Even though the high steel towers, and the great looming walls of the castle made her feel small, Twilight was comfortable strolling up to the large double doors to the main hall. She had spent her youth here- her awkward teenage years and her quiet young adult life prancing about the halls of the royal castle- so whereas most ponies felt an overwhelming sense of intimidation when approaching that castle, Twilight could only feel cozy. This place? This was home.

The guards stood quietly and imposing, watching over the castle and all it's residents. She knew the guards, and they knew her. They smiled at her, and she smiled back. Bright Shield always gave her his crinkly, ancient smile whenever he saw her- bowing forward as far as his wounded legs would allow when Twilight strolled past. He always called her 'Lady' Twilight in a kindly, fatherly sort of way. The elder guard was gentle, and soft spoken, wise and thoughtful, and to Twilight, she almost regarded him as a personal guardian. He was not the harsh, stone faced guard everypony else saw when they waltzed towards the throne room. He was kind and spirited. Safe. That was the word. He made her feel safe. Safe enough to talk to the Princess about what was eating away at her soul for the last few days. Safe enough to talk openly about changelings without the fear one could be in the room with her.

Coming to Canterlot had been the last resort, after she and Rainbow had scoured every book in the library for clues to the mystery that surrounded them. Who were the ponies pulling the strings? Why were changelings involved? Where did the 'S' fit in? And why steal their personal juices? None of it made any sense- but now that the immediate danger of kidnapping was resolved, her main priority was discussing things with the princess. She had grabbed the first train out to Canterlot, leaving Spike behind to watch over the rest of the Six. When Rainbow heard of Twilight's plans, she had demanded to come along as well. She claimed she had just as much a right to hear the answers as Twilight did, and the purple pony couldn't argue. Together, they took to the trek to Canterlot, and made arrangements to speak with the Princess. Regardless of her desire to come along, Rainbow had opted to stay in the grand tower's guest room, while Twilight held the audience. In reality, Twilight guessed the princess, the guards, the castle and the Canterlot nobles all made Rainbow Dash nervous. It made sense to Twilight, knowing who Rainbow Dash was. The brash and headstrong pegasus with a poor handle on 'tact' might say the wrong thing, or look at some pony the wrong way and while Rainbow Dash was a hero to the nation, there were proper protocols to be followed when addressing royalty. Twilight promised to tell Rainbow Dash everything she could the moment they met again, but as she walked towards the throne, all she wanted now was answers.

Twilight never grew used to the sight of seeing her Princess. In all her radiant glory, Celestia sat stoically on her throne, peering out into the main hall of her castle with her sunny smile and delicate demeanor. The power she held in a single hoof was more than Twilight could hope to fathom- enough to blast a hole through a mountain without an effort, or to control the very sun itself. It was power like no other creature in the kingdom, and there she was, sitting there calmly and peacefully, holding all that terrible power at bay. And though Twilight and the princess knew each other far better than any noble or guard could hope to know- the fact that she was a goddess, was something Twilight could never quite forget. Although her regal posture didn't change in the slightest, Twilight caught the hint of a wider smile brushing over her lips as she approached.

"Miss Sparkle." The Princess chirped, her voice hinted with adoration.

"Your highness." Twilight said quietly, kneeling down slowly in front of the princess. They grinned at each other.

"Come. We can speak in my chambers. Guards, please see that we are not disturbed. " Celestia announced, standing from her seat with a gentle nod towards Twilight. The unicorn nodded her head, feeling an anxious giddy tingle rippling through her. The prospect of gaining new knowledge always made her quiver, and now she was finally going to get answers to her mystery! She almost threw herself into Celestia's chambers, as the two meandered down the hall towards the royal rooms.

"And we spent all night going through books and tomes and everything in the library, and we couldn't find a single reference to the sigil. So...now we're here." Twilight sighed, flopping down onto her backside on the plush pillows of the Princess's royal couch. Celestia gave a grim nod, pondering the story Twilight had just spun and stood up, slowly meandering to a large and towering bookshelf in her room.

"Quite the harrowing tale, Twilight." The princess mumbled, as Twilight finished reciting the events of the previous week. Her voice was tender and troubled, as if she blamed herself for failing to come to Twilight's aid, or protect her prized pupil from the terrors of the world at large. A unique feeling, that made Twilight want to wrap her arms around Celestia and tell her she was a big girl- and that things would be okay. That she needed help, but not shielding. Before she could do so, however, the Princess turned towards her grimly.

"Can you show me this sigil? This book here has all known recorded runes in Equestria." Celestia asked softly, hoisting a thick, white covered book from the shelf and set it down in front of Twilight. Flipping the book open revealed dozens upon dozens of symbols, sigils and runes, all from ancient history texts Twilight could remember back from Princess Celestia's school for gifted unicorns. Slowly, she flipped page after page, ears splaying against her skull as she did so. Again and again, backwards and forwards, page after page after page- until she finally glanced up at the Princess with a whimper.

