Dawn's Twilight

Chapters

Chapter 1- The Betrayal and Pain
Chapter 2- Emotions
Chapter 3- Trixie
Chapter 4- Dreams of Heaven
Chapter 5- Hearts of Ponies
Chapter 6- Princess Time
Chapter 7- The Gathering
Chapter 8- Cuddly Surprises

Chapter 1- The Betrayal and Pain

How had everything gone so wrong? Pain filled every inch of Twilight Sparkle’s body, from her horn to her hooves; fiery, needles-drenched-in-lava agony that sent her into screaming hysterics when she dropped her focus for the slightest moment. The lavender alicorn was tied tightly to a tall beam of inscribed oak, her wings bolted into place by iron spikes, cruelly pierced through the shanks; any twitch sent lightning bolts through Twilight’s spines. Her hooves, fore and hind, were shoved into magically heated restraints, the only thing keeping them from destroying the tough appendages being Twilight’s magic. But even then, the Caribou sorcerers surrounding Twilight Sparkle constantly pounded with their oily, slimy magical fields of their own, trying to bring her own down, to continue the torment.

Princess Twilight dared not open her eyes, lest her concentration be interrupted again. The Caribou had managed that once before; Twilight bore a brand across the muzzle, in the shape of a broken lightning bolt and the other of an apple core, that one burned into the soft fur of her chest. She knew very well what they meant, and who surrounded her. She could still hear their pleas, their threats, their cries for Twilight to save herself. She had teleported them all home, but had not been able to do so for herself. The Caribou were quite… frustrated.

“You cannot last forever, pony.”

The voice was deep and smug, just as slimy as the dark stream of magic his antlers gave off, trying to batter away her defenses. Velvet Tongue, the supposed ambassador of the Caribou Nation. The deceitful snake who had orchestrated all of this. How naive Twilight had been, believing the Elements of Harmony would be enough to keep herself and her friends, and the diplomatic party, safe should anything go wrong. Nothing they could do if their Bearers were subjected to poisoned wine, waking up with their necklaces gone and halfway to the Caribou capital, their own bodies chained tightly to posts. But regrets were past, now, no time for present times. Pain took that place.

A stream of magic, feeling all the world like a snapping eel, jerked past one barrier of Twilight’s magic, and she screamed anew, lungs burning and overtaxed as the agony ripped through her with each lash on her stomach. S… l… With a roar of pure, primal rage, dark magic combined with Twilight’s arcane reserves, cutting the magical tie and sending the offending Caribou stumbling away in pain of his own. Twilight hung her head, sobbing weakly, feeling the corruption of the dark entwining as a ring along her horn, joining three others. It felt good… in the way Buck felt good after the needle pushed it into your veins. Good, and sad, and hollow…

“Perhaps another?”

And now Twilight’s screams were joined by another, and her sobs redoubled, knowing the scene that would be playing out. The Caribou had been secretly raiding villages for weeks, and in their fortress deep in the forest, they had dozens of innocent ponies locked up in the same posts that Twilight and her friends had been in. They had pleaded with her, with shattered voices and hollow eyes, to send them away like she had done her friends, but Twilight simply didn’t have the strength for it. She was tapped out.

The voice was young and female, most likely a simple farm filly who had no business enduring this.

“No, please Celestia no, I-I AAAAH!”

Twilight grit her teeth tightly, sure she could feel her bones shifting and cracking in horror. She already knew that begging for the monsters to stop would do nothing but redouble their efforts to penetrate her barrier, and they’d hurt the filly all the more. The Caribou began to chant in their strange, sylibant language, calling out over and over to something called Ash’ei. Twilight’s analytical brain had described it as likely some kind of god, with a symbol of a great, unblinking eye. She knew this because they have burned it against one of her spiked wings, and all those of her diplomatic party and the kidnapped villagers had it on them somewhere. There was a meaty, metallic slice and the filly screamed again as something hit the floor with a dull thud.

The hate began to fill her, even as the Caribou around her began to press the advantage, magic hissing and sparking against the violet barrier. Hate, pushing away the friendship and Harmony that had been her life for so many good, wonderful years among her friends in Ponyville. Hate against the Caribou, hate against this Ash’ei, their reasoning for taking them all. Hate, no matter how illogical, against the ponies that had told them the Caribou were safe, if somewhat fanatical, religious creatures interested in dialogue with Equestria for the first time. She could fell the black tendrils of hate magic sliding up her wings and arms, boiling up towards her sparking horn, ready to blast out and destroy her enemies, to burn the Caribou and tear them apart and-

The ceiling exploded. It was such an unexpected sound that Twilight’s eyes snapped open, bleary from the tightness of her clench. A pink and blue earth pony was hanging in the air, screaming and sobbing, missing a good two quarters of her fluffy pink tail. The oily magical field around her suddenly disappeared with a pop, and a dark blue aura took its place, surging her up into the waiting arms of a comforting Luna, her silver armor and dark fur radiating the brilliant silver of moonlight. But Twilight’s eyes were not focused on her at that moment. She, like the rest of the stunned Caribou and the relieved, sobbing captives, were drawn to the Solar Diarch, floating above them all.

Celestia, Goddess of the Sun, Crown Princess of Equestria, Lady of Warmth, floated on massive white wings, her mane a wreath of flickering, smoldering flames, her eyes burning with the light of her own sun. Her fur, shining with the heart of plasma core, was wrapped in the molten gold armor of her station, a halberd hanging at her side that promised death. When she opened her mouth, the heat and passion of millenia of rule and power raced through the hearts of all, and the Caribou cried out in shock and pain as their antlers burst into flames, melting atop their heads and dripping down to sizzle and cook their fur.

“You dare.”

It was no accusation, but a simple statement of fact. A statement of pure, unbridled, righteous wrath. And with a roar, she descended. The Caribou in a circle around Twilight screamed and cried out for Ash’Ei as a white-hot blade ripped through their bodies, sending them spiraling in mists of flash-fried blood across the torture chamber. Velvet Tongue, acting fast, had doused his burning antlers into a bucket of some kind of dark liquid near the door, teeth gritted in pain. He spun towards Celestia, a beam of oily magic tearing raggedly from his antlers. To Twilight’s horror, it wrapped around Celestia, and her muzzle tightened slightly, golden blood beginning to drip from dozens of cuts that began to open on every inch of exposed flesh. As her blazing eyes turned to him, Velvet let out a wan smile.

“E-even your Goddess can bleed, Twilight Sparkle.”

“SILENCE YOU CURR!”

The fury of a blazing sun roared from Celestia’s very horn, the heat and light keeping Velvet from Twilight’s sight, and she was forced to turn her head. The walls about and around them all trembled and collapsed, but a dark blue aura kept the rubble from crashing down on the trapped ponies. The beam lasted for minutes, the smell of atomized and roasted earth reaching Twilight’s nostrils. And when it finally let up, the Princess of Friendship stared in awe. Velvet Tongue stood in place, his body the glittering clearness of diamond. Celestia strode towards the glimmering, beautiful statue, and with a swipe of her halberd, the diamond shattered into dust itself, lit afire, and drifted off as ash.

And as Celestia quickly turned back to her pupil, Twilight managed to get a glimpse of her eyes, even as the blackness of unconscious and exhaustion gripped her mind. There, in their beautiful, pink depths… was pain.
******************

Luna, Warmistress of Equestra, Keeper of Dreams, Soul of Equestria, scowled darkly as she looked over the remains of the Caribou camp. Her Night Guard had left little to chance; the batpony soldiers and knights had swept in silently, wing-blades slicing necks and spines before sentries could make a sound. Most of the Caribou fit to fight had fallen before the Solar Guard had made their charge, wiping the camp clean. But it was not enough. Tracks heading north spoke of a second caravan, likely having left several days prior. They had not found the Elements of Harmony with Twilight or any of the Caribou, so it was likely that they were with the caravan. And sadly, Luna did not have the pony-power to send a second expedition after them, not without intelligence on numbers and weapons. Intelligence had already cost them too much.

