> Rise of the Elements Epidode 0: Silent over Time
>  by Dream Volt
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Inspection
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	This was the most important day of my life.  I gave a quick stomp with one of my front hooves, the clank of the armor against stonework reverberating throughout the courtyard.  The six squads in dark armor in front of me instantly came to attention.  The day was finally here, and we were ready.  I felt my wings give a slight involuntary half flap, the excitement of the moment making me want to spread them.  Time was short, and we'd gone over everything ten times already, but one final check wouldn't hurt.

"Attention."

There was only a slight clack as the hooves came together as metal armor struck metal armor.  A few actually complained they liked the normal guard armor more, but you didn't end up in the moon guard if you weren't dedicated.  The old armor hadn't been used in some time, but slowly it's been put back into service.  Celestia always thinks ahead.  The pegasai were in front, the male unit center stage, Blossom and Song's wings to either side.  The earth pony squad was in the center of the second row, with the unicorn squads on either side of them.  But it wasn't their turn yet.

"Present, wings."

15 ponies was a standard flight wing.  It went back to when the arrowhead was the preferred formation, and the next step up for a proper arrowhead is 21.  Commander Hurricane liked squads that large, but it still seems excessive to me and I'm glad 15 became the standard.  But the group of stallions in front of me was only 10 strong.  They had joked replacing them with females was the only regulation I wanted to break, but they were for the most part wrong.  Luna when she formed the moon guard tried to fill it with mares, as not even defending the herd is beyond mares.  Yet somehow over time one squad of male guards became part of the regs.

But they were wrong I hated stallions.  They were good boys, and just as good as the squads of females to either side.  In fact with how hard I pushed they might even be better.  All three flight wings spread their wings in a single motion that made me proud.  The bat wings were another effect of the armor just like the dragon eyes.  The sea of whites and grays staring back at me were yet another.  In general the pegasus color was dark grey, the earth ponies turned white, not that one could tell, and the unicorns a slightly lighter grey.  The lieutenants were front and center, the only difference in their armor being a silver crescent that encircled the blue gem on each breastplate.

"Salute."

The wings were in perfect unison.  Everything seemed perfect, then I noticed Dream Volt's armor in front of me.  It was a small detail really, the rest of his armor was perfect, but his crescent, his badge of rank or all things should not be dull.  I just glared at him saying nothing.  He looked down and laughed nervously.

"See it turns out that you really do need to use the special silver polish even if the magic of the armor keeps it in good shape otherwise, and I ran out.  I was going to get more but then something came up and…"

I sighed.  "You forgot.  Like always."

"Sorry."

"I understand why Celestia decided to put you in the moon guard well enough, but why she made you a lieutenant I can't demote I will never under stand."

He raised his head with a big dumb smile on his face and laughed slightly.  "Sorry."

I sighed.  "Oh well, unlike some ponies at least you're marginally useful, and you at least make an attempt to take orders."

Everypony was silent waiting for the retort, but it didn't come.  A few even looked back or to the side to the front of one of the unicorn squads.  Maybe she is capable of learning after all.  I turned toward the other group, but I couldn't really see them through he ranks of pegasai, especially with the guys in front of me.

"Firecracker, do you have a spell that can fix this perhaps?"

"Oh yea, I've been practicing.  I can shine up the whole uniform just like that."

"Without causing it or Dream Volt to explode?"

"Almost absolutely positive.  And I mean like it's just that niggling something can always go wrong sort of way."

"What about setting him or the armor on fire."

There was a sharp intake of breath and slight hiss from her direction.  "Well I got the armor licked but well, I'm still a little iffy on the not setting a pony on fire.  I mean I don't think it should be a problem but…"

Dream smiled.  "That's close enough for me.  Just let me have it."

"Whoo!  Okay…"

"Firecracker wait a second he can just…"

I then barely got out of range with a quick backwards takeoff.  The stallions next to Dream were not quite so fast, but luckily the fireball that engulfed him was smaller than we all expected it to be.  Then it was over and other than his fur having seemingly shifted to black he looked fine.  He looked down at the now very shiny silver crescent and smiled.

"Wow, that was so much easier than the normal way.  Can we do that every time."

"Ooo, so he's fireproof too." Said Firecracker.  "Cool.  What else can you do?"

"Firecracker."

"Awww, but come on."

"By order of Celestia no discussion whatsoever.    Even if somepony is making that far more difficult than it should be."

Dream let out a short broken laugh.  "Sorry again."

"Well since I'm already in the air.  Form up and lift off."

The stallions were a little slower than I would have liked, but they managed well enough.  Being rattle by a fiery blast might be a good excuse for Shining and his troops, but I'm not so soft, and they should be used to that sort of thing by now.  Then without even the command the rear row marched forward.  I checked out the flying row first before landing.  Their form was good and they held position perfectly.  I landed in front of the heavily armored earth ponies.        

"Salute."

Standing on three hooves is tricky enough, much less doing it in unison.  Even a certain unicorn squad leader managed much to my amazement.  The earth pony armor was the most different of the three.  It was the same colors, but covered nearly everything.  It fact all you could see even a hint of their fur color was a tiny slit in the helmet.  The glowing teal embers were not the most imposing color, but the effect with the rest of the armor was imposing enough.  It was a mass of spikes and blades, that if you didn't examine closely you would never realized used the same breastplate and helmet of the rest of the moon guard.  Slightly less impressive was the shortest full grown pony I'd ever seen leading them.  This was made seemingly more ridiculous as the earth pony unit tended to have some of the biggest mares in the kingdom.

"Lets see some glow ladies."

The unicorn armor was almost identical to the pegasus armor.  Really the only difference was a few glowing lines on the edge of the armor.  Their glow intensified as each unicorn lit her horn.  The lines were actually lines of minute runes, but it was terribly hard to tell, even as a pegasus.  Also the glow made them blur together all the more.  Again I felt great pride in the unified display, and was about to move on, but then thought of something.

"Mirror."

There was some general mumbling, and then I realized something distressing.  I wanted an illusory mirror, and out of my girls there was only one who actually knew the spell.  No doubt others had the skill, but only she for sure knew the spell.  I sighed and walked down the line.  The haughty look was unmistakable, even though for once she had actually left off the cape without even being asked.  I glared at her.

"Well Lieutenant?"

"Are you speaking to Trixie?"

"Of course I am speaking to you.  Apparently you are the only pony that can cast the spell.  So I want to see a mirror.  Now."

She tossed her head upward no longer looking at me.  "You think Trixie is here just to do whatever little thing you ask of her?"

I just blinked.  Then the laughs started.  Dream was first, as usual, and showed the least restraint, but soon others joined in.  I sighed.  I'd long since given up trying to stop my soldiers from breaks in discipline when it came to Trixie.  She just seemed to naturally erode proper military behavior in all manners, merely by being herself.  I will never understand why Celestia put her of all ponies in such a position of power at all, not to mention the military of all places.

"Do I really need to explain…"

"Trixie is no foal.  You shall have your accursed mirror.  For the Great and Powerful Trixie it is the simplest of requests.  Trixie will never understand why of all the tasks the princess could have asked Trixie she chose this."

I was glad that Trixie really was good at illusions and the mirror appeared before me almost instantly.  I'd rather her not see the look of shock on my face.  We actually agree on something?  The mirror looked absolutely real, though I hoped there wasn't a real mirror with a gold frame decorated with countless mini Trixies prancing about it.  Even though illusions are all ultimately just light tricks, getting one to reflect light wasn't easy.  If she wasn't so stubborn and actually followed orders I think Trixie might even be useful, but sadly she remained herself.  I shook my head.  Time to focus.  

Everything looked okay.  My helmet was the biggest difference between my armor and the other pegasai.  It had two large fins in front of my ears instead of one up the middle, and a large hole in the back that let my hair spill out in a ponytail.  There was also a small line of spikes that followed the contour of my spine from the top of my helmet all the way to my tail, except for the hole for my hair of course.  There was also the metal horn.  I still wasn't sure how much I liked it, it seemed to vary day to day, but it made some sense to have the captain of your personal guard look at least a little more like the princess she served herself.  Personally I think the double crescent surrounding the gem on my breastplate was enough, but it is regulation.  Shinning Armor would have had to deal with the same thing if he was a pegasus, but there has been a long line of unicorn captains of the sun guard.  The other major difference being the armor was jet black, and made my hide a ghostly white, and my hair and mane a royal purple.  I was satisfied and nodded.  The mirror vanished and I walked back to the center.

"Marvelous.  Thou art all quite skilled."

I then heard a stomping of hooves as my soldiers all tensed.  I turned see princess Luna standing there.  I've read about her for so much of her life.  The entire purpose of my good ponies was to serve her, but for slightly over a thousand years we have been an aimless secret most ponies never even heard of, much less understood.  Yet at long last Luna had returned.  Now after over a month we finally can meet her and resume our ancient duty.  I bowed down low, and based on the sound so did all the ponies behind me.  They better have all done so at least.  I swear if that unicorn has yet again failed to bow when she should she will never see the end of latrine duty.

"Are you alright my captain?"

"Oh, fine your majesty."

I then got a big overdone grin on my face.  Even when she is for once doing what she's supposed to she's causing me problems.  I just have to keep believing that Celestia really does have some good reason for sticking me with that frustrating mare, and it isn't just some elaborate prank of some sort.  Luna raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, focusing behind me once again.

"We are most impressed.  When our sister told us she never disbanded our moon guard we were quite pleased.  But we expected far…" she then paused.  "…less."

"Yes, the moon guard shall never falter in its duties.  Though obviously with your majesty's absence, we have mostly been using our skills to serve Equestria in general.  We do protect a few of your interests here and there when we can however."

"As well as any other dirty job that…" began Firecracker before somepony had the good sense to stuff something in her mouth to shut her up.

"Firecracker.  I know you prefer to deal with things in a very direct manner, but there is also a time and place for everything."

Princeess Luna smiled.  "You need not worry much miss…"  Then she frowned slightly.  "Excuse me my captain but I know not thy name."

I saluted.  "Captain Silent Sky at your service your majesty."

"Ah, and obviously you know my name.  But you said waited?  You knew of me?"

"Of course.  Though in truth most of our duties up to this point have actually been keeping your existence secret.  Primarily the shadow library."

"The what?"

"A library with your works, and the original volumes of all works you contributed too, as well as various other records.  I actually prefer calling in the lunar library, but the official term was determined by the house and hall, so I cannot argue."

"Does though mean the house of nobles?"

"No your majesty, the hall is the hall of royals, the house the house of commons.  The new terminology was introduced some time ago along with various political reforms you suggested.  The judiciary and senate ideas you helped create were also adopted eventually.  I'd need a book to explain any more."

Luna shook her head.  "That will not be necessary.  We know we have much to learn, but have been avoiding political books for a reason.  We thought coming here was a waste of time but we were very wrong.  We are glad we finally let Sunny convince us."

I blinked.  There were a couple things I didn't expect.  Shying away from politics wasn't too much of one, although she had worked with many great thinkers about politics, shaping their views but had difficulty with the art in practice.  The second was the delays were clearly not just as Celestia said, she doesn't think she's ready, but Luna putting off the meetings to do more studying.  Though in retrospect I should have expected that too.  I knew of the nickname for Celestia, but hearing it out loud still somehow shocked me.  I then realized Luna was staring at me with an eyebrow raised.  I hadn't said anything for bit, had I?

"Thank you your majesty."

"Still, while we are impressed, there is much to catch up on.  Come with me my captain, we shall discuss thy future duties as I study."

"Uh, what about…"

"Thou would know better than we.  We can wait."

I turned around.  I was tempted to take a full wing to guard the princess, but the palace library wasn't that dangerous, and for at least a while longer they all had other duties to perform.  Well, almost all.  I sighed.  I suppose I might as well take him along at least.  He's quite capable and properly supervised even useful.  I also need to take that egomaniac too don't I?  I have never questioned any of Celestia's decisions more other than why she banished her own sister, and I've since come to understand that at least.

"Dream Volt, Trixie.  You're with me.  The rest of you are to do your duty as normal for now.  Dismissed."

Or sleeping I didn't mention.  After all this was the whole moon guard, not just those that have shift now, but all of them.  My two non-optional lieutenants separated from their units, walking forward.  Most of the others left, pegasai flying away, unicorns teleporting, or like the earth ponies simply marching away quickly.  In the end only three remained in the yard.    The young pegasus stallion didn't stand out too much from the rest in his armor, other than his bright smile.  Trixie on the other hoof even with her colors changed still had that same tell tale insufferable look on her face.  The third was the brightly smiling Firecracker, eyes as intense as ever.  She didn't look too different from any of the other unicorns, but even if she wasn't the only other unicorn Lieutenant I would still recognize her.

"Firecracker, is there something else you should be doing?"

She shook her head.  "Nope.  There are some other things I could be doing, but I think this is way more important.  So I'll just come along.  I bet you just barely managed not to ask Blossom or Sweets not to bring their full wing right?"

I nodded.  "Yes, but this is the palace and I shouldn’t overdo it when there are so many obligations we still have."

"WONDEROUS.  Truly it brings me joy to have such ponies in my service."

"Cool." Said Firecracker  "That was awesome."

"What does thou mean?"

I blinked.  Did she really not notice how loud she was just now?  It was almost louder than father when he wasn't mad.  I wasn't sure anything could be louder than the esteemed High Commander when he was mad, even Luna herself.  It was still quite the accomplishment.  He didn't get his nickname for being merely loud.  Though despite being known as the eardrum shatterer that likely never quite happened.  Yes that one soldier's ears started bleeding, but I think that was a special case.  I hope this doesn't turn out to be a problem.  Then Trixie and Dream were in front of Luna, and Firecracker with a burning flash joined them.  I quickly flew back to the princess.

"The great and powerful Trixie reporting for duty.  I still think this is a waste of my phenomenal talents, but if the princess asks how can I not serve."

"Yea, I'm here." 

I glared at Dream.

"I mean Dream Volt reporting for duty.  Sorry."

Firecracker then gave a proper salute.  "Lt. Firecracker Burst, reporting for duty mam, it's wonderful to finally meet you."

I smiled as Luna did.  Firecracker had her issues, but she was a good soldier, and talented unicorn.  Also despite her first solution to any problem always being the same, she could come up better plans eventually.  Sometimes there even wasn't explosives or fire involved at all.  Usually there was at least a little of one or the other though.

"Thy choices seem, odd.  It seems like…"

"The records are very clear your majesty.  We are to serve you, but we guard the populace against you."

"Yes, we said that, but in truth that is a bit bleak.  It is more a matter of though we need not fear the ponies about us, it is the smooth flow of society, and protecting ponies from injury of their own selves."

"Or ponies hurting those in the way of their object of affection.  The adored and impressive Trixie knows this first hand of course."

"Yes, I'm sure you do." I said

"I still can't tell when you're being sarcastic." Added Dream

"Huzzah, now these are two lively ones.  Come, to the library."

Then the princess of the night took to the sky.  I yawned again.  Terribly unprofessional, but I just couldn't help it.  I guess the notes about how little she sleeps were accurate after all.

> A short Trip
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Are you sure your majesty?"

Luna nodded.  In truth so far it had worked well, but finally I was making progress of shedding the moon guard of the various extra duties it had picked up of the centuries.  I quickly realized Celestia had meddled with that as well, things falling into place far easier than I had hoped.  On the other hoof, a few new problems had come up.  Like the chariots in storage being in no shape to actually be used.  Dream's stallions and Firecracker's smiths had both been very busy lately, and Trixie suddenly had a task to perform as well.  I was nervous, but I had to trust she really did enjoy ordering other ponies around, and wasn't actually stupid.  I really wish I didn't have to do that.  I smiled.

"Very good.  Forward."

The three mares walked up, then saluted in unison.  Blossom and Song had kept their armor on, but Bee had removed her helmet.  It was a bit hard to tell the two pegasi apart but their eyes made it clear enough.  Song had her usual serene look, while Blossom of course had that tell tale twitch of a pony with way too much stress in their life.  Bee's fur was a pale orange, her mane a mix of bright yellow and a far darker orange.  Her mane and tail were both elegantly styled, hundreds if not thousands of small well formed curls that were the result of countless hours of work.  Of course most of the hair on her head was in a big beehive.  She smiled widely, as she often did.

"Lt. Bumblesweet reporting for duty your majesty.  I'm just so happy to bee here.  I also thank you ever so much for the amazing enchantment that lets me keep my mane in such a shape under this helmet.  You can call be Bee, everypony does."

Song nodded.  "You can even get an afro in there without it getting out of shape.  It's really a very neat spell."

"Lt. Blossomforth reporting for duty mam."  She then saluted stiffly.  "It's pleasure to serve.  Please excuse Bee and Song's lack of professionalism.  We tend to be lax around here at times."

Luna laughed.  "That does not bother me.  In fact we wish things to be more informal if anything.  Also is there something wrong?"

"Why would you say that?  Nothing's wrong.  I'm fine.  Everything is perfect, isn't it?"

I sighed.  "Calm down Blossom.  She's just worried about you because as always you look stressed.  Everything is fine.  Relax."

She saluted.  "Of course mam.  I'll try mam."

"Oh. Sweetsong reporting for duty." 

"Ah yes we are happy to see…"  Luna smiled.  "A pony such as you.  In a position even without our influence."

I sighed slightly.  Oh yes, very subtle.  Of course maybe it was far less obvious to anypony else.  Blossomforth and Bumblesweet sure didn't seem to notice.  Then again Bee probably already knows, and as detail oriented as she can be, Blossom can miss even the most obvious things if she's obsessing about something else.  She usually is.

"So you are to be my guards for this day?"

I nodded.  "Yes.  Are you sure you don't want a full squad?"

"YES, WE ARE CERTAIN.  We need not some large group, and for now betting getting to know our Lieutenants seems like a good idea.  We also are aware they are for the most part still quite busy."

"If your majesty wishes…" I began

"NEIGH.  We have little need of them yet.  Your plan as you have shown us is more than acceptable.  As it stands we shall be hard pressed to catch up on a thousand years before nightmare night as it is."

"You, know about nightmare night?"  I hoped the worry would not show on my face, but I wasn't sure.  "I thought that…"

"Not everything makes sense to us, but it is clearly enough the same holiday it always was, but renamed and with our alter ego's image as a focus."

"And that doesn't upset you?"

"As Nightmare I desired to be feared.  A holiday connected to the dead and fear is a perfect fit.  It was always one of our favorite holidays, and I look forward to visiting Ponyville when it comes around.  Now come."

I cringed as she began to walk.  Blossom and Song walked in front of the princess, and I was soon behind her with only a small nudge from Bee to get me moving.  Four wasn't really enough to encircle the princess, but a defensive square was probably more than enough.  I still couldn't help but worry.

"So princess I simply must ask, have you beeegun to prepare for the gala yet?"

Luna tilted her head slightly.  "Does thou mean the grand galloping gala?  We recently learned it is still held."

"But of course I mean that.  There are other galazzz, but it is the one with a capital T."

"My sister did mention it, but she is doing everything to prepare.  Is not it in the spring?"

Bee nodded.  "Of course it is, but the tickets come out now.  It simply must be done that way.  I can't imagine how hard it would beeee otherwise."

"That's right, you can't." said Blossomforth.  "You may love the gala, but I'm the one who's actually been involved in the planning.  But you are right about the tickets.  After the first batch of tickets go out we always have to make more."

"Why is that good pony?"

"Well first is inevitably some noble or other important pony isn't on the list and complains.  They don't all get tickets but some do.  Celestia always asks for a few extra tickets after that mess is over, who she invites personally is usually a bit strange, but obviously there is no point in asking."

"Knowing Sunny that is really for the best."  Luna laughed.  "Though there is little doubt many are invited simply to be confusing."  Then Luna paused  "But come think of it she did say she wished to try to have everypony have at least one visit to the gala in their lifetime."

"You mean she did that herself once?"  said Sweetsong.

"Ah.  So she has delegated that task to others.  Excellent.  We always have worried about Sunny overworking herself."

"Oh it izzz just ever so wonderful.  The poniezzz, the lights, the food…"

At this she began to drool slightly.  Bee looked a little overweight, but on the other hoof there was a reason why despite being the shortest pony in earth squad none of her troops wanted to fight her.   Still, a little of her weight was too many honey flavored delicacies, but she was far more muscle than fat.  Then she frowned.

"Of course it would be nice to not have to resort to sneaking a taste before the festivities, or eating the leftovers after."

"We do not understand?"

"She means she can no longer get tickets." I said  "Much like myself actually, if for entirely different reasons.  Thanks to a certain incident father and I are banned from all further galas in perpetuity."

Song giggled.  "Oh somepony told me that story.  Wished I could have seen it."

"I still can't belive you could have been involved in something so chaotic." Said Blossom

"Yes dear, it izz really quite shocking that you of all ponies would beeehave in such a manner.  I mean really, you…"

"I was literally a foal.  The only reason mother wasn't there is she was still hugely pregnant with my sister.  Also I do not want my sister hearing about that incident.  I order you not to bring it up in her presence or you will be punished."

"Oh dear.  Quite sensitive about it aren't you?"  Bee then smiled.  "Don't worry darling, I'd never dream of doing zzomething so rude."

"I follow orders." Said Blossom

"I may be a bit more lax about it, but I fall in step when it counts."

I nodded.  "Thank you.  She's just recently gotten her own ticket to the gala and is very excited about it.  I don't wish to worry her in any way."

"I zzzee.  But what I don't see darling izz when why you think it's at all likely we might be meeting this sister of yours."

"We can explain.  Our gratitude towards the elements knows no bounds.  We wish to do something for them, but we think it's best to wait until we know this time better."

"However the Gala is months away, and you know me.  I like to be prepared."

"Of course darling.  Though I have a second question, where are we going?"

I was going to ask her what she meant, but then realized we were moving away from the palace library.  I think I still knew the day palace better, but guarding the still mostly empty night palace was our other major duty.  Though with it no longer empty the night guard is now guarding just about everything but Luna's chambers and her lab.  It wasn't really that different inside from the day palace on the opposite side of the mountain, but the colors were.  Black was the primary color, purple, blue and silver being close behind, and here and there touches of white.  The white marble columns in this hall one such affectation.  The carpet was purple with silver trim.  The windows had silver, or maybe steel, frames, the glass tinted in such a way that far brighter pinpricks of light shone though the mostly dim glass, making little twinkling stars do the wall and floor across from the window.

"Princess, didn't you say we were going to the library?"

"Yes, but we should have been more clear, we mean the public library.  There are a few things that both royal libraries lack, though Sunny did such a very good job stocking my library here I rarely have to visit her own."

"But your majesty, there is no magical doorway linking this palace to the public library."

"Yes, we may have to fix that.  We have always been fond of reading, and such a device is so helpful.  But as should be obvious we are well aware of that."

I felt like facehoofing, but resisted.  Obviously we were walking to one of the exits, a side door in fact.  I then picked up the pace and stopped in front of Luna.

"I'm sorry your majesty but that's too much of a risk."

"The library is a risk?"

"No, that would be silly, but you'd be in broad daylight, fully open to attack the whole way there.  Granted the Canterlot Grand Library is in the Crescent quarter as well so it wouldn't be that far a walk but…"

"HOLD.  We did not understand, but now we do.  Worry not, for there is a simple solution to this problem."

Her horn glowed brightly, and then with flash everything went crazy.  It was like the night sky had covered everything like some sort of strange paint, except for the ponies.  They were masses of swirling lights too bright to make out.  Then I was standing in a library and it was over.  I immediately fell over.

> Military History
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I tried hard to hide my smile, but I just couldn’t.  Luna was sitting on the floor of her room a very large book on military history in front of her.  She had a pile of smaller books next to that.

"As you know originally you and your sister had the army of the sun and army of the moon, the forces who were willing to fight discord evenly divided…"

Luan sighed.  "We don't wish to think of that time, and we asked for a brief synopsis of what has happened since our banishment in terms of organization."

I bowed my head.  "Sorry your majesty, but the foundations of the military…"

"Yes, yes.  In fact we are quite sure you are about to quote us.  In short the two forces were divided into three branches of the equestrian military, though I was never sure about that, and the night and day guard."

I nodded absentmindedly.  "Yes.  Not much has changed with the Army, Navy and Air Force, though you'll be happy to know an advance in technology helped integrate even the Air Force."

Luna smiled.  "Ah, of course.  Air ships mean earth ponies to build and maintain them, and unicorn magic to control them most effectively."

"And power them.  Not all equestrian airships are zeppelins your majesty."

Luna clapped her hooves together.  "Ooo, we simply must tour the fleet at some point."

"Yes. However the biggest change is two the two branches of the guard.  First the Night Guard while always more concerned with crime has become a police force.  Most often referred to as simply the watch or the guard."

"What of the Day Guard?"

"It is now officially the Royal guard.  The name and purpose were officially changed.  The Sun Guard still exists but the distinction between the rest of the Royal Guard and Celestia's guard has blurred.  To the point where they have the same captain."

"So Shinning Armor…"

"Is captain of both, yes.  In fact I don't think I've seen Sun Guard mentioned on any official document produced at any point during my lifetime."

"Only older documents, but officially the distinction is still there.  So do they truly serve all royal interests now?"

I nodded.  "Yes not just Celestia, but all nobles.  Also since there is no overlap Celestia tends to have fewer guards available."

Luna laughed.  "Oh, mine sister, you are ever the sneaky one.  By making the organization more general purpose for the sake of efficiency she rid herself of a proper guard entirely."

"Not quite, it is more there is an invisible line.  The armor is the same, but there are differences in the oaths taken.  There is some talk of creating a night guard, since most ponies have forgotten the Watch is the Night Guard and…"

"If we really must have special soldiers guarding our palace simply place the royal guard in different armor.  There is no point in making things more complicated."

I nodded.  "Of course.  However it has been stated many times the Moon guard should be restructured and…"

Luna shook her head.  "Oh no.  While it was certainly not intended the Moon Guard has formed quite a nice niche for themselves.  We think we will keep things mostly as they are.  Your plan is still excellent."

Then she stood and with a flash of her horn the books were gone.  I followed her out the room as she quickly left in a swift trot.  I had to take to the air to keep up.  I was simply relived she hadn't teleported.

"Your majesty where exactly…"

"Just my own library Captain Sky, worry not.  I think everything else can wait.  I understand enough now."  Then she stopped.  "Hold."

I did.  "Yes?"

"Does this mean that Equestira's police force answers to my sister?"

"No.  In fact I think that is one reason she chose the night guard beyond the obvious is because they answered mostly to you.  Over time the oath has been changed to the people of Equestria, just as the royal guard oath has done nearly the same."

"Nearly?"

"Well it talked more about the nation of Equestria rather than specifically the ponies as in the current oaths for the watch.  Protect and Serve means the ponies of Equestria, not just it's nobles and rulers."

Luna nodded, and began walking again.  "Very good.  Though am I correct that the term police is also used?"

I nodded.  "Yes.  Though truthfully all part of the same organization, and given the same training the night guard…"

"You know, in all ways that isn't really appropriate, is it?  Unless they do indeed still operate only at night."

"I suppose not.  In fact beyond the capital they rarely even wear armor, opting for cloth uniforms instead.  They are enchanted of course, but far less heavily."

"Are the enchantments even necessary?"

"More than ideal, but not often, no.  Oh, there are also a few special bureaus.  REBI is the Royal Equestrian Bureau of Investigations.  They handle crime on a large scale."

"Such that it effects all of Equestria.  Yes, we are also aware of the EMI, and their role in insuring we do not have to fight."

"Yes, we get a lot of our work from military intelligence."

Luna laughed.  "I am glad that my rather dark training regulations were put to good use, but I still feel odd about that."

"We live to serve.  If you wish us to stop or otherwise alter our actions in any way you need but ask and we will comply."

She shook her head.  "Not for now.  No for now I am quite pleased."

She stopped for a moment, nodded, then continued on.  She wasn't walking as slow as she had been so I had to once again take to the air to catch up.

> To the moon and Nightmare Night
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"She's where?"

Luna sighed.  She actually looked somewhat guilty.  I blamed Trixe for this.  Logically I knew that Luna had to be somewhat responsible since it had only been five minutes and Trixie wasn't quite that annoying, but I still couldn't help but want to place the blame wholly upon the blue show mare.  Especially since I was still annoyed she got Luna's okay to wear her hat and cloak on duty somehow.

"The moon.  I said I banished thy loyal mare to the moon."

"She's not that loyal.  And I was afraid you said that.  But I thought…"

The stars in her mane flared.  She had changed since that first day.  Taller, stronger, and most impressive the stars.  I think her hair was slowly becoming translucent too.  She stood up and glared forward, but not directly at me.

"Does thou believe those tales as well?  The moon is ours and ours alone.  We were banished to it, but not by Celestia, twas the elements.  Only they could reverse my magic thusly to do such a thing."

"Reverse?"

"Her mane and eyes calmed.  Yes, we intended to use the rare stellar conjunction to trap our sister in the moon, thus separating her from the sun, but still binding her to us so we could control it.  Thankfully it did not work that way."

"And the conjunction only appears every thousand years.  But this wasn't in any of…"

"Of course not.  This was near the end of my reign of terror.  I had no time to record such things."

"She is alive, right?"

"Of course.  Unlike my lazy sister I have returned the moon's air."  Then she blinked.  "Though sister is correct it should not really have air, but not breathing is so annoying."

"I imagine Trixie would feel more than annoyed if she could not breathe."

"Too true good captain.  At least I finally understand what my sister sees in her.  Perhaps I will train her as she has asked."

I blinked.  I was very confused.  She was mad enough to banish her to the moon, but that results in wanting to train her?  Then I spun around as I realized Trixie had gone behind my back again.  She will pay for that.





I was getting better.  The first time Luna teleported me I passed out, but now I merely felt a little dizzy. Overall a great many things seemed to be progressing smoothly.  Most of the moon guard's extra obligations were coming to an end.  Some of the various items in storage I realized should be checked based on the chariots was either properly preserved by the spells or well on its way to being fully repaired.  The three damaged chariots were in perfect working condition, and the other two were fine.  I understood the purpose of the war chariot well enough, but the purpose of the other heavily enchanted chariot was not.  In fact its overall design was simply perplexing in general.

"Your majesty I know you said that you don't need me but...."

"We are sure."

Everything was going smoothly.  The chariot Luna sat in looked amazing, Wrath and Vengeance, the two strongest stallions in the bunch were already hitched up.  Luna's cloak also looked nice even though I didn't see the point.  She also had assured me she might have missed a few minor things about advances in equestrian culture, but she was confident they wouldn't matter.  Despite all that there was an ominous feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"Are you really sure you want to go though with your plan?  I understand that Ponyville is not thought of as traditionally dangerous but I have read the same reports you have."

"I'm not sure of that, but we still think this is best.  We shall arrive in style, but we do not wish any guards to remain.  Surely the elements of harmony can manage."

I sighed.  "I suppose you're right your majesty.  I'm sorry to doubt you."

"It is your job."  She shook her head.  "You should not apologize for that.  I cannot speak for mine sister, but we certainly do not wish to be surrounded by thoughtless yes ponies who never speak thine minds."

"I see your majesty."

"We may discuss this more later, for now we must not be late.  Away good sirs."

Then with a swift takeoff they were gone.  Firecracker then came trotting up to me, sans her armor, but wearing a metal mask with a glass window for her to look though, and of course a hole for her horn.  She was a leafy green with vibrant orange hair and a few yellow streaks.  The orange was even more neon than my natural color, and the yellow similarly vibrant.  Both her mane and tail were spiked, hair forming somewhat random spikes.  It reminded me of an explosion, which I'm sure was the point.  It varied quite a bit, some days even hiding her horn.

"Hiya Sky.  So our old timey princess is really going out into the world.  Weird."

"Yes.  So have you made any progress with the armor after Luna helped you decipher her original notes?"

"We're sizzling.  Well, none with your super special armor, but I think we finally ironed out all the resizing glitches, and can even make new full featured armor now."

"As in having all of the enchantments from the original, not just most?"

She nodded.  "Yeppers Bossmare.  Probably with no problems at all with that now."

"Probably?"

"Well, one set exploded, but I think that's just me, the rest of the girls haven't had that happen at all."

I sighed.  "When you say explode is it something that could happen any time or…"

"It was really quick.  The second it got wet, boom.  I'm trying to recreate it, but so far I haven't managed.  I mean you should have seen it.  It was great."

I hung my head.  "Please tell me there is a good reason you…"

"Duh."  She rolled her eyes.  "So far nothing else has blown up, which I'm kinda sad about, but at the same time exploding armor would not be fun.  Unless somepony else was wearing it but only…"

"Firecracker."

"Sorry.  The point is I had Song and some of her girls put the rest of the armor up on the roof and such just in case until we can duplicate it, then once we know what I did and can be sure no one else did anything similar."

"Okay.  What about the sorting?"

"Uh, it's going good, but mostly that's Blossom's show.  I mean she borrows some of my girls and some of Trixie's when she can, but only she really knows exactly how that's going.  I mean I know you do some work on your own…"

"And I don't need to be told.  Okay.  I just thought they might have mentioned something to you, that's all.  Also Blossom does hand off reports sometimes."

"True enough."  She giggled.  "She works way too hard sometimes."

"So does this mean I have to take Bee trying to convince me to change the armor design seriously next time?"

"Maybe, but knowing her I figure she'll go strait to the top."

"Celestia…"  I began, then paused.  "Oh, Luna.  Yes, and unlike her sister she might not send her right back to me with a note on trusting her superior officer's judgement."

"Yea.  Anyway, don't you have something to do."

I blinked, then took off into the air as fast as I could manage.  I wasn't really sure why I was doing such a thing to Blueblood's estate, but I'd disliked him ever since that horrible attempt to hit on me in front of most of the assembled moon guard.  Trixie had apparently had some run in with the fool recently as well and was equally eager.  She should be waiting with her squad and Sweetsong's so we can pull this off.  There are times I'm bothered by what the training focusing on stealth operations the regulations suggests, but there are other times I enjoy the pure joy of sneaking around.       





