Myths and Birthrights: The Archive

Myths and Birthrights

By Tundara

Part One: Awakening and Arrivals

Chapter Six: The Coronation

The Citadel of Light was burning.

Panting, Shyara ran down the corridors as the walls trembled and shook. Passing a window, she saw the streaks of red fire being launched by the trebuchets of the Titan's armies. Closing her eyes, Shyara screamed for her mother as she rounded a corner and the citadel groaned under the bombardment.

All around her she could feel the energies given off by her aunts, cousins, and mother. Some were weak and thready, while others flared and then dimmed. Among her family Shyara felt other energies, those given off by the Titans, as they were now called. There were too many and they kept moving so quickly that Shyara didn't know which way to run, so she just ran, twisting and weaving through the corridors of the crumbling Citadel.

The steady deep rumble of hurled boulders and barrels of exploding pitch reverberated through the citadel and Shyara's bones. The smell of burning hair and thick smoke filled the filly's nostrils while the shrieks and cries of the wounded combined with the sharp reports of metal striking metal drowned out her own voice.

Deeper and deeper she went, her small hooves skipping and sliding occasionally as she encountered slick red pools on the polished marble. She tried not to think of what the pools were, to push the thoughts out of her mind and focus instead on running and not falling.

Laughter ahead of her made her skid to a halt.

Minotaurs, three of the bull headed monsters, stood blocking her path. Just past the minotaurs stood the door to Tyr's chambers. The thick steel banded oak had been splintered and torn open; a thin trail of crimson leaked through the opening and was splashed on the wall. There were no signs of the Guards that watched over and protected Shyara's cousin.

"A Godling," the largest of the minotaurs shouted, pointing an arm bulging with muscles towards the filly. "Get her and bring her to Lord Ares."

"Stop! Take one step towards me and I will use my magic on you," Shyara growled, hoping she projected strength and confidence, but feeling her knees shaking.

The two minotaurs that had started towards her paused, looking towards their leader for guidance. Snorting, he pushed past his subordinates and with slow measured strides made his way towards Shyara. "She's just a Godling, they ain't got no magic, yet."

From his large meaty hand extended a triple headed flail, the spiked steel balls sparking as they slammed into the marble floor. Shyara gulped, swiftly backing away from the towering brute.

"Go ahead, little one, use your magic. Rip the flesh from my bones. Crack my chest so I can see the last beats of my heart. Tear the bones from my body. Do it."

Shyara stepped back at the minotaur's vile grin, a slight chill sweeping up her spine. Setting her jaw, she tried to conjure her magic. All that came were a few sputtering silvery-blue sparks that died skipping along the marble and the minotaur's hooves. Gasping for breath, Shyara felt her tentative grip on her magic slip as she backed up against the wall.

"Pathetic."

The minotaur reached down towards Shyara, the terrified alicorn filly unable to look away from the monster's grim, red eyes. A flash of silver caught her attention for a moment, and then the minotaur's arm sailed through the air leaving a trail of crimson viscera. Howling, the minotaur clutched at the stump of his right arm, his flail crashing to the ground. He only began to turn towards his attacker before a steel blade thrust through his chest, hot blood splashing across Shyara's face.

Dead, the minotaur fell to the side revealing his killer.

"Trixelion!" Shyara exclaimed, never more happy in her eighty-five years to see a mortal.

The dragoon didn't respond as she turned to face the two remaining minotaurs. The destruction of their leader had been so swift neither had time to realise what had just occurred. Hefting axe or sword, the two monsters appraised their foe.

Trixelion was tall and slender, her fur dyed a rich violet and covered in gilded steel plate. Her silver mane draped down her shoulders from beneath a war-helmet. Through a hole in the helm was a short rounded horn glowing with blue-white magic. Beside her hovered a long-sword, her magic only visible around the golden hilt. Painted on the flanks of her armour was the great twelve pointed star of the Goddess of the Stars.

Keeping her eyes trained on the Minotaurs, Trixelion said, "Lady Shyara, stay low, I will protect you." To the minotaurs she then added, "Foul beasts, what have you done with the Lady Tyr?"

"Lord Ares already has that one," the left minotaur chuckled, fingers tightened like knots on the haft of his axe.

Hiding behind the dead alpha minotaur, Shyara tried to watch the confrontation. She had heard in song and legend the tales of Heroes and how they fought, and Trixelion was one of the greatest heroes ever as far as she was concerned. For a long moment the two sides stared at each other, and then in rush of clanking metal and sparks, both sides charged.

The minotaurs never stood a chance against Trixelion.

Ducking and weaving, the dragoon  avoided their sloppy attacks with practiced ease. The tip of her sword spun around the axe wielding minotaur's guard, slicing across and through his neck. Dropping onto her knees, Trixelion slid beneath the other minotaur. Jumping back up to her hooves she spun and, with a resounding crack, shattered the monster's nearest knee. The beast's screams flowed through the corridor. Screams that were quickly silenced in a bubbling gurgle.

"Pitiful, I would have expected more from Minotaurs," Trixelion spat as she turned and trotted towards Shyara, her blade sliding into its sheath along her side. "My Lady, you are unharmed I pray."

"Y-yes, I'm alright," Shyara mumbled, her eyes fixated on the three unmoving forms.

She'd encountered plenty of dead bodies already in her frantic dash through the Citadel, but this was the first time she'd seen death. Trembling, she felt herself being guided away from the bodies.

"You are in shock, I fear," the dragoon stated, looking Shyara over with a critical eye.

"N-no, I am f—" Shyara's voice faltered as she became aware of an alicorn heading straight towards her.

Before Shyara could call out a warning or duck, the wall in front of them exploded. Shards of stone skipped off Trixelion's armour and Shyara's coat as the dragoon interposed herself between the filly and the explosion. Blinking and coughing through the dust, Shyara let out a strangled gasp.

"Mom!" she cried, trying to leap forward only to be stopped by Trixelion. "Let me go, that's my mom!"

Then she felt more than saw a third alicorn. Shyara recoiled, hissing in pain. It was like having boiling oil poured on her Awareness. The other alicorn could only be a Titan, one filled with seething rage and sadistic glee at the carnage filling the Citadel. There were only two Titans that energy could belong to, and both possibilities made Shyara tremble.

Through the thick dust Shyara could see a shadow stalk forward. Standing before something propped against the wall, dull rust red magic make the shadow's outline glow.

"This has been a pleasant game, but it comes to a close with you once more powerless at my hooves. You were supposed to be one of the strongest among us, only Father and Hemera your greater, and look at you. Broken, weak, and soon to be nothing but a memory and an echo that slowly fades from existence."

The dust settled as the Titan spoke, revealing a massive red stallion covered in dull grey armour. Tears and dents covered the armour's surface, attesting to a life of constant conflict. A golden blonde mane fell haphazardly about his face and partially hid vibrant green eyes. On his flank stood three curved black swords forming an outward spiral. Beside the stallion hovered a massive war-mace, bits of gore and blood dripping from its surface.

"Come, we must leave," Trixelion whispered into Shyara's ear, but the filly stood frozen watching and listening to the scene before her.

Smiling a little, the Titan said, "Don't think I don't know you are there, little Shyara. You and that mortal will be next."

"No, Ares, you will not have them. With the last of my strength, I spit upon you. With the last of my will, I curse you. With the last of my love, I will save my herd. With the last of my magic, I will send them somewhere you can never reach them." Shyara's legs gave out as she heard the malice and fear in her mother's voice. "Trixelion, protect my daughter."

