> Not Quite Canon.
>  by KittyrinnAiko
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Run!” Shouted a panicked mare.

“Look out!” Warned a guard racing to pull a pony away from a timber that was in the process of crashing down.

Ponies were scrambling in every direction imaginable, a wall had just caved in, a powerful blast of raw energy rips through several structures, the guards are doing everything they can to maintain order, and a young Princess Celestia is battling a monster in the form of a pony.

“Mommy, where’s my mommy!” called a small white filly with black legs, muzzle, ears, and tail tip as she dashes from room to room of a crumbling palace.

“Honey, no, we must evacuate!” Shouted an old nanny. “The Night Mare, the Night Mare has taken her, we must run!”

“No, I will make her give her back!” There is a loud crash in the chamber of the elements prompting the filly to dash towards the sound. What she finds is Princess Celestia sprawled on the floor. The Night Mare is slowly descending via a large gap in the wall.

“Give me back my Mommy!” the filly shouts as she dashes at the nightmare and leaps into the air heedless to the fact that she can’t as yet fly and has no way to fight other than with her bare hooves.

A blinding rainbow of light streams through the opening.

“Nova...fine, fine, you can both pay for thy mother’s treachery.” Celestia spat out. A moment later she is dismayed as the elements of harmony turn into worthless chunks of stone. She dropped the stones, went to the opening, and saw a scar on the moon that would ever remind her of the day her sister had plotted against her. She lowered the moon and then raised the sun. For the supporters of Princess Luna, the night had begun.

Celestia turned and slowly made her way out of the chamber, and into the library that was behind the grand hall. From there she made her way out to the grand stairs and down into what was left of the hall. Laying in the rubble were the unmistakable signs that some pony had been setting up for a surprise party.

Celestia had gone to accuse her sister of the things the nobles had detailed, they’d gotten into an argument, one in which Luna had lost her temper and then control of her magic. She’d become enveloped in darkness. The next few weeks would see the wholesale slaughter of any ponies who were in any way suspected of supporting Princess Luna at the hooves of the Platinum clan.

Many years later Celestia would learn that she’d been duped by the nobles. From that point on the scar on the moon would remind her of how politically naive she was, how easily tricked she had been, and how she had been fooled into betraying the pony who meant so much to her.



💫


Nova had been on the periphery of the elements of harmony and instead of finding herself banished with the nightmare had found herself suddenly flung out high up in the sky. A mighty bad thing indeed because the most she could manage was a good leap and a glide with maybe a wing beat to keep up her altitude for the shortest of time. She was no accomplished flier having neither the ability to climb nor the stamina for sustained flight.

Nova quickly righted herself and spread her little wings just as wide as she could in an effort to let the wind carry her to safety. The sun wasn’t up yet, but the early predawn light had illuminated some clouds that seemed to be twinkling with little lights. If nothing else maybe she could body surf the updrafts to the safety of a cloud.

On she went, aiming for what she hoped was a pegasus settlement in the clouds that looked to be the closest place of safety, her muscles aching from the length she had to stay aloft. Tears are streaming from her eyes from the pain but she dares not to give up, not now, she was so close…

..and then her wings gave out and she falls.

Try as she might she is unable to regain control, her muscles that make her wings function refusing to cooperate as they spasm from the strain. Each attempt injures her further as her speed increases.

She screams as she falls blacking out as the pain of trying to use her wings becomes too much.


🏥


Nova sat up screaming, her wings straining, the pain forcing her to stop. She wasn’t falling, she was in a bed, a nurse rushes in followed by another nurse and then an orderly. “A'm ne dead?”  

No, she hurt too much to be dead.

“No dear, you aren’t dead.” One of the nurses offered as she continued on over to her, and picked up a syringe from a tray on a counter on the way. “Though it was a darn fool stunt you pulled and your lucky a patrol saw you.”

“Wh're ist this? Be ttôhwon bêgra nunmynster? Pray to tell?” The nurse had just stuck the needle in a tube that was in her foreleg.

“Nunmynster? Celestia no dear, you are in the Cloudsdale General Hospital.”

“Horse pit tall? What is ðæt inne mîn eaxl?” Nova asked but found herself dropping back into the bed as the world began to spin.

“Well, at least she wasn’t wreathing in agony this time.” The orderly offered only to be shushed. They didn’t shush well. “So, have the ponies from the False Alicorn registration have anything on her?”

“No. She’s unregistered. Not that any pony expected otherwise. Can’t understand half of what she’s saying either.”

“What about sending her to Canterlot?”

“She’s a night pony. Not going to happen and it’s only a little horn. I know it’s been hundreds of years since the Unicorns waged war on Night Kin, but it’s not like the Nobles of Canterlot have given pegasi any reason to trust them.”

‘Hundreds? Wars?’ Nova thought to herself as she slipped off into sleep. They all seemed to have a thick heavy accent to her ears so she wasn’t quite sure what she’d heard, but the message that the Platinum Unicorns of Canterlot must have used the monster attack at Elis as an excuse to hunt down night ponies had come in loud and clear. She fell into a deep slumber with one thought on her mind, and that was to be cautious about how much about herself she revealed until she had a little more information. At least they weren’t going to just hoof her over to ponies that might not have her best interests in mind.

Nova woke to an overall soreness, but at least this time she knew she wasn't falling. The tube was still in her foreleg too and she contemplated pulling it out.

“Hey kiddo,” Offered a white pegasus stallion with a short cut brown mane and tail. Standing next to him was a gray pegasus with a dark gray mane and tail. Both looked military in their appearance and baring but didn’t have any armor. “That was quite the scare you gave us.”

“If Fast Clip here hadn’t have caught you…”

“Let's not dwell on that.” Fast Clip cautioned. “My wing-mate here is Whiplash. Listen, the hospital has been calling you Shooting Star, but we were wondering what your real name is?”

Nova looked at them, studying them, they seemed friendly enough, but she wasn’t sure if she dared to trust them, in the end, she decided to give them a variant on the meaning of her name. “Bright Star.” Nova offered with a heavy old ponish accent. She’d been trying her best to reconcile the way they were talking.

“Bright Star. Looks like they were halfway correct.” Whiplash offered.

“So, by any chance do you remember where you came from?” Fast Clip asked. “Thing is, no pony has come forward to claim you, and what with you being a night pony type, it’s a good possibility they won't.”

“Is't true, didst the unic'rns war on night kin?” Nova asked.

“All that happened over nine hundred years ago with the fall of Nightmare Moon. Most of the surviving night kin fled to other kingdoms. A few have hidden enclaves. They don’t like to mix.”

“Nighmare Moon?” Nova asked. Nova truly had no clue who Nightmare Moon was unless that was the monster Aunt Tia had fought. She was exceptionally bright, but the implications of her reasoning were suggesting the impossible. Still though, without a better explanation, it was looking like she’d been traversed through time.

“Some sources say she was Princess Celestia’s sister Luna who rebelled against her out of jealousy.” Fast Clip explained. “Others say the Nightmare was a shadow pony not unlike King Sombra who’d taken Princess Luna. In the end, Princess Celestia banished the nightmare, Princess Luna was never seen again, and the Platinum unicorns used the incident as an excuse to wage war on the families that had supported Princess Luna. A hundred years they did war until Princess Celestia had had enough. Princess Celestia had also learned that the incident that started the war had in fact been orchestrated by the Canterlot Nobles. One by one they vanished from history.” Fast Clip offered in an almost apologetic tone. “I don’t know what version you’ve heard and figured there’s no point in sugar-coating it or trying to hide it because you are probably from one of those families that had to go into hiding and they may not risk exposing where they are to come to retrieve you. And I want you to trust us and not try to do anything on your own.”

“We figure you got stranded on a wild cloud formation so there is no telling where to even start looking.” Whiplash offered. “Any idea how you got all the way out there?”

“Truly neigh. What becameth of Elis in which the sist'rs didst dwell?” Nova asked. “In the Pholoi wood near the Alpheios river it was.”

They looked at her confused, and then at each other before turning back to her.

“The place where the Sisters held court is lost to us.” Fast Clip offered. “It’s believed to be somewhere within a cursed wood known as the Everfree.”

“Mine own fath'r’s nameth wast Shining Brilliance.” Nova offered while looking down at her bed. “He was from Neighpone.” She decided to leave off her twin brother who’d been called Heavens Sparkle.

“Could she be from Neighpon?” Whiplash asked his partner. “Any chance you remember your mother’s name?”

“Lulu.” Nova offered using the nickname. Nova was torn. She wanted to give them just enough information that should it trickle up to her Aunt Tia Celestia might know who she is without any pony else figuring it out and using her for political gain. “And I've got an Aunt Tia. Last we saw her she was fighting a monster. No idea where my mom was. I think I got caught in a spell of some sort. That is to say, I kind of got caught in the crossfire. Perhaps we were cast upon a passing cloud and lay in repose until it dissipated to leave us to our fate?”

“Well, it’s all worth looking into.” Fast Clip offered as he jotted down all the information. “Tell you what, we’re going to go make some more inquiries. In the meantime, rest up. The nurses will bring you something to eat, and you will probably be moved to a group home this afternoon.”

“How long?” Nova asked.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure they’ll find your family soon.” Whiplash offered. “The docs have kept you on a lot of happy juice while you’ve been here because of how badly pulled your flight muscles and ligaments were. We’ve only just had this opportunity to actually talk to you.”

“Will I be able to fly again?”

“That is something you will have to ask the doctors.” Whiplash offered.

“Come on Whip, we need to get going. - hope to see you again really soon Miss Star.”

A moment later Nova was alone with her thoughts. All evidence would suggest she really had been transported over nine hundred years into the future. Had that blast of rainbow light sealed her away in the ether only to deposit her some unknown miles away high up in the sky? Granted the place she called home was high up in the mountains on a plateau. The possibility that her location had drifted during the progress of time could not be ruled out. What to do? Luna’s words of caution to ‘hold fast thy tongue until ye have enough information to make an informed deduction’ rang in her head. Still, though, the evidence of her own eyes on materializing could not be denied. Nova was miles from home and until she knew otherwise she had little choice but to take the two warriors at their word. For all she knew, the things they spoke of and this land might not have anything to do with her home.

“How’s our little Star this morning?” Asked a nurse as she entered.

“We’re still trying to taketh it all in.” Nova offered. “Hast Sir Fast Clip tell you our name is Bright Star?”

“Yes, he did. Daughter of Shining Brilliance of Neighpone and Lulu. But for now, any chance you are hungry?”

“Starveth.” Nova offered.

“Well then, let's get this out of you first. And if you need me, just ask for Nurse Bright Eyes. Do you think you can remember that? Bright Eyes?”

“Um, mightest beest a dram sore.” Nova teased. Granted she was going to have to remember that she’s given everyone the alternate to her name instead of her actual name. She also watched in fascination as the little tube was removed and a bit of loose weave linen placed where it had been stuck in with a bit of stretchy fabric of some sort wrapped about her leg to hold it in place.

“There, that wasn’t so bad.” Bright Eyes offered.

“Tis much better.” Nova offered.  

“And now I’ll be right back with your food.”

When her meal came it consisted of the delight of all delights, fish, roasted oat patties, an assortment of vegetables, and a salad. So maybe it wasn’t five stars, but as hungry as she was it was the best thing she’d ever eaten. After she had finished it was time to explore. Though getting out of bed with flight muscles that were stiff and sore along with medicine-induced jelly legs proved almost more than she could manage but manage she did. Resting a spell before continuing her exploration seemed the thing to do.

And then she woke up back in bed. With the rails up this time. And her wings bound.

Nurse Bright Eyes found her at the end of her bed a short time later looking out into the corridor, ears folded, and the most pitiful face a filly could muster.

“Oh, dear, whatever is wrong?”

“We are prisoner to be ransomed?”  

“Oh, dear Celestia, no dear. We found you asleep on the floor.”

“Why wings bound?”

“So…” Bright Eyes reached over and bopped her nose, “..you can’t hurt yourself.”

“Is b'r'd, and in need of a bed pan. No bell.”

“Bird? OK, never mind, let's get you that bedpan.”



🌤



“Now, if you need anything all you have to do is push the button on this here fob. It’s called the nurse call button.” Nurse Bright Eyes offered shortly after Nova had finished with the bedpan and been cleaned up.

“Thank you good lady Bright Eyes.” Nova offered with a smile. “Mighteth perhaps we might borroweth some text to read?”

“You can read at your age?”

“Um… eye, read, yes.”

“Well then, I’ll be right back.”

So Nurse Bright Eyes left the room and returned a short time later with a short stack of foal books. Nova thanked her and set to go through the books. They were simple but proved a good base to begin her reeducation.
> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Excuse me, the foal placement center said you had a foal for me.” Offered a young mare with a pale blue coat and a golden mane that was presently wrapped in a scarf. She was also wearing coveralls that were pulled halfway down about her torso. “I’m Wintry Rockbell. The filly is named Bright Star.”

“Oh yes.” Offered a green pegasus at the reception counter. “I’m Nurse Scrubs. Did they tell you anything about her?”

“Not really other than she’d been injured and no pony has come forward to claim her.”

“She’s a flying fox type.”

“You don’t mean with leather wings do you?” Wintry asked perhaps a little too upbeat.

“No, not a bat type. She’s got regular wings save in that they are… well to put it simply she seems to be a false alicorn.”

“Seems to be?”

“I’m to understand that she was flying and got out too far. I’m afraid the prevailing theory right now is that she was abandoned on a cloud set adrift and was forced to make a dash for it.”

“Oh, dear.”

“She did herself an injury in her effort, and if she hadn’t have been spotted by a pair of Wonderbolts…” Nurse Scrubs shuddered at the idea of what nearly was.

“Oh my. But she’s alright now?”

“We’ve had her three days now. Had to keep her sedated the first two.”

“Hang on, I thought False Alicorns can’t fly?”

“They typically can’t. I’m to understand she was doing quite well for a filly her age, and no pony wants to give her up to the nobles of Canterlot. I’m to understand Princess Cadence is having a hard enough time and Miss Bright Star being a night pony no pony wants to subject her to that.”

“Perfectly understand. Possibly why they asked my stallion and me to take her in. What with him being Ray Mustang, commander of the Cloudsdale Guard we’ll have plenty of clout if some pony wants to try anything.”

“Good for you. So, what’s with the coveralls if you don’t mind my asking.”

“I make prosthetic limbs.”

“Wait, you do?”

“I’m presently experimenting with artificial wings that will give a pegasus with a crippling injury the ability to fly again.”

“That’s marvelous. - But I’m keeping you from your new foster. Just follow me and I’ll take you to see the nurse that is looking after her. Oh, and one thing you’ll need to know, her dialect is very difficult to understand from what I hear.”



✨



“So how’s our little Star?” Nurse Bright Eyes asked as she entered the room followed by two other mares.

“Hello and good day, Ladies.” Nova offered.

“Her accent’s not so bad.” Wintry offered.

“She’s improving. Miss Bright star overexerted her pectorals and in her panic did a number on her back muscles and ligaments as well. What with Pegasi having six limbs our muscle configuration is a lot more complicated than a four-limbed bird. She'll need to take it easy, fortunately, she can read and hopefully won't get to board from having to sit around all day.” Bright Eyes offered. “Miss Bright Star, this is Nurse Scrubs, she’s going to out-process you, and this is Mrs Wintry Mustang. She’s going to be your foster mother for the foreseeable future.”

“For sea able?” Nova asked.

“Nytennes amount of time.” Wintry offered with a bit of cheek.  

“Oh, gêse orglide ðêodland. Ic pro oncunnan.” Nova replied with a big smile.  

“Oh key doe key.” Bright Eyes replied.

“What did she say? What language is that anyway?” Nurse Scrubs asked.

“Old Ponish,” Wintry replied. “The language of a thousand years ago.”

“There’s a theory that she’s from some hidden enclave.” Bright Eyes offered.

“You’re not suggesting old ponish is her native language and she’s been learning modern ponish on the fly are you?” Wintry asked.

“I’d say it’s a distinct possibility.” Bright Eyes replied. 

“Well Miss Nova, climb on up, and I’ll give you a lift. What?” Wintry's tone had been cheerful enough but Nova’s ears had gone flat.

“Nova?” Bright eyes asked looking back and forth between the two.

“A bright new star.” Wintry offered. “It’s the sort of name given a young princess a thousand years ago. That’s your name, isn’t it? Not Bright Star.” Nova nodded her head. “Not to worry, whatever it is you fear, we will keep you safe.”

“I don’t want to go to Canterlot. I don’t want the Platinums to know I’m here.” Nova offered.

“You aren’t going to Canterlot, you are coming to my house where we will keep you safe from the Platinum unicorns. Now up you go.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.” Wintry offered. “May I be grounded for life if I let anything happen to you.”


🚟


“Wow.” Nova said as she and Wintry exited the cloud structure that was the Cloudsdale Hospital. Nova had assumed the wing she was in was the extent of the place. She had no idea of just how wrong she was. The cloud structure was huge. And it was but one of many within the city in the clouds.

“Impressive isn’t it?” Wintry offered.

“Surely have I come to the fabled city of Laputa?”

“Laputa? No dear, just Cloudsdale. Now crouch down, and hold fast.”

“Yes Ma’am.” Nova replied and a moment later they were gliding down the avenue through the cloud buildings. They eventually came to a wide expanse Nova recognized as a parade ground. Along the length of which were a number of buildings lining either side. On the far side were a number of hangers, offices, workshops, and barracks, and even a couple of mid-sized airships. The Airships looked quite impressive to Nova having never seen the likes.  

Now on the side of the field where they were at was a row of two and three-story buildings with wide porches all having light blue banners out in front depicting the sun over the moon, two alicorns circling that represented day and night with the remainder filled with stars.

“Welcome to Northcolt Air Station Cloudsdale.” Wintry offered as she glided along the row of cloud structures. When they arrived at the center structure, she slowed down, turned towards the building, landed, and continued on up the walk. A moment later she’d opened the front door and entered into a large hexagonal reception hall.

“Where’s my little Sunshine?” Wintry called out.

“Hi, Mrs Mustang,” called the voice of a filly in a room off the entry hall.

“Come on Sunshine, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Wintry?” The question was a slight all be it warm scolding. “Come say hello to Miss Nova.”

“Hello, Miss Nova…” Offered a golden pegasus with a fiery red and yellow mane and tail with an equally fiery sun cutie mark that looked just a bit like a big sunflower. “Oh wow, an Alicorn?!”

“Maybe.” Wintry offered. “She’s going to be your foster sister. Do you think you can help keep an eye on her?”

“Yes, mam. It’d be my privilege and honor.” Sunshine offered with a crisp wing salute.

“Looks like you are getting really good with your wing manipulation.”

“I can fly now too. Want to see?”

“Not just yet, and not in the house.” Wintry offered as she lay down. “Alright Nova, off you go.”

“Thank you.” Nova offered and then climbed down onto the wooden floor of the entryway her legs still just a bit wobbly. The hall also had a long rug that ran the length of the hall and up a grand staircase in the center of the hall. Where Sunshine had come from was a large multi-use parlor with a turret room attached at the outside corner. Several books and sheets of paper were piled on a low table within the turret.

“Why don’t you show Nova around while Mrs Seakite and I get started with dinner.”

“Yes, Mam.” Sunshine offered.

“And Sunshine…”

“Yes, Mam?”

“What did I tell you about doing your school assignments in the parlor?”

“I’m sorry, I’ll gather everything up and take it upstairs right now,” Sunshine replied and dashed for the pile of books and parchment in the turret. A moment later she was using her mouth to pick things up and pile them on her wings.

“Can we holp?” Nova asked as she trotted over.