Luna was glaring at her sister.  Celestia just sat there blinking.  I had seen many expressions on her face over the years but confusion was not one of them.  I was trying to remember if I had ever actually been in her personal chamber before, but I still wasn't sure.  I was also trying to pretend I wasn't intently focused on the exchange rather than the mirror in front of me.  It was a large golden decorative piece that I had the strong feeling would be covered in dust if not for the magic of Canterlot.

"Don't thou give me that look.  We both know you know that thou know what I mean."

"Truly Luna, I do not."  Then Celestia's eyes opened.  "Wait, are you using old equestrian?  Why are you doing that?"

Luna said nothing, but just glared.  Celestia really did look confused.  Then suddenly Celestia laughed.  This did not stop Luna's look of course.

"I'm sorry Luna, but really.  I'm not laughing at you, but at myself.  I didn't notice.  I mean you know how it is.  One language comes, another goes, little things like specific words and modern style hardly even register."

Luna opened her mouth, paused, then sighed.  "That's right."  Then suddenly she turned to me  "But you should have known better."

"It isn't my place to say."

"What?  That I am making a fool of myself?"

"I thought you were aware of how you were speaking and it's oddity in this time period, and that you simply chose to speak in that manner."

"Oh."  Luna's head drooped.  "I see."  Then she once again glared at me.  "But unlike mine sister you have heard me use the royal Canterlot voice."

I blinked.  "Oh, that's what that is.  I wondered why you were shouting."

"Surely you must have realized that was not normal."

"I didn't hear you use it."  Said Celestia "Though do you know who Sky's father is?"

"No, why would that matter?"

"High Commander Steelwing is known for many things but…"  I began

"He is your father?  So you do not even think it's that loud?"

"Father isn't always that loud, but I've certainly heard him be far louder.  That and it wasn't my place to say anything about that either."

"Sister, I still don't understand." Said Celestia  "It's been months.  How could you not have adjusted to modern equestrian?  Have you not been studding all this time?"

"Well, sister…"  Luna looked away.  "You see, I well…"

Celestia sighed.  "You said you'd consider my advice, but since I did what I said and let you handle it yourself you studied nothing but science and magic, ignoring all maters social and modern."

Luna's head whipped back to her sister.  "That is not true."  Then she paused and looked down.  "I also studied history but didn't even notice the shift in the language, which means this whole mess is my fault."

"There is no need to find fault in this."

Then Celestia hugged her sister.  After a moment of awkwardness I realized what I had to do.  I gave a light smack to Dream Volt's helmet and walked out of the room.  I wasn't sure if he was actually asleep, but odds said he was.  He was up instantly, and after a quick look around the room, left swiftly.

> Speech Therapy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I then realized I was staring at the cloaked mare.  I really hadn't expected that voice to come from such a pony.  She was huge, not quite as tall as the Princesses, but close, and more importantly she wasn't just tall either, but overall large.  Though the cloak obscured her well, that much was clear.  The odd thing is despite her obvious size and strength she stood like a civilian.  She could just be really relaxed, but it seemed unlikely.  I had my wing across the threshold of the door.

"I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"But I'm supposed to be here.  At least that's what the last guard said."

"Wait, are you here for the speech coach position?"

She sighed.  "It said voice coach.  Why do ponies have such trouble with this?"

"I don't understand?  Is there a difference?"

"My talent is music.  Voice coach is singing, speech coach is speaking."

"Ah.  I'm sorry to waste your time.  I was not aware of the distinction and…."

"Wait.  I still need the bits."

"But you just said."

"Speech isn't that different from singing.  I figured it kept happening so bloody often, I'd just give it a try."  Then there was a big sigh.  "Now it's practically my profession."

"We are looking for the best.  If you lack the credentials…"

"There are none.  There are some suggested credentials, but speech coach has far less regulation that a fully licensed speech therapist.  It only took one class to get the certificate you need."

"And that's nothing?"

There was a pause.  "Well, almost, but not quite I suppose.  Look, whoever is having a problem I'm sure I can sort it."

"It is her royal highness princess Luna.  She and…"  I sighed.  "…her trusted pupil, are inside doing the interviews to see whom they like."

"Oh, that's…"  There was another pause.  "The money would be great wouldn’t it, and the perks better?"

"Yes."

"I wouldn’t have to make public appearances, would I?"

"Not as part of your job, however the princess is somewhat unpredictable and you may be required to come along to certain social functions."

"Okay, sounds fine, lets give this a whirl."

"Very well.  Please take off your cloak and…"

She took a few steps back, then tossed her head one way then another.  I caught glimpses of her eyes shining under the hood, but for the most part it hid her face very well.  I could just see a bit of her red muzzle but not at all clearly.  She also had big black galoshes on her hooves.  Then she sighed, and walked back up to the door.

"I have to don't I?  You sure I can't just leave it on until after the interview at least?"

"I won't even let you in the room.  Do you have something to hide?"

She rolled her eyes.  "That should be bloody obvious.  Fine."

She threw off her cloak and I just stared.  I had seen Zebras before.  An entire delegation once or twice actually.  But this mare was not a zebra, or not exactly.  She was mostly a dark brick red, the fur fading to pink as it reached her boots.  Then she sighed and began taking those off one by one as well.  By the time it reached her hooves her fur was pure white.  Except for the black stripes of course.  There even seemed to be some in her mane and tail, though other than a few small highlights of black both were a rich orange.  Both her mane and tail were long and silky.  Her mane reaching her knees being especially impressive in her case.  I was amazed she had it all bound up under her cloak, and her tail was similarly long.  She then let out a long sigh.

"I know, I know.  I'm a zony freak, but what can I do?  So are you going to let me in or…"

"Yes.  You may pass."

I then followed the zony into the room.  This meant leaving the sleeping Dream Volt to guard the door, but most ponies didn't seem to notice he was sleeping while standing up and just thought he was doing a good job standing still.  I was just so utterly curious.  I still took up a position on the other side of the door.  There is bending the rules, and then there is shirking your duties.  Luna and Trixie sat behind the table with a third pony.  I don't remember the name but the pink mare with her red hair in a bun was an expert of some kind from Celestia's personal staff.  I wasn't entirely clear on her position, but if Luna hasn't kicked her out by now, she must be competent enough in some manner.

The large mare walked up to the table with slow, halting steps.  She gave a polite bow to Luna then waited.  Then after a minute of silence she laughed.  It was then I noticed her cutie mark.  Black and white notes that spiraled out ward until forming a rough circle on the outer edge.

"Oh rot it all I forgot to introduce myself.  My name is Azalea Valley, but I prefer just Azy.  As you can see my real talent is music, but sound is sound, so maybe I can help you.  I, really don't know what else to say."

"She's had very good results even if she's under trained." Said Celestia's expert.

"Thou have heard of her?"

The expert merely nodded.

"Trixie is not sure.  She can certainly catch the eye, but she wonders if she is too big.  Also she is not sure about that accent."

"I'm speaking proper Equestrian I'll have you know.  You're the one speaking a warped version.  Even if for some bloody reason the name suggests otherwise."

"We apologize.  We never thought that would get so out of hoof." Said Luna

"What?"

"Trixie believes the Princess is saying she is somehow responsible, however she feels that it would be a long story and while the intrigued and curious Trixie does what to hear the story she feels this might not be the right time."

"It is a long story." Said Luna.

"Let me guess.  Your problem is just that olde equestrian speech?"

Luna nodded.  "Thou art correct.  You are not truly equestrian at all, are though?"

She nodded.  "Yep.  I mean it would be right daft of me to not respect you and your sister, but Queen Victory is where I lay my loyalty if I had to make a choice."

Luna smiled.  "We have always been friends with the donkey royalty of Braytin.  Perfect.  We shall see no more candidates, we have made our choice."

"Really?" Azy asked

"Oh yes.  We are sure you will be what we need."

"But Trixie wasn't finished."

Of course so far I had no idea what Trixie was trying to determine.  It certainly didn't seem to have anything to do with the job the ponies had actually been interviewing for.  Most likely she had nothing to add, but didn't want to admit that, so just asked random questions.  Though that last one sounded like she had some position in mind, but I had no idea what she could be thinking.  I noticed Trixie was now standing next to the zony, looking her up and down.  Then she sat down squinted, looking in my direction.

"Trixie wishes to know…."

"Wait, you're really talking in the third pony, aren't you?"

"So what if Trixie is, what concern is of yours?"

"I just think it's neat."

Trixie smiled of course.  "Yes, Trixie should have known the princess would already be way ahead of Trixie in most things.  However there is one more thing Trixie must test."

Then Trixie suddenly kissed Azy on the mouth.  Her eyes went wide, but then relaxed, and she pulled in Trixie closer.  I soon found myself looking away.  After a while Trixie cleared her throat.

"You all may look.  Trixie is a very good kisser, but obviously this was just a test and she would never allow things to go too far here."

"So thou art a, what is the term of choice now?"

"Missy mare.  Trixie is not.  No, Trixe just cannot stand the idea of denying some pony that wishes to love the beautiful and desirable Trixie the opportunity."

"That's sure a strange way of putting it.  I mean I just say I'm flippy and be done with it."

"Only you could say something so egotistical."

I then immediately clamped both front hooves over my mouth.  I nearly fell but caught myself with a few wing flaps.  I can't believe I just said that out loud.  I then got back on all four hooves and bowed down as low as I could facing in Luna's direction.

"I’m so sorry your majesty.  It will never happen again."

"No, we think that would be a shame.  In fact we are now absolutely certain you have much to say, where before we only suspected."

I lifted my head up to see a smirk on Luna's face.  She looked a great deal like her sister in that moment.  Then it faded to a more relaxed smile, then became a huge mischievous grin.

"In fact we have just had a very fun idea."  She laughed.  "We love that word.  Such a short simple word, nothing like frivolity or enjoyment."

"Your majesty?" Said the expert

"Ah yes, my point.  I order you to speak your mind as much as possible.  My sister could not be expected to help, but you could have."

"Everything?  Your majesty…"

"She giggled.  "Obviously there are some thoughts best kept private, such as what was going though Tixie's head during that kiss, and I do not want you to abandon all decorum entirely, merely speak what you feel to be the truth."

"Are you sure your majesty?  A great deal of what I say will be insulting Trixie."

"Trixie is beyond such concerns.  The great and powerful Trixie is secure enough in her abilities that nothing you can say shall phase her."

"I'm well aware you lack the ability to be phased by reality."  Then I cringed.  "Are you really sure about this your majesty."

Luna nodded.  "We are.  Though insults are not what I seek, but advice."

"I'll try your majesty."

"Verily.  Then we are off.  Come now all."

Then Luna walked out of the room without another word, and I wondered if I could do it.  My name may not be for talking so seldom, but it's true that I am anything but talkative.  But it's an order so I have to try.

> A bit about Trixie
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I scowled.  The princess sighed.  Yet another foal of a place servant had run off screaming.  This not being the night palace it was somewhat understandable, but Luna visited often.  In fact there was a terribly expensive and difficult to make magical doorway that connected the two as proof of that.  I wasn't entirely clear on the purpose of the coloration of the portals, but the origin of the lavender, pink and purple scheme was clear enough.  A recreation of the element of magic crown above the doorway removed all doubt of it being a coincidence.  I had a feeling that was one question I had that was best left alone.  Yet despite that closeness this nonsense persists.  I then took a deep breath and sighed.

"What now princess?"

"Luna.  I know thou doth think it unprofessional Sky, but I would have thee call me by mine name and not mine title."

"As you wish Luna."

I saluted.  I should delegate the duties more, but I just can't help but worry every shift guarding Luna I don't take.  There was just so much to do so suddenly.  It was a strange state that most of the time only the officers were available to guard the princess.  Of course Dream and Trixie being the laziest had the most free time.  Technically they were both doing their jobs but despite being at least partially true I didn't respect their expert delegation skills.  I wish I could remember which one had first used that term.

"Sky.  The elements gave me a clarity like which I have never known, even if it did scramble some memories to do it."

"Yes your majesty.  You have said such before."

"I wanted admiration for mine night, but I now see that what I truly wanted is not the calling of the masses, but merely the same from one pony I called friend.  Something I never truly had, but now I have three good friends."  I smiled

"If you say so your majesty.  Azalea is good pony no matter how strange she looks but…"

"Thou dislike the boastful and egomanical Trixie?  I am aware.  As you should be aware I did not immediately warm to that mare either.  However despite her ego she has a good heart, and I consider her a good friend."

"Yes, but unlike Azy…"  she then shook her head.  "I mean unlike Azalea Valley she has numerous very annoying faults and as a princess you can do better."

Luna sighed.  Then looked around.  The corridor was empty, there weren't any doors nearby, and magical ease dropping in either palace was impossible for any but the princesses themselves.  But does she really mean to tell me some secret?

"That reminds me.  I think I shall stop dragging my hooves and move on.  We will be returning to Ponyville soon, and I feel I shall need thy help with thine sister."

"So you're not starting with the obvious target?  You do plan to truly speak to Twilight about some of the things you have mentioned, correct."

She gave a nervous chuckle and looked away.  "We shall admit we are a bit nervous about that captain, but we shall do it eventually.  We found her to be quite the delight, most especially the way she often looked up at the stars as we walked about.  But we wish to discuss it no longer."

"Of course mam."  I then saluted.

"Now, the reason I decided on Trixie as my expert on modern magic and personal student, and none of the others in the squad I interviewed, is interest in her special talent."

"You mean tricks?"

"No, while to some degree that's her talent, a more accurate description is the ability to subvert the magic of others for her own use."

"So that whole I can do anything better than you thing isn't a boast?  She really can?"

"I am unsure.  Trixie hath some limits I think, but she might be able to surpass those, and her ego and sense of showmareship makes it hard to determine.  Most interesting she not only twists the magic to her will, but adds to its power."

I gasped.  "Does that mean that even your magic could be…"

"Yes, but most likely not anything too big.  As I said, her limits are unclear, and in time who knows what she may be capable of."

"This is just more reason to be rid of her."

"So you would have me set her loose unsupervised?"

I stared forward, eyes losing focus.  "Now I see.  I'm sorry princess.  I should have trusted your wisdom.  Keep your friends close, and enemies closer."

Luna raised an eyebrow.  "That is not precisely what we meant, but now you have some understanding at least.  Come, we have duties to attend to."

I began to follow as she walked off, then suddenly stopped.  Luna didn't notice at first, but soon she stopped and turned back

"Does something else trouble you my captain?"

"Not, exactly.  It's just, Celestia forced Trixie on me, and…"

"Yes, she has mentioned this.  We feel sister's meddlesome hoof in this, but we refuse to let that sort of thing bother us any longer.  Now let us not tarry any longer.  Dream Volt is surely already half asleep, we should not keep him waiting no longer."

"He's not quite that bad.  Also as I always say, I don't care if you sleep on guard duty, as long as no one notices, and the second there is trouble you're ready.  Somehow he actually does manage that."

"Ah.  In truth we have little concern for such things, but when I'm ready I'm sure I will find much use for such a talented group of soldiers."

I just stood there blinking for a moment, then quickly caught up.  According to the records she asked a lot of her personal guard, and little of it protection or even traditional military functions.  I shall do my best no matter what she asks of me, but I can't help but wonder exactly what she means.

> At the Club
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I wasn't comfortable.  The dress I was wearing was fine.  It was a nice pastel blue thing that at least arguably did look better on me than my sister.  I still wasn't convinced but the pale blue did contrast my black coat far more.  It was comfortable too.  Even with the wing holes sewn up so it covered my wings it had good airflow and wasn't too tight anywhere.  But this was still a dark nightclub and not only did I feel personally vulnerable without my armor, but there were countless gaps in security I couldn’t begin to close, and I couldn't even see an attacker properly even if they failed.

The only thing that comforted me at all was that despite how obvious it seemed to me, it's possible no one might recognize Luna.  It wasn't much, but maybe it would be enough.  She was the height of a normal pony, had her mane and coat look as they did that first day I saw her, and had taken the shape of a normal unicorn.  A simple black dress hid her cutie mark.

The four of us stood at a booth off to the side in the club.  A bit of my neon pink hair fell into my eyes, but with a quick head toss it was out of my way again.  It had been up in a ponytail but Luna pulled off the clip, then insisted I keep it this way.  Trixie sat across from me, that infuriating smirk on her face.  Oddly she seemed to have a special hat and cape with glow in the dark stars that seemed well suited to the club full of glowing things. 

"Yes, this is very much of the, fun."

"The great and powerful Trixie freely admits the flower wall had a very good idea."

"T-thank you.  I just wished I hadn't been a bloody foal and remembered that even normal zebras aren't common here."

Azalea still impresses me sometimes.  I think like Applejack's brother she had to have more than a little Clydesland pony in her family tree.  Clydesland was part of Great Braytin, so it was even fairly likely.  Though her sitting there cowering slightly was very unlike the traditional image of the highland ponies.  Regardless it was certainly the way she was.  It reminded me of a certain pegasus, but was also nothing like her at the same time.  Trixie rolled her eyes and Azy looked about, eyes wandering to all those who inevitably stared at her.  Her eyes stopped at an especially large group that all seemed to be staring at her.  She cringed.

"Oh not this again.  Even the patient and tolerant Trixie has her limits.  To perform you simply must get over this fear of ponies and…"

"No, no.  I'm fine now.  I mean sure I couldn’t get a job as a musician because of it, but everything's alright.  Just because my cutie mark is musical notes, and I love music more than life itself doesn't mean I have to go singing everywhere."

"Trixie will not take no for an answer.  Though Trixie can not promise you will learn as fast as Trixie, she can promise she will try her best, and if that isn't enough, than surely there is no hope at all."

Azy waved a hoof.  "No, no.  You really don't have to bother.  I already know I'm hopeless.  Just forget all about it."

Trixie shook her head.  "The confused and perplexed Trixie does not understand you.  You can be the center of attention with no effort whatsoever, but you fear it so."

"Of course that suggests you can't help her at all." I added

"The great and powerful Trixie…"  She reared up as she said her name.  "…may not understand, but there is nothing she cannot do."

"Except defeat ursas or teleport."

"Trixie is working on the later, and she cares not about those ridiculous beasts.  Who ever heard of a beast so magical it resembles the starry sky itself, but uses no magic."

I just smiled as Trixie sat there fuming.  Apparently she made the boast because she just assumed she could subvert their magic and easily defeat them.  She also assumed their size had been exaggerated.  Of course I was saving for a special occasion that I actually had vanquished an ursa.  I had plenty of help, and killing that rabid ursa major was a terrible ordeal in just about every single way.  The worst being looking it in the eye right before the end.  I then shook my head.  Maybe I would just keep it to myself after all, no matter how great Trixie's expression would be.

"Come on Octy, its no big deal."

"No big deal?"

I turned to see two mares that had stopped right in front of our table.  The grey one looked very cross at the mare who I assume she had been walking away from.  The white mare with purple goggles and dual shades of blue hair I had seen before somewhere.  A DJ, but beyond that I could not place her.  The grey mare I suddenly did recognize, though the musician's name still escaped me.  She was one of Celestia's favorite musicians and was at many the social function.  The fact the two seemed to know each other in any capacity was baffling.  Though I did suddenly have the vague impression of Celestia hiring both a DJ and a string quartet to play the same party, so maybe I just wasn't trying hard enough.

"This Ms Scratch…"

"Oouch.  Breaking out the Ms.  Harsh, Octy, harsh."

"As I was saying, this is clearly a mare bar."

"I'm sorry Octy, it was an accident."

"Eeep"

Azy the looked around rapidly, clearly looking for someplace to hide.  I certainly knew that look well enough, even if it was a little different on this pony's face.  I sighed, and was about to say something when Trixie laughed.

"Oh, so the supposedly astute and cautious Silent Sky really didn't realize?  Trixie cannot believe you are the only one who didn't know."

"I'm really sorry.  It's just I don't usually have to think about anypony else, and we were already inside, and then…"

"Just calm down Azy." I said

"Yes, the observant and well informed Trixie is a mare of the world, and knows this city well.  She knew the nature of this establishment."

"We did not, but we do not mind.  While we do not truly, as they say, swing that way, we were once a well known champion of missy mares."

"Don't worry dear."  Said Octy.  "I am sure you meant well."

"Hey, I said like the exact same thing." Said the DJ

"Yes, but I believe her."

"Hey.  That's not very nice."

"But it is accurate."

I smiled.  I think I liked this Octy pony.  I somehow doubt that's her real name however.  Octy then started suddenly and bowed.

"Oh, terribly sorry.  I have not introduced myself.  I am Octavia, and this miscreant is Vinyl Scratch.  It is a pleasure to meet you all."

"Crescent." Said Luna

"The great and powerful Trixie of course, but I have worked with DJ Pon3 before."

"Yea, hay Trix.  You sure you don't want in this next tour of mine.  It's going to be epic, and I love that flash of yours."

"The studious and enlightened Trixie is now the student of Princess Luna herself.  Maybe some other time.  Also Trixie thinks you deserve the spotlight a little and doesn't want to show up your big chance."

For a while I just stared.  I think the two of them kept talking but it felt like the whole world had fallen away.  It was still arrogant as could be, but Trixie had actually said something nice.  I guess it was still fairly selfish and ultimately meaningless, but she still said it.  I then shook my head to clear it.

"Oh, Azalea Valley.  And thank you for not staring or immediately asking, but I'm a Zony."

"I'm frankly amazed she managed." Said Octavia

"What exactly is that?" asked Vinyl

"A zebra and a pony are not just superficially similar, but can interbreed." Said Luna  "In fact while at first glance the anatomical differences…"

Octavia loudly cleared her throat.

"Ah yes.  Of course.  We apologize.  There is no need to discuss that."

"Yea, Zebra and Pony, got it.  Coolsies." Vinyl then smiled

"Anyway we must be going.  I could forgive Vinyl her childish manipulations, but only if this place had a decent selection.  We must be off to somewhere with some proper liquor.  It was a pleasure meeting you all."

"I'm sure we'll see you all again."

"And I'm sure we will not if I can help it."  Then she blinked, and turned back to our table.  "I'm sorry.  What I mean is I do not plan to repeat this mistake, and know of nowhere else our path's would cross."

"I am the captain of the Moon Guard, so most likely we will meet again."

"Ah.  Lovely.  I suppose the armor must really change fur colors, musn't it?"

I nodded.

"I must say I would have remembered you otherwise.  You are quite striking."

Then they walked off.  I noticed small pile of four cards were now on our table.  Each was identical, a white card with blue text and an image of very familiar purple shades.  I just sighed.

"Actually Trixie is curious.  Is jet black and neon pink really your natural colors."

I nodded.  "Yes.  As I'm well aware it is unusual, especially for a mare, to have a black coat, but I do.  Do you have any other inane questions?"

"Harump"  Trixie then turned her nose up and away from me.

"Huzzah.  Come my friends."  Luna then got a great big smile across her muzzle.  Neigh mind the slight error in coming to this location.  We came her to have the fun, and the fun we shall have.  Come forthwith, to the dance floor we shall go."

"Sometimes I wonder if you're even trying."  Said Azy.

"I'm sure her majesty is." I added 

"Trixie is not so sure.  Trixie assumes you shall remain here?"

"I can still hear the music.  I like dancing, but I know even more ponies would stare."

"The wise and observant Trixie thinks that's reasonable yes."

I sighed before I got up.  This was even worse, but even sitting on the edge with her majesty in the back had taken some convincing.  I had no doubt I would never convince her to stay off the dance floor.  Which meant I had to look like an idiot trying to dance if I wanted to keep even the flimsiest bit of protection active.  I should have brought Dream Volt after all.  At least we would have realized Azy's mistake earlier.  I know it's silly to be so protective toward a grown mare, especially one that much bigger than I am, but she just reminds me so much of my sister.





Luna was smiling brightly.  Azy was the only other pony at the table not completely exhausted.  I was about ready to collapse after that, and the only reason Trixie looked better is she had given up several dances ago.  Luna looked no more tired than when we started.  Azy suddenly surged forward, front hooves on the table so she could lean closer.  Luna pulled back as far as she could in the small space.  I wanted to act even though I doubt Azy meant any harm, and wasn't sure it mattered if she did.  However I simply lacked the energy.  The table was bolted the floor and like most of the furniture here made of dark metal.  So it really should not be able to shake at all.

"The music of the night is real?"

"Well in a manner of speaking.  You said it's like an orchestra of…"

"Freeform Jazz players."  Then she gasped, falling back to four hooves.  "Oh my gosh, have you never heard Jazz before?"

"A little.  Some examples were necessary to properly understand musical history but it's importance is minimal and…"

"Minimal?"  Azy was back on the table.  It groaned and shifted under her weight.  "Not important?  I'll admit before jazz the impact of music on anything beyond music history is very minimal, but music is increasingly important to history.  In fact…"

"The great and powerful Trixie is loathe to interrupt, but she believes you had a far more important point."

"Oh, yes.  Right, Jazz later, music of the world now."

"Didn't you only say the music of the night?" I asked

"Yes, but that's because it seems like Luna is responsible.  There is also a song of the day, and a beat of some sort that underlies all of it."

Luna blinked.  "Hmm, yes.  That doth sound close enough.  The moon and sun each act as, to use your metaphor conductors.  Like Jazz the musicians do their own thing, but the moon and sun affect things that create a pattern."

Azy giggled.  "I was right.  I thought I might be imaging it but it's real."

"It sounds very, subtle."  I said.  "Like it's not the sort of thing most ponies could notice."

"It is not.  Though she would not be the first pony with a musical talent to do such."

"The musical and magical Trixie is curious about that beat."

"Oh yes."  she sighed.  "That is the most important part, at least to me.  That is the beat of nature itself, a constant among the two great songs of life."

"Omigosh.  I just had the most amazing idea I should…"

Then Azy's head turned.  There was quite the crowd of ponies nearby, all clearly staring right at her.  The table rocked, and there was a loud crack.  Azy was no longer in sight, and the table wobbled randomly.  I was glad there were currently no drinks on it, as I'm sure they would have fallen off.

"Trixie literally cannot believe you act this way at times.  Especially when you pull a stunt like this."

"Fear isn't rational." Said Azy from beneath the table.  "Just let me cower in peace."

"I think it is about time to leave.  I think it best I simply teleport Azalea directly home, so I should get this out of the way.  We shall go to Ponyville in the morn.  We suggest you all make it an early night."

"Princess, are you saying you want to bring all of us?" I asked

"Trixie has suddenly remembered a very important appointment she simply must keep.  She is sure you won't need her anyway."

"An even less metroponitan city than Canterlot?  They've probably never even heard of a zebra before, much less seen one.  How will they react to a zony?"

"We are going." Said Luna, in an utterly passive tone.  "We expect our loyal retainers to be ready because if they are not we shall be teleporting them to Ponyville on time regardless of their state or location."

"Princess, this arrangement is fine for Canterlot, but you really should have two guards with you at all times, not just myself and Dream Volt most of the time."

"Then bring more of mine captains with you.  In fact it would be most enjoyable were you to bring all of them."

"I could try I suppose.  I'm not sure how many will be available.  It's odd but since we have so little paperwork thanks to your system and mostly the girls, and guys, know their jobs the officers actually have the most free time."

"Excellent.  Then you shall all go?"

"Trixie really must…"

"No you don't, I'm quite sure."  I said.  "Besides you are her loyal student, aren't you?"

Luna sighed.  "I know you all hath reasons to not go to yon village, but you are my friends and I want you there.  Need you there.  After nightmare night I want to know for certain they understand what I owe them.  I MUST NOT FAIL."

The crowd was staring again.  This time almost the whole crowd.  Luna was looking around in confusion.  I sighed.

"You used the royal voice again." said Azy

"I, think it best we leave with great swiftness.  Doth though understand?"

"Maybe I'll just wear my cloak." Came from under the table

"Trixe supposes you are still more important that any prior commitment.  Also in a totally unrelated matter she thinks she might try out that archaic illusion spell you taught her.  A town full of unsuspecting ponies seems quite ideal."

I sighed.  "Anything to serve.  That is the vow, and I guess I am blowing it a little out of proportion.  I'm sorry your majesty.  With armor or without?"

"I'm sure thine armor shall not be needed.  Also I have plans that would require you to remove it."

"Does that mean I can wear it?  I'm sorry your maj…"  Then I felt a kick from under the table.  "Luna.  Did you really have to hoof me from under the table like that?"

"She asked to be called Luna.  I'm to help Luna adjust speech.  Mostly her own, but I think she agrees you could use an adjustment as well."

Then Luna clapped her hooves together.  "Yes, yes, quite right.  You may be my trusted captain, but you are also my friend.  I not only give you permission to try to do this in whatever way you see fit, but Sky is never to retaliate for anything you do."

"Uh, your…"  I cringed as Azy kicked me again "Luna, are you sure that's wise."

"Azy is a nice pony and will certainly not do anything too severe to you.  Now we believe it is time to vacate, for they can sill hear."

"So, is that the princess?"

Then very suddenly all four of us were in the throne room of the night palace.  Luna said she would hold court here eventually, but for now it was still empty at night.  It looked fairly similar to the sun court throne room, other than the coloring.  It even had the little fountains on either side of the throne.  I always thought that was odd.  Though the purple, black, dark blues, and only small accents of white made it harder to see.   Then the glowing electric orbs scattered about the room came on.  I took some pride in the fact only Luna's throne room had such lights.  Azy was still under the table meaning it had indeed been separated from the floor and she had to be grasping it quite securely.  She let go and it crashed to the ground with an echoing crash that startled all of us.

"Well, the great and powerful Trixie does not wish to be the tired and exhausted Trixie tomorrow, so she shall go home and get some rest."

"I'll do the same."  Azy then stood up  "Maybe it won't be so bad?"

"I shall of course accompany you to your door at the very least.  More if you require Princess."

"Luna." Said Azy, currently out of reach.

"Sorry your…"  I sighed.  "Luna."

"Very good.  Lets us go.  Tomorrow will be such fun."

"But I still don't think I can…"

"You and Dream Volt would be enough.  And I have said you may take a full six ponies in addition to yourself.  Also it is only Ponyville."

"That's why I feel we need the extra hooves.  But I am here to serve, and if you insist."

"I do.  Now, let us see if you can truly see me to my door."

I was about to ask what she meant when she took off and flew away.  I blinked.  Even when fully rested I don't think I could have kept up with her.  In fact I could only think of one pony who would even stand a chance.  On second thought I suppose Celestia might be able to as well, though I've never really seen her hurry while flying.  I just sighed, not even trying.  It was only as I did take off I noticed Trixie and Azy were gone.  I didn't even notice her teleport them.  I really am out of it.  

> Dress Shop
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I blinked.  We had just been standing somewhere else entirely, but now we were in front of a familiar dress shop.  Luna told me having my ponies do surveillance is not what she meant by helping to prepare for her visit, but she kept the portraits and maps the girls came up with anyway.  I was proud not to react at all, though I was dizzy enough I would have surely fallen over if I tried to move.  I was somewhat surprised Dream Volt managed the same.  In fact he had a real trouble staying still most of the time.  Maybe he's used to it somehow.  He did say his marefriend was a unicorn.  Dream was even in the air, and suddenly threw his hooves up.

"Whoo!  Gotta love teleporting."

This was answered by Bee making a familiar gagging noise in the bushes.  Earth ponies apparently had the most trouble with being teleported.  Bee is the only one I'd actually seen, but Luna assured me they all had issues.  She also said Bee was especially bad however.  Trixie was unaffected, and Firecracker was smiling.  I had a feeling she was thinking of throwing her hooves up as well, but wasn't sure.  Bee then walked away, no more than the brief gagging noises.  Hmm, she didn't lose her last meal this time.  I guess she's getting used to it.  Azy as always just stood there with that confused look on her face blinking rapidly.  She said something about it being oddly familiar to me once.  She also said she didn't mean she'd ever been teleported by anypony else before, but I decided it's not worth my worrying about.  

"I think I shall never bee truly beee used to that."

"It's really not that bad." Said Azy  "It just feels so bloody odd."

"COME WITH US INTO…"  Luna sighed.  "I mean come with us into this lovely establishment.  We are sure you shall enjoy yourselves."

Luna then led the way into the shop.  Despite her rising popularity Rarity's shop was currently deserted.  That's a relief, the shop was impossible to secure as it was, a bunch of ponies running around would just make it worse.  I suppose every pony wants something special to wear every now and again, but it seemed odd to have a shop like this in a town this small.  Then again it did double as her home and she clearly stayed afloat somehow.  Of course according to Bee any interest from Hoity Toity meant she would never be out of work again, but Rarity hadn't always had such attention.  Bee was right that I wouldn't know good fashion if it struck me in the head.  I just think the dresses my sister sends me are pretty.  

It didn't take too long for the white unicorn with the fancy purple mane to show up.  She had a smile on her face as she trotted forward.  Then she stopped, looking us all over.  Dream volt and myself she looked at the most briefly, as wearing our armor we weren't that interesting I'm sure.  I noticed Trixie wasn't among us for some reason.  I stood next to the door and after a moment Dream did the same.  I noticed a slight twitch of one eye when Rarity looked at Firecracker that reminded me of Blossom's this is not right twitch.  I bet it's the mane.  She smiled slightly when she saw Bee, but quickly moved on.  Her gaze lingered on Azalea in her large cloak for long moment, but then she quickly returned her full attention to Luna and bowed.

"I know you've been sending all six of us letters, but when you said you would be visiting soon, I did not expect you meant today."

"Yes, we…"

Azy nudged her.  I was fairly sure it was with enough force to send me flying, but the princess other than stopping her speech didn't seem to react at all.  I know the princess is also physically stronger than most ponies, but just how much?

"I was not sure of my schedule, but here we are as I said."

"Excuse me, but did you not say you had had two guards, a student and one other?  Yet you have brought your student and two guests."

"In truth all but Azlaea is in my service.  My captain suggested I bring more guards than I originally planned.  One is missing in fact."

"I am not.  I am simply fashionably late is all."

