Schism

Chapters

Chapter 1 - A Quiet Night
Chapter 2 - The Most Important Meal of the Day
Chapter 3 - A Walk Around Town
Chapter 4 - Tempers Flare

Chapter 1 - A Quiet Night

“We were meant to rule together, little sister. Will you accept my friendship?”

That had been two years ago. Two years since Nightmare Moon had managed to break free from her banishment on the Moon. Two years since The Elements of Harmony had purged the corruption and madness from the mind of Princess Luna. Two years since her older sister had said those words to her. She had wanted to believe them. Afterwards, she had ridden into Ponyville with her sister and been greeted joyously by the inhabitants.

Alone in her chambers, Princess Luna’s eyes trailed over to the garland of roses that a pair of fillies had laid around her neck. She remembered feeling as though she was going to burst into tears of joy at the acceptance the garland represented, and so she had the garland preserved as a reminder that, above all, her responsibility as a Princess was towards her subjects.

The weight of that responsibility hung heavily around her neck as she lay staring at the garland. Two years it had been since her return, barely a blink to one who had spent a thousand years alone on the moon… and yet, the bitterness had already begun to creep back. The bitterness that she had tried to bottle up and hide a thousand years ago, the very same that had drove her to the madness that was Nightmare Moon. It was something she could not allow to happen again, and not just for her own sake.

A quiet knock at the doors to her chambers snapped Luna out of her dark thoughts, turning her attention back to the present. She stood, her horn flaring gently to life as she pulled the double doors open, admitting the guest she had been expecting.

“Good evening, Captain Star.” the Princess intoned as the pegasus trotted in. Luna’s magic closed the doors behind her. There was a small blue glow around the door as Luna enchanted it to muffle any sound. Her windows had received the same treatment earlier in the evening. The muffling spell was something that was becoming very familiar to Luna in the recent months.

The Captain of the Night Guard, one Sapphire Star, was dressed in her full battle regalia, the navy blue of the Night Guard armour almost blending in with her coat. The Captain’s closely cropped teal mane was hidden under her helmet, and her tail was kept as short as decency would allow.

“Good evening, Princess.” the Captain’s cool reply came as she trotted up to where her Princess was seated, and began to sink into a bow.

Luna had repeatedly asked the Captain not to stand on ceremony when they were in private, but Sapphire Star was a consummate military mare. Luna simply flicked her tail in slight annoyance, having given up on that particular request. “Just the particulars of your report please, Captain.”

“As you wish, Princess,” Sapphire replied, fishing for a scroll that had been held under a wing and unfurling it. “As expected, the changelings only sought to capture ponies, and casualties were extremely low. A few dozen minor injuries, and a small number of cases where panicked ponies broke bones. There was a single case of magical overload as a unicorn in the city resonated negatively with the magic released by Princess Cadence and Capt-” Sapphire Star stopped herself short at this point, correcting herself. “Ahem, released by Princess Cadence and Prince-consort Shining Armour. There were no major injuries, and no deaths. There are still three missing mares, though at the advice of Twilight Sparkle, the caves beneath Canterlot are being searched as we speak. Structural damage to Canterlot itself is estimated between ten and twenty thousand bits.” The report was finished and the scroll snapped shut, and was tucked back away.

Luna breathed a sigh of relief. It had been necessary, really, but she still worried that her actions may have caused unwanted death. She ducked her head slightly, feeling that weight of responsibility lessen slightly. It was an illusion, of course, since this was just the first step, but for it to have gone so well…

“That is a great relief, Captain. We are to keep double watch tonight, as per Celestia’s suggestion.” The last word was said with a bit more venom that had been truly intended, a mark of the slowly rising tide of bitterness in Luna’s heart.

“Yes, Princess.” the Captain replied stonily. The pair shared a moment of silence as Luna’s eyes once again found their way back to the preserved garland.

The silence stretched on until Sapphire Star cleared her throat, pulling Luna back into the present once again. “Will there be anything else, Princess?”

Luna wrestled with the question for a moment, pondering whether or not to share her concerns with the pegasus. Sapphire Star knew what she was trying to do. She had expressed her unquestioning loyalty to the Princess several times before, which Luna felt was quite the opposite of the end goal. Luna desperately wanted to reach out to her Captain, to get some reassurance that the path they were walking was the correct one. Luna hesitantly opened her mouth to speak.

Sapphire Star interrupted her in a startling breach of decorum that took the Princess completely aback. “Princess, if you are having doubts now, there is still time to turn back. We can return the Elements and no one will be any the wiser.” The Captain’s voice did not betray much emotion, carefully trained as it was, and Luna again hesitated.

“Tell me, Sapphire Star,” Luna intentionally left off the rank this time, “and not as my Captain, not as a member of the Royal Guard, but as a citizen of Equestria: do you believe we are doing right by the people?”

It was Sapphire Star’s turn to flick her tail in annoyance at the question, and the annoyance crept into her voice as well. “Luna,” she began. Luna blinked. She had never, not once, heard her Captain address her so informally. “If I did not believe in what you… in what we are trying to do, I would have reported the treason to Princess Celestia as soon as you brought your plans to me.” For some reason, inexplicable even to herself, that made Luna break into a small, candid smile.

“Thank you, Captain. See to setting the watch. I must rest a moment or two, and then I will join you.”

* * *

Granite Clash was exhausted. His bunk creaked dangerously as he collapsed into it, his armour pinching at his forelegs slightly as he did, reminding him why you took off your armour before getting into bed. His brain was telling him to get up and take off the armour and store it properly, but his tired muscles were having none of that. As the two waged an internal war, Granite’s thoughts wandered back to the day that had just passed. A changeling attack, a member of the Royal Family kidnapped and replaced with the Changeling Queen, who had somehow managed to overcome Celestia herself.

He had been in the streets when the Changelings had broken through the screen protecting Canterlot, and he had done his level best to evacuate civilians and fight off those changelings he could recognize as being such. That is, of course, until one of the changelings had hit him with a spell that had enveloped him and a fellow Guard pegasus together in sticky green goop. Ugh, magic. If there was anything the slate-grey earth pony hated, it was magic.

Granite clambered out of bed, and began stripping of his golden-tinted armour. The armour was a bit bigger than standard issue as it was rare for an earth pony to be recruited into the Guard, and Granite was bulky even for an earth pony. The barracks around him was quiet, the usual buzz of conversation that filled the large room was non existent after the long - and for the Day Watch, frankly embarrassing - day. A cursory glance at a few of the pieces he had removed told Granite that he would need to polish the armour before he could be considered presentable. He pulled off his helmet and set it on the stand, running a hoof through the short-cropped white mane. Guard regulation prohibited wearing a long mane, but Granite’s was short even by the Guard’s standards.

He struggled slightly to remove his rear shin guards, his muscles complaining with fatigue. Even after the wave of magic had swept all the changelings from Canterlot and cast them flying out towards the Badlands, the Guard had been run off their hooves. On top of trying to account for all wounded and ensuring that none of the structural damage the city suffered during the attack was dangerous, Princess Celestia had ordered that the Palace be cleaned up so that the Royal Wedding could occur the very same day. A show to the citizens of Canterlot that, even in the dark times, there was always joy to be found in Equestria. A sentiment that had been punctuated by the wedding closing out with the explosion of a spectacular rainbow that spread across the landscape surrounding Canterlot. One of the pegasi guards had said something about a Sonic Rainboom, and Granite had merely grumbled and walked away. More magic, ugh.

With his armor properly stowed away, Granite fell back onto the bunk, which again threatened to collapse under the bulky pony. Though the sun had only gone down a scant few hours ago, sleep came quickly.

* * *

Up in a suite in a high tower of the palace, Twilight Sparkle couldn’t sleep. It wasn’t for lack of need, for the day of her brother’s wedding had left her completely exhausted. It wasn’t Spike’s quiet snores, nor was it the slow crackle of a dying fire in the fireplace. It wasn’t even the lovely view offered by the broad windows that was keeping her awake. It was the slow pacing back and forth, a habit she had when she was deep in thought. Her hooves made soft clopping sounds whenever her pacing took her off the shag carpet and onto the white marble floor. She was trying to work through a niggling thought that was burrowing into her brain, a thought that was telling her that something was wrong. Something about the days just gone past, some detail that she had noticed during the commotion of the changeling attack but had sorted away to be dealt with afterwards.

For the life of her, she couldn’t remember what it was though. She wanted to laugh at her own silliness. If it was so important, she should have wrote it down. Or at very least had Spike write it down. Duh.

Several more minutes of replaying the past few days events and she finally stopped pacing, her gaze going out the windows. Maybe some fresh air would help. She made for her balcony, trotting quickly and using magic to push the door open and shut it behind her.

The cool air of the night was a welcome feeling for the unicorn, and Twilight took a deep, full breath of the air. The cool scent was magnificently refreshing, and Twilight smiled, looking out across the expanse of foothills between Canterlot and her home in Ponyville. The landscape was gently coloured silver by the light of the full moon, and the lights of Canterlot (and, far in the distance, Ponyville) shone softly. It was an exceptional night. Canterlot’s weather patrol had ensured that there wasn’t a cloud in the sky for the wedding, and that meant the night was clear as well. The stars shone brightly in the inky black sky, and Twilight took a moment to just lose herself in the gentle beauty before her.

A shadow passed in front of the moon, breaking her reverie. The analytical part of her mind reasserted itself, searching for an explanation. Probably Luna or one of the Night Guard on patrol above the city. She breathed out happily, looking away from the sky and back towards her room. The peace of the nighttime had sunk into her during these few minutes she had spent in the cool air. Niggling thoughts banished into the night, Twilight turned and headed back inside, dousing the last flickers of flame before climbing contentedly into the luxurious palace bed. The warmth of the room and the bed was comforting in the wake of the cool night air, and Twilight was swiftly asleep.

* * *

Luna took a deep breath of the cool night air, closing her eyes for a moment to enjoy the sound of wind rushing by her ears and the feel of air flowing across her wings. All was peaceful in the City below her as she entered a slow dive. The watch was set - double the usual, of course - and the day had gone according to plan. Well, mostly anyway. The thing she feared most now was something like Discord breaking free once again. She had, after all, taken the Elements of Harmony. She couldn’t use them herself - the Elements were tied to their bearers until they passed on - but it was important that the bearers could not use them in the coming months. Discord should remain sealed for a very long time anyway, but it was still a risk, albeit a necessary one.

She opened her eyes, pulling out of the dive and levelling out. Her altitude was considerably lower now, and she could make out the small forms of her guardsmen patrolling the streets. While no curfew had been issued in the wake of the attack, there were still a meager few ponies out and about tonight. The citizenry was no doubt fairly shaken by the attack, despite the fact that the wedding had gone on as planned. That decision had been Celestia’s, and was done at least partially as a show of strength, Luna knew.

Something caught Luna’s eye in the hazy glow of the streetlamps as she slowly glid over Canterlot. A pony in a night guard uniform she didn’t recognize. Must be a new recruit, since Luna was very careful to meet all of the members of her Guard. The ponies of the Guard had signed up for a job that could be dangerous and even life-threatening at times. It was the least she could do to at least get acquainted with each of them. The pony in question is a white unicorn mare, who was patrolling briskly on the main thoroughfare which ran directly from the city gate up to the Palace proper. Her mane and tail were bright scarlet with a streak of silver through each. Her cutie mark was partially hidden underneath her armour, but Luna could see at least a few scarlet coloured stars as part of the design, and a silver shape of some sort as well.

There was a clink of metal on stone as Luna alighted next to the unicorn, folding her wings and falling into step with her. Or at least, would have fallen into step had the unicorn not immediately glanced over and froze. "P-princess?" she said, wide eyed with nervousness. So nervous that she forgot to bow. Which was honestly fine as far as Luna was concerned.

"Good evening, guardsmare. You can relax. I'm not here in any official capacity. Just to talk." Luna replied with a slight grimace. The unicorn relaxed, but only slightly. Luna made a conscious effort to shift her frown into a smile. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Luna.”

The unicorn was still nervous of course, but the smile and Luna’s casual introduction helped to put her at ease. Her voice was still a bit shaky when she replied. “M-moondancer. My name is Moondancer, Princess.” Luna could hear Moondancer’s hooves were fidgeting nervously on the cobblestones that make up Canterlot’s streets.

“Pleased to meet you, Moondancer.” Luna replied cooly, leaving off any mention of rank. A thousand years alone on the moon may have made her social skills rusty, but Luna could still tell that the unicorn was ill-prepared to be greeted by her Princess while on patrol. “Is this your first night on patrol?” she continued, keeping her smile in place.

“Yes, ma’am.” she replied promptly.

“It’s a wonderful night for a new start.” Luna said, the smile becoming genuine as she tossed her head skywards to indicate the clear and beautiful night. Here amidst the streetlamps of the city the stars were robbed somewhat of their wonder, but the lamps couldn’t hide them away completely.