“Holp?” Sunshine asked. “Oh, help. No, I need to do this, I should never have set up here. I’m supposed to either use the library or keep it in my bedroom. I have the upstairs tower chamber so I really have no excuse. I like to watch the airships come and go and being downstairs places me where my friends can see me when they trot by. - You can use magic at your age?”

Nova’s horn had lit up only to sputter and go out a moment later. She tried looking up at her horn getting cross-eyed in the process, sat down, brought up her right forehoof, and produced a tiny blue flame. It too went out a moment later.

“Nova… what was that?” Wintry asked. She’d not yet left the room.

“That’s a kitsune flame,” Sunshine said with eyes wide. “Have you got like powers beyond ordinary ponies?”

“Not at the moment, neigh.” Nova offered. “It is Kitsune bi, and we seem to be really low on manna.”

“So you can’t transform yourself or see into the future?” Sunshine asked.

“I can barely manageth a tiny flame even but now, and transf'rmation charms doth take years of studyeth.” 

“Perhaps you should conserve what you have until you are fully recovered.” Wintry cautioned and gave Sunshine a sideways glance. “Sunshine, best get everything upstairs we are expecting guests later.”

“Yes, Mam.” Sunshine offered and began walking out of the room at a slow pace with everything piled up on her back between her wings.

Nova followed dutifully out the room and up the staircase. When they reached the top they went to a large bedroom done up in light blues, pinks, and floral patterns that was right above the room they’d been in. A few moments later and Sunshine was placing all her stuff on a nearly identical table.

“So how come your wings are strapped down?” Sunshine asked once she’d finished laying out her assignments.

“ I’m not supposed to useth mine own wings till I’ve hadst timeth to healeth from straining them.”

“Oh, alright. Come on then, I’ll show you around.” Sunshine offered and lead Nova out into the hall and across to the next room. “This will be your room.” This room had a floral rug, dark forest green walls, rich oak furnishings, and a bed that had an alabaster cover on it.

“Is nice.”

“It was a sitting room.” Sunshine offered. “It was a sitting room, but when they were asked if they could take you in they didn’t hesitate to put in a bed for you. I used to live in an apartment down on the ground before, well before I came here. The fact that all this is both in the clouds and the buildings made from clouds is a little hard for me to take in. But then you are probably used to it. I mean growing up here.”

“I grew up in a wood.” Nova offered. “Where the structures were of stout timber and solid stone. In the main house by the old keep and granaries and bailey surrounded by battlements. Beyond that more buildings, barracks, kitchens, and shops protected by walls with towers at the top of a tableland. What, pray tell is an apartment?”

“Like the big buildings downtown. Structures, let's call them structures. Structures made of clouds and why everything doesn’t just drop right through is beyond me.”

“Is magic.”

“Oh, it’s magic, just a little magic,” Sunshine said in sing-song and a smile on her face. Nova just tilted her head to look at her. “O-M-G, the cute is strong with this one.”

“Cute?” Nova asked switching her head to the other side.

“Yes, you. Kawaii.” Sunshine gave Nova a nose bop and Nova blushed. “Come on.” Sunshine went back into the hallway. “Stairs, guest bedroom, just past the stairs to the left is Wintry and Colonel Mustang’s bedroom, they’ve got a great big walk-in closet and their own bath and toilet.”

“What’s a toilet?”

“Wow, you’ve really been living in the sticks. OK, to my right are the back stairs and at the end of the hall is the upstairs bath and toilet.”

“Ah, a water closet.” Nova announced.

“And this is the toilet. Open the lid, sit, relive yourself, this button activates the bidet, this lever flushes, close it up, dry yourself and you are good to go.”

“Where doeseth it go?”

“Ahhh… I’ll give you a choice between magic and don’t fly under the city.”

Sunshine smiled, Nova smiled, and then both were overcome by a case of the giggles.

“Come on, let's go downstairs.”

“Mmm, can we do it later?” Nova asked.

“You alright?”

“I’m starting to hurt, I think maybe I should go rest.”

“Ya, sure.”

“Can I lay in the sunbeam in your room.”

“I don’t see why not. Is that a kitsune thing?” Sunshine asked as they headed back to her room. “Here, let me get you some cushions.”

A short time later Nova was asleep in the sun while Sunshine worked on her school assignments. Every so often Sunshine would cast a glance at Nova. Sunshine had been watching Nova sleep when she reached out with a hoof and started rubbing behind Nova’s ears. First one, and then the other. Sunshine smiled when Nova started purring.  

“Would you think I was strange if I told you that I’m from another world?” Sunshine whispered.

“Neigh, no not really.” Nova offered softly. “Can’t say I’m much better off.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t stop.”

“You’re just a silly little fox filly aren’t you?” Sunshine offered as she went back to rubbing Nova behind the ears.

“When they asked me who I am I told them my name was Bright Star.” Nova offered.

“So why did Wintry call you Nova?”

“She guessed that my name was actually Nova based on my manner of speech. Although she only has the half of it. I’m Princess Nova Stella. So was your real name Sunshine?”

“Aurora Summers. They had too much trouble with it so now I’m Summer Sunshine. And a Sunset Shimmer lookalike. At least I’m not a unicorn so I’m not too likely to be mistaken for her and I’m a lot younger than she is. Except of course by dull-witted ponies with a grudge.”

“Sunset Shimmer?”

“In my world, all this is just a children’s story. I got here via one of Starswirl’s gates. A natural occurring one with no way back.”

“What are children?”

“Another word for a foal. I’m going to assume you are familiar with Starswirl’s gates? Anyway, Sunset Shimmer is Princess Celestia’s number one prize pupal. Her protege. And a spoiled brat. My looking like her has already caused me problems.”

“I know of his work. Maybe you are the good twin then?” 

“Maybe? It’s not all bad. I was living off the streets when Ray Mustang decided to take me in. And I hadn’t been here long either. Took some getting used to the idea that I could actually walk on clouds.”

“You miss your family?”

“Yes. And I’ll never see them again short of finding a way back and that’s not likely to happen for a long time. Short of I’m living in a fanfiction where all I’ve to look forward to is tragedy.”

“Something tells me our writer isn’t that mean. I mean if they were I’d have bit you after the third ear scratch.” Sunshine stops rubbing Nova’s ears and pulls her hoof away. Both fillies bust up laughing.  

“What about your family? You don’t seem too upset?”

“I think I’m still processing everything. There was this big fight between my aunt and a shadow pony, I did something stupid and suddenly I’m thousands of horns in the air. I guess I passed out, and then slept for three days. When it all comes right down to it I haven't had the time to really process it like I expect my mom to show up any moment and take me home.”

“So what’s your mom’s name? My Mom’s name was Celeste.”

“Luna. I gave her nickname though. Aunt Tia always called her Lulu. They were forever teasing each other or playing little pranks.”

“As in Princess Luna?”

“Yes.”

“That is definitely not canon.”

“Pardon? Cannon?”

“Your mom is Princess Luna?”

“Yes. I’m kind of a princess myself save my magic is really depleted right now and who am I kidding I’m nothing without my mom and dad. Probably why it’s taking so long to recover.  I got hit by the same magic that banished the nightmare.”

“Well, I’ve good news and bad news.”

“Which is?”

“If everything here works out the way it did in the stories back home, you will see your mother again. Bad news, she is Nightmare Moon.”

“That thing was not my mother.”

“No, I suppose not. But she was also possessed by it if what I know is accurate. I don’t know what all happened back then, and I don’t know why Princess Celestia banished her instead of using the elements to save your mom and drive away the shadow. What I do know is that six mares are destined to revive the elements and save Princess Luna. That is according to the media from my homeworld.”

“When?”

“When they grow up. It’ll be on the one-thousandth anniversary of the banishing of Nightmare Moon on the Summer Sun Festival. Listen, if you are up to going to school in the morning I can introduce you to two of the mares who are supposed to be destined to become element bearers.”

“You can?”

“They are friends of mine. Same age as us. Relatively speaking, I mean by rights you should have nine tails by now.”

“Ha, ha, very funny. It is to laugh.” Nova let out a sigh. “Still though, that’s going to seem like a long time and I’ll be grown up by then.”

“What about Princess Celestia?”

“The nobles of Canterlot.”

“You could try writing her a letter.”

“I suppose I could give that a shot. Not going to put out much hope that she’ll see it.”

“At least you’ll have tried.”
> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Fillies, time to get ready for dinner,” Wintry called up.

“How does one get ready for dinner here?”  Nova asked.

“We just have to wash up. Not like we are going to get anything on you with your wings in a sling. That is if you were thinking about dressing up, and you are a lot smaller than I am.” Sunshine explained.

“Is alright. I’ve never been to dinner before.”

“Never… oh right, foals didn’t eat with the adults in olden days. Come on then.”

The two went back to the water closet as Nova had called it, cleaned up, and then descended the back stairs.

“Hard right is the downstairs water closet.” Sunshine offered as they reached the bottom of the stairs. “To the right is the kitchen, to the left-right is the dining room, left-left is the library, left past the dining room is the stairs to the basement, and beyond that is the front of the house. Don’t go into the basement, that’s where Wintry makes prosthetic limbs.”

“We aren’t going into the dining room?” Nova asked as they walked past.

“We gather in the reception room, and then Mrs Seakite calls us in by announcing that dinner is served. She’s the House Maid and Nanny”

“Oh.”

When the two arrived at the reception room they found that quite a crowd had gathered. ‘Far as we know, she really did fall out of the heavens.’ a familiar voice was saying.

“Sir Fast Clip.” Nova offered cheerfully. “Is Sir Whiplash not with you?”

“No, I’m afraid he had duties to attend to. And it’s Captain if you must be formal.”

“You know Fast clip?” Sunshine asked.

“He came to see me at the horse-pit-stall.” Nova offered while mangling the word hospital even worse.

“Captain Fast Clip was the pony who rescued her.” Offered an older stallion.

“Colonel Wind Rider,” Sunshine said in acknowledging the stallion.

“Colonel.” Nova said giving him a curtsy.

“And this is Fleetfoot,” Sunshine said indicating a light blue mare with a white mane. “She is Fast Clip’s wife.”

“Just the one?” Nova asked looking at Sunshine.

“He wishes.” Fleetfoot teased.

“And this handsome stallion is Colonel Ray Mustang, our benefactor.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, good sir.” Nova offered. “Thank you for allowing me into your home.”

“I must say, your command of Eques has improved considerably.” Fast Clip offered. “Listen, the consulate said that they would need the Neighpony name if they were to trace your family.”

“Oh, sorry, yes, that would probably help…” Nova offered. “I wilt confesseth I usually hath heard the equestrian v'rsion.  Let’s see… I bethink et is if 't be true I rememb'r c'rrectly, Haruki Hiko.  And the Neighpon nameth I wast given is Kitsumi Hoshiko.  Tsuki nay Kitsumi Hoshiko hime. It means beautiful star child.” Nova had intentionally left off that part of the name that meant moon and the part that meant princess.

Sunshine mouthed the name Hoshiko with a surprised look on her face.

“That’s quite the mouthful. Beautiful too.” Wintry offered as she joined them. “Seakite will have everything ready shortly. - So, what do you all think of our little Star?”

“I’d a mind to put her in my pocket.” Fast Clip offered with a grin. “After all, I was the one who caught her.”

“That was you? A good catch.” Wintry offered with a tone of praise. “So how far out was she?”

“That’s just it, there were no clouds in the area and fairly high up. I saw what looked like a momentary explosion of rainbow light followed by what I first took to be a falling star. I really thought she was a falling star that had caused a rainboom on entry. Perhaps she is. I knew better when I saw that star make a course correction and make for Cloudsdale. I started my pursuit to find out who it might be, and then I really piled it on when I saw her falter.”

“Elements of Harmony.” Sunshine offered in a hushed tone. “That or a rainboom."

Nova’s ears hitched because she knew about the elements and on putting two and two together realized it must have been what Celestia used. Her ears went up at the sound of talons and claws gently tapping upon the chamber floor. She turned…

“Griffin!” Nova shouted, her ears swept back in aggression, her teeth bared, fur on her back standing straight up, and crouched down in a defensive stance. She’d even gone so far as to place herself between Sunshine and the griffin. Even her horn was sputtering like a sparkler. “Fowl berêafere!”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, Nova, it’s alright,” Sunshine said hoping to calm Nova. “Sh, sh. It’s alright.” Sunshine stepped closer to Nova and gently placed a wing over her. “It’s alright, that’s Mrs Seakite. She’s a good griffin.” Mrs Seakite had frozen in place and was looking rather pale. Granted her head and underside were white, the rest a light brown, but her complexion had definitely taken a hit.

“Good griffin?” Nova asked. “There are good griffins?” Nova wasn’t exactly of the mind that the only good griffin was a dead griffin but then again she’d plenty of reason to mistrust them.

“Nao one side she'd be a fawx?” Mrs Seakite asked, fear clearly showing in her tone and her native accent winning out. Mrs Seakite hadn’t actually had any encounters with fox ponies but as a kit, she’d had her head filled with wild yarns about how dangerous the fox pony could be. Unlike regular ponies, fox ponies had no compunctions about killing their enemies and were known to be ruthless in their dealings.

“Come on Nova, you can calm down.” Sunshine offered and gently rubbed Nova behind the ears with her snout. “Equestria is at peace with the Griffins. Look, she’s just as scared of you.”

And at that Wind Rider burst into laughter because it was true. What made it even more comical was the fact that a full-grown griffin was afraid of a foal who didn’t even have a cutie mark yet.

“Diner… dinner is ready, served, dinner is served,” Seakite announced, backed away, and practically ran away.

“I, um, looks like I better go calm her down,” Wintry announced and trotted after Seakite.

“Nova?!” Sunshine exclaimed as Nova all but collapsed. “Nova, are you alright?”

“Wings.” Nova said through gritted teeth.

“Stand back.” Wind Rider ordered going over to the two, produced a knife, and cut the binding on Nova’s wings, her wings shooting out instantly. He then put the knife away and started kneading Nova’s back which caused her to all but melt into the floor. “She tried to flare her wings out but couldn't, causing her wings to strain even more.” He explained. He then gently worked one wing and then the other. “There, that should do it.”

He backed away and Nova tried working her wings.

“Better?” Wind Rider asked.

“Yes, Sir, Colonel sir.” Nova offered as she sat up. “Thank you.”

“You’re still grounded though.” He admonished.

“I’m in a cloud house?” Nova said puzzled by the statement. After all, the house was likely somewhere around one to two thousand horns above sea level in a cloud formation that had been created by the pegasi.

“He means no flying.” Sunshine offered as an explanation. “I suspect her native language shares a close root to modern Equestrian.”

“Which would explain why she’s catching on so fast.” Colonel Mustang surmised.

“There seem to be some borrowed words from Griffonia, Hippogriff, and Saddle Arabian as well as a few others along with a slight linguistic shift.” Nova offered.

“Well let's go on into dinner, shall we?” Colonel Mustang prompted and motioned for everyone to head on back.

“Bright Star, can you speak Griffin and Saddle Arabian?” Fast Clip asked as they headed for the dining room.

“Just a bit. What I know maybe a little out of date.” Nova offered. “I don’t really know enough to hold a conversation. Just enough to convey basic ideas like please don’t eat me.”

“Please don’t eat me?” Fleetfoot asked.

“Last time I encountered a griffin that’s exactly what he was trying to do. Father… maybe you don’t really want to know what father did to him?”

“That’s alright, I’m a soldier you can tell me.” Fleetfoot offered.

“Did it include basting with butter?” Sunshine asked.

“Sunshine?” Fleetfoot asked sounding shocked.

“Maybe.” Nova admitted. Wind Rider started laughing again.

“Now that I think about it, maybe I don’t want to know.” Fleetfoot consented.

They all continued down the hall and entered into a well-furnished room. In the center was a large table stained so that it was almost black and polished so well it had a mirror-like surface. It was surrounded by white chairs with black legs on a white area carpet on a black floor. The walls were gray and the cabinets were white and alabaster with glass fronts. The plates and serving bowls were blue and white porcelain, and above the table was a gorgeous chandelier reminiscent of a firework blossom forever frozen in time. There were windows that looked out onto the yard, a door that opened onto a porch, a door that lead to a pantry, and a stove that could be used for keeping things warm.

Mrs Seakite was there with Wintry and looking mighty nervous.

“I’m sorry.” Nova offered while making a curtsy to Mrs Seakite. “I shouldst has't known thee wouldst be-est a kinsmare in kind.  A truce, between thee and I?”

“The fault was mine, I fear.” Wintry offered. “It simply hadn’t occurred to me there might as yet be such bad blood between the tribes.”

“Bright Star tells us her last encounter with a griffin was rather traumatic.” Fast Clip offered as they all found a seat to sit in with Colonel Mustang sitting at the head of the table and Wintry at the foot.

“Well, perhaps we shouldn't dwell on that too much,” Wintry suggested as dinner was being served. “It’s all in the past now.”

“Bright Star?” Sunshine whispered to Nova as they were eating.

“I gave them the translation.” Nova replied in kind. “After I heard how no pony trusts the Canterlot nobles I couldn't bring myself to come right out and tell them. And for all I know, I could be in the same paddock as thyself.” She stopped eating and looked down not really seeing anything. And then the enormity of it all finally washed over her and she started crying. “And I’ll no likely see any of my family again.”

“Oh, honey…” Wintry said as Sunshine gave her a nuzzle.

“Why don’t I take you upstairs and you can just take a nap, how’s that sound?” Sunshine offered. Nova didn’t say anything but nodded her head. “Come on then.”  

Sunshine escorted Nova upstairs, and when Nova hesitated to go into her new room, Sunshine let her go lay on her own bed. To help her calm down Summer preened Nova’s wings until Nova fell asleep. She then pulled the bed sheets and blankets down and over Nova tucking her in.

“I’ll be back,” Sunshine whispered, gave Nova her sock monkey to hold, and quietly crept out.

When Sunshine returned to the dining room dinner was already over and she had to finish up her dinner in the kitchen. When she was done she went to the library, picked out a book, and went out to the parlor where she found the adults. Sunshine went to a vacant seat, sat down, and waited to be acknowledged.

“Summer,” Fleetfoot began. “How come you don’t call Wintry by her first name?”

“Fleetfoot?” Wintry protested lightly.

“Understand that I am most grateful and care for her very much. I am simply uncomfortable addressing her by her first name as that would imply that we were on equal terms.” Sunshine offered in way of explanation.

“So what you mean to say is that as your guardian you are not on terms that are conducive to being friends?” Fleetfoot asked.

“On the contrary, I’d say our relationship is closer to that of a mother and daughter and a mere friend would have little authority to tell me to clean up after myself.”

“Oh.” Wintry said quietly.”

“Hang on, does that mean you’d be more comfortable calling her mom?” Fleetfoot asked with a big smile.

“Yes.” Sunshine offered like what she’d just said was no more significant than talking about the weather.

“Oh, honey…” Wintry said softly. “Does this mean you’ve given up on ever finding your family?”

“Haven't I found my family though?”

“I mean your birth family.”

Sunshine got up, took a few steps, and placed the book she’d brought out on a coffee table, and then returned to her seat. “We aren’t going to find my birth family short of finding a way to get me back to my world.”

The book was a treatise on Starswirl’s Gate and not just the legend but the magical sciences behind the theory.

“Well, I suppose that could explain quite a bit.” Colonel Mustang mused.

“Surely you aren’t going to take this seriously?” Wintry asked.

“My mother is Celeste Summers, I’m like an alternate version of Sunset Shimmer, who is also an orphan. In fact, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if there is a connection no matter how much I may protest.”