Twilight Sparkle had been badly tortured, that much was true at the smallest glance. Her muzzle, chest, and stomach had been branded, and her wings would take months to properly heal. One ear was tattered, and all four hooves and legs had been severely burned. A dream-meld had shown Luna… horrific things. Things she hadn’t the heart to tell her sister. Celestia was utterly distraught, having not left Twilight’s, nor the other kidnapped ponies, sides since the fight. Their flying frigate would head directly back to Canterlot Castle. Luna, however, had other business first.

“Captain!”

“Mistress?”

The batpony captain Silverwing was never far from hoof, a trait Luna was grateful for on the battlefield, and somewhat annoyed with in her private life. Now however, she was quite grateful as she turned to him. Silverwing floated serenely on the breeze- as serenely as one could look, wings soaked in drying blood, golden eyes locked on his Mistress with reverence.

“I wish a personal guard for myself, and a chariot to head for Cloudsdale. The army will burn down this structure, then march post haste back to Fort Manehatten.”

Silverwing bowed his head obediently, but fixed Luna with a curious glance. She smiled faintly in return. While Celestia preferred quick, snap obedience from her Guard, Luna liked her noble Guards to be curious, if the situation called for it.

“I must speak to Pegasi Intelligence Service. Either there is grave incompetence among their ranks… or we have a leak.”

The Warmistress of Equestria hissed faintly, glaring out at the glimmer of auroras to the north. The Caribou had made a grave mistake, hurting her fellow Princess. They would come to regret it, Luna was quite sure of that.

Author's Note

For anyone who is wondering, this is me taking a shot at the Fall of Equestria tumblr. To put it mildly, I'm not a fan.

Chapter 2- Emotions

For the first time in centuries, Canterlot Castle was quiet, not ringing with the shouts of nobles or the giggles and laughs of touring school foals. As Celestia’s sun shone down on the white marbled spires, the gleams of armor could be seen at every port and window, faces impassive. Only ones familiar with the Guard and their activity would notice the stunned, slightly widened eyes, or the way they kept their spears slightly lowered, balanced to skewer with only a twitch. The sight of the Princess of Friendship and their beloved Solar Diarch had put them all on edge, their loyalty and friendship to both causing even the most disciplined among them utmost anger. Luna heard many prayers for vengeance that night.

During the day, however, Celestia had her own work and prayers to be answered… and she sent quite a few of her own to the Great Sea. Twilight had been taken to the personal medical help of the Princesses: the Royal Medical Service. Healers of the utmost skill, veterans of combat and years in the hospital service, they were always ready for emergency medical work at a moment’s notice, and this was no exception.

“I need three healing crystals, now!” The head doctor, Dr. Jolly Times, snapped tersely to the nurses around, “And bust out that zebra tonic. The green one.”

The nurses moved gracefully, unperturbed by the snappy tone. They all knew Jolly lived up to his namesake… just not in the hospital room. He was hardly a bad doctor, as long as one knew his quirks. The fact that all the nurses were in his herd probably helped with that. With a speed that Celestia was certainly grateful for, the doctors quickly got to work on her young pupil, giving the diarch time to look her over for the thousandth time.

Twilight’s wings were tightly bound in bandages, especially where the pegs had been driven into the meaty muscles. A soft sob broke Celestia’s usual facade, her body shuddering at the pain that must have caused her little Twilight. One of the nurses, Purple Heart, Celestia believed, smiled over at Celestia, leaning over to give her side the gentlest of nuzzles. All of the nurses and doctors of the RMS had seen Celestia at her highest highs and lowest lows: sobbing over Luna after a fearsome battle, or smiling brightly and congratulating one of her maids as they gave birth. They all knew that, behind the crown and regalia was a simple mare, with the same emotions as they, merely stretched over time immemorial.

“T-thank you, Heart,” she breathed, “She-”

“Will be fine, Your Highness,” the unicorn mare replied soothingly, “We have her now, and she’s strong. Easily as strong as Luna was after that debacle with the griffons.”

Celestia’s jaw tensed. That… debacle had nearly brought war to their lands. An assassination attempt on her sister, so soon after coming home… She quickly shook her head, clearing her head of thoughts that might anger her more. None of the healers deserved to see that; they had far more impor-

“P-princess?”

For a pony twice the size of Purple Heart, Celestia beat her there, wings outstretched to stroke and caress Twilight’s cheeks. Her student’s violet eyes were only half-open, the light in them bleary and half-mad.

“I-I’m in… the Summer Fields?” she mumbled blearily, a little giggle rising up after a moment, “I-I knew… knew y-you could come here t-too… y-you’re so beautiful, Princess.”

Celestia could feel her heart breaking, tears threatening to overflow her eyes once again as she nuzzled along Twilight’s fluffy neck. The edge of the broken bolt branded against her muzzle jutted down into the path of Celestia’s nuzzling and, with hardly a thought, her horn blazed brightly, a magical circle forming over the scar. Scars were… difficult to heal, being the physical and emotional manifestations of injuries. And burn scars were doubly so. By the time she had healed even half of the scar, Celestia was panting heavily, head bowed and nestled into Twilight’s mane, deep breaths sucking in and memorizing her scent. Book leather, lavender, the hint of vanilla soap…

“You’re still alive, Little Quill,” she whispered softly, blushing as Twilight’s ear affectionately flicked at the pet name, “You’re at the castle, and we’re taking care of you.”

Twilight blinked back at her slowly, sniffling and seeming to processing this in her addled mind.

“My… f-friends…”

“Are on the next train for Canterlot.”

And at that, she smiled. The deep, broad, adorable smile that Celestia so loved, so cherished, even more so than her collection of works of Starswirl, the old soul. The smile she had burn a Caribou to diamond in order to preserve.

“G-good,” Twilight mewed out, closing her eyes and quivering, “M-mom and… and d-dad?”

Celestia gently settled beside her, blushing as the doctor and his herd darted in to work once more. She managed to duck in, only once, to give Twilight a reassuring nuzzle.

“I sent them a letter,” she replied softly, “Assuring them you were alright. Though I imagine they will be on the first airship home from Stalliongrad.”

And Celestia would have to explain to Twilight Velvet and Night Light why their precious daughter had been thrust into so much danger… again. Every part of the Princess drooped, and she closed her eyes in despair. She had been doing that alot lately, sending her pupil into danger. Nightmare Moon, Discord… During their last meeting, Night Light had made it plain that he wished for Twilight to have guards of her own. If only Celestia had had time… if only she had been more responsible for her student, if-

Twilight gave a small whimper, trembling; she had drifted off while Celestia brooded, and her face was scrunching up, likely from the pain of the doctors working. Regret vanished like the morning mist, and Celestia leaned down to nuzzle Twilight’s ear, ignoring the blush that crept down her long neck. It was not the time, nor the place, for those particular feelings. Twilight needed Celestia the teacher, the second mother. Not Celestia the mare. With a soft croon, she held Twilight as close as she could safely do so, whispering and humming an ancient lullaby to the whimpering mare of her heart, one of her favorites…
********************

Waking up, curled like a filly, in Celestia’s arms was not exactly how Twilight Sparkle expected to wake up that morning. Or… ever again, really. Her whole body ached, especially her hooves and her wings. A tentative twitch sent a lightning bolt of agony through her spine, the pain hissing past her lips. Opening her eyes slowly, Twilight gave her surrounding a sheepish once-over. They were still in the RMS bunks, which she had only just managed to make out during her earlier battle with unconsciousness. The walls were a warm cedar, and she was surprised to see quite a few paintings and pictures of Celestia and Luna, including a few from their foal days, a time so long ago that the picture simply HAD to be an enchantment.