I blinked and turned around.  Trixie had come in, but now looked very different.  She had a pale green coat and a mane striped with orange, lavender, and yellow.  At least that was what everypony else saw.  My armor let me automatically see though illusions, but even it made this one only semi-transparent.  Her clothes had become a simple pale blue dress and white sun hat.  They weren't an illusion, but either a transformation or she had somehow switched her clothes.  Her voice even sounded different, a little higher in register.  I guess impressions were among her many talents.  This one seemed to even be a genuine talent.  Rarity glared daggers at the mare but Trixie wasn't looking directly at her.

"You." Said Rarity

"I guess that answers that quandary." Luna said

"I don't understand.  We have never met before?  Why would you talk to me like that?"

"I can see right though it.  Unless I miss my guess, so can Miss Rarity." I said

Rarity turned to me.  "Oh, such a lovely voice, strong, yet a certain delicate quality to it.  Almost familiar actually.  And proper manners too.  A little too even in tone, but nopony's perfect no matter how hard they try.  Not to mention the armor.  Not quite my taste, but lovely.  Did you do the accents yourself?"

"Actually it's the captain of the moon guard's armor.  Luna designed it herself well over a thousand years ago."

"I think we were talking about seeing though something of mine.  Though I cannot imagine what you mean?"

"What I mean is obviously while the exact nature of her talent isn't clear, design and beauty is without a doubt a large part of who she is."

"And thus appearance."  Luna then clapped her hooves together.  "Very good Sky.  Pegasai are not always this good at understanding unicorn magic."

Trixie gulped.  "Which means her talent is to some degree sight, which means that really angry look is because you know that…"

"You are the boastful and insulting Trixie?"  Rartiy glared so intensely I swore her eyes caught fire.  "Yes, Rarity can see though your pathetic illusion."

I smiled.  I always did like Rarity.  At least the version in the letters as I'd never met her in pony before.  I was aware that my sister painted everypony in a somewhat overly positive light, especially assuming the best of ponies when they didn't deserve it.  Rarity seemed to be a genuinely nice hard working pony with a few vices who knew how to get what she wanted.  I didn't entirely approve of such manipulations, but in most cases it was to help others and not herself.  Trixie then frowned heavily.  So far the real Rarity hadn't disappointed.

"Pathetic, but Trixie worked so hard.  It is not…"

"YES DEAR STUDENT.  IT IS…"  Luna took a step to the side.  "I mean it is in fact an excellent illusion to be proud of.  Miss Rarity is simply more talented."

"But the great and powerful Trixie…" Then she sighed.  "Very well.  Trixie is not so foalish as to doubt the words of Princess Luna."

She then removed the illusion and walked off, a slight pout on her face.  Rarity once again looked up at Luna, smiling.

"Now that that unpleasantness is…"  She frowned slightly.  "She is the student, isn't she."

"Yes she is good pony.  I know it is hard to see but deep down Trixie is a good pony, she simply needs guidance."

Rarity smiled.  "I'm sure if anyone can do it you can your majesty.  Now, we really must not delay proper introductions any longer.  As you may already know I am Rariy."

"OH MY YES." Said Luna  "So terribly rude of us.  You already know our student Trixie, though obviously in less than ideal circumstances."

"To say the least."

"To my right is my speech coach Azalea Valley."

"A lovely name."

"Oh, thank you."

"Hmmmm…"

I then noticed Azy wasn't wearing her boots, and just her cloak.  You couldn't see much, but with Rarity's eye for detail I imagine it was enough.  Then she focused on the cloak itself.  Firecracker had of course gotten bored, and walked off, Bee following her.  I wasn't sure if she was watching her or was just looking at the dresses just like Firecracker at least seemed to be doing.

"You know, while I wouldn't call us good friends, there is a zebra I get along with well who lives nearby.  You have no reason to hide…"

"Wait don't…"

Rairty was already lifting the cloak off with her magic as she talked, but it suddenly fell back down onto Azy, now draped mostly over her head.  After a brief hesitation it flew back into the air and was quickly folded and placed on a nearby table.  Rarity bowed her head.

"Oh I'm dreadfully sorry.  I saw something in that book on zebra's and their home Twilight was having us read on zony's, but it was so brief and…"

"Really, it's okay.  I count it as a positive you haven't screamed."

"Screamed?  I would never.  While you are certainly an awful lot of pony to work with and your mixed colors will be a challenge, it's one I relish."

Rarity then got a huge grin on her face.

"I don't think I like that look." Said Azy

"Yes, neither do I.  You will tell us at once what you intend."

"Oh it's nothing bad I assure you."  She then let out a short laugh, hoof upraised.  "I simply had the most wonderful idea.  Oh, you'll just make the cutest couple."

Azy suddenly stomped a hoof, the sound reverberating throughout the shop.  Everypony just stared.  There were also times were Azy was absolutely nothing like my sister.  As she glared at Rarity I wasn't sure which this was.  Then again Azy's hidden strength is a bit less than hidden I suppose.

"I will not be set up with anypony."  She blinked, then pulled back.  "Though I guess if he's cute you could introduce me, but no matchmaking games please."

"Ah, yes.  I see."

"Besides aren't you the one that thinks Big Mac is seeing someone." I added

"Yes, I suppose all the evidence does suggest that…"  Then she spun to me.  "And how exactly did you know that."

Luna cleared her throat.  "EXCUSE ME.  NOW IS THE TIME FOR US TO TREAD FORTH UPON THE TASK THAT HATH BROUGHT US HERE TODAY."

Azy walked out of the room, and came back with a bucket of water.  With considerable skill she flipped it upward in such a way to get Luna as wet as possible, but nary a drop on the floor.  At least until Luna's hair started to drip.  It had not entirely lost its starry effect, but wet looked more like normal hair.  The bucket had been pierced by Luna's horn.  It mostly covered her face.  Azy then cringed, and turned to Rarity.

"Oh I'm so sorry.  I didn't mean to break your bucket."

"But you just…"

"IT IS SO BY ROYAL DECREE."  Luna's voice echoed in the bucket.  She held up a hoof in Azy's direction.  "We realize how bad that was, we shall try harder to stop."

"But why?"

"Well just talking it out wasn't working." Said Azy.  "I mean there are a few tricks I know but nothing was working."

"So now we are trying negative reinforcement." Said Luna, then smiled.  "It is a wonderful idea, do you not agree?"

"Of course princess.  You're right though.  Let us get down to business.  So I assume the suit is for the Stallion guard, and the dresses the others."

"How else could that combination work?"

I sighed.  Trixie and Dream snickered, while Azy merely smiled slightly but said nothing.  I would get her in armor eventually.  Even if she wasn't truly a warrior she could at least be made to look terribly imposing, and that could be more important at times.  Then Azy suddenly began to shudder.

"Wait, like as in for some sort of party?"

"Oh, you haven't told them?"  Rarity then smiled  "You really should be more careful, I almost ruined it."

"A mere oversight.  One we shall fix post haste.  HEAR ME LOYAL FRIENDS.  WE HAVE SECURED YOU ALL TICKETS TO THE GRAND GALLOPING GALA."

"The premier event of the season.  The overjoyed and ecstatic Trixie cannot think of anything to thank you enough."

"Oooo.  So cool.  I just usually do the fireworks, but I always wanted to go inside too.  I mean it looks all shiny and flashy and…"  Then Firecracker paused.  "Nothing will actually explode though, will it?"

Bee shook her head.  "I certainly hope not.  I cannot imagine something worzzzze.  It is an affair of elegance and grace."

"Eh, still might be a little fun, I can always just bug out early if it's boring.  Plus new dresses are always fun."  

"The, the…"

Azy continued to stutter the word for about a minute before passing out entirely.  I expected some sort of tremendous boom, but it was a relatively silent smash.  Oddly it reminded me of a wall being demolished.  Then I looked at the floor and realized she had actually made a slight dent.  Luna had removed the bucket when I wasn't looking.

"We shall pay for that, and yon bucket.  We, I, did not consider Azy's phobia in this matter enough.   Clearly we may need to change our plans."

"You should still have the dress made your majesty."

"Of course.  But Rarity there is one dress more we wish.  I said I wanted you to clothe my entire party for the occasion of the gala, that includes myself."

Then Rarity fainted.  Onto a couch I was certain wasn't there a moment ago.  I don't think she teleported it in, did she?  Luna then turned to the door, and looked between the two of us.

"And now we get zapped." Said Dream  "I told you."

"What do you mean by that?" I asked

"He means I told you not to wear thine armor, but thou did anyway.  It was not an order, but it should be obvious why now."

"Of course your majesty.  I should have known you had a good reason but…"

"Then we shall banish it.  TO THE MOON."

Before I could say anything it was gone.  Trixie and Luna gasped first.  Then Rarity got up just in time to faint again.  Azy was getting to her feet, but just stopped once she was upright, still on the floor, staring at me.

"Hey, my wings are weird too.  I mean generally yea, you stare at the girl but most of you are girls and…"  Dream then paused.  "None of you are strait.  Oh yea."

"The understanding and generous Trixie is simply very giving to her fans.  She is not really either."

"That still sounds like a poor excuse." I said

"Hey, we totally are over here." Said Firecracker

"I think calling you strait darling is a groszzzzz overstatement."

"I'm staring at him, that's close enough.  I mean he's just like the captain, that's so weird."

"They remain the same.  The eyes and ears have reverted but…"

I sighed, and spread my wings so they could get a good look.  "Yes, they're still dragon touched, though I've personally never liked the term.  It is the official term for the eyes and the wings in the old logs however."

"Wait, does thou mean that truly is the original flawed armor, and they wings are now permanently changed?"

I nodded  "Yes your…"  I cringed.  "What was that?"

"Sewing needle."  Said Azy, looking down  "Sorry, didn't think that one though."

"Excellent form." Said Rarity

"And thy willingly wore it, often even?"

"Yes, it's comfortable.  The spells insure that.  Also…"

I trailed off and in searching for somewhere other than anypony's eyes.  I settled on looking at my own flank.  The mark was simple and striking.  A silver crescent with a purple bat winged silhouette of a bat winged pony with wing out stretched.  It wasn't quite what I saw that night, but it was fairly close.  I turned forward and took a deep breath.  It was slightly embarrassing, but I had been ordered to speak my mind.  This was probably close enough to the edge of things I should not share, but being honest with myself it wasn't quite there.

"I've known since I was a little girl this is what I wanted.  I always liked playing as if I was one of father's soldiers, and all the trappings of such.  Then one night my father left me outside while he was in a very private meeting and I saw him."

"A batpony?  But what…"

"I don't know.  It could have been anything.  He could have simply chosen not to take off the armor.  That matters little."

Except he wasn't wearing his helmet at all, just the lower barding.  For a moment standing on that white building I even thought he was standing on the moon like in my cutie mark.  But there was still no doubt he was watching for something.

"I was fascinated by him, and asked dad about it.  I learned all I could and eventually, my mark appeared."

"Darling, that's all well and good but what does that have to do with…"

I looked away again and blushed.  "I wanted to be just like him.  I wanted all of it.  I'm still slightly disappointed my eyes haven't changed."

I sighed.  If Sweetsong was here I would never hear the end of this.  She knew about the wings of course, but not the reasoning.  I'm glad she and Blossom had been held up with things.

"Trixie is not sure how comfortable she is with knowing that."

"Who am I to judge." Said Azy

Dream laughed.  "I've done stupider things to try to get transformed in one way or another." He laughed again.  "I mean you have no idea how dumb."

"I've done way crazier things." Added Firecracker

"A true lady does not judge." Said Bee

Rarity smiled.  "Well said, I agree completely."

"We are so out of touch we are not even sure it is odd.  But that was not our main point.  Why was this flaw never fixed beforehoof?  Surely your talented armorers…"

Firecracker laughed.  "She won't let us.  See we can't get it quite right.  So we keep around all the old armor and wear it on special occasions."

"Except for our good captain of course."  Bee then smiled  

It was then I realized nopony seemed that disturbed.  Shocked yes, but nothing else.   I smiled.  I should have at least trusted them earlier.  I then realized I was letting myself get carried away with emotion and stood at attention again, looking strait ahead.

"I'm sorry for that lapse your…"  I took a quick step to the right.  "Luna.  I will hide them best I can as regulations require me to out of uniform and…"

"Why?" said Luna

"What?"

"Why does such a regulation exist.  I, PRINCESS LUNA DECREE THIS REGULATION VOID.  There, now I assume you like your wings, yes?"

"Can she do that?"

Then I realized Trixie not only didn't look shocked, but never had.  She could have been surprised, and I wasn't paying much attention to her, but she seemed oddly calm.  Then again she also cared far less I'm sure.  I decided it was best to simply answer the question as best I could swiftly and professionally.

"Beyond the Nightmare and Daymare protocols…"

"That is still a really dumb name."  Added Firecracker

I glared at her but didn't let her interruption stop me  "…and their corresponding regulations of course, she can change any rule she chooses as we are fully under her command.  Though many extreme changes by either sister fall under one or the other."

"Trixie does not know what you are talking about."

"Yea, me neither." Added Dream

I sighed.  "And this is why by all rights you should have been kicked out long ago.  They are systems in place to deal with either the return of Nightmare Moon, or the more likely emergence of a similar alter ego for Princess Celestia."

"I do not think sister is correct about that, but I will admit it is possible."  Luna then shook her head.  "Enough of this.  So is Dream Volt the same?"

"Nah, I'm a dragon."  Then he turned to me.  "Wait, didn't you say…"

I facehoofed as a several calls of "What?" echoed about the room.  Of course he'd just blurt it out like that.  He seemed to have his heart in the right place often, but his head certainly wasn't, and the laziness could count as his body being similarly unready I suppose.  I then took a deep breath.

"Yes, he's a dragon, currently in this form.  Why is currently classified.  Luna can give me the order to change the status of at least some of the information regarding Dream Volt, but even she must follow protocol in this case.  This means I can only tell you after she has heard each and every detail.  We obviously should talk of this later Luna."

"Oh, so that's why he's fire proof, neato."

"I suppose this explains some things, but can we at least ask one question?  Is there any danger of him reverting?"

I sighed.  "Even that is classified, but I think it's safe to say all evidence points to that being so unlikely as to be nearly impossible."

"Yea, I'm probably stuck as a pony for the duration.  It's not like I haven't been weirder things, so it's no big deal.  Though at first it was a little strange, it had been a while since I walked on four hooves."

"The curious and confused Trixie wants to know more, but clearly we cannot dwell on this by order of Celestia, so we should move on."  

"Very well." said Luna  "Though I doubt I will wish to keep it secret.  Yet we will follow our sister's ways in this case."

"So, may I begin now?  I have six sets of measurements to take, and I must try to get to know you a little better if I am to be truly successful.  Trixie may leave."

Trixie reared up.  "Trixie cannot believe you shall slight her thusly.  For not only is it a slight on the humble and amazing Trixie, but Luna as well."

We all lost it at that.  Dream and Rarity first, neither having a reason to hold back, though Dream should have had one.  Azy tried to cover her mouth, first with one hoof, then the other, but then fell to the floor laughing.  I was next, even my discipline having some limits.  Firecracker and Bee right behind me.  Finally Luna joined in, but she was also the first to stop.  I was the last, even after I saw the hurt look across Trixie's face.  She then turned away and stomped off in a huff.  It wasn't clear where the door went, but likely it was not outside.

"YOU SHALL ALL APPOLOGISE."

"I was simply going to say I think I know her well enough, but perhaps I was wrong." Said Rarity.  "I suppose my work ethic demands I fix that." 

"She is quite fond of your designs." I said "I'm sure your best work would be more than enough.  Trixie is many things but thin skinned is not one of them."

"I think I shall start with her.  It was lovely meeting all of you but I feel this might take the rest of the day."

"If it does not I will know and bring them back.  There are some other stops we can make this day, though I planned to wait."

Luna then marched out.  I honestly didn't feel too bad.  Azy hung her head, but if I bothered to feel guilty about this Trixie would just ridicule me about it when I next saw her, and deny it bothered her at all.  Then I sighed and hung my head as well.  That is just an excuse, just like the ones she always uses.  Wrong is wrong.

> Batponies and Changelings
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Blossom and Sweetsong nodded.  Song was of course smiling.  Blossom smiled at first but now had a neutral look on her face.  Luna was smiling brightly having told them the news.  Then I felt a certain itch in my wings.  While it was anything but common knowledge some of Luna's old texts made it very clear that pegasai could use their wings to sense magic.  It was very difficult to even sense anything beyond air currents, and anything beyond the weather magic common to pegasai even more difficult.  With time and good documentation I mastered the skill.

I spun to see a faint outline of a pony.  It faded instantly, followed by a girlish laugh.  Then with a green flash he was visible.  A pink stallion with a long black, green and blue mane.  He still looked more than a little effeminate with his thin willowy build, but still unmistakably a stallion.  Honestly if I didn't know him better I might even be impressed by his sharp features and handsome face.  But I did know him.  He got a great bit smile on his face.

"Well isn't it lovely to see you ladies again.  It's been a long time Luna."

"Nightshade." I said

"Yes, indeed it has."  Then Luna blinked, and turned towards Blossom.  "I mean…"

"She knows."  Nightshade then laughed.

"When you say…"

"Everything.  I mean really, she can miss things sometimes, but she's put together an entire section on bat ponies, and Luna wrote a truly excellent guide to changelings."

Blossom blinked.  "Wait, you thought I didn't know Song was a Batpony?"

"Yea, Blossom drags my sorry flank home all the time."

Song then changed.  She was still a pale purple pony with similarly pale pink hair, and still wearing the beret, but her eyes, wings and ears all fit the bat pony look perfectly now.  I could only see one fluffy ear right now, and most of the time she kept both covered so she had one less thing to hide, but I could assume they matched.  Luna stared.

"Wait, we are confused.  A pink batpony is thy true form?"

Song nodded.  "Yep.  And before you ask, I was born this way."

"You see dear Luna…" said Nightshade.  "We were trying to copy a creature that didn't exist.  Apparently without some existent DNA to even guess on…"

"I never did understand what might be doing the guessing." Said Song.  "Or why that matters, but whatever."

"The result being the creation of a new species that retained some of our abilities."

Song nodded.  "And a few new cool ones too.  Well, eventually.  Mostly it's just being a little more bat-like in a few little ways though, especially hearing."

"At the time it hardly seemed important and we didn't even question it."

"Now they are their own significant race." I added

"Oh come on."

We all turned to see Trixie appear in the middle of the five of us.  I hadn't seen her.  Luna looked as surprised as Nightshade.  Blossom didn't look surprised, but she had her eyes closed.  I noticed Song's ears twitch a bit.  I suddenly was fairly sure there was a really good reason Celestia put Trixie in charge of the unicorn stealth force.

"Oh, that's what that was." Said Song  "Good job, that was really subtle.  Most ponies don't even think about sound.  I wasn't even sure if it was just background noise."

"Thank you.  The silent and sneaky Trixie clearly knows very little about bat ponies and can only guess at your hearing acumen."

"I didn't see through it." Said Luna

"And of course us mere mortals and semi mortals wouldn't stand a chance." Said Nightshade.  "I think it was even better than Breezie invisibility."

Trixie frowned.  "Okay, that's another one.  Seriously, how many other types of ponies are secretly living among us.  Changelings, sea ponies…"

Luna suddenly shook her head.  "HALT THY TRIADE APPRENTICE."

Trixie did of course.  Mainly because she had fallen over backwards.  "TRIXIE THINKS SHE MIGHT HAVE GONE DEAF."

"ARE THOU MOCKING ME?"  Luna's eye twitched slightly.

"Your majesty, while I'm loath to say it, I believe you may have simply rendered her temporarily deaf."

"Why would you be loath to say that?"

Song giggled.  "Because the bossmare just helped Trixie by saying that."

"TRIXE…"  Then there was a pause.  "Oh, Trixie can hear herself again."

This was followed by a sigh of relief so obviously strong I felt it should be reserved for far more important things.  Like learning somepony is still alive after being poisoned by a manticore.  Or the pony in the building you just demolished was really just a mareakin.   Or that you haven't finally succumbed to the curse you suddenly were a little less sure of being real, and just had some bad mushroom soup.  I know it isn't fair but I will always consider organic, magic free, food to mean food grown by brain dead hicks too stupid to separate the poisonous fungus from the normal, yet still cut it up in such a way to make identifying the difference for anypony else impossible.

"Seriously, Trixie would like some explanations.  The deductive and observant Trixie may be the greatest sleuth the world has ever known, but even she cannot work with nothing.  Explain all this bat pony nonsense."

"I too am curious.  Clearly you have a changeling's sharpeshifting…"

"I wish." Said Sweetsong.

"It isn't quite as good.  Most bat ponies can't even do anything other than pegasai.  Though they can do any pegasus they choose."

"And more importantly we can't change our cutie marks."

"Or rather."  Said Nightshade.  "They have cutie marks, unlike changelings.  Also their natural form is rather more pleasant to the majority of ponykind."

"Hmmm, yes, we suppose so.  We like the little fluffy bits near the ears especially.  We always felt that especially adorable.  So changelings can just create new species?"

Nightshade laughed.  "I suppose.  Its not like we've tried since, and some enchantment in the armor might have been involved as well.  Or simply some lingering magic of Nightmare herself.  It's hard to say."

"So is that really the big secret you're badly trying to hide from Trixie?  That all the ponies with the obvious transformation magic are bat ponies, the two with slightly less obvious magic transformed sea ponies, and the subtle ones changelings?"

"Wait."  Nightshade was staring at her.  "You can see through our transformations?"

"I hardly need to but yes, of course Trixie can.  She is not some little foal unlearned in the ways of magic."

I frowned.  "You somehow got a changeling to specifically teach you, didn't you?"

"That's impossible." Said Blossom.

I rolled my eyes. "Clearly you know far more than I thought, but it's not even that hard.  I figured out how to do it from a book."

Then I looked up to see Blossom, Song, and Nightshade staring at me.  Luna just smiled.  Trixie of course turned her head up, nose in the air.  I never even thought about seeing Nightshade's real green slitted eyes, or any of my girls with the same.  Then I had a sudden thought.  What if that's not what she meant?  Changelings have to use illusions to hide their eyes since it's the one thing they can't alter, but what if Trixie means seeing some distortion in the magic itself.  Celestia and Luna can't even do that.  I then shook my head.  What a ridiculous thought.  Then Luna turned to Trixie, and her brow furrowed.

"Hmm, though I suppose that is a quandary." Said Luna  "The answer seems obvious enough."

"Ignoring somepony's vague mumblings for the moment, I still haven't got my answer.  Also Trixie still wants to know how many other tribes of ponies there are beyond the obvious three."

"Counting all three types of fey as separate breeds…" began Blossom

"Which you should." Nightshade and Song echoed

"There are six hidden."

"Six?" I asked

"Yes, though I am in truth not sure a single Kirin remains in Equestria."

Trixie laughed.  "Ha, that's ridiculous.  Trixie may have missed one but clearly you are all sadly misinformed.  Trixie can think of at least 17.  Trixie must be going now."

Then there was a cloud of smoke and she was gone.  Except I couldn’t see her fleeing in any direction, or any hint of a disturbance anywhere around us.  If she has an invisibility spell so perfect not even the master of the moon and illusions herself can see through it, then why in the world does she use the smoke bombs.  For that matter even if she did require them to vanish properly, why does it so rarely work right?

Blossom sighed.  "Ugh, thinking about this is giving me a migraine."

"Well, at least it makes things a little easier.  I mean the changelings under Trixie will be happy to…"

"That reminds us." Said Luna  "Nightshade, we are still a bit surprised to see you here.  You said you would not waver but…"

"I said those under my command would serve you faithfully forever more.  A few have had their forever end one way or another but we don't age."

"Yea, speaking of that.  The Captain is fey right?"

Luna nodded.  "Obviously.  Ponies don't simply stop aging for no reason.  Though it's so faint I can't even tell which of the three tribes it is."

I just stared forward for a good long while.  Well at least I finally had an explanation.  Then suddenly I dashed up to Luna, shaking her with my front hooves.

"What does this mean for my sister?"

There was a chorus of gasps.  I thought they were as concerned as I was at first, but then I realized I was shaking the regent of the moon I had sworn to protect.  I immediately pulled back, and lay myself prostrate before her.

"I am so sorry your majesty.  Any punishment…."

Luna sighed.  "Sky, do you really think I would punish you for worrying about your sister."

"That was certainly surprising." Said Blossom

"Worried?" said Song.  "Worried about what?  That she'll get awesome powers or, that she'll be semi immortal."

"Unaging just means you're doomed to a painful death." Said Nightshade with a smile.

Luna laughed.  "Ever the charmer eh Nightshade?"

"I try."  He then smiled widely.

I stood up.  "I don't mean to impose but…"

"We, aren't certain."  Luna then smiled.  "The wondrously new situation of the elements complicates everything.  Still, your subordinate is right.  Worry is not the right emotion, even if it is in it's own way logical to worry."

"So nothing bad will happen to her?"

Luna frowned.  "That I cannot promise.  Still, I can assure you that while the heritage is clear as can be in her aura it is currently meaningless as far as I can tell."

"But it won't stay that way?" asked Nightshade.

"Perhaps we should call it a night." Said Blossom  "Especially since I probably don't even have the clearance for what I already know.  Also Trixie hasn't really left yet."

"What?  The shocked and amazed Trixie cannot believe you knew."

"I did not."  Blossom then smiled.

There was then a brief silence and the distinctive sound of hoof striking face.  "The gullible and foalish Trixie cannot believe she just fell for that."

I smiled.  "I can."

"We really thought at the time you might have been kidding about insulting Trixie."

"Yes, miss Blossomforth is right.  Now isn't a good time.  Though I will say there is a certain matter we should discuss in private latter.  As in only your loyal captain and yourself.  But I need to make a few more inquires to be sure first anyway."

Then he bowed, and vanished into the shadows.  The shadows that had become suddenly far darker than they should have been.  Nightshade had founded EMI, and written most of their training manuals himself.  He decided there were all sorts of ways to serve Luna, not just her guard.  Most of Equestria's best spies were changelings.  Celestia somehow had no clue.  At some point I really need to look into that if Luna doesn't.  It's too bad I'm magically barred from simply asking Celestia about it.        

> Apple Farming
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"ARE YOU SURE WE MAY NOT USE MAGIC?"

Applejack cringed.  Rarity had probably done the same when Luna got loud, but I didn't notice it.  I think the rest of us were nearly used to it.  Though it had never bothered me much in the first place.  Applejack shook her head and straitened her hat.

"Ah'm sure Princess.  I sure do appreciate your help, but there is a certain way the apple family does things, and unless there is a good reason that ain't changing."

"Does though mean what happened last, what was it, ah yes, apple bucking season?"

"So ah guess ya really did read all them reports Twi sent in huh?  Yea, that was quite the pickle, and if ah really need the help then you can try something magical like, but truth be told yer friends is more than enough by themselves.  That stripy girl sure can kick."

"Yes, and she seems to be improving her skills so not to damage the trees.  Art though certain that…"

"Look I wanna say yes, and I know yer good fer it, and Applebloom and the crusaders might find that tree yet, but I'm thinking they won't."

Luna sighed.  "You are probably correct."

"And these trees are more than just trees to me.  I know it's sentimental, but I'll miss that feller.  So just keeping pulling the carts.  Or just forget this silly debt of yours."

"IT IS NOT SILLY.  OUR ETERNAL GRATITUDE…"  Luna blinked.  "My apologies.  Our eternal gratitude is yours.  It is a debt that can never be repaid.  You six have given us everything back.  We only wish we could do more."

"What ya mean everything?"

"First and foremost you have returned our sanity.  All that once was so bent and distorted has become crystal clear.  Never have we felt this way before.  Second in doing so you have given us back our sister, and freed us from our imprisonment.  Third though your actions you have given us a chance to make friends.  WE OWE THEE EVERYTHING."

Applejack blinked.  I decided to at least try and focus again, even as I felt like crying.  Apple bucking wasn't that hard.  It's mostly a matter of a swift well controlled kick.  Every apple I had met in my years of service to Equestria seemed to have a natural knack for military training, and now I knew why.  I really should have simply asked well before now.  I delivered a swift kick, aimed just right.  The yield wasn't half as good as Applejack's but apparently pegasai seemed to have some trouble with apple bucking.  Father said strive to be the best at anything you do, and I have always taken that advice to heart, no matter how temporary this may be.

"Good job again Sky.  Ah tried to teach Rainbow how to buck right, but she got right frustrated and gave up near right away.  Thought it was just her being lazy, but ah reckon there might just be something to what she said."

"What did she say?"

"That the only reason bucking works is earth pony magic."

"Hmm, strange." Said Luna  "Rainbow Dash does not seem to be the type so be so insightful, especially about magic."

"Wait, ya mean she's right?"

"Yes, in fact if she didn't have unusually high alignment with the earth for a pegasus my captain here would be doing even worse."

"What?" I asked

"Yea, what the hay you talking about?"

"Each pony has their own magic, but all ponies are magic.  Earth ponies are the only ones that can truly buck a tree as you do.  They may follow your motions, but without the right magic the tree shall not yield the same amount of apples."

"Well how do you like that.  Never heard nothing like that before.  There any other sort of things only earth ponies can do?"

"Well I don't know about only earth ponies, but the entire school of earth magic is most easily preformed by earth ponies.  The effects may not be the flashiest, especially at the beginner level, but an earthquake is hard to ignore."

"What?" Applejack and I echoed.

"That is not common knowledge?  There seems to be little mention of earth mages for some time, but surely not all that knowledge has been lost."

I blinked, suddenly remembering something.  "Not lost, sealed.  You worked on almost all of it.  I never read it but I do remember one of the spell slingers…"

"The what now?"

"Spell slingers." Said Luna "Common name for military unicorns.  But surely that cannot be.  While strong talent is far more rare than among unicorns there have always been a good number of earth mages among the ponies."

"Not to mention lightning soldiers.  That I remember.  There hasn't been anything like that but in old pony tales for some time."

"Well maybe that ain't right since most of us thought Luna was an old pony tail."  Then her eyes narrowed.  "Though it sounds like a few fellers in Canterlot knew exactly what was coming and…"

"No.  We had various materials, but until Celestia had us plant the books on the elements of harmony and Nightmare Moon we had no idea there even was a prophecy."

"WHAT DID THOU JUST SAY."

I sighed.  I continue to forget that Celestia has clearly not explained everything to Luna.  I also continue to wonder how much is oversight and how much is intended.  I closed my eyes and waited for the glaring alicorn to calm down, her mane formed into tentacle like clumps swirling about randomly.  Why is it so many dangerous things have tentacles?  She then sighed herself, her mane becoming more solid once again, and blowing gently in the etheric wind I could neither see nor feel.

"I am calm."

"That was our primary duty.  The skills we were by regulation to practice could be used for many things, but most are at the best sneaky.  Though my talent is not silence itself, like my sister my name is appropriate, so I am very good at it."

"So wait, the book that told Twi all about nightmare braking out was given to you by Celestia herself?"

"Yes.  Though the story is common enough, those particular books are not."

"I think we must have words with mine sister about all this."

Then Luna vanished and I was left alone with Applejack.  I sighed.  I hoped she remembered she left us here.  One conversation literally lasted several days.  Trying to stay on duty the whole time was not one of my better ideas.

"We ain't done here."

"Why not?  Would you really feel better if Celestia in all her wisdom didn't foresee a worst case scenario and do her best to be prepared."

"But it seemed like it was all up to us.  If she knew…"

"As I said, you were successful, and possibly you were the only six that could have been."

"So, it was us or nothing.  But why?  Ah ain't nothing special.  Any apple…"

"Are you sure?"

"Whu?"

"Are you sure that's really true?  I have liked every apple I've ever met, but if the stories are true you are more honest than all of them."

"Who are you?"

I sighed.  "Just one of your best friend's sisters.  But I'm not surprised she didn't mention me.  I'm not important.  You and the others are.  She's serious about this you know."

"You mean Luna?  Bout what exactly?"

"Paying you back.  But I don't think that's really what she wants right now.  She'd give you anything you desire, but just wants your friendship."

"Ah'm not so sure I can give her that.  Ah mean…"

"She's not the sister you should doubt.  It's not her orders you're suddenly unsure of.  She doesn't talk about it much, but she said she felt Luna be purified."

"Now you're talking about your sister.  So who is it?"

"I'm suddenly not sure I should say."

I attempted to fly off but then I felt a tug on my tail.  AJ then smiled, and I quickly got away from her with the relaxed pressure.  Then she laughed.

"Maybe I don't gotta ask after all.  That seemed mighty familiar."

I sighed.  "I assume you have something else to say."

"No, you do."

"I really don't.  I barely know you.  She's my sister.  It's as simple as can be who I owe the greater loyalty to.  Unless you can figure it out yourself I won't tell you.  And I don't mean guessing, I mean knowing."

"But…"  Then AJ stomped her front hooves and sighed.  "This is dumb ain't it?"

I said nothing.

"None of this changes nothing, and yer right about yer sister, ain't you.  Plus if you are Dash's sister you don't work nothing like her, and that makes you alright in my book."

I sighed, then laughed.  I did like AJ.  My sister said if I ever met her I would like her and I did.  Hard work and reward based on the merit of that work.  There was more to her.  I was certainly not half that honest for one.  But I'm sure there were many things we could agree on.

"I have an idea.  As an apology I will take my ladies, and if they're not too busy looking impressive the boys too, and have them try apple bucking."

"Uh, now you don't have to go and do that."

"No, I was a bit harsh.  Besides I don't mean it merely as a favor, I also think it would be good training."

"Well I guess I can't argue with that none."

"I will ask my sister next time we speak.  Unless she has a very good reason I will tell you the next time we talk after that."

I flew off again, this time I wasn't stopped.  I was still curious where Bee and Firecracker had gone.  They had come up with some idea, but Firecracker explained it so other than something was going to get blown up I didn't catch much in her excited state.  I decided visiting my sister now seemed like a good a time as any.

> Trixie's unseen show
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"A zony stands before me.  Truly a sight I thought I would not see."

