The sounds of hoof steps and claws hitting stone bounced off the cavern walls as we ran towards Canterlot. Everypony ran as hard as they could, the torches on the walls fading from a menacing orange to a magnificent blue. This signaled to us that we were entering Canterlot. I turned around to make sure that we weren't being followed before following the guards through the doorway that lead to Canterlot Castle. The sight that fell before me tore me apart; refugees of Ponyville lined the streets, looks of terror and uncertainty on their faces. Mothers and fathers holding their foals as they looked at the smoke billowing up from Ponyville.

My vision started to blur when I saw Eclipse speaking to a young mare Thestral holding a newborn foal, holding a Pegasus doll with Hawk's cutie mark stitched to its flank. As we made our way closer to the castle I noticed more and more ponies started to crowd the streets, murmurs of confusion and peaked interests. One particular noble came next to me and started speaking, "What's going on here, Legionnaire, first the Princesses come here looking like they've seen the ghost of Tirek, then refugees from Ponyville, and now you're here with fewer guards than they left with."

"I understand your concern, Fancy Pants, but I fear this is a matter that must be discussed with the princesses first before we let everypony know what's happened." I got a nod of understanding before he spoke back.

"I understand, politics was never my favorite thing to discuss, and same goes for gossip if there is anything I can do to help."

"See to the refugees. They all lost a lot tonight, and the road to recovery is going to be long. Anything to make their lives a bit easier will greatly be appreciated." I turned to look at him and was met with a kind smile and an even kinder heart.

"Of course, Sir, my wife and I shall be glad to help. I also know Mr. Hoity, and Mrs. Finish will be more than glad to help, as well as a few more nobles. We'll cover their living costs for as long as needed."

"I wish all nobles were as honorable as you, Fancy, since I know you are doing this from kindness and not personal gain. I'll be sure to let the Princesses know. Thank you." As I bowed my head to him he raised a hoof up and shook his head with a grin.

"No thanks are necessary, I'm just doing what my heart is telling me." With that said he turned and started off towards the refugees.

Canterlot castle was bustling with ponies of all parts of the social spectrum, nobles and towns ponies alike were gathering around the main gate trying to get information on what had happened in Ponyville. Some of the guards were standing in front of the gate, reassuring ponies that the princesses would make a public address once the situation was under control and that the ponies in Ponyville were safely relocated. Inside wasn't doing any better. Ponies were running around all over the place as medics tended the wounded, guards moving to assist the ponies from Ponyville, maids, and butlers seeing to the needs of everypony in the castle. After seeing my charges off to the medics, my eyes scanned the throne room for any sign of my small herd. A sigh of relief escaped my lungs when I heard the sound of Ruby's voice over the constant drone of voices in the large room.

"Please form an orderly line! We have plenty of food, water, and beds for everypony, but it'll take longer to... Hey, no cutting!" She pointed towards a dark gray pegasus stallion who sheepishly grinned as he backed from the line. "As I was saying, we will get things passed out faster so long as this line stays neat and orderly!" My attention briefly turned towards the large line of Ponyvillian refugees that seemed to wind around the throne room. "DADDY!" My attention was brought back to Ruby as she sprinted towards me. I started to run through the crowd as Ruby started to visibly start crying when she drew closer, completely sobbing as we embraced each other. I wrapped my wings around her, softly saying calming words as I ran a claw through her mane.

"Calm down, Sweetheart, I'm here. Everything is going to be okay." Her sobbing slowed to simple hiccups after a few minutes. When she was finally finished she resolved to nuzzle into my side like she did as a filly. My wings tightened around her as I reassured her. "Where's everypony else? Are they still safe?" A silent nod was my answer. Releasing the breath I was holding, I proceeded to ask if she knew where they were.

"Moms with Aunt Celestia and Aunt Twilight... Jitter.... She's... She's..." She started to lightly sob at the mentioning of Jitter. After a reassuring nuzzle from me, she resumed speaking, "She collapsed as soon as we made it to the castle. The medics have her in the Critical Care Wing. I'm so scared to lose her, Daddy."

"I know, Sweetheart, and I am sorry for putting you through this. Had I known this would happen..."

"We both knew the risks." Ruby interrupted before I could finish, "It comes with being in the Guard. I just wish I could do more for her, it hurt so much seeing her like that, that I couldn't stand it. That's why I'm out here, instead of with her." She turned towards me and looked into my eyes, sorrow, and fear prominent in them. "Does that make me a bad marefriend?"

It does not matter what you do, Ruby, as long as you know in your heart that you love her." Ruby smiled as I spoke, not noticing that we were making our way to the Critical Care Wing. I constantly had to remind myself that I had to be there for my filly, no matter how much I wanted to ensure Jitter's safety. "Also, as the daughter of Luna, you need to be strong for everypony, even if your head says otherwise. Right now yourself, Twilight, Luna, and Celestia are the rays of hope that these ponies need. Ah, here we are." Ruby looked forward in confusion before turning to me with her ears pinned back. The CCW housed the more severely injured guards both from the scouting group and from the defense we held. One of the medics gave us a knowing smile as she pointed us in the direction of Jitter's room.

"Midnight, you have some visitors." The medic gave a knock on the door to the small room, aside from the various I.V tubes attached to her, you would never guess she had been in a battle. The healing cycle of Changelings never ceased to amaze me. Ruby slowly made her way over to Jitter's side, nuzzling into the the crook of Jitter's neck, earning her a soft purr of affection from the Changeling. The disguised Changeling ran a hoof through Ruby's mane, smiling at her while carefully wrapping a wing around the white hybrid.

"Any news from the doctor?" Ruby softly spoke, making eye contact with her lover.

"Just some serious exhaustion, to put it bluntly, nothing to be worried about." Jitter's reassuring voiced did little to sooth Ruby as she started to sob again.

"There is too something to worry about. If... if something were to have happened to you..."

Jitter chuckled as she booped Ruby's nose, "You silly little filly, it's my job to be the protective one remember? Besides it was worthy it so long as you're all safe."

"But that doesn't mean that you ca-Haah." The rest of Ruby's sentence was cut short from a nibble to her right ear, The bitter's eyes were closed but her facial features did little to hide the smile she had. Ruby's face, however, proceeded to change from her marvelous white to a shade of red to give her mane a run for it's money. While she didn't fight to get her ear away from its captor, she did shuffle her hind legs just enough for me to know that this was a big turn on for her. Of course the sweet aroma that filled my nostrils as I watched Jitter go from one ear to the other then moving to her neck started filling my head with thoughts of R-

"GAH!" I shook my head of the thoughts, and proceeded to exit the room with tremendous speed when Ruby released a particularly loud moan. "I'll be back," I said to no pony in particular as I closed the door and made my way awkwardly towards the throne room, running into a wall after an image of Jitter and Ruby popped in my head again.

Author's Note

Another chapter down and several more to go. As you may have noticed, the rating has changed, primarily because of a scene I have planned. For those of you who are interested I have been contemplating on writing a one off with Jitter and Ruby, let me know what you think. And sorry again for the time it's taking me to update, I greatly appreciate your patience and support.