Moondancer had fidgeted again, following Luna’s gaze towards the sky. She couldn’t stop her own smile from forming slightly at the sight, and she finally felt the last of her nervousness melt away. The Princess of the Night had always seemed… aloof and unapproachable to Moondancer.

“I suppose it is, Princess. I… wasn’t supposed to start for another week. I’m not done my training yet.”

Yes! thought Luna. She’s relaxing!

“That seems strange. Why are you out on patrol then?” Luna knew why - she barely had the guards to run a double shift, especially on short notice - but she wanted to continue the conversation.

“They… uh…” Moondancer reddened slightly, embarrassed at stumbling over her words in front of royalty. “I mean, Captain Sapphire Star came into the trainee barracks and asked for volunteers to go on patrol tonight. After what happened with the changelings today, I knew I had to do what I could to help. My little brother broke a foreleg in the attack, after all.”

Luna’s smile faltered slightly, a rush of guilt ruining what had been a perfectly lovely evening. It was so much easier to deal with when it was just numbers and figures being reported by her Captain. Here was an actual pony who had been affected by the attack, and what had her response been? To try and help. She could’ve requested leave to visit her injured family member, but she was here, trying to help in whatever way she could.

Luna took a moment to really feel the guilt. Ever since Nightmare Night, Luna had really tried to focus on the good that could come from negative emotions. She felt guilty about Moondancer's brother because she had been responsible for his injury, at least in part. Guilt was good, because it meant she was still in touch with her sense of right and wrong. She could use that guilt to drive herself to do better next time.

“I hope your brother heals well. Would you like me to walk with you on your route, Moondancer? The first night can be difficult.” Luna asked quietly, her mood sobered.

Moondancer wanted to ask what was bothering the Princess, but decided not to press her luck. “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, Princess, I would like that very much.”

“Lead the way then. Maybe you can tell me how you earned your cutie mark while we walk.” Luna said, wanting to change the subject. It was one of the many cultural things that was different since her return. Before her banishment, the sharing of one’s Cutie Mark story was something deeply intimate. It was shared only with family and very close friends. These days though, it was something casual - a way to become acquainted more quickly.

“Er… well… you see, back when I was a foal, I really liked seeing the stars out at night...”

The patrol went smoothly for the pair, though eventually Luna had to leave Moondancer behind to go check in with her Captain, and attend to administrative duties.

Chapter 2 - The Most Important Meal of the Day

Canterlot was burning.

Twilight Sparkle was racing through the seemingly empty streets of her home city, skirting around areas where the smoke was especially dense. The very same streets which were usually teeming with life and activity lay barren and abandoned. Where was everypony? At the very least, where were the firefighters? Why was she the only one trying to combat the flames of silver and orange that swept across the city?

Silver flames? Twilight had never heard that Canterlot’s construction had included large amounts of magnesium. Yet here seemed to be living proof, as she watched helplessly as another house began kindling. She focused her magic to remove the oxygen from around the fresh blaze, watching the fire quickly sputter out and die with a sense of pride.

A sense of pride which was quickly snuffed as she felt the wind shifting, seeming to whirl into a vortex around her. The churning winds pulled both silver and orange flames from the surrounding building onto the streets themselves, cutting off her escape routes in either direction. The vortex was drawing the fire towards her from either side, the heat from both infernos palpable through her coat. The wind buffeted her mane to and fro. Fighting down a rising surge of panic, Twilight gathered magic into her horn and teleported out and away from the center of the vortex…

Only to be abruptly awoken as her side smacked heavily into the marble floor of her castle bedroom, leaving her winded and gasping for air in the wake of the nightmare.

The sounds that accompany trying to recover from being winded are usually not dignified, and the strained gasps and groans emitted by Twilight are no exception. In turn, they are answered with more groans from the other side of the room. Spike was not commiserating with her, but rather expressing sleepy annoyance at having been disturbed at such an early hour. He rolled over, away from the disturbance.

Dreams are such fickle things, and even more so when your ribs are firm in their disapproval of being landed on in such a manner. The pain and lack of air quickly drove any details of the nightmare from Twilight’s mind. Once she had finally got a lungful of air again, Twilight was left only to wonder why on earth she had cast in her sleep. It was embarrassing for a unicorn to lose control of their magic like that, and vivid flashes of the years after she’d earned her cutie mark invaded her mind - she’d had to sleep while wearing an inhibitor.

Shaking her head, Twilight pushed those thoughts out of her mind, trying to ignore her sore ribs. This accident was a one-time thing, an aberration and nothing more, and she wasn’t going to worry about it. And she definitely wasn’t going to start wearing an inhibitor to bed again. Even thinking about it made her shudder slightly. Being cut off from her magic was a disturbing sensation.

On the plus side, the adrenaline that had coursed through Twilight was far more effective than caffeine could ever be. She was wide awake despite her late night. Her mentor’s sun looked as though it had freshly been raised, blazing in its glory. The eastern sky was still awash with the reds and oranges of sunrise. Well, might as well get started.

“Come on Spike, the sun is up and we should be too!” She injected some cheer into her voice as she trotted over to stand next to his bed, trying to forget the embarrassing way she herself had awoken.

“Nnnng” was the dragon’s reply as he tried to bury himself deeper into his basket, pulling his blanket up and around his head, as if that could stop a determined unicorn.

“Nope!” was Twilight’s response as not only did she pull away the blanket with her telekinesis, but the occupant as well, lifting Spike right out of his basket, suspended upsidedown in a magical field. “I know you want to sleep, but we’ve got a busy day ahead of us! Princess Celestia has asked for my help cleaning up around Canterlot, and we won’t let her down!”

“Aw come on, Twi!” Spike whined, flailing uselessly as he hung in the air next to her. “Just because the Princess needs your help doesn’t mean I have to be there too! It’s your fault I was up late last night after all!”

It was Twilight’s one weakness: a reasonable argument, and Spike knew it. She sighed - he was right. His presence would be superfluous. She would be working with a team of experienced ponies after all. She set him back down gently in his basket, the blanket floating back into place. “Alright Spike, but don’t sleep too late. We’re catching the evening train back to Ponyville with everypony else. Do you still have that list of books to borrow from the Archives?”

“Mmhmm.” Spike was already getting sleepy. Twilight just snorted in exasperation, rolling her eyes and turning away. She trusted Spike to get things done and not sleep too late.

A quick glance in the mirror reminded her that she sometimes got bedmane, and she fished a brush out to run through it. It wouldn't do to look ragged for the Princess after all. With that done, Twilight headed out into the hallways, humming quietly to herself as she went. Her mouth was already watering in anticipation of the wonderful cooking of a palace-prepared breakfast.

* * *

Granite Clash glared at the gelatinous blob that was his morning oatmeal in sullen silence. He had seen other guardsponies eating what the palace kitchens had prepared, but he wasn’t so sure it was edible. I mean, maybe with some brown sugar and milk, but no, that wasn’t provided. He really didn’t want to spend his entire morning shift on an empty stomach though, and so he tentatively jabbed a spoon into the center of the mass. It stuck upright. He made a face.

“Didn’t anypony ever tell you not to play with your food, Granny?” A feminine voice from above him that was far too chipper for this time in the morning.

“Don’t call me that.” he grumbled reflexively, glancing up towards the offending voice. The grinning face of a pegasus with a pale blue coat and curly purple mane was staring back down at him, her wings beating to maintain her hovering position over top of Granite.

Unsurprisingly, Morning Glory was one of those insufferable morning ponies, only made worse by the fact that she had a persistent cheerful optimism about her. “I only call you that ‘cause you act like a grumpy old stallion, Granny. Just cause you’ve got a white mane doesn’t mean you’re old. Now eat!” she replied happily, setting her own bowl of mush down next to Granite’s with a clatter. She folded her wings, and fell onto the bench next to him with a thunk. Just when Granite thought this morning couldn’t get worse. He grumbled under his breath.

There was a squelch as Morning took a spoonful of the mush and popped it into her mouth, chewing away at the stuff (though why she bothered to chew eluded Granite). “You know,” she began, not bothering to swallow before opening her mouth. “It’s not that bad as long as you don’t imagine it like that goopy stuff the changelings covered us with.” she mused, loudly enough that a unicorn several seats away paused, set his spoon back down and pushed the bowl away slightly.

You know all those things that Granite learned in Guard Training about how soldiers developed a sense of camaraderie with one another? The ones you fought beside, the ones you could depend on day in and day out? Clearly, the ponies that wrote that part of the training had never spent a few hours trapped in changeling goop with Morning Glory. She had not shut up. The entire time.

Granite gave her his best even stare, not wanting to look back at his food again lest his stomach turn at the image Morning had just conjured for him.

“What?” she asked, seeming to wait until she had another mouthful to speak again.

Granite facehoofed and turned back to his food. He tried and failed to keep the annoyance out of his voice. “I think you need to attend another training session on decorum, that’s what,” he shot back, taking his spoon again and shifting the goop slightly. It was almost the same consistency as the changeling stuff. Maybe a little less sticky.

“Pfft, this coming from the pony who keeps playing with his food,” she answered playfully, jabbing his shoulder with a hoof. “‘Sides, all that ‘decorum’ stuff is for when you’re on-duty anyway.” The word decorum was accented by air quotes, courtesy of Morning’s wings. Granite resisted the impulse to facehoof again.

He didn’t bother arguing. He didn’t bother bringing up the fact that even when they were off-duty they still stood as a symbol of Equestria, and that they should strive to… yeah. He’d had this conversation with her before. It was a waste of breath. The worst part is that when she was on-duty, she followed regulations to a tee. She knew how she was supposed to act, she just willfully chose to ignore it.

Maybe a subject change would help. Granite could at least try to be friendly. After all, Morning Glory was somehow even worse if you managed to upset her. Besides, he was still working up his courage to try the oatmeal. “So, do you think the Captain is going to be resigning when he returns from his honeymoon? I mean, even if he is a prince now, it was on his watch that the Changelings got into the city.”

“Prince-consort,” Morning corrected cheerfully, more than halfway through her breakfast already. The distinction between the two was small, but it was important. Granite was a little surprised that she paid enough attention to know the difference. She smacked her lips before continuing. “But probably not. I mean, his sister is the Princess’s pupil and one of the Elements, right? And he’s married to a Princess! Maybe if their family was noble born the embarrassment would matter more.”

See? She can be tolerable - even intelligent! - if she just calms down and talks like the grown mare she is! Granite thought with a smile, popping the spoonful of breakfast into his mouth. It was extremely plain, but it did make a pleasant warmth spread through his stomach. He decided it wasn’t so bad after all. “You’re probably right. Wasn’t the last Captain from a noble house? He resigned right before I joined the Guard, and nopony wants to talk about why.”

To Granite’s surprise, the pegasus next to him actually snorted with suppressed laughter, downing her last mouthful before grinning at him. “Oh… ponyfeathers, I would tell you the story, but I’ve got to be on shift in like ten minutes and I still need to get ready. Gotta go now, but ask me about it later, Granny.” She flicked him playfully with her pale blue wing before scooping her empty bowl off the table and taking off, dropping the bowl into the bus bin and soaring out the mess hall doors. “Don’t call me that!” Granite called after her, knowing it was an exercise in futility.

Granite continued to eat, somehow in a much better mood now than he had been when Morning had first approached him. Maybe she’d infected him with her good humour. That seemed likely. Can’t even be miserable in peace these days.

Another voice broke his reverie: “Dude, fraternizing with someone who outranks you can get you both court martialed.” It was the unicorn sitting a few seats down, the same one that had pushed his dish away a few minutes earlier. He had a peculiar smile on his face, and was looking straight at Granite, whose mood quickly soured.

“I don’t know what you’re talki-”

“Seriously? You’ve been grinning since she left, and you were totally staring at her flank. Not that I blame you.”

“I was not!” Granite said harshly, indignant at the accusation that he was being anything other than proper.

“Oh yeah? What’s her cutie mark then?”

“Just because I know her cutie mark is a star inside a flower doesn’t mean a darn thing!”

“Uh huh, sure it doesn’t. Just saying, watch yourself.”

Granite snorted in annoyance, his nostrils flaring slightly. He stood up, collecting his mostly-spent dish and turning away from the offending pony. He flicked his tail dismissively. Fucking smug unicorns think they’re so smart with their fucking magic.

He stalked off to deposit his breakfast dish and get ready for his shift, his good mood once again ruined. Just the way he liked it.

* * *

Luna was exhausted. Something about being awake for more than twenty-four hours could really wear a pony down. Alicorns were not exempt from biology, and Luna’s body was crying out for rest. She had to keep up appearances though, since her excuse for missing all the Changeling excitement the previous day was that she had supposedly been asleep. It wasn't unreasonable either. She did usually sleep through the day, unless Celestia requested her presence during the Day Court.

And so she made her way to the dining room she shared with her sister.