The zebra had to be Zecora.   Her mane and bands marked her clearly as a shamare.  I once again wondered what she was doing so far from home.  Living in the Everfree on the other hoof now made perfect sense.  Unless she was far younger than she looked, and more importantly far less experienced, she would actually thrive in the dark wood.  Azy smiled.

"Uh, rhyming is not really my thing.  Rhythm and beat is what I'm about.  Music fills my soul, and makes it sing.  For example all I can think to rhyme, is trout."

Zecora laughed.  "Truly spoken this is fact.  A rhyme quite forced, to use no tact.  But far apart these things are not.  From one to the other is a simple trot."

"Yes, but I was raised in Braytin most of my life, and the rest in Canterlot.  I haven't had much use for Zebra, so it slipped away.  Also because my talent is music I'm exposed to all these other sorts of rhythm daily."

"Talk more we must.  Curious you are too I trust?"

Azy nodded.  "I certainly didn't expect to meet a zebra today."

"Then follow me to town good zony.  You can come with me as I visit the pony."

"Luna is it okay if…"

"Of course."

Zecora had practically ignored Luna.  I suppose she wasn't really one of her subjects, a visitor to our land, but it was the polite thing to do.  Then I blinked, suddenly remembering something.  Zebras don't bow.  It wasn't the most important tenet of their culture, but it was actually more important than the rhyming.  I landed in front of Luna, opened my mouth, then closed it again.  I was about to take to the air again when Luna sighed.  I saw Dream off in the distance, finally realizing we left, or at least finally bothering to catch up.

"Sky, ask thy question.  When I did not know you as I did this was a minor annoyance, but once again.  You are my friend."

"Luna." I whispered "It still feels wrong" then cringed slightly realizing she would of course hear that.  "First about the rhyming.  I thought Azy didn't do it because she isn't full blooded not…"

"You think Zebra's have to rhyme.  As in they physically must?"    

"No, I thought she was an outcast and thus didn't need to.  Or am I wrong."

"In truth only shamres, like Zecora must always rhyme.  Rhyming is considered polite however.  That's why Azy made the effort to at least keep it up for a little while in her own way."

"So does that mean they consider all Equestraians rude."

"Not really.  Zebra is a much easier language to rhyme.  Also there are some issues about rank I never really understood.  Other than talking to nobility and introductions it wouldn’t ever be required.  Zebra society is different."

"I'm confused.  They have rules of behavior for us separate from their own?"

"Neigh.  It is more the rules can be applied to our society in some way that seems obvious to them.  It is of little import."

"But you have to rhyme greetings to be polite?"

"Other than that.  In truth we should talk to them thusly the whole time, but neither mine sister or myself can stand that."

"So do we follow them or…"

"I trust Azalea.  Zebra shamares have always held my trust."

"But you really don't trust Trixie?"  I smiled widely

Luan shook her head.  "She is somewhat trying, but not that bad.  I simply wish to see what sort of fuss she is causing."

"I never said I think it's something horrible.  But you do think it is some problem.  That is not entirely trustworthy."

Luna sighed.  "Indeed.  I have grown fond of her, but not I do not trust her left to her own devices.  When ordered to do a task she is quite dependable, if she is truly capable of it, but that may be unique to me."

"It is.  Even knowing she was ordered to serve by Celestia herself it was difficult to get her to follow orders."

"I see.  Well I am also very curious.  The predicaments she gets herself in are often quite the enjoyable little things."

I just sighed.  If it wasn't for Luna and Celestia, Trixie would be in prison by now, no doubt.  I just had to trust their judgement that somehow she's worth the effort.  If she just wasn't such a lazy braggart maybe I could see her good points, but I felt I would just see her more minor flaws easier.  Though I suppose seeing her in trouble could be rather entertaining.  I just wish I didn't seem to do such much work cleaning up her messes.

Speaking of messes we walked past the charred circle of grass Firecracker had caused yesterday.  I really should have known better than to just leave her alone when she had that look in her eye.  At least Bee's burns were minor.  Firecracker healed them right up.  Practice does make perfect clearly.





Trixie's show had apparently gone over well enough.  Nothing exploded, some ponies even had nice things to say.  The only real problem occurred when we startled her by teleporting nearby.  I looked at the cart full of cabbages sitting on the cloud in front of us.  I used a hoof to scratch my head.  Luna came up beside me.

"Why would an earth pony enchant their cart to move on clouds."

"Tis most strange yes."

Then with a flash it was gone.  I thought we soon would, but instead, Luna looked about and after a moment nodded.  She then stood on the now empty cloud.  I did the same after a moment.

"I have a question for you Sky.  Why do you have such loyalty to me."

I looked away.  "Well at the time I thought that…"

"I well know you have read my journals.  Though they were once sealed against such Sunny told me she did everything she could to understand what went wrong.  This included breaking the seals on my journals permanently."

"And noticed there are some things I would only know if…"

"Yes."  She nodded  "I do not mind, in fact the result has been pleasant, but I am curious.  You know everything, so why have I earned your loyalty."

"Because you deserve it."

There was a long silence.  At first because Luna stood there in wide eyed shock.  Then followed by a short wait as she calmed down.  Next came a slight frown, and finnaly a snort.

"Is that all you have to say."

"It's all I feel I need to say, but I could elaborate if you wish."

She nodded.

"I know all the bad, but all the good too.  Also I saw your descent clear as could be from your writing.  You were not in the right, but your issues were very real.  Most of all I belive with a second chance you will be better."

"And?"

I shook my head.  "I could give specific examples to what I mean, but that seems pointless.  You know what you've written.  I know you.  I belive in you.  Anything is is just meaningless details."

"But…"

"No"  I took a deep breath.  "You ordered me to speak my mind.  That's what I belive.  You can order me to say more, but as I said, it's pointless."

"I, see."

"Now, where to next mam?"

"Uh, we should make sure that pony is aware we recovered his stand.  He seemed quite upset about his missing produce."

I nodded and when she flew off followed.  I could keep up with her so clearly this was a contemplative flight.  She was always slower when thinking heavily about something.  Unless she was flying slowly on purpose it was the only time I could keep up with her.  I really wish she wouldn’t be so reckless.  

> Sister
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I had been a little curious but then she combed the hair into my face.  I sighed.  Yep, it was obvious Rarity had figured it out now, and was just making sure.  I had a feeling this process was talking far too long.  The various measuring tapes flew away, along with everything else nearby.

"So what was the big tip off."

"Oh come now.  You may not think so but you two have nearly the same bone structure, and your lines were nearly identical before you entered the guard."

"I doubt that.  I am much older than her.  She was born when I was in basic."

"Oh, you don't look that much older.  In fact if it wasn't for your coloration I think you could impersonate Fluttershy with a little hair styling.  It's even long enough."

"My mane sticks out of my helmet as you noticed, and even if it didn't they're all enchanted to fit any style.  Bumblesweet keeps her hair like that."

"As I said, a very hoofy enchantment.  I must ask Luna how she managed it."

"Actually my girls make most of the armor now.  Thanks to Luna we can even modify the designs easily now.  Only mine is special.  It's still in service because it's relatively invulnerable and will actually repair itself."

Rarity went wide eyed.  "And that sounds even better."  Then she sighed.  "Though I suppose that's beyond me."

"I've been rather enjoying these last few days without it actually, and Luna still hasn't brought it back yet so perhaps you would like me to pass along your request to study it?"

"Oh, that would be wonderful."  Then she blinked.  "Wait, it's really on the moon?"

"Yes.  She briefly sent Trixie there once.  It saddens me it was at least not twice."

Rarity laughed.  "Yes, Luna mentioned it now that I think of it.  Though in truth I have grown rather fond of her with time.  She is still far too full of herself but she is also a mare of exquisite taste.  And not just her love of my designs."

"I suppose.  I'm fine with just anything.  I don't really care about fashion."

Rarity shook her head.  "Ah, you say that, but that is simply because you have never seen any fashion that speaks to you."

"Well the dresses you make, especially the ones for my sister, are all very pretty, but I really can't say anything beyond that."

"Pretty.  Hmmmm."  Rarity then jerked upward, a huge smile on her face.  "Oh now that's just perfect.  Hmm, It might take a bit of extra work, but it could open a whole new market.  Yes, I must create."

She was nearly out of the room before I realized it.  I was quickly in front of her.  She gasped and nearly stumbled.  Hmm, forgot to make noise I think.

"Oh my, I didn't even hear you move."

"Sorry.  So you have an idea?"

"Oh yes, a wonderful idea.  I think I may need a little more input, but I wish to talk to Fluttershy about you a bit anyway.  I really don't see why…"

"I have never been a big part of her life.  I know her mostly though her letters.  I was once very worried about her, but one by one I saw her gain more and more friends.  Dash is as loyal as can be, but she alone would not be enough."

"And now you've taken your own advice?"

I blinked.  "You've already talked to her, haven't you?"

"We speak often, but yesterday was spa day."

"So you knew the first day then?"

"Of course.  I wasn't sizing you up today. I was taking some extra measurements to see how close you two really are.  I must say you don't seem that much older at all."

"That's because I stopped aging."

She just stared.  I couldn't blame her.  In retrospect this wasn't that great an idea.  Some of the girls knew, but most didn't.  Rarity shook her head.

"I'm sorry darling but…"

"I said I stopped aging.  I don't…"  then sighed.  "Didn't, know why.  None of the doctors know why.  Luna did, but didn't explain it until recently.  And I most certainly can't tell you that."

"Because it's a state secret?"

"Yes, but also because all those whose swear an oath to the moon guard fall under a geas not to talk about a certain subject.  This skirts the edge of that subject."

"Oh, how mysterious."  She got a far off look in her eyes for a second, then shook her head.  "Now when you say stop aging…"

"It's not just appearance.  The armor's intense healing and fortification spells are so good that as long as you're wearing it you don't appear to age."

"That sounds marvelous."

"Yes, I suppose.  However it's been confirmed that is not the case with me."

"So you're immortal?"

"Possibly.  I am as easily injured as any other pegasus.  Old age is only one of countless ways to die."

Rarity cringed.  "Ah, yes.  You are certainly, different, from your sister, aren't you?"

I nodded.  "Indeed."

"Hmm, though there are some similarities besides that lovely bone structure."

"We get that from mom.  She's really amazing.  The only pony I know that can make my sister look plain."

One of Rarity's eyebrows began to twitch, and she started muttering something.  I think it was "more" but I could be wrong.  Then she got a dazed far off look in her eyes.  After a long period of silence, where I sat quietly and patiently, she shook her had and focused on me again.

"Ah, sorry.  I just had this image of the three of you in kimonos for some reason and…"

"I got the impression Fluttershy hasn't told you anything about our mother."

"She hasn't, why do you…"

"Because she is from Neighpon.  In fact Shy-shy should have a picture of the three of us in kimonos.  Dad jokes he can't look at it directly because so much beauty in one place is blinding."  I smiled.  "He can be surprisingly sappy at times."  

Rarity had that distant look again.  "I see."  Then she shook her head.  "No Rarity, now is not the time.  Focus on the here and now."

"Actually unless there is something else I think we're done here.  You could go talk to my sister about this immediately, as I'm sure…"

She waved a hoof.  "Yes yes, we're done.  I am tempted, but surely it can wait."

"Very well.  So who's next?  Unless you're busy again?"

"No, no emergencies.  Also you were last.  I even got those two pegasai of yours that weren't with you that first day."

"Yes, Luna informed them of her decision on the gala the moment they got back.  It put Luna in a much better mood."

"I still wish I could do something a bit more with that stallion of yours though."

"What exactly do you mean by that?"

"While I don't make many suits for stallions there are considerably less options open to me in terms of pattern and to an extent color."

"An extent?"

"Yes.  I could really make a suit any shade I choose without upsetting the lines too much, unlike some patterns which just can't work, but there are just so many that just are not accepted with stallions."

"And you can't change the suits at all?"

"Possibly, but honestly that's never really been my focus.  Also the gala is very traditonal so I couldn't try even if I was properly inspired.  One of these days I really must branch out, but so far my muse just isn't there."

"So once again, we're done?"

"Yes.  Though don't you specifically have some time off?"

I nodded.  "That is why I want to go.  I don't really like time off, but if I have to take it, I will take full advantage of it."

I then left the back room and out the front door.  Only after I left I realized that might have been a bit rude.  I guess was anxious even though I was seeing a lot more of my sister lately.





It was truly quiet.  I wouldn't have heard her approach otherwise.  She gently set down beside me.  Neither of us said anything for a long time after that.  It was fine.  But we had a lot to talk about, and one of us had to start.

"Hello Fluttershy."

"Hello Sky.  It's nice to see you again.  I mean besides you standing guard when Luna comes for tea.  You were right.  She is a very nice pony.  Even though she's so loud sometimes, and only Angel isn't scared of her."

"That's not really true."

"Oh, I'm sorry.  You're right.  The bats like her too, and lots of the other cute little night dwellers seem to as well, but I forget since they're usually still asleep."

There was another long silence.  The sun was low, but not down quite yet.  It was too early for the bugs, but too late for at least most of the birds.  But this little hill was far enough away from any perches so it was blissfully quiet.

"This is a nice place."

"Yes.  I do like her.  She knows that right?  I mean Twilight and the others are special, but I'm still her friend."

"I know.  By simply talking over a long period of time you saw her kindness, and Rarity saw her generosity by buying us all our gala dresses, and one suit."

"Dream is a nice pony too, and funny, but weird.  He really reminds me of Pinkie sometimes.  She is already Luna's friend."

"Pinkie's probably second to last.  Luna is avoiding the center of town for a number of reasons, though I fear disappointing Twilight is not the most important."

"Oh my, really?  Twilight has been very worried that Luna will show up soon and that she might disappoint her somehow, or on Nightmare Night she already did.  She was getting really bad until Pinkie threw her a party."

"So, Dash is who Luna is trying to talk to now."

"She doesn't like Luna.  Part of it is what happened Nightmare Night, even if she's said it was a great prank a few times."

"But mostly it's something else.  I talked to her first.  I knew you'd still be busy.  Dash said she's a betrayer.  That she betrayed her sister."

"She did."  She gasped  "Oh my, I mean not that she would now but…"

"We all know it happened.  It was a long time ago and everything was different, but yes, it was a betrayl.  Even Luna admits this freely."

"Sorry."

"It's okay Shy-Shy."

Dash had been a little too agitated to clear that up, but I got it now.  It didn't explain why she thought it was so bad, but it did explain why I ended up watching over a crying Luna minutes after she left to talk to Rainbow Dash.  The sun was really setting now, the moon coming up in the distance.  Luna and Celestia seemed to have a great relationship now, even with the pranks, but neither wanted to talk of the past.  I wasn't sure if that was a good idea or not.

"So what do I do?  I have to help her."

"Have them race."

"What?" I turned to look at my sister

"It, will work.  I know it sounds strange but Dash will know.  She'll know what she felt was real and everything will be okay."

"How?"  I looked back at the sunset

"I don't know, she's just that amazing."

I almost turned to look at her eyes, but decided I'd rather not know.  "The crush is still there then?"

"Maybe.  It's not like everypony thinks though.  She's just so incredible, and she was the only one there.  My only friend until I was knocked off that cloud."  Then she suddenly gasped.  "Oh I don't mean only friend I meant…"

I sighed.  "I know what you meant Shy-shy.  I wasn't there enough to be much of a friend really.  Don't worry about it.  Now what were you saying?"

"Oh, uh.  Sky-sky, you sure you're…"

"I'm fine.  You said you were knocked off that cloud then…"

"Oh.  Well then I saw the ground and met so many new animal friends.  That was all.  She's just so amazing.  It's hard not to admire her."

"So you're sure that's all it is.  Not…"

"I'm sure."  Then she blinked  "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."

"It's okay."

I smiled at that.  I just wanted her to be happy.  I felt she deserved somepony in her life in that way, but Fluttershy always avoided the issue.  Hinting that her admiration for Dash was a crush was as far as I was willing to push it.  I then grabbed her in a hug.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"Not being a good enough sister."

"No, that's not true.  I wish I saw you more, but you're good enough.  You're just busy.  What you do is important."

"I'll come more."

"It's okay."

"I'm sorry."

She pulled out of the hug.  "It's okay.  I'm not worth worrying about."

I shook my head.  "You are."  I smiled.  "I wasn't surprised you know.  Dad was when he heard you defeated a dragon with a stare and a few harsh words, but I always knew you had it in you."

"I didn't."

"That's okay.  Big sisters know these things.  Also the really important thing is it's there, not that you know it is."

"But the stare…"

"I wasn't talking about the stare."

I wiped my eyes, sat down more normally and scooted away slightly, then looked at the near complete sunset.  I took a deep breath.  That was stupid.  That whole thing was just plain dumb.  I then turned to see Fluttershy crying with a big smile on her face.  I was wrong, it wasn't stupid at all.  Then she hugged me.  Not even a little.

> The race's aftermath
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	They were laughing like a couple of mad mares.  Then Dash suddenly stopped, giving Luna a half-hearted glare, then laughed again.  The course she described was both long and vague.  Luna had to cast several different powerful spells for me to even be within sight of them.  I considered myself a very skilled flyer, but not fast.  It was strange to move so fast, even if I could tell it was just some kind of trick and I still lagged way behind.  At one point both of them even tried to go though the same very small window in Cloudsdale.  After they seemed to come to an agreement then and the rest of the race was little more than showing off.  

This culminated in a sonic boom, but not quite a true sonic rainboom, it only leaving a small rainbow ring behind.  I had seen the real thing, Luna, Dream, Sweetsong and I high in the sky since it was always a better view than the stands, even if it was more work.  Dream complained about flying the whole time of course.  We certainly weren't disappointed.  Dash always seemed impressive, but that was the first time I really saw how Fluttershy could gush about how amazing she was and not be in love with her.  I finally caught up Luna and Dash reclining on a large cloud next to the tree that marked the start and finish of the race.  Dream was supposedly in the race as well, but lagged behind, and eventually out of sight entirely.

Sweetsong declined the invitation entirely.  I think she had spent the whole of the race simply sitting on this cloud strumming away at her mandolin.  She of course currently looked like a normal pegasus.  Her mane was fairly short and she wore a black beret whenever not in uniform.  Her tail was in a tight complex braid.  Her purple mandolin matched her cutie mark nearly exactly.  She had told me the long story of getting the custom made thing created.  She smiled gently but said nothing.  She tended to get very quiet when she played though sometimes it would go the other direction.

"So it was in truth this simple to change thou mind?"

"No, I still don’t trust…"  Then she sighed.   "Okay, yes, it was, but it's not why you think.  I can just tell."

"How?"

"You'll just laugh.  Well Twilight gave me this long lecture how it doesn't make sense but even Fluttershy thought I was being silly, no matter how long it took for her to say it."

"This was her idea actually." I added.

"Oh, well, uh, I guess she believed me anyway."  Dash shrugged.  "Whatever."

"Yes, it's been a long difficult ordeal to get her to not be terrified of me.  From the very beginning she showed nothing but kindness, but more so fear."

"And now you even got Sky to bat for you."

"Dash, I'm the captain of her personal guard.  You should know this."

Dash blinked.  "Oh yea, I remember now.  Though at the time you didn't say it was Luna's guard, but something else."

"The Moon Guard.  We who guard the moon and her princess.  I was honor bound not to mention Luna but I did know whom I had pledged my loyalty."

"I get that now.  I mean if I would have taken that deal I really would have been captain of the Shadowbolts, huh?"

Luna nodded.  "Likely.  I see no reason to recreate the team created purely out of spite to upstage mine sister's, but they did used to exist, and the armor of great power Sky often wears was made when I was Nightmare as a gift, not as Luna."

"So how did this work?" I asked  "I had little doubt Fluttershy would be proven right, but I still don't understand how."

"I'd rather not.  It's kinda dumb."

"WORRY NOT."  Luna sighed.  "We shall certainly not laugh, but we would very much like to hear thine answer.  We suspect we know what we shall hear."

"Huh?"  She shook her head.  "Nevermind.  Okay, see it's like this.  Whenever I fly with someone, I know them."

I just blinked.  But Luna got a great big smile on her face.  This was swiftly followed by a frown.  Then she seemed to simply stare at some point far away even higher up in the clouds.  Dash then waved a hoof in front of her eyes.  That finally snapped her out of it.

"Well at least you didn't laugh."

"So sorry.  Please young Dash, we are nearly certain but would like you to elaborate more upon your experience"

Dash sat there blinking for a second.  "Oh, okay, I get it now.  See, it's like, once I'm up there flying next to any other flyer, even griffins, not just pegasai…"

"You've flown next to a griffin?  I know Sunny has made strides with the kingdom but it still seems strange for you to have met one."

Dash laughed.  "Maybe to you, but I more than met one."  Then she sighed.  "In fact I've been feeling guilty lately because I realized Gilda was mean, but I forgot she was always like that.  Lashing out because she's way more fragile than she lets on."  Dash then Tilted her head a bit.  "Well she's kinda a jerk in general too, but mostly the other thing."

"What does though mean?" said Luna

"Gilda.  I swear I know that name." I said

"I know a really mean song about a Gilda, but I don't think it's about a griffin." Added Sweetsong, then laughed.  "Imagine that, a griffin and a pony together."

Dash shook her head.  "Forget about her.  The point is most of the time it's easy to ignore, but I always know.  I can get a feel for the pony, or whatever.  I know who they are deep down, even if I don't understand everything."

"But a rough idea of who they are.  So you know I am what I claim to be and I really don't want to cause any trouble and…"

"More than that you're like Celestia and want to help ponies.  That and you're sad, really sad, because you regret something.  I can guess what."

Luna smiled.  "You're right of course, though I try not to wallow.  I'm trying to move forward.  Thou, thing, is very real in fact.  Thou art reading mine aura."

"I thought that was just a unicorn thing." Said Dash

"So did I."

Sweetsong smirked.  Obviously bat ponies and changelings had the same ability as well, but neither of us could say that.  Luna shook her head.  Dash jumped off the cloud and after briefly dropping out of sight, flew back up, rainbow trail behind her.  For a brief moment Song stopped strumming, but then began again as Dash reappeared, something with a far faster pace.  Dash then stopped and came to a hover, then threw her front hooves in the air.

"Hah, I knew I wasn't crazy."

"Do you want to know how?" I asked

"Nah, I get it.  All ponies are magic, so I can read auras too, but only while flying.  I'm the only pegasus awesome enough to figure it out though."

"Thou left out that it has to be a species using air magic to fly, like other pegasai, or griffins.  Otherwise you can't detect anything, and you have to be generating your own magic at the time."

"Yea, every pegasus knows the speech about how big our wings should have to be for us to fly.  They aren't though, and we do, so what does it really matter?"

"More than you think.  The Shadowbolts of old were masters of air magic, some even able to cast on the ground outright."

"Wait, I thought you just said the Shadowbolts were…"

"A stunt team formed over a thousand years ago?" I asked

"Yes, you merely assumed that when the Wonderbolts were formed…"

Dash face hooved.  "Oh duh.  How could I forget?  I mean I know everything about the Wonderbolts, including they used to be just an elite attack squadron."

"Used to be?" I said, then smiled

"Huh?  As in they still are?  But they're not…"  Dash sighed

"Yes, they are in fact still part of the military.  It is less than clear but the Wonderbolts do serve at her royal highness princess Celestia's whim."

"Wait, but you dad said…"

"They aren't part of the Air Force due to chain of command issues.  Like the Moon guard they are a separate sub-branch that reports directly to a ruler.  Celestia in this case."

"Oh.  Well so what.  I mean it's not like I've let the princess down anyway, so who cares."

I laughed.  Dash and Luna both looked at me funny, but I wasn't going to bother to explain the joke.  Dash's casual loyalty probably isn't funny to anypony else anyway.  Dash then turned back to Luna.

"Yea, so anyway, does Celestia really not fly that much?"

"She certainly uses her wings, but for the most part she does prefer running or teleporting for travel.  She doesn't do the latter in front of others often so ponies are likely to forget she can.  It helps with pranks."

Dash laughed.  "The princess is a prankster?  Yea right."

"Oh it's very true.  In fact I'm surprised after that report on the two of you pulling all those pranks she hasn't roped you and Pinkie into something by now."

"Report?  Those things aren't that long, I've heard Twilight dictate them and…"

"You think the letters are the reports?  No, she's far more through than that.  She sends very exhaustive reports every so often.  They lag well behind the letters and current events but they're full of detail."

Dash laughed and landed at nearly the same time.  I wanted to know more about this pegasai aura reading, but it wasn't my place to bring it up.  Detecting magic like it was a shift in the air current was one thing, but this sounded different.  Though I suppose to follow orders I should bring it up eventually, but at the very least it can wait.  Dash then spent a few moments making herself comfortable on the cloud, ending with her laying her head against a rise in the cloud like a pillow.  She then laughed again, followed by a yawn.

"Oh man, that so sounds like that egg head.  It's like some college paper on friendship right?  Did she really not get that whole thing was just an excuse?"

"I asked Sunny the same thing.  She isn't sure either, but said considering how fast Twilight can type using her computer her current output is comparatively low."

"Wait, she actually has a computer down there with all the other weird junk?"

"Yes, and is quite adept with the horn attachment for typing.  I personally am so bad with it it's usually faster to use an abacus even though said machines are designed for math."

"Seriously?"  Then Dash sat up.  "Hey, wait, if you know about the pranks, how come you didn't know about Gilda?"

"Sunny reads them out loud, but not in whole.  She read the descriptions of the pranks but fell silent when she was reading whatever was said about the actual lesson."

"Oh."  She lay her had back down, and started shifting bits of cloud around.  "I'm still going be watching you ya know.  I think I can trust you, but I might be wrong.  I just figure I can let up though.  Somepony else can manage I'm sure."

Then she closed her eyes and went to sleep.  I smiled.  Dash really was fast even at falling asleep.  Then Luna blew away a bank of clouds to reveal Dream curled up in what used to be a carefully molded pocket in the cloud.  He blinked his eyes then squinted at the bright light.

"Stupid sun, being all bright and shining."

"So thou art not a morning pony?"

"Eh, I just prefer to stay inside really.  Night and day don't come into it that much."

"Sunny had you being close to me planned from the beginning, didn't she?"

"I would guess yes, but who knows."

"So you were once again asleep on duty." I said

"Oh come on.  We both know…"  He yawned.  "I sorta don't count.  Besides until the race was over nothing could move fast enough to be a threat."

I sighed.  "If you weren't a special case that would not be a good enough excuse."

Song laughed, but said nothing.

"Good thing I am.  So how much shouldn't Dash have been able to read your aura?" asked Dream  "It's impossible isn't it?"

"Far from it.  While being naturally good at it is rare, all pegasai should be able to do such a thing.  The fact it has been forgotten is troubling."

"AJ and earth magic are the same way, aren't they?" I asked

"Something is wrong with the magic?" asked Dream

"I am unsure.  Though I have the beginnings of an idea.  I must do research."

"Are we just leaving Azy again?"

"I see no reason not.  She seems to enjoy herself on the farm.  We clearly need her assistance still, but we, I, will not be doing much talking for the next day or so."

Then Luna flew off without a word.  Maybe I should get some armor from the pool and have it refit.  Dream is fine ignoring regulations, but I'm not.  Even if technically Luna tore out and ate that part of the regulations.  Currently we only need to wear armor for official place guard duty, or actual combat.  In fact there may not even be part of the regulations that requires armor in combat, but I doubt that will be an issue.  

"I guess we should follow, huh?"

I sighed.  "Of course.  It is our duty and…"

Then Dream was suddenly yanked down through the low hanging cloud.  It had been higher, but I guess it was a bit flimsy looking for five ponies.  Rarity had pulled him down with her magic once a tape measure had wrapped around him.  I was a little surprised.  It was a clever way to get around that since her talent was fashion, non fabulous things as she put it, were harder to manipulate.  Yet was the difference really so great that she could pull a full-grown stallion though clouds with her supposedly relatively meager power?

"Help me." He begged

"Let me guess, he's hiding from you despite knowing he had a second appointment with you today he neglected to mention?"

"Yes, and now this naughty boy shall be punished."

Then there was a moment of silence as that sentence sunk in.  I managed not to laugh, but couldn't help but smile.  Dream of course giggled, even though in a moment he would remember his plight.  I saw Sweetsong smile in the corner of my vision.  Then he was suddenly silenced.  I jumped off the cloud and began fluffing it to the most comfortable shape I could manage.  Sweetsong joined me after a moment, mandolin on her back.  Then we raised it just high enough that Dash shouldn't be able to hear anyone yelling up at her.  Though considering what she'd slept through already I probably could have skipped it.  I landed to see Rarity glaring intently at Dream, measuring tape binding his mouth shut.

"I see you have this well in hoof.  Though perhaps a little too well in hoof?"

Dream's laugh was heavily muffled, but still obvious.

Rarity face hoofed.  "Oh yes, of course.  I suppose innuendo just won't stay away from me today, will it?  No matter.  Let us simply take you back to my place and get this over with."

I raised an eyebrow and Rarity groaned.  "Was that really an accident?"

"I think I will simply take my leave before I say anything else embarrassing."

Rarity then led the pony away like some odd shaped glowing balloon, her cheeks bright red.  I then remembered my charge now had a good lead, and no guards at her side whatsoever.  That could not be allowed.  I took off fast as I could manage, and hoped I could catch up because Luna was distracted by whatever she was contemplating.

> Bees, apples, and injured griffins
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I'm really terribly sorry."

Bee then bucked him in the head.  It was the sixth of the burly griffin guards to go down, and the fifth kick.  Taking out an opponent with the body of another was always impressive, but far from reliable.  There were just too many variables.  Bee still tried it often enough.  She was very fond of efficient fighting, using as few motions as possible to render your opponent unconscious.  She was also fond of cleanliness.  There wasn't a single drop of blood on the shinny floor of the grand entryway.  Bee was of course still smiling.  I used to try to convince her to keep her helmet on but now I rarely bothered.  Blueblood had of course taken several steps back in terror.    Luna leaned toward me.

"We are confused, is she actually enjoying the fight?"

"No.  She simply believes a pony should always be positive and polite."

"As sweet as honey." Added Bee, turning around

"Y-y-y-you brute."

Bee rolled her eyes.  "Hardly.  I warned you quite clearly that I didn't like your guards posture and you should all step away from Luna.  Oddly you had the good sense to do so.  Really wasn't expecting that."

"Auntie how dare you let this commoner…"

Luna held up a hoof and Blueblood stopped.  "Even if that somehow mattered that is not accurate.  Lady Bumblesweet while not equal to your position is a noble."

"Who likely will never explain herself fully about that."

"Of course." Added Bee

"Ah, I see."  Blueblood shook his head.  "That still doesn't give her the right to…"

"Yes it does." I said

"What?"

"We can defend Luna any way we deem fit.  In fact while minimal force is encouraged, regulations allow extreme measures if we decide it necessary."

Luna nodded.  "Yes, in the old days overzealous guards could indeed kill especially suspicious ponies.  We never approved of such, but it was within their rights."

Blueblood gulped, then looked down. "I'm sorry auntie, but I just have to talk to somepony and your sister refuses to see me and…"

"Very well.  Speak."

"Somepony is out to get me.  There have been countless incidents.  So far they have been content with defacing or destroying my property, but with each act they grow bolder."

"Continue."

"I am not even sure when it started exactly.  Taken separately they seem like just accidents, but there is a clear pattern.  The first time I was sure was last hearth's warming when somehow all my gifts were donated to orphans."

"You can't forget the living room filled with coal."

I glared at Bee.  Then turned back to Blueblood ready to explain.  Except he hadn't reacted.  He didn't notice? 

"Yes, yes.  Quite right.  Stained the rug horribly.  Then there was that horrible matter with the syrup.  So sticky."

"Yes, did it perhaps remind you of anything you might of done to a certain duchess?"

"Oh no." I uttered.  "Bumblesweet…"

"Ugh, and then there were those ghastly orphans."

"Gee I wonder if knocking down that orphanage a few days before had anything to do with that somehow."

"Why does everypony keep saying that?"  Blueblood was smiling.

"Wait a moment." Said Luna

I sighed.  It was too late now.  I might as well just let Bee have her fun.  I have figured a few things out about Blueblood over time, but a few stood out.  One was that terrifyingly he meant well.  He was so clueless at times it could be hard to tell, but he did.  Like the orphanage was knocked down was so he could build one ten times as nice and three times as big.  He simply couldn’t really comprehend the idea of having nowhere to live even if he understood the definition of homeless perfectly.  Second while this made him a far better pony than he at first seemed this didn't make it any more tolerable to actually be in his presence.  Third combining his particular sort of cluelessness with the kind common to most stallions and all his negative traits made him one of the worst dates in existence.

"Oh and then that was that oddity with the garbage smell that I just couldn't get rid of for weeks and weeks."

"Almost is if you called the wrong pony, refuse not worthy of your time." Added Bee

"And there was this time my entire estate was underwater."

"We never did figure that one out, but you probably deserved that too."  Bee then laughed  "It was really tricky to pull that off."

"Now we are sure that…"

"It's too late now Luna." I said

Blueblood shuddered.  "Ugh, and then there was that horrid cake."

Bee frowned slightly.  "I szzwore you were going to eat it once you weren't in public but Firecracker was right, you really refused it even when you were trapped in a room of it."

"There are other examples but the most obvious has been recently my house was attacked.  It would almost seem to be foals, as eggs, paper rolls, and stink bombs are weapons of choice on nightmare night.  But…"

"Is this the end of your list nephew?"

"Well yes but…"

"Then drop thy pretense.  We shall not have it."

Bee cringed.  Despite her education and upbringing Bumblesweet wasn't really terribly bright.  She was no means idiotic, just slow to realize things that could be very obvious to others.  The final thing I learned about Blueblood is that while it was at times well hidden, most likely by intent, Blueblood was dangerously intelligent.  He dropped his cowering act, and stood there with a big smirk on his face.

"Very well auntie.  I have more than I need anyway.  I have plenty of evidence for their involvement Nightmare Night, but lacked anything concrete for the rest."

"I made a major error, didn't I?" said Bee

"We have only one question more."  Luna stalked forward, Blueblood cringing and backing up a bit.  "What do you really want?"

