Equestria Noir Season 2 Case 9 "The Princess and I"

by Jacoboby1

Rating: teen
Tags: Tragedy, Adventure, Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Alternate Universe, Other, Romance, Original Character
Length: 19026

As the Princess Summit comes under way, the student of another Princess mysteriously disappeared. Somepony is behind this, and wants to make sure Twilight is found responsible. Just another mystery in the latest chapter of Equestria Noir.

The Royal Princess Summit is under way and the inhabitants couldn't be more stressed. The unexpected arrival of a long time rival of Celestia causes problems almost immediately. Twilight tries to make peace between the two but it becomes clear that something sinister is ahoof. It all becomes clear when the student of said rival mysteriously disapears and Twilight as well. When Twilight shows up first under suspicious circumstances, can Private and friends prove her innocence? Or will Twilight have to give up her title prematurely?

(New Cover Art by gent777)

Published 2014-01-14 14:10:02 UTC
Last updated 2014-02-07 03:17:10 UTC

Chapter 1 "Summit"

Equestria Noir 2

Case 9

“The Princess and I”

By: Jacoboby1

Chapter 1

“Summit”

Perspective: Celestia

After all the preparation, the craziness with Sunset Shimmer, discovering our draconic neighbors, and Private helping save the Cloud Kingdom; we could finally proceed with the event we came here to experience. Here we were, in the Crystal Empire, ready for the Princess Summit. Well. We were almost ready. Voidera was still resisting wearing the suit I had custom tailored for him. What is it with stallions, and their resistance to wearing formal clothes?

“I still say that modern fashions look ridiculous,” Voidera complained as I helped him into the outfit I had made for him.

“The flowing robes of our time have long since passed my love,” I said, trying not to sound exasperated. “The ponies of today adopt a more, minimalistic approach.”

“Do they not understand the concept of articulation?” Voidera said, stretching the suit I gave him. “I swear, I can barely move my legs in this thing.”

“I will not have my love showing up to this summit, au naturale,” I said with a huff. “Honestly you’re acting more stubborn than ever.”

“I’m the one who’s stubborn?” Voidera said, giving me a grin. “Need I remind you of a certain Princess who insisted that we go into danger and you practically sat on me until I agreed.”

“That was one time!” I yelled, trying to suppress rather embarrassing teenaged memories.

Voidera laughed at my expression and said, “Alright, I’ll try to be, civilized.”

“Please do,” I said firmly.

I turned to get myself ready, lifting a small mirror to aid in the process, when Voidera said, “Actually, I wanted to tell you earlier but I got so caught up. Turns out there’s a last minute addition to the Royal Summit guest list.”

Hmm. Couldn’t be Snowflake, I did invite her. Maybe Thor? No, he’s busy repairing his kingdom. Oberon and Titania? No, they were seeing marriage counseling.

“Who could it be?” I asked.

“Apparently,” Voidera’s voice sounded grave. “It’s...Soleil”

I stiffened and the mirror cracked in my magic…

Oh dear….not her…

______________________________________________________

Perspective: Private Eye

We were back in our room, getting ready for the initial meeting of the Princess Summit, and naturally Twilight was in a tizzy. She was rushing about, trying to make sure she had everything, quills, paper, a portable writing desk. I had to remind her that it was just the initial meeting, and it was supposed to be a formal event. That got her to change tack, and then we spent what time we had left getting her into her gown, making sure her ornate hoof-covers did not have smudges, and getting me into that torture device known as a tuxedo.

Or at least that was the initial plan, until I opened Baldur’s gift.

I looked at the box and saw it contained what looked like a black and white variation of Shining’s suit. I’ve...seen this uniform before…

Twilight was sitting next to me, staring at it. Before she finally said, “Put it on.”

“What?” I said, looking over at her. “I already have a suit.”

Twilight levitated the suit, the box containing it and me into the bathroom of our guest chambers. She locked the door and shouted, “Do it!”

I think she’s a little too excited to see me dressed up like her brother.

I looked at the suit...I know I’ve seen this before…

Wait! Back in the vision with Twinkle, when I was fighting that alternate future Twilight. She showed me wearing this in the future! That picture was real!

I wonder though...what else that picture told me that I hadn’t realized yet…

Hey, this material is actually pretty soft. I guess it won’t be so bad wearing it…

I slipped it on and looked at myself in the mirror. Well, it didn’t look half bad, honestly. Silver collar, and cuffs, with blued steel epaulets on the collar, and blued steel cufflinks on the cuffs. The body of the suit was black, with a dark brown belt, with silver buckle, and blued steel fasteners. Where Shining’s sash was a light blue, mine was a dark purple, sort of matching Twilight’s hair color. Thankfully I didn’t have that harness thing that Shining wore during the wedding.

Wow, I look good. Like I wasn’t a detective, but a full on prince.

Oooh, I was going to have soo much fun with this.

I pushed open the door to find Twilight all princessed up, she turned and stared at me. I could see her cheeks turning a little pink, “Wow, Private you look, great.” she said.

I smiled and strode up to her, lifting her hoof in mine and kissing it. “Milady, my sword and heart belong to you always.”

Twilight giggled, “Private, come on, really?”

“Oh I don’t jest,” I said, keeping the prince sounding voice. “For my love for you is as boundless as the sea. I would scale a thousand locks of mane to reach your tower bedroom. Fight the greatest dragon, and save you from every…” I got close to her face and whispered, kind of sexily, “danger….” Twilight put her hoof to her chest, and seemed to swoon a bit, then she seemed to get into it, since she knew I was hamming it up for her.

“Oh, my prince, how could I have ever lived without you?” she gasped dramatically. “How could I possibly resist your… charms?”

I grabbed her in my forelegs and pulled her into a dip, “Seems we were meant to be, oh one with the most beauty in all of Equestria.” I said, giving her a kiss on the nose.

“Oh, my handsome prince, what have I done to win your favor? True, I’m a beauty, but you’re so brave, and heroic. How could I possibly compete?” Twilight uttered, batting her eyelashes.

“For it is more than your beauty that won me milady,” I said, moving some of her mane out of her eyes. “It was your mind, and kind soul that won me over. Many can be beautiful, many can be smart. But few, can be both...and you are most definitely one of those few.”

“Oh, my handsome prince, you make me blush when you say such wonderful things,” Twilight said playfully booping me on the nose.

“KISS!”

Twilight and I were pulled out of our fantasy to see our niece sitting there in the doorway. Little baby Skyla was sitting there, smiling wide in her diaper. Her big blue eyes showed absolute joy when she exclaimed, “Pwincy kiss Pwincessy!”

Twilight giggled and said, “Oh alright,” She then proceeded to kiss me on the cheek.

Skyla giggled and said in her broken Ponish, “Unca Pwivy turn wed!”

I did blush a little at my niece insisting on directing her own fairy tale. I came over to Skyla and picked her up in my hooves. “Shouldn’t you be with Ran’sea by now?”

“Dwaggy comin!” Skyla said, giggling. “I fast!”

“Yes you are, sweetie,” Twilight said, tickling Skyla on the wings. Skyla giggled in turn.

Just then, Spike’s sister Ran’sea came in, looking very out of breath. “My goodness she knows how to run off.”

“Dwaggy!” Skyla exclaimed.

Ran’sea took Skyla into her own claws and frowned at the filly, “You know better than to run off like that.”

Skyla’s ears drooped and her blue eyes got even bigger and she gave the most adorable apology ever “I sowy…”

Ran’sea sighed, “I don’t know how your mother puts up with you.” She said, holding Skyla gently. “I’ll be seeing you both after the party, I have to keep this one entertained while her parents are attending.”

“Thanks Ran, sorry Cadence stuck you with her.” Twilight said. “Skyla can be a hooffull.”

“I just like to think it’s practice for when I have hatchlings of my own.” Ran’sea said, walking away.

Twilight giggled, “Spike is not going to like hearing that.”

“He’s totally into the big brother ideal isn’t he?” I asked.

“Well, he had a good mentor in Shining,” Twilight said, rolling her eyes.

“Now come on, let’s get things ready,” Private said.

“Care to escort me? My prince.” Twilight said with a wink.

I smiled and kissed Twilight on the lips, I then said, “It would be the highest honor.”

_________________________________________________________

The Crystal Palace’s ballroom was a magnificent sight. Tapestries depicting Sombra’s defeat, and the crest of the Crystal Empire itself, decorated the walls. At the head of the ballroom was a dias where the visiting princesses were gathered, thrones depicting their domains where they, their escorts, and their staff could watch the festivities. Along the side was a buffet of small, portable bite-sized foods, and several varieties of drinks both alcoholic and non. The lighting was bright enough to see by, but subdued enough that one wasn’t blinded by it reflecting off the crystal walls. Thankfully there weren’t many facets to catch the light and blind a pony.

I spied Fluttershy and Rainbow working on fixing the last few banners. Aj was working with the castle’s kitchen staff on the refreshments. Rarity was giving the last few touches on everypony’s outfits. Pinkie was zooming around the place also adjusting decorations where she saw fit.

You have no idea how long it took us to convince her to lay off balloons and streamers. Leave it to Pinkie Pie to try and turn everything into a party. The decorations she was working with, though, were looking good. Even if this is supposed to be a somewhat serious event they still lent a festive air to the whole place. In essence, it was a chance for the Princesses to get together, and that hasn’t happened in ages, according to Twilight. Hopefully they’ll keep the girl talk to after the big ceremonies, and other proceedings.

Shining and I were watching the proceedings, the alabaster stallion said, “Haven’t seen everypony in this much activity since Harshwhinney showed up.”

“Let’s just hope we don’t mistake a princess for a farmer or something,” I said, putting a hoof to my horn at the memory of Twilight’s story with the mix up. “Where’s Cadence by the way?”

“She’s over there with Luna and Celestia,” Shining said, gesturing with his head towards the three alicorn princesses.

I looked over and they appeared to be in a heated discussion about something. Celestia looked like she was about to be attacked by something. Luna looked about ready to chuck the nearest object at the wall. Cadence looked like she was trying to reassure them both, with mild success.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

Shining shrugged, “Beats me, but whatever it is it can’t be good.”

I saw the guards beginning to move to their positions and said, “We’d better get ready, I think the carriages are about to arrive.”

Shining and I moved towards the Dais and I took my place beside Twilight. Shining in turn took his place next to Cadence. I saw Voidera, Celestia, and Luna stand in between us. Was Celestia...cringing?

I got back to attention when the guards blew on horns, sounding that it was time for everypony to enter. Several nobles, crystal ponies and servants entered the ballroom. Spike went about making sure everypony who was supposed to get in got in.

The guests all began mingling with one another. I couldn’t spy Fancy or Fleur, but then again Fleur is due pretty soon so I don’t expect them to travel too far. Would be nice, they are some of the few nobles that I could count as friends.

After the guests spent some time mingling, they parted for the red carpet, which was rolled out by Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. This was when we’d get to see the VIPs.

After a horn blew, a pony with the rather more thick coat of the Snowlands came forward and read a scroll. The herald shouted, “Her Royal Highness Princess Snowflake and her most cherished friend, Red Sickle!”

Out came Princess Snowflake herself. It had been a while since I saw her last, the alicorn’s white coat shone in the light as she walked forward. She was still the same size as Luna and Cadence, alicorns grow slowly apparently. But her snow blue mane was braided along the top but also ran long along her back.

Beside her was...no way!

Red Sickle, now thirteen years old and already looking bigger. The scarlet, black maned stallion smiled as he wore a uniform similar to his father’s. It was good to see him and Snowflake still getting along. It meant that the Snowlands would still be at peace.

She came up to the dais, her and each of the other princesses bowed their heads at one another, and she took her place on the dais, along with Red Sickle.

The fanfare began anew and, wow.

A single, armored figure came flying in. His armor was black, with purple lining’s on it and it almost completely covered him, with the exception of his face. He had yellow, slitted eyes and a grey coat. Bat like wings lifted him as he came to the dais.

He bowed and said, “I have a message from Lord Tenebros, he has apologized and said he will not be attending this summit due to...personal reasons, and wishes to convey his sorrow at having no princess to send in his stead.”