“You are nothing like her.” Wintry protested. “That filly is an absolute horror.”

“My mom was an ordinary mom working as an educator in a single-parent household and I wasn’t handed the world on a golden platter,” Sunshine stated and then added in a softer tone, “My greatest regret is that she will never know what became of me.”

“She’s got a good point.” Wind Rider offered. “Why tell us this though? Assuming it’s true and this isn’t some … prank?”

“Princess Nova Stella daughter of Princess Luna Shepherd of the Moon and Guardian of the Night.”

“Pardon?” Fast Clip asked. “What’s an ancient myth got to do with anything?”

“She’s sleeping upstairs. Bright Star is Nova."  Wintry informed him and then directed her attention to Sunshine. "That is what this is all about, isn't it? You've decided Nova is Princess Nova Stella.”

“She's confirmed that her mother was indeed named Luna and that Lulu was just a nickname. She's also told me that her name is indeed Nova Stella and she was a princess," Sunshine explained. "Captain fast clip, I think the rainbow effect you saw was caused by the elements of harmony transitioning Nova through time and space. Starswirl’s gate. I experienced a kaleidoscope of color right before finding myself in Cloudsdale. Cloudsdale doesn’t exist in my world.”

“If we are to assume all this is true, what would you have us do?” Fleetfoot asked. “Should we bring this to Princess Celestia? And what if she denies all knowledge of Nova and calls her a fraud?”

“No.” Wind Rider stated. “No, we don’t tell Princess Celestia anything. Adopt Nova. Keep her safe. She’s got the wing structure of an alicorn if nothing else. Heck, both fillies have that alicorn wing structure. She may be who Sunshine says she is. And Sunshine may well be the pony Sunset could have been. And we all know how mixed up Sunset Shimmer is. We keep Nova safe. We keep Sunshine safe. We keep them both safe. Fast Clip, Ray, one of you needs to adopt Nova. Make it all nice and legal before any pony can catch wind of her and the opportunists start fighting over her. Ray, Wintry, you should probably adopt Summer while you are at it.”

“Wind Rider?” Wintry asked looking at him.

“You’ve seen how miserable Cadance is in Canterlot. She’s a pegasus suddenly thrust into the world of the Canterlot elites.” Wind Rider offered. “I’ve tried talking Princess Celestia into letting Cadance go home, but she won’t hear of it.”

“And what about you?” Wintry asked looking at Sunshine.

“Me?”

“Yes, you. This is quite the bomb to drop.”  

Wen a pegasus mentions dropping bombs it generally means the kind known to hit fans.

“I’m like a fish out of water. I feel like a fraud half the time like I don’t belong here like I shouldn't be here, and that I’ve no business being here. … All I want is some semblance of a normal life. Maybe I shouldn't have said a thing, or just made up something like I'm from one of those hidden settlements? The family I knew may not even exist here. But that’s OK, I’m happy right where I am.”

“You want to be our daughter?” Wintry asked.

“More than anything … though I’d understand if you wanted to drop me after everything I’ve said.” Her tone had gone from hopeful to that of a person condemned as she dropped her head. “I realize it all sounds like some wild conspiracy theory, but I’m ready to move forward, and I’d like that to be right where I am. If you'll have me?”

Wintry couldn't take it, got up, trotted over to Sunshine, and embraced her. “Well, Ray, have we a couple of foster failures here?”

“Kind of looks that way.” Ray offered with a smirk. “And let's pretend this conversation never happened.”
> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Good morning, you feeling any better?” Wintry asked Nova.

“Yes mam.” Nova offered.

“Listen, there’s something we need to talk to you about,” Wintry said as Sunshine entered the dining room for breakfast. “Sunshine, you’ve white fur on you.”

“I, um, didn’t want to be alone.” Nova offered with perhaps a hint of embarrassment. “I always slept with my mom. Sometimes both mom and papa when he was there.”

“I didn’t have the heart to say no.” Sunshine offered.

“It’s alright, but you’re going to need to brush.” Wintry offered. “Now, Nova…”

“Yes.” Nova replied.

“I’ve already explained it to her,” Sunshine explained.

“Oh,” Wintry replied.

“I understand Sunshine kind of spilled the feed last night.” Nova offered. “If what Sunshine has told me regarding the lore of Nightmare Moon comes to pass, I’ll be an adult when I’m reunited with my mom. It also seems like Sunshine and I are technically cousins.”

“We compared notes this morning, and the similarities between our family members are a little uncanny. I even had a cousin named Hoshiko who could easily be Nova's double. I never actually met her because mom and my Aunt had a falling out. It’s not like I’m claiming to be related to Princess Celestia in any way, and I sure wouldn't expect any pony to believe half of it anyway. It's just that each of us had families who had some uncanny similarities.”

“My Neighpon name was just a formality for political reasons.” Nova offered.

“So, living in a small house isn’t going to be a problem?” Wintry asked with a sly smile.

“Mom and papa’s apartments were smaller.” Nova replied with a cheeky smile. "Living in a small fortified town with a keep means living in small quarters. As for your offer to adopt me I can't think of any reason why I'd want to say no. Plenty of reasons to say yes. I mean, I'm going to need some pony I can rely on, a place to call home, and this just seems almost too good to be true. I know you'll never replace my own family, but understand that in the environment I grew up I kind of looked up to all the adults as parents because they all took a keen interest in seeing to my upbringing."

“Well then, and I must say that is quite enlightened for one of your age. Now, let's sit down, have breakfast, and then we are going to go pick up Ray and go down to the courthouse.”

“Fish!” Nova exclaimed delightedly as Seakite brought in a tray on a cart with roast fish on it. “I love you forever.”

“Me too.” Sunshine offered with a big grin.

“My best friend told me that the best way to get in good with a fox is to feed them fish.” Seakite offered. “She also suggested I overreacted.”

Nova wasn’t about to tell Seakite that she could be a real terror when she was at one hundred percent. A short time later they were outside with the things they’d needed for school in their saddlebags and headed for the parade grounds. Wintry used a radio to call for clearance to cross and they were on their way a short time later with Nova riding on Wintry’s back and Sunshine on Seakite’s back. The two adults glided across and then made their way to the headquarters building where they met up with Colonel Ray Mustang. From there a transport awaited that took them down into the heart of the city where they went into the courthouse. There they went up to the family court, Judge Minty presiding. Judge Minty was a mint green pegasus mare with a white mane and tail.

“Colonel Mustang, Wintry, where’s the family who is going to adopt  Miss… Au-ro-ra Summers? Also known as Summer Sunshine.”

“We are.” Wintry offered. “We are the family. We want to adopt her.”

“And Miss Bright Star? She hasn’t even been in Cloudsdale a week yet. There is a waiting period for foundlings. You of all ponies should know that.”

“Your Honor. We are aware of that.” Ray Mustang offered. “She’s a night pony and not likely to be claimed by family. She is also a fox type who resembles an alicorn.”

“And my cousin,” Sunshine interjected.

“What?” Ray asked looking down at Sunshine.

“Her Aunt Selena is Nova’s mother.” Wintry offered. “They compared notes this morning.”

Ray looked at his wife, his mind going a mile a minute. “Ah, I see. Well, I guess, I guess if it fits.” The question was Sunshine's Mrs Celeste Summers Sunshine's world's version of Celestia was playing havoc with his sensibilities. Both had similar names and apparently similar relatives. Both were educators. Where they diverged was that Equestria's Celestia was both the leader of the nation and a demigod. It also meant that no pony was likely to come looking for Sunshine any time soon. And based on what they knew of  Miss Bright Star, as she was now legally known coupled with what they suspected might be true, no pony was likely to come looking for her either.  "Your Honor, what we know of Miss Bright Star who is affectionately known as Nova, no pony is going to come looking for her."

“Be it as it may…” Judge Minty began but stopped at the sight of a red earth pony with black legs, ear, and tail tips, and a white underbelly entered into the court. They were dressed in a gray pinstriped waistcoat and had a bowler hat on which was removed as they entered and held to their side in a light blue aura reminiscent of unicorn magic.

“Can we help you?” Judge Minty asked.

“If it pleases your honor?” The odd Earth pony asked who by rights should not have even been able to step hoof in that specific courtroom without falling through. “I’m from the NeighPon Consulate to Cloudsdale. I’m Mr Mountain Hoof. I have a writ which pertains to one young filly identified as Shooting Star AKA Bright Star AKA Nova Stella AKA Hoshiko as she is known in our native language. It is the Ambassador’s wish that this adoption is allowed to go through rather than subject the Hime to a foal hood of foster families and orphanages while fortune seekers claiming to be lost relatives fight for custody.”

“Fortune seekers? Who is it that you think she is?” Judge Minty asked.

“It’s not so much as who we think she is it’s what she looks like. It is feared that a fortune seeker may attempt to pass her off as a lost member of the Neighpon royal family. Having a loving family who can look after and protect her will help keep her from the hooves of opportunists. We believe the Mustang family more than fits the requirements.”

“Bailiff, the writ if you pleas.” Judge Minty requested.

The bailiff, a tan pegasus with a dark chocolate main and tail and a guard uniform went over to Mr Mountain Hoof, took the writ in his teeth, and brought it up to Judge Minty.

“Oh my,” Judge Minty said a moment later. “They are citing Causa Narratur?”

“Yes, your honor.”

“Narrative causality?”

“Yes, your honor.”

“If only Princess Celestia hadn’t used Causa Narrature to gain custody of Sunset Shimmer.” Judge Minty lamented with her hoof on her forehead. “Very well. Mr and Mrs Mustang, you are now the proud parents of two fillies. Congratulations.”

“Yay!” Sunshine cheered.

“Huzzah!” Nova cheered.

“OBJECTION!”

“Mr Phoenix, this is family court.” Judge minty scolded the golden pegasus who’d just burst in.”

“Oh, right, sorry.” He rushed out and could be heard shouting objection again a few moments later, followed a second echo a few moments later from further down.

“Does he do that often?” Ray Mustang asked.

“Once he even rushed into the Stallion’s room and shouted objection.” The bailiff offered. “Great lawyer, horrible sense of direction.”

“Stallion’s room?” Nova asked Sunshine in a whisper to the sound of laughter.

“I think you’d call it a privy or garderobe.” Sunshine offered.

“Oh… Oh! Oh my.”
> Chapter 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Sunshine, we missed you this morning.” Announced a staff member in the office as she Nova and Wintry entered. “Mrs Mustang, did something happen this morning?”

“Yes, yes it did,” Wintry replied with a big smile.

“I get to call Wintry Mom from now on!” Sunshine exclaimed with a pronk.

“And she comes complete with a sister.” Wintry offered. “This is Miss Bright Star. She also answers to Nova.”

“Nova Mustang, at your service my lady.” Nova offered with a curtsy.

“Oh my. Today is just your lucky day.” The Clerk offered. “And I see you are a very special young filly.”

“She had a mishap and isn’t to use her wings for a while, but we were hoping she could start today.” Wintry offered.

“Yes, yes of course. We just need to enroll her.” The clerk offered. “Lunch is nearly over, have they had anything to eat.”

“Yes, thank you.” Nova offered.

“We stopped off for hay burgers on the way,” Sunshine informed.

“Well then, let’s get your file updated and your new sister enrolled.”





“Summer, where were you this morning?” demanded a cyan-blue filly with a rainbow mane as Sunshine entered the class.

“Hi, Dashie.”

“And don’t call me Dashie.”

“I got adopted this morning,” Sunshine announced.

“Awesome souse, that makes you like twenty percent cooler. Who’d you get?”

“Wintry and Colonel Mustang. I am now an official Mustang.”

“You mean no one else wanted you, don’t you?”

“Shut it, Hoops.” Dash scolded.

“I also got a sister who is also my cousin, believe it or not.”

“Sounds like another reject.”

“Dumbbell! Office. Now.” Their instructor, a gray mare with a red mane and tail, said crossly as she entered the classroom followed by Nova. Her entry preceded a high-pitched squeal which was followed by a yellow filly with a long pink mane glomping Nova.

"But?!" protested a small brown colt with a tan mane.

“So Cute!”

“Eeep!” Nova exclaimed.

“Um, Flutters?” Dash asked fully perplexed by Fluttershy’s reaction to the little fox pony.

“Never thought I’d see that happen,” Sunshine offered. “Nova is kind of cute though. Almost as cute as you Dashi.” Truth be told Nova reminded her of a doggy.

“I’m not cute!” Dash protested.

“Alright, every pony in your seats, except Dumbbell. Dumbbell, go, now,” ordered their instructor.

"Hoops was saying it too." Dumbbell protested.

"I didn't hear hoops, I heard you, now go. You know better."

“Yes, Mrs Chart Fluff.” Replied Dumbbell.

“Can’t breathe… owe-owe…” Nova protested.

“Fluttershy?!” Dash exclaimed.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Fluttershy replied as she let go, backed away, and hid behind her main. Nova was now sitting with her wings askew.

“Hang on.” Sunshine offered going over to Nova and tried to see if she could duplicate what Wind Rider did. It took a bit of trial and error, but they eventually got Nova’s wings back in place.

“Is she going to be alright?” Mrs Chart Fluff asked.

“I think so, yes, good, thank you.” Nova offered as Sunshine somehow managed to get the twist out of Nova’s back and then went to sit down.

“Now, every pony, listen up, we have got a new student joining us. Summer would you like to introduce your new sister?”

“Oh ya.” Sunshine offered and got up from her seat having already sat down. She walked up, turned, “Hi every pony, the reason why I’m so late today is that Colonel Mustang and Wintry adopted me. And this is my cousin, Nova.” Sunshine placed a wing over Nova and gave her a hug. “Who is also my new sister.”

“Don’t tell me that little squirt is the one my mom was all worked up over?” Asked the lone Griffin in the class. Like Mrs Seakite, she too was light brown and white. She was also the only one in the class who was not a pegasus.

“Oh wow, she’s an alicorn.” Someone in the class whispered.

“I’m sorry, no.” Nova offered. “I’m a fox pony, not an Alicorn, and I’m not a princess unless a sovereign of a kingdom recognizes me as such. It’s not that unusual for fox ponies to have both a horn and wings. It gives me a wider range of potential talents, but it’s raw power that makes a pony like me an alicorn. Right now my manna levels are probably a little lower than average. ” She gave that a moment to sink in. “Hi, I’m Nova Mustang. And yes, I’m Sunshine’s cousin, and now I get to be her sister.”

“So what happened to your family?” Asked the tall orange colt named Hoops.

“It was a magical accident that left me stranded on a cloud.” Nova offered. “I can’t really say for certain what happened at home, just that I can’t go back. Not because they don't want me, but because I don't know how to get home and no pony knows where my home was.”

“She’s a night pony,” Sunshine added. “Night pony enclaves will abandon a pony rather than risk discovery of their settlement. You see, the thing is, that’s why no pony ever came for me. I came from a hidden settlement. About the most they’ll do is make sure we are in safe hooves.” Of course, what she’d said was a blatant lie but it was one that would be backed up by the adults because it had indeed happened in the past. Nor could she tell any pony that she was actually from another world or that Nova was Nightmare Moon’s daughter.

“Wow, that really bucks.”

“Dash!” Mrs Chart Fluff scolded. "Care to join Dumbbell?"

"No mam. Sorry, mam." Dash said right quick-like. "It kind of does though," she added.

"Fair point, just watch your mouth."

“I do miss my birth mom, but she broke up with my father and wasn’t speaking with my Aunt,” Sunshine explained as she weaved a half-truth with a white lie. “I feel bad about it, but I’ve gotten a really cool Mom and Dad now, my cousin gets to be my sister, and we even get to be friends with Wonderbolts.”

“That is a whole lot of awesome right there.” Dash offered. “Can you introduce me?”

“I suppose we can always have a homework session at our house.” Sunshine offered. “No guarantee any of the Wonderbolts will come by though.”

“I ga-ta do homework?!” Dash exclaimed causing more than a few of the foals to laugh. “I might turn into an egg head though.”

“News flash, the Wonderbolts are all egg heads,” Sunshine informed her. “They don’t except ponies who can’t get good grades into the program. If you really want to be a Wonderbolt someday you have to be more than just a good flier, you have to be smart, and you have to be the best of the best in everything. That’s what makes them so awesome.”

“I ga-ta do homework?!” Dash protested.

“I’ll help you Dashie.” Fluttershy offered in her meek little voice.

“Like Dash could ever make the Wonderbolts.”

“Score, maybe you should be more concerned with what you can achieve?” Mrs Chart Fluff scolded. “Now, let's get started with class, fillies, seats please, Nova, I assume you want to be called Nova?”

“Yes mam.” Nova offered.

“Just pick any empty seat.”

“She can sit next to me. If that’s OK?” Fluttershy offered so quietly it was a miracle any pony could hear her.

“Fluttershy, you really need to speak up.” Mrs Chart Fluff prompted.

“She said I may sit by her,” Nova informed Mrs Chart Fluff and then went back to sit at an empty desk next to Fluttershy.

“Ha, she can speak Shy.” Score teased.

“Ek megmræli mang tungsrs.” Nova offered using a Nordic language that she knew.

“Oh, which was that?” Sunshine asked, and then regretted asking when a look of sadness crossed Nova’s face.

“It’s the language of the Crystal Empire.” Nova offered. “I, um, I know many stories about the Empire and its collapse. It was the fall of the principality that preceded the Empire that leads to the great migration… according to the historians of my home.” Nova couldn't very well say she’d been alive when the Empire was still a very real place. “Without the Crystal Heart, there was nothing to keep back the Windigos and ponies set to fighting among the tribes.”

“Ah, yes, I can see that.” Sunshine offered. “Kind of fits with what I know too.”

“And then Hearths warming came and they all learned to get along.” Offered a dark blue filly with a purple mane and tail. Her name was Indigo.

“Actually no, Discord happened.” Nova offered sheepishly.

“Well, as interesting as that may be, it’s the modern history we need to concern ourselves with for now.” Mrs Chart Fluff announced, waited a moment, and then began the lesson for that hour. Nor was she going to correct Nova since she knew from her college studies that Nova was probably right. In order to get the tribes to stop warring the best way to do it was with an imported threat that would unite them.







“Come on Dash, come to our house, we’ll help you with your homework.” Sunshine offered as they were leaving the school later that afternoon.

“Gilda?” Nova asked looking at the Griffin. “You can come too.”

“Whatever,” Gilda said and started walking away. “Hey Dash, you coming or hanging out with the loos…!” She spun around at the sound of a loud crack. A short distance above Nova, Dumbbell had a small black cloud. Arches of electricity danced about an apparently unfazed Nova.

“Dumbbell, What the Fuck?!” Sunshine shouted angrily, anger that evaporated to amused amazement as Nova’s wings spread and went straight up, the arches of electricity dancing from wing to wing traveled up to the tips which now framed the colt. Her fur also stuck straight out as well.

“Aaaaaaaaa!!!!!!” Dumbbell called out as the bolt struck him charring feathers.

“Wow,” Gilda whispered as Nova dropped her wings to the cloud-base they were standing on followed by shaking them out and folding them up, the electricity danced into the clouds below, spread out, and dissipated. At least most of it dissipated. Nova was still looking extra poofy. Overall she looked like it hadn’t really fazed her. “No wonder mom is freaked out by the dweeb.”

“That was awesome!” Dash shouted while Nova shook herself out fluffing her feathers even more in the process. “Alright, let's go. Hey Flutters, you coming?”

“If that’s alright.” Fluttershy replied meekly.  

“Yes, we’d love to have you.” Nova offered.

“You Alright?” Sunshine asked Nova.