Blueblood looked down.  "Nothing major.  As Sky well knows I've never made an attempt to contact the ponies of ill repute they use as middle mares."

"That is correct." I added

"So, does thou aim to blackmail my loyal soldiers, or myself directly?"  Luna raised an eyebrow, and glared at him.

"I.."  he shook his head.  "That is to say.  I have a small request.  Information.  Nothing more.  I shall talk to you later Auntie."

I was in front of him before he made five steps.  He shrieked like a little filly.  While he did have his virtues the single date I had gone on with him was still one of my greatest regrets.  I had lots of regrets.  I looked him right in the eyes.

"You do understand what you've just done correct.  You've threatened the entirety of Equestrian national security.  As you should know we do far more than fulfil the ridiculous requests of spiteful nobles."

Blueblood closed his eyes.  "It is really a simple request.  Full family trees on various ponies, mostly nobles and the elements of harmony plus one or two others."

"And that's all?"

"No, but I don't even remember what the other things are without my notes.  I was just going to go get them.  Truly this is all I ask."

"We think that seems reasonable."

"As my leige wishes."

"But you szzzhold remember something."

Blueblood turned to face a swarm of bees.  Bumblesweet's bees had been studied by an interested entomology professor and his students.  They wrote a lengthy paper on the abnormalities of her bees but as far as I'm concerned only three things really mattered.  First they were much smarter than normal bees, and seemed to be able to understand pony speech.   Second they were incredibly well organized, even for bees.  Third and most importantly they not only didn't die with one sting, but relatively rapidly regrew their stingers.  This meant that Bee could order them to sting a pony without losing any of her, precious darlings, as she called them.

"Uh, and what is that exactly."  Blueblood was shaking slightly now

"That the only reason we are contemplating giving in right now at all is because it's eazzzier than the alternative."

"And if that changes, we may do something more permanent." I added

"Yes, you play a dangerous game nephew.  In truth we are impressed.  We did not think thee capable."

"C-c-can I go?"

Luna nodded and he vanished with a flash.  I blinked.  Teleportation was tricky.  While all unicorns could learn it just as with telekinesis, it was anything but easy.  I guess Blueblood has more than a few secrets.  The bees then re-entered their master's hair.  Firecracker had been the first one to make a joke about bee doing it wrong, but since then plenty of jokes about Bee's hair being a literal hive had proliferated.  She smiled for a moment, then looked down.

"I'm sorry I…"

"It is no matter." Said Luna.  "We were not exaggerating.  Our nephew…"

"Wait."  Bee looked up, then back down.  "I mean if I'm not in trouble can I ask why you call him that?"

"Because he is our nephew of course.  Technically our countless times great nephew, but sister is right that trying to use the proper term is somewhat excessive."

"But isn't Celestia…"

"My only sister?"  Luna laughed.  "Hardly.  As one might expect mine father is the oldest of the old school."  She turned to me  "That is correct, right?"

"I believe you are using it correctly yes."

"Thus he did things the old way.  And…"

"Any proper stallion should spread his seed to more than just one mare." I said

Luna nodded.  "Exactly.  Thus our family is large enough with one generation, but it's been thousands of years for additional descendants to breed."

"Like Princess Cadence?" I asked

Luna nodded.  "Yes though…"  She giggled  "Empress, as she now calls her self, despite the obvious issue is our half sister."  

"Oh, should we do something about…"  Bee then pointed at the Griffins

"We see no reason to bother.  They are unconscious but otherwise in good health.  They can surely make their own way out of the palace, and settle matters with their employer at their leisure.  If they try anything, there are other guards."

I nodded and then had to break into a gallop to catch up with Luna as she trotted off.  Bee was paying a little more attention and was already next to Luna when I caught up with them.  I can't help but wonder what Blueblood is planning.





Bee nodded.  She ended up spending a good deal of time at AJ's farm with Azy, and not just running the drills I promised the farm mare.  Bee then laughed.  Clearly I was making a face.  We were both standing in the orchard in near full armor.  I suppose I'd never been fond of the helmet anyway, and the silver plate Firecracker's girls had whipped up for me was very impressive but they finally pinned down the exploding issue when they made my helmet.  

Each set of armor is linked, so until they make a whole new set they couldn’t get it to change my fur and mane color if they tried.  Though based on the way Firecracker is grinning when she talks about it Luna has decided on a change and ordered her to make up some excuse.  Really it was fairly standard Hurricane style armor.  The dark purple shield on the front with a silver moon on it was really the only slightly unusual thing about it other than the night guard usually didn't wear anything so shinny.  I turned around to see Applejack trot up to us.  She looked down at our armor and shook her head.

"Still don't git how either o you can go around in that heavy armor.  Must be hot as all get out in there."

Bee laughed.  "Don't beee silly.  I would be far hotter without it."

"All our armor is enchanted.  All Equestrian military armor is.  The specific enchantments vary from service to service, and often rank to rank."

"Plus you can acquire some special enchantments if you pay for a set of armor yourself."

"Wow, so she's not kidding when she says she's cooler in that get up?  I wonder if I could get Twi to enchant my hat with something like that?"

"Often it's easier to make a new object, and it's always smarter, because such enchantment can cause damage.  Unless Fluttershy is wrong about how much you value that hat?"

"Oh.  Well you think I could get her to do a scarf maybe?"

"I don't see why not." I said

"Oh, you are seeking help from the wrong unicorn.  Rarity has become quite interested in enchantment recently."

"And I'm not sure if miss Sparkle has any interest in such a thing.  It's a somewhat different discipline.  Also Rarity has been studying my armor."

"Oh, well that settles that I reckon.  So Bee you ready to get back to work?"

"Yes, but captain is there a reason you're here?"

"Believe it or not, boredom."  I laughed.  "Blossom is dealing with library, I finished all my paper work, and Luna is still in full research mode, so Dream Volt, Song, and Trixie are more than enough."

Applejack's eyes narrowed.  "So that no good varmit really did join the military?"

"Yes, upon Celestia's request."  I sighed.  "It comforts me slightly that even with her delusional ego she at least realizes to obey Celestia."

"Why the hay would the princess do that."

"I often ask myself the same question.  I still don't have a satisfactory answer to that.  She has proven herself far more competent than I believed, yet still far less than she believes herself to be."

"Well just find a tree and get bucking.  This is the last crop were gonna get for a while I think.  Even we apples can't manage to keep them going all year."

I nodded as Applejack walked off.  Honestly I was a little amazed so many of the leaves were still intact with the running of the leaves only a few days away.  I know the trees in Canterlot would start looking at least a little patchy with all the ponies tromping about.  Also a lot of the trees were even still green.  Applejack and Bumblesweet both trotted off, getting back to work.  I flew up looking for a group of trees to buck.

> The party
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Azalea Valley was a mare of considerable strength, both physical and mental.  In short there was little other than Luna and Celestia themselves that she should fear.  She worried about proper decorum with Celestia, but it seemed to be more a matter of her love of proper manners than fear of what she would do.  So while I wasn't surprised by her reaction, I didn't understand it.  She had shaken violently then collapsed.  I was worried it was an outright seizure, but it was just an unusually violent faint.  The party looked pleasant enough, but clearly that many ponies yelling surprise on top of the banner that read "Welcome Azalea Valley" was just too much attention.

Pinkie was standing there in shock.  I don't think she had ever met somepony who reacted quite this way before.  Then she turned to Fluttershy, and back to Azy.  The rest of her friends were nearby, also looking confused.

"Oh, now I get it.  But she seemed so confident before."

"She doesn’t handle groups well." I said  "She's fine is small enough groups."

"Well this is a might awkward." Said AJ

"May I take her somewhere?" asked Bee

"Ooo, I know.  Upstairs to my room."  Then Pinkie jumped on a table.  "Okay everypony.  The guest of honor probably won't be back, but that's no reason to let a perfectly good party go to waste.  Party loud enough she can hear it upstairs."

I then found myself following the peppy pink pony upstairs.  Bee was carrying the much larger zony thrown over her back, and only slowing her down a little.  Between her size and ladylike manner many the pony assumed she wasn't that strong.  Other than the princesses the only pony I'd ever met stronger was Azy.  I think AJ and her brother were fairly close though.  Firecracker appeared in a flash at the top of the stairs, a small fire starting at her hooves.  Pinkie then zipped into her room and emerged a moment later with a seltzer water bottle and put out the fire.  Then she paused briefly, and shook her head.  Once upstairs in Pinkie's room I noticed Twilight had followed us up.  I also noticed Trixie in her disguise peeking in the door.

"Trixie."  Twilight sighed.  "I can see you there.  Just come in.  You obviously know her as well, and have every reason to be here."

Trixe then strutted in.  "Fine, though Trixie still doesn’t see how you could see though her illusion.  Luna herself said…"

"She said…" I began  "That there is almost no pony besides her majesties Celestia and Luna that could see though it.  Twilight is as you of all ponies should know terribly powerful and skilled.  Furthermore that doing so would even be easy if you gave any of them a reason to try.  Which you clearly did."

"Trixe supposes she did, even if it was such a little thing."

"Calling yourself the smart and incredible Sweetcream Scoops is a small thing?" said Twilight, raising an eyebrow.

I smiled.  I always did like Twilight.  I rarely guarded her, and of course never said a word to her, but stealth is the moon guard's specialty so of course I knew of her somewhat personally.  I mean who else would Celestia have secretly guard her most precious student.  In the end no pony even tried to discredit or sabotage her, much less anything more dire.  Which is unusual, especially since the court was for the most part very unhappy about her title and several other things.  I like to think it's because Twilight could be so utterly charming, but most likely it was simply everypony in the court being too terrified of taking the risk of upsetting Celestia if they were caught.

Trixie sighed.  "Trixe admits in retrospect maybe it was a bit suspicious."

"I'm sorry all.  If I had known I never would have led you over here."

"Actually she's not that bad with most surprises." Said Firecracker.  "She barely freaked out at all those times I set off some fireworks right behind her."

I sighed.  "Yes, she just dislikes large groups a great deal.  Also Lieutenant Firecracker, I would not call bucking the wall down barely."

"Well it wasn't a small reaction now, but considering what she could have done and how most ponies would react it was totally boss."

"Oooo.  That must have been really funny."  Then Pinkie frowned.  "Except for poor Azy wazzy."  She then turned to glare at Firecracker.  "You're not doing that sorta thing a lot are you Burstie?"

Firecracker looked away.  "No."

"Trixie still thinks it ridiculous.  Why should crowds terrify the over dramatic giant?  Somepony of her stature and mental fortitude has nothing to fear."

I blinked.  "Was that a real compliment?" And a startlingly similar idea to what I was just thinking not long ago?

Trixie said nothing in response to me, just turned away from me.

"I'm still sorry, I shouldn’t have brought you over here like this I…"

"No, it's all my fault.  I should have known to be more careful." Said Pinkie

"I say it's my stupid neurosis, and neither of you are at fault."

Everypony turned to Azy sitting up in bed.  Twilight smiled widely, then stepped back.  I was a little confused what she expected until Firecracker and Pinkie ran up to her and pulled her into a hug.  We weren't that close yet.  I decided a change of topic would be a good idea.

"Why is this party only for Azy, and not the rest of my officers?"

Pinkie giggled.  "Oh I know all of them already silly.  Obviously Burstie is the best fireworks supplier in Canterlot, and Ponyville doesn't even have a decent one right now, so if I need something that goes bang…"

"Firecracker Burst is the pony to call."  Said Firecracker, then smiled brightly

"Does that mean the fire mark is really for fireworks?" asked Twilight.

Firecracker teleported across the room, this time remembering to appear a bit off the floor, so nothing caught on fire.  I sighed.  I could tell where this was going.  She smiled really broadly and scooted forward even more into Twilight's personal space, getting right in her face.

"Oh that's totally part of it, right in the name, but it's fire too.  Not just making it, but using it all sorts of ways."

"Y-y-y-you're a fire mage?  A real fire mage not just a pony with a few spells but…"

"Yeppers.  The full deal."

"Oh, look at that, I hear my watch calling my laundry, gotta go."

Then Twilgiht was gone with a flash.  I shook my head and walked over to Firecracker.  Once she turned to me I glared at her.  She laughed.

"Oh come on, its fun and it's not like I did anything."

"You did too." Said Pinkie, then knocked me over with a flank check that had surprisingly good form.  "That was just plain, mean."

"But, it's silly.  I mean it's not like all fire mages are insane."

"Firecracker."  I then stood up.  "You do know you are terrible proof of that."

"I'm just quirky."  She smiled, but it quickly vanished as Pinkie glared at her.

"It wasn't nice.  You are going to go apologize to Twilight right now or I'm totally going to tell Blinkie I'm mad at you and not to deal with you."

Firecracker's eyes went wide.  "But, the good stuff.  I can't make the explosives she can.  I don't even get how some of them can work, much less how or composition."

"Then apologize."

Pinkie shouted the last statement and everypony in the room backed up.  Then Firecracker was gone.  Pinkie blinked.  I guess she didn't consider what right now means for a unicorn good at teleporting.  I hope Firecracker was careful and didn't set anything on the library on fire.  That would not only make things worse, but likely result in Firecracker running from a very angry and ludicrously powerful librarian.

"Ooopsie woopsie.  Well, I guess I should get over to Twilight's then."

"Could you finish answering my question first?"

"Oh, uh sure.  Blossomforth used to live here, I didn't see her but Trixie was here and the mayor said I'm never supposed to throw her a welcome party because she isn't."

"Trixie does not care what this hick town thinks of her."

Pinkie teared up a little.  "Awww, but it's so sad.  I mean everyone should have a welcome party."

"Yes, and Dream Volt was first found by you on the edge of the Everfree.  He was taken into custody at his party."

"I still think that was a little mean, but the Princess Celestia promised she would have a really big party for him in Canterlot."

I sighed.  "She did in case you didn't know.  He was the only one that understood it's purpose at the time, but the party occurred."

"Ooo, goodie.  So Bee is AJ's cousin so obviously she's been here before."

"What?"

"Though marriage of course, and rather distant cousin besides." Added Bee

"Unlike some ponies Trixie understood something so obvious."  She then turned to me and grinned.  "As for Sweetsong she said she was constantly looking for good parties.  Obviously she would come here eventually."

"Yep a roonie."  Pinkie giggled.  "I don't get why everypony dislikes you so much Trixie, you're so much fun."

I stared.  A few things confused me.  At least half of everything Pinkie did was one, but that clearly really was normal.  The second was based on what Sweetsong said she wouldn’t have been caught dead in a town this small in her party days.  Was Pinkie's party pony reputation really that good?  Then Pinkie gasped and vanished.  I wasn't sure if she had used the door or some other method, only a blur and she was gone.

"The confused and bewildered Trixie does not understand."

"Clearly she just remembered she was in the middle of forcing an apology out of Firecracker."  I said  "I still think the whole thing is silly."

"And once again your ignorance shows through.  The wise and knowledgeable Trixie knows fearing fire mages is ridiculous.  Unicorns are creatures of fire, we should not fear it so simply because it is difficult."

"Then why don't I see you ever cast any?"

"Because if there are any unicorns about they take exception.  That doesn't mean Trixie can't.  Trixie simply chooses not to."

"Like you choose refer to yourself in the third person?"

Then very suddenly there were three incredibly small, but tight and well controlled rings of flame around me.  Firecracker could certainly do bigger, but she didn't have the control for something so tight.  Trixie glared at me.

"I said I could drop it any time, and I meant it.  I do it because I think it's fun, nothing more.  I am the greatest mage that ever lived, but unlike that lucky simpleton Twilight Sparkle I wasn't gifted the power of the sun goddess herself."

I think almost everypony else made a noise, but none of us managed a single word.

"I need to work for every scrap of power I have.  But I am great, and I am powerful.  Just because some are a few that are more so, that matters not.  I choose my life, and no one else does."

Then she walked out of the room.  Very soon after the fire rings vanished.  For a while I just looked in the direction of the door, then turned to Azy.

"What just happened?"

"Don't ask me.  I sure don't know.  Though that thing about being gifted with the power of the sun goddess?  That sounded utter bonkers."

I then felt my eyes narrow.  "She's a threat."

"But she's also huge liar.  Are you sure Luna or Celestia would listen, if that was even what we think it was?"

"I'm, not sure.  Will you be alright here alone?"

Azy then blinked.  "Wasn't Bee up here too?  Where did she go and when did she leave?"

"I don't…"  Then I sighed.  "Lieutenant Bumblesweet, front and center now."

I heard a sigh then Bee popped out of the closet and walked over to me.  I glared at her, but as expected she didn't react.

"So once we all left you planned to look for some secret recipe, correct?"

"I must say mam you wound me.  She has several. I would not do something like this for a single secret recipe."

"In that case, keep Azalea her company until Firecracker and Pinkie get back."

"Uh, you don't expect me to stop her, do you?  I mean I'm big and strong but…"

"I would never do something so crass as attack you dear."

"I'm not worried.  If she is foolish enough to steal from Pinkie I'm sure the result will be both entertaining and fitting."

"Oh, I think I see your point."

"I'm afraid I do not at all.  What do you mean?"

I smiled as I left the room.  Fluttershy had told me a great many stories about Pinkie, and I always knew they had to be at least half true, but was increasingly convinced if anything my sister was underplaying some things.  I even found a report to back up that Pinkie really did do what my sister said to the stallion that broke a Pinkie promise.   





To say this was a dangerous situation was an understatement.  Firecracker was right that calming her down ASAP was ideal, and she was not the mare to do it.  There were plenty of books this being a library, but there were no kittens nearby, and I didn't think to bring a pie.  Thankfully despite having several heavy objects in her telekinetic grip and the familiar looking shield around her body she looked more scared than manic.  That was good.  A scared Twilight can possibly be dealt with.  Still, it was best to be cautious around one of the most dangerous spellcasters on the planet when they were very upset.  Then I sighed and slumped forward, suddenly realizing the most likely possibility.

"Let me guess, when she was younger she set you on fire."

She nearly, but didn't quite drop everything.  "How did you guess?"

"Because if you see anything happen enough you begin to notice a pattern."

Twilight just stared forward.  "So you're saying she does this a lot?  She really is Crazy then.  I mean I know fire mages aren't really that way but thanks to her…"

"You have what is actually a nearly rational fear of them.  As I said, I've heard this story before.  I am a friendly sort of pony.  I saw somepony that looked like they needed a friend.  One thing led to another and suddenly they were on fire somehow."

"Are you saying…"

I let out an even bigger sigh.  "She can never pin it down exactly.  That's the worst part because with even a few details it's obvious how it all went wrong."

"They said the burns weren't that bad but I know I just go lucky."

"And you're a unicorn.  There it's so easily forgotten most medical textbooks don't even mention it, but unicorns are slightly resistant to fire and heat."

She looked up.  "Hmm, actually I did read something about that recently.  I trust you Miss Sky, but it seems like it was purpose."

"You trust me?"

She nodded.  "Of course.  I mean not just the stuff Shinny's told me but all the times you've guarded me.  I think you even talked about Fluttershy to me once, I just wasn't really interested at the time." 

Then she giggled.  She was also placing all the objects back in the library.  Mostly it was heavy furniture, a wooden bust of a unicorn, chairs, her bed and a few other things.  Okay, situation under control.  I could probably leave now and suffer nothing more than her thinking me rude.

"You know, it's funny to think that." She said  "That though you I could have met Fluttershy earlier, and though her Dash.  In fact it seems that way with most of my friends.  I know for a fact I met Rarity once."

"Really?"

She nodded.  "I'm not really sure on the details, but one time she visited Canterlot and she tried to talk to me, but I ignored her.  She then gave me this long lecture about manners.  I didn't really listen, but I did hear her voice."

"And recently realized you recognized it?"

She nodded.  "Yes, I was reading a book while she was talking to Dash about something but at some point she started talking to me instead and I didn't notice.  When she got mad and started ranting I suddenly remembered."

"What about Dash?"

"Well, I was with Ceslestia in the princess box during many of their Canterlot shows.  But I've decided that, well…"  She looked away

"Telling Dash you had the best seats in the house for her idols, for free, but spent all your time reading is a bad idea."

She nodded.  "Pinkie I'm now absolutely sure I have met somewhere before, but I have no idea where or why.  I'm also rather afraid to find out."

I nodded.  "That seems reasonable.  What about Applejack."

"Oh, that's the one I'm not sure of.  Still, the apples are close and tend to do very well in various things.  Celestia likes judging cooking contests and I know Applejack has a few awards from Canterlot in her house.  She probably passed right by me at least once."

"Interesting."

I wasn't sure if it meant more of Celestia's meddling and her being a little too subtle, or just that it only makes sense you might run into ponies form Canterlot at least once since Ponyville is so close.  I suppose it didn't matter, but it was interesting, and now that I thought of it a little funny.  I gave a short chuckle.

"So I guess you agree with me after all."

"Yes.  So I trust you and Firecracker and okay now."

She sighed.  "I suppose.  It's just no matter what she said the fact she was fine strongly suggests that…"

"She's fireproof."

"What?  A pony can't simply be made fireproof."

"Yes they can.  After the coming into the hospital one too many times with third degree burns all over her body it was decided something drastic was needed."

Twilight gasped.  "Wait, they gave a young pony runes?  But the tattooing process is terribly painful.  How could she stand it."

"I don't know, but she did.  Also despite the way she acts she is no less sensitive to pain, including burns, than any other pony."

"Or was.  But now she's immune to them, so she probably should have been on fire too, but because she set herself on fire so often…"

I nodded.  "Exactly."

"I guess she's another pony I could have been friends with.  In fact, why try to fix that right now.  Some insight into fire magic might prove useful."

"I wouldn't recommend that."

"Why not."

She raised an eyebrow and I suddenly I didn't have a good answer.  Or rather not an answer I could give her.  "You're already dangerous enough as it is without studying fire spells" does not seem like a good thing to tell her.  Then I realized I had a bad answer that while technically accurate clearly wouldn’t satisfy her.  Not satisfying Twilight's curiosity could be a very bad thing.

"It's classified."

"Do you know what kind of clearance I have."  Then she blinked.  "Actually I'm not too sure what kind of clearance I have but it always seemed pretty high."

"It is, but there are some thing Celestia herself doesn't know."

"What?  That makes no sense."

"By her order of course.  Luna is actually currently more restricted than you.  The main thing is the exact contents of the daymare protocols, as our only hope of anything in there working is if she doesn't know."

"Except even if nopony tells her and she never looks she might know anyway."

I nodded.  "One of many reasons I hope we never use them."

She sighed.  "Fine.  I don't quite see why it would be in my best interests to avoid Firecracker but…"

"I didn't say that, just don't get to close.  Strictly professional."

Then Twilight laughed.  "Oh, now I get it.  I may not know any fire magic, but as I said I have mostly unrestricted access to just about everything.  Including offensive magic training manuals from the guards.  How could fire me more dangerous."

"So you know about…"  Then I paused.  "…the common practice of the school to draw up plans to subdue out of control students?"

"Obviously.  She's very powerful isn't she?"

"Yes, but you are far more powerful by a great margin."

She smiled.  "Don't worry, I think it's even sillier now but I still have a fear of fire magic, so I really just want theory and such, not specific spells."

"I understand.  I think I should go back to the party now."

She nodded.  "I'll stay here I think.  Tell Firecracker I'm sorry and she's welcome here anytime.  I misjudged her."

One last tactic, and it's even the truth.  "She is insane you know.  Not dangerously so, but her pyromania is only kept in check via sheer willpower.  She is a good pony and a good soldier, but she is dangerous."

I then walked out.  No time to react and no questions.  I doubt it would change her mind, and most likely just result in Twilight reading Firecracker's personnel files closely in the near future.  Then I cringed at sudden terrible thought.  Firecracker could help Twilight be more dangerous it's true, but she was right it hardly mattered.  On the other hoof if Twilight could teach Firecracker even one new spells there is no telling how much more dangerous she would become.  Unlike Twilight it wasn't a question of whether she could be subdued if she suddenly went dangerously crazy, but how much damage she would do before we succeeded.  I hated this sort of planning, and hopefully it would never be necessary, but for the sake of Equestria, we must be prepared.      





It was happening right in front of me and I still had trouble believing it.  Azalea was in the center of the small stage I was certain hadn't been there before, a mare on either side of her.  Pinkie currently on the left, and Trixie on the right.  All three had been moving around during the song.  I'm sure if Sweetsong was around she'd be involved in this as well.  I wish I had seen all of it.

"A second chance…"  sang Trixie

"A chance to show I'm not so strange."

"Come on ponies, take a chance and give a chance." Sang Pinkie  "Then you'll see, they're not so bad."

"Just give us all a chance."  All three sang in unity.

Then the room filled with countless hooves beating on the ground.  The applause was nearly overwhelming.  Obviously for Azy it was, and now that she wasn't in the zone she fainted dead away crashing through the wooden stage.  The clapping of course stopped.  When Trixie's horn lit up and a glow suffused Azy I was proud.  She'd fought it every step of the way, but she got though the magic first aid course, and now was actually using it.  At least I really hoped that's what it was.  Of course I doubt she was fixing anything.  I think only the stage suffered any damage.  Pinkie looked down, then scratched her head with one hoof.

"I don't get it.  She was fine when we started singing upstairs."

"Trixie had hopes she was getting better."

"So I guess I need to take her upstairs since…" I began

"The great and powerful Trixie needs nopony to help her, even with Azalea's size.  Watch and be amazed."

I wasn't by any means amazed, but I was a little impressed as Trixie levitated her with what seemed like ease.  Very soon we were all once again upstairs, Azy in the bed, Pinkie hopping in place next to it.  Trixe looked slightly dazed, but her balance seemed fine, and hooves stable.  Classic magic fatigue.  Maybe she really was just unusually weak after all.  It sure seemed like laziness, and Firecracker and the rest of her girls agreed with me.  Were we all wrong?

"Ooo, can you carry me around next.  That looks like fun."

"Trixie would rather not."

Pinkie giggled "Still so much fun.  How can the girls be so grumpy toward you?"

"Trixie has realized part of her act was a little harsh.  Trixie can not help how superior she is to most other ponies in so many ways, but she can possibly be a little kinder about it.  Trixie has realized this."

"And…"  I let it hang

"And Trixie will not repeat nonsense other ponies tell her just because it sounds good.  Trixie always suspected no matter how large the bear it was not truly an Ursa Major."

"And?"

"And Trixie is a smart and talented mare and really should have just done the research on Ursas.  Which oddly you seem to care more about than my exaggeration."

"That isn't me.  But we both know Luna does.  I agree with her."

Trixie blinked.  "You do?  Trixie gets the feeling that lying is one of the things you hate most of all.  Though you are being unusually strict…"

"I've told you countless small lies, and there are many manipulations of the truth that serve Luna.  That is what matters most to me."

"The confused and intrigued Trixie still does not understand your position.

"Accepting bad intelligence while not smart is at times unavoidable.  You have to trust sometimes, and this can get you in trouble.  However the way to deal with this is do as much research as you can on anything you might deal with."

"The conscripted and militarized Trixie is not impressed by your jargon."

I raised an eyebrow, then shook my head.  "Worse however is I think you must have done some research, but then got bored and just went ahead only half done."

"Trixie does not know what you mean."

"Was this supposed Ursa major really a see through creature covered in stars?"

"Of course, why would Trixie make that up.  Though in retrospect Trixie now wonders if perhaps it was actually some other beast mistaken for a bear due to it's size."

"OOO, you mean there are other starry animals?" said Pinkie, getting a wide grin.  "Does that mean there are starry alligators?"

"I am not sure."

"There are."

I looked under the table next to the bed to see Fluttershy hiding under it.  I guess she decided to hide from the party up here.  Trixie leaned down next to me.

"Hmm, so your sister is a kitten type.  The observant and clever Trixie would not have expected that."

I sighed.  "Trixie I…"

Then I blinked.  I hadn't told her Fluttershy was my sister.  Luna keeps saying she has some real talents, and apparently I just found another one.  Maybe if she didn't brag about everything all the time it wouldn’t be so difficult to determine.

"I like kittens."

"Oh, of course you do dear."

"What does that mean?" I asked

"It means she's cute and Trixie would be foalish to try to upstage her even if her friends convinced her to step forward because she is talented.  I don't know what you've heard, but a brash flyer, a stuck up fashionista, and a tough as nails cowpony are anything but soft targets.  They could take it unlike your sister who…"

"You take that back.  Rarity is not stuck up."

Trixie fell backwards.  I just smiled.  Kitten of steel.  That isn't a bad description of her is it?  Trixie then hung her head.

"Trixie is sorry.  In fact she has made up with your friend and really shouldn't have said that, but in truth she was only thinking about the performance, and then appearance is more important than fact.  Though the main point of her act is by using volunteers she knows should be tough enough to take it."

"Oh, uh, sorry.  I'll just…"  Fluttershy then hid under the bed again.

"And the other reason Trixie calls them kittens is because all too often they have claws.  Yes, Trixie is always careful around the kitten types."

"Speaking of, what type of starry beast do you think you really faced?  Perhaps a rabbit, maybe a chipmunk?"  

"Trixie is quite certain the beast was not a chipmunk."

Then Aalea stirred.  Oddly Pinkie while continuing to bounce did not make any other noise until she woke up.  She was immediately standing on the bed, ridiculously close to Azy, right in her face.

"Uh, hello."

"I'm really sorry.  I thought you were having fun but…"

Azy smiled.  "Oh I was.  I love music, and singing."

"She just has some insane issue with crowds.  Trixie tires to help, but even the most great and powerful can't help everypony."

"Really?"  Pinkie Blinked rapidly.  "But you were doing so well considering you had all those ponies staring right at you."

Azalea began to lightly shake.  "Yea, so many ponies."

"She was in the zone.  Trixie knows the feeling quite well.  Once she was so engrossed in her act she didn't even realize she had lost her cape, or bounded up on top of her wagon until she walked off the edge."

"Oh my yes.  I often lose track of time when feeding the animals."

"Who was that?" asked Azy

"Ooo, yea.  Sometimes if the party is good enough I totally have no idea what's going on."

"Trixie was under the impression that was your natural state."

"Trixie." I said

"Oh yea, I forgot."

Pinkie then giggled.  Trixie of course got a smug look on her face.  She was most likely repeating something Pinkie said earlier.  She seems odd enough to say something like that about herself.  Of course that suggests a certain degree of self awareness that means it's at best a half truth.  I think.  I quickly realized trying to analyze this would only lead me in circles.  Azalea laughed.

"See, I'm having fun Pinkie, really.  Just promise me no more big parties."

She nodded.  "Like Fluttershy."  She nodded, an unusually serious look on her face.  "Got it, small parties only.  I won't forget.  Everrrrrrrr."

The look in her eyes was very intense as she said the last word.  She then bounced out of the room without another word.  Then she bounced back up the stairs, backwards, and giggled.

"Oh yea, I almost forgot.  You have your party up here, and I'll just take care of all the other ponies.  I mean yea, this is way too big a party for you, but I can't just tell them are to leave.  I mean that's like party rule number 7."

"Trixie is curious how many you have."

"Only 372.  I mean that's hardly any at all for something as amazing as parties don't you think?  I don't use all of them all time or anything, but it's important to be prepared for any party possibility.  I mean this is the first time I've even met a Zony so obviously 184 won't come up that often, but I knew I would need it eventually."

"You have rule just for zonies?" asked Azy

Pinkie rolled her eyes.  "Duh.  I mean it would just silly not to, ya know."

This time she bounced off and didn't come back.  One of these days she might realize I had feathered wings when she threw me a welcome to Ponyville party even though I didn't plan to go through the town at all.  The "Welcome Silent Sky" banner made sense as something to have ready like she said, but the rest didn't.  That's what convinced me there had to be something to her Pinkie sense somehow.

"Hmmm of course I guess I know she isn't a normal earth pony."

"Trixie is quite sure that pony is in no way normal, but cannot understand what you might currently be speaking of."

"I don't get it either." Said Azy

"Nevermind.  So Azy, would you prefer us to stay here or…"

"Trixie should go, she actually likes crowds."

"I don't have a problem with crowds." I said.

Azy laughed.  "Not like me, you just see them as a tactical nightmare, but I bet you'd still rather stay here."

"The rare and desired Trixie knows that when mending a relationship, a little time apart is a good thing.  She shall return later."

I had been worried at first, but now I was nearly certain Trixie had just been messing with me.  Lying was one thing I was sure Trixie really was good at.  Though once a lie begins to fall apart she's hopeless.  For now at least I'd just try to enjoy myself.  I smiled even more broadly when Bee and Firecracker entered the room.  I'm sure I could have fun somehow most of my favorite ponies in one room.  Though first I need to figure out a way to convince my sister to come out from under the bed.

> Twilight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Winter had begun in earnest, so I was glad we had teleported right in front of Twilight's tree, and as a public library the door wasn't locked.  Of course I wouldn’t have complained if we stayed outside, but I know Trixie would have.  However I felt we for once we might have agreed on something, following Luna quickly inside out of the freezing snow felt nice.  Twilight looked up from a book, then did a double take before scrambling to her feet and grabbing hold of most of the countless books scattered about the library with her magic, but clearly had no idea where to actually put any of them.

"Worry not Twilight, we have made far worse messes our self.  Why just yesterday one of the librarians was complaining about the state of the library."

"The wise and insightful Trixie is certain she thought Luna could not hear her meaningless griping.  Surely the concerns of one of the princesses themselves is far more important than any lowly librarian."

"I would partially agree." I said  "She should simply make allowances, as taking care of the library is her job, but if it is more of a hardship than I think she should ask for assistance, not simply complain behind her majesty's back."

"Well said Captain Sky."

"Uh, why exactly are you here princess?"

Trixie was now outright seething having noticed the same thing I had.  Not only had Twilight not dropped a single book but was slowly beginning to shelve them without even looking at the shelves.  As expected the look quickly vanished but I doubt she was any less upset by casual display of not just power, but skill.  Luna didn't seem to notice but it was clear she missed very little.

