Chapter 1

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Two forces met that twilight. Two forces that held specific ideal that the other disagreed with. One was Celestia and her Solar Empire, the other Luna and her Republic.

It was a stupid war as well, as most are. Luna had dragged her moon from its linear orbit and pulled it to the side, allowing a very small part of Equestria eternal night. There were beings that reveled in this idea.

You see, night and day for all of Equestria, barring this small spot, could still exist but for the some that only wished for night, they had their haven. The beings were many as well. Ponies, Dragons, Lycans, Minotaurs and all other manner of creature that held the night dearest to them through personal preference flocked to this area. They named it the Everfree lands, where they felt they would be forever free to live the way they enjoyed, under the starry moonlight night sky.

But Celestia grew upset by this. Why should her sister have her own bit of the world and she not. Why should her sister have her own followers while Celestia was forced to host both night and day? The Solar princess never took into account that most ponies of her realm slept at night, for those that didn't had already left for the Everfree lands. Due to her misunderstanding and jealousy, the Solar Princess ordered her younger sister to return the moon to its rightful place.

Of course Luna objected to this idea but neither Princess was willing to attack the other. It stayed a stalemate for years until a rather ambitious Solar Guard led an attack on a settlement on the very border of the Everfree lands.
This of course drew prompt backlash from Everfree Republic and their Lunar Guard. From this it spun from control and grew into a full blown war of the two sides.

And this is what it culminated to. Just outside the Everfree, in the same settlement that the first spark of war had been born, the war would find its death.

~~~~~~~

"Telvanni, Take thine Night Corp. to the left flank, they art in dire need of reinforcement!" cried Luna as she felt the magical life force that all creatures of the night held drop drastically.

The Lycan, a rare silvery white hue to his fur that shone oddly in the twilight, lopped off in the direction of the left flank, his icy green eyes darting about searching out a path. Bounding amongst the havoc to war, Telvanni quickly found his way to the head to the left flank where a rather large stallion was tearing through any opposition the Lunar Guard put up.
Calling out to the Imperial Guard (the best that the Solar Guard had to offer) Telvanni laid his challenge for all to see.

"Snap Apple! Thou and I! Let us finally find out what is better, the Solar bitches Imperial Guard, or mine Mother's Night Corp. (the special forces of the Lunar Guard, you could find no better.)

"Ah dearest Telvanni. I was beginning to wonder if you would ever come out from hiding behind the Lunar whore."

With a snarl Telvanni lunged forward, swiping at the stallion. Snap Apple was large for his size, though quick on his hooves. Ducking back, the Imperial Guard spun about and bucked against the Lycan’s right shoulder. There was an audible crack, and Telvanni promptly reared up onto his hind legs and preceded the fight bipedally.

"Should've aimed for the lower legs Snap. It would have been more prudent of you to break one of mine hips rather than one of mine shoulders." the Lycan growled out as he swiped a claw across the stallions face furrowing a cheek.

"Ah, but maybe I don't want you dead yet. Maybe I wish for you to see the fate of your 'Mother' as my Lady Celestia uses the very power of Harmony to destroy her!" Snap countered.

Telvanni froze as his eyes grew larger. Celestia dared to use the power of the Elements of her own sister? Telvanni could not allow this. Kicking Snap's front legs out from under him, the Lycan tore off towards his Mother's position.

As the Lycan ran, he watched as soldiers from both sides feel in battle. The Solar and Lunar Guards brought each other down. The Wonderbolts, Celestia's air force, and the Shadowbolts, Luna's air force, tore each other from the skies. All because of a simple spat over the amount of light somewhere held.

Spurred on by the cruel thought of his Mother dying as the Element's were brought to bear against her, Telvanni burst into an extra bit of speed he didn't even know he had. And there they were.

"Dearest Luna! Please, surrender this fight. I only wish to be as one again!" pleaded Celestia.

Luna would have none of it though. "Nay, mine sister. Thou assaulted mine followers without just cause. Then Thou dare order us to surrender mine land and followers! We shall never surrender!"

Then it happened. Celestia pulled the Elements from an extra dimensional pouch and used them to fire a beam of rainbow light at Luna. But the beam did not find the Lunar mare. It found her adopted son. A Lycan the Princess had known since found alone as a pup. It found Telvanni, standing betwixt the two Princesses.

With a gasp of shock as the power coursed through his body, alighting every nerve ending with pain and agony, and Telvanni collapsed.

~~~~~~~

With a cry of agony that any mother would recognize, Luna swept down to the fallen form of her son, wrapping the unmoving Lycan in her hooves.
"Telvanni! Telvanni, please. Stay with us mine son. We needest thou! Please!"
Then something odd happened.

Telvanni's body began to glow brightly, then dissolved into light that drifted into the twilight sky. Where the body laid was a single sapling.

Then Luna snapped.
"SO MINE SISTER, THOU DARE TO TAKE WHAT WE HOLD SO DEAR FROM US? THEN PERISH!"
A being that was no longer Luna swept forward, but met her fate at the powers of Harmony.

Then the war was over as night gave way unto day.

~~~1005 years later~~~

'Go to the old castle I said, check out my suspicions I said. Why the war couldn't be as simple as it was explained in the history books right Twilight? By Celestia I'm stupid!' Twilight thought frantically as she raced through the Everfree forest.

She had been studying up on some inconsistencies regarding the war between Celestia and Nightmare Moon, primarily the fact that Nightmare Moon was unheard of until after Luna being banished. On top of that, she recently found out the Elements had been used three times, not two times by Celestia. Once against Discord, and another against Nightmare Moon, but there was a third time she'd found, but had no knowledge of. This had led her to the Temple of the Twin Sisters. Twilight had spent the day exploring the place, finding it had more akin to a live-in castle than a temple. Her curiosity had gotten the better of her though, and she'd stayed out in the Everfree til nighttime. Her mistake.

~~~~~~~

His mothers face was gone! He knew not where it had disappeared to, but one thing was for sure, he was not in the battlefield. Rolling, Telvanni accidentally put weight on his wounded shoulder. With a hiss of pain, Telvanni felt his shoulder and found it was actually dislocated, not broken. A much simpler fix. With a howl of pain Telvanni grimaced in triumph as he felt the limb replace in its socket.

Now it was time to investigate. His natural feel for surroundings told him he was in the same place he had been not 5 minutes beforepaw, and he started investigating.
'In a tree...'
This was something that caught Telvanni's attention the most. Who would have thought that he'd be in a tree? And upon further delving into memories, this where Celestia had planted the peace sapling days before the attack on the settlement here.
'If this is the peace sapling, it is not a question as to where I find mineself, but at which time!'

Telvanni couldn't say he was too surprised, magic had done odder things after all, like with his cousin Brandshei, poor fool was still clucking like a chicken as far as he knew.
'So I find Mineself in the future? How far, and what should’st I expect?'

There was a slam as the front door burst wide open and five ponies came rushing in, all locking their gazes onto the Lycan that was covered in blood and gore.
Immediately an orange mare in a cowbeast hat and a second pegasi mare came forward, placing themselves in betwixt their friends and Telvanni.

"Stay back you monster! What have you done to Twilight?! You....you killed her, didn't you!" snapped the pegasi.

Telvanni merely cocked his head at an angle to the right and held a confused expression. This pony spoke in the oddest of ways after all. "Twilight? Mine mind holds no knowledge of what thou art speaking about young pony. Pray tell though, what news of the war of Night and Day? How dost Princess Luna fare?"
Sure, the ponies seemed ready to kill him, but with no knowledge of his time period or surroundings the Lycan wasn't up for making threats or making enemies.

"Uh, come again there? Ah din't understand a single thing ya jus' said." asked the orange mare.

At this point a white mare with a fancy hairdo stepped forth. "That is because, darling Applejack, he is using oldspeak. It is how everypony talked almost one thousand years ago. Why he is using oldspeak I simply cannot comprehend. Allow me to speak to him though. 'Uhm, sirrah, what ist it that thou means by intruding upon our compatriots home? And why art thou covered in...blood?'"

Refreshed by the strange pony's understanding of proper grammar, Telvanni made to answer when an earsplitting scream and a cacophony of roars sounded from somewhere outside.

~~~~~~~

Twilight was tearing through the outskirts of town. Even with adrenaline pumping thick through her veins she could still feel her body shutting down. She had run nonstop from the Temple of the Twin Sisters to town, and the toll it had taken was too great. But her tree house was but a couple streets over! Just a little bit further!
Sadly the loose cobblestone did not agree and Twilight hit the ground hard. The mare made to get back up, but it was too much.
'I'm sorry girls, and Spike, poor Spike will be with the dragons when he finds out.'
Lifting her head from the dirt, Twilight stared in defeat as the two Manticores lunged for her.

~~~~~~~

The girls and Telvanni ducked out of the house, the first five fearing for whatever pony was in trouble, the latter out of curiosity. Running towards the noise (a slow jog for Telvanni) the six rounded the corner to see none other than Twilight, covered in scrapes and scratches, hit the ground hard after stumbling. To make matters worse, twin Manticores lunged at the prone pony's form and none of the girls knew how to stop it.

'Those things could kill me horribly.... but this is as good a time as any to play my paw and show them I'm a friend. With any luck I can distract the pair while they save the mare.'
Off like a shot, Telvanni bounded over the five ponies heads and ran a path to intercept the two beasts.
With a confrontational roar, Telvanni rammed into the nearest Manticore causing it to inadvertently strike the second. By some divine blessing of the Moon itself both Manticores failed to land on Twilight and Telvanni. The Lycan rolled to his feet the second he could get his bearings and found himself eyeing up the two beast, which were ironically doing likewise. Neither species having ever seen the other, Telvanni and the twin Manticores seemed to be at an impasse. Until the Manticores suddenly realized that they were both half a metre taller than the Lycan and outnumbered him.

Telvanni knew he'd stepped into some major shit, but he'd faced worse, Celestia ranking the top of the list. The one on his left lashed out with its tail, and Telvanni was quick to dodge right but was immediately sent flying by a blow from the second one. Landing in the bare spot that the mare had been in earlier told him that she had been saved.
'Right then, she's safe, I guess it is mine time to get these two out of town.'

Tossing some dirt at the pair of beasts Telvanni tore off along to route that Twilight had used to get into town. It led nearly directly into the forest. The Lycan was honestly more shocked at the fact that the Manticores couldn't keep pace than he was about to fact that it seemed the battlefield was now a small town. Stopping every now and again to let the pair catch up, Telvanni suddenly got a plan into his head. Nipping his fore arm lightly, but still drawing blood, the Lycan went about setting up a trail and a trap.

Snapping of some branches and leaving them set firmly in the ground at an angle behind a shrub, the tactician Lycan waited for the lead Manticore. Sure enough it came from amongst the trees and bee lined for Telvanni, promptly skewering itself on the branches Telvanni had set up. Smiling grimly to himself, the Lycan ran a ways more, realizing in the back of his head that he'd gotten turned around somewhere and was now back at the edge of the forest.

'Cannot lead it back into town, no time for a trap...guess I am doing this the hard way...damn.'

Turning and lifting himself from all fours into a crouch, the Lycan awaited with bated breath for the Manticore to leap from the trees.

~~~~~~~

As soon as Twilight was safe Applejack and Rainbow Dash were out following the trail of the three beasts. Finding it led to the forest, but too smart to actually head in themselves, the pair settled for waiting a comfortable distance from the trees to see if the canine beast would come back. Normally they would have left it be, but it had risked itself to save Twilight so they felt they owed it something. After about thirty minutes or so of waiting, Dash noticed something barrel out of the trees to their right a ways down the forest perimeter.

"AJ, over there, I think that it’s the dog!"

"Yah might be right partner, let’s go!"

Sprinting towards the Lycan, Applejack and Rainbowdash nearly froze in terror as a Manticore burst from the tree and was met head on by Telvanni. The pair could only watch as the beasts went at each other, the Manticore obviously having advantage in strength and stature, but as Rainbow Dash was quick to point out, the Lycan had his own advantages.

"That Manticore may outweigh him, but look at the dog. He's fluid and has a balance to him like a trained athlete. That and he's faster and smarter. See how he only hits the Manticore when he knows he can back away without getting hit? He definitely knows what he's doing!"

Sure enough it wasn't long before Telvanni had tired out the Manticore and managed to get in a few good blows. Then with a well manoeuvered dodge the Lycan firmly latched his jaws into the back of the Manticores neck, holding strong and twisting, hoping to snap its neck. Instead Telvanni found he simply had to hold the bite long enough to cause massive blood loss. As soon as the thing dropped dead and unmoving Telvanni took a couple steps back admiring his work for a second before collapsing into the dirt.

~~~~~~~

"Hey girls. How's he doing?" asked Twilight from her bed in the hospital. She hadn't looked up from her stack of book for a while now, but her friends had just walked back in and the mare wanted to know about the Lycan, as she had just found his species listed as extinct in one of her books, was doing.

"Well darling, not much better than you. He is still out cold, though washed off. The doctors said it was a mix of magical trauma, exhaustion and your run of the mill cold. Funny, I never knew the flu could get to somepony so badly, maybe it is because he is a Diamond Dog, albeit a nice one ofcourse." Rarity explained.

Twilight smiled as she felt her theory was about to hold better ground. "Rarity, you said he used oldspeak to talk, like Luna did for a time. You also said he seemed to not recognize his surroundings nor the Manticores, right?"

"Yes Twilight, why?"

"Manticores weren't known to exist up until about 700 years ago. Also, a species, the ancestors of the Diamond Dogs called Lycans were listed to have gone extinct over 900 years ago. From my studies, the being that saved me is in fact a Lycan! How is this possible you may ask? Well quite simply if he is suffering from magical trauma, I would assume he has accidentally been sent here from the past. That would also explain his body succumbing to the common cold, because our common cold would be much more advanced than what he would be used to!" Twilight cried in triumph, her theory fitting together perfectly. "But that also means he will likely be confused when he awakes. I should probably be there. Also, I we don't know what the Lycans opinions of us are. I've already sent a letter to Celestia asking for information on Lycans, granted I told her I happened upon the subject in a book." the mare admitted sheepishly.

~~~~~~~

Telvanni let out a groan as he lifted himself up into a sitting position. His limbs ached as if he'd run a marathon, granted in retrospect he may just as well have if you measured the distance he'd run the night prior. Moving his arm he felt a slight tug on it. Looking down, he found there was a tube attached to his arm somehow, and it led up to a small bag of liquid that he didn't recognize. He was about to grab at it when her heard a voice behind him.

"That's an intravenous drip. It puts medicines straight into your blood stream. You caught a nasty bug while you were out last night."

It was the lavender pony he'd rescued. She was sitting in a chair on the other side of the room he was in.

"Bug? I was not aware that I had caught a bug. Pray tell, what species of bug was it, and why does that pertain to my incarceration?" Telvanni asked.

Twilight blushed slightly at this. "Sorry, I forgot that you don't know our turns of phrases. You got sick from running around last night. You also suffered from dehydration, exhaustion, and magical trauma. This probably won't help you calm down, but it would be best to let you know that you are in the future, most likely due to a magical accident."

"Mine situation is no accident. Tis not every day that somebeast fires the Elements of Harmony at mine chest by accident." Telvanni growled bitterly, now aware that most everything he knew was gone. "And of the war, who won? I must know, t'was it Luna or Celestia!?"

"Princess Luna and Princess Celestia were at war? From my understanding it was Nightmare Moon and Celestia?" Twilight replied, puzzled by what the Lycan had said.

"Mine mind knows not of this Nightmare Moon, perchance there hath been wars after mine own war. The war I speak of was betwixt Luna and Celestia. Luna had grown jealous of ponies ignoring her night, as such she built a castle amongst the Everfree Plains and altered the moons orbit to be perpendicular to that of her sister's sun. Thus action allowed the land she made her castle on everlasting night while the mainland of Equestria and the other nations still had day and night. She then invited many species from far and wide to come share in her night if they so wished. I joined my adoptive mother in her castle amongst the Everfree Plains of course and many others came from far and wide to live in the dark where they felt most comfortable." Telvanni stated.

"Wait! So Princess Luna never halted the moon in place for Eternal Night? She just changed its course and nothing for Celestia changed?" Twilight gasped, shocked to the core by this major transgression of history.

"Of course not. Mine mother wouldst never have harmed her sister willingly!" Telvanni growled, mildly affronted.

At this point Twilight was very confused. "Okay, so you are telling me that you come from just over 1000 years ago, you were adopted by Luna, and Luna didn't halt the moon in place after all? But that would mean Celestia was lying! So why did she attack her sister?"

"It was actually an arrogant Captain of Celestia's guards that wanted better positioning. He thought that if he could force Luna into submission and make everything go back to normal then he would be better recognized by Celestia. Two days after Celestia planted a 'peace tree', which is your library by the by, on the edge of Luna's land and hers. I find it humourous that a mare named Twilight lives in a tree of peace on what was once the border of eternal twilight. Anyway from there things escalated and things were said. From there it led to war. I was actually in battle when Celestia tried to use the Elements on mine mother. I stepped in its path to save her, and now I am here." The Lycan finished with a slight frown.

"Aha! You just answered my latest study! I found out that Celestia was involved in three uses, not just two, of the elements of Harmony! You must have made up the one that was unaccounted for. But why wouldn't she tell anypony about that? That's really od-" with a flash a letter magically appeared in front of Twilight. "Oh, here we are, a message from Celestia herself! Now I can figure out what's going on!"

Telvanni's ears jolted straight up and his eyes widened. "Thou cannot tell Celestia of mine being here! Please, it wouldst be very counterproductive to mine health!"

"Well, the war was over 1000 years ago, I'm sure she has forgiven you." Twilight reasoned.

"I have made 2 attempts at peace with her, 5 attempts on her life when peace didn't work, and she really doesn't want me alive!" the Lycan sputtered fearfully.

Rather than press the issue Twilight conceded with the obviously scared Lycan. And in all respects he was out of his time in a new one and held every reason to fear Celestia.
'He tried to kill Celestia, are you crazy!'
Ignoring her logical thought process for once, Twilight came up with a new plan.
"So then, you want to stay at my library until you figure things out? You could also help me figure out your history and maybe get you home."

Telvanni just nodded.

~~~~~~~

Luna was caught between a rock and a hard place. She knew that Telvanni was alive, her link to her adopted son had just flared. That had her all excited and giddy, eager to see how he was doing. On the other side of that though was the fact that she didn't know how her sister would react to having Telvanni back. There had been a number of things that had happened between the two, and Luna was fearful for the safety of her son.
'I shall remain quiet for now, but I will be doing a 'Call to the Fallen' in the sky tonight. I hope he sees it. Wherever you are, dear Telvanni, stay safe.'

~~~~~~~

Telvanni had settled down on a rug in the main room of the library a while ago, intent on getting some sleep. The problem was that every time he was about to drift off, Twilight would come down and grab a book and rush back up stairs. Ever paying close heed, the Lycan took notice of the fact that Twilight had started grabbing books on constellations then later grabbing some on old languages. It was the ponies eleventh or twelfth time coming down that Telvanni finally spoke.

"Hast thou found something interesting in mine mother's night sky?"

The mare jumped for a second, surprised at Telvanni being awake, before answering. "Actually yes. The stars seem to be spelling something out, but I can't find the language."

Raising an eyebrow inquisitively, Telvanni stood up and motioned for Twilight to lead him upstairs. "I hast a feeling it t'was meant for mine own eyes."

Leading Telvanni up to her observation balcony, Twilight sat excitedly as Telvanni watched the skies seemingly waiting for something. After about ten minutes Twilight couldn't help but voice her disappointment.

"I take it you don't know what it is then?"

"Mine mind holds knowledge of this. I t'was but awaiting it to restart. Ready a quill and paper Twilight, for this is something thou art unlikely to cast sight upon again." Telvanni explained.

Twilight readied her quill and waited a few more minutes. Just as she grew impatient enough to attempt voicing her thoughts again Telvanni released a deep hum.

Lo, do I see mine Father.

Lo, do I see mine mother, mine sisters and mine brothers.

Lo, do I see the line of mine kin traced back to the beginning.

Lo, they do call to me, they bid me take mine place among them,

In the embrace of the night, where the brave and loyal may live forever.

As Telvanni finished Twilight felt a subconscious shiver trace up her spine. There was magic laced into those words, deep-seated and ancient.

"That was....wow, what was that?" the mare stammered.

Telvanni turned, a true smile gracing his muzzle. "That, Twilight, was the Death Prayer. It was recited by mine fellow soldiers before battle, and then after for the fallen. It is unlikely that you should ever hear that again, for it t'was an ancient way to honour the dead, or those that are lost. Mine mother seems to know I am alive though. That she is not alone."
As Telvanni finished his explanation a few tears slid into the fur below his eyes.

Twilight was touched by the emotion she felt pouring from Telvanni. True, she had been apprehensive of him after finding out he'd killed the two manticores that had attacked her(even Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack didn't exactly trust him) but the show of emotion, pure true emotion, was more than enough to make her realize that Telvanni was but a lost soul in need of friendship.

"I'm sure Luna will come and see you soon. Besides, you aren't alone her." Twilight reassured, patting the Lycans back.

"I thank thee Twilight. It is nice to know that thou dost not judge on appearance." Telvanni smiled back.

With a giggle Twilight explained that he didn't look all that scary, and he seemed fluffier than a Diamond Dog.

"Fluffy?" the Lycan rolled his eyes at being thought of as 'fluffy'. "I am not fluffy, I just prefer mine coat long. Also, I was more over pleased to know that my initial 'actions' when I hadst first arrived did not put you off. I understand that fighting and death is not something thy time is accustomed to, not my actual appearance."

"Well, you did save me after all. That ranks you as a good guy in my books, and I have quite a few books."

"That you do. You know, I had expected the end of mine war to involve more fun and alcoholic beverages to be honest, not killer bug-cats and saving librarians." Telvanni laughed. "Not that I mind rescuing a pretty mare, but still."

Twilight's cheeks grew a deep shade of red at being called pretty. Not that she found herself ugly or anything, but her time spent with the Princess and as an element mixed with all her studying meant she tended to set things as trivial as stallion aside for later.

Noticing the mares silence and blush, Telvanni bowed low. "Pray tell I did not offend, did I. If I have, then please accept mine humblest of apologies."

"Oh no, no you didn't. I've just, well, never been complimented on my looks by a stallion, er, male before." Twilight muttered embarrassedly.

"Oh...Well, I won't take mine comment back, but I apologize for my forwardness."

Twilight just shook her head. "No, I'm being silly anyway. You said that you expected partying? Well, Ponyville's resident DJ has a nightclub on the outskirts of town. It has music, partying, and alcohol. It's not really my thing, but if you want to go, I'm all for it!"
Secretly she was hoping Telvanni would agree. She found his old timey mannerisms nice, and his oldspeak kind of charming. The mere thought of spending time with him kind of made her heart jump, and not in the 'learn something new' way.

"I don't see why not. I just hope mine presence isn't too....alarming." the Lycan admitted.

"Well, you saved me, and I've saved Ponyville like, a hundred times now so they have no right to say anything bad about you, and to do so would reflect on me so you'll be fine." explained Twilight nonchalantly.

"So thou art a hero?"

"Oh, didn't mean to brag, or sound like I was bragging, sor-"

"Tis fine Twilight. Let us go partake of the festivities." Telvanni chuckled.

~~~~~~~

It didn't take long for Telvanni and Twilight to reach the other side of town to the club. After realizing Twilight was still quite sore from her episode the night prior Telvanni lifted her up in his arms and started carrying her. He'd noticed her blushing again, but upon questioning it was assured that she was fine.

As Telvanni drew closer he could hear a rhythmic pounding from the building.
"Is that war drums Twilight?"

The mare shook her head, making herself sneeze by accidentally having a few hairs from Telvanni brush her nose. "No, it called a bass. It's part of a kind of music that's popular these days. And, uhm, you can put me down now. I can walk through the door myself silly."
Honestly she was comfortable, and the Lycan made a good pillow, but she was sure her nerves couldn't take it if Telvanni walked in holding her like that.

Twilight led the Lycan into the club, both tilting their ears back a ways to block out some of the noise of the pounding music. The pair bee lined for the bar part to get a feel for the place, part to avoid a throng of ponies on the dance floor.

"So, this is how you party now. What were parties like when you were in your own time?" Twilight inquired.

The Lycan fidgeted slightly. "I didn't go to any parties in my own time. They all tended to be a little extreme for mine tastes."

"Like how?"

"They were all orgies." Telvanni deadpanned.

Twilight turned bright red.

After this the pair moved on to friendlier banter, Twilight explaining how Celestia helped her secure her magic and trained her, becoming something of a surrogate mother. The mare also explained that Princess Celestia was far from xenophobic and seemed rather vested in Telvanni accepting that Celestia wasn't crazy.

Telvanni in turn explained how his parents had disappeared and Luna raised him. He also explained numerous traits that Lycans had, and one in specific that Twilight had noticed but not realized earlier.
"So you see, Lycans as a species were always on the move. Therefore we naturally developed the ability to understand and pick up on newer languages. I'm sure you have realized at this point that mine grammar has changed for the most part, using more modern day terms and inflections."

"Wow, so how's that for a coincidence. You learn fast and are acquainted with Luna, and I learn fast and am acquainted with Celestia." Twilight giggled, the couple of drinks she'd had starting to get to her.

"So does this mean that both Princess have pupils? And Twi, glad to see you're cuttin’ loose, plan on going for a roll in the hay tonight?" laughed a tomcoltish voice.

Spinning around Telvanni and Twilight found the DJ Vinyl standing there.

"So I saw that my customers seemed to be avoiding the bar for most of the night, thought I'd come see why. Twi sure knows how to pick 'em"
Again the unicorn DJ was laughing uproariously, Telvanni chuckling a little as his ability to pick up on things clued him in to what Vinyl was talking about.