With a soft murmur, Celestia drew Twilight closer to her chest, and the smaller alicorn gave a soft mew as her head was pressed against Celestia’s chest. She was… warm. Like a hearth on a winter’s night, gently kissing the- A deep blush colored her cheek, and she quickly banished the thought to her mind’s moon. Nope, nope. She wasn’t going to open that can of mental worms, not again. Even with the object of an obsession so close… feeling so good… her coat smelling of jasmine and tea, of cold nights curled together with a book, of sleepovers and study sessions and soothing whispers after fights with bullies. The smile on her face reminding Twilight of the night she grew into Celestia’s equal, of her pride in Twilight, and the soaring feeling that had brought Twilight’s soul.

And Twilight began to cry a strange cry, emotionally mixed like an alchemical pot. Sadness, nostalgia, joy, all swirling about in a stew of the mind. Nuzzling against Celestia’s coat, careful of the sharpness of her horn, she closed her eyes again, trembling softly as she hugged her teacher’s barrel as much as she possibly could. Little sobs hiccuped out every moment or so, but she kept it as quiet as she could. She certainly didn’t want to wake Celestia up, she couldn’t let- A slim leg cradled Twilight’s head close to Celestia’s heart, and she didn’t need to see the slim glimmer of pink from her eyes. And so they laid there, Celestia’s hoof gently stroking Twilight’s mane, while Twilight simply relaxed, listening to the thundering of Celestia’s core. Things were emotional and confusing… but they were safe. And for the moment, that was enough.

Author's Note

This one made me cry a bit, I'll admit it. :3

Chapter 3- Trixie

The Great and Very Hungry Trixie sighed heavily as she plodded along the path, grumbling a bit as she struggled to pull her heavy cart-home. She had always had the strength to pull her little hoof-made home before, but a heavy mind made for a weaker body, she had found, time and time again. Her stage show had not gone entirely to plan in Manehatten. A few well-placed hecklers- she was quite certain some of her competition had paid them to show up- had booed and hissed throughout most of her show, ruining the mysterious atmosphere she had painstakingly set up. Even her best illusionary tricks, including a brilliant magical cantrip of a rising moon turning into a star tiger, had done little to repair the mood once damaged. She had only just made enough bits to cover expenses, and a few meals. “Meals” being three apples from a roadside vendor.

“Perhaps I should send another letter to Twilight,” Trixie mused, dropping the third person accent she affected while amongst other ponies, for dramatic effect.

Most of Trixie’s animosity to Twilight Sparkle had drifted away since the unfortunate incident with the Alicorn Amulet. Even the memory of that particular lapse of judgement stung the proud showmare. After being thrown into the Canterlot Dungeons, Trixie had languished in the dark and cold, certain that, at her trial, she would be found guilty and sent to one of the few prisons that Equestria maintained, or at the very least, banished from its borders forever. And Trixie knew, deep down, she deserved it. She had let an obsession consume her life, destroying her reputation and almost all of her bits in order to hurt a mare that had only acted in truth.

So imagine her surprise when a certain purple alicorn appeared in front of Trixie’s cell on her court date… and pardoned her. On the spot, with only one condition: that she would put this revenge obsession behind her, and write to Twilight during her travels. Trixie would have been a foal to toss such a generous offer back at her face, especially since… ahem… she had cried rather heavily at Twilight’s hooves. In gratitude. Ahem.

Up ahead, the path curved into a large, flower-laden meadow, the sky above framing it with a picture-perfect view. A smile broke out on the over-taxed unicorn’s lips. Perhaps it would be a good place for her to set up camp, and get a little painting in. She- A shadow passed overhead; quite a large one in fact. With a soft squeak, Trixie jerked her head up, fear of one of the massive bird hunters from Griffonia bubbling up in her brain. Though attacks in Equestria were rare in the extreme, the massive condors sometimes flew down from the mountains to hunt for easy prey. What greeted her eyes instead was a sleek, dark chariot, two batponies pulling it from the front, while a starry mane whipped back in the wind.

Awe surged through Trixie’s soul, and she couldn’t help but beam, the early events of the day fading away. Princess Luna. Goddess of the Night, Mistress of the Night. In the old days, Trixie would have petitioned the dark princess to be her patron, so that she may have the proper funds and backing to ply her trade. If she could, Trixie would have done so already. Luna was the Mistress of all the old ways of magic; of runes, and illusions aplenty. Studying her history was a hobby of Trixie’s, one she greatly enjoyed doing. And finding old artwork… oh, don’t get her started on-

A metallic gleam blinked into Trixie’s eyes from the meadow, and she blinked at it in surprise, narrowing her eyes. Four tubes, dark in appearance but still somewhat shiny from its metallic surface, jutted up from the flowers. As Trixie watched, a sleek, antlered head rose from its hiding place, peering through a sight. A sight?! Startled, Trixie darted forward, horn glowing as she amplified her voice, mimicking the Royal Voice of the Sisters.

“You there, what in Equestria are you doing!?”

The head, Cervine in appearance, jerked in surprise at the volume of the voice, throwing off his aim; the tubes fired with roar of the sound of cannons, and Trixie gave a cry as explosions went up all around Luna’s chariot. All four of the assassins rose up from the flowers, deadly glares thrown Trixie’s way as she skidded to a stop, heart stopping as she realized just what she had tried to stop: an assassination of one of the Princesses of Equestria. The assassins were all larger than normal Deer, furs ranging from tan to bright white, and all with massive, swept back antler racks. Their barrels were circled by muddy armor plates, and all had began to swing the smaller tubes on their saddles towards Trixie.

“Oh dear,” Trixie whimpered out, horn flashing through a cantrip she had learned as a foal, to taunt bullies, before throwing herself prone.

Light, brighter than a paparazzi's flashbulb, flared in front of the group, and they roared and cried out in pain and shock, rifles echoing with shots and clouds of smoke. The faintest of tugs knocked Trixie’s starry hat to the ground, and she was stunned to see a still-smoking hole through it. The Great and Very Sick-Feeling Trixie whimpered.

“You DARE harm a PRINCESS OF EQUESTRIA!”

Jerking her head up in surprise, Trixie’s heart nearly burst in elation as she saw Princess Luna, her legendary blades gleaming in the light, diving for the Deer-like creatures, eyes bright and deadly. Her chariot stood intact, batpony guards struggling to get out of their harnesses to protect their Mistress. It wasn’t needed. Luna was grace incarnate, and Trixie’s eyes dared not leave her idol as she flowed into battle. The assassins were faster than Trixie gave them credit for, and all seemed to have magic. Fields of magic, hidden before even to Trixie’s unicorn vision, flared to life, oily trails grabbing for axes on their saddles, swinging them up to engage the Lunar Goddess. The first bared his muzzle in a fierce snarl, thundering in an enchanted voice.

“Ash’ei vas-”

His axes shattered on contact with Luna’s blades, which swung on with no slowing of momentum to disconnect his head from his body, blood fountaining up to coat his compatriots. Bile rose in Trixie’s throat, but she watched on, captivated. Landing on two hooves, Luna spun to the closest attacker, plunging her head forehead to bury her razor-sharp horn into his throat, a pained gurgle raising up from what was left of his voice box. With a shudder he fell back, sliding free of Luna’s head-pike.

To Trixie’s mild surprise, she found herself suddenly charging forward, stubby legs thundering across the meadow. Bravery? Maybe. But it seemed far too wrong to leave her Princess fighting alone, even if she did have the upper-hoof and experience. One of the assassins had rushed by to one of the tubes in the ground, using his magic to jam a papery bundle into the mouth while he used his hooves to flip it back towards Luna.

“No!” Trixie shouted in desperation, not knowing if even Luna’s magic could protect her from a cannon blast at such short range, closing her eyes.