Bright and glorious sunlight shone in from the windows opposite the door Luna strode through, bathing the room with a warm, comforting glow. Here and there about the room, Palace servants stood at the ready to swoop in to assist the Princesses and their guests with whatever their morning meal required.

Celestia was already at the table. She must've come straight here after they had met to raise the sun and lower the moon. Also at the table was...

"Good morning, Twilight Sparkle." Luna offered as a greeting. Twilight looked up from her rather extravagant breakfast and smiled. Twilight was one of the first ponies outside the Night Guard that had actually made an effort to befriend Luna. She had seen her for more than either a Princess or the legend of Nightmare Moon. It was something for which Luna had been ever grateful. Twilight was Celestia's student though, and Luna didn't want to be seen as trying to muscle in on that. To that end, she held herself fairly aloof around the unicorn, always being sure address her with propriety in mind. She couldn't hide the warmth from her voice as she greeted her though.

"Good morning, Luna!" was Twilight's chipper reply. Luna had asked the ponies of Ponyville to address her without her title during Nightmare Night, but Twilight was the only pony who had seemed to stick to that.

Luna took the seat opposite Celestia at the other head of the table, and began immediately magicking food onto her plate from the various trays set out. The Palace staff always tried to insist on serving her themselves, like she was some kind of foal. Why Celestia put up with it was beyond Luna. She did offer her sister a smile from across the table, forgoing a full morning greeting in favour of beginning to eat.

"Will the rest of your friends be joining us this morning, Twilight?" Celestia asked of Twilight. Luna's fatigue was making her want to eat quietly and quickly so she could go to bed. She had to at least make it through breakfast though, and at least appear a little alert.

Luna noted how Twilight's ear flicked nervously before answering her mentor. "Erm... maybe? I'm not sure, Princess." Twilight said, the uncertainty shown by her body language coming through in her voice. "They're probably still asleep though. I mean... um.. Rarity and Rainbow Dash had a little too much to drink last night." she said, wincing a little as if the behavior of her friends was her responsibility.

There was a sudden - and somewhat ominous, in Luna’s mind - giggle from somewhere in the room. A pink blur shot out from under the table and up onto a seat next to Twilight. The curly pink mess of a mane framed the smiling face of Pinkie Pie. The palace wait staff didn’t waste any time in laying out a table setting for the Element of Laughter, methodical efficiency plain in every movement. The sunlight pouring in the window glinted off the cutlery.

“Did they ever!” she intoned loudly. Her grin was wide and playful as she wrapped a foreleg around her purple unicorn friend. “I mean, did you see Rainbow Dash going at it with that Wonderbolt? Wowie!”

Twilight’s ears immediately flattened at Pinkie’s loud declaration, her face flushing bright pink. The unicorn’s head dipped low to the table, trying to hide as Celestia looked on with a smile. Luna couldn’t resist a small giggle. Rainbow Dash had certainly been… enthuastic, though Luna had left the reception before seeing if any resolution had come from the rather sloppy makeout session.

Pinkie wasn’t curbed by Twilight’s embarrassment though, plowing on heedlessly. “Oh, oh oh!” she exclaimed, bouncing in her seat like a foal at a birthday party. “Rarity was making some moves too! At that fancy dressed stallion!” she stopped bouncing suddenly, almost seeming to hang in midair a moment before falling with a soft *pomf* onto her cushioned chair. Her eyes narrowed dangerously as her voice dropped an octave, a thought having struck the pink pony. “I thought he was married.”

Twilight was still burning with embarrassment, her eyes fixed solidly on her plate, so it was Celestia who stepped in to address Pinkie’s concerns. “Actually Pinkie, Fancy Pants is indeed married. Though from what I understand, he and Fleur-de-Lis have a fairly open relationship.” Celestia’s tone was matter-of-fact, but Luna thought she caught the beginnings of a light-hearted coyness around the edges of her sister’s mouth. “If you catch my drift.” Luna had almost missed the smile, as the particulars of Fancy Pants and Fleur-de-Lis’ relationship caused her to stop a moment and think. While extramarital affairs had always been a part of life, Luna was somewhat taken aback that it seemed to be public knowledge. Another new part of culture?

“Oh!” Pinkie seemed to perk up slightly at that, looking thoughtful for a moment before wrapping a foreleg once again around the still-red Twilight, trying to get her friend into the conversation. “Didja hear that Twi? That sounds like a party every day!”

“Pinkie!” Twilight shouted desperately, her embarrassment finally pushed past the breaking point. “That’s not really appropriate for the breakfast table!” Once again, Luna couldn’t help but giggle quietly. Her fatigue was probably making this more funny than it was, but Luna couldn’t help it.

“Oh, now Twilight.” Celestia said soothingly, adopting a motherly tone. Luna swore there was still that almost invisible coyness to her expression. “It’s a perfectly natural thing for ponies, and there’s no reason to be embarrassed. Last night was a celebration of love, after all.”

Luna caught the twinkle in her sister’s eye.

"I didn't realize how truly proficient Applejack is with knots either." Celestia shifted the conversation back to Twilight’s friends. Her hoof came up to rest thoughtfully under her chin. Luna was pretty sure Celestia was enjoying her student’s continued flusterment. Pinkie cut in once again, eager to share the memories of the previous night. "Yup yup yup! Applejack totally roped Dash away from that guy! Was all grumpy and muttering something like” Pinkie paused and cleared her throat, putting on her best Applejack accent (which was, honestly, pretty bad). “Durn pegasus cain't hold her liquor." Losing the accent, Pinkie continued on: “And then whoosh, rope around Dash’s wings and legs just like that! ”

Luna was sure now. There was just a slight playful curl to the corner of Celestia's lips which gave away the game. She was enjoying how embarrassed Twilight was getting. I mean, you know a pony for hundreds of years and you start to notice even the subtle parts of their idiosyncrasies. It was why Luna was being so careful about her fatigue - it was a two-way street. Celestia knew her just as well as she did her.

Twilight couldn't handle it anymore. "Princess!" she interjected, her desperation reaching a crescendo. "Can we talk about something else, please?!"

"What ever for, my faithful student?" Celestia asked curiously, her eyebrows raising in feigned shock. "I'm glad Applejack stepped in when she did. It takes bravery to stand up to your friends when you think they are making a mistake. Especially when they might resent you for it. You should ensure there are no hard feelings between Rainbow Dash and Applejack, Twilight. I'm sure there's a report for you and your friends could send me about all this. After all, sometimes we have to help our friends even when they don't want that help." Twilight mumbled into her food, her flush not fading in the slightest.

During the conversation (and between giggles), Luna had been eating away. Her plate was nearly empty at this point. Her fatigue was slowly creeping into her features. Her posture was slightly slumped and her head ducked a little. The flowing quality of her mane and tail was tapering slightly.

"Everything alright, little sister?" asked Celestia after a few moments of silence around the table.

A jolt of adrenaline shot through Luna as her mind jumped to the conclusion that her plans had been discovered... but no. No, Celestia was just concerned. She straightened slightly. "Yes, sorry. I adjourned the Night Court last night and spent the night patrolling with the Guard. I am exhausted. I should probably go on to bed.”

Celestia’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly, but Luna caught it. Celestia knew she was lying about something. The Sun Princess pushed the issue. “Are you sure, Luna? You know that you can talk to me about anything at all.”

Not about this. The thought came to Luna instantly. She knew she had to keep up the act. “I’m fine, ‘Tia. I really do just need some rest.” Luna quipped back, standing as she did so. Her plate was mostly empty anyway.

“Give my compliments to Epicure for the meal, ‘Tia.” Luna said, doing her best to sound casual. “You three have a good day.” She says over her shoulder as she made for the door, and then onto her chambers.

* * *

“You too, Luna.” was Celestia’s cheerful response. Twilight had initially been glad that the conversation had shifted away from her and her friends, but that exchange between the two Princesses had been beyond strange. That niggling thought from the previous night was back in full force. Something about… Luna? Argh! This is so frustrating!

“Princess... is everything alright with Luna?” Twilight asked uncertainly. She knew that Luna was probably still trying to adapt to the cultural shift between a thousand years ago and now.

Celestia just sighed a little, glancing at the wait staff and the guards near the door. Twilight followed the glance curiously.“I think she’s lonely, Twilight. Rarely does she have any petitioners when she holds the Night Court, and there’s only a few ponies other than me whom she speaks with regularly, and all of them are members of her Guard.”

“Oh…” Twilight said, falling quiet for a moment before brightening up considerably, about to speak when Pinkie cut her off, bouncing in her seat once again.

“She has to know she’s welcome in Ponyville any time! I’ll throw her a party whenever she wants! Heck, my party cannon’s here!” she reached under the table and pulled the colourful siege weapon out from a place it surely couldn’t fit. “I could have a party ready for her by the time she gets to her bed!” Pinkie exclaimed happily.

Twilight wanted to be exasperated with Pinkie, really, but her friend’s abundant cheer just made her smile. It was hard to fight that level of happiness. She tried to go on with what she was going to say before she was interrupted. “Pinkie is right, Princess. Everypony got along with her really well when she visited during Nightmare Night. Well, after a while anyway. She could come and stay for a while.” The solution seeming to be obvious. I mean, Twilight had been lonely before coming to Ponyville too.

Celestia allowed herself a smile at Twilight’s youthful naivety, but shook her head after a moment. “I wish it were that simple, my faithful student. It’s not just her responsibilities here either. Things can be a little different for royalty. Ponies treat us differently. You yourself may not understand because you have been around royalty all your life, Twilight, but I know you can understand how the presence of a Princess can make many ponies very nervous. Even those that know us and are comfortable around us.” Celestia explained with something of a sad smile forming,

“Even Twilight gets like that sometimes, Princess!” Pinkie added in happily. “I mean, you should see her trying to get the town into shape when you come to visit Ponyville!”

Celestia chuckled. “Yes, even Twilight can get carried away at times.”

Twilight was a bit lost for words at that, unsure if she was being chided or not. Celestia continued on. “I have thought of suggesting to Luna that she find a student as I have.”

Twilight perked up at that, her ears straightening along with the rest of her posture. The Princess was favouring her with a warm smile. “After all, Twilight Sparkle, I value our friendship very much. It certainly helps me to feel less alone.”

For the second time this breakfast, Twilight flushed, ears flattening out. This time though, it was with a huge swell of pride at her mentor’s words. She felt practically giddy from the surge of emotion at what Celestia had said. She wanted to say something equally as moving in return, but Pinkie barged in once again:

“Ooo, ooo! Me too, right Princess?”

Celestia laughed aloud, the joyous sound filling the room. “Yes, of course. All seven of you are wonderful friends to me.”

Pinkie's cheer was somewhat undignified given the Palace setting, and several of the wait staff frowned at the rambunctious behavior. At least, Twilight thought, she's not setting off that cannon in here.

Don't tempt fate like that Twilight. She chided herself.

Celestia’s warm smile remained while she waited for Pinkie to calm down. Several moments passed, and she dipped her head slightly to indicate Twilight and Pinkie’s unfinished breakfasts. “Now eat up, my little ponies. Twilight, you’re meeting with the repair team in less than an hour, and you don’t want to be late, right?”

“Right!” Twilight replied happily, the giddy feeling making butterflies dance in her tummy and down the back of her neck as she finished her meal.

Chapter 3 - A Walk Around Town

The tone of the walls in the deployment room matched the slate grey of Granite's coat. It was a bit odd, given the rest of the military rooms were coloured either gleaming white or pitch black, for whichever branch of the Guard used them. This room was shared between the Night and Day Guards though, and so the colour was kept carefully neutral to not favour either one. They had to work together to transition between the daytime and the nighttime shifts after all. Whatever friendly competition (or animosity, in some cases) existed between the two branches of the Guard, it was not tolerated within this room.

Granite's already strained mood had continued to sour when the Lieutenant-Captain on duty (Cloudsmasher, a red-coated pegasus) had given him his assignment for the day. “You are to be part of the Element of Magic’s detail. She is going to be assisting Flank Lloyd Wright with repairs to Canterlot. You are to escort them along with a small team of specialists. When they are finished, you are to report back here.”

Great. The unicorn of unicorns. It could only be worse if it was the Archmage of Canterlot Tower herself (which Twilight Sparkle was no doubt destined to be someday). His Captain’s little sister too. So if Granite goofed even a little bit, it would probably get back to him.

Probably all smug about being the one to rescue Princess Cadence and thus single-hoofedly stop the changeling invasion.

The things I do in the service of Equestria. Granite thought wearily. He saluted the lieutenant crisply, before turning away and beginning to march out towards his assigned meeting spot. “Hold a moment, Corporal.” came the voice of Cloudsmasher. Granite stopped and turned, standing at attention. “Sir?”