"It-it isn't here." Twilight announced and choked quietly. The Princess gave another slow, grim nod and gave a quiet sigh.

"The events you speak of do not sound familiar, and I'm afraid there's no recorded sigil like the one you describe, Twilight. I'm sorry. I...I'm afraid I'm just in the dark as you are. I have never heard of such a terrible thing befalling my subjects. " She mumbled quietly, standing up to draw her pupil into a firm hug. Celestia shook her head with firm resolve, regardless, and gave an angry hiss.

"We will end this, though. You have my word. I will send the royal guard to Ponyville to secure the area. We will search for every last trace of Changelings. I will not have my subjects abused. I will not allow it." She snarled, only to have Twilight slowly shake her head.

"N-No...no, that...that won't be necessary" She stammered softly. Princess Celestia tilted her head to one side before slowly nodding.

"Not necessary? ...Do you fear the guard might be compromised?" She asked. Twilight gave a subtle nod and a quiet sigh. Paranoia went hoof and hoof with changelings, and one could never be too careful. What if it was exactly what they wanted? The guard placed in Ponyville- a changeling plant being sent right into the heart of the situation. It was clever, and sneaky, and the sort of thing a group of vicious shape-shifters would come up with.

"V-very well. Twilight, I leave this matter in your hooves...but...if you should require anything at all...please...Please seek me out." Princess Celestia asked softly, drawing Twilight into another hug. The poor thing was no stranger to beating herself up. After Luna, an after dozens of other personal failures, Celestia never quite learned how to not use herself as a punching bag. Another burden on Twilight's shoulders. She would not let Celestia suffer, if she could help it. No. She'd never allow for that. So quietly, she squeezed her princess back, and drew in a quiet breath, holding her comforting scent in her nose. Like sunflowers...

"Yes your majesty..." Twilight whispered, breaking the embrace. Already she was preparing what she might tell Rainbow Dash. No answers. No clues. A dead end with no hope.

"If there's anything I can do...a-anything at all, Twilight...please?" Celestia begged quietly, her voice wavering with held back tears. She'd failed. She' failed once again...Twilight gave a stoic nod and swallowed. The situation was far more dire than she realized. She never wanted it to affect Princess Celestia, and now it had. Now they had. With a broken sigh and a quiet nod, Twilight slowly turned away from her only hope for answers. She was on her own again, an utterly lost. What was she supposed to tell Rainbow Dash?

"So? So how'd it go?! Did the princess tell you whats goin' on? I can't WAIT to get out there and kick some tail!" Rainbow squealed the moment Twilight shuffled back into the guest room. After a few moments of giddy jumping and excited squeals, Rainbow noticed the look on Twilight's face. Forlorn, morose...depressed...oh no...

"...Princess Celestia didn't know what the sigil was either. She couldn't place it, and told me it wasn't in any records of Equestrian history. I know I've seen it before though...I failed you, Rainbow Dash. I failed you, and all my friends and Equestria. " Twilight sniffled, only to gasp when Rainbow Dash grabbed her by the shoulders.

"First of all, shut up. You can never fail me. Secondly, dad always said; you never fail until you give up, and lucky for you, egghead...; I won't let you give up. ...I won't let you fail." Rainbow whispered quietly, pulling Twilight into a gentle hug. It happened almost immediately after that, and quite by accident. Twilight had moved in to hug Rainbow Dash at the same time, and they both tilted to the left to do so- the result was the warm contact of Twilight's lips and Rainbow's. Both of them blushed furiously, and both of them held the kiss. Twilight needed it. She quite suddenly needed some pony to hold her, and Rainbow Dash was the perfect fit. Strong, optimistic, loyal... They held that kiss, until Twilight finally pulled away, squirming on the bed- but Rainbow wouldn't let her go. Not this time. Not again. She reached up, gently cupping Twilight's cheeks with her hooves, and pulled the girl into another loving kiss. Slow and tender, loving and soft, the two of them held each other for what seemed like eternity. Finally, they broke contact, Twilight leaning forward to rest her forehead against Rainbow Dash with a soft sigh. God, how she needed this. Somepony to hold her- to love her- to tell her everything was going to be alright and not to worry so much. Rainbow just had so much strength it was hard to feel down with her around. It all happened so subtle, and so slow; so naturally perfect and loving, Twilight didn't even realize she was on the bed- laying down on her back as Rainbow Dash slowly climbed atop of her. Kissing at her neck, her chest, her belly...so slowly, so lovingly...