Come on, Twilight had shown her how to do this, she HAD to do this, now! With an odd, almost suction-y feel, Trixie disappeared from her spot… and popped back into being with a flash. A good foot in the air above the assassin’s back. With a yelp, she landed, hooves and mouth instinctively grabbing and tugging onto the long fur and mane of the deer-like creature.

“GET OFF!”

The voice was loud and deep, masculine to the point of near-amusement, though amusement was the last emotion on Trixie’s mind at that point. More terror than anything else. Pain erupted on Trixie’s sides, more pain than she had ever before experienced, and she opened her mouth to scream out the agony. Red hot fire rising up her sides, tearing towards her throat, driving the scream out, and causing old instincts to rise up. During the formative years of the unicorn tribes, they were well-known for their art of horn-fencing, which had acted upon the unicorn instinct to gore anything that threatened them at close range. With a primal scream, Trixie darted her head forward, horn slamming through the attackers skull with a sickening crunch. The pain faded instantly, and Trixie was horrified to feel hot liquid running down her head and mingling into her hair, some even running past her eyes.

Frantically shoving with her hooves, the showmare backpedaled off the creature’s back, sobbing out a small denial as she fell to the ground in a heap, completely unmoving. No, no, no. She had… she had murdered a creature? She was just a showmare, not a soldier! What had she done? What would Twilight think, what would Luna…

“Trixie Lulamoon?”

Squeaking a bit, Trixie looked up with bleary eyes, trembling as she found the eyes of the Princess of the Night upon her. The last of the attackers lay dead, his chest and stomach a bloody, gore-drenched mess. With a soft gleam, a magical pentagram ran over Luna’s blades and armor, the blood disappearing with a whim. But Trixie’s eyes only barely noticed this, too consumed by the eyes of her idol. Deep, powerful understanding filled them, along with the ghost of recognition. Taking slow, yet graceful steps, Luna strode over to Trixie… and held out a hoof. And with a heart-wrenching sob, the Great and Soul-torn Trixie threw herself to the ground at Luna’s hooves, trembling and whimpering as the last shred of her innocence floated away on the warm, summer’s breeze.

Author's Note

I know this is a short chapter, but I felt it more appropriate to introduce Trixie this way, with the focus on her, than to add anything else to it.

Chapter 4- Dreams of Heaven

Waking up for Twilight was becoming a line of odd circumstances. Such as now, returning to consciousness, surrounded by… feathers? Warm, fluffy feathers that hummed with power, smelling of peppermint tea and faintly of frosting; that, when Twilight opened her eyes, looked like a beautiful tapestry of thrumming ley lines, journeying down every vein of every feather, culminating in gleaming points of pure mana that nearly left the Element of Magic in a state of awe. It was art in its purest form, sculptured beauty and magic and-

“Twilight?”

A mortified mew bubbled out of the smaller alicorn, and she peered up shakily. Celestia was smiling down at her with what Twilight prayed was fondness; her face, unmarred and perfect, drove Twilight into a small burst of sobs, and Celestia’s wings and forelegs drew her ever closer.

“Twilight, what’s wrong?” Celestia insisted, pink eyes widening slightly in alarm, “Are you in pain?”

Yes. “N-no, it’s just… y-you’re face,” she whimpered out, “H-he was… hurting you, m-making you b-bleed, because of me. J-just like-”

A single feather, that beautiful art, laid across Twilight’s lips and she instantly quieted, terrified of bending or breaking the perfection.

“Don’t, Twilight,” Celestia whispered softly, understanding coloring her gentle voice, “Please, don’t. There was nothing you could have done.”

Pain and guilt, nonetheless, knotted tightly in her chest.

“T-they were praying,” Twilight whimpered out, “To m-me, to you… I-I… I could h-hear them, in my head.”

Those perfect eyes closed, a deep sigh rolling out over her larger barrel. Celestia’s tail, feeling so much like a soft spring breeze, curled around Twilight’s waist, and the younger mare trembled, more than happy to be cocooned so thoroughly by her teacher.

“All alicorns have a divine spark, my poor student,” Celestia whispered faintly, “We hear them all, if we so choose. We cannot answer them all… but we can do our best.”

Twilight’s eyes squeezed tightly shut, tears leaking past in thick rivers, teeth grinding together.

Save my daughter, Princess Sparkle!

Please Princess, not me!

Kill them! Save us!

Some Goddess she was.

“D-did… pl-please, are the Summer F-fields-”

Again the feather descended, and Celestia gave the smallest of smiles.

“Close your eyes, my faithful, faithful Twilight. Let me show you.”
****************

The Summer Fields had long been taught to ponies as a land of eternal sunshine, with fields of gold and silver stretching out as far as the eye could see. Perfect in every way, with no death, disease, or sadness, watched over by the Goddesses and their celestial helpers. And as it turned out, only part of this was true. Twilight and Celestia had a bird’s eye view of the Summer Fields, floating just outside the eyesight of the ponies on the ground. And they were many.

To Twilight’s stunned eyes, she watched as ponies frolicked and played in small villages, huts built among the fields of grass, that were just hundreds of yards away from a fully modern city, one that rang with the sounds of civilization and laughter. Floating above the cities was a massive array of cloud homes and towns, connected by large rainbow bridges; pegasi of every color and hue flew among them, griffons and even dragons sometimes knifing deftly between the buildings, landing among the golden flax.

To the west, Twilight’s eyes widened with awe as the golden fields turned to silver, and the sky seemed split between night and day; a moon, brilliant and far larger than reality, loomed over the peaceful landscape. Telescopes peeked out of the tal grass, and Twilight could see dozens of bonfires, or ponies lounging out, at ease and at peace. In the distance, she could see tall, majestic spires, gleaming platinum in the moonlight, songs of infinite beauty and experience drifting along the pleasant breeze, mingling with the bawdier, livelier songs of the sunlit plains to create a symphony of pure life.

“I-it is real,” Twilight breathed, eyes wide in awe.

“Indeed it is, Twilight.”

Turning about quickly, Twilight squeaked in surprise; tears ran down Celestia’s cheeks, but her smile was radiant, even wistful. Tentatively, Twilight reached out a hoof, only to give a surprised squeak as Celestia’s longer forelegs dragged Twilight to her chest. A pleased quiver arced up her spine as Celestia nuzzled down her back, wings reaching around to stroke her sides with featherlight touches.

“We all come here one day, Twilight. Even those in Tartarus earn redemption. You failed nopony. Never forget that.”
***************

A ghost of a smile remained on Celestia’s lips as she laid Twilight back onto the bed, nuzzling her nose. The little mare was asleep now, a smile warming her lips. Seeing the Summer Fields for the first time had given Celestia good dreams too, all those millenia ago. Hesitating a moment, the Solar Diarch gave a small sigh of regret, sliding off the bed and dragging a comforter up to cover the younger alicorn. As much as she would love to cuddle her student for another day, Celestia simply had to hold Day Court. Too many petitioners would be waiting for her, especially since the return of the captives and the frigate from the borderlands.

With a longing look back at her slumbering friend, Celestia levitated her regalia and crown back to their resting places. They were… heavy. Made of silver and small plates of gold, physically they were quite light, but mentally… Blood sometimes was far heavier than any precious metal. Golden shoes slid onto her hooves next, and her horn flashed through the various cantrips and protective spells she wore every day. She smirked faintly, remembering the litany of curses her new Captain would go through if he had to weave the magic himself- in his mind, of course. Never aloud.

