eyes only to to have a wicked right hook from her former student that sent her flying across the battlefield.

Celestia felt herself slam into somepony only hearing a pained yelp before they both dug a trench into the ground just when a white flare was shot into the sky and she could hear the ground rumble as she looked around to see Twilight's retreating forces.

'What is going on?' The two princess' thought as they looked around in confusion along with some of their soldiers as a light blinked in the dust in the air before a beam slammed into their lines carving a swath of death and fire in its path while Celestia and Luna jumped away as a massive explosion ripped through the area.

Celestia turned a swung her hoof catching her attacker in the jaw as a golden bladed spear appeared in her magical grip as Luna shot passed her digging a trench in the charred ground.

"CELESTIA!!" She turned into a hoof that slammed into her face as it guided her into the unforgiving ground making her impact with such force the ground shattered like glass.

Twilight grit her teeth as she glared with so much hate at where Celestia was buried under the dirt as she charged up a spell before slamming it into crater letting off a bright flash.

Spike held Luna by the throat with the mares sword sticking out his back while his arm was through her chest all the way to the elbow as the two watched the light engulf them.

Twilight blinked as she looked around the burning landscape and then down into the massive crater that she created while she grinned thinking it was finally over.

"What are you smiling about?" Twilight's eyes widened before she felt the spear go right through her body spilling her blood all across the ground. Her legs buckled as she groaned when she felt Celestia slam her into the ground twisting the spear as she pulled it out.

"I will commend you Twilight Sparkle, you will go down as the most powerful of my enemies to make me use my full power to defeat you." She said as she looked to see both Spike and Luna on the ground dead or would be soon while Twilight followed her gaze before looking up into the sky.

Twilight groaned as she pushed herself up on unsteady hooves while Celestia looked on surprised the mare could still move at all.

"Thing is Celestia." She huffed while her horn sparked while a flash went off behind them where Luna and Spike were as blood gushed from her wound all the while gritting her teeth.

"Nopony said you won yet." She gasped while a proud smile graced Celestia's lips.

"You never cease to amaze me Twilight, even after ten years in that hell hole you come out on top and in command of a terrifying force that effortlessly crushed my army. If it wasn't for my allies, I'm sure that we would have been overrun in the first day." She smiled down at the grunting unicorn struggling to stand as the sun princess casually walked around her.

"You have done something no other enemy of mine or my sister's have been able to do. Destroy Equestria." She growled glaring down at the unicorn.

"The only thing I destroyed was your home and the capital of my enemy that would do the same to my own home." Twilight glared up at Celestia who looked surprised.

"I did more than beat your sister, I pumped her for information on what you would do when my people came to reclaim me. I'll admit that she was tough to break but once I had what I needed and decided that I had to strike first or it would only be a matter of time till you came to me with force." Twilight hacked up a glob of blood while Celestia huffed.

"Be that as it may my former student, you have destroyed countless lives in your assault on my country and broken more than enough homes for your crimes." She stated knocking the mare over making her groan in pain.

"Like you wouldn't have in attacking mine? My people need me just as much as yours does Celestia, what right do you have in thinking your people are more important than mine hm?" She huffed unable to do anything besides glare at the alicorn.

"Because they are! Equestria is more than important than some city state in the middle of nowhere thats just getting on its feet." She growled.

"So you would kill two million souls just to take two back?" She asked as Celestia looked away.

"I was only going to take you, Spike would have died in the purge of the city. You are who I needed, not Spike." She stated as Twilight's eyes widened.

"How could you! He was more of your son as he was mine!" She weakly yelled as Celestia sighed looking down at the mare who was trying to stand again.

"You don't think I know this!? Spike was special to me just as you are but if I couldn't save him, it was a sacrifice I was willing to make in order to save Equestria! I have to look after my subjects first before my own feelings come into play." She said as Twilight gave a weak laugh hacking up blood making her groan.

"That's bullshit. That may be how you lead but I know there is always a way for everyone to get what they want, one way or another." She huffed standing tall as a flash went off behind them showing Discord.