Before anypony could move or respond, a blinding wall of silvery light expanded outwards from the rubble hiding Shyara's mother.

Screaming, the filly jolted upright, her eyes darting madly for some sign of Ares, Trixelion, or her mother. All she saw was the brightly painted interior of Trixie's wagon.

"The nightmare again?" Trixie asked, the showmare rolling over on the bed to watch Shyara.

"Yeah."

"You don't... want to tell Trixie about it, do you? The Great and Powerful Trixie has travelled far and wide, maybe she can help."

Sighing, Shyara shrunk back into the thick quilts. Trixie waited long enough to see that the alicorn still wouldn't tell her about the nightmare before rolling over and closing her eyes.

"Well, try to get some sleep. We still have a long way to travel before we reach Vanhoover."

Giving a weak little nod, Shyara scooted a little closer to Trixie, closed her eyes, and was soon back to sleep. Trixie just rolled her eyes and laid her head back down on the pillows.

* * *

"Okay, Twilight, now, gently, reach out to the stars," Luna said, looking to Twilight as the two sat atop Canterlot's Observatory.

Twilight nodded slowly, gulping back a feeling of apprehension. All around the two alicorns Equestria was wrapped in the hour for which she was named. A soft reddish haze lingering in the west while in the east the very edge of the moon could be seen on the horizon. Overhead there was only a blank inky tapestry, one that was waiting for Twilight to fill with her stars.

Her stars. That idea still seemed so foreign.

Closing her eyes, Twilight started to extend herself outwards and into the sky. She could feel and see Luna still beside her, the darker alicorn a white mist as the two reached towards their respective charges. At Luna's touch, the moon gave a contented sigh and gave Twilight a lazy greeting. Twilight waved to the moon, or tried to, but it was difficult when she was a twinkling mass of purple stardust. Passing the moon and leaving Luna behind, Twilight climbed higher and higher. Ahead she could see her destination, Polaris, the Lodestar gently sparkling as it slumbered.

"When you are ready, Luna," Twilight called down to the older goddess.

Luna swirled closer to the moon until they seemed to merge, and then, in a flair of silvery moonlight, both began to climb into the night. At the same time Twilight flowed closer to Polaris, her essence tingling so close to the star.

"Polaris, time to wake up," she cooed softly.

The sleeping star gave a grunt and rolled over, growing a little dimmer as if she could hide.

"Polaris, come on, let's not delay this, again," Twilight growled giving the star the equivalent of a nudge.

Just another few minutes, please, the Lodestar mumbled, and Twilight could swear it looked like the star was clamping her eyes shut. How exactly a star could do that, when they were balls of energy and light, stymied Twilight.

"Oh no, not tonight, missy. We've been tardy every night this week and I've gotten three protests by the Astronomers Guild, as well as the Astrologers Guild. Tonight we are doing this on time. Got it?"

Giving a weary moan, the star stretched, saying, Alright, mistress. Any particular orders for tonight?

This caused Twilight to hesitate. Polaris had asked the same question the first time Twilight had awoken the stars. Afterwards Luna had explained that the Lodestar was wondering if there were any changes Twilight wanted to make to the night sky. With everything that had been going on Twilight hadn't had time to even consider if she wanted to make any changes to the night.

"Uh, not tonight," Twilight said, and then feeling Polaris take on a disappointed tinge added, "But maybe soon."

Alright, the star said, a hint of unhappiness in her voice. Well, we should get the others up, I suppose.

Lights splashed and weaved across Equestria's skies as together Twilight and Polaris reached out and woke the other stars. In a rolling wave the constellations appeared, the stars glimmering and stretching before beginning their vigil over the ponies and creatures below. Twilight had started to receive letters complimenting and asking her about how different the stars' appearance had become.

Relieved to have been only a little late, Twilight slowly floated down to her body.

Beside her Luna also wore a look of relief. She gave Twilight a slight smile before saying, "Well, I think that has been the best start to a night yet. Though I see Sirius is still refusing to come out."

Suppressing a groan, Twilight followed the older alicorns gaze towards the constellation Canis Major. Sure enough, the star was missing from its spot again.

Grinding her teeth, Twilight again began to lift up into the sky, but was stopped by a light tug. Turning she saw Luna had somehow managed to grab a hold of her. The connection tingled like mint and smelled like fresh rain. As quickly as Luna grabbed her, she let go of Twilight. Feeling a little dazed and lost for a few moments, Twilight couldn't shake the sensation that something was missing but she wasn't sure what.

"Don't worry about the Firestar, you need to start getting ready for the morning," Luna said as she gave Twilight a gentle smile.

"Princess, what was that? When you touched me it felt like a cool winter breeze, and I couldn't think after you let go."

"Ah, yes," Luna looked away and in the early evening light Twilight could almost swear the princess was blushing. "What you just felt, it's a far more... intimate connection than just regular touching. Our essences were mingling and we were, uh, experiencing a bit of the underlying power of the other.  By the way, your touch tastes like those frizzy pop rock candies." Luna, leaning down while her eyes hunted for any sign of her sister, added in a conspiratorial whisper, "Celestia is like jalapeños and she smells like cinnamon."

Suppressing a laugh with her hoof, Twilight smiled, forgetting about Sirius' disappearance for a little while.

Together the two Alicorns of the Night walked down into the palace proper and into the hustle and bustle that filled the center of Equestria's government at all times of the day. After a few moments they parted, Luna heading towards Night Court while Twilight turned in the direction of the various royal apartments. The busy activity was a stark contrast to when Twilight had lived in the palace as Celestia's student. Then the palace had grown quiet and serene during the night. Now pages and stewards moved about carrying out the work of supporting Luna's half of the diarchy. All around her servants were putting the final touches on the preparations for the morning.

Or was it their half now? Twilight had little idea what was going to be expected of her in the future, only that in a few hours she'd be a crowned Princess of Equestria, as well as a living goddess. Would she have to hold court? Would she have to live in the palace? Would she have her own personal guards?

On and on the questions went, most left unspoken as she went from lessons on controlling her alicorn powers, to learning to fly under Dash's guidance. Then there were the hounding questions of the press. Twilight was silently thankful that the press were kept off the palace grounds. Between it all she barely had a few minutes in the day to just sit down and relax.

And the nobles! Twilight was no novice at dealing with the nobility, it came part and parcel growing up as the heir of one of the oldest —if not prominent— Houses. For the most part Twilight had managed to avoid dealing too much with the other Houses, that had always been more her mother's forte, and since moving to Ponyville she'd almost dropped completely out of the other Houses' sights. Even when she'd been named a Countess it hadn't caused too much of a stir. A countess of a monster filled forest with no pony living on her land was only marginally more important than a commoner. There was no wealth and little prestige attached to the title.

Winding her way through the busy corridors Twilight gave a little grunt of annoyance. She was supposed to be heading towards her old quarters where her friends would be waiting for her. Instead her hooves carried her towards another portion of the palace.

It wasn't that Twilight wanted to avoid her friends. Sure, Rarity's fawning had started to become a little irksome, and Pinkie's jubilation could wear down the most resilient. Applejack and Fluttershy had taken the change stoically, and while both were genuinely happy for Twilight, neither could fully hide their concerns or fears that this meant the end of their little group. For better or worse, nothing was ever going to be the same. But those were minor compared to the real issue that hovered at the back of Twilight's mind like vulture.

