Huntress of the night

by MidnightFMare

Rating: mature
Tags: Adventure, Princess Luna, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Alternate Universe, Rarity, Other, Prince Blueblood, Spike
Length: 45326

Rarity is many things. Fashionable, fussy, and fabulous. But she is also deadly. Chosen and trained by Princess Luna, she protects the world from those who'd wish it ruined. But her life is going to become further complicated by her "Normal life"

Rarity is many things. Fashionable, fussy, and fabulous.

But she is also deadly.

Chosen and trained by Princess Luna, she protects the world from those who'd wish it ruined.

But her life is going to become further complicated by her "Normal life"

Events are moving faster than they do in the show.

Inspired by the cover art and way too much rock and roll during the late hours of the night.

Published 2015-06-27 18:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-01-17 18:58:18 UTC

Epilogue

2 years ago, The Grand Galloping Gala

Rarity sat alone, far away from the Gala "Stupid prince... what a... a..."

"Misogynistic, thick-headed chauvinist in addition to being a complete and utter boor?" Blueblood asked, sitting a few feet back.

"Yes, thank you Prince Blueblood... wait-" she turned around "What do you want?"

"To be honest? I want to apologize for my behavior. My employer saw something in you that might allow you to work for her. I was told to do my best at acting like a noble but unfortunately... I think I did it too well."

Rarity snorted "Why act? It's obviously what you really are."

Blueblood sighed "By Luna's mane, do all you ponies have selective hearing? I'm not really a jerk, I was acting. I just wanted to apologize and tell you that if you harbor me any ill will, take it up with my boss."

Rarity turned "Who is this 'Boss' that you keep on talking about?"

"That would be us Dear Rarity Belle"

Whipping her head around, Rarity came muzzle-to-muzzle with Princess Luna herself "P-Princess Luna!"

"Blueblood, why do ponies shout our name and bow when they see us? It is wreaking havoc upon mine ears." Luna asked, cocking her head.

"I believe it comes with the title and station m'lady."

Luna nodded "Dear Rarity, t'was we whom asked Blueblood to act in such a way. As he said, if you bear any ill will towards him, kindly transfer it to us. We were testing thy resolve and will. Thou wouldst make a great huntress."

Rarity stared up at Luna "'Huntress'? I am afraid I haven't the slightest clue what you are talking about."

Luna exhaled "To put it in simple terms, you will be ensuring the safety of Equestria with your cunning mind and physical prowess. It is not a public position to be flaunted like a badge; mind thee, but with it comes lavish payment and equal danger. We hath watched thee since we met briefly after you and thy friends freed me from the Nightmare. You desire adventure, we can give it to you... on the condition that you never tell any of your friends about it... except for the young drakeling, we feel that he is capable of keeping thy secret but may also be a boon or a hindrance should you choose to enlighten him... the choice is ultimately up to thee. Our offer lasts until the sunset on the morrow. Come Blueblood, we have much work to do."

Blueblood nodded and follows, mouthing an apology.

Rarity blinked "What the hay just happened?"

Having arrived home from the gala, Rarity sighs and makes her way to bed "What a horrible night... first my prince charming isn't so charming and then Princess Luna..." she shivered at the memory.

Banishing such thoughts from her head, Rarity slept a dreamless sleep.

The next morning, she is completing an order when somebody knocked on the door "Comi~ing!"

Opening the door, Rarity's professional smile droped "Oh, it's you."

Blueblood bowed his head "Yes... hello Madame Belle."

Rolling her eyes, she motioned for Blueblood to enter "Unless you have an order to place, I must ask that you leave."

Blueblood frowned "I'm sensing you're still quite cross with me for lying..."

"What ever gave you that idea?" she scoffed, flipping her mane.

Blueblood swallowed "I'm here to tell you what being a huntress means. I'm not supposed to, but I believe that you must make an informed decision when sunset comes."

Rarity sighed and points to a chair "Fine, but make it quick, I have work I need to do."

Taking his seat, Blueblood clears his throat "A huntress is an individual charged with removing threats against the crown, society itself, and eliminating natural threats towards the lives of ponies. You will work under Princess Luna directly and take orders from her. This is a secret occupation and you must be discreet in your actions. The pay is base 2500 bits a mission with bonuses for stealth and how quickly you complete them."

Rarity stared at him "That sounds like being a mercenary for Princess Luna"

"In a sense, it is exactly that. And as with being a mercenary, it carries a number of dangerous situations. Should you choose to accept, you will be trained to better allow you to fight and adapt. Refuse it and you will hear from us no longer on the matter." he sighed "To be honest, I don't think a proper mare such as yourself should get involved in this. I've said my peace, the choice is up to you. May we meet again on more... agreeable terms" he bowed and walked out the door.

Rarity sat stone still, letting Blueblood's words sink in "Well... now I'm not going to do it."

Sweetie Belle skipped in, a rope in her mouth "Hi sish!"

"Sweetie... why is there a rope in your mouth?"

"Me an' the ozer crushadersh caught a manticore outshide zhe evahfwee! I'm whatchin' it firhst!" Sweetie responded, pulling a caged manticore through the door.

"... Sweetie, what have I told you about bringing animals into the house?"

Sweetie paused and puts a hoof to her chin "Well... mahke shure zhat it doesn't mesh wif Opal... an' dohn't mahke a mesh?"

Rarity nodded "That's pets, Sweetie. Don't bring any animals into the house that haven't been cleared by Fluttershy... take it back please."

"Ohkay!" Sweetie cheered, pulling the cage back out the door.

Rarity rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache forming "I worry about her sometimes..."

Rarity turned her sign to "Closed" and sighs "Well, I guess Blueblood told Princess Luna my decision."

"He did not, what is thy decision?"

Rarity jumped with an unladylike squeak "P-princess Luna! D-don't sneak up on me like that please!"

Luna shrugged "We apologize. What is thy decision? Do you accept our proposition?"

Rarity shuffles to regain her composure "I have decided to not accept. Not only does it seem dangerous, but I have my boutique to keep me occupied. I hope that my decision won't sour our friendship."

Luna nodded, seeming to contemplate Rarity's words "Understood. But... we cannot help but wonder how long your boutique will last. You chose a poor place to set up your shop, a small town where hardly anypony wears clothes all year. Not only that, but whilst you have a number of gems and the like from the local fields, the inherent impurities and flaws within such make them quite... worthless to sell or trade." to prove her point, she levitates a sapphire and shines a light through it "They look decent on dresses, but otherwise do nothing to enhance the value of the dress itself. You have the backing of the novue riche Fancy pants, continued patronage with both Sapphire Shores and a positive critique from Hoity Toity, but you cannot rely on those three to assist in keeping thy business afloat."

Rarity gritted her teeth "I do not rely solely on them! They just assist in getting my name out there, spreading good press about my work! They are friends, and very dear ones at that. I must ask that you cease critiqueing my life decisions or I will remove you myself!"

Luna walked over and stares down at Rarity "And how do you plan to accomplish such? I am a master at combat, magic, and strategy. And whilst not in my right mind, I did train and hone said qualities for a millennium. Should I so choose, I could easily overpower each of your friends all at once on the physical battlefield, and wreak unimaginable terror on the mental and psychic plains as well. But I will not for a multitude of reasons. I owe you and your friends a debt of gratitude for freeing me as well as becoming my friends, and even in the old days, you did not hurt your friends unless it was to their benefit." Luna's eyes turned a cold, icy blue "So, before you even attempt to challenge me, I must warn you that unlike my sister, I have the capability to not feel remorse for taking the life of another and did so many times in battle. You are strong for a mortal pony, yes, but remember, I am not like you."

Rarity shivered under Luna's gaze but steels her will "I am not afraid of you or your nightmares, Princess Luna. Strong you may be, I am not without my strengths either."

Luna snorted "I can read your thoughts, your dreams, and your body language. I can see every synapse sparking in your head, I can hear every thought and impulse long before your frontal lobe can process it into an idea. When you challenge me, you challenge somepony who can see your every action long before you even attempt to do them. The mind and body are my domain, Ms. Belle, but I am not without a spark of mercy. Try again."

Rarity suppressed a shiver "Oh really? I know how to fend of such warfare, Princess Luna. I just have to strike first and without thought. Find out your weaknesses and exploit them. That's how ladies fight, and that is how your confidence will be your downfall."

Luna grinned "But you forget, I am not a lady, I am a demi-goddess. Take a look at my mane, see the stars?"

Rarity nodded, confused.

Luna reached into her mane and pulled out a single star "These are actual stars, too small to host planets. but still very hot. White dwarfs to be precise, so called because of their size and heat. They are white-hot and should I flick it at your forehead, it will burn a hole right through your head. It might not kill you, but it will leave you a vegetable. And should I will it, I can turn them into black holes or stars the size of buildings that will burn and consume everything with a nuclear explosion contained only by my will." she smirked "My sister may control one yellow star, but I control countless white stars. She has the biggest, I have the most. She pushes the light, I MAKE it. Try again."

Rarity exhaled "That is all well and good, but it lacks the finesse and beauty one such as yourself should possess. Surely that must be a sore spot for you"

Luna chuckled "I abhor such ideas as 'Finesse', 'Manners' and other backwards customs. I writhe in my seat drinking watery teas and eating sweets daintily. I wish to chug coffee by the gallon, tear through rationed, high energy foods so that I can return to more important matters. My sister is a complacent, smiling face for her 'Little ponies', but as for myself, I prefer to make myself as common and mundane as I can, I do not live in the castle, I live in the slum districts, among those whom have nothing but dwindling hope."

Her gaze softened, but only for a moment "Those are my subjects, the lost, the forlorn, the mad, the hated, the outcasts that don't conform to my sister's idea of Status Quo. She has grown content on her peaceful throne, and I am the only one who is doing something about the problems we face. I asked you because I saw something familiar in you, a spark of madness, the desire to create change that will shake the world to its very core. And while I would love to be the huntress, I cannot because even now my sister deems my decisions foolish."

Luna growled, baring her teeth " So if not you, I will search for another, one without the concept of mercy, an unstable vagabond whom has nothing to lose. Maybe your friend Rainbow Dash..." Luna's eyes turn to dark teal slits "Or your sister, she has no concept of fear and is so young that I can sculpt her into the perfect huntress with the innocence of a foal. Somepony who will kill whomever I command her to and will do so without question. That would be a boon for you, yes?" Her scowl warps into a confidant smirk "No longer would your sister and her friends bring dangerous animals to your boutique, no more accidents that set you back weeks, no more abominations arising from your kitchen... in fact, I believe that I chose the wrong sister. You would think that I would remember that the elder is often the inferior... I do think that shall be a good phrase to put on a plaque or a shirt. Now then, I have a proposition to offer somepony with... less to lose."

Rarity blanched "No... not my sister! I won't let you!"

Luna paid no heed and walked towards the steps leading to the second floor but stops when Rarity placed herself at the foot of them "... What do you think you are doing?"

"Stopping you from taking my sister." Rarity growled.

Luna rolled her eyes "As with you, the choice is up to her. But I think that her undiminished sense of adventure will provide a suitable answer. Now please get out of my way."

Rarity shook her head "You'll have to go through me."

Luna sighed, exasperated "Did you just forget the conversation we had? You cannot hope to stop me because I am capable of exceeding you in every way. Now please remove yourself or I will teach you how it feels to have a white dwarf cauterize your intestines and lungs."

"Never."

Luna groaned, a single star leaving her mane "Always with the theatrics you modern ponies... fine. Suffer for your insolence."

Here it comes... Rarity thought to herself, throwing up a flimsy magic shield.

But nothing came, just the feeling of wind in her mane "What the-"

"I have no particularly good reason to kill you, so I just flew over you." Luna monotoned, walking up the steps.

Okay Rarity, you have one chance to distract her to come up with a plan!

"Don't even try it. I can read your thoughts remember? And do not fret, I will not tell her that you were a part of this decision. I am simply trading one sister for the other."

That's it! "Princess Luna... I wish to change my answer. I will be your huntress... on the condition that I do not have to kill ponies and you promise to leave my sister out of it."

Luna paused "Those are acceptable conditions. Trust me, you have not made an easy decision, but once you learn what this job is, you will learn to enjoy its numerous perks..."

"Perks?" Rarity asked, trepidation still in her voice

Luna grinned "Yes, you get to travel anywhere for free, meet famous ponies from around the world, eat foreign cuisines that are spoken of only in the most high class establishments, and get paid to simply get in, get out, and possibly kidnap some dangerous individuals that can't be caught by the law... like a super hero vigilante."

"A what?" Rarity asked, cocking her head.

"Like Batmare or Supermare!" Sweetie chirped, levitating a glass of water.

"Oh, I suppose that does have a certain- SWEETIE BELLE! How long have you been up?!"

Sweetie shrugged, sipping her water "Since Princess Luna asked if you accepted her proposition."

Th-the whole time?!

Luna smiled "You did well keeping quiet, little one. Now off to bed with you, unless you wish to have a Gru descend upon you."

Sweetie shivered and raced past both mares "I don't wanna be Gru food!"

Rarity stared wide mouthed "Wha- how in the-"

Luna chuckled "Young Sweetie was the one whom let me in the front door. I told her to keep silent whilst we talked, and she did so perfectly. She was the one whom suggested I choose her in your place a few moments ago. So, do you have any hotcake mix? I would fancy a plate right now."

Rarity fainted, muttering incoherently.

Luna shrugged "I probably over did it with the theatrics myself, I'll ask Sweetie where the hotcake mix is."

End epilogue

Author's Note

Note, after this chapter, it'll be in present tense except for flashbacks and the like.

Thanks for reading!

Chapter 1: Training

Two days later, midway between Ponyville and Canterlot

Rarity shifts uncomfortably in her seat on the train, staring at the simple letter written in simple blue script

Come

With a poorly restrained shudder she thinks back to the night after the gala, Luna's threats and Sweetie helping her "I need to get that filly an IQ test someday."

A stallion across from her grins "They don't properly measure intelligence, just book smarts; not the application of such knowledge."

Rarity snorts "Twilight lauds their accuracy."

"And she would say the same thing about cutie marks, a thing that you are an exception to. You have a gem cutter's cutie mark, yet you do not do so for a living. For it to be accurate, it might need to be a sequin or something, rather than three quartz crystals."

"I... how do you know all of that? Am I that famous in Canterlot?"

The stallion shakes his head "Nope, I can just read ponies. How I knew it wasn't your occupation is that you lack the toned physique of one who works with their hooves. One who labors over heavy gems and crystals and mines to find even the most semi-precious minerals. And your mane and tail are agonized over instead, something that most gem setting ponies avoid, instead opting for a short mane and tail with the most basic of care applied."

Rarity huffs "Okay, you read right. I'm a seamstress. But you probably knew that already."

"I did, but only because of your sketchbook's reflection off the mirror above you." he replies, grinning.

"Who are you? A PI?"

"No, I'm just observant. My name is Kalt, Grüss Kalt." Grüss bows, smirking.

A foreign name. Oxtarian or Germane I think. "You aren't from around here, are you?"

Grüss grins "You are correct. I'm from Germane, as you can tell from my name."

Rarity nods and looks him over, pale grey coat, dark blonde mane and tail unkempt under a wide-brimmed forester hat, a simple vest and a thermometer in an ice cube for a cutie mark "Judging from your clothes, you're from a colder climate, not the crystal empire but somewhere mountainous. Your cutie mark probably represents a hardy nature, especially in cold. You aren't a pegasus, so that means you don't assist with the weather, which leaves that you are a rescuer for lost mountaineers or a guide. Am I wrong?"

He grins "Close, but no faggot Ms. Rarity. We're almost in Canterlot now so I suppose I'll be seeing you?"

Rarity blinks and notices the approaching station "Well... thank you for the distraction. I hope we meet again Mr. Kalt."

He nods, tipping his hat "My pleasure."

Rarity inhales, steeling her will "You can do this Rarity, Princess Luna is your friend."

The guards stand at attention and offer no resistance to her simply walking through the doors to the castle "Keep up the superb vigil darlings."

Though she couldn't see it, she could tell that both of them were blushing fiercely I can still charm the best of them

Standing in the middle of the hallway is Blueblood "I was hoping that you'd say 'No'... Please reconsider Ms. Belle."

With a snort, Rarity stops, leveling an annoyed gaze at the prince "Why do you care so much about whether or not I accept? Do you want the job yourself?"

Shrinking under her glare for a second, he clears his throat to recompose "Not at all Ms. Belle. I simply don't wish to see an intelligent mare such as yourself use tricks and weapons to maintain peace in Equestria. Nor to see you lose your life in the process. If you die, nopony would know the truth save for Princess Luna and I. I wish to see what you can do, what magnificent ideas will arise from your mind. I'm not coming onto you, if that's what you're thinking."

Rarity scoffs and raises her nose in the air "Why would I care if an insect like yourself likes me?"

Wincing, Blueblood sighs "I... I knew the old Hunter... he was my best friend and was killed in his own home... because of the son of a tyrannical underworld boss. Not in the line of duty, just as he was sitting down to drink his morning coffee. They beat him over the head with a rock and broke every bone in his body, grinding him into the carpet until only ichor and bloody gristle was left. I... he lived alone, had no family, and I was his only friend... You have close friends and family to care for. If they ever find out who you are, they won't care if you're the element of Generosity, a fashion designer whose only fault is that she bears grudges to the death and a line of horrible fall parkas. I don't think that kind of death- ow!"

Rarity growls "I regret ever making those parkas. I burned them far from civilization and buried the designs underneath my basement! Never speak of them again!"

Blueblood rubs his face "You didn't have to hit me for it..."

"I need to do this, otherwise Luna would've used my sister instead. If I die, I'll know that at least my sister will be okay. That's all that matters to me."

Blueblood sighs "There's... no chance of me talking you out of this, is there?"

"No, now lead me to Princess Luna's quarters please."

Pushing heavy, dark blue and black doors open, Rarity waves Blueblood off but he follows, whether out of concern or bravery, Rarity couldn't care less.

Luna's horn glows for a second, several torches lighting in response "Hello Rarity Belle. I am overjoyed to know that you came immediately upon receiving my letter."

Rarity nods "It's rude to keep a lady waiting is it not?"

Luna grins "I made it clear that I am not a lady. But you are correct, it is rude to keep your employer waiting, especially on the follow-up interview."

Rarity nods and looks around the room "This is your room?"

Luna nods "Yes. Bare minimum, dimmed, cool, and moist air. I like to think of it as a reflection of functional beauty, rather than superficial. No offence meant."

Rarity flicks her mane "None taken. Now, why did you want to see me?"

"I desire to ascertain your levels of fitness in order to create a regiment to assist in you reaching beyond your potential. First off is Physical combat. Blue Blood, go retrieve Midnight Rose if you will."

Blueblood shivers "Her? She's always smelling me and trying to bite my neck..."

Luna rolls her eyes "You will survive without a pint or two of blood."

Grumbling, Blueblood exits the room.

"Why do you need this 'Midnight Rose?' Is she a trainer or something?"

Luna shakes her head "No, she's a guerilla warfare specialist and has similar weight and height."

"Get off of me!!!!" Blueblood yells, charging through the doors followed by a dark magenta blur which tackles him to the ground.

"I just want to see if you live up to your namesake!" the now stationary blur says before being yanked off Blueblood by Luna's magic.

Rarity helps Blueblood up and appraises the levitating pony. Dark magenta coat with a lighter shade mane and tail, both which are obviously cut without care. Bat pony, dark lavender irises and a thorned black rose for a cutie mark. No obvious muscles like that of Applejack so she must either use retaliatory tactics or uses the opponent's power against them. Slim for a mare and with the magenta scale colors doesn't leave a lot for accentuating... maybe a light violet? Hmmmm...

Luna rolls her eyes "I had so much hope that you had taken to analysis but then you go and think of fashion..."

"How did you- right, reading my mind..."

"Soooo... why do you need me Luna? It isn't night time yet." Midnight asks, cocking her head

"I require you to do a complete physical endurance examination of Rarity Belle's abilities."

Midnight salutes and Luna disperses the field around her "Okay Rarity, I'm going to spar with you, okay?"

Rarity nods and rears onto her hind legs in a fighting stance "I'm ready."

Midnight grins and does the same "Okay, ready?"

Rarity nods and suddenly Midnight disappears "Wh-where'd she- oof!"

Midnight reappears on top of Rarity "Never take your eyes of your opponent, even to nod. Keep your eyes on their hooves, not their eyes or legs, they can distract you."

Rarity nod and stands back up "Princess Luna, could I borrow a mane tie?"

"I have one." Blueblood says, gently putting Rarity's mane in a pony tail "Does that work for you Ms. Rarity?"

Rarity nods and resumes her fighting stance "Thank you Blueblood"

Midnight disappears again but this time Rarity dodges a jab aimed at her chest, Midnight reappearing for a second before jumping back to where she originally stood, a grin on her lips "Nice dodge! You learn fast."

Luna nods "Yes, I assumed that Midnight would have knocked you down several times before you'd get the hang of dodging... how did you do it?"

"I used my ears. Your fangs whistle ever so slightly when you move, darling."

Midnight blinks and licks her fangs "Really? You're hearing must better than mi- ow!"

Rarity grins, standing in triumph over Midnight "Never take your eyes off your opponent dear."

Midnight chuckles "You got me there Rarity. That wasn't exactly fair, but you got me all the same."

Rarity grins "A lady plays fair only in sport, in domestic life, she is a silent fighter jabbing another lady's weaknesses like a surgeon."

Midnight stands up again "I never saw the point in being a lady. Though I was raised with 5 brothers so..."

Rarity nods and the sparring continues, Blueblood hissing in pain every time one of them lands a hit.

Luna rolls her eyes and motions for Blueblood to sit with her "Why are you being such a coward Blue? You would cheer on her predecessor with much gusto. Is it because of your connection?"

Blueblood grits his teeth "What do you think?"

Sighing, Luna observes the fighting with vague interest, plans forming in her mind.

Chapter 2: the first set of tests

"This... is not... how I saw... my day going..." Rarity pants, laying atop Midnight Rose, sweat ruining her her make-up.

"Hey... not like... I wanted to... fight... I just wanted... to drink some blood... and call it a... day..." Midnight pants, trying to will Blueblood closer.

Luna smiles "Rarity, from what I have observed, you need very little physical training except in acrobatics at the moment. Next we shall attempt Parkour and the one inch punch."

Blueblood's brow creases "Uhm... was that why you stole all of my kung-fu movies?"

Luna nods "I was afraid if I asked, then you would say 'No'."

Rarity groans "If you want Parkour... get Pinkie Pie..."

Luna rolls her eyes "Too unstable. Now get up, or I'll add learning 'The fist of the north star' and 'Hadouken' to your learning queue"

Rarity groans and sits up "Fine... what do you want me to try and climb?"

Luna smiles and with a flash of magic they are in the royal courtyard "First, to that window and retrieve the plate of cookies from within. Then return down here and we shall break for lunch."

Rarity shrugs "I've climbed mountains before, why should this be any harder?"

BY GREAT TO THE 5th POWER GRANDFATHER SOMBRA'S HORN!! Rarity shakily grabs a brick to pull herself up higher.

"You're doing great Rarity!" Midnight cheers, flying next to her.

"Thanks... darling... would you mind... helping?"

Midnight shakes her head "Sorry, I can't, Luna's orders."

Rarity sighs "It's just as well, I'm almost... there..."

Flipping onto the window sill, Rarity inspects her hooves "Augh... I'm going to need several hooficures to fix this..."

Midnight coughs "Later, get cookies and I can carry you down."

Rarity nods and scans the room, looking for the plate of cookies and spies something absurd "P-princess Celestia?"

Celestia looks up from her book "Rarity? Why in the name of the sun are you on my windowsill and... sweaty?"

Think fast! "I... I was admiring the view?"

Celestia smiles "Yes, I love the view from here, I can see the gardens, the town, and the sunset... perfect for my relaxation room."

Rarity smiles Is... is she really this gullible?! "Yes, but... would you perhaps have a plate of cookies?"

Celestia nods and levitates a plate the size of a table and cookies the size of hoofballs "The chefs always give me too much, want it?"

Rarity nods and takes the "Plate" in her own magic and then columbian blue hooves grabs her by the barrel and flies Rarity down "GOTCHA RARES!" Rainbow Dash? yells.

Rarity blinks and looks behind her at Midnight wearing tight blue socks "Thought you could hide from me in a window? That's preschool stuff!"

"Midnight, how on earth do you sound like-"

Midnight shushes her and glides to a stop in the shade of a tree where Luna sat speaking to a chipmunk "I know that they agreed to succession from new gopheria, but I'm afraid that only extends to the mustilidae, not rodentia... I'll see what I can do to get an addendum."

The chipmunk nods and scampers away, and Luna smiles approvingly at Rarity "I see that you completed the task and in record time!"

Rarity sets the "Plate" down and removes her mane tie "Yes... this is a 'Plate'?"

Luna nods "Yes, the cookies are made by a minotaur, so this is a platter to them... Why an omnivorous species sent a chef to act as a student in the culinary arts I haven't the slightest. And to specialize at a patisserie of all places. Nice fellow, all things considered."

Midnight pulls the socks off her hooves "I like dressing up."

Rarity turns to her "And how did you sound exactly like my friend Rainbow Dash?!"

"Mimicry is a trait usually unique to only seaponies, sirens, and changelings. But a certain interbreeding with thestrals lets us attain certain abilities, that's why my coat is this way, I'm half changeling."

Rarity snorts "I know for a fact that Changelings are myths."

Midnight grins "Really? Why can I do this?" Grunting, her forehoof is enveloped by green fire and turns blue before disappearing "Ow... I think I broke my brains..."

Luna laughs "I see that your skill hasn't changed."

Midnight glares "Shut up."

Rarity gasps, scooting away from her "How can you speak to a princess like that?!"

Luna rolls her eyes "I am not bound by social conventions and thus we are all equal. Now then, cookie?"

Rarity shakes her head "I have to watch my figure and sugar won't help in that department thank you."

Shrugging, Miudnight and Luna dig in like animals, pieces of cookie flying out of the massacre.

"I dare say that you two have even more horrendous table manners than Pinkie Pie!"

Ignoring Rarity, both mares continue to devour cookie after cookie.

Sighing, Rarity walks away, and to the statue garden to relax "What a day... I do hope it gets easier..."

"What gets easier?"

Jumping, Rarity charges her horn before lowering it "Grüss Kalt!"

The stallion nods, grinning "Hello Rarity. What's the matter?"

"Well, I've been given a job that at first seemed out there and now I know it is. My... employer rejects courtesy and manners in exchange for utilitarian logic... It's just not how I pictured one of the pillars of society to act."

Kalt nods "I can relate, I've had ponies whom I work under act like they haven't the slightest clue how to run a business. Of course, I can't tell them their business, I'd lose my job. But there is one good thing about these situations."

"And what might that be?"

"That even if you are unfamiliar with how to deal with them, you can adapt and keep your pride and job safe."

Rarity grins "I suppose you're right..."

Kalt sighs "Another thing that being observant means always being right, even when you hope that you aren't. Sometimes being the best is the worst..."

Rarity snorts "I can safely say that's wrong. I may not be the best, but so long as you have someplace higher to get to, the thrill is never gone."

Kalt laughs, bent over "You- you are absolutely correct Rarity. But... remember the saying, 'It's lonely at the top'. Nothing but the fear of falling keeping you company once the feeling of success fades."

Rarity blinks "Are you a philosopher? Or just well read?"

Kalt smiles "You tell me."

Rarity ponders "The way you spout philosophical sayings indicates that you are either well-read or a part of a community of thinkers, judging by your attire and manner of speaking, I'll guess the former. But what your cutie mark represents eludes me... so whatever you do, you have great education and live in a cold environment."

Kalt smiles "Maybe next time we meet then." he walks away and back into the castle.

Rarity rolls her eyes "I wish stallions were as nice as Spike... I wonder what he's doing?"

Midnight flies over to her "Time for the next part!"

Rarity groans "I haven't eaten since breakfast... can't I go and get a salad? Maybe some tea?"