It also meant he could stop the joking before Vinyl accidently upset Twilight.
"Alright, ease up there. I don't want Twilight to upset. She's offered me quarters and rations and she's the one that went out of her way to cheer me up a bit tonight, so not embarrassing her is mine to priority"

Vinyl just rolled her eyes. If it wasn't for her skill in music her cutie mark would probably be her holding two ponies together with the words 'Now kiss' plastered next to it.
"I'm sure. Sorry for embarrassing you Twi, but you do make a cute couple in a way, even though it looks like some zapped Winona with a growth ray and brought her in."
Yet again Vinyl was laughing, but this time she turned to head back for her booth.

The two friends spent the rest of the night slightly distracted, their thoughts constantly hinting at the idea of something more than just friendship. And when they got back to the library it was very much the same situation.

~~~~~~~

The day had been effectively awkward. Vinyl had told Octavia of the new 'couple' that consisted of Twilight and Telvanni. Said grey mare then showed up handing them a list of good romantic date spots, fun date spots, and 'roll in the hay' date spots that had Twilight's cheeks nearly immolate and Telvanni mighty uncomfortable for what had caused Twilight's discomfort. Because he was staying at the library courtesy of the mare, not because he secretly liked her, though the latter held a spot too.

What Telvanni failed to realize was that Twilight also found herself crushing on himself. Sure he was a big furry extinct Lycan that didn't belong in the current time period, but Twilight was quick to look over that in lieu of the fact that Telvanni had saved her, not tried to kill her when he found out that she was Celestia's personal student, polite, charming in an old timey sense, and he seemed to genuinely care about her and her interests.
This was precisely the reason she was swallowing her embarrassment from the morning to ask Telvanni a question.

"Hey Telvanni. After some of the things you said, I've come to the startling revelation that the Temple of the Two Sisters is in fact the old Castle of the Moon you and Luna used to live in! I was wondering if you would mind going with me?" Twilight asked hopefully, nearly begging.

"Of course not. But may I ask why you seem so eager for me to accompany you?" asked Telvanni, eyebrow raised.

'Just tell him how you feel Twi, come on!'

"Because the last time I went alone two Manticores nearly ate me." the mare said with a shudder, not lying per se as much as avoiding the truth.

Telvanni just shrugged. "Makes sense."

~~~~~~~

Luna was preparing for a trip. She didn't know why, but something was calling her to return to her old Castle in the Everfree forest. It just felt like the right thing to do.
Now if she could just slip out without alerting-

"Going on a trip dearest Luna?"

The Lunar princess let out a yelp as she turned to face her sister. "I didn't hear you come in Tia. You could have knocked; it would have been a bit more polite." Luna snapped, a bit sharper than she would have liked.

"Have anything to do with your 'Call to the Lost'? Or that you have some of his old items in a bag there?" Celestia frowned, feeling that her younger sibling was hiding something from her.

"He has a name, Celestia! And I do not care how many times he made your day a living hell one thousand years ago. He was my son, such as you hold Twilight as a daughter. But it was over one thousand years ago, and it is time for you to move on." Luna growled.

"Then why do you have a bag of his items?" It was a shrewd assessment, but Luna was a master at deceit.

"Time to move on. I shall give my old home one last visit, and if things change for me, then I will come back a stronger mare for it."

This time instead of growing more suspicious, Celestia's eyes softened a bit. "I suppose had it been Twilight's tower and I in your position I would feel the same. I apologize sister, I know how much he meant to you, and you to him. I should not forget such vital things. On that note, remember what he took from me. I have experienced similar loss."

Luna knew what Celestia was talking about. She also knew it was not Telvanni's fault. Arguing that point would be useless though.
'I just pray that if I am correct and not insane, you can put your differences aside.'
"I understand. I will be back soon sister. Fare well in your slumbers!"
With that Luna secured her bag and took to the skies.

~~~~~~~

Twilight was picking the worst possible time to have second thoughts about entering the forrest. She was fine at first, but after getting to the edge memories of how close to death she came flashed through her mind. She tried pushing pat her fear, knowing that Telvanni would be there and such, but it wasn't working too well.

"You okay Twilight?"

The edgy mare jumped a few hooves before replying nervously. "Oh yeah. Just thinking is all..."

Telvanni nodded understandingly, more understandingly than Twilight would have thought. "A close brush with death will do that to anybeast. It will be fine in time, but I have an idea that may put you at ease."
The Lycan dropped to all fours, then lowered himself onto his stomach.
"Climb on mine back, I will carry you to mine old home."

"I wouldn't want to be a burden, its fine, I can walk."

"Twilight, I wore about 93 pounds of equipment in all but that latest fight. I'm sure carrying you will be fine." Telvanni assured with a smile, closed mouth though, apparently canines (the teeth) set ponies on edge.

"Well, okay, but how do I stay on?"

"Magic? And maybe a couple of vines?"

After about ten minutes of getting things situated Telvanni rose from the ground and stretched, ensuring that none of the vines securing Twilight would hamper his ability to run. Once he was sure of his capabilities the Lycan took off loping easily through the forest.

'Wow! I knew he was built for running, but this is amazing!' Twilight thought. The last time she moved near this speed was when her air balloon burst and Dash had to save her. This was much more enjoyable than falling though, and Telvanni had a nice earthy smell to his fur. It reminded her of the basement of her library (a place she enjoyed reading and studying at). Without thinking, the mare nuzzled into the thick fur on the Lycans neck. It was about that time she realized that Telvanni had stopped running.
"What's going on, why did we stop?"

Telvanni turned his head, smiling lightly "Ticklish."

Twilight looked at him, not quite getting it. "Ticklish? You stopped because you’re ticklish? I don't get it."

This time Telvanni barked a laugh. "You seemed to have found a cozy spot to rest your head on mine neck, and as it turns out, I'm ticklish there."

Twilight turned bright scarlet and pulled back so fast she came loose of her securing straps. Luckily Telvanni was able to catch her.

"I'm sorry Telvanni...I'm and idiot, I know..."

Going out on a limb, Telvanni nuzzled the side of Twilight's neck for a brief second and smiled. "It's sweet. Twilight, I want to talk about this later, I really do. But I'm getting this weird feeling in the back of mine head that it would be safer to talk about at the Castle of the Moon."
With that Telvanni lowered himself back to the ground and nodded for Twilight to climb back up.
"And if you want to find a comfortable place to lay your head, there's this one spot on the back of mine neck. You may not know about it, but I hear certain lavender mares find it comfortable."
With a wink and a laugh the Lycan was off again, bounding through the forest.

Twilight couldn't help but blush for the umpteenth time, but after a few minutes couldn't help but snuggle into the thick fur again. It was cold outside after all.

~~~~~~~

Coming up to the rear of the Castle, Telvanni noticed that the escape rope bridge had been pu up at some point, but also that it was broken.
But he also knew this particular chasm well.

"Twilight, strengthen your bonds and don't look up for my fur. Trust mine words please."

"Why, what's up? Oh, the bridge is out again? That's just perfect!"

"Twilight, your face to mine neck, it'll make things easier on you." Telvanni repeated, moving a good distance back from the ledge of the chasm.

"Why? What are you....oh please don't jump please don't jump!"

Digging into the ground Telvanni launched himself forward into a sprint and leapt right at the edge of the cliff. Twilight screamed and buried her face into the Lycans neck fur. There was a jolt and the mare lifted her head slightly.

"Telvanni? Are we dead?"

There was a laugh as Twilight suddenly realized gravity wasn't holding her to Telvanni's back, but instead pulling her to his rear. The crazy Lycan had leapt across and was climbing the other side!

"You are safe Twilight. How do you think I got this bridge set up the first time?" Telvanni said, still smiling as he pulled them over the edge and onto flat ground.

"You could have at least told me you've done it before! You scared the life out of me!" the unicorn stammered, trying to get her heart beat to drop.

Telvanni just smiled and started moving further into the castle.

~~~~~~~

"-because if there was ever a major breach in security it would mean that there would be a safe place for everybeast to go. Quite an ingenious idea, right?" Telvanni finished his dissertation on the castle security as they neared the royal suites. It had covered the reason why the rooms hadn't been touched by anybeast, as the doors could only be opened by a member of the Night Corp. or Luna. What it came down to is they probably all fell in battle before Celestia managed to get this far.

"I'm sorry your friends all passed away....What was war like anyway? It sounds like it was hard." Twilight probed.

"I do not speak of war to many, Twilight, and I will most definitely not speak of war to you. Leave the subject as thus and forget about it." Telvanni grumbled.

'It must hurt for him to think about it...Idea!'

"Anyway, these are the Royal suites. These varying doors had rooms for the Night Corp. Then of course mine mothers room." Telvanni gestured to a large ornate door that was second to last in the hallway. "And then we have my room."
Swinging open the door revealed a modest room with a low set bed and a few pictures here or there of what appeared to be a younger Telvanni ranging from teen to pup always accompanied by a smiling Luna.

"You and Luna look like you really cared for each other." Twilight said with a smile gesturing to what seemed like the most recent of the pictures. It showed Telvanni and Luna sighting amongst flowers on a hill staring up at the night sky.

A tear graced the Lycan's cheek. "Yes, that shows me and mine mother. Moonblossoms used to cover the Everfree Plains, and it is a shame it is now all forested area now." he admitted with a sigh. "It is late though. Why don't we both get some sleep?" Moving over to a trunk Telvanni pulled what appeared to be a padded blanket out and laid it on the ground before gesturing to his bed.

"You want me to take the bed? But this is your room, and I'm just a guest." Twilight stammered, slightly uncomfortable with taking the Lycan's bed after all this time.

"Yes, you are a guest. You are my guest and you are a lady. Besides if mine mother caught me taking the bed and making a guest sleep on the floor she would tan my hide. And the guest being one of the ponies that saved her? I wouldn't be able to sit for months and it'd hurt to walk for a week or two." laughed Telvanni.

Twilight shared in the laughter, finding the idea of Telvanni bent of Luna's knee humourous. "Alright then, night Telv."

"Night Twilight."

Waiting until she was sure that Telvanni was asleep Twilight quickly set up a spell that allowed her to see into other ponies memories. Sure it was a little invasive, but she was truly curious about this thing called 'war'. It hadn't been heard of in Equestria for 1000 years nor in its bordering lands for another 760 years. With her spell Telvanni wouldn't have to think about it, then he wouldn't be sad! Ingenious!

~~~~~~~

Telvanni woke up when he attempted to roll over and found he was rolling onto something. Something that was shaking badly. Opening his eyes, Telvanni saw that at some point in the night Twilight had gotten up and moved to his side. He also saw that the mare was having some sort of nightmare and that there were tears pouring from her cheeks.

"Twilight, Twilight. Wake up. Twilight wake up and tell me what's wrong."

When Twilight did wake up her eyes shot open and darted around the room as if expecting to be hurt. As the mare realized she was safe, she turned and wrapped her hooves around Telvanni's neck.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

"Twilight, what's wrong, did you accidentally break something? If you did it isn't important." Telvanni soothed, nuzzling Twilight gently.

"No its....I'm sorryIwasreallycurioussoIlookedintoyourmemoriestofindoutaboutwarandI'msorry!" Twilight blurted before breaking into horrified sobs.

That explained quite a bit to the Lycan. "Its fine, Twilight. It's fine. Picture it a bad dream, none of it happened. It was just a bad dream."

Twi shook her head and hugged Telvanni all the tighter. "It's not alright! You had to live with that, you still have to live with that. I'm so sorry; I wish I could change it."

"Twilight..." Telvanni sighed, smiling slightly. "This may be a bit forward for me to say, but you already have changed my life. Now, I'm going to do with you what Luna used to do with me when I had nightmares. Believe it or not, I was just like you when the war started.
Shifting the mare so she was lying next to Telvanni's left side the Lycan draped his left arm over Twilights shoulders and drew her close in a hug before laying his head down, curling around the mare's chest and under her neck.
"So I hear that the back of my neck is comfy?"

This drew a giggle from Twilight. "Thank you. Goodnight Telvanni, love you."

It was out of Twilight's mouth before she realized it, and there was an uneasy silence as she waited to see how Telvanni responded, praying it wouldn't be negative.

Taking in a deep breath of satisfaction, Telvanni hugged Twilight all the closer. "Love you too Twi."

~~~~~~~

Luna smiled to herself as she found that the seal to the royal suites had been broken and saw pawprints in the dust. The most interesting part was the hoofprints that accompanied Telvanni's prints.
'Has somepony else come through with him? Or has he met somepony? Maybe Zecora. She does have a habit of frequenting the woods.'
Luna trotted down the hall opening each door along the way to see if there was anypony else. Finding them all empty, she opened her old room for nostalgias sake. It was just how she left it.
Smiling, Luna moved on to the final door. She opened it with the Telvanni's name half out of her mouth when she quickly stopped herself.

Before her was her long lost son Telvanni snuggled tightly against none other than Twilight Sparkle, who was similarly wrapped around Telvanni.
'That is just too precious! I wonder, could they have actually gotten together?! If so, I doubt even Tia will be able to resist how cute they look together.'
Staying silent, Luna trotted over to Telvanni's empty bed and laid down, for once eager for her night to end.

A.N~ So yeah, major thanks to Traintrax for telling me I derped the story bad, because when I went back and read it he was right. I was not fully focused when writing this originally and rushed it bad and I'm still trying to figure out why I even thought it was ready. Actually it was probably my A.D.D or something, but what evs.
So here is my redone version and its list of fixes.

Fixed the gender confusion
Fixed the shite pacing
Fixed the crappy rushed romance thing
Made it better in general.

Oh and go listen to Manticore by TheUlasht on youtube. Just trust me on this hahaha.

Chapter 2

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Twilight yawned and blinked her eyes owlishly. She remembered the castle and Telvanni well enough so she didn't freak out when she realized where she was laying. She also remembered the last thing she'd heard Telvanni say. Smiling warmly, Twilight nuzzled her head into the Lycan's neck and hugged him tightly.

"Yes, he is quite soft, isn't he my little pony. Though that is not the only reason you grip him so tight, is it?" rang Luna's voice.

With a yelp Twilight twisted her head around to see the Night Princess lying on Telvanni's bed.

"Princess Luna! I didn't know you were here. You startled m.... wait, this isn't what it looks like!" Twilight floundered trying to figure out exactly how to explain the situation.

It was about this time Telvanni woke up. The Lycan shifted positions jokingly holding Twilight in his lap with his arms around her torso, the mare forelegs hangin over the Lycan’s arms.
"Hello mother! I was just catching some sleep with my plushie here. A really comfortable and adorable plushie."

Even recognizing the joke Twilight couldn't help but blush brightly, drawing laughs from both Luna and Telvanni.

"I'm sure she is. Now could you please let Twilight go before her cheeks ignite. I'd hate to try to explain that to Tia." Luna guffawed. "Anyway, on a more serious matter, how are you doing my son. Tell me what happened and how you are faring."

Telvanni explained that for him not a single day went missing and he was sent straight to this time. How he saved Twilight and fought the Manticores. Twilight turned a little green when Telvanni explained his tactics. He then told her about staying at Twilight's house, and the significance of the house. The club and the 'Call to the Lost' and then Twilight and him coming out to the castle culminating with Twilight's misplaced curiosity and Telvanni helping her.
"Then I woke up upon hearing Twilight yelp, though to be honest I hadn't expected you mother, but instead for her to have forgotten last night, and what she said."

Luna got an inquisitive look at this final comment. "Really? So what is it Twilight said that had you so worried that she'd forgotten it?"
Luna bore a half knowing look that told Twilight clearly that Telvanni was about to spill everything.

"Grargglelarglelarg! Oh would you listen to my stomach, I must be awfully hungry! How about we find something to eat? Ahehhe..." Twilight interjected pitifully. In fact she only reassured Luna of her suspicions.

~~~~~~~

Twilight stared in wonder as Telvanni led her through the inner depths of the castle. There was so much here that it was hard to believe that Twilight had only just scratched the surface those five years prior. After an amount of time the pair made their ways to the kitchens that had also been sealed and preserved like the suites. Normally a kitchen of its age would need restocked, but with powerful magics even the food was preserved having not aged since the spell had been cast.

"Quite powerful magic. It had been tried on other beasts before but they gave up when the subjects all came out stark raving mad, even had they been frozen for a few seconds. Actually that's how my Uncle Brandshei went. Thought he was a chicken after that." Telvanni explained as Twilight curiously poked at an apple.

"This is amazing magic! To think you've got apples, peaches, bananas, grains....."

Telvanni looked over to see why Twilight had suddenly stopped talking. The Lycan saw that she had followed the foods down the line and stumbled upon the meats. The mare held a disgusted and horrified look on her face but couldn't seem to look away. Padding over Telvanni seated himself in front of Twilight, obstructing the view of the meat.
"Dragons, Lycans and Griffons. Changelings depending on if they were in Lycan or Griffon form. We had to support multiple races diets after all."

Twilight nodded, looking a lot less prone to be sick. "That makes sense. I mean, I'm not going to say I don't find it mildly revolting, but that definitely makes sense."

"Well, if you wish to move on, heat this and you've got some cinnamon oatmeal with a couple different spices from the Minotaurs. I also believe, if the magic is still working....and it is, here we are! A cold glass of orange juice!" Telvanni cried as if he'd found the Holy Grail. Upon magical inspection of the box he'd pulled the glass from Twilight figured he might as well have. To think of enchantments on the box astounded here. The preservation spell, a spell to keep the box chilled and another to keep it airtight! Sure, ponies had refrigerators of course but the sheer complexity of the magic was a breakthrough in of itself.

Twilight started eating the oatmeal when she realized that Telvanni wasn't eating. "Not hungry?"

"Nop-" the rest of the Lycan's words were drowned out by his stomach growling. "Huh. Yes, I'm hungry. I would find eating in front of you in poor taste though, so I am refraining."

"Why would eating in front of me be in poor taste? That makes no sense. Wait...'Dragons, Lycans, and Griffons'." It dawned on Twilight, granted she should have figured it out already. Telvanni was a canid predator with canines meant for cutting and ripping meat. Omnivorous due to the plant life he'd eaten back in Ponyville.
"You can eat it if you want. It wouldn't be fair for me to restrict your diet."

"That's sweet of you Twilight, but I don't wish to upset you." Telvanni replied, nuzzling the mare fondly.

"Last night. Did you mean it?"

"What?"

Rolling her eyes mentally Twilight specified. "After I said I loved you, did you reply in kind to save my feelings, or did you mean it?"

Profound question. Twilight was a mare, student of Celestia and had only known Telvanni for a couple of days. She was also kind and caring, enjoyed the Lycan’s company and made him feel welcome. He felt a kinship there, it was at the level of friendship but deep down he felt that he wanted more. He not only wanted to love Twilight, but wanted her love in return. So how did he answer the question?

"Mhmmm!.....Mmmmm."
It had startled Twilight at first, but she found herself humming contentedly against the Lycan's lips as the pair kissed.

"Does that qualify as a proper answer from mineself to you?" grinned Telvanni in a somewhat cocky manner.

"Mmhmm. Definitely. Well, if we are going to date, then you will need a place to stay in Ponyville. My library seems just fine, but you will need your food, not pony food. Go ahead and eat Telvanni. I'll have to get accustomed to it eventually, right?"

Telvanni wasn't going to answer yes or no, instead he padded over to the food and got the ingenious idea of wrapping the meat in lettuce and adding some tomatoes(because he liked the taste) and then put the bundle in between two pieces of bread. Grains, vegetables and meat all in one easy to go package.

"Should have thought of this back in the war! Don't know why I didn't. Mine friend and blood brother Chromatic Blur had an uneasiness watching mineself and our fellow blood brother and griffon Gasca eat meat openly. Now it looks as if I'm just eating bread and vegetables." Telvanni grinned proudly, happy that he wouldn't be bothering Twilight with his dietary needs.

The mare just snuggled against the Lycan's side pleased to have found somebeast to share her affections with.

~~~~~~~

Celestia couldn't help but be a little worried for Luna. Thinking back she had been harsh with her words and just because she had lost didn't mean that it hurt less for the Lunar mare. Finally the elder Alicorn decided to scry her sister to see how she fared.

"Hmm. I'm sure Twilight would be interested in this book, and these three would definitely be something that would greatly interest her. Oh and this book here would help her if she finds herself eager on the topic of dating. This should do for now!"

Celestia was dumbfounded. First was that she did not recognize the library, and second being-
'Twilight is interested in dating?! What?! With whom?!'
Shaking her head she was quick to scry the mare and enact a second spell that allowed her to feel what the mare was feeling.

"You've got some on your nose silly." ---- "Eww, I said it was on your nose not my cheek, watch where you're slobbering!"

Celestia felt a nearly giddy joy associated with elation caused by spending time with somepony you cared deeply for. She also saw the slightly wet spot on her little mare's cheek where she'd been licked.
'Seems I haven't become acquainted with her stallion friend.'

"Yeah, well I know you’re ticklish on the back of the neck!" ---- "I'm not ticklish, no really I'm not. Stop, don't come any closer! Bwahahahaha stop it, please mercy!"

That same elation swept through Celestia as she watched her student get flipped over and tickled right on the stomach.
'Same spot she had as a filly.' Celestia remembered warmly.
Then the elation switched to something else and the Solar Princess was quick to cut the empathetic bond as to not seem voyeuristic. There was Twilight, obviously kissing another pony. It bothered Celestia that she didn't know this pony, and it bothered her in a motherly sense that Twilight had started dating. Deep down though she was happy her little filly was all grown up.
'I must go visit her in the next couple of days.

~~~~~~~

Back in the Ponyville Library courtesy of Luna's teleportation magic Twilight and Telvanni sat next to each other going through their own assigned books.
A modern dating guide, guide on how to prepare meat foods and a guide on modern colloquial terms for Telvanni and Lycans~A Culture and some old unpublished books about what really happened during the war between Sun and Moon.

It was the makings of a beautiful evening.

~~~~~~~

Luna swept into her room via balcony feeling happier than she had since becoming friends with the Elements. Nothing could possibly ruin how she felt!

"Hello little sister, how was your trip?"

Well, it wasn't ruined, but that might put a damper on things.

"Tia, my trip was grand! You wouldn't believe how refreshing it was." Luna smiled warmly.

Celestia smiled back in response. "I'm sure it was. Visit anywhere special though? Meet anypony you know?"

Luna wasn't stupid, she knew Celestia knew something right off the bat. "I visited my personal library back in my old castle. You do know that I had spells up to deter anypony from looting the place, don't you?"

"Yes. I found that out personally when I finally checked the place over after....anyway I checked my empathy link with Twilight and found something quite interesting! She's dating somepony!" Celestia squealed, ecstatic that her Twilight was growing up.

'You seem so happy now Tia, I do hope it stays that way.'
"Yes, I found that out during my visit too. Even met her coltfriend." Luna said calmly.

Celestia was in Luna's face in seconds. "You have to tell me what he is like!"

"Alright Tia. You haven't been this giddy since Cadence got married. Thank you that you don't act like a school filly in front of our subjects." Luna laughed. "Okay, he is caring, treats Twilight with the utmost respect but isn't a stick in the mud either. He does his best to ensure that she is comfortable, but they are both new to dating and it’s both their first time to do so."

Celestia was pleased that whoever it was was so good. "Any other thoughts on him?"

"Well, he's a little different but not in a bad way. I'd go so far to say that your first impression of him would not go well, but that you should look past it and try to accept him. And before you get your proverbial knickers in a twist I believe with the utmost certainty he would do the same thing that Evening Star did for you and Telvanni did for me when it comes to Twilight's safety. Oh, and he saved her from a pair of enraged Manticores. Now, I'm tired, good day sister." With that Luna pushed Celestia from her room and shut the doors.

~~~~~~~

Telvanni awoke with a damp feeling he discerned as drool running down the side of his neck. 'I'd feel disgusted, but this is definitely not the worst thing I've had in my fur.' Shaking Twilight awake the Lycan washed up and picked up the list of things to do.

Today's Business

Go to Fluttershy's and see about possibilities of using meat from her supply for the bears.

Go to Sweet Apple Acres to get a barrel to preservation spell practice.

Have a party at Vinyl's club for Telvanni and to announce that we are dating to our friends.

What could possibly go wrong there? Nothing. That meant smooth sailing and Telvanni and Twilight could be happy.

~~~~~~~

Celestia had been up most of the night and all morning. She could do nothing but think of Twilight, but was hesitant to try scrying or the empathetic link lest she catch the mare in something embarrassing. Finally unable to ignore it any longer Celestia turned and leapt off her balcony winging her way to Ponyville.

~~~~~~~

Twilight had opted for going to Sweet Apple Acres first so that they would have something to store the meat in when they left Fluttershy's, which was where they were at now.

"Go on ahead, Twilight. Knowing Fluttershy she won't be able to get a word out with mineself standing anywhere near her. Oh and here is your barrel.... You do realize you don't have to do this for me right? I can always go bug-cat hunting." Telvanni joked.

With a smile that would melt the hearts of the most battle hardened soldiers Twilight booped the Lycan on the nose. "Of course I'm sure. Why don't you just hang around here or something and I'll be right back, okay?"

Telvanni sat and scribbled in the sand. He was actually doing a very good job of etching Twilight’s face when he heard wings beating behind him, coming in for a landing.
'Must be Rainbow Dash, she's the only pegasi that isn't afraid I'll eat her.'
"Hey there Dash, not worried I'll have myself a snack? Hahaha-oh shit...."
Turning fully Telvanni yelped out a couple more explicatives and crouched low to the ground head bowed (a Lycan symbol of not wishing to fight or challenge somebeast.).
"Hello Celestia....fancy meeting you here... hehe."

Celestia was standing over the Lycan she'd thought (and deep down sort of wished) was dead.
"Telvanni...I take it your mother had a hoof in your reincarnation!?" Celestia growled, slamming a hoof down in the dirt and powering up her horn.

"Elements of Harmony actually... funny huh?" Telvanni said pitifully. Sure, he'd taken on Celestia before, with about 15 backup plans each time and 30 different escape routes.

