Inheritor of shadows

Chapters

The search begins
Journey
Arrival
A week in waiting
Bloodshed
Explanation
First day
Tour
Meanwhile
Dinner
A lovely night
A lovely night-Pt 2
Betrayl
Interrogations
Notice

The search begins

"Spike, can you hand me the book on obscure history?" Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship, asked her draconic assistant, using her magic to hold ten books, and her right hand holding another two, with the book she wanted being on the shelves just out of her reach.

"Sure, Twi," Spike responded. The young drake wore a simple green shirt and purple jeans to match his scale color. He unfurled his wings, which he had gotten a week before from one of Twilight's spells, which did it's job of giving Spike wings he should have started growing when he was ten years old, and he was fifteen.

He flew up to the shelf that contained the book Twilight, who wore a light purple t-shirt with a knee-length skirt of the same color, wanted and retrieved, handing it to her as he landed.

"Thanks, Spike," Twilight said as she took the book in her left hand and made her way to a nearby table, setting all of the books down on it, opening the book Spike had gotten her.

"What'cha looking for, Twilight?" Spike asked as he took a seat on the opposite side f the table, a whole stack of "Power Ponies" comics coming down with him.

"Just doing some research for Cadence on the Crystal Empire, seeing as how she doesn't have the time to do it herself."

Spike really didn't hear her, seeing as how he was now engrossed in his favorite comic series. "That's good," he said in an absent minded way.

Before Twilight could start reading, though, she heard a knock on the door. "Come in," she said, annoyance in her voice, but it quickly turned into anger when she saw who it was.

"Oh. Hello, Rarity," Twilight said with venom in her voice. "What do you want?"

"Hello to you, too, Twilight," Rarity said, her voice neutral. The fashionista wore a black designer shirt with accents of white at the end of the arm length sleeves and similar colored desinger pants. "I came to ask Spike if he wanted to help me find gems."

Hearing Rarity's name and voice brought Spike out of his comics. He looked to Rarity and said, "No, Rarity. Twilight and I still haven't gotten over what you and the others did, and I'd rather not have anything to do with any of you, especially you, Rarity. You did break Twilight's heart when you took her one love, after all."

"In short," Twilight said, "get out, now. The only reason I tolerate you or the others in the castle, Rarity, is because I can't destroy the thrones, and I mean can't. Once I find out how, you all can move out."

"Twilight, any of us could move out, but we don't want to," Rarity said, being as stubborn as Applejack. "It's been five months since then, and we were friends for nine years before that."

"Key word: were, Rarity. Really, it's you I hate the most. You knew I loved Rainbow, but you insisted on having a relationship with her. After I had my heart broken by her when she rejected me. I could have forgiven her for that, but then you come along and the two of you announced to everypony that you were together. What made you be that cruel?"

"We thought you were trying to prank her."

Twilight raised an eyebrow. "Rarity, let me spell this out. I'd been living in Ponyville for nearly nine years, and was friends with the two ponies who pranked the most, and I never once pranked any of you except for Nightmare Night, and that was only when Luna came to town."

"And we realize that now, but then, we thought you were trying to prank her. Why can't you just see that we're sorry?"

"Because, along with you two, the others didn't even try to cheer me up, except Pinkie, the only one I still consider a friend." Twilight then returned her atteniton to the book. "Now, unless you want a book, please leave."

Rarity crossed her arms and said, "Hmph. I see that you're a lost cause, then. Good day, and, as Rainbow would put it, I hope you cool off. You need to accept the fact that Rainbow and I are a couple, and nothing but us can change that." She then turned around and left the room.

"Why are the ponies in this town so stubborn?" Twilight said in frustration as she opened the book.

"To be fair, Twi," Spike said, "you did kinda lash out at those two to start off with. Yeah the others didn't try to do any thing, which they should have, but the way I see it, everone was at fault to some degree." When Twilight glared at hi in anger, he rose his hands and said, "Just saying," and returned to his comics.

Twilight just rolled her eyes and began to read. As if that were the only thing that destroyed our friend ship.

. . .

Just out side the library, Rarity walked to where Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rainbow were waiting. She walked up to Rainbow and gave her lover a hug and a peck on the lips.

"So, ah'm guessin' it didn't work," Applejack asked. The farmer wore a dirty pair of jeans and a white shirt under a brown mini-jacket

"Unfortunatly not, Applejack," Rarity replied. "Both she and Spike are still mad at us, Pinkie the least, and Rainbow and I the most, the rest of you because you didn't try to cheer her up."

"Well, she did yell first," Fluttershy said in her classic shy tone. She wore a green shirt with a knee length blue skirt.

"Well, of course she did, silly," Pinkie, wearing a blue shirt and red, knee length shorts, "but I'm the only one who even tried to cheer her up. If I hadn't, she may be even worse then she was a week after she yelled at you two."