“I’m good… sort of. Kind of my, my wings shoot out and up for a bit, but I’m alright. Just a little sore. My thick fur kind of shields me from the worst of it, but not quite. I’m still a little tingly. Better not give me any hugs for a while.”

“Um, is it too late to change my mind?” Gilda asked.

“It’s never too late.” Sunshine offered. “Just because your mom works for us doesn’t mean we can’t be friends. We aren’t like that.”

“Long ago when the world was young and mighty Sol was King empires stood or fell upon the bonds of friendship keen.” Nova sang out as she looked to Sunshine a smile on her face. “Into the night the champions flew to defend the slumber of the free.”

“Er, long ago the night wing fell upon the blades of traitors foul, Celestia, dear Celestia blinded by her light. And when the shadows came stalking no night wing was there to guard the night.” Sunshine replied in spoken voice.  

“Come on, let's go get our homework done,” Sunshine added a moment later.

“So we flying?” Dash asked.

“You can if you want, but you know I’m not a strong flier, Dash.” Sunshine offered. “Shy isn’t either, and Nova did a number on her muscles trying to make it to safety.”

“Fine, we’ll take the bus.” Dash conceded.

The group of five trotted on over to a bus stop where they waited for the bus which was a long carriage suspend under a canopy filled with expanded cloud material with engines that were big open tubes that relied on spells to draw air through to provide propulsion. The lanes themselves were gaps in the clouds.

“We are on our way to my house to do our homework together,” Sunshine informed the operator. Foals were allowed to ride free if they could state a valid reason.

“She’s my sister,” Nova offered. “We just finished school. Also one of the other foals pranked me with a little lightning cloud so I may be a little zappy.”

“Oh, you’re fine.” Dash proclaimed, tried to give her a hug, and got a static zap. “OK, I guess you are a little zappy.”

“Not to worry fillies, the hoof rails are set up to discharge pones in addition to providing assistance.” Offered the driver who was a gray pegasus with a blue mane. He also had a wheel cap on that had the company logo in front.

“Oh, alright.” Nova offered, stepped on board, and experienced static discharge as the remainder of the charge in her fur dissipated. The visual results on her fur made it look like she was deflating which caused the driver to lose it. Nova dropped her ears for a moment, but couldn't help but join in on the laughter followed by the other fillies joining.

Nova climbed up, still laughing, meeting ponies with happy faces wondering what they’d just missed.

“She was all staticky and her fur deflated when she climbed on board.” Sunshine offered as a way of explanation leading to those who heard to start laughing. The others climbed aboard, the driver managed to regain his composure, and they were on their way.

“Wait, you never said you lived on base?” Dash asked as the bus drove onto the cloud where the base was.  

“Hello, Colonel Mustang.” Gilda scolded. “Base Commander? How else would they know Wonderbolts?”

“Wait, seriously?” Dash asked.

“You seriously hadn’t put two and two together?” Sunshine asked.

“You know I can’t do maths.”

“Oy vey,” Gilda said with a talon to her face.

“Come on, we are coming up to our stop.” Sunshine prompted, reached up, and pulled the bell cord. A couple of minutes later the bus stopped and the five friends got out.  

“Dash, Gilda, stay clear of the parade ground, they use it as a runway.” Sunshine cautioned once they were all out.

“Wow, airships!” Dash exclaimed while hovering in place. “Wonderbolts!”  

“Come on Dashie,” Sunshine said grabbing hold of Rainbow’s tail, and dragging her along as a team of Wonderbolts fly by.

They arrived at the house a short time later, and Dash finally stopped trying to get away.

“Library or upstairs?” Nova asked as the door closed behind them.

“This is nice.” Gilda offered.

“Have you never been here even though your mom works here?” Nova asked.

“Not while I’ve been here, which has kind of bugged me,” Sunshine said. “I guess we can go upstairs.”

“It’s not that I never wanted to, it’s just…”

“Your mom has some weird ideas about not mixing with the people who employ her, doesn’t she?” Dash asked.

“The Colonel is a soldier, not nobility, and they take in strays like Nova and me.” Sunshine offered. “Come on, let's go upstairs.”

“Strays?” Fluttershy asked.

“Ha, you did not just call yourself a stray?!” Dash asked and laughed as she followed.

“What’s a stray?” Nova asked.

“Oh, um, I’m sorry,” Sunshine said, went to Nova, and gave her a hug.

“It’s a domesticated creature without a home that needs one.” Gilda offered. And for once in her life, she was actually trying to be diplomatic.

“I guess that kind of applies to us.” Nova mused. “I’m still having issues with various aspects of the language.”

“You seem to be doing very good, even if you do have a bit of an accent. I’m sorry.” Fluttershy offered.

“Come on Flutters, you don’t have to apologize for that.” Dash offered as they found their way upstairs.

“This is your bedroom?” Gilda asked moments later.

“Cool, isn’t it? But before you get any idea it’s base housing. Mom and dad don’t own it. Even if he does say the whole base is his.” Sunshine offered followed by shuddering and pronking in place. “That is so awesome I get to call them Mom and Dad!”

“Nova?” Fluttershy asked. A sad look had crossed Nova’s face and Fluttershy was the first to notice.

“It’s alright, it’s just… everything happened so fast.”

“Nova is still morning her Mom and Dad,” Sunshine explained softly as she pulled off her saddlebags. “Come on, let's get started.”

“Probably best I don’t talk about the family I left behind.” Nova offered as she pulled her saddlebags off and they all found a place to sit as they gathered around the table in the turret.

“I – I can understand.” Gilda offered. “Lost my dad in a border raid.”

“He was defending against border raiders?” Nova asked.  

“Na, he was one of the raiders. Not against Equestria. No one would dare. Not after Princess Celestia solar flared that last griffin tribe that was raiding across the Equestrian border.”

“Are you serious?!” Dash asked. “That makes her twenty percent cooler.”

“Funny how that’s not in the Equestrian history books.” Sunshine mused.

“Maybe that’s just not the sort of thing they like to teach foals.” Fluttershy offered.

“I suppose that’s possible. It’s not like I knew everything that was going on.” Nova offered.

“OK, let's get this over with.” Dash proclaimed as she got her assignments out.



👥



They hadn’t been too long at their assignments when some pony knocked at the front door.

“Wonder who that could be?” Sunshine asked.

 “Should we go see?” Nova asked.

“No one I know knocks. They just open the door and announce themselves.” Sunshine replied.

“I’ll go.” Gilda offered as she got up. “I mean, why not? That is, I’ll probably end up doing the same thing my mom does.”

“Are there no other opportunities for Griffins?” Nova asked.

“In Equestria, not really, no,” Gilda replied and left the room.

Gilda rushed back up a few moments later.

“It’s the cops.”

“We’re on a military base,” Sunshine stated as she got up. “Probably some pony looking for my Dad.”

“Not the Guard, the City police,” Gilda announced.

“Police? But this is a military base?” Dash asked. “Are they even allowed?”

“It’s an open base, but I don’t think they are supposed to be going up to ponies' houses… maybe something happened?” Sunshine said as she got up. The others got up as well and followed her downstairs.

“Hello, has something happened?” Sunshine asked.

“Sunshine, stay there, I’ll see what they want.” Mrs Seakite offered as she came down the hall. She paused only momentarily on seeing Gilda on the stairs with the others.

“Can I help you?” Mrs Seakite asked momentarily after opening the door.  

“Are you the Lady of the house?”

“No, I’m the maid. I just got in that’s why I don’t have my apron on. Is this for a fundraising drive?”

“No mam, I’m afraid there’s been a complaint.”

Mrs Seakite let out a heartfelt sigh. “What did Gilda do this time?”

“But I didn’t do anything?” Gilda protested.

“Gilda? Wait, your Gilda’s mother?”

“That’s not why we are here. There’s been a complaint against a pony residing at this residence.”

“Wonderbolts!” Dash shouted as the porch filled with a Wonderbolt squad.

“Officers, you are aware that you only have pass-through privileges, correct?” Fast Clip asked.

“What’s going on here?” Colonel Ray Mustang asked as he landed along with a squad of base security and several officers.

“It’s Ray Mustang, the Flame Pegasus.” One of the police officers said with a tone of awe.

“Is, is this your house?” The other police officer asked.

“This entire base is mine. Care to tell me why you are on my doorstep?”

“I’m sorry, but there was a complaint against a Miss Nova… oh shit.”

“My name is not Oh shit.” Nova protested.

“He means he just realized he’s in way over his pay grade.” Sunshine offered. “Hang on…” She trotted the rest of the way down the stairs and over to the door. “As we were leaving school Dumbbell zapped Nova with a lightning bolt, and got caught in the feedback. I mean, that’s the only thing I can think of. Mom dropped us off at school after lunch, and after school, we came straight home to do our homework. I mean, Nova hasn’t exactly been anywhere?”

“Nova, are you alright?” colonel Mustang asked.

 “Yes, dad. Mom was a master of lightning…  little bolts are nothing. It kind of gets trapped in my fur and feeds back. My wings kind of popped up too when I was hit. I guess that’s when he got caught in the feedback.”

Ray Mustang had a slight smile, one that went straight back to a frown as he diverted his gaze back to the two police officers. “You two must be rookies. Let me make one thing perfectly clear. You have no authority on my base without a Royal Guard and a Royal warrant. If you need anything other than the privilege of passing through, you are to report the matter directly to my office. Is that understood?”

“Ye-yes, sir,” Both police officers stammer out.

“Now, first off just so you know, I’m going to be contacting your Chief. Second, you go tell Mr Dumbbell senior that if his son ever touches one of my girls again, we are going to volunteer him for target drone duty. Now get off my base.”

“Yes sir, we are going sir, going now…”
> Chapter 6
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“You have got the coolest dad ever,” Gilda said in a tone that was almost a squeal as the two police officers beat wing as fast as they could. Colonel Mustang entered the house a moment later.

“I see we have guests.” Ray Mustang said as he walked over to the foals.

“I’m so sorry about Gilda.” Mrs Seakite offered in way of an apology.

“Mrs Seakite, we invited her. She’s in our class and we are doing our after-school assignments together.” Sunshine explained.

“Working in a group makes it more fun and easier.” Dash offered.

“Easier?” Mrs Seakite asked confused.

“Well, when someone doesn’t understand something, the individual who does can help them.” Sunshine offered.

“They are all welcome, especially your daughter, Gilda.” Ray offered with a smile. “Nova, are you sure you are alright?”

“It’s probably going to take a bit longer for my muscles to heal up now, but other than that I’m good. I’ve been zapped plenty of times without it really doing anything. Seems like a good deal of it will just stick to my fur.”

“Her fur acts as a magical battery until discharged.” Gilda offered with a grin. “Puffs up like a sponge.”

“And sticks straight out,” Dash added.

“I bet that was a sight to see.” Ray offered. “Now, who all do we have here?”

“Well, the shy yellow filly hiding halfway up the stairs is Fluttershy,” Sunshine offered and Fluttershy answered with an eep while trying to shrink. “The Griffin in our group is of course Gilda. And our rainbow maned menace destined to become the greatest flier ever is Rainbow Dash.”

“That’s right – hey, who are you calling a menace?”

“She did have to grab your tail to keep you from flying out onto the parade field.” Nova offered.

“OK, no flying out onto the parade field. That’s an active flight zone worse than wandering into traffic.” Mustang scolded.

“Yes sir,” Dash replied looking chastised. “Um, sir?”

“Yes?”

“Can I meet the Wonderbolts?”

“I suppose as long as we are all here,” Whiplash said with a smile causing Dash to brighten up immediately.  

“Alright!” Dash exclaimed.  







Later that Evening Dash invited Gilda over to her house for dinner to avoid the awkwardness that might occur from inviting her to eat where her mother worked as a servant.

“Um, Dash… where are we going?” Gilda asked as the bus they were on took them up into upscale neighborhoods.

“My house? Where did you think I was taking you, to the Ritz?”

“You live in one of these mansions?”

“Um, ya.” Dash offered as they came to their stop. From there they’d have to wing it for a bit. “I don’t really like to tell any pony where I live because then they start getting all weird.”

“And I won’t?”

“Well, you seemed to be OK around Nova, and she’s practically an alicorn. - Come on.”

The two took off and landed in the front yard of an enormous cloud mansion.

“This place is huge!” Gilda exclaimed. “OK, we are definitely not telling my mom. But how is it that your parents have such a huge house?”

“Mom inherited the Rockhoof title and fortune. She’s the Baroness of Rock. Used to be an earth pony, but after the last Baron passed away it fell to my mom.”

“Seriously?”

“And dad is the Duke of Borealis.”  

“Seriously?”

“Don’t let that fool you though, they are nothing like the Canterlot snobs.”

“Hang on, where have I heard that name?”

“Dad’s name is Bow Hothoof, and mom is Windy Whistles. And don’t bow or anything, they hate that. Being able to afford a nice place and having old meaningless titles doesn’t make a pony better than any pony is what they’ll tell you. The only time they enforce it is when dealing with the snobs in Canterlot.” Dash spun on Gilda and pointed a hoof at her. “And don’t you start calling me Lady Rainbow Borealis, you got that!?”

“Lady Rainbow?!” Gilda replied with a big smirk on her face. A moment later, both had big grins on their faces and Gilda was trying very hard not to laugh as they climbed the steps to let themselves in.



🏛




The next morning Nova and Sunshine arrived at school to discover the class was missing one student. “Where’s Dumbbell?” Sunshine asked Dash.

“No idea, haven't seen him.” Dash had just been bragging about getting to meet the Wonderbolts.

“Me either.” Gilda admitted as they went to their seats.

“He wasn’t hurt was he?” Nova asked concerned. The look on Fluttershy’s face suggesting she was concerned too.

“What him?” Dash asked. “It’s not like it’s the first time one of his pranks backfired on him.”

“Seats every pony.” Mrs Chart Fluff said as she entered the room. “Miss Nova, how are you this morning? You weren’t too badly injured from yesterday afternoon's incident were you?”

“I’m alright, Thank you for asking. If I wasn’t already healing up from a previous injury it would have been nothing.”

“Yes, and you started having cramps again last night.” Sunshine offered.

“I’m aright now though,” Nova added.

“Well it’s good to hear you are on the mend.” Mrs Chart Fluff replied. “Now, I want every pony’s attention. The fall out from yesterday afternoon’s little prank has gotten Dumbbell in enough hot rainbow concentrate to get him suspended. Oh it wasn’t just the lightning bolt, no, he and certain other parties who are presently on probation…” She glared at Hoops and Score. “Dumbbell decided to take it a step further by reporting the incident to the police as an assault on himself when he was the perpetrator. Two officers new to the police force are on administrative leave because of it. - Dumbbell will be lucky if he isn’t charged with a crime.”

“Dash, your parents…” Gilda whispered.

“We never even talked about it,” Dash whispered back.

“Oh right.”

“Dad did say he was going to talk to the chief,” Sunshine mentioned. “Never thought they’d take it this far.”

“Announcement,” Mrs Chart Fluff said to bring the focus back up to her. “Next week Cloudsdale will arrive at Canterlot. It’s recommended you carry an identification if you want to go into Canterlot City. Our school will also be touring the castle, and if you want to go, you will need both your identification and a signed permission slip from a parent or guardian.”

“Is this going to be a required trip?” Sunshine asked.

“Well, no, not really. If you are worried about Nova she can get her mane styled to hide that horn.” Mrs Chart Fluff offered.

“What… Oh right,” Sunshine replied. “I was actually thinking about my resemblance to a certain noble in need of a good swift kick in the plot.”

“Ah, yes, I imagine that is something of concern which I’d forgotten about. It shouldn't be a problem, you are a pegasus, she’s a unicorn, she's older then you, and you’ll be with the class,” Mrs Chart Fluff replied. “Try to think of it as a chance to see the palace. One you might never get again.”
> Chapter 7
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“We’re taking a bus?” Dash asked incredulously. The foals of her class were gathered outside the school where a sky-bus waited. A small dirigible, not a Boeing. Each had their saddlebags and a light blue cloak with the school logo on it depicting a pegasus with its wings outstretched surrounded by a circle of stars.

“Rainbow Dash, even you’d get worn out if we expected you to fly all the way there and back.” Mrs Chart Fluff rebutted. “Now, Show me your ID badge. Everyone, hold up your ID.” She looked over the lined-up foals. “Say ‘here’ when you hear me call your name. Indigo Sky, Lofty Clouds, Apricot Morn, Dawn Portents, Silver Lining, Tender Rain, Star Buck, Little Sky, Nova Mustang, Summer Mustang, Rainbow Dash, Gilda Seakite, Hoops McFly, Score Board, and lastly Miss Fluttershy.” Each foal called out ‘here’ in turn. “Fluttershy?”

“She said here, you just didn’t hear her.” Nova offered.

“Flutters, you really need to speak up. Alright now, every pony, and Griffin, get on board. One at a time, one at a time! Honestly?”

Fortunately, it didn’t take too long to untangle the foals who’d all rushed the door at once. Once inside Mrs Chart Fluff called names again.

“Fluttershy says she has to pee!”

“Eep!”

“There’s a toilet in the back of the bus… one at a time!” Mrs Chart Fluff scolded, and a moment later they were on their way.

Nova recognized a lot of the cloud buildings as they got underway. She’d been there long enough to get her bearings for her neighborhood to and from the school as well. Like the mountain, Mount Canterhorn’ hooved into view Nova felt a feeling of excitement and dread beginning to war on her emotions. How long had it been since she’d last been there, how little the mountain had changed.

“Wow,” Nova said softly as Canterlot came into view. Not only had the castle grown considerably it was now surrounded by a tiered city unlike her mind had anything to compare against. Shining white buildings and golden roofs glistened. Hanging gardens beckoned.

“Impressive isn’t it?” Sunshine asked while giving Nova a hug. “This will be my second time seeing it.”

“Miss Nova, is this your first time to Canterlot?” Mrs Chart Fluff asked.

“I, ah… I can’t say I’ve ever seen that city.” Nova offered. “It’s huge.”

“Cloudsdale is bigger.” Hoops informed her.

“Cloudsdale is spread out and built into the clouds.” Nova offered. “A pony can’t really see the whole thing from any one vantage point because it all blends together.”

“She has a point.” Mrs Chart Fluff offered. “From a distance all any creature can see is clouds.” She had to smile when the foals started pointing out various features that interested them as they approached.

A short time later they were being guided into the landing area for sky buses at the castle. When they landed Nova and Sunshine were delighted to see Fleetfoot waiting.

“Welcome to Canterlot Castle.” Fleetfoot offered. “My name is Fleetfoot.”

“What kind of a pony name is Fleetfoot?” Hoops asked.

“Hoops isn’t it? Care to join Dumbbell in Yakyakistan?” Fleetfoot asked with a smirk. The colt just looked at her with his jaw on the floor. “No? Figured not. Now as I was saying, I’m Fleetfoot, and I am a Wonderbolt reserve officer. And today I have the privilege of being one of your tour guides.”

“Did they really send Dumbbell to Yakyakistan?” Score asked.

“No, they sent him to reform school,” Fleetfoot admitted. “He’ll probably be at flight camp though.”

“Just one more reason to keep out of trouble,” Gilda muttered.

“There is to be no running, no flying, be respectful of the palace staff and guards. I want every pony on their best behavior. Seriously, I need you to behave. I can’t really put a hoof on it, but I’ve got this weird feeling something is going on. If anything happens, do not separate, and listen to the adults. Alright, everyone off the bus and stay together.” When Fleetfoot had her say she stepped off the bus to be followed by everyone on board save the driver.

“How’d she know who Hoops was?” Dash whispered as she lined up to get off the bus.

“She’s my mom.” Replied a pale blue filly with a silver mane.

