A new crisis

Chapter 4

Cadence&Diamond

Rarity was angry. For two hours now they left her and Fluttershy waiting. After finally reaching the borders of the Chrystal Empire, a patrol made of Ponies and Changelings had approached the pair. They had surrendered immideatly, not to provoke them, but since then they sat here in this interrogation room. Not a single Pony, or Changeling for that matter, had come to speak to them, even so she had made it perfectly clear that they were here on royal buisness. They had not even tried to silence them, since that would not work to well on full Alicorns anyway, but it was still frustrating for Rarity.

"Ehm.... Rarity... maybe... uhm... you should calm down....", Fluttershy said, while Rarity paced the room.

"I can't! This treatment is more then respectless! We have a ceasfire with them, and we come with peacefull intentions. Treating us like this is against all rules of politeness!", Rarity growled through her teeth.

The white Alicorn turned towards the mirror on the far end of the room. She was pretty sure it was a two way mirror, like in some of the novels she had read in her later years.

"Come on! I know you observe us! We could have broken out of here a hundred times already! We need to speak with Princess Cadence and Queen Diamond!", Rarity shouted towards her own reflection.

Her outburst however, was only met with silence. Even more frustrated then before, Rarity used her magic to get something from her saddlebags. If they didn't want to talk, then she would just have to busy herself otherwise. Fluttershy seemed to be satisfied with napping, which was one more thing she did not understand. Was she so sure, Cadence would not try to hurt them, just because she was Twilights former foalsitter? Opening the book she had gotten from the royal Canterlot Library, prior to her departure, she began to read another story of Sherlock Hooves.

Inside Pinkies mind

Pinkamena was laughing hard, as her counterpart dropped her hooves to the ground. Finally that hyperactive degenerate had seen that there was no winning against her. But.... then why was there a smile on her counterparts face? Why did her eyes not show the defeat, Pinkamena was so desperate to see there?

"Why are you smiling? You are about to whiped out! I will finally become the permanent ruling persona in this body!", Pinkamina shouted.

"No silly! We both will.", Pinkie responded cheerfully, before wrapping her forelegs around her image, capturing her in an enormous Pinkie Pie bear hug.

Suprised Pinkamina let go as her own spectral body began to fuse, with that of Pinkie Pie.

"What... What are you doing? Let go of me, you stupid bitch!", she screamed, as she tried to escape from Pinkie.

"No you silly-billy. This is how it has to be. I realized how pointless fighting another side of me really is.That is what you are afterall. You are me, before I was all smiles and sunshine. I must accept that side of myself, or I will never be truly happy.", Pinkie said softly, while her head fused with that of Pinkamina.

Discord jumped a little, as Pinkie Pie suddenly opend her eyes, and jumped to her hooves on top of the bed. This kind of recovery was a little sudden, even for the spirit of chaos.

"Oh! Hi there Dissy! Did you miss me? Huh,huh,huh?", she said, tilting her head a little more to the right with each word, until it was coiled liked a spring.

"Ehm... Yeah....", the draconus responded, still a little stunned.

"I would reeeeaaaalllllyyyyy like to catch up with you, buuuuuuut I have to get to Princess Celestia right away!", the pink Alicorn said, before shooting off, right through a wall, instead of the door....

Celestia stood in her private study, reading some documents Solar Flare had written down some time ago. They were instructions on the use, of the elements of harmony, and the forging of a soulstone. The last such stone, had been destroyed, when she had freed the bearers of the elements of harmony. The reason she had to read all this, were several drawings, that Solar Flare had not been able to relay to her in their mental conversations. The ritual-circle and the runes embedded in it, were more complex then anything she had ever seen. She was just about to check out another scroll, to compare her notes from her conversation with Solar, with what she was reading here, when her mental passanger suddenly called out.

"Watch out!", she heard.

Celestia was barely able to jump to the side, as the doors to her private study were destroyed in a shower of wood and splinters. A pink bullet shot through them, and right through the desk she had just been sitting at. All her papers and notes went flying, while a pink Alicorn with blue eyes extracted herself from the wreckage.

"P.... Pinkie Pie? What is the meaning of this? I... I ... Please atleast knock the next time.", Celestia stammered, not really knowing what to say.

"Sorry there princess! I'm not yet used to this... strength. But we have more important matters to deal with!", the pink partyalicorn said, picking up a piece of clean parchement, and a quill. After writing something down, by hoof, since she seemed yet to be unable to use any magic, she held it out to Celestia to sign it.

Celestia took the piece of parchment from Pinkies hooves with her magic, and examined it. Sweat started to form on her brow. How could she have forgotten something THIS important??? Without further delay, Celestia signed the letter, and sent it directly to Cadence, with her magic. Usually that kind of magic use was against their ceasfire, but the royal postal service was just not fast enough for this. This message had to be relayed immideatly... But how did Pinkie Pie even know she forgot it? Was it that Pinkie sense, that Twilight mentioned in one of reports, when she had still recieved a weeky report on her students studies?