Luna gave a death glare at the mention of Tenebros. Who was this guy? I’ve never heard of him before…

Could he be some kind of Bat Pony leader?

Celestia spoke up, “Tell your king we accept his apology and are sorry he cannot attend.”

The bat pony nodded, and turned to leave.

Luna looked like she was about ready to throw something again. Do her and this Tenebros guy have a history?

I refocused as the fanfare went up again and...oh dear Faust….

The stallion that came forth looked like he came straight out of a fairy tale like the one Twilight and I were pretending to be. He was tall, and his armor from helmet to saddle to hoof guards was all done in gold with some kind of fire motif, and he was quite handsome. This guy was obviously chosen for his looks, rather than his combat prowess. The stallion made a complete show of unfurling his scroll, and said in an agonizingly regal tone. “Now presenting the most illustrious, most beautiful, most powerful, and most loving ruler of Calvaria! The one, and only, Princess Soleil!!”

Sounds like Trixie would feel right at home in Calvaria…

Calvaria was a country that was on the other side of the planet. It had it’s own princess of the sun. This was the place where the sun would go, when the moon was up. I don’t know if they had a princess of the moon, there, or not, however. Calvaria is also pretty isolationist, they haven’t traded with Equestria or even contacted the country in centuries. Apparently they believed in being self sufficient. That or they just did not like Equestria. I also heard rumors that the country was suffering from poverty and poor living conditions. The poorer ponies, there, being virtual slaves to the nobles and the rich industry owners. None of the safety laws, and other things that try to keep Equestria a relatively nice place to live. True, there were ponies that tried to take advantage of the poor, and other such bad apples. Some ponies would rather exploit than help. Princess Celestia, however, seemed fairly determined to try and make these ponies the exceptions, rather than the rule.

You would not have been able to guess that by what followed. To this day, I still have trouble believing it myself.

Apparently Princess Soleil felt the need to show off her might, because first came the guards, all dressed in gold, and all marching in step. The double-row of guards, split, forming parallel lines alongside the red carpet, going on one knee. Next came young, teenaged fillies, prancing in, scattering rose petals along the carpet. They danced in an obviously well-rehearsed figure, before they too knelt by the carpet. Next came the trumpeteers, blowing a fanfare, as they proceeded a huge paliquin, covered in gold leaf and upholstered with rich gold cushions being carried by a quartet of really strong-looking Earth stallions. Sitting atop the cushions was a very arrogant looking alicorn, who obviously felt she had to out-do Celestia in regal appearance and opulence.

She was gold, too. That explains the theme. Her coat gleamed like pure gold, and her mane flowed like Celestia’s, but where Celestia’s mane three stripes of pastel shades, Soleil’s was red closest to her neck, chevroning to an orange in the middle, and yellow at the very end. Her regalia showed a sun-in-glory, with the same colors as her mane, and her hoof guards looked like flame.

Standing beside her was a mare. She was a unicorn with a rather pretty green coat and long blond curls on her head. I saw a star as her cutie mark, like Twilight’s almost. Honestly she was rather cute, but she seemed rather...distracted.

I could probably guess what. For standing next to her was one of the guards, but he looked different. His armor was way less regal and more functional. His mane was short and blond that showed brightly on his dark coat. I noticed he had a pair of axes as a cutie mark.

He too seemed distracted as he kept casting glances at the mare every now and again.

The fanfare stopped as the alicorn flew gracefully down before the dais. She kept her head up as her flame colored eyes gazed upon Celestia. “It has been a long time.”

Celestia narrowed her eyes. “Soleil, what a surprise,” she said, although I could tell she was holding back bitterness.

“Oh don’t be so drab, dear Celesti,” She said, in that fake friendly tone you use when you’re actually insulting somepony. “It’s always an absolute pleasure to see my cousin after all.”

COUSWHATNOW!?

Chapter 2 "Gloaming and Warden"

Chapter 2

“Gloaming and Warden”

Soleil walked up to the dais and stood in front of Celestia. She gave a smile at her cousin. I’m still wondering how the hell these two could be related.

“How long has it been Celesti?” She asked, keeping her smile.

Celestia kept her composure as she said, “One Thousand Years.”

“Ah yes, that was after the little... incident with dear Luny,” Soleil said, glancing at Luna.

“That’s Luna, dear cousin,” Luna said, not afraid to keep the venom out of her tone.

“Still sore, Luny?” Soleil said. “I’m hurt that you would treat me this way after we haven’t seen each other in so long.”

Before Luna could speak up again, Cadence interrupted, “We welcome you to my home Princess Soleil.”

“So you are Mi Amore Cadenza,” Soleil said, turning to her. “I had heard about the Crystal Empire coming back. To think you would be the one to rule it.”

Cadence ignored what I could smell as bait and said, “While your arrival is, most unexpected, we will accommodate you none the less.”

“Though I must ask why you are here,” Voidera said, glaring at Soleil.

Soleil’s eyes grew wide upon seeing Voidera. “By Faust’s wings, is that you Voidera?”

“Last time I checked,” Voidera replied. Damn it man, you can’t resist being a scoundrel for five minutes?

“I had heard rumors but I didn’t know them to be true,” Soleil replied, she then looked at Celestia. “I would think you would go for a, lower maintenance mate.”

Voidera simply nodded, though I knew in the back of his mind he wanted to set her mane on fire.

Celestia went on, “There have been two additions within recent years aside from Cadence.” She gestured to Snowflake. “This is Princess Snowflake, Frostwind’s daughter.”

Soleil looked at Snowflake and said, “Yes, I do see the resemblance.”

“I am honored to be here with one so... close to the Sun and Moon sisters.” Snowflake said, although I could tell that too was politeness for politeness’ sake.

“Oh yes, Celesti, Luny and I go way back, before the horrible cataclysm that ruptured our world,” Soleil said, “Sadly I was on the wrong side of the planet from them. So, I simply picked up my losses and let some Equestrians settle in Calvaria.”

Something tells me the settlers got way more than they bargained for…

“And who is this with you?” Soleil asked, looking at Red Sickle.

The scarlet colt said, “I’m Red Sickle, I work with Snowflake in running the Snowlands.”

“A... mortal ruler?” Soleil said, raising an eyebrow.

“Co-ruler,” Snowflake interrupted. “Red Sickle is my friend, I will make sure it is known that we work together.”

“Most... interesting,” Soleil said, then she finally turned to Twilight. “So, you are the mare of the hour. My cousin’s personal student and savior of Equestria many times over...Twilight Sparkle.”

I looked over at Twilight, I could tell she was figuring out how to respond to what she was saying. Finally she simply said, “A pleasure to meet you, Soleil.”

I could see Soleil’s eye twitch a little when her title was not added. Nice one Twi! Mental hoof bump!

“I too, have a student of my own. She is on the road to becoming an alicorn herself.” Soleil turned to look at the unicorn mare. “Gloam, if you please.”

The mare looked a little nervous, she looked back at the guard who gave the smallest hint of a smile and nod. That seemed to be all the encouragement she needed to come forward. She bowed her head a little as she spoke to Twilight, “I am Gloaming Glitter, it is an honor to meet you, Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight smiled in turn and bowed her own head. “None of the titles stuff, we’re both students of alicorns in the end.”

Gloam nodded and returned to her Princess. Soleil spoke up, “Now that introductions have past, perhaps a demonstration?”

“A what?” Celestia said.

“After all, she has had time to get a handle on her alicorn magic.” Soleil said, looking from Celestia to Twilight. “I’d like to personally see how she’s progressed.”

“We already have preparations actua-” Cadence tried to interject.

“Oh come now, it shan’t take too long.” Soleil said, “Unless of course,” She gave an icy glare, “she’s not willing to accept a test…”

Twilight gulped, this was so obviously bait for something. I turned to Twilight and gave her a look that said, ‘Improvise.’

Twilight regained her composure and said, “While I have not yet fully mastered my abilities, I think a small demonstration could be in order. I promise not to take too much time,” She looked to Celestia. “With your permission of course, Celestia.”

Celestia gave a smile, I think a small part of her wanted Soleil to be put in her place. “Very well, let us see what you have learned.”

Twilight slowly walked off the dais and the crowd moved to give her space in the center of the room. Her horn glowed, and a sphere of blue was displayed above everypony’s heads. Then it began to fill with little points of light, lines appearing between them. Then shapes of the various creatures that the shapes inspired. Typical Twilight, of course she’d go for an astronomy display.

“Impressive,” Soleil said, begrudgingly.

“Wait for it,” Celestia said with a small smile.

Twilight moved her horn around, and the stars all began to move and swirl around. The planets and suns were but paint on her tapestry of the night sky. I looked over at Luna...is that a notebook she has?

I looked back at Twilight’s display as the stars formed and lined themselves into various shapes. Some of her friends, family, one of Spike as a full sized dragon. Several all coming to one large clump in the center….and then…

Twilight looked at the glowing ball, and fired a small spark...it touched the ball and then it exploded into a thousand more stars and planets, before forming to a galaxy before our eyes. Twilight bowed as the room exploded into applause.

“Aww yeah! Way to show em Twi!” Rainbow’s voice could be heard as she cheered along with the rest of the crowd.

Soleil was only politefully clapping her hooves together. Celestia was too, although some part of me knew she was fighting every urge to hug Twilight like a mother after a piano recital that went well.

After the cheering died down, Twilight went over to Gloam. The mare smiled wide, “That was amazing Pri-I mean, Twilight.”

“Oh, it was just something I’ve been wanting to do for a while,” Twilight said, trying to sound humble.

That’s my wife for yuh.

“That was... most impressive,” Soleil said, “but, Gloam here has been studying for quite some time. I’m sure she would love to demonstrate her own abilities.”

Gloam suddenly looked glum as she went out to the center of the room. She looked back at the dark stallion from earlier. I looked over at the guy...was he shaking his head?

I turned my attention back to Gloam as her horn glowed a bright blue. She closed her eyes in concentration and was visibly sweating. But before our very eyes, a picture of the Northern Lights started coming into view. It was beautiful, it was bright it was…

Fading…

I looked down at Gloam and her horn was sparking at an uncontrollable rate. Suddenly a gust of wind blew everypony back as magic began swirling around her. I struggled to hang on to the dais as Twilight flew against the wind.

“What’s going on?” I yelled over the wind.

“Magical surge!” Twilight said, getting a grip on the dais too, “She can’t control herself! The spell she used was probably too complex for her, now the mana in her horn can’t right itself!”

“And if this keeps up?” I asked.

“We could all end up ash!” Twilight yelled, falling back a little before I caught her.

I then looked over and saw the guard from earlier struggling against the wind that was blowing.

“Hey! Get back from there!” I yelled. “Celestia will take care of it!” I looked over and saw Celestia was having just as much trouble fighting against the wind as the rest of us.

“Just get me to her! I can calm her down!” The guard shouted. “Trust me!”

Twilight nodded and her horn glowed brightly, the guard teleported and reappeared where Gloam was. “Gloam! You have to calm down!” He shouted.

“Warden?” Gloam said, tears in her eyes as her eyes were glowing. “I can’t…”

“Yes you can! Don’t you dare tell me you can’t!” Warden shouted. “Just concentrate, and let it out…”

Slowly, Gloam let out a breath, and the wind slowly died down.

Everypony slowly got up, I shouted, “Is everypony okay? Were there any injuries?”

“MY MANE! MY BEAUTIFUL MANE IT WILL TAKE ME WEEKS T-”

“Aw, Rarity, your mane always looks good to me.”

“Why thank you, Spikey Wikey…”

Okay, that’s dealt with.

Gloam looked up at Warden and said, “Thank you so much Warden, I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Warden gave a shy smile and said, “Hey, what are friends for?”

Friends huh…?

“Private, no,” Twilight said, glaring at me. “I know what you are thinking, but you are not going to play matchmaker after that.”

“Can’t I drop a teensy hint?” I asked innocently.

“Nope,” She said with a firm nod.

“Was worth a shot I guess…” I grumbled.

“Are you well Gloam?” Celestia said as she walked over to the unicorns.