"We have wished to talk to you alone for some time now.  This seems like a good time."

Twilight gulped.  "Oh, I guess that's fine."

Trixie laughed.  "Oh, little Twilight is nervous?  Perhaps the little filly still remembers the bad dreams stories of Nightmare Moon caused and doesn't want to be alone?"

"No, that isn't it at all.  I know Luna is restored in full and would never dream of doing anything bad.  It's just…"

"You admire her fine breeding and firm flank?" asked Trixie

"What?  Why would you even say something like that?  She's a princess.  She isn't interested in things like that."

"That is not entirely accurate, but it is terribly impolite to discuss.  WE SHALL NOT HAVE IT."

Trixie suddenly began shivering.  "No, not the moon.  Trixie will be good.  Trixie will even try to be nice to the ungrateful upstaging ungulate."

"Do you mean me?" asked Twilight

Luna raised an eyebrow.  "For that we are almost tempted to change our mind.  However, I wish for a quiet place to talk, so…"  She took a breath  "TO THE MOON."

There was a bright flash and suddenly I was standing some distance away from Twilight and Luna.  I wish I could have seen the look of terror on Trixie's face before she realized Luna left her there.  Twilight looked less dazed than I felt.  I guess even as extra jarring as that was she is used to teleporting by now.  Clearly Luna wasn't kidding about being able to breathe on the moon, but something still felt wrong.  I flapped my wings lightly and it just didn't feel even remotely right.  The air was all wrong is so many ways I couldn't even pick a single one to focus on.  Then again I suppose I know it isn't supposed to be here at all.

"Twilight, if I forget, do bring up with Sunny that Nightmare Moon built a well stocked castle on the dark side of the moon.  I'm not positive she's aware of it."

"This is really…"

"Of course.  It is my moon, not Sunny's.  I really don't know where that nonsense about her banishing ponies to the moon, even briefly, could have come from."

"Does that mean you banished Trixie to the moon once?"

"She does not make a good first impression.  Though Sunny may be correct that no matter how brief, it is a punishment, and I occasionally overused it."

"I'm sure that…"

Twilight trailed off.  I turned around to see the blue and green sphere below me.  I could make out part of the shape of Equestria from here, most covered in clouds.  Clouds that circled the whole world, the endless sky of so much pegasus poetry reduced to a thin mist covering a marble.  I then quickly turned back to Luna.  There is no excuse for shirking my duty, and clearly Luna brought me with her to perform it.  Luna laughed.

"If you want to look, go ahead my captain.  I brought you with me Sky because you would complain if I did not.  This simply seemed easier."

"But if you're really going to such great lengths for privacy then…"

"I am not.  It's actually easier to teleport here than three feet down there.  Also by now Sky I know there is no question of your loyalty to me.  Also nothing I will say you do not already know."

"Oh."

Luna then turned away, walking over to the enthralled Twilight.  Luna had a big smile on her face.  Then I realized why.  She was no longer looking at the planet, but the countless stars.  I think I had only seen close to this many once, when flying high in the sky, and even then I don't think it was quite the multitude I could see now.

"So Twilight Sparkle?  Do you like it?  Far more than the moon perhaps?"

"What, no I mean uh…."

"I would not mind."  She smiled.  "I love if far more myself."

"Oh, uh…"  Twilight then took a deep breath.  "May I ask why?"

"Terra is the official name in Equestria, to avoid confusion, though the earth ponies call it simply earth, the unicorns a variety of names…"

"And pegasai call it Sky."  I then blinked.  "Though it's not like…"

"I'm sure we are all aware.  Many the earth pony has earth in their name as well, and water is in the name of many the mer-mare."

I blinked.  "Oh, yes.  I tend to forget that…"

Luna frowned slightly.  "Yes, just because they have their own separate kingdom they are often forgotten it seems."

"Actually Princess Luna they have been very isolationist for many centuries now, at least the mer-pony nations have.  Individuals are a more complicated issue."

"Ah yes.  Still, we are far off topic.  Water may be more accurate than all others yet there is one better.  The same as the last Queen of Equestria, Gaia, mother of the planet and mine sister and own self."

"The books almost never mention her and even then…"

"THAT IS NOT WHY I AM HERE."

The name had come up rarely in the most ancient of documents, but it was clear Queen Gaia was missing by the time the sisters defeated Discord.  She was named Queen in absentia, even though the moving speech by Celestia in the records outright stated she would never accept it if she were available.  It was not clear exactly why she wasn't, and she is rarely mentioned beyond that.  Though there is one section of Everfree castle marked as the monument to Gaia, but I've never had the occasion to see it. 

"Princess, why did you bring me here?" asked Twilight

Luna looked up, then smiled.  "Ah yes, how foalish of us."  Then she looked Twilight in the eyes.   "WE HAVE A MATTER OF SOME SECRECY WE WISH TO DISCUSS WITH THOU TWILIGHT SPARKLE."

"You mean that I'm going to become an alicorn."

"Exactly, we wish to…"  Luna blinked.  "What?"

I just stared.  The reports made it clear Twilight was anything but a normal unicorn, but this seemed a bit much.  Except it all fit.  Magic itself as a talent.  The surveillance files on her weren't all by my girls, but it retrospect it's clear enough there is only one conclusion to reach.  Luna then stomped a hoof.

"NEIGH.  We shall not allow either of you to continue jumping to conclusions anymore.  We wished to discuss no such thing.  We thought our sister had cured you of this foalish belief long ago."

"Well, I was a foal at the time you know.  But I don't mean that.  I mean I figured out the full scope of what my cutie mark meant the day after the welcome back party Pinkie threw you.  Once I had a little time to think it was obvious."

"Full scope?" I asked

"Cutie marks give us direction in life, but at times their full meaning is not immediately apparent when foals.  Mostly this is for marks involving certain, adult only, talents, and only getting the slightest glimpse of it when young, but there other possibilities."

Twilight blushed soon after she finished, and Luna followed a moment later.  Mostly it just involved making ponies happy, comfort, or some other fairly common general talent with a slightly odd mark, but it wasn't just mating related issues.  Luna had studied such odd cutie marks extensively.  A very late cutie mark was possible, but very rare.  Mostly it was ponies who suddenly understood their cutie mark better and had gone from content with their job to deliriously happy.  In some cases without even changing professions.  She also studied quite in depth how every pony in the military and while some supposedly gave up on following their cutie mark fully, they all found some way to do just that.

"Huh, I wonder if that's the face?" said Twilight

"Thou meanest thy thinking about knowledge face?  It is similar but not the same.  And while it seems very likely you are right, especially the timing, that proves nothing."

"What do you mean.  The elements of harmony…"

"Do not need to be wielded by an alicorn.  We know this.  Any other evidence?

"I wish I had my journal with me.  I know I’m forgetting some things.  I'm sure I'll think of something else in a second."

"You mean you hath recorded some useful notes in your diary?"

Twilight shook her head.  "Oh no.  That would be far too confusing.  I meant my Alicornication Journal.  It contains the various details and…"

"We might be interested to see that."

Twilight suddenly smiled.  "Ah, I almost forgot the most obvious.  My odd power level.  Though I never have understood how Celestia didn't realize it would be obvious and kept trying to hide it.  As her student I had access to nearly every book in the kingdom."

"Well that is simple.  Sunny is a terrible mage."

I just started, but managed to keep quiet saying nothing.

"What?  How can you say that?  She in the most powerful spell caster in all of Equestria and…"  Twilight then shoved a hoof in her mouth."

"Oh I agree with you.  She is far more powerful than me under most circumstances.  The thousand year alignment during the last Summer Sun festival, and the same alignment when I was imprisoned, is the only way I could possibly overpower her."

"Oh.  But didn't you just say…"

"Yes, and if you were to ask her even she would say she is terrible at it, at least for her age.  Even now she tells me, you have the skill, while I hath the power."

"But, but.  She's Princess Celestia."

There was brief silence, and after a few moments Twilight facehooved.  In truth that is actually a decent enough explanation for many things, but in this case it was obvious enough it wasn't a valid argument.

"So you're really a more skilled mage?"

"I'm a pegasus and even I can tell from her works how good she is." I said

Luna laughed.  "That's a bit over the top, but Celestia's school used to be mine."

"You founded it?"

"Yes, but I mean more literally.  Sunny has never shied away form using her power if she can think of a reason to.  The entire school used to be on an island, along with the Cresent quarter entire.  That's why the rock doesn't match."

Twilight blinked.  "So it really was fused onto the mountain like it appears?"

Luna nodded.  "Yes.  Also Sunny has always been older, and far wiser, than I.  Yet the art of magic itself, that is mine.  I can craft spells a thousand times more complicated then her best efforts."

"But I still don't understand.  There seems to be no magical tidbit she doesn't know.  Every time I went to her with a question she had answer."

"Are you sure?  Even if she did have all the answers you required, which for such a comparatively young pony is not too unlikely, I doubt she just gave them to you."

"Are you saying, sometimes she wasn't testing me, but she really didn't know the answer?  That Celestia…"

She never finished the sentence.  For a long while there was an utter silence I'd never heard the like of before.  I gently took off, barely flapping at all.  It was enough.  In Equestria I never would have gotten off the ground, but here gravity really was weaker.  It still all felt so wrong, but at the same time it was utter freedom.  I felt like nothing could stop me from just flying forever.

"Are you really sure about this?"

Luna laughed.  "Of course not.  I don't think I'm wrong, but it has been a thousand years.  She may have caught up more than I think."

"Perhaps you have both wandered off topic?" I asked

"Oh yes, we have."  Twilight tilted her head.  "Where was I again?"   

"You could not understand how she could not know.  I said how she could, but what Sunny knows and does not may occasionally be beyond understanding.  There are times where she simply knows."

Twilight's right ear twitched slightly.  "That sounds terrifyingly familiar.  Can she predict the future too?"

"What does thou mean by..."  Then Luna frowned.  "You are right Twilight Sparkle, the idea that Celestia and Pinkie Pie may share an ability is terrifying."

I lazily circled around the two ponies in the air.  "It is most likely just a coincidence."

"Yes." Said Luna

"Of course."

Twilight didn't sound much more convinced than Luna.  I hadn't spent that much time with Pinkie, but between Fluttershy and the friendship reports it was enough.

"ONWARD.  It matters not what sister knew or did not.  Sunny was convinced this was over once you proved she wasn't your mother with those fetlock shavings.

Twilight turned away, then sighed, followed by a hollow giggle.  "Yea, that wasn't really a shining moment for me."

Luna laughed.  "Yes.  While my sister does like her fun if you were her daughter she would have told you, even if no other pony knew."

Then Twilight looked up again.  "But that's why I'm sure.  I mean as you obviously know no part of an alicorn ever decays, even when separated, and though some of the more extreme properties tend to fade with time, their magical resonance remains."

Luna blinked.  "So thou kept the shavings, and tested them again later for something else?  What did you learn?"

"I can't be a unicorn.  There are too many similarities for it to be a coincidence and with time my magical aura seems to alter more and more, coming closer and closer to matching Celestia's.  It can only mean one thing."

"No.  It can mean nearly anything."  I said then dropped slightly not keeping beat quite right for a second.  "Wait a moment."

"She is right Twilight Sparkle."  She then looked up at me.  "But before we discuss that further what is on your mind Sky?"

"This similarities thing is I assume real and not some confusion."

"Absolutely."

"So could a unicorn with a certain strange mindset and the skill to somehow detect the same come to the conclusion Twilight was borrowing Celestia's power somehow."

Luna smiled.  "We think we know who you mean.  That is most interesting in a number of ways.  But yes, it is very possible she could come to that conclusion."

"But that's just as wrong as my conclusion?" asked Twilight

Luna nodded.  "You have a wonderful mind, but Sunny is right that at times you miss the obvious.  Let me guess, recently it has spiked in power tremendously, making you even more sure."

"Uh, yes, I suppose that is accurate.  Princess what does it mean?"

Luna smiled.  "It means that thou contain the ELEMENT OF MAGIC ITSELF.  It only stands to reason that would be the case, having activated them.  Though in truth we didn't think the elements worked that way."

"Oh."

It was quiet for a moment.  There was something she wasn't saying.  Something important she knew but wasn't saying outright.  Then it suddenly clicked for me.  The exact details weren't clear but the greatest power in Equestria was clearly affecting her magic in some way.  Further it only stood to reason Twilight wasn't unique in this.  So I'm the sister of a goddess.  I wasn't really surprised I forgot to flap, even if it is one of the most natural things in the world.  Luna caught me with her magic.

"All six?" I asked

"Yes, but we suspect you are jumping to the same conclusion as young Twilight.  She may become an alicorn.  She would certainly have the power to assume such a form, but that does not truly make her the same as sister or I."

I blinked, suddenly remembering something.  "The alicorn project."

Luna smiled.  "So you really have read most of the library after all."

"What library?" asked Twilight, eyes sparkling gently.

"The question should be what the project was." Said Luna

"It was a double study on the nature of magic and form.  Ponies from all four races were given the forms of an alicorn." I said

Twilight blinked.  "Wow, that's amazing.  But the amount of power to do such a thing is unthinkable.  I don't know how…"

"It was a personal project Twilight.  Also transformation is difficult for unicorns but not truly magic intensive.  Does thou wish to know the results?"

Twilight then hopped in place with anticipation.  I think she only stopped because she realized she was hopping above Luna's head in the low gravity.  I plucked her from the sky and placed her on the ground.  The air still didn't feel right.  It was like it wasn't really all here or something.

"Sorry."

Luna smiled  "We heard tales of such enthusiasm but only now do we truly understand what Sunny meant.  First, pegasai."

"They could still fly, but there was only one small effect."  I said  "They could make their horns light up, and most couldn't even do that."

"Unicorns could move their wings, but no matter how long or how hard they tried, they could not fly.  Neither gained any greater control of their earth magic."

"Earth ponies could leave the ground, but only for brief periods, the results for lighting up their horns were nigh nonexistent."

"What about the hippocampai?" asked Twilight

"The what?"  I then shook my head.  "Never mind, I remember now.  The mer-mares were excellent at lighting their horns and moving their wings, but could do nothing else.  It was determined earth ponies only got off the ground due to their extreme endurance and strength, and obviously even that has some limits.

"All this is much as expected.  Do thou know why Twilight?"

Twilight blinked, then got a big smile on her face.  "I do.  It's because the magic is far more important than form.  Pegasai fly mostly because of their magic, unicorn magic is the same, and earth ponies and…" Twilgiht then frowned.  "But what does that mean?"

"We do not know.  Sunny and I eagerly await the answer.  You have always been special Twilight Sparkle, but even to us not all is clear."

"So that's it?"

"For now.  When and if we know more we will be happy to share.  So, are thou satisfied, or is there something else thou wish to ask?"

Twilight smiled again.   "Oh, that project.  It sounds like there are records of it and you mentioned a library.  It is some private personal library?"

Luna laughed.  "In a way, yes."

"The shadow library became the Moon Guard's main responsibility.  It contains Luna's various works and was the only record of her legacy.  It was the closest we could get to guarding the mare herself."

"Yes, Sunny should have destroyed all the materials if she listened to the nobility, but instead she merely sealed a copy of each book and various materials away, then rewrote or erased me from anything that mentioned me."

"Which considering what the nobles wanted was rather tame.  Also she didn't destroy any of the Luna statues, merely what identified them as such.  Smoothing out the mane to erase the stars was deemed sufficient in most cases."

Twilight blinked.  "You mean some of the oldest statues of Celestia are really Luna?"

"There is a resemblance.  Also time removes details, making it very hard to tell even if you're looking.  In some cases when enough detail was present it was simply assumed the sculptor was being artistic, or lacking in talent.  Quite humorous."

"What is in this library exactly?"

"Everything."  I said.  "Luna was quite the prolific writer so it was really a massive undertaking.  Furthermore an original copy of all works that quote or otherwise mention Luna are also stored there, as well as maps, globes, and various other sundry items she had a direct hoof in."

Twilight's eyes went wide.  "And I've never heard about it because it's secret?"

"THIS IS WHAT…"  Luna sighed  "What we wished to discuss with thee in the first place.  The shadow library is still mostly sealed but we wish to change that."

"So this is a library…"  Twilight had begun to vibrate slightly.  "Full of books nopony has read in a thousand years?"

"Well not nopony."  I said  "We are tasked with guarding the books, but with the standard library preservation spells we don't really need to do much to take care of them.  It's also a huge vault deep beneath Canterlot.  There really isn't that much traffic."

"So you read them?"  

Then she got uncomfortably close.  I flew a bit higher to put some distance between us.  The intense look in her eyes didn't fade.

"How big is it.  The Library.  How big?  How many books?  What other types of materials and how much…"

I held up a hoof, and was mildly surprised she stopped.  "I don't have the catalog with me and I forget the exact numbers.  There are several million volumes if you add up…"

"Several million?" 

The noise that directly followed was like a combination between shriek, giggle, and a gasp.  Then Twilight fell over with a light thump, kicking up a cloud of grey dust.  I should have expected a reaction like this.  I sighed.  

> Luna's Library
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"This is amazing."

I simply nodded to Twilight beside me.  The Shadow Library had been built in a huge vault that might have once held grain or other foodstuffs.  But it was hard to tell.  The book shelves, walls, walkways, and bridges were all custom made, as if molten stone had been poured into a single giant seamless mold.  I had a feeling that is exactly how they had been made, the mold either being teleported away, or simply a massive magical barrier of immense scale and complexity.  The library was countless stories tall, bridges linking the walkways at various reasonable intervals, and stairs curving up in certain key locations.  On the ground floor were elegant rugs with expensive wooden tables.  It was a designed to be used, but only ever had been by a tiny number guarding it.

Yet the most striking thing was the darkness.  There were lights, and sometimes we even bothered to turn them on.  But our helmets did many things, and our eyes not only gave us good night vision, but somehow made ink appear to glow in the dark.  At least most ink.  At least one newspaper used one that didn't, and so did some modern book publishers and many other things, but it worked with everything here.  Well unless it had color, but mostly that was just the maps.  But there was some light.  The bookshelves were covered in glowing blue runes.  Small ones lined every shelf and larger ones ran along the supports and shelf ends.  Amazing didn't do it justice.  I felt it should be one of the wonders of Equestria.

"There are so many.  I mean how could you possibly organize them?"

"That is why we asked for your help Miss Sparkle.  You see, this library, while quite grand, has never been sorted."

I cringed.  "Uh, that isn't, quite true."

"What does thou mean?"

"I'm not sure if it's a little joke Celestia is playing on you or…"

"Joke?" Twilight shook her head.  "I'm sure the Princess…"

Luna sighed.  "We are sure she would.  We are also surprised we have to tell you this."

"The other possibility is somehow she isn't aware.  I'm not sure a report was ever actually filed about creating the catalog.  Though I would think it's implied by the organization of the books.  That project was very slow going until captain Dew came along but…"

"Captain Dew."  Twilight once gain was invading my personal space  "You don't mean Maple Dew, do you?  The pony that created the Dew Decimal system?"

I nodded.  "Yes, she was.  She only became a guard because she decided it would be the easiest way to get into various restricted libraries.  She actually created the system here out of necessity simply because there are so many books."

"But she said in her autobiography that she got the idea…"

"That is possible, and the initial idea that even is the truth, but there is actually one more thing archived here.  The diaries of all the Moon Guard captains.  It's clear that she had some ideas coming in, but only when Celestia transferred her here did she figure out how to put all her ideas together into the current system."

"In point of fact the current system is a version…"

"That has be altered from her original design is several small and important ways, but at it's core it remains the same.  I have been guarding a library a long time miss Sparkle.  You need not lecture me on such things."

She smiled brightly, and looked to my left.

"We feel it best to mention that Twilight cannot see that well as she lacks your helmet, or my natural abilities in the darkness."

I suddenly blinked.  "Wait, what helmet."

"Oh, yes.  Hmmm, we suppose the night vision spell migrated before altering the shape of your eyes.  Truly a stroke of luck."

"Yes, luck."  I really hoped they couldn't see me briefly pout.

"You didn't know until just now?" said Twilight

"Well I don't usually take it off so I never really thought about it.  Besides, with the new armor the chance of such spell leakage is non-existent so let me see if I can find one of the girls around here to get you a helmet.  You look like you're a standard size."

"We think we have a better idea."

The golden orb that appeared wasn't what I expected.  I also didn't expect Luna to just let it drop.  Then it touched Twilight's horn, and splattered like it was made of water or ink.  Except it began to form into something, creating a thin gold swirl following the contour of her horn.  It also formed into a pair of glasses connected to this swirl, but very thin.  Then there was a shimmer and faint glowing light was in place of glass.  They looked a bit odd, but pretty.

"OOO, that's nice, but why did it cover my horn too?"

"Because it is not meant to be removed.  It will restrict your magic somewhat, but we believe long term it will be good for you."

Twilight went wide eyed.  "You weakened my magic?"

Luna shook her head.  "No, you shall simply be limited to how much stronger you can become.  If Celestia is right you may not even reach that point for years.  If I am right it could be a matter of days."

"Oh.  But what if I need more power?  What if I have to remove it and…"

"If you truly must, it will come off on it's own.  It has a few other tricks like the glasses as well, but I leave that for you to discover on your own."

"Uh…"  Twilight briefly went cross eyed trying to get a good look at her horn.  "It's a little flashy though don't you think?"

"We do not think so, though if it truly isn't to taste one of the other tricks I mentioned can fix that.  Also the glasses do retract."

"Okay, if you think it's best I'll wear it."    

Luna clapped her hooves together, now off the ground.  "Excellent.  Now my captain, explain more of what you've done."

"I have done very little.  In fact the job was almost done when I took the post.  It's not quite done, but as you can see it's quite clean, and there are only a few hard to organize sections left.  Mostly your research notes and similar material."

"Does thou mean the books are done?"

"Yes.  Honestly the major job right now is the safety analysis.  We've cleared all the fiction, historical, and science texts, but the magic volumes are very tricky."

"And my personal spell books?"

"Separate vault.  I've been meaning to ask you about moving them, but this is the first time you've brought them up."

"Yes, I haven't had much use for them.  I still have a lot to catch up on."

I then noticed Twilight was drooling.  She had begun walking down a row, and clearly liked what she saw.  I wondered how much of the conversation she had actually heard.  Then she suddenly started.  I guess she was paying some attention.

"Oh, sorry it's just.  I mean some of these are long whispered about lost volumes of work.  I'd be lucky to see even one, but they're all right her on one shelf.  And the ones I don't recognize sound even more interesting."

"So Sky, my library was well taken care of, and at some rate over a thousand years mostly organized, not, as Sunny said, the books just put on the shelves as they would best fit in any order?"

"The early Moon Guard journals suggest that was the case, but it's been fixed."

Luna smiled, but was also crying.  "Truly my guard never lost their loyalty.  Even if they could no longer serve me as they were tasked, they found a way.  We are very pleased."

Then in an instant she wiped the tears away and still smiling flew upward even higher nearly reaching the ceiling.  She then dropped back down.

"So only must some of the smaller vaults scattered about the room or otherwise secure the dangerous books and we will be ready?"

"Well a decision about what to do about the Nightshade vaults will also be required.  I trust I don’t' need to explain what they contain or why we cannot allow them to be seen by the public at large."

Luna nodded.  "Yes, very.  They should be moved to the basement of the palace and properly secured.  If a proper space isn't available I will make one."

I nodded.  "I should note anything known to be dangerous magic is already sealed away.  We simply haven't gone over all of it yet.  Some of the academy staff could surely make short work of that, though my girls are doing a good job sorting it themselves."

"Hmm, we think we shall pull them off as many of their other duties as possible and get them to work on this full time.  Or do you object?"

"We live to serve your…"  She glared at me.  "Luna."

"Good.  Then with that out of the way, I shall tour this wonderful library with my new student and…"

"What?"

Luna then caught Twilight, who somehow had managed to fall over the railing.  Twilight was soon back on solid ground and Luna chuckled.

"Yes, we suppose we forgot that part.  As I have said, my sister is far more powerful than and I has many other skills I lack, but I am the better mage.  Naturally she wishes me to take over your magic education."

"Take over, but…"

"You are still her student as well, and friendship is one thing I still have much to learn about.  History and Science I am still behind on, but magic seems to have not only slowed to a crawl, but much knowledge has been lost."

"But your majesty surely you don't plan to make Twilight…"

"Move?  Of course not.  We also are not sure how much of our time we shall have to devote to your studies, as you know we already have one very needy student, but we are sure we can make more time than Celestia."

"She is very busy, but can't you help her with that?"

Luna frowned  "We have tried Twilight Sparkle.  Many times.  We lack her skill in many things and Sunny often tries to take too much upon herself or she feels terribly guilty."

"Oh."

"We shall not stop trying, but for now we need to adjust to this era more.  Also Sunny has had a thousand years to become set in her ways.  She even still begins to raise or lower the moon on occasion if I am not right next to her."

Twilight blinked.  "Oh, I never really thought about it that way."

"Hmm, mine captain, you look bored.  We think we are done with you for now, and you should return to…"

"NO."  I then looked down.  "Sorry your majesty."

"Luna.  You need not apologize.  You have yet to interrupt us without good reason."

"Blossomforth is the mare most responsible for making sure everything runs smoothly, and I am sure she is on duty.  If you really wish to open the vault to the public as a library as soon as possible, I suggest we seek her out."

"Can I still help?" asked Twilight

"I have little doubt of that.  Also as I said our greatest trouble is properly classifying the safety of various magical works.  I'm sure if nothing else you could help with that.  There may be some other details I'm forgetting that you also might be ideal for."

"Yes, but we do not wish to take thee away from Ponyville for too long a time.  Perhaps we could add a small vault to thine library for the purposes of sorting."

"Oh, that won't be necessary.  I still don't know why but the library is heavily enchanted.  It's far bigger on the inside than the outside, and there are a large number of hidden rooms, many of which can be secured very easily."

"Hmm, we will have to look into that we think.  But we do not doubt thee.  Excellent, this will be easier than expected."

"Come on, the shadow library is big and finding any one pony can be tricky at times."

"Ah yes, lead on Sky."

I took to the air, but stayed close to the railing so Twilight could follow along.  The office would be the obvious option, but by no means was there always a pony there.  The doors would be guarded, but they also would be unlikely to know of any pony's movements.  I would check the office to see if Blossom gave herself door duty, or the far more likely patrol duty.

> Shining Armor and a looming threat
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Armor." I said

"Silent."

I hated being called Silent by itself.  I had no problem with my full name, but alone it just sounded wrong.  Shining Armor knew this.  I also was well aware while he wasn't fond of being called Shinny by anypony other than his sister and his pink princess, he hated just Armor more.  We were both standing outside the meeting of ludicrously powerful beings.  It was "not a discussion for mortal ears" he said.  I have never been fond of King Zephyr, but Luna and Celestia rolled their eyes and had us leave anyway.

"So, Twilie said she's been seeing a lot of you lately."

"Luna has been about Ponyville a lot, not to mention Twilight helping with the library."

"You're still too uptight." His eyes narrowed

"And you're still an embarrassment to proper discipline."   Mine did much the same

We glared at each, then started laughing so hard we had to hold onto each other to stand up.  Ours was an odd relationship.  We even dated once.  It was relatively pleasant affair, but if hadn't been for the bit at the end it would have been quite forgettable.  One tends to remember a pink alicorn threatening to turn you into sausage if you don't stay away from her stallion.  If it wasn't for spending some time around the griffin embassy I wouldn't even know what sausage is, but that just made it all the more disturbing.  Then I started.

"Wait, I remember now."

"Remember what?  Don't tell me little miss checklist britches forgot something important.  You're almost as bad as Twilie sometimes, even if you rarely right the lists down."

I shook my head.  "No I just remembered that a group of griffin guards entering the looking for a dissident named Gilda."

"And why…"

"Because that is the name of Rainbow Dash's friend.  Since you barely have the brainpower to remember you own name…"

"That was one time.  I know the names of my sisters five closest friends.  So that means that most likely…"

"She's been deported and is rotting in a griffin prison.  Possibly literally depending on what she did.  You know how they are."

He nodded.  "You should still tell her."

I sighed.  He was right of course, like usual.  I really hated how often he was right.  I then pulled myself into a more rigid pose.

"So captain, is there any concerns you have that you feel like sharing with me?"

"Nah, not really."

I glared at him.

He rolled his eyes, then straitened his own posture.  "Fine, I have no concerns at this time captain.  There, happy?"

I gave his a slight smile.  "Yes."

"Twilie is doing alright, right?"

"That sounds like that is a concern."

"But not an official one."

"So you're not asking as the captain of the guard after a vital VIP to Equestria, but as a concerned brother?"

He glared at me.  "Yes."

"Then she's nervous and she clearly misses you but won't admit it.  Spend more time with her.  This should be obvious."  Then I smiled.  "But I guess you need the help with such easy to understand concepts don't you?"

"I can still take you."

"Neither of us is getting any younger, but you're the only one still getting older."

He sighed.  "Oh yes, I nearly forgot about that.  So that means I have four mares in my life who will never get any less beautiful while I fade away to dust."

"Possibly, though knowing Cadence that may be temporary.  She's very persistent, has considerable resources, and I know she's crazy about you."

"Why do you always put it that way?"

I said nothing.  I've faced down dragons, ursas and worse without breaking a sweat.  Every so often I still had nightmares about the look on Cadence's face.  It's never been clear if there really is a pony or pony like creature in charge of death or not.  If there is however I firmly believe he or she would greatly regret ending Shining Armor's life.  To say Cadence is scary when it comes to her true love is a vast understatement.  On the other hoof if I had magic that somehow let me know that without a doubt the second I him I might go to extremes at times as well.  He then laughed and shook his head.

"Things are going well by the way."

"Well enough you've told your sister?"

He smiled broadly, I just sighed.

"Hey, it's not like…"

"I don't need to hear your excuses anymore than Cadence does.  Only you could do something this foolish.  You'll be lucky she doesn’t turn you to stone."

"Do you mean Twilight or Cadence?"

I laughed.  "It probably does not matter."

I then walked over to one side of the door and took my position.  I didn't have to by any means, but it felt right.  Shinning didn't immediately say anything, but we'd probably continue the small talk until the meeting was over.  For the moment he just stood there staring at the floor.  Then something suddenly came to mind.

"I guess it's possible to get lost in thought no matter how few there are."

He glared at me and I laughed.  Soon he was laughing along with me.  It was a bit odd, but it could be fun.  It certainly could be worse.  The first few captains after Nightmare Moon were plotting to assassinate their sun guard opposite.  Now the occasional prank war was as bad as it got between the two branches of the guard. 





The moon had lost some of its allure from the first time.  A vast expanse of grey dust and rock just isn't that interesting.  The castle wasn't really much more interesting, just a structure of black stone and sconces filled with enchanted purple flames that never went out.  The dark blue carpets were the only other hints of color.  Also it was very square.  I was only now realizing how much liked the curves and circles employed in most Canterlot architecture.  On the other hoof a room on the interior of a fortress on the moon is about as secure as can be managed.  Luna and Nightshade were the only other two ponies in the room with me.

Nightshade had dropped all pretence, taking his natural hole filled form.  He wasn't really that much taller, but it was just enough to require him to look down to meet the eyes of most ponies.  His bluegreen hair was long and with his thin build gave him an almost feminine appearance.  However he just as clearly a stallion, despite the oddity of his hard carapace instead of fur.  Royal changelings all also lacked the blue protective lenses of the rank and file, always showing their eyes to the world.  He smiled, mouth full of scary but mostly useless teeth.

"This is not good news, is it?"

He sighed.  "Right to the point as always.  I find a few pleasantries…"

"We are not fond of wasting time either Prince Nightshade.  I assume this has something to do with changelings and not something you can risk being overheard at all?"

He nodded.  "Ever since Equestria recovered from the damage of your defeat, I trust you know of all the damage cause."

Luna nodded and sighed.  "Yes.  We are well aware the damage to the kingdom was nothing compared to that done to our citizen's spirits, and especially our sister."

"It took a long time for her to do much more than raise the sun, and even that…"

Nightshade laughed.  "It wasn't called the dark ages for nothing.  The point is we tend to follow the love, so when Equestria was prosperous again, we started slinking into the country again here and there."

Now Luna smiled.  "I am sure it helped they knew one of their own was still here in a position of power, even if the moon guard was rightfully considered very suspicious."

He laughed again.  "Not really.  Actually they stayed away from me and my new mini-hive as much as possible.  Of course without the hive as a guide they would have to look in our eyes to know for sure."

"And vice versa unfortunately." I added  "I rarely have enough soldiers to track down a changeling when they do something wrong."

"Yes, branching out from just being soldier and spies mean you don't have as many under your command.  But as you know I'm a rather hands off prince."

"A separate hive?" asked Luna  "I didn't know thou could do that."

He laughed.  "Neither did I.  Just an idea I came up with since I wasn't even going to bother to see if you left a loophole."

"I didn't."

"Of course not.  You were very through.  Mother was only a little ticked off about that, she did pick to me to lead all the good little drones she sent for a reason and was willing to risk us all anyway.  But then one of my sisters decided to try the same thing."

Luna blinked.  "So the great hive is no more?"

He shook his head.  "No, not gone, but weakened."

So far this was all familiar territory.  Most of the time I didn't even think about it.  They were just more of my girls, and a little better at transformation than some of the others.  They have served Luna faithfully for over a thousand years, it was doubtful any of them would suddenly start overfeeding or otherwise making trouble.  Then Suddenly I realized what Nightshade might be getting at.

"The population is going up."

"What?" said Luna

"Ah yes.  The point.  As always you're all business Sky."  He frowned.  "Still I suppose we could reminisce for literally years if you weren't here to keep us on track."

"So there are more changelings?" said Luna  "That does not sound like any great problem.  A few skulking…"

"It isn't like that." Said Nightshade.  "The numbers have been steadily increasing.  Too steadily to be natural.  It's clearly planned.  Then I lost track of the swarm."

"I see." Said Luna, frowning deeply.

"Is that really that unusual?  I remember you explaining about their methods and…"

He shook his head.  "Yes, but even if disguised as another species, the swarm's movements tend to be obvious enough.  At least to me."