Cadence walked down a hallways, towards the courtyard of her castle. Diamond was already waiting for her there, and she didn't want to keep her waiting for too long. Just as she turned a corner, that would have led her to the double doors that led outside, something materialied in front of her and fell on her muzzle. Utterly suprised to see Celestias seal on a scroll, she picked it up with her magic. Silently swearing under her breath, Cadence opend the letter. If this was not important, she would chew her aunt out on the next time they met for negotiations. This was against everything they had......

But all anger vanished, as the only piece of writing, that was definitly her aunts, was the signitare. The rest looked like it was written by a three year old, and she had a hard time making out the words.

Heya Cadence!

I was dead, can you believe it? Well now I'm an Alicorn, but that doesn't matter. Celestia has forgotten to tell you something reaaaaaaaaalllllyyyyyy super-duper important! Rarity and Fluttershy are on their way to you! According to paragraph four of your ceasfire, embassadors have to be announced by mail, so that's what I'm doing now! When we see each other that sooooo calls for an Alicorn party!

Yours

Pinkie Diana Pie

Celestia

She read the letter several times before she understood the implications. Could it really be that this letter had been written by Pinkie Pie? Last thing she had heard, the pink partypony had died after attacking a few Changelings. But... then again... she did write that she had been dead.... But nopony could return from the dead, could they? No matter what she had to get to the bottom of this. As she stepped into the courtyard, the letter still in her magic, Diamond had already set up the barbeque and was roasting some vegetables.

"Dear, we need to talk.", Cadence said, as she approached her lover.

"What is it Cadence? One of my drones stepping out of line again? I swear if it's that G'zal again, then I'll....", Diamond swore as she approached the Alicorn.

A few years back, Cadence had begun to use a permanent illusion spell on herself, that gave her back, the appearance she had lost due to her change. In her magic, her lover held a single piece of parchement, that she levitated over to her.

Quickly reading the letter, Diamonds muzzle dropped.

"Didn't you say that Pinkie Pie was dead? How can she write you a letter then?", Diamond asked a little suspicious.

"I don't know, but if it's true what is written there, then we have to get to the outpost on the border to Equestria as fast as we can. If it is a joke from Celestia, I assure you she will regret it the next time we negotiate.", Cadence tried to convince the Changeling queen.

After thinking about it for a moment, Diamond nodded. Giving her lover a passionate kiss, she spoke softly.

"If you say we have to go, then we have to go. Let's see what this is all about."

Cadence used her magic to put out the fire of the barbeque, and the both of them flew off into the direction of Equestria. Both of them had not been there since Celestia had withdrawn her troops, almost thrity years ago, and the memories they both linked with it were not pleasant. Visions of burning villages, and dying soldiers haunted both of them up to the present day. Both of them knew, that both sides had made mistakes during the war, and that both sides were atleast epually guilty of warcrimes. That however did not change the fact that they had not forgotten, who had started that conflict in the first place.....

Three hours later

Rarity was almost done with her book, while Fluttershy was still nibbling on the food their captors had brought them some time ago. It was nothing she would have usually eaten, but it served her hunger. The simple salad was not fresh, but it had filled her stomach. It had been much better then what she was used to, while in Changeling custody.

She had just read the last page of her book, and wanted to reach into her saddlebags for the next one, when she heard a commotion outside. Somepony was shouting at somepony else, and seemed pretty angry. The voice, she did not know, but it seemed more then clear, that it was chewing out their Changeling and Pony guards.

"Why didn't you inform me right away? Are you even aware of the consequences this might have????", the voice shouted.

Another voice, much more quiet, answered the angry one, but Rarity couldn't understand what it was saying.

"What? I don't care if you thought they might be spies! Two Alicorns for goodness sake! If they had wanted too, they could have blasted all of you away. Isn't it proove enough of their peacefull intention that they did not do so? And to think that they actually wanted to speak with us, didn't give you the feeling you should inform us right away???", the voice continued to shout.

Rarity saw thought the time right, to "escape" this room and make a the first step here. Sure, she was angry that she had been treated like a common criminal, and that they had let them wait for five hours, but she was on a diplomatic mission. Lashing out at her would-to-be negotiation partner was not the right approach. With a quick flash of her horn, the door to the room unlocked, and swung open. It may have been a security lock, but with her eye for detail, it was easy to unlock it. Stepping into the corridor, she saw a Changeling queen towering over several Changelings and Ponies. Next to her, stood Princess Cadence, and equal expression of anger on her face.