She shrugs "I dunno, wanna ask Luna?"

Rarity sighs and nods, following her comrade.

Luna groans, closing her book "We've been waiting for half an hour now! How long does it take to make a dainty daisy salad?"

Rarity sighs "They have to serve the other customers first."

Midnight looks up from the table "We were the first customers, we came just as they opened. I asked for a bowl of fruit and I said all they needed to do was throw some fruit into a bowl!"

Rarity rubs her forehead "I... I have no excuses for that..."

Luna crosses her forehooves and groans again "If I had known it would take so long I would've brought another book..."

A mustached pony walks up to them "Sorry for the delay, but unfortunately some of the freeze melons froze the entire kitchen, staff included."

Midnight gags "Eugh... I hate those. They taste like rotten wood and dirt."

Rarity nods "Yes, and aren't you supposed to have a certified chef for those?"

Luna shakes her head "I'll take care of it. Do you have a metal mallet or something?"

The mustached pony produces a comically oversized mallet from his pocket "Will this suffice?"

Luna nods and takes the mallet, running towards the kitchen doors with a primal battle cry "PREPARE FOR THY END, NEFARIOUS FRUIT!!!"

Rarity blinks "Should... we be concerned?"

Midnight nods "Yeah, why in Luna's name do you have a comically oversized mallet in your pocket?"

The mustached stallion shrugs "'Always be prepared with a comically oversized mallet.' A unique pink mare I met a few years ago suggested it after some fire waffles went mad."

"'Fire... waffles'?" Rarity asks

"Yes, a resurfacing species of edible fire breathers. Well, not a species in the dictionary sense. A mad pony named Screwball created a viral enchantment that turns waffles into fire breathing monsters that when they touch another waffle they turn into a new one. They taste like regular waffles when you jab them with a fork or something. They only appear wherever Screwball eats and last only about a day before the enchantment wears off."

Rarity blinks "And... you don't seem all that scared of them..."

"Well I personally find them to be entertaining but several customers have lost their tails or manes or something when they're loose. So if you're eating at a diner that serves waffles, keep an eye out for a waiter with a hammer or something. I have mine comically oversized for the sheer shock value."

"And... the melons? I've heard of them, but I'm not familiar with them." Rarity asks.

"Natural, native to the southern badlands. Actually a fungoid animal, but because of their striped skin and moist bodies they're called that. They feed off weeds and plants while also decomposing other things. They have a natural internal temperature of 30 degrees below freezing due to a 'bladder' filled with liquid and gaseous nitrogen. When they're cut wrong, they release a cloud of nitrogen that freezes everything in a small radius. Luckily it just freezes things larger than a dog harmlessly, most end up with a chill or something." Midnight explains "I lived near a farm where they grew and harvested them before I moved to Canterlot."

Rarity nods slowly "So... she's in there-"

"Smashing the ponies out of the ice with a comically oversized mallet? Yes." both Midnight and the mustached pony reply.

"Strangely enough, that isn't the oddest thing I've heard about food."

Luna returns soaked and grinning "Thank you for your mallet. They should just need to dry off, maybe take the day off after this."

The stallion nods "As you wish Luna."

Rarity sets down her salad fork, Midnight groaning in relief "FINALLY!!"

"Now Midnight, I'll have you know that measured eating is good for the body. Scarfing it down like you've been starved for days is just rude."

Luna looks up from her bowl of soup, her muzzle dripping "What?"

Rarity sighs "I suppose the rumors about the princesses and nobles being polite and composed were wrong."

Luna shrugs "No, they're polite because they want to feel like they're better than the pony next to them. They have their noses so high so that they don't drown in their own stupidity. Manners are a thing I've never understood. Both in the past and in the present."

Midnight grins "Yeah, are the legends about your drinking true?"

"They call it 'Moonshine' for a reason. I got so impatient with watery, disgusting wines and lagers took took too long to properly ferment so I asked a few alchemist friends to help me find a way to distill alcohol quickly. Although I hadn't foreseen the flammability of the alcohol and when I went to rip the jars open, my lieutenant dropped her cigar in it and next thing I know, my entire body is covered in blue flames, half my friend's fur is burnt off and unconscious. I tried to grab her in my magic but I miscalculated from the heat and she bumped into the large case that held at least 100 jars of pure alcohol. It fell over and the flames that were burning me caught the smashed jars on fire that spread as I ran away, the contents exploding like white hot napalm.

"We barely got out of there before the whole distillery went up in a brilliant indigo blaze that lit up the night sky like a distant nova had occurred between the planet and the moon, casting brilliant shadows from my stone distillery with near-invisible flames. It was breathtaking.

"I passed out after that, most of my fur burnt off." Luna finishes, a nostalgic glitter in her eyes.

Rarity, however, shivers "Did- did your friend survive?"

"Of course, and it was after she recovered that we figured out a way to fend off gryphons with magic-proof armor. The Molotov cocktail."

Midnight rolls her eyes "Everypony knows that story, why are you even surprised?"

Rarity stares at her "I have never heard of it until now. I thought that the Molotov cocktail originated in Moscow."

Luna nods and leaves her seat "It did, Moscow was an old territory of Equestria until the end of the third griffon war. After that they peacefully seceded. Much of the land was frozen due to windigo magic from the wars and it's still frozen to this day. Possibly because there are two coexisting species there. The mammoth/bovine hybrids and windigos themselves."

Rarity shivers "So... windigos still exist? I thought that the first hearth's warming wiped them out!"

Leaving the restaurant, Luna shakes her head "It drove them out of Equestria, but that was before the wars. There's a treaty made in the middle of their war against the gryphons that stated that in exchange for coexistence, the windigos would fight on our side. My sister was hesitant, but I was and still am the armed forces' head and the best dignitary for hostile and non-allied nations because my sister lacks..." Luna taps her chin in thought "...Cunning, let's go with that."

Midnight grins "And from then on, every time the gryphons pushed to invade or attack, the windgos froze the ground around them in a wall of solid permafrost! They had to surrender because permafrost does not melt at all or yield easily. The domes still exist you know, windigos and some hybrids make their homes there. It's cheap, free, and they've lasted for centuries."

Rarity blinks several times "I... I've never heard of any of that. In fact, I never even knew that Moscow was part of Equestria at all!"

Luna cocks her head "Where did you receive schooling?"

"Manehatten U and a semester in Hoofston."

Luna mulls this over "Well... Hoofston is supposed to be decent for history and Manehatten is to be considered the best cosmological and chemistry driven universitie... what were your majors?"

"Well, I had received my cosmology license, a bachelor's in business and fashion from Manehatten and I received a bachelor's in geology/mineralogy from Hoofston."

"Hmmm... I'll have to look over their curriculums. but I suppose that your teaching lacks in the historical department... Midnight, take note!"

Midnight pulls a notepad from... somewhere and pulls a pen from it, holding it in her wing "'Add historical assessment and teaching'?"

Luna nods and Midnight scribbles it down before putting the notepad... someplace.

Rarity cocks her head "Is history really that important?"

"Who disappeared from 'Haute Couture & Revolution' magazine after leaving a large number of dress designs in the eight hundred and thirty fourth year of my sister's rule?"

"Rare Fairy Indigo. Every fashion conscious pony knows about the ingenious stallion savant who revolutionized the idea of form and function working in harmony, each of those sketches are worth thousands of bits alone! I own at least twelve of the legendary two hundred and fifty left after his disappearance. Well, they were numbered one through two hundred and fifty, but number fourteen is missing. Everypony has called it the missing piece because Rare Indigo said that they were all a set and something impressive would happen when all were together. Nopony has been able to decipher the notes on each one so they can't be made. It's the biggest mystery in artistry and design!"

Midnight stares at her "How did you spit all of that off the top of your head, yet you had no idea that Moscow was once a part of Equestria?"

Luna nods "And is that not fashion history?"

Rarity shrugs "I think it's more like cultural history, but that's my opinion."

Midnight rolls her eyes "I never understood fashion. I only wear armor, lightweight chain mail, and a helmet. That's good enough for me, and I like it as uncomplicated as I can get it."

Rarity shrugs "To each their own tastes. But why bring that particular fact up?"

"To prove that you require history in order to know what is what and how it came to be and how it affects the present." Luna turns "I can teach you, but that also means you must be willing to learn."

Well, when she puts it so plainly like that, I suppose I should agree and it might be nice to know a bit of history... and you're reading my mind, aren't you? Rarity thinks to herself.

Luna stares at her in surprise "You could sense me?"

Rarity shakes her head "No, I just knew that you would. And I'm quite sure reading the minds of friends is not what friends do?"

Midnight laughs heartily "She's got you there princess!"

"I agree, you also seem to have a quick wit, a sharp, stealthy tongue, and you can read others like a book quickly. I suppose 'Superior breeding' does have some use in our dark endeavor. Interesting..." Luna mutters under her breath.

Rarity reclines in Twilight's old room, exhausted "I... hate... this..."

Weakly, she opens her suitcase and levitates a book over "Let's see... where was I?"

Just as she relaxes into her book, somepony knocks on the door "... Yes?"

The door opens slowly and Blueblood walks in "Hello Rarity."

She groans "Blueblood. How may I help you?"

He sighs "I'm going to wager I'll never be in your good graces?"

Rarity shakes her head "Not in the foreseeable future, no."

He levitates a scroll to her "To answer your question, I received a very eloquent and... visceral letter from your friend the drakeling."

Rarity unfurls the scroll and smirks "Oh my dear Spike... I do so love your eloquence and tact." she blushes "Oh my. I'll have to... that's very descriptive and... vague. Okay, here's his message to me..."

Rarity's brow furrows "This is odd. It just says that he wishes to be with me but is busy taking care of the... boutique... I left the boutique unlocked!!"

Blueblood blinks "Well, he's there, yes?"

Rarity nods, still reading "He... he has some questions about which color goes best with saffron red, cobalt or storming sea. Well... that's incredibly specific, why would he need-" the color drains from her face "H-Hoity Toity was coming to drop off some designs for me to tweak! He said that one of them was dyed with actual saffron! I... I completely forgot!"

Blueblood frowns "I'm sure your friend can handle it, and I'm also sure that Luna can explain that she needed you for something important and you had to go to Canterlot."

Rarity nods "That should work but... why would Spike take it upon himself to do that?"

Blueblood grins "A deep friendship, perhaps? An attempt to impress you?"

Rarity cocks her head "What are you getting at?"

He shakes his head "Nevermind. Send him a reply. I know the dragon fire spell."

Rarity levitates a quill and scribbles down a reply before giving it to Blueblood.

His horn glows and the letter burns with green fire, ashes carried out the window "There, that's all I wanted to say Ms. Rarity"

Rarity nods and he leaves, allowing Rarity to silently contemplate his words.

Chapter 4: a fissure forms

Rarity moans in satisfaction, the warmth of the spa's pool soothing her aching body and mind "This... I needed this..."

Fluttershy nodded "It looks like it, what happened in Canterlot... if you don't mind sharing that is?"

Rarity groaned "I had nearly every part of my physique worked over by an instructor who, for lack of a better phrase, cracked wise for the entirety of my time there. I had no idea that I could bend in such a way..."

Fluttershy blushed red "Wh-what?"

Rarity rolled her eyes "I am grateful for how much my stamina increased, but at the cost of using up all my conditioner and shampoos to get the sweat and sticky grime off my coat wasn't worth it. But I did have a very understanding companion who kept my spirits up whenever I got tired."

Fluttershy submerged herself into the water "O-oh?"

She nods "The parkour was quite destructive to my hooficure though..."

Fluttershy paused, her blush subsiding "Parkour?"

"Mmhmm... like how Pinkie Pie can run up walls, except I had to climb up walls... and sometimes, I wanted to do it just to get away from my employer..."

Fluttershy sighs "Oh, good, I thought you'd gotten involved in something dangerous..."

Rarity grins wickedly "I would elucidate on it but... rules #1 & #2."

Fluttershy stares at her "What?! You're part of a... a... a... fight club?!"

Rarity giggles "No, nothing of the sort, It's more like a... professional secret, like how to iron taffeta. Speaking of professions... how did Spike do at the boutique? I came right here after getting off the train."

Fluttershy grins "He did wonderfully. He even had a few ideas for a new line of minimalist clothing."

Rarity blinks "Oh? Would you happen to have any pictures?"

Fluttershy nods and steps out of the bath and walks towards her saddlebags. After looking through them, she pulls out a small pad of waterproof paper "He said he knew that you'd probably go to the spa when you got back and did them on this."

Rarity stares at the pad "He really must know me well... may I?"

Fluttershy nods and Rarity levitates the pad over, careful to avoid getting steam and water on it "Hmm... oh my..." she gasps "This- this is..."

Fluttershy looks at it "Oh! Spike said he found it underneath a pile of clothing and said it looked incomplete... he drew a copy and completed it, he didn't want to ruin the original..."

Rarity nods obliviously, on the paper was the completed version of her ill-fated attempt at functioning apparel. In fact, it looked just like what Rarity could imagine herself wearing as Luna's mercenary "You... you're telling me that Spike did this? It's... perfect..."

Fluttershy grins "He told me that it was a bit odd for what you usually do, but he spent most of of day working on it... I think it looks too much like a thing from Angel's comics but..."

Rarity grins and flips the page, grinning "It's perfect... just like him..."

Fluttershy squeaks "Wh-what?!"

Rarity blinks and blushes herself "Did... did I just say that?"

Fluttershy nods silently, a hoof covering her mouth.

Rarity shakes her head "I must be more exhausted than I thought..."

Feeling refreshed, Rarity walks towards the boutique and pushes open the door "Hello?"

Spike, wearing a suit and small glasses looked up from the sewing machine "Rarity! I hope you don't mind that I helped with the shop."

Rarity looks around the room's interior and gasps "I... oh my... what happened to all of the rolls of fabric?"

Spike points to the back room "Clients kept on tripping on them, I moved the shelves and ponyquins into the back storage room after cleaning it out. I replaced them with a series of bookshelves and plush, chaise lounges, plush couches, and a bookshelf full of fashion books and magazines and romance novels that Twilight would've given to you anyways. I also filed some subscriptions to the magazines and put the sketches that were everywhere in a series of folders and binders in order of date completed and season. So! How do I look?"

Rarity blushed as he posed "P-perfect..."

Spike pauses "Really?! I mean, I was sure I should've made some dress slacks but the ratio of my tail to the length of my legs seemed too close so I just decided to forgo them entirely... but you don't want to listen to me babble about something trivial like that. How was Canterlot?"

Rarity snaps to attention "Ah! It was tiring to say the least. I had no idea how different Princess Luna was from Princess Celestia..."

Spike quirks an eyebrow and grins "Oh? Do tell..."

Rarity grins and regales Spike with facts and Spike laughed when appropriate and at the end, he was dabbing his cheeks with a pocket tissue "Oh wow, who would've thought that Princess Celestia was homophobic?"

Rarity laughs as well "Yes, considering most of Equestria is female, you'd think it'd be unavoidable."

Spike nods "Yes, and if Twilight were here, she'd probably quote an obscure report or study..."

"Ugh, I care for her, but even Pinkie Pie knows when to stop babbling." Rarity sighs, rolling her eyes.

Spike nods and yawns behind his hand "I would love to keep gossiping with you, but it's time for me to go make Twilight and myself dinner. I hope that you don't mind."

Rarity shakes her head "Not at all. You've done so much in my absence that I don't think I'll ever repay you..."

"Oh I might think of something..." Spike says, winking at her before leaving.

Rarity blushes and flutters her eyelashes out of habit He'd be a perfect stallion if he wasn't so obviously gay.

Spike opens the door to Golden Oaks library and saunters inside "I have returned from my work."

Twilight looks up from her book "Welcome back." she blinks "Did you become a dignitary or something?"

Spike shakes his head, pulling out his intricate fob watch "Well, I'll make dinner now and then I must get to bed. I have an early day if I am to implement my ingenious plan to win Rarity's heart. I shall make Smurfberry pancakes tomorrow provided you do not lecture me in the art of anything preceding my mission."

Twilight grins, images of golden brown pancakes with addictively tart berries within fill her head "Twily shut up, get Smurfberries. Got it."

Spike politely chuckles at the mare's behavior and walks into the kitchen.

Spike carries a large platter up the stairs to Rarity, having stocked her kitchen beforehand. He knocks on the door, rousing Rarity from a dreamless sleep "Mwuh? Who's there?"

"Spike, I thought that since you're back and you looked positively haggard when you came to the store, I thought I'd make you a breakfast to replenish you." Spike says, walking through the door.

Rarity sniffs the air and smiles "Oh my... breakfast in bed sounds divine. Thank you Spike, you truly are a gem."

Spike sets the tray on the bed, grabbing a brush and to run through her mane "No, you are the true gem. And I am awed by your brilliance constantly."

Rarity blushes "M-my! When did you become so suave?"

Spike shrugs "I've read a number of books on manners and how to act around a lady such as yourself. One of poise and elegance, yet unafraid to show her weaknesses to those you trust. You could be critiquing a dress one minute, digging a hole to help a friend the next. That kind of duality would raise many an eyebrow, but not mine."

Rarity nods, levitating a forkful of pancakes to her lips, and hums in satisfaction "Spike! Where did you learn to cook?! This is simply divine!"

Spike blushes, working through a knot "I was taught by Chef Ram Seas. He's the best sous chef in Equestria, neigh, the world. He has more culinary awards than anypony else. Although... he is one of the most short tempered and perfectionist ponies I've ever met. He swears in five or more languages at whomever screwed something up. Or any alarms or the Princesses. Trust me, even Celestia is scared stiff by him. I honestly expected half the castle to be decimated when he and Luna met but... according to him, she's as good as I am."

Rarity pauses "Wait, is he a short, cream-colored earth pony with a red trident and a blue steak knife as a cutie mark?"

Spike nods "That's the one. But once you earn his respect, a near impossible feat I might add, he will expect nothing less than the best of what you can do. He's a real softy when he's drunk off his hooves. Of course, his Scoltish accent makes it hard to understand him even when he's sober... the other chefs are writing a book of quotes of the things he's said to them and inanimate objects."

Rarity chuckles "Inanimate objects?"

"Yes, anything that gets on his nerves, he'll let it and everypony else in the kitchen know it. But besides him, I was also tutored by Pinkie Pie last month so I know my way around a bakery."

Rarity smiles, enjoying the feeling of Spike's claws running through her hair along with the brush "Spike?"

"Hm?"

"Why did you watch the boutique while I was gone?"

Spike smiles "I knew that you must have been in a terrible rush not only to forget to lock up, but also forgot about the orders from Hoity Toity. So I stepped in, and completed it to the best of my abilities. He was taken aback at first but I acted professional and he left saying something about how it was such an oddity, a dragon working amongst ponies."

Rarity shakes her head, levitating the glass of orange juice to her lips "That's a Reason, not Why."

Spike sighs, steeling his resolve "Truthfully?"

Rarity nods "I wish to know."

"I..." Spike inhales "I love you. I have loved you since we first met when Twilight came to town. At first, it was because you were so gorgeous, then I got to know you. You are beautiful and brilliant. You give of what you are without forethought or thanks; and I'm a dragon, who probably gets stronger from taking and stealing. Yet I fell in love with you for you, not what you could do. I'm not a selfish drake, I just want a chance to show you that I'm worth possibly trying to love. But if that disgusts you, I'll understand. We'll go back to being friends and I won't bring it again."

Rarity's mind screeches to a halt Wh-what?! Sp-Spike loves me?! Me, a mare who has seen him only as a friend and whom is training to be a mercenary? I... I suppose that is a nice sentiment- no! He's too young! He could be an adult by dragon standards. I... but can I love the younger brother- er... son? Whatever, a relative of one of my best friends? I don't think that'll go too well. Oh he's still waiting for an answer!

Spike sighs "I'm going to take your silence as a negative affirmation. Ah well, Nothing ventured, nothing... gained?" Rarity turns to him, eyes welling with tears "I-I'd be honored. To give you a chance I mean."

Spike's jaw opens, but no sound comes out.

"Rarity nods, trying to hide her blush by drinking the offered glass of milk "If you are half the gentledrake as you are a chef, I might need to work harder to maintain my figure... to be perfectly honest, I thought you were gay."

Spike groans "Why does EVERYPONY think that?! Just because I've been around mares all my life doesn't mean I'm gay! Gosh!"

Rarity laughs "I'm sure it doesn't help that you've been assisting me for the better part of a year... and read fashion magazines... and know your way around make up... and can make an entire outfit out of stained burlap that could go to the clothing fair... okay, I see why they think that. I'm sorry Spike, I'm rambling."

Spike huffs then grins wide "I'm just happy to be given a chance. So... how about the night after tomorrow? I have to make reservations and the like."

Rarity nods and Spike bows, taking the empty platter of food down the stairs "Anything else you need ?"

Rarity nods "Yes, let me do some work, I don't feel right with you doing so much."

Rarity expected Spike to disagree but he nods and leaves, "Okay, I'll be around if you need me."

She steps out of bed and towards the shower "Spike... what a gentledrake... I wonder how Twilight will feel about it?"

"I don't believe you." Twilight says, shutting her book.

Spike grins "That's cool, because whether you believe me or not doesn't matter. Now I need to alter my casual suit a bit, I do believe that I've grown a bit thinner as of late."

Twilight rolls her eyes "No you haven't. You're still as pudgy as you were when we got-"

"2.3 kilos." Spike says, stepping on the kitchen scale "I've lost 2.3 kilograms since we got here."

Twilight stares at him "The scale must be wrong. You look the same to me."

Spike rolls his eyes "The longer I waste time arguing is time I could spend preparing for my date."

Twilight gasps "You... you've got a date?! Seriously? You? You're younger than I am! You're my little brother, and you have a date with the most sought after mare in town? What type of potion did you use?"

Spike grins "Something called 'Being a good friend and natural charm'. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to tailor my suit."

Twilight watches Spike walk away, her mind reeling "... I need to talk to Rarity."

Rarity hums, affixing a bow tie to a stallion's neck "How do you like that color?"

The stallion grins "It's cool. Now, I was wondering if you sold a vest or preferably a jacket to hold my fob watch in, I can't stand the thought of being without it or having it dangle from my neck and on the ground."

Rarity grins "Perhaps a blazer? Or a cardigan? Possibly a cuffed shirt to highlight the bowtie and cardigan?"

The door to the Boutique slams open, and Twilight charges in "Rarity!"

The stallion shrugs at the intrusion "I can wait. This looks more important."

Rarity nods to him and turns to Twilight "Twilight! I thought you had more sense than to charge into the boutique! What if I had been doing something delicate?!"

Twilight mutters out a quick apology and looks Rarity in the eyes "Are you really going on a date with Spike?"

Rarity blinks and nods "He's more than deserved the chance. I had absolutely no idea he felt that way about me. I need to be less focused on myself if I missed such obvious clues."

Twilight's jaw drops "You had no idea?"

Rarity shakes her head "Not a one."

Twilight groans "Wonderful. I was hoping that you'd reject him."

Rarity gasps "Why would you want that?!"

"Because think about it. What if you decide that you love him as much as he loves you? What then? Everypony would call you a pedophile, a freak, or worse. Dragons and ponies may be able to work together, but not love. Trust me Rarity, entire villages have been eradicated for that type of thinking. Both you and Spike are very dear to my heart, so let him down easy, okay?"

Rarity grits her teeth "Get out."

Twilight blinks, furrowing her brow "What?"

"Get. Out. Get out of my Boutique. Get out of my sight. Get. The buck. Out."

Twilight stares at Rarity incredulously "What? Why? I'm trying to protect you! You and Spike! Why are you acting like I'm insulting you?"

Rarity fights back the urge to throttle her friend, but just barely "Twilight. I will say this only once more. Get out. NOW."

Twilight backs away then turns "I think you need time to process this infor- eek!" Rarity's horn flares to life, picking up Twilight and throwing her out of the door.

The stallion returns looking nonplussed "I suppose I'll wait then. Have a nice day."

Rarity tries to smile at him "Why thank you darling... please do come again."

Rarity locks the door after him and flips her sign to "Closed" with a sigh "I lost my temper... what gives her the right to dictate how I feel about Spike? No right..." Opal walks over and meows.

"What? I know that she's known him all his life, but that doesn't justify her actions."

"Mreow."

"I... I'm not saying she's a bad pony, but what she did was inexcusable!"

Opal frowns "Meow?"

Rarity sighs "Yes, I do value her friendship. However, I don't think she should control Spike's life like he's some foal."

"Merow..."

"Okay, technically he's a few years my junior, but that doesn't matter! I enjoy his company and he always has a solution and doesn't hold me to any standards and accepts my many faults! I-"

Opal grins "Mrooow..."

Rarity pauses "I... do I like him? Of course, he's my dearest friend!"

"Merr?"

"Y'yes, dearest. He's so... youthful and mature and yet... he still has that spark of innocence that... that I once had... oh Opalescence! I... I think I'm in love!"

Opal shrugs and walks away "Mrow."

Rarity nods "Yes... Tuna sounds like a decent 'Thank you'." Rarity pauses "Did... did I just have a deep conversation with a cat?"

Spike holds a gem up to the light "Imperfect."

He pulls another from a bag "... Too many impurities."

Twilight slowly trots up behind Spike "... Hey Spike?"

Spike turns, worried "What's the matter Twilight?"

She sighs and drops her butt onto the floor "I... spoke to Rarity."

Spike pushes aside his indignation "What happened?"

"I... I said some things that made me look like a complete heel."

Twilight explained the entire conversation and the indignation Spike felt came back with reinforcements of rage and disgust.

Spike glared at Twilight "How could you... how could you say those things?! And to one of your best friends at that?! Yeah, I know I'm young, but I love her. I have spent entire nights speaking to Princess Luna about it, I have correspondence with Cadence, the freaking Alicorn of love! I have done what you would do in my position, research, consultation, and deep thinking. And you still believe it's just infatuation?! What kind of friend- no... what type of SISTER does that? You're... you're the one who would eradicate the town because you." he pokes Twilight's chest "Don't." poke "Understand." Shove.

Twilight recoils from the pushing and the words "Spike... I was only trying to protect you..."

Spike snorts "No, you were looking out for yourself. Because you can't distill love in your lab, because you're married to your studies and your need to be in control... your mind has become subjective to the truth."

Twilight shakes her head "No! I regret saying those things... I'm just..."

"Clueless."

Twilight gasps, taken aback "What?"

Spike glares down his nose at her "You are clueless. Unless you can quantify it, you don't believe in it. When did you become so... cynical? So... close-minded? I think it happened after you graduated from the school for gifted unicorns, when Shining joined the guard, when Cadence had to become a diplomat... whenever it was, you've been changing Twilight. I thought that it was because of moving to Ponyville... but the problem is that even your friendships can't change who you are inside."

Twilight stares, jaw agape.

Spike chuckles "Maybe we should use the elements on you to get back the good Twilight. You've obviously lost your way."

Spike picks a gem from his bag and passes it to Twilight "Look at that and tell me what's wrong with it."

Twilight levitates it in front of the light and cocks her head "I... nothing as far as I can tell. Why?"

Spike shakes his head "No, It's nothing more than an aggregate. A mix, a hodgepodge of bits of pieces that looks fine to most, but to the trained eye..." he pokes it and it shatters, turning into dust "Isn't even worth half a bit. It looks fine, and maybe it is, but none the less, it's still worthless."

He nods "That aggregate was you, Twilight. Full of impurities, deformed, but looks fine to those who can't tell. I can tell Twilight, but I thought I was wrong."

Twilight opens her mouth to say something but Spike stops her "You need to take a long look in the mirror Twilight. And tell me that the pony in the mirror is you. I'm going to Sweet Apple Acres, maybe when you're better, I'll come back. Maybe."

Twilight sits still, her mind empty of thought, even hours after Spike left.

She shakes her head and levitates a full body mirror in front of herself.

Staring back at her is a slightly-disheveled and exhausted looking violet unicorn with dull, shallow pools for eyes.

Where... did I go so wrong? What... happened to me? Twilight thinks to herself, her horn sparking as she casts a spell.