"So you think she's coming here.  Despite the support she has always given me, both before and as the Nightmare you think…"

"Yes, Chrysalis, who as you have no doubt guessed is now Queen rather than princess of the changelings, is planning something.  Most likely an attack."

I sighed.  "And we are all bound by magic to say nothing."

"Mostly true.  Technically Luna cannot be truly bound by such things, and that geas works only on those who serve her."

"But it is still best not to break a promise to the fae."

"But surely they cannot…" I began

"Hurt me?"  Luna smiled.  "That is mostly true my captain.  But I doubt they would even try.  No, they would make Equestria suffer for my broken promise.  They would punish me by harming others, and that in turn is the greatest injury they could do me."

"Still, we must do something this attack could come at any moment."

"Relatively."  Luna laughed.  "When did the numbers begin to become suspicious?"

"About 237 years ago, though only in retrospect of course.  However that is my second concern.  A far greater concern in fact.  Since your return the numbers have increased considerably.  It's sloppy.  That would suggest mother is rushing."

Luna gasped, almost looking like she was ready to fall, but stayed upright.  The fae are nothing if not patient.  That's the saying, and it was clear from her dairies how well she knew Chrysalis.  I closed my eyes.

"So she's acting in an unusual manner.  That's always dangerous."

"Yes, but I think in this case it's obvious at least one thing that changed.  You my dear Luna."  He smiled, looking at the princess.  "So while her exact reasoning is unclear, it having something to do with you is obvious."

"Or the elements.  After all if they can defeat a god…" I began

"Ah yes."  He laughed again.  "Too true.  Not knowing the plan we can't be sure what she's planning, so why she's changed it is right out."

"We can still prepare."  I said  "We can't explain, but we can prepare."

Luna nodded.  "Yes.  Though I fear we'll be hindered a great deal by that restriction.  Sunny does not and never will trust me as she once did."

"I am always asking for permission to tighten security.  It wouldn’t be that suspicious if you backed me and…"

"Possibly." Said Luna  "For now let us simply hope we have more time, and that we can discover what her plan is before it's too late."

"She is rushing be we have at least months, possibly more.  She has been planning this move for a long time.  Unless the deadline is truly set in stone we will have at least a little time.  There is an option to learn more, but it could backfire."

"Reconnect your subjects with the greater hive?  No, that seems like a bad idea.  The only advantage we have is she may not be aware of all we know about her yet."

"So we wait?" I asked

"We wait."

Nightshade and I nodded at the same time.  Luna let out a great sigh and collapsed on the rug.  The true nature of the Changeling queen wasn't clear, it had been a thousand years, and she had been secretive to begin with.  A great deal of the time Luna talks about her is trying to determine if she's being honest or not.  The worst part is the changelings are not a simple military threat.  It's not like a race whose nature is that of deception is suddenly going to decide to abandon that and stage a direct attack.  I wish it could that simple, but changelings are tricky.  I much prefer them on my side, but clearly we have a big problem coming our way sometime soon.  

> Miss crazy wings
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The snow was lovely.  I really loved this time of year.  Also it wasn't too cold, but still too much for most unicorns and earth ponies.  The crescent quarter was very quiet, covered in snow.  Like the palace of the moon it was dark and spooky compared to the sun palace and the solar quarter, but it still had the same elegance and class.  The major difference between the two grand structures was the three observatories built into the roof of the moon palace.  The Equestrian Astronomy Society still had their headquarters in the palace.  In fact when they came to ask Luna what to do she ordered them to stay.  But it was a new addition to the quarter that made me smile the most.

Looking down at it from a cloud also best illustrated the sheer size of the newly opened and renamed Library of Glimmering Night.  Luna had kept most of the lights off, only allowing normal light in the various reading rooms.  A few were there to begin with, but most were converted vaults.  The facade was new, a thing of columns and marble very reminiscent of pegasai architecture, but the black marble giving it her own spin.  The vault was mostly intact inside, the only major difference being opening a third door and removing the large vent most pegasai used to get down there.  The second door opened in the mountain district as did the third, but near the entrance to the bluffs.  For structural reasons they couldn’t put it just anywhere, so a path led down from a new cliff face to the quarter proper.  I think it came out perfect.

"Ah, so admiring your hoofywork my captain?"

"It is hardly mine.  You built everything, you and your sister teleported it to a more convenient location together, and Twilight and Blossom got everything else squared away."

"And Trixie, but we understand why you dislike her so."

I then turned to see her majesty stop, and with a flash of her horn simply add a cloud to the sky.  Even some of her most minor feats were impressive if you thought about it.  I'm sure I could gather a little moisture if I flew around even on a night this cold, but I certainly couldn't manage enough to make a cloud.

"She was a big help I suppose."

"Of course we could have saved you some time if we'd looked at our research sooner.  We never had it that organized."

"Has Trixie really continued to help you with that like she said?"

"Of course.  Trixie is a very dependable mare in her own way.  If it is truly within her capability, and she says she will do it, it is done."

"But…"

"I'll rip out your mane you job stealing freak." Yelled Blossomforth

Then I saw a rainbow colored streak go by.  I didn't see Dash herself, but I knew of no other pony it could be.  Luna's magic caught Blossomforth and she vainly tried to follow the streak a few seconds later.  Then to my surprise Dash floated into view a moment later.  Luna stood tall, and brought the two mares together, glaring.  They both looked away.

"You will explain yourselves.  NOW."

"I'm sorry." They both echoed

"We do not care right now.  EXPLAIN."

"Look I dunno.  I was just checking out the crescent quarter since Twi made it sound really cool, and it totally is by the way Luna.  Only like 74 percent as radical, but like 37 percent more awesome than the boring sun quarter."

"Thank you, but do not think flattery will work."

"I don't, it's just great, really.  Anyway I was just seeing the sights and then bam, crazy wings here starts chasing me yelling about ruining her life so I take off.  End of story."

"You did ruin my life.  I'll…"

"What are you talking about, I don't even know you?"

"Don't know me?"

Then Blossom tried in vain to struggle out of Luna's telekinetic grasp, kicking her hooves in Dash's direction and flapping her wings.  It of course accomplished nothing.  I sighed, flew up, and removed her helmet.  Her fur returned to it's normal white, and her hair a mix of pink and aqua.  Her mane and tail were styled rather strangely.  At the top was a cloud like puff of hair and then a waterfall of strait hair flowed down from that.  The cloud like part was especially wild, several hairs veering off in random directions.  As expected one of her eyes, this time the right one, had a severe twitch going off just about every second, maybe even more than that, the twitches overlapping.  Dash got a big pained smile on her face, then weakly waved.

"Oh, hi Blossomforth."  She looked away.  "I'm still sorry you lost your job but it really wasn't my fault."

"Wasn't your fault?  Wasn't your fault?  It was all your fault.  I was the best at clearing clouds.  The best.  Not a single drop of water was left when I was done.  If it was to be sunny it would be sunny, not mostly sunny with a chance of tiny clouds."

"Yea, and if you didn't go all twitchy eye about everything you'd still have it.  I mean come on…"  Dash was facing Blossom again, and threw out her hooves.  "Everything else was bad enough…"  She giggled.  "Man I forgot about that one, so funny."

Blossom said nothing, just grunted and once again flayed her hooves in vain.

"Uh, yea, anyway, the point is…"  Dash paused  "Oh yea, the point is that other stuff was bad but after you turned the mayor into an icecube she kinda had to fire you."

"Shut up.  Shut up you lazy cloud loving fool.  There is an order.  A way of doing things.  You have to be sure.  You can't just zip around and assume just because it seems alright it is.  You have to make sure."

"We assume this is how she ended up in the military."

"By special order of princess Celestia." I added.  "It was that or the loony bin.  I turned and glared at Blossom.  "How many regulations are you breaking right now Blossom?"

She gasped.  "Oh no.  No, not again.  Not again."

"Calm down right now.  You do your duty.  That is most important.  You will be punished appropriately, but that is later."

Her head sagged.  "Sorry mam.  Will not happen again mam."

"Very good."

"We absolve thee of thy punishment this time." Said Luna  "However in return we ask you give Dash a chance.  We plan to visit her in the future and find you a delightful companion.  We do not we to make exceptions for no good reason."

"I'll try mam.  I think I need to go check something in the library, may I go?"

"We shall send you forthwith."

With a flash she was gone.  Dash then let out a breath.  A moment later she was released from Luna's grip.  She immediately flew around the cloud a few times, then collapsed next to me.

"Oh man, dealing with her is way too stressful.  Does this mean the restraining order is gone then?"

"The magic of the order actually expired some time ago." I said

"This was very serious, wasn't it?"

I nodded.  "Deadly.  There was a time where she might have even really hurt Dash.  Cutie mark failure syndrome is very scary by itself."

I noticed Luna shuddered, but she said nothing.

"Couple it with a naturally overstressed pony that just lost her job and things can get nasty.  Luna, is there something the matter?"

"As you know, there have been many advancements in science since my imprisonment.  Especially the study of the mind."

Dash's head shot up.  "Wait, so nightmare moon was just a bad case of CMFS?"

"Possibly.  There is one known outside factor.  Sunny and I thought it not to be at the time, but now I am far less sure."

"Outside factor?  Like some sorta alien mind worm or something?"

Luna laughed.  "No, far more subtle and less physical than that.  Possibly a faint magical remnant in my mind after what seemed to be a complete failure."

"Wait, this sounds more like a who not a what."

"Princess if there is a true threat to your wellbeing I must be informed."

"NEIGH."

Luna stomped a hoof and the cloud lit up with lightning.  It was far too light in color for that to be possible.  I felt my hair stand on end, and saw Dash's do the same.  Electricity can't do any permanent harm to a pegasus, but it did have some effect.  If bad enough it would even not just blacken fur, feather and mane, but cause a little real damage.  But never anything internal.  In fact some pegasai even liked getting shocked.  I will never understand why they actually like feeling as if somepony just slapped every cell in your body.  Luna looked down.

"We are sorry.  We do not wish to discuss that mismatched monster.  Also, you need not worry, he is sealed away for eternity.  Even if far too much of his legacy remains."

"Uh, okay then." Said Dash quickly.  "Is it okay if I just go now?"

Luna nodded.

"Good.  I'll see you later.  Maybe we can race again, that was fun.  Later."

She was gone in a flash.  I was terribly curious, and more than a little worried.  I hadn't thought of it at first but now I realized she had to be speaking of Discord.  Except there was clearly something I didn't know.  The stored journals, just like the sister's reign itself, begin some time after Discord.  There are a few accounts of the events, but his reign wiped out most equestrian history, and there is clearly at least one important detail left out.  There is also the very big detail that somehow he seemed to have incapacitated Gaia in some way.  Luna said I should speak my mind, but even though I felt it terribly important to ask her, I could not bring myself to do it.

> Tea at Fluttershy's
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"WE DEMAND YOU EXPLAIN CAPTAIN."

I had been hiding in the bushes, but now tumbled out.  Fluttershy gasped.  That seemed loud even to me.  Luna and Fluttershy were having tea as usual.  It was still snowy, but Winter Wrap Up wasn't that far away, so at least as far as pegasai were concerned it was fairly warm.  Though if Luna wasn't there to keep reheating the tea I'm sure they would be inside.  Dream was as per orders hiding in the tree.  This time he was still awake, reading a book.  He had on a long black coat that didn't seem that warm, but he insisted it was even though I suppose it didn't matter.  It did cover his wings well at least.  Some ponies still came up to me to ask about the wings but most of the ponies in Ponyville had already decided it wasn't that interesting and moved on.  I thought about darting back into the bush, but then decided to rush to Luna's side instead.

"Mam."  I saluted.  "I am avoiding somepony.  I had hoped they would not learn of my visits here, but now I know they do."

"Wait, is that why thou were absent earlier?"

"No, that was because I decided to give Dash some Wonderbolts tickets in pony while I was here."  I laughed.  "She was a little annoying regarding the Wonderbolts when she was younger, but she's fine now."

"We don’t understand."

"Obviously I am more than a few years older than her, and this stallion in my class became a wonderbolt so she kept bugging me even though I didn't know him well."

"Yes, she was just a little too…"  Shy paused  "…energetic about it."

"Eventually dad got her a VIP pass so she could visit them backstage, and after that she only ever bugged him."  Then I let out a short chuckle.  "But it's dad, so obviously she didn't try it that often."

Fluttershy giggled.

"Hmm, who is thou father.  I do not believe you have mentioned his name."

"We have not?" I said

"Oh, he's Steelwing."  Said Fluttershy.  "I know some soldiers say he's mean but he's really a big softie.  Just like a bear.  They look like they might be mean, but they're really just big fluffy teddy bears."

"With huge claws.  You are so strange sometimes Shy-shy.  When it comes to animals you're just not afraid of the right things at all."

Then I noticed Luna was just staring off into space.  I suppose she somehow really did miss me saying that.  Either that or this is the first time she'd really made the obvious conclusion that he's also Fluttershy's father.  Then again maybe it's just her having a hard time picturing dad in any way a big softie?

"Oh, I'm sorry.  It's just they don't seem very scary at all."

"To be fair…"  Luna then paused, briefly shaking her head.  "I think there is little thine sister has to fear from even the largest beast."

"Even Dragons?  Because…" I began, frowning

"That isn't the same."  Said Fluttershy, shaking slightly

"Dragons are not beasts.  Like griffins, ponies and others they are more than that."

"Of course your…"  

Then I cringed.  It hit a very small section of flesh under my armor.  Azalea could hit my bare flesh with pebbles from surprisingly great distances, and each one really hurt.  I know my old armor protected me from projectiles, and this should do the same, but as good as my girls are they certainly aren't Luna herself.  Luna said it might not matter, but other than it being an earth pony throwing the rocks wouldn’t elaborate.  I turned to see Azy wearing a thick winter coat and fur lined boots.

"Luna.  I meant Luna."

"Oh my, did somepony really…" began Fluttershy, looking around

"She did agree to it." said Azy

"Not as such but…"

"Fine, Luna asked you to do something.  It's the same thing really."

"Eeep."

Fluttershy was now under her own table.  Azy trotted up closer, looking around for another pony, and not immediately looking down.  Then she blinked.  

"Is she under the table?"

Luna and I both nodded.

"So I'm her one too many ponies to talk to?"

"She is not precisely like thou."

I sighed.  "Shy-shy can have issues with far more than just too much attention.  Like strange ponies.  And, well…"

Azy blinked.  "But she's met me before?"

"I'm sorry.  It's just with that coat you looked so scary and…"  There was a short pause.  I'm sorry.  I didn't know you were so big."

Azy leaned down.  I heard a little "eeep" in response.  I guess she had stayed under the bed the whole time, didn't she.  Fluttershy backed even further under the table.  Azy and I sighed at the same time.

"So anything I can do to coax her out?"

"Not really.  Shy-shy.  She's a nice pony, or zony rather.  You know this."

I heard Fluttershy mumble something, but it was far too quiet for me to make out.

"A zony is a pony who hath one zebra parent." Said Luna.

I laughed.  "I'm pretty sure I don't have to tell you about how that works.  Dad nearly had a heart attack when you asked him that question about procreation so young."

"From what you've said that doth not sound like her."

"Well it was really about rabbits, but she phrased it in such a way it didn't sound like it."

Azy suddenly smiled.  "Oh, I know."

Then Azy started whistling.  At first it just sounded like any other pony, but eventually it sounded much more like bird song.  It wasn't long before she had a dozen birds around her, and one even on a hoof she was holding up.  Fluttershy was now peeking out from under the table, but still keeping her distance.  She looked up at me.

"Is her talent animals too?"

I shook my head.  "No, it's music.  But even I know birds respond to music well."

"She even hath an idea to create a choir of birds.  Tis a wonderful idea, but the difficulty of such a feat would be immense."

"Oh it's really not that difficult."

Luna then blinked, and stared at Fluttershy.  No doubt remembering my sister has that choir.  In fact she was performing with them during the summer sun celebration, wasn't she?  Luna then briefly frowned, then smiled.  What is she thinking?

"She, doesn't really look that scary up close, does she.  No matter how big."

"Yet thou intend to remain hidden, don't…"  Luna cringed.  "She is very good, would you not agree my captain."

I nodded.  "I didn't even see her throw that time. Shy-shy are you sure you won't come out?  You believed me about Luna."

"No I believe you, I just like it under here.  It's safe."  Then she looked down.  "Okay, I'll come out in a second.  Sorry Azalea."

Then Fluttershy shrieked, and was suddenly out from under the table.  Pinkie followed out a moment later, smiling.  Fluttershy was blushing brightly.

"W-w-w-why did you just lick me Pinkie?"

"Because I like butterscotch."  She rolled her eyes.  "Duh."

"What?" I said

"Thy answer makes no sense.  That would suggest yon pegasus…"

"Actually most ponies taste rather like some sort of candy or other sweets." Said Azy

"You would know, wouldn’t you?"  I said

"Hey, that includes colts."  Azy then stuck out her tongue.  "Though they tend to be more spicy than sweet."  Then she suddenly blushed bright red.  "Wait, why are we talking about this?"

Pinkie raised up on two hooves, raising a front hoof in the air.  "Ooo, oo.  I know.  Pick me, pick meeeeee."

"WE SHALL SPEAK NO MORE OF SUCH THINGS."

It was amazingly loud.  I was surprised anypony was still standing.  I figured even Azy would have been knocked off her hooves but somehow she managed to remain upright.  The birds were gone though.  I shakily got to my hooves.  Fluttershy was once again cowering under the table.  Pinkie then threw her hooves in the air and giggled.  With every action I was more and more sure all the stories were true, even the ones that made the least amount of sense.  I was fairly certain there is no way she could have gotten under that table for example.

"Whoo, that was fun.  I wanna do it again."

"Thou art not afraid of me?"

Pinkie rolled her eyes.  "Why would I be afraid of you silly.  I mean you're Princess Luna.  You make the night all pretty and cause of you we had the best Nightmare Night ever."

"I know thou said it's fun to be scared sometimes but…"

"It was, but it's over, so I'm not.  Simple.  And you don't have to worry about me being all meanie weanie about you being Nightmare Moon.  That's all over."

"So thou hast no quarrel with me?"

She raised an eyebrow.  "Of coruse not, ponies give birth to other ponies crossbow bolts."  She shook her head.  "You are such a silly princess."

For a moment there was silence.  Then Luna laughed.  After a moment I smiled too, even though the very idea of somepony getting something that wrong is ridiculous.  Yet Luna just laughed and laughed.  Pinkie then got an even bigger smile on her face.

"You wanna get us all to like you, right?"  Pinkie was very suddenly in front of Luna, inches from her face.  "I’m easy.  Just keep smiling and laughing like that."

I had trouble following her movements properly.  The strange thing is it seemed like more than speed.  Like sometimes when she moved it was simply impossible to perceive.  Then she hopped away without another word.  Though she was humming some upbeat little tune.  That was, odd, to say the least.  

"She flew inside your…"  I then suddenly stopped and looked at Azy.  "Luna."

"Not the best save."  Azy then smiled.  "But it will do."

"Why art thou here Azalea?"

"Oh, I just like winter is all.  Ponyville is a nice place to visit, so I wandered over here."

"You mean you walked?" I asked

"It isn't really far, especially for me.  No big deal really.  Oh, by the way, Trixie is in town making a scene, so you might want to do something about that before she wastes all the work she's done regaining Ponville's trust by doing something dumb."

"What does thou meanest by a scene?"

"First, I have told you you're not consistent with your speech and sometimes it's outright wrong.  As in you're not even speaking Shakes Spear's Equish, but a random mix of rubbish that was never really right."

Luna sighed and nodded.  "I am aware.  Some things are more scrambled than others, but it is a minor issue, as I improve a little each day."

"Okay.  Then back to what I was saying.  I shouldn’t really need to elaborate."

"Also it was such a large crowd you immediately ran for it." I said

She looked away.  "Well, yes.  I mean it was just so many ponies.  But I saw a bunch of flashing lights and could hear Trixie over the din."

"I think that's enough of a conformation…" I briefly paused.  "Luna."

"Then let us be off."

Luna began walking off, Fluttershy just now coming out from under the table.  I was going to offer her a hoof up, but then something grey seemed to be going strait for Luna.  Of course once I intercepted the blur I realized I had made a mistake.  I immediately dove into a bush the mare with the wandering eyes certainly not a threat to Luna.  She blinked, wavering in the air a moment.  I hope I didn't hit her too hard.  Derpy looked around wildly, each eye going in different directions.  Then both eyes focused on Luna for a brief moment and Derpy was quickly dropped to the ground in front of Luna and bowed.  Luna raised an eyebrow.

"You, may rise miss Doo."

"Thank you your majesty."  She then stood up, a smile on her face.  "Though I go by Derpy nowadays."  Then she giggled.  "It's been a long time.  It's nice to see you again."

"Indeed.  Why are you after my captain?"

"Do you mean Silent Sky?"

She nodded.  "WE DO." 

The mare shook her head, possibly trying to clear her ears.  "Oh, she, well…"  She paused, then looked down.  "It's sort of a personal thing, but I really need to talk to her, but she always does her disappearing thing."

"Is this truly important?"

"Well, it might not seem that way to you your majesty but…"

Azy gasped.  "Omigosh Sky did you experiment in college?"

"What.  No I didn't.  Why would you even…"

Azy laughed about the same second I realized I broke cover.  I felt my ears fold back.  Wow that was dumb.  I face hoofed.  Then I sighed.

"Derpy, for the last time I don't know where he is.  Yes he was in my class in the academy but I really don't know where he is."

"But…"

"I don't know.  I can tell you where that other stallion is. The one that…"

Derpy rolled her eyes.  They went in different directions.  "I already know that.  I needed one thing from him once.  He seemed so nice a pony, but my older daughter is the only good thing that stallion has ever had any part of.  I'm glad he stays away."

"Have thou yet asked my sister to find this deadbeat stallion?"

Derpy blinked.  "Deadbeat…"  Then she laughed.  "Oh no, it's not like that.  See this stallion owes me a really important clock.  I don't want to bother Celestia.  She's always so busy.  I mean she must have more important things to do."

"We are fairly certain not.  You are an old dear friend miss Doo.  There are precious few of those we get to keep.  Do you have any idea where he is?"

"Yes, but just barely."  I said.  "He's a unicorn part of an expedition currently mapping the wildlands."

Luna gasped.  "The magical wildlands?"

I nodded "His talent is navigation."

Derpy took to the air.  "Yea, he's like the opposite of me.  My magnet is all messed up so even when I use a compass I still feel like it's the wrong way."

"Your magnet?" asked Azy

"Pegasi, like birds..."  I began  "…have a natural internal compass in the form of a small magnet.  Derpy has a legendarily bad sense of direction."

Derpy nodded, then turned to Azy.  "But I'm time locked, so I cant get it or my eyes fixed.  At least not for long.  But Celestia told me a long time ago they're not exactly a defect.  It took a long time to figure out what she meant, but I trusted her and waited."

"Time locked?" said Azy

"Yes, we remember miss Doo fondly from long ago."

I laughed.  "I knew you were immortal, but I did not think you were that old.  I would have asked about Luna if I knew."

"Well, it's more than that really.  I revert to the exact state I was during the chrono thingie accident.  It's really useful most of the time."

"You're really immortal?" said Azy

"It is more common than many ponies think." Said Luna  "This is a world with much magic."  Then she suddenly blinked.  "Wait, was thou on the Hindberg when it was attacked by that dragon?"

Derpy nodded and blushed.  I didn't believe her at first, but she really is the pony of doom.  For as far back as anypony can tell she seems to at least show up, if not cause, a lot of the greatest disaster's in pony history.  There is no doubt she means well, and that she certainly can't cause a volcano to erupt, but some ponies get nervous whenever she's around.  It's mostly ridiculous, especially since somehow nopony ever gets hurt, but the idea still persists.  Though she isn't just in the background of photos relating to disasters, but countless other things.

Derpy nodded.  "I was in a bunch of pictures too.  I'm also the reason why they can never agree if there was a casualty or not."

"We wondered about that."

"That's also why I don't usually bother with serious relationships."  She then smiled.  "It's worth it but it's also so painful when they go."

She kept smiling.  No matter what, she just kept smiling.  There was of course one other example to go on, but Fluttershy has always been a pessimist like Luna.  In fact she's more a, I sure hope the half glass of water left isn't poisoned type.  Though she has gotten better with time, and seems especially positive lately.  The awkward silence dragged on for a while.  Fluttershy was then giving Derpy a hug.  She didn't say anything, but Derpy's smile looked suddenly a lot more genuine.  Then Fluttershy quickly flew back inside her house.  This led to a shorter, only slightly less awkward pause.

"Derpy, is mine sister aware you live anywhere near her?"

"I don't know.  I haven't really talked to her much or anything.  I accepted an award or two from her over the years, but we never really talked."

"Thou should.  Mine sister has so few true friends because she puts so much of herself into her friendships, and despairs when they end.  Also while the spell you would need to find something within the magical wildlands would need to be very powerful, it is also very simple.  For our sister it is a trifle."

"Ohhh.  Uh, okay.  Should, I just, uh, go now?"

Luna nodded.  "Truly.  Thou need wait no longer, and bother my friend no more."

"Okay."  She waved.  "Goodbye princess.  Thank you your majesty."

Derpy then sped off.  Then she stopped, looked around, and turned toward Canterlot.  This time she flew off in the right direction.  There were jokes about her not flying strait, but she has had plenty of time to practice and flew as strait as anypony.

"I have a question." Said Azy  "You said Celestia…"

"I have never been my sister, no matter how hard I tried to be.  One of the truths yon elements of harmony showed me is how much that led to my unhappiness."

"Luna."  I then sighed, and leapt into the air to hover at Luna's side.  "Does this mean you care less about us?"

Luna shook her head.  "No, but I have always been more accepting of the inevitable decay of the world, and it's inherent chaos.  Sunny strives to keep things in a perfect eternal order whenever she can."

"Wait, you mean the tyrant Celestia…."  Began Azy

"NEIGH."

This time even Azy fell over.  I was very confused for a moment, but eventually climbed out of the tree with only minor bruises.  Luna's horn lit up, and suddenly my injuries were gone.  I assume if any of the others were hurt I would no longer be able to tell.  I then blinked.  Was my vision slightly sharper?  Maybe dad had been right about the glasses after all?  I doubt it matters now.  Also it's not a big change if it's even there.

"My apologies."

Azy laughed.  "Eh, what's a little hearing loss between friends."

"I have pledged my life to you, anything else is nothing."

She laughed.  "As I was saying, it is merely rumors spread by the nobles who don't get what they want.  Though Sunny would love to keep things perfect, she loves freedom of choice far more.  Equestria is no true democracy, but she is a guiding hand, not a tyrant."

Rainbow Dash then sped down, and landed in front of Luna.  She gave the most half-flanked bow ever then looked around at everypony else.

"Hey Luna.  So Derpy was just here right?"

Luna nodded.  "Indeed she was Rainbow Dash."

"She wasn't looking to help was she?  I mean Derpy's great in a bunch of ways, but one time I saw her drop a cloud.  How is that even possible?"

"I may not have had quite the problems my sister had with weather management but losing grip of a cloud doesn't seem that improbable."

Dash shook her head.  "No, that's not what I mean.  I mean she was moving a cloud, and lost her grip on it like you would expect, and then wham, it fell to the ground like it was made of rocks or something, and spilled water all over Applejack."

There was silence.  I wracked my brain trying to come up with any solution, but nothing came.  Finally I shook my head and turned to Dash.

"If that is true then why don't you just refuse?"

"Well, she's my boss.  I mean I don't think she can fire me or give me orders or anything, but she is the head of the transport authority in Ponyville."

"But are thou not the head weather mare here?"

"Yea, but the transport authority covers just about everything involving pegasai moving stuff.  She's not directly in charge exactly, but she oversees Boxy in charge of the local shipping, and that old mare who runs our post office."

Luna smiled widely.  "OH JOYOUS DAY."  Luna then cringed.  "Yes, we are quite happy our sister took our advice and made the use of pegasus fliers more efficient.  We always thought it was so wasteful to have ponies doing nothing when the weather was clear, and the extra trials of delivering in the rain."

"Yea.  I mean the post office used to have some motto about rain and sleet and stuff, but it's way better just to only deliver packages between bad weather.  Though I'm so glad I'm the head weather mare and don't have to deal with boxes anymore."

"I believe to answer your question Derpy is off to Canterlot to talk to Celestia." I said

"Good.  I mean she somehow never messes up delivering mail, which she does sometimes, but like anything else is just a disaster."

"And as she is in charge, you cannot refuse her help." Said Luna

Dash nodded.  "Yea.  But the thing it she's really good at her job, so of course she couldn't get fired for that.  Well, that and she's, well, Derpy.  I mean no one wants to fire her.  Usually it's nothing too bad though."

"What about that incident involving Twilight Sparkle?" I asked

"Yea, that was lame, but way I see it she got lucky.  I mean I know high powered healing magic is a last resort kinda thing, but Twilight was good as new after that."

"Thou does realize that such is restricted only when a pony's life might be in danger correct.  It is very serious."

"Yea, and I know it totally wears out anypony that casts it so the doctor unicorns gotta conserve it for when they really need it, but I still wish one of them could have just waved their horn and fixed my broken leg."

"We suppose that is true enough.  Fluttershy, will you be coming back out?"

There was no answer.  Dash and I sighed nearly at the same time.  The question is whether she can't hear us, or she's just too spooked to answer.

> The Gala
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	What Firecracker's girls came up with was nice.  What Rarity had created was art.  Highly polished silver similar in style to standard Equestrian armor, but with countless other extra little accents.  Most of those crescent shaped.  But there was more to it than that.  The gem on the front of my breastplate was purple, matching the purple fabric that hung from the armor turning it into a sort of functional dress.  It was even backed with delicate chain-mail meaning it worked as a leg guard.  Yet most interesting was the helmet, or more accurately mask.  It was an ornate dragon mask, two silver wing-like fins sweeping upward to block attacks from the side.  The back of my head was terribly unprotected, but wasn't too likely to matter anyway.  I wasn't sure how long I had been staring at my reflection in Rarity's shop without saying anything

"I love it."

"Marvelous.  I thought for a moment you hated it but…"

"How could I hate it.  It's perfect.  And so light.  What is it made of?"

"Some alloy Pinkie acquired for me.  You would have to ask her sister about it."

Firecracker giggled.  "I already did, and wow Sky it is so amazing.  I mean it's like the best stuff ever.  She didn't make it or anything, well I mean she made the metal she gave me, and didn't invent the alloy but…"

I held up a hoof and she stopped.  "Is there anything beyond it's really strong and light that I would actually understand."

"Probably, but you pretend like you don't so I can skip the details.  I'll write up a report and have on your desk in a day or two."

"You really look great captain."

Blossomforth looked great herself.  She smiled and I smiled back.  She was wearing a very simple dress with a complex floral print that was mostly blue and green.  Bee then walked up, wearing a fancy yellow and black dress.  It was poofy and full of ruffles and fit some classic style popular in Canterlot, other than the color.  The silver gorget and armored boots were odd accessories, but it did have a certain style.  Firecracker then tried to push Bee, but failed miserably.  Instead she pushed me next to Bee, then stood next to me.  The three of us just fit in front of the mirror.  Her dress was similar to mine in some ways, but her black armor was far less fancy, the cloth was a vibrant red, and she had no helmet at all.  The cloth also had a black outline of a flame that greatly resembled her cutie mark.  She smiled.

"Ah, so do you like it darlings?  I'm not sure how popular it could possibly be, but I'm about to start a trend.  I call it military sheik."

"I really like it.  It's a bit fancy for most situations but…"

"Oh don't be silly.  You spend most of your time in the palace.  A little extra flair could certainly not hurt.  I tried to figure out something for you Blossomforth, and I know you used to live here but I simply don't know you well enough."

"A little chainmail is perfect, it doesn't impair movement and can easily be covered by cloth, and the silk backing is soft and deals with fur snags perfectly."

"Wait, so all our dresses are armored."

Rarity laughed.  "It wasn't my original plan, but I just got so inspired.  I certainly have learned a lot, and I must thank you ever so much for access to your craft-ponies.  I thought they would only know armor, but they work with cloth too."

I nodded.  "Yes, it is not something seen all that often, but we do have some very important enchanted cloth garments as well."

"Yes.  I've always liked making jewelry, but I never really thought of trying something on a larger scale before you came along.  It's been quite enjoyable."

"Ah, that reminds me.  Luna didn't show me the designs at the time but wants to talk to you about something.  I think I understand now."

"Really now?  Oh she's not waiting somewhere is she?"

"Not as such.  However if you wish to bring it up now she is at the library with Trixie and Twilight right now.  I'm sure she could spare a moment."

"Ah, good show.  They are of course your dresses, so feel free to wear them out or hang them back up properly as you please.  Except you Sky, I have one final touch to add to yours.  Firecracker's gives you the idea."

"I don't think my cutie mark…"

"Oh no, I think I know what you would want.  I have a few options I want to try out, but not right now.  Here's a hint.  Think Luna.  Ta."

She walked out of the store and without even looking back the open sign flipped to closed.  Firecracker once again tried in vain to move Bee, and instead just teleported away in frustration.  I blinked and flew over the fiery haired unicorn on the other side of the room.

"Shouldn't your dress be on fire?"

"Nah, Rarity made it totally fireproof.  Neat huh?  My girls know that enchantment really well for some reason.  Don't know why, but it sure comes in handy."

I sighed.  I was pretty sure she was joking, but couldn’t tell.  "So you are going to wear it out of here?"

"Yep.  By the way when you said you think you know…"

"Luna suddenly started talking about redesigning at least the captain and earth pony uniforms somewhat.  I think I now can guess by who."

"I certainly like miss Rarity's style." Said Bee  "Elegance in armor is an idea I can certainly get beeeehind.  Still I assume she was most impressed by your armor?"

"I would guess.  But you most likely will be able to get rid of all those extra spikes like you complain about.  Though I imagine it will be a process."