"Damn it, Pinkie," Rainbow, wearing a black shirt and red work out pants, said, geting a playful slap fromher mare friend for cussing, "why do you have to be right?"

"Because if I don't, who will be," the pink mare said with a smile. "Besides, some one in this group has to look at this from as clear a view as possible."

"She's correct," Rarity sighed. "I just wish there was a way to make things up with Twilight."

"Well, ah hate ta say this, but we can't force her ta be friends with us again. We need ta let her make that decision her self," Applejack said in a defeated tone.

"What I want to knw," Rainbow said, "is why we haven't told the Princess yet?"

"Twilight already told them about it," Pinkie. "She told me, and said they were hoping we would fix this ourselves."

"Well, it can't happen unless Twi wants it," Applejack said, and the five of them began to talk about lighter subjects, but their minds were still on Twilight.

. . .

Back in the library, Twilight had found the section of the obscure history book that related to the Crystal Empire. "That's interesting. It says here that the last ruler of the Empire before Sombra had a daughter, but no one knows what happened to her."

"Knowing what we do about Sombra, he probably killed the both of them and hid it from the history books," Spike said, his attention still mainly on the comics.

"Yeah, probably," Twilight said, but wrote it down on a nearby peice of paper any way, so that she could see if the Crystal Empire had any thing on it when she went to the Empire to tell Cadence what she found. She turned back to the book and continued reading.

A minute later, she said, "Not much on Sombra's early life, or even what he did when he wasn't terrorizing his subjects."

"Why are you interested in that, Twi," Spike said, looking up from his comics with a raised eye scale.

"Because every ruler from that time would want their personal life recorded so that they would be fully known by the others, even if it was just the morally good stuff. Even Celestia and Luna were like that back then, so why not Sombra?"

"Because the crystal ponies were terrified of him?" Spike suggested.

"Spike, we both know that there were even worse rulers then him, Sombra's just the most famous because he made the Empire disappear."

"Yeah, fair point," Spike said. "Going to see if the library in the Empire has something on it when we go there?"

"Yeah, if I have the time, seeing as how we're going there during the crystal festival."

"Hey, at least we're going to have fun while we're there."

"Hopefully the others won't be there," Twilight said.

"Twilight, if they're there, they're there. Besides, Cadence is probably going to invite them, if only so they can participate in the events and booths they always do."

"In that case, I hope Cadence doesn't invite them in the castle." Spike just rolled his eyes at Twilight's stubborness, and returned to his comics.

Crystal Empire-meanwhile

". . . And make sure that the booths still make it easy for ponies to move through the streets."

"Yes, your highness," a gray crystal pony wearing what could be considered the sterotypical librarian outfit said before bowing and leaving the throne room.

Princess Cadence, wearing an ankle length pink, white, and red dress with elbow length sleeves, rested her hed on her hand as her assitant left the room. "Why is it they want a different configuration for the fair every year, even if it's just different booths in the same spot," she asked no one out of annoyance. "I'd rather deal with the changelings again."

"Well, that should be easy," her husband, Shining Armor, who wore the cerimonial guard outfit he wore on their wedding day, said, "seeing as how we've become allies with them."

"I know that, Shiny. Remember which one of us here arranged for the peace talks," Cadence said, glaring at Shining.

It had been three years since then, and Equestria, the Empire, and the changeling hive that had attacked Canterlot were still working things out, but the important stuff was taken care of, and ponies and changelings were still adjusting to this.

Holding his hands up in a defensive manner, the prince said, "I'm just saing, it'd be easy to arrange a reenactment of Canterlot."

"Yeah, but I don't think Chrysalis would like to reenact her greatest failure, especially given how long it's been since then. Honestly, Shining, sometimes, I think you were born just to be a bad pun, given the difference of the connotation of your name and your behaivor."

"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked angrily

Cadence giggled. "Just that you're cute when you're mad. I'm surprised that little jab still makes you mad."

"Well, coming from you," he retorted, "it sounds like you want a divorce because I'm not what you thought I was when we married."

"Please, if it was that, I would have asked for one a long time ago," Cadence said jokingly, which got a laugh from Shining.

"Yeah, I guess so," he said when he stopped laughing. "So, what's next?"

"Just need to invite Twilight, Auntie Luna and Celestia, as well as Twilights former friends and psudeo-friend."

"They still haven't worked it out, huh?"

"No, and fom the looks of it, it's going to be that way for a while. At least we were able to help take Twilight's mind off it some what with us asking her for some history on the Empire," Cadence said. "She never could resist studying, that filly."

"Nope. Not even during brekfast when we were younger."

From there, the two continued to prepare for the up coming rystal fair, including sending invites out to their friends and family. By the end of it, Luna's moon had risen in the sky, and the two had retired to ther bed room.