“I am fine, your highness,” Gloam said, getting up with a little help from Warden. “I was a little scared, but I’ve had these surges before, I’m just glad nopony was hurt.”

“Indeed,” Soleil said, coming up beside her cousin to look down at Gloam. “Celesti, I apologize for my student’s... accident, during this ceremony.”

Celestia simply nodded and said, “It is quite alright Soleil. The only casualty was Rarity’s mane and that can be fixed. I believe we all should simply move on to the festivities.”

Soleil simply looked back at Gloam and said, “I will see to my student, and her guard.”

With that, Soleil joined her own guards as they walked towards the hallway. Gloam followed her, Warden by her side.

Celestia spoke up, “After we spend some time fixing up the place, the dance can begin!”

With that, everypony went to work getting things ready for tonight’s celebration.

I hope I remember my dance lessons with Rarity….

__________________________________________________

The ballroom had been cleaned up to resemble its former glory, the banners, and other things back in place, and the refreshments… well… refreshed. Princess Celestia must have volunteered to provide the entertainment, because off to the side was a very familiar quartet of ponies providing the music. I immediately recognised Octavia and her cello, along with Frederic Horshoepin, Harpo Neighdermane, and Symphony.

As for me, I was just trying not to step on Twilight’s hooves.

One-two-three, one-two-three, I mentally counted, as I waltzed with Twilight, we carefully using one another to balance, as we went through the simple moves of the dance. Rarity seemed to enjoy teaching me, and though this seems a bit silly, it’s nice to dance with Twilight.

I smiled as I danced with Twilight on that floor. I wonder if she picked up some moves from Grapes because she is certainly holding her own. To be fair, she also has to make up for my semi lax dancing skills.

Twilight came to me and put her head under mine, pressing her nose into my neck. “This is going better than I thought. To think I was nervous about all this,” She said.

“And nary an accordion in sight…” I said to myself.

“At least we don’t have to listen to Soleil do her best Trixie impression,” Twilight said, rolling her eyes. “Private if I ever become like that, just lock me in a room and ground me from books for a week.”

“You want me to create a princess that is both arrogant and insane?” I said, smirking.

“Jerk,” She said, poking me in the chest for the jab.

I then looked over at the punch bowl, and saw Gloam was all by herself. Twilight turned around to look too and said, “She doesn’t seem that bad, in all honesty.”

“You sure I can’t hook her and that guard up?” I asked.

“Let me talk to her,” She said, “After all, I am an alicorn, and she’s going to be one. I think I am more qualified to help her with whatever is bothering her.”

“Don’t be gone too long okay?” I said, kissing her on the lips quickly.

She kissed me back and said, “I’m not going away forever, trust me.”

With that, my wife walked towards the Punch Bowl.

Ah well, I needed a break anyways, dancing takes a lot out of you.

___________________________________________________

Perspective: Twilight Sparkle

I picked up some punch, and took it over to Gloaming Glimmer. She seemed like a nice mare, who just had a rather… Let’s say she’s got a difficult teacher, and leave it at that. I can’t imagine how anypony could learn under that… Ahem. Calm down. Just because Soleil rubs you the wrong way doesn’t mean that she acts like that all the time. Let’s concentrate on making a new friend and helping her through her rough patch. And keep Private for playing match-maker.

“Hi,” I said, offering the punch to Gloaming. “I thought you could use some punch, after all that. How are you holding up?”

“Oh, I’m doing alright.” She said, taking the punch in her magic and sipping it. “I just feel so embarassed from surging in front of everypony.”

“Don’t feel embarrassed,” I said gently. “The first time I surged was during the exam to get into Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. I turned my mom into a plant actually.” I laughed a little at the memory.

“Was she hurt?” Gloaming asked nervously.

“Oh no, Celestia managed to fix everything up,” I said. “If it wasn’t for me surging, I would never have met her.”

“She seems really nice,” Gloaming said. “To be honest, she is more than I expected.”

“What do ponies say about Celestia in Calvaria?” I asked out of curiosity.

Gloaming shook her head, “We don’t talk about her. Princess Soleil doesn’t like anypony talking about her cousin.”

Something tells me it’s mutual.

I changed the subject, “So, aspiring Alicorn huh?”

“I guess so,” She said, a little unsure of herself. “In truth, I’d just be content with learning everything. I don’t know if I’m ready to be a princess.”

“Neither was I, but, Private convinced me otherwise,” I said, trying not to grin at some of the memories.

“You and he are, close?” She asked.

“Married.”

“Oh my gosh, really?” Gloaming said, her jaw dropping.

“Why is that such a shock?” I asked.

“I always thought it was forbidden for normal ponies to marry Alicorns,” She replied.

“Let me guess, Soleil?” I asked flatly.

She slowly nodded.

“How about we take a break from all this and go to the library?” I asked, setting my punch aside. “I’m sure a little exchange of knowledge could help us when we both have a crown on our heads.”

“You’d really do that? With me?” She said, looking on me.

“Course, I’m trying to make a friend after all,” I said with a smile.

She smiled in turn, she actually seemed really sweet. “I have a few books from my own collection, I do read a lot. I’ll show you some that you don’t have in Equestria.”

….B….F...F…

_________________________________________________________

Minutes later…

Perspective: Private Eye

Where is Twilight? She left with Gloam about ten minutes ago. I hope they are okay.

Stop worrying Private, Twilight can handle herself. She’ll be fine.

I hope so anyways.

I saw the guard from earlier, that Warden guy. Well, I guess I could make casual conversation. Not matchmaking at all no sir.

I walked up to the guy as he stood at attention, looking around at the crowd. “Hey, Warden was it?”

“Blaze Warden,” The guy replied. “You are Private Eye? Another guard told me about you.”

“Yeah, but we all kind of owe our lives to you,” I said. “You are the one that calmed her down when she was surging.”

He blushed a little, and looked away nervously. “I… You’re welcome it was nothing.”

“You and she seem, close.” I said, smiling.

He nodded. “I’ve known her since we were foals. We grew up in the same neighborhood,” he explained, his tone showcasing he wanted to get out of this conversation with as less embarrassment as possible.

“Something tells me there’s more to the story,” I said, narrowing my silver eyes and smirking a little.

“You, don’t make it easy to hide secrets,” Warden pointed out.

“It’s my job. I’m a detective after all,” I said.

“So you make a habit out of prying personal things from ponies?” Warden asked me.

“Nah, this is just me being friendly. So, you care about her don’t you?” I asked.

He slowly nodded, “Yeah. I became a royal guard to be with her, but some days I feel like I hardly see her. She’s so busy with being a student of the Princess that I wonder if she’ll even remember me the next time I see her.”

I put a hoof on the guy’s shoulder. “Trust me man, if she truly cares, she’ll remember you every time she sees you. She’ll also think about you whenever you’re not there. That’s what being a true friend is about.”

“Right,” Warden said with a smile. “You ever consider writing self help books?”

“My wife has heard enough to publish one,” I said with a laugh.

Warden joined in the laughter, that was until we heard a yell.

One of the Crystal Pony guards came up and ran directly to me. “Sir Eye! We have a report!”

“What’s going on?” I asked.

The guard explained quickly, “I was walking by the rooms to make sure none of the guests wandered off. That’s when I saw that somepony has broken in to Lady Gloaming’s room! There are signs of a struggle and it appears that somepony dragged her away!”

Warden’s eyes grew wide and he shouted, “Gloam has been kidnapped?!”

Chapter 3 "The Disappearance of Gloaming Glitter"

Chapter 3 "The Disappearance of Gloaming Glitter"

Chapter 3

“The Disappearance of Gloaming Glitter”

We were lucky that the guard told me first. I would hate to cause a panic at two royal summits. Warden and I followed the guard to where Gloam’s room was. I looked at Warden as he stood beside me at the front door, “Stay here.” I ordered.

“You can’t just brush me aside!” Warden yelled. “I’m not going to let whoever did this get away with it!”

“Okay, I need you go and get to Shining Armor.” I said firmly, “Tell him what happened and he’ll know what to do.”

That was really a half truth. But, it got him away from the crime scene. I couldn’t let somepony this close to the victim mess around.

I walked up to the guards and asked, “What happened?”

One of them pointed to the doorknob and said, “No signs of forced entry, sir, that’s the weird thing.”

Okay then, Gloam would have to have known the kidnapper or simply have opened the door herself. I looked at the floor, no scuff marks or signs on the carpet that she was taken away from the room down the hallway.

I pushed open the doorway and looked at the room, there were definite signs of a struggle here.

The guest room was slightly less luxurious than the one that Twilight and I shared. There was a simple bed, comfortable enough, but not the large double-bed we had. Dresser, closet, and nightstands were in evidence, but they didn’t have the same amount of carving, and ornateness. It was nice enough, for a guest of one of the staff. I can’t imagine why Gloaming was put here, though, unless they had run out of rooms close to the dignitaries. I’d say a fairly standard guest room, except for the obvious signs of a struggle.

I saw what looked like scorch marks from a magical blast on the wall. Maybe Gloam was trying to defend herself? Odd that a unicorn of her talent could miss like that…

I shook the thought off and looked at the rest of the room. I looked at the floor and saw a bit of blood on the floor, along with the leg of one of the chairs that were knocked aside during the struggle. I picked up the bloody leg and looked at it, “Part of it is covered with blood, probably used to knock her out, thankfully it’s only a little bit.” I said to myself.

I set the leg down and saw another object on the floor. It was a large tome, by the looks of it, the book was old and well worn. My time at the library told me that this book was read a lot. I picked it up and examined the cover, which depicted a unicorn casting a spell under the title: “Starswirl the Bearded’s Theory of Mana Manipulation”

Mana Manipulation? Mana is the name for magical energy. Well, Gloam was a student, she probably had this book on hoof. I opened the front cover and saw...a time card inside a sleeve. Wait, this is a library book.

I slipped it out and looked at the date, it was checked out ten minutes ago under...Twilight?

What was Twilight doing reading a book like this? I’d have to look at it later.

I set the book down and then saw on the ground, Twilight’s lockett. The locket I gave her before she went into the human world. She wore it for the summit I remember! What was it doing here? I picked it up gently and examined it, the chain was broken. Did it get caught on something?

Twilight wouldn’t just leave it here. Was she here too?

This doesn’t make any sense!

I got a hold of myself and decided to examine the book again. I looked at the back of it.

Your basic Magic Kindergarten teacher will tell you that all unicorns have a certain level of magical attainment. That all unicorns have limits to the levels they can reach under normal circumstances.

Well, Starswirl the Bearded scoffed at those very ideas. In this book we have discovered his notes and theories about the art of Mana Manipulation. In laypony’s terms, it allows a unicorn to grow their magical abilities artificially, by drawing mana from another unicorn or magical artifact.

By absorbing Magic, you too can be counted among the greats of magic!

Sounds like those lousy infomercial books that make you go to ridiculous lengths to get something that can be gotten with practice and dedication. Though the idea of absorbing magic from another...it almost sounds sinister.

Also I’m pretty sure everypony in Ponyville can vouch for the dangers of handling magical artifacts. Thank you so very much, Trixie, for that little lesson.

But why would Gloam have a book like this? For that matter, what is Twilight’s stuff doing here?

I needed answers.

I needed my stuff too.

______________________________________________________

It took me about ten minutes to run back and gather all my gear from my room. I put Blackhawk and Golden Eagle inside my trench coat and donned my fedora. The time for formality was over, it was detective time.

I walked my way over towards the room and saw a rather bad sight. Soleil was standing at the doorway, Celestia was there too, along with Shining Armor and Cadence.

Soleil glared at her cousin, “I demand to be let in! She is my student! I should be allowed to investigate this crime scene!”

“We have the best pony we can get on the job, Soleil,” Celestia said, trying to put every effort into being polite. “Don’t worry, your student will be found.”

“I should hope so,” Soleil said, keeping her glare, “and when they are found I will make sure that whoever took her will receive the highest punishment.”

“And that would be?” Cadence dared ask.

“Let’s just say Calvaria is much less merciful to criminals then Equestria is,” Soleil said, huffing and turning to trot off with her guards, who made a show of sticking their noses in the air in disgust.