Adressing the Princess, she stepped between the two parties and spread her wings to shield the intimidated group from view.

"My my.... It sure is good to see you again Princess Cadanece. May I ask who your friend is? She seems to have quite the temper. Let me assure you, that my friend and I are not about to hold our treatment against any of you. It was just to be expected.", Rarity said, while keeping one eye on Diamond, who had stepped back from her.

Fluttershy joined the group, and greeted the two represantives of the Chrystal Empire in an equally polite manner. Cadence however looked at them suspiciously.

"What are you two doing here? You are supposed to be dead.", she stated coldly.

"Oh, that's a long story darling. Let's just say, it has something to do with us being the bearers of the elements of harmony. So.... who was your friend again?", Rarity inquired.

"My name is Diamond. I am the acting queen in the Chrystal Empires hive, and I'd also like to know how it comes that I speak with two dead ponies.", Diamond introduced herself.

Her tone was not quite hostile, but far from friendly. Cadence looked the two over. If it came to a fight, Diamond and her would most likely loose. She was still only three quarters of an Alicorn, while her lover was just barely as strong as herself. Even all the soldiers stationed here, would not be able to stop the two if they decided to go on a rampage, that she felt without a doubt. Was Celestia trying to intimidate her? What was the meaning of this? Were these really Rarity and Fluttershy?

"If you really are who you claim to be, then you should know a few things, I only told the real Rarity and Fluttershy. Can you name them?", Cadence wanted to know.

The two Alicorns looked at each other and sighed.

"If you really want me too darling, but I only hope that you don't mind your soldiers to hear it.... Well where to start....? Ah! First of all, when I was preparing your hair for the games inspector back then, you told me that you enjoyed intercourse with your husband, but he never made you cum. Also during the same occausion you asked me if I had ever tried getting involved with another mare....", Rarity started to count the things Cadence had told her, of which she was sure the Princess had never spoken to anypony else of.

Cadence began to blush hard while Rarity told all these emberassing things they had spoken of. Diamond on the other hoof started to laugh uncontrollably, stomping a hoof for emphasis.

"You... You....You asked THAT while you got your hair done?", Diamond pressed out, while bending forward and hitting the tiles with her frontlegs. It was almost too much for her to take.

"Stop! Please stop.... I am convinced....", Cadence said, her coat turning a deeper shade of pink, as she looked at Fluttershy.

"Ehm... I.... I... I don't know....if I shoud....*eeep*.", Fluttershy stammered, but Cadence gestured for her to go on and spill it. As much emberassment as she had suffered already, she might aswell become a complete laughingstock.

"Ehm... you asked about sex with.... animals... And if I had.... ever tried it....", Fluttershy stated, blushing and hiding her face under one of her wings.

This statement, made all the Changelings and Ponies in attendance drop their muzzle.

"You asked WHAT???????", Diamond asked shocked.

"I was.... curious.... And since Fluttershy knows so many animals, and had them live with her.... I thought.....", Cadence stammered, before Diamond broke out in renewed laughter.

Cadence was convinced. These two had to be the real Fluttershy and Rarity. But if that was true....

"What about Twilight? Is she a full Alicorn now too? If so, why didn't she come here?", Cadence inquired a little sad.

"Twilight.... ehm... she is on a mission to talk to Princess Luna....", Fluttershy explained.

"Aunt Luna? Whyever would aunt Celestia.... No... No.... No no no no no.... NO! Don't tell me that... the magic I've been feeling for the last few days.... Has something happend?", Cadence paniced.

"I hate to say it you majesty, but yes. Our ressurection caused all of this. Princess Celestia had only the best of intentions, I assure you, but the result was bad. We were ressurected by the elements of harmony, and made young again, after our deaths. The downside there was, that we were surrounded by chrystal cocoons. Alive, but in a stasis. The princess broke the stasis, so we can live our lives normally again, but for that she had to use the Alicornstone.", Rarity explained.

"Don't tell me it broke! Please, for the love of queenjelly, tell me your joking!", Diamond shouted, while shaking Rarity.

"No... ehm... we are sorry... to cause so much... trouble.", Fluttershy said, looking as if she shrank with every word.

Cadence stepped forward, stopping Diamond from seriously harming Rarity, and adressing the both of them.

"You have nothing to apologize for. It was my aunt that used the stone, not you. I am sure she did not know that this might happen, or she would not have done it. I trust in her judgement atleast that much. But tell me, why has she sent you two here then? I can already imagine, but I want to hear it from your own muzzles.", she said.

Rarity, after having regained some of her composure, looked Cadence right in the eye.