“New regulations are coming into effect to ensure safety from changelings. Sergeant Crescent Glass here,” Cloudsmasher motioned to a pale blue unicorn who was standing guard at the doorway. “will be casting a spell to check you. Orders from the Princesses themselves. All guards and palace staff are to be checked before and after their shifts. Even the Princesses are to be checked regularly."

“Yes, sir.” Granite replied unenthusiastically. Great, now he would be subjected to magic twice a day. He moved to the offending unicorn and stood still and silent, waiting for the pale blue Sergeant to cast his spell. There was a small tingle which ran through Granite’s body as Crescent Glass’s horn flared to life. The tingling faded after just a moment. “You’re clear, Corporal.”

Damn right he was clear.

* * *

Granite’s golden-tinted armour gleamed under Celestia’s bright sun. The early daylight was working hard to burn away the morning mists which clung to the streets at this altitude. Granite took a deep breath as he waited patiently for his charges to arrive. The scent of the morning was somehow both tranquil and refreshing. He had arrived several minutes early, just outside the tall, enchanted steel gates that separated the Palace from Canterlot proper. At least the view here was good. The sun bathed the whole city in a warm light, reflecting back the greens of Canterlot’s many parks and the whites of the painstakingly crafted marble structures which dominated the city. Granite was dreading the rest of his morning. He would rather be standing motionless somewhere in the Palace, going out of his mind with boredom, than spend the morning with a bunch of unicorns showing off their magic to repair Canterlot. Not that he didn't want Canterlot to be repaired, but of course it was up to the unicorns to save the day by cheating their way through hard work.

The palace gates opened behind him, their well-oiled hinges making nary a sound as the heavy steel swung inwards. Out from the gatehouse courtyard trotted a purple-coated unicorn mare, smiling brightly in the early morning sunlight. She stopped just outside the gate and glanced around. She spotted Granite standing stoically at the appointed meeting place and gaily cantered her way over to him.

“Good morning, sir!” Twilight said happily, though she paused to inspect the insignia of rank on Granite’s breast. “Erm, Corporal!” she corrected smilingly.

Granite kept his face impassive as she greeted him. He dipped his head slightly in return, a small sign of deference. She was, after all, one of the most important ponies in Equestria. Whatever Granite’s feelings on unicorns, pissing off his Captain’s sister (and the Princess’ personal student) couldn’t be a good plan. “Good morning, Miss Sparkle.” he replied, perhaps a bit more gruff than he’d intended.

Twilight’s smile faded as she cocked her head slightly to the side, wondering momentarily why royal guards tended to be so taciturn. Shining Armour was about as outgoing of a pony as Twilight knew. Maybe they just needed a little nudge. She straightened and beckoned her smile return. “You have me at a disadvantage, Corporal.” she said, with a raised eyebrow.

Granite shifted uncomfortably in his armour. Why couldn’t she just leave him be? “Corporal Granite Clash at your service, Miss.” he rumbled, looking her right in the eye as he did. “I’ll be escorting you and your team this morning.”

“Nice to meet you, Granite.” She responded promptly. “Though I don’t see why we would need an escort in Canterlot of all places.”

Granite arched an eyebrow at the unicorn. He almost coughed in disbelief at her naivety. “Really? I mean, no offense, Miss Sparkle, but all of Equestria is on high alert right now. We may have repelled the changelings from Canterlot, but it would be really stupid to assume they won’t be back.” he said bluntly, turning back to look over the broad view of the city. He was fighting to keep his tail flicking in annoyance. For all her gifts, Twilight was clearly not military minded. Probably thinks if she knows enough magic it’ll solve all her problems. Granite could see a few other ponies trotting up the hill to meet them. Must be the rest of his charges for the morning. Unicorns all of them. Granite resisted the impulse to make a face.

“Well, we beat them once, we can beat them again.” Twilight said after a moment of quiet contemplation. “We didn’t even need the Elements!” she said, stomping a hoof with a self-assured grin.

Granite just shrugged. As long as he didn’t get covered in that damn goop again. “Just remember that means you and your friends are priority targets for any enemies of Equestria. That’s why I’m escorting you today. I would anticipate a few guardsponies being stationed in Ponyville from now on.”

Now that took Twilight aback. She just stared blankly at the grey earth pony for a few moments, completely dumbfounded. A cold, fearful chill ran down her spine as she thought of the implications of what he had said. It was simple and logical, both things which usually brought warmth to Twilight. Not now. How had she possibly missed that notion? Of course being the Elements made them targets. Just look at Discord! He had focused all his attentions on breaking the six of them before doing anything else.

She didn’t know many defensive spells! She barely knew any combat magic! The blasts of energy she had flung at the changelings the previous day were crude and inefficient, and had ended up completely exhausting her! She desperately wanted to abandon the repair project and dive into Research Mode. The Royal Archives had whole sections on defensive and offensive magic which Twilight had barely touched (thinking she’d never have need of them)! She needed to send a note to Spike to change the books to borrow…

“Good morning!” a chipper male voice said from a little ways ahead of Twilight towards the city proper. A trio of well-dressed unicorns crested the hill and cantered over to stand in front of Twilight and Granite. The voice had come from a pastel green unicorn with a yellow mane. He was flanked by a white-coated black-maned stallion and a mare with spotted chestnut and roan colouration throughout her body.

Ignoring the royal guard completely, the lead stallion stopped in front of Twilight. “Twilight Sparkle needs no introduction, of course.” He began, extending a hoof to shake, “Flank Lloyd Wright, at your service. Please, call me Lloyd.” With the hoofshake finished, he motioned a foreleg to introduce his companions - Slide Rule and Rosewood. Rosewood's horn was alight with pink magic - a clipboard floated just behind her.

"Very pleased to meet you." Twilight replied a little tersely, nodding to each as they were introduced. "And this is Corporal Granite Clash, he's our escort today." she said, still trying to keep her focus on the morning's task (though the call of the Archives was strong!).

"Uh huh." Lloyd replied, barely sparing Granite a glance. "Why don't we walk while we discuss what spells we'll need today."

Twilight casted a forlorn glance back up at the palace before turning and nodding in determination. "Alright."

As the quartet of unicorns set off down the hill, Granite fell in behind them, keeping his eyes open and his ears firmly shut. He knew there was no point in trying to listen in as unicorns discussed magic. It was all spell matrix that and thaumic resonance this. Might as well listen to a pegasus talk about air flow and thrust-to-lift ratios. Just because you understood the words didn't mean you could grasp what it meant to have wings. At least pegasi didn’t have the same tendency as unicorns to rub their magic in your face.

* * *

Excitable. After a couple hours of walking around Canterlot, Granite decided that was a good word for Twilight Sparkle. Lloyd had shared some of his architecturally-minded spells with her, and when she had succeeded to cast them she had practically pranced with joy. It was a little grating - she just fixed a damn crack in the wall after all. The biggest repairs were ones were blasts of changeling magic had gouged out holes in walls or streets. Even these 'specialist' unicorns needed raw materials to fix those gaping wounds. Somepony had been thinking ahead though, and there was usually a stack of stone nearby to be used in the repairs.

At least they were more than halfway done, according to Rosewood's checklist. Their first priority had been buildings that were structurally compromised by the damage. Lloyd himself had handled those personally, saying he didn’t want to risk an amateur repair job. For the larger gouges he had Twilight and Slide Rule join him in a ritual-casting, the energies provided by the other two unicorns allowing him to cause the stone to meld and flow. When the castings were finished, the marble-work looked brand new.

Granite thought it was terribly ironic that Lloyd's cutie mark was a set of stoneworking tools, seeing as how the unicorn had apparently no need for such tools.

For Twilight's part, she couldn't have been enjoying herself more if she was in the library. The team she was with was knowledgeable and capable, and was even teaching her new magic! She consoled herself that she would have all afternoon to dig through the Archives at the pace they were going. The only thing that even registered as a blip of negativity for her was the seemingly subdued atmosphere inside the city.

Twilight had grown up in Canterlot, and she knew this place. While it might be a bit snobby, it was usually bustling with ponies going about their day. Ponies gossiping away, or rambunctious foals playing noisily in the city's green spaces. It wasn’t so today.

Barely a blip though, as she was focused on learning and being as helpful as possible.

The hushed tone of the city - and the fact that he was tuning the unicorns out - were probably the only reasons Granite heard it. The distant sound of something hard smacking against flesh and bone. Granite stopped in his tracks, his head coming up and around to point back, his ears focused towards the direction of the sound. He strained to hear, cursing the fact his charges were still clopping merrily along the cobblestone streets. He turned and took a step towards the source of the sound - an alleyway running between two shops. For a long moment, there was nothing. Granite was about to chalk the noise up to his imagination and turn back to catch up with the unicorns when there was another smack, followed by a barely audible whimper of pain.

“Hold up a moment!” Granite said sharply to the unicorns. trying to keep his voice low while still getting their attention. They stopped and glanced back at him. “There could be trouble. Get indoors! I’ll be back as soon as I can.” he said, motioning to a nearby cafe before turning back to the alleyway.

His charges tended to, Granite dashed forward, his armour clanking and his hooves making a racket on the stone. Twilight looked around in confusion as their escort vanished around a corner into an alleyway. Rosewood sighed and looked to her companions. "Earth ponies and their inferiority complex. Always have to play the hero." she quipped sarcastically, obviously not impressed at the guard's willingness to ditch them. None of them made a move to get indoors. Rosewood’s racist comment threw Twilight slightly, looking at Rosewood in shock while her brain tried to figure out whether to obey the guard and get indoors or chase after him to indulge her curiosity.

The sight which greeted Granite as he rounded the alleyway sent his sense of justice into overdrive. It made him angry. At the other end of the alleyway were a pair of unicorns, a teenaged colt and a stallion approaching middle-age. The colt was cowering against the wall of one of the buildings and the stallion was towering over him with a hoof raised. Both ponies were wearing clothing which hid their Cutie Marks - not uncommon in Canterlot. What really set Granite aflame was how the colt was holding a foreleg close to his body as though it was injured, and his lips looked bloodied. Both unicorns had turned their heads to look at Granite, their attention drawn by the clattering racket of his armour.

"In the name of Celestia, stand down!" Granite shouted, his deep voice lending an authoritative rumble to the command. He was charging down headlong the alleyway towards the deplorable scene when the older stallion turned fully to face him, horn flaring to life. Granite felt his front hooves tug backwards mid-gallop, dumping him face-first into the hard stone of the alleyway. Pain shot up Granite’s muzzle as he connected. His momentum didn’t stop, and the pain in his muzzle was soon mirrored throughout his body as he rolled several times before coming to a stop, momentarily dazed with hurt and disorientation.

Luckily, Granite’s shout had galvanized Twilight Sparkle who rushed around the corner just in time to see the Corporal’s clattering roll come to a stop, and the pair beyond. She stopped short, trying to figure out exactly what in Tartarus was going on here when the older unicorn swore and turned tail to flee in the opposite direction.

“Hey!” Twilight sounded indignant, still unsure what she could do. Granite was just now clambering to his hooves and beginning to charge once again, not caring that it would only take another flick of magic to send him sprawling again. He could taste blood running into his mouth from his injured muzzle, but he wasn’t about to stop now!

There is something I can do! Twilight thought as she gathered energy into her horn, focusing the energy to a point… and vanishing with a pop, to appear at the opposite end of the alley. She was boxing in the fleeing unicorn between herself and the Royal Guard. She held her head up high, momentarily proud at her quick thinking skills.

It was Granite’s turn to swear as the criminal unicorn didn’t even slow at Twilight’s appearance, only lowering his head so that his horn pointed straight forward. The suddenly very lethal weapon was pointed straight at Twilight, glowing ever so slightly.

Twilight’s thoughts exploded in a myriad directions at once, but she had seen this same horn-flaring charge from the changelings yesterday and Granite’s earlier words echoed in her head. Her thoughts coalesced to a point. “Changeling!” she shouted, bringing her own horn to bear, sending a blast of powerful magic at the charging stallion.

The aggressor was hit hard by the blast and was knocked backwards, bowling straight into Granite, and the pair landed in a heap with Granite on the bottom.

Seizing her advantage, Twilight galloped forward and leapt on disguised changeling. She called forth the same magic she’d used yesterday to strip changelings of their disguises and daze them…

It didn’t work! The spell failed! This wasn’t a changeling!

Too late did Twilight realized her blunder and the horrible position the maneuver had put her in as the unicorn’s hind legs bucked her hard in the stomach. Pain erupted where his hooves connected and she staggered. Her enemy used the momentary weakness to level his horn at her breast in an attempt to remove an obstacle from his escape.

Meanwhile, Granite was reeling. Two hard falls wasn’t enough to put the stubborn earth pony out of commission completely, and even disoriented he saw the danger to his charge. He kicked hard and just managed a glancing blow to the criminal’s shoulder, deflecting his attack enough that the potentially mortal blow was instead just a bloody slash along Twilight’s shoulder. Twilight whimpered painfully and collapsed onto her uninjured side, stunned by the wound.