Gosh every five minutes I want to strangle that witch.

Shining Armor turned to me as I came up, “Private! Good to see you got here first!”

“Trouble with Soleil?” I guessed.

“Like you wouldn’t believe.” Cadence said, walking up to me as well. “She gave us this agonizingly long speech about how superior her guards would be.”

“Then she went on to insult my guards!” Shining Armor said, glaring back where Soleil was. “What I wouldn’t give for ten minutes alone with her.”

“Peace, Shining Armor,” Celestia cut in. “This will not aid us in finding Gloam, or Twilight for that matter.”

“Twilight’s gone?” I asked.

“Yes,” She said, “She left with Gloam but didn’t come back.”

“Smart not to mention that to Soleil,” Shining said.

“They had to have gone to the library,” I said, “they must have teleported back or something.”

“My guards did find some dust that looked magical on the floor,” Shining said. “I’ll see if we can get a forensic’s guy in here.”

“Make it quick, Shining, the longer we wait the worse we’ll find Gloam,” I said firmly.

Shining nodded and galloped off to do his job. Cadence looked at me, “I’ll try and keep the guests busy. I don’t want a panic here.”

She went off too and I looked up at Celestia. “I’ll get to work your highness,” I said firmly.

She nodded and said, “I will inform the other elements to keep an eye out for them. The sooner this is resolved, the sooner this can all be over and Soleil can leave.” She was about to walk away when I asked.

“You two have a history don’t you?” I asked.

Celestia stopped, and sighed. “Yes, Soleil and I have a very long history. A long time ago, before I was even born, Soleil’s father died of sickness while her mother was pregnant with her. My mother, Solara, was chosen as the successor as she was the only surviving member of our household.”

“Solara,” I said, turning around. “Lunard mentioned her.”

Celestia gave a sad sigh and said, “Yes, my parent’s love is the reason for Soleil’s resentment of me. Because my mother was the chosen successor, Soleil was never selected to become the new Princess of the Sun.”

“So, she resented you, because she felt she was passed over.” I said.

“Her arrogance is her own,” Celestia said. “Her mother and the rest of the House of Sun spoiled her rotten as the ‘true daughter’ of our family. I would not trust her Private Eye, for Soleil will do anything to get what she wants.”

Slowly, Celestia walked away. I couldn’t help but feel she’s saying a lot more by that.

Anyways, time to investigate, starting with the library, but first, I gotta meet with the others...

______________________________________________________

I had asked Cadence to gather the rest of the Elements in a spare conference room. I needed them to help coordinate the search. I went in, and the conference room was like one would expect, in the Crystal Empire. The chairs, table, and cabinets along the walls were all done in crystal. The table was a large affair, oval shaped, surrounded by the comfortably cushioned chairs. There was even a place for somepony to put up a magical slide show to show information to the others. Cadence and Shining seem to be acclimating the Crystal Empire to the modern era quite nicely. Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rainbow Dash were all seated around the table, all of them looking more than a little anxious.

“This whole thing stinks.” Aj said. “Twi goes missin, that Gloam girl goes missin, somethin ain’t right.”

“That’s what we need to find out, Darling,” Rarity said. “Just what isn’t right about all this.”

“Yeah, Twi goes somewhere with this girl and suddenly vanishes,” Rainbow said, crossing her forelegs. “I smell a changeling.”

“Not with the precautions that Twilight and Cadence had,” Rarity explained. “The guards were specifically trained to spot any changeling trying to get in the doorway. Plus everypony had to undergo a scanning spell to get in.”

“So no changeling then,” Fluttershy added. “Oh I hope Twilight and Gloam are okay.”

“I was gonna have a Twili and Gloamy are best friends party after all this,” Pinkie said, looking down.

“Okay,” I said, “Pinkie, Rarity, and Applejack, you three turn this palace upside down looking for any sign of them. If they can somehow get into the palace again, I want to know if they left any clues.”

Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie nodded, running out the door.

“Flutters and I will fly around and see what we can find.” Rainbow said, pushing open a window. Fluttershy followed her outside.

I closed my eyes, just hoping that whoever took Twilight and Gloam doesn’t decide to go three for three.

____________________________________________________

The library of the Crystal Empire was a magnificent sight. Crystal shelves, filled with books from over a thousand years ago, all in pristine condition thanks to the thousand-year stasis. It is quite the sight, you have to admit. The library had several floors, filled with shelves, all connected by crystal staircases, and a skylight providing some nice natural light to read by, and plenty of seating, of course. At either end of the building were tall arched windows, letting in more light. I could see some of the young fillies and colts of the Empire here doing some homework. Guess life goes on, outside the palace.

I walked up to the front desk and rang the bell. The same old mare from when I first arrived at the Crystal Empire all those months ago came by. “Yes? Can I help you?” She began, and then got a better look at me. “Aren’t you the young man who was trying to touch our most sacred artifact?”

Holy hay her memory was long, I just smiled and went on, “Actually, I’m here to ask a question, have you seen Princess Twilight Sparkle anywhere?”

“She came here about ten minutes ago.” She said, adjusting her glasses. “She was with another unicorn I didn’t recognize. They both looked around for a minute, and then they came by with their selections rather quickly. The Princess graciously used her own library card for the unicorn to check out a book.”

“On Mana Manipulation?” I said.

Her eyes widened and she said, “Yes, how did you know?”

I didn’t want word to get out, don’t want the ponies to panic. I simply said, “Yeah, uh, I know Princess Twilight Sparkle and knew about her friend being interested in the subject. Lucky guess huh?”

She bought and said, “Oh, well, anyways her and her friend then teleported away outside.”

“Were they being followed by anypony?” I asked. “Did you see anypony suspicious?”

She was about to ask, but then I gave her a look look that told her not to. She went on to say, “No, I didn’t see anypony suspicious following them. They just teleported away because they wanted to get back to the party quickly.”

“Where did they teleport?” I asked.

“By the doorway.” She said, pointing.

I walked over and saw the small pile of dust left behind from Twilight’s Spell. When the librarian’s back was turned I scooped some of it up and hid it in a plastic bag. I then walked outside and saw Rainbow flying down to me.

“Any sign?” I asked.

“Nothing!” Rainbow said, crossing her forelegs in contempt at the situation. “Fluttershy and I looked everywhere but we can’t find them! This stinks!”

“Keep looking,” I said. “I’ll run back to the palace and see if the others have had any luck.”

____________________________________________________________

In one of the more isolated hallways of the palace, I met up with the others. Hangings showing the crest of the Crystal empire hung along the wall, with some artistic statues on pedestals. What was to our advantage, however, was the fact that this hallway was well away from the delegates’ rooms, and any of the meeting rooms being used by the summit. It had a few windows, overlooking the city, where I could see crystal ponies going about their daily lives.

Aj shook her head as she stood with Rarity and Pinkie. “We looked everywhere sugarcube, ain’t no sign of Twi anywhere,” Applejack said with a sigh.

“We are terribly sorry we couldn’t be of more help,” Rarity added.

“This is the worst game of hide and seek ever,” Pinkie said with a sigh.

“Uh, anyways,” I said, “It’s alright, we’ll keep looking until we find them.”

The three nodded and turned to walk away.

I turned and walked the other direction. This is horrible. If we don’t find Twilight and Gloam soon...oh man I can’t imagine it…

WAAAAAAHHHH!!!

The wailing broke me out of my thoughts and I turned to realize that I somehow ended up in near Skyla’s play area. Man, I really know how to get lost in thought.

I stuck my head in the bedroom. I saw Ran’sea covering her...where are her ears anyways? I watched as she covered where her ears are as the little princess was crying loudly.

“What happened?” I said loudly over Skyla’s wailing.

“She hurt herself on something! I told her to be careful but she can be so stubbornly curious!” Ran’sea replied.

I reached and picked up the little princess, rocking her gently. “Hey, it’s okay shhh,” I said soothingly.

Skyla calmed down and sniffed a little, “Oowie...pokey thing hurt…” She said, holding up her hoof. My heart broke at her tear stained eyes.

“Hey, it’s just a little oowie,” I said in my best foalsitter voice. “You’re a big girl, you can get through it.”

“*Sniff* Okay Pwivy…” Skyla said as Ran’sea came by with a band aid.

“What were you playing with anyways?” I said as I applied the bandage to her hoof.

“Pokey thing...found in hallway...didn’t know pokey was sharp…” She said, pointing out in the hallway.

Ran’sea went out there to look and picked up the object. She came back and I got a better look at it.

The object...was a syringe…

“Could you hold her for a second?” I asked as I gave Ran’sea Skyla.

The little dragoness took Skyla and gave me the syringe.

I held it in my hoof and looked at the label...wait...I’ve seen this before…

The stuff...made ten years ago…

By….Glimmer….

This was the same magical enhancement drug that Pave Diamond used. The one that took three unicorns to take her down. But these are illegal, known to cause a ton of side effects with the user….

So the question is, who does this belong to…?

Chapter 4 "Student Found, Student Lost"

Chapter 4

“Student Found, Student Lost”

“We’ve looked everywhere!” Rainbow groaned, coming down to earth and crossing her forelegs as we stood in the hallway again. “No sign of them!”

“Whatever brute did this will suffer my personal wrath!” Rarity said.

“This does rightly stink.” Aj said, bucking the wall in frustration.

“I do hope they are okay,” Fluttershy said, looking down.

“Hey, we’ll find them don’t worry,” I tried to reassure.

“Hey guys,” Rainbow interjected. “Has anypony seen Pinkie Pie?”

We looked around the hallway and sure enough there was no sign of the Pink Prankster. Maybe she was looking too?

I just hope that they are okay, I couldn’t bare it if anything happened to Twi-

“SURPRISE!”

At Pinkie’s exclamation I leaped up to the ceiling so fast that an image of me was left behind. I glared down at Pinkie as I hanged from the ceiling. “Not funny Pinkie Pie!” I yelled.

“Nice one Pinks,” Rainbow said, hoof bumping her friend.

“Geez Private, you really oughta be more alert.” Pinkie said. “I mean, I just came by to tell you that I found Twilight and Gloam. But then you were talking with everypony else so I didn’t want to interrupt because interrupting is rude, like chewing with your mouth open. That is really rude, like that other princess lady.”

“Wait, Pinks, slow down,” Aj interrupted. “What’re you talking about?”

Fluttershy lowered me gently down onto the floor as Pinkie went on. “I said that I found Twilight and Gloam!”

“YOU WHAT!” All five of us yelled.

“Yeah, she was in that place where she first saw that really creepy door the first time we came here!” Pinkie said.

“Why didn’t you say that in the first place!” I yelled.

“Well duh, I gotta do that, being random is in my contract!” Pinkie yelled, suddenly pulling a piece of paper out of nowhere before chucking it aside.

I...don’t even...never mind!

“Where are they now?” I asked.

“They’re right where I left them, that other mean princess lady was there when I came out, I told her to go get help too!” Pinkie said, smiling.

“Pinkie!” Rainbow said, grabbing her shoulders. “You told Soleil where they are?!”

It’s official...we’re dead…

___________________________________________________________

This part of the castle looked old. And still slightly corrupt. It was dark, the stairway looked only half finished, and the floor was unevenly smoothed, with rough patches of crystal showing. The door to one’s greatest fears, however, was long gone. Twilight, and Gloaming Glitter were there, though, along with Soliel, and some of her guards. They were all looking at Twilight like she was some sort of filth.

“I find you here, with my student, the back of her head bleeding and you say you’re not responsible,” Soleil said with a smirk. “I had no idea Celestia raised her student to be so foolish.”

“You aren’t listening!” Twilight yelled. “I said we both have no idea how we got he-”

“Silence!” Soleil yelled. “It’s clear what has occurred, guards, seize her!”

The guards advanced on Twilight, their horns aglow, Twilight’s horn was glowing as well, odds were on her if it came down to a magic fight. But that never occured because I leapt down from the stairs and landed in front of her. “Just what the hell is going on here!” I yelled.

“Step aside peasant,” Soleil said. “This, sham of a princess is responsible for the abduction of my own student!”