The Day Court was gathered inside the Canterlot Hall when Celestia arrived and, like she feared, it was practically filled to bursting. Murmurs, whispers, even soft prayers filled the hall, and Celestia’s ears very slowly laid back at the tumult. This.. would be a long day, she feared. And sadly, she was right. Pony after pony approached the throne, bowed low, and began to ask her favor. Noble houses, asking for appointments for sons and daughters in the new regiments she would have to raise to fight the Caribou. Farmers and common ponies begging that taxes not be raised, or that they would need royal subsidies in order to expand for the coming influx of soldiers to feed. Dozens of smiths, of engineers, all vying for royal contracts. So much talk of war, it dragged at Celestia’s soul to watch her subjects gather so quickly for war, utterly naive to the reality it would surely bring to them all. Equestria had not warred in an age…

As Day Court reached its middle-mark, a Crystal Pony stepped forward; this had Celestia sit up in curiosity. Rarely did one of her niece’s subjects make the journey for Day Court. Had something happened that the Crystal Court could not handle? Surely Cadence would have-
“Death to false Goddesses!”

The Crystal Pony’s eyes gleamed an oily black, and the illusion split to reveal a pair of rifles strapped to a saddle. Even as Guards surged forward with a shout, and the crowds screamed, Celestia’s stunned eyes peered into those of her assassin. Black eternity looked back.

A triple crack rippled through the halls of Canterlot.

Chapter 5- Hearts of Ponies

There are few things more restful than a good night’s sleep on a very soft, very comfy bed. Getting a good night’s sleep after crying oneself to unconsciousness after killing somepony for the first time was likely one of those few things. Trixie’s hooves jerked a bit as, unlike in her normal cot, wakefulness hit her full in the face, instead of a gradual rise. Pinkish eyes tore themselves open, and the showmare found herself curled up in a gloriously fluffy bed, snow white sheets entwining with her limbs and tail in a vaguely risque way that made her squeak and struggle immediately. Had the Great and Powerful Trixie been captured some nefarious pervert pony who now planned to do terrible, terrible things to the helpless mare? Were the stories about a sexually devious Luna, preying on those innocent of virtue, true?! She was doomed! Her right back hoof slipped loose. ...she was free. Awww.

Blushing at her own subconscious, the Great and Pervy Trixie sat up, giving her new room a curious look over. A second bed sat a few feet away and, judging from its own ruffled appearance, it had recently been slept in as well. Trixie bit her lip nervously, ears slowly laying back. Had Luna sent her along with one of the Guard? ...was she under arrest? Was it against the law to cry on the hooves of a Princess!? She groaned, holding her head between her hooves. Why, why had she screwed up again. Twilight was never going to forgive her for wasting her generous gift. She deserved to-

“Trixie Lulamoon?”

Trixie’s head jerked up… and boy, did she stare. Princess Luna had stepped out of the adjoined bathroom, a towel gripped in a dark blue aura as she carefully dried off her wings. Her mane, a soft blue instead of the usual starry field, hung down in wet ringlets, framing a pair of curious, mirthful eyes. A small smile lifted the corners of the Royal lips.

“Bit for your thoughts?” she asked innocently, and the Greatly Aroused Trixie was wondering just how many cameras this evil game show must have watching her right now.

“I-I um… y-you… we…” Trixie bumbled out for a few moments before forcing herself to relax, drawing in a deep breath and letting it out slowly, “Prin… Princess Luna. I-it’s an honor, my lady.”

“The honor is mine, Trixie Lulamoon,” Luna replied warmly, grinning at what Trixie knew was probably a dumb-founded stare met her look, “I am serious. Princess Sparkle speaks of you often, quite proudly..”

“She’s… proud of me,” Trixie repeated slowly, feeling a bit… numb.

Pain clouded Luna’s gaze for a split moment before being forced aside, but Trixie’s finely honed “audience-spotting” gaze caught it. Something was going on with Twilight. She opened her mouth, determined to ask what was going on- when a hoof knocked firmly at the door.

“Room Service, Princess!”

Luna’s clouded gaze vanished in an instant, horn brightening to yank the door open, revealing a shaky Pegasus waiter, he and his cart flanked by dour Night Guard batponies.

“Huzzah! Our waffles have arrived, Miss Lulamoon!”

Trixie peeked out sheepishly at the group, and she gave an inward groan at the spark of interest in the stallion’s eyes. She knew that look- this story was going to be in the hooves of a reporter the second he could get himself out the door. She could already see the headline: “New Royal Concubine? Who is this Mystery Mare!” She was never going to be allowed to visit the palace again once that aired. The Guard would be far too busy- mmf!

The Great and Stuffed Trixie looked down in shock at the syrup-drizzled waffle stuffed in her muzzle, even as Luna bucked the door closed, a wide smile spreading across her face, eyes twinkling. Trying to save at least a little dignity despite this surprisingly personable and teasing Princess, she bit down into the waffle… and entered heaven. Warm and fluffy, baked just right and filled with little pieces of chocolate, it nearly made the quivery mare groan in an ecstasy usually reserved for private time in the bed.

“Delicious, are they not?” Luna asked cheerfully, levitating the tray over to Trixie’s bed and and flopping down on the fluffy surface, “I have found that the Cloudsdale Maritrot seems to make the best room service food in all of Equestria. Especially waffles.”

Trixie wanted to… squeal? Stare in shock? Staring worked. The Cloudsdale Maritrot? The single most expensive hotel in all of Equestria? She was somewhat surprised to see that the floors and walls were not, indeed, plated with gold. More waffles stuffed themselves into Trixie’s open mouth, and she finally gave an indignant squeak, sulky moving to sit beside the Lunar Princess, munching quietly on her breakfast and trying not to think about Luna’s smile. Totally inappropriate thoughts for a commoner.

“You were very brave, Miss Lulamoon.”

Trixie quickly peered back up, quailing a bit as she found Luna’s eyes meeting her own, warm and comforting.

“Killing is never an easy thing, the first time,” she told Trixie quietly, experience showing in the sad hitch in her voice, “It never should become easy. But you had to do what you did, and I am impressed. Few ponies would have engaged armed foes in so time timely a fashion.”

A small frown wormed onto Trixie’s face, and she studied her hooves sadly.

“The Great- ...Trixie didn’t know what they were going to do, at first,” she explained shyly, “You… you were in danger, Princess. I couldn’t do… well, nothing.”

Trixie shyly ground her hoof into the carpeted floor, enjoying the soft feel on hooves that had felt nothing but rocks and dirt for too long.

“You’re all important,” she trudged on, tail swishing back and forth on the carpet, “Especially… especially to me. I’ve done horrible things… and you all have given me a second chance. I-I’ll never be ungrateful for that. I-”

Slim forelegs wrapped around Trixie’s neck, and the shell-shocked mare found herself hugging Luna, Princess of the Night, and Warmistress of Equestria. What the hell had she eaten last night and why was she having this dream?

“And we are grateful for your faith,” Luna replied softly as she pulled away, shooting Trixie a warm grin, “And for your change. Twilight’s faith was well-founded.”

The remote to the flatscreen on the wall suddenly raised, and Luna’s grin turned cheeky.

“Now come! We have a meeting with Pegasi Intelligence in an hour, and I’d like to catch a little news first.”

Trixie blinked, nodding dumbly as she climbed onto the bed, mind giving a little race. We? They were both going? What in Equestria… The remote clicked out, and the mood of the room changed in an instant, with one look at the wild-eyed reporter staring back at them through the screen.

“ -not sure about the details here in Canterlot, but we have confirmed reports. Shots have been fired in Celestia’s Day Court, with our Crown Princess in session!”

The remote crashed to the ground, sounding all the world like a sky-sailer slamming into the earth.
*******************

The bullets hovered mere inches in front of Celestia’s stunned eyes, still quivering and smoking from their short, violent journey. A deep golden glow surrounded the throne, its divine field mixing and mingling with dozens of other fields from fast-acting unicorns all over the room. Some still stood, panting and shaking. Other were collapsed on the ground, crying or shaking from powerful magical backlash. Celestia’s wards had, in her long, stored life, saved her from everything from dragonfire, flights of arrows, to cannon shot. She had always relied on their aid, even more than her mithril-lined armor plates during war. And the two bullets from the Crystal Pony’s rifles had penetrated them all, and her Guards’, and the unicorns’ of the Court. Pierced all… but Twilight’s. A simple spell, really, but one of the new breed of magic she had been ushering in through her alicorn studies, and one that Celestia had been more than willing to have cast on herself. She was now quite glad that she had.