With Granite still dazed and Twilight no longer blocking him, the unicorn tore his way out of the alley and down the street, magicking his horn clean of blood as he did.

A few seconds later, Granite did the same. After a short distance down the street, Granite flagged, his battered limbs screaming at him. He cantered to a stop. As much as he wanted to catch the criminal, he knew he couldn’t leave the scene. He watched as his mark disappeared into the green of one of the city’s many parks.

“Fuck.” Granite cursed quietly, taking a deep breath and turning back. He knew the Captain was going to tan his hide for this mess. It wasn’t even his fault! He had told them to get indoors!

By the time Granite had gotten back to the alleyway, Lloyd and his entourage had finally gotten off their flanks to help (Granite noted that none of them had gone inside as he had said). Slide Rule had helped the colt up while Lloyd and Rosewood were kneeling down next to Twilight, who had managed at least to roll onto her belly. One look at Twilight’s face told Granite that the unicorn was deeply shaken and in pain. The gash on her shoulder wasn’t deep, and Granite doubted it would scar, but use of that foreleg was going to be limited for some time. Rosewood had torn a strip off her clothing and was using it to stem the flow of blood.

“Are you both alright?” Granite asked with his trademark rumble, looking between the colt and Twilight.

Surprisingly, it was Rosewood who spoke, snapping harshly as her tail lashed violently in anger. “Of course she’s not alright! You let somepony almost run her through! Some Guard you are! Give me the name of your comman--”

“Hey,” Twilight whispered. “He saved my life.” Quiet as the whisper was, it cut through Rosewood’s tirade leaving her to fume silently. Lloyd and Slide Rule exchanged glances but said nothing.

Seeing as how the architect ponies didn’t seem to have a clue what the next step should be, Granite took charge. “Miss Sparkle, can you walk? We need to get both you and our young friend here to a hospital to get those wounds looked at.” Twilight nodded numbly.

“And you,” he said, turning to the colt he had… Granite hesitated to think that he had rescued him given how badly the scuffle had gone. “Do you know that stallion?”

The teenager nodded mutely in reply.

“Good. The Guard will need to know everything about him. Assaulting a Royal Guard and Attempted Murder will make the search for him a high priority.”

Twilight was still deeply shaken that somepony had tried to kill her, but Granite’s authoritative rumble encouraged her to stand. Bracing against Rosewood, Twilight stood slowly, holding her injured foreleg aloft so as to not put any pressure on it. Even without pressure, the burning pain was washing out everything else around her, and her stomach ached badly. Even the colour seemed to be sapped from the world. In spite of all her adventures… this was easily the worst wound she’d ever received. And it was from a pony. Not a changeling, not Discord, and not Nightmare Moon.

She could stand on her own, at least. Any attempt to walk would be an awkward hobble at best, and she could barely think which way was the closest hospital. At least the blood had been stanched by Rosewood’s quick thinking.

Granite could see the unicorn wobble slightly as she tried to keep balance on three legs. Ugh, this was going to be a long walk. Unless...

“Here, climb on.” Granite said with surprising gentleness, having pushed himself in between Rosewood and Twilight and laid down next to the injured unicorn. Twilight desperately wanted to object to that treatment. To tell this guardpony that she wasn’t a foal, she could walk herself. But her shoulder really hurt, and walking pretty much guaranteed to make it hurt more.

There was a moment of internal debate before Twilight relented, choosing to be practical rather than stubborn. With an awkward hop-hobble, she positioned herself and rested some weight on the guard. His armour was hard and uncomfortable (and pinched a little), but Twilight was glad not to risk further damage to her injured shoulder.

With the mare settled on his back, Granite straightened out, standing back up. All things considered, she was lighter than expected. Unicorns just didn't have the muscle mass that earth ponies did. He was being careful not to jostle her injured shoulder much lest the wound open again, keeping his gait smooth and level. Her neck was resting on his withers with her head hanging over his shoulder.

“Let’s go.” Granite rumbled, mostly to the colt than to the other unicorns. It annoyed him that none of the three unicorns had even offered to carry his burden with magic, especially after he’d seen Lloyd effortlessly float several hundred pounds of stone earlier. Slide Rule at least was helping the colt to keep up.

As they exited back out into the open, Granite silently thanked Celestia for small favours - the streets were still blessedly quiet. He suspected that carrying an injured and bloody Element of Harmony through the streets would’ve been somewhat more of an ordeal if the streets had been bustling as they typically were at this time of day.

“What’s your name, kid?” Granite asked, his question clearly directed towards the colt despite the fact that Granite was in the lead and keeping his head forward and posture straight to lessen any strain on Twilight.

“Midnight Punch, sir.” the colt replied quietly, subdued. That almost caused Granite to stumble, and might have had he not been so focused on keeping straight. “Midnight punch” was, quite frankly, the name of an extremely stiff alcoholic fruit drink. That somepony would name their child after it… was frankly a bit disturbing. Granite felt a rush of pity for the young colt, unicorn or not, suspecting immediately that his parents may be or have been alcoholics. He didn’t pry though. “Once we get your leg looked at, I’ll need to get a statement from you. We’re going to catch the pony who hurt you.” Granite said firmly, still looking forward and keeping an even pace.

Midnight said nothing in reply, merely focusing on keeping up with the group.

* * *

They were a block away - just one more block! - from the hospital when Granite turned a corner and his solid frame plowed straight into a yellow pegasus walking in the opposite direction. There was a muffled "eep!" as the mare stumbled back (why was a pegasus walking around on her hooves?), and Granite only barely managed not to dump Twilight unceremoniously on the ground. The shift was painful though, and Twilight whimpered.

"Apologies, Miss." Granite rumbled automatically, before his eyes went wide. He recognized this pony. And she obviously recognized Granite's burden.

"Oh my goodness! Twilight!" Fluttershy exclaimed, alarmed. Her wings spread and she flitted gracefully to hover next to the pair. She carefully peeled the makeshift dressing away, inspecting Twilight's wound. The rest of the morning's entourage had rounded the corner without running into anypony and were waiting impatiently. The hospital was just down the road after all.

Twilight tried to put on a brave smile for her friend, but the pain made her smile look wan and forced. Her brain still was refusing to process that the closest she had ever come to death in all her adventures was at the hooves of a fellow pony.

Having finished her inspection of Twilight's wound, Fluttershy carefully pulled away the bandage, and fished into her saddlebags to draw out a jar of some sort. "Hold her still, please." Fluttershy said demurely to Granite as she opened the jar. It seemed to filled with cream of some kind, which the pegasus began to scoop at with a hoof.

"Now this will hurt for just a moment, Twilight." The gentleness in Fluttershy's voice was a soothing balm... but what she put on Twilight's wound was not! Whatever that stuff was, it stung! Worse than the slash itself! Twilight couldn't help taking a sharp breath and feeling tears forming behind her tightly shut eyes. Twilight wanted to shout, but suddenly the pain began to fade away, numbness suffusing the area around the wound.

"There." Fluttershy said softly, closing the jar and stowing it away. For a moment longer she was content to smile warmly at Twilight. But with her friend's pain eased, the pegasus seemed to suddenly become aware that she was the center of attention for five ponies she didn't know (a few of whom were looking rather impatient).

She landed softly, folding her wings and shying away slightly. Her voice was small, her body language supremely uncomfortable: "Um... she still needs to go to the hospital."

Granite was forced to suppress a small chuckle at the pegasus' swift mood change, and began once again to walk. The hospital was only a short distance away.

* * *

Loneliness.

Loneliness was something with which Luna was intimately familiar. Probably more familiar than any other creature in existence. Even dragons, who spent decades at a time alone, were novices in comparison to what Luna had experienced. They had not spent a thousand years trapped in a place where literally no other life could survive. It was only the magic of the Elements that had kept her alive on the Moon - airless, and heatless as it was (not to mention the lack of food or water).

There were times during Luna's banishment went the rage and madness of Nightmare Moon had faded away. The first time, it took with it the memories that led up to her banishment, leaving Luna afraid and alone with no memory of where she was or how she'd gotten there. She had wandered across the bleak wasteland of her prison, helplessly trying to call out to her sister, to her guards, to anyone at all. The only answer she had ever received was a whisper in her head that told her she had been abandoned, left here without anyone or anything. In her desperation for someone, she had even called out to Discord. The bleak grey landscape around her had remained cruelly silent.

She had cried for a long time. She had begged and pleaded with the emptiness around her. Nothing helped.

Trying to dredge the memories of what brought her to that fate had only brought more pain, as flashes of the ponies she had killed in her madness invaded her brain.

And that had just been the first year of her banishment. The madness came and went in cycles, just as the moon did. Sometimes Luna was lucid, but when the pain and fear became unbearable, madness would return. Always it would return.

Not this time. That was what Luna had swore. She would never allow herself to become that again. Twilight and her friends had shown Luna that even fear could be turned to joy.

The Princess of the Night rubbed the last of the sleep from her eyes as she stared into her mirror. The magic which transformed her light blue mane and tail into the shimmering ethereal field of stars had faded while she slept, and she had yet to renew it. Celestia insisted on it, saying it made them look the part. Luna just thought it made her look like Nightmare Moon.

It was late afternoon, time for her to be awake. And despite her earlier exhaustion, she had not slept well. She grimaced into the mirror as a small corner of her mind chuckled darkly at the irony. Part of her purview as the Princess of the Night was to help her subjects overcome their nightmares. Which meant, of course, that there was nobody to help with her own nightmares.

With a glance towards her treasured garland, Luna swept magic through her mane and tail. Doubt was still gnawing at her, in spite of Sapphire Star's reassurances. There was very few ponies who were a party to Luna's plans, and all those except Sapphire Star had ulterior motives for wanting her to succeed. The fate of so many ponies should not rest on so few.

A familiar adage (perpetuated by her dear sister, no doubt) said that wisdom came with age. Luna didn't feel that was true. She remembered when she and Celestia had first Ascended. Along with Star Swirl, they had repeatedly struck down the enemies of ponies - beginning with Discord and then the Windigos, but there were others as well. Celestia and Luna had consolidated the various fiefs, city-states and splinter factions of Discord’s Equestria into a united whole. Meanwhile, Starswirl the Bearded and his apprentice, Clover the Clever, had struck out across Equestria, banishing monsters and evils in the name of the Alicorn Princesses. They could do no wrong. They had been like Goddesses.

Now?

Now Star Swirl and Clover were long dead, and the world seemed to be an intricate tangle, with very few right answers. The paths that seemed the best - the most natural - tended to have vicious and unforeseen consequences. She had followed her heart freely before, and that had only led down a slow path to Nightmare Moon.

If the best intentions led down those roads, if she and Celestia were not perfect, ideal beings what right did they have to rule? Why should they be elevated above other ponies? How were they different from Discord, who crafted the world in his singular vision?

For the second time in as many nights, Luna pulled herself out of her dark and brooding memories. She shook her head and turned to the door. She had appearances and duties to keep up. Doubt was a luxury that she could ill afford now. The act was done, the stage set. In just a few days, Equestria would have one less Princess. All she could hope was that it was the right thing to do.

Chapter 4 - Tempers Flare

Twilight was sitting impatiently, waiting for one of the doctors to come and suture the slash. True healing magic was surpassing rare, and all but impossible to cast unless it was your special talent. It was on Twilight’s list to attempt now, though she’d have to be careful to avoid a burnout with such complex magic. I mean, even if she did burnout, it would be worth it to learn. What if one of her friends was hurt?

Most of the pain from her shoulder was gone thanks to Fluttershy's ointment, but it still hurt to move, and her stomach has developed a nasty pair of bruises. She had tried distracting herself by reading the various posters which seemed to adorn every medical office (a diagram of pony musculature was the closest to where she was seated, divided in two with one side for non-flighted ponies with the other dedicated to pegasus ponies and their special flight muscle groups). Twilight found she couldn't really focus well enough to engross herself. Looking at the diagram just made her think - just a dozen centimeters, and the horn might’ve punctured her chest. Twilight shivered, though the room wasn’t cold.

Fluttershy was sitting somewhat nervously nearby, unsure how to comfort her friend. She had been truly shocked to hear how Twilight had gotten her injury, and seemed to have lapsed into her own silent contemplation.

The corporal had left Twilight with a nurse to take statements from Lloyd and his entourage, as well as Midnight Punch. The colt's own injuries weren't as severe as Twilight's, but still required medical attention - the bruising on his foreleg and face had been visible even through his dark blue coat.

Melancholy wasn't something Twilight had felt in a long time - ever since she had moved to Ponyville, really - but her experiences today had caused a jarring shift in perspective. First had been Granite's casual acceptance that she and her friends were a target for any of Equestria's enemies, and the second…

A pony had almost murdered her. She was still wrestling with that.