“You have no proof!” Twilight yelled. “I told you a hundred times already, I didn’t kidnap Gloam!”

“I’m sure you’ll be singing a far better tune once my guards are through with you.” Soleil said, narrowing her eyes. “Perhaps we can start by plucking out those ill gotten feathers one by one….” Her voice was dripping with evil, I had enough.

I pulled Blackhawk out from my jacket and aimed it at her. “If you lay one hoof on her I won’t hesitate to put one between your eyes!” I yelled.

“What is this?” Soleil said, “Tell your pet to stand down Princess Twilight, he has no right to interfere.”

“He’s not my pet, he’s my husband!” Twilight yelled.

“Bah, such nonsense,” Soleil scoffed. “You are immortal now, Twilight, you need not worry about these short lived worms. All they are good for is fulfilling your desires.”

“One,” Twilight said, walking to my side to glare at Soleil. “Private is not my slave or my pet! And two, I gave up being immortal to be with him!”

“How could you even consider something so foolish!” Soleil yelled.

“Easy, I have a heart,” Twilight said with a smirk of her own.

“I have no time for this,” Soleil said, “Guards, seize them both, we’ll bring them back to Calvaria for execution!”

“ENOUGH!” Suddenly Celestia teleported in front of us, along with Voidera and Luna.

“You have gone too far Soleil!” Luna yelled, “You are not in Calvaria, you are in Equestria.”

“Quiet you worthless night child,” Soleil said with a look of contempt.

“What was that!?” Luna yelled.

“Luna, please,” Celestia said firmly. Luna backed off at that.

“What is going on here, Soleil?” Voidera said. “Explain yourself.”

“This doesn’t concern you Celestia,” Soleil said, ignoring Voidera. “I am simply taking Gloam’s kidnapper into custody.”

“I told you I didn’t kidnap her!” Twilight yelled.

Celestia just looked back at Twilight, giving a glare that silenced her. Man, Celestia is not a pony you want to mess with when she’s mad.

Celestia simply turned back to Soleil and spoke, “Luna, see to Gloam.”

Luna nodded and walked over to the still unconscious Gloam. Luna’s horn glowed faint as she ran it across the young unicorn. “She is alright, just knocked out, a wound is on the back of her head, might have been how she was knocked out.

“By Twilight Sparkle with that chair leg,” Soleil interrupted.

“That’s ridiculous! I’d never hurt anypony!” Twilight yelled.

“As if,” Soleil said, glaring at her. “I knew something was wrong with the demonstration the moment I saw it. Then,” one of the guards came forward with the book on Mana Manipulation. “I found this, among the things in the room.”

“That’s the book I took out!” Twilight said, pointing. “I took it out because Gloam asked me to.”

“More likely you needed to perform research to further siphon mana from my student. So that your magic would seem superior!” Soleil yelled.

“Do you even realize how ridiculous that sounds?!” Luna yelled along with Twilight.

“This conversation is pointless and ridiculous,” Soleil said with a huff. “I will have my guards escort Twilight to Calvaria, there she shall be tried as an enemy of the state.”

“ENOUGH!” Celestia yelled, glaring at Soleil. “Here in Equestria, there is a very specific mantra that our courts live by. That is, ‘innocent until proven guilty’ I will not see that ignored for your petty revenge on Twilight because your student couldn’t handle a spell of such magnitude.”

“You dare accuse Gloam of incompetence? Do you want a war, Celestia?” Soleil yelled, stepping closer.

“No, that’s the last thing I want,” Celestia said firmly. “Twilight Sparkle is my student, the crime was committed in my country, therefore, we will follow the rules of said country. My student is to be put in my custody until this all can be settled. As for your student, she too will be in my care until she wakes up and explains everything.”

Soleil just growled at her.

“If you should try to fight against this,” Voidera said, narrowing his red slitted eyes at her. “You will get a repeat performance of the last time you fought us.”

They’ve fought each other before? Just how much baggage does Celestia have?

“This isn’t over Celestia, not by a long shot,” Soleil growled. “I will see that Twilight Sparkle is found guilty, I will see that she is executed for what she did. And just so you know, there’s no Uncle Lunard to save you once all this is over…”

Part of me could tell that Celestia was fighting every urge to send Soleil to the moon.

Personally, I wouldn’t stop her.

Soleil left with her guards in tow. Luna wrapped Gloam in her magic and lifted her onto her back. The princess of the night looked at Celestia and said, “I will get a room for her, until she awakens.”

“See that you do,” Celestia said simply.

Luna took the message and left without another word.

Twilight walked over to Celestia, nervously saying, “Princess I...I’m sorry I didn’t mean to cause all this.”

“I know, Twilight,” Celestia replied. “I know you did not do it.”

“Twilight, just what happened?” I asked, pulling her into a hug.

Twilight pressed into me, wrapping her hooves in a tight embrace around me. She said, “I just, Gloam and I got the book from the library, Gloam wanted to show me something in her room. She teleported me there and next thing I know there was just this light and…” She shook her head, obviously trying to make sense of all of this. “When I woke up, Soleil was accusing me of kidnapping and hurting Gloam.

“I know you didn’t do it,” I said, gently rubbing a hoof down her back. “I’m going to find out who did. I promise you.”

Twilight laid a kiss on my lips and then looked over as Voidera stood over her. “Twilight, come with me,” My teacher said firmly.

“But Voide-” I began.

“Private,” Voidera gave me a hard glare. “Don’t, even try.”

I knew I wasn’t going to win, so I let Twilight go reluctantly. She followed Voidera slowly up the stairs. I was about to follow after when Celestia got between us.

I looked up at the princess as she gave me the same stare that she used on Soleil. Only I was far less resistant to it’s effects. “I came down here, and saw that you drew a gun on Soleil. Do not ever let me catch you doing something stupid like that again.”

“I was just trying to prote-” I began.

“No excuses.” Celestia said firmly. “Thor gave you those new weapons in the hopes you would use them responsibly. Shooting Soleil would have accomplished nothing. This is twice I’ve had to reprimand you for acting reckless. Do not let me make it a third.” She then turned and teleported away.

I sighed...this was the worst day ever…

__________________________________________________________

I slunk into the conference room, feeling truly low. I looked up at the chairs, and could see the others looking rather downcast as well. Even Pinkie’s mane seemed to have flattened a bit, and her color a little less bright. Rarity’s mane was a touch messy, but unsurprisingly, rather artfully so. Applejack just looked tired, like she had tried to buck the whole orchard by herself. Fluttershy… Fluttershy seemed to want to hide from the world even more than usual. Lastly, Rainbow Dash looked like somebody had canceled all the Wonderbolts shows for all time.

“I wish I’d gone with her or something,” I said finally.

“C’mon Sugarcube, none of us could’ve predicted what would’ve happened,” Aj said, walking to me and putting a hoof on my shoulder.

Rainbow smacked her hooves together and flew into the air, a fire in her belly again. “I say we get Twilight, and smack that Soleil jerk upside the head and send her right back to Calvaria!”

“That will accomplish nothing darling,” Rarity said sadly. “Soleil will still insist on finding Twilight. Even if we got her out, we would risk open war with Calvaria. Without proof that Twilight didn’t take Gloam, we are indeed stuck.”

“At least that’s better than sitting here doing nothing!” Rainbow yelled at Rarity.

“I’m just as worried about Twilight as anypony here!” Rarity yelled back. “I’m just trying to come up with a less brash method!”

“While we’re sitting here twiddling our hooves, Soleil is plotting to come up with an excuse to cart off Twilight to Calvaria!” Rainbow yelled.

“Arguin’ ain’t gonna solve anything neither!” Aj yelled, calming them both down.

There was a quiet air over the party for a minute.

“Anypony remember when our biggest problems was who was getting a ticket to the Gala?” Pinkie said, trying to lighten the dark as night mood.

“This is all so wrong,” Fluttershy said. “Twilight would never do something like this.”

“The whole thing doesn’t make any sense,” I said, crossing my forelegs. “Why would Twilight want to kidnap Gloam?”

“She didn’t that’s why,” Rainbow said firmly. “She was set up, even I could see that.”

“But without proof we can’t get anywhere…” Rarity said.

“Um...everypony?”

“Maybe we should run around again looking for clues?”

“Nah, it’ll take too long to scour the palace again.”

“Umm…”

“Even if we do that darling, who Soleil is probably thinking of some way to weasel her way out of the situation.”

“Umm….”

“We just need-”

“Hey everypony!” Pinkie said suddenly. “Isn’t that Gloam’s friend out there?”

“That’s what I was trying to point out….” Fluttershy said quietly.

We all looked out the window to see Blaze Warden messing with the bushes. Blaze then looked up at us and started to take off in another direction.

“Dash! Get me down there!” I yelled, Dash then gripped me and we both flew down to ground level.

Blaze turned and fired a blast of gold magic, hitting Rainbow in the head, we both crash landed hard on the ground below. Blaze took off towards the city.

I looked back at the window. “Get Shining Armor!” I yelled and then took off after Blaze. I galloped like mad through the streets, having a slight advantage over the fleeing colt. The way he stuck to the main thoroughfares, it was obvious that he had never been out of Calvaria before. He was not, however, above pushing other ponies aside to try and get them to block my progress. I had experience with chasing perps, though, and was slowly catching up. He may be a guard, but he still had that armor to contend with, and that was slowing him down.

He leaped over a wagon as we went into another street. I used my magic to shove it aside. Some crystal pony was shouting about cabbages or whatever, I needed to focus now!

Man, even with armor this guy was fast, I had to do something to slow him…

I smirked as an idea came to my brain. I yelled, “Blaze! Stop or I’ll shoot!”

“I’m sorry, detective!” Blaze yelled, “I can’t let you stop me now!”

“I won’t, but Golden Eagle will!” I yelled, pulling the flintlock-like pistol out of my other gun holster. Thank goodness I remembered it.

Too bad I forgot to test fire it before this. Oh well, no better time than the present I guess!

I held the pistol in my magic and pulled the trigger. The runes along the barrel glowed brightly and the prongs where the end of the barrel should be started sparking electricity between them. I aimed it at Blaze Warden and a small blast of lightning shot out of the end, hitting Blaze.

The lightning shocked the stallion and caused his blond mane to stick on end. After a minute of being shocked, the stallion tumbled over, passed out.

I walked to Warden and put hoofcuffs on him. I looked at the Crystal Ponies staring at us and said, “Police business.”

Okay, half truth but who’s counting?

I dragged unconscious Warden back to the bush he was at. I set him to the side and started sifting around the bushes. My hoof touched something and I pulled it out…

My eyes grew wide at what I saw...a whole package of those magic syringes…

And one was missing….

_________________________________________________________

Blaze Warden let out a groan as he slowly came to. I stood in front of him, Aj and Rainbow flanking me. He shook his head and struggled in the chair we put him in. My hoofcuffs kept him right where I wanted him.

Rarity got out from behind him and said, “Now, we know you are close to young Gloam, under normal circumstances, shouldn’t you have been taking part in the investigation?”

“I-I…” Blaze began, looking down.

“And what was with the running act?” Rainbow asked, adopting my interrogation voice. “You shot me in the head with magic you jerk! My ears are still ringing!”

“Just what were you hidin’?” Aj said, crossing her forelegs.

“I wasn’t hiding anything!” Warden denied.

“Don’t try and bother,” I said, setting the syringes down on the table. “I found this in the bush where you were, care to explain how you got a hold of these?”

“I haven’t seen them before in my life!” Warden clearly lied.

This guy was trying really hard to hide the fact. I smiled and said, “Girls...earplugs.”

All of us put earplugs in our ears. Except for one individual….Pinkie.

Thankfully the earplugs drowned out everything that the talkative pink Earth Pony was saying, but she was going a mile a minute. She did a hoof-stand, several cartwheels, juggled, and even pulled out her one-pony band for a moment. All the while Warden was looking more and more frantic.

I dared remove my earplugs long enough to cover Pinkie’s mouth and say, “This’ll stop once you start talking.”

“Never!” Warden yelled.

“Pinkie, which is better, chimmy cherry or cherry changa?” I said innocently.