"Well, I can't say that I didn't see this coming in the end but I would have like a bit more destruction. No matter since Twilight is down for the count I guess nopony is around to stop me now is there?" He grinned sinisterly at Celestia and wobbling unicorn.

"Oh I wouldn't say that Discord." They all turned to see Prince Winter along with Cadence backed by the might of both their armies.

"Oh and who might the both of you be? More ponies to witness my come to power once again?" He asked as the two alicorns rolled their eyes.

"Hardly. More like we are here to stop any further destruction on this land." He stated and looked over to Twilight going wide eyed looking at his friends state, as Luna appeared beside her sister and glared at them all while the remaining elements came in with her looking around shocked at the valley.

"Step away from Twilight Celestia." Winter demanded feeling the tension in the air as he looked between Celestia and Discord while glancing at the unicorn every few seconds.

"No she is the key to locking discord away." She stated simply glaring at Winter and Cadence while wrapping her magic around Twilight only for the mare to fight back with her own glaring at them.

"She needs healing now Celestia or she's going to die." Cadence stated worried watching the blood flow from Twilight like a river as the mare made to move towards Winter and Cadence only for Discord to snap his fingers and Twilight appeared beside him floating.

"I think I'll keep her instead, for somepony to master chaos magic from my own teachings no less. She truly is a remarkable mare." He smirked looking over at Twilight who was panting feeling her world start to go dark.

'No I won't die like this.' She thought gritting her teeth as power began to spark around her.

"Oh my and what do you plan to do dear Twilight?" He asked as he watched her wound begin to heal while he lost his hold on her and stepped back surprised along with the others.

"Twilight?" Cadence called out to her friend and sister in law as the mares eyes turned white along with her body and her mane becoming fire itself.

The mare fell to the ground panting as she looked back at her wound and smiled a little only for the power to fade while she moved to Winter and Cadence.

"I think not Twilight." Discord growled and went to grab her only for her to change once more into the white mare turning and slammed a spell right in his face blasting him away.

"Twilight!" Cadence yelled as she rushed to her watching her switch between her normal and white form as a barrier went up stoping the love princess.

"She belongs in Equestria as she always has. I won't let you take the only chance we have to defeat Discord away." Celestia growled as Winter glared lighting up his horn and shattering the now weak mares shield.

"Twilight's path is no longer within Equestria Celestia, you need to understand that and let it go. Twilight isn't the mare you helped raise as a filly all those years ago, you saw to that yourself ten years ago." Winter stated calmly while Cadence ran back to their lines as Fluttershy and medical personnel rushed to meet her halfway.

"I can bring her back to the path she was meant to be on if you only let me correct my mistake!" Celestia shouted as Winter rose an eyebrow along with Luna and the rest of the elements.

"Oh so you admit that banishing Twilight and Spike was a mistake?" He asked as she watched Fluttershy start to panic over the unicorn.

"SHE'S NOT BREATHING!!" She yelled to Cadence while all those that heard it went wide eyed.

"Oh goodie then this should be easy." They heard and turned to see a glaring Discord while Celestia and Luna took up stances as Winter and Cadence stood beside them.

"This time Discord, I'm going to make sure you stay turned for good." Celestia growled only to watch in shock as he was slammed into the earth cracking the ground.

They all turned back to see Twilight with one eye closed panting as she held the chaos lord.

"Hurry, I can't hold him forever." She gasped as the alicorns shook their heads and glared powering up their magic before firing at the screaming Discord.

"NOOOOOOOOO!!!" He screamed before looking at Twilight in rage just as her magic face.

'I won't go down this time so quietly!' He thought using the last of his control to sharpen a small rock and sent it flying through Twilight's chest as she turned collapsing to the ground, just as he was turned to stone with a smirk on his face.

"TWILIGHT'S HURT!!!" Fluttershy screamed as Twilight's world started to go dark the last thing she saw was Fluttershy crying.

(2 months later)

Celestia walked towards the medical tent where two of Cadences guards were standing watching the mare like a hawk as she stopped in front of them.

"I would like to see her." She stated just as Spike walked out and gave her a blank look.