Cadence wore a silk night gown that went perfectly with her skin color, while Shining wore old clothes of his that barely fit. The two climbed into bed, and Cadence said, "Night, Shiny."

"Night Cadence. Love you."

"Love you too," the alicorn of love responded with all her love for SHining. SO why did she fell like it had shrunken from last night?

Journey

Two days later, Twilight was in her castle library, trying to find anything on Sombra. Three hundred books had been read through, and nothing. "Now I can see why he's feared," Twilight said to no one in particular. "He probably didn't want anypony to know what he did in private, which actually begs the question: What in his private life was so secret he didn't want anypony to know it."

Spike was out getting supplies for their upcoming trip to the Empire. As such, due to Twilight's lists, he would be gone for a few more hours. The lavender alicorn continued to read for an hour before she found something, even if said something was just a theory. But that's better then nothing.

It was in a particularly thick book in which she found it. "Some crystal ponies, though their minds had been messed with, those that were Sombra's personal slaves, say that they remember there being a second pony who ruled alongside him, though they can not remember what the unidentified mare was. Some have said that she was just as cruel as Sombra, if not more so."

Twilight gulped. "Some pony worse then Sombra. How is that possible? Only ponies corrupted by dark magic could be anywhere near as cruel. That's the only reason ponies think of him being the worst ruler ever," she said. "Looks like I'm going to need to read his personal journal as well," she remarked.

Twilight decided to put the book into her bag, which contained all of the books she'd be bringing with her, and went on to a few other history books.

When Spike came back a few hours later, he found Twilight still at her desk, looking over a book that she had gone through yesterday. "Uh, Twi, you do realize we checked over that book yesterday, right?"

"Yeah, but I found something in another one that may put something in here in a new light," she said.

"And what would that be," Spike said in a bored tone, as this had happened a lot over the past few days.

"One of the books I'm bringing theorized that there may have been a queen of the Empire that ruled alongside Sombra, maybe a bride."

"How do we know she wan't just a slave he took?"

"Because, Spike," Twilight said, getting annoyed at the fact he kept asking questions, "it said that the mare was just as cruel, if not more so, then Sombra. If she was a slave, she wouldn't be that way to those that were potentially her friends."

"Twilight, hasn't it occurred to you that Sombra used dark magic on her to be like that?"

Twilight was about to retort before she stopped and thought about what her assistant just said. "I suppose that is a possibility, but I think we should still go over everything possible. So can you get everything packed and help me out. The train for the Empire's leaving in a few hours, and I want to be on it."

"Right. I'll get on it," Spike said.

The dragon went to the throne room, where the suitcases were, and began to pack the stuff the two of them would need. He was finished quickly, as their clothes had been packed earlier, before he left, and they really only needed to pack stuff for entertainment, mostly books, but some card games for the two of them as well. Food too, obviously. When he was done, he looked at the clock. He saw that they, in fact, did have plenty of time. He began to make his way back to the library when he burped up a letter with Cadence's seal on it, with him being the receiver. He grabbed it out of the air and opened it.

Dear Spike,

How are you and Twilight doing? More importantly, has Twilight been caught sleeping at her desk. Probably, this is Twilight after all. Still, Shining and I can't wait for the two of you to get here. And please don't tell Twilight this, though she probably suspects it, we also invited the others. We still hope that she'll make amends with them. Still, i hope both of you have a good time here in the Empire when you arrive. Speaking of which, we're going to be there to meet you guys personally.

Cadence.

"Figures," Spike said with a small smile. "Of course they'd invite the others, knowing Twilight practically hates all of them."

Spike simply used normal fire to burn the letter, and continued on his way to the library, where Twilight had put the books away and was making sure that the anti-theft spells were in place over those she wasn't bringing. "You ready, Twi?" Spike asked.

"Yeah," Twilight said. "Just need to head to the station and wait for the train."

"Then let's go. The suitcase is packed with everything we're gonna need while we're on the train and in the Empire that we can't get there."

Twilight smiled. "Then let's go."

Train station-an hour later

Twilight and Spike were sitting on one of the benches at the station, their suitcase nearby.

"You know, Twilight, I just don't see why you don't teleport there."

"Because I need to do as much research on the Empire's history as possible. Besides, you said it yourself: Cadence and Shining are meeting us at the train station. Plus, I don't want to interrupt anything they might be doing."

Spike shrugged. "Fair enough, I guess," he said juts as a certain pink mare came skipping by the bench.

"Hey, Spike. Hey, Twilight," Pinkie said.

"Hey, Pinkie," Spike said in a disinterested tone, while Twilight, surprisingly, had a happier tone.

"Hey, Pinkie," she said. "How are you?" The question got the looks of surprise from both the dragon and pink mare, to which the alicorn said, "What? She's the only one that even tried to be a good friend during the whole 'Raridash' thing, and the only one who actually helped me through my depression then. Out of the others, Pinkie, you're the only one I still consider a friend."