“Oh, I don’t know! They’re such fun to say! Chimmycherry, cherrychanga, chimmycherry, cherrychanga,” Pinkie uttered gleefully, and kept repeating it, because she just loved the sound of the words.

“I’ve been through worse!” Warden yelled over Pinkie’s rants.

“Pinkie, how many cupcake flavors can you make?” I went on and tried not to smirk too much.

“Oh, I can start with the basics like white cake, yellow cake, Prench vanilla, devil’s food cake. Why is it called ‘devil’s food cake, anyway? What is a devil, and why is a rich dark chocolate considered its food? Do you know? I, honestly, have nooo idea, ‘cause it may be decadently good, but I don’t think it’s sinfully good. That’s the double-fudge chocolate chip cupcakes cappuccino cream frosting. Those are so good they’ll make you slap your grandma! I mean come ON! Devil’s food with double-fudge frosting is pretty good, but you haven’t lived until you’ve had my Mexhaycan chilli cocoa cupcakes with marshmallow frosting! Spicy and creamy and gooey, and so gooooood!”

“Alright! ALRIGHT I’LL TALK!” Warden begged.

I pulled a cupcake out of my trench coat. “Get the snack Pinkie!” I threw it over my shoulder and Pinkie dived after it.

What? I always keep cupcakes on hoof in case of Pinkie Emergencies.

Oh my gosh I’m turning into her…

I shook my head and refocused on Warden. “So, who do these syringes belong to. And be honest, or I’ll introduce you to Miss whiney Rarity.”

Warden looked over at Rarity who simply smiled and added some mouth spray.

“Alright, those syringes…” Warden looked down and admitted. “They aren’t mine...they...belong to Gloam…”

Chapter 5 "Slave"

Chapter 5
“Slave”

“Wait, so ya mean tah tell us,” Aj interjected, “That these syringes belong to Gloam?”

“What do these things do anyways?” Rainbow said, picking up one of the syringes.

“They’re magic enhancers,” Warden admitted. “Each of them has enough mana inside to double the effects of a unicorns spellcasting.”

“I’ve seen them used before,” I said, looking at the syringes. “Took three of us to take down the one who was using it. Where did Gloam get these?”

Warden looked down. “I don’t know. One day she just started showing up with them. I remember she was having trouble with a really complex spell and Princess Soleil was giving her a hard time about it. Then she comes the next day performing the spell like it’s nothing. She told me she just practiced a lot last night.”

“But you didn’t believe her,” I said.

Warden shook his head, “I’ve known Gloam since we were little foals. She’s one of the greatest magicians I know, but she wasn’t so good to learn a spell overnight.”

“Just what is your relationship with dear Gloam?” Rarity inquired.

Warden’s dark cheeks flushed a little as he said, “I, well, like I said we were close friends. I joined the guard so I could be with her.”

“Simply romantic,” Rarity said with a happy sigh.

“Anyways,” I said, “Gloam was using these, do they have any side effects?”

“Yeah, sometimes the mana is too much for a unicorn to control by herself,” Warden explained. “That’s why you saw her fumble her magic during the demonstration.”

“Surely if Soleil knew,” Fluttershy said, “She would have stopped it...right?”

“Wishful thinking I’m afraid,” Warden said with a sigh. “I tried to convince Gloam to go to Soleil and explain what happened, but Soleil hadn’t said anything about it, so I didn’t pry any further. Maybe Gloam simply didn’t want to admit her power wasn’t her own…”

“How couldja have stood by while all this was happenin’?” Aj said. “Ain’t you got a lick of care to stop her from takin’ them?”

Warden shook his head. “If I were to tell Soleil, she would have had Gloam killed!”

“Killed?” Rarity said, “Seems a little extreme, why kill her when it would simply be easier to take away the syringes.”

Warden looked down again, and said gravely, “Because slaves aren’t supposed to lie to their masters…”

________________________________________________________

Perspective: Twilight Sparkle

Well. This is perfectly boring. I don’t even have any books, so I can’t read. I don’t have my paper and quills, so I can’t do any work for any of my other stuff for the Princess Summit. Argh! This is so frustrating. I’m not used to being out of the action. Usually I’m the one taking the lead, and helping everypony out. Being a princess sucks, sometimes, I have to admit. Sure flying is nice, and being able to give Private wing-hugs is a perk, but everything else is really just a pain. Though, I probably wouldn’t have to have been a princess to be framed for this whole kidnapping thing. That Soleil seemed determined to frame me, or Princess Celestia for something, to give her an excuse. She seemed positively excited about the prospect of a war with Equestria.

“Argh!” I uttered, rolling to my back, and throwing my hooves into the air. “Just… something to read would be nice.”

“Had I known that somepony would try to frame you, then I would have remembered to bring reading material,” I heard Voidera’s deep voice say.

I frowned at him, despite getting a respect for him over these past few months I couldn’t help but get a little peeved whenever Voidera started talking. Maybe a part of me was still not ready to believe Celestia had a somepony that made her so...normal.

“Look, if you would quit the sarcasm it will definitely help matters,” I growled at him, not in the mood for any form of humor.

“Tia asked me to guard you until this matter is settled,” Voidera said matter of factly.

Tia? Seriously?

I shook my head and refocused. “You and Celestia both know I had nothing to do with Gloam’s kidnapping! I should be out there with Private right now!”

“Until the matter is settled you are staying right here,” Voidera said as if I was a five year old wanting to go outside to play. Just how casual he said it infuriated me.

“This is ridiculous!” I yelled, “Let me out of here right now and if you keep treating me like I’m five I’ll-”

His red eyes glared at me as he said, “Do not vent your anger out on me, Twilight. Children do that.”

“UGGGH!” I groaned, and in my frustration my horn fired and blasted a small hole in the wall. I breathed heavily as I looked to Voidera.

“Are you done?” He said.

“I’m just sick of being here, Private and I are a team,” I said firmly.

“That I know,” He said, “But you shouldn’t take your frustrations on your sister in law’s wall either.”

“This is just, uggh! Celestia knows I’m innocent! Why did she make you watch me anyways!?” I yelled.

“Because she knew I would be able to stop you should you try to escape, plus she has the other guests to attend to,” He said, ever so simply.

“I don’t see why she sees the need to trust you over me!” I yelled at him. “I can handle myself! I can keep myself composed! I am innocent here! I will not let some lying arrogant witch make Celestia think otherwise!”

I breathed heavily again, Voidera kept his look to me and said, “It seems you are less frustrated at me, and more so that you think Celestia doesn’t trust you.”

I sighed and looked down, “I just, can’t believe she would trust you over me.”

Voidera didn’t say anything as I went on.

“I couldn’t believe my ears when Celestia said you were her special somepony,” I said. “Celestia is everything I want to be. Strong, brave, unbelievably wise and composed. Everything just, changed when you came around. Suddenly she was normal, just a mare like me. I was scared to lose that image of her, of my idol. I knew it wasn’t fair to her or you, but in the back of my mind I always wondered if maybe one day I’ll find out Celestia isn’t who I thought she was…” My shoulders slumped and my wings drooped.

I heard Voidera’s hoof steps and then felt him, put a hoof on my head. For such a big stallion he was surprisingly gentle. His voice was the same, “Celestia trusts you Twilight, you are the daughter she always wished to have. The reasons she has you here with me are not because she believes Soleil, but simply to protect you from her.”

“Voidera I…” I tried to begin.

“I know it is... difficult to see Celestia in such a light. But under that mask is still a young mare, trying to figure out what is right,” Voidera said. “One day, you’ll have a student of your own, and they’ll see you around Private and probably think the same. In the end, though, Celestia still cares about you, and that will never change.”

I looked up at him, I smiled and said, “I- I understand, doesn’t make it any less easy.”

Voidera then smirked, “There was a time when Celestia was just like you, you know.”

“Like, me?” I asked, driven by a morbid curiosity to know more about my mentor.

“She was a little more bossy at your age,” Voidera said in reminisce. “But, she too was a very focused student, wanting to accomplish everything the right way. Took me to get her to lighten up a little.”

Sounds like the reverse of my own relationship with Private. Almost.

“You know, I could tell you a story about this one time when Tia and I had to break into a library…” Voidera said with a smirk.

Must not give in Mustnotgiveinmustnotgivein…

“Tell me!” I yelled.

Darn my morbid curiosity…

__________________________________________________________

Perspective: Private Eye

“A, slave?” I said, trying to grasp what I just learned.

Warden slowly nodded. “Yes, Gloam isn’t just the student of Soleil, she’s her slave too.”

“But, ain’t slavery outlawed?” Aj said, “Even Mah Granny doesn’t remember a time when ponies were enslaved to one another.”

“Not all countries agree with Celestia on slavery being bad,” Warden said with a shake of his head. “Calvaria is one of the few countries with a public and thriving slave trade. Soleil gets the first pick over every bunch.”

“How barbaric!” Rarity said in shock.

“I knew she was a meanie pants!” Pinkie said.

“Pinks, I think we all could tell that.” Rainbow said, rolling her eyes. “But this puts her lower then Discor-” She was cut off when Fluttershy flashed her a look. “Uh… I mean, Chrysalis! Yeah, she’s still bad right?”

“Just how did you know Gloam when you were kids?” I asked firmly.

Warden’s eyes closed, “Her, mother couldn’t afford to pay off a debt. She tried for months, but they eventually took Gloam as payment. I was her next door neighbor.”

“How truly horrid, to have to sell your own child,” Rarity said, putting a hoof to her mouth.

“How did Gloam go from a debt slave to the princess’ student?” I asked.

“Because she had magical potential,” Warden said. “But, after all this, I’m starting to think Gloam was just a way for Soleil to try and show off how seemingly great and prosperous Calvaria is.”

“Another lie too?” Fluttershy said, her voice developing an edge that you rarely see.

“Calvaria is suffering in truth,” Warden said, “In truth, there is a reason why all of this happened and I-”

Suddenly the door burst open and two guards stepped in, Soleil soon followed. “Well, what is this? My student’s personal guard has gone traitor...Celestia cannot ignore me anymore…”

________________________________________________________

Perspective: Twilight Sparkle

“So then, the next thing I know I’m neck deep in frosting and the whole library had to be cleaned for a week before it all got out.” Voidera said, telling his tale and trying not to laugh too hard himself.

“I can’t believe Celestia used that as cover to escape!” I said, laughing. “It’s so, amazingly creative!”

“Wait till I tell you how we found Evona,” Voidera began, before we heard a knock on the door.

Voidera turned and went to open the door. There, was Gloam, she was okay thank goodness!

I ran to Gloam and said, “Oh my goodness I’m so glad you’re okay!”

“Twilight, it’s good to see you are okay too,” Gloam said, rather...sadly?

“Shouldn’t you be with Private?” I asked. “He’ll probably want your statement on what happened.”

“Yes, why aren’t you with him, young one?” Voidera asked, his eyes narrowing.

Gloam slowly closed her eyes and her horn glowed...with dark magic! “Forgive me…” She said, zapping Voidera with some kind of spell.

Voidera flew and crashed into the wall, leaving a dent in it. Dark magic...I knew it was powerful but...it took down Voidera?

I turned to Gloam and said nervously, “Gloam, what are you doing?”

Gloam’s eyes slowly opened, there were tears in them. “Earning my freedom…”

______________________________________________________

Perspective: Private Eye

I glared at Soleil and declared, “You set the whole thing up!”

“How dare you accuse me you miserable dog!” Soleil yelled, and then glared at Warden. “It would seem I was wrong to bring you here, guard. I never should have listened to Gloam. What state secrets have you given up?”

“Nothing! And,” He turned to me, “What do you mean she set it up?”

“The whole scenario doesn’t make sense,” I said. “Why would Gloam and Twilight teleport into the room and leave only one blood stain on the ground? And why was Twilight unharmed when she was found?”

“It was obvious,” Soleil growled, “Your dear Princess Twilight tried to kidnap my student!”

“It doesn’t make sense for her to do that either.” I said firmly.

“Twilight is a lot of things, petty isn’t one of them.” Rainbow said firmly.

“She would never attack Gloam over a rather silly contest.” Rarity said firmly.