"What do you want Celestia?" He asked as she fidgited a little.

"Is she awake?" She asked as he sighed sadly and looked back at the tent were the little unicorn lay with a breathing mask on and a heart monitor next to her that would beep every few seconds.

"No change in her condition since two months ago." He stated looking up to see where Canterlot was being rebuilt headed by Luna along with Cadence and Winter who was in charge at the time until Canterlot was rebuilt, along with the damage to most of the cities that Twilights forces hit hard.

"Can I see her?" Celestia asked as Spike nodded opening the flap of the tent to let her pass.

When she entered she saw Fluttershy sound asleep with 17 children around her once again after staying it all night watching over the mare. Celestia smiled at that and looked over to the mare herself and could see Shining Armor along with his parents and the other elements huddled up on the other side of her bed.

For two months Twilight had been in her coma due to her wounds and an extreme overuse of her magic. Spike had taken command of the city while the mare recovered.

Celestia sighed as she went to the mares side like she had every day since they let her see her and sighed looking down at her gently moving a lock of her mane out of her face.

She was surprised to see the mare lean into her touch making her smile as Luna came in with a sigh looking at her sister and her former student.

Over the past few months her sister along with, Winter, herself, and Cadence had sat down after them and the other nations had agreed to a end of hostilities and had a real heart to heart talk about everything that had happened.

Celestia and Luna had come to the bitter realization that all this could have been avoided if they had just listened to Twilight all those years ago when she had confided in them when she needed them the most.

Celestia would also have to step down for 1000 years for the murder of a innocent soul as Luna would take over with one of Winter's and Cadence's most trusted soldiers to watch over them with a detachment of soldiers to look after things, while Equestria was rebuilt better than before.

Now here she was thinking over her choices and wishing she could go back in time to correct her mistakes.

As Luna sat beside her she leaned into her tired from doing so much of Celestia's job and her own trying to get everything in order for Canterlots rebuilding.

"Are you ok Luna?" Celestia asked only getting a groan from her sister making the sun mare smile.

"We do not know how you did it while we were banished sister." She moaned feeling Celestia's wing wrap around her.

"Don't worry I'm still going to be there to help where I can, I just can't actively rule. I'll think of it as a vacation from all the nobles when they come back." Celestia grinned at the glare aimed at her from her sister.

"Why does it feel like I'm being more punished than you are?" Luna asked as Celestia sighed.

"Luna you know as well as they that I love ruling over our little ponies and this next 1000 years are going to be stressful to say the least having to watch you interact with them while I'm made to watch." She sighed letting a few tears fall.

"Don't worry sister, I won't change to much. Maybe replace all the sun emblems around the palace and put my cutiemark there instead." She smirked feeling her sister tense.

"Well I suppose I have no say in it do I?" She asked as Luna beamed.

"Nope. Now that I think of it we may change a few more things." Luna giggled rubbing her hooves together.

Celestia groaned listening to Luna ramble on about the changes she was going to make to the kingdom while she ruled as Celestia looked over at her former student.

"I'm so sorry Twilight, I wish I could take it all back and just listened to you from the start and none of this would have happened." She whispered as her sister stopped and looked over at Celestia.

"Don't worry sister she will awake soon and we all can tell her." Luna said as Spike walked in with four guards.

"It's time Celestia, Luna you are needed back in the main camp." He said as the stallion's horns lit up and Celestia's power was sealed except for her ablity to raise and lower the sun.

Celestia gasped and wobbled but Spike was able to catch her when she started to fall helping her to her hooves before stepping away quickly.

"I'll see you later Celestia, your time is up." He said as he moved over to the pile of adult ponies waking them up and letting them know they had to leave, doing so without protest.

As Spike watched them go he saw his wife walk in just as he was sitting down. She came in sitting down next to him and leaned against him letting out a sigh.

"Still nothing huh?" She asked getting a shake of his head as he held his mothers hoof while the sky outside began to darken.

(Later that night)

Spike was awoken along with Gilda, Fluttershy, and the children as they heard grunts and curses.