"Aw, thanks, Twilight," Pinkie said, scooping Twilight up in a hug, a large smile plastered on her face.

"Pinkie! Air! Lungs!" Twilight yelled as her lungs were being crushed by Pinkie's hug.

"He he, sorry, Twi," Pinkie said as she released her friend from the death grip of a hug.

"What are you doing here, Pinkie," Spike asked.

"Just waiting for the train to the Empire. Did you really think I was gonna miss the Crystal fair when we've been going every year?"

"I guess not," Twilight said before she frowned. "Which means the others are probably coming too."

"Probably," Spike said in a dead pan.

"Aw, don't worry, guys," Pinkie said. "They'll try to stay out of your way, right, author?"

..I..

"That's rude."

Teenager.

"He's got a point, Pinkie," Twiight said, getting looks of surprise from the others.

"You can break the fourth wall too, Twilight?"

"Yeah. How else do you think I got to that black screen to give you back your mouth when Trixie came back?"

"What are you two talking about," Spike said.

"Just that the author is essentially saying that I'm going to run into the others," Twilight said, which got a look of confusion from her assistant, to which she rolled her eyes. "Just hold on," she said, lighting her horn and shooting a beam of magic at Spike.

"And what was that supposed to do," Spike asked.

"Well of course-. . . wait, who said that?"

Me. Pinkie, Twi, you mind explaining this while I put a footnote here to appease the readers?

Both Twilight and Pinkie agreed, and, five minutes later, Spike, though still confused, got the basics.(1)

"This is going to be a major headache," Spike said.

"You get used to it," the pink mare said.

Before anything else could be said, Rainbow and Rarity walked up. "Hey, guys," Rainbow said.

"Hiya, Dashie," Pinkie said in her usual cheerful tone.

"Hello, Pinkie," Rarity said. "Spike, Twilight."

Pinkie was the only one who responded by saying, "Hey, Rarity. I'm surprised you only have one suitcase."

Indeed, the white unicorn had only a single suitcase, as did her marefriend, both of which matched their owners coat color.

"Well, Dashie here made me bring only one, on the condition that, next time we traveled together, I could bring ten," Rarity said.

"Much as I didn't want that," Rainbow said, "it was the only way to win this one."

"I knew you guys were going to the Empire too," Twilight said.

"Twi, could you please lighten up at least until we get there?" Rainbow asked. "I doubt that we're going to have our own cars for the ride there."

"Yeah, yeah," Twilight said just as Fluttershy came in. She could sense the atmosphere, and decided to stay quiet.

An hour later, the train arrived, with Applejack arriving just in time. "Sorry, y'all," she said. "Had ta finish getting tha apples inta tha barn."

"It's quite alright, Applejack," Rarity said as they all stepped on the train. "After all, there are some things you can't hasten."

"Ah know, but still," the farm pony said. "We woulda been done quicker if Applebloom an' the others hadn't been crusadin'."

"I'm surprised they still haven't discovered their talents," Rainbow said.

"Indeed. Normally, fillies would have done so by now," Rarity said. "I'm actually a little worried for the three of them."

"One thing we can agree on," Twilight said as she brought out a book, just so she wouldn't have to talk to the others.

"Twilight, can't you lighten up at least while we're on the train," Rainbow said as she and the others sat down.

"Depends."

"On what?" Rainbow replied before Rarity tapped her on the shoulder, which didn't do anything.

Twilight, calmly, set her book down, and Spike, Pinkie, and the others all backed away. "On if you and the others are keeping secrets from me, like the fact you liked Rarity, and didn't even try to tell me when I asked you out. How about you, Rainbow, not following me into the mirror, and don't say Celestia said so. Spike said he rushed after me, and while you all tried to stop him, Celestia, who was in the same room, didn't try. Which, I'll admit, does beg the question as to why she didn't. But you still should have tried, Rainbow. You are the Element of Loyalty, after all."

"She does bring up a good point, even if she is pissed," Spike said as he read his book. ironically, it wasn't a comic book, but a recent release that detailed the possibility of a new kind of entertainment coming out soon. Still nerdy, but it shows that he is willing to try new things.

"Spike, would you please stay out of this," Rainbow said.

"Only if he wants to," Twilight said. "And while I'm getting stuff I find annoying about each you out, might as well do so for the others." She turned to Applejack. "Applejack, you're an idiot sometimes. I know you'll hate me for this, but I don't care; Flim and Flam should have won that cider contest. Wanna know why? Their product actually worked, and they did win it. They were thrown out because you family were being too much of a jackass for stealing it from them when you didn't try to stop them from running out. If they hadn't come back a second time with that tonic, I'd be inclined to think you were a less honest business person then them, and that's saying something, compared to them."