"Twilight?" Fluttershy's voice was quiet but insistent, and Twilight realized that she had actually said her name several times now. Too lost in thought. She shook her head and turned to her friend. "Sorry Fluttershy."

Fluttershy looked bashful at having disturbed her friend's reverie, hiding an eye behind her flowing pink mane. Her voice, soft as always: "That's okay. We've had a busy few days. You especially. I'm just worried is all."

Twilight smiled at her ever-caring friend. "I'll be alright Fluttershy. I'm just a little shaken." Twilight paused, and scooted closer to her friend to give her an affectionate nuzzle. With the pain of her injury mostly numbed, Twilight was now able to put on that brave face.

Fluttershy returned the nuzzle, a little bit reserved as was her nature... or was something else bothering her?

Twilight didn't get the chance to ask, as the door opened and in swept a tall unicorn wearing a labcoat, a stethoscope hanging around his neck. His fur was the same boring beige as the walls. He didn't even look around when he came in, so focused on the file floating in front of him. He set the file down on the counter without greeting either of the occupants. Twilight's tail twitched in annoyance at the doctor's rudeness.

"Got into a bit of a scuffle did you?" he said, though the flatness of his voice told Twilight that he didn't really care. Again without even looking at his patient, the doctor opened a drawer and brought out several tools, a few of which glowed faintly with magical resonance as the unicorn's levitation set them on the counter. One tool in particular floated up as the doctor turned to finally look at Twilight.

"Now let's see that wound. Hold still, please..."

Twilight winced and felt Fluttershy’s hoof on hers as the doctor began to work on the wound, the magical tool buzzing away. It stung as it cleaned the wound.

In short order, the slash was sutured and bandaged, and Twilight was left with a set of after-care instructions and a magical meal supplement to speed along the healing process.

His job done, the rude doctor turned tail and left the examination room without so much as a farewell.

* * *

One count of Assaulting a Minor, one count of Assaulting a Royal Guard, one count of Illegal Use of Combat Magic, one count of Assault with a Deadly Weapon, one count of Attempted Murder, and one count of Resisting Arrest. There was a whole lot of pain coming for Steel Cardinal, assuming he was found and arrested. There was a massive ponyhunt on for the unicorn, but nopony had seen him since Granite had lost him in the chase this morning. The time it had taken for Granite to see his charge to the hospital and to take statements from the unicorns who had been present (including Midnight Punch, who had identified the unicorn but refused to say why they were in the alleyway) had probably allowed Steel Cardinal enough time to slip out of Canterlot. Perhaps he had chartered a skychariot, though if he had there was no record of it at the skyport. The only train to have left Canterlot station since then was searched thoroughly to no avail, and the search of the twisting and winding road down that led down Mount Canterlot also came up empty. Still, Princess Celestia had sent out missives to all the Sheriff offices, Guard detachments and Police departments of virtually every village, town, or city in Equestria with a description of the unicorn and his cutie mark. (Some places in Equestria insisted on maintaining their own Police force independent of the Royal Guard - a right granted them by the Treaty of Unification, and some simply weren’t big enough to warrant a Guard detachment).

The Princess seemed intent to stomp on this criminal with all four hooves. Unsurprising, really, given who Steel Cardinal had almost struck down.

I wonder if the bastard will be de-horned if caught, Granite thought idly as he ambled along towards the barracks. While de-horning was almost unheard of, it was one of the punishments the law allowed for a unicorn who had used their magic to attack another with intent to kill. It was somewhat barbaric, and hadn’t been practiced in several generations. Exile was far more common.

“Daaaang Granny.” came a familiar (and annoying) voice from above the earth pony. Granite didn’t even glance up. “I know you’re an overachiever, but--”

“Not now Morning.” he grumped back, cutting her off. The day that had started out crappy had gone downhill rapidly after his return to the castle, being repeatedly grilled by his superiors for details of the incident (not to mention being subjected twice to the changeling detection spell). He had avoided being punished, only due Princess Celestia intervening directly on his behalf. To his superiors, he had almost gotten his charge killed, but to the Princess, he had saved her beloved student from her own impetuous behavior.

“I’m tired.” he explained.

“Hah! You think you’re tired?! They had us pegasi flying all over the place today looking for that guy! You’d think after the changelings they’d give us a little bit of a break but nooo. Granite Clash had to go and almost get the Element of Magic killed.” Morning Glory’s voice was playful and cheery, but Granite really wasn’t in the mood to be teased.

“It’s not my fault that dumb bitch jumped into the middle of that!” Granite snapped angrily, stomping a hoof for emphasis. His steel shod hoof made a sharp metallic noise at it clanged on the marble floor. Anger was making him stupid, and he wanted badly to buck something (and buck it hard). There was nothing in the Palace hallways that he could easily afford to replace though, and he wouldn’t stoop so low as to buck another pony.

Morning swooped down and spun around, landing gracefully and blocking any further forward movement by Granite. He briefly considered simply continuing his gait and running her out of the way, but the look in her eyes caught his attention and he stopped. She was still wearing her golden armour, her curly mane showing around the edges of her helmet. Her eyes (which, Granite noted, were the same rich purple as her mane) looked worried as she met his gaze.

“Hey, Granite, I was just ki--”

“Fuck off, Morning Glory. I don’t need your pity.” Granite interrupted, moving again to brush past her, but she blocked him again, the worry vanished from her expression and replaced with anger of her own.

“Excuse me, Corporal?!” she snapped, rearing up to put a hoof on his chest. He might have been taller than her, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t look intimidating, especially reared up with her wings splayed out. “That is not how you address a superior, and while we are wearing our uniforms I expect you to follow protocol! Unless you’d prefer to attend a training session on decorum!”

Granite stepped back, somewhat shocked by her sudden shift in attitude (and the fact that she had thrown his own suggestion from this morning back at him). Fierce stubbornness kept the glare on his face a moment longer before he let it fall into a neutral expression. “My apologies, Lieutenant.” Granite said steadily, adopting a submissive posture with his head ducked low. He knew he had stepped out of line.

“That’s better. You are setting a poor example.” Morning continued severely, looking over Granite’s shoulder at somepony behind him.

Granite glanced backwards. Standing there looking rather shocked (and somewhat abashed at having attention called to her) was a unicorn mare with a pure white coat and a shock of scarlet and silver under her Night Guard helmet. Her rank insignia was less than that of Granite’s - an Initiate (by the Day Guard’s ranking, a Private). Granite had the good grace to be embarrassed at his outburst, his cheeks reddening under the slate-grey fur.

“Now, Granny, apologize to the Initiate for your behavior.” Morning scolded, lowering her hoof and closing her wings, her flippant attitude returning with a suspicious ease. It made Granite wonder if she had actually been angry or had been trying to make a point. Not that it mattered. She was right in this case.

“Er, that’s okay!” the Initiate said, raising a hoof to stave off any forthcoming apology.

“No, it’s not okay at all.” Granite countered, having turned his stubbornness towards this new task, “She is right - I was out of line and being crude, and I apologize that you had to see it. Such behavior is unbefitting of the Royal Guard, and I hope you will not take after my example.”

The unicorn glanced away nervously. The hoof that had come up to forestall the apology instead moved to the back of her helmet, trying to be nonchalant. “Ahhh… that’s okay,” she repeated. “Just cause we’re Guards doesn’t mean we aren’t ponies too, and everypony has bad days.”

Granite snorted at that. “We should hold ourselves to a higher standard.”

That earned him a light smack upside the head from Morning’s wing. “Don’t listen to Granny here. He acts like he’s three times his age.” Granite shot the pegasus a look only to find that she’d preempted him and already had her tongue stuck out, further teasing him. Who was it that needed a lesson on propriety again? “I’m Morning Glory, and the grumpy guy is Granite Clash.” another wing-smack there, as if it were punctuation. At least it didn’t hurt. He was still smarting from earlier.

“Um, nice to meet you!” the unicorn replied, trying to be cheerful. Maybe Morning Glory’s strange attitude was putting her off, but she must have forgotten that she was supposed to introduce herself in return.

“And you are…?” Morning prompted, smilingly.

“Oh! Sorry! I’m Moondancer!” she said, practically jumping when she realized she had forgotten to introduce herself.

“Well Moondancer,” Granite rumbled. “I’d love to stay and chat, but I’m exhausted and I still have one more day in my rotation.”

“Oh come on, Granny! It’s still early, come and have a pick-me-up with me! After these past few days, I guarantee you need it!”

Granite had to admit… there was a certain appeal to that suggestion. He really could use to unwind a little. He hesitated, and Morning pressed home the point, seeing the opportunity. “Hah! I’m right and you know it, so quit being stubborn and come on!”

“I’ll have you know that being stubborn is my special talent.” Granite said seriously, carefully resisting the urge to smirk.

“Pfft, I knew that already.” Morning said, waving a wing dismissively. “So, does that mean you’re in?” she continued, her excited optimism bleeding into Granite. Was this really the same filly who had just cowed him into apologizing? That was twice today that this pony has turned a sour mood around with a few words. What was it with her anyway?

Granite finally capitulated. “Alright, alright, I’ll come. But only for one.”

“You say that now…” Morning said, grinning triumphantly. “What about you, Moondancer? A nightcap for the Night Guard?” (That earned a small snicker from Granite).

Moondancer looked from side to side somewhat uncomfortably. “Er… I probably shouldn’t. I’m supposed to report for training in three hours and--”

“Wait, wait, three hours?” Granite interrupted, shocked. “Why in Equestria are you wandering the halls in your armour three hours before you need to?”

Continuing in her campaign of looking uncomfortable, Moondancer pranced on the spot. “Well, I didn’t want to be late! I don’t want to make a bad impression!”

“You’ll do fine, Moondancer! You should come with us! Maybe a drink before you go in will help you relax a bit! You’re acting like a filly on the first day of school.” Ever tactful, that was Morning Glory. Granite flicked his tail, whipping the pegasus’ side.

“Now who’s setting a poor example.” he hissed at her.

“I’m not saying she should get wasted, but one drink a few hours beforehand won’t hurt!”

Ugh, I didn’t want a drink with a unicorn. Granite thought bitterly. He’d had enough unicorns today to last a whole month.

“I…” Moondancer hesitated again, then smiled. “Okay. I’ll come.”

“Yes! Victory for the Day Guard!” Morning proclaimed loudly, rearing and fluttering her wings while pumping a hoof. “We’re not gonna have any fun in this armour, so everypony change and meet at the Guard entrance! Last pony there buys the first round!” With that final proclamation, the pale blue pegasus kicked off the ground and flapped hard, speeding away.

“Hey! Wings are cheating!” Moondancer called after her, breaking into a gallop (and a giggle).

Okay, sometimes pegasi rubbed their magic in your face. Granite thought wearily as he set off to his own barracks at a slow trot.

* * *

The mood on the train ride back to Ponyville was the opposite of what it had been when they rode to Canterlot to participate in the Royal Wedding. Whereas before it had been a party atmosphere (except for Twilight, who had been sulking), now it was completely subdued. Even Pinkie seemed struck with the mood, her usual antics in abeyance. Rainbow Dash was refusing to look at Applejack, probably still peeved about having being snatched away from her makeout session with a Wonderbolt. Nopony was quite sure how to handle the news that Twilight had been gored by somepony in Canterlot. The sunset blazed away on the horizon, shining it’s glorious light directly into the passenger car. Even that light couldn’t seem to strip away the dark atmosphere.

The six friends (seven, with Spike) sat in silence in their private car. Rarity and Rainbow Dash were gazing out the window, watching the sun slowly slide away. The usually brash and loud pegasus seemed to be lost in thought. Twilight was watching the moon rise through the opposite window.

It was, amazingly, Fluttershy who broke the silence, some twenty minutes into the train ride. “Hey, um, Twilight?” she asked hesitantly, as if the silence was a balloon and she was poking it with something sharp.

Twilight glanced over, wincing slightly as her shoulder twinged. “Yes?”

“Oh… um, well, I was just wondering if you had any books on changelings.” Fluttershy asked, pawing her seat nervously.

Twilight shook her head. “None, sorry. I’ve never even heard of them before yesterday. Only Princess Cadence seemed to know a lot about them.”

“Oh, I see.” Fluttershy sounded a little downcast.

“Do you want me to send a letter to her to ask if she has a book on them?” Twilight offered. If there was one thing that could cheer her up right now it would be reassuring Fluttershy that the changelings couldn’t get to them. What better way to start learning about them than reading!

“Er… yes, if that’s okay. I’m just worried about them.” Fluttershy admitted, pawing again.

Twilight opened her muzzle to reassure her friend but Rainbow Dash was faster, her mood broken as she leapt off her seat into the air. “Hey, if those changelings show their ugly mugs again we’ll just beat ‘em down even harder! Blast ‘em with the Elements until they learn never to mess with Equestria again!”

There was murmurs of agreement from Applejack and Twilight, but Fluttershy just looked more worried.