Maybe she could use some of those transformation spells Luna had told her about and return to living in Ponyville. The idea always left her chest feeling a little lighter and the knot of tension constantly in Twilight's stomach would dissipate for a moment. The feeling never lasted as Twilight realised that it just wasn't possible.

Anything is possible, mistress, chuckled a swarthy voice.

Twilight stopped in the middle of the corridor almost causing a porter to crash into her.

"Sirius," Twilight snapped, drawing a few curious looks from the servants. "Where have you been?"

I was watching one of the others, the star said as if it was obvious.

"Really? One of the new arrivals?" Twilight asked, aware of her surroundings and blushing a little at the stares she was receiving.

No, I was watching Discord. Of course one of the new alicorns. Twilight could feel the star's 'eye roll'.

"Okay, so what can you tell me about him or her?"

Nothing.

"What?" Twilight's voice cracked off the stone walls making any pony unfortunate to be close wince and shrink away. Her left eye twitching, Twilight growled through clenched teeth, "What do you mean you can tell me nothing? Do you not know anything, or are you just being obstinate?"

The star laughed. From the deep rolling timbre Twilight could just imagine the star doing the equivalent of grabbing her belly while throwing back her head. If stars had bellies or heads.

I've learned a great deal about our 'guest'. Like whom she travels with and how much of a threat she is to you. I'll be nice and give a hint; kittens pose a greater danger. They are prone to causing diabetes I hear.

"You're a jerk, you know that?" Twilight muttered.

Most of the ponies in the corridor had started to give Twilight a wide berth, slipping past as close to the far wall as they could.

Mistress, I love you with all of my being, I am incapable of doing otherwise. But that doesn't mean I like or respect you, yet. I'm not like Polaris or the others, I won't just dance to your tune because you say so. You need to earn my respect. But, I won't let anything happen to you or risk you being in danger. You can infer from that what you will about the alicorn.

Sensing the star move off, and hopefully take her proper place in the night, Twilight gave a little grumble and continued on her own way. A few of the servants continued to give her odd looks before scurrying away, but Twilight was too pre-occupied thinking over what Sirius had told her.

The star didn't think the alicorn she had been watching was a threat. That was good. She also didn't respect Twilight, which explained a lot. Unsure how to deal with the star, Twilight continued through the corridors until she came to a smallish door set in the west wing. Beyond the door was one of the palace's most secure sanctuaries.

Twilight knocked politely on the white oak door, for old time's sake. Celestia, over the last few days, had tried to make it clear that Twilight was welcome in her office any time, but Twilight didn't want this little ritual to change. There had been far too many changes in too short a time for her liking, and this one thing would stay the same, always.

Slipping into the room, Twilight saw her mentor sitting behind her wide desk. The office was a thing of pure utility and little frills. Few ponies ever got to see the inside of the room, and it had been kept almost bare as a result. There were a couple bookcases against one wall, one for knick-knacks, the other for various books, a table with a tea service on a gold tray, and a few cushions for Celestia to sit on while reading reports in front of her hearth. Along one wall sat three tall windows trimmed with scarlet curtains to let in the light of the afternoon and evening sun, the office facing the west.

The office had always felt comfortable and safe to Twilight, like this was the true nature of Celestia, and the other rooms that were covered in gold leaf and tapestries just a show put on for the benefit of others.

Looking up from a stack of reports, Celestia gave Twilight a weary smile.

"Still no luck, Princess?" Twilight asked as she settled onto a soft cushion of duck feathers.

"Nothing. Not the alicorns, not that smoke-thing, just, silence," Celestia sighed as she rolled up the parchment in front of her and moved it into a tray labeled 'Furnaces'. Plucking up the next report in the mountainous stack on her desk, she asked, "What about you? How has your night been so far? I noticed that Sirius was still missing."

"Oh, she's back," Twilight grunted, unable to hide her anger towards the star. "She's been watching one of the new alicorns."

"Really?" Celestia's ears perked up, a glimmer of hope flickering in her eyes. Twilight cringed at having to crush that hope. "What did she say?"

"Not much. About all I got out of her was the alicorn travels with somepony and that Sirius doesn't consider her a threat to me."

"Well," Celestia said hiding her disappointment with centuries of practice. "That is more than we knew before, at least. It doesn't help us locate them, per se, but even the slightest information is welcome." Then, with a practiced tongue, Celestia redirected the conversation. "What about your studies? Still having difficulties with flying?"

"Um, a little."

Celestia gave Twilight a deadpan stare.

"Okay, a lot," the younger alicorn admitted, flopping down further into the cushion and her wings stretching out. As they did small aches and pains in the new flight muscles twinged. "Dash keeps saying that all it takes is practice. But the only practice I seem to be getting is falling and crashing. I don't know, I'm starting to think that maybe I just can't fly."

"Hmmm," Celestia hummed, tapping a hoof to her chin. "Have you thought that the problem might not be you, but that you and your teacher aren't suited for each other?"

"Huh, what do you mean? Dash is arguably the fastest flier alive, and has lots of experience teaching Scootaloo the basics of flying."

Celestia gave Twilight that infuriating smile that said, 'I know something that you don't, but should.'

"Twilight, describe your friends wings, and then her flying style."

"Um, okay, not sure where this is going, but fine." Twilight lifted herself up a little, settling her wings and thinking about everything she knew about flying, which wasn't a whole lot admittedly.

"Dash has the long slender wings and slight build of the Peregrine sub-race of Pegasi. Like all Peregrines, this gives her exceptional speed, especially while in a dive, and better than average agility. However, a well trained athletic Raven Pegasus can often keep up in a horizontal, or more commonly called, 'flat' race, and are far more agile. Speed, particularly their diving speed, is often a central aspect to Peregrine Pegasi that are part of one of the Legions. The most famous Peregrine Legion is the Wonderbolts, who still serve the Crown as both stunt fliers at shows and as an elite reactionary force if Equestria is threatened. Correct?"

"Correct, as always, Twilight," Celestia said expecting the mini-lecture she had received. "Now, look at your wings and tell me what you see."

Twilight knew where the conversation was going even before she turned her head to take a look at her wings. Her majestic, large wings that fanned out to her sides, the primary feathers reaching towards the walls. The best way Twilight could describe her wings was 'broad and powerful', but not slender.

"Oh," Twilight gasped as comprehension dawned. "I have Imperial Pegasi wings. They are much larger than a Peregrines and more suited to catching rising thermals and soaring. The slotted tips reduce the induced drag and wind vortexes and... I see what you're getting at, Princess."

Smiling a little at the blush touching Twilight's cheeks, Celestia said, "Perhaps your friend Fluttershy could assist? She comes from an Imperial Legion, doesn't she?"

"Does she?" Twilight asked, titling her head in genuine puzzlement. "She's hardly ever talks about her family, I really don't know."

"Mm Hmm, now, why don't you tell me why you're hiding in my study and not getting your mane primped and washed for the coronation." Celestia carefully set aside the letter in front of her, reaching for the next in the stack.

For a moment Twilight paled, then she let out a long sigh, tension flowing out of her body.