The would-be assassin lay crumpled in a pool of glittering blood, a bit-sized hole having pierced just below the unicorn’s horn, blowing brain matter out the back of his head. Three Royal Rangers fluttered down from the rafters, their batpony-made invisibility runes switching off.

“Are you alright, Princess?” one, the countersniper, asked worriedly, wincing as the bullets finally dropped, pinging off the marble steps.

“Clear the Court,” Celestia whispered, willing herself to keep her voice calm and collected, “Call in the Solar Guard, and send word to my sister. The castle must be made safe. ...and all Royal Rangers are recalled to protect my chambers once you are finished.”

“At once, my lady.”

If this assassin could get that close Celestia in her own Court, who knew how far they could penetrate the castle itself. And if they found Twilight, wounded and helpless as she was… No. Celestia shook the depressing thought from her mind as she finally sat up from her throne, nodding to her subjects as they filed out, whispers and whimpers reaching her sensitive ears like knife-blows. This wasn’t what her subjects needed to see, not since word of what happened to Princess Sparkle had spread. This wouldn’t put their minds at ease.

Celestia turned away quickly, trotting back for her chambers, trying her best to give polite nods to worried servants and guards alike. Their concern was nice, but she hated to tarnish their rock, their anchor in a world that quickly changing around them. With a warm smile, she gave Peppermint, one of the pages for the kitchens, a gentle nuzzle along her laid back worried ears. The smiles from all her servants warmed Celestia’s heart, and her head rose once more.

The attack had been made to strike fear into pony hearts… and it had failed. And would fail all the more. A slow smile spread across Celestia’s muzzle as ideas began to strike her, and she couldn’t help but let out a sly little smile. Whoever these Caribou and their pony helpers were, they would not win. The spirits of ponies would never falter, and once roused… well, there are only few ways to stop a stampede before it tramples one underhoof.

Chapter 6- Princess Time

The little filly slowly walked towards Twilight, her blue eyes wide and innocent. Dread followed in her wake, and Twilight gave a tiny whimper, backing away on shaking legs.

“P-please…” The Princess whispered, shaking her head slowly, “P-please, I’m s-sorry… I couldn’t…”

“W-why Princess?”

Burns began to cover the filly’s face, and an eye went milky as the brand of an unblinking, glaring eye took its place. She raised her wings, and feathers began to blacken and crumble into dust. She reached out a hoof, and Twilight screamed at the broken, bleeding limb.

“Why didn’t y-you save me too, Princess?”

Twilight was still screaming when she jerked into wakefulness, her bandaged hooves holding her head tightly, eyes wide so they couldn’t see the lurking filly in the darkness of her eyelids.

“I’M SORRY!” Twilight sobbed out, voice hoarse and dry, “Oh Celestia please I’m so-”

Like a sudden blanket of snow on the autumn ground, a pair of white wings embraced Twilight tightly, and she gave the smallest of relieved gasps as she was tugged back into a warm chest. Turning as quickly as she could, Twilight buried her face against the soft fur of her mentor, smaller body shaking as she wailed and begged forgiveness. She had failed. Twilight had failed her friends, she had failed her subjects, and she had failed Celestia. All of this she pleaded to the alicorn of the sun holding her, tears soaking her side, and even this she apologized for. Stress and abuse clustered into one massive cry, and by the time she managed to regain a (shaky) control of herself, Twilight looked an utter mess. So she was quite surprised when Celestia leaned down, tongue gently dragging over the soaked fur of her face.

Where Earth Ponies had massages and spa treatments focusing on hooves, and where Pegasi had preening, Unicorns held fur grooming as its own intimate act. Along with their horn, the fur of a unicorn was unique in its ability to hold onto traces of magic and emotional energy. This kept their bodies fairly sensitive to tactile sensations and, as Twilight could attest, grooming was a uniquely pleasurable experience. Celestia’s firm muzzle carefully nudged Twilight into the crook of her side, followed by a long drag up the surprised alicorn’s side, gathering up the sorrowful energies that had gathered there and flinging them into the aether.

“You did what you had to do, Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia told her firmly, and Twilight gave a tiny mew as Celestia’s pastel-pink eyes gazed warmly into her own, “None can speak ill of what you did.”

Her head darted down, and Twilight gave a shaky ‘aah’ as Celestia’s thick tongue groomed and lapped the fur of her neck, switching around to get both sides, and the sensitive nape. Accumulated guilt was brushed off her shoulders with soft brushes of a goddess’ tongue.

“You made a choice, as do we all,” she whispered softly, “In a situation with no good choices.”

“B-but the foals,” Twilight whispered, plainly imagining each of the screaming foals Velvet Tongue had tortured in front of her, only to toss them aside like trash when they passed out, “H-how could I-”

“Foals or friends, Twilight. There is no good option, and Velvet knew this. He played on that, to do this to you… we will take care of the foals. We will avenge them. It’s all we can do now.”

Finally, Twilight managed to close her eyes, trembling as Celestia’s tongue bathed each of her burned limbs and hooves, the saliva soothing the aching burns, even if just a little.

“I-I want… t-to kill the Caribou,” Twilight whispered, giving a faint sob, “I-it’s not… n-not me. It’s evil, and it’s these… these rings on my h-horn. I-I don’t want to be a m- aaaah…”

Celestia’s magical field was like a warm sauna; tender and all-consuming at once, warm like a summer sun. Around Twilight’s horn, the heat slowly built, and sweat rolled down Twilight’s fur, only to be lapped away by a brush of Celestia’s tongue. With a gasp, Twilight’s head leaned forward as a small pain burned around the bottom of her horn. Pain, but… good pain. A cleansing pain, like drawing the poison from a wound, leaving a pleasant emptiness in its wake. With a soundless pop, the dark magic detached from her horn, and Twilight gave a thankful sob, nuzzling closer to Celestia’s chest.

“You’re a good pony, Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia whispered, a hint of pride in her voice, “Good and strong. We’ll get through this.”

With a lift of her leg, Celestia gently extended Twilight’s wing, leaning down to bury her muzzle into the fluffy down. With millenia of experience on the Solar Diarch’s part, Twilight’s body quivered as Celestia nibbled and tugged each and every feather, horn giving rhythmic flashes as she destroyed those that had been branded and burned by the Caribou. There were still painful spots around her bandaged wings, and tears sprang unbidden to Twilight’s eyes as Celestia worked around them. Surprising herself, Twilight found that she rather enjoyed- indeed, loved- flying. The holes left by the Caribou was rather large, and if she couldn’t fly… if Fluttershy or Rainbow Dash couldn’t…

“M-my f-friends are gonna hate me, C-celestia,” she whispered bleakly, body drooping in her grasp.

“Twilight, darling, we could never hate you.”

Twilight’s head jerked up instantly. Rarity was… dirty. Disheveled, even. Her hair was haphazardly slicked back, and her usually pristine fur was stained with dirt and sweat. Standing beside her with a limping Applejack, supported by a wheelcart around her midsection. She gave Twilight a weary smile, both eyes blackened from the abuse the Caribou had subjected her too before Twilight could teleport them out. Her hat had been replaced as well, but her mane was bunched up inside, instead of letting it hang loose in a ponytail. Twilight must have started to struggle to get to them, because both ponies rushed over to the bed: Rarity wrapped her legs briefly around Twilight’s neck before sitting back on her haunches. Applejack gave a small squeak as a golden glow wrapped around her, unlocking the cart and settling the farmpony on the cushiony bed.