"Twi..." Rainbow whispered quietly, forcing the purple pony's ears to perk curiously. "I...I owe ya one...C-Can...C-can I?" Rainbow asked, her voice quiet and shy, bashful and coy. After only a few moments, Twilight slowly realized what Rainbow was asking permission for. They were under no effect of gas, nor under any sort of changeling chemicals...this was all Rainbow's decision to ask, and all Twilight's decision to answer. Bashfully, the little unicorn nodded her head- and gasped helplessly when she felt the warm, wet tongue slide into her damp little depths.

"Oh...I...I've wanted to do this for a long time..." Rainbow Dash whispered lovingly, pressing her tongue further and further into Twilight's wet tunnel- trashing her tongue and washing the unicorn's inner walls lovingly.

"Nnnghh...R-Rain...Rainbow..." Twilight whined, resting her hooves in Rainbow's spectrum mane while Rainbow continued to slowly kiss and lick.

"N-no...no...shhhh....let me....just....just let me...Please let me..." Rainbow whispered, trailing off as she buried her muzzle between Twilight's thighs. She wasn't wild like before- not trying to lick and suckle and kiss as fast as possible- this was something she cherished. She took her sweet time, savoring every lick and kiss, taste and flavor. Twilight closed her eyes, trying to keep her moans under control as Rainbow treasured her body. Each little loving lick forcing a quiet gasp from the unicorns other end, and soon Twilight was panting breathlessly.

"R-Rainbow...oh....oh Rainbow.....mmmmmmm..." Twilight squeaked. Rainbow didn't give Twilight any mercy. Both of them enjoyed what was happening, with Rainbow's nose pressed firmly against Twilight's private little pubic fur, and Rainbow's tongue pressed firmly into Twilight's private little pussy. It didn't take too terribly long until Twilight was gently bucking her hips, trying to keep her cool while Rainbow pleasured her. To no end, it seemed.

"R-Rainbow....D, Dashie...I...I'm getting close..." Twilight moaned helplessly. Rainbow cupped Twilight's rump under her hooves, and pulled the poor unicorn closer, not giving her the slightest chance of escape. There was no end to how much all of this was turning Rainbow Dash on. With her nose buried in Twilight's musky girl parts, every lick and hot sweaty scent drove the pegasus into a horny frenzy. She lewdly rubbed her thighs together as she licked and worked her tongue in and out of Twilight's privates, collecting every sweet, slippery droplet of girl juice Twilight had to offer on her tongue. She swallowed it down hungrily, and pressed her tongue in further, moaning in time with Twilight. How she wanted that naughty little unicorn to cum so badly...to give her the orgasm she so richly deserved...to taste her enjoyment and feverish arousal...Rainbow could hardly stand it...

"Please....just let go...let me make you feel good...I owe you...I really do...you're my...best...friend..." Rainbow whispered between slurps, and gasped as Twilight's orgasm gripped her, and gripped her hard. Sending the little unicorn into helpless spasms, Rainbow held tightly as Twilight twist and bucked in her arms, each silky kiss forcing a buck and squeak from the purple pony she held tightly.

"T-that's it...oh...Twilight...you're so sweet..." Rainbow whispered lovingly, watching Twilight give in to the lewd advances of her tongue. Twilight squealed, throwing her head back as her climax took her ruthlessly and viciously. She'd pushed to the brink so many times without satisfaction had left the poor pony in dire need of an orgasm- and now one that wasn't from some cold, and heartless machine- it almost felt like Twilight came twice as hard!!

Rainbow didn't stop licking until long after Twilight's juices stopped flooding her muzzle. She slowly pulled herself up to the panting filly and nuzzled into her gently. The poor thing was absolutely mentally exhausted.

"R-Rainbow....Rainbow lishen..." Twilight moaned- eyes closed and breathing heavily.

"Mmmhmmm?" Rainbow whispered. Twilight turned on her side, the poor girl helplessly clutched in the throes of exhaustion and fatigue.

"We're gonna....figure this out....promise...mmmsorry...let you down..." She sputtered. Rainbow frowned, shaking her head, but Twilight kept talking, before she could protest.

"Not gonna...give up on you....no idea...how mush...I need...." Twilight mumbled, her voice getting softer, and softer still, and Rainbow Dash held her tightly.

"...never....make you....give up...Wonnerbols..." Twilight cooed- and with that, she spoke no more, falling fast asleep. Rainbow nuzzled up to her friend gently, and kissed her on the cheek, wrapping her arms protectively around the snoozing unicorn.

"Don't worry, Egg head...I won't let anything happen to us. You rest. We got this." Rainbow whispered softly, and she too, closed her eyes, and fell asleep next to Twilight, the two of them holding each other tightly in their arms.

Author's Note

Thats right. This is only part 1. Lady Rarity works overnight shifts now, so just....ugh. Deal with it. Sleep is for pretend and editing is a dream. x.x And this one -IS- Canon! :D