"I don't know, it just seems, urgh, everything is happening too fast. One day I'm your student and a simple country librarian. Next day, I'm a Goddess. Sure, I've had a few adventures over the years, but this, this is pretty steep on the bell curve. Now I have thousands of voices that all treat me like a long lost friend. I'm taking a crash course, often literally, in Pegasi and Earth pony magic. And to top it all off, every pony is tip-hoofing around me like they are walking on eggshells."

"But none of that is what is truly bothering you, is it?"

Twilight almost regretted going to see Celestia in that moment. Her mentor was too wise and knew Twilight too well to miss the truth.

"It... It's my friends," Twilight finally admitted, as much to herself as to Celestia. "They are all so happy for me, even Applejack and Fluttershy who are worried about how this will change things. Rarity is skipping and singing so much it'd be easy to confuse her for Pinkie. But all I can think about when I am around them is how all too soon all there will be left of them is a stone marker in a cemetery."

Celestia sighed, stepping around her desk so she could drape a wing over Twilight’s withers and pull her into a gentle hug.

"Twilight, I know I don't have to tell you this, you've already had these conversations with Spike when he'd get sad and depressed about how he'd outlive every pony, but I'll tell you what my mother told me. None of the mortal races know how long their time will be on this world. All too often they are claimed young by events outside their control; war, disease, or simple accidents are always waiting. The best we can do is cherish the time we have with them and then remember them when they pass.

"So, don't hide from them because you are afraid of tomorrow. Laugh, love, live and enjoy today. It will hurt, I won't lie. Oh, how it hurts sometimes, but they wouldn't want you to squander eternity in misery or mourning their passing. Especially while they are still around. The pain will fade and in time you'll make new friends. Just as I have done. Through it all, you'll always have Luna, Cadence and I, and probably Tyr too, now."

Twilight nodded, slowly, a tightness clutching at her heart. No tears came however, not yet at least.

"Thanks Princess," Twilight said, giving her mentor a weak but genuine smile as she started to stand. "I needed that reminder."

"I will always be here for you, Twilight, always," Celestia replied, nuzzling Twilight gently. "Now, you better start getting ready for tomorrow. It's going to be a big day."

* * *

Everything was ready.

The throne room had been decorated in plum coloured tapestries while lavender, lilies, roses, and carnations sat in bouquets next to the rows of seats, under the windows, or had their petals spread along the lush carpet leading to the dais that normally held twin thrones of the Sun and Moon. The thrones had been removed and in their place rested pedestal with a replica of the Element of Magic on top.

Ponies from across Equestria had gathered, filling the courtyards and squares of Canterlot. Most tried to get as close to the palace as they could, watching the stained glass windows of the palace's north facing side with rapt attention. News of the coronation had reached as far away as Vanhoover in the northwest and the Crystal City to the northeast. For days a steady stream of dignitaries and officials had been arriving. Unlike the commoners, they would be seated in the throne room.

The nobility began to arrive hours before the start of the ceremony, the heralds calling out the dignitaries names and their titles. They strode forward with their heads held high and in their finest clothes to take their seats. A few looked with envious eyes at the front rows of seats, those reserved for Twilight's family and friends.

Safely ensconced away from the nobles, Twilight sat in the middle of a chattering cloud of mane products, make-up, and giddy voices. Along with Rarity and Velvet, Twilight was joined by her herd-mothers; Whisper and Glitterdust. It had been years since Twilight had really seen either of her herd-mothers, since before moving to Ponyville, and it had been good catching up with the pair.

Of all Twilight’s parents, Whisper Runes had been the greatest influence on Twilight, overshadowing Glitterdust, and even Velvet to a large extent. It was Whisper that Twilight was the most alike, the two sharing the same joys of scholarly activities with little regard for the world beyond their musty old books. Whisper was forever working on a magnum-opus meant to begin perhaps a fourth Reformation. Soft spoken, but with a sharp tongue, Whisper only left the House manor to spend time with one of her wives, usually Glitterdust.

On the other end of the spectrum was Glitterdust, an outgoing youngish mare, bursting with life, energy, and an easy playful heart that reminded her so much of Pinkie. She had married into the herd shortly after Twilight’s arrival. Closer to Shining than Twilight, Glitterdust brought a flair and joy into the herd that had been lacking with Comet’s stoic indifference, Whisper’s bookishness, and Velvet’s mundanity.

As a stage designer in Manehatten, Glitterdust bonded with Rarity almost at once, the pair attacking Twilight’s mane and makeup with an unreserved fervor. Whisper sat back in a corner, watching over her horn-rimmed glasses while Velvet chatted amicably at Twilight’s side.

Twilight couldn’t recall exactly what her mother had been talking about, only that her voice was creating a pleasant and warm blanket within the room. Still, it could do little more than smooth the outer edges of the anxiety prowling through Twilight.

"You sure you're okay, darling?" Rarity asked for the tenth time. She'd been growing increasingly concerned by the twitch in the corner of Twilight's eye and how the alicorn constantly glanced towards the windows as if searching for an easy escape route.

"Y-yeah, I'm good," Twilight muttered between breaths. She'd been going through her breathing exercises for the last half hour as the moment to step into the throne room and be judged by all those waiting eyes approached. Her eye twitched again as the thought passed through her head.

The others shared concerned looks that told Twilight none were convinced, but didn't prod her further. It took Rarity only three point four seconds before her eyes were shimmering with delight as an excited giggle made her mane bounce.

"This is so exciting. To think, in a few minutes you'll be a crowned Princess of Equestria."

Like Rarity, Glitterdust's face broke into a pronounced smile as she joined in the giggling and again fussed with Twilight's mane.

"I’ve wondered about this day since you showed up in that little basket,” Whisper commented, adjusting her glasses before giving a nervous laugh. “Vel’s always been so overprotective of you, as well. You should have seen the look on her face when we received news of Nightmare Moons’ defeat, the return of Princess Luna, and your role in events.”

“I made a binding promise,” Velvet said with a roll of her eyes, “one I intended to keep.”

“Only because you’ve been enchanted,” Whisper snorted derisively.

There was no response to the comment, Velvet clamping her mouth shut while Twilight just stared straight ahead into the mirror. Focusing on her reflection kept her mind away from over-analyzing her mother’s geas.

Her make-up was both plain and stylish, a prime example of less being more, making her eyes seem brighter. The way her mane curled around her head and neck almost made her features seem longer. Squinting a little, Twilight realized that they were longer. Luna and Celestia had both said Twilight would grow a bit and change to fit her new role, but she hadn't thought it would happen so fast. Turning her head to examine the sharp angular lines of her face, lines that echoed the other princesses, Twilight admitted she looked beautiful.

"Your brother was always so curious where you came from those first few years. And don’t get me started on the rest of the House,” Velvet said in a voice of mock scandal. “I thought for sure somepony would figure it out that you were adopted, or fostered, or whatever you want to call it. And when Celestia showed up on our doorstep with the royal guard in tow, well, I almost fainted on the spot."

“No, you didn’t.” Whisper smirked behind her glasses, saying, “You almost attacked her with the fire-poker when she picked Twilight up and cradled her.”

“Wish I could have seen that,” Glitterdust hummed while pinning Twilight’s mane behind an ear.

"That must have been terrible, having such a secret and not being able to share it," Rarity's voice held a bit of scandalized sympathy. "I don't know if I could have managed it."

"It wasn't so bad, actually. Because..."

"Because of the geas," Twilight finished when her mother's voice drifted off. "I'm going to find a way to remove it, mother."