She then turned to Fluttershy, who backed away in fear. "Fluttershy, the only thing I have to say is that you need a backbone. You let ponies walk all over you, even after Iron Will."

She turned to face Rarity. "Rarity, I always thought f you a more petty then generous. I just never told you before because we were friends. You used Spike's love to help you with gems, when you knew the rest of us would have helped. Couldn't you have waited a few hours, and before you pull that time limit bull shit, Flutter shy could have easily helped you with making the outfits. Tartarus, you thought just two days ago that Spike was still infatuated with you, and wanted to use it to help you. I'm currently thinking that the Elements just went with those who were closest who did a great feat of their Element recently, and it couldn't undo it. You are a self centered who hides behind your friends doing it willingly to avoid it."

She then turned to Pinkie and said, "Pinkie, out of everypony here, you and Spike are the only ones I still consider friends, but you really need to think about what you say before speaking sometimes. That's a reason Fluttershy became an emotional wreck last year."

What she was referring to was Fluttershy studying for a test to get her vet license renewed. Needless to say, Pinkie nearly made her fail from making her nervous, even if it was unintentional.

"Yeah, I know," she said, her hair deflating slightly. "I still wish I hadn't done that." Her hair inflated back to it's norm, though, as she said, "But I am getting better."

"Well, that's something," the angry alicorn said as she grabbed her suitcase in her magic and made her way to the car behind them. "Come on, Spike. We're going to a different car. You can come if you want, Pinkie."

Pinkie smiled and said, "Okie dokie," she said, then hop followed the alicorn and dragon as they made their way to the other cart. "Sorry, guys," she said.

"Meh, it's alright, Pinks," Rainbow said. "Just make sure she doesn't get mad enough to kill you."

"Oh, please, I've never gotten somepony that angry," she said as she and the other two entered the other car.

"Well, looks like things just got worse," Rainbow said after a few minutes. "She did just yell at us."

"Perhaps not, Dashie," Rarity said. "She, unintentionally, did give us all another reason as to why she no longer considers us friends. Plus, much as I hate to admit it, she was right, about me at least. I was using Spike, and the only reason I stopped was because he stopped wanting to help, and I simply hid behind the fact that he wanted to until then. I guess it was also the fact I knew, in my mind, at least, that you all would never point it out while we were friends, and I kept giving you all clothes and such to make sure it stayed that way."

"Yeah, she was right 'bout me, too," Applejack said. "Hay, she said so during that first applebuck season, and I guess I only gave in there, but I guess I was to stubborn to admit ta even mahself when I needed help. Like when I planned the apple family reunion. I was so determined to make it perfect, I overlooked what really made it that way, even when Applebloom told me it was anything but perfect."

"Hey, at least you were able to fix it," Rainbow said.

"Yeah, Ah guess."

"She was right about me, too," Fluttershy said. "Even after Iron Will, I was still pretty much a doormat. Sometimes, I even try to use the star on myself, but that doesn't do anything."

"Maybe it's supposed to mean that your good just the way you are, Flutters," Rainbow said.

"Maybe, but I'd rather at least be able to be able to do stuff with you girls and not have a panic attack."

"Flutters, how many times we gotta say it: your fine just the way you are," Applejack said.

"Thanks, AJ," Fluttershy said

"So, I guess we have something to thank her for," Rainbow said.

"Indeed we do, Darling," Rarity said as she nuzzled Rainbow. "Unfortunately, though, I doubt she'd listen to us right now."

"Which means we'll have to wait until we get to the Empire, at least," Fluttershy said.

With Twilight, Pinkie, and Spike

"Twi, don't you think that was a little harsh," Spike said.

"No," Twilight said. "I think it's time they knew that and faced it. If they want to be my friends again, then they need to fix those issues. Pinkie being the exception, obviously."

"Aw, thanks, Twilight," the overactive mare said as she gave Twilight a small hug.

The alicorn just chuckled and said, "No problem, Pinkie. Can you let go now, I'm starting to get tunnel vision from lack of air."

"Right," Pinkie said, letting Twilight go. "Sorry."

"It's alright, Pinkie," Twilight said as she blushed a little. "I know you didn't mean to."

Awkward silence passed for a few minutes before Twilight said, "So, want to play some card games until we get to the Empire?"

"Absolutely," Pinkie said with a large smile. "What'cha got?"

"Mostly poker related games," the alicorn said with a shrug. "You wanna play, Spike?"

"Nah, I'm good," the dragon said as he continued to read the book from earlier.

"Looks like it's just you and me, Pinkie," twilight said as she drew a deck of cards from an outer sleeve in the suitcase with her magic. She sat down on one of the nearby seats, leaving a space for Pinkie, who sat down close by.

"So, when were you able to break the fourth wall," Pinkie asked.