“She’s right, Twi,” AJ managed once she had gathered what was left of her dignity, “Ain’t your fault. Damn- err… sorry, Princess. Darn Caribou tricked us. All of us…”

She sighed heavily, rubbing the back of her head.

“W-where’re… where are the o-others, guys?” Twilight asked softly, biting her lip worriedly, “A-are they o-okay?”

The two ponies exchanged sheepish looks.

“We maaay-”

“Kinda.”

“Had to knock RD out.”

“For her own good, of course. She had to see a doctor!”

A soft chuckle from behind made Twilight turn around, a blush coloring her cheeks; Celestia was smiling down at her warmly, a twinkle in her eyes.

“We’ll continue our session later, Twilight. Come, let’s get to Rainbow Dash before she attacks my medical staff.”

Chapter 7- The Gathering

Trixie let out a loud oof as she and Luna teleported into Princess Celestia’s chambers: the later with a prim grace belying her anxiety, while the former hit the ground at a roll, coming to a rest on the carpeted ground face-first, hind hooves wiggling in the air.

“Ow,” the Great and Humiliated Trixie mumbled half-heartedly, struggling back to her hooves.

Only to fall instantly to her stomach in terror as four brightly armored Solar Guards slammed their way through the door, muskets lowered and horns gleaming with bright light. Numbly, the faint idea of being skewered by one crossed Trixie’s mind, and she shuddered in intense fear, and not a little nausea. Thankfully, being with the Princess of the Night seemed to have its advantages, as the alert guards quickly bowed, the relief on their faces palpable.

“Prin-”

“Stay thy petty words, Captain!” Luna snapped tensely, breaths coming in panicked snorts, “Where is my Sister? Has she been wounded?”

The Guard Captain seemed to take the snap in stride, even smiling a bit as he bowed again.

“Her Majesty was unharmed, and the assassin was slain by one of your Rangers, my Princess,” he replied quickly, stepping out of the way of the door, “She is in the Royal Medical Chambers with Princess Sparkle and her friends.”

He had barely finished the sentence before Luna strode past, Trixie giving a small squeak as one of the Guard’s wings snapped out to block her path… and squeaked again when Luna flash-teleported her to the Royal’s side.

“She is with me,” Luna snapped simply, and Trixie couldn’t help but smile.

Friends with two Princesses? She could roll with that. As they walked through the Castle, Trixie noticed nervously that it all had a very tense air to it. Batponies fluttered in the rafters, and the pricks and ripples of wards could be felt all around. Peering down one hall, Trixie was momentarily stunned by a phalanx of zebra in bronze and red-painted armor and curved blades marching out of a glimmering portal, joining delegations of several other races: Dragons in pony disguise, dour Buffaloe, worried Deer, and whispering Griffons. What in all of Equestria was going on?

They found Celestia in the Royal Medical Chambers as promised, standing watch with a sad little smile over a group of ponies. It took Trixie a moment to recognize them, and what she saw shocked the showmare to her core. Rainbow Dash, the passionate, fiery member of the friends, was sobbing openly into Twilight’s chest, one hoof weakly pounding against her chest, hardly hard enough to cause any damage at all.

“D-don’t you… e-ever bucking do that a-again, damnit,” she was whimpering, glaring half-heartedly at Twilight through black, swollen eyes, “D-don’t you d-dare sacrifice yourself f-for us. W-we all go down t-together, or c-come out together! Do you got me? DO YOU-”

Twilight Sparkle, her muzzle and chest burned with odd, grotesque designs and looking far thinner than last she saw her, lunged forward to pull Rainbow Dash into a fierce hug, giving a few sobs herself. The emotional level of the room was high, and Trixie could see that none of Twilight’s friends looked very well-off. Fluttershy was stretched out on a cot, trembling and crying softly, wings wrapped in bandages and stained a deep red in several circular pieces. Pinkie Pie, her insane hairstyle far tamer and straighter than normal, was settled beside her crying friend, forelegs wrapped around her waist in a tight hug. Rarity, her mane unkempt for once, had her head bowed, lips moving in what seemed a prayer. Applejack, her back legs supported by a sturdy wheelcart, stood as a silent vigil over all her friends, baleful glare the only thing keeping the nervous doctor and his nurses away.

“W-who… did this?” Trixie whispered faintly, almost surprised to find herself shaking as she sat back on her haunches, unable to tear her eyes away from the scene.

“Caribou,” Luna hissed, voice sharper than any blade could ever be.
*********************

From the United Equestrian Times.

From the lips of our beloved Diarchs, Celestia and Luna, Princesses of Equestria. On this day, the Caribou Nation of the northern frost wastes have declared unprovoked war on the ponies of Equestria; the ponies of the Crystal Empire; the ponies and our zebra cousins of Zebrica; the dragons of our illustrious allies, the Dragon Duchies; the ponies and buffalo of the United Buffalo Tribes, and the sorrowful deer and ponies of the Cervine Nation.With the shattering of the peace by the despicable attack on our Princess Twilight Sparkle, the Elements of Harmony, and her entourage, they have shown all ponies that they are cowards. With the attempted, and utterly failed assassination attempts on our crowns that left all assassins slain, they have shown their weakness. Today, our readers, we have been challenged and, as loathe as we are to commit ourselves to a cause that requires death, are we going to show weakness in return? No. This writer says no; we will not show weakness. We will band together, we will unite, and we will punish the foul currs that DARE harm a hair on the manes of our Diarchs!
For Equestria!
For Princess Sparkle!
For Golden Quill, Royal Diplomat
For Little Blossom, foal and farmpony of Heldon’s Crossing
For all those who have, and will fall, in this struggle!
****************

From the Desk of Princess Luna Aetherias Celene, Warmistress of Equestria

From this day forth, the Office of Sky-Sailing will be accepting applications for positions of war in our expanding fleet. Pay is four hundred bits per term of service, along with any spoils of war acquired. What may not be considered spoils will be discussed by recruiters.
Our nation, now more than ever, needs capable and hearty ponies to defend Her. We will show these Caribou whom they have messed with.
*******************

From the Desk of Princess Twilight Sparkle
I am immensely proud to welcome the opening of the Sparkle School for Talented Ponies in Ponyville. For a long time I have planned and studied for when this School could be opened, to reach ponies of all tribes and all ages. Magic flows through us all, and it is only through capable study that will discover what makes us all special. For as ponies, we are special. Each and every one of us will have a cutie mark, but more than that, we have a spark of life, of passion, of creation, of… magic. And that is something no enemy can take away from us.
Enrollment starts June 13th.

Author's Note

So it begins.

Chapter 8- Cuddly Surprises

Two months later…

Celestia gave an amused smile as she stepped through the hidden book-case portal, finding herself in the middle of Twilight’s stacked library. Literally stacked. Scrolls and bookcases were settled into towering, yet neat, stacks that rose nearly to the ceiling, and Celestia had to work fairly extensively in order to navigate the labyrinth of knowledge to reach the prize at the center: Twilight Sparkle. The little alicorn was hunched over her well-used writing desk, horn glowing a soft violet as she scratched out line after line with a worn quill, oblivious to the world. Oblivious till said world decided to give an ear a gentle nibble.

“Y-yah!”

Twilight whipped around, horn glowing with a defensive spell, though it died when she recognized the smiling white mare. She immediately leaned against Celestia’s chest, giving a soft purr when the Diarch’s wings enclosed her in their fluffy embrace. A soft blush infused Celestia’s cheeks as she looked her former student over from such an intimate vantage point, gently tracing a feather down her spine. She allowed her eyes to flick to their unicorn-like magical sight; Twilight’s ley lines were far stronger than when she had been rescued, looking all the world like rivers of light that branched off at her core. Rivulets spread down to her wings, pooling into each wing and forming the beautiful flight arrays of her pegasi limbs. Thick rivers ran into each leg, directly connected to her sun-bright horn. A few dull spots echoed from her student: the brands on her face and chest being the most prominent, but even with them, Twilight’s body was a work of art to the Diarch.