"Oh, no need to worry. I've grown used to the... it." Velvet shook her head before reaching into a drawer with her magic and pulling out a small box.

“This,” Velvet began as she opened the box, “was with you in the basket. It belongs to you.”

Within the box sat a simple platinum chain and locket. There was little to catch the eye. A few swirling motifs around a strange symbol Twilight didn’t recognise. What the eye could not see but Twilight could feel were the spells and enchantments weaved deep into the metal. Twilight could discern three different protective wards along with a few she couldn’t recognise.

“Uh, thank you, mother,” Twilight said as the locket was lifted and placed around her neck.

Twilight was uncertain if she really wanted to wear the necklace, but relented realising it could be the entirety of her birth mother's presence.

A few moments later a knock on the door and a voice calling through the wood announced that the last of the nobility and dignitaries had been seated. Taking a long breath, Twilight stood with absolute care not to damage the dress Rarity had crafted.

It was one of the most gorgeous gowns Twilight had ever seen. Tiny diamonds, one for every star in the night, had been sewn into the hems and down the train. The fabric itself was dyed a midnight blue much like her gala gown so that it almost seemed to be an extension of Twilight's mane. Shoes of matching platinum adorned her hooves. To finish the ensemble, her mane had been primped and styled so it fell in bouncing ringlets and curls about her face and down her left side, the magical stars that had appeared when she'd Awakened shining brighter than ever.

Together they walked to the throne room's entrance, and there Rarity and Twilight’s mothers gave her a quick nuzzle before slipping through the doors to take their seats.

Alone, Twilight waited.

After only a minute she heard the Canterlot Royal Choir begin 'Sure on this Shining Night'.

Taking her cue, Twilight walked through the doors and towards where Equestria's Princesses stood. On either side sat the nobility and dignitaries, a sea of peering and curious eyes. For most this was their first time seeing the young alicorn. Focusing straight ahead, and not tripping on her dress, Twilight studiously ignored the looks of awe or curiosity given by the crowd. As she passed the final row, she looked to her left and right taking reassurance in the smiling faces of her friends and family.

All of whom were smiling.

The entirety of House Sparkle was present, from great uncle Pumice Sparkle to all of Twilight’s aunts, uncles and cousins. Even with the branch members, they weren’t many in numbers, barely over a couple dozen. House Sparkle was a small House, but a proud, happy, and inordinately powerful one with its connections to the Royal House.

Once more the House’s heir, Lady Sateen Sparkle and her only foal, Tartan Sparkle sat beside Twilight’s immediate family. Twilight knew very little of either, only that her aunt Sateen was a small, frail mare while her daughter was brooding and perpetually angry. When Twilight had spent time with her cousin, Tartan had picked on her fiercely. Not to the point of cruelty, but a constant, oppressive wave of envy and dislike. Tartan had been jealous of her, Twilight realised in later years, with a mother that was strong and didn’t dote or smother her. Today Tartan was all smiles, holding her mother’s hoof in her own, and mouthing encouragement as Twilight passed the isle.

Tyr sat between Velvet and Glitterdust with a combination of confusion and sullen misery on her young face. Gone were Tyr’s wings, and her coat no longer shone with magical lustre. For all the world could see she was simply an ordinary unicorn adopted by Shining and Cadence. A cover story had been crafted —something about a military school friend of Shining’s passing away suddenly— though few truly believed it. Underneath the false exterior, Twilight could still sense the truth of Tyr’s nature. It gave Twilight an inkling of how Celestia and Cadence had been so certain about her own future and past.

Behind the Sparkles were the Armours. House Armour and House Sparkle were long allies, stretching back hundreds of years. Twilight’s father was an Armour, though he didn’t care much for the name. ‘Comet Armour? What kind of a name is that! Namegiver, please give my sons and daughters much more sensible names,’ he’d often grumbled during Twilight’s younger years. It was still his official name, though no-pony ever used it. Even the other noble houses had known him as Comet Chaser for so long that they forget it wasn’t his real name.

Shining Armour stood off to one side at the head of the Unicorn honour guard, to his left and right the Pegasus and Earth honour guards at rigid attention. The unicorns, a mix of dragoons and battle-mages, all wore swords strapped to the sides. The Earth guards leaned on pikes, while the Pegasi appeared to only wear their polished armour. Shining's demeanor of stoic indifference cracked for a moment as he gave his sister a wink.

Twilight barely suppressed a little smile as she ascended the dais in slow measured steps. Atop the dais, Twilight bowed to the gathered the princesses in turn; going from Celestia to Luna before finally Cadence. Around her hundreds of ponies watched with bated breath as the princesses each bowed in return. Cadence's eyes danced with mirth as she lingered a little in her bow before she rose.

All three princesses wore gowns similar to Twilight's. None were as elaborate, but all seemed designed to showcase the Princess' aspect. Celestia's had light golden and brassy yellow tones. Luna's was a pale silver like moonlight had been turned into a shroud and draped over her. Pinks and reds swirled together in heart shaped patterns throughout Cadence's gown. The sight of one would have been enough to steal most pony's breaths. Together they left the crowd speechless.

Taking a deep breath, Twilight turned to face the crowd. Her outer expression of supposed calm almost shattered at the eyes staring up at her. She was anything but calm, all the eyes not belonging to her family and friends seemed to judge her.

The voices of the choir swelled then ended, leaving a blanket of silence in their wake.

Her gaze firmly fixed ahead, Celestia took two measured steps forward.

“Ladies and Lords, honoured guests, and friends, I here present unto you Princess Twilight. All ye who have come this day, to whom do you swear your homage and service?”

In a single voice, the gathered crowd responded, “Princess Twilight Abigail Sparkle!”

Her heart settled by the response, Twilight bowed solemnly to the crowd.

“To whom do you swear to honour and protect?”

Again the crowd said in a single voice, “Princess Twilight Abigail Sparkle!”, followed by Twilight bowing once more.

“To whom do you swear your fealty, and the fealty of your foals —born and yet-to be?”

For a final time the crowd thundered, their voices the loudest yet, “Princess Twilight Abigail Sparkle!” and for a final time, Twilight bowed in response.

Returning to stand before Twilight, Celestia asked, “Madam, is your Highness willing to take the Oath?”

Twilight had begun to answer when a sharp crack and the smell of ozone broke through the hall. Twilight winced as the powerful, ancient protective spells woven through the walls sundered. Throughout the hall ponies looked around, some whispered questioningly if the noise was part of the ceremony. They couldn't feel what Twilight and the princesses felt.  All four shared worried looks then turned to face the doors.

Or what Tyr felt, apparently, as the filly began to scream.

"It's a Titan!" Tyr yelled at the top of her voice, leaping from the bench to run up the dais and dive beneath Cadence.

Twilight barely had time to wonder what a 'Titan' was before the great doors were thrown open. Into the room stepped a figure wrapped in a green travel cloak. Soft white fur trimmed the cloak, and golden shod hooves clicked in the sudden silence that had fallen over the hall like a death-shroud. Though the cloak was drawn up so it covered her features, it did little to hide her nature from the crowd. Through slits in the cloak's side sat a pair of snow white wings and a long slender horn thrust forth from hole in the hood. A soft murmur of confusion began to sweep the crowd.

In her ears Twilight could hear her heart hammering. Her throat clenched shut and a few simple words echoed through her head, 'Is this my mother?'