"Just a week after the first rainboom," Twilight responded, as if it came up in a conversation everyday. "Kinda freaked me out at first. You?" she asked as she dealt out two cards to her and Pinkie each.

"Same day as the rainboom, and same," Pinkie replied. "You think Celestia and Luna can too, and that's why she stopped me and the others from following you?"

"I guess. It makes sense," Twilight said, "but it only brings up more questions, like why she didn't try to go there with me, in order to help me. I get it was my Element, but still."

"Might have been that Sunset would have tried to kill her."

"Yeah, I guess. So, should we start?"

"Yep."

Crystal Palace-meanwhile

"Is everything alright, Cadence," Shining asked, as his wife looked a little upset.

"No, or, at least, I don't think so," she replied as she got up from the throne she had been sitting on for the past hour. "I just don't feel right, like I'm not supposed to be here, but I am at the same time."

"Huh, weird. Maybe Twi knows something about it."

"Hopefully," Cadence said. "What do you say to getting something to eat, Shiny? I haven't had anything to eat today."

"Sure, Cadence," Shining said with a smile on his face.

"Then come on, we need to get to the kitchens. Twilight and the others are going to get here later, and I want to be able to have a full stomach," Cadence said, making her way to the doors.

When she opened the doors, she got a strange feeling, and, instead of turning towards the kitchens, which was to the left, she turned to the right, and began to walk that way, almost in a trance. She walked for what seemed like an hour to her, but was only thirty minutes. When she stopped, it was in front of a blank wall.

Almost as if by instinct, she lit her horn, and a rectangle appeared on the wall in front of her, and the part of the wall that was surrounded by Cadence's magic disappeared.

Shining had followed Cadence, trying to get her attention the entire time, but nothing, from tapping on her shoulder to screaming in her ear. He stopped doing this when he saw the wall disappear, and his wife walk into a crystal corridor, a scarily determined look on her face. He followed slowly, worried for Cadence.

Nearly twenty steps in, Shining heard something behind him, and turned to face it, but found nothing. He turned back around, only to find himself face to face with a very angry Cadence, and he fell to the floor in surprise, and a little of fear.

"Why did you follow me," she asked in a snarl.

"B-because you said we were going to get something to eat, but you came to. . . what ever this place is instead, and I was worried," he said.

"Well, that's sweet of you, peasant," Cadence said, "but you need not worry about your queen."

"But Cadence, it's me, Shining, your husband," the unicorn said, worried for his wife, and having a strong suspicion as to who was behind this. Cadence read his mind, though. Literally.

"Ah, so, you think I'm a changeling." She laughed. "That's classic. Why would they do that to me?" As she laughed, or chuckled, to be more accurate, Shining saw a piece of crystal on the floor. He picked it up in his magic, and moved it to just behind Cadence's head.

"I'm sorry," he whispered before he hit her in the back of the head hard enough to knock her to the floor, unconscious. He got off the floor, and walked over to his wife, checking to see if she was bleeding, which she, fortunately, wasn't. He picked her up in a fireman's hold, and exited the mysterious corridor, and made his way to the infirmary. If he had paid attention, though, he would have seen the fake wall reappear.

The first gaurd he encountered o the way to the infirmary, a few halls away from said area, said, "Sir, what happened to the princess?"

"I don't know," Shining said/ "But I want you to take a squad of guards and escort Princess Twilight and her friends here as soon as they arrive. I also want a second group ready to do the same for Queen Chrysalis and her entourage. Am I clear?"

The guard saluted. "Sir," he said before running off.

Shining continued heading to the infirmary, all the time saying, "Just hang on, Cadence. Whatever's going on, we'll fix it."

Arrival

Twilight and Pinkie were playing poker in their train car, and Twilight was winning. "So, Pinkie," she asked the pink mare, "how do you think this year's festival's going to be?"

"Exciting, duh," Pinkie said. "It always is, or at least has been since the Empire returned."

"Yeah, I guess so. What about you, Author."

If I said, there'd be spoilers.

"Yeah, no spoilers, please," Pinkie said.

Of course.

"Honestly, writers can be annoying sometimes," Twilight said, though I didn't care, as she was right.

"What about you, Spike? How do you think it's gonna turn out?"

"For me? Probably going to be boring, just like the last few times."

"Well, we can't have that," Pinkie said. "I'll make sure you have a fun time this year." A large grin was on her face.

"You don't need to do that, Pinkie. I'll be alright."

"You sure, Spike," Twilight asked, looking up from her cards.

"I'm sure, Twi. Celestia knows the crystal ponies won't leave me alone. I've really gotten tired of the hero worship. Don't they have a princess or something to worship?"

Twilight and Pinkie giggled. "Guess not," Twilight said, "seeing as how they still worship you, even when you only saved them, what, twice?"