“Oh come on Silver, you should have told me your mom is a Wonderbolt.” Dash protested.

“Knowing how gaga you are over the Wonderbolts? Nothing doing.” Silver replied with a smirk.

“Aw come on, I’m not that bad… am I?”

“Off the bus Miss Dash.” Mrs Chart prompted. She had been taking up the rear of the group and had Fluttershy right in front of her.

“Every pony off the bus?” Fleetfoot asked a few moments later.

“We’re all off and ready.” Mrs Chart replied.

“Aright then my little duckies, line up and follow me,” Fleetfoot said and started walking while looking back every so often to make sure they were indeed following.

Sunshine just couldn't resist a 'quack' as they followed along. She was answered by giggling and another quack.

Quack

Quack

Quack

Fleetfoot walked up to the group entrance with a silly grin on her face.

“Lieutenant? What?” Asked one of the guards.

“They’re so cute I can’t bring myself to tell them to stop.” Fleetfoot offered. “Mrs Chart Floof, I mean Fluff’s class from Cloudsdale Primary academy.”

“You are good to go to Area thirteen where you will meet up with your tour guide.”

“Thank you. Come on my little duckies.” Fleetfoot said and walked through the gate followed by the foals who quacked as they passed, and then Mrs Chart who’d a huge smile on her face.

As directed Fleetfoot took them to Area thirteen, where they were met by a rather stern-looking matronly mare. She introduced herself as Mrs Aureole and gave them a long-winded list of dos and don'ts. Most of all there was to be absolute silence Finally they got started, the foals a bit more subdued than they were earlier. They went through a series of government buildings and were about to finish up without seeing the keep where Princess Celestia actually lived when a pair of guards approached Mrs Aureole and informed them that the group had been invited to have lunch with Princess Celestia.

“What if she recognizes me?” Nova whispered to Sunshine.

“What?” Dash asked.

“Nothing.” Sunshine replied, and then whispered to Nova, “There’s not much we can do. More likely she’ll be fixated on me.”

“Why would she be fixated on you?” Dash asked as she nosed in between the two.

“Because I look like her protege. That’s why. Only wings and no horn.”

“Oh,” Dash replied as they were lead through the murder gate that brought them into a small bailey. Before the small group stood Canterlot keep, now known as the palace of the sun. And as far as keeps go it was massive as it was built on the foundations of the original castle.

Their group was surrounded by guards now.

“Mom, what’s going on?” Silver asked her mother in a whisper.

“No idea, just roll with it.”

Something was definitely off.

“Are they looking at you or at me?” Nova whispered to Sunshine as they were directed into the grand hall.

“I’m not sure,” Sunshine admitted.

“The old audience hall is still there,” Nova whispered as they went past a large set of double doors. The doors had been left open but had also been blocked by the presence of guards.

“That’s nice,” Sunshine whispered back.

“I thought you’d never been here?” Dash whispered.

“I’ll explain later.”

From the hall, they were directed upstairs to a small dining room their tour guide having been dismissed.

“I’m so nervous.” Fluttershy squeaked out.

“Well, every pony, have a seat, and the princesses will join you momentarily.” Offered a pony that looked like he might be the butler. That or a Hoof-colt.

“Are we going to eat now?” Hoops asked as they all found a seat at a table that was a might too large for the foals.

“Shut up Hoops, can’t you read the atmosphere?” Score cautioned. “Something weird’s going on.”

By now everyone in the group was looking really nervous. Sunshine who’d yet to sit down looked about, figured that the guards were definitely glaring at her, climbed to the top of the back of her chair, and spread her wings holding them high.

“If what is going on has anything to do with Sunset Shimmer I am not her, and I have nothing to do with her!” Sunshine shouted while teetering on the top of the chair. “I don’t know what’s going on, but you are scaring my friends.”

No pony budged.

Nova looked about and was wondering if she could put a stop to what was going on by announcing herself when a teenage Princess Cadance poked her head in through a doorway. She looked at Sunshine, blinked, took a few steps in keeping her eyes on Sunshine the whole time.

“Summer Sunshine, please get down before you fall down.” Mrs Chart admonished lightly. The last thing she wanted was to get any of the foals upset because then it’d be all downhill from there.

“Um, guys, that’s not Sunset.” Cadance offered.

“Yes, Mrs chart.” Sunshine dropped to the seat of her chair, folded her wings, and sat down. “So what has my evil twin elder sister done this time?”

“Hold that thought,” Cadance said and went back out the way she’d come. “Princess Celestia, it’s not her! She’s just a little filly.”

Gilda was the first to break the tension by bursting into laughter.

“This isn’t funny.” Sunshine admonished.

“No, it kind of is,” Nova admitted.  

This time it was Dash who stood up in her chair. “In case any pony is interested, my father is Bow Hothoof,” Dash said loudly. “I thought we were going to get something to eat?” Gilda only laughed louder. “Shut up Gilda.” Dash sat back down.

“Oh shit.” One of the guards said and rushed out the door.

“Wait, what’s so special about your dad? I thought he worked in a weather factory.” Silver asked.

“Well, they can’t keep us here forever,” Fleetfoot offered.

“And I certainly wouldn't mind an explanation.” Mrs Chart added with a hint of anger in her tone.

“Hate to say it…” Sunshine began slowly as she lay her head on the table, “..I should have stayed behind.”

“This isn’t your fault dear.” Mrs Chart offered. “Not your fault these ponies can’t tell the difference between a unicorn and a pegasus.” Her tone switched from reassuring to derisive. Sunset Shimmer was also several years older.

“Wonder what would happen if I filed a complaint with the Neighpony embassy?” Nova asked of no one specific as she leaned back.

“What good would that do?” Sunshine asked.

“Some pony obviously went out on a limb for me to make sure I’d get adopted right away.” Nova replied softly, and then switched a fair imitation of the Canterlot voice, “Hey! Tell Princess Celestia she’s locked up a Neighpony princess.”  

“Your no more a Neighpony princess than Dash is a princess,” Indigo stated only for Gilda to laugh even harder. “Care to share?” She’d switched her focus to Gilda and couldn't help but let a smile cross her lips.

“Gilda I’m not a bucking princess.” Dash protested.

“She’s the heir to the Borealis name.” Gilda managed between fits of laughter.

“Gilda!? You said you wouldn't tell!” Dash exclaimed.

“Wow, that means you outrank me.” Nova teased. This generated giggles from several of the foals since they all figured Nova was alluding to her alleged alicorn status.

“Hi…” Princess Cadance offered as she poked her head back in. “Um, listen, guards, you can stand down now. You’re not needed.” Cadance entered the room and walked over to the table. “Lady Rainbow Dash…”

“Don’t call me that,” Dash said blushing. “I hate it when ponies call me that.”

“Lady?” Score asked followed by Hoops and himself bursting into laughter.

“I’m sorry.” Cadance offered. She turned and looked at the guards. “Why are you still here, go back to your regular post. Did you think she’d used an age spell and swapped her tribe to a pony that can’t use magic? For all you know Sunset has snuck out while you all were fixated on the wrong pony. Out.” The guards hesitated a moment and then filed out. “And make sure lunch is brought up for our guests.” She turned back to the ‘guests’ and put a brave smile on. “I am so sorry about this.”

“Betcha dad rips some pony a new flank.” Nova offered.

“Dad?” Cadance asked.

“We were adopted by Colonel Ray Mustang.” Nova offered.

From out in the hall, “Oh shit!”

“So, um, just out of curiosity, by any chance did my elder evil twin sister happen to break into the restricted section of the library last night?” Sunshine asked her head still down.

“This one of your, um, predictions?” Nova asked.

“Could be. Could be stuff ponies tell me that they shouldn’t.” Sunshine offered, making sure to give herself plausible deniability. “And I’m guessing that the reason she did it is that momsy showed her one of Starswirl’s stupid mirrors, and she got obsessed with it.”

“Ah, what did you say your name was?” Cadance asked.

“My given name is Aurora Summers, my mother is Celeste Summers, my Aunt is named Selena Tsuki, they had a falling out. Any of this sound familiar? No? I didn’t exactly come to Equestria by choice, and I am now known as Summer Sunshine Mustang.”

“And I’m her adopted sister.” Nova offered. “And her cousin. Similar circumstances.”

“Hang on, shouldn’t I know you?” Cadance asked.

“No, I don’t think so.” Nova offered. Short of Cadance being the same pony as her one time playmate with a similar name and identical appearance from the Crystal Principality. Save back then her friend had been about the same age. Nova just couldn’t see how Cadance might recognize her.

“Alright then, you just looked familiar for some reason.” Cadance offered. “Oh, and Miss Summer, supposing you are right, where do you think we might find our Miss Shimmer?”

Sunshine looked up at Cadance, “Some have fate thrust upon them while others blindly chose to do the stupidest thing imaginable.”

“How stupid would you say?”

“A pony who doesn’t know the meaning of the word no? How stupid do you have?”

“Oh dear Celestia.” Cadence said and rushed out of the room while Mrs Chart gives Sunshine a pained look knowing the fillies interest in Starswirl’s gate which up to that moment she’d assumed was just a legend.







Princess Celestia having been disappointed that they’d not managed to round up Sunset had by this time moved to Princess Luna’s old apartment. Cadance trotted into the lunar tower and climbed the stairs to the large ornately furnished living area that seemed more museum than a place a pony might want to live. Princess Celestia was seated in the room looking out a window in the direction of the Everfree Forest near Ponyville. “Princess Celestia… Aunt Celestia… I think things may be worse than we thought. I think Sunset may have gone through the mirror.”

“What? Why would you… Oh, dear Harmony.” Celestia said, got up from where she was and rushed out. Cadance started to follow but stopped when a portrait of a filly caught her eye.

“Oh dear Celestia, that’s where I saw her. She must have come through… a falling out? Oh dear Celestia!” Cadance exclaimed and raced after Princess Celestia. She would find Princess Celestia in the room where the mirror in question stood, crumpled on the floor in front of a large mirror with a covering behind it, and partly draped off the top crying her eyes out one hoof pressed against the mirror.

“We’ll get her back, I’m sure of it.” Cadance offered.

“Thirty moons. She is going to have to survive in that world for thirty moons on her own.”

“She’s a very capable unicorn, she’ll be alright.”

“But she won’t be. She won’t be a unicorn. In that world, the portal transforms ponies into creatures called hue-memes. She’ll be alone in a strange world with no magic and it’s all my fault. I should never have shown her that mirror, she was too young. She couldn't understand.”

“She’ll survive, I know she will.” Cadance offered, part of her thinking, well maybe if you’d told her what it was... “She’ll land on her hooves.”

“Foots. It’s footsies in that world.”

“Footsies then. She will land on her footsies, and in thirty moons we’ll send some of our best agents and get her back.” Cadance offered. “Listen, Auntie, if I can give you nothing more I can assure you in that the line of fate that connects the two of you is still there. I can see those lines, that’s why I’m so good at getting ponies together. I know who she is to you, and as long as that connection is still there, I know that she’s alright.”

“You must think I’m horrible.”

“No, I don’t. If anything I’m the one who’s horrible because I didn’t speak up when I saw the danger signs.” Cadance gave Celestia a hug. “Any chance you can pull yourself together for our guests?”

“They must really wonder what’s going on right now.”

“Ya, about that…”

“Cadance?”

“I got the distinct impression that Colonel Mustang’s adopted daughters are from another world.”

“What?”

“You see, Miss Summer Sunshine knew about the mirror. Said she wasn’t here by choice but didn’t elaborate. Did say her original name was Aurora Summers. I’m assuming she couldn't just come right out and speak clearly among her classmates. I also got the feeling that she resents Sunset about as much as Sunset resented me.”

“Sunset doesn't resent you.”

“Yes, she does. You adopted me and couldn't even acknowledge your own daughter – yes I know. That’s part of what my abilities are. Sunset resented me and was desperate for your approval. When you showed her that mirror she’d gotten it into her head it was another one of your challenges she had to conquer. - I’m sorry, this is probably the worst time to discuss this. - Come on, how about getting up off the floor and we’ll get you cleaned up for our guests.”

"All right, all right," Celestia said softly as she slowly got up. "Your right, and it's time for Princess Celestia to put her mask back on and do a little damage control."

"They are all darling foals." Cadance offered cheerfully. "Best brace yourself when you see Miss Summer. She is the spitting image of Sunset only in pegasus form. And something else..."

"Yes?" Celestia asked as they made their way from the mirror room.

"Both Miss Summer and her sister seem to have familial bonds with you. Summer's tie seems to be some sort of vestment, a loose connection where the lines of fate seem to have latched onto you in absence of her own family. There is a portrait of her sister in Luna Hall, and her connection to you is quite strong."

"A portrait? In Luna's Chambers?" a measure of hope found its way into Celestia's heart. "From another world you say?"

"Anything is possible."

"Nova would have known about the mirror."

"Nova?"

"My sister's filly. Nova Stella. Her full name is a bit of a mouthful owing to a need to give her a Neighpony name as well."
> Chapter 8
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Hi, we are terribly sorry for the inconvenience.” Offered a gray mare with violet and white candy-striped mane and tail as she entered the dining room where the class was. “My name is Twilight Velvet Sparkle, and I’m from the Home Office and I am Canterlot Castle’s Facilities Manager. It’s my responsibility to make sure everything within Canterlot Castle is run smoothly.”

By this time Nova had begun making little cloud balls by blowing her breath between her front hooves, and several of the other fillies watching her had found they could do it too.

“What… you’re making clouds?” Mrs Sparkle asked.

“I need a booster seat.” Nova offered as if it should have been obvious, and then got hit in the side of the face by a cloud ball one of the other foals had made. “Oh, it be on.” A moment later cloud balls were flying in every direction.

“Booster seats and food. Stat.” Mrs Chart suggested with a deadpan expression that suggested that she wasn’t about to try to rein them in.

“Um, guys…” Sunshine said as she looked up at the ceiling. A fair number of the little puffs they'd just made were floating to the top of the high ceiling room and were starting to form a proper cloud. “Maybe you should stop.”

“Booster seats.” Mrs Sparkle said and trotted out of the room. She returned in a surprisingly short time with a group of maids with books in hoof and auras, to be used as boosters. Foals were boosted up, chairs pushed in, and a short time later food was brought in blessedly putting an end to the cloud fight.

“About time.” Dash declared and started digging in the moment she got her food.

“Thank you for the food.” Nova said but decided to wait for everyone there to be served. Sunshine had little choice but to sit up when she’d been provided her boosters, and did the same as Nova.

“Some princess you are.” Gilda scolded Dash.

“Mmmm mMMm Mmmmm,” Dash replied crossly with her snoot full of food.

“She means wait until every pony is served.” Fluttershy scolded Dash.

“But I’m hungry.” Dash offered between mouthfuls.

“It’s that Borealis appetite.” Nova offered between bites. She then leaned over towards Gilda and whispered, “Your mom’s a better cook.”

Gilda shot her a look and nearly choked on more laughter, but it was true. The food they’d brought them had the distinct quality of being hurried.

The foals were all preoccupied with eating when a now far more presentable Princess Celestia looked in on them from out in the hall.

“She looks so much like Sunset I can see now why the Guards made the mistake and Sunset is certainly capable of an age reversal spell,” Celestia whispered. "And there she is, my sister's little princess. I can't help but wonder what she thinks of me what with the way they were treated today, all because one little filly looks a little too much like Sunset."

“In an odd sort of way she may well be, but all a pony has to do is watch them too know she’s not a stranger to the group.” Cadance offered. “If anything I get the feeling like Summer’s sort of a de facto leader of the class.”

“And I see Miss Dash.” Celestia offered as she looked over the students. “Would you believe that if not for the machinations of the Platinum nobility and I, not an alicorn, she would outrank me?”

“Are you serious?” Cadance asked.

“I made so many mistakes back then. Ruined hundreds of lives. I unwittingly allowed myself to be maneuvered into starting a manufactured civil war. I betrayed my sister and devastated her family all because I believed the lies being told me. And this, today, last night, it all proves I still haven't learned.”

“Princess? Surely it’s not as bad as it looks?” Cadance offered.

“Isn’t it? Sunset turned out the way she did because I was grooming her to take on Nightmare Moon instead of raising her to be a good pony.”

“Um, maybe we shouldn't be discussing this here?” Cadance suggested softly. She’d noticed that a certain mostly white filly had had one tufted ear trained on them only to have both ears go flat on Celestia’s last comment.

“Cadance…” Celestia began in a somewhat subdued tone not noticing the ear perking back up. “I need a way to undo what I did to my sister. I need a way to free her from the shadow that took her before the banishment wears off.”

“And what of the elements?”

“The elements rejected me, and now I realize that Sunset, as she is, would never be able to wield them either, even if we can retrieve her in time. I’m just going to have to place my hopes in some pony else.”

“Aunt Celestia…”

“Yes?”

“Leave these foals alone.”

“Cadance?”

“In fact, I’d like to go to flight camp.”

“Flight camp? If you want to get flight tips we have a training facility not far from Canterlot.”

“Aunt Celestia, what I want is to get out of Canterlot for a while.”

The two fell silent, neither wishing to say anything further. And then to Cadance’s surprise, the little filly who she knew as Summer’s sister and bore a striking resemblance to the young Princess Nova finished up her lunch, wiped her face, got down from her chair, and started for the hall.

“Nova?” Mrs Chart asked.

“I’m just going to have a look.” Nova offered as she trotted on past and out the door.

Nova stopped just outside the door and made a polite bow. “Princess Cadance, Aunt Tia. Yes, I am thy niece. At least I was, though I can't be sure if this is even my world anymore. I was so foolish as to jump right into the line of fire only to find myself so far from home I hadn't a clue where to even begin to look.” Celestia’s eyes widened. Nova’s tone was low but sharp. “You’ll forgive me for not making my presence known until now and my lack of proper etiquette. I'm not quite sure why I even decided to approach you here and now short of since you know who I am if you've got a mind to do something to me to finish what you started I'd rather you just get it over with and leave my friends out of it. What happened in the old palace is still fresh to me, the day we lost my mom. My family and everything I knew. With what I now know about the Platinum clan I can't very well put all the blame on you and find I'm counting my blessings for a moment of foolish behavior where I actually got it into my head I could force the Night Mare to return me, my mother." Nova thought it best to soften her tone and took a breath before continuing. "I've been taken in by a loving family and have endeavored to begin anew. And yet we come here for a class tour and get treated like we'd all somehow managed to betray you. I never betrayed you. And while I can't speak for others I think I can say with all certainty mother never intended to... Can you blame me for not doing everything in my power to return to you?” Nearby guards were looking daggers at Nova for her tone, but can't fathom why Princess Celestia is just standing there letting a foal give her a dressing down.

“No, I suppose not,” Celestia admitted dropping her ears. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry for everything that happened. We were all betrayed, I just hadn't... I let myself be used and the blame rightly falls on me. No, I'm not going to do anything to you or your friends. When I look back at that horrible moment, your actions may well have bought me that precious moment I needed and if I'd know then what I know now I could have freed her from the shadow that took her. After I learned the truth I hated myself for it. Can you never forgive me?" Those guards close enough to hear now looked on with wide-eyed wonder and plenty of bewilderment.

“I’d actually thought maybe it’d be fine if I never saw you again. - I still love you though.” Nova offered with a deep sadness in her voice. “Yes, I have room in my heart for forgiveness. I doubt I could do anything else. Do you think you can save her?"

"If it is in my power, I will. But I fear I will need such avatars of virtue as the founders of Equestria to do it."