The yellow-coated pegasus hesitated for a moment, glancing at Rainbow worriedly. Her jaw set though. “I… I’m not worried about them like that. I just… well... I’m worried that they’re hungry.”

Silence, take two.

Not for long though. Everypony talked at once.

“What?!”
“Seriously?!”
“Now wait an applebuckin’ minute.”
“Hey, I’m hungry too!”

Fluttershy recoiled slightly, putting her long pink mane to use and hiding behind it. Only Rarity and Spike hadn’t exclaimed something. Twilight waited for everypony else to quiet down before speaking. She really didn’t understand. That wasn’t at all what she had been expecting. “Fluttershy, they’re evil. For pony’s sake, why are you worried about them?!”

Fluttershy shot Twilight a defiant look, sitting up straight in her seat. Her voice was still soft and gentle, but there was conviction in what she said. “I don’t think they are evil, Twilight.”

Images came unbidden to Twilight's mind, flashing in quick succession. Cadence: starving and abused. Shining Armour's blank stare. Princess Celestia thrown down, her horn scorched black. Her parents cowering as the black terrors swarmed around them.

“Not evil? Not evil?!” Twilight shouted, unbelieving. “They mind controlled my brother and plotted to take over all of Equestria!”

“Twilight.” Rarity rebuked gently, shuffling over a little and putting a hoof on Twilight's withers in an attempt to calm her. Twilight took a breath.

Fluttershy had cowed a tiny bit at Twilight’s shout, but hadn’t backed down, still sitting up tall. “Doesn’t anypony else think... that, well, the whole attack seemed a bit… I dunno, desperate?”

Applejack was looking at Fluttershy with an appraising eye. “That there ‘Queen’ did seem… mighty surprised when she beat the Princess. Her plan don’t seem like ‘twere too well thought out.”

“Yeah, she just got lucky!” interjected Rainbow, not wanting to be left out.

“So… why?” Twilight said, that niggling thought returning in full force. The invasion had seemed strange to her, and she never could put her hoof on it. Was this it?

“Everypony has to eat, Twilight.” Fluttershy said softly. “How hard must it be to find love to eat? It’s not like apples, you can’t just grow it out of the ground. You can’t harvest love.”

Applejack looked like she wanted to say something about apples “just growing out of the ground” but she held back.

“We don’t even know if the changelings are sentient though. I mean, they’re all buggy! What if they work on some sort of hive mind or pheromones or something!” Twilight said stubbornly.

“Oh, they’re definitely senti-whatever.” Pinkie bounded into the middle of the conversation (both figuratively and literally), the first thing she’d said since declaring her hunger. “One of them was goofing off with me when we were fighting them on the street. She even changed to match me when I asked!”

“Okay, but none of that changes the fact that just because they have to eat doesn’t mean we should let them eat us.” Twilight said stubbornly. “We don’t let manticores or hydras snack on ponies.” she added snarkily.

Fluttershy glared at Twilight’s sarcasm, her voice rising well above it’s usual demure quality. “Funny you should bring up manticores Twilight, or did you forget the night we met?! You all were so gung-ho about attacking that manticore that none of you even tried to understand it! Nopony thought to help it!” Fluttershy was shaking with emotion and nerves at this point. “You chastised us for fearing and shunning Zecora just because she was different. How is this any different?! Don’t be a hypocrite Twilight!” she finished, pointing an accusatory hoof at the unicorn, her wings flapping to keep her balanced.

“Oh, right! Cause it’s totally reasonable to just walk right up to a roaring predator and nuzzle it! And I guess I must have forgot the part where Zecora invaded Ponyville with a big army! Oh wait, Zecora never attacked anypony! Zecora never mind-controlled anypony!” Twilight shouted back, whinnying and tossing her head in anger.

“Girls!” Rarity snapped loudly, commanding attention as she stepped between Twilight and Fluttershy. “There’s no use getting upset at one another.” Her voice became smooth as silk. She turned her head to Twilight, the disarming smile on her face cutting through Twilight’s anger. “Twilight, darling, you said it yourself, we just don’t know enough about the changelings.” She swung her head back to Fluttershy with the same smile. “And my dear Fluttershy, I’m glad you’re being more assertive and standing up for what you believe, but getting angry doesn’t help you get your point across.”

The train car was quiet for a long moment as Fluttershy and Twilight each took deep breaths. Applejack, Rainbow, Pinkie, and Spike looked on, somewhat shocked that the discussion had escalated so quickly.

“Sorry, Fluttershy.” Twilight said quietly, her head bowed shamefully. “You don’t deserve to have me shouting at you.”

Fluttershy gracefully fluttered across the aisle to sit beside Twilight on her uninjured side. She nuzzled tenderly up under Twilight’s head, her muzzle pressed gently under the unicorn’s chin. “I’m sorry too Twilight. This is pretty personal for you, and I should’ve been more tactful.”

Twilight pressed down into Fluttershy’s nuzzle, intensifying the contact for a moment before pulling away. She wanted to look her friend in the eyes. “We’ll find out more about them together, okay?”

Fluttershy just smiled and pressed her muzzle into Twilight’s neck before nodding.

Across the train car, somepony cleared their throat. Twilight didn’t bother opening her eyes, unwilling to break away from this moment with Fluttershy.

“Hey, AJ?” came Dash’s voice. It was unusually hesitant. “Seeing as how apologizing is the cool thing to do right now, I’m sorry for cussing at you last night. Thanks for sticking up for me. I’d way rather nail Soarin when I’m sober anyway.”

Applejack just grinned and stuck out a hoof. When Rainbow’s own hoof connected with it, she said: “Ain’t nuthin’ to it RD. You’d do the same fer me.”

Even as the last light of sunset shimmered and vanished below the horizon, the warmth of friendship was palpable in the train car as the soft light of the moon shone in.

* * *

“Wouldst thou care to repeat that, guardsmare?” Luna said dangerously. Her voice was not raised. She was not using the Royal Canterlot Voice. Even so, the mare blocking her path trembled slightly. Luna’s anger was rolling off of her in waves, and the Day Guard was blocking her from entering one of her chambers. Had she been thinking more clearly, she would’ve praised the Guard for her bravery. Few would dare to block either of the Princesses, especially not a visibly angry one. But she wasn’t thinking clearly. She wasn’t even thinking about correcting her archaic form of speech.

“Y-your Highness, my orders come from Princess Celestia herself. I c-cannot let you pass.” the mare replied nervously, but she stood her ground in front of the set of warded double doors.

Luna’s nostrils flared as she snorted angrily. Lashing out at this Guard would achieve nothing. She was not the pony who had hurt her friend, and she was not the one responsible for barring Luna.

“Very well.” Luna said, reining in her voice, trying to project a veneer of calm. She turned away and began to walk. To Celestia’s chambers.

* * *

The doors to her sister’s chambers were guarded, but the Guards allowed her to pass. She shut the doors and quietly cast the familiar muffling spell. The Guards need not hear this.

“Celestia! What is the meaning of this?!” she shouted, marching out from the antechamber and into the main space.

It was getting late, but her sister was still awake, seemingly reading through scrolls and reports that were piled on her desk. She looked up from what she was reading when Luna stormed in, playing innocent. “Whatever do you mean, dear sister?”

Luna whinnied as she stomped her way up to the desk. Her wings were spread in a display of aggression. “Thou have posted a guard outside of Our Dreamscape chamber with instruction that We are not permitted to pass! Explain thyself!”

Celestia - with infuriating calm - set aside the scroll she had been reading and looked at Luna. Her tone was measured. “Why do you need to enter the Dreamscape?”

“It matters not! It is Our domain!” Luna snapped.

“It matters to me very much, dear Luna. You want to use it to track Steel Cardinal.” Celestia’s voice had not so much as even the slightest inflection. That sobered Luna slightly. She wasn’t calm. She was controlled. There was a difference. “Am I mistaken?”

“No. Thou-- you are correct.” Luna said, her anger flickering away slightly.

“I will not permit you to do that.” Celestia spoke with finality. Luna’s anger waxed.

“And why should thy dictates overrule Our own?!”

“Because I cannot lose you again, Luna.” Celestia spoke quietly, barely above of whisper. There were tears in her eyes, and an ache in her voice that wasn’t there a few moments earlier.

Again, the anger waned in Luna as she was struck by the sincerity, and the borderline desperation in Celestia’s voice. Her own voice quieted to match. A tremor of fear ran through Luna. “I… what do you mean?” Something told her she didn’t want to know.

“You don’t remember?” Celestia asked, sounding pained.

The fear continued to creep up Luna’s neck. She focused on the feeling, trying to coax it into something else. Fear could be turned into something positive. “My… my memories are spotty in some places.” she admitted. “They have been since...” she trailed off, glancing away. “Since I lost myself.”

“Luna, the darkness that took you… it first began to creep in when you used the Dream to find Star Swirl’s murderer. Do you remember?” Celestia asked gently, moving gracefully to Luna’s side and brushing against her comfortingly.

Luna closed her eyes, trying to focus. That creeping fear was still there, making her spine chill. “I… I only remember that I managed to exact justice for him.”

Celestia pressed herself more against her sister, the warmth of the Sun spreading outward from her, banishing the cold. “What you did was not justice.” Her voice was ragged, stretched thin. “Please do not walk that path again, Luna. Please. I… I do not want to have to choose between my subjects and my sister again.”

Luna turned away, head held low. She could feel tears beading behind closed eyes.

“I should’ve been with him, ‘Tia. Maybe I could’ve...” Luna’s voice cracked and fell silent. The wounds were old. Dozens of generations had passed since then. Why did it still hurt?

Celestia rested a wing on Luna’s withers and pulled her a little closer. “It’s the nature of things, Luna. We can’t always stop these things from happening, even to those we care about the most.”

Luna was quiet for a long moment, pressing back up against her older sister. Tears streaked down her muzzle and dripped silently on the floor. Her gaze went to the window, where the moon was shining in, blurry through Luna’s eyes.

It was Celestia who broke the silence, still speaking softly. “The Dream frightens me, Luna. Please be careful. Emotions become reality so easily in that place.”

Luna didn’t look like she was listening, looking out at her charge. “He always wore those damn bells.” she said with a sad, nostalgic smile. Her voice had an odd timbre when she spoke next. “‘Hear me, Clover. I shan’t sneak into their lair like a thief in the night. We are powerful magi. We announce our presence wherever we go.’ Arrogant incorrigible bastard.”

Celestia matched Luna’s sad smile with one of her own, offering her own anecdote. “I still remember the look on Clover’s face when Star presented her with her own set of robes, bells and all. ‘Thou art not wearing that accursed potato sack any longer, Clover! A proper maga does not look as though she is a vagrant!’”

Luna giggled, shocking herself somewhat. It wasn’t a healthy giggle: it was the kind that was punctuated with a sob. When the pain is given just a tiny reprieve and other emotions try to rush in to fill the void. “He spent all day chasing her around the palace trying to strip her rags from her and get her dressed that outfit. I’ll never get the jingling of those bells out of my mind!”

“You know there’s a Hearth’s Warming carol which came from that? ‘Jingle Bells’." Celestia replied wryly, unable to keep from giggling herself, seeing her sister actually smile. "I’m sure Star would’ve loved to know that."

“You mean that inane ditty? Hah!” Luna laughed aloud this time.

The sisters giggled and reminisced a while longer, laughing over stories from times passed - at least, the ones that Luna could remember. The happy ones. Just as laughter could banish fear, it could do the same for sadness. Luna would look back on this night and smile. Pinkie Pie’s asinine assertion held deep wisdom. Giggle at the ghostie. Even when the ghostie was your own mind.

It wasn’t overlong before Luna’s responsibilities began to call to her again, as the moon rode higher and higher into the sky. Besides, their sides were starting to hurt from laughter. Luna stood from where they had settled in front of Celestia’s fireplace. “Thank you, ‘Tia.”

“No, thank you Luna. You’ve been worrying me lately, and I’m glad to see you smile.” Celestia said warmly.

Luna fanned the air with her wings dismissively, trying to be serious for a moment. “I believe we ought to post a detachment of Guards to Ponyville, ‘Tia. Twilight and her friends may come under threat from the changelings.”

Celestia grinned at that. “My dear Luna, I’ve had Guards posted in Ponyville since the day of your return. Some of my very best, and even a Night Guard auxiliary. Shining Armour and I were very careful to select ponies who would be discreet. Not even Twilight knows.” Celestia stood and turned, her mane flowing behind her as it always does. “They can’t do much against the likes of Discord or an Ursa, but they can protect them from more mundane threats. I hope you didn’t seriously believe either myself or Twilight’s brother would leave her completely unguarded.”

“No, I suppose not. I do not see the need for discretion though. Would it not be better that Twilight knows?” Luna frowned thoughtfully.

“Perhaps, but don’t you think the ponies in Ponyville might resent the Elements if they thought they were bringing danger to them?” Celestia countered amiably.