The scent of rainy mornings and pine needles wafted over Twilight. It was vaguely familiar, like the memory of a foalhood dream. Twilight began to take a step towards the uninvited alicorn, only to be stopped as Celestia leapt over her with a flap of her wings. Anger and heat rolled off the elder princess in waves, her shoes cracking like thunder as she landed. Shining and the other guards all set their shoulders and stances, those practiced with weapons drawing their blades. All the guards stood ready to charge to their princess' aide at a moment's notice.

"Iridia, you are not welcome here."

Iridia. A shiver ran up Twilight's back, she knew the name from pre-classical history, from before the founding of Equestria. A tyrant without compare, she had marched at the head of a black army slaughtering all that fell beneath her gaze. Deathgiver, Black Star, She Who Shall Not Be Named, Bloodmaned; many were her titles, none of them pleasant. History recorded that it was Clover the Clever who stood before the Dread Queen and halted her advance, casting her down into the fiery pits that were Tartarus.

"Welcome or not, it was paramount that I come." The alicorn’s voice was as cold as the light of the spring moon and full of a rich rolling timbre. As she spoke she threw back her hood revealing eyes clear as a pond and a mane of honey-suckle yellow with a band of golden wheat. "This can not be permitted.”

“You would dare—”

“I dare!? It is not your place to crown my daughter,” Iridia snapped, wings flaring.

The declaration sent a shiver through Twilight. Happiness warred with confusion and doubt, leaving her thoughts in scattered disarray. Heart pounding, Twilight glanced between her birth mother and Celestia, watching as the pair glared at each other.

Taking a moment to settle her wings, Iridia continued in a gentler voice.

“I’m sorry, this is meant to be a joyous day, and I…” Swallowing what she was about to say, Iridia instead said, “I’ve done what I must.”

“What you must?” Celestia repeated the words with a harsh, almost disbelieving bite to her voice. “You always claim to ‘do what you must’, and damn the consequences or ignore who you have harmed in the process. You hide behind those words like they are a shield. If you truly cared, you would have been here sooner.”

“I arrived as quick as I could, but I am not without responsibilities of my own. If you had deigned to give me appropriate notice, this whole debacle could have been avoided. Or maybe this was all a ploy to draw out my sister. Is that it? Did you try to set a trap using my daughter?”

Eyes widening in disbelief, Celestia advanced a step. In a low voice she said, “Leave, now, and never return to my lands.”

Face contorting as if she’d been struck, Iridia nodded once, before looking up to Twilight and saying, “Daughter, come with me.”

“What? No. I... Please," Twilight looked between Celesia and Iridia, "both of you, stop."

“Agreed. Sister, please.” Luna went to Twilight’s side.

Celestia looked between her sister and Twilight, then to Iridia. With a sharp turn, Celestia said, “No, not in this. That… monster is not welcome in my presence.”

“I see I can not make you acknowledge reason,” Iridia gave her head a slow shake. “You’re as hard headed as the Halla, niece. If you are so intent on this folly, then so be it. It is a mistake, and not an insignificant one.”

Irida began to leave, only to be stopped by a pleading voice.

"Wait."

Ponies throughout the throne room started at the forlorn note in the voice, and for a moment Twilight was also confused having not intended to sound so desperate.

“Don’t go,” Twilight called. “I have so many questions. Not to mention that we can’t proceed.”

A low murmur rippled through the crowd as Celestia glanced back at Twilight, a disapproving scowl firmly in place.

“Well, we can’t, can we? I mean, not until we sort this out, right?” Twilight looked between Celestia, Luna, and her parents.

“Yes, this is something to be taken behind closed doors,” Luna said as she used a wing to guide Twilight from the dias and towards a side-door. After a few steps she stopped and, turning to address the crowd, said, “Everypony, please, though the coronation may not be happening after all, there is no reason to let the entire evening be ruined. Retire to the gala, and enjoy thyselves.”

The nobles and dignitaries muttered amongst themselves, a few doing as Luna suggested and filing slowly out of the throne room.

All of her friends made to join Twilight, but were stopped by Luna’s outstretched hoof.

“My apologies, but this is a matter for family alone,” Luna said with a hint of regret.

“Surely, we are like family, yes?” Rarity replied, her sentiment echoed by the others.

“Not in this.” Luna stared the five mares down. “Later, perhaps, Twilight will share with you what is discussed. That is her prerogative. At this moment, the best way you can be of assistance is by going to the gala and projecting an air of confidence and normality. Show Canterlot that you, the Elements of Harmony, are not concerned by these turn of events.”

It took a few minutes of further convincing to get Twilight’s friends to go to the gala. Each gave words of encouragement to Twilight before leaving. It was odd not having her friends around her, even though Twilight was far from alone or without support.

Luna lead the way through the palace to Twilight’s chambers. A haze settled on Twilight as they trotted quickly through stunned and silent halls, the guards tense, and servants bowing low as they passed. Everything felt so unreal and odd, like she were watching a play.

Her mother —her birth mother— trotted just in front of her. Twilight had wondered where she came from, what were her origins, and why she’d been placed with a foster family to be raised. Part of the final question had already been answered; but not why Twilight hadn’t even heard or seen anything of Iridia in the intervening years.

A small whisper of self-doubt had answered that it was her fault. Stupid and illogical, Twilight knew, but even among the thousands of chattering stars, that one voice had found obstinate purchase. It was like a tiny serpent hissing in her ears, telling her that if she’d been wiser, more outgoing, stronger —or one of a hundred different things— than her birth mother would have shown some interest in her, or at least let Twilight know that she thought about her.

From the short argument, Twilight had at least gleaned that Iridia had been unable, rather than unwilling, to make her presence known. Given the few facts bubbling up in her recollection, Twilight had to wonder if what had been said was truthful.

Iridia trotted with head high and firmly held forward. She didn’t try to sneak little peaks or do any of the little things that would show interest in Twilight. Every few strides her tail would snap, but otherwise she was stoic and silent.

Resolving to withhold any judgement until after she’d talked with Iridia and heard her birth mother’s story, Twilight retreated to her stars, simply listening to them talk. Most of the conversations were about Iridia. Rukbat was sharing stories, most of a sultry nature with Brachium. Regulus spoke of the kings and queens Iridia had encountered. Mintaka and her closest sisters were making a game of predicting how the encounter would end. The hundreds of conversations merged into a single humm of noise that acted like a warm blanket upon Twilight’s thoughts.

Twilight was brought out of her reverie when they arrived at her chambers. Feeling a little more at ease, she sat down before a crackling fire, the others all finding places to sit or stand.

Celestia and Luna stood on either side of Twilight, their wings extended in a protective gesture. Her parents sat in a small cluster nearby. Glitterdust wore a worried frown while Comet's face was as unmoving and stoic as stone. Whisper seemed lost in thoughts. Velvet, however, was like a statue, her features frozen in neutrality. Cadence and Shining had taken Tyr off to try to calm the filly.

Iridia stood inspecting one of the many bookshelves that filled the room, or the various trinkets and artefacts. She had taken off her cloak and let it hang from a cloak rack that stood beside the door. As Iridia walked, Twilight peered at her mother's cutie mark. It was a single large poppy flower surrounded by a ring of lilies, each one a different colour of the rainbow.

"Okay Iridia, what do you want?" Celestia nearly spat the words, the heat that had appeared with Iridia once again rolling off the Goddess of the Sun.