Celestia yawns in front of her fireplace AKA: Philomena eating some charcoal. Clean-burning pyro-avian heating has been denied several times by the Equestrian patents office every time she sent it.

That was fine, she figured that she had the cleanest fireplace without a flue or a chimney.

As she pours some tea into her cup when her ears twitch "Oh? We seem to have a familiar guest coming Philomena."

Philomena, still a roaring fire, said nothing.

A flash of violet light explodes onto the pillow levitating in a golden glow "Hello Twilight, what's the matter?"

Twilight, as still as she was back in the tree house, stares blankly into space "Where did I go wrong?"

Celestia's eyes widen and she sighs "Spike told you his... 'Observations', didn't he?"

Twilight doesn't act as if she registered Celestia's words and mouths her question again.

Celestia shakes her head in empathy "I had hoped that Spike was wrong... but then I thought about it... and found he was correct."

Twilight's eyes regain a spark of comprehension, her ears twitching subtly.

The solar alicorn sighs and levitates Twilight and the pillow off the floor and onto her back "I know you can barely hear me, and I hoped that Spike would hold his tongue, but I suppose I was wrong. I had a student before you, you know; Sunset Shimmer. I failed her just I have you.

"She was a brilliant unicorn who had a knack for magic, but she refused to accept unconditional friendship and took to using manipulation to her own ends. I was disappointed and chose to banish her to a new world, one without magic, and hoped that she would discover friendship instead of becoming arrogant due to her superiority.

"I failed you, because I thought that if I tried again, and kept a closer eye on you, you might fare better... but only slightly. You rejected friendship but learned how strong it is. I thought to myself 'I've succeeded, I didn't destroy another life.' I was wrong, I was blinded by my own arrogance. I thought myself brilliant, but that brilliance blinded me to the turmoil underneath your skin and behind your smile. I should have realized that after the parasprite incident, and the incident with the 'Want it, need it' spell..." Celestia swallows "Twilight... I asked you to send me reports so that I could learn the magic of friendship as well. I... closed my heart to the thing I believed in most after I banished Luna to the moon. But her jealousy is from the very audacity and pride I held in my heart."

Twilight's eyes regain their lustre and she looks at her mentor "But..."

Celestia shakes her head "No, I wasn't perfect, I thought I was, and that is what led me to become my own most reviled enemy. I banished my sister, I ignored her, thinking that she didn't understand what it was like to rule a kingdom alone."

"Alone?"

Celestia nods "I was a foolish filly who fancied herself a perfect being. I rejected her and her ideas on the principal that she was inferior. I regret that still to this day. It was when Spike told me what he observed I knew... that it was all my fault. I made you think that I was perfect, somepony to never disappoint, to be revered. I decided that night to try and tell you the truth but like the cowardly child I still am, I was afraid to. Luna knows this and though she's forgiven me, I feel as if I still owe her a millennia of apologies. And banishing Luna and Sunset weren't the only atrocities my audacity led me to commit."

Twilight blinks and stares up at the smiling statue made of an amalgam of animal parts "Discord, the spirit of chaos and disharmony. My sister and I used the elements of harmony to seal him in stone a year before I banished her. He ruled over the world, changing it at his unpredictable whim. We thought he was a monster, to spread chaos and disharmony... but then I realized that he was an integral part of nature. You see Twilight..." she inhales "Harmony is unnatural."

Twilight gasps and shakes her head "What? That's not possible, harmony is what holds everything together. A perfect system."

Celestia sighs "I knew you'd say that. Discord may seem to be a monster, but the fact is... I am the monster. He never banished anypony, he never purposely hurt anyone, he never killed anyone... I have, and on numerous occasions. He was a good and mad king who saw the world as it should be, one of balance between order and chaos. He renewed this world every time he acted, leaving it stranger, yet stronger than it was before.

"He inspired or rather made ponies put aside their differences in order to combat a common enemy. Whether that be the creatures he made, or other ponies who did injustice to the weak. He made ponies, griffons, and even lesser monsters work together to adapt and overcome his tricks and actions. He made us strong, wise, intuitive, courageous, brave, and blind to how different we were. I... I think that he needs to be freed. To repair the damage I've done... like I should have so long ago."

Twilight shakes her head "No! I refuse to believe that chaos is the answer!"

Celestia chuckles weakly "Twilight, I am afraid. I am very afraid...

"I've been afraid my whole life. I have been afraid but Luna was brave. She spurred me to act when I wanted to just roll over and give in. She led charges into battle, she taught magic, she sparred and ate and lived with the soldiers, the villagers, the warriors. She didn't think she was superior... even though Starswirl had made us alicorns. I did... and that's because I was afraid. Luna led us to the elements of harmony, to the safety of what would become Canterlot. She even tried to descend, return to being a Pegasus. But the spell was hard to break. Discord... she tried to befriend him several times, and believed that he was a misunderstood god of nature, and that he was afraid too."

Twilight starts to shiver in fear "Princess... stop..."

"I'm sorry Twilight, but I have to tell you this. Luna... we would've perished several times if Luna hadn't been so... brave, though I thought her clueless to the world, but she knew how it truly was. Twilight..." she lowers her head "I should be the one in stone. The one banished to a magicless world, to a barren satelite. I deserved the punishments I meted out in fear. I know this is hard for you to accept, but it's true."

Twilight shakes her head "No! I refuse to accept that! You are the monarch of the day, the rising sun, Princess Celestia! You're the perfect pony, and nothing you say will change that."

Celestia sighs "I am none of those things, I am a monster, and the fact I am not punished or hunted is a sign I must pay my penance. Tomorrow, I will have your friends use the elements to shatter the spell that keeps Discord stone..."

"Why?"

"Because for the first time in my life, I want to do the right thing."

Author's Note

Deep stuff right here... deep.

I may not like Celestia, but I don't hate her (That'd be wrong)

So hope you enjoyed a look into the mind of the sycophant and confused pony that is Twilight Sparkle.

Chapter 5: Reformation

Rarity and co. walk towards the castle "Why do ya think Celestia wants to see us?"

Rainbow shrugs "I dunno, maybe she wants us to go on an adventure or something."

Rarity groans "I hope that isn't what this is about" I'm still on vacation from... 'Training'...

Luna stands at the gate, eyes shut and as still as a statue.

One guard, Silver Bolt, leans to his partner, Iron Forge "Why is the princess just... standing there... menacingly?"

Iron shrugs "She's been rooted in that spot since the shift change. Maybe she's reading the winds of fate or something."

Everyone stares as well, except the usual suspects.

Pinkie plonks up to Luna and stares up in silence, her usual smile not faltering.

Luna breathes lightly, and Rarity sighs "Luna, you've fallen asleep standing up again."

Luna snorts and opens her eyes slowly "Whuzzah? Oh, good, you're here... the sooner we get whatever Tia's got planned, the sooner I can sleep."

Rarity rolls her eyes and leads her friends after Luna

Everyone stares up at the odd statue, Luna yawning into her sister's wing "Why are we looking at Discord?"

Celestia gives Luna a weak smile "I know he was your friend, and now I'm going to do one of the hardest things I've ever done." her horn glows and the elements of harmony, held in Spike's bag, start to glow intensely, the lights washing over the statue's mismatched features.

Luna gasps and turns to her sister, tears in her eyes "Celestia... you're... freeing him?"

She nods and the light from the elements fade.

Discord moves slowly, as if moving through syrup "I have... awoken."

Luna smiles wide and rushes to give him a hug "Oh Discord! I've missed you so!"

Discord smiles weakly "And I you, my dear."

Luna shivers "You... you've lost your power?"

Discord frowns "Yes... it was sealed somewhere else... I don't know where."

Luna ponders this and Celestia walks towards the pedestal and smashes the name plate, pulling out a prismatic ball of energy "I... believe this is yours."

Discord winces and takes it, the ball exploding in a flurry of colors as his body regains definition and vibrant coloration.

He drops from the now ruined pedestal and stretches, easily dwarfing the ponies around him "I'm alive once more! Now... to give you my... gratitude"

Her pulls everyone, save Celestia, into a crushing hug of his own "Thank you thank you thank you..."

Luna smiles "It's good to see you alive old friend. I'm sorry I couldn't stop your... imprisonment."

Discord tuts "I know, and I don't blame you..." he sets them all down and approaches Celestia "Why did you free me?"

Celestia, her face impassive, looks up at him "I did it because it is right. I... I was an arrogant foal when I wronged you. I wish that whatever punishment you wreak upon me... is fair."

Discord snarls in disgust "Fair? FAIR?! You imprisoned me in stone for a thousand years! A millennium of isolation, petrified! The only thing keeping me half-way lucid being my own imagination! I spent most of that time devising ways to violate, humiliate, and expose you."

He cups her chin in his eagle talon "I should break your physical, mental and spiritual bodies, have you screaming, pleading for me to give you mercy and end your life. But I won't. I'll have your flayed skin nailed between two posts, stretched like rubber on top of your castle, immobile and exposed to the elements." he grins wickedly "Like a statue. The rain will wash away your tears of regret and anguish, your cries for death and mercy will be swallowed by the wind, your blood vessels cauterized but still dripping blood, staining the pristine façade of your home, where everyone will see you for the monster you truly are. Birds will peck at and eat out your lying, malicious eyes, maggots will worm into your exposed organs and buzz around you endlessly."

He lowers her chin "That should work for the first century."

Celestia shivers, fear choking her heart "That... sounds fair..." she lays on her chest, shaking like a leaf "Do as you want..."

Discord stares down at her, and sighs "I said should. I won't. You've punished yourself worse than the most horrendous punishments I could come up with. I still don't trust you, and I may never, but I wouldn't dare hurt the sister of my best and only friend. Now get up. I have to get something eat, I haven't eaten in forever!"

Celestia looks up in confusion "You... aren't going to... enact your revenge?"

Discord shakes his head "No, like I said, you've done that for me, and far better than I could ever manage. Lulu! Which way is the mutton hall?!"

Luna, who had dozed off after Discord started his rant, snaps awake "Wha- Discord, you're vegetarian!"

Discord smiles "I know, but seriously, the last thing I ate was a few handfuls of seeds."

Rarity watches her friends over her tea cup.

Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were obviously curious about the now free spirit of chaos and nature.

Applejack and Rainbow were having an eating contest, more food ending up on their chests than their mouths.

Twilight was still missing though. I wish I could talk to her about what happened... and with Spike too... we did act rather aggressively.

"Psst! Huntress! Boss wants you." Midnight Rose says from under the table.

Rarity nearly spits out her tea but recognizes the voice instantly "Midnight?!" she whispers "What are you doing under the table?!"

"Eating table scraps your friends dropped. And like I just said, Boss Mare wants you. There's a secret tunnel under the table that'll take you to her."

Rarity slides off the chair and ducks under the tablecloth. As advertised, Midnight was munching on half of a mango, something from Rainbow's plate "C'mon, the door's there."

A square of the carpeting was off to the side, the several layers of mortar and cobbles removed "How did you lift that?!"

Midnight points to a dimly lit symbol on the carpet "Gravity null charm, lowers the weight of the block. Trust me, it's something that only Luna's been able to figure out."

Rarity marvels at how talented Luna is before dropping down and onto a slide that twists past several others before depositing her on a cushion several feet from Luna herself, her eyes shut in sleep "Luna?"

Luna snorts awake and smiles "Ah, I see Midnight fulfilled her job. Good. I suppose you want me to..." she sighs, sorrow in her eyes "Tell you why Discord was petrified."

Rarity shakes her head "If he wants to tell me, he'll tell me himself. But I do have a question... he called you his oldest and only friend. How did you two meet?"

Luna sighs in relief "That's why I like you Rarity, straight to the point and gentle with your forwardness.

"We met one day when Tia and I had a fight and I was never so scared and lonely in my life. I was lost in what you know as the Everfree forest, and when I had almost given up hope... a bit of cotton candy fell from the sky."

"We had talked... well he did most of it, and I listened to him and I found that we were both outsiders... he had no idea what he was, or why he had the powers he did. I trusted him and when it was night, he helped me find my way home and..." she smiles, reminiscing "And from then on we met nearly every day. But one day, Tia had followed me, and admonished Discord for being a monster.

"Discord ignored her, as he had heard it before, but I... I was enraged by what she was saying. I knew she was wrong and when she had finished, I told her to leave. She didn't and kept her eye on me, making sure I never saw him again... but to no avail, Discord was too clever and created a pocket world that let us hang out for hours, and time passed slowly outside of it. He was and still is my best friend."

Rarity blinks "That... sounds like Spike, Twilight and I... almost."

Luna nods "I know, I believe that you are in the right to give him a chance, like I did with Discord; but admonished by our sisters. Spike and Twilight are siblings... I think."

Rarity nods "Yes... but I haven't seen her, where is she?"

"She is in my sister's room, reading. Reading about such similar situations to try to make sense of where she..." Luna bites her lip slightly, searching for the right phrase "Where she lost her way."

Rarity cocks her head and Luna smiles "She has... an interesting mind. Powerful, but as fragile as ancient spider silk."

Rarity couldn't stifle her chuckle and Luna laughed as well "We are not too different, you and I." Luna remarks, a glimmer of mirth in her eyes.

Rarity nods "Yes... but tell me... why did you imprison him if you were friends?"

Luna sighs "I did it so that Tia would respect me... it was Discord's idea, actually. I thought that I'd free him when she forgot about him but... our plan went awry. She didn't respect me any more than she did before."

Rarity walks over and pats Luna's back "But she does now, doesn't she?"

Luna nods "Yes... but at what cost? Most ponies are afraid of me, Discord and I both had to be imprisoned for a millennia... and while I forgave my sister, I don't think Discord ever will. He made attempts to befriend her, but she refused him each time. I know my sister is trying to reform... but how long will that take? Another millennia?"

Rarity shakes her head "She has you, and now possibly Discord. And don't forget about my friends and I. And maybe Twilight... if Spike and I can learn to forgive her that is."

Luna smiles "If I can forgive my sister for being impetuous and hard-headed, then you can forgive your friend for being stupid and blind. It's up to you how you lead her back onto the path."

"You're very wise Luna. You should be a therapist." Rarity says jokingly.

Luna rolls her eyes "Why do you think they call them 'Luna-tics'?"

Rarity looks up in shock "You're serious?"

Luna nods, smirking "Yes, and then some, but they are silly things, and I shall avoid talking about them."

Twilight closes her last book, dark bags under her eyes "I... I am a fool. How could I have been so foolish?!"

"You wouldn't be the first researcher blinded by their studies, Sparkles."

Twilight jerks her head up "Nopony calls me that except... Moondancer?"

The palomino-coated mare walks out from the shadows, her mane and tail long and dragging on the ground "Yup. Hey, hold still for a second."

Twilight cocks her head and Moondancer slaps her across the face "That's for not coming to my party."

"Part- ow!" another slap on the other side of her face "That's for not giving me the key to the library on the hill."

Twilight whimpers, clutching her face "What? What party?"

Moondancer looks down at her, her mane dulled from poor care "And this..."

She leans down and kisses Twilight on the mouth, stunning the violet unicorn "Is for leaving without taking me with you and ignoring the letters I sent you."

Twilight shakes her head a blush blooming across her face "Wh-what? I never received any..."

"Twilight! You've got mail!"

"Is it from the princess or my family?" Twilight shouts from the piles of books she was looking through.

Spike looks at the address "'Moondancer'? I can't believe we forgot about the party today..."

"WELL?!"

"No, not from them, but-"

"Then throw it away, I need to find that book on the elements of harmony!"

Spike shrugged and set the letter in the drawer he put things that Twilight didn't want but would need at some point and walks towards Twilight frantically searching the piles of books.

"Twilight! Mail!!"

Twilight looked up from her book "Is it from the princess or my family?"

Spike reads the sender's name "Uh... no, not somepony who falls into those categories. But I think-"

"Then throw it away. Come on, we need to get ready to deal with that dragon on the mountain."

Spike sighs and puts the letter in the new DHPTTDWPNASP (Drawer he put things that Twilight didn't want but would need at some point) and walks towards Twilight's frantic book skimming and packing.

"Mail!"

"Is it-"

"No! Just read it! It's perfumed!" Spike says, barely holding back the urge to name the exact fragrance (Trot Lauren No. 3, "longing lust")

"... Who would send me a perfumed letter? Probably Pinkie or Rainbow trying to trick me, toss it."

Spike sighs and sets it in the drawer, brushing snow from his claws "How much longer until you fix winter wrap-up?"

Spike sighs and pulls out the pile of letters, including the ones that arrived during Twilight's hospital stay during the "Pinkie sense" fiasco and Pinkie's birthday "Princess Celestia? Could you give these letters to Moondancer? I think she's interested in Twilight, and... you've seen how... she's changed, and not for the better. And you should've used No. 13: 'Sunrise', rather than No. 10: 'Fresh'."

Princess Celestia sniffs her dress and nods "Luna was right, I should've chosen that scent instead. And Spike would make somepony... or whatever it is he's into, a happy husband if he wasn't so obviously gay."

Twilight blushes brighter "Eheheheh... oops?"

Moondancer moves her bangs out of her face, her eyes glittering "No hard feelings on that front. I'm still cross that I never got word back until a few days ago, but then the Princess asked me to tutor you in the abstract science of love..." she lifts Twilight's head up with ease.

"Intimacy~" she huskily blows into Twilight's ear, making the latter's hair stand on end.

"And... acceptance..." She telekinetically slaps Twilight's cutie mark, eliciting a squeal.

Moondancer watches Twilight's flesh disperse the force of the slap "And get those extra 5.83 pounds off your barrel. I like plushness in the rear rather than the middle, personally..."

Twilight whips around "I am not fat!"

Moondancer smiles "I know, you're just a little pudgy. Don't worry, a few laps around the castle or some base jumping should knock them right off."

Twilight shivers "But I don't wanna~"

Moondancer puts a hoof around Twilight's neck "I never said you had a choice." her horn glows and in a burst of gold light, a violet saddle and harness are on Twilight's body, Moondancer already mounted with a riding crop in one hoof and reigns held in her magic "Well? Go!"

The crop slaps Twilight's rear and she shoots out of the room, her baser instincts overriding her higher thinking.

Moondancer's mane flies up, pushed back by the air, her tail streaming like a red and violet contrail "Best! Reunion! Ever!!"

Rarity stares at the mirror in front of her "So... this is a mirror to a different world?"

Luna nods "Yes. I wanted to tell you about this much later, but I think it best if you know of its existence. This is something that appeared shortly after I was banished. It is capable of being a door to different worlds, one of which is a reverse world where our 'evil doers' are heroes and vice-versa. Unfortunately, whilst I was banished, the Luna of the other world was a defected princess opposing her tyrannical sister whom... is actually too similar to my own sister for my... sanity." Luna shivers "But after I returned, it would stand to reason that 'Luna' would go to her sister's side, and wreak terror and destruction. In opposition is the benevolent King Sombra, and his kingdom. But even now, our Sombra, a scholar twisted by the very thing that changed me, slumbers in a hole in space-time, a tyrant of a kingdom of crystal and hatred. I wish to see him cleansed by the elements as well... but I'm afraid that he was consumed by the Nightmare, and is gaining strength from the part that once terrorized me. I can feel him stirring, the empire is coming back... and soon. Discord is immune to the Nightmare..." Luna sighs "I... haven't told you about that, have I?"

Rarity shakes her head "No, but you spoke of it a few times."

Luna nods and takes the mirror and several scrolls with her "I will explain in the Hunter's Brig... it's actually a Brig Sloop, but the former sounds better."

".. Oh my..." Rarity looks down from under the base of mount Canterlot.

Luna grins "Yes, I thought it the perfect place from which to launch a ship."

The large ship, hidden by a glamour, watches the land below, wood shining with strength and enchantment.

Three large sails on two masts are held far above the heads of the two current occupants. The figurehead is an imposing eight winged alicorn with three horns, one in the center and one on each side, giving it the look of a trident.

The interior is vast and Luna explains that it's alien in construction and Equestrian in the majority of its parts. Rarity held her tongue at the "Alien" bit and followed.

In the captain's quarters, Luna set the mirror on a hook and a number of clamps designed to hold it "Here the power of the moon's abilities are at your control, even if I'm not here to adjust it. A number of mirror portals are reactive to time and celestial alignments. Here in the ship, you can alter them within the space it occupies. Are you with me?"

Rarity nods, understanding "So it's akin to... a closed space?"

Luna beam "Exactly. The ship itself has a multitude of conditional engines, not just air and sea faring. The manual is in the desk and it explains what you need to know... when you need to know it, otherwise it's blank. As for weapons, it has twenty air cannons capable of blasting apart a cubic mile of thick storm cloud at maximum... or more. Four plasma cannons that can knock out most conventional vessel's machinery and also act as a tractor beam among other things when the frequency is altered. There are enough accoutrements for about twelve ponies or what have you. The navigation is currently on the default automatic piloting with voice commands and other means of navigational input."

Rarity holds up a hoof "When was this made? And how does all of this technology exist?"

Luna smiles "To answer your questions in order: Several hundred years from now, and alien plus future technology."

"Y-you mean time travel is possible?!"

Luna nods "Yes, but the means are too high above your current clearance. As is piloting the ship. I brought you here to give you an incentive. To strive to complete the tasks I give you or that you take upon yourself to do of your own volition."

Rarity pouts "Fine... 'Carrot and stick' me..."

Luna laughs and ushers Rarity out of the ship and back into the castle "Worry not, you will get the chance some time very soon. Now, I think it's time you made up with your friend."

Rarity swallows and follows, giving the ship a wistful glance "What's her name?"

"Trishula Blazing Heart. The first and last seraphim alicorn and the adopted name of the Mother Mare, the first pony who created our world. Come, I shall tell you the story when... well, hopefully not too soon."

Rarity and Luna walk towards the clustering of friends looking out of a window and into the statue garden, Discord included "What's going on?"

"The most surreal thing I've ever seen, and I look in a mirror from time to time." Discord says, chuckling at his joke.

Rarity and Luna look over the lip of the window and their mental functions cease due to the sight before them.

Twilight pants, sweat streaking her coat and mane, her tongue hanging out from under a bit. The bridle on her head limiting her neck movement and the saddle matching her colour palette, Rarity remarks to herself.

On her back, reigns held in her hooves and leaning forward with a grin on her face is Moondancer, giving instructions to Twilight while the latter grunts in affirmation.

Applejack breaks the stunned silence "Ah... ah want ta look away... but ah can't..."

"Y-yeah... hey, how many calories do you think she's burning? Looks like pretty good cardio and leg training..." Rainbow says, blushing "N-not that I think it's hot! It's just I don't burn a lot of energy bucking! CLOUDS! I meant bucking clouds."

Nobody listened and Pinkie, a look of confusion on her face, cocks her head "Well, when you've seen one pony riding another with a saddle and bridle in broad daylight, there isn't much else to see in the world."

Fluttershy, stunned silent, turns to Pinkie "Coming from you... that says something..."

Rarity nods "I had no idea that Twilight was so..."

"Athletic?" Spike supplies, the shock having worn off.

"Yes, thanks dear..."

Luna shakes her head "I was told that having personal transportation ponies was outlawed after the great warming. Ah well, times change. I'm going back to bed."

Slowly, the others depart.

Celestia walks through the hall and the sound of collapse grabs her attention "Hm? What's going- oh, I rember Luna doing that to help me prep for battle..." she looks at herself "... Never hurts to be prepared."

Author's Note

Well... another completed,

As you might be able to tell, this story is also about a deeper reformation of villains and forgiveness for past mistakes, but also accountability.

And the Good King Sombra was something I've wanted to use too and I think this is a good Segway towards a different ending.

Thank you for reading and please offer any criticism or comments. Good ones are welcome and helpful.

Chapter 6: Perfection

Rarity stares at the rapier held against her neck, the edge digging into her jugular "I... yield..."

The blade is withdrawn and Midnight smiles at her, her mane in a ponytail "That's better than last time! You learn fast."

Rarity nods weakly, lightheaded "It would... help if you didn't move faster than I could see..."

She frowns "Hey, you could see me when we were doing hoof-to-hoof"

"I can't see your coat at night, yet you can see mine because it's white. I'm at a... physical disadvantage... including night vision, acute senses, and obviously, wings."

She ponders this and claps her hooves "I know! I'll just change color!"

"I thought you couldn't-"

"Not during the day, when my magic is weak, but at night..." she closes her eyes and green fire erupts around her, and dissipates just as fast. Midnight had changed her coat from dark mauve and into ice-blue, her wings fused to her sides and eyes no longer slitted "There! How's that?"

"I'm going to pack you up in my suitcase and you'll be my model/slave..."

They stare at each other and Midnight raises a hoof and points to Rarity "So... 'good'? We're even now."

"Yes." she replies and before she can get her wits, Midnight's shot forward, her sword barely missing Rarity, and she parries, making Midnight to laugh "This is more fun when it's fair!"

Not... for... me!! Rarity thinks to herself but an idea occurs to her, Her ears hadn't changed shape so her hearing was possibly just as sharp.

She lights her horn and it emits a shrill noise that causes Midnight to flinch and cover her ears "AUGH! MAKITSTOP! MAKITSTOP!!"

Rarity dims her horn and jump forward and hold the point to Midnight's chest "Do you yield?"

Midnight grins through her tears and raises her sword, nearly knocking Rarity's rapier out of her hooves "No!"

She's on Rarity with thrusts and jabs, and Rarity spins out of the way, her own sword reflecting the light of the moon.

Luna watches, her eyes watching their every move, a notepad held in her magic. Both knew she was writing down her observations but Rarity couldn't take her eyes off Midnight Fair physically, not in skill....

Midnight grins still, enjoying herself "None of the other guards like to spar for some reason, or fight at all. Weirdos."

Rarity grins back "Maybe they just don't think your enthusiasm has merit."

"Maybe, but then again, I make them nervous because I can go chameleon and all."

Rarity thrusts but Midnight shifts out of the way, attacking her other side "Oh? You can change texture as well?"

Rarity throws up a small shield where Midnight had aimed and sliced the air in a rising arc, a feint for a shoulder blow. Watching the Crusaders plus Rainbow Dash and Applejack wrestle is paying off.

Midnight parries the swipe and Rarity tackles her with her shoulder, landing in her chest.

Victory.

Midnight hits the ground with a whoosh of air, the flames erupting again and she's returned to normal, though dazed "Ooogh... not cool..."

Rarity extend her hoof and she takes it, wincing "Dang, you don't weigh a whole lot, but boy can you hit..."

Rarity smiles "Why thank you. What's the verdict Luna?"

Luna walks over to us, the notebook in hoof "I have a few observations, but very few. Rarity, your use of a small barrier to disrupt the force of the strike is a very complex tactical spell that very few can use, but unfortunately, it takes a bit of focus, so maybe hold that in reserve like you did just now. Midnight, your transformative abilities are improving, in fact, the heat was nonexistent and the light was on a level that is visible only from right next to you. But your moves are too closed, while Rarity's are wide enough to make a good stance, but narrow enough to not leave her open to most conventional counterattacks."

They both bow to her and then each other, as is how Luna told them to.

Luna smiles, lights her horn, and Rarity's joints suddenly feel heavy "Wh-what?"

Midnight winces, her wings spread with the tips on the ground, shivering "St-stop it..."

Luna grins "Now you must work in increased gravity, this is two g's, double the usual gravity. This will be a test of your skeletal, muscular, and neurological abilities as well as allowing you to escape from any surfaces or situations where you would be held by accelerational forces, metal shoes and magnetic surfaces. The doors into the castle and my room are unlocked and open, all you need to do is get inside without being seen." she walks away and turns back to them with a smile "And both of your stamina levels are average at best."

Rarity groans, trying to move her hoof "Why... is... this... so hard?!"

Midnight shoves one hoof forward "She's... good at... altering... stuff. Like... tides and... gravity too..."

Rarity inhales and focuses her magic through her hooves, enveloping them in blue magic "Stop moving... please..."

Midnight stops mid-step and strains her eyes to look at Rarity "Why? Do you... want to... race?"