"Ugh, stupid thing." Spike looked up and smiled along with the others seeing Twilight weakly struggle with the IV in her arm before flopping down in defeat letting out a sigh.

Fluttershy and the children were the first to reach her side followed by Spike and then Gilda.

"TWILIGHT!!!"

A few hours later and Spike filling her in on what had happened the mare was in deep thought.

"What about home how is everything being handled if you're here with me?" She asked as he smiled looking over at Gilda.

"Your daughter in law has been running things while I've been here with you." He stated as she smiled and thanked Gilda.

"Ah don't worry about mom, your boy would be a nervous wreck and wouldn't be able to think straight while you were hospitalized." Gilda smiled winking at Spike who grumbled as the others laughed while a doctor came in having already checked on the mare earlier.

"Well Ms. Sparkle from the looks of it your magic is still very low and you will have to stay in bed a few days to a week at the most, just until your injuries are fully healed and your magic is back to normal levels." He said getting a nod from her as the others thanked him watching him leave for a second until they heard a groan from Twilight.

"Aww I was ready to go home as soon as possible." She moaned as the others shared a smile just when Cadence walked in with Winter both wearing smiles on there faces before rushing the bed.

After another round of cheerful hugs and kind words, the others were asked to step out while Winter glared at Twilight who simply raised a eyebrow at the look while they took their leave.

As soon as the flap shut they heard Winter launch into Twilight, yelling about how stupid she was for attacking before he and Cadence had broken through to the north.

She responded telling him that it was weakly defended on her front since Celestia figured two armies from the north were more of a threat than her and took the chance winning victory after victory before they were able to mount a crediable defence to the south.

He then yelled at her for stupidly taking on the sun princess along with her sister alone and destroying Canterlot, which had led to her current situation.

Twilight had no comeback for that as she listened to Winter tear into her before he pulled mare into a hug shocking her to the core.

"You stupid filly! Does revenge mean so much to you that you would throw away what you have back home leaving your children behind?" He asked as the realization hit her like a carriage full of bricks.

She had died once in the fight with Celestia, it was only by her element that she still lived. If she had been anyone else she and her son would have died that day leaving her children and citizens to fend for themselves.

Twilight sniffed as a sob broke from her at this thought and buried her face in Winters chest while he ran a hoof over her mane.

After a while and everyone was back she had pulled Spike and her other children to her sputtering out apologizes and holding them close not letting go as they held her while she sobbed.

It wasn't long after when Twilight had fallen asleep clutching her children sniffing every once in a while in her sleep.

"Is she going to be ok?" Fluttershy asked looking at her friend as Winter nodded.

"She just realized she could have lost everything even if she had beaten Celestia and Luna. It's put a lot on her mind to think about in the future and what she is going to do with her blood family and her former friends." He said turning and leaving as Cadence layed down next to Twilight's bed while Fluttershy left, she had some mares to talk to.

Eplogue

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(7 years later)

Twilight sighed as she looked over the table to see her brother looking nervous after what he had just asked of her.

"So let me get this straight, you think you can come in my house and out of the blue, no letter or anything about this. You just show up and expect these things out of me because I'm your sister?" She asked as he shuffled nervously.

"No it's not that, I was just thinking it would be nice to let you know in person this time instead of waiting till last minute like last time." He whimpered as she sighed but inside she was a little giddy.

"So when and where?" She asked with a neutral expression while he smiled a little.

"Well we were thinking if it's ok with you that we have the wedding here and you would marry us?" He asked as a small smile spread over her face.

"I'll it but you seriously need to work on your timing Shining." Twilight said as a white unicorn walked in with a smile.

"Don't worry darling I'll take good care of your brother." Rarity giggled as Twilight groaned.

"I'm sure you will." She grumbled getting a laugh from the two as they thanked her again just as a flash went off behind her and she felt her lovers hooves wrap around her.

"Are you comfortable with this?" Cadence asked as Twilight looked up at the alicorn with a smile.

"I suppose I really don't have a choice, if I want to move on and have even a hope of reconnecting with my family and friends from Equestria I need to start somewhere. My question is, are you ok comfortable with this?" Twilight asked only to get a passionate kiss from the mare.