“What about the mana siphoning book?” Soleil said, trying very hard to keep her argument. “Surely she saw the potential in my student and tried to steal her mana, just like she must have done to many to achieve such power.”

“You didn’t do your research.” I said firmly, “Twilight would have to have had the spell memorized when she was six, because her raw magical energy caused a dragon egg to hatch.”

Soleil’s eyes grew wide.

“Somepony planted that darn book, and made it look like Twilight was the one who attacked Gloam.” Aj said firmly.

“I betcha if we came back with the lab tests, we would find only Gloam’s DNA on the club, not Twilight’s.” I said with a smirk. “Now, the only question is...why?”

I advanced on Soleil, despite our size difference, I was making her sweat. “You wanted war with Equestria. I can imagine that under your rule, you’ve made some enemies. They didn’t like that you were basically enslaving them. That your country was ruled by a select few corrupt. You knew that if things continued, you’d have civil war on your hooves. So, you devised this plan.”

“Ridiculous I-”

“I’m not done,” I interrupted her. “You used Gloam. You knew as her slave she couldn’t disobey you. So, you set this whole plan up to make it look like Twilight was the one who kidnapped Gloam. You would have returned to Calvaria with stories of Celestia’s supposed treachery. With war on their hooves, nopony would question your rule so long as they were safe…” I said, and closed with, “And yet, your plan had one major needle.” I held up the syringes. “That poked the hole in your plan.”

“I guess you could say your case was,” Rainbow suddenly pulled shades out of nowhere, “Shot”

YYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Note to self, burn shades.

Pinkie looked at...somewhere, “What? Come on it’s been forever since we used that joke! Don’t hate in the comments!”

“Enough!” Soleil yelled, madness entering her eyes. “I could never stand how somepony of… MIXED blood could do so well, and get along with you worthless accursed excuses of ponyflesh. The houses were NEVER supposed to have mixed, and when it happens, it’s supposed to bring DISASTER not success! And yet Celestia has had success after success! I couldn’t stand it, I tell you! And now there are worms who seek to overthrow me! I am the reason their sun comes up in the morning, the reason they can grow crops! Their lives are MINE to do with as I see fit! And now I see fit to destroy that false princess, and erase her taint from the alicorn race!”

I glared at her, then my eyes grew wide as the door opened behind Soleil...she had no idea who was there as she continued on.

“I will kill that little wretch slowly,” Soleil continued. “Make her pain last for days until she can’t take it anymore. When that little false alicorn is begging for death, only then I will give it to her. Then I will invade this pathetic country, and destroy it utterly. That will show everyone how weak Celestia really is!”

Suddenly both guards were thrown against the wall by powerful magic, the sound of a spear being dragged on the ground caused Soleil to stiffen, her eyes slowly turned.

Celestia was standing there, her ivory colored spear in her magic as she said, “I don’t believe I heard you cousin, exactly what were you going to do to MY STUDENT?!”

Chapter 6 "Phoenix"

Chapter 6

“Phoenix”

“What? My my, dear Celesti showing some… backbone?” Soleil said as she stood there, despite her bravado I could see her sweating.

“I have enough backbone to know when to put my hoof down.” Celestia said, her normally calm voice developing a fury few rarely see. “What I have heard sickens me. How dare you even consider what you have done!”

“Oh you think you’re so perfect Celestia? Well, finally I’ll put that lousy arrogance of yours down like I should have long ago!” Her horn glowed brightly and suddenly the room was filled with her soldiers. Soleil looked to the captain, “Kill them all! I’ll just say to our Calvarian citizens we were attacked, that is more then enough to justify war! Or should I say…” One of the guards tossed a large halberd at her, which she caught and her own magic flowed into it. Turning it gold and becoming very extravagant. She then tackled Celestia and the two flew outside the window.

I drew Silver Wolf and cut Blaze Warden loose.

“You crazy? He’s one of them!” Rainbow said.

“You heard him talking, he’s not with them. Not if he truly cares for Gloam like I know he does.” I said firmly.

Blaze nodded and fired a bolt of magic at one of Soleil’s forces. He picked up the fallen soldier’s halberd and said, “Let’s end this!”

“Everypony! We gotta get to Twilight! Fight your way through!” I yelled as the others gathered.

We then charged into the frey, hoping that we could finally stop this.

_______________________________________________________

Perspective: Twilight Sparkle

I stood there, practically feeling the aura of dark magic coming from her. Before I was an alicorn, it wasn’t as obvious. But now, it was as if something had gripped her heart and wouldn’t let go...and I could hear it beat.

I looked at Gloam, and slowly backed away, I needed a plan…”Gloam, why are you doing this?”

“If I do this,” She said, her voice sounding almost dead. “Soleil promised me my freedom.”

“Was it Soleil who taught you dark magic too?” I asked.

“She did, she said it was the only way to power…” Gloam continued.

Voidera was laying there unconscious, to think Dark Magic could be so powerful as to knock him out.

I had to get through to Gloam, it was the only way.

“Just, what did Soleil do to you?” I asked.

Gloam looked down, “She, when I was an orphan on the streets, she took me in. She said she could make me into a true unicorn. I believed her. The first few years were grand, amazing as I learned to master my powers. But, then everything changed. My powers started not working as well as they could’ve. Soleil said she’d figured out a way to make them better. So...I took the syringes…”

I remembered, that stuff that Pave Diamond had. That made her magic stronger.

“Gloam, your magic failed during the summit.” I pointed out. “Was that a side effect?”

Gloam nodded, “It was, there are times when I can’t control the syringes. My magic just simply couldn’t be controlled. Soleil, said that she would give me a cure, and let me be free if I...If I kill you...and help Equestria enter war with Calvaria…”

“Gloam, you can’t want to do this!” I yell.

“I have to, I can’t disobey Soleil…” Gloam said, a tear falling from her eyes. “I need...to be free...so I will listen to my mas-”

I lifted my hoof and slapped her across the face. How could she do this! Be so willing to bow to a Princess who isn’t even worth it! Who lied, cheated and probably set this whole thing up as a petty means of revenge against Celestia! I will not hear this! It’s time somepony woke Gloam up!

At my slap, Gloam’s eyes returned to normal, and the dark magic aura faded.

“Gloam, you can’t do this!” I yelled. “You know it’s wrong! All Soleil wants is for you to be her little puppet! She’s only your master because you believe it! Magic at it’s very core is will, the will to become stronger, the will to be better. Soleil destroyed that will when you agreed to let her supply you with that cheap substitute. Gloam, you can’t bow anymore!”

“Easy for you to say!” Gloam yelled back, “You are an Alicorn! Everything comes easy for you!”

I closed my eyes and said, “When, I was just a filly I tried to get into Celestia’s school for Gifted Unicorns. There was a test that required that I cause a dragon egg to hatch using my magic.”

“But, you did it right? You made headlines even in Calvaria…” Gloam said, her eyes wide.

“I did, but only because of my friend Rainbow’s sonic rainboom.” I stopped when I noticed Gloam’s expression. “Long story, anyways, I was ready to give up, I couldn’t hatch the egg on my own. In the end, it was my friends that helped me, maybe not directly but they did help. I became a Princess because I wanted to aid somepony I cared about, that I respected and loved. Not somepony I was enslaved to.”

Gloam looked down and said, “But...how can I…?”

_________________________________________________________

Perspective: Celestia

Soleil and I clashed in the skies above the Crystal Empire, our weapons clanging against one another, as we fought. I was determined to win, to keep this tyrant from coming to my land, and walking over my little ponies. How dare she even try! Just because I was born of both the houses of Day and Night does not give her the right to just… declare war on my home!

The shafts of our weapons clashed and I glared at her, “All of this because of your petty desire for revenge? Have you no shame or heart Soleil?”

“You are one to talk about shame,” Soleil said, her eyes showcasing her true madness. “I was the one who was to inherit the sun! I was the one who was to be the true Queen of the world! But your father, dear sweet uncle Lunard, had to spit on that very idea!”

I flew back, fired a beam of magic at her which she dodged, “I never asked to be born where I did! Being born does not make one great! One must build from the starting point! Not lord it over others!”

“You speak like your pathetic mother as well!” Soleil cried, coming to swing her halberd at me.

In her anger I dodged and weaved around her, firing a beam of magic into her back and sending her flying into the Crystal Palace...Cadence is going to kill me…

She soon came back at me, swinging madly, “I will destroy your pathetic excuse for a Kingdom! You talk about being a princess, yet I think it’s your subjects who rule you! You are an alicorn Celestia! They are merely mistakes! Created by some evil demon to destroy the alicorns!”

“You apparently,” I grunted, trying to block her attacks. “Never listened to Faust either…”

“I will destroy you! Like I should have done centuries ago!” Soleil cried, launching herself at me.

I was not going to let her defeat me...come on Twilight do what you have to…

__________________________________________________________

Perspective: Private Eye

Pony fought pony as Soleil’s guards clashed with the soldiers of the Crystal Empire, and Equestria. The ballroom would never be the same, as furniture was destroyed, and the floor scuffed beyond all recognition by the armored hooves of the combatants. The walls became scorched, some of them even cracking from the force of the magic being thrown around by Soleil’s force, who didn’t seem to care who they aimed at, as long as it wasn’t a member of their gaudy band. Meanwhile, the Equestrian Guard, and the Crystal Guard were trying to defend retreating civilians, to get them out of the line of fire.

One tried to attack Flash while he was down, but Snowflake turned and made the guard into a ice sculpture with her magic. The girls were fighting alongside the other guards. Rainbow swooping down and punching out enemies, Aj bucking them to next year, Rarity showing her surprising combat prowess too. Even Fluttershy aided guards with the almighty power of the stare...I really hope someday that doesn’t backfire on her.

Luna slammed the but end of her scythe into the stomach of a guard and flew over to Blaze and I. “We have them outnumbered, and the civilians are nearly out! Shining Armor and Cadence are making sure that none try to reach those in the other rooms!”

“Where is Twilight?” I asked quickly.

“She was with Voidera,” Luna said, “In one of the upper rooms!”

“Blaze!” I said quickly, “You’re with me!”

“Gloam is probably with Twilight right now…” Blaze said, sounding worried.

We had to move quickly…

We ran upstairs, on the way to Twilight’s room, when we saw two of Soleil’s ponies going for Skyla! Warden and I ran after them. I was determined not to let them lay a hoof on my niece!

Suddenly however, a bright light shown from the room. Blaze and I looked in to find the guards...making out…?

I stared dumbfounded as the two guards kissed one another. The lankier one said, “Watt, I can’t believe I was so blind. After all these years serving together I can finally say how I feel.”

“Shut up and kiss me, Shamrock!” The other said.

Skyla gleefully clapped her hooves and shouted, “Wuv!”

I just facehoof and Ran’sea came from the corner to pick up Skyla. She walked over to us. “Thank goodness you came around, I don’t know where we’d be when Skyla’s love spell wore off.”

“Find somewhere to hide her, quickly!” I said firmly.

Ran nodded and took Skyla away. I pulled out Golden Eagle and zapped them both. When they wake up, they’ll think it was just a dream.

I hope that Twilight doesn’t hear of this, those two would be perfect fodder for her fics…

“Private!”

I looked up to see Twilight running to me, flinging her forelegs around me. I held her just as tight, “Oh Twilight, I’m glad you’re okay!”

Blaze looked up as Gloam came behind Twilight. “Gloam…” He said, looking at her.

“Blaze…” Gloam ran at him, tears in her eyes as she threw her forelegs around him. “I did something horrible! I was so foolish to even consider following Soleil’s orders...I should’ve...I should’ve…”

Blaze, blushing redder than Big Mac, slowly wrapped his forelegs around her. SCORE! My matchmaker instincts are still 100% perfect!

You weren’t right about Luna and Prince Ember though!

GET OUT OF MY NARRATION!

I focused back on Twilight as she said, “What is going on exactly? Is Soleil really behind this?”

“I’ll explain everything later.” I said firmly, “Right now we need to help get the guards out.”

“No,” Gloam said firmly, “I have to face Soleil, I’m not letting her get away with this! Not anymore!”