Rarity snorts and moves her forehoof to Midnight's wings, the bat pony's hooves glowing blue as well "What the-"

She grins, weakly "A little... flight magic... please..."

Midnight blinks and her wings twitch, dark lavender magic rippling with the blue and slowly the two mares float off the ground.

"Whoa! We're flying!" Midnight whoops, making Rarity grunt "No... I'm levitating us... you're helping us... move..."

Midnight thinks about this and nods "Sounds... logical..."

Slowly the two floating mares hover over the ground and towards the castle doors "You know... this is kinda neat..."

Rarity nods "Yes, but it's... draining my magic..."

"You don't have a lot of magic inside of you?" Midnight asks, sweat running down her face.

Rarity shakes her head "No, not really..."

"Huh. Why don't you just use some from the environment? I mean, this place is set on a ley line and all..."

"... Is this the type of thing they teach you in warrior school? Because I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about."

"I'll tell you when we're in Luna's room and get vengeance..."

Rarity gasps, dispersing her magic when she shot up upon reaching Luna's room "Whuh-"

Luna's horn glows, catching her and Midnight "Congratulations, I had thought you'd go it alone. Yet you saw the best route, and cooperated. I swear you must be from a lineage of knights, Rarity."

Rarity groans "Ugh, patronize me when I can move my joints again..."

Midnight nods wordlessly, trying to burrow into Luna's bed, her limbs and wings limp.

Luna smiles and walks towards a steamer trunk "I believe I have a small cache of... aha!" she grabs a small cloth pouch.

She hums and sets the pouch on a table, pulling out a dried black-green cube "Ah, still potent... though, Aconite is quite rare in Canterlot... ah well, I know where some grows."

Rarity tries to move but her body is unresponsive, and she watches in horror as Luna cuts a small piece off the block and grinds it down, pouring the powder into a glass of water "Here, drink it all."

Rarity shakes her head "No, I'm fine thank- glrp!" Luna's magic pours the mixture into Rarity's throat, magically squeezing her nostrils closed "You have to swallow to breath. Now swallow."

Rarity complies, though an indescribable taste lingers in her mouth "What was that?!"

"Aconite, a material that is found in is created by Monk's Hood or Wolf's Bane. Hard to find in Canterlot but easy to find in Trottingham."

Midnight taps her chin "Isn't Aconite... poison?"

Luna nods "Usually when fresh, but to equines like ourselves, dried it's mostly harmless... eat a whole died root, then you'll have problems, but I had an anti-toxin and that should- what's the matter Rarity?"

Rarity swoons, falling off of the bed with a loud thud, frothing at the mouth and twitching.

Midnight yawns "Sheesh, what a wimp. Acts as if poison being medicine is news to her."

The crash of cymbals shatter Rarity's sleep, causing her to fall out of bed in a tangle of blankets "Urgh... if that was you Pinkie Pie, I swear by all that is radiant and fabulous, I will make you swallow those cymbals. If it's Rainbow Dash, I'll tell Twilight about your secret. Or one of them."

"What if it's Twilight?" Twilight asks.

Rarity pauses "I'll tell the whole town about your psychological studies."

"Then it's a good idea it is neither of them, wake up Rarity Belle." someone says, obviously smirking.

Rarity groans and frees herself with a flash of magic, the bed now immaculately made "And who are you?" she asks, removing her sleeping mask

"Luna." Luna says, the cymbals floating above her head.

Rarity blinks and standing before her is a slim light blue pegasus a few inches taller than her with a dark blue hoodie that has the words "Blame the sun, because the night is right" on it.

"Wha- no, you aren't Lu-" Rarity sighs "Disguise?"

"Compression too. And I was born a pegasus anyways so it's more akin to descending down to the ground rather than a lofty castle, blegh." Luna sticks her tongue out in mock-disgust.

Rarity rolls her eyes "A princess shouldn't act like that. It's... uncouth."

"It'd be uncouth for my sister, but not for me, I'm too... she'd say 'Wild' but I like to think 'Adventurous'. Speaking of which, do you mind that I'm going to hang with you and your friends today?"

Rarity nods "I don't think they'll have a- wait, you asked if I minded that you're going to, not that you want to."

Luna grins and walks out "Duh, I'm going whether or not you minded, I just wanted to know. Now come on, I know a great coffee shoppe in the Renter's District. Well, one among many..."

Rarity rubs her head "Ugh, I'm not going to survive this..."

Luna slams the mug of Irish coffee on the table "Your turn Apple mare."

Applejack grins and drains her mug of spiced cider in one gulp, slamming it only to see that Luna has finished another "Go again."

Rainbow is unconscious, spread eagle on the floor of the café, Pinkie drinking her juice box, and doodling on her face.

Fluttershy sips her tonic water and Twilight sits next to Moondancer, chatting about arcane theory.

Rarity sits next to Spike, who had opted for water, saying that he had coffee when he'd awoken.

Rarity sighs "Must they compete?"

Spike shrugs "I actually have a theory as to why they do it, if you'd like to listen."

Rarity grins "Yes, I would. And... did you polish your scales?"

Spike blushes "Uhh... yeah... I was trying to look good for you... cause our trial date is tonight and.. wanted to score some 'Suave' points... ugh, I'm so superficial..."

"No, I'm the one who's superficial. I mean, I refused to leave until I had put on some eye shadow and brushed my mane..." Rarity laughs into her hoof "It feels so nice to finally open up to somepony- er-"

Spike laughs "Nah, you know I raised by ponies and if I didn't look in a mirror, I'd forget I was a dragon... again." he blushes and sips his water "Don't ask..."

Rarity smiles and kisses his cheek "I suppose that if I didn't look in a mirror I'd-"

"Still look as breathtaking?" Spike supplies before covering his mouth "Did... I just say that out loud?"

I'm a fool for not realizing how often he's complimented me... "If you keep blowing smoke up my dress, I'm liable to float away with a big head."

Spike chuckles "Nah, you're one of the most grounded ponies I know. But back to my theory, I figure that the reason why Applejack and Rainbow love to turn everything into a competition is that the primitive parts of their brains with the 'Herd leader' instinct makes them need to 'Butt horns' to see who the leader is. That or their dominant-type personalities and hormones make them have to fight it out so that they just don't have passionate-hate/exhaustion sex every time they're alone if they don't already." he sips his water "Either one or both, I'm not sure."

Rarity nods, sipping her tea "Sounds logical... my theory was along the idea that they really can't rationalize a different way to resolve their rivalry. Less chemical and more... psychological, I suppose."

Spike laughs "Yeah, but I think we can agree why Rainbow sleeps in Applejack's trees."

"Marking her territory?"

"Yup. Only thing I can think of." Spike admits and Applejack falls off her chair, Luna pumping her hooves shakily "Whoo! Th' challenger wins! Whoo!!"

Twilight looks up from her notes and groans "Ugh... why are they so noisy?"

"Well judging by how they act, I'd say that Applejack and Rainbow just need to be locked in a heated barn and wait for them to come out smelling of shame." Moondancer says, making a notation "So I think that Hay Cart's method is better used as a means of infiltration considering that you can exit from the book whenever."

Twilight turns "What was that first thing?"

"Hm?" Moondancer moves one side of her bangs out of her face "About your friends? They just need to be locked in a warm place with some privacy and their constant head locking should lessen. Now as I was saying, say you used it on a letter and you had somepony mail it to somepony else, and you leave the letter; Not only have you travelled a great distance for the price of postage, but think about how you could get around embargoes or weather that would stop trains? Unfortunately... there's the fact that should the letter get lost... you've basically left your friend for dead..."

Twilight scoffs "Applejack and Rainbow aren't- are they making out?"

"Yes, I think Princess Luna is manipulating their subconscious movements so that they think they're embracing their ideal partner. Wouldn't surprise me, she did that to Minnuette and Lemon Drops when they visited us during our overnight attempts to use an old astrolabe." Moondancer groans "Ugh, read this, 'B. Work's newest thesis is as always, blunt and brusque.' Seriously, that competitive hack writes entire books, not papers. She was always trying to one-up you before we became friends..."

Twilight stares at her friend "Who?"

"Ah some annoying perfectionist with dreams of exceeding everypony in everything, your basic egomaniac and nothing more. But back to important topics, how did you like the book I lent you?"

Twilight claps her hooves and levitates a worn book from her bags "It was a bit dry, but it was engaging nonetheless. Though... 'Courting rituals of the last two millennium and what we can expect in the future' was a bit..."

"Odd of a first recommendation? Come on, it's sociology and economics projecting on the slightly unpredictable future. And page 234, paragraph 3 'Taking another pony to get a non-alcoholic beverage, most often tea or coffee, is a modern courting ritual' and the next paragraph 'If in the company of others of platonic relationship, isolating the other pony with something like a shared interest is an indicator of desire on the isolator's side.' So..." Moondancer slides closer to Twilight, levitating her coffee near her lips "What conclusions can we draw from that text and this scenario?"

Twilight blushes "Ah... you planned this?"

"Among other plans, yes. I thought you admired thorough preparedness for all eventualities. I also had one for a bar but that mostly involved one of us carrying the other back to the castle..." she shrugs "Anyways, this shouldn't come as a shock, you knew that I desired to teach you about relationships and that meant that I'd take advantage of any learning opportunities that came along. It's the best way I've found to help others learn is to make connections to the moment we're in. Probably why CSGU wants me as a teacher, but I have better things to do."

"What could be better than teaching at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns?!"

"You, my dear Sparky." Moondancer replies flatly, grinning behind her mug.

Luna hefts Applejack and Rainbow onto her back, her hoodie wrapped around her neck "I suppose I'll carry them until they wake up. Rarity, Twilight, would you two please hurry it up, I have a wonderful idea on how to spend the remainder of our day."

Rarity sighs and finishes her tea I suppose she wants to do one of her quizzes again... at least my friends are here to help.

Rarity sighs in contentment, her body limp "Spa day... perfect."

Luna trots over to her, her mane cut short "Not my usual idea of a relaxing retreat, but you deserve it. Quiz time."

Rarity groans to herself "Fine... what is it?"

Luna grins "You heard the conversation between Twilight and Moondancer, yes?"

Rarity nods "I couldn't help it, I had a feeling that's why you sat between our tables with Rainbow and Applejack being raucous. What about it?"

"Both groups spoke of the underlying reasons to why they are the way they are. Both conclusions were good, but it was also to see how you prioritize your attention, you multitasked."

"You mean listening to their conversation and carrying one with Spike?"

"No, you were capable of honing your hearing onto two different sources of noise and filter out a third and the din of the shop itself. That is admirable, though common. But you showed that you can handle and compartmentalize your facilities. That is something that is universally useful."

Rarity rolls her eyes "That's something gained from years of work. I know that you have another task for me, so please stop keeping me in suspense."

Luna grins "No task, I figure you'll need your wits about you tonight."

Rarity blinks in surprise "Then why did you-"

"Because I get bored sitting around the castle and besting every single active guard at once in every discipline. So I thought that spending the day with you and your friends would alleviate my boredom. And Discord's a bit preoccupied with his job restoring the balance of chaos and order. Nature can't flourish without the counter balance."

Rarity shrugs "Well good to know that you have... wait, how do you know about my date with Spike?"

"He dreamt of it going badly last night. I helped him a little... not out of favoritism, but because it's my vocation." Luna replies, her face neutral "He really loves you, you know. If you break his heart-"

"I know what will happen if I break his heart. I'm just not sure how it'll go. I'm excited to finally go out with a stallion that shares my values and likes... but how much of that is Spike, and how much is it him trying to impress me?"

Luna sighs "I don't get involved outside of dreams with the lives of my sister and I's subjects, but I suppose this is warranted." she rubs her forehead "Rarity, stop trying to sabotage your life with doubts. Doubt is essential to life, but for once, sew the voice in your head's mouth shut and keep your eyes open. Enjoy the view and fly away before you get hurt, and always accept the welcoming arms open to catch you. Take it from me Rarity, it's lonely at the top, and being alone is no way to live."

Rarity nods "Thank you..."

Luna shrugs "It's my job I suppose. But you're welcome. But after the date, we're getting you a magic teacher, you suck griffon balls in magic."

Rarity sighs in contentment, her mane and tail are even more immaculate than usual and one of Luna's dresses tailored to her body glistened in the light of the room "Thanks again for the dress Luna."

Luna looks up from her lexicon "Hm? Oh, sure, sure, better you use it than I just paying the designer, disassembling it stitch by stitch and making a pair of drapes or something out of it and melting the plastic into model figurines or something... like most dresses and junk I get every so often. Well, unless I can modify it to hide some knives, weapons, or maybe a few flasks of mead. Either way, it serves a better purpose."

Rarity groans "Are you sure you're a mare? You'd give Rainbow Dash a run for her bits in utter boorish-ness."

Luna blinks and rolls her body onto her side "I'm a bit busy talking and reading but if you want, you could check out my equipment to sate your curio- mph!" Luna looks up from her book "Why did you throw a pillow at me?"

"Because you don't just flash your 'equipment' around like that!"

Luna blinks "Is that one of those silly taboos? If that were so, we would wear under garments and pants like Homo sapiens sapiens. So full of themselves, they called them selves smart twice."

Rarity shakes her head "How is it that you don't just masquerade as a stallion?"

Luna blushes "H-how did you know?! I use the most airtight disguises! How did you see through them?!"

Rarity steps back "I... I was making a joke, what did you mean by... you crossdress?!"

Luna grits her teeth "I am glad I sound-proofed my room. Yes, I am a casual transvestite, okay? I always preferred the masculine half of society and thus I make it a habit of... making a new identity whenever nothing is happening at the castle. I don't sleep because I slept for a millennium, so I thought I might as well be princess by night, average stallion by day. If you tell another soul, I swear-"

Rarity holds up her hooves "I wouldn't. Lo should I be one to cast a stone, for I am about to embark on a date with a dragon suitor."

Luna nods "You have no IDEA how long I've wanted to tell somepony, not even my sister knows about it. Ugh... it feels good to get that off my chest. Maybe Silk would like to know too... nah, with her nervous nature she'd slip into a coma... but what an adorable little comatose doll she would make... eheheheh..."

Rarity stealthily leaves Luna's room, slightly disturbed Well... Luna is a bit of an odd ball.

Spike knocks on Rarity's door and the knob turns with a flash of indigo light "Spike? You're early!"

He nods "I thought that it'd be good to get the night started a little earlier. But if you want, I can wait."

Rarity shakes her head "No no, I'm ready, what is the venue again?"

"Well, It was to The Rose, but unfortunately, the owner had a death in the family and is in mourning, so he gave our reservation to another restaurant that's just as chic, but a little easier on the pocket. It's Saffron Petals."

Rarity gasps "That's one of the top restaurants in Equestria! Second only to The Rose! How did you even manage to convince the owners?"

"Well, I know them from my life in Canterlot and I learned a bit from both of them in how to cook. That and I helped them out of some bad situations that I can't say."

Connections, intellect, modesty, and chivalry. This is going better than most of my previous dates. rarity thinks to herself, grinning.

Spike pulls a chair out for Rarity and walks to his own, smiling calmly "Thanks for giving me this chance Rarity."

Rarity smiles "I'm just so sorry it took so long for me to do it."

"Oh don't worry, I'm patient. And you had other more important things to attend to. I'm just happy to be around you."

Rarity blushes "Spike, please stop... you're making me blush..."

Spike nods and scans his menu "... May I make a suggestion?"

Rarity nods "Yes, you've been here before."

"I'd suggest the Prench sautéed stir-fry and a watercress salad to finish."

Rarity scans her menu and finds the description in fluent Prench "Erm... my Prench is a little... under-par for this. But I'll take your word for it." Who has a restaurant that has Prench menus?!

Spike makes a turning motion "The menus are two sided, they put them down Prench-side up."

Rarity blinks and flips her menu over "Oh... well, now I feel silly."

"You shouldn't, I forgot to mention it. But who could remember something when a living incarnation of beauty is so close?"

Rarity's face flushes to a bright pink "Sp-spike... my word, you are a flirtatious drake."

"Augh... I have no filter... I'm sorry if I'm laying on too thick."

Rarity shakes her head "No need, though could you perhaps tone it down a little?"

Spike nods and a waiter approaches the table "'Allo Spike."

"Sous! Oh man, did you get my letter about Pinkie?"

The stallion nods, his orange-peach coat flushing for a few seconds "Oui, but... spontaneity to get her attention? I am too... reserved for such a thing."

Rarity smiles "Hello Sous."

Sous turns and smiles at Rarity "Allo, you are the one who caught the heart of my little cold-blooded friend? It is a pleasure to meet you, Spike never sent pictures, though I do not think that... non, flirtation at work is not a thing I do. So, what is your decision on entrees?"

Spike nods "I'll have the dandelion, black forest toadstool, and clover casserole with an iceberg and tomato salad."

"I'll have the Prench sautéed stir-fry and a watercress salad, please." Rarity replies and Sous writes it down and takes their menus "It should take about... 'alf an hour, and the usual house wine as well?"

Spike smiles and shakes his , speaking in Prench "Noir 900 Dread Serf if you have it."

Sous raises an eyebrow "Is that not the one you said was a gift from the princess? Is she 'The one'?"

Spike turns to Rarity and nods, smiling "I know she is."

The stallion smiles in a similar manner and nods "You are a true gentlestallion Spike the Dragon."

Rarity looks from Sous and back to Spike "What was that about?"

"Well... I have had my eye on a certain bottle of great vintage for a while. I gave it to the owner of The Rose to hold onto, so that I knew where it was. And... I think it's time to break the seal."

Rarity blinks in confusion "Oh? What might that be?"

"You'll see, it's a surprise."

Sous returns from the kitchen two plates on his back "Here is your dinner Sir Spike and Lady Rarity"

Spike rolls his eyes "Still a stickler for your native habits?"

Sous grins "Nah, Ah jus' like talkin' fancy-like. Y'all're th' last two customer anyhows. Made m'self some food too if ya don't tell th' boss on me."

Rarity jumps in her seat "Wha- you're accent..."

Sous shakes out his mane, the slicked back mane falling in layers over his face, opens his vest and removes his shirt "Faker'n a snake's word, no 'fense, right Spike?"

"Hey, I'm not to keen on other reptiles, so none taken. Rarity, this is an old school friend of mine from Canterlot University. Crisp 'Sous' Crunch, an actor, chef, and proud Apple after hours."

Rarity blinks in realization "So... you're related to-"

Sous places a plate of sautéed vegetables on another table "First cousin, my pa's her pa's brother. Have ya met my half-brother Breaburn? Both of us got our pa's good looks but his accent too. Nopony'd hire a thick jawed yokel no matter how many other star chefs he can beat in contests or how many mares and stallions he draws like flies an' ants ta honey. So ah went ta CU an' met Spike, he helped me learn how ta do accents and not looks so... yokel-ish. Ma, my mother, not Breaburn's; rest her soul, said ah should stop slingin' fancy food ta gruff workers an' make a name fer m'self in th' big city. Her dyin' wish; an' buck me where Celestia's sun don't shine, Pa kicked me out faster'n a Pegasus on pure Zap an' told me to write." he laughs, eating voraciously "Anyways, ta sum'rize, ya got a good one in Spike there. Never met a nicer pony in mah life."

Rarity smiles "I know, he's a darling, isn't he?"

Spike grins and lifts the bottle of wine "To the most beautiful mare in history."

Rarity blushes and takes the bottle in her magic "Thank you Spike, may I see what type of wine it is?"

Spike shrugs and she winks, at him reading the label and nearly drops it "D-D-Dread Serf?! Where did you get this Spike?! This is said to be a secret, limited quantity wine sought after by enthusiasts!"

Spike nods "I know, so I thought that I should mark the best day of my life with it. Shall we?"

He wants to open an ultra-rare fifty year vintage for me! I... this is possibly the most generous thing anypony has done for me! And... Oh Celestia he's so... so... too good for me! I can't... I just can't... "I... hold off on that darling, I must go powder my nose."

Spike nods and sets the bottle back on the table and waits, grinning She's so gorgeous... even if I never get a second date, this will be the highlight of my life.

Crisp's brow furrows Ah know that look anywhere, she's gonna bolt on Spike. Ain't gonna let that happen to ya little Sir, tain't right.

Crisp follows Rarity and circles around the outside of the building and waits. As expected, Rarity pulls herself onto the ledge of the bathroom window and stops "Erm... there's nothing I can say to prove that I'm not doing what you think I'm doing?"

He shakes his head "Not a one."

"... Well this is awkward."

Crisp shrugs "Personally, ah don't get involved in this kinda trouble, but fer Spike's case, ah can't let ya just leave him."

Rarity sighs "I know, I know... but he's too perfect. I mean, sure, the only thing that would improve it would be me. I'm not the perfect pony he thinks I am, I'm all too imperfect."

"I know you're imperfect Rarity, but the fact that you can admit it is proof that you're perfect to me." Spike says, rounding the corner.

"Rarity, I know that I may seem to be too kind and perfect, but I have my own personal demons deep inside of me. Take Dragon Greed for instance. I have the natural, instinctual urge to take whatever I want, whenever I want. I don't, and that's why I'm so small. When Twilight and I left Canterlot, I knew that Celestia's counter-measure of letting me have whatever I want, without greed, would make the transition as hard as it was for Twilight to make some more friends. But on that same day, I saw you, and knew that I could never have you, and that put me on the edge of succumbing. But you were so generous and beautiful, that I knew that I'd found the perfect pony who could keep my greed tamed when I couldn't. As I got to know you, I saw that beauty was within and without, and that made you that much more important to me. It started out as a primal, base need, but it turned into selfless love, a thing that most ponies and dragons would say is impossible for me. But I knew that I was a rare individual, just like the mare who succeeded in taking something from a dragon. You stole my heart, and I don't want it back."

Rarity blinks away tears "Y-you really mean that?"

"I can't lie to you Rarity, you know that."

Rarity sits on the window ledge "You're too kind."

Spike crawls up the wall, and sits next to her "And you, my dear, are beautiful."

Crisp wipes his eyes "Aw consarn it, yall're makin' me cry... how 'bout ah get yer dinner an' wine an' ya go have a picnic, it's a nice night out anyways."

They nod, and Spike jumps from the ledge and opens his arms "I'll catch you."

Rarity giggles and eases herself from the ledge.

Enjoy the view and fly away before you get hurt, and always accept the welcoming arms open to catch you.

Rarity watches with a smile as Spike catches her with ease, his arms under her knees and back I do wonder if Luna knew how it would go...? No, she's not that powerful.

She kisses Spike on the lips "Thank you... Spike, why is your face... longer?"

Spike blinks and sets her down "What do you- Sweet Sassafras! I'm taller!"

It was true, Spike had suddenly grown to the height of a pony, and his features looked more like an adult Dragon's. "Whoa... I'm a juvenile... this is only supposed to happen when a dragon finds the most precious thing to... them... whoa."

Rarity blinks "What do you... oh my..."

Spike rubs the back of his neck "Eheheh... I guess what I really wanted was a real kiss from you..."

Crisp rounds the corner, bottle and food on his back "Ah brought ya'll t'go boxes. Ah'm gonna close up- Celestia's flares! Spike! Ya dun grown on me! Well, ya already did back at CU, but ya know what ah mean!" he sets the food and bottle down and stands on his back legs "Shee-oot! Yall're taller'n me on two legs! Ya didn't even come up to ma shoulder five minutes ago. Gotta say Spike, ya look real regal-like. Woo-wee; wish ah had ma camera, cause this is somethin' else!"

Spike laughs "I can hardly follow what you're saying Crisp, calm down."

"'Calm down'?! How in Cadance's shapely flanks am ah supposed ta do that?" Crisp asks, dropping to all fours.

Rarity clears her throat and levitates the food off of the ground "Thank you for being so generous Crisp Crunch. I'll be sure to suggest to many of my close friends of you and this fabulous establishment."

Crisp bows, smiling "Mighty nice of ya miss Rarity. But ah think that ya'll should get a move on if ya want ta eat your food warm. Ah'm gonna go close up shop an' see ya'll when ah see ya."

Spike flexes his longer fingers "... I'm definitely not going to fit in my basket anymore..."

Rarity sighs in happiness, relaxing on a bench near a small lake "Spike?"

Spike turns "Yeah?"

"Thank you."

Spike raises an eye-ridge "What for? I should be thanking you. You gave me my greatest desire and let me treat you to a date. This, truly is, the best day of my life."

Rarity shakes her head "No, for not... getting angry when I tried to run away. I... I have a habit of putting others on high pedestals and they never measure up and... I built yours up the highest of all. You're so generous and humble that... I felt greedy and audacious in comparison. And... I'm scared."

"Of ponies judging you?"" Spike asks "Hey, if you don't want anypony to know about it, I'll keep my mouth-"

Rarity shakes her head "No, nothing foolish like that. I'm afraid of being... content. I don't want to stop moving forward, to stop and... settle for 'Good enough'. I'm afraid of waking up one day and realize I've done nothing to show that I even existed... or accomplished anything. Romance was a means to a selfish end, to take the fame that others have and use it as my own. To scale the social ladder by stepping on the heads of others, rather than grabbing the rungs and taking it one step at a time. I want to be famous, coveted, and sought after."

Spike takes her hoof in his hand and Rarity is shocked by its warmth "You've already left many signs that you lived. You're not only a national heroine, but you've also designed several ensembles that models and artists clamour for in droves! If that isn't significant enough, then I guess that means that history is too blind to marvel at your radiance and majesty."

Rarity blushes and averts her eyes, stumbling over her words "Sp-Spike... I... I don't know what to say... you keep leaving me speechless darling."

Spike smiles "Well, I love the sound of your voice, so I guess I should be quiet?"

Rarity shakes her head vehemently "N-no! I mean... I like..." she meets Spike's eyes and notices that he's blushing as hard as she is "I... love the... the..." Rarity's words fade in her throat and a sudden wave of happiness and peace washes over her mind Why do I... why can't I look away? I'm... I want him to kiss me...

Spike's forehead furrows in concern "What's the matt- mmm... Mph..." Rarity meets his lips, relishing the feel of his scaly lips on hers and the warmth radiating from his entire being.

Rarity leans a back a bit, her eyes glowing like sapphires in the moonlight "You, that's the end of my sentence."

Spike blinks, his mind replaying her words "I love the... the... you." Wait, "I love the you."? That doesn't- Oh sweet sassafras... did she just- "Wh-what? did you just say-"

"I love you, Spike the dragon. You're my true knight in shining armor, and the dragon too."

Spike rolls his eyes "I can't stand those stories, true or no- wait... WHAT?! Y-y-y-you love me?! As in... more than platonically?!"

Rarity nods, her face ripe as an apple "Mm-hm... is- is that ba- MMMPH!" Spike pounces, pining her to the ground and he eagerly kisses her. The shock passes and Rarity leans into the kiss, wrapping a hoof around his neck.

She parts her lips, granting him access to her mouth and he pauses, as if asking permission. Rarity whimpers an affirmative and shivers as Spike's long, slender tongue snakes past her lips and around her tongue, massaging it in a way that Rarity never thought was possible. Her lips brush his sharp teeth and a shiver of fear and excitement passes through her mind; her hind-brain instinct telling her to run from the dangerous predator. Willing the feeling of fear away, she succumbs to the euphoric bliss that flowed into her from the gentle ministrations.

Spike's mind is less turbulent, but his will is holding back his urges, he bends to his knees and brushes Rarity's mane to the side, cupping her cheek in his claw. She jerks away, startled, but lets herself be held, nuzzling the smooth palm. Spike traces her face with his thumb, placing his other hand behind her head and lifting her from the ground, still massaging Rarity's tongue before snaking back into his own mouth and breaking contact "Rarity..."

Rarity opens her eyes, still enjoying the feeling of Spike's claws on her face "Yes?"

"I... would... uhh..." Spike stutters, unsure how to phrase his question "Would you... like to head back to the castle? I mean, grass in your mane can't be good..."

Rarity looks into Spike's eyes and shakes her head "I have nopony to impress, besides, the night is beautiful."