"Princess Celestia is proposing her surrender, should the Chrystal Empire agree to help Equestria overcome this crisis. We were sent here to deliver that message, and to show you that she no longer fears treachery from those closest to her. If I may also add my personal opinion on the matter, so I may say that it is time you two finally forgave each other. Celestia has changed, and misses you a great deal, I am sure. And you referring to her as "aunt" still shows me you see her as part of your family, even after all that has happend. Don't you think it's time you two sat down, not as rulers of two different nations, but as two siblings?", Rarity stated sternly, making Cadence flich a little.

It had been quite a while since someone had actually lectured her. Moreover, was the proposition made by Rarity, in Celestias name, was... almost too good to be true. But if her aunt really had changed... then maybe... She wanted to believe it. Other then the clever strategist, that would have overrun her empire, had Diamond not been there to match her, she also remembered the love she felt for Celestia. Cadence remembered all the good times they had shared in the past, and how Celestia had taught her much of the magic she knew, after turning her into an Alicorn.

Tears began to form in her eyes, as she nodded.

"But forget the surrender part, Rarity.... I don't want to rule Equestria, and I never have. How would Applejack put it? If family calls, you don't ask, you just go.", Cadence stated in tears.

Diamond was in utter shock.

"Don't I get a say in this? Cadence, this could be a trap!", she tried to convince her lover.

"Diamond, she is my aunt. Had she wanted to kill me, she had more then one chance on the battlefield. Even today, if she would choose to attack us again, we would be hard pressed just to defend ourself. No, I believe these two. It is up to you, if your Changelings will once again fight, side by side with my Ponies, but I would really appreciate it if they did."

Diamond sighed.

"I gues.... It's no use to try and convince you differently. This could have been such a nice day... Ah well... I won't let you go alone, but be assured, that I will keep my eyes on Celestia!"

The citizens of Ponyville were in awe to see, for the second time, a large group of Ponies emerge from the Everfree forest, in just a few days time. But this group, was different from the last. Twenty fully grown Alicorns, in full barding, were escorting three Alicorn mares. Two of the guards carried a banner with them, that flattered in the wind. It was dark blue, with a cresent moon on it. The symbol of the garden of shadows, they all knew so well.

The guards stationed at Ponyville were alarmed at such a force, but the group of Ponies stayed peacefull. One of them, a light brown mare, marveled at everthing she saw. As a little Earthpony filly, and her Pegasus friend bumped into her while playing, the gathered citizens gasped. The inhabitants of the garden of shadows were not seen in town often, and if they were they barely spoke to anypony. They scared the citizens, and there were some rumors about their violence going around, so the guards of Ponyville were ready to jump should anything happen.

Stardancer had never left the forest further then a few steps. Seeing a daylight Pony settlement for the verry first time, made her curious. How did they live? What were those golden round objects she saw on some shopcounters? And... most of all.... why were they looking all at her in fear? Suddenly, something bumped into her flank, almost tipping her over since she had been distracted. Looking down, Stardancer saw two young foals. One greycoated Pegasus colt, and a blue emerald coated Earthpony filly. The filly had obviously, while playing chase, run into her. Since she wore her usual barding, the little one had a small wound on her forehead, from the impact. Sparing a quick glance to the Ponies around her, she saw that they were all verry tense.

Leaning down, Stardancer gently nudged the filly and used her magic to heal the crying foals wound.

"Hello there, little one.", she said in a soft tone.

The filly stopped to cry in an instant. She obviously had never seen an Alicorn, other then Princess Celestia. As the filly looked up at her, her eyes widend in awe. The colt tried to step in front of his friend, but the filly pushed him aside.

"Are you a princess?", the filly finally asked.

"No, I'm not. I'm Stardancer, from the garden of shadows. Pleased to meet you, little one."

"My name is not "little one". I'm Apple Fritter.", the filly pouted.

Twilight was a little worried, when she saw how the Ponies around her looked at Stardancer and the two foals. One wrong move, she knew, and they would be faced with an angry mob. The light brown mare however, did not seem to bother with the frightend stares at all. Instead she healed the small cut on the fillies forehead, and spoke to her as if a group of twenty three Alicorns was the most normal thing in the world. Well... for her it most likely was, Twilight thought.

"Well then, Apple Fritter, nice to meet you. How is your forehead?", Stardancer asked, and could hear a collective sigh of relief from the crowd, that was slowly spreading again.

Luna was proud of her granddaughter. She had ordered the Enforcers to stand down, unless she ordered them to act. Had she not done so, this situation could have ended more then ugly. Sure, they also knew that this had been no attack, but Luna was not so sure about their temper. The only reason she had taken Alicorns with her, was that they did not have to relay on their magical spark. The other reason was, that she wanted to be safe. She had forgiven Celestia years ago, but that did not mean that she trusted her yet. Even more was she wondering, how Celestia would react, when she learned that Twilight was now residing in the garden of shadows permanently....