"Would it be such a burden to at least attempt to be civil?” Iridia's words snapped across the room like a whip making Twilight's heart beat higher and faster. “As for what I want,  I want to be part of my daughter’s life, if she wishes it."

A giddy smile pounced, unbidden, on Twilight’s face at Iridia’s words. It quickly vanished as Celestia gave a humourless laugh.

"Civil? Civil was buried beneath the meters of snow left in the Windigos' wake. Civil died during the Spring that never came. Civil lay broken and shattered amid the wreckage you left of our family! You chased mother off to who-knows-where and left me to watch over an inconsolable sister and a new country full of ponies I had to bludgeon into working together! That, all of that, I could forgive. I could leave it to the past, but I will never forgive you the desecration of Namyra's memory."

Celestia spat the words out like they were acid, her wings shuddering with barely suppressed rage. Twilight's smile fell in an instant as her mind again went back to the few mentions of Iridia in history. Hope and fear twisting in her guts, Twilight remained silent as she watched and listened to the princesses and Iridia.

"Yes, I betrayed you, and I betrayed her. I slaughtered countless innocent lives. I left foals to freeze to death clutched in their mothers arms. I took the name of Death and watched with impassive eyes while thousands starved." Iridia's tone was like ice, jagged and cold with a desperate bite. "I was the first Nightmare to walk Equestria and the Old Kingdoms, forging the path for Nightmare Moon." Hope shattered inside Twilight, a cold, pallid grip encasing her heart as she listened to her birth mother speak of killing and letting ponies die. "I betrayed my herd and everything I once stood for as I let my grief and rage consume me. Then, as the world was at its darkest, when all hope and light had been stolen, a group of heroes emerged to stop me. When you, Luna, and my beloved sister could not halt my advance it was six mortals and the Elements of Harmony that saved all pony kind. For five centuries I was a prisoner trapped in stone."

"Five centuries?" Luna asked, stepping forward but still shielding Twilight. "Your defeat was closer to two millennia ago."

Iridia slowly lowered her head, tears threatening to well in her eyes. When she spoke again, her voice was low and soft with none of the harsh bitterness of a moment before. Her words and tone gently caressed Twilight's face and heart, settling the rising tempest of emotions.

"I was and am the wellspring of all life, dear Luna. Even in that endless dreamless sleep I felt every birth and heard the prayers of every mother asking for a foal. Eventually I could see and experience the world again as a shadow, a wraith or ghost floating on the wind. You were the first ponies I tried to contact, but when I did I saw something that chilled my spirit. I saw you so sad, alone and falling to despair, so I tried to help you, to start to atone by giving you something wonderful and special. I gave you Cadence."

Iridia paused, taking a deep breath, a far off look in her eyes.

"And I watched as my gift sealed Luna's descent and she became Nightmare Moon. Helpless, I watched for twenty years as my nieces fought and then, with Cadence's help, you sealed your sister inside the moon, Celestia."

Celestia stood still as a statue next to Twilight. If not for the heat Twilight would have believed Celestia to have been turned to stone.

"It was then, when I was at my lowest, that I tried to climb into the sky and escape the world and the pain it brought, only to fall and begin to burn as I streaked back towards the earth."

"You were the 'star' that fell?"

"Well, obviously I wasn't a 'star' star, but yes, I did appear as a shooting star." Iridia moved closer to Celestia as she spoke. "And then I saw Twilight. I only caught the ending of your meeting that night, but it gave me such hope to see you and Luna laughing again, and to know the cause. But I was still just a shadow flitting across the world. Until The Sorceress freed me."

At this, Iridia turned to face Velvet. Twilight’s mother had remained silent and stoic the entire time, her gaze fixed firmly ahead as Iridia and Celestia argued.

“I’m sorry, my friend, for what I made you endure.”

"Endure? While I admit Twilight had her moments, keeping her safe and raising her was a pleasure. Besides, for what I did to release you from your prison..." Velvet’s voice trailed off, her eyes growing wide as saucers. "I talked about it? I can talk about it! The Geas is gone." Velvet then turned to Twilight, a smile blossoming across her face and making her eyes shine. "Oh, the stories I can tell you now."

"They'll need to wait, mother," Twilight replied, giving Velvet a weak smile in return before she returned her face to a more neutral expression and continued to regard her birth mother. "What I want to know, more than anything, is why? Why did you never try to contact me until now. I’ve been told a fair bit about fostering and why it is done, but I want to hear it from your own mouth."

Iridia sat down, the pensive tug at the corner of her eyes showing old wounds being re-opened.

"I fostered you with the one mare in the entirety of the world that I knew I could trust. You couldn't remain with me. I learned from that mistake. Even if I wanted you to stay, the Eagles wouldn't have allowed it. Even after thirty years they are still in a tizzy that I was released. If they had learned I'd foaled, and after what happened before..." Iridia shuddered. Beside her, Twilight could feel Celestia and Luna soften, their wings gently closing as both princesses sat down. "They are probably calling a War Council right now, or will as soon as they realise I left a simulacrum behind in the castle. So, I can't exactly stay long like I want. Then there was Celestia to consider. I'm glad you managed to refrain from trying to hurl me from your palace, by the way."

"Don't tempt me." Twilight could hear Celestia's teeth grinding.

Giving a weary sigh, Iridia continued. "So, I had to protect you from my past, my present, and yes, even from Celestia."

"I never would have harmed or let harm come to Twilight," Celestia snorted dismissively.

"How was I to know that? I was surrounded by enemies of my own creation. I had to take every possible precaution to protect my daughter. Including not seeing her until her Awakening." Iridia weakly shook her head.

"Okay," Twilight said, strangely at peace with everything she'd heard. The stuff about Iridia nearly destroying all of pony-kind was troubling, yes, but no more so than Nightmare Moon's attempt to bring eternal night. That would have also resulted in the death of almost every pony.   "I have one final question. Where do we go from here?"

The question hung in the air like a hangmare’s noose. There was a long silence, one no one seemed to want to fill. When the answer did come, it came from an unlikely source.

“Twilight is the Princess of the Taiga, right?” Glitterdust asked, looking around the room.

“She is indeed,” Iridia confirmed, a hint of pride in her voice. “Though the numbers who know of her ties to me are few, it was impossible to keep her birth a complete secret. Twilight is the rightful heir of the Taiga, and has already been crowned such. I see she even wears the necklace.”

Blinking a few times, Twilight glanced down at the necklace that hung around her neck. Her attention was brought back to her herd-mother as Glitterdust said, “No, what I meant was, in the Manehatten plays, isn’t she supposed to run off to reclaim her throne?”

“That is a terrible idea, love,” Velvet snorted, rolling her eyes. “Trust me.”

“So, what then?”

“What then indeed,” Luna said. She cast a last look at Iridia before saying to Twilight, “The best I can offer is to continue your education and offer you a place at the Nightcourt. Unless you object to that as well.”

The last was said to Iridia, who said around an exasperated frown, "Last I checked, the stars belonged among the night."

Looking between all of her mothers, Twilight gave a slow nod of consent.

* * *

The blue alicorn filly danced and ran between Gilda's legs, a constant stream of laughter and giggles trailing in her wake.

"What about Blue Skies?" Blinka asked, her voice tight and strained as she leaned against her cousin for support. "Is your name Blue Skies?"

"Nuh uh," the filly called back as she dove after a butterfly flitting from flower to flower. "Not ma name too."