Before any of us could stop her, she ran off.

_________________________________________________________

Perspective: Celestia

I lay on the ground panting. This fight has taken a lot out of me, and I could feel my reserves being drained. I haven’t fought like this in a long, long time. But, I had Soleil right where I wanted her...and she had no idea of it…

Soleil stood there, looking ever so smug as she declared, “I win Celestia! I finally proved myself superior!”

“Oh, you truly believe that, do you?” I asked, trying not to smile.

“Pure House of Day blood won over some mutt, born of a mix of day and night, and I just proved myself superior! I will destroy your country, enslave those pathetic wretches, and make sure they blame you and only you for their downfall,” Soleil gloated. “And I’ll take special pleasure in the long torture of that false alicorn, Twilight Sparkle. But first, before I can truly relish my victory, I have to eviscerate you!”

Now, was my chance to smile as I heard what I needed to hear. “You were always blind Soleil, in so many ways…”

“What are you prattling about?!” Soleil yelled.

“Did you really think your plan was so flawless? Honestly it was so transparent you may as well have planned it in a glass house. I didn’t want to do this, a part of me believed that maybe you had changed, but I see now...that you haven’t changed...and that is your downfall right now…”

I looked over, and saw Gloam coming outside, with Twilight, Private and her guard Blaze Warden at her side.

“Soleil!” Gloam yelled, I knew she would be here.

“What is the meaning of this!” Soleil yelled, turning her attention to Gloam. “You should have killed her like I asked!”

“No!” Gloam yelled with all her might.

“What?! You are my slave! I am your master!” Soleil yelled. “I took you off the streets when you were a vagrant! I brought you into my castle! Fed you! Taught you! And this is how you betray me?”

“I see your true colors right now Soleil,” Gloam said firmly. “All you are is just a selfish witch. Twilight showed me that being a Princess is more than just ruling! It’s about having a kind heart.” She turned to my student. “She, despite everything I did, wanted to give me a chance at freedom. I will never forget that.”

Twilight smiled in turn. I fought the urge to wink or something.

I just was on a high right now that I managed to one up Soleil. Oh I’ve been waiting to do this for years.

Soleil’s eyes burned with anger and her horn glowed, causing a ring of fire to form around her and Gloam, keeping everypony else out. “I will kill you for your insubordination, let it serve as an example to all those rebels who dared to question my rule!”

“They question your rule because you don’t listen to them!” Twilight yelled. “Your corrupt rule has caused them to want to rebel!”

“Silence! The only reason they even exist is to serve me! All things exist to serve me! I will prove it this day…” Her horn glowed again. “By making this slave bow….”

She fired her magic at Gloam, who dodged out of the way.

Twilight held her hoof up before Private could jump in, “This is her fight.”

Gloam deftly dodged and weaved her way around Soleil’s attacks. Gloam took a position and fired her own horn at Soleil. Soleil yelled as the spell hurt her a little bit. She then glared at Gloam, “You’ll pay for that, you whore!”

She blasted Gloam in the stomach with a spell, sending her rolling towards the ring of fire. I mustered up what little strength I could and stopped her from catching fire.

She slowly got to her hooves, glaring at Soleil. “For, too long I suffered under you. Been treated as little more than a dog, but I’m sick. I’m sick of you treating everypony like your pawns! I will fight you! I will not stop until you are the one who pays for what you’ve done!”

“You actually think you can defeat me?” Soleil laughed, “You are nothing! You couldn’t even defeat Twilight with your display! What hope could you have against a goddess like me!?”

She fired a fireball at her, Gloam summoned a shield and braced for the impact...only it never came.

Blaze Warden, threw himself through the ring of fire, and put himself in the path of the fireball. He fell to the ground and it felt as if time had stood still as he did. Gloam practically screamed, running to Warden and turning him over, “Warden! Please! Speak to me!” She begged.

Warden smiled and looked up at her, “I..never told you how beautiful you are…”

“Warden...you…” Gloam said, staring at him. “Why did you try to save me...why…?”

“In truth, I always cared about you. I hated what Soleil did to you...I...I never got the chance to say…” He moved up and whispered in such a way that only me and Soleil could probably hear it…

“I love you...Gloam…”

He then fell over, Gloam standing over him.

Soleil scoffed, “What a worthless stallion. Believing in something as pathetic and idiotic as love.”

“Shut up…” Gloam said.

“What was that?!” Soleil yelled.

Gloam turned...and her eyes glowed yellow...there...that’s what I was hoping for…

“SHUT UP!!!” She yelled, and suddenly the fire around them became a blazing inferno. Private and Twilight stepped back as the fire soon enveloped Gloam.

“No! No it cannot be! It’s impossible!” Soleil screamed, and I watched her eyes become green...like Sombra’s…”I will not be denied! Not ever!”

She fired her magic at Gloam, but it just got absorbed into the fire. Up in the sky, a solar flare fell towards Gloam and hit her like a light from heaven…

The sun had chosen...it’s new bearer…

Before everypony’s eyes, Gloams coat turned into a glistening white. Then the flare’s fire spread into fiery wings, gold at their limbs, and a fiery red at their feathers, her mane turned a warm golden yellow of a sun on a summer’s day. Mind you she did not turn into a fully-grown alicorn. She gained the same height boost as Twilight, and the same more pronounced horn. Gloam had ascended, taking Soleil’s place as her hemisphere’s daybringer.

Soleil, in the meantime had shrunk to the size of an ordinary pony, her mane turning orange, and her coat yellow, her wings were gone, and her power, obviously, diminished to that of an ordinary unicorn.

“WHAT!” Soleil screamed, “What have you done to me!”

When Gloam spoke, it was with every bit of power a true princess had, “I am Gloam no longer! I cast aside the name you gave me after you have enslaved me! The sun has given me new life! I am a new pony, reborn...I am Phoenix!” She spread her wings and the fire slowly seeped into her wings.

Truly a sight to behold.

“NO! YOU WILL BOW TO ME!” Soleil’s horn glowed with dark magic and she tried to blast Glo-I mean, Phoenix.

Phoenix simply dodged out of the way, and fired a blast of fire right back at Soleil.

Soleil brought up a shield that held back the flames. “HA! YOU THINK YOU CAN DEFEAT ME!? I AM-”

BANG!

Private fired his new weapon, Blackhawk was it? At the shield, the bullet shattered the magical shield like glass.

Now, there was nothing stopping the fire from hitting Soleil…

It was over...

Epilogue

Epilogue

Perspective: Private Eye

“You can’t do this to me! I demand you let go of me this instant! I will have your heads I tell you! I will have your children enslaved! I’LL DESTROY ALL!” Was the last rant that Soleil gave before her own former guards tossed her into a prison carriage provided by Celestia.

Phoenix and Twilight stood together as the guards took the former princess away. Twilight looked to the newly transformed Alicorn. “Will you be alright?”

Phoenix looked at Twilight and slowly nodded, “It, will be difficult the first couple of weeks. Adjusting to a new ruler is never an easy task for any country. But, I shall do my best to make sure that Soleil’s corrupt regime never happens again.”

I smiled as I joined the pair, “I’m sure you’ll do fine Gloam. Just, don’t be like Soleil and you’ll have everybody following you in no time.”

“Soleil will no longer be an issue.” Celestia said as she too came over. “The guards loyal to her have been rounded up and will be returned to Calvaria to face trial. I am proud of you Phoenix, and I am glad to see the sun is in good hooves.”

Phoenix smiled wide at Celestia’s compliment and said, “I promise to do my best.”

“I know you will,” Twilight said, hugging her newfound princess friend. Phoenix gladly returned the hug.

“Gloam…?”

All looked to see Blaze Warden walking over. His armor was gone and a group of bandages were covering when he was hit. When he looked at Phoenix, his eyes were wide and, I could see a fear in them.

Phoenix let go of Twilight and slowly walked to Blaze. “Blaze...it’s still me, Gloam. I, have wings and a new name now…” She said, scuffing her hoof on the ground.

Blaze’s face turned from fear, to anger,and then, disappointment. Finally, he simply bowed his head. “Your, highness, I live to serve.”

“Blaze, please, my name and body may have changed but it’s still me inside…” Phoenix said.

Twilight and I looked at each other, we knew where this could go and it wasn’t good.

“Milady I-” Blaze began.

“Blaze wait, I told you…”

“You're the princess now, I have certain protocol…”

“But, I thought you cared about me…”

“I do, it’s just that…”

“That what…?”

“You’ve changed and…”

“Blaze,” I walked to the dark stallion and said, “I… I felt like you a long time ago. When Twilight was transformed into an alicorn. I made the mistake of thinking the Twilight I knew was the only one I wanted.”

Twilight went on, putting a wing over her friend, “Ponies change Blaze, not in the ways we can expect or want. At the end of the day, the mare you fell in love with is still on the inside, even if her outside has changed so much.”

Blaze looked like he was about to argue, then he looked to Phoenix. His eyes slowly left their disappointment and worry. All that was left, was a longing simply to be with the mare he cared about.

“Blaze,” Phoenix said with a little sniffle. “I love you, I always have. Please, don’t let me becoming a princess destroy what feelings I know we share.”

Blaze slowly walked to Phoenix and then he threw his arms around her neck. Princess and Guard embraced one another and their kiss was one straight out of a romantic movie. All that was missing was a musical choir and rain.

And you all thought we’d go a case without Private getting a couple together!

Pinkie...the mood is so good I can’t bring myself to berate you for taking a sledgehammer to the laws of reality.

______________________________________________________

Perspective: Celestia

“The rest of the summit went without a hitch. With Soleil dealt with matters proceeded as normal. Phoenix would return to Calvaria as it’s new princess, declaring she was going to reform the country out of the pit Soleil had dug itself into,” I said.

He was quiet, he was a very good listener, like in the old days.

“Twilight and Private handled things marvelously. I hope that they continue to grow. Although I hope my love doesn’t take too much of an offense to being used as, essentially, bait.” I said with a smile. “But, all will be forgiven with...oh I really shouldn’t say it’s rather embarrassing to talk to you about it.”

I could just see him trying to keep a straight face as he told me it was alright. He was never comfortable about me growing up. Especially when it involved a certain Dracorn.

My face slowly developed into a frown however. “Though, I have to wonder, what Soleil would have been like had she been born under different circumstances. Seems no matter where I go, I always seem to bring trouble to others.”

He was quiet...always quiet…

“And, it’s only going to get worse from here. What I am about to do, what I have to do, I’m worried. I’m afraid, for the first time in a long time, that somepony’s faith will be shaken in me. I hate that I have to do this. I hate to have to always shoulder the burden on ponies other than myself…”

Still quiet…

“When I do this...Equestria will be saved...all will be saved...but…I will lose Twilight...my student...my daughter in everything except blood…”

I felt myself crying, I had so much to let out...I took his hoof.

“Before I left the palace I would not have had this much hesitation...I would never have questioned what had to be done...I would’ve...I would’ve just thrown her to the wolves...but...Voidera changed me...Izanami changed me…”

I held his hoof tighter.

“But when I lost Luna...I closed my heart again...it was all my fault and I keep living as if it doesn’t bother me...the mask...oh the mask I wish I could rip off this facade for everypony to see...but I kept it on...for my ponies…”

For a minute I imagined him hugging me...but I know he can’t….

“Then...Twilight came...I knew for a fact she was the one...the one destined to become Magic. But….with every danger I put her through...with every trial I have her perform...I realize that...I could never keep my mask on for her. She made me happy, giving me hope for the future…”

“Then, Private came. He continued to bring joy to her...but I knew once those two had crossed paths, it would begin. The final battle between those who follow Faust’s light...and those who relish in evil...and those two will be right at the center…”

Tears flowed openly as I quivered out, “What...wha...what should I do…? How can I...after all I’ve done...keep this horrible truth...from a mare I’ve grown to love as one of my own…”

“Papa…” I said weakly.

I looked on at my father’s sleeping face as he slept so soundly on the bed. Life support systems feeding him mana and nutrients keeping him alive….

“Papa...let me hear your voice again...and tell me what I’m doing...is right…”