"I'm with you now Twilight, and while I love your bother it's not like it used to be and I only see him as a distant friend at best. You know that after the divorce and when we started to get together." Cadence smiled thinking back six years ago.

(Six years ago)

Cadence sighed as she looked over the last of the paper work that day just as Twilight and her little Starbolt walked into the throne room laughing. In the filly's magical grip was an ice cream cone along with most of it all over her face.

Cadence looked to see Twilight with two making her smile as the other mare trotted up to her with a small smile looking at the papers she still had in her magical grip.

"So I guess this is it huh?" Twilight asked giving Cadence the her ice cream cone as she sighed and nodded.

Today would mark the last day she was married to Shining Armor and the two had agreed on joint custody of little Star, neither wanted to put her through a big court battle.

Shining had moved back to Canterlot taking his station back as Captain of the Canterlot Guard under one of Prince Winter's higher ranked soldiers that was already stationed there till Equestria could defend itself.

"Yeah." She sighed as Twilight came beside her and wrapped her hoof around her.

"Hey don't worry, everything will work out ok." She smiled trying to cheer her former sister in law and best friend up only getting a small smile.

"Thanks Twilight, I'm glad that you came. Star has been driving me crazy wondering when Aunt Twilight was coming to visit." She laughed as the little filly yawned making both mares smile.

"Ok munchkin lets get you cleaned up and then off to bed." Twilight called out to her nudging the filly.

"But I'm not sleepy." She yawned again as her ice cream tipped and would have splattered all over the floor had Twilight hadn't been quick enough to catch it with her magic.

"Of course you're not, but we need to get you cleaned up anyway." Twilight smiled scooping the filly up getting a groan.

Cadence smiled fondly watching the two as they disappeared out the door and around the corner.

She sighed and looked at the divorce papers again letting out a sigh and signed below before putting it in a envelope and magicing it to Shining so he could look over it and sign.

She heard the door close a few minutes later and looked up to see Twilight sighing leaning her head against the door.

"A little tired Twi?" Cadence asked snickering a little as the mare rounded on her and glared playfully at her.

"Well excuse me for being worn out by that little ball of energy, honestly I think she could give all my kids a run for their money." Twilight huffed climbing the stairs that led up to the throne and sat down leaning into Cadence who wrapped a arm around her.

"Now you know how I feel, I think it gets worse when you leave." Cadence laughed while Twilight seemed to pale a little.

"Don't worry Twilight, I'll be sure keep you safe." Cadence laughed as Twilight smiled up at her.

"It's good to see you laughing and smiling Cadence." Twilight said nuzzling her as Cadence looked shocked at the show of affection but brushed it off and smiled at the mare.

"Yeah feels good to after so long. So what are your plans with my daughter tomorrow?" Cadence asked as Twilight sighed.

"Sorry but I have to head home tomorrow and won't be back for at least a month this time. Got some things going on in the north and I wanted to talk to Chrysalis and see how her hive is doing." Twilight shrugged getting nod from Cadence even though she had talked to Chrysalis herself and the two actually got along after everything had blown over, she still had a small twitch when the changeling queen was mentioned.

Not only that but something in Cadence seemed to want to protect Twilight from what it saw as a evil creature.

"Oh what are you and Chrysalis going to be up to?" Cadence asked as Twilight shrugged still on her shoulder.

"I don't know, something about helping the hive become better and stronger." She yawned snuggling into her side getting a smile from Cadence.

"Come on lets go to bed Twi, my daughter wore you out." She giggled at the grumbled reply from her friend.

(End flashback)

Cadence smiled a little thinking how the two seemed to dance around each other until last year when Twilight was the one that finally asked her out.

(One year ago)

Cadence sighed as she thought of her best friend coming to visit again. She was more nervous than even when she had asked out Shining Armor since the filly she watched over was the one that helped her win Shining's heart. Now that same filly had grown into a beautiful and powerful mare and this time she didn't have any backup.

Cadence paced the room thankful that her daughter was with her father at the moment since she was sure that the filly would be nothing but questions as to why mommy was being weird.