Spike blushes "It's nothing compared to you..."

She blushes and giggles "Don't let Luna catch you saying that."

Spike grins "Let her, it's true."

Rarity playfully rolls her eyes "Are you going to continue or...?"

Spike pauses, thinking before realizing what she meant "But of course my dear." he lowers his lips to hers, still holding her head and Rarity arches her back, a whimper of relief emanating from her chest. Spike growls from deep within his own, his desire mixing with base urges, but still unable to break his will's barrier.

Rarity isn't as in control, and pulls Spike's chest closer to her own, wrapping her other hoof around his neck and falls limp in his grasp, her composure fading.

Rarity breaks contact "I know I said no a few minutes ago, but... how about we go back to the castle?"

Rarity smiles at Spike and enters her room "I had a lovely evening Rarity, well, 'Lovely' doesn't cover it. This has truly been the best day ever."

Rarity blushes "As did I, my sweet prince."

Spike blushes and bows before turning to leave.

"Spike? Where are you going?" Rarity asks, grabbing his tail in her magic.

"What do you mean? I've done my gentlecoltly duty of seeing you back to your room. I'm going to go sleep or wait for Twilight to wake up so I can scare the cutie mark off her. Whichever comes first."

Rarity rolls her eyes "No darling, you are going to break tradition with me once more... and accompany me to sleep, mayhaps even more."

Spike cocks his head "What are you talking abou-" a cloud of steam rises from his face "Ah-er-uhh... is this a test?"

Rarity bites her lip with a smile and turns, flicking her tail to the side "I'm not that type of mare Spike, you know that."

Spike swallows and follows after Rarity, closing the door with his tail.

A solitary scrub jay sings on the windowsill of Rarity's room, rousing the slightly disheveled mare and her dragonic suitor "Mmmph? Morning already?"

Spike blinks several times and sits up, stretching "Another day, another advent... oh... it wasn't a dream?"

Rarity shakes her head, her mane covering half of her face "No my dear, it wasn't. And... I must say, for a ferocious dragon, you're very tender."

Spike blushes "Ah... was I that bad?"

Rarity titters "No. I meant that as a complement... though we might need to change the sheets, my blood's set..."

"Bl-blood?! Oh my Celestia, I'm so sorry if I hurt you!"

Rarity rolls her eyes "Spike, the blood's from my... you know..."

Spike blanches "I... I was... I... Oh crud..."

"Is it that surprising? I've had a job for most of my-"

Spike shakes his head vehemently "That's not what I meant! I meant... you seemed to know what to do so I thought..."

Rarity blushes "W-well... you did ask what to do... and from what I've heard, that's an uncommon trait." she leans up and nuzzles his cheek "Good morning love."

Spike blushes brighter but returns the nuzzle "Good morning... love."

Rarity beams and hops out of bed, levitating the sheets and blankets off "I suppose we'll have an announcement to make to everypony this morning."

Spike nods, and takes the bundle of cloth into his arms "I'll carry these, if you don't mind."

Rarity nods "Such a gentlestallion. Be sure not to spoil me too much dear."

Spike shrugs "I'll try not to, how about we go get breakfast first? Or do you want to wash first?"

"Wash first. And I think you should too, you are a bit... fresh."

Spike sniffs the air and nods "Meet back in the dining hall?"

Rarity nods and they part ways, both wondering how to breach the subject of their relationship.

Rarity sighs as the warm water cascades over her form when something in the back of her head tells her that she's being watched "Come out Princess Luna, I can feel you watching me."

Luna fades into visibility and grins "Good, never doubt the sense of being stared at, for herd animals such as our kind, that's an invaluable trait to use to our advantage, but enough about the extended mind. I take that your date went very well?"

Rarity nods "That it did, but you were probably spying on us, weren't you?"

Luna shakes her head "No. I know that doing that would not only be a violation of your privacy, but also of the basic tenants of decency. I am not that type of pony, and I hope to never be. I just wanted to tell you that dating and loving Spike back will further complicate your life. I just wanted to ask you if he's worth it."

Rarity pauses "What do you mean?"

"I mean, is it worth being ridiculed and reviled by the very ponies you wish to supply your clothes? Is it worth straining yourself to accept another into your heart, to have all of your faults and weaknesses exposed to another? I cannot begin to comprehend the strain of love, for I have loved none. Love... I still think it a weakness in the mind and heart of ponies, but I also know that it can be a great strength... Will you be consumed by love, and suffer from what you fear? Or will you keep him at a distance, fear holding your heart in a cage? I won't tell you what to do, but once you choose, you cannot change that." Luna sighs "Rarity, can I expect your all in your actions as The Huntress? If I can, come to my chambers the night after today, and know that... the real tests begin."

Rarity turns to respond but Luna has disappeared without a trace of magic or hoofsteps "... She's hurting."

Spike sits down at his table and raises an eyeridge at everypony staring at him "What? Do I have drool on my face or something?"

Rainbow rises from her seat and grabs Spike's head "Spike? What the hay has Twilight been feeding you?"

Spike shakes her off "Nothing out of the usual. And I'm the one who cooks, not her." he bites into his toast "Why?"

Applejack shakes off her shock and walks over to Spike "What she means is, how did ya grow overnight like that?"

Spike grins "I got a kiss from the most beautiful mare in Equestria. I guess all of those things Cadence said about love being powerful were true."

Twilight steps into the room and gasps "HOLY DOCK!! Spike! You're huge!!"

"That's what- mmph!" Spike covers Rainbow's mouth "No."

Twilight rolls her eyes and looks Spike over "Wow, you almost look like a pony, and your body mass has at least quadrupled."

"Are you calling me fat?"

Applejack laughs "Ah gotta say, ya ain't th' shrimpy fella ah met at th' summer sun celebration."

Spike smiles "We've all grown since that day. Maybe... maybe it's time for all of us to seek our own destinies. I have practically the same intellect as Twilight and now... now I have no more reason to be left behind if you guys go on an adventure. Look at me, I can probably protect you guys now." he laughs "I'm a beast now. Wonder if that means I should start a hoard?"

Twilight shakes her head "Let's... not get carried away. So how did you grow so much, tell me every detail."

Spike shrugs "I kissed Rarity, she kissed me back, I felt hot, and then I was big. Nothing really to say, we both had our eyes closed. Now, I'm hungry, and there's a piece of margarine toast that needs masticating."

Rainbow snorts "I think you're supposed to eat toast Spike."

Twilight rolls her eyes "'Masticate' means to eat, Rainbow. For friend's day, I'm getting you a word a day calendar."

Rainbow's smile drops "Feathers."

Rarity enters the dining hall and kisses Spike on the cheek "Hello lover."

Spike smiles back "Hello, my elusive treasure."

Applejack extends a hoof to Rainbow "Pay up."

Rainbow grumbles and drops a bag of bits into Applejack's hoof "Double feathers..."

Pinkie plonks in and gasps "Oh wow! I knew that cutie itch, wobbly knees, and a burpsnart meant that one of my bestest friends was getting laid!"

Spike and Rarity blush "So... uncouth..."

One of Spike's ear frills is enveloped in magenta magic "Come with me 'Lover' we have a long, LOOONG lesson on proper mating protocols and rituals to cover. You know how I feel about skipping ahead in the curriculum."

"Ow! Twili- Ow! Stoppit! I need these to- Ow!!"

Rarity steps in front of Twilight "I'm afraid that his... 'deviance' is my fault Twilight, if anypony should be punished, it should be I."

Twilight nods and envelopes Rarity's ear in her magic "Okay, I'm the type of pony who believes in free agency. So both of you will be punished. Come on, I have slides and a new laser pointer."

Pinkie shrugs and Rainbow grins "Immanent education coming."

"How do ya know that word, but don't know what masticatin' means?"

"I read a lot of comics."

Author's Note

Well. That was a bit of a struggle to find my muse. But I found it again. So Spike and Rarity are a thing, and Spike can be a hero rather than a sidekick. I wonder how this will play out in the upcoming events?

See you in the next chapter, where Rarity's real training starts.

Chapter 7: A return to "Normalcy"

Rarity yawned to herself, waiting for Luna to appear "She said be in the southern corridors at midnight on the dot, and I've been here for ages. Where is she?"

"... So you're the newest Huntress? I should've guessed." someone says from behind Rarity.

She turns and standing in the hallway is a thin palomino unicorn mare, her horn radiating dandelion magic "Hello Rarity. For the following few hours, you are my student in tactical magics and unlocking your magical potential. From now on, you will refer to me as 'Miss', and that title alone. Unlike Luna's application-learning style, you will learn and then be tested after each lesson until you get it right."

"Miss, I have a question." Rarity says, wiping away her tiredness "What would these lessons be in aside from allowing me to access outside magic?"

Moon Dancer adjusts her glasses "At the very base of this, I'm going to teach you how to recognize and utilize elemental magics, such as wind, earth, fire, et cetera. As well as turn your opponent's magic against them by reversal and counteracting. Basically, I am the foremost living authority on combat magic and Luna, while very well-practiced, is not prone to utilizing magic as a tool, but as a secondary skill, as you may already have noticed. Midnight Rose will still be your partner, but she is currently already passed this point in her combat education." she sighs "Tell me, would you consider me, as I am, a threat to yourself in combat?"

Rarity looks Moon Dancer over Thin frame congruent with unicorn lifestyle with less than 10% body fat. Disheveled mane and tail, most likely from poor hygiene considering vibrancy of colors, thick glasses though they are more than likely aesthetic than anything. Overall, bookish, bordering on hermit. Considerable magical ability as a result? "Without magic, no. With magic, you might easily best me."

Moon Dancer's eyes widen and she claps in surprise "Wow, you are a quick study. You're right, I'm not a physical fighter, I'm a magi supreme. Like Twilight, I went to the school for gifted unicorns and focused on magical theory and application, whereas Twilight focused on history." she wipes her glasses on her coat "And yes, you could easily overwhelm me in close combat. But that isn't what I'm going to teach you. Luna said that you utilized Midnight's Thestral magic to levitate yourself and her through the castle while under the effects of Luna's gravity spell. Obviously you know that the horn isn't the sole magical output for Unicorns."

rarity nods "Yes, Pegasi and Thestrals focus magic out through their wings to fly and maneuver through the air, and Earth ponies have their whole body. Anypony can see that."

Moon Dancer nods "You'd be wrong. But nobility aside; Earth ponies are the best at utilizing natural magic because of their richer history and traditions." she smiles and extends a hoof "Observe."

A ball of light forms in Moon Dancer's hoof "This is basic magic, telekinesis, levitation, teleportation, basic non-elemental. Now..." the ball goes from dandelion to white-yellow "This is light magic, illumination and the like. Try it."

Rarity nods and exhales, clearing her mind "Illumination... Rhinestone cut." a ball of white light forms in her hoof "Easy as making a bouquet."

"'Rhinestone cut'? What's that mean?"

"Hm? I have associative memory I suppose. I remembered making a large number of cuts in a dress a few months ago, and a power outage would've set me back a long while if Twilight hadn't taught me an illumination spell." Rarity replies "Is that bad?"

"Not at all. I usually just cast through magical memory, but to each their own style. Now, shift the magic from light to wind or fire."

"... Shift?"

Moondancer pauses "Shift its nature from light to another type. It's easy."

Rarity rolls her eyes "Easy for you, because you're a scholar. Difficult because I'm a seamstress. But I shan't back down from a challenge."

The ball glows brighter and starts to pulse and spin "Fire... 'Fire is the spark of life each soul is made of, and thus changes while constant' that's Hay Cart, yes?"

"Clover the Clever, but doesn't matter." Moondancer corrects.

Rarity grins and the heat in the hall jumps a few degrees, the ball of light radiating heat "So... do you want me to turn it into wind or something?"

Moon Dancer grins "No. Now you run." The mare's forehooves erupt into flames "And hope you don't get burnt in the process."

Rarity blinks slowly and tosses the ball of fire at Moon Dancer's forehead, stunning the mare and dispelling the magic "Or I can just knock you down with magic."

Moon Dancer looks up and rubs her head "Okay, I didn't think you'd actually attack me... impressive. Now, think fast."

Moon Dancer disappears and Rarity pricks her ears, listening She said that she can't fight without magic for that long, so she should be light on her hooves, reserving her energy for mag- there! Rarity blasts a shadowy corner, but all that she hit was the wall itself "What? But she was just- ungh!" Somepony kicks her in the side and a flash of dandelion magic announces whom attacked her.

Rarity summons shields to her blind spots and listens to the air, trying to pinpoint the palomino mare How is- there! she looses a volley of blasts to her side, but they miss and sail into the wall.

A kick shatters her shields, followed by another kick to her side, launching her into the wall. "You're fast, no doubt about it, but you've got a lot to learn about spell casting." Moon Dancer says, reappearing in front of Rarity.

Rarity grins and she swipes at Moon Dancer, missing "What was that supposed to- AUGH!" a ball of fire sails into Moon Dancer's side, launching her several feet down the hall "What was that?!"

Rarity cocks her head and raises her hoof, flicking it again and something glints in the moonlight "A yoyo. I found it whilst waiting for you. I just put a little fire on it and you know the rest."

Moon Dancer gasps in surprise "You didn't light your horn of use any dweomers! I would've seen you cast the spell!"

Rarity giggles "I didn't cast a spell recently. I casted it after your first attack. I was considered the fasted at casting simple spells at college. Helped... persuade some stallions to think with their upper heads. Now, how did you move so fast?"

"An answer for an answer, fair enough. I partially teleported in between two points in space. It's much less draining than a full teleport, but much harder and subtle. Only works on one target though."

"Interesting. What else is on the itinerary?"

The palomino mare grins wickedly "Next we try explosive magic."

Rarity groans, her whole body rigid and sore "Spike~ Spikey-wikey... help me..."

The door to her room opens and Rainbow walks in, a toothbrush in her hoof "What's the sitch?"

Rarity sighs "I had gone to a chiropractor for some work, and I think he was drunk or half-asleep. Could you be a dear and get Spike to give me a massage?"

"Oh, I'll tell him alright... Spike! Your pet Mare wants a good rub down! Brink your hot tube of oil!!"

Rarity groans "Why am I friends with you?"

"Because awesome."

"That's not even proper grammar!"

Rainbow shrugs and leaves, brushing her teeth. Spike steps inside and sits next to Rarity "So... whole body massage or..."

Rarity rolls her eyes "Whole body. And don't be afraid to work out some knots, I'm not fragile."

Spike shrugs and blows on his hands, producing a large bag from Rarity's closet "A relaxing bath is recommended M'lady." he wraps his tail around her barrel and walks towards the large bathroom within the castle.

Rarity slowly dips into the filled tub of water, and quirks an eyebrow at the temperature "It's room temp."

Spike grins and lifts her out and points to a pile of logs underneath the bath "I shall now use my fire to make it the perfect temperature for you. Just tell when it's hot enough."

Rarity blushes and the water slowly rises in temperature "Spike? You're going to make me a very helpless pony at the rate you keep doting on me."

"It's my pleasure, that and I don't have anything else to do for the next few hours. Moon Dancer took Twilight out to the museum to look at fossils or something."

Sounds like the workaholics we know and love... She hums to herself in pleasure "Perfect darling... perfect..."

Spike smiles and sets out a towel and a bathrobe "Call me when you're ready."

Rarity titters to herself, hiding her crimson face "Dear stars above he is perfect! Ugh, it makes me feel so... evil to use him.

"It ain't that bad. You've got your looks and he likes your personality."

"..." A vein in rarity's forehead throbs and she levitates the towel, twisting it into a rat tail "Midnight Rose... why are you in my bath?"

"Huh? I'm here to relax too." the magenta Thestral replies, stretching her sinewy wings "You wouldn't believe the work Luna made me go through last night."

Rarity pauses and lowers the towel "Oh? What happened?"

Midnight groans, rubbing the base of her wings "Wing-ups for two hours straight. You know what those are, right?"

"It's like a push-up, but you use wings instead of your forelegs?"

"Exactly. Pegasi have more stretching and lifting muscles, Thestrals like me have thinner bones and muscles in our wings. And we can't regulate heat there very well because... you know, skin instead of feathers. Then she had me practice a training gauntlet with my ears pinned down! I can't do squat without my ears! My eyes aren't good in the bright lights she had on!"

Rarity nods, rubbing her shoulders "I can relate, Moon Dancer taught me things rapid-fire and she's obviously smart, no denying that. But she kept firing spells like a... what do you call those big barrel-like guns Griffons use? The ones in the north that-"

"Machine guns. Yeah, I had to train with her last month. She gets her message across, but sometimes she... you know."

"Gets as excited as Pinkie Pie?"

"Exactly. She's got even the current captain of the guards scared, and he's Twilight's brother! You'd think he's be used to mares with more magic than they know what to do with!"

Rarity nods "Preach sister, preach!"

Midnight guffaws "Ah goddess I needed this. So, you don't have to answer this but-"

"Just one dear." Rarity replies, sinking into the water.

"... Huh, my cousin lied. Dang. What about that thingy-"

"Cloaca, and yes, that's there too."

Midnight shrugs "Cool. So, how far did she get with you? She start on 'Phasing' yet?"

Rarity groans, rubbing her horn "Yes! I nearly broke my horn in half before she called it a night! And that was after she pulled off Germane supplexes!"

Midnight winces, sinking deeper and sighing "Sounds about right. Yeesh, Luna is a strict teacher, but Moon Dancer? That mare is crazy."

A knock on the door silences their revelry "Rarity? Are you finished yet? If you stay in their too long the water will leech all your body's oils!"

Midnight shrugs and hops out of the tub and opens a window above the bath "You heard him. Just remember, you aren't alone in this."

Rarity leaves the bath, drying with the towel "I'm just dry off now, Darling!"

Spike rubs his hands together and spits some oil from his mouth "... Okay, that was less disgusting in my head..."

"What was that?" Rarity asks, delighting in the warm oils.

"Nothing. I was just muttering about some comic characters I like."

Rarity quirks an eyebrow "Oh? Care to explain it to me? I may not be an avid reader, but Sweetie's friends enjoy the printed adventures of heroes and heroines."

Spike grins "Well, the most popular characters are 'The Power Ponies'. Though very commonly read, I prefer the more indie scenes. 'Chronomalies', 'Elemental heroes', 'D.D.', and 'Genex' are the ones off the top of my head. But 'The Power Ponies' are a lot like you and the girls. They even have a... less than useful sidekick... like me."

Rarity whips her head around "Two things. One, you are very important to us. And two, massagie now."

Spike nods "Well, there's the leader 'Masked Matterhorn', who is a lot like Twilight and is a master magician. Then there's Zapp, the 'Self-proclaimed' queen of the storm. Mistress Marevelous, super strength and immunity to magic and an unbreakable lasso. Filli-second, living energy and speedster, like Pinkie Pie. Saddle Rager, demure so long as an animal isn't in danger, then becomes a living juggernaut covered in spikes. Then there's Radiance, who reminds me of you."

"Mmhm... what's her pow- oh that's nice..." Rarity coos, biting her lips as Spike massages her neck.

"She can manipulate anything reflective from mirrors to gems to glass, or even puddles. If it can hold an image or reflect light, she can use it to blast her enemies. Like if you fired a bit of magic into a mirror angled towards a burglar, you could stun them without turning a corner."

That sounds like... something I could do... maybe comics aren't as... silly as I thought. Spike likes them, so I should try it... it's only fair.

Fluttershy sat in the Canterlot garden, sharing lunch with Green Sleeves, the gardener "Thank you so much Fluttershy."

"Oh it's no problem Green, I enjoy your company."

Green turns to her "I'm a married stallion Fluttershy."

Fluttershy reddens "I know, I mean, I enjoy spending time with- I mean... you were kidding, weren't you?"

Green nods "Sorry, Fresh says I joke too often. Whelp, I have to go stop my daughter from wandering around the castle."

Fluttershy's ears twitch in excitement "Oh? Tree Hugger's here?"

"Yup, she's here to see about the wilting Persimmons. I think you two'd get along. Come on, she should be at the gate talking to a rosebush."

Fluttershy nods but cocks her head Talking to a rosebush? I suppose that makes sense if she's a botanist... I think.

"Thanks for coming to the museum with me Sparky."

"Stop calling me that. I'm not a dog." Twilight sighs, munching on a pretzel.

Moon Dancer grins "I could turn you into a dog. Transmutation isn't that hard."

Twilight rolls her eyes "And illegal without the target's consent."

Moon Dancer shrugs "Semantics. Anyways, about your friend Rarity... what is her deepest desire?"

Twilight pauses "Where'd that come from?"

"She just strikes me as a bit superficial. She carries herself like she's a noble heiress, but she makes clothes in a town full of ponies who rarely wear clothing. It's just a bit counter-intuitive, especially if she's an entrepreneur. So what's the end of which she has gone through such strange means?"

Twilight pauses "That sounds like you want to know what drives her. Why would you want to know that?"

Moon Dancer turns to Twilight "I can either lie to you, or tell you the truth. Tell me which you want to hear, and it'll be up to you to decide whether or not I'm lying."

Twilight glares at he friend "Tell me the truth."

Moon Dancer nods "I want to know so that I can better motivate somepony whom I've been charged with teaching arcane combat. If I can know what she desires most, I can dangle it in front of her, just out of her reach to make her keep moving forward."

Twilight sighs "You don't need to lie, Moon Dancer, but I'm afraid I can't tell you."

She shrugs "Okay, just thought I'd ask you first before I go the unethical route."

"'Unethical'? What do you mean?"

"I mean using mind control and getting her to tell me herself, for example."

Twilight grits he teeth and unconsciously charges her horn "I won't let you."

Moon Dancer frowns slightly "I'm afraid that you couldn't even if you used the power of the element of magic. I'm simply a better magi than you. It's not that I have better breeding or anything, I just have more knowledge, skill, and understanding of magic. You are a scholar and I'm a mage, while often synonymous they are nonetheless different types of magi. You work best in the classroom or a library, I work better in silent contemplation in the middle of a battlefield, tearing out the spines of any enemy that comes close and disintegrating weapons. It's not that I'm better, I just have several advantages that you cannot easily overcome."

Twilight grits her teeth "You can't know that. And besides, why would you train to fight?!"

"Because unlike you, I have a reason to fight. I was chosen to be a killer, you were chosen to be a hero. I just lack empathy, mercy, morality, no concept of the value of life, I killed my parents by accident when I was a filly and I have nothing better to do." she smiles weakly "You have what I lack, but a very unstable world view. That's why you're going to be immortalized in history, and I'm just going to fade away, knowing the secrets of the kingdom until I'm killed and replaced. It's my life, and I enjoy it to a degree."

"How can you enjoy killing?" Twilight asks, lowering her voice as a result of several ponies staring.

"... Well besides the rush of adrenaline and endorphins after overcoming an enemy, I enjoy it because I know that by doing so, I become better. And when I'm the best, it'll be time for me to disappear and be replaced by a brand new assassin." Which turns out to be all too soon. Moon Dancer thinks to herself.

Twilight shudders "Who... who do you work for?"

Moon Dancer sighs "I thought you were smart, you already know. I work for the crown. And besides, in a month I'll be erased. That's what was in my letters. I kept trying to tell you that I was going to be terminated. You never read them, so my message has to be said now, after discovering the answer to a question I've had since I began; 'Do I have a heart?'"

Twilight holds out a hoof "Why are you telling me all of this?"

"Because you were my last chance at escaping the dangerous life I live. Even now, I'm resigned to my fate. I've finished my bucket list of one item: 'Spend a whole day with a true, true friend.'" she sighs and walks around Twilight "Now that that's done, I have my answer to the question of whether or not I have a heart."

Twilight stops her "And the answer?"

"... I don't. I saw this whole outing as tedious and boring. I no longer have any desire to do anything except teach my replacement and be erased from memory and record. I will have never existed." Moondancer answers flatly before teleporting away, leaving Twilight dazed "I... what am I doing here?"

Moon Dancer lands in her house, and sighs, wiping her eyes "I... I don't have a heart, this tightness is from my... synthetic organ... nothing more... not heartbreak... just need... painkillers..." she shuffles to a box filled with several different colored bottles, and tears the top off one, swallowing two pills "Ugh... just need to make it through the month..."

She shuffles to her sparse room and flops onto the flattened futon "At least I said it... and erased her memories. I should feel relieved, but I can't stop shaking... must be a vitamin deficiency or something." Not heartache, that's psychosomatic and I have complete control over my emotions and pain centers. Just need some rest and a multi-vitamin... and I'll be adequately prepared for the train ride to Ponyville.

Rarity closes he bags and levitates them into the baggage compartment of the Train "Has anypony seen Twili-"

Twilight appears in a flash of light "Girls! I'm so sorry! I lost track of time and-"

"It's all right Darling, the train doesn't leave for another five minutes. Settle down."

Twilight sighs "I don't even know how I got to the middle of the other side of town. I was talking to... to..." she pauses "Huh, I can't remember."

Rarity smiles "Well I'm sure it'll come to you."

Twilight nods "Yeah..." But... I can't help but feel it was important... very important...

Rarity unlocks the Boutique and starts unpacking "What a week..."

"I know, can you believe that we got banned from the trains?" Sweetie Belle asks, reading a comic book.

"... How long have you been alone in the house?!" Rarity gasps, picking up her sister.

"About three hours. Why?"

Rarity blinks "Right, you were with mother and Father... where are they, by the way?"

"Looking for Spike. I told them you two are dating now."

"H-how did-" Rarity stutters out, blushing bright red.

"Princess Luna's my pen pal." Sweetie answers, dangling by her forehooves "You may be able to catch them before they get to the library."

Rarity's eye twitches "I'm going to get you for this... but not now!"

She drops Sweetie and gallops out of the boutique, hoping that her parents hadn't met Spike yet. They must never meet! They aren't normal!!

But her worst fears were confirmed.

"-An' I told her not ta mess wit' my briskets an' don'cha know it? She goes an' does it again!" her mother says, and Rarity's stomach drops.

"But enough about Tapioca, tell me, how did you meet my darling lil' Rarity?"

Twilight giggles "I keep telling you that I'm-"

"No need to be shy lil' miss. Knew from the day she got her cutie mark she ain't a straight kickin' wing pony." her father says, bellowing in his thin Trottney accent.

"But you see mister-"

"Just call me 'Magnum', now back to my wife's question, 'ow did you meet Rarity?"

Rarity enters and ducks, avoiding the tackle her father always attempted whenever she entered a room. Some dads always know when their children are entering a room. It's uncanny.

She walks away from her father who laughs "Quicker this time little Gem!"

Rarity rolls her eyes and looks around the library for her mother's trademark beehive hairdo "Ah, Mother! Please allow Twilight to get a word in edgewise."

Pearl Belle rolls her eyes "Fine, but this one ain't nothin' but skin an' bones! She needs a good home cooked meal if she's gonna be the birther in th' herd ya makin'!"

Rarity blushes "I am not making a herd. Twilight is just a dear friend, and I am straight."

Pearl cocks her head "But she's the only one in th' library dear."

"What about-" Rarity pauses "My 'Sister' senses are telling me Sweetie's coming through the door... now!"

The door slams open, a purple blur rolls into the Library and swerves to a stop "I'm telling you tacky-dressed muscle head, I LIVE here!"

Magnum grins, his horn glowing and hooves pinning Spike's down "Dragons don't live in Equestria, ya lyin' snake!"

"Hey! If anything, I'm related to a Gila or a Komodo! Not a- Ah-choo!" Spike sneezes, spitting green flames.

Magnum rolls off Spike and points his horn at Spike "Nice try ya git!"

Spike rubs his nose and looks for what made him sneeze "Oh, hello Rarity. You know this rough stallion?"

Rarity smiles weakly, and nods "Yes... he's my father."

Spike blinks "So... you mind calling him off? I'm not sure how to fight at my size."

Rarity nods and kisses him "Father, Mother, This is Spike. He is the love of my life. And a dragon, but that doesn't matter."

Spike rests his chin on Rarity's head, careful not to ruin her coiffure "... And so that brings us up to speed on what's happened."