This caught the Alicorn off guard. "You mean to tell me she used the Elements to bring you back?!"

"Umm, actually you used the Elements...they sent me here. Mother said it was because I'm not evil or something..."

Celestia narrowed her eyes. Either Telvanni was stupid or tempting her wrath. "So, the Elements sent you to this time period. Most likely because the current Elements are at their peak in power. I'm sure they just wanted to save you for later."

"Come on Celestia. It has been but a few days for mineself and I've been convinced to forgive you. You've had one thousand years, and it was not my fault!" Telvanni had gone from scared to pissed. He'd had his life become perfect then destroyed by this Alicorns forces and forgiven her, but the bitch couldn't forgive him after one thousand damned years?!

Jerking the Lycan into the air and dragging him to hover face to face with Celestia Telvanni heard three words growled out. "And who, pray tell, convinced you to forgive me. Actually which pony was downright stupid enough to trust you!?"

Just then a voice called out. "Hey Telv, I got the barrel filled to the brim. I'm happy I got those spells down cause boy does it st-" *Thud* "Princess Celestia? Telvanni!"
Twilight stood there, spilled barrel of raw meat spilled out next to her, staring at the Princess, practically her mother, holding Telvanni, her newest friend and love interest, glaring at him menacingly.

"Twilight...you know this dog?" quested Celestia.

"Um, yes." the mare replied shrinking towards the ground having never seen Celestia this mad before.

"And you did not tell me?"

"No, Princess Celestia."

"It matters not. I will be taking Telvanni here back to the castle. He can sit in the dungeons while I determine whether or not he poses a threat." the Alicorn stated flatly.

At this Telvanni started thrashing wildly, desperate to break free of the Alicorns hold. He may not have known the current Celestia well, but he had clear memories of other members of the Lunar Republic found in dungeons from the war. Twilight was similarly affected, Celestia's words having caused one of the memories she'd drawn from Telvanni to come flashing through her mind. The lavender mare's breakfast quickly came back up to greet her.

Motherly instincts kicking into overdrive with how stressed Celestia was and the Alicorn dropped Telvanni and rushed over to see if Twilight was ok.
"Is it the smell Twilight? Are you sick, you don't seem to have a fever, tell me wh-"

Telvanni's voice suddenly cut in. "Just a dream Twi. It's just a dream for you. None of it is real. Just push past it. Remember the night before last. The last thing you heard before you went to sleep. Think about that."

Twilight nodded slightly as Telvanni slowly padded over and flipped the barrel upright and gathered and replaced the spilled meat and resealed the barrel's lid.

"You okay now, Twi?" Telvanni asked, seating himself on Twilight's side opposite of Celestia.

"Yeah, I just thought....I'm sorry about Braxus." Twilight sighed.

Up until now Celestia had been too stunned due to hearing Telvanni sooth Twilight. The mention of Braxus brought back memories though. Hefting Telvanni into he air Celestia roared at him in anger. "You have been telling her those tales of war?!"

"ENOUGH! Please Princess? Can you just put Telvanni down? I thought he was being paranoid when he acted sacred to meet you, and I told him you were better than that. Please just stop." Twilight started shouting but quieted down to a near whisper towards the end.

Twilight's outburst was enough to halt Celestia and have her release Telvanni.

"Twilight?"

"I knew about that because I was stupid and thought Telvanni was protecting himself emotionally be refusing to tell me about the war. I used a spell to copy his memories because I was curious and didn't know what it was. Needless to say I emotionally traumatized myself and thankfully Telvanni was there to help me." Twilight explained, ready to staunchly defend her partner.

Celestia sat for a moment thinking over everything she had heard. That's when a possibility she really didn't want to exist popped into her head. Telvanni could have easily fended off two Manticores if he played his cards right, and Twilight seemed to be quite comfortable around him, even having gotten raw meat in a barrel for him. Just as Celestia was thinking over it all Twilight leaned over and nuzzled against Telvanni's neck comfortingly and the Lycan planted a quick kiss on the shorter mare’s brow.
'Luna couldn't possibly mean... she said he was caring, wanted to keep her safe, was respectful of her. She also told me not to judge him at first appearance. Damn it this can't be possible!'
Facehoofing, Celestia sighed out a question that would solve everything.
"Telvanni, did you save Twilight from a pair of Manticores? Just answer please."

"Um, yes. I fail to see how that pertains to mine current standing with you though." Telvanni replied carefully.

'Screw it, let’s ask a few more.'
"And why did you not tell us about your friendship with Twilight Sparkle?"

Telvanni looked at the particular lavender mare lovingly before answering. "I decided that if you were going to punish anybeast, I did not want Twilight involved. To keep her safe."

Celestia slammed a hoof into the ground causing both Twilight and Telvanni to jump. "You two are dating, aren't you."

The tone in the Alicorns voice told all. She knew and there was no hiding it. Surprisingly it was Twilight who stepped forward to defend her choice.

"You know, Cadence always said 'We don't pick the ones we fall in love with, love picks the ones that are right for us.' I've never felt myself attracted to anypony, er, anybeast that is. Telvanni has been nothing if not cordial and refused to even take my guest bed in favour of the floor 'incase it was needed'. He is polite, charming, funny, has a great attitude and personality and has helped me with two problems that I caused. On top of that the first problem he helped me fix was the Manticores, and while I was shocked to learn he killed them the fact of the matter is when you found out they would have been tracked down and ponanely euthanized regardless. He had no reason to trust me either, especially coming from a war where anypony involved with you was an enemy but he gave me the benefit of the doubt anyway. I can't tell you the why of it, but I love Telvanni and I won't let you hurt him." a very bold Twilight stepped forward protectively.

Telvanni felt his heart soar as Twilight stood up for him, but he also feared for Twilight's safety. "That attitude is one of the many reasons I have fallen for Twilight. On that note..." Telvanni wrapped and arm around Twilight and lifted her off to the side. "...Should you still find reason to punish me, I would not have Twilight hurt in the process."

Celestia was hard at work sorting out her emotions. She was so proud that Twilight had been strong enough to stand up for the one she loved, and she was overjoyed that the mare had found somebeast to love. She was even happy that the recipient of Twilight's affections would keep her safe. But she wanted so badly to freeze Telvanni in stone or send him to the moon.
"I need to think. My head is too cluttered. I apologize for scaring you both."
And then Celestia was off, winging her way back to Canterlot.

Twilight threw her hooves around Telvanni's neck as soon as they weren't under Celestia's scrutiny. "Now I know why you were so afraid of seeing her. I never imagined she would have acted like that. Heck I was even scared."

Telvanni returned the embrace and kissed Twilight on lightly. "Could have fooled me. Here I was shaking in my fur and you just stepped right up and gave her a piece of your mind. I know I said I've faced her before, but I had a hefty number of escape routes planned and enchantments to ensure my escape. That is the most scared I've been in ages."

"So the big bad wolf can pick a fight with two Manticores that are bigger and stronger than him and he has no knowledge of what they are. On top of that he was suffering from dehydration and magical trauma. But oh, face him against one Alicorn." Twilight giggled, nuzzling deep against Telvanni’s neck.

"Well, you go pick a fight with Celestia then. Now let's get home and get ready for the party." Telvanni jibed.

Twilight's features dropped into a frown.

"Hey, Twilight, she'll be fine. She just needs time to think things over. I don't think she ever got a chance to grieve. She was probably holding Equestria back from collapsing at that point and never got around to it, but she will." With a final reassuring hug the couple made headway back to the library.

~~~~~~~

Luna was having the nicest dreams of back when Telvanni was still a pup. Of how the Lycan used to clamber all over the Alicorn, or run through the fields of Moonblossoms in the Everfree Plains. Or how he would scream her name angrily.... wait, what?

"LUNA! I have words for you!"

'Damnit Celestia, what is the problem now, I was enjoying my slumber.'
Sitting up in her bed she found Celestia standing in the open doorway to her room glaring at her.

"You did not tell me that your son was alive! Nor did you tell me that he was dating my little Twilight!" Celestia fumed.

"Well, I tried broaching the subject when my connection with Telvanni flared, but you seemed too angry so I visited my old castle in secrecy expecting him to be there. As for the latter. Well I knew you wouldn't approve and hoped I could improve your attitude before you found out." Luna grumbled.

"Well maybe I wouldn't have scared Twilight and nearly ripped Telvanni's head off if you would have told me, did you ever th-"

"THOU NEARLY DIDST WHAT TO MINE SON!?" Luna roared, breaking into her old speak and Royal Canterlot voice blowing Celestia back a metre or so.

"Telvanni is fine. I didn't expect to ever see him again and when I did I snapped a little. Then Twilight intervened and made me look like an ass and I left." Celestia mumbled.
She was met with silence.
"You aren't going to reassure me or anything?"

Luna glared at her older sister. "No I am not. It has been over one thousand years and you still hold onto your grudge. Did your believing you killed him not ever appease that, or did you just in turn blame him for my transformation into Nightmare Moon? You are older than me and should know better at this point."

Celestia let out a hefty sigh. "You are right. I'm sorry Luna."

"I will not take your apology. I may be disappointed in you, but you did not insult or scare me. Sort out your thoughts then go find and talk to Telvanni and Twilight." Luna replied a little harsher than necessary.

"Alright...Can you run things for a few days. I need to go think."

Stepping off of her bed Luna walked up and hugged Celestia. "Of course dearest sister. I am pleased that you are making an attempt to recover and fix things. If anypony needs a break, it is most definitely you."

~~~~~~~

Despite the stress from earlier Twilight and Telvanni were enjoying their party that Pinkie had thrown for the Lycan. Vinyl was pumping out music from a huge Collab. called Balloon Party and everypony was having an all around good time.

"So Ah gotta ask this cause it's got mah head all confused an’ such. Ah've seen you on two legs and Ah've seen you on four and your adept at walking both ways. Which do ya prefer and why?" Applejack inquired.

"Lycans were able to walk on two legs easily and our shoulder bones actually magically morph shape to alter our style. When on two legs it lengthens our forelegs and turns them more arm like and lengthens our toes to claws. It's great for fighting and such which is what I did when I faced off against the bug-cats. The we can also walk on four shortening our arms slightly and making the claws for paw like. I've stayed on four legs around you ponies a lot because Big Macintosh is the only one close to my size and he's about 75-90 centimetres shorter than I am. I'd be taller on two legs. All in all it's kind of a politeness thing." the Lycan smiled.

Rainbow, having had a couple of drinks at this point, stumbled over to offer her piece. "Yeah, well how fast can you get moving? Hundred bits says I can outrace you any day of the week!"

Telvanni was not about to mention that ponies used to be on the Lycans’ menus about 100 years prior to him being born. "I'm sure you could, but in the meantime..." Telvanni nudged the inebriated mare and she feel over kicking her legs comically.

"Gah, where’d the floor go, I'm falling at the sky!"

Everybeast set about laughing at the scene, including Rainbow who didn't even know why they were laughing to begin with. Twilight was the first to get her mirth contained and nudged Telvanni for him to do the same. The Lycan understood that Twilight wanted to tell the girls about them before anybeast else got drunk.

"So girls, Telvanni and I have found something really interesting out, if you wouldn't mind hearing us out." Twilight smiled hesitantly, nervous about admitting it but wanting to get it said and out of the way.

Of course Pinkie had to go and be Pinkie.

"Oh, is this where you're going to tell me and the girls that you and Telvanni are dating and you figured it would be a good time to tell us all at once because you're both too nervous to tell us more than once? Because if it is I totally can't wait to hear it! I love surprises and good news!" the pink pony exclaimed bouncing up and down.

Twilight and Telvanni stared at Pinkie incredulously while the girls all stared back. It was Rainbow Dash that interrupted the silence.

"So have you two, like, bucked yet? I bet Telv here is a real animal in bed hahaha!"

Twilight and Telvanni both blushed furiously at the idea of having that of all things brought up, Pinkie now looked disturbingly curious, Fluttershy was also blushing heavily and Applejack and Rarity just shook their heads.

"That was terribly uncouth Rainbow!" Rarity huffed.

"Ah come on, I know you were all thinking it! Have you two even kissed? Seriously!" Rainbow blathered drunkenly.

Twilight rolled her eyes this time despite her cheeks still tinted a tad pink. "Yes we have. Can we drop the subject now?"

"Prove it!"

All eyes turned to stare at Pinkie who was pointing at the pair. "How do we know your not lying?!"

Rolling his eyes at the antics Telvanni dipped forward and kissed Twilight, who returned the kiss gladly.

And of course that wasn't going to be the end of it.
Cue Rainbow Dash in three two one-

"You call that a kiss?! This is a kiss!" Rainbow wrapped her hooves around the nearest pony, Pinkie Pie, and drew her into a full on open mouth tongue down throat kiss.

"Wow Dashie, you taste like skittles!" Pinkie giggled.

Twilight just stared dumbfounded. "We aren't planning on doing that, are we?"

"No, no we are not. Besides, I don't think it would work well for us." Telvanni deadpanned before letting his tongue loll out of his mouth. It was about three times longer than a ponies tongue. "Yeah, it would probably get awkward, huh?"

Thankfully the rest of the night went on normal and uninterrupted, granted Dash and Pinkie disappeared into a back room at some point and caused some complaints about screaming and such. The night began to draw to a close Twilight and Telvanni said their goodbyes and headed out.

~~~~~~~

Aside from a run in with Berry Punch the walk home from Vinyl's club was a simple affair, though neither Telvanni nor Twilight seemed comfortable with something. It wasn't until they were just outside the library that both decided was a good time to ask a question.

"Hey Twilight-"
"Umm, Telvanni-"

Telvanni shook his head smiling at the fact that they both tried to talk. "You go ahead, I can wait."

Twilight paled slightly but forged ahead. "I was wondering, what did you actually think about that kiss Pinkie and Dash had. I mean would you ever do that with somepony else?"

"Are you meaning that you are worried I would kiss somebeast other than you? Or are you meaning that you are curious of performing such a kiss?" Telvanni probed, as Twilight had been terribly unspecific with her question.

"I'm meaning would...you..."
The rest of the sentence was cut off and Twilight and Telvanni leaned in together. It started out as any other kiss but within second Telvanni flicked his tongue forward against Twilight's lips causing her to shiver with anticipation. The mare opened her lips to allow Telvanni entrance while probing her own tongue forward feeling it rub along one to the Lycan's canines.
The pair stood there for what seemed like minutes and Twilight was in bliss. She had heard the term 'tongue down her throat' before but it had always been an exaggeration. With Telvanni though, his tongue occasionally strayed that far making Twilight moan in pleasure. The mare could feel a heat building between her legs. She was just about to lead Telvanni inside when...

"Yeah! There ya go egghead, that is how you kiss!"

"Damnit Rainbow!" Twilight yelled, magically hurling a clod of dirt at the pegasus who managed to wreck into some bushes drunkenly dodging the earthy projectile. With a huff Twilight stormed into her house slamming the door as soon as Telvanni was in.

"I take it you would have preferred to have been uninterrupted?" the Lycan laughed.

Twilight flushed and nuzzled into the Lycan' side. "Well, yeah. That was....amazing seems really poor for explaining how that felt but it’s all I can think of." The mare let her thoughts drift over how it felt to have Telvanni's tongue flit across her lips, rubbing against her own. She felt that same heat start back up between her legs. The thought of it alone set Twilight over the edge as she quivered in pleasurable memories next to her Lycan. Then Telvanni starting slightly at her side.

"Err...Twilight. You really did enjoy that kiss didn't you." Telvanni grinned, half embarrassedly half aroused.

The unicorn snapped out of the reverie and realized she had just left a rather nasty mess under her flank that made a puddle that Telvanni was partially sitting in.
"Oh Celestia I swear I didn't mean to, that's never even happened before from just thinking, I don't know what-Umph....mmmm."
Twilight broke off from her frantic embarrassed explanation as Telvanni's lips met against hers, the Lycan's tongue flicking against her lips. The unicorn shuddered as she forgot all her worries and fears.
As soon as they both pulled back for breath Twilight went out on a limb and did something she never would have attempted outside of her current euphoric high.
"You know Telv, I've got a really big bed, and you can be really cozy at night..."
She left the rest up to Telvanni's imagination as she headed up the stairs flicking her tail from side to side playfully.

*Whumpf whumpf whumpf whumpf*
Telvanni's tail thumping against the coach was a tell all. Without hesitation the Lycan stood up and padded upstairs after the mare.

~~~~~~~

In the words of any character from the Left4Dead games "Clop Here!"

~~~~~~~

Twilight shifted slightly trying to get out of bed without waking up Telvanni. Normally she would have loved to stay in bed but the sheets were definitely going to be in need of a cleaning and looking down at herself so did she. She winced as she brought her hindlegs under her and started trotting towards the doors. She was sore as all get out and felt like Applejack had bucked her in the flank.
'Mildly sore after your first time is to be expected with any stallion. That would explain why I want a pain killer right now.'
Twilight entered the bathroom and turned on the water, thinking about the previous night. It had been horrible starting off and Twilight almost wanted to stop right then and there, but she didn't want to disappoint Telvanni. After a time though it got better and Twilight realized that she would never regret what she did.
'Until I tried walking the next morning hahaha!'
Laughing at her own little joke Twilight climbed into the tub and started cleaning herself off.

~~~~~~~

Telvanni woke up just as Twilight was leaving the room. It didn't take a genius to figure out she was going to wash up. Used to cleaning with canteens of water the Lycan made his way to the kitchen where he cleaned himself(a considerably easier fest for the male as opposed to if he was a female) then went back up and gathered the sheets.
'These get washed twice, and then possibly burned, and then vapourized followed by a bath in some vitriol.'
Telvanni realized something important about the events last night and decided to go digging through the library.

~~~~~~~

Twilight had dried herself off quickly and ran a magical scan of herself. A number of strained muscles that would need a break and another good number of overworked muscles that would be better first were the worst of her 'injuries'. She opened the bathroom door and started downstairs limping slightly.

Telvanni looked up when he heard the bathroom door open and immediately noticed Twilight's limping. Hiding the book he had been reading the Lycan made his way to Twilight and lifted her up in his arms.
"Twilight, are you okay? I hope that mine actions from last night have not hurt you and am so sorry if they have."

The mare giggled at Telvanni's fretting over her and cuddled into him. "You were amazing last night. And yes in was a little unpleasant at first, but after that I wouldn't have traded the world for it. Right now though I could use some breakfast, a pain pill and to not walk anywhere for a bit. I... We strained and overworked a few muscles of mine last night. You are rather...larger than any pony could ever be."

Telvanni got the gist of what Twilight was talking about immediately. That was part of why they wound up being so careful. Thankfully though there was no dangerous damage and everybeast was fine.
"Alright, let's go get you some breakfast."

Telvanni smiled ear to ear as he carried Twilight down stairs. I guess that just means I'll be carrying you for the day. So, how do hay waffles sound?"

"Actually waffles sounds really good right about now. I didn't know you knew how to cook by the way." Twilight smiled.

"I don't, I just know how to make waffles because an old friend of mine, Chromatic Blur, was a pegasi and didn't eat meat like mineself Gasca, Beskeera, or Seven did. Come to think of it, Rainbow Dash seems to act a lot like Chromatic Blur did, and their names are way to similar to be a coincidence. They've got to be related." Telvanni laughed.

It was going to be a great day.

~~~~~~~

Rainbow Dash found herself waking up in a bush just below Twilight's bedroom window. She had a raging headache and couldn't remember everything from the previous night....well actually, she could remember one thing in particular.
An evil grin consumed Dash's face as she took off to find the girls.

~~~~~~~

Celestia was exploring the old castle that had once been her sister's home. Luna had thankfully given her full permission to stay there until she was feeling better. For the most part she'd done little but sleep and think but today she was going to the library. She wanted to know everything that had happened from the perspective of the other side. Perhaps it would shine light on a few things.

~~~~~~~

A dark shade watched the Alicorn. The darker Alicorn had been here days prior with two disgusting creatures that emanated love and happiness, but this new visitor? She was sad and worried....
The perfect combination.

A.N~ And that is my wonderful second chapter. In the next one, Twilight goes outside and explains 'falling down the stairs' to everypony who asks about the limp! Yeah most don’t buy it, it’s hard to when you’ve got moaning mares and howling hounds….

Well I hope everybeast is enjoying what I'm doing with this so far! Tell me what you all think!

Chapter 3

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A.N~ So here’s my apology for a shite chapter. I’ve worked and reworked it and finally said eff it because I know exactly where I’m going after this chapter, I just couldn’t get this chapter to work out well.
Anyway I’ll come back and fix it when I get my head on straight, but in the meantime here’s what happens.

It was past lunch time and while a little less sore Twilight was still laying on the couch Telvanni had put her on after breakfast. She had splayed her legs for comfort and was enjoying a 'Lycans~A Culture' thoroughly. Telvanni was lying across the room amongst a few different books he'd been reading.
The Lycan seemed to know she was thinking of him too.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine Telv. Still a little sore, but my last scan showed that most of the muscles are already doing better. I'm still trying to figure out how we didn't do any major damage, you were a little on the large side." Twilight quipped, a light blush showing through her cheeks despite her comfort around Telvanni.

Telvanni got up and came over to sit by Twilight. "You know, I really am sorry for hurting you."

Twilight smiled sweetly. "You made it up to me later, even though you wore me out. But, if you’re really feeling bad you could try massaging my stomach. It might help the muscles sort themselves out."

Telvanni got to work gently kneading at the mare's stomach causing her to give into a fit of giggles every now and again. After ten minutes or so Telvanni leaned down and planted a kiss right on Twilight's belly.

And the front door opened.

~~~Two hours prior~~~

"I'm telling you all that it happened. Hay, Pinkie believes me, and so does Flutters! I know what I heard!" Rainbow Dash insisted. She had rounded up all but Twilight for lunch at Sugarcube corner and began trying to explain to them what Twilight and Telvanni had done just last night.

"Really Ardee? You expect us to believe that Twilight, Ponyville's resident egghead, bookworm an' introvert went home last night an' had wild sex with Telvanni? Ah'm havin' trouble believin' that." Applejack snapped skeptically.

Rarity was quick to add her own piece. "Besides dear, I don't even think it's possible for their bodies to match, and it is terribly unladylike to scatter rumours about like that."

Rainbow Dash just rolled her eyes as Pinkie offered that they go over and talk to Twilight.

"I'm quite sure Twilight has a reason for screaming last night if we ask her....if she wants to tell us of course..."

~~~Present Time in Twilight's house~~~

Everybeast froze. Twilight was laying on the couch, hind legs splayed towards the door baring all, Telvanni with his lips planted on Twilight's belly, and four mare slack jawed at the sight with a fifth looking like she wished to melt into the floor.

Nobeast could think of what to do or what to say....
So cue Rainbow Dash in three two one-

"Ha! I told you she totally screwed Telvanni last night! Looks like they were going for round two!"

At this Telvanni jerked his head back and Twilight snapped her legs shut and rolled over while Pinkie busted out laughing and the other girls turned a dark shade of red in the cheeks.

Twilight quickly went into her defensive story mode, anger rising to levels that allowed her to lie without it being noticeable.
"I fell down the stairs last night and twisted my stomach muscles. Telvanni was giving them a massage and kissing it better! Screw you Rainbow!"
'How dare she take my private business and spread it around town like that!'

Rainbow Dash shut up fast and looked to AJ who just shrugged.

"Well Twilight, why haven't you gone to the doctor? Honestly darling I know you probably checked yourself, but the spell is unreliable when self used. Allow me." Rarity said kindly as she scanned Twilight before the lavender mare could object.
'Oh my, oh, OH MY, Sweet Celestia what did they do?!'
"Twilight...um...certainly a hay of a fall....how large was this fall exactly?"
Rarity's cheeks could have illuminated a dark room at this point and the others were quick to pick up on it.

"You totally did! Ha, I knew it! Lemme guess, doggy style?" Rainbow laughed as the girls rolled their eyes save Pinkie who looked just as eager to find out.

Forgetting about her injuries for a moment Twilight tried to roll off the couch and tackle the polychromatic nuisance but quickly fell over as pain shot through her hips.
"Rainbow, just give me another day or so and when I find you I'm going to kick your flank!"

Rainbow fell over laughing feeling really smart...until a pair of furry claws latched onto her and she found she couldn't get loose.

"I've got Rainbow Twi. She's going nowhere anytime soon." Telvanni grinned.

"Thank you Telv. Girls, could you wait outside for a moment?"
Without waiting for an answer Twilight magically pushed the girls outside and slammed the door shut and threw up a sound proofing spell.
"Telvanni, go wait in the other room please."

With a nod Telvanni padded off as Twilight cast a spell to secure Rainbow.
"Now Dashie, I teach you to respect other ponies’ privacy..."

About ten minutes later Twilight invited everybeast back in as Rainbow Dash sat in the corner with a scowl on her face and a magical band that secured her wings for the next 24 hours.
"Just needed to talk to Rainbow was all. Anyway Telvanni and I will actually be leaving for Canterlot later tonight. While Rainbow and I were talking Luna sent me a message inviting Telvanni and I to visit in Canterlot so she can spend some time with him."

The girls nodded and told the pair to have a good time and made to leave when they realized Rainbow Dash still hadn't moved or said anything.

"Ya comin' Ardee? Twilight has to pack an' such." Applejack called.

"No I'm not! I'm staying right here for the next day! Go away!"

Twilight rolled her eyes and reached out with her magic causing Rainbow to jump up and yelp from surprise as her cheeks turned bright red.

"Fine egghead, I'm moving, and everypony else can shut up!" Rainbow growled as she 'walked' out of the tree house, hindlegs spread oddly as she walked with an odd gait.
The rest of the girls followed her out with puzzled looks on their faces.

As the front door shut Telvanni looked to Twilight. "What'd you do to Dash?"

"Well, if she goes into heat within the next 24 hours, she is now 'equipped' with something to extinguish those 'fiery' urges." Twi quipped as she teleported upstairs to start packing.