Luna shifted weight from hoof to hoof for a moment, thinking. “That may be so, Celestia. I would prefer to be honest with them, but I am still learning how things are done these days. I will defer to your expertise.”

“Part of being honest is knowing which things need to be kept secret.” Celestia replied seriously.

Luna’s wings fanned the air again as she considered that, frowning. “I suppose you may be correct. Either way, I shall take my leave. I have responsibilities to tend to.”

But she couldn’t resist a wry grin before she turned to leave. “Sweet dreams, ‘Tia.”

Celestia chuckled. “Sweet dreams to you too, Luna. I’ll send word to pull the Guard from your chamber.”

* * *

“No way!” Moondancer said, tears in her eyes from laughter.

“I swear it’s true. By Celestia’s dock.” Morning grinned back, raising a hoof in mock display of solemnity.

Granite couldn’t take it anymore. He snorted his drink right into his nose as the highly inappropriate oath. Coughing and spluttering, he pounded a hoof on the table in the bar they’d stopped at for drinks.

The Gilded Lily was the closest bar to the Palace, and was the antithesis of every other establishment in this high-end part of the capital. Even the name was a sarcastic quip at other high-end establishments. It primarily catered to off-duty guards, serving cheaper drinks and a more lively atmosphere. Off-duty guards like the trio that was currently sitting in a corner of the bar, all laughing at the story Morning Glory had just finished telling.

Granite finally was able to get a breath in, the scent of mead lodged deeply in his nose. A pleasantly warm buzz infused his body. “Okay, I can see why the old Captain resigned now. She would never live that down.”

“Yeah, no joke!” Moondancer added, having developed a small hiccup from all the laughing.

Granite had been pleasantly surprised with Moondancer thus far. She had admitted to having attended Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns (Granite noted how there wasn’t one for gifted earth ponies), but that she had made the decision to leave the school and join the Guard. She wanted to help in others in a more tangible way. Granite could respect that.

Of course it had taken a few drinks for him to get to that point. Things were a bit rowdier at the table now.

Moondancer wiped a tear from her eye with a bit of magic and smiled at her two new friends. “Well, as much fun as I’ve had, I should really go. I have to report in half an hour and I still need to get back into my armour.”

“And trim your mane!” added Granite, actually grinning. It’d been too long since he let go like this. “It’s way too long. I’m surprised you haven’t been chewed out yet.”

“Aww but that’d be such a waste!” Morning cooed, reaching a hoof across the table to stroke Moondancer’s mane along her crest. “It’s so luscious!”

The hair being subjected to such praise was silky and long, a lovely crimson colour set against Moondancer’s white coat, with a single silver streak through it. The pony that bore it was somewhat shy, and the blush in her cheeks soon matched her mane at Morning’s compliment and overly familiar manner.

“Er… thanks!” Moondancer replied awkwardly, having not had nearly as much to drink as the other two. “But I really should go! See you later!”

They said their goodbyes to the unicorn and she went on her way, leaving Morning and Granite sitting next to each other, half-full drinks on the table before them.

“'Only one' he said.” Morning quipped happily, taking a pull from her drink.

“Yeah yeah.” came the genial reply.

“So,” Morning said, leaning back and stretching her hind legs and wings. “Granite Clash, getting along with a unicorn. Whoda thunk it?”

Granite’s good feelings fled almost instantly, a frown creasing his muzzle. “Hey, that’s not fair.”

“Oh come on Granny, don’t deny it. I’ve seen the way you look at unicorns. You’ve even given me that look in the past.”

Granite grumbled in response and took and long drink, averting his gaze.

“I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable, I’m just trying to understand.” Morning continued, and gently laid a wing across Granite’s back in what she hoped he took as a friendly gesture.

Granite sighed and set down his drink, staring at it and fiddling with his hooves. Barely audible, he whispered back. “I hate feeling weak.”

Morning fought hard to stifle a laugh. There was a time for joking and playing around, but this wasn’t it. “Granite… you’re one of the strongest ponies in the whole Guard! I’ve seen you crack a stone block right in half with a single buck!”

“Yeah, and any unicorn can outdo me with the right spell.” Granite was still fiddling with his drink, looking downcast.

“I thought you didn’t want my pity.” Morning deadpanned, grimacing.

“I don’t!” Granite snarled, finally breaking away from staring at his mead.

“So what is it then? Wish you were born a unicorn?” Morning said, pressing. Granite was finally opening up after months of poking at him and she wasn’t about to let this chance pass.

“No.”

“A pegasus, then?” she took the opportunity to playfully flutter her wings. “Not that I’d blame you.”

The upbeat act wasn’t fooling Granite. He knew why Morning was asking these questions in particular. Tribal Identity Disorder was a condition wherein ponies felt as if they were born in the wrong bodies - they identified more strongly with the other tribes. They would seek out magical means of changing their bodies when possible, and in very extreme cases, could hurt themselves in an effort to correct what they thought was wrong.

Granite wasn’t what you’d consider educated, but all it took was being called to the scene where a disturbed pegasus had taken an axe to their wings in an effort to be more earth pony-like to have the facts stick in your mind. That story had spread through the Guard like wildfire.

Of course, that was far from the norm for transtribals, but the incident was recent and Morning was trying to make sure her friend didn’t up the same way. He almost rolled his eyes at Morning’s silliness.

“No, Morning, I just… don’t know. I get angry when I see pegasi and unicorns doing things that i can’t. Things I’ll never be able to do.”

He sighed and took another drink.

In spite of his dejection, Morning smiled at him and put a hoof on his cutie mark - a golden helmet smashing against a stone wall. “Hey, Granny.” she began, before taking a sip that left foam on her upper lip. “I think you should focus more on what you can do. So what if unicorns and pegasi can do things you can’t, so what if you’re a stallion in a mare’s world, and so what if your cutie mark says your special talent is just one thing. All that’s crap, and deep down you know it too. You fought to protect Twilight today. I doubt you were sitting there thinking ‘Oh yeah, she’s a unicorn so I won’t help her.’ You signed up for the Guard when virtually no other earth ponies do. You even made Corporal in a few months. When the bits are on the table, you’re a pretty awesome pony. You don’t need wings or magic.” Morning paused before sticking her tongue out. “Even if you can be pretty grumpy.”

Granite smiled a little at that, and took another pull of his mead. He had proven his work ethic pretty quickly. “Maybe you’re right Morning…” he trailed off, squirming a little in his seat.

“Heh, Mom was an earth pony, so I kinda get it. Pretty sure she wanted me to be an earth pony too, what with my name and all. She never said it though.” Morning Glory said offhandedly.

Granite sat quietly for a long while, eventually Morning withdrew her hoof and wing, and Granite looked over at her. He caught his eyes sliding down her exquisitely toned form to her cutie mark. A flower blossom with a stylized star. He looked away again when her tail swished against the bench. She was giving him a weird look, so he tried to play it cool. He hadn't really been checking her out, after all. That was just the booze talking. "Hey, thanks for dragging me out here tonight. I'll try to be less grumpy with you."

"Pfft, don't worry about it. Moondancer is right, we're still ponies. Being grumpy is part of your charm." Morning said with a smile. "Besides, what are friends for if they can't get you tipsy and have a heart-to-heart?"

She stuck her tongue out again and Granite actually laughed this time. The warm buzz in his stomach wasn’t all booze.

* * *

Twilight and her friends were one of the last to disembark from the train after its arrival. This was no surprise given the luggage they had with them (everyone but Twilight and Rarity just had a dress cozy and a saddlebag’s worth of toiletries, it was Rarity’s baggage that held everypony up). Her friends all said their goodbyes, excusing themselves for various reasons and hurrying home. They had been away for a few days now after all, and no doubt Fluttershy and Applejack were behind on their chores. Spike had gone off with Rarity to help bring her luggage in. Dash had stayed behind to offer Twilight help in getting home, but Twilight had waved her off with a smile.

The darkness of late evening blanketed the small town, with the final traces of orange fading from the sky. The few street lamps scattered around the town were lit, mixing with the soft illumination of the waning moon. The train platform was mostly quiet, save for a small group of ponies standing next to the exit. Twilight recognized all of them from around town, but in particular she recognized Lyra Heartstrings and Minuette - they had been her sister-in-law’s bridesmaids before the wedding and had been mind-controlled by the Queen. Her curiosity was piqued, wondering how a pair of unicorns from a small town like Ponyville knew Cadence well enough to be her bridesmaids. She was going to ask them.

Walking was still proving to be somewhat difficult. The stitching on her shoulder had been expert, but that didn’t erase the wound. She had settled into a sort of awkward limp that kept most of the motion away from that leg. She really really didn’t want to accidentally open the wound again. Her rather massive parcel of books from the Archives floated along just behind her, caught in her levitation.

Minuette must’ve heard her odd hoofsteps, because the blue unicorn glanced over at her. She frowned ever so slightly but then broke into a cheery smile. “Hey Twilight! What’s with the…” she started to ask and made a vague motion with her hoof to indicate she meant the bandages. “I mean, I thought you came outta that changeling business unscathed?”

Twilight shook her head, giving a small smile and trying to be nonchalant. “Don’t worry about it. Kinda stuck my muzzle where I probably shouldn’t have.”

Lyra was sorta staring off into space, and hadn’t even really acknowledged Twilight. She had a bizarre smile on her face. As for the other two standing with them, they were pegasi. Twilight knew them, barely, and only because she’d helped out with hurricane season. Silverspeed and Star Hunter. Silverspeed had come in very high on the wingpower charts, which was odd considering she wasn’t a part of the usual weather team.

Huh. All four of these ponies have short-cropped manes. Weird. Twilight thought. Not that it was overly strange, but longer manes seemed to be the fashion recently, among mares at least.

“Me and Star are gonna head out, kay? See ya later!” Silverspeed spoke up. She and Star Hunter both gave Twilight a friendly smile before the mare sidled up next to the dark-coated stallion. The pair began to trot off, tails occasionally intermingling.

“Behave, you two!” Minuette called after them good-naturedly, before looking back at Twilight with a smirk. “They’re not gonna behave.” she added saucily.

“Depends on what you qualify as behaving, Minnie.” Lyra replied distantly, though she still hadn’t turned to the conversation, staring off towards the dark horizon with that odd smile.

Twilight was blushing, as might be expected. She quickly changed the topic. “Hey, so, um,” she said awkwardly. “I wanted to ask you two how you know Cadence?”

Minuette blinked and cocked her head to the side slightly, as if unsure how to respond to that. Lyra finally turned her gaze away from the horizon. Her smile was still odd, but it wasn’t creepy. Lopsided, maybe. “We grew up in Canterlot. Cadence was actually in the same class as us, believe it or not.”

Twilight knew that Celestia had ensured Cadence attended public school instead of having a private tutor. She wanted Cadence to learn what it was like to be an everyday pony. An alicorn sticks out like a sore thumb no matter what, but obviously it had worked given how sweet Cadence had turned out. It was the same reason why Twilight had to spend a year in a public school instead of at Celestia’s personal school.

Twilight was so caught up in her own thoughts that she missed Minuette shoot Lyra an annoyed glance.

“So, why Ponyville then?” Twilight said after a quiet moment.

“The universe brought us here.” Lyra responded cryptically, her gaze having trailed away from Twilight again.

Twilight blinked in confusion. She was starting to feel like she was the butt of a joke. “Uh… what?”

Minuette laughed at Twilight’s expression and waved a dismissive hoof. “Just wanted to get away from the stuffiness in Canterlot. Ponyville’s a nice town with a surprisingly active art scene, and our families are just a quick train ride away. We've got some friends here too.”

"Uhh... art scene?" Twilight asked, looking at the cutie marks of the other two unicorns. An hourglass and a harp. The harp was obvious at least. Twilight hadn't known that Ponyville had an art scene, but she supposed it makes sense. Several times in the past two years had Rarity hosted important ponies for her own art.

Minuette grinned at Twilight’s confused expression, tilting her flank slightly to show off the hourglass more prominently. "Dancing is all about timing. Being in the right spot and the right pose at the right time."

Twilight nodded. “Oh, uh… fair enough, I guess." Lyra was kinda weirding her out, and Twilight had Research (!) to do. "I should probably go. I need to rest my shoulder and all."

"Need a hoof home?" Lyra offered, her attention having returned to Twilight once again. Twilight shook her head.

"No no, I'll manage, thanks. Have a good night."

They parted ways and Twilight slowly wound towards her home. It was good to be back in her own library. These past few days had been way too crazy, and she was looking forward to having a nice long break where she could relax and get some studying done.

And hopefully Shining Armour would write soon so she could stop worrying about him. He hadn’t really had time to recuperate from the whole ordeal before going off on his honeymoon.

Twilight briefly sorted her collection of books on combat-related spells and selected the book on the top of the pile (The Complete Guide to Basic Self Defense Magic) to read in bed.