Cadence let out a high pitched squeal as the doors were pushed open only to be greeted by the mare that had captured her every thought for most of the day, flank sticking through the door making her blush.

Cadence couldn't help but stare until she heard a huff from the mare and school her features just as the mare turned around.

"Sorry Cadence, I think I packed a bit too much for a week together." She smiled sheepishly rubbing the back of her head. To Cadence it was the cutest thing she had ever seen.

"Don't worry about it Twi, you couldn't have packed that much." She said as Twilight gave a nervous laugh as the other door swung open and Cadence gawked at the huge sack that blocked the doorway.

"Ehehe. So what do you want to do?" Twilight blushed as Cadence kept staring at the bag.

"Um well first thing we need to do is get this out of the doorway and somewhere out of the way till we need it." Cadence giggled nudging the blushing mare. The two began to pulled on the huge bag grunting with effort as they pulled.

"What did you pack? *Grunt* Your entire office and bedroom?" Cadence huffed as Twilight blushed.

"Well no.*Oof* Just thing I thought we would need for the week." She said blushing harder just when the bag gave sending the two mares tumbling.

Cadence groaned and looked down to see Twilight under her moaning rubbing her head.

"Ow I think I hit my head." She groaned while Cadence stared at her.

She watched as Twilight looked up at her and blushed while tapping her hooves together.

"Hey um Cadence?" Her voice trembled a little.

"Y-yeah Twi?" She asked as the mare under her would look at her blush and then look back down. It was the cutest thing to Cadence as she smiled down at her.

"Um do you want to come with me to a club later today?" She asked as Cadence beamed on the inside, this is what she had been waiting and hoping would happen.

Cadence sat down straddling Twilight as the powerful mare let a small ' Epp' escape and her blush covered her face.

"Are you asking me out on a date Twi?" Cadence asked blushing herself and could feel the mare under her tremble as she gave a small nervous smile.

"Y-yes?" She stuttered as Cadence grinned.

"Ok, what club do you want to go to?" Cadence asked as the mare beamed up at her.

"Well there's one not to far from the castle or we could go deeper into the city and just find something fun to do." Twilight suggested as Cadence nodded before leaning down pecking the mare on the cheek.

"Well until then let me help you unpack." She said hopping off her and headed to the huge bag with a extra sway to her hips that she could feel Twilight staring at making her feel all giddy inside.

(End Flashback)

"I know but I just dont want you to feel awkward around him or anything is all." Twilight said pulling Cadence into a heated kiss that she was all to happy to return.

As they pulled back Cadence panted a little with glazed over eyes as she looked at the smirking unicorn under her.

'No matter how many times she does it, she gets me every time.' She thought smiling as Twilight got up and headed to the door.

"So when are you going to give Spike and Gilda the news?" Cadence asked.

"Tomorrow actually, once I marry Shining and Rarity I'm handing everything over to Spike and his wife. Then I think I'm gonna get the kids together and we all head to the empire for some momma Cadence time." She said smiling back at the blush on Cadence's face.

"I would love that Twi. How do you think he's gonna take you moving in with me?" She asked as she smiled.

"Cry stallion fluids before threatening you to making sure nothing happens to me or the kids." She shrugged while Cadence paled a little.

"Don't worry so much Cadence, I'm 60% sure that as long as you don't cause it he won't roast you." Twilight said looking back with a smile at her white marefriend.

"I'm only kidding Cadence, Spike adores you and would never hurt you. But he will threaten since we're taking a big step according to the books I read." She smiled as Cadence giggled a little bit.

"That was mean Twi." Cadence said bumping her flank to Twilight's getting laugh out of the mare.

"Anyway so what do you want to do now?" Twilight asked as they came to her room only for the doors to shut behind her and lock making Twilight turn to see a seductive smile on her mare.

"I think you know what I want to do now Twilight." Cadence said breathlessly walking towards her slowly swaying her hips watching a smile spread over Twilight's face.

"Who am I to say no?" She grinned grabbing the mare and throwing her on the bed getting a squeal out of her as Twilight lunged.