"I don't know for sure, but I say a little wear test seems like a good idea.  Also if it's truly as stain proof as she says then I should be able to safely eat in it."

"So you wanna go to sugarcube corner and eat every honey themed treat they have until you're an even more the immovable object"

Bee shook her head.  "I'm not that heavy, you just barely ever do anything without your magic and have no strength."

"If that was true than the captain could at least move you a little."

I of course jumped into the air and easily lifted her into the air.   Firecracker and Bee both stared up at me.  I then dropped her to the ground.  Of course what a flying pegasus can lift off the ground and what a pegasus on the ground trying to lift over their head are two entirely different things.  One or both of them would eventually remember the same magic that lets a mere two stallions pull the heavy chariot through the air works with everything while flying.  At least to some extent.  The chariot is enchanted to make it easier.  Firecracker then laughed, but Bee still looked utterly confused.

"Come on Bee, I'll explain as we walk.  You still want some food right?"

"Yes, let us go."

Then she trotted out, head held high.  Bee is many things, but the sharpest pony she is not.  Though sometimes she can surprise a pony.  I then realized I was alone in a room with Blossomforth and not likely to be disturbed for a while.  I sighed.  Blossom looked around, clearly trying to find something else to focus on.

"Mam, I'm okay, really."

"You're better yes.  Bee stopped giving you extra sweets a while ago, and I noticed some serious improvement not long after as normal.  I also noticed Rainbow Dash flew by and you just let out a small sigh."

She turned to look me in the eyes.  "I'm sorry Captain, I thought I was okay but when I saw her in the library…"

"In?  Didn't she say…"

"She was inside.  I didn't feel it was important enough to correct, and the library is a public place so it could be her just looking around.  She didn't take any of the complementary goggles so she couldn't do any actual reading."

"Ah.  So you saw her in your place of work and…"  I paused, trying to think of the best way to put it.

"Freaked out mam."  She saluted.  "Sorry again mam."

I shook my head.  "You don't need to keep apologizing.  I know you've already apologized to Dash, and she's the only pony you need to."

"But I…"

"You are a good pony, and a good soldier.  That's why you got this post.  I still think you really do have cutie mark confusion syndrome, but you're still the only one that can really say what your mark means.  You already know what I think it means."

"Mam…"  She looked down, then back up.  "Sky.  I think I do, but please tell me.  I think I need you to really spell it out for me."

I took a deep breath.  Most of the time Blossom was fine.  A little neurotic and way more stressed than she should be, but nothing more.  She certainly put her all into her job and followed orders well.

"Bringing forth the sun is not what truly defines you.  That is how you got your cutie mark, but that is missing the point.  There is a reason it's two flowers.  You make everything blossom.  You bring forth the best in anything you do.  Maybe I'm wrong and your problems stem from something else entirely, but that's the way I see you."

"Oh."  She was crying.  "Thank you Sky."

I moved a step closer to her.  "I'm sorry Blossom I…"

She held up a hoof.  "Hugging wouldn’t be appropriate mam.  I think I need to be alone.  A flight might be nice.  I haven't really flown around Ponyville for a while."

Then she got a great big smile on her face.  There was no little twitch anywhere, her whole face relaxed and natural.  She then flew up and out an open window.  For a while I stood there, not sure what to do.  I think she would be fine.  





Firecracker was glaring at Bee, fire in her eyes, literally.  Sweetsong, Dream Volt, and Blossomforth flew off to find someone to explain the state of the ballroom.  A broken statue, toppled pillars, and everything else seemed in bad shape as well.  Trixie's dress had the same pattern as her cape, and her hat was just a fancier version that ended in a diamond.  There were also a few more sparkling gems to make the outfit as flashy as could be.  I had been tempted to smack her when I first saw her but I resisted, and she has been especially good at keeping Firecracker distracted, so for once I was actually happy about resisting the urge.

Luna's dress was magnificent.  Rarity said she had originally used the fabric in a failed dress for Twilight but I don't understand how any part of the masterpiece of black lace and silky purple fabric Luna wore could be anything other than perfect.  Luna's normal hoof covers and crown made the perfect accessories to an already perfect dress.

"Don't you understand.  Don't you get it?  You were wrong.  There was an explosion, and I missed it.  Because of your silly pampering I missed an explosion."

"Beauty takes time and we are not that late.  Also need I remind you…"

Now Firecracker was suddenly crying.  "And it looked like a good one too.  I mean everything is all strewn about and…"  Then she blinked.  "Wait a tic, there is no blast pattern that would account for damage like this.  And no burns."

"I think a lot of the damage was animals."  I said.  "Most likely from the garden.  Something must have riled them up.  I'm surprised my sister didn't manage to calm then down however.  The rest of the damage suggests action of pony hooves."

"Do you mean a stampede of panicking ponies. Or something else?" asked Bee

"Both.  Not all the damage makes sense for a stampede alone."

"We hope our sister didn't overdo one of her pranks again." Said Luna

"Trixie thinks with a party this empty our gentle giant could have come after all, instead of simply staying home in such a beautiful dress."

Firecracker once again glared at Bee.  "I'm still mad at you.  I mean it wasn't an explosion, but we still clearly missed something interesting because of you."

"It doesn't seem like the sort of something that a lady…"  She paused.  "Ah yes, never mind.  Obviously you would be interested."

"Buck yea I'm no lady.  Now come on, it's a little early but I bet we can totally get into the Nightmare Ball anyway.  That should be loads more fun."

"The Nightmare Ball still exits?" said Luna

"Wow, I bet you really did found it then.  Awesome.  It's a way better party anyway."

"Perhaps we shall investigate this party.  But first we must wait for our friends return."

"The annoyed and confused Trixie agrees.  Also Trixie simply must know what has happened here or it shall bug her all night."

I nodded.  I certainly couldn’t understand what could have done all this.  There were guards on duty so it certainly couldn’t have been any normal sort of attack, so some sort of accident or mishap seemed likely.  Yet I still had a hard time thinking of who could cause such complete chaos.       

> An odd conversation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"If it is the size of a moon why call it a star?"

I looked out at the strange vehicle zooming about as I thought over Luna's question.  It currently appeared spherical, but when not in operation it was far more boxy, even vaguely resembling an armored chariot.  Those details were currently covered by a bright white glow, clearly intended to resemble the moon.  It was a sort of tank.  Powered entirely by magic and floating just over the heads of most ponies but that was its purpose.  It used a wand on a swivel point as a weapon to greatly enhance the destructive power of the unicorn powering it.  Of course since it was hidden by the glow as well it reminded me of something else.

"I do not know y… Luna.  It is especially odd as Darth Nightmare was clearly based on Nightmare Moon, or at least her legend."

"Also why did there seem to be so little magic, and why is it that one earth pony seemed to have unicorn magic?"

"It's called something else for a reason, and magic is for the most point ignored.  It's a tendency of much scifi.  Magic is living things and it's known in space…"

Luna rolled her eyes.  "We understand that, even though it's silly.  Though artificial anything of such size filled with ponies would produce more than enough magic for the unicorns in the film."

"Yes, though despite that it became a staple of the genre even though it's been disproven.  Recently the idea of an overall small amount of magic has replaced it."

"Yes, the first trilogy uses it, but the second doesn't.  It's odd."

"The first was made after the second.  Oddly such an idea on a large scale with slightly less severity seems the likely cause of the magic issues with other races correct?"

"Indeed.  Though more research is needed, and more time."

"Wheeeee!"

Firecracker's shout was quite loud as she sped past us, the red beam burning the non flammable dirt into glass in places.  The field we were in outside Canterlot was filled with black spots and lines.

"What bothered me most was the clones." I said  "A unicorn in heavy armor with those sorts of weapons would have made far more sense.  It's no wonder the earth ponies miss so often with their weapons.  Most of the time they aren't even back turrets."

"Yes, it's very odd.  Back mounted weaponry is standard for earth ponies in the army correct.  Or are we confused and that is that only other nations."

"Equestria has less dangerous ordinance than some nations, but yes."

"That reminds me of something else.  Those craft, why were almost all of them piloted by pegasai when that seemed to no way be a requirement."

"No idea.  It's almost as silly about making such a big deal about the jetpack."

"I thought that was, as Dash would say, cool.  Though impractical obviously."

"I suppose.  Oddly enough the laser blades make some sense.  It is far easier to simply enchant a sword to have roughly the same properties, but in the context of the story a pure technological solution…"

"Yahooooo!"

I think Firecracker was melting specific bits of the ground now, but I couldn’t be sure.  The moon lookalike vehicle still at least seemed to be zipping about at random.  Real tanks were relatively unaffected by terrain, but this thing only bobbed up and down slightly, never slowing at all.  It was amazing it was made over a thousand years ago and in storage for most of that time.  Luna really knew how to make an artifact.

"She is something special, isn't she?"

"Firecracker?  Yes, mostly likely the second most powerful unicorn alive."

"Most likely?"

"Not all unicorns have been tested.  Most of the time a reading is only taken if they seek higher education.  There may be some unicorn with a talent for floral arrangements mightier than Celestia herself and we'd never know."

Luna laughed.  "I doubt it, but she's really second behind Twilight?"

"Yes.  This is raw power only you understand.  Obviously Twilight's most dangerous not because of her power, no matter how great, but her ability to learn anything she sees."

"Wait, what do you mean by…"

"It wasn't always easy for her but increasingly if she sees a spell cast, she can replicate it.  We can't measure it entirely accurately, but what we know is bad enough."

"What do you mean bad enough?"

I blinked.  "Oh, sorry Luna.  Of course you wouldn’t know.  I am in charge of the Rouge Twilight Sparkle task force.  Our goal is if Celestia were to vanish for whatever reason we could stop an out of control Twilight."

Luna sighed.  "Because my sister loves being prepared, even for the most ridiculous of scenarios.  So what is your current level of preparedness."

"We have roughly a 3% chance of subduing her by force, and that's being generous.  We would also suffer heavy losses.  Our current best plan of action is to give her a kitten, some pie and a book, and hope she calms down on her own."

"Would that work?"

"Psychological tests say a it's our best chance.  I should point out this was all before factoring in what being the element of magic might mean.  Not to mention even though there is data suggesting otherwise she is not at the level of an alicorn."

"The level rather than actually being one correct?  I should point out if I'm right killing her, as traditionally defined, might just result in making her very angry and countless times more powerful than she already is."

"We came to the same possible conclusion.  In fact at this point I actually have more confidence in the daymare protocols being successful than stopping Twilight if she truly lost it.  Or more accurately I already did before your return."

"And now things are far worse.  Firecracker was forced into the military much the same was as Blossom, correct?"

I shook my head.  "No mam.  She joined willingly after asking Celestia for advice.  I am still not sure if, joining the military would be the best option if you want to destroy as much as possible, was really meant as serious advice."

Luna laughed.  "You know she shouldn’t even be able to make a firebeam with it."

"I’m aware."

"I don't mean she doesn't have the power I mean…"

"I know.  It's a weapon any unicorn can use and should create a pure white destructive beam.  I read the specs.  I also choose this field for a reason."

"Hey Captain.  I have to tell you something.  The…"

Dream Volt had just come down in front of me when the floating tank hit him.  I immediately looked the other way.  That couldn't be pretty.

"I wonder what that puts him up to?"

"What do you mean?  Also are you certain that he's alright?"

"Deaths.  I think it is at twelve, but I am not sure."

"That does answer both to a degree I suppose but doesn't that hurt?"  Luna was looking in the direction of the now no longer humming device."

"You are like the coolest pegasus ever." Said Firecracker

"We are not sure his ears have reattached yet."

"He said it does hurt, but sometimes gory can actually be better because having your spinal cord liquidized instantly removes the pain."

"Surely that is not the proper term."

"In at least one case it was entirely accurate.  Somehow no matter how small the pieces are he can regenerate.  Even if he has fallen into an industrial grinder."

I saw Luna cringe.  "He does not have the best luck, does he."

"Actually he's also won the Canterlot lottery three times.  It seems to veer back and forth on both extremes."

"I see."

"Well I think we can go home now, clearly it still works quite well."

"Uh, yes."  Luna cringed again.  Though in truth it's designed with a crew of five unicorns not one.  I'm still surprised.  Very few have such power."

"You forgot a wing.  It's over there." Said Firecracker

"Thanks.  Ow ow ow ow.  Never hurts any less."

I kept my head turned away.  "So Lt. Volt what information do you have for me?"

"Nothing worth getting hit by a bus for.  Even though that thing isn't really a bus but it sure felt one."  He sighed.  "I wish I didn't know what it felt like getting hit by bus."

"I still might as well hear it."

"Yea.  Anyway it's uh…"

I sighed.  I suppose getting splattered like that could distract anypony, but odds were he forgot.  I turned hoping he was in one piece again to see him hovering there.  Once he saw me he got a great big smile on his face and put one hoof behind his head.  I sighed.   He forgot.  There is no doubt in my mind of it now.  Hopefully it really wasn't that vital or urgent. 

> Truth at Night
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I still was debating whether I took the right course of action.  Luna told me to vanish.  I wasn't sure if she wanted me actually gone, or just out of sight.  For my own selfish reasons I had decided she meant the later.  Luna and Applejack had just been making small talk, but then Luna let out a great sigh.

"So what…"  She then paused to buck the tree behind her with a thump.  "…was that there sigh o yours all about?  It's not like you made the Everfree."

She sighed again  "Well…"

The farm pony was suddenly not focusing on her work, and very quickly right in front of Luna.  Maybe this was necessary after all, even if it wasn't what she meant.  Luna only briefly looked Applejack in the eyes, then looked away.  AJ didn't move any closer though so I decided I could stay put for now.

"So you really made the Everfree when you were Nightmare Moon?"

"Not entirely.  It has been a wild place since it's creation."

"Okay, so what did you do to make it so darn dangerous?"

"I corrupted it when Sunny and I were fighting."

Applejack briefly smiled.  "You called her Sunny out loud again."

"You are the first to even mention it."  Luna hung her head.  "I can blame you for that you know.  You and your friends reminded me of mine best memories, many of these are when we were young and carefree."

"I reckon the others still don't understand the truth of it like I do.  Though I sure as shooting still don't know how to put it into words."

"I can not help thee.  You washed away not just my madness, but my grief, resentment, and everything else that led me down that path.  It was clarity and peace.  As if…"

"For that one moment we were your friends and understood exactly what you really needed.  What would really help you."

Both blinked.  That certainly sounds like something the ultimate symbols of friendship would do.  A magical intervention, very unlike how they were used the first time to seal her away.  Why should it be so different?  They are exceptional mares true, but Celestia herself used them the first time.  Then I suddenly remembered I knew there was something Luna didn't say to Twilight.

"Princess, maybe it's not best to be talking about…"

"Neigh.  It's alright, but not the topic at hoof.  We were talking about Sunny. The main reason is me being out of practice and I can't blame anyone else for that, even if it is tempting at times."

"Why Sunny though?"

"I used to call her Sunny because I couldn't say her name when I was younger.  She already had her cutie mark.  That is all."

"Okay, but you were really talking about the Everfree.  Why you made it so creepy and dark and…"

"Actually both effects are but side effects.  Obviously I can see why you might think otherwise.  I was really just trying to attract monsters."

"Hmmm, well at least you did a good job."

They both laughed.  I didn't think it was funny.  The Everfree was an ever-present danger to the safety of Equestria that could not be removed.  Yet for a time both laughed.  Then Luna sighed.  Applejack then looked at the dark wood so close to this side of her property.  I had an even better view from my perch within the tree.

"You can't just go an fix it can ya?"

Luna shook her head.  "No, I can't.  The corruption is self perpetuating now.  Every new creature with strange magic just makes it worse as well.  Only the heart remains pure."

"Ahh.  So you'd have to clear all the monsters out of Everfree to fix it.  That ain't a easy job even for a goddess, is it?"

"I'm not really a goddess Applejack, and neither is Celestia.  Or at the very least if we are we are far from all powerful.  There are a great many things we can not do."

Applejack stood there in silence for a time, then walked over a to a tree and resumed bucking.  Luna took a deep breath and raised her head.  Maybe she would finally get around to saying whatever she wanted to.  Applejack was about to buck, but was suddenly in the air, floating upside down in front of Luna's face.

"Now what did you go and do that fer?"  

"I COME HERE FOR A GREAT PURpose.  Sorry."

"So you got some sort business for the elements and since yur the princess of night you come in the middle of the night and…"

Luna shook her head.  "No.  It is nothing that official but it is important and we feel most comfortable at night.  We did not expect you to still be working."

"Well ah am.  This really important enough ah can't listen and work."

"We, I, am not sure it is truly necessary, but it is of GREAT IMPORTANCE."

Applejack was standing quite close so of course cringed.

"We are sorry.  We shall keep this as brief as we can.  Earlier you said something to mine captain about how hard work is welcome, but isn't really the best way to impress you."

"Ah guess I did."

"I know the way.  It has been quite clear to me, but truth can be difficult."

"Then lay it on mah princess.  What you got to say?"

"Many things, but all involve the elements of harmony, their nature, and why you six are so different than all those that came before."

"Pardon me princess, but ain't you and Celestia…"

"We were the last, not first.  In fact despite what Sunny says I am not sure she could have wielded them truly alone.  However neither of us likes to talk of that time."

"Ah reckon not.  Ah think Twilight said a thing or two about this and said it's simply they're really supposed to be wielded by six ponies and…"

"Surely that is part of it, but there is more to it.  First we must discuss the true nature of the elements a bit."

"You sure ah'm the one you should be telling all this?  I mean I ain't a dummy, but ah'm a simple pony.  I got mah farm, mah friends, mah family, and that's it.  I don't want or need nothing else, or to know much bout anything else."

"That is one reason I tell you.  Even though rarely stated with the exception of magic the elements are the foundation of pony society."

"Ah guess so.  Ah mean be nice, be generous, be thar for yer friends, and don't be fibbing is sure right up there in the apple family rules.  Laughter sorta works in somewhere too.  Seems like magic should somehow though."

"It does, but not directly.  See magic is not friendship, but friendship is magic."

"Whu?"  Applejack raised her eyebrow so high it shifted her hat slightly.

"The source of all magic is the connections between living things.  There are countless types of connection and each has weaknesses and strengths."  Luna then sighed.  "We have too little experience with almost all of them."

"Ah'm sorry.  Ah can't really think of what to do 'bout that though.  I mean we ain't as good buddies as me and Dash fer instance, but we still friends"

Luna smiled.  For a while she just sat there, saying nothing.  Then she shook head and pulled herself to her full height.

"WE CANNOT GET DISTRACTED.  We must press on."

"What about prison?"  said AJ, who's ears then rapidly flicked about.

"We did not speak of prison.  Art thou well?"  Then she blinked.  "We apologize.  We understand now.  Neigh thee mind.  Onward."

"Uh, okay ah guess."

"The purpose of the elements is to balance the world.  They are forces of the world, concepts of great importance, yet ultimately immaterial."

"Wait a tic, then what the hay is the fancy jewelry Celestia has locked up in Canterlot?"

Luna smiled.  "A very good question.  But you see my sister and I disagree on what exactly is locked up there."

"And you're saying you're right and she's wrong?"

Luna shook her head.  "The truth is not clear.  I believe I am right, but admit I may not be.  I shall tell both.  Besides, sister's belief is also what they currently should be."

"But you're saying they ain't?  Just git on wit it already."

Luna slightly inclined her head.  "Of course.  What the elements of harmony should be is vessels for the essence of each element trapped in physical form.  Power beyond measure in six small objects.  This would be far from the first time they've changed forms even."

"But they're something else now.  Because somehow you see something Celestia don't."

Luna and I seemed to have the same reaction.  It wasn't a question.  Applejack closed her eyes after she said it, her voice lowering slightly.  Like she didn't want to say it, but resigned to it.  I wondered if I was closer I would have heard a little sigh.

"Before we go further we must first talk about Twilight."

"What about Twi?"

"First a question.  What is her cutie mark?"

"Uh, bunch o stars I guess, though that don't seem like what you're getting at."

"It's not.  Try again."

"Okay, it's one big doubled up star, like maybe it's two stars, or maybe it just sorta is two stars somehow, like maybe it represents two different things."

"Very good.  What else?"

"Well, it's surrounded by a bunch o little ones."

"Five to be precise."

"Huh, just like her friends I guess.  That's a might odd."

"Now, what else does that describe?" Luna smiled

Applejack stared forward blankly, no longer focusing on anything.  "The elements?  Twilight's mark is the Elements of Harmony?"

Luna again smiled.  "I believe so, yes."

Applejack stared forward, looking through Luna with unfocused eyes.  I barely managed not to fall out of the tree.  Thank Luna my training kicked in and I caught myself.  It retrospect it was obvious, Twilight and Luna even discussed it, but Twilight never spelled out exactly what she meant.  I guess I just missed that detail.  After a short silence Applejack shook her head, unseating her hat.  She had it back on her head with a level of speed and precision that made me want to put her in a suit of armor and run her though her paces.  I was certain the result would be amazing.  She then sat down to resettle her hat on her head with a hoof.

"Okay, so what in tarnation does that mean?  If she really got the elements on her flank does that mean it don't matter none that we're her friends just…"

"Don't be silly.  As to everything it means?  I can't be sure, but I'm quite sure it means you have been connected since at the very least the moment she was born.  I would guess she was born last, but I suppose it isn't really required."

AJ nodded.  "Okay, but what does that mean?  What does this have to do with the elements exactly?  It's obvious enough somethin', but what ain't clear."

"First, are you ready to accept the burden of the truth?"

AJ sighed.  "As in the burden of a truth you ain't told none of mah friends yet.  As in now I gotta be the one to be deciding if they need to know or not."

Luna simply nodded.

"Then lay it on me.  Ah know what ah'm gonna do.  Even if it hurts, the truth is always better in the long run."

"Well said.  Then we begin with the spark.  Right before you healed our damaged mind we said something about the spark not working, do you remember."

"Not really.  Ah'm still surprised I remember Twi's speech good as I do."

"Yes, well we were surprised, because the spark should have worked.  At least it certainly had been enough before.  There was also one other issue, but we had no time to check either way so we were never sure."

"That being?"

"We think the vessels were empty.  After all if we believed we could simply smash the elements in the first place do you really think we would waste time trying to slow you down, no matter how weakened or confused we were."

"Wait, like all the honesty and whatnot just leaked out?"

Luna nodded.  "Yes, something like that.  At the time we were so overjoyed their power seemed to be missing and could be destroyed we did not even consider to double check.  Or sister believes if we had we would have found it still there, just dormant."

"Except you shouldn'ta been able to smash them then, should ya?  What about the element o magic though?  If a spark was really all it took why did it even need that other orb thingie at all."

"Because it is useless without the others, so is designed to be summoned forth regardless.  A magical spark should have been enough by itself, if the elements were still there.  Maybe not enough to be activated fully, but it should have at least wakened them."

"But then what the hay happened?"

"Well Sunny assumes you simply became their wielders and remade their forms, and at least the second part is true, the former vessels that contained them were remade.  They are now magical foci of considerable strength.  Very useful."

"Cept that ain't it.  Cept something else entirely was going on right?"

Luna nodded.  "As I said, I could be wrong.  But I doubt it greatly.  Also there is no doubt the elements are what cured me.  Nothing else has the power, and even if it did I know them.  It was not exactly the same as so long ago, but there is no doubt it was still them."

"Ain't that the opposite of what ya just said."

"No Applejack.  I said the stones you uncovered no longer held the elements, and the trinkets in Canterlot while having a connection to that power also no longer contain them.  I never said they were not there."

"But it was a big empty castle.  The only other set o six things was us."

"Exactly."

Then I fell out of the tree.  I could still see that familiar smirk on her face.  So much like her sister.  I thought about trying to sneak back in the tree, but Luna was soon looking at me as Applejack just stood there sputtering.

"Very good.  You not only were utterly silent with that spell, but masked your presence completely.  Had it not been night I would not have known you were there."

"Spell your majesty?"

"Dream said he's seen you be utterly silent in full armor, not even making a sound.  Obviously a pegasus spell.  Probably unique to yourself just like many unicorn spells are."  Luna clapped her hooves briefly.  "Truly excellent."

"That's, interesting.  So my skill at stealth is in fact all magic?"

Luna shook her head.  "Oh no.  You are well skilled but unusually weak.  In fact we're not sure how useful it would even be to anypony else."

Then I took a step back.  "Wait, the aura hiding shouldn't have worked without the armor.  I need it or…"

Luna waved a hoof.  "Ridiculous.  While not within everypony's skill range, the spell is very simple, and not just common to all ponies of a certain element, but all ponies in general.  All ponies are magic, and all can learn to hide that aura."

Applejack then nearly knocked me over.  She should feel lucky pegasus training is dodge into the air then counter or I could have seriously hurt her.  On the other hoof if she did manage to buck me I was sure I would be feeling it for weeks.  She had a really intense look on her face.  Luna had a slight smile.  

"What does that mean?  What does it mean that…"

Luna laughed, very loudly.  "WE HAVE NO IDEA.  Not an iota of a clue.  It could mean anything at all, or nothing, or everything.  IS THAT NOT WONDERFUL."

The winds seemed to be whipping about us at random.  It felt like I was in the tornado construction lab from weather school all over again.  Does this mean it gets really windy when she's happy?  AJ was spending a great deal of effort to hold onto her hat, and couldn't focus on Luna quite as much.

"Why the hay does that make you happy?"

"Because as the years go on you think you may never see something truly new again.  Never see something that isn't just a variation on a theme.  Then you wonderful ponies come along and not only save me in a way my sister could not, but give me such a strange new thing to enjoy.  WHY WOULD I NOT BE HAPPY?"

AJ then shifted her legs to a more stable stance.  "So that's all you got to say?  Yer the elements now, don't know how or why, or what it means?"

Luna nodded.  "We do have some ideas.  But we could be utterly, wonderfully, WRONG.  It is truly an amazing thing."

"Then just go ahead an tell me.  But before an ya do, do you think you can do something about this wind?"

"SORRRY."  The wind instantly died down.  "We are just more certain ever we are right.  So where should we start?"

"How about first how we could even be the elements."

"Ah, that is simple.  In fact it's so simple I will not answer.  Sky, if you would."

I blinked.  "Me, but Luna surely…"

"Go ahead, I'm sure you should know enough.  Just think about it."

I wasn't sure what she meant, but I had to try.  I did have some magical knowledge.  I'm expected to lead and protect against unicorns after all.  I looked up in the sky while I tried to figure out how anything I knew could fit to this scenario.  Then suddenly I thought of something that did and nearly tumbled to the ground, standing up suddenly being a challenge.  I stared at Luna, trying to keep my cool.

"They are the avatars of the elements.  Living embodiments in the purest form.  Meaning they not only wield the power, but essentially are that which they embody.  In this case it is likely they are not the source but would be strengthened by every appropriate act."

"What the hay does that mean?"

"It means every kind act makes her stronger.  Every single time a pony is true to the element of kindness somehow it helps her.  They're all like that, aren't they?"

"As I said, I don't know."

"Wait, don't that mean every time any unicorn casts a spell…" began AJ

"And possibly more often than even that."  Said Luna  "Of course that last part might be reaching.  In fact at least for the moment that seems likely.  Otherwise it would be far more obvious, though I can't imagine exactly how."

I gulped.  "But the first part of the description is still…"  I paused.  "…familiar."

Luna laughed.  "YES INDEED.  I have many titles, but one is indeed LUNA, AVATAR OF THE MOON."

"Well, Buck."

Then Applejack fell over.  I was surprised I managed not to do the same.  Now the mirthful look was completely gone form Luna's face.

"This will be a very hard road for them I fear.  Many possibilities have come to mind, but one fact seems inevitable.  They will be needed.  Not just to save me but…"

"Why not?"

"What?"

"You are the night, and your sister day.  She has managed, but the world has not been properly balanced.  That's why some pony magic has been missing for a thousand years, because this world needs you."

"We didn't even get to that.  We are still not sure we're right.  Perhaps the elements simply fixed that as well.  Perhaps that is all this change means.  A severe misalignment more dangerous than we knew."

"But you don't know.  Because this is new, and that means you're probably right."

"Yes.  But maybe it will not be soon.  Because if I am right, it will be a long road."

"I don't understand."

"It seems best not to dwell on it, but if they are the avatars of the elements, then as long as each exists in the heart of one pony, they too shall live on."

"Would that include each other?"

Luna went wide eyed.  "Perhaps it would."  She then shook her head.  "Come, let us get her inside.  This is enough of a burden without that of immortality as well."

"Of course your majesty."

I didn't know what to think.  So many conflicting thoughts at once, I didn't know what to focus on.  I always wanted my sister to outlive me, but somehow this feels different.  Also I'd read Luna's private journals.  I understood how immortality could be a burden.  It wasn't all bad, especially not as bad as she got near the end of the last journal.  Nightmare didn't keep one.  Yet it was clear there was happiness too if she would have just seen it.  I would not let Luna ever feel that way again.  Not just because our regulations had been changed to nearly require it, but because I wanted to.

> A letter
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

To her royal highness Princess Celestia

I have done as you asked and reported to you my thoughts, but this will be my last.  It is not because I feel it has finally interfered with my duty to Luna and the guard, but because it seems unnecessary.  I do not say this merely because of the three known, and who knows how many unknown ponies in the moon guard that do the same, but because I can think of no further insight you need be informed of.  I will of course continue to file the official guard reports, but nothing else.

First a note, though it is also in the official report I fell it important to this missive.  The guard is free of nearly all its obligations.  All that remains are the optional missions that occasionally come along and that we have never been duty bound to perform and the work of the pull team.  In retrospect I should not have signed some of those longer term contracts.  I have also tested the full capability of my team in real world conditions for the first time, and we are ready.  The exact details are in my official report.  Suffice it to say all but the pull squad is ready for full duty and we are ready to protect her in any situation, and Luna can resume diplomatic duties whenever you feel she is ready.  As I assume you know she is eager to do so.

Second night court has gone well.  While initially she joked about two nights a week being more than twice as often as necessary, she is contemplating adding a third night.  She is also in my opinion ready for matters beyond her expertise of numbers and magic.  However I am aware that even that was a hard won battle with the rest of the government, but trust things to progress at a reasonable pace.

Yet I know in truth such matters have never been what you most wanted to hear.  I am pony who does not make friends easily.  My father called me his perfect little soldier.  It is at times a little too true, and I am aware some ponies find it off putting.  In fact I have rarely found a friend not somewhere in the chain of command, most often only in my own level at first, but eventually both above and below.  Yet it is within the moon guard I've found my greatest friends.  Azalea is not truly the same, but close enough as to matter little.  I am proud to now count your sister among my friends, and prouder still Luna feels the same way.  But there was one thought that for a time bothered me.

Fluttershy is not always the most articulate pony when she talks, but her writing is not merely clear, but beautiful in both form and meaning.  It is all to clear that her friends share a friendship as deep as the ocean and a closeness I have never known.  It is in short amazing.  I care for all my soldiers.  I especially care for my officers and with time they have become my friends.  Even Trixie in a strange manner, though at the same time I think I will always dislike her as well.  But compared to what my sister has with her friends, it's but a pale shadow.  But that's okay.

Not every friendship can be that perfect harmonious blend of elements.  Not every friendship can be that amazing, but that doesn't mean any of mine are worth any less.  Also since meeting Luna I've grown closer to many of my friends, and made new ones.  Time can change everything, sometimes for the worse, but often for the better.  But by now I'm sure you're wondering what any of this has to do with your sister?

She is a changed pony.  I have read her old journals and while so much is the same, there are differences.  Most are little things, but it all adds up to one thing.  She is a better friend.  She is also far more positive about what she does have, rather than obsessing about what she doesn't.  In short she has known what I have only recently understood from the moment the elements helped her.  That is it always worth making a friend, even if you will never be the one they care the most about.  That even a frigid mare like myself can bring happiness and have happiness brought into my life because I have friends.

That is why this is my final report.  Because I believe Luna will be happy this time.  Because she is a wonderful mare that can make many friends, and while she may never be adored quite the way you are your majesty, she will keep joy in her heart and there shall be no room for hatred and envy.  If Luna is right there may be some great threat to peace in Equestria on the horizon, but I am sure it will never again in any form be Luna.  She still has some adjusting to do, and her social skills need serious work, but she will be fine.  Perfect even.

Silent Sky, Captain of the Moon Guard.  

> Author's Notes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Check out http://needsmoarg4.tumblr.com/

I pretty much stole her character designs for Firecracker Burst and Blossomforth and her Sweesong pic inspired me as well, though that is much harder to tell.  I was looking for a better reference for Firecracker when I stumbled upon her (maybe I should not keep assuming I got the gender of somepony on the internet right?) neat tumblr.  She did Bumblesweet too, but I already had a clear idea for her when I stumbled across this.

Yes, Dream Volt is my self insert OC.  I also practically wrote him out of this version of the story, so I don't think you even know enough about him to hate him.  If you do, eh, whatever.  Nothing I can do.

The first version of this story was told from Luna's perspective, but that drove me crazy trying to write from her perspective without things sounding very emo.  Silent Sky was always Luna's captain, but her name and cutie mark were originally going to match one of the blind bags.  I then decided I was being dumb trying to force a cutie mark and coloration on her instead of what I really wanted, so bam, full on OC.

Azy I plucked from something else I wrote and ponized her.  Part of her character is that she really stands out in a crowd, much to her annoyance obviously.  Also zony is just fun to say, who cares if there is no such thing in RL or not.  

This is still not perfect, but I'm sick of editing this and if I keep going I'm pretty sure if I kept going I'd drive myself even more insane, and I really don't have that much further to go.  But this thing was acting as a roadblock for the other stories I've already written, since they all flow from it.

Which means yes there is a reason it says Episode Zero up there.  My intent is to make it series like.  I was going to cram the episodes together in a few stories on the site, but then realized they're all long enough by themselves, not just this one, and they could really use their own separate tags.  They will all be first pony, and most of them from this point on about from the point of the mane 6.  The first one will be Pinkie.  That was interesting to write.