“Excited about the ceremony, Twilight?” she asked the cooing mare, grinning as she dragged her tongue up the nape of her neck, banishing a bit of nervous energy, “Ponies have been gathering at the new school grounds for days. Equestria’s excited.”

“I-I’m more nervous than anything,” Twilight muttered softly, sighing and stretching a bit as Celestia’s tongue groomed her neck and ears, “I’m n-not sure what I can s-say, or do. Or if the Caribou will try anything.”

Luna’s Night Guard and a new, highly motivated Equestrian Intelligence Service had been working overtime since the attempted assassination, tracking down Caribou saboteurs and pony infiltrators all across the allied nations. Many had been routed out and dealt with- the Canterlot dungeons were filled with ponies under rehabilitation, and Caribou… well, there were quite a few unmarked graves- but Luna was sure there were more they could not find. And the abject refusal of the Griffon Empire to allow Night Guard in their borders had not helped matters, though Celestia could hardly blame them, giving it some thought after she had received their missive. Batponies were signs of doom in the Griffon religion, if she recalled.

“The Guards are on high alert,” she whispered soothingly to an ever-drooping Twilight, “And the Knights are roused. The Air Navy patrols our borders, and the Rangers are certain the area around the new School is clear of saboteurs. Nothing can get in or out without us knowing about it.”

Celestia smiled as Twilight peered back at her with hopeful eyes. The Solar Diarch couldn’t blame Twilight for her hesitance. Before the Caribou, her confidence in her Princess skills were meager at best. Now… A faint knock at the door made Celestia glance up in surprise, giving Twilight a curious look. One that blossomed into a small smile as Twilight’s face flushed a bit.

“T-that’s probably Rainbow Dash,” she mumbled into Celestia’s silky fur, muzzle twisting into a smile, “Our r-reading time. She uh… she l-likes to check up on me.”

Did she now? Hrm. A small smile rose on Celestia’s muzzle. Rainbow Dash was a loyal pony and, as Twilight’s reports had always attested, a very smart pony, when she applied herself. She would have to watch this one, definitely. Her horn glowing a light gold, the door opened with a small squeak, revealing a surprised Rainbow Dash, her hoof raised to knock again. The young pony still was battered and bruised, her black eyes hidden behind a pair of sunglasses, and her wings only recently unwrapped, feathers still growing in circles from the Caribou’s pegs.

“O-oh! Twilight… uh… h-hi, Princess Celestia,” she managed shakily, a small smile gracing a still-bruised, slim muzzle, “I-I’ll go, sorry to-”

Celestia was already starting to speak, feeling Twilight beginning to tense up beside her at the idea that Rainbow Dash was leaving.

“No, no, Dash,” she interrupted quickly, smiling invitingly and opening a wing, “Come… it’s quite alright.”

*************************

Rainbow Dash, the supposed “coolest pony in Equestria,” gaped up at Celestia and Twilight like a slack-jawed idiot. Mostly because she felt like a slack-jawed idiot. She had totally forgotten that today was Twilight’s opening speech for the School; which was stupid, really. Twilight had been worrying about it all week! But… Rainbow had just wanted to… see her. A twinge of sadness bloomed in Rainbow’s chest. Sadness, guilt… And now she was intruding. There was no way either Princess could really want to-

“R-rainbow?” Twilight whispered, half-hidden by Celestia’s larger frame, voice filled with nervousness and pleading, “W-would you… I m-mean… I-”

Rainbow’s hooves had been moving at the first word, blushing furiously as she scurried over to the cuddling princesses. Celestia was smiling down at her, and Rainbow could practically feel the heat radiating from her blush as Celestia’s wing gently guided her into the crook of her side, where a tiny ball of purple fur and feathers awaited. Twilight looked… scared. Her violet eyes were gazing up at Rainbow Dash with a mix of nervousness and pleading; the broken lightning was still visible through the silky soft fur of her snout, and it cut like a knife into Rainbow’s heart. The Caribou did that because they thought they broke her. Because Rainbow had sobbed and pleaded for them to stop, because she was weak, and-

White wings and purple wings drew Rainbow down before she could protest, and her eyes widened at the sheer warmth, the utter need and trembling mewls from Twilight, the acceptance and understanding from the Sun Princess cuddling them both. Closing her eyes, Rainbow Dash buried her nose into Twilight’s mane, licking slowly at the fur beneath. She didn’t know the finer points of grooming, but Rarity had always talked about it being awesome, and other unicorns liked it, so… She nuzzled further into her fur, slowly drawing her tongue along Twilight’s shoulder-fur. It didn’t taste… bad. Actually rather tingly, like static from a thunderhead when one dives through it. Rainbow’s wings slowly extended, and the pegasus stiffened in surprise when another muzzle moved to bury itself into her well-tended, if still healing, down.

Rainbow Dash peered back in awe, watching with wide, magenta-tinged eyes as Celestia, the Princess of all Equestria, proceeded to preen her wings. She was experienced, and gentle, each lick and tug sending a shudder of pleasure through the young pony. A tongue, delicate and white-hot, traced around each of the old wounds on her wings, a warmth trailing behind the appendage. A foreleg gently wrapped around her waist, and Celestia’s lips kissed a small line down her shank. The slow and tender preening was one of the best Rainbow Dash had ever received.

“W-what about… t-the speech?” Rainbow mumbled sleepily, a goofy smile splaying out along with her ears.

Celestia only chuckled, smoothing out the last of Rainbow’s feathers before turning to begin grooming her ears and the nape of her slender neck.

“We can be a little late.”
****************

The Great and Rather Astonished Trixie smiled cheerfully as she trotted down the path towards the Sparkle School; as Luna’s apprentice, she would be getting a front row seat to the commencement speech and, hopefully, time to work alongside Luna, creating the first runes to go on the building’s exterior. To put her name down in history! The last two months had been amazing for the former showmare. After returning to Canterlot with Princess Luna, Trixie had been accepted into the nobility by all three Princesses, her family’s name restored, though few were left alive among them to really appreciate that. Luna had taken her on as an apprentice, teaching her the old Runes and the more ancient forms of magic Luna had pioneered and learn centuries before. It was exciting work, and Trixie was proud to be apart of it.

But the single most important thing to occur for Trixie had happened on that first night. When she had approached the injured, moroseful ponies, Twilight Sparkle’s friends, Trixie had done the one thing that came naturally. She put on a show. A good show, too, not like the high-and-mighty ones she had plied before at Ponyville. Instead, she was there to lift the spirits, not her own ego. Clouds of sparkling bunnies and butterflies had brought a smile to Fluttershy’s face, while an apple shimmering into a thousand golden bits made Applejack crack a smile across her own stony face. Rainbow and Twilight’s tears were dried by magical doves, and Rarity had been stunned by a horde of shimmering, dancing cats that had climbed onto the ceiling. It had been silly, amusing… and completely what the girls needed.

Forgiveness. The concept made Trixie shiver in delight. Finally, the ponies she had wronged most, twice over, had forgiven her of her past deeds. Trixie didn't deserve it. She knew that better than anypony, but that wasn't to say she wouldn't have wanted it. And to receive it… It nearly brought tears to her eyes. Nearly, of course. The Great and Powerful Trixie couldn't be seen crying, or have red eyes when she rose to the stands along with her Mistress. That’d be wrong.

“Excuse me, miss?”

The tone was friendly and questioning. Most likely a lost pony heading for the Sparkle School herself. So the Lunar Apprentice had a smile on her face when she turned… and met a rock hard hoof slamming into the side of her head.

Author's Note

Uh-oh