"You do have a name, don't you?" Gilda barked. She'd grown tired after days of treading across the dusty Zebrican plains. Ever since the filly had woken up it had been a constant guessing game about her name. Everything from Sunny Skies to Dew Drops and Buck Finley had been tossed at the filly, and each time the response was the same.

"Nope!" the blue terror responded as she started to chase a meerkat and warthog that had been silently watching the trio pass. After a few moments she turned around, and with her head held proudly in the air cantered back to the two griffons. "No name. Mamma said I have no name."

"What kind of a mother doesn't name her foal? I thought all ponies went to those Temple of Names for some sort of ceremony thing to learn their foals names." Gilda stared down at the filly as she began to skip and run on the spot.

"I dun know why. Just no name."

"Well, that can't fly," Blinka said giving a little laugh that turned into a hacking cough.

Gilda winced at the wet sound and the slight red spackle on her cousin's beak. Blinka had been slowly but steadily getting weaker. The crash had to have caused some internal wounds, but the younger griffon was too proud or stupid to tell Gilda what. Every time Gilda asked the answer was the same, that she was to flap off and mind her own health or watch the filly. From where the two griffons touched Gilda could feel her cousin shivering, despite the oppressive sun beating down on them.

"Let's rest here for a bit," Gilda muttered, helping Blinka to lay down in the shade of a Mopane tree.

Far off in the distance a hazy rise could be seen, the first indication from the ground of Mount Kiligriffjaro and Southstone Spires. Gilda had flown up a couple times the previous day to sight the solitary mountain and make sure they were still heading towards it and not walking in circles. At times Gilda could swear she could see the sun glinting off the copper domed roofs.

"Come here, little one," Blinka said when she'd been settled. The young griffon could hardly hold up her head, yet she still gave the filly a wide smile. "You need a name, don't you?"

"I guess," the filly responded curling up next to Blinka.

"Well, you're going to be a warrior, right?"

"Yup! Like you and Gilly!" Jumping back up the filly began running in tight circles making 'whooshing' and roaring noises.

"Yes, like me and... and Gilly."

Gilda shot her cousin a glare at the use of the silly nickname.

"So, you need something strong... strong and fast," Blinka wheezed. "How about Zephrous?"

"Nuh uh." The filly violently shook her head.

"What about Sirius, for the star of battle?"

Snorting, Gilda teased, "May as well call her Gal—"

"Don't even finish that sentence, cousin," Blinka scowled, then returned her attention to the filly.

She sat there, calmly watching the two griffons, her head a little askance and her eyes wide with innocence.

"I got it, Talona. It means 'Avenger of the Skies' in old griffese."

The filly seemed to consider the name, then she smiled and nodded vigorously.

"Right Talona it is. I'm glad that's finally over," Gilda huffed as she laid down beside Blinka and slowly closed her eyes. Her eyes had only been closed a few minutes when something small and warm began to wriggle it's way in between the griffons. Sighing a little in frustration, Gilda made a small space for the newly named filly.

Sleep, if it came at all, didn't last long before Gilda was jerked awake by the sounds of heavy bodies landing. In an instant she was on her paws and alert, eyes darting to find threats and claws ready to end any she found. Around the tree dozens of other griffons were landing, and many more filled the sky overhead. Gilda silently cursed herself for a fool. Of course other survivors of the battle would make their way back to the aerie. She was surprised that they hadn't been overtaken by the army's remnants earlier.

Every griffon showed signs of injury and fatigue with bandages, often blood soaked, wrapped around wounds. Very few showed minor wounds, much like the scrapes and bruises Gilda had acquired. Almost none were completely unharmed.

A griffon in the gold trimmed armour of an officer landed next to the tree, making Gilda snap upright and to attention. Quickly she stepped to the side to hide Talona from view. She didn't know what the other griffons would do, precisely, but she was sure that unless she entered the aerie with Talona the glory would be stripped from her.

"Well, well, well, what have we here? A pair of deserters?"

Gilda's blood ran cold at the officers tone and words. If they were believed to be deserters, which Gilda didn't think they were, then losing the glory of discovering Talona would be the least of her worries.

"No sir, not deserters. We were making our way back to the aerie with..." Gilda's voice trailed off as she realised her mistake too late.

"With? With what, precisely? Speak."

The officer snarled, his beak pulled back in a grimace while his claws teased the ground. Knowing there was no way to avoid Talona being discovered. At the very least the filly would be found when a medic went to check on Blinka, who was still asleep. Resigned, Gilda stepped aside and gestured towards the small blue bundle of fur and feathers.

"A pegasus?" the officer sneered. "I hardly think bringing back one little meal is worthy of deserting your flock mates."

"Not a meal, you featherbrain," Gilda snapped, the fatigue and aches in her body making her already short temper razor thin. "Take a look," she added as she swept aside Talona's mane to reveal the filly's horn.

"By the first egg," the officer breathed, his eyes wide as saucers and beak falling open. "You, get the general this instant. She'll want to see this," the officer said to a nearby griffon, and then to Gilda added, "This better not be a trick to save your neck."

Gilda just smirked as they waited for the general to land.

In a flurry of dust and feathers, the large older griffon in charge of the army landed with a thud. A bandage covered half her face and a chunk of her beak was missing. Her one good eye drilled into the assembled griffons as she stalked forward, ignoring both Gilda and the officer as both tried to speak up and claim finding the filly. With a sweep of her claws the general got a good look at both Talona's horn and her wings. Clicking her tongue, the general looked towards Blinka, then called over her shoulder for a medic.

"You, soldier, where and how did you find this pony?" the general asked as a medic hurried forward with a medicine pouch to examine Blinka.

Standing at attention as she'd been trained, Gilda recited her name, number, and rank, again as she'd been trained, before explaining how the filly had been inside the fireball that had devastated both armies. The general listened impassively to the explanation, asking for clarification of a few points.

"You did good soldier. You are one of the few survivors from the vanguard, and that alone makes you worthy of praise, whether it was luck or skill that guided your wings." To the medic, the general then asked, "What of her?"

"She is slowly dying, general. We could save her, but her wing has already begun to set. She won't fly again."

"A pity," the general murmured, her voice heavy and her head hanging low. "Make her comfortable then return her to the earth."

"What?" Gilda snapped, her training breaking and her head swinging from the general to the medic, and the long ceremonial knife the medic pulled from his medicine pouch.

"No," she screamed, her voice waking Talona as she hurled herself towards the medic.

At the last moment the medic turned, Gilda's talons skipping off his beak before she bodily struck him. There was a flash of pain in her side followed by a heavy pressure entering the left side of her chest. Gasping, Gilda fell backwards crimson spraying from her beak. Turning her head slightly she saw a red pool begin to spread beneath her as well as the general's saddened look. Rolling her head back towards Blinka, Gilda called out to her cousin. She closed her eyes to avoid watching, but she couldn't avoid hearing Talona's shrieks of fear or the filly calling for Gilda and Blinka.

"General? Should we save her?" The medic asked looking towards Gilda.

"No, she raised her claws against a Brother. She will return to the earth with her cousin." To Gilda the general then added, "I am sorry, Gilda. Know that your sacrifice strengthens the aerie and the Third Empire will rise thanks to you. Go to your next life in peace and may you be reborn as a hunter and not prey."

The griffons then turned one by one and took to the sky leaving Gilda to slowly drift off into a cold inky embrace.

End of Part One: Awakening and Arrivals