Pearl whistles "An' here we thought she was strange, she's just got an odd taste in stallions."

Rarity blushes and moves to say something but Spike wraps her in a hug, silencing her "It'll be okay Rarity."

Rarity pouts but melts from the warmth Spike radiated Why must you be so warm and firm? It's not fair...

Twilight smiles awkwardly "It is a bit odd to see a pony in love with a dragon... but I can verify most of what Rarity said. Spike is a gentledrake-"

Pearl chuckles "That ain't what I meant Twilight, I meant that it's just interestin' ta see. Always thought that she'd marry a snob or something, ain't that right Magnum?"

He rubs the back of his neck nervously "Yeah, sorry about tacklin' ya Spike."

Spike shrugs "Wouldn't be the first time, and definitely won't be the last. Though... Ms. Belle?"

"Please, call me Pearl."

"Pearl... you didn't happen to be an ambassador in Canterlot a few years ago?"

She blinks and nods "Sure was! Best in Zebrican relations don'cha know. How'd you know that? I ain't shaken hooves with any diplomats in a good... How long do you guess Magnum?"

"About a decade."

"Yes, a good ten years. You can't be more than fifteen accordin' to ya story."

Spike smiles "I saw a picture of you with a chief in Celestia's bedroom growing up, always thought that the mare in the picture must've hidden some type of state secrets in that mane of hers."

Rarity snorts "Trust me Darling, she only keeps photos, pens, and inkwells in that mane of hers."

Pearl blushes "She's right. But I don't got no secrets except for my recipes."

Spike laughs "'Never share the secret, less it's family or bond-friend.' Isn't that the saying of the great-"

"A La Mode Pie! You cook?" Pearl gasps.

"Well, considering Twilight burns tea-"

"One time!" Twilight yells.

"-I had to pick-up culinary skills at the castle. Otherwise Twilight would eat out or just slurp ramen."

Pearl laughs "I know th' feelin' dear. Magnum can't cook to save his life."

Magnum shrugs "I can't follow directions very well. Probably why I became a private detective."

Rarity smiles "Yes, Spike is the whole package."

"I had a lazy sister to pick up after, it isn't a big deal."

Twilight grumbles something under her breath.

"So, not I'm not happy to meet Rarity's parents, but why are you visiting?"

"Well... we're going on a cruise I won in a lottery and it's... adult. So we need-"

Spike nods, releasing Rarity from her hug "You need somepony to look after Sweetie Belle. I can understand. I'm sure, knowing her, she's made herself comfortable in the boutique. You don't need to worry about her, the girls and I can watch her."

Pearl smiles and Magnum shakes Spike's claw "Thank you so much Spike. Now we need to get goin' if we're to get to the ship in time."

Twilight and Spike wave them off and Spike grins "I think they like me."

Rarity rolls her eyes, using her magic to make Spike hug her again "Why wouldn't they?"

Spike shrugs "Dragon, taller than anypony else, you're their daughter..."

Rarity chuckles "Yes, well, they aren't the types to be overly protective."

Twilight gasps "Spike! According to 'Courting rituals of the last two millennium and what we can expect in the future', you have to introduce Rarity to Mom and Dad!"

Spike laughs "Twilight, legally I'm your and Celestia's son. She's technically my guardian, but Rarity's met both you and Celestia. So there's no need to."

"But... my parents raised you! Fed you! Housed you! They're your parents, regardless of the law!"

Rarity blinks incredulously "Twilight, did you just denounce the law? How... out of character for you."

Twilight frowns "I may be a stickler for rules, but I think that social norms should still be followed. Spike, how about you take Rarity to Mom's villa? Take a vacation from everything and maybe spar with Shiny?"

Rarity cocks her head "'Shiny'?"

"Twilight's older brother." Spike replies "Are you sure Twilight? Are you sure-"

"As of now, you're too big for your basket, so I'm going to get you a room to call your own. And I don't need a juvenile dragon hanging around the renovations. Go."

Spike tilts Rarity's head up "Do you want me to wait until-"

"I haven't even unpacked, I'll just take some materials for my orders with me. And Sweetie Belle of course. She'd love the fresh air."

Twilight grins "It's settled! Now shoo! Shoo!"

"Uh... okay." Spike mutters, walking out "Did Twilight seem a bit... abrasive to you?"

Rarity nods "Yes... uhm, if it's not too much trouble, could you place me on the ground? It's not that I don't like the gesture, but ponies might see..."

Spike nods and places Rarity on the ground gently, brushing errant strands of her mane and tail back into place.

Rarity blushes "I'm sure I'm fine Spike, honestly, you must want to spoil me with all of this attention."

Spike blushes "I... message received."

"It's not that I don't like the attention, but you seem to be... doting on me too much."

Spike nods "Got it. I'll wait for you at the station."

Rarity sighs "For all of his foolish ways, he's a true gentledrake. I wonder if his parents will like me as mine like him? Well, if they raised a dragon, I'm sure they're open minded."

And with that thought in mind, Rarity made her way home, little realizing the events to unfold.

Chapter 8: Designs of fate

Rarity yawns, shifting closer to Spike's chest "I'm going to take a nap... make sure Sweetie behaves..."

Spike nods, making sure to keep the rambunctious filly in sight.

Sweetie looks up from her comic book "Spike, if you and Rarity get married, does that make Princess Celestia my auntie?"

Spike taps his chin in thought "Technically it'd make you a duchess and Rarity a princess... so yes, in a way. Just don't become a female Blueblood."

Sweetie salutes and returns to her book.

Spike chuckles and strokes the filly's mane, earning a purr "Did you just purr?"

Sweetie blushes "... Maybe?"

Rarity snorts and burrows into the fabric of the seat she's on, muttering in her sleep.

Sweetie taps her chin and scoots closer to Spike "... You're warm."

Spike grins "I know. Comes with being a dragon. Twilight would save on buying fire wood and just strap me to her back during winter. It... wasn't as fun as it sounds."

Sweetie rolls her eyes "That's nothing, Rarity used to wrap me in yarn just to keep me warm when we were little, she thought that if I wanted a real sweater, I should learn how to knit."

Spike snorts "No way. Rarity isn't like that."

"Maybe not now, but she used to practice ballroom dancing with me before I wised up that she was dropping me on purpose."

"Mmmph not..." Rarity mutters.

Sweetie giggles "She totally did."

Spike rolls his eyes "Whatever, so what have you and the other Crusaders been doing? Blowing up town hall?"

Sweetie growls and sparks her horn menacingly at Spike "I can't help it!"

Spike picks up Sweetie by the horn, extinguishing the sparks "I know, how about you take a nap? I'm just going to sleep anyways."

Sweetie shrugs and Spike carries her and Rarity to the sleeping car.

Spike stretches, carrying Sweetie and Rarity on his tail and back respectively. "Welcome to Trottingham, home of the limey ponies and my mother's home away from home."

Sweetie cocks her head "'Limey'? What are those?"

"Salutations Sweetie!" a familiar voice says and Sweetie looks down from her perch "Pipsqueak?!"

The tiny colt nods, saluting "Yep! Why are you here though? Dragged by this vile drake to his mountainous hovel?"

Spike rolls his eyes "I can hear you Pip. Why don't you go get stuffed in some haggis? It might make you smell better."

Rarity smacks Spike on the back of the head "Spike! How dare you!"

Pip laughs "Aye, prob'ly right on that regard mate. Anyways, how about I show you the sights lil' miss?"

Sweetie scrunches her face "I'm bigger than you Pip. You're the 'lil' one."

Pip rolls his hoof "Tech'calities, and I'm guessing you don't want to hang with these two ol' ponies, an' help wit' their knitting."

Rarity opens her mouth to say something but Spike stops her "Yeah, hang with ponies your own age Sweetie, who knows, you may get your cutie mark here. Or do you want my mother pinching your cheeks when she meets you?"

Sweetie hops off of Spike "I don't like pinching! Pip! Lead the way!"

Both scamper off and Rarity taps Spike's head "You sent for him, didn't you?"

Spike nods "Yup, figured that being on a train would be boring for her, so I figured I should send for Pip, considering he lives here when school's out. And I was serious, my mother is one of those types of mothers."

Rarity giggles "Are you sure you haven't been a parent before?"

"No, and I probably won't be soon. Considering you've got a career ahead of you, and I can't adopt any foals, being a dragon and all."

Rarity blushes "Are... you proposing we-"

Spike shakes his head "What?! No! I meant- that is-" he bites his lip, trying to hide his blush "Maybe?"

Rarity chuckles "How about we wait until we're married... maybe."

Spike pauses "Does that mean-"

Rarity grins impishly and points Spike's eyes forward "Maybe? Onwards to your parents, my noble mount!" I've always wanted to do that.

Spike rolls his eyes and nickers, galloping towards a very idyllic villa.

(Back in Ponyville)

Twilight closes her book and sighs "Moon Dancer, stop hiding, I know you're there."

The slim palomino mare steps out from the shadows, her coat and mane unkempt "How did you know I was here?"

"A simple five-sense illusion won't work on somepony who's studied illusions, nor would a memory block spell, at least not permanently." Twilight replies, offering a cup of tea to her friend "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be training Rarity?"

"I would like to, but she is under the protection of the princess of love, and such a mare would ruin my plans. So I'll wait here, and teach when she returns."

Twilight sips her tea "Why?"

"Because it is my birthright. Do you know the reason behind my name?"

"I'd suspect something to do with magic?"

Moon Dancer shakes her head "No, it's literal, 'One who dances with the moon.' I am to be led in the grand dance of the moon's desires and that is my fate. My family was one of the ones who attempted to help Princess Luna escape from her sister's own guards. We swore an oath to her, as did another other family that unfortunately lost their way" she sips the offered tea "The clan of Luna's moon, or as they have become known, 'Lulamoon'."

Twilight nearly drops her cup "Trixie's family?"

"Yes, they were originally the magical arm of her majesty's forces. The ponies with the strongest understanding of magic and legendary magi. Much like the Sparkle family that has served Princess Celestia. The Dancer's were the more physical half of the two, but that never mattered to us, we just served and gained favor with the other clans. My mother, Glass Dancer, married Artorius Lulamoon, brother to Artemis Lulamoon. I was given the power of the Lulamoon's arcane history and the Dancer's lethality. But there was a... complication, from the mixed bloodlines."

She sips her tea "It resulted in a number of deadly and debilitating conditions. I was born without a complete heart, infertile, and cataracts to name a few. You see, I wasn't supposed to live beyond a week, but my uncle created a prosthetic heart that extended my life, but even now, it is breaking. Look." Moondancer pulls off her sweater and a clock face sits imbedded in her chest.

"Wh-what is that?"

"A death clock. It counts down the last month of my life, until then, it remains inactive. It's counting down, and there's nothing anypony can do to stop it. I have about a month left until my time is up. That's why I'm telling you everything. Once I finish her last lesson by my estimates, will give me roughly twenty four hours to live."

Twilight's eyes widen "You went out with me to see if you had a heart... you were being literal."

"Yes. You see, I thought that if I could find somepony to love, I might not have to die alone and anonymous. It turns out what I felt for you was nothing more than platonic affection." she shrugs "And before you ask, I'm not upset about my fate. I knew it the moment I was old enough to notice I had this in my chest. I thought that as my closest friend, you had a right to know. It doesn't change the fact that I'm going to die, but it feels right."

Twilight stands, shattering the teacup in her magic "I refuse to believe that! You shouldn't just give up like that!"

Moon Dancer sighs and sets her cup on the table "That's easy for you to say, you aren't the one who has a literal egg timer for your last breath. I'm resigned to my fate, and that's all there is to it. I'm surprised you aren't taking notes on everything I'm telling you."

Twilight shakes her head, banishing her surprise "I figured that you already had everything written down somewhere and citated. Is there any way to make it stop breaking?"

She rolls her eyes "Unless you can get a Lithium/Tellurium cylinder and perform open heart surgery in the next three weeks, no. And before you ask, I've tried to get one, but the alchemy to fuse the two elements together is a Lulamoon family secret that unfortunately, only the last living member of the family knows."

"Trixie? Trixie Lulamoon has the secret to save you?"

"Yes. But there's no way to catch her, she never goes on a predictable path, and after what happened in Ponyville, she might never return. So there's nothing anypony can do. Now, do you have any more tea?"

Rarity bites her lip "I'm not sure how to feel..."

Spike rolls his eyes and cups Rarity's chin "It's just meeting my parents, they'll love you." he pecks her on the nose "Trust me."

Before she can respond, he knocks on the door and the knob is enveloped in a light blue field "Hello? Who is- DRAGON!"

Spike rolls his eyes "C'mon mom, that joke isn't funny."

The door opens and a white mare with a white and lavender mane grins sheepishly "Sorry Spike, I can't- Celestia's plot!! You've grown!"

Spike nods "So I noticed, may I come in? I brought company."

The mare back away, her eyes fixed on Spike's body "My word, what have you been feeding yourself?"

"The usual gourmet meals and a few extra gems here and there. How're you?"

The mare smiles "Well, I've hit a bit of a problem with one of my novels but otherwise I've been perfect. You said something about company?"

Spike nods and scoops Rarity up in his tail "Yes, this is Rarity Belle, Element of generosity and my marefriend."

Rarity nods and levitates her luggage into the large foyer "Hello, you must be Twilight and Spike's mother."

The mare nods and shakes Rarity's hoof "Yes, Twilight Velvet Sparkle Sr. Novelist."

Rarity gasps "Spike! You never told me your mother was a famous writer!"

Spike cocks his head in thought "Really? Coulda sworn I did..."

"Well no wonder you and Twilight are so well read! You were raised among literary royalty!"

Velvet blushes "Oh stop, I'm just lucky to have a great editor and a few books on some lists. I'm nothing compared to a national heroine and fashion designer."

Spike clears his throat "Can we get to the living room? I want to introduce Rarity to Dad."

Rarity grins "Oh that can wait Spike, I've got to ask you Ms.-"

"Just Velvet, I'm still too young for 'Miss'."

Spike sighs and carries both to the living room, setting them down on a large, plush couch "I'm going to go find Dad."

After Spike's out of earshot, Velvet smiles "He's a well-mannered dragon, isn't he?"

Rarity nods "He truly is. He never told me about you, though."

"That sounds like Spike, he never enjoyed my stories, calling them too 'Girly' or 'Mushy.' But enough about how he's a bad son, how did he steal your heart?"

Rarity blushes "It wasn't that he stole my heart, I stole his. I entranced him when we first met, and soon he had become such a monumental help to my work that I couldn't imagine working without him... I realized that after a while, I loved him too. I was so caught up in my work that it took getting my dreams of a prince charming shattered by reality to see that I had the perfect gentlecolt standing right next to me. After the first date we had... I felt like I wasn't good enough for him, and sometimes... I still do. He has such a freely given sense of generosity and always keeps the girls and I in line if he can. I trust him, and that isn't some illusion."

Velvet smiles, dabbing her eyes "That was beautiful."

Rarity smiles "It's true though, he is the one who deserves praise for everything he's done. Why, I cannot fathom what our lives would be if he hadn't been in it."

Velvet smiles wistfully "He is an invaluable member of our family, and I feel as though I have two sons."

Rarity nods "Yes, 'Shiny' I believe he's called. Who might he be?"

"He's-"

"Surrender reptile spawn!!" A somewhat familiar voice yells, followed by the door opening.

"Hah! As if I would surrender to a pathetic whelp of a stallion like you!" Spike roars, his voice getting closer.

Velvet sighs "Boys! No rough housing!"

A bedraggled stallion with a dark cobalt mane walks in, his coat ruffled "Yes Mom..."

Spike follows, his scales dulled rather than their usual polished sheen "Yes Mom..."

I know that stallion from somewhe- oh dear. Rarity reels in shock I sincerely hope he doesn't remember what I look like. Why didn't Spike tell me that his brother was captain of the royal guard?! That's something that should've come up at some point!!

Velvet shakes her head in exasperation "Shining, I can understand his need to rough house, but you, Spike? I thought I had a gentle, non-violent son..."

Spike smiles weakly "I learned how to fight because of all of the adventures the girls have gone on, and I just wanted a sparring partner seeing as how I'm taller now."

Shining puffs out his chest in pride "And being the eldest brother, it was my duty to knock my baby brother down a few notches."

"'Baby'? I'm twice your mass and at least two and a half times your volume! I could crush you if I sat on you!" Spike replies, standing on two legs.

Velvet grabs both of their ears in her magic "You two will stop with this pointless posturing and be quiet."

Both nod feverishly, trying to free their ears.

Velvet drops them and turns back to Rarity "To answer your question, this is Shining Armour, Captain of Celestia's royal guard and my eldest son."

Mothers are not to be crossed, especially one who gave birth to the element of magic and the Captain of the royal guard... Rarity thinks to herself, smiling on the outside "My, Spike never told me that Twilight had such a grand pedigree. The sister to the youngest captain in history, the daughter of the esteemed novelist Twilight Velvet Sparkle... oh my, why didn't I realize you two might be related? I feel like such a blind old mare."

Velvet chuckles "I got that from Twilight's old school friends a bit. It's not her fault that we look so different."

Rarity nods and smiles down at Spike but the drake knew she was miffed about the failure to communicate about his family, so he bit his lip and cowered slightly. "I cannot begin to imagine who Twilight's father might be... a famous scientist perhaps?"

Velvet smirks "Close, but the word you're looking for is 'Infamous'."

"Velvet... I think we need a new spare typewriter..." a dark blue stallion with thick goggles says, his navy mane and tail burnt "Oh, and could somepony help me locate my eyes, they appear to be someplace wooden..."

Velvet sighs "Of course Nighty. Shining, Spike, help your father." Both salute and follow the stumbling stallion "That was my husband, Night Light. He's the one pony who had accidentally discovered the lost wing of Starswirl's library, devised a way to kill an alicorn, and blew up a candle 'To see if wax diminished explosions'. And that was just this month. He's the love of my life, but the bane of my bank account's existence."

Rarity nods, dumbfounded "Well... I suppose that explains Twilight's... quirks."

Velvet sighs "Yes, would you believe that when I had given birth to either one of them, I had wished for an unremarkable child?"

"Not at all." Rarity replies flatly.

"Well, you're right, I had wished for children who would change the world for the better. Lo and behold, I have my wish granted."

Rarity chuckles "So, what are Shining's prospects?"

Velvet slides closer, looking both ways "Well, I have it on good authority he's been seeing a certain princess that he was assigned to... Cadence, Celestia's niece."

Rarity grins Already knew that. Need to get deeper... "Oho? Is that all? No... repeat flings? No... 'initiations' to the 'Privates' in his squad?"

Velvet giggles "Oh no... he's not that type of stallion... though he did have a unique marefriend a little while back. Twilight's old friend Lyra Heartstrings, but I think she was just stringing him along for information on how to infiltrate than anything."

"Infiltrate what?"

"Canterlot castle, she's always been an odd one, always borrowing books on mythology and history. Nice enough, but she was always a bit... out of synch with the rest of the world, almost like she was alien to it. I don't know, she inspired a story of mine though."

"Really? What might it be?"

"'Nomare: the tale of a mare out of space and time.'" Spike says, returning "We found dad's eyes."

Rarity cocks her head "I... don't think I've read that."

Spike nods "That's because it's never been published. Mom can't finish it, and she's able to turn out a story a week. The manuscript is in a locked box somewhere."

Velvet sighs "He's right, for eight years I've tried to finish it but I... I can't bring myself to. No ending ever seems to fit. I've spent hours trying to finish it but... nothing."

Rarity nods in understanding "I can relate, I have a few designs that I've never been able to finish, it drives me mad to see the blank spaces where something should go."

Velvet smiles "Hm, dressmaking and writing are quite similar, one is weaving art with fabric, the other is weaving art with words. Maybe you could help?"

Rarity turns to Spike who shrugs "I'd be honored."

Rarity sighs, halfway through the manuscript "This is..."

"Flat as a day old soda?" Spike asks, brushing Rarity's mane.

"Exactly, no offense to your mother-"

"Trust me, one out of three are decent. The problem is that she has no idea which of the three is decent. She usually sends them to Twilight or me to read and tell her what we thought. I usually end up reading all three because Twilight can't stand to be critical of her mother."

Rarity rubs her forehead "And it's not the subject that's bad it's... the execution."

Spike nods "Sounds about right. Dinner should be soon, what do you want to do?"

"I suppose I'll be blunt with her." Rarity replies, levitating the manuscript "Do you know if Cadence is visiting?"

"Nah, she's supposed to be at a conference in Detrot. I do not envy her." Spike says, lifting Rarity onto his back.

"I feel like we've forgotten something..." Rarity mutters.

"Sweetie Belle."

Rarity gasps "Oh dear! That's right! She could be-"

"I sent a letter to Pip a few minutes ago with the address to bring her back for dinner. Trust me Rarity, I got this. I've been looking after fillies since I was a hatchling. Albeit just one, but Twilight counts as multiple references."

Rarity chuckles, hugging Spike's neck "Where would I be without you?"

"At home with Sweetie Belle and working on an insane amount of orders?" Spike replies, kissing Rarity "But that's just because I dragged you out here."

Rarity rolls her eyes "I'm not holding that against you."

Dinner is a simple affair, and passes with nothing amazing happening.

At least, until Rarity leaves to get some fresh air "Hello Huntress." Princess Luna greets from underneath the balcony Rarity stood on.

"Hello Princess Luna."

"Have you learned anything?"

Rarity sighs "Besides the fact that Spike's family is more impressive than I could've imagined, no."

Luna tutts "There's something you've been pondering, I can tell from your voice."

"... One of Twilight's old friends had been trying to get security information from Shining Armour. Lyra Heartstrings."

Luna pauses "I am familiar with the mare in question. She is a brilliant scientist, but a breed of threat that Equestria hasn't seen for a very long time. She's without fear, like a child, but with intuition and intellect beyond most living ponies. She is obsessed with the past, and so far, she hasn't crossed my path."

"How is she a danger?" Rarity asks, concerned.

"... She is too intelligent for my sister's own good. Personally, I wish for the truth to be free to be known, but my sister has controlled history for a long time, as is evident by your minimal knowledge on foreign history. If Lyra were to succeed in her plans and disseminate the truth, my sister's actions would be called into question. My sister cannot withstand critical scrutiny, and so, Ms. Heartstrings is neither a friend nor foe. I wish I knew more, but her mind is guarded by ancient mental barriers and charms. Her mind is an impenetrable fortress, and whatever is within, is too dangerous to free at this time."

Rarity sighs "Are there any other ponies I should be concerned about?"

"You will know when you find them. On the table behind you is a tome of classic, pre-discordian designs and fabrics, consider it a gift. The contents are of the most powerful cloth enchanting spells and charms in history, but not all of them are... safe. One is of a cloak that renders the wearer intangible, but at the cost of your sight however long you wear it. Another is of a dress that is so beautiful, wars have been fought over it. Be warned, the designs are as dangerous as they are beautiful. Whether you make for yourself or others, it is not my concern. Just know should you use it for Ill, I will not hesitate to burn it and any you've made to ashes. Until we speak again, Rarity." a dim spark of magic flashes and Luna is gone.

Rarity turns and sitting on the table is a book in a burlap sack, the cover obscured by age "Well, I suppose this will help... but does she have to be so dramatic?"

Rarity pores over the book, a quill writing down notations and page numbers "... This seems to be enough, but I think it lacks something... something integral."

Spike looks up from his own book "Something the matter?"

Rarity nods "Suppose that one had to create an outfit to protect somepony from a number of environmental factors and the like, what enchantments would you use to make it?"

Spike taps his chin in thought "I'd make it water, fire, and electricity proof for starters. Regulate body temperature against cold and heat, breathability, and freedom of movement. I think that a rubberized nylon would work, but then again, it'd constrict in colder areas and is prone to being brittle."

Rarity taps her chin and shudders when an idea pops into her head "What... what makes up your scales, dear?"

Spike smiles "30% iron, 25% silicon-oxide, 12% carbon and copper, and 9% calcium. Why?"

She turns "How did you know all of that?"

"Twilight used to use my shed scales for her experiments when I was little. It was either that or she pluck them when she needed them. But that was before she got some grants." he scratches his back and check his claws "Some fell off when I was sparring with Shining earlier. I usually just collect them to use for Nightmare Night or something. Twilight says that they're magic-infused or something because I've lived with her for so long."

Rarity flips back several pages "Spike... another personal question..."

Spike shrugs, pulling a jar full of scales from his bag "Shoot."

"What... species of dragon are you?"

"Cantatis Flamma Draco, sub species; Spinosis."

Rarity scans the pages and stops on one

Spinosis: Cantatis Flamma Draco:

Very rare sub-species of the elusive magic-wielding dragon. Immunity to most physical trauma and never cease scale molts. Highly intelligent and capable of peace with ponies. Their scales have the ability to store magic in the form of carved, enchanted runes while on or off the body. Resistant against: Fire, water, electricity, blunt and a majority of collision/ sharp force. Magical resistances: Elemental. Weaknesses: Concussive magics, gravity.

Rarity sighs How lucky... Spike's the perfect type. I think that Luna knew that all this time...

Spike shrugs and returns to his book, deciding that Rarity looked like she needed time to think.

Author's Note

Woot! Another chapter to this odd little bit of fiction!

Hope you enjoyed it.

Chapter 9: Calm before the storm

Rarity hums to herself, finishing a dress "Fini!"

She sets the dress down and folds it with her magic, placing it into one of her bags and sighing in pride "That's the last of my orders. Now I'm free!"

Velvet walks in and smiles "Hello Rarity."

"Hello Velvet, how are you?"

Velvet sighs, her mane frayed "I'm tired, I'm going to town, want to come?"

Rarity nods, locking the cases of clothing behind her.

Rarity sighs, levitating a croissant in her magic "This is what vacation should be. I'm definitely returning here again."

Velvet nods and sighs into her tea "How's Twilight, has anypony caught her eye?"

"Not that I know of, for all intents and purposes I assumed she was asexual. Why?"

"I worry about her, she's so bright and might make somepony happy that isn't a professor or Princess Celestia. I'm proud of my daughter, I really am, but... a mother worries. I just hope that she finds her soul mate outside of a book. Or worse, makes one."

Rarity nods "You can trust me, our friends would put a stop to that before it even started. She has been spending a bit of time with Moondancer, but I think that the relations is either mutual interest, or one sided." she takes a bite out of her croissant and sighs "Then again, most of my friends are too busy to look for a relationship."

"How so?"

"Applejack is married to her job, Rainbow is dense as a stone and too busy trying to get into the Wonderbolts, Fluttershy is too shy and busy with taking care of animals, and Pinkie Pie's... Pinkie Pie. There are no words to convey the enigma that is that hot pink mess."

Spike swipes a claw, digging into the brush and blinding Shining before slapping him with his tail "Ha!"

Nightlight claps and jots down a note "Nice use of the terrain, son!"

Shining spits out a leaf "Lucky shot. It won't happen again!" He teleports and reappears in mid-air and teleports again, avoiding Spike's claw and reappears on his back and touches his horn to the back of Spike's neck and sends an arc of magic into it, but the magic bounces back, knocking Shining onto his back, a scorch mark on his chest "You put a defensive ward on your neck?!"

Spike nods, pinning his brother to the ground, a grin on his face "You can't expect someone who reads comic books not to put some precautions on the universal blind spots. It took some time to carve it, but it worked."

Shining sighs and taps Spike's arm "I give."

Spike releases him, bowing "You're a great defensive fighter Shining, but offense isn't your forte."

Shining rolls his eyes "Yeah yeah. But the best offense is a good defense."

Spike leaps forward, his claws inches from Shining's throat "Unless your opponent is faster than you. Then all the shields in the world won't help you."

Shining backpedals and snorts angrily "Shut up, who's the guard captain here?"

Spike rolls his eyes "You."

"That's right, I don't know how you got so good at fighting, but it's concerning."

Spike sits on his haunches, confused "How is that bad? I can defend myself and my friends. That's why you became a guard, right?"

Shining nods "Yes, but you aren't defending, you're attacking. There's a difference."