On a hunch Telvanni checked the kitchen and found the 10 centimetre wide fire extinguisher missing and promptly busted out laughing.

~~~~~~~

Celestia had stacks upon stacks of her war records piled next to her and was frantically reading through each one. To her horror many things that had never made sense to her before were becoming all too obvious. Like how the war even started. She had always believed it was an attack by scared and desperate Everfreeians after one of their settlements was destroyed by wild animals. But here it was list that Knight Captain Bitter Root had led an unprovoked assault on the settlement instead. Later she found records that implied Bitter Root had been killing off peace envoys her sister had been sending and sending back their severed tails and carved off cutiemarks. Other records pointed out the Bitter Root had also been going into Everfreeian camps and killed the stallions and forced the older colts to join them in return for the lives of their surviving family members.
So many things that started to make sense of the strange behaviour and 'charisma' that Bitter Root had were explained by the simple fact that her second most trusted leader had been a monster.

'Could that mean that Telvanni was right? He had blamed Bitter Root saying that the Captain had murdered Evening Star. What if the Lycan was right and Bitter Root was using it as a catalyst?'

Doubts began plaguing Celestia. How many ponies has she trusted that have decieved her? How many ponies had allowed her rule due to fear? If she couldn't even control her soldiers how could she control her country?

'Am I even fit to lead?'

'Of course I am...I hold more power than anypony else in the world. I just need to rework my approach.'

'Of course, I'm so glad I thought of that! Now, where to find information on different approaches to ruling a country?'

'Maybe if I check that bookcase in the far corner? The one all by its own.''

'Well, starting at the far end and working back works.'

Celestia trotted over to the book case furthest from her spot and realized it had but a single book, bound in black cloth and without a title.
'What and odd book, I wonder what's in it?'

Suddenly curious Celestia opened the book to its first page just as tendrils of smoky black magic wrapped around her.

~~~~~~~

Telvanni, still favouring walking on four legs, had proved to be crucial for Twilight getting around. She could hold their bags up with magic, but she was still sore from the previous night's fun and laid across the Lycan's broad back and shoulders.

"So, Luna's not going to get mad or anything when she finds out we did things, is she?" Twilight pondered having not even thought of how to explain her situation. "I mean, I could lie and say I fell down the stairs but I don't know if she'd believe me."

"Believe that you what, my little pony?"

Twilight jumped as Telvanni let out a barking laugh. Luna had heard the tail end of her plight.
"Mother, Twilight's having some pains in her back legs. She fe-"

Luna shook her head with a light smile. "Had I known you two were that interested in each other I would have told you a spell that makes certain muscles a tad bit more flexible and Twilight wouldn't be curled up on your back right now. I'm glad that you have both found love, should I be expecting a daughter in law anytime soon?"

Telvanni ducked his head slightly. "It was kind of spur of the moment and I wasn't about to ask Twilight to send my mother a letter asking about sex while I had my muzzle between her legs, or any other time for that matter."

"Do you have a spell that could possibly help me out now though Luna? Being carried around is nice, but the looks I'm getting are embarrassing." Twilight muttered.

"Of course Twilight. I'll send the book to your room while you two get ready for dinner." Luna smiled.

Telvanni continued on towards Twilight's old tower room to unpack.

~~~~~~~

Celestia had struggled hard but with an underhoofed tactic to distract Celestia's concentration from her mental defenses the dark entity had seeped into the Alicorn's very being.

"Now Celestia, aren't you pleased with the knowledge you've uncovered?"

'Get out of my body!' Celestia screamed from her mental prison.

"A tough one eh? Well, let's take a trip down memory lane until you realize I'm right."

~~~~~~~

Rainbow Dash was hating her life. Stupid Twilight had put her in a really awkward position. Hay, the egghead probably knew that Dash would have to stay at Pinkie's, and that Pinkie would insist on some fun.
'Damn fire extinguishers...maybe Flutters would understand if I explained it to her.'
With that Rainbow Dash trotted off towards Fluttershy’s house, face flushed due to every movement shifting things.

~~~~~~~

Dinner had been a simple affair, Luna not having the same want for fanciful things or elegance that Celestia held. Topics of conversation ranged from the obvious (Where's Celestia? How is Twilight and Telvanni's relationship working out, what's for dessert.) to the not so obvious (obscure historical tidbits, Lycan's ticklish necks and ears [giving Twilight a rather devious grin], and other not so usual topics.)

Twilight enjoyed a crisp rose petal salad with a apple spice topping mixed with cashews and Luna ate the same while Telvanni enjoyed a deer rib (boneless) sandwich that was actually cooked inside the dough of the bread.

Once dinner was finished and a few announcements about Telvanni's status as a legal party of the royal family and his status was taken care of the three set off to bed (Luna as well, having been up all day for Celestia.)

~~~~~~~

"So, the great Lycan Telvanni finally decided to pull his fat lazy ass out of the time pools? Oh, and he's got a marefriend now too! All the fun stuff happens 1000 years after I'm dead! So unfair." laughed a royal blue Pegasus stallion with a polychromatic mane.

Telvanni shook his head, looking around the inky black that surrounded him.

"'Bout time he showed up too here I was getting bored!" added a second voice belonging to a deep brown griffon.

Looking around Telvanni realized he was surrounded by his former Night Corp. comrades including Braxus the Minotaur who hadn't survived up until the final battle.
"What is going on? What are you guys doing here?"

Chromatic Blur stepped forward. "You are going to experience war soon Telvanni. A war like no other. Fear not, for it shall not last long, but you will be faced with decisions that you have never had to face before. When she offers her aid, my descendant Rainbow Dash can be relied on-"

"And my own descendant Gilda has trained well." Gasca added.

Each representative of the races stepped forward and offered Telvanni their own forms of support. Before fading to black. Telvanni sat in the darkness for what seemed like years when a twisted form of Celestia suddenly appeared from thin air cackling madly before fading away. That image was followed with one of Twilight screaming in agony. Telvanni only saw her face, but he knew whatever was hurting her was serious. Images, each one worse than before flashed through the Lycan's dream before he finally jolted awake.

~~~~~~~

The griffoness was practicing her swordplay as per usual routine when she blacked out. As she opened her eyes she found that she was surrounded by darkness until an oddly familiar Griffon stepped forth.

"Gilda, you possess the spirit of a warrior priestess, and no doubt would be such if the clans still held to their old warring ways. In time to come your friends will need you. Go to Ponyville with haste!"

"I don't have any friends in Ponyville!" Gilda shouted, realizing that she was back in her normal surroundings. "Not anymore...but still, if Dash needs me!"

~~~~~~~

"Shadowscale, doth thou feel the ancient corruption stirring? We should’st gather our dragons and make haste to Equestria, I fear that this war will be the end of us all should we allow it's stirring." whispered Teegra, a young dragon cursed with blindness but blessed with foresight.

Shadowscale shifted a second before standing. "Then let us make haste."

~~~~~~

Rainbow Dash was squirming wildly, having the job of extricating her nuisance half way done, when she found herself sucked into a black void.

"Rainbow Da-what the hell?!" Chromatic Blur sputtered as he turned his gaze away quickly. "I don't have much time but I am here to warn you. Your skills that allowed you to save Fluttershy will be needed soon. Also, you will play an important role for an equally important filly who needs you. You know who this filly is; you will find her in the 'clubhouse'. And seriously, what the hell?!"

Rainbow stayed on her back for a moment before a clang of something metallic hitting the floor and a feeling of emptiness and relief got her attention. Quickly she thought back to when she had saved Fluttershy, her mind darkening at the memories.
'...filly who needs you...'
"Scoots!"
With a flash Rainbow was shooting towards the CMC clubhouse.

~~~~~~~

Forty-three chitinous pony like forms flew towards Equestria. Six years prior they had been three thousand strong and bent to the will of a evil a foolish queen. Now but forty three remained, and they answered the call of their ancestors, the call to return to the Princess of the Night.

~~~~~~~

Reaching out with her link to Twilight, Celestia detected tenderness in the mare's stomach and a spell made to relieved pain and muscle stress caused by birthing.

"This is my final piece of evidence Celestia. He took her, caused her such pain, and she cannot even see it. He will cause her great pain within the next year Celestia, and you can put an end to it. You can save her! You can save her and avenge Evening Star! But there is his mother, she will turn against you, she does not care for Twilight, does not recognize blood family! She but recognized the mongrel! They must both be stopped. Now go to Ponyville! You must secure the Elements lest they be used against you!"

Celestia's gaze hardened. She had been shown the 'truth' for the whole day and she knew that she was Equestria's only hope. She would save them! She would save them all!

~~~~~~~

Telvanni was regarding the quivering stallion before him with much interest. The 'thing', a unicorn, held a sword shakily in his magic.

"Back beast, I am Prince Blueblood and you shall not come further."

'Does this idiot truly think I fear for mine life in regards to him? This is pitiful.'

Just then Twilight rounded the corner and took in the sight of Blueblood curled up nearly in the fetal position holding a sword aloft.
"Telvanni, I see you've met Blueblood, er, 'Prince Blueblood' that is. Blueblood this is Telvanni, official title Telvanni Nocte-Luna, legal adopted son of Luna Nocte-Luna. I guess that makes him a prince too. Anyway Telv, Luna said she was ready to see you."

Telvanni nodded and lopped off towards his mother's room while Blueblood continued to sit there in shock.

"You know, you're lucky he found you too humourous to be a threat, otherwise you would be dog food about now." Twilight laughed before trotting off after Telvanni.

~~~~~~~

Scootaloo stirred slightly, twisting around to stretch her back after a long nights sleep on the hard wooden floorboards of the Clubhouse. It wasn't the most ideal sleeping spot but it was better than the alley behind Sugarcube corner she'd originally had and a million times better than under some random tree.

Sighing she started hiding her belongings for when the girls showed up. That's when she smelled it.
It was smoke and reminded her of cooking apples.
'Why the hay do I smell smoke?'

Trotting over to the door she pulled it open the see that Sweet Apple Acres was ablaze all around the clubhouse! Frantically grabbing her scooter and not even bothering with her helmet the filly set her mind to her newest task.
'Get out of the fire, check on the Apples!'
Hoping on her scooter the orange filly took off through the smoke and trees. Dodging licks of fire and falling branches all while keeping her head low like they taught in school Scoots raced through the trees not even realizing she was delving deeper into the flames.
'Come on Scootaloo, you worked Whinnyapolis at seven, you can work this!' the filly thought. Whinnyapolis....bad place for a 7 year old, but that was 7 years in the past and she was not weak or defenseless anymore!
She kicked her wings into over drive. She would fly out of here had she known how but the best she could do was glide with them. Suddenly a tree dropped right in front of her and she was sent tumbling into the ground.

~~~~~~~

Rainbow Dash had already searched the clubhouse and found nopony and the smoke was about to drive her off until she noticed a lighter line of ash. It was like something had pushed through here.
"Scoots wouldn't take her scooter to leave, she'd fly. Celestia I'm stupid for thinking that.'
Dash was about to take off when something nagged at her. Almost told her to follow the line. Kicking up ash clouds in her wake the mare tore off using the line in the ash as a guide.

Tearing along after the trail Dash had to get lower and lower to the ground. She knew that if she didn't find the end of the trail soon she was going to have to gain altitude for some real air. Urged by her sudden realization that she was on a small amount of time Rainbow pushed herself ever harder, her wake clearing flames two metres out as she passed by. Finally she managed to spot something. It was Scootaloo's scooter that Rainbow had given her to replace the original when it got too small. The thing was twisted and broken from impacting a tree and Rainbow knew Scoots had to be close. Her worry was how close the flames where to the area.
"SCOOTALOO! SCOOTALOO WHERE ARE YOU!"

Silence.
'Oh please Celestia no!'
"SCOOTALOO!"

"D-Dash!?"

Rainbow shot off three metres to her right to find Scoots curled up by a tree covered in ash.
"Yeah, it's me kiddo. Come on, we're getting out of here!"
Wrapping her forehooves around the blackened filly Dash shot up through the smoke and tore off towards town.

~~~~~~~

Telvanni had just finished explaining his dream when a messenger came in to warn tehm of the smoke billowing over Ponyville.

"I don't understand Luna, is it a dragon? What the hay is going on!?" Twilight yelled as the Alicorn fitted the unicorn with armour.

"Simple, Ponyville is in trouble and you won't stay here even if I order you to. Celestia had this armour commissioned for you on the off chance anything bad ever happened and it seems something bad has indeed happened." Luna explained. As she finished securing the final strap she suddenly got and idea and used magic to remold a metal loop coming up from Twilight's shoulderblades.
"For the off chance Telvanni needs to get you to safety."

That very same Lycan entered the room not seconds later with metal mesh bracers over his forearms and over his shins.
"I have gotten mineself ready mother, we leave on your mark."

~~~~~~~

Dash was exhausted but was not about to stop to take a breather until she knew Scoots was safe. It was like some part of her awakened when she noticed Scoots stuff sprawled around the clubhouse.
'Idiot! Obviously she's been living there. She's a homeless orphan and I should have recognized it. Hay, I was a homeless orphan! I'm going to fix this thought, and Scootaloo is not going to be alone anymore!'
The thoughts surprised Rainbow herself. Sure, loyalty and all that, and Scoots was a great kid, but she should have been there before.
'I'm here now!'
As she neared town she saw a large crowd of ponies and the girls as well as Celestia. The girls were waving at her frantically and yelling something but Dash's vision had tunneled and all she had eyes for was the ground as she descended.

Ground, such soft grass. Rainbow Dash was about to close her eyes when she noticed something in her friends eyes.
Fear.
'Time to wake up Dash. Catch a nap later! Besides, Scoots still needs taken care of!'
Shaking her head violently her hearing began to kick in again.

"-which leads me to our current dilemma. Are you, Rainbow Dash, more loyal to your Princess, or to these traitors!" Celestia's horn glowed a four magical blades appeared at the girls throats.

Dash was at full attention now. "Wait! What the hay is going on!?"

"Your friends have opted to join my sister in her conquest for eternal night and have aided in the abduction of my daughter!" the Alicorn screamed as the blades pressed harder on their throats.

"STOP!" Dash made to move forward bit remembered Scootaloo and froze, casting her glance back to make sure the filly was ok.

Celestia laughed evilly. "Ah, so suddenly the brash irresponsible fool knows what it's like to care for somepony. I saw that look, the look only a mother knows, that look of fear and terror for their foals safety. Tell Dash, when did you have time to get yourself knocked up?"
As she spoke a magical spear began to form facing the unrecognizable Scootaloo.

And it was all the incentive Dash needed.
"BITCH!"
Throwing herself forward she attempted to tackle Celestia but found herself floating with a forehoof less than an inch from the Alicorn's face.
"I'll kill you if you touch her!"

Nopony knew where Dash's words were coming from, hell Dash herself barely knew, but Dash didn't care.

"Hmmm, executions will be in order for the traitors....and their accomplices. You never know how deep in the family it runs." Celestia mused, eyeing Sweetie Belle, Big Mac, Applebloom and Grannie Smith and drawing cries of outrage from Applejack and Rarity.
"Well, since I have Dash right here let us begin. And don't worry about your daughter Dash, I'll make it painless...ish."
As Celestia formed a blade to press against the pegasus’ throat all hell broke loose.

First was a large furry form that slammed into Celestia like a freight train. Next everything went pitch black and ponies started screaming until the light came back.

"Flee my little ponies! Flees to the Castle of the Moon in the Everfree! Twilight lead them there!" cried Luna, having just appeared.

Dash was on auto pilot. Recognizing the Castle of the Moon as a safe haven through some ancient instinct the mare swept up Scootaloo and flew wildly off towards the only castle she knew of in the Everfree.

~~~~~~~

Telvanni slammed into Celestia, rolling with the fall to ensure he came up on his feet. Smiling viciously the Lycan waited for the Alicorn to regain her senses.
"So then Tyrant Bitch, shall we commence with round 28?"

Celestia grunted as she rose. "You've been keeping track?"

"Always keep track of my enemies failures." Telvanni half laughed as he dodged a bolt of magic lobbed his way. "Oh, but wait, Luna says no hurting you yet. That's fine though, I'll just leave you to her."

"You will return my daughter to me you rapist bastard son of a whore!"

Telvanni's eyes narrowed. He knew Celestia was referring to his birth parents, but that wasn't how he took it.
"You will not speak of Luna like that!"
Throwing himself at the Alicorn again he feinted and let Luna take over while he dashed for Twilight to get her to safety.

~~~~~~~

Winging her way to Chromatic Blur's old room in the Royal Suites on intuition Dash took Scoots straight through to the bathroom and laid her gently in the bathtub before turning on the water. She found a small hoof towel and some soap and began gently scrubbing away the soot and dirt that covered Scootaloo's coat. A sense of warmth, pride and fulfillment rushed through Rainbow's veins as she cleaned up the 14 year old filly.
'Is this what being a mom is like? I mean...I don't even know how Scoots'll react, but I won't let her go through this alone. Not like I did...never like I did.'

"Mmm? Where am I?"

Smiling at the groggy filly Dash rubbed her head playfully. "You’re getting a bath because you smell like toasted chicken."

Scoots head shot up suddenly. "What happened?! Sweet Apple Acres was on fire!" Tears were forming at the edges of the filly's eyes as the realization hit her that she'd lost everything and may have even lost her friend Applebloom.

Dash pulled Scoot's in for a hug. "Applebloom's ok, and so are the Apples. Last I saw Luna and Twi were helping them." Wasn't a lie, not really the truth either. "But what I want to know is why you never told me. Actually don't answer that. I'm and idiot for not seeing it before. I'd never once met your parents, and even after your wings came in you still never flew...and I was like that too. I never had a home, and I should have seen that you were alone but....I don't know, I don't have an excuse I was just being stupid and not seeing what was right in front of me." Dash finished, tears running down her face.

Scootaloo had never been hugged like this before. Never had this feeling. She couldn't put her hoof on it, but it was like Dash's embrace was telling her that nothing could hurt her and she could just let it all go. Breaking into small sobs all the hard times came rushing back to her. All the times she used Dash as a model for how to act and how tough to be.
"You saved me...why?"
It wasn't anger, nor indignation; it was the confusion of a filly who had never understood that feeling of love on such a personal level.

Dash just squeezed the filly that much tighter.
"Because Scoots, I look at you and I see me. I know I act tough and cool and like nothing can touch me, but I hurt and I don't want you to hurt like I have. I may have bucked up and not been there for you before, but if you'll let me, I'll never let anything hurt you again."

"Really?"

Dash held Scootallo out at arm’s length and looked the little orange and black smudged filly in the eyes.
"I promise on my wings that I won't let you be alone. Now all that touchy feely stuff is sliding away and reality is setting in, and I suck at touchy feely so why don't we get cleaned up and then take a nap, eh?"

Scootaloo couldn't hold back a giggle at the incredibly 'Rainbow Dash' thing to say and nodded.

Ten minutes later Scootaloo was curled up on the bed wrapped in Rainbow Dash's wings. Nothing could touch her there, she was safe, she was not alone, and she was loved.

~~~~~~~

Telvanni was quick to catch up with Twilight and lift the mare up onto his shoulders. She wasn't exactly accustomed to running around in forty pounds of armour.
Or to Celestia going batshit crazy and trying to kill ponies.
"How are you feeling Twilight? I know that must have been a shock to see Cele-"

"Wasn't Celestia. I felt something familiar. It was like Nightmare Moon but it wasn't. I'll need to talk to Luna when she gets back." Twilight interrupted.

"Well tha's all fine an' peachy Twi, but what in the hay is goin' on?" Applejack snapped.

"Don't quite know myself...Um, Celestia seems to be under the impression Luna is trying to take over Equestria. Don't know why, but that's what's going on. By the way, where's Rainbow?" Twilight replied as calmly as possible.
'Keep calm on the outside and think it all out Twi, no more ‘want it need it’ episodes.'

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle both jumped forward when this was brought up.
"We think she's got Scootaloo. When she came out of Sweet Apple Acres she had a pony with her. I couldn't tell because of the ash and soot but I think it was Scootaloo!" Sweetie explained.

Telvanni nodded.
"Dash is probably at the castle then, let us make haste to join her for we shall have company soon enough."

~~~~~~~

"Tia, what are you doing? You have attacked Ponyville and threatened to kill the Elements and a foal! Why are you doing this?" Luna cried.

"Fool! You have brought your son here in an attempt to over throw me. You have had him fool my faithful student and stolen her from me! I will have her back and We will rule Equestria!" Celestia roared.
With a flash of magic the Solar Alicorn teleported to Canterlot to prepare her soldiers for war.

"If this is you wish Tia...PONIES OF PONYVILLE, IT APPEARS MY SISTER IS ILL. FOR ALL THOSE WHO WISH IT, I OFFER FOOD SHELTER AND SAFETY IN MY CASTLE IN THE EVERFREE. EXPECT AN ESCORT FOR YOUR SAFETY TO ARRIVE WITHIN THE HOUR!" Luna offered in her Royal Canterlot voice before flying back to her castle.

As she flew Sweet Apple Acres burned to embers behind her.

~~~~~~~

"Uh, yer kiddin' us, right Ardee?" Applejack sputtered as Rainbow finished telling them about Scootaloo's new living status. "You kin hardly even take care of Tank and yer hardly responsible."

Dash's eyes hardened. "More responsible than you would think. Besides, I look back now and realize I've always kind of known, I was just too scared to say anything!"

"Cause everypony knows yer gonna muck it up! Seriously Ardee, yer not mother material, Ah would know!" Applejack yelled back.

"You think you know everything about handling fillies cause you had to raise Applebloom?!"

Applejack's ears dropped and she looked around furtively. "Ah, uh Ah didn't raise her. Mah parents did."

"Bullshit AJ! I know when a pony doesn't have parents! You don't have parents! I'm not stupid. I'm taking care of Scoots and that is final. You don't like it you go buck yourself!" Dash snapped, hitting far below the belt.

"Well at least Ah'm not some jacked up on mah own damn ego hothead that cain't act like an adult ta save her life! Hay, it’s like you never even grew up! An' like Ah said, you can barely take care of yerself, how do ya expect ta take care of a filly. Besides, every filly needs a pa figure but yer some filly fooler who can't look at a stallion without ga-"

*SMACK*

Applejack froze. Her head had been twisted down to the side and her hat lay on the ground in front of her.
'She punched me...that little bitch flat out punched me?!'
Applejack looked up to see that Rainbow had left and the girls all save Twilight and Pinkie were giving her dirty looks.
"What!? Y'all know it’s the truth! She just need ta stop bein' so damned hard hea-"

*Smack*

Again Applejack froze. Her head hadn't been moved much and she had full view of who just hit her.
"Flu...Flut...Fluttershy? What?"

Fluttershy was shaking with rage. She was even angrier than when she chased off the dragon from Equestria six years back.
"Rainbow acts like a kid because she was too busy looking out for herself to be one. Then she had to act even more responsible when I showed up. I had a dad, but I didn't want one. My dad was a foalaphile and came into my room almost every night. When Rainbow found out she tried to stop him. Instead he knocked her out and then hurt her right in front of me! I ran away with Rainbow two days later and she got a job to take care of me and get me therapy. She didn't get herself therapy, just me. Was all she could afford. She supported me until I got the job as a veterinarian in Ponyville. That was when she was finally able to kick back and enjoy life without the responsibility of taking care of somepony. NEVER think that she's irresponsible!"
Without a word more Fluttershy turned and trotted out followed by Rarity who had a hoof on the pegasus’ shoulder.

Twilight just sat there slack jawed and Pinkie's mane was dangerously close to deflating.

"Ah need to go think..."

~~~~~~~

Applejack sat at the precipice of the cliff where years prior Rainbow proved her loyalty by reaffixing the bridge. Kicking a small stone she listened to the echoes as it fell deeper into the earth before finally giving nothing but silence. Everything that had happened slowly began to creep in on her. Celestia gone mad...The farm, oh the farm. It had been her everything, all that remained of her parents aside from her Stetson. And now? Not even her friends. She'd been stupid. So stupid.

"It'd be so easy. To join that stone and never have to deal with it again. After all, you've lost your parent's, your farm, and your friends."

Applejack turned to see Telvanni behind her.
"Ain't you s'posed to encourage somepony, not make them feel bad..."