"Oh, ha, ha, guys. I'm serious. I know I practically fed off it during the first year or two, but I've out grown it. So should they. The adults, anyway."

"Okay, you have a point there, Spike," Pinkie said.

"Pinkie, since when are you logical," Twilight said asked, an eyebrow raised.

"Since last month for some reason," the pink mare replied. "I kinda like it, actually," she said, puling a pair of glasses out from her mane and putting them on. "Reminds me a lot of you."

Twilight just shook her head with a smile on her face. "Never change, Pinkie," she said, removing Pinkie's glasses with her magic and looked at her face, a sudden blush coming to both mares. "Never change." it was then Twilight did the one thing none of those in the car expected.

She lunged fore ward quickly, and kissed Pinkie, putting her tongue into the other mare's mouth, which got a surprised look from Pinkie before she relaxed into the kiss, and returned the favor before Twilight pulled back quickly, as if she had been hit by lightning.

"Oh, Pinkie, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to," she said quickly, her face becoming a huge blush.

Pinkie, looking a little hurt, said, "No need to say sorry, Twily. I liked it, and something tells me you did too."

"But Pinkie, I just kissed you! We aren't even in a relationship!"

"Who said it has to stay that way?" Pinkie asked, looking at Twilight with an admittedly sexy stare that only caused the alicorn to blush more. "We could consider the fair our first date, after all. If you want to."

"W-well, I guess so, Pinkie," Twilight said. "Even before the incident with the others, I always felt something with you, but i htought it was just whatever gave you your powers."

"It was, a little," Pinkie admitted. "But I think it was because you liked me more then a friend. So I ask again: Do you want the fair this year to be our first date?"

"Y-yeah," Twilight said nervously. "I guess."

"Oh, that's good," Pinkie said in her usual enthusiasim. "I can't wait!"

"Another hour or two, Pinkie," Spike said.

"Oh, I know. I'm just so excited."

"Me too, Pinkie," Twilight said as she put the cards away. "I can't wait for our date, and to see Cadence and Shining. I haven't seen them in a while."

"Yeah," Spike said. "How do you think they're doing right now, anyway?"

"I'm sure they're doing fine," Twilight said.

Crystal Palace infirmary-meanwhile

Cadence, as far as the doctors could tell was fine. Except for the fact she seemed to go crazy with no explanation for a few minutes and looked ready to kill Shining, that is.

Said stallion had been at his wife's side since she had been brought to the infirmary, and had been holding her hand through out it all.

Fortunately, Twilight and the others weren't supposed to arrive for another hour. Unfortunately, Chrysalis, wearing an elegant, arm length dress that went to the floor and had royal green and black as the colors,had arrived half an hour before now, and was in the infirmary with Shining, watching over Cadence.

"You sure you don't have a clue as to who did this," she asked Shining.

"None," he responded. "Who ever did this hid their tracks pretty good. Not even our best doctors can detect a mind control residue."

Silence passed for a few minutes before Chrysalis proposed something that hadn't been thought of before. "What if it was a sealed memory coming to the surface?"

Shining looked at her with a look of confusion. "What do you mean? No one's suppressed her memories!"

"Not the memories you know of," Chrysalis said. "When I took her place during the, ahem, incident eleven years back, I had to take the memories I thought important-"

"And yet Twilight found you out."

"Oh, her calling me out was my plan all along, but back on topic: when I looked over her memories, I found a lot of them sealed away. I couldn't tell you who, I never encountered the signature before, but it was someone with a lot of power. I could tell that much simply because I once tried something similar on Celestia a hundred years ago, and was to weak to accomplish it. Bottom line, some one messed with her mind before you two met, maybe even changed her personality, and the seal's starting to break. Only the pony who cast the block can fix it."

"Well, I think she'd rather have all her memories back then not," shining said. "That said, if I find him, I'll end him for messing with her mind."

"Well, good to know that part of you hasn't gone away," Chrysalis said.

"What do you mean," Shining asked, looking at the changeling queen.

"Well, when I was disguised as her, I was actually, well, attracted to how loyal you were to those you loved," Chrysalis said blushing.

"Well, it's a little late for it to pay off, Chrysalis," Shining said.

"I know that," Chrysalis said. "But still, who would benefit from messing with Cadence's memories?"

"I can't thin of any pony," Shining said. He sighed and said, "Maybe Princess Celestia and Luna can help. They're coming to this year's festival, after all."

"Perhaps," Chrysalis said. "When are they supposed to arrive?"

"Tomorrow morning, just after sunrise."

"Then we can only hope she is okay until then."

"Yeah, I guess."

An hour later

The train pulled into the station, slowing down as it did so. When it had come to a full stop, the doors opened and the ponies on board began to step off. The six crystal guards at the station were waiting for Princess Twilight and the other Elements, as well as, hopefully for them, their hero, Spike the dragon.