"Okay, so I fight on the offensive. How is that bad?"

Shining shakes his head "It isn't bad. It's just something I'd never expect from you, is all."

"What does that mean?" Spike growls.

"You've always waited until something happens and then retaliate. You don't take initiative."

Spike snorts "I've learned that waiting for things to happen isn't as great a strategy as I thought. If I wait to strike, I might keep waiting for the perfect moment, and that means being afraid of failing."

"Spike, that's not what it means."

Spike grits his teeth "I waited, staying behind when Nightmare Moon appeared. I held my tongue when I saw Snips and Snails leave to get the Ursa, I waited to tell Twilight I didn't fight back against those Diamond Dogs that took Rarity, and I waited and held myself back from telling Rarity how I felt for a whole year! I'm tired of being the coward, afraid of being hurt." he growls "I'm not going to stand by and let others get hurt because I'm afraid. I'm going to fight to end it as fast as I can."

Shining sighs, sitting on his haunches "I know, I know how that feels, but you're throwing your life away that way. You could be blindsided by somepony who's smarter and faster and beat you when you show a moment of recklessness. I've seen it happen before, and I'll see it again. But not with you, I couldn't live with myself if you got hurt because I didn't teach you how to defend. Now let's try this again. This time, just counter."

Rarity levitates a bolt of fabric in her magic "This is such a deep Persimmon! Why it must be dyed from actual plants."

Velvet shrugs "Looks orange to me."

Rarity chuckles "It would to most, but I have an eye for color gradation. I think this is enough for now, where do you want to go next?"

"Hmm... I'd like to go to the bird sanctuary."

Rarity smiles and walks up to the cashier "I'd like this, please."

"15 bits ma'am."

Rarity reaches into her saddlebags and pulls out several bits "15 bits my good clerk."

Rarity levitates the bolts into her bag, a flash of emerald magic spiriting them out of her magic.

Velvet blinks "Teleportation ward?"

"Why yes! I did it last night. I'm happy it worked."

She smiles "Twilight could never get symbols or wards, that was more Shining's thing. Come on, I know a shortcut."

Rarity watches several colorful birds fly overhead "Fluttershy would love this..."

Velvet sleeps under a tall tree, her face hidden by her mane.

a shadow of a large bat passes over Rarity.

A... large bat?

Rarity sighs "Hello Midnight."

The burgundy mare lands, shades on her eyes "Yo."

"Why are you following me?"

"To make sure that you don't tell anypony about the job. And to ensure that you don't get hurt before you can start it soon."

Rarity turns to Velvet and Midnight waves her hoof "She's asleep, small amount of a suppressant, she'll wake up when I'm done.

"Your training is almost done, but it's at the end of this month." she shrugs "Don't know why Luna's being so specific, but she's got her reasons."

"So you want me to get my affairs in order?"

Midnight chuckles "No, that's not what I meant. I mean that you need to get ready for the first mission, all I know is that it's a recovery. You know, get in, grab a thing, and get out."

Rarity smiles "Thank you Midnight."

The thestral mare nods and takes flight, gliding out through an open window.

Rarity yawns and sits on the opposite side of the tree from Velvet "It's such a nice day..."

"Aaagh!" Twilight yells, sailing through the air.

Moon Dancer sighs "I told you I was better at combat than you."

"Whoooo! Go everypony!" Minuette cheers, waving flags with both Twilight and Moon Dancer's cutie marks on them.

Lyra holds her hoof out to Lemon Hearts "Pay up. I win."

Lemon sighs and passes a bag of bits to Lyra "Come on Twilight! I'm losing bits on this!!"

Twilight grumbles something and falls out of the tree she'd landed in with an awkward squawk "I'm okay!"

Moon Dancer sighs and adjusts her glasses "I told you I was superior in combat."

Twilight rolls onto her hooves "I know, but I still wanted to try."

"I suppose that makes sense."

"Let me try." Lyra says, walking over to them "I think I can land a few on you, Moon Dancer."

Moon Dancer nods and Lyra bows to her, lighting her horn "Ready."

She lights her horn "Ready."

Lyra's horn sparks, blinding everypony.

Moon Dancer wipes her eyes and looks around "Where did she teleport to...?"

Twilight gallops to the rest of her friends and squints "I... I don't see her..."

Lyra reappears behind Moon Dancer and whistles before teleporting again, avoiding a blast of pale yellow magic "Wha- Nopony can teleport that fast!"

Lyra reappears "I'm more than a musician." she disappears, avoiding a wave of magic projectiles "I'm something of... a specialist."

Moon Dancer furrows her brow "How are you teleporting so fast?!"

Lyra appears on top of her and grabs Moon Dancer's hair tie, blinding her before disappearing and reappearing next to her, polishing her hoof on her chest "I know some... esoteric things. Like instantaneous transportation."

Twilight shudders "Is everypony better at magic than me?"

Lemon Hearts and Minnuette shake their heads "No, I'm about average, and Minnuette can do telekinesis on a few dozen things at once."

So the strangest of my two friends are better than me... that's reassuring. Twilight thinks to herself.

Moon Dancer stomps her hooves, the ground around her cracking and glowing with pale yellow magic "Stop that!!"

Lyra appears in front of her, her horn dimmed "Okay. You lose."

The ground that Moon Dancer broke glows bright gold, a circle forming around her hooves. Several golden lines shoot like bullets on the ground, drawing a large geometric figure and dozens of complex symbols "Wh- a magic circle!? How can-"

Lyra grins "I thought that chalk was too hard and noticeable, it takes some doing, but you can't break it."

The circle completes and fades away "... That didn't do anything."

Lyra rolls her eyes "You're my friend, besides, I'm tired." she slumps slightly, her horn darkened.

Moon Dancer smirks "You had me the- ow!" she rubs her nose "... Invisible barrier?"

Lyra nods "I'm no Shining armor, but it can be broken from the inside"

Moon Dancer lights her horn and shatters the shield "That wasn't funny."

"It kind of was!" Minnuette says, still waving her flags.

Twilight rolls her eyes "Are you two okay?"

Both nod and Moon Dancer turns to Lyra "How did you do that teleportation?"

"Hm? Oh! It's a little trick, you just teleport once and focus on where you want to go, but if you weaken the flow of magic, you can move halfway between points. It's easy if you can do it, but if you raise it for a second, you can reappear and disappear when you lower it again, like several small, instantaneous teleportations. But without the flash of light." Lyra replies, pantomiming a diagram.

Twilight cocks her head in confusion "How can you do that? Teleportation is instantaneous."

"Actually, there's a lag depending on how far apart the points are." Moon Dancer replies, rubbing her nose "That hurt."

Lyra shrugs "Sorry, if it makes you feel better, we can go get hay smoothies if you want."

Everypony nods and Twilight lags behind I wonder if I hadn't been tutored by Celestia, would I be as skilled as my friends? Or worse? Would I be several times more dangerous?

Rarity levitates a book onto the shelf, Velvet somewhere in the bookstore What intriguing books on fabric...

"Rarity?"

Rarity turns toward the voice and gasps "Suri?"

The light lavender mare nods, her mane in tight purple curls "Oh my Celestia! It's been so long!"

Rarity embraces the mare "How's Manehatten?"

"Cut throat, ruthless... it's a bit of a pain, but I'm doing good."

"How about we go someplace to eat? I'm just here with a friend, she won't mind."

Suri gasps "You're an element of harmony?!"

Rarity nods, blushing slightly "Yes, and Velvet's daughter is the element of magic."

Velvet nods, her nose in a book "Yeah, uh-huh..."

Rarity leans over to Suri "Like mother, like daughter." Suri giggles but pales, freezing in place "Duh-duh-dra..."

"What's the matter Darling?"

"Delicious pony..." someone growls into Rarity's ear, familiar claws lifting her up "Spike! Put me down this instant!!" Rarity shrieks through her giggles.

Spike tosses her into the air and catches her in his arms, holding her like one would a cat "No. I've missed you."

Suri nearly falls out of her chair but Velvet holds it and her steady, still engrossed in her book "What in Celestia's name?!"

Spike looks up from Rarity, sitting down on the chair she was in "Hi, I'm Spike, Rarity's coltfriend."

Rarity rolls her eyes and levitates herself out of Spike's grasp "And still a child sometimes."

"What? I've been serious all day, I don't know how Twilight does it without it sticking that way." Spike says, smoothing Rarity's mussed mane unconsciously.

Rarity pouts but leans into his grip, levitating herself into his lap "Mmmph... claws aren't fair..."

Spike grins, blushing "I know, but you're not too mad, right?"

"No... keep it up and I might though..."

Suri chuckles "Oh my gosh, I can't believe that Rarity, the class princess, is dating a dragon. No offense."

Spike shrugs "I know it's weird, but how can you not fall in love with an enchanting face like mine?"

Rarity rolls her eyes and fires a small bolt of magic at his chest "Stop flirting, darling. I'm liable to get jealous."

Spike winces and nods "Yes'm."

Suri outright guffaws, struggling to stay in her chair, much to Velvet's annoyance "I'm trying to read!"

She gets her laughter under control and wipes her eyes "Oh gosh, I haven't laughed like that in ages. You two are perfect for each other... I just wish that most of the stallions in Manehatten weren't designers too, who'd steal my designs, or flamboyantly gay."

"If it makes you feel any better, I was convinced that Spike was gay." Velvet says, still reading.

Spike blushes "M-mom!"

Rarity snickers "You did learn about fashion to impress me... and let that one filly down gently."

"How did you know about what happened with Truffle Shuffle?"

"Sweetie Belle." Rarity says, smiling "She is a little gossip hound."

"And that has nothing to do with your influence?" Spike replies, grinning.

"None at all! I'm shocked to hear you say that!!" Rarity gasps.

Suri smiles "But weren't you gossiping with me before he came by?"

Rarity pouts, her nostrils flaring "Thank you... Suri."

Suri sighs "You don't happen to know any decent stallions from Ponyville, would you?"

Spike and Rarity pause "... Not... really. Unless it's a 'Hit-it-and-quit-it' type guy, than Thunderlane."

Rarity groans "No, but there must be..." she frowns "Oh dear, I don't think there are any that aren't married or insane."

"Caramel?"

"Pre-op." Rarity answers.

"... Steven?" Spike suggests.

Rarity looks up at him "Who?"

"The lake monster you and the girls met on your way to face Nightmare moon?"

Rarity gasps "Yes! But... he's a sea monster... and she's a pony."

Spike cocks his head "And you're a pony, and I'm a dragon. Your point?"

"Well there's a difference between a charming metrosexual sea serpent and a charming metrosexual dragon..." Rarity pauses "I see your point, Darling. But the problem is would he want to date a pony?"

Suri clears her throat "Erm... did you say 'sea monster'? As in, giant snake creature?"

Spike nods "He's more of an alligator and a snake with hands and feet."

"And a grand head of hair and an impressive mustache."

Suri rolls her eyes "Heck, if he's straight and not some misogynistic plot hole, I'm willing to try it..."

Rarity scratches her head "... Steven's straight, right?"

Steven Magnet sneezes, nearly flooring Aloe "Oh terribly sorry, Aloe."

Aloe shrugs "Vere I come from, sneezing is a sign zat somepony is talking about you."

Steven rolls his eyes "Like somepony would talk about lil' ol' me. I just hope I'm not getting a cold!"

Aloe quirks an eyebrow "You can get a cold?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You live in freezing cold vater, how do you catch a cold?"

Steven shrugs "Fair point."

Aloe grins "How is your relationship vith Ms. Gertrude?"

Steven sighs "She said that I shouldn't enjoy spending time with ponies and helping them. She says that a grown monster shouldn't be social, we should be angry, mean, and vicious! Can you believe that?!"

Aloe shakes her head, clicking her tongue "Some mares have no idea how good some stallions are. Vhy, if I vasn't a mare of comfortable horseshoes, I'd date you in a heartbeat."

Steven grins "Thanks Aloe, you know just what to say, And you're the only pony who likes pampering me."

Aloe smiles "Vell, some ponies are just so judgmental. Zo... vord on ze street is zat Cranky is vith Matilda, has she wormed into zat old mule's heart?"

Steven looks both ways before leaning down to Aloe's level "Yes, it's true! She was the one he was looking for! It's almost too sweet to stand!"

Aloe giggles, releasing Steven's thumb, the nail and knuckle shined and claw dulled "Now, how about ve see vhat can be done vith you're hair... I'm zinking... 'Artistic ponytail'..."

"Probably." Spike replies "I'd show you a picture, but I left my album at home."

Suri smirks "You do photography?"

"No, I scrapbook. It was something that I picked up from Granny Smith."

Velvet looks up from her book "Quueeeeeer..."

Spike blushes "Mom! I'm straight for the umpteenth time!!"

"Then you're the most effeminate stallion I've met, and I've met Hoity Toity." Suri interjects, grinning.

Spike rolls his eyes "As have I, but that's another story. Anyways, Suri, tell me about those stallions who were nothing but plot holes."

Suri grins "And you gossip? Goodness, I'm liable to take him from you Rarity!"

Rarity smirks with a fierce look in her eyes "I wouldn't try it, I may be the element of generosity, but that doesn't mean I won't fight for my coltfriend."

Spike coughs into his hand "Don't I get a say in this?"

"No." all three mares reply in unison.

Misandry is alive and well... Spike thinks to himself.

Suri hugs Spike and Rarity "It is such a joy to see you again Rarity, I'll write. I'd like to go on an inspirational search with you any time. And Spike, you are by far, the most wonderful stallion I've met, if things don't work out..." she looks both ways and whispers into his ear "I'm liable to be free..."

Spike blushes "I-I'm flattered Suri, really, but my heart belongs to Rarity. But I'll give your mailing information to Steven, trust me, he's a great guy, and has several connections, or so I'm told."

Suri mock sighs and smiles at the both of them "Until we meet again."

Rarity shakes her head, chuckling "Suri Polomare, the one filly who loved fashion as much as I did, and that's a grand feat. It's nice to meet with ponies you'd lost track of."

Spike nods "Yeah... hey, a bit out of the blue, but what do you think of Dash's old friend Gilda?"

Rarity taps her chin in thought "You know, I had wanted to meet a griffon, they have a rich history, though they have a... very brusque nature, apparently."

Spike nods "I just think that's she's... afraid of getting hurt, so she lashes out so that nopony can get close. "

Rarity smiles and bumps his leg "Do you have a degree in psychology or something, Love?"

"No, but I've been living with a head case for a few years."

Moondancer sips her smoothie "Thank you for buying me this."

Lyra shrugs "It's nothing. Anyways, what's the situation you needed me for? I'm not going to go infiltrate any organizations."

"I wanted to see you, because time is running short." she takes another sip "You are the only one of us that has the power to dream walk."

Lyra grimaces "I'm not teaching you that spell. I couldn't even if I wanted to."

Moondancer nods "But I need you to find somepony as soon as possible. If you can't by the end of the month, don't bother."

Lyra nods, leaning closer "Who is it?"

"Trixie Lulamoon, the traveling illusionist."

Lyra frowns "I know her, but she won't know me, I just watched her shows. I could find her by reconnaissance, but knowing her type, she's either only appearing when her funds are low, or has changed her face and identity, but still preforming. That's why you need me to dream walk, she can change her habits and everything else, but it'd take longer to rewrite her personality and subconscious." she sips her shake loudly "That's going to be hard without knowing her rough location. I'm not Princess Luna, I can't select areas, I need to be within a single city's limits for it to work."

Moondancer nods "I've located a rough route that she went through in the past, along with the last year's. That leaves three places, including wooded areas and outside Equestria. I'd do it myself, but I have duties here in Ponyville."

"I'll do it, but... why her?"

"She knows something that may save me... I want to live." Moondancer shudders "I don't know why... I was resigned to my death... but for some reason, I want to fight it..."

Lyra smiles "That what happens when you find a friend who understands you, you want to do illogical things, just to spend more time with them."

Moondancer sighs "I was afraid you were going to say that."

Author's Note

Another chapter! Huzzah! And where in Equestria is ~~Carmel Sandy Ergo~~ Trixie Lulamoon?

Chapter 10: Domino setting

Luna wipes her forehead and sheathes her broadsword "Okay, one thousand vertical slashes. Now for one thousand horizontal."

She draws her sword and started slashing the air, counting in her head.

Celestia sighed and watched her sister work out "I get exhausted just looking at her..."

Luna walks towards Celestia's balcony and flew up to it, still swinging her sword "You get used to repetition if you think about other things. Like how much force is required to remain stationary while in flight and with a sword."

Celestia rolls her eyes "How is it that you can do all of that and not get tired?"

"Better stamina, mental training, lesser gravity, and an understanding of physics." Luna replies, levitating a green ball of dough from her pocket "And good, nutritious food."

Celestia sniffs the air "That's... please don't tell me that's one of those strange buns you made when we were younger."

"Then I won't tell you." Luna replies, taking a bite out of it "I just don't see why you don't keep in top form, sister."

She sighs "I stress ate while you were banished. And I was never one who enjoyed exercise."

Luna shrugs "Have you seen Discord?"

Celestia shook her head "No, not recently."

Luna sheathes her sword again "Neither have I... where is he?"

A bearded pony in a brown hooded tunic sighs into his cup of tea "Hmm..."

"Dizzy!"

Dizzy looks up from the tea and waves to the pony who'd called his name "Crop, nice to see you."

Crop, a brown Pegasus with white spots on his muzzle and hooves walks over to Dizzy "How've you been Dizzy Spell?"

"I've been doing well and good whenever I can." Dizzy replies, sipping his tea "How goes the market? I haven't seen your name in any of the agricultural rags."

Crop snorts "You talk like an old pony Dizzy, 'Rags'..." he sighs "Market's been steady, in all seriousness. Though there've been eddies in the water too."

Dizzy raises and eyebrow and sets the cup of tea onto the stained café table "Do tell..."

Crop inhales, readying himself to tell the story "Well, there's been a number of Parasprite sightings near a series of empty grain silos to the west, and what with how Parasprites multiply, storage is going to be near impossible until they get a proper band to draw 'em out."

Dizzy nods "Ah, so you're going to swoop in before they take residence, buy stock in the grain milling company, and sell it to get a maximum payback for stock that will lose a large amount of worth?"

"That's the plan, but I'm not some business pony who thrives on the misfortunes of others, I'm also going to suggest that they store it in the next town over, and charge half price to have my company deliver the grain."

"Half?" Dizzy asks, confused.

"Well, I know what it's like to deal with that kind of situation, so I think that they could use a break, but I still need to make money. I'll do more than break even, Dizzy. But it all hinges on Mother Nature."

Dizzy smiles, draining the last of his cup "That sounds like a pretty good gamble to me, Crop Duster. I have a friend waiting for me in the next town over, see you in the rags next week."

Crop snorts, watching his friend trot away "Again with the 'Rags'... swear he must've been living in a cave somewhere..."

Dizzy Spell fades into the crowd and looks up, pausing to marvel at the view of Canterlot "Soon, my friend, I shall return."

On a rock farm, bland and dull, a single bright blue object toils, mane and tail tied and sheared off crudely "... Three thousand!"

A dark purple-grey mare walks over to her, a pick in her hoof "That fast? You must be using your magic too."

The blue mare shakes her head "No, only when my hooves are too numb."

The other mare, obviously of a more positive temperament, hugs the blue unicorn "You don't have to be so monotone around me, Trix."

Trixie sighs, lightly hugging her friend "I know... but whenever I start thinking about saying something... I see their faces."

A solid grey mare with a mane that shined like spilled ink, walked over to the two "What's going on, Trixie break her hoof or something?"

"Marble! I thought you said you would more caring!"

"You do the caring for the both of us, sis." she sits on Trixie's other side, hugging the monotone unicorn "You want to take off? Get some sleep, kill a formation or two, get smashed like an outhouse in a mudslide?"

"Maaaarble!! Violence and drinking aren't the right solutions for emotional trauma, right Trixie?"

Trixie blinks and smiles at both of them faintly "S-sorry, I was... thinking... why do you both care so much, for a washed up magician like me?"

Marble smiles, brushing a lock of Trixie's silver mane away from her face "Because we love you, Trix. Why else do you think we like to get you all alone out here? Right Blinks?"

Blinkie rolls her eyes "Yes, we love you, but no, I'm not trying to ambush you. You've got two someponies vying to make you happy, and nothing will change that."

Trixie smiles, blushing slightly "Thanks... both of you, I needed that."

"Hey, what are marefriends for?" they ask in unison, kissing both of Trixie's cheeks.

It wasn't an uncommon sight to see the three of them working, talking, or relaxing together, the Pie twins and the new worker/tenant Trixie. Very few ponies were aware of how deep their friendship and affections went.

They were a herd with three members, all mares and closed to anypony who might want in.

Trixie was technically the head, but she was so shy and usually only talked for periods where one or both Pies were present. She was likable, even though she dodged questions about her past.

Limestone was the happiest of the three, and had a pretty optimistic point of view on life. She was, of course, a rock farmer, but also a rather famous fashions model, mostly for work wear fashions.

Her twin, and older by seven minutes sister, Marble, was the grounded, practical of the three, usually suggesting ways to solve problems with a pretty predictable pattern; ignore it, get drunk, fight it, and stakeouts. A private investigator by trade as well as rock farmer, she's not a pony you mess with, and you're asking for it if you try to mess with her family or Trixie.

The few ponies who knew about the relationship were Maud Pie, the eldest of all the Pie sisters, Igneous Rock and Cloudy Quartz, the twins' parents, and Green Sleeves, an old adventurer who claims to have met Daring Doo, and the barkeep of the only bar in Boulder, Clouderado.

Maud Pie trundles by, her pet rock, Boulder, on her head "... You seem to have completed your share of today's work Trixie..." she pauses, as if thinking, but the twins could tell she was just pausing to make sure that Trixie hadn't hurt herself "... Mount says that you are going to be needed in a town called Ponyville soon. A mare's life is in danger, and only you have the knowledge to save her."

Trixie nods to Maud but does a double take "Po-Ponyville?! As in, the town your other sister lives in?"

Maud nods slowly "I'm sorry to cut your working hours here short, I know you enjoy the limited contact, but I feel that you need to cultivate some good faith there. Marble, Limestone, you two can come... if you want."

Both mares nod and lift Trixie off the ground and onto their shoulders "We're ready if you are, sis." Limestone chirps.

Maud pauses "She'll need her cart too. And..." she lifts Boulder off her head "Tellurium and lithium ore."

Trixie tried to protest, but a look from both of her marefriends meant that they wouldn't be swayed by anything she said, so she sighed and rested on their shoulders, dozing off.

Trixie yawned, the sound of hushed conversation rousing her sleeping mind to alertness "Marble? Limestone?"

"About time you woke up." Marble jeers, earning a glare from her sister.

Trixie yawns again, wiping her eyes and popping her joints "What's going on?"

Maud, silent for the whole trip, speaks "We're here."

Down hill Ponyville waits, and Trixie's heart drops "Oh... right."

Marble grins "Yup, Pinkie must live here, and I'm guessing... that giant gingerbread house over there is hers."

Trixie looks around her cart, and finds two bags "Are these the ores?"

Limestone nods "Yeah, don't know what they're supposed to do to help somepony, but whatever."

As if on cue, the sound of screaming fillies splits the air.

Trixie leaps off the cart, galloping towards the source of the voices.

Marble and Maud nod to each other, quickly removing the harnesses and following after Trixie.

Limestone, however, removes her harness and enters the wagon, looking for the medical kit she'd stashed before leaving the farm, following after the three other mares "And they said we might not need an aid kit..."

Trixie dives into a clearing and finds a terrifying sight, three fillies stuck to a tree by sap, the wreck of a glider strewn around the clearing's center. Crushing the ruins of the glider is something that Trixie had never thought she'd see.

"T-T-Timberwolf Alpha!!" she yells back where she came, charging her horn.

The hulking wooden beast turns to Trixie and howls at her, snapping it's pony-sized teeth at her.

It is times like this I regret looking after I jump, and not before... Trixie thought to herself "Agh, how do you kill a timberwolf agai- Aha!" she dims her horn and blows a raspberry at it "Hey, stink-breath! Your made of nothing more than rotten driftwood!!"

It roars at her and she takes off "Let's see, upper area of the Everfree, so the closest lake is-whoa!" she leaps, her tail nearly bitten off.

"Hey! If anyone is biting Trixie's tail, it's going to be me!" Marble yells, darting out of the trees to kick one of the wolf's joints into the other, knocking it's head into the ground.

Maud appears next to her, her hooves glowing white "... Break." she leaps onto the Timberwolf's back and punches at the base of its neck, separating the body from the head.

Maud simply trundles off the rapidly crumbling body, each piece no longer held by the wolf's magic "That was fun."

Trixie smiles, hugging the two mares "Thank you! Now let's finish it off." her horn lights and she throws the yowling, panicked head through the air and into a pond, the green flames extinguished instantly.

Limestone enters the path, sweaty "Huff... huff... why don't I have your stamina?"

Maud shrugs and takes the kit, walking back towards the struggling fillies "Come on... we need to get them to town."

Marble salutes and kisses Trixie on the cheek "I meant what I said wand-booty, your tail is mine."

Trixie flushes and follows, Limestone's attention on reprimanding her sister.

Scootaloo hisses in pain when Trixie removes her helmet that had somehow filled with tree sap "So... what are your names?"

"Sweetie Belle." Sweetie replied, bowing her head and trying to fix her mohawked mane and tail.

Scootaloo rubs her mane, her hooves sticking to it "Scootaloo... ow!!"

"An' ah'm Applebloom." Applebloom says, her signature bow stuck to her flank.

"Well, the mare with the dark mane is Marble, the one with the grey is Limestone, and the last one in the frock is Maud." Trixie says "And I'm Bellatrix, we're rock farmers."

Scootaloo pauses, her hooves now stuck to her cheeks "Whaiph, ithn't Plinkie a rock farmerth?"

Sweetie nods, the spikes of her mane left alone "Yes, though I doubt that they're related to her."

"Yeah, an' besides, Pinkie said that she her whole family were Earth Ponies." she points at Trixie "An Bellatrix is a unicorn."

Maud pauses and reaches into her pocket, pulling out a crumpled piece of paper "We're here."

Trixie looks up and recognizes Sugarcube Corner, one of the places she hadn't been to "Well, I suppose if we ask arou-"

The door opens loudly, cutting Trixie off as a blur of pink shoots out from within. Reacting on instinct, she throws up a barrier around the cart that the blur slams into, baby blue eyes staring at her "Hiiiiiii..." the pink monster whispers, licking the barrier like it was a lollipop.

Trixie raises an eyebrow "What in the name of Luna is that?"

"Our sister." all three Pies say in unison and Trixie lowers the barrier "Seriously? You said your sister was different, but I didn't think special different."

Pinkie thrusts her hoof into Trixie's face "Hi!I'mPinkiePie!WelcomeToPonyville!IfeellikeI'vemetyoubefore-" Trixie casts a slowing spell on Pinkie "Come again?"

"Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie! Welcome to Ponyville! I feel like I've met you before but that's okay, I'll still throw you a 'Welcome to Ponyville' Party! Oh my gosh! Maud! Marble and Limestone too! What happened, is somepony getting married, are dad and mom okay, are you okay? Hi Crusaders!"

Trixie dispels the magic and Pinkie rubs her lips "Weird..."

Maud smiles at Pinkie "We're here to help somepony, or rather, help Bellatrix help somepony."

Pinkie gasps "Then it must be super-duper important! But I can't think of anypony who might need help!"

Maud nods and reaches back into her pocket, pulling out Boulder "Boulder knows the way."

Scootaloo scratches her head with Sweetie's spikes "Definitely Pinkie's sisters."

Twilight looked up from her book on heart defects "I wonder who'd knock to get in a library?"

Moondancer shrugs, sketching.

She opens the door and comes face-to-face with Maud, who blinks "Is there a pony who needs a rock farmer along with Tellurium and Lithium?"

Twilight blinks several times replaying the flat question in her head "Y-yes... why?"