The Lycan glared at her. "Oh, my apologies. Nothing is wrong in the world and this is all a bad dream. When you wake up everything will be sugar and spice and everything nice... Sorry Aj but I don't mince mine words. Habit I picked up when everything I did or everything I said meant that something somewhere was going to die. So you've lost your parents? Well at least you knew them. Dash had nopony, Fluttershy would've been better off without anypony and even my birth parents died, never knew them. So you've lost your farm? I've had friends lose their lives. You can rebuild your farm, you can fix things with your friends. I can't bring the dead back to life. I know I'm being blunt as a dull and rusted axe here but you need to understand that giving up at anytime, especially now, will doom Equestria and your friends. Now, go find your family and help figure things out. I know they'll be as hurt as you."
Telvanni turned and padded away, ears perked slightly at the sound of hoof steps following after him.

~~~~~~~

Luna had called the meeting. The other races had arrived and been introduced. The Changelings led by one Swapper Three Four, a hoofful of gryphons that Gilda ( much to Rainbow Dash's surprise) showed up with, the two dragons Teegra and Shadowscale, and to everypony's surprise a tall albino stallion that was freakishly skinny stepped forth from the shadows dressed in a suit going by the title Dr. Ake Ula announced himself, flanked by Vinyl Scratch. Also in the room were the Elements and Telvanni.

"Ah, Drakula! A pleasure. Tis nice to know that somebeast of the old Corp. is alive!" smiled Telvanni, shaking the slender ponies hoof.

"Ah yes Telvanni. I can say I am shocked to see you here. I watched the Elements strike you down." Ake replied. "And I am Docter Ake Ula now. This is my daughter and heiress Vinyl. I figured the Corp. was to be resurrected so I decided to let Vinyl choose whether or not she wanted my old position."

Vinyl stepped forward with a grin. "That'd be a buck yea pops. You taught me everything I need to know, I'm all for it!"

"Yea well while you three catch up on old times, I gotta ask when we start training. Shits hitting the fan soon ponies and we need to gear up!" Gilda snapped.

Luna turned and regarded the griffoness coolly. "I sense a familiarity with you. Do you perchance know Rainbow Dash?"

"She knows me Princess. We used to be friends." Rainbow growled.

"Explains a lot. Gilda, you will be taking the griffon position of my Night Corp. I wouldn't have the descendant of Gasca work anywhere else in my forces."

Gilda nodded, remembering the tales of Gasca whose name had been well known as a glorious fighter amongst her peoples.

Teegra was next to speak. "Celestia fears my kind too much and has learned brutal counter spells. Our dragons cannot aid in the Corp. For that I am sorry."

Luna nodded assuringly. "It is fine Teegra, hatchling of Shadowscale. I understand that it is too unsafe."

"Now jus' hold on here a darn minute! What in the hoof is goin' on here? We've got dragons, griffons, whatever the hell those are-"

"Vamponies sis, chill." Vinyl interjected.

"Vamponies! Oh and let’s not forget Changelings, you know, the things that tried to kill us all!" Applejack snorted.

Telvanni was quick to break into his old military status.
"Correct. The dragons owe Luna, the Vamponies need her night to survive, some griffons sided with her against Celestia one thousand years ago as did some ponies, and the changelings were only banished due to their whole hearted support for Luna. All of the Elements will be getting non combatative jobs to protect them physically and mentally from the war because we know Celestia won't show her face until she either gets desperate or captures you all. As much as I hate to say it, we are preparing for war. Now I've already sorted you by your talents. Fluttershy, you will be aiding in the dealings with the local fauna and as a nurse. Applejack, we will need you to operate the food that we will have to start growing. Rarity, you will have a team to help you make uniforms and tents. Pinkie Pie is going to be in charge in morale. Just a few lighthearted events every three or four days to keep the soldiers from getting to down and to keep the former Ponyvillians content. Twilight will be under the watch of the Night Corp and will operate with us as she is most likely a HVT that Celestia will want to capture. Finally Rainbow Dash. You will be a courier so-"

"Whoa there dog. I'm not running around with a bunch of letters. Try Cloudkicker or Blossomforth for that one, hell even Thunderlane. I do not run messages. If Gilda's helping keep Twi safe then so am I!" Rainbow countered.

"It's war Rainbow Dash! Ponies die in war!" Twilight cried, highly uncomfortable with strangers protecting her, much less somepony she cared for.

"Yea, and ponies die when they touch fo.....Ponies die outside of war too!"

Telvanni stared into Dash's eyes until the pegasus locked gazes with her.
"Flutterhsy's dad I presume. Yes she told us. She laid into Aj after your argument. That's why you both ran away instead of reporting him. I have to say I'm impressed. Most fillies wouldn't have the mental fortitude to push being used out of their minds. Nor would they be able to kill somepony what, hours later? Minutes? I'm guessing minutes. He wasn't planning on being done that night was he?"

"No the bastard wasn't, but I made damn sure I was the last one he hurt! So yeah, now you all know. I got screwed as a filly and don't like stallions because of it and I’m a murderer. Tough shit, I got over it. Shy needed me and now Twi needs me. You try and stop me and I'll kick your flank!" Dash yelled.

Telvanni extended a claw, grasping Rainbow's forehoof and shaking it. "Welcome to the team. Now that leads Swapper 3 4 as our changeling member and we are full. Get to bed everybeast, we will be having a long day tomorrow!"

~~~~~~~

Scootaloo had woken up and immediately started looking around nervously; almost scared that at any moment somepony would show up and tell her that it was all fake and Dash wasn't actually going to be there and that she was alone. Her fears had grown and grown as the hours went by until she suddenly heard the door open. And there she was.
"Rainbow! Please tell me it wasn't a dream!" the filly cried as she wrapped her hooves around the older mares neck.

Soft hooves embraced Scootaloo in return.

"Of course it wasn't a dream squirt. I told you I won't leave you. Though granted I didn't think that through well enough. I will have to leave every now and again on missions, but I will always come back." Rainbow assured as she plucked a feather from her wing. "Take this. As long as you have it I will always find you."
'I'll be having Twi enchant that later.'
Smiling to herself Dash lifted up the filly that would never grow up and be 'just like her' and placed her on the bed before hopping up and laying next to her protectively.
"Night squirt."

"Night Dashie."

~~~~~~~

Twilight was having a near existential crisis as everything came rushing to her. She collapsed crying as Telvanni quickly came padded over and held her close.

"She's like a mother to me! Why would she do this? And...and all these others! There is going to be war! I've seen war, I don't want it, I don't want it!" the mare sobbed.

"Shh, shh, I know Twi. I don't want it either, but we have to. There is something we can do to fix this as soon as possible though. Are you able to access the physical Elements?" Telvanni asked knowing the answer could very well sooth Twilight.

"Yes, but what does it matter. Ponies are going to die and it's all because I hurt Celestia. This is all my fault!"

Telvanni hugged Twilight close and began rocking slightly. It worked on him after he'd sent Braxus to his death.
"We sneak in, we get the Elements and we cure Celestia. That is what we're going to do. We will end the war as soon as possible and minimize as casualties. But to do that we need to be on the ball."

"I...but....I caused this, I'm a terrible pony."

Telvanni leaned down and planted his lips firmly on Twilight's drawing her into a passionate kiss.
"No. You are an amazing pony. You don't judge on appearances, you judge on actions. If it makes you feel any better than think about this. Do you really think that is the Celestia you know? Remember how you told me she used to tickle you if you got too rambunctious. Or how she would sing you to sleep if you had a nightmare? That is your real Celestia, and we just need to bring her back."

Twilight nodded after a time and the pair eventually found their way to their bed, Twilight sleeping soundly in the arms of her Telvanni.

A.N~ NO!
That's for any of you who think or want me to do a clop scene involving Dashie and Flutters dad. Maybe I'll explain how Dashie killed him later though.

Oh, and there you have it! Why is Dash OOC? Because she, like me, carries two personalities. The DILLIGAF fun side and the serious shut the fuck up no nonsense side and then the mix of the two. Most people that act like Dash(nothing hurts them they are invincible) actually have a deep emotional side that they don't show often(or their just big headed assholes).
Focused a little more of the Dash and Scoots this chapter just to get that explained and gave a better reason for Celestia going balls to the walls crazy.

The Filly Angel

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Over the course of the next week refugees and volunteers had been pouring in from the ass ends of the known lands to offer aid to Luna and the Elements.

The Night Corp. had been training extensively and had been suited for war. They had their armour, their weapons, and their training on how to act as a team.

Gilda and Rainbow Dash were the Air based fighters wielding a halberd and a katana respectively. Gilda would take the main front in her heavier metal armour while Dash would weave around her skilfully in lighter manticore leather armour.

Swapper 3 4 had taken his job as the team's infiltrator with great skill. Even the team sometimes forgot he was there due to his self taught training that came with being a changeling survivor.

Then there was Telvanni and Twilight. Telvanni was a weapon in of himself, his teeth and razor sharp claws meant for hunting served just as good for offensive capabilities. Twilight played a defensive support role with shielding and healing spells but backed it up with a surprising aptitude for the wielding of a rapier.

Then there was Scootaloo. The tenacious filly wasn't part of the team but she practiced diligently with Rainbow and Gilda and boggled every beast’s minds when she picked up flying in one day under Rainbow's tutelage. Scoot's also trained to fight with the group, her natural litheness and agility making her a force to be reckoned with when she went after somebeast with her twin daggers.

The Night Corp was having their first mission in a few days. Recover the Elements and discern the where abouts of a few particular ponies. Apparently Shining Armour and Cadence were missing, as was Octavia Philharmonica-Scratch, Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon Heartstrings, and Big Mac while he tried to salvage anything from the ashened Sweet Apple Acres.

~~~~~~~

"So how are you feeling about this Twi? I am warning you now, your brother could be anything from imprisoned to brainwashed and I can't tell you how things will happen if we find him." Telvanni explained, wishing the mare would take up his mother's offer to remain at the castle.

"It's that exact reason I have to go. My magic rivals that of both Luna and Celestia so if he is imprisoned or brainwashed i have the best hope of being able to save him!" Twilight countered. Just then she got this odd look on her face and rushed to the cludgie spewing her dinner from the previous night into the ceramic bowl.

Telvanni padded over quickly to check on his marefriend. "You okay Twilight? You aren't getting sick, are you?"

Twilight shook her head. "No, just one of your memories. I think I'm going to head to the library to get some reading done before we leave. It'll help calm my nerves."

~~~~~~~

"Come oooooooon!" whined a little orange filly as Rainbow slipped into her streamlined blackened manticore leathers. Scootaloo was desperate to go on the mission with Rainbow, but the motherly (only to Scoots, and only in private) mare shook her head.

"No way, now how. This mission is critical and dangerous and there is no way I'm putting you in harm’s way. I told you I would take care of you, and I will, but that means that you can't be running around on missions with me. It's too dangerous. Besides, I need you to sign these while I'm gone so we can present them when I get back." Rainbow reasoned as she hoofed a stack of papers towards the filly.

Scootaloo read over the papers three or four times before she jumped up and threw her arms around Rainbow's neck. "Sign papers, you got it Dash!" Pulling her head band on (it was made from three strips of manticore leather braided together and adorned with both Rainbow Dash's given feather and enchantments that meant it would never fall off and Scoots could always be found by Rainbow) the filly grabbed the papers and took off for the library so she could get a hold of a quill and some ink.

~~~~~~~

Rainbow Dash and Gilda glided over the walls in there enchanted stealth suits. The suits were all black, but if seen from below against the night sky they would show the stars through them as if nothing was there at all. Silence was the only noise as the pair slipped through one of the open windows and into the building. Once inside Gilda activated a way stone that Twilight was able to home in on and teleport to.

Set and prepped there was a diluted flash as Swapper, Vinyl, Telvanni, and Twilight appeared in the hall way. Swapper immediately set off on his own as the rest of the group moved towards the room that held the Elements, Equestria's singular hope for restoring Celestia to her former self. As the group set off along the hall they turned a corner to find a pair of guards with their backs to them. Gilda readied her halberd but Twilight stayed the gryphon’s claw, recognizing the guards as her former escorts when she was a filly.

"Non-lethal only."

Nodding Telvanni moved forward and smacked the pair’s heads together before laying them on the ground. Continuing along the group silently and non-lethally put down five more sets of guards before reaching the chamber that held the Elements.

Twilight, knowing that she should still be able to unlock the chest that held the artefacts, moved forward first, removed her head gear and pulled the door open to reveal....

~~~~~~~

Shining Armour watched in anticipation as the doors started to open. Just as they came loose and his guards made to pounce they all froze. There before them was Twilight, the very mare they were told was kidnapped and in Nightmare Moon's dungeon!

"Twily, you're safe! How did you escape from Nightmare Moon and her Diamond..." Shining trailed off as he noted the very same 'Diamond Dog' as well as a griffon, another unicorn and a pegasus. "Twily, what's going on?"

Twilight, while happy to see her brother, knew in a heartbeat Celestia was already on her way to the room. "Shining, does Celestia have the Elements?"

"Uh, yeah, why, what is going on Twilight?" Shining asked worriedly.

Twilight looked conflicted for a moment before answering. "I believe Celestia has been corrupted by the same being that made Luna into Nightmare Moon. She set fire to Sweet Apple Acres and then tried to execute my friends and their family for not telling her where I was!"

Shining looked shocked at this almost to the point of disbelief.

"Listen, it isn't safe for you or Cadence in Canterlot. Gather the guards that watched me as a filly, most are unconscious at the moment, and head for the Everfree as soon as you can, alright?" Twilight urged.

To reinforce Twilight's statement Celestia burst into the room at that exact time and pulled the head gear from each of the Night Corp. members.

"Destroy these heathens, but leave our Daughter for us!"

The guard closest to Celestia suddenly morphed into Swapper and threw down a smoke bomb. "Twilight pony, we must flee now!"

Without a word more Twilight teleported the Night corps. out of Canterlot.

~~~~~~~

Twilight was pretty pissed on the way back. "Well, that probably could have gone better...."

Telvanni smiled warmly and lifted her onto his back. "It could have gone worse love. We are all safe and alive, and you twere able to warn your brother. We may very well have garnered allies."

The group continued along for a ways drawing nearer to the edge of the Everfree when Gilda chimed in.

"So, what do we do now? I have ponies I'll be apologizing to and we'll all be training, but what else?"

"I will most likely work on various chemical formulas for non-lethal tactics against the equine genus." Swapper 3-4 noted.

"I'm by far the most combat ready, I was thinking of taking as much of a damn break as mine mother allows. That and if I take a break Twilight's coming with me." Telvanni groaned. He was fed up with war. "What about you Rainbow?"

When Telvanni brought the polychromatic mare up everypony was suddenly curious, for the normally brash and outspoken mare hadn't said a word.

"Uh, what? Oh, what am I doing when I get back? Cool pegasi stuff, y'all wouldn't understand."

Gilda stifled a chortle. "You're going to hang out with that little orange filly aren't you?! Hahaha!"

"Buck you Gilda!" Dash snapped back abnormally fiercely. "None of your business."

After Rainbow's outburst everypony just stayed quiet for the rest of the trip.

~~~~~~~

Scootaloo was bouncing about eagerly outside of the main doors. As soon as debriefing was done Rainbow was going to meet her here, the Night court would open and then they could get everything finalized. To say the filly was excited would be akin to claiming Twilight was a light reader.

The doors creaked open and a cyan blur speed out and tackled into Scoots sending the two pegasi rolling on the ground while the elder set about tickling the filly's sides. It wasn't until Gilda stepped out with a snide "Really, Dash?" that the polychromatic mare let up.

"Whatever Gilda, go boil your feathers! Come on Scoots, we're first in line!" Rainbow laughed. At this point the elder pegasus was also hopping from side to side waiting for the guards to allow them entrance. "Come on, come on, come on, come on!"

The doors slid open again and a guard stuck his head out.

"First in queue for the Night Court step in."

"This is it Scoots! I told you I wouldn't leave you!"

~~~~~~~

"Absolutely not! I am sorry Rainbow Dash, but the members of the Night Corps. are not allowed off spring, they are far too busy and far too at risk of death. How do you think that filly would feel if you died on a mission?" Luna stated flatly, trying to end the hour long argument that had been going on. "I can find her a perfectly good foster home anyway!"

Rainbow snarled at the thought. "A perfectly good foster home? Is that a joke? Or did Celestia send you to a perfectly friend filled moon!"

Luna's eyes narrowed dangerously at that remark. "I suggest you watch your tone..."

"Oh and how would Scoots feel if I died on a mission? Pretty damn bad I'm sure, but how would she feel if I turned right now and looked at her and said, 'Sorry kiddo, I lied, I can't make sure your safe and never alone again, hope it all works out.' Besides I've already told Scoots about the risks, isn't that right squirt-" Rainbow looked around suddenly, realizing the little filly wasn't behind her anymore. "Celestia damnit!" Judging by the drops of moisture leading out the door Rainbow easily pieced together that Scoots had run. Sliding her hood and goggles on (as she was still in her stealth suit) Rainbow shot out the door.

Two Lunar soldiers made to follow but Luna stayed them with a wave of her hoof, mind reeling from the mare's words. "When she returns, she is to have full custody of the filly Scootaloo...and my apologies. Night court is now closed."

~~~~~~~

Scootaloo was wandering around the forest dejectedly. Luna was going to send her away to some foster home. The mere thought of foster homes made the poor filly shudder and subconsciously press her hind legs closer together. She was not going to a foster home. Hell, she had her knives and knew how to use them; she would kill anypony who tried to drag her to one. The memories of her ill fated experiences with ponies of the opposite gender were wearing on the already upset filly's mind and it was mere seconds before she was curled up in a ball sobbing...and alone.

Dash said she wouldn't be alone...but the stallions promised they wouldn't hurt her.

With the feeling of her heart and will to go on being ripped in twain and the thought that even Luna refused her a family and accepting she would never have one Scootaloo cried all the harder.

~~~~~~~

Rainbow had stayed up all night on a mission and was honestly exhausted, but she knew she couldn't give up. She had to find Scoots. She promised the filly she wouldn't leave her, she'd bucking promised, and she would condemn herself to the most excruciating punishments in Tartarus before going back on that promise.

She would never allow the filly that was practically family to her go it alone, Luna be damned and if she had to fight Discord to ensure it.

Dash suddenly froze as she heard the tell tale noises of a crying filly. Heart soaring in hopes of it being Scootaloo Rainbow flew straight for the noise to find her filly with a knife to her wrist.

It was as if the very claw of the devil gripped Rainbow's heart as she blasted forward catching Scootaloo just in the nick of time and the pair tumbled to the ground.

"Ra...Rainbow Dash?"

"Damn it Scootaloo! What were you thinking?! What the hell were you thinking! What is your problem?! I've been looking everywhere for you and I find you trying to do that!?" Rainbow snapped. It wasn't until after she'd said it that she saw Scootaloo was on the verge of tears. On the edge of tears herself Rainbow gripped the filly in a tighter embrace. I thought I'd lost you Scoots! Why'd you run like that, I thought you were gone!"

At this point the orange filly was crying just as hard into Rainbow's chest. "I'm sorry; Luna said she was going to send me away. I didn't want to go away. I didn't want to go to a foster home...please, please don't make me go to one of those places!"

"Never, Scoots, never! You're my family now, I don't care what Luna says, and I don't ever give up on family!" Rainbow assured.

The pair stayed like that for what seemed like hours, Rainbow rocking Scootaloo comfortingly in her lap. After a time Rainbow spoke up.

"We should probably get back before nightfall kiddo."

"But, what about Luna?" Scootaloo whispered sadly.

Rainbow looked thoughtful for a moment before answering. "Well, if Luna doesn't like it she can snap off her horn and shove it up her rear, how's that?" Dash laughed, ruffling Scootaloo's mane fondly. Rainbow and Scoots both turned to take off when Scoots looked down for a second.

"Rainbow..."

"Yeah, squirt?"

"I love you mom." Scoots sighed happily as she turned to face her hero, her idol, her mother that she'd always dreamed of.

~~~~~~~

Rainbow Dash blasted through the castle straight to Luna. By the grace of the stars Twilight and Telvanni were there too. Slamming into the ground in a sideways roll, wrapped around her filly, Rainbow came to a stop, panting and wheezing with tears running all down her face.

"Rainbow, what happened, where's Scootaloo?" Twilight asked worriedly.

Rainbow stood up carefully lowering something to the ground, her entire front covered in wet blood. The mare grabbed Twilight desperately.
"Help her, do something! Please!"

Twilight was shocked, as was Luna. Neither had ever seen the Element of Loyalty so distraught. It wasn't until they looked at the form Rainbow had carried in, a small orange filly with a broken spear haft thrust straight through her torso.

Twilight stammered as tears began to fill her own eyes. "I....I...Ra...I'm so....I can't fix this...I'm so sorry!"

Luna also looked upon the unconscious and nearly dead filly dejectedly. It was then that Telvanni spoke up. "Mother, the life force spell. We could use that!"

Luna just shook her head gravely. "That requires another life and one of family to be sacrificed. We have no family and Rainbow Dash is far too important anyway."

Rainbow knew the spell; it was in one of the Daring Doo novels. It required somepony that the injured considered family to give their life to save them. Eyes narrowing determinedly Rainbow unsheathed one of Scootaloo's knives and slit her own carotid in an instant.

Twilight stood shocked and even Luna and Telvanni were surprised.

"Scoot's doesn't have....the life force left.....to save....my life, but me...being bigger and stuff... mean I can still save her. Do it Luna!" Rainbow gasped as her lifeblood flowed out.

Luna immediately started magically weaving Dash's severed artery back together, so in anger the desperate mare slit the other artery too.

"NO! Save my filly! Save Scoots!" Rainbow screamed pitifully. The hard desperate look in her eyes suddenly softened as she scooped upon the barely clinging to life filly that meant more to her than her friends would ever understand. With pleading, crying, wonder filled eyes Rainbow levelled her gaze with Luna.

"Please, save her....I have all I could want....she....she told me she loved me, called me mom...I had my family, and the girls....I'm content with life...but please, keep her safe Luna, don't let her go...don't....please....she made...the world for me....let me...make the world...for....her..."

~~~~~~~

Scoots was floating through an inky blackness filled with odd floating picture frames that seemed to show different parts of her life. Moving towards one she grimaced and turned her head away. It was the first time she'd learned to hate foster homes.

Hopeful it would get better the filly moved to the next one. It showed a particularly bad winter where some kin pony had rushed her to the hospital with hypothermia.

Continuing forward Scootaloo followed a timeline that led her up to her first time in Ponyville, it was then she heard the voice, her mom’s voice.

"Hey, squirt, you going to keep staring at pictures or come over here and talk?"

Rushing over Scootaloo threw herself around Rainbows neck. "You're ok, I saved you didn't I, I stop the other pony!"

Rainbow got this sombre look on her face and put both hooves on Scootaloo's cheeks while planting a kiss on the filly's forehead.

"I don't get it mom, I saved you. I saved you! Wait...did I die? Mom, am I dead?"

Rainbow shook her head as tears formed at the corners of her eyes. "Scoots, I'm so proud of you right now. Not even joining the Wonderbolts compares to how amazing you are, do you know that?"

Scootaloo suddenly looked unsure at what was happening. "What's wrong, I died didn't I? It's not fair, it's not fair!" the filly started to kick and scream.

Rainbow pulled Scootaloo close and smoothed her hair comfortingly. "No, you’re not dead Scoots, you are not dead! But Scoots, you...were dead."

"What?"

"But I came to replace you. You aren't dying on my watch. Just remember, I'll always be with you Scoots, in your heart, and in your mind. And always remember, kiddo, I will always love you, and I will never stop believing in you. I love you Scootaloo, never forget that." Dash explained as her form began to fade.

Scootaloo desperately clung tighter to the fading Rainbow Dash as if she could hold her there.

"Please, Mom, don't leave me, please, I'm sorry!"

Rainbow had now completely faded leaving Scootaloo seemingly alone.

"Please Mom, Mom! Mom come back! Mom, I don't want to be alone!"

"I'll never leave you Scoots, you’re the little Filly Angel, you saved me, and you redeemed me. I'll always love you, and I will never leave your side, kiddo, believe it."

~~~~~~~

Scootaloo awoke with a start, finding every member of the Elements and of the Night Corps. as well as Princess Luna waiting for her to awaken, every single on except her mom.

"So, she's really gone..."

The silence was an answer in of itself. Scootaloo hung her head, but found she couldn't feel sad.

"I will never leave your side, kiddo, believe it."

She did, she really did. For some reason, probably because she was known for her bull headedness, Scootaloo could swear she felt Dash in the room with them. It was then she noticed and oddity about her mane. It had grown about two hooves longer and was almost Fluttershy's length; on top of that she also caught sight of a rainbow hued braid in her mane. Smiling knowingly Scootaloo knew Rainbow still had her back, that her mom was still there. The filly immediately hopped out of the bed and realized she wasn't quite as short as she had been. Not as tall as a full grown mare, but not as short as she had been, that and her wings had over doubled their original size and now appeared similar to Luna's. There was also a colour difference; her feathers had dappled cyan at the tips. While admiring this she noticed one more crucial difference to her body.

She had her cutie mark!

It was almost exactly like her moms, but the first two strip of colour were magenta and orange with the final stripe being a rainbow. A pony like Diamond Tiara would say it meant she was a copy cat, but to Scoots, it meant she was loved and she belonged.

Finally regarding the group Scootaloo quickly thought of something to say, especially since most of them, Pinkie the most obvious, seemed to be taking Dash's death hard.

"I want to be clear, I never wanted this, but it would be dishonourable to Rainbow's memory if I don't make the most of what she gave me. Another thing, don't feel sad. This is Rainbow Dash we're talking about right?"

"Buck yeah it is, Kiddo!"

"Hay, as long as she's enjoying heaven right now, I know I'll make it through the night. And I know she's enjoying heaven. I know it's hard...and I just had her as a mom here on Equiis for less than a day, but we can't let that stop us. We need to end this, otherwise I can guarantee more deaths, and more orphans, and neither I nor Dash could allow that!"

With out a word more Scootaloo took off out the window and blasted into her first Sonic Rainboom, the one for Dash, the one for her mom.

Chapter 5

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Twilight was extremely glad her mate Telvanni had gone out hunting. It had been four months since the start of the "war" that had so far amounted to Rainbow Dash as the only known casualty. Celestia knew she couldn't take Luna and Luna was scared to harm he sister.

All in all it meant peace and quiet for the lavender mare to relax and let down her glamour magic.

Her glamour dropped Twilight traced a forehoof over her swollen abdomen and smiled. For the next thirty seconds she imagined a world where there were no hostilities and she and her mate could live in piece, but until the war was over none of them could ever know. Not yet anyway.

~~~~~~~

Two new recruits were walking through the courtyard towards drill laughing and joking to each other. For the most part they were having as much fun.

"So you hear anything about the instructor. I heard it’s a mare! A mare teaching stallions how to fight!" one recruit laughed as what seemed like a female recruit with long magenta hair stepped beside them and pitched in her own thoughts.

"Really, a mare? I heard the instructor was barely taller than a filly!" the mare laughed.

The second recruit figured it would be a good time to join in. "Wow, a midget mare that's supposed to teach an army how to fight, this is going to be good."

Suddenly both recruits found themselves slammed on their backs in full view of every other recruit with the mare that had joined them standing over them glaring angrily.

"Congratulations recruits, from now on, you two are my mixed martial arts volunteers. NOW GET IN FORMATION!" Scootaloo roared at the hapless pair. "Right recruits, because tweedle dee and tweedle dumb here think they're funny you all get five laps around the thoroughfare...What are you waiting for, MOVE!"