"Then for my mother's sake, I pray that such ponies step forward." Nova stretched up to whisper conspiratorially, "If Summer's prediction about the future holds true, two such champions are already known to me." Nova moved back, "Now if it’s alright, I’d like to have the same none status as Rainbow Dash. I don’t want ponies knowing I’m anything other than a fox pony. Especially the Canterlot elite. I have little reason to trust them, and neither do my new parents. I just want to live out my life in obscurity if that's not too much to ask.”

“Can’t say I blame you.” Cadance offered. “There’s a portrait of you in the Moon tower. That is you isn’t it?”

“It might be me. I mean, everything is so different. I mean, from my perspective the fight against the nightmare wasn’t that long ago and it seems I may have been better off for my folly if what I've gleaned out of history books is any indication. History books that haven't been carefully edited I'm told. As for the painting... I imagine there might be a few of those paintings floating around. Assuming my existence hadn’t been erased. I couldn't help but notice there's no Princess Nova mentioned in any of my history books. Kind of had me wondering if this was my world or not?”

“They tried,” Celestia admitted softly. "There are few books that say anything about Luna having a family."

“Princess Cadance,” Nova began a moment later. “I’m sure you’d be welcomed at the Mustang household. That is if you wanted to come for a visit? Let our family be your family.”

“Aunt Celestia, can I go? I’ll come back right after camp. I promise.”

“How soon did you want to go?” Celestia asked with a hint of reluctance. “Flight camp isn’t for a couple more weeks.”

“As soon as I can. I love you, but the atmosphere around here has been rather stifling, and I don’t expect it to get better any time soon.”

“She can come with us if she can get a travel bag and meet us at the bus before we go.” Nova offered with a hint of a smile. "You know, sneak out?"

“Princess Celestia?” Fleetfoot asked stepping out into the hall. “Miss Star isn’t bothering you is she?”

“Star?” Cadance asked.

“They have my name down as Bright Star.” Nova offered. “Officially, that is.”

“Ah, yes, that makes sense.” Celestia mused. “Miss Starry here was just negotiating an offer for Princess Cadance to come to visit her house. Do you think the Mustangs would mind having a visitor?”

“I’d think they’d be honored. Give Cadance a chance to get away from Canterlot for a while.” Fleetfoot offered cheerfully.

“Well, then, it’s decided. Cadance, go pack your bags.” Celestia offered cheerfully enough.

“Are you going to be alright without me?” Cadance asked.

“Yes, I’ll be fine. You go and have fun.”

“Thank you, Aunt Celestia,” Cadance replied, turned, and started to trot away.

“Do you need a hoof?” Nova asked and trotted after her.

“Sure, why not?” Cadance called and then the two joined up and trotted on down the hall.

“Um, excuse me, where’s my sister going?” Sunshine asked as she poked her head out the door. She looked at Princess Celestia and made a belated bow.

“Princess Cadance is going to join you till the end of flight camp.” Princess Celestia offered with a smile for Sunshine. And then she let a sigh slip as a look of sadness crossed her face.

“I’m not from this world, I suspect Cadance understood what I meant when I said that I hadn’t come here by choice.”

“Do you miss your family?” Celestia asked.

“I’m afraid they were about as dysfunctional as your own.” Sunshine offered with a wink and a smile.

“Sunshine?!” Fleetfoot protested. A gray mare with a black mane and a name tag that read Mrs Inkwell had joined her and was eyeing Summer cryptically.

“I do miss my mom.” Sunshine continued unabated. “I love my new family, but if you should happen to see Mrs Summers, and she wants to get out for a while, let her know her daughter wouldn't mind a visit now and then.” Sunshine bowed and then trotted back into the room to rejoin her friends.

“You seriously need to keep better track of where you drop your eggs.” Mrs Inkwell quipped.

“What?!” Fleetfoot exclaimed.

“Afraid that one came through Starswirl’s gate from another world.” Celestia offered. “Not the one here, but from her home, I gather. I swear I lose one and gain one I can’t even have. Yes, I am Mrs Summers. It's an alias I use when I sneak out. - And not a word about this to anyone. She’s better off where she is.”

“You’re Mrs …” Fleetfoot began but found herself being shushed by Princess Celestia. “Yes, Ma’am. Not a word.”

“Yes, I am. Only a hoof full of ponies know. I can’t very well be expected to be the paragon of virtue all the time, but I doubt the Nobility would see it that way. I’m a living breathing pony with the same needs as any other mare. Nor am I entirely to blame for how Sunset turned out. I thought I’d placed her in a good home and they dumped her into an orphanage the first chance they got but continued accepting the stipend they were getting. I just hope I get the opportunity to see her on the right track someday. Maybe she’ll find her home where she is now. As for what I said about Starswirl’s gate, that is for no one’s ears. If push comes to shove Summer Sunshine is Sunset’s little sister. It’s OK for academics to theorize about it, I just don’t want ponies knowing Starswirl created a working gate.”

“Something tells me Miss Summer doesn’t want to be associated with Sunset. If you’ll forgive me, you seem to be taking it all in stride.” Fleetfoot commented thinking to redirect the topic.

“I’ve run the gambit of emotions since last night and had a good cry just a little while ago. Just ask Cadance. She’s probably one of the few ponies capable of seeing through my mask. And I can’t help but think that maybe this needed to happen. Miss Nova gave me quite the dressing down. Ordinarily, I wouldn't have put up with that from a foal, but in her case I had it coming. I just wish I could have seen where I’d gone off track, again, and fixed it before it was too late. - So, do you think the foals would like to meet me?”

“I bet they’d be thrilled. The pail blue filly with the silver main is my Silver Lining.”

“She is a sweetie.” Celestia offered and entered the room.  

Moments after entering the room Celestia heard the unmistakable sound of foals giggling. The trouble was that the moment she’d raised her head to take on that regal stance that was so much a part of the mask of Princess Celestia … everything went gray.

“Princess Celestia… you might be able to see better if you ducked down a bit.” Fleetfoot offered.

“It’s alright, I’m good, I’m good.” Celestia offered. She’d started to cry again and had decided to just stay that way until the dew could camouflage her tears. It took her a moment, and when she was satisfied she’d gotten a hold of her emotions she put on a smile for the foals and ducked down. Only Sunshine was keen enough to see through the mask, and when it was time to go she lingered just long enough to sneak in a hug.
> Chapter 9
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Has anyone seen Nova?” Mrs Chart asked as they lined up to get back on the bus. Within the castle itself, Princess Celestia had requested a stand down from the alert and halt to the search. Beyond the castle, a notice and been put out to keep an eye and to report sightings, but not to attempt to hinder or apprehend. Authorities were also admonished to fully investigate to make sure they weren’t reporting false sightings.

“She’s supposed to meet us here.” Sunshine offered. “That is what I gathered was going to happen.”

“She took off with Princess Cadance. Nova invited her to a visit, and they were going to meet us here.” Fleetfoot offered.

And then Nova came trotting up with a rather suspicious-looking pony in a dark gray hoodie with sunglasses on and a couple of suitcases strapped to her like saddlebags. OK, it was obviously Cadance. Cadance attempted to board the sky bus but was stopped by the driver.

“Excuse me Miss, but this is a charter, and you need identification.”  

“I’ve got an identification.” Cadance offered as she pulled out her palace badge.

“It’s OK, she’s been added to the list, but don’t tell anyone.” Fleetfoot offered. “Princess Celestia gave her permission.”

“Oh key doe key.” The driver said sitting back in his chair realizing who the hooded pony was. “I’ll just pretend I didn’t see a thing.”

Names were called, foals loaded, names called again, and then they were finally ready for take-off. The driver pulled the bus ahead, requested clearance, and soon they were in the air on their way back to Cloudsdale. This time Fleetfoot decided to go with them thanks to the late hour.

“Hey, Sunshine… I know you didn’t want to come and all, but I’m glad you did. Even if things did get a little crazy.” Dawn Portents offered.

“To bad about your big sister though.” Hoops offered. “I gather something happened and she ran off.”

“Nova’s my sister now, not her. Certainly not like I knew her by anything other than her reputation.” Sunshine offered not bothering to try to straighten anything out. If they thought Sunset was her sister, that was fine. Every pony thought Sunset was an orphan that Princess Celestia had taken in and that made two of them. Two nearly identical sisters only a few years apart.

“Hey, Nova…” Cadance said as she leaned over.

“Hey?!” Nova replied as Cadance locked horns.

“Ha, thought so,” Cadance replied with a grin.

“We are only keeping that a secret from the Canterlot Nobles.” Dash offered sleepily.

Cadance withdrew and sat back in her seat. “The main reason Princess Celestia adopted me was to make sure I wasn’t exploited. I guess that’s not a huge concern for you?”

“Being exploited, yes.” Nova offered. “It’s why they moved so fast to get me adopted. I seem to have a friend at the Neighpony consulate too.”

“The foundling waiting period got waved at the request of the Neighpony Consulate in Cloudsdale.” Sunshine offered. “I think they are worried about her rocking the cloud so to speak.”

“I can see that,” Cadance replied. “I’ve had to put up with a lot of hostility. I can just imagine how the nobles would react to Nova.”

“Well, she’s our princess now.” Silver stated with firm conviction.

“I said I wasn’t.” Nova offered.

“We saw you, the way you were talking to Princess Celestia.” Score countered. “We all saw.”

“Well I hope this doesn’t change things.” Nova requested hopefully. "I prefer you as a jerk as opposed to a jerk trying to kiss up."

“That’s alright. I get it.” Score offered. “Honesty is always better. Heck, if I were a suspicious pony I’d think that Princess Celestia is somehow connected to Sunshine’s mom. That suggests a fairly high-up connection and the whole I don’t know how to get back to my family is just a cover for I’m the illegitimate daughter of some pony really high up and my caretakers are jerks.  I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Sunshine ran away from some abusive caretaker. I mean, overall, you aren’t really that different than the rest of us. Neither one of you is interested in trying to lord over any pony.”

“Thanks.” Nova replied with a smile. “I think?”

"I wasn't abused or anything." Sunshine corrected. "My situation is very similar to Nova's where I got separated from home and just couldn't go back."

“Ya, and Dumbbell is going to kick himself when he finds out we’ve got an actual princess in our class and he blew it,” Score offered.

“Don’t call me princess,” Dash muttered in her sleep causing all the foals to have a fit of giggles.

“So, um, is she really some kind of Princess?” Hoops asked softly so dash wouldn't hear.

“Well, a thousand years ago she might have been.” Nova offered. “I kind of get the feeling that today it’s just an empty title. You see, a thousand years ago the Borealis family was the ruling family. I’m Borealis clan, Princess Celestia is Borealis clan.”

“What?” This time it was Mrs Chart asking. “That’s not in any of the history books?”

“It’s true though. From what I’ve been able to glean out of the history books the Platinum Clan targeted the night ponies, going after … going after Princess Luna and the leather wings who supported her. The leather wings were a large percentage of the overall Pegalopalis forces. And I bet that’s why there is still so much animosity today. By the time the pegasus tribe realized what was really going on they no longer had the forces to counter the Platinum clan, and now they all but control Princess Celestia and the seat of government.”

“Princess Celestia is Borealis clan.” Cadance offered. “She’s descended from the High King Old King Sol and he was Borealis clan. It’s in the history books, well, books detailing legendary figures, if you look in the right places and connect the dots. Although, I will have to admit that the books I saw it in were in Princess Celestia’s private library, and not available in any of the Canterlot public libraries. I doubt ponies like Archduke Blueblood would want it being widely known just how illegitimate the Platinum family is.”

"I understand that Dashe's parents are fairly ordinary ponies with inherited titles." Sunshine offered. "Bow Hothoof is in upper management at the Weather factory and a respected member of the Cloudsdale Civic council. Who to say how high up they'd have been if not for past power plays of the Platinum Clan? Maybe even on equal standing with Princess Celestia as in, he'd be the Archduke instead of Old man Blueblood." 

“Not like that would really surprise me,” Fleetfoot commented. “But I’m thinking it’s best to keep this sort of talk to ourselves.” And then she whispered while pointing at Dash, "Not a word, her ego doesn't need that kind of boost."

“Not good to stir up too many hornet nests.” Sunshine offered as the others laughed.

“What?!" Dash protested momentarily after waking up. "You guys better not have done something while I was asleep."


When the school came into view they could see a fair number of parents waiting.

“Yep, I was afraid of this,” Fleetfoot said as they approached. “We were gone longer than we were supposed to be.”

“Just tell them my obnoxious big sister ran away last night and we got caught up in the drama,” Sunshine offered.

“You sure you want to tell them that?” Fleetfoot asked.

“It’s kind of a running joke.” Mrs Chart offered.

“Ya, um, OK, never mind,” Fleetfoot replied. Mrs Chart gave her a puzzled look.

“It’s alright, I’ll just deny any blood relation to her.” Sunshine offered with a smile. “Keep 'em guessing.”

“Hang on, you aren’t suggesting she might actually be your sister?” Indigo asked.

“No comment,” Sunshine replied.

“Wow, no wonder you hate her.” Hoops offered.

“I don’t hate her. It’s just that she had so much, and did everything in her power to make ponies absolutely hate her. And now she throws it all away by running off when she couldn't take it anymore.”

“I suppose that’s fair enough. It didn’t have to be that way though. I tried to be her friend but she would rebuff me every time.” Cadance offered knowing full well they couldn't tell the other foals the whole truth. She was also hoping they’d never find out the significance of Starswirl’s mirror. How she had known about it was also troubling her. As for Sunset doing everything in her power to make ponies hate her, she’d taken Canterlot snobbery to an all-new level such that she’d made herself into a caricature of the worst the nobles could dish out.

“We’re here.” The driver offered as he stopped the airbus. He opened the door, and every pony exited one by one, foals going to their parents.

“We got to see Princess Celestia.” They all chimed in answer to questions as to why they were so late.

“Hi mom,” Nova said going to embrace Wintry. After today Nova was glad she’d ended up with this mare as her surrogate mother.

“We had a little bit of trouble, but we are good.” Sunshine offered as she gave Wintry a hug as well. “Also Nova invited a guest.”

“Did she now, and who might that be?”

“Hello, Mrs Mustang.” Cadance offered as she walked up to the three, bags in tow.

“Oh,” Wintry replied as the realization hit her.

“Just call me Cadance. No need for formality here, in fact, I was rather hoping for a break from it all.”  

“Oh my… Princess Cadance.” Wintry’s pronouncement was echoed by several other of the ponies present.

“Hi, um… everyone,” Sunshine said loud enough she hoped every pony heard her. “She’s not here, not officially. If we can keep this quiet, please? Also, before you see it in the papers my alleged sister caused a big ruckus last night and ran off. I’ll admit that I’m not too worried about her for my sake, but I am worried about Princess Celestia.”

“It’s been a rather trying time for Princess Celestia.” Cadance offered. “Princess Celestia was kind enough to let me come here not so much to go to flight Camp, my official reason for being here, but so I could just get away for a while.”

“Is there a search in progress?” Asked a concerned parent.

“That’s part of why we are so late.” Nova offered.

“Boneheads thought I was her,” Sunshine explained. “At any rate, I understand she likely used an enchanted artifact to get out of the castle and probably doesn’t want to be found.”

“Afraid she’s right.” Cadance offered. “No point in getting worked up over a pony that doesn’t want to be found.” The last thing Cadance wanted was to see good ponies get worked up over Sunset Shimmer.

“Wintry, can you look after Silver for a bit?” Fleetfoot asked. “I should probably get into HQ and report in. Let them know what’s going on.”

“Yes, of course. Probably a good idea.” Wintry offered.

“Better let them know to expect a Mrs Summers, just in case.” Sunshine offered.

“Might not be a bad idea. - Silver, go with Mrs Mustang, and I’ll pick you up in a bit,” Fleetfoot said and then took off flying at a fairly good clip.

“Well come on, Princess, do you need a hoof with that bag?” Wintry asked.

“It’s alright, I’ve got it.” Cadance offered with a smile as the group of ponies began walking.

“You’ve left one on the bus!” The driver called out.

“Dash,” Sunshine said and started laughing.

“I’ll get her,” Gilda called and dashed back into the bus to drag out the sleepy filly who was reluctant to get up. “Come on Dashie, if you don’t get off the bus you could end up in Vanhoover or Baltimare.”



🏙



“Welcome to our home.” Wintry offered a short time later as She, Cadance, Nova, Sunshine, and Silver walk in the front door of the house.

“Mrs Mustang, where should I put my school bags?” Silver asked.

“Let’s just take everything up to my room.” Summer offered.

“Where can I stay?” Cadance asked.

“She can sleep in my room.” Nova offered.

“Oh, I couldn't.” Cadance objected.

“She’s not exactly using it.” Sunshine offered with a grin. “She’s a snuggler.”

“Am not.” Nova pouted.

“You are too, come on admit it. You can’t sleep unless there’s another pony in the bed.”

“Has she been sleeping in your bed all this time?” Wintry asked.

“Sure has,” Sunshine replied with a big smile.

“So after I tuck her in she sneaks into your room?” Wintry asked.

“I’m used to sleeping with other ponies.” Nova offered sheepishly.

“Well, I suppose it can’t be helped. - “Princess … Cadance you’ll get a choice of rooms then. There’s Nova’s room, and there is an unoccupied bedroom center hall across from the main stairs.”

“Since Nova has been so gracious, I will accept her hospitality,” Cadance replied, and they were soon on their way upstairs.



🌫



“Sunshine…” Wintry said softly pulling her aside as the others went upstairs. “Expect a visit from Mrs Summers?”

“Um, yes, and no. It’s kind of complicated.”

“Try me.”

“She’s not my mother, but she might just as well be.”

“Who is she and if you knew all along where we could find her, why didn’t you say something?”

“She’s Princess Celestia.” Summer replied flattening her ears and ducking her head like she expected to get swatted.

“You mean you really were serious? Are you saying Sunset Shimmer really is your sister?”

“It’s a little more complicated than that. I’m sort of her doppelganger. You know, the whole coming from another world thing?”

“Starswirl’s gate?”

“Princess Celestia has a functioning gate in the form of a mirror. Sunset more than likely went through it. That’s why they called off the search.”

“Oh.” There was a moment’s silence between the two. “Sunshine, why did you stay?”

“Why would I leave?” Sunshine asked perplexed. “Aside from not having access to that gate and it’s likely closed or they’d have sent someone through to drag Sunset back I’ve no way of knowing if it even leads to my home. For Sunset’s sake, I hope it does, at least that way she’ll have a halfway decent all be it somewhat neglectful mother to look after her. The portal I fell through dumped me in Cloudsdale and if I were not a pegasus that trip would have been fatal. No telling where that gate is now either.”

“And if you could go back?”

“Mom, I love you. You are twice the mom my real mother was. I love you. I love the Colonel. And now we have Nova. No, she’s not from my world, she’s Princess Luna’s daughter so far as I know and it has something to do with the elements of harmony. No, I would not want to leave you, and if you forced me to go it would break my heart.” Sunshine looked up at Wintry a hurt look in her eye. “If I had been exposed to the same environment as Sunset, would I have turned out like her?”

“No.” Wintry offered giving Sunshine a hug. “You are a good filly. True you can be a bit pragmatic and sometimes display maturity beyond your years, but you are not Sunset Shimmer.”

“Thanks, mom.”
> Chapter 10
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

That evening saw nearly the entire command staff along with the lead Wonderbolt team showing up for dinner, and the dining room getting expanded to accommodate. It also saw the arrival of an alabaster mare with a golden mane that included a shock of blue, a triangular pendant hung from her neck and her cutie mark was a sun with a fancy dress masquerade mask.

“Mystique, what brings you here?” Wind Rider called on seeing her at the door. He trotted on over. “Princess Celestia didn’t send you to check up on Princess Cadance, did she?”