Maud nods "Boulder was right. Where is the pony?"

Moondancer walks out of the Library, nudging Twilight aside "I'm her, how can you help me?"

Maud shrugs "I don not know. Bellatrix is the pony who can do something about whatever your problem is."

"'Bellatrix'?" Twilight asks.

Moondancer quirks her eyebrow "Bellatrix Lulamoon?"

Trixie hops out of the cart, levitating the crusaders "Do you know who these- ah!!" she darts behind Marble and Limestone, cowering "That's Twilight Sparkle! She must hate me for what happened, I know she does!!"

Marble lifts her leg to look at Trixie "As much as I want you beneath me Trix, I'm pretty sure right now isn't the time or place."

Limestone nods "She's a nice pony, I can tell."

Moondancer rips Trixie out from her hiding place and sets her in front of her "You're Bellatrix Lulamoon, only daughter of Artemis Lulamoon, the missing magician next in line for Magus Supreme?"

Trixie winces "Y-yes... I am she."

Moondancer blinks "Huh, thought you'd be... impressive. Can you forge a magical heart engine?"

Trixie pauses "That... depends. What type of heart engine are you talking about? I can make one for a small auton, yes, but nothing like a dreadnaught-class golem."

Moondancer smirks "Let's talk inside."

Trixie follows her, then Maud and finally Marble and Limestone.

Twilight rubs her head "I'll... make tea, I guess."

Trixie sets her tea down and rubs her eyes, "You... what?"

"I'm your cousin, consequently, the only living member of the Dancer clan, like you are of the Lulamoon clan."

Marble grins her teeth "Hey, she may be a unicorn, but she's ours. I don't care what kind of money you may have to put her in some kind of harem so that your bloodline doesn't die, I will make you the late last of your clan, you get me?!"

Limestone gasps and slaps her sister on the back of the head "You just sat down, and drew that conclusion?!"

"What? You've read the same papers I do! 'Heiress buys local mare/stallion for name'."

Moondancer smirks "That isn't what I want at all."

"Okay then, use some kind of wicked dark arts to steal her family's power through her bloodline, or drain her life to prolong yours. I've seen that type of evil too many times first hoof, and let me tell you, Moondancer, I will put you out of your misery for trying to hurt Trixie or anypony else that you have on your list of victims." Marble says, her hoof glowing with magic.

"No, you misunderstand!" Twilight says "Moondancer does need Trixie's help to live, yes, but-"

"You're the one my father made the metal heart for, aren't you?" Trixie asks, walking out of the library "I have the plans for the replacement, but I haven't done it before. The plans are all in my head, but I need a foundry, lathe, a clockmaker's tools, a jeweler's tools as well, a forge and all of the ore we brought."

Maud quirks an eyebrow "I can help."

Trixie shakes her head "Thanks, but the plans require strictly unicorn magic, if it was for an Earth pony, that'd be a different story, but it will take at least two weeks to make."

Twilight hops from her seat but Trixie turns, holding up her hoof "I'm... sorry, but I swore to my father the night before he disappeared that I'd never show or teach anyone not related by blood what he taught me."

Moondancer hums in thought What a radical change in attitude, what I heard about her from ponies said that she was boisterous and spoke in the third pony. But she looked like she was afraid of Twilight and me... and now she's dead serious. How... interesting, I suppose she might suffer from a shattered ego or splintered personalities. This bears research. "Thank you Bellatrix, it means so much to me."

Trixie grins weakly, her meekness bleeding through again "I've never done anything like it before, but I'll try my best."

Celestia taps Luna's shoulder "What are you staring at?"

Luna looks up from her telescope "Progress. I have many social experiments and dominos. Soon, something amazing or horrible will awaken Equestria for the first time in a millennium." she sighs "To be honest, I am not too sure which one sounds the most entertaining."

"'Which one' what?"

"The horrible or amazing outcomes, the fruit of my experiments." Luna replies.

Celestia frowns "Luna, you're not manipulating ponies' minds, are you?"

"No, I am just manipulating what minor choices they decide, a little coercion, but the rest is out of my control. I set the dominos up, but it is up to them how they fall or if they fall at all. All I can do is hope that it doesn't kill me before the final outcome."

The white alicorn sighs "Luna, you're going to become a hermit at the rate you're going."

"I could go out and date somepony, I suppose, but there aren't that many free mares in Canterlot, less of whom I could relate to."

Celestia sighs "Will you drop this 'I'm homosexual' act? I know that you are straight, like me."

Luna frowns "Oh? And what evidence to you have to prove your point?"

Celestia sighs "One, I've seen you stare at the guards as they work and train. Two, you have a large amount of interest in love, and what it means. And three, most of your male guards are what some would call handsome."

Luna snorts "Sister, you are wrong. Counter evidence: one, I stare at them, but I am also appraising them, learning how they fight and train in case they are needed for combat, there is nothing sexual or romantic in my appraisals. Two, I have a vested interest in the emotions of others, but only to understand why they act the way they do, I am not interested in love for its' own sake, but rather as a tool and a variable. And three, the guards that you speak of are the ones that are left of your night guard."

"... Ah." Celestia replies "I suppose I was wrong-"

"And I had a pet manticore when we lived in the old castle, I wore stallion's clothing whenever we went out, talked animatedly with the travelling theatre troupes, and the mornings when I'd return drunk? I had also enjoyed the company of mares whilst in disguise." Luna says, giving her sister a flat look "The only one it wasn't apparent to was you, Celestia."

Celestia backpedals slightly "I..." she sighs, her shoulders slumping "You're right, I was-"

"Too busy inspecting your own dock to the things happening around you?" Luna interjects, adjusting her telescope "You know, I never judged you for your homophobia, never assume that, I still believe that you consider it to be a choice over the truth, that I have no control over it."

"You're always so... so... right."

"Only in the sciences and the like, I still have trouble understanding ponies without the use of telepathy. Now, Ms. Raven is looking for you, you have an appointment with a dignitary from the Griffon Kingdom to the north."

Celestia nods and exits Luna's room, closing the door after her.

Luna taps her hooves on the floor twice and Midnight Rose descends from her hiding place on the ceiling "I delivered the message to Rarity, Luna. I also have the artifact you've chosen to 'Donate' to the museum."

Luna turns, nodding to the saluting Thestral "Good, Do you have it here?"

She nods and reaches into her armor, retrieving a golden eye "The eye of Maredas?"

Luna takes it and reaches into her torc and retrieves a wooden bit "Let's see if it still works."

Her horn sparks and the eye glows for a split instant, turning the bit to gold "Ahhh... I knew that plucking this from that mule-king was a grand idea. Thank you, and give them this letter."

Midnight salutes again and takes flight, gliding towards a large building.

Luna sighs, summoning a book "Soon, the 'virtues' of this gilded society will be shown the light, and revealed as the comfortable lies they are."

"Or you could just tell them yourself, Lulu."

Luna whips around, a sword in her magic "Who-"

Discord raises his hands in surrender "It's just me, Lulu."

Luna smiles and lowers her sword "Discord... hello."

Discord shrinks to her height and hugs her around the neck "Hello my dearest friend. How are you?"

"I'm fine, but where have you been? I've been looking for you through the ley lines, but you never show up."

Discord smiles "I don't, because you were using the harmonic network." he sits, coiling up to cross his arms "I was in a small, out-of-the-way town to the south of Canterlot, befriending ponies and the like there. You know I like the unpredictable, mathematical nature of commerce."

Luna nods slowly "Ah, so you were making friends?"

He nods.

"But there's something else, isn't there? I can tell." Luna asks, but it was more of a statement.

"... Yes, I have seen that while Ponies do have a great amount of empathy and compassion, they also have a great deal of obliviousness to their natures as well."

"And you find that surprising?"

"No, I just.. thought that ponies would be more inquisitive and curious. Ponies used to be afraid of the unknown, but now they don't even think about it or bat an eye. Luna, your plan may be doomed to fizzle out like a microscopic bomb." he sighs "I'm all for changing the status quo, I am, but there's a line between trying to evoke change, and just kicking up dust."

Luna nods "I am aware, but if I am afraid of failure, then there's no point in anything. I accept that possibility, but that doesn't mean I like it. I am going to see something change, something that will start a change to stop this stagnation ponies have gotten to believe is right." she grinds her teeth "I'm not going to let something like a false sense of peace turn ponies into a joke of the world."

"Even if it costs the lives of those very ponies?" Discord asks.

"..." Luna sighs under her breath "I will try my hardest to avoid casualties, you know that. I will fight such an outcome, but death is something that has to happen sooner or later, and I accept that risk too, even if it makes my heart ache."

Discord nods and stands to his full height "Luna, you play a dangerous game, and it doesn't take a god to see that whatever happens in the future might be your fault. Maybe not entirely, but an amount that you'll be burdened with for the rest of your life."

"I know that. I carried the burden of failing you as a friend for a long time, but I still haven't forgiven myself, that is something that I may never be able to do, but I will accept what comes." her face calms "I am a warrior with a cause, and though war may break my body, it will not wound my spirit, that I promise you, Discord."

Discord smiles and sits down again "That's all I needed to hear."

Rarity watches Spike and Shining spar, deeply entranced "Fighting is much like dancing, it seems."

Night Light sits next to her, a whirring contraption to his side "That it is, I can't fight or dance, so that must make it true."

Rarity giggles "Yes, I've seen Twilight's 'Dancing', and at first I thought she was having an attack of sorts."

He laughs "Yeah, I can see that." he taps the contraption and scribbles something down "I can tell that you're a fighter and a dancer."

Rarity turns to him "How did you come to that conclusion?"

"Simple, you carry yourself with measured grace and no movement is wasted, like a dancer conserving their stamina. You're a fighter because your hooves have wear inconsistent with just sewing, that and you don't have heavy muscle meant for long-combat like my sons have, yours are lithe and limber, which denotes fast, short amounts of combat. And your mane, while immaculate, is styled to act like a shield for your eyes from debris." he smiles knowingly and Rarity suppresses a shiver "And I'm also in Princess Luna's employ."

So he works for Luna as well, how peculiar. Rarity thinks to herself "Well, that explains a few things about you, Mr. Light, but how are you contributing to the Princess' considerable plans?"

"I am the head of her Research and Development group." he replies simply, wincing when Shining lands a blow to Spike's collar bone.

Rarity nods slowly, processing the information This is a very unique collection of individuals she has. Midnight Rose is her direct guard and close-combat specialist. Moondancer is her battle magician as well as possibly the most well-read pony in the country. And now there's Night Light, a mad scientist who is also Twilight's father as her technical expert as well as possibly her weapons maker. Then there's me, her infiltration specialist... who else is working for her? And... what is she holding over their heads?

Shining flies through the air, thrown by Spike "That's good! You're getting faster!"

Spike grunts, rolling his jaw.

Night smiles "Good works son!"

Shining leaps and Spike tries to grab him but he teleports away.

Rarity's ear twitches and she whirls around, jabbing a hoof where Shining reappeared, hitting him in the chest.

"Whoa! Sheesh, that was faster than anypony I've seen!" Night says, clapping.

Shining, however, stares in equal parts amazement and apprehension "How could you-"

"I've been watching you teleport around for the past few minutes, Sir Armor." she retracts her hoof "And you always leave a sort of after image before you reappear."

Spike snaps his talons "Oh yeah, I wasn't sure if I was just seeing things or not."

Shining coughs "That's... really?"

Night nods and presses a button on his machine and it whirs to life "This is a compact, transportable recording projector. Watch."

A beam of gold light the same color as his magic flows from the projector and a miniature version of Spike and Shining fighting appears to float above the ground.

Rarity and Shining watch intensely and a split second before Shining reappears after teleporting, he shows up where he'll appear "Wow, but I could barely see that." he mutters.

"Yes, I'm afraid I haven't figured out how to slow it down yet, it records in real time."

"But this is still a great invention. It must take quite a bit of time to set up though."

He shakes his head, grinning "Not really, it's gyroscopic, it can start recording once it warms up."

"What are you going to call this contraption dad?" Shining asks, running a hoof through the image.

He shrugs "I'll leave that to other ponies, I'm not all that creative with names."

Spike shrugs and turns to Shining, "Shall we pick up where we left off, captain?"

Author's Note

It appears that all the players are coming together!

But what is Luna's end result?

Why is Night Light working for Luna?

Is someone close to our heroes and heroines observing for their own benefit?

I can't answer those questions, because like you, I haven't any idea.

Chapter 3: Espionage

Chapter 3: Espionage

Blueblood grins "A deep friendship, perhaps? An attempt to impress you?"

These words echo around the inside of Rarity's head, as relentless as her sister when she had decided to taste Twilight's dark coffee.

What could he mean? Spike is a good friend, yes, but... wouldn't he prefer spending time with the others over sitting in the boutique? Why am I... why can't I stop thinking abou- OW! Rarity winces, a ruler held in Luna's magical field hovering over her slapped hoof "Pay attention Ms. Belle."

Rarity rubs the sore spot, wincing "Why couldn't you just nudge me?"

Luna shrugs "I didn't consider that. Now focus on the text, there will be a pop quiz tonight."

"Uhm... You told me about it so wouldn't it just be a regular quiz?"

Luna grins "Maybe. We aren't addressing semantics right now, so focus on the text in front of you and then you can break for lunch to ponder the intentions of Spike the dragon."

Rarity blushes "Hasn't anypony told you that reading another pony's mind is rude?"

Luna cocks her head to the side, thinking "Several times and on several occasions. I may have accidentally ousted one or a dozen of my sister's chambermaids as those who enjoy the company of the cunning sex over the boorish sex." she shrugs "My sister was a bit of a phobe."

Rarity gives Luna a flat stare "I know for a fact that Princess Celestia doesn't care about orientation."

"Pages 2546- 2631. Contains her inebriated rant about that event. 2642-2650 is an actual size copy of her decree to have all homosexual ponies wear a white scarf with a red star in the center on their neck. Then when she saw me wearing one, she explained what it was about and how it wasn't a fashion accessory. I told her I knew full well what it meant and was just following the law. I had a similar decree saying that they could be exempt from the 'marriage taxes' if they proved that they were truly in love. And if I liked, I would give them an untaxable gift of a small dowry with my best wishes and, if they so felt it, I would marry them myself in exchange for a kiss from both. The kisses were optional."

Rarity's eye twitches "Y-you? You are a... a... not that there's anything wrong with that! I know for a fact contrary to the rumors of the fearful, it is not a choice, but rather you are born that way."

Luna grins "I know, and I have decided to create some night terrors for the most vocal of the opposition. And why wouldn't I be? Is that a shot about me being archaic? Ancient? That I have the sentiments of the conservatives and nobles?" Luna walks over, muzzle to muzzle with Rarity "Do you take me for a hateful hag in a cave with inbred children? Do you think I a fool?"

Rarity shakes her head furiously "The majority of my friends are... 'Gay'?" she ventured nervously, not desiring to upset the princess of the night.

Luna's eyes turn to slits "We prefer 'Mare munchers', 'Filly foolers' or just homosexuals." She grins "I know what you meant the entire time! Develop a sense of humor! You'll never get a good partner either in life or in general being so serious. Or you'll find out your knight in shining armor is really an idiot running around in tin foil."

Rarity sighs "Trust me, from meeting Blueblood, I know."

Blueblood sighs, standing in the doorway "Why do I even try to befriend mares? Stallions are so much easier..."

Rarity gasps "I... I didn't mean anything by it!"

Blueblood grins weakly "I know, who knew that she was right about the importance of a good first impression."

Luna nods to him "Would you like to join us Blueblood? We are going out to eat as soon as Ms. Belle completes her remedial world history."

Rarity sighs "I'm reading it... but it's all about a decade of nothing but marriage, death, and birth certificates. Crop growth, intensity of weather, and other trivial facts that won't have any use!"

Luna rolls her eyes "I know, I slipped in a random copy of the farmer's almanac when you spaced out. Just two more pages Ms. Belle, that's all."

That's all she says, I have to use a loupe to read this tiny writing! Rarity thinks to herself, then groans I need to ask Twilight how she can sit and read all this... oh hello!

Rarity mouths a passage, a blush forming "P-Princess Luna? I seem to have found an entry about an... interspecies... 'cabal'"

Luna raises an eye brow and squints at the passage, a blush blooming across her face "Oh! Oh wow... I had no idea sister used the history book for this purpose... this is a bonus for keeping their descendants' pride in check. Let's cut the reading short, and I'll just read the actual reading while we eat lunch... and she said I was the wild one."

Midnight wipes her eyes "... Why am I awake in the middle of the day? I need my sleep."

Luna rolls her eyes "You were stuffing your face with dried fruit."

"I eat in my sleep! It's a condition!"

Blueblood shudders "At least you aren't biting ponies."

Midnight shakes her head "Nah, I just do that to you to annoy the heck out of you. And 'cause you smell like fruit."

Blueblood sighs "Why must my favorite shampoo be fruit scented? Why can't I just enjoy the feeling of being submerged in delicious berries without having to jump at shadows expecting a batpony to jump out at me?"

Midnight licks his ear "I can taste it... you should use durian scented though, that would have you covered in thestrals like bees to honey."

Rarity shivers "Princess-"

Luna plucks an immaculate hair from Rarity's mane "I have told you drop the title. Each time you fail to do so, I will pluck a strand from your mane. Soon the idea of addressing me formally will have a negative association akin to Pavlov's wolves. Now, in the twentieth year after the great unification, an outbreak of the malevolent species of insects known in Line Airium's binomial classification as Parasitus Rapax, or the common name 'parasprites'."

Rarity shivers "Oh... I remember those disgusting little vermin! They... they..." she turns green at the memory.

Luna frowns "Yes, disgusting, they were a creation made by Discord. We adapted by growing tubers and other subterranean vegetables. It was Chancellor Puddinghead that discovered the way of driving them away, and created the unique musical style of 'Pudding's Killing' which was shortened to 'Polka'. So after teaching a number of ponies how to preform this, he threw himself into a ravine screaming "I sense my future is bri-'"

Rarity cocks her head "'Bri'?"

"That was all he said before disappearing. We searched for a whole year, trying to find any sign of his body but all we found was his clothing, as if his whole body disintegrated, leaving his clothes behind. We never saw him again."

Midnight nods "Yeah, but there were notes found in his mud mansion talking about something called 'Party Crashing'. Scholars are still poring over those notes, something about going back in time to become immortal or something. He seemed immune to disease, had beyond bestial senses, and most impressive, his physical abilities were so beyond normal that it was rumored that he was an alicorn in disguise."

Luna shook her head "No, he was just a powerful earth pony who unfortunately was gifted with intuition. And before you ask, your friend Pinkie is related. After that, we had stopped looking, and had begun to truly unify against a world set on killing us. We grew wise and strong, learning from the other species but having no idea what was over the horizon, Tia acted as a beacon of hope while I stayed in the background, trying to discover something that would allow us to live better, something to give them peace of mind. I found something better. I found a slumbering, near dead stallion."

"How exactly is that better?"

Luna grins "That stallion brought with him a legend. A legend that united everypony. His name was Ice Heart, the first crystal pony."

Rarity pauses "C-crystal... pony?"

Luna nods "Yes, he spoke of a mad god of chaos who had turned him into a living lump of cryosite, rendering him near-indestructible but also without his prized wings to fly, nor warmth in his body. Many ponies thought that he was lying but I saw his terror, his abject fear of that god, so I told the others about his complete honesty and... they accepted it. We now had a common enemy that would unite all but one of us... the name of this creature was Discord."

Rarity shivers "You mean that hideously garish and horrible statue in the center of the statue garden at the castle?"

Luna nods "That is Discord himself, entrapped in stone by the elements to harmony. Where he has stood petrified for nearly a thousand years. That about covers the basics of this lesson. now onto building up your stamina. To the torture house!"

Rarity blanches, Midnight picking her up with ease and carrying her out of the restaurant "T-torture?"

Rarity sighs with relief, the 'Torture house' was just a spa house "Why would you call this a 'Torture house'? It looks positively relaxing."

Midnight grins "We never said you were going to be a customer. You're going to have to break in, gather information on a certain individual within, leave, and never blow your cover. The target is this stallion."

Rarity takes the picture in question and blushes "H- him? But that's Shining Armour! He's engaged to princess Cadenza, and if I get caught-"

Luna waves a hoof dismissively "Worry not, we will be watching from afar, I am royalty so unless I do something like kill a small village of innocents or something I'm immune to rules and laws, and as my guard escort, that immunity extends to Midnight. If need be, you can have Blueblood take the blame, I know for a fact that he cuts the rope off his soap-on-a-rope for good reason."

Blueblood blushes "Sh-shut up..."

Rarity cocks her head "I haven't the slightest clue what you are talking about. Is there anything in particular that you need me to find out?"

Luna nods "Yes, you are to learn how it is that she ascended. And her favorite color, which I hope isn't pink. Seriously, she's a perky pretty pink pony princess. That much cutesiness gives me dry heaves."

Midnight shrugs "I don't mind, she always smells like lemonade and tangelos."

Blueblood rolls his eyes "Do you live your life through your sense of smell and taste?"

Midnight shrugs "Does it matter?"

Rarity nods slowly "Are there any... restrictions I need to follow?"

"Don't get caught."

Okay, it's just like... like... hmmm... Rarity thinks to herself, entering the spa.

Rarity looks around the waiting area of the spa, taking stock of everything Silk/cotton upholstery on the chairs, the skeletons of which are 65% iron, 25% nickel and 10% steel. The counter is across from the chair, an unpolished schist island, how drab... there is a perky looking mare at the counter who hasn't seen me yet and judging from the warped vinyl flooring in front of the doors, those lead to the spa itself...

Rarity smirks Good thing I still practice gymnastics. With a silent leap courtesy of her filed hooves, Rarity sticks to the lower part of the island, holding her tail against her barrel. Extending one leg at a time, she stays flat on the ground and slinks silently under the mare at the counter unaware of the intruder.

Having passed the first obstacle with ease, Rarity starts to use her magic to open the door No! Magic makes a noise and I'm to enter undetected... she places her hoof on the doorknob and slowly opens the door wide enough to slip through.

Maybe I was a ninja in a past life. Oh! I could make some nylon outfits with sound dampening stockings! Ooh! And a warm jacket with some weather and temperature proofing spells... and a hood, to hide my mane... Rarity muses, imagining the result of her inspiration before refocusing on the task Focus Rarity! Get the mission done and then make clothing.

"Can I help you?" someone asks, startling Rarity.

She turns and standing behind her is a large grey pegasus "Well?"

Rarity clears her throat "Yes, I was looking for the manager of this establishment in order to file a complaint on behalf of an injured friend of mine."

The pegasus grins "That so happens to be me. Why don't we speak of this someplace where other clients might not hear?"

Oh that's completely innocent. "No, I believe that right here where EVERYPONY CAN HEAR is perfectly fine for our talks." Rarity shouts, drawing attention to herself.

The stallion shuffles nervously "D-don't be ridiculous... come on, let's go to my office and talk, okay?"

Rarity grins internally "Oh no, you SHOULDN'T have to PUT yourself OUT for me, I'm fine RIGHT HERE."

He starts to sweat a bit "Please... I'm begging you..."

"You needn't BEG. I WON'T LET YOU, so I'll wait for you to FINISH."

He starts to look around him, sweating profusely "I'll give you anything! Money, free spa days, ANYTHING!! Just please stop with your innuendo!"

Rarity smirks "Get me a private sauna with Captain Shining Armour, I have a number of questions for the Canterlot inquirer about his mysterious relationship with Princess Celestia."

He nods fervently and gallops towards a mud-covered stallion and drags him towards an open door.

"... I can't believe that worked. Who knew that reading some of Fluttershy's rough drafts would help..." Rarity mutters, following the flustered stallion and his mud covered captive.

"... What just happened?" the white unicorn asks aloud, mud sliding off his coat.

Rarity shuts the door and bats her eyelashes, her makeup wiped off and mane and tail straightened and tied back "Ahem, ah am with th' Canterlot Inquirer..." I seriously hope practicing my Applejack impression worked...

"Really? I never knew that they interviewed somepony in the middle of a spa day. Wait! Don't write that I was at a spa! It's bad enough Cadence makes fun of my fashion sense!"

Note: he is possibly as insecure about his image as Blueblood is... "Dont'cha worry none. This interview ain't 'bout you, it's 'bout yer... royal fiancé. Now, how do ya know her in th' first place? Ah mean, she's a princess an' yer a guard captain..."

Shining Armour blushes "W-well she was the foalsitter for my younger sister and I... we started to hang out and... as the years went by I fell in love with her... even though she was already an alicorn when we met."

Oh dear, if she had ascended before they met, he might not know! "About that... how exactly did she ascend? 'Cause she ain't like princesses Luna or Celestia."

Shining grins "That's a state secret miss...?"

"Core, Apple Core." I'll have to ask Applejack if that's a good Apple family name... later.

He nods "You look like an Apple, built like a house and twice as strong. Hey, do you know Apple Crisp from Manehatten?"

"Manehatten? Ya sure? There ain't no Apples there 'cept mah second aunt, but she's an Orange." Rarity replies confidently Nice try, I listen to Applejack when she groans about 'fancy ponies'

Shining chuckles "Yeah, I guess I was wrong about where she came from..."

"So ya can't tell me how she ascended? That's a load of rotten fritters in summer!" Note to self: start writing Applejacks countryisms down.

He recoils "What? I can't tell you, it's a secret!"

Rarity smirks "Meanin' ya don't know. 'State secret' my left hoof."

"... Fine, you caught me. I don't know... I never thought to ask and she never brought it up... I'm such a bad fiancé..." he sighs, staring at the floor.

"Now that ain't true. Ah'm sure yall're a good fiancé, not knowin' somethin' ain't worth beatin' yerself over. 'Sides, ah already got it from th' princess a while ago, she jus' asked me to see if'n ya knew or not. Congrats on gettin' a princess Shinin' Armor."

He grins weakly and Rarity exits the sauna, smiling confidently Mission half-way accomplished.

"... I raise you two" Luna says, sliding two bits forward.

Midnight nods "I'll call and raise you three"

Blueblood sighs "I fold."

He flips over two cards and Luna glares at them "I raise by two."

Midnight does the same and Luna sets her hand down "Three jacks over four."

Midnight grins "Straight flush. I win."

Luna groans, the last of her bits taken "Ugh... why can't I ever beat you?"

Midnight grins "Mind reading is banned and I'm the best in the guard poker tournament. Both night and day regiments."

Blueblood slides the few bits he had left into his bag "And I suck at reading bluffs... or remembering what to do..."

Luna's ears perk "I think she's leaving..."

Rarity walks over, sans styled mane and makeup "Hello Luna, Midnight, Blueblood."

Midnight smiles "Did you succeed?"

Rarity holds a hoof up and makes the universal "So-so" motion "Almost, he didn't know it but I didn't get caught. Luna, can you get a small article in the inquirer?"

Luna cocks her head "Why?"

"I told him I was a reporter from there and I was writing a short piece about her, maybe just a small one with a few paragraphs. Maybe bigger if we get the answer from your sister."

Luna grins "I already asked her, she said it was a 'State secret' meaning she didn't know. I dug a little and it turns out it was from a ritual cast by a small cult and she was a hostage who sacrificed herself to be the test subject for the spell. Apparently it used some of Tia's own blood to transform her, she also got a cutie mark because the surge of energy started pulling the long distant Crystal empire back to this world. But that's a lesson for another day. congratulations Rarity, you passed the espionage test. I suggest you go home to your sister and friends, I know you worry."

Rarity gapes "You're... just letting me go?"

Midnight rolls her eyes "You act as if she kidnapped you. You need to rest and we need to rework the teaching strategies. So go unless you want to get more lectures"

Before they can blink, Rarity is gone, all of her luggage lagging behind her as she boards the train home FREEDOM!!!

Luna blinks "Huh... Want to go to the castle and play guard chess?"

Midnight grins "I call white!"

Author's Note

I'm finally done (my aching fingers...)

Anyways, Rarity is free to return home.

Apparently poise and form help in espionage (And innuendo, which is always fun.)