When the crowd thinned, they saw those they were to escort step off the train, though in two groups. Three made their way to the first and larger group, while the other three went to the smaller group, and were elated when they saw Spike.

When they got to them, they bowed and said, "Hail Sir Spike, savior of the Empire," completely disregarding Twilight.

"Would cut that out," Spike said. "Stop with the worship. The first time was a fluke, and the second was just me doing what any unicorn or alicorn could have done with a simple fire spell! You have a princess who deserves it more then me!"

"Spike, just let it go," Twilight said, her hand in Pinkie's. "We both know ponies can be stubborn."

"Yeah, I know, Twilight," Spike said as the three guards rose.

"Why is it you three are here, exactly," Twilight said.

"To escort you, Sir Spike, and the Elements to the palace, as something has happened to Princess Cadence, and Prince Armor asked that you be escorted there for your own safety."

"What happened to Cadence?" Twilight asked in concern.

"We do not know, your highness."

"Take us there, now," Twilight ordered.

"Of course, your highness," The lead guard said, and the six of them made their way to the palace, Rarity and the others following shortly after.

An hour later, both groups had arrived at the palace to be greeted by Shining and Chrysalis.

"Hey, Shiny," Pinkie said, raising her left hand in greeting, as her right was in Twilight's left.

"Hey, Pinkie," Shining said as he noticed their hands and raised an eyebrow. "Since when did you two start dating?"

Both mares blushed, and Rarity and the others, just arriving, heard the remark. "What?" Rainbow asked.

"We found out on the train ride here, alright?" Twilight asked, trying to hide like Fluttershy behind her hair.

"Well, I'm certai nI speak for the rest of us when I say we're happy for you, Twilight," Rarity said.

"Rarity, if I cared about how happy you were, I'd say it, but I don't, so keep it to you and Rainbow," Twilight said, instantly shooting down Shining's hope of their friend ship being repaired.

"Can you guys argue about that later," Spike said. "We have bigger issues, like with what's wrong with Cadence."

"He's right, we can get back ta this later," Applejack said.

"Then what are we waiting for," Pinkie said, raising her arm and pointing. "TO THE INFIRMARY!!" She then ran off, somehow dragging Twilight with her.

"Pinkiiiiiie!" she yelled, though it failed to get the pink mare's attention.

The others rushed after the two, and arrived at the infirmary a few minutes later.

Only to find Cadence gone.

The bed she was on was tipped on it's side, and the surrounding are was burned. There were even a few ponies with burns, but they were being treated. Shining walked up to the nearest doctor being treated and said, "What happened?"

"I don't know," he replied. "We were just taking her heart pressure when she woke up and started attacking us, saying she 'had to kill them', whoever they are."

"Where is she?" Twilight asked.

"I don't know. Last I saw, she took a left at the entrance to here."

Shining's eyes widened.

That was the same direction as the hall she had opened before he brought her here.

"I think I know where she went," he said before rushing out of the room and following the route he had taken to there from that corridor, the others following him, but not knowing what it was they were headed to. As they ran through the hall, they saw more scorch marks on the walls, and a few injured guards, but none were killed.

Eventually, they got to the hidden corridor. "I don't remember this being here last time," Spike said as Twilight put a hand to her head as if she were getting a small headache.

"Everything alright, Twilight," Pinkie asked her mare friend.

"Yeah, just a small headache," she said. "What is it," she asked.

"I have no idea," Shining said. "All I know is that when Cadence first acted like this earlier, she opened this thing up, like she had done so before."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Rainbow asked. "Let's go after her." She then flew into the hall ahead of the others.

"When is she going to learn not to rush into things like this," Rarity said with a roll of her eyes before running after her marefriend, the others following close behind.

Ten minutes later, they all found themselves in front of a large steel door. "What do you think is behind it?" Chrysalis asked.

"No idea," Shining replied.

As he said this, Twilight's headache just became worse, so much so that she began to black out, though this wasn't seen by the others, as they had started talking about ways to open it.

After a few minutes of this, Twilight's head cleared, and she lit her horn. She walked to the door, the others becoming silent as they saw this. As she got closer to the door, her eyes, the entirety of them, had started to glow a dark purple. When she was a few feet away from the door, she closed her eyes and fired a small beam of magic at the door. To the surprise of all present, the doors opened, and Twilight walked inside.

"Twilight, what's going on," Pinkie asked, getting no response from Twilight before the door closed and she said, "Leave us."

A week in waiting

It's been a day since Twilight and Cadence sealed themselves in what the others all assumed was a room of sorts. Princesses Luna and Celestia, the former currently wearing an ankle length dress with no sleeves, leaving her cutie mark visible and was as black as night, her sister wearing a dress where the only change was the color was as white as her skin, had arrived just after dawn, and Shining was just now fininshing telling them about it.

"And you