“I’m Mrs Summers.” She offered sheepishly.

“You…” Wind Rider began but wasn’t quite sure what to think. All he knew about Mystique was that she was one of Princess Celestia’s top agents who was more often than not off on assignment somewhere doing some deep cover operation. Or so he believed. He’d also made a number of passes at her in the past.

“Mrs Summers?” Wintry asked and trotted over. Celestia nodded. “Well then, welcome to our home.” Wintry was not too sure what sort of greeting she should give to the pony she knew to be Princess Celestia, but decided to just go for it and gave her a hug.

And then the waterworks started prompting Cadance and Sunshine to welcome her in with a hug as well. “Come on in, sit, and let's dry those tears.” Wintry offered.

“I’m so glad Aurora found you.” Mrs Summers offered meekly.

“It’s alright,” Wintry offered, and then added in a whisper, “she’s told me as much as she could.”

“Am I to understand that you are Sunshine’s mother?” one of the wives there asked.

“Her duties to Princess Celestia take her away from home a lot.” Wind Rider offered in Mrs Summer’s defense.

“Their father couldn't take care of them.” Mrs Summers offered. “I did my best to place them in good homes. Even sent the families a sizable stipend to help cover the cost of taking care of the new filly. And just look at what a disaster my Sunset has turned out to be.”

“And what about Sunshine?” One of the other wives asked.

“I’d say she’s landed on her hooves.” Fleetfoot offered. “And it’s not Mrs Summer’s fault if the ponies who adopted those fillies turned out to be no better than Diamond dogs.”

At this, a bright yellow young mare with a fiery mane in a Wonderbolts uniform walked over. “So, there’s three of us is there?” Mrs Summers gave her a sheepish grin.

“Lieutenant Spitfire?” Sunshine asked astonished.

“Well at least one of us didn’t wind up in an orphanage or on the streets.” Spitfire offered with a smirk. She then softens her tone. “And only one disaster. Any chance they’ll find her?”

“All we can do is hope she comes back on her own someday.” Mrs Summers offered.

“Well when she does, let me look after her.” Spitfire offered with an evil grin.

“Might not be a bad idea.” Mrs Summers replied with a new smile on her face.

“Mares and gentle colts…” Said a stallion in a suit who’d just come out from the back of the house. “Dinner is served.”

“You have a butler?” Mrs Summers asked.

“The staff from the officer’s club volunteered when they heard that Princess Cadance was here.” Wintry offered quietly.

“Wonder what they’d do if Princess Celestia showed up?” Mrs Summers teased.

“I’ve heard that local chefs never get the opportunity to cook for her because the palace always sends out their own ponies.”

“I’m afraid it does happen though I do try to curb that habit.” Mrs Summers offered as she got up.

“What say we get you cleaned up a little and then we’ll go in.” Cadance offered.

“Listen, there’ll be more room in the upstairs water closet.” Sunshine offered the three making their way for the stairs.

“We’ll be right down.” Cadance offered.

“We’ll wait.” Colonel Mustang offered.







“I can’t even imagine giving up my foals,” Offered a matronly mare who was standing by Wind Rider once the trio was upstairs.

“Dear I understand that what she does is very important to the stability of Equestria.” Wind Rider offered.

“To give up a foal thinking they’ll be better off, working hard to send money only to find out later her trust had been betrayed.” Wintry offered. “Must be awful. Why if I was Princess Celestia I’d turn those ponies into stone and add them to the sculpture garden.”

“Funny you should mention that,” Wind Rider began in a slow drawn-out fashion. “I’m to understand that there is a rumor that the ponies who were supposed to take care of Miss Sunset Shimmer are in fact in the Sculpture Garden.” He smiled, looked out the window to watch the sun go down, felt a familiar tingling he’d experienced from witnessing Princess Celestia raising and lowering the sun, thought about it, his eyes going wide – his pupils narrowing down to pinpricks.

Fleetfoot stepped over and whispered, “Not one word.” A moment later she caught a glimpse of Nova dashing out of the room her mane billowing behind her.

Wintry also saw her and decided to go investigate. She found Nova in the parlor, her mane, and tail billowing, and then slowly going back down to normal.

“Hehe,” Nova replied with a sheepish grin. “Does that if I’m anywhere near my Aunt or mother when… well, you know.”

Wintry gave her a big smile. “Something tells me they’ve finished cleaning up now.”







Up in the upstairs bath, Princess Celestia was presently dabbing a washcloth to her eyes.

“So how long are you staying?” Cadance asked.

“I really need to get back before they go into a panic,” Celestia replied. “But I think I’ve bought myself some time. Shall we go down to dinner?”

“Don’t you think you should maybe change back?” Sunshine asked.

“You think I…”

Just then the door opened – it’s Spitfire. She closes the door. Celestia transforms back into Mrs Summer. Spitfire opens the door again. She gives Mrs Summers a withering glare.

Spitfire’s mouth opens but nothing comes out.

“Try not to think about it.” Sunshine offered as she walked out.

“What she said.” Cadance offered as she followed Sunshine.

“Mother, I’ve heard of balancing two lives but you really take the cake.” Spitfire sputtered out.

“Don’t I always?” Mrs Summers replied with a smirk as she followed Cadance. “Are you coming?”





Spitfire followed Mrs Summers out onto the porch following dinner. “I guess I owe you an apology.” Spitfire offered. “But tell me, have you never been tempted to just run away and never go back?”

“Can’t say I haven't. It would be such a simple matter to put the palace behind me dealing only with the most important aspect of that job someplace where no pony will ever know.” Mrs Summers offered. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “The magic I’m using has a price and I dare not use it too often.”

“Then find another way.” Sunshine offered having come out onto the porch. She’d kept her voice down as well. “I know about that amulet, and it’s only a matter of time before it gets stolen while you are wearing it.”

“Yes, that would be bad. Alright then, no more short cuts.” Mrs Summers offered.

“And the Canterlot guard needs to figure out a way to tell if some pony is using an active spell or not,” Sunshine suggested. “And while we are at it figure out a way to make sure passage through that mirror can be controlled. Sunset may well come back on her own, but she’s just as likely to turn around a go right back.”

“And if that’s what she wants shouldn't I let her?” Mrs Summer’s asked.

“I’d say that would depend on her motivations. Don’t you have one of those two-way diaries to talk to her? Maybe she’ll answer?”

“Just exactly how do you know so much?” Spitfire asked.

“Well, I used to be older. Portals have a tendency to fiddle with a pony’s age.”

“How old?” Mrs Summer’s asked.

“Oh, I’d say about Cadance's age. Also, there’s, I guess I could call it quantum bleed thanks to the portals.”

“Portals?” Spitfire asked.

“Starswirl’s gate. It’s a very real phenomenon. One he figured out how to harness.” Mrs Summers offered. “Just keep in mind the existence of such things is classified ultra-secret. It bothers me that Sunshine even knows about it.”

“In my world, the events of this world were recorded into stories for foals. Trouble is I have no way to know what actually applies to this world and what was pure fantasy until some event happens that will let me know.”

“There’s a part of me wishing you could have given me a heads up about Sunset, but then I have to ask myself if any pony would have even taken you seriously?” Mrs Summers commented dryly.

“Ya, I can just see how well that would have gone.” Spitfire drolled. “They’d have locked her up.”

“Afraid you’d be right. - Alright, anything I should keep an eye out for.”

“Let's see, make sure you are available for the new students taking the examination test.”

“Should I be concerned?”

“I’d say anticipation.” Sunshine teased. “Anything more would be spoilers.”

“Cheeky little devil.” Spitfire scolded.

“Not like you were any better.” Mrs Summers offered. “You thought you had all the answers.”

“But she does.”

“I don’t have all the answers. I wish I did. Nova was a complete surprise.”

“She is at that.” Mrs Summers offered. “She seems like she’s taking it all in stride.”

“She’s done her fair share of crying, but like me, she’s decided to make the best of the hand we’ve been dealt. In fact, I kind of like the hand I’ve been dealt, and I think she does too.”

“So you are happy?” Mrs Summers asked.

“I’m happy.”

“And you don’t want more?” Mrs Summers pressed.

“Oh, I never said that.”

“Oh?” Mrs Summers asked pointedly.

“Ya, I just thought that maybe I just might follow in big sister Spitfire's hooves.”

“That’s a lot of work.” Spitfire offered.

“I imagine it is,” Sunshine replied. 

“You don’t want to be a princess?” Mrs Summers asked.

“Only if I still get to do what I want.”

“And if you become a princess and they lock you away in a castle?”

“Then I’ll run away the first … sorry, but I think you know what I mean. I only want what I’ve earned, and I don’t want to lose my freedoms in the process. I guess that’s wanting a lot, but that’s what I want.”

Mrs Summers reached over with a wing and drew Sunshine into a hug.

“We should probably get going,” Spitfire suggested.

“We?” Mrs Summers asked.

“Well, you don’t think I’m going to let you fly home in the dark without an escort?”

“I’m going too,” Fleetfoot announced from the doorway.

“And the next time you want an outing let me know so I can come to pick you up.” Spitfire offered. “You know, like maybe we can spend some time together now and then.”

“Alright. I give.” Mrs Summer offered. “I should probably say my goodbyes first, and then we’ll go.”
> Chapter 11
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cadance was a little filly again, a little flightless pegasus and she was running for her life. Overhead there was a battle of epic proportions going on. Behind her, the escort that was there to take her to safety had been overrun, and now she was running through brambles and thickets. Anything to get away from her pursuers. It wasn’t enough. They were on her in a moment… It was the same nightmare that had plagued her for years, they’d come diving in, the ponies in that horrible armor, she’d somehow manage to evade them, they’d come swooping in again, and then she’d wake up.

At least that’s how it usually ran.

Cadance was scrambling through the thickets, down came her pursuers… only to get blasted away by a white alicorn that dazzled like a star had come down to Equestria just to save her. And then the alicorn of light lifted her up into the air and she was flying no longer afraid. The battle was gone, no pony fighting just her, the stars, and…

“Nova!” Cadance shouted as she sprang up from her bed.

“Ack!” Nova said as she toppled over and fell off the bed.

“Nova, what are you doing?”

“You were having a nightmare.” Nova offered from the floor.

“Ya, I was. But?”

“Mom, I mean my birth mom taught me how to dream walk. I can only do it if I’m right next to another pony.”

“Is that why you sneak into Sunshine’s bed?”

“No… I really can’t sleep by myself. And if I’m going into her dreams it’s because my dreams aren’t all that pleasant sometimes.”

“Come here.” Cadance offered, so Nova climbed back up onto the bed.

“I, I don’t understand what the dream is about.” Cadance offered.

“I do,” Nova said softly.

“You do?”

“I recognized those helmets, and I know who you are now. You are Princess Mi Amore Cadenza the daughter of Princess Amore and Prince Lys and one of my own dear friends. I doubt we were any more than a year apart in age either.”

“Nova… what’s going on?” Sunshine asked as she staggered into the room.

“Cadance was having a nightmare.”

“And we followed that with a revelation.” Cadance offered. “You didn’t come looking for Nova because you can’t sleep without her did you?”

“No… yes. OK, I kind of started to get accustomed to sleeping while snuggling in our own little pony pile.”

“To tell the truth, I used to sleep in pony piles in the little town where I grew up. No pony ever adopted me, I just went from family to family depending on who’s turn it was to look after me. You might even say the whole town had adopted me.” Cadance offered. “Tell you what, come here because I don’t think any of us are going to get any sleep by ourselves.”

“So what was that revelation?” Sunshine asked as she climbed into the bed.

“Apparently my mom was a princess of the Chrystal Empire.”

“Crystal Principality. It was that traitor Sombra who proclaimed it an Empire.” Nova corrected.

“Did he… that is, do you know what happened to my parents?” Cadance asked softly.

“Don’t know. The whole place vanished. The only survivors were the ponies who were outside of the city. You must have been right on the periphery.”

“So they are gone then.”

“I don’t know. Vanished isn’t the same as destroyed or annihilated. Vanished as in just not there anymore.” Nova offered. “Or at least that’s how it was explained to me.”

“Sombra pulled a Brigadoon.” Sunshine offered as she drifted off into sleep. “It’ll be back.”

“Briga what?” Cadance asked.

“She’s making predictions again.” Nova offered and let out a yawn. “Apparently it has something to do with stories for foals where she came from.” And with that, she too drifted off into slumber.

Cadance pondered everything for a moment. Knowing she was from the Crystal Empire, or Principality as Nova called it, didn’t really help. She wondered if she’d see the city again someday and if they’d have to fight Sombra again. It also seemed all so academic and not the sort of thing she really needed to worry about right now. It wasn’t like she could remember her parents anyway. She couldn't remember any of it. As far as she could remember her life started in that sleepy little town she grew up in. Cadance lay back down and slowly drifted off into peaceful slumber.



⛅



Ray Mustang woke up the following morning early as was his custom to the discovery that his wife was already up. He got up, check the bathroom, then the closet, nope, not under the bed… he went out into the hall to discover her at the far and standing there looking somewhat indecisive. He walked to her and gave her a kiss. “Is something troubling you?”

“The fillies aren’t in their room.”

OK, that just didn’t seem right, but it wasn’t time to go into a panic yet. So he went to the end of the hall, and out the door to the balcony. He looked at the outside doors to the bedrooms saw nothing out of the ordinary, and then walked over to the edge of the balcony. Down below on the walkway out in front was a security detail.

“Sargent, anything to report?” He called softly. Last night he’d stopped short of closing the base to all outside traffic in a move to clamp down on base security. Having Guards on the gates was going to be inconvenient but he didn’t want to risk letting just any pony coming on base with a recognized princess in his home.

“Nothing to report sir.” The Sargent called back with a salute.  

“Thank you,” He called, returned the salute, and went back inside.

“You’re just going to have to peek in on Princess Cadance,” Ray informed his wife a moment later.

“But she’s a princess.” Wintry protested.

“So is Nova, technically.”

“Well if we are going to be technical about it all three of them are princesses.”

“And how do you figure?”

“Well, I’m not sure I should say, and it's not the sort of thing to be spread about.”

“Are you suggesting I’ve been left out of the loop on something?”

“Mrs Summers is Princess Celestia.”

“OK, I can see how that could be dangerous information.”

“She’s been living two lives. Those damn Canterlot nobles have put her so high up on a pedestal she’s been forced to go behind their backs just to be a pony.”

“Just give the door a knock and take a look.”

“Alright,” Wintry replied, reached up, gave the door a couple of gentle raps, and then slowly opened the door. A smile formed on the faces of both parents on seeing the large lump under the covers of the bed.

“Mystery solved.” Ray offered followed by the two pegasi backing out and closing the door.

Wintry came back a short time later, this time knocking a bit louder. She opened the door and announced that it was time all good fillies were up so that they wouldn't be late for school.  

“School?” Cadance asked sitting up in bed the two younger fillies snuggled up on either side.

“Well if you’d like. What grade level are you in?”

“I’m in middle school, I’m on my last year before I move up. I’ve been homeschooled for magic. Well if you can call private tutors in the palace homeschooling.”

“I’m up.” Sunshine offered as she got up and climbed out of bed.

“You do realize I’m supposed to be nocturnal, right?” Nova said with sleep still in her eyes.

“I realize that, but unfortunately they don’t have night school for foals.” Wintry offered. “Go stand in the shower for a bit, that’ll wake you up.”


For Cadance breakfast that morning was perhaps the first enjoyable breakfast she’d had in a long time. Even last night's gathering of officers was far more enjoyable because the comradery they had made it feel like they were family. Unlike every meal in Canterlot that felt like living in a shark tank. Mrs Mustang, no make that Wintry, was delightful, and Sunshine was the exact opposite of Sunset. Sunshine was warm, outgoing, and easy to be friends with. Nova, once she was fully awake was a delight, who was energetic and mischievous.

“So how long do you think it’ll take them to notice?” Nova asked with a grin as they were on their way into school. Cadance had on her hoodie with the hood up. Nova was presently doing a pronk, pronk, glide that couldn't help but make Cadance smile because she’d have to turn and come back every time she got too far ahead.

“We’ll see, we’ll see.” Wintry offered. She was coming along because an adult would have to vouch for her. Fleetfoot and Silver had joined as well, and every so often Nova, Sunshine, and Silver would just start bouncing with energy.  

“So are they always so full of energy?” Cadance asked with a smile.

“To be honest this is the first time she’s had so much energy.” Wintry offered. “They are all a little keyed up this morning.”

“They were all quacking like little ducks at the group entrance at the castle yesterday.” Fleetfoot offered.

“Awe and I missed that.” Wintry lamented.

“Well, we are here,” Fleetfoot announced. “Alright, you three, you get to your classes.”

“Awe.” Sunshine, Nova, and Silver all said at the same time.

“Did I mention Cadance and I are the same age?” Nova and Sunshine said at the same time followed by pointing at each other and shouting, “Jinx!”

“You two go to your class, you too Silver, we are taking Cadance over to the Middle School.” Wintry scolded mildly.

“Alright, see you after school,” Sunshine replied, and then the three hurried over to their school.

Fleetfoot, Wintry, and Cadance continued on and crossed over to the middle school.

“Cady?” asked a gray filly with a three-tone red rose-colored mane and tail that was Cadance’s age as the three approached the school.

“Diamond?” Cadance asked looking at the other filly. “Diamond Rose?”

“Cady, it’s you, it is you!” Rose exclaimed, and a moment later the two embraced. “No pony’s heard from you since you left to live with Princess Celestia. What are you doing here? All we ever get are those form letters the palace sends out.”

“Taking a break from Canterlot. What do you mean no pony’s heard from me, I send letters… I never get any…”

“Oh, dear,” Fleetfoot said.

“So, I gather you two know each other?” Wintry asked.

“We grew up together,” Cadance explained. “Same small town. Even shared the same sleeping arrangement on multiple occasions.”

“You never got any letters?” Rose asked.

“Not a one,” Cadance admitted. “But what are you doing here in Cloudsdale instead of Podunk?”

“Dad’s got a position in the weather factory. Any chance you’ll be in Cloudsdale High next year?”

“Unfortunately I’m locked into Canterlot Academy.”  

“Oh, that’s too bad. Maybe I’ll transfer so you’ll have a friend.”

“That’s the bell.” Wintry prompted.

“I have to go, maybe I’ll see you in class?”

“Alright, but if not I’m at Colonel Mustang's home.”

“Alright, I’ll see you later.” Rose offered and ran into the school.

Wintry, Fleetfoot, and Cadance followed at a more moderate pace.

“Sounds like some pony is interfering with your personal mail,” Fleetfoot commented as they entered the school.

“Well, I for one can’t believe Princess Celestia would knowingly allow such behavior,” Wintry added with a touch of anger as they entered the school.

“Hi, we’ve got a young filly who’d like to attend classes until Flight Camp starts?” Wintry said as the trio entered the office.

“I’m sorry, but we don’t allow that. No exceptions.” Announced a member of the office staff.

“None?” Cadance asked as she pulled down her hoodie.

“Princess Cadance?”

“I think we can make an exception.” Offered the school Principal as they came out of their office. “I’m Mrs Principle.”

“Any chance I can join Diamond Rose in her classes?” Cadance asked.

“You know her?”

“Spent the better part of my formative years in Podunk,” Cadance replied with a big smile.

“Funny how Canterlot likes to keep that sort of thing quiet.” Mrs Principle replied.

“Well, if it makes you feel any better, Miss Nova seems to think I’m from the Crystal Principality as she calls it.”

“Nova?”

“The little fox filly I adopted along with Sunshine. She’s the one who had to be rescued from falling to her death.” Wintry offered. “They are in the Primary school across the way.”

“Nova Mustang, you wouldn't happen to be Wintry Mustang?” asked the clerk.

“Yes, I am. Why do you ask?”

“There was some contact information dropped off here for some reason for magic tutors for her. I’m to understand that a unicorn isn’t going to be able to teach her the basics because fox pony magic has a different foundation. I personally find them so fascinating how they manage to defy convention.”

“But why drop it off here and not across the lane?” Wintry asked. “Surely they must know she’s of primary school age?”

“Maybe because they predicted you’d be here?” Cadance offered. “Or maybe it was just a mistake.”

“Well here, it’s got the Neighpon seal on it so it’s more than likely legit.” The clerk offered.

“Well, however it ended up here.” Mrs Principle offered. “Now, if you’d like, Princess Cadance, I can show you to your class, and we’ll take care of everything so you won’t need to worry about it.”

“You have fun.” Fleetfoot offered. “And expect either myself or one of my team members to come to pick you up after school.”

“So, no hanging with my friends after school?” Cadance asked hopefully.

“Well, I imagine that’s going to depend on what every pony’s schedule looks like. We’re kind of playing it by ear, and no pony wants to take any unnecessary risks with your safety. We figure it’s only a matter of time before word gets out that you are in Cloudsdale.” She smiled and then added in a whisper, “Just between us, being in Cloudsdale effectively eliminates two-thirds of the potential threats.”

“I would imagine, they’d have to either be able to fly or walk on clouds.” The clerk offered.

“Not too many even know she’s here right now otherwise we’d have a larger security presence,” Fleetfoot explained. “And if you can tip off your staff and student body to keep this to themselves, that will be most helpful.”

“Do you honestly think there’s a danger?” Cadance asked.

“Considering someone in the palace was interfering with your mail we really can’t rule anything out. Like it or not you are famous now, and that can draw out some bad ponies.” Fleetfoot offered.

“Well, I can assure you that she will be perfectly safe while she is under our cloud roof.” Mrs Principle offered.



🏛



“Mission Accomplished, Sir,” Fleetfoot announced while giving Colonel Mustang a well-practiced wing salute.

“Anything to report?” he asked while returning the salute.

“Something did come up. We encountered a Miss Diamond Rose from Podunk, the place where Princess Cadance grew up. Seems they are close and had been writing to each other.”

“I can’t see any harm in that.”

“They weren't getting each other’s mail. It would seem that Cadance has been sending letters to all her friends but the letters aren’t getting there. Likewise, their letters aren’t getting to Cadance. All they are getting are those ubiquitous form letters the palace sends out.”

He gave her a calculating look and then slammed his right hoof down onto his desk. “About all I can do is request the pegasi on day shift be cycled out for retraining short of getting an opportunity to bring it up with Mrs Summers.”

“So then asking about it at the palace is out of the question?”

He opened his mouth, closed it, and then with a pained look said, “It would seem it’s the palace doing it. About all we can do is give Princess Cadance a way to smuggle mail out, and possibly smuggle mail into her if that’s is what needs to happen. Some pony wants her isolated from her old friends and I can guess why.”

“They are gaslighting her.”

“Precisely. And I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Sunset had been getting the same treatment.”
> Chapter 12
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nova and Sunshine stretched out their wings along with a dozen other foals their age. It was Flight camp. Some of the foals were from their class in school while others were from other primary schools. Both would have preferred to have their whole class with them because Nova had been getting a lot of unwanted attention. Dash, Fluttershy, and Gilda had ended up in another group which also included Hoops, Score, and Dumbbell who by the tone of his bravado hadn’t learned much from his stint in juvenile detention.

Cadance was off in another group and security was heavy.

One saving grace for Nova was another winged fox pony in the group who would inform the ignorant that it wasn’t entirely unheard of for fox types to have both wings and a horn. The fact that it was rare wasn’t something she had any intention of sharing. Her name was Aria Rain Showers and she had already come to Nova’s defense several times. She was a feisty silver black roan with a black mane, tail, the back of her ears like Nova as well as her boots and the end of her tail.

Fortunately, after both security personal and Princess Cadance intervened on several occasions over the first and second day of camp, word got out to back off. Putting Spitfire in charge of their group helped too.

“All right, let's do some laps!” Spitfire shouted encouragingly. A moment later they were all in the air. “Stay together, not too close! Give that filly some wing room.”

“Not my fault her wings are so long!” The colt shot back.

“You get your wing clipped it’ll be no ponies fault but your own,” Spitfire called back. “And in case you hadn’t noticed, my wings are just like hers.”

Silver Lining flipped over to fly right above the colt inverted and informed them, “Watch yourself, they are sisters.”

“Hey, what?!” The colt protested as Silver flipped back over and returned to her spot. “But?”

“It’s complicated.” Sunshine offered as they flew along.

“OK, I get it. My family is kind of complicated too.” He admitted and decided that spreading out a little more wasn’t such a bad idea.

“Hey look, it’s another alicorn!” Indigo shouted.

“What, where?” Sunshine asked. The fact Indigo hadn’t named the alicorn had caused a pit in her gut to form.  

Sure enough, it was Princess Twilight, just standing about with Spike the dragon on her back.

“Shit!” Sunshine spat out and started climbing and racing away from the group while looking about frantically.

“Sunshine?!” Nova shouted racing after her. The two had gotten far better in their flying technique and were now racing away from the group.

“Hey, where are you two going?” Spitfire shouted. “You lot, stay together.

“I think Dash is in trouble! Where is her group? Look for a unicorn! We have to stop her without any pony noticing!” Sunshine shouted.

“I see her, the unicorn!” Nova shouted. Nova saw the unicorn looking out from a small cloud, her horn starting to light up, Nova’s horn lit up – Crack!

Pap!

Nova had teleported, dived on the unicorn, wrapped her hooves around the unicorn’s head and neck locked her horn against her target’s horn, and began to pump magic from her horn into the stranger’s horn.

It wasn’t a lot, but it was enough for the unicorn to lose concentration and break her spells.  

And now they were plummeting while Nova held on.

Elsewhere dash was racing Dumbbell, hoops, and Score oblivious to the drama going on.

“You stupid little filly you’ll kill us both!” the unicorn protested and forced back Nova’s magical assault resulting in a feedback explosion of magic. The two parted flying uncontrolled away from each other, Sunshine raced down to arrest Nova’s out of control flight and caught her just as the shock-wave and color from a sonic rainboom hit them, sending them flying while clinging to each other.

“No! I’ll kill them! I’ll kill them all!” Shouted the unicorn, she attempted to power up her horn only to have it sputter out. She had no magic and was still falling.

Spitfire’s priorities were on the two falling fillies and swooped down in an effort to catch them. She turned her head just in time to see the mysterious Alicorn swoop down, catch the falling unicorn, and then vanish under a bell-shaped magical form.

“Summer, you owe me a big explanation,” Spitfire demanded as she raced after the fillies.

“Sorry, can’t… spoilers.” Summer said just as a Wonderbolt with a rainbow mane went zipping past.

“Who was that? I don’t know that flier?” Spitfire protested.

“That’s Rainbow Dash,” Sunshine shouted spreading her wings out just a bit to slow her descent. They were only a few hooves apart now.

“What?!”  

“Like I said, spoilers.” Sunshine offered as Spitfire closed the gap.

“We are going to have a long talk.” And then Nova and Sunshine were gone in a flash of brilliant light. “Sunshine! Nova! What the actual buck is going on here!! Where are you!!”



🌈



“Shit!” Sunshine said as she looked around. The entire place was filled with stars as far as the eye could see, the floor not but an ethereal sparkling mist.

“Where are we?” Nova asked as she too looked about in utter astonishment. "Did we die?"

“But I can’t be here?” Sunshine said quietly. “I didn’t even do anything? You don’t even have a cutie mark yet?”

“Would you like to may…. Wa?!” suddenly Nova was enveloped in light and lifted up into the air.

“Oh my gosh!” Sunshine exclaimed and suddenly found herself being lifted up.

Light blazed on Nova’s flank.

“I’ve got my cutie mark!” Nova shouted joyfully as she pranced in the air. Never mind that she was half convinced that they were dead.

“But, but, but!?” Sunshine exclaimed as a horn formed on her forehead. “What’d I do?”

“Oh my gosh, now we really are sisters!” Nova exclaimed, reached over, and hugged sunshine. A moment later they set back down onto the strange landscape.  

“That’s just great,” Sunshine said sarcastically.

“You sound like you aren’t happy about getting a horn?”

“But I don’t want a horn! I don't want to be an alicorn!!” Sunshine protested. “No pony can find out! I have to hide this somehow! We have to get out of here before Princess Celestia comes. This is going to screw up everything!”

“Screw what up? Where are we?”

“It’s the Ascension Zone! Not to be confused with the Twilight Zone even though they look a lot alike. Come on, you’ve got to get us back to the house. I can’t have any pony see this horn! Gah! Now I look even more like Shimmer!!”

“But??”

“Teleport us?”

“But I don’t know how?”

“Do what you did when you jumped that unicorn. Hurry!”

“Alright. I’ll give it a shot but if we end up inside of a bulkhead it’ll be your fault.”

Crack!

Crack! Princess Celestia looked about the ascension zone. “Darn it, they got away.” She then pulled up a screen depicting a giant baby dragon head protruding from a tower where the entrance exams were taking place. “What the Tartarus?!” And then with another loud crack, she was gone.






Later that afternoon princess Celestia called three of the admissions test proctors into her office, Top Marks, Crystal Clear, and Neighsay.

"Mr Marks, Mrs Clear, Sir Neighsay, care to explain to me why you failed Twilight Sparkle?" Princess Celestia asked in a cold tone devoid of any compassion. "Her written test shows a knowledge base that is years in advance of a filly her age."

"Well, it just proves that she obviously cheated." Mrs Clear cut in.

"Indeed." Princess Celestia commented coldly. "Care to explain how? When I quizzed her myself she proved to be a very knowledgeable young filly. Now, care to explain the dragon egg?"

"Well, that was obviously outside help," Top Marks boldly proclaimed.

"Indeed, a filly like that has no business in our school," Neighsay said haughtily.

"Outside help?" Princess Celestia said softly. She then rose to her hooves, slammed her front hooves on her desk, and shouted, "Since when do we require little fillies to hatch dragon eggs!!!"

It had been a while since any pony had heard the Canterlot voice.

"I have a little filly who now has a baby dragon bonded to her. A little filly who is going to have to take a big part in that baby's upbringing because of that bond." Princess Celestia said in a very dangerous and frightening tone. "And as it looks like I need to remind you who's school it is, the three of you are suspended pending an inquiry into your actions. Guards!"

"Princess." Two guards say as they enter the room. There are more guards out in the hall.

"Escort these ponies off the premises. They are not to be allowed access to their offices or any of the classrooms. They are barred from the school and from the castle grounds unless summoned by myself. Is that clear?"

"Yes, your highness," both guards replied sharply.

Princess Celestia sat down and watched as the three ponies were escorted out of her office. She still didn't know who was interfering with Cadance's mail, but at least it gave her a little satisfaction. Still, though, it troubled her. Why had they tried to block Twilight's entry into the school, and it begged the question, was some pony trying to control who would be allowed to attend her school?
> Chapter 13 Epilogue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Un-hoof me!” Starlight Glimmer protested as she, Princess Twilight Sparkle, and Spike the dragon came crashing down on the map table in the Castle of Friendship.  

Twilight did as asked, but not because Starlight had asked, but because of the rough landing.

“I was going to deprive you of all your friends. And it would have worked if not for those meddling fillies!” Starlight spat out. “I swear I will end you!”

“Twilight Sparkle!” Spoke a stern pony in the Canterlot voice. Twilight and Starlight righted themselves and stood up. Standing just within the entrance to the chamber were two royal guards. One was a day guard, and the other a night guard. The day guard held up a scroll in their magic, which befuddled Twilight to no end because they also had wings as well as horns and horned pegasi weren’t supposed to be able to do magic. It wasn’t Princess Celestia or Princess Luna as they hadn’t the stature, though the night guard looked suspiciously like the one who’d ejected Queen Chrysalis from the wedding hall at Shining Armor and Princess Cadance’s wedding.

“Princess Twilight Sparkle, by the order of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna I do hereby place you under arrest for casting a time travel spell.” Spoke the day guard with stern conviction.

“Ha! Ha! Looks like I win after all!” Starlight gloated.

“But ... but,” Twilight said softly. “She was trying to change time. She was trying to change history?”

“Moi?” Starlight said feigning ignorance. “Why, I’d never ever do such a thing.”

“You’re the one who wrote this!” Twilight protested.

“And you cast it!” Starlight spat back.

“Kitsune-tsuki!” The night guard spoke. Her tone was quiet, calm, and deadly.

Starlight knew immediately she was in dire trouble as her body went rigid and the spell sheet containing the spell flew to the night guard.

“Starlight Glimmer, you are also under arrest.” The Night Guard stated. “You will stand there and do nothing until told to do so. You will not speak until spoken to. Is that clear?”

“Yes, mam.” Starlight squeaked out involuntarily. 

“I can’t hear you?!”

“Yes, Mam!” Starlight shouted like she was answering to a Drill Sargent. And yes, she was definitely being controlled. She just couldn't fathom how.

“Starlight Glimmer,” Spoke the Day shift guard in a stern voice. “You are charged with Stalking, Conspiracy to Defraud, the unlawful removal of cutie marks, unlawful imprisonment of citizens of Equestria, the unlawful imprisonment of a head of state of Equestria. Namely one Princess Twilight. Conspiracy to commit assault on a noble of Equestria, conspiracy to commit an assault on a Bearer of Harmony, Conspiracy to alter time, Conspiracy to aid in regicide by said altering of time, Conspiracy to aid the invasion of Equestria by said altering of time, Conspiracy to throw a monkey wrench in all of Discords plans to better Equestria…”

“What?!” Twilight gasped at the last. Meanwhile, Starlight was beginning to look more and more panicked.

“He means well.” The night guard offered.

“Treason and conspiracy to commit treason.” The day guard finished off. “Princess Twilight, how plead you?”

“You can’t do this?” Twilight pleaded.

“Princess Twilight, this is a diarchy, not a republic, not a democracy. The power of the court lies solely in Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Both of whom are very disappointed in you. The order and punishment have already been signed by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, both of whom are very disappointed in you. - Princess Twilight, did you or did you not cast a time travel spell even though you did not fully comprehend the full nature of the spell?”

“Guilty,” Twilight said with her head down. This was it, the banishment and imprisonment where she was banished to.

“Now hold on?!” Spike protested.

“Pipe down lava breath.” The night guard ordered.

Spike made to protest but was too indignant. That and he'd a hunch who these ponies were.

“Miss Starlight Glimmer, how do you plead?” The day guard asked.

“Plead guilty.” The night Guard ordered.

“Guilty.” Starlight said and then growled out her frustration at being manipulated against her will.

“Looks like you don’t have complete control over her.” The day guard observed as she removed her helmet.

“Sunset?!” Twilight gasped.

“Nope, sorry, I’m her little sister Sunshine.”

“Well I was only a filly at the time I pumped my magic into her and it’s hard to control raw rage.” The night guard offered as she too removed her helmet. If Twilight recognized Nova, and she should have, she wasn't showing it. For Twilight, just knowing she'd failed her mentor in her haste to find out what starlight Glimmer was up to was more than enough to keep her distracted.

“And now for the punishment stage.” Sunshine began anew. “Discord, if you will, the slate boards please.”

Sunshine’s request was answered a moment later by a very large chalkboard on wheels being wheeled into the dimension through a slit in the space-time continuum by none other than the god of chaos himself. Once he was satisfied with its placement he turned and retrieved another.

“Princess Nova.” Sunshine proffered. 

“Starlight Glimmer, you will not leave this building under any circumstances, not for flood, fire, or disaster of any kind until you have filled one of these slate boards with the words ‘I will not muck about with time’ in normal hoof written size on both sides. You may take breaks to eat, sleep, bathe, and use the little fillies room. You will not hinder Twilight in her punishment. When you have finished you will not leave Ponyville until Summoned by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. You will do no harm to Twilight or Spike, their friends, or any law-abiding member of pony society, and you will do no harm to any property private or public. If by that time you can demonstrate that you are no longer the temperamental vindictive meanie pants that you presently are you may well save yourself a stoning.” 

“Princess Twilight, you unwittingly facilitated Starlight Glimmer's plan by casting this spell." Nova offered as she looked it over. "Now here's the peculiar thing about time travel, anything you do in the past that could in any way alter history as it pertains to your own timeline is already part of your past and can not change because it already happened. Should any attempt to introduce a new element be successful it results in a splintered time stream. The original that will continue without you, and a new one that must now cope with whatever effect the new element introduced. Such as no pony to stop Nightmare Moon or no pony to rein in Discord, or no pony who could have spotted Chrysalis in time to stop that invasion."

"Not to mention Tirek. Try to imagine a world where ponies have no magic. We'd all devolve to simple beasts eating grass and running from predators." Sunshine offered. "Princess Twilight. You will have similar conditions to Starlight Glimmer. You are confined to the castle and you will write out ‘I will not cast spells I do not fully understand’ until you’ve filled your slate. And feel free to teach Starlight about friendship and why attempting to change events that are part of one’s own timeline is such a bad idea.”

“Yes, mam,” Twilight said with a quivering lip.

“Um, what about me?” Spike asked.

“Spike, you are still considered a minor and as such are not responsible for the actions of the pony who hatched you.” Sunshine offered apologetically.

“If it’ll make you feel any better I can punt you across the room a few times like when you were still a baby.” Nova offered.

Spike had to think about it for a moment. “Ya, those were the days, but no, that’s OK, I think I’ve kind of outgrown it.”

“You!” Twilight demanded her ire growing. She'd at least connected Nova to the filly who'd been... well she wasn't mean to Spike, just the opposite, but she was rather rough on the little dragon. Something Spike just couldn't get enough of, which confused Twilight's little filly mind to no end.

“What? It’s how dragons discipline their hatchlings.” Nova offered. “That’s their way of showing love. Now shouldn't you get started? You two Starlight, get started.”

"Can I ask who you are?" inquired Twilight. "I'd swear I've seen you around."

"I'm Princess Luna's daughter."

"And I'm Princess Celestia's daughter."

Poor Twilight, if she hadn't been already stressed enough the idea that both Princess Luna and Princess Celestia had done 'that' had broken her. Her jaw hung slack and her normally perfect mane was now sticking out all over the place.

"Best get started, you're going to be at it for a while." Nova prompted. She turned followed by Sunlight and Discord, and the trio headed for the door.

“I must say, I like your style.” Discord offered. Starlight grudgingly started writing, and Spike decided to follow after Nova and Sunshine to try to find out who they were. Twilight wouldn't snap out of her stupor until some time later.





When Twilight and Starlight got up the next morning they found to their horror that the slates were now blank.

"Spike!" Twilight called rushing into the kitchen where she found Spike having tea with Discord. Discord was upside down to include his tea, not that that made any difference, and sporting a monocle.

"Good Evening Twilight." Discord offered.

"Evening?"

"Well, for me it is. What can we do for you?"

"The slate boards are blank!" Twilight proclaimed.

"That's right." Discord offered with a smug smile. "Your slates were washed clean at midnight."

"Looks like you better write faster." Spike offered. Twilight's eyes went wide, she spun in place, and raced out of the room.

"The boards go blank at midnight!" Twilight shouted out in the hall.

"You know, that was downright diabolical." Discord offered and then filled his cup with tea that he'd apparently already drank. Yes, he was drinking in reverse. 

"Meh, she'll figure it out," Spike replied with a grin. "Eventually."