As soon as the recruits took off Scoots busted out laughing. She' developed a neat trick of being able to turn her seriousness on and off like a magically automated light source.

As Scoots stood in the courtyard a white filly a full head shorter than her came walking over to her side.

"Enjoying the work there Scoots?"

"Definitely B, you having a good morning so far?"

"Alwaaa-aays a goo-ood morning for meee-eeeee!" the filly sang sweetly before leaning up and giving Scootaloo a peck on the cheek.

Scootaloo's faced burned brightly before she returned the peck to the filly's lips. "Catch you at lunch Sweetie Belle?"

"Every day!"

~~~~~~~

Telvanni chuckled as he watched Sweetie Belle skip away from Scootaloo. He remembered the day that Sweetie had been given the role of Morale Officer. It was after she had convinced a distraught and downtrodden Scootaloo that she could do anything she put her mind to. From there the pair had become a cute couple.

Smiling he thought to his own marefriend and her actions over the past four months.

Twilight was, without a doubt, one of the strongest ponies he'd ever met. Not physically mind you, but mentally and emotionally. Without Twilight the Elements would have never recovered from losing Rainbow. Without Twilight Rainbow would have lost Scootaloo, Without Twilight the New Lunar Republic would have been a hastily thrown together camp of rebels rather than an actual force to be reckoned with. Twilight was able to set aside her feelings for Celestia as a maternal figure and only see the beast that controlled her.

Smiling even wider the Lycan bounded into the castle and up to his and Twilight's shared room.

~~~~~~~

Twilight had literally just re applied her glamour as Telvanni came bursting into the room with a large grin plastered across his face.

"Well, don't you look happy today? So what happened, you have a good hunt?" Twilight laughed at Telvanni's unusually exuberant attitude.

Telvanni leapt over the bed and wrapped Twilight gently in his powerful arms. "Nope, just thinking about the one mare in the world who means more to me than anything else in the world. That and all the wonderful things she's done."

Despite Twilight knowing exactly what Telvanni was talking about, and despite her usual humility, she loved hearing the Lycan praise her. It meant more to her than she'd ever let on.
"Oh, and what have I done that's so important? Name one thing."

"You effectively helped create a new young romance between two amazing fillies that has everywhere to go and nothing to lose. Due to this you raised the spirits of one filly from the dredges and allowed the other to truly shine." Telvanni replied casually.

Twilight knew her Lycan was right. In the days following Rainbow's death Scootaloo had slowly been falling into a depression. Through some well played chess master moves Twilight managed to convince Sweetie Belle(as Applebloom had been staying in Ponyville to re plant the Apple family farm) to go and invite Scoots out to dinner. Twilight had long ago seen that Sweetie harboured a secret crush(via diary accidently left in a library book) and gave Sweetie a bag of bits to go to any restaurant they wished. Sweetie had in turn done just that, Scootaloo agreed, they became a couple, Scootaloo came out of her depression and Sweetie's confidence was boosted so well that she started singing in front of public audiences.

So yeah, Telvanni was right. She was now curious to see if he would get something wrong.
"Anything else?"

Telvanni recognized the tone as challenging and raised the bar accordingly. "Well, then you also managed to keep this war from escalating on either side by way of Cadence and Shining Armour maintaining peace of Celestia's end. That and you have created way-crystals so ponies don't have to actual trek the dangerous Everfree to get here. Oh, and you have slowly been morphing the forest back into the Everfree plains like they used to be. Overall you have orchestrated peace between warring nations, saved countless lives and reversed the ravages of time."

Unable, and not wanting, to argue against Telvanni's words Twilight just leaned up and planted a kiss on her love's lips. Then another, this time deeper and more passionate.

The door closed in a flash of magic, sound barriers in place.

~~~~~~~

Gilda was standing outside Telv and Twilight's room impatiently. She didn't personally care if she listened to the pair, but she had become something of a older sister to Scootaloo. Gilda had loved Dash. Not just as a friend, but as a lover. It was why she had been so rude upon meeting the Elements. When Dash passed, she imparted the Lavender mare with one last message for Gilda.

"Tell G to takes care of Scoots for me."

Sighing at the continuing thumps and moans Gilda slammed a fist into the door and yelled. "Hey, lovebirds! There's a filly out here that doesn't need to hear that shit. Shut up or finish up!"

~~~~~~~

Scootaloo chuckled as Gilda padded back into the room followed by a loud howl and cry from down the hall. "I see diplomacy isn't your strong point Auntie G. Maybe next time you should try flying in through the window?"

Gilda gave the filly a look. "Right, and wind up splattered on the wall opposite of their door when Twilight throws me out? Not likely. So, how're you a Sweetie Belle doing? Tapped that flank yet?"
Gilda wasn't actually being serious and knew full well that both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, while having knowledge of such things, were most definitely not ready to have sex.

Face burning brightly Scoots hurled a pillow at the gryphon before tackling into her.

"Funny Auntie G, let's see how funny you are when I've got you pinned!"

"Not this time short stop!" Gilda laughed back as the two set about wrestling.

~~~~~~~

Two hours later, bored out of her freaking skull, Scootaloo attended the latest strategic meeting with the other Elements and the other members of the Night Corps.

Currently Swapper 3 4 was arguing with Vinyl over the appropriate course of action after the news that Ponyville was going to become occupied by the Solar forces.

"Gah, we can't just float around her and not do shit! Ponyville is my home; I've got friends and a marefriend there!" Vinyl snapped.

"And sometimes the few must give way for the many. Besides, they aren't planning on harming the civilians, just gaining a hoof hold." Swapper countered.

Instead of Vinyl responding it was Gilda. "Cause that is just so fucking better, right?!"

The trio continued to argue until Scootaloo got tired of it.
"Holy shit! Would you lot shut up! I'm sorry Auntie Gilda, but you're all being stupid. We can't openly defy the army without risking civilian casualties, we can't evacuate without being noticed and we can't lose the support of Ponyville or keep our military there. Seems pretty hopeless to me. We need to choose to fight or choose to give up, one or the other!"
In her outburst the young pegasus knocked over a candelabra which hit the door in just the right spot to pull it open causing a specific white filly to come spilling out.

Rarity immediately stepped forward to scold her younger sibling for eavesdropping. "Sweetie, I swear I taught you better than this. Eavesdropping can be dangerous these days."

It used to be that Rarity's scolding sent Sweetie scampering away apologizing, but she gained more than just a filly friend hanging out with the brash Scootaloo.
"That or it could answer questions big sister. Scootaloo is right, we can't fight without ponies getting hurt, and we can't leave a military force. But we could leave a civilian group. Ponyville would have an underground group of civilians passing information, gathering Intel and letting everypony know we still have their backs!"

Scoots immediately high-hoofed Sweetie Belle and Twilight stepped forward to pose the more important question.

"That is truly ingenious Sweetie Belle, but who is going to lead this group? It will obviously need a leader that no pony would ever suspect and that could get in and out of town easily." the Lavender mare listed, "On top of that they would need to be able to organize their work. I honestly don't know a single colt or filly that has been around a well organized pony-" Some heads turned Sweetie Belles way, "-that has planned out any events or schedules-" A few more heads turned Sweetie Belles way, "-and even still, we would have to know this colt or filly well to even begin to trus-"

At this point Telvanni gripped the underside of Twilight's mouth gently and turned her head to face Sweetie Belle.

Twilight's face brightened. "Of course! Rarity, with your permission we could use Sweetie Belle! She's practically been raised by you, she's set up outings for the CMC and we all know her well!"
Now in Twilight's defence, she actually had other more pressing issues on her mind at the time so she failed to even register the deadpan looks she got.

After Rarity acquiesced Scootaloo readied a small group to escort Sweetie to Ponyville and pull out their own forces.

~~~~~~~

"Just because I'm letting you do this doesn't mean I like it, B. I need you to promise me that if things start getting out of hoof you come get us, because I've already lost one pony I cared for, and I don't think I could lose another." Scoots explained as she hugged Sweetie tightly at the edge of town.

Sweetie pulled back just enough to give Scoots a quick kiss. "Don't cry Scoots, please? If you cry then I'll cry and then we'd both look like a couple of fillies."

Scootaloo chuckled and nodded, giving her eyes a quick rub. "Course, no crying. Oh, had this made too!" Scootaloo pulled a necklace with one of her feathers hanging off of it out and placed it around Sweetie's neck. "This will let me know where you are, and if you're ever in trouble you twist its base once either way."

Sweetie looked at the feather as if it was gold and quickly realized it was a match to the headband that her filly friend always wore. "Thanks Scootaloo, and I'll see you soon.

~~~Three Weeks Later~~~

Scootaloo was a very chill filly. With her mind augmented with the best experiences Rainbow had to offer about life, there wasn't much that could ruffle her feathers. That being said, it always helped to have somepony, preferably a fillyfriend, to rely on. Now on the note of her filly friend, Sweetie Belle was currently dodging Imperialist ponies 'running' Ponyville for info.

So then, back to the topic of things that could ruffle feathers on Scootaloo.

"Luna damnit! What in tartarus made you think that of all things you could have done, that that was the best plan?!" the orange filly yelled at a hapless unicorn recruit. Her orders were for the four recruits to take her down, and she was currently hauling said previous unicorn to the medical tent. The fool pony had tried to teleport in between the two rocks that Scoots had had her back to and instead lost his leg inside one of the rocks. "Shy, I've got another casualty her, take him before I drop him!"

~~~~~~~

"I will be making my surprise appearance soon. I want the 'underground' traitors flushed and captured the second I appear and I do not wish for this plan to fail..." Celestia seethed to her Captain. Shining nodded hesitantly.

"I understand milady."

Sensing the hesitance of Shining and remembering the stallion’s relationship with Twilight’s friends the contaminated celestial mare comforted her captain. "Remember Shining, we do this to save your sister."

~~~~~~~

Sweetie was thanking every god imaginable for her runs with Scootaloo. She used to begrudge the filly for hauling her out to run with her, but when you're being chased by six guards moments after Celestia herself decided to teleport into Ponyville square.

'Sheesh, if the girls and I hadn't used to roam this town for cutiemarks I'd be screwed.'

Ducking into Bon Bon's Sweets Shoppe the owner and her own fillyfriend Lyra immediately took notice of the unfolding events and 'accidently' decided to offer treats to their next 'customers'.

Busting out the back door into the alley Sweetie bit back a laugh at how the guards must look trying to gently let the mares down that they didn't wish to sample their treats. Tearing out the alley and down the lane towards the hidden portcrystal. Sweetie Belle only just had enough time to twist her necklace when the tyrant queen Celestia herself wrapped her in magic.

"Well well little traitor, it seems you aren't nearly as smart as you thought. Captain Soarin', Captain Spitfire, gather the Wonderbolts and send word through town. It is time we made an example of these traitors." Celestia barked.

Sweetie Belle shook slightly, but the knowledge of the Night Corps. kept her from fearing too much.

~~~~~~~

Instinctive and obvious, like a deadened limb from lying wrong, or a twinge of stepping off kilter, that’s what she felt. Scoot's eyes narrowed dangerously to the point that the nearest recruits to her took steps back in fear. Roaring in fury the orange filly shot forward and grabbed the nearest recruit.

"To Luna now, Ponyville's in trouble...MOVE, ASS!"

With nothing more to say and her recruit sprinting for the castle Scoot's tore into the skies, shattering the sound barrier in seconds.

~~~~~~~

Spitfire and Soarin were co captains of the Wonderbolts, they and their team were the fastest best fliers around and ruled the skies in Celestia's name. They were called in when shock and awe counted, when all the advantage they had was sheer speed and grace.

They were being made complete and total fools by a small white filly with cottoncandy hair after the filly in question had bloodied Celestia's nose.

"Get her there Fleetfoot, ack, Silverwind, watch it!"

"On your left Soarin! Nope, I got her, shit she bit me!"

Spitfire internally groaned at how badly her force was being shown up at the moment as the filly slipped between her hooves and Backdraft slammed into her.
"You do realize that you won't escape, you're just making your capture last that much longer, right kid?"

Sweetie stopped for just a moment to answer. "Not, running, holding out!"

Perplexed by the answer but too annoyed to give it thought Spitfire and Backdraft untangled themselves and jumped back into the fray.

"Give it up already kid, maybe Celestia'll go easy on you Soarin reasoned.

"And maybe I'll turn into a pastry that flies and farts rainbows, go buck yourself!" Sweetie shot back as she ducked under the co-captains legs and giggled as Featherdown slammed into him. The giggling threw her off though, and Backdraft grabbed the filly from behind. Realizing she had no choice she realized it was time for her to use her magic.
Sweetie started to sing, and park benches, litter bins, and other street side objects lifted and started beating off any attackers.

Where have all the good mares gone?
And where are all the gods?
Where’s the streetwise heroines to fight the rising odds?
Isn't there a white knight, or a fiery steed?
In Ponyville I dodge,
and I duck,
And I sing of what I need!

I need a heroine, I'm holding out for a heroine to finish the fight!
She's gotta be strong,
she's gotta be fast,
And she's gotta be fresh from the flight!
I need a heroine. I'm holding out for a heroine till the moonlight!
She's gotta be sure and it's gotta be soon
Cause she's coming to save my life!

Imperial mages were working hard to counter the filly's ridiculously powerful spell (Sweetie trained with the best of the best, Twilight Sparkle) but were getting dropped each line.

Somewhere in blue skies,
making up my favourite fantasy,
Somewhere up beyond your reach
I've got a mare holdin’ on to me!
Racing on the thunder, calling the stormy sea
I've got a supermare coming to save me!-

Sweetie was suddenly cut off as Celestia shattered her defences and lifted her with magic.

"Well little filly, you certainly are a brave one. Foolish, but brave. Come soldiers, this filly is going to be made an example of!" the solar mare barked as she flew to a place where all Ponyvillians could see her and her captive. "This filly is a collaborator with the traitorous whelp that is my sister...She must be made an example of to show that these evil thought cannot be allowed to take root no matter how old the bearer is, and they cannot be allow to flourish anymore!"
With that faux-Celestia drew a sword.
"Any last things to say little filly?"

I'm holding out for a hero til the end of the fight!

Celestia narrowed her eyes at the singing filly and raised the sword. She didn't even notice the speeding blur that the filly was smiling past her at.

~~~~~~~

Scoots growled loudly as she drew closer and closer to Sweetie and Celestia. It was just as the evil wretch hefted her sword that Scootaloo made contact with her. Celestia was quickly and suddenly introduced to a Mach 2 right cross and was sure as hell not going to forget it any time soon. In the heartbeat it took Scoots to catch Sweetie Belle was the same heartbeat it took for the Wonderbolts to surround the pair.

"Don't even try to escape you two, there's no way we'd lose you!" Spitfire ordered.

Scootaloo just got a dirty look on her face like she'd bitten into a rotten apple. "I recognize your mane Spits, but do you recognize mine? Better question would probably be, 'Stabbed any fillies with spears lately?'"

Spitfire's wings faltered for a second as the memories of that mission-gone-wrong rushed back through her head.

Spits dashed forward towards the unsuspecting back of the Night Corps. member. just as she reached the point of no return the member hugged a small filly that took notice of her. In a heartbeat the little filly spun the two of them around and took Spits spear through the torso. The Night Corps.pony stared in horror before slamming a cyan wing into her face knocking her out.

'Cyan wing, why did I only just remember....wait...oh Sweet Celestia!'

"Heya Captain Spits, how’s the wing?"

"It's good Rainbow, glad you finally made the team, right?"

"Definitely Spits. Thought I am kinda sad. There's this little filly back home. Late bloomer, huge fan of mine. I wanted to teach her to fly. Honestly she's like a little sister to me. I'll have to introduce you sometime, her name is Scootaloo."

"Fi...filly pegasi, what is your name!?" Spitfire asked, almost dreading the answer.

Scoots just rolled her eyes but gave the information regardless. "Scootaloo Dash, adopted daughter of Rainbow Dash. Night Corps.' AeroRecon specialist. Inheritor of the Element of Loyalty and filly friend to Sweetie Belle, whom I'm holding now."

Spitfire's heart both leapt and sank at the same time. Sure she hadn't killed Dash, but the mare would probably never forgive her for what she'd done to the prismatic mare's adopted daughter.
"And how fares Rainbow Dash?"

At this Scoots placed Sweetie Belle on a nearby roof and drew her twin daggers. "Dead, gave her life force to save me. Got me my cutie mark and a nice braid. Showed me how much she loved me... So, how's this going down, I fight my way through the Wonderbolts, then the army?"

Spitfire drew her cutlass in response and on her cue so did the other 'Bolts. "No, you don't fight us... I know now why Celestia told me that my targets identity didn't matter. She knew I was going after Dash, a fellow 'Bolt. You hear that team, she sent me to kill the Element of Loyalty knowing full well who it was and the relationship we shared!" At this point Spitfire's eyes were spilling tears. "No Scootaloo, the 'Bolts fight with you! That is not Celestia anymore!"

In response Celestia rose from the crater she'd made when she impacted the ground and gave her orders to her army. "Ponyville is a traitor stronghold! Burn it to the ground!"

~~~~~~~

Telvanni was leading the force with Twilight secured above his shoulders. After the battle he would have to discretely ask her about how much food she'd been eating of late, because she'd definitely put on weight. That or maybe it was all muscle. Regardless the ground trembled beneath the collective feet of the Lunar forces as they raced for Ponyville.

Chapter 6

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Telvanni raced across the ground, Ponyville drawing closer and closer with every four metre bound. Twilight was on his shoulders with a array of spells readied.

Gilda was readied with her halberd right behind them, flanked by Swapper 3 4 who was carrying Vinyl.

Behind those four was the army that the New Lunar Republic had amassed.

The pounding of hooves was matched by the blood pounding through the veins of the warriors as they rushed to Ponyville's aid.

They were answering Scoot's call to arms!

~~~~~~~

The Wonderbolts and Scootaloo were damn near impossible to beat. With Sweetie using her magic to create a defense and Scoots or the 'Bolts decimating anypony who made it through the defense. The only thing that had Scoots truly pissed was that Celestia was actually leaving back to the Castle and her Imperial soldiers were now moving on the rest of the town, sending it's occupants scattering and screaming for safety.

"Spits, we need to save these civilians yesterday!" Scootaloo roared.

Spitfire could only grunt, she knew they didn't have the horse power to fight their way to the townsponies defence.

~~~~~~~

Ponies scattered this way and that, skirting around a lone grey mare as she trotted the opposite direction towards the oncoming enemy soldiers. Once all the civillians had passed her and it was only the mare and a line of angry soldiers did anypony get a good look at her.

She wore bright white robes accented with scarlet with a raised hood with a beak like top hanging over her muzzle. At her side was a rapier and on her forehooves were two odd bracers. She uttered but one sentence before drawing her blade.

"Obscultate cantu."

The nearest soldier hefted his broadsword to find the end of the cowled mare's rapier kissing the fibres of his heart. He was dead in mere seconds. From there two more soldiers rushed forward. The first swung a nasty looking mace that the mare deftly piriuetted around while the second accidently put a slash meant for her into his fellow soldier. As the second stared aghast at his acts he barely had time to register the sword tip that tickled the back of his throat.

"Venite, musicam ludo!" grinned the mare under her hood.

At this challenge a hulking stallion in heavy armour bearing a large battle axe stepped forward.
"Your death wish, fool!"

Rather risk her rapier to the force of the large axe, the mare flicked her forehooves, short blades made to resemble cello bows, complete with razor sharp wire strings, shot from her bracers.
"Mors vult nobis omnibus."

The soldier merely smirked. What could two small blades possibly do against his armour or weapon? Lurching forward the soldier swung his axe up the ways first before slamming it right back down. The surprise came from realizing he'd completely missed his target. Jerking around he relocated his target on his right, jerking his heavy cumbersome axe towards the hooded mare again.

Instead of dodging again the mare leapt gracefully over the blade and thrust her twin wrist blades into the neck slot that allowed the stallion to move his head. The death was instantaneous, but it cost her time. In that time another soldier had made an attempt to strike her from behind but found a sharpened steel 'vinyl record' in his throat before he could make contact. Spinning about the hooded mare's cowl fell, revealing grey fur, twin lavender eyes, and a darker grey mane.

"Scratch, you made it!"

"Ah, you know how it is Tavi, you get caught up with the gang and forget the time until the last minute. Now, how's bout we take Ponyville back, eh?"

"Assentior!"

~~~~~~~

How it happened the gods only know. One second the 'Bolts had Scoots and Sweetie secured, the next the two groups were on opposite sides of the town!

Scoots and Sweetie were making a glorious team, Sweetie turning any loose item into a spinning weapon/barricade while Scootaloo used her natural dancing skills and a little help from her mother to dodge in and out of the typhoon of items luring more than a few fool soldiers to their deaths.

"How're you holding SB?!"

Sweetie swayed slightly from all she'd done so far that day. "Tired...don't know...how much long....longer I can keep this....up..." the filly replied, doing her best to incorporate the words into the song her out of breath body was just barely sustaining.

Almost as if to prove the point the entire barrage of magically held items fell as Sweetie collapsed into the dirt. Scoots was over her brave fillyfriend in milliseconds as the soldiers pressed their new advantage.

"Oh, yeah, you lot are tough as a Glascow budgie aren't yall?! Yeah that's right, pick on the two fourteen year old filles, you're all really tough!" In contradiction to her own words Scoots lobbed a throwing knife into the nearest soldier instantly killing him. At that four soldiers bum rushed her. just as they got a metre away a large feathery form slammed into the from above, breaking ribs and shattering spines.

"Which one of you buckers thought attacking my bucking neice was a good idea?! All of you? More fun for me then! Scoots, get your mare friend back to the castle a.s.a.p and get her to Shy!" Gilda barked as she hefted her halberd towards the enemy soldiers.

As Scoots took off Spits had just made it back over and offered her aid.

"Hey Griffon, you got room for a mare in your fight?" Spits grinned cheekily as she readied her mameluke.

Gilda grinned predatorily towards the Imperial soldiers. "Just stay out of my way!"

~~~~~~~

Neither Luna nor Celestia were on the battlefield. With that stated, there was no way in hell you could convince anypony that they hadn't attended it with the death and destruction being wreaked by Twilight and Telvanni. The former actually didn't have it in her heart to kill and was focusing on nothing but defensive spells while the latter was something no Imperial soldier knew how to fight.

The Imperial knew the pack tactics of the four legged canids called Timbre wolves, and they knew the ambush tactics of the Diamond dogs. On that note neither species was particularly smart.
What they face now was a highly intelligent battle worn soldier that was taller than the tallest member of their force and ten times as strong. To top that was the fact that Telvanni's body was a weapon in of itself and his constant shifting from biped to qaudriped made it impossible to get a lock on his fighting patterns.

Twilight's impenetrable defenses coupled with Telvanni's unparallelled fighting prowess came together to form an impenetrable pairing.

~~~~~~~

Hacking a nearby Imperial in twain Gilda used her seconds long reprieve to cast a look over at Spitfire and the other Wonderbolts as they defended against any and all attackers.

"So then 'Ms. Firebird', what makes the Wonderbolts want to join up with the Lunar Republic. Last I checked you were all loyal to Celestia!" the gryphon snarked.

Spitfire grimaced as she answered. "Celestia lied to me, purposely sent me on a mission to kill Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty and a fellow 'Bolt and on top of all that, I messed up bad. Call this an attempt to amend my mistakes."

Gilda agreed with the pegasus' reasoning but made a mental note to make it quite clear exactly how the Wonderbolt Captain would make her 'amends'. In the meantime it was war!

"On your left Spitfire!" snapped Gilda as she took one out of a pair of pegasi down.

Spitfire had rounded in an instant and sent a furious slash right into the attacking ponies face before taking to Gilda's side. "It's time we pushed through to the Lunar forces I think!"

Gilda just nodded and grinned.

~~~~~~~

Octavia and Vinyl made the perfect duo. Their movements fluid and rhythmic, playing off of one anothers strengths and defending eachother's weaknesses in perfect harmony.

"So, broke out the old vampony slaying gear, eh?"

"Well you know how it is Vinyl. Ruffians harass the town folk and there are only so many Ponyvilleans that know how to actually fight. I figured that you would be coming along at some point anyway, though I figured you would have had your bass cannon."

Vinyl couldn't help but suppress a chuckle. "You know how it is, some venues just can't handle the amps."

Octavia understood, as the bass cannon would have destroyed buildings as well as any enemies and they were here to save Ponyville after all, not destroy it.
"Well then, I guess some finer tuning never goes out of style, no?"

"Not at all Tavi, not at all!"

~~~~~~~

Most war is considered organized chaos, a jumble of fighting groups all mashed together but working decently together in a team. That could not be said for the battle that was taking place at the moment.

The Solar forces far outnumbered the Lunar forces that had arrived, but the problem came from the fact that A) nopony expected the Lunar Army to arrive and B) the fact that while the Solar had more training with weapons and armour, the Lunar had more experience with death, having to kill encroaching hydras, cockatrice' and manticores in the Everfree. Even with that in mind the nauseating smell of blood, the screams of the dying or wounded and the general horrors war had to offer left at least a fourth of both sides incapable of continuing the fight.

To top that the Lunar forces had only hit on one side and the Solar soldiers on the far end were still trying to detain or in some cases even kill the townsponies!

~~~~~~~

Sparkler stood furiously in front of her wounded mother and younger sister Dinky. They say you never see a ponies trues nature until a crisis event, and the true could be said for the tenacious young mare. With a hoof axe in each hoof Sparkler made it quite clear to the four soldiers that they wouldn't touch her family without a fight.

"Yeah, you four were all big and brave kicking my mom while she tried to protect my sister! What, am I too much of a mare for you to handle?!"

Sparkler never did get her answer because at that moment Big Macintosh and Doctor Whooves slammed into the four soldiers scattering them like bowling pins.

"Never worry Ditzy, Macintosh and i are here to escort your family to safety, isn't that right?"

"Eeyup."

"Precisely, now, allons-y!"

~~~~~~~

The gardener ponies, mostly all earth ponies, had never figured their talents to be any use for much outside of making food or growing flowers. Now that they had their own lives and the lives of others, the hardy ponies, most of which had already experienced great hardship due to attacks against the Elements, discovered they were more than ready to use nonlethal force to protect each other.

"Carrottop, I've got my roses in place, you ready on your end?!" Roseluck called.

The orange mare she'd called to giggled. "Yep, we'll show these guys what happens when you mess with Ponyville!"

Seconds later a large group of soldiers came racing down the lane in search of ponies. What they found instead was how painful it was to step on a multitude of thorn covered roses.

"Yeeouch, where'd these come from?!"

"Argh, my hooves!"

Carrot Top grinned and nodded and the windows of the surrounding houses all opened wide. From there teams of school colts and fillies as well as numerous earth ponies began bucking rotten produce through the windows and into the groups of soldiers who quickly found themselves covered in a rancid paste that choked and gagged them everytime they tried to breathe.

"Yeah, and stay out! That'll teach you to step on our turf!" Roseluck called out as they watched the soldiers fall back.

~~~~~~~

Ponyville was a strong town. It's proximity to the Everfree as well as its mutlitude of assaults from anybeast after the Elements had hardened it and it's ponies to the hardships of the world. The problem was that for every ten ponies ready for a fight, there were another 6 who couldn't or had family obligations. Five prime examples were Aloe, Lotus, Mrs. Cake, and Pound and Pumpkin Cake. Mr. Cake had stayed behind to buy them time.

The the mares barreled down the streets as fast as they could, fifteen or so soldiers on their tails. Tears streamed down the faces of the mares, but they knew they couldn't stop yet. Mrs. Cake knew that unless she got her childrehn away her husband's sacrifice would be for nothing. She could mourn later.

Almost as if fate conspired against them Pound Cake chose that exact moments to twist and fall off of Mrs. Cake's back. The mare quickly stopped to sweep her child but one of the lead soldiers was there making to stab his sword forward. Just as the blade shot towards Mrs. Cake she found her vision obstructed by the familiar hues of Aloe. The brave mare had thrown herself in between the soldier and Mrs. Cake with but one final plea.

"Save the children..."

Lotus let out a cry of anguish and charged the soldiers in grief stricken rage while Mrs. Cake secured her children yet again and ran.

She could hear Lotus' cries over those of her two wailing babies.

~~~~~~~

Twilight and Telvanni were the primary force pushing into the enemy lines. They had pushed back enemy lines and gathered up the gardener ponies, then Gilda and the 'Bolts. Then Telvanni, sure that most ponies were already safe, really started to let loose. Even Twilight started to get a little more reckless and violent, but still managed to hold back from killing ponies.

Using barrier magic, Twilight would push a gap into the enemies front lines which would quickly be filled in by Lunar Repubic soldiers. Whilst that was taking place Telavnni was currently holding most of the main front on his own. It was by choice of course, because most anypony would have gotten in his way. Spitfire and Gilda made mincemeat out of any aerial assaults, the combined forces of the Wonderbolts and Shadowbolts being too much for the Empire to handle. Twilight herself was currently being guarded by Vinyl and Octavia, both of whom made sure nopony came close to her.

It didn't take long for the Imperials to begin to retreat, realizing they had severely misjudged the power of their enemies.

That was about the time Telvanni came bounding up to Twilight.
"As they fell back, I heard that there were two ponies still being pursued out to the west of town. Hop on Twilight!"

Nodding, the mare secured herself and Telvanni was off.

~~~~~~~

Logically it shouldn't have been possible, but logic had never held much sway over what a pony of Equestria properly driven could do. Mrs. Cake was being escorted by none other than her husband as they tried to evade the Imperial soldiers chasing them. Mr. Cakes normally canary yellow coat was crimson with blood, most of it actually being his own. Two spear shafts were broken off inside his body, yet he still pushed on.

"Come.....on honey.....almost fre....free...I can feel it!" Mr. Cake sputtered as he continued moving forward unsteadily.

The couple continued a bit more when they rounded the corner to find themselves facing twelve of the Imperials.

"S...Sta....Stay back....Run honey....save...the kids..."

Mrs. Cake understood what was happening all over again. Her husband Lemon Cake was giving his life, staying back to save his kids.
"I love you Lemon, and the kids love you too."
With a sob the mare turned and ran.

Lemon smiled as his mind recollected all the moments shared with his twin children. Those twin beings that made his life worth it. With a feral scream the stallion threw himself forward with all intents and purposes of buying enough time.

He didn't even feel the blades cut deep into him. Funny what blood loss does to you.

~~~~~~~

Twilight felt ice cold fear grip her heart and Telvanni pounded the ground to try to gain on the Imperials that were catching up to the fleeing mare. All their sprinting, all their hard work, was about to be for naught. As Telvanni carried Twilight into safe teleportation range, the mare fell and the soldiers quickly surrounded her, hacking away with their weapons.

Two seconds flat and Twilight had both teleported and sent a kinetic wave to throw the stallions from the mare they'd been chasing. As Twilight drew closer, bile and sorrow rose up in her body. Before her laid the ruined body of Mrs. Cake. Just as Twilight was about to break down, she saw something even worse.

Pumpkin Cake desperately clung to Pound Cake while shaking him. The foals mind couldn't comprehend why her brother refused to wake up. Couldn't comprehend why her usually warm comfy brother was suddenly so cold and stiff. Couldn't understand that her brother...was dead.

Twilight snapped.

The unicorn's mane and tail erupted into flames as she looked about to see the soldiers she'd thrown had surrounded her. Regardless of any peril, the mare tore a rift into the ground that immediately swallowed up four of the twelve soldiers before closing again.

Next five ponies, pegasi, lunged at her, and in her grief induced rage Twilight didn't think once about ripping their wings from their bodies before lifting them hundreds of hooves into the sky and dropping them. Didn't even wince as they struck the ground.

The other three ponies, two unicorns and an earth pony, were all that was left after the five second rampage, and they were eager to attempt escape. They all three turned to run, and Twilight, without a single thought to the live of the ponies, callously crushed two of them into paste before dragging the last one, a unicorn, back to her.

"She was only a mother trying to protect her foals! She couldn't hurt you, she couldn't hurt anypony. But you, you chased her down like an animal and you butchered her, and you slaughtered her son and now? Now that poor filly has to grow up all alone...." Twilight stammered, beginning to lose focus. The unicorn captive attempted to use this as an opportunity to drew a dagger with magic, but Twilight caught his actions in a flash as her expression hardened.
"She has to grow up alone....and its all your fault!"
With a cry of anguish and rage, Twilight ripped the unicorns horn from his head and drove it into his body again and again and again. She continued to slam the impromptu shiv into the corpse as her scream continued to tear from her throat and as she was blinded with tears and the unfairness of it all.

She was still stabbing the ruined mass as Telvanni's soft, warm, comforting paws wrapped around her and pulled her close.

~~~~~~~

The battle was won, but at terrible cost. While the actual casualties of the battle were low, as it was the first major battle in centuries and not many ponies were truly ready to strike a death blow, but the mental and emotional toll was far worse.

Pinkie had bee one of the worst casualties so far, her entire being practically deflating and becoming depressed at the new of her 'families' deaths save for Pumpkin Cake, who the pink mare had adopted. Nopony saw Pinkie smile any more if Pumpkin Cake wasn't there with her.

Many of the soldiers were having trouble coping with the mass horrors of war as well. It wasn't helped by the fact that there were still wounded being treated five days after the battle.

Morale was at an all time low.

~~~~~~~

Telvanni sighed as he padded back into his room. Twilight hadn't moved an inch in the past five days, but thankfully she was still eating, albeit it she claimed it wasn't for her, but she was eating regardless. Many scenarios played out through the Alpha's mind on how to get the unicorn to move before he finally settled on one he knew would get the unicorn's attention.

Letting loose a feral howl, the lycan slammed his fist into the stone wall shattering bone and dislocating joints.

In a heartbeat Twilight was all over the lycan's paw, using her advanced magic to reset and heal the bones in an instant.
"By the stars Telvanni, why would you do that, you could have seriously hurt yourself!" Twilight chided worriedly.

Telvanni let out a pained smile.
"You've stared at the same brick since you've returned from the battlefield. I had to do something."

At this reminder Twilight's ears dropped down and flattened against her head.
"I....that's because I killed them all, and I turned into a monster...."

The lycan's amber eyes softened as her wrapped his hooves around Twilight.
"Tell me Twilight, why do you think, out of everybeast that fought, that you are the monster?"

The unicorn gave a pained whine as tears filled her eyes and a lump formed in her throat.

"Because you crushed ponies? Because you tore the wings from pegasi and watched them fall to their deaths? Because in your pain, sorrow and grief you struck back, blow for blow, what those soldiers had struck against what you held dear? Do not consider yourself a monster for that my love, for I have done such a deed myself." Telvanni admitted.

"Yo...you did?"

"I was gathering fellow Lycans to join our cause, mine and Luna's anyway, and Celestia's thrice damned Captain got wind of it. His solution? Eradicate the Lycans as a species. I went into a village one day to find every Lycan dead, down to the last pup. Then, as if to rub it in my face, they spit every murdered pup on a spear for all to see. The fools didn't stop and use common sense though, and I tracked them easily. Once there, I killed everypony, but I did not kill them easy. In my thirst for vengeance I shattered one fourth of the troops legs and left them to die. Then I eviscerated another fourth of them and tied the trailing ends of their intestines to a slow moving water wheel. The third fourth I burned alive, and the final fourth I buried alive under the charred remains of the third fourth. Finally I found the Commanding Officer who'd ordered the massacre in his tent crying like a babe. I knocked him unconscious, then tore out his vocal chords. Once that was done, I took him with me just outside of Canterlot, and in the dead of night I tore down a hoof wide spruce and sharpened it to a thirteen hoof long stake. I skewered the stallion alive on it, I still remember the silent screams and the pleading looks as his ass was torn wide, and his gurgles and tears as the stake force his neck straight and shattered his jaw as it made its exit. That bastard learned you can survive for a full day when I planted the stake outside the Castle for them to find in the morning with a sign saying 'Never Forget' on it."

As Telvanni finished, he himself was also shedding tears and Twilight realized that she had not suffered as bad as her mate. "I'm sorry Telvanni, you've been through so much, and here I am moping over this on-"

Telvanni just shushed the mare.
"Never feel sorry for that Twilight, for you have suffered too, far more than I ever wanted you to. All I meant with that tale, is war can bring out the worst in anybeast, even if they have the best intentions in mind, and that what you did was the right thing to do, because it was merciful compared to what they could have been through. There is nothing wrong with you, Twilight, and you are no monster. You're just a beautiful mare who hurt for her friends."

Telvanni led Twilight over to their shared bed and the two reassured each other that they were no monsters.

After all, monsters can't feel love.

Author's Notes:

Welp, Feels away!

New chapter is up, and I've got the Twi/Vanni reactions up to the battle here. Again I'm not necessarily focusing too hard on Twi/Vanni relations at the mo because I really want to flesh out the Scoota/Belle(because I think those two are precious together)

As for who died in battle and who didn't and why.

Sparkler Dinky and Derpy survived because I have a major soft spot for that family grouping and plan on doing a few things here or there with Derpy or Sparkler.

Aloe and Lotus died because I didn't know what to do with them. Seriously, what good would two shop less spa runners be in a war. I tried to integrate them with the Cakes though.

Now for the Cake family.

I needed Twilight to snap. I mean just fucking lose it. I imagine Twilight would be more distraught upon finding, say, Lyra and Bon Bon dead or something, but to know Mr. Cake is 99% probably dead, and that you just saw soldiers cut down a mother and her infant son, both of whom you know well, and to realize that the daughter is now an orphan, and to have been just out of reach, just a second too late to stop it.

Yeah, I need Twi to lose it big time for this to get further. Twilight needed to learn that shit happens in war, and war is truly terrible, but its why you fight that matters most.

The Cake family incident also allows me to toy with Scootaloo and Sweetie's maturity levels a bit while opening up for something I've been itching to do.

Pinkie Pie still manages morale, but Pinkamena Diane Pie has decided it is time to fight!

Fianlly, huge apology for such a long wait for this chapter, but on the plus side, my writers block for this story has finally cleared up due to my fucking around on "From Ashes" so Yay!

Morality Report

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Scootaloo kicked her hooves idly as she sat on the edge of the bed watching her fillyfriend's sleeping form. She kept trying to feel terrible, to find some reason to hurt, or be upset, but she couldn't.

It scared her.

She had led ponies to war, faced down her near murderer, punched Celestia in the face, and had taken the lives of many other ponies yet she couldn't feel bad, because in the end, Sweetie Belle was safe. It wasn't like she didn't want Sweetie to be safe, but she didn't want to feel so damned okay with killing either!

Having trouble there kiddo?

Scootaloo perked up as she realized Rainbow had decided to give her a visit.

Kind of, not really, but yes, Celsetia damn it its so bucking confusing!

Well, why don't you explain it to me squirt, and we'll sort this out.

Scootaloo explained exactly what happened, earning an amused yet proud sense of euphoria as Rainbow's emotions managed to slip through to her mind as she explained the Sonic 'Brain'boom as Scoots had dubbed the right cross. Scootaloo also explained killing ponies, which earned her a wash of sympathy.

I'm so sorry you had to go through so much kiddo, but I think I can help you. You see, you're the pinnacle of Loyalty, right? So right now your most loyal to what?

My friends obviously!

A sense of smugness entered the filly for the briefest of seconds.
And would I be safe in guessing somepony is especially Loyal to their fillyfriend?

Scoots turned bright red and was suddenly acutely aware and happy that Rainbow Dash was only with her in her mind.

What I'm saying, squirt, is that the reason you don't care isn't because you're a bad pony, its because you did what you needed to do, and you did it right. Sweetie Belle is safe and you are content. Never think there is something wrong with you for that, okay?

Thanks mom, I do have one other question, but please don't laugh, cause its kinda embarrassing to ask, but...well...what I wanna know is...how do two mares have sex!
Scoots blurted, facing turning rosy red.

A feeling of confusion, fear, and embarrassment Scootaloo knew was not 'hers' flowed through her, turning her face even brighter red than before.

Bwuh, uh, er, wait....WHAT?! Oh, well uh, muffins are ready to come out of the washing machine, better go get 'em while their fresh, yessiree, you know I love my cupcakes, catch you later kiddo!

Scootaloo just gave a sigh and started thinking of how to translate what she did to herself to somepony else while waitng for Sweetie Belle to wake up.

~~~Four Days Later~~~

Gilda stared down at Spitfire, who was doing her best to save face, but having an extremely hard time looking the griffoness in the eye.

"So then Spitfire, I was wondering why Scootaloo trashed all the Spitfire Wonderbolts items after Dash died. I thought the 'Bolts just reminded her of Dash at first, but then I realized Scoots kept everything except for you. Guess I know the reason now. So give me one good reason not to carve you a second mouth across the pretty little neck." Gilda growled.

Spitfire had nothing, nothing but pain and guilt. Hoofing the mameluke she carried to Gilda, the mare gave her response.
"I deserve it, and I won't deny I deserve it. Do what you must."
With that Spitfire raised her chin up and closed her eyes.

*Smack*

Spitfire's eyes shot back open as she realized the griffon had slapped her flank suggestively and started walking off.

"Learn to chill the buck out girl. Besides, killing you won't bring Dash back. Here's how this works, I don't have the money to support Scoots, and I don't know a damned thing about raising kids, especially magically augmented fillies that fight in wars. Here's how you fix things. You pay for her upbringing, you make nice, and you get her forgiveness. Besides, if you were a good enough lay for Dashie, well, maybe I wouldn't mind seeing how you stack up to her, eh? " Gilda laughed causing the Captain's cheeks to light up bright red.

Just as Spitfire was about to speak up, a blood-curdling cream tore through the castle. Gilda tossed Spits her mameluke back and grabbed her own halberd. As they raced towards the castle Vinyl and Octavia came hurtling out of the trees.

"You two know what the buck that was?" Vinyl asked.

Gilda just shrugged while Spitfire shook her head.
"Where were you two anyway."

Octavia provided the answer with a lewd grin that was odd to see on such a refined mare.
"Post battle coitus in the woods. Nothing like a good railing to get your mind off of things and calm the mind, no?"

Gilda gave a laugh as they continued into the castle.

~~~~~~~

Rarity pounded on the door to Scootaloo's room franticly trying to get in. The mare knew her poor little sister needed her, and so did poor Scootaloo, but the door had been locked from the inside and she had no way of saving them from the beast with in. Ignoring her hooves growing steadily sorer or the lump on her head where she'd had the door slammed in her face Rarity continued trying to break through and save the two fillies.

Rarity's scream had quickly drawn attention though, and soon most of the Night Corp. was in the hall with her. Twilight was the one to speak first.

"Rarity, what's going on, what's happened?"

The fashionista threw herself at Twilight's hooves as she cried out what she'd seen.
"Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, a beast has them, and Luna knows what it is doing to them now, we have to get in and save them!"

Having just gotten over her own issues, and having some fear of what might by happening, Twilight teleported a large boulder into the hallway.
"Look out everypony, here comes Tom!"

Twilight slammed the boulder through the door, smashing a hole wide enough for every pony to see the 'beast' 'feasting' on Sweetie Belle as the filly suddenly cried out loudly before collapsing.
Scootaloo turned to face the new hole in the wall with a stupid, but pleased look on her face while Sweetie Belle struggled to sit up, a similar stupid, but far wider smiler gracing her features.

"Uh, Sweetie, you see what I see." Scootaloo asked.

Sweetie just mumbled back.
"Not giving a buck cause that was amazing. I always thought your kissing was the best."

Rarity promptly fell over and passed out while everybeast else, Twilight included, burst out laughing, suddenly realizing what 'the beast' was.

To be fair, Twilight wouldn't have condoned the fillies doing that five days ago, them both only being fourteen, but after what she'd seen, Twilight new enough to know that the two fillies deserved whatever their hearts desired. It just so happened that they just wanted each other.
'Wait, when did I get this sapp- oh, yeah...that's when.'
Twilight smiled and ran a hoof softly against her underbelly.

"Hungry there Twi? Me'n'Tavi are headed to lunch, but if you're rubbing your belly, I guess your about ready for a meal too. Come on, I'm payin' anyway" Vinyl offered as she started down the hallway.

"Sounds good Vinyl Scratch!"

~~~~~~~

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo headed down to the recruit field, the former having taken an interest in training, as well as the two having been inseparable since their...fun...three days prior. Regardless, the two fillies were all seriousness as they ordered the recruits to do their warm up laps. As the recruits ran out of hearing range, Sweetie Belle posed a question.

"Hey, Scootaloo, how do you cope with the ones you killed?"

Scootaloo blinked for a second, trying to figure if she'd heard right. When she decided she had, the filly gave her answer.
"Rainbow Dash. You know she can still talk to me, right? So anyway, when I'd brought you back and Fluttershy told me you needed bed rest, I sat on the end of the bed trying to figure out why I didn't feel bad for killing anypony. I guess Rainbow found out, because she showed up and told me it was loyalty. It was because I knew that what I was fighting for was more important than anything else. That you were more important. When it comes right down to it SB, I knew as long as I had you, and you were safe, I'd be happy."

Sweetie Belle's eyes teared up at the sentiment, and the unicorn filly kissed her fillyfriend.
"Thanks Scoots, I needed to hear that...a lot. Oh, here come the front runners....Dropshot is in the rear again..."

Scoots just rolled her eyes.
"Don't remind me, that pony is useless. He keeps trying to get a bullseye at the archery range by jumping off of things and trying to spin around while randomly firing the arrows. Kid'll get himself killed in the real world."

~~~~~~~

Twilight was alone yet again, but that was fine with her. The mare undid her light armour, something she'd taken to wearing at all times, and released the spacial distortion spell. She looked fondly at her swollen belly as she imagined how the wonders of life could carry on in something as simplistic as her own body.

As her mind pondered such things, it began to wander the vast and complex depths of morality.

What was right, and what was wrong, how to discern such things in a world of constantly shifting opinions and variables? Why did life suddenly seem so convoluted? Why was it that killing, something that up until the past week seemed abhorrent, was suddenly so widely accepted? That lying and keeping secrets from those she loved didn't bother her too much? That two underage fillies could engage in sexual relations, and Twilight thought of it the same as how she would think another other couple?

It was so hard to make sense of the world, but the one thing that kept drawing Twilight's attention was the wonderful gift that resided inside of her.

Morality was confusing, but suddenly it was all stripped away as the mare gazed at her swollen abdomen and replaced with something else.

Love

The drive to protect those you loved, and love them as much as they love you. The simplistic common sense that you did what you knew was right and fought against what you knew was wrong.

But, still, if everypony had different opinions.....
"Buck this, I give up! Little foal, I love you, and that's all that matters, and I will make sure you come into a world that loves you!"
With that cry of frustration finished the mare turned and headed off to take a nice warm shower.

~~~~~~~

"Do you think about the ones that didn't make it? The ones who were by your side at the beginning, but in a body bag at the end? Do you stop and think on how that could have been you?"

Gilda rolled her eyes at the pondering mare.
"Honestly, all I can think of right now is that you've got a nice ass."

Spitfire blushed red, but continued.
"I'm being serious. Doesn't it ever bother you?"

"No."

"Well why not?"

"Cause I'm alive. Call me a selfish pric if you wish, but I survived on skill, and if somebeast else didn't, they should have trained harder. Now, I'm going to keep eating, if you're not, I'll take your leftovers."

Spitfire just shrugged.

~~~~~~~

Telvanni and Luna sat as they pored over the battle statistics, casualty reports, morale levels. Next they pored over the same charts for Celestia's army, having stolen them from a courier.

"They can't handle this Telvanni. These pponies haven't seen true war or death on this level in over one thousand years, and even Pinkie Pie isn't the same."

The lycan nodded in agreement at the recent memory of a very straight haired and darkened pink mare destroying eight training dumbies with a Minotaurian maul. Logically, she shouldn't even have been able to lift the weapon.
"I agree. Twilight nearly broke down after that battle, and we've had over thirty non combat ponies commit suicide, twice that for the ones who fought."

Luna closed her eyes and took a deep breath to prevent herself from crying.
"We need one battle, one final decisive battle, we need to end this the next time we fight!"

"I agree mother. Even the Nightmare must realize she can only push her ponies so far. My thoughts are to bide our time for just a few more months, allow these wounds to heal over. Once that is done we will take only the ponies that can handle war and finish this."

Luna smiled at her sons genius.
"Now we just need something to raise everyponies spirits."

~~~~~~~

Scootloo kept casting quick glances over at Sweetie, and the unicorn filly was not missing a single one. What she was missing was why. Why was Scootaloo so nervous today, so quiet, and so damn edgy. Seriously, Scoots was practically going ballisti-

"What was that?! Scream me some more bitch!" the filly roared at a hapless recruit.

"Okay...."

Sweetie couldn't help but wince at Scootaloo's harsh treatment of the recruit.
"Scoots, what's going on? You've been acting out of sorts all day, you mind telling me what's up?"

"How many times did you nearly die in Ponyville?"

The question was surprising as it was abrupt, and it gave Sweetie Bell pause before thinking on the answers.
"Um, I don't know...more than ten times I think. Why are you asking?"

"I just...this is war, and anypony could die at any moment. I was thinking about how precious that makes each moment we've shared since this all started. How much I care for you. So I spent half the day talking to Dash, trying to get her opinion on what I was thinking." Scootaloo explained hesitantly.

Sweetie Belle just nodded, waiting for the orange filly to continue.

"Anyway, and I'm not getting soft or sappy, but since you and I have known eachother for like, forever, and after everything we've been through. That and with how much I understand things now..." Scootaloo trailed off as she pulled a feather from her wing and deftly curled it around, using twine to tie the two ends together.
"If you want, would you mind getting married, y'know, to me and stuff?"

Sweetie Belle gave Scootaloo an odd look.
"First, how does anypony mess up that line...."

Scoot's eyes fell.

"..but of course I will! This is awesome, I love you Scootaloo!"

The orange filly darted forward and swept Sweetie Belle into her forehooves before tearing into the skies and realsing a glorious Sonic Rainboom.

Chapter 8

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"-which is why I have concluded it would be best for us to gather our morale, and wait until we have recuperated." Fancy Pants advised Celestia.

"Fine, but then we march on them."

~~~~~~~

Twilight and Telvanni leaned against each other contentedly as the event day started. Twilight herself recognized it as an extremely important day, more so than anypony else. It was the day that she knew it wa-

*Bam*

"What's taking you two so long, people are already gathering and getting ready!" Gilda laughed. Sure, she wasn't the nicest being all the time, but she had carved out a place in her generally stone heart for the filly Scootaloo and was finding that she was happier than usual.

Grinning, Twilight stood up in her Night Corps. armour.

"I am ready Gilda, I'm just not wearing a dress or anything. You see, the last two weddings I went to were for my Brother and Cadence, and everypony knows how that ended, and the second was for Prince Blueblood, still, we all now how that ended."

Telvanni nodded next to her, only his silvery white fur was bare of all save some fore arm/leg armour.

"Well, shall we go join the group?"

~~~~~~~

The day was one giant culmination of of growing joy that had been placed back when Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle had just proposed. After their first taste of war, many started wondering if it was at all worth it. Why fight when nothing good comes out of it?

That all changed when the ponies saw that two fillies could find joy during war, despite having fought in the battle themselves. Despite knowing death, and feeling the pain and sorrow, they could still soldier on. It gave ponies hope, and it gave them joy. They now had a goal to look forward to and something to strive towards.

~~~~~~~

Swapper flew as fast as he could, but the thrice damned Imperial armour was heavy and rubbing against his carapace the wrong way. With every buzz of his wings, pain tore through his back.

He knew he would not survive this....but he could ensure his friends did.

~~~~~~~

The crowd was cheering wildy as Luna pronounced the two fillies wed. Nopony save Telvanni even heard the crash of armour. The lycan quickly leapt over a couple of pews to find Swapper, who'd been acting as a spy for them, lying in a crumpled heap of broken chitin and golden armour. Twelve arrows protruded from his back.

Leaning towards the dying changeling, Telvanni heard but one utterance before the changeling died.

"They come."

Letting out a roar that reverbrated through the room, everyone stopped cheering.

"The false Celestia comes with her army, if you wish to protect your families, then follow me!"

~~~~~~~

Twilight was running as fast as her well toned and muscled legs could take her. That being said, even some of the slower runners were overtaking her as she began to pant from exertion. Looking down at her smooth and flat armoured belly, the pony rolled her eyes before teleporting towards the front line where the masses were gathering.

~~~~~~~

Tavi and Scratch suited up in a heart beat. Sharing but one kiss final kiss before the final battle, the pair made their presence known on the frontlines.

'By Luna's stars, I pray that Octavia comes out of this alive and unharmed.'

'By Luna's stars, I pray thatv Vinyl comes out of this alive and unharmed.'

~~~~~~~

"No, not a chance in tartarus Sweetie Belle! I promised that I would always keep you safe, and the front lines are not the way to do it! Believe me, if it were back in Ponyville where I knew I could stay by your side, I wouldn't trust any other pony to have my back, but I'll be in the skies, and I don't fell safe knowing you're down there alone." Scootaloo pleaded as Sweetie armoured up regardless. Just as the cotton candy filly tightened the final strap she gave her wife a deep kiss.

"Scootaloo, it is alright, and I understand. I need you to do something for me though. Shy and I are going to go on a quick trip with Shy's friend. Just, stay safe for me and when you need me, watch the horizon." Sweetie explained.

Sharing one final kiss, Scootaloo turned, only to have her face turn red as a wave of pleasure suddenly raced up from between her legs. Turning, Sweetie was giving a mildly damp fore hoof a lick.

"Besides, you still owe me a meal..." the filly grinned seductively.

Nodding dumbly, Scootaloo took off with a wide grin breaking out across her face.

~~~~~~~

"High Imperial Captain Shining Armour, we are nearing the Castle of the Moon. Your orders?" whispered a grey pegasi.

"Thunderlane, gather the one's loyal to me, and the old guard. Once we have them grouped, well, you know the plan. Just...don't get caught, and stay safe." Shining sighed. He thought he could have averted this.

~~~~~~~

"Nightmare Moon! Surrender, and I will only execute the leaders of this foolish rebellion! Refuse, and I will be forced to cut you all down!" the Solar Diarch ordered.

Luna, looked down at the scene before her. An ocean of ponies were laid out below her and her corrupted sister across the way. She had no choice, even if she'd wanted one. Locking her features, them

lunar Alicorn shot forward through the air and collided with a thunderous clap.

Below the alicorns, their armies did likewise.

~~~~~~~

Though the battle had been raging for hours, the armoured unicorn stallion that now stood before Twilight was the first enemy she'd actually seen.

The soon due mare had made a point of playing defence from behind her own lines for as long as possible, but unsurprisingly, the vastly larger imperial forces were pushing them back. As she eyed the stallion before her, Twilight realized she wouldn't have the benefit of mobility that had aided her before.

"Listen, I've done nothing but cast defensive spells. I'll just fall back with everypony else, and we can go on our own separate ways." Twilight offered, hoping the stallion would take it.

Her answer came as she deftly parried a slash with her rapier. Twilight made to twist around and gain some distance, but found that her body couldn't turn like it used to in battle. This realization hit her just about as hard as the stallions kick when his hooves connected with her chest.

As Twilight slammed into the ground she managed to use the momentum to roll around and gain her hooves again. Angered, she powered up a spell to kill the opposing soldier, but her spell flickered as she felt the insides of her hindlegs suddenly grow very damp and a stab of pain shot from her stomach.

This one distraction was all the stallion took to knock her over onto her back and lever his sword to eviscerate her. Realizing her danger, Twilight panicked.

"Please, don't hurt my foal!"

The stallion froze as he looked down over the distressed mare, then lowered his gave to her perfectly smooth and flat stomach, glaring at her angrily. Just as he thrust the sword forward, a periwinkle blue aura of magic diverted the blade into the ground and snapped the soldiers neck. Looking over, Twilight noted and Imperial Battle mage in white gold armour.

"Well, Trixie couldn't have somepony else kill her rival." the mare boasted, then lowered her gaze to Twilight's stomach as a second stab of pain shot through the lavender mare's body. "That and I don't agree with the slaying of foals, especially unborn ones."

Twilight would have laughed for joy if it weren't for the fact that she suddenly screamed in agony.

~~~~~~~

Telvanni knew something was wrong the second the lavender magic that held their defences so well fell around them. A sinking feeling in his gut was all the lycan needed to race to where Twilight had last last stood unbending against the tides of the enemy.

Bounding through the the battlefield, a chill settled through the lycan's spine as he realized how similar it was to the battle that led to him being sent to the current time. Pushing those thoughts from his mind the lycan continued to race towards his mare.

Using a rock for a platform, Telvanni leapt over the frontlines of the Imperial forces to a ring held by an Imperial battlemage that stood over his mate.

"Ah, just who we were waiting for. Trixie advises you lift your mare and get her to safety!" the battlemage yelled.

Without stopping to think, Telvanni lifted Twilight by the ring on the back of her armour and turned to leave, but realized he was no ringed in by Imperials. At the same time he realized this, Twilight let out another pained scream. That's when the battlemage stepped forward.

"Trixie will clear the path, dog, make sure you don't fall behind!" with that Trixie loosed a blast of magic against her own fellow troops and cleared them from her path.

The trio made tracks back to the castle.

~~~~~~~

"You merely delay the inevitable Luna! Even now my army pushes yours back, and I will retrieve my daughter! Oh, well, look at that down there!" Celestia gestured. Below them was Telvanni racing towards the castle. "Tell me, how much do you care for that mongrel?!"

Just as the words left her mouth Celestia loosed a blast of magic down towards the lycan. In response Luna raced down and deflected the blast, but left her back wide open for Celestia, who took the opportunity to attack. Slamming her younger sister in the back with magic, the tainted alicorn laughed as she watched her hit the ground. Charging up her horn once more, Celestia prepared to deliver the killing blow.

*BANG*

*CRACK*

"Hey, bitch, you up for a fight this time, or just gonna call your Wonderbolts to save you?" a voice leered.

Snapping her head around Celestia raised a hoof to her quickly reddening cheek while locking her eyes onto a slight orange mare.

"You! I'll kill you!"

Scootaloo just laughed.

"Only if you can catch me, bitch."

~~~~~~~

Twilight was letting out another scream as Telavanni laid her down on their bed. Claws like knives, he tore the mare's armour from her, immediately dispelling the zero space enchantment and revealing the mare's highly swollen stomach and the fact that her water had broken.

For all his strength and wit, for all his will and experience the lycan knew nothing of child birth.

"*Huh* Move out of *huh* Trixie's way so Trixie can *huh* see to her!*huh*" Trixie panted as she came into the room.

Telvanni, out of fear and instinct, rounded on the battlemage and lift her by her throat.

"Why should I trust you!?"

"Trixie...*urk*...Trixie helped you..."

"That isn't why!"

"Trixie knows....how to birth.....a foal!"

"That's not good enough Imperial! I need a real reason or I swear I will kill you!"

It wasn't fear of death, it wasn't the pain of her throat being constricted. It was a deeper pain that led tears to begin to spill from Trixie's eyes as she stared near reverently at Twilight's swollen abdomen.

"Because I want to give that foal the chance to see the sun rise. I want that foal to have the chance that mine never got..."

It was enough for Telvanni who lowered Trixie with an apology.

"Do not apologize to Tri- me, just let me take care of this, and...well frankly you sacre the piss out of me, would you mind waiting in the hall?"

Telvanni nodded.

"Just one thing before I exit Trixie-"

"I hurt her you kill me?"

The lycan just shook his head and gave Trixie a quick hug.

"Thank you."

~~~~~~~

Telvanni did his best to block the screams, wanted nothing else but for them to stop, something he mentally begged for. After what seemed to be hours and the screams had ended did the door finally open. As the confused lycan turned he found Trixie looking at him with a huge grin on her face.

"I don't think I need to ask who the father is...come on in, Twilight and your daughter are sleeping."

The lycan attempted to choke out a few different words, still having immense trouble at wrapping his head around the fact that Twilight had been pregnant. Dropping to four legs Telvanni padded his way into the room to find Twilight laying on fresh sheets with a small lycan pup, albeit it one with a horn, laid next to her. The heart melting scene change very little, even as the pup gave a yawn and started whining for food.

Carefully, as not to disturb Twilight, Telvanni shifted one of the mare's hind legs, revealing her two teats. Then, gently, Telvanni moved the pup, his pup, over to the teats and began to cry in joy as his daughter began suckling. Turning to Trixie, the lycan wrapped her in another hug.

"I'm a father...thank you Trixie, because I am a father."

~~~~~~~

Scootaloo deftly managed to avoid a bolt of power that vaporized a cloud not 2 inches from her. Turning about, the filly realized that there wasn't much more she could do. Panting from exertion and wincing from numerous light burns and small cuts Scootaloo locked eyes with Celestia.

"Well then filly, what are you going to do now? You have no allies this far past my army, and you have not the energy to continue fighting me. I am not without mercy though. I will allow you and your new wife to live. You may stay in the cage with the hounds whilst your wife becomes my sub." Celestia laughed cruelly.

Scootaloo wasn't sure what the joke was. Despite her appeared age of 19 to 21, she was still a 14 year old filly. That's about the time she felt a familiar presence in her head.

Mom, that you?

Kiddo, we're going all out and wiping the floor with this bitch!

Dash, you okay?

A sub is a living sex toy....

Scootaloo's eyes widened for a moment, then narrowed dangerously as the wind around her began to pick up and electricity starting darting across her body.
"I'm going to fucking kill you!"

~~~~~~~

Despite the fact that he didn't want to, Telvanni planted a small kiss on both Twilight, then his daughter, then turned to Trixie.
"I need you to safeguard my family, there is still war raging, and they will need me."

Trixie nodded and grabbed a spear off the wall.
"Nothing gets past me, on my horn as a unicorn!"

Smiling gratefully Telvanni quickly returned to the battle field to find that the Lunar forces had turned the tides. While Scootaloo harassed Celestia Luna was able to join her army against the Solar forces, and Shining Armour took the opportunity to show his true support as he and a fifth of the Imperial army cast off their gold armour and began subduing their former fellow soldiers.

Essentially the battle was drawing to a close and only the bitterest or most loyal to the new Celestia still continued to fight.

~~~~~~~

Breaks in the sounds waves echoed across the empty skies as Scootaloo and Celestia slammed hooves against hoof, body and wings. The two had been going at it hard for the past twenty minutes, and the Nightmare was chiding herself for antagonizing the filly.

As they continued, Celestia quickly realized that despite the surge in power, Scootaloo was still a filly, and was flagging from the strain on her body. After scoring two directs on the orange filly's body, Celestia grabbed her by the base of the throat and dangled her worn body before her.

"I'm an immortal goddess, and you're a filly. Did you truly think you could have destroyed me, or even hurt me?" Celestia laughed.

"The bruising seems to lean in my favour..." Scootaloo wheezed back, a cocky and bloody grin on her face.

Using her magic, Celestia broke the lowest two ribs on the filly, causing Scootaloo to cry out in pain.

"You are nothing. A dust mote in the winds of time that I could crush easily, a grain of sand in the great desert dunes of life, ever-changin-"

Scootaloo zoned out whilst the Solar Diarch began monologuing. She wasn't trying to be rude, she just could barely see for the bruises on her face and felt like she'd been hit by a train. As she continued to here the muffled buzzing of Celestia's words in her ear, she spotted something over the alicorn's shoulder that made her smile even wider.

"-so you see, I am ever present, and you are...wait, why are you smiling whore? I am going to kill you, and yet you just smile?!" Celestia growled, shaking the filly roughly.

Giving a wheeze of pain, Scootaloo asked but one question.
"What is bruised bloody and clueless?"

"What?"

"Well, II see the anser..." Scootaloo giggled painfully as she from the alicorn to just past her. Celestia turned to look just at the right time.

*CRACK*
"Your face!" Fluttershy screamed in anger as she decked the princess and grabbed Scootaloo as gingerly as possible.

Spinning away from Celestia quickly, three fireballs slammed into the Diarch as Fluttershy joined her vanguard in the sky.

The dragon's had answered her call for aide!

Chapter 9

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Fluttershy was quick to deposit Scootaloo off on the back of one of the larger dragons. The filly made to move a soft hoof pressed her down as softer lips touched her own.

"I have you Scoots, just let me heal you."

Scootaloo opened her puffy eyes as a smile made its way to her lips. Sweetie Belle was right to have told her to look to the horizon.

~^~^~^~

Once she'd deposited Scootaloo, Fluttershy turned about and made a beeline for Celestia. She had to lead the corrupted alicorn back to the castle.

Then, suddenly, chaos was everywhere.

The Imperial airforce, mysteriously not present for the original battle, started swarming into the air going after the dragons. It came to Fluttershy's horror that Celestia had planned for this, as the Imperials knew exactly where to strike at her dragons! Weaving through as much of the havoc as possible, the mare had to pull up short as a pegasus stallion reared up before her, sword in hoof.

"Die rebel su-"

And promptly fell from the sky, a feathered shaft protruding from his neck. Just then a familiar voice alighted Fluttershy's ears.

"Lead the false Celestia back Fluttershy, we will take care of this! Clear the path for Fluttershy, nothing stands in her way!"

Princess Cadence, along with the griffon's and her own crystal pegasi archers, had made the field!

~^~^~^~

Pre-battle jitters, that's what Shining had kept telling himself as they'd marched on the castle of the Moon. Now, though, he'd realized his mistake.

Hordes of unaccounted for Imperial soldiers began to pour out from the Everfree, quickly over running the defences of Luna's army. The stallion himself was in trouble, having just been dropped to the ground by a cruel slash to the leg.
'Candy, Twily, I'm sorry I failed you both....'

*THONK*

A hoof hefted Shining up back onto his feet, and the stallion recognized the being as a zebra.

"If it is hope you need to arise, simple look about the earth and to the skies!" the zebra laughed before spinning back into the masses, it's staff whirling like a dervish.

The Captain took just that advice to see that the crystal ponies were flowing in from the north east, coupled with a small force of reindeer.

From the south came the black and white striped masses of Zebrica.

From the skies poured down griffons and dragons like rain, and from the ground roused the Diamond Dogs!

It was as if the whole of Equestria had risen up to combat the evil that had corrupted Celestia!

Hope surging through him, Shining drew his blade and leapt back into the fray.

~^~^~^~

After promptly slapping Celestia across the cheek, Fluttershy tore off through the aerial battlefield dodging this way and that through the anarchy that currently reigned in the skies. All she knew was that she had to get Celestia back to the castle.

~^~^~^~

It was over. The battle, the war, the hate....

As a whole, once the Imperials realized that they were outnumbered, they began to throw down their weapons and armour, and in the light of the horror they'd unleashed upon their fellow pony, collapsed weeping.

Then a miracle happened.

Ending the hate with finality, everybeast began to relinquish their own holds on their weapons on all sides, regardless of species, gender, or faction. Together they began to gather the wounded, and soothe the dying.

Only one thing could interrupt the calm....

~^~^~^~

Telvanni and his mother stood grinning widely at the sight before them. They watched as the species of the known world came together in true harmony.

As they stood, the Elements came to stand behind them, and the Night Corps. as well.

"So, is this it Telv, it finally over?" Vinyl pressed.

Before the lycan could answer, Scootaloo, now fully healed, landed, carrying Sweetie Belle.
"It will never be over for those who have lost, and they will all carry a burden in their hearts. For now, we must live in the present though, because it is all we have."

A soft voice pitched in from the right as Cadence and Shining trotted up.
"But for now we have one more issue to deal with. Fluttershy is on her way here with Celestia, and luckily I have managed to obtain the Elements! Now quick, put them on and...wait, where is Twilight?"

Telvanni suddenly found himself the object of some very uncomfortable attention and realized he would now have to explain how Twilight had hidden her pregnancy, and the fact that she'd been pregnant and was now a mother.
"Well, you see-"

Just then Fluttershy touched down hard.
"She's coming!"

The Setting of the Sun(Sad Ending)

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The corrupt Celestia and the ponies who stood against her faced each other with a fierce determination, both knowing that this would be one of their last standings. Every twitch of a muscle, every stary hair in the wind or ruffled feather was noted keenly as they stood in opposition.

Celestia charged, but a flash brought her up short as Trixie Lulamoon and Twilight Sparkle appeared before the two sides. The latter was ragged and tired, her fur matted with sweat and the smell of her exertion was quite apparent. Her eyes were ringed and her features drawn tight, as if exhausted or in pain.

"ENOUGH!"

Panting slightly, Twilight turned to face her former teacher.
"Celestia, this isn't you, you don't do things like this. Look deep inside and find that love you hold for us all. Reach insides and find the love you hold for me, your family, just as I have found the love for my own new family."
Twilight sighed happily, gesturing to the girls and the Night Corps. then to a bundle she held close.
"This is my baby, Celestia, and if I am truly a daughter to you, then this is your granddaughter. Can you not find it in your heart to loves us?"

Celestia stopped for a moment, eyeing Twilight and the pup pensively.
"My granddaughter...."

Twilight nodded hopefully.

"...Is a LIE!" The Solar Diarch snarled as she thrust her sharpened horn forward at the small bundle.

Three thing happened at once, and then it was over.

Twilight's eyes went from shocked, to determined, to horrified as she felt blood splash across her torso and face, where her daughter had been held. In panic, the unicorn unwrapped her pup and examined it closely, but found she was unharmed. Casting her gave upward the first thing she noted was a see of periwinkle and crimson fur.

"She still hasn't seen the sunrise Twilight...and to be honest, we all knew...we all kn...you..were bet...ter..than..m..."

Before her, gored on Celestia's horn was none other than Trixie. The foolish unicorn, always so boastful and arrogant, gave her last moments to Twilight's pup. Then Twilight looked past her at the corrupt alicorn.

Celestia stood, eyes wide in shock, as blood flowed from her chest. The alicorn would have looked down to see the lavender magical lance that had speared her heart, but the lycan that had locked his teeth into the back of her neck, tearing through skin and severing the spine.

In a burst of magical light, the Nightmare was destroyed, and as the light cleared, there lay Celestia.

The now purified alicorn was in no better shape than the tainted one from moments prior, and laid, crown dented and askew, on her side as blood poured from her chest and neck. Giving a pained cough, the one true Celestia smiled lovingly at Twilight.
"You...save me, my daughter...and yes, you...are mine...ancient magics...forbidden..."

Twilight just gasped as tears sprung up into her eyes. Lunging forward the unicorn wrapped her hooves around the mother she'd only just realize was truly hers.
"Celestia, please, don't leave me...I....I...I'll fix you, I promise!"

"Twilight, dear, please don't make....a promise....you can not keep....may I see...my granddaughter before...I leave you?" the failing alicorn struggled to ask.

Nodding with a sob, Twilight showed her daughter, her pup, to Celestia.

"Beautiful....I have but...one...final gift for...you...my daughter...and for your family....my...legacy...my greatest love..."

Lighting her horn one final time, Celestia covered Twilight, Telvanni and her granddaughter in a veil of magical light.

~^~1000 Years Later~^~

"Tia! Tia, I know you're hiding in there, now come out and give everybeast a smile. Let them know you've returned!" Luna called cheerfully.

Tia ducked her head embarrassedly but knew there was no getting out of it. It was the great reveal after all, and everybeast would want to welcome her return to the throne. As she stepped through the curtains and joined the four waiting for her, Tia blushed whilst a fanfare played and her name was announced.

"Returning from Reindeer lands, allow me to introduce Princess Tia Lulamoon, daughter of Telvanni and Twilight, Prince and Princess of the Stars!"

Tia padded straight up to her mother and father, who both wrapped the wined female lycan pony hybrid in their loving embrace.

"Mom, dad, it's good to be home!" Tia grinned. "And Auntie Luna and Auntie Cadance, it is wonderful to see you two as well. Should I presume Uncle Armour is off handling the security?"

Twilight gave her daughter a loving smile.
"Of course, was adamant he did things himself. Now don't you have an announcement?"

Blushing slightly, Tia nodded and moved towards the microphone and in turn, the ribbon in front of a brand new building.
"Dearest subjects, as we all know from the text books, 2008 years ago, a being known as the Nightmare attempted to take control of our Princess Luna, but thankfully failed. We also know that 1000 years ago, the Nightmare tried again, this time successfully taking control of our former Princess, and beloved mother, friend, sister, aunt, and grandmother, Celestia. During this time, many stories were played out, and many a hero was made. Today I proudly announce that those heroes may be gone, but they will never be forgotten! Today I announce the Hall of Heroes, a monument to every Mare, Stallion and Foal that has ever stood against unbreakable odds in the name of all things good in Equestria! I declare this memorial, open!"

Tia went first, making straight for the side by side memorials of a periwinkle unicorn and a radiant white alicorn.

~^~^~^~

Thus, as life is want to do, the world continued. The Wonderbolts and Shadowbolts teams continued, a friendly rivalry between the two. Under the unswerving guidance of the immortal Princes Shining Armour and Telvanni, and the unrivalled leadership of the Princesses Luna, Cadence, Twilight, and Tia Lulamoon all of known Equiis banded together to form the land of Harmony.

It was the perfect peace, the perfect memorial to those whose lives had passed striving for such things.

The Rising Moon(Realistic Ending)

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"ENOUGH!"

Celestia stopped for a moment, eyeing Twilight and the pup pensively.
"My granddaughter...."

Twilight nodded hopefully.

The twisted alicorn suddenly began to roil, literally. Her the muscle under her skin seemed to ripple and pull and the alicorns eyes became wide and unfocused.

Knowing it to be safer, Twilight began to back away from Celestia, Trixie making a point to stay between Twilight and the foal and Celestia.

"Family....is a lie....but she's my granddaughter....abomination....love...death...kill....kill...stop please....KILL!"

Everypony stared as the alicorn began to argue with herself before everything stopped.

No noise.

No movement.

Nothing.

Then the twisted alicorn darted forward, intent on goring Twilight and her bundle. Trixie quickly erected a shield as the Elements burst into action. Eerypony watched in we as a rainbow burst of magic arced into the air and slammed down into the alicorn. As the light dissipated, they could faintly see a ball of light arc up into the sky towards the rising moon.

As soon as the Elements died down, Twilight fell heavily, but was caught swiftly by Telvanni.

"It's over..."

The lycan looked lovingly between his mate and his daughter.
"No...it is only just beginning. I love you Twilight, and I will never leave your side."

~^~Some Time Later~^~

Luna waited nervously in the clearing. She knew not what to expect, but she knew it would happen soon. Sure enough not five minutes later a flash of light slammed into the ground, cratering it. As the Lunar diarch neared, she spotted a small pink maned alicorn mare.

"Celly?"

The mare shifted and looked up before rushing to Luna.
"It is me, the real me! I've missed you so much Lulu!"

Luna nodded, tears stinging her eyes as she embraced her elder sister.

"Luna....how long has it been..."

Luna knew the question was coming, and had dreaded needing to answer it.

"Luna? Please...how long?"

Sighing and swallowing the growing lump in her throat Luna answered.
"1000 years Celestia."

"Then Twilight..."

Luna just nodded as the alicorn let out a heavy sob and began weeping.

"I failed her...I should have been here, but I failed her..."

Holding Celestia tight, Luna attempted to comfort her.
"We found the truth by the way. That you used magic to create Twilight...to birth her...illegal, yes, but nopony cared. Celestia, I can't pretend to know what it is like to lose your daughter and everypony you knew, but I can imagine what it is like to lose your son. But enough of that, there is something I need to show you."

With that Luna teleported in front of a large marble and gold gilded building.
"The Hall of Heroes. Everything public about Twilight's life and that of her daughter, and her daughter's daughter and so forth, is kept here."

There was another burst of magic as Celestia and Luna appeared in the castle archives.
"And on this aisle is where I've kept everything Twilight wanted you to see when you returned. There is a scroll for every week of her life after you left. she knew you would want to know. Finally there is this. It is a letter from Telvanni. Anyway, there is much to catch you up on bu-"

"Princess Luna! How fared your trip? Did you-" the voice trailed off quickly as its carrier realised who he looked upon. He quickly fell into a bow.

"Xander you may rise. Xander, this is my sister Princess Celestia. Celestia, allow me to introduce my faithful student, Prince Xander of the line Sparkle."

Celestia's eyes widened as she took in the sight. Xander appeared a lycan, but was shorter, even standing on his two legs, that Telvanni had been. Xander was also skinnier, not bone skinny, just less musculature. He wore a robe and had glasses adorning his face underneath his horn. Finally there was his coat. He was a darker purple than Twilight had been, but he had a star on his forehead that shared the pink streak Twilight had always had in her mane. He was also walking towards her with a smile.

"It is a true honour to meet you Princess Celestia. I...well, we all know Twilight's story of when Luna returned, and how Twilight was Luna's first friend. Luna told me that you would need to regain your power and become accustomed to the newer surroundings. I was wondering if you, and please forgive me if I am too forward, stay in Ponyville at the library with me while I help you adjust, and if you want, maybe be friends?" Xander offered with a hesitant smile.

Immediately Celestia knew there was no way that the lycan/unicorn hybrid could have been descended from anypony other than Twilight Sparkle. Tears glistening in her eyes, the alicorn's heart swelled with pride.
"It would be an honour to stay with you Xander, and please call me Tia."

The Dog of the Lunar Republic

by Resurgent Wanderer

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

The Filly Angel

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Morality Report

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

The Setting of the Sun(Sad Ending)

The Rising Moon(Realistic Ending)

A Perfect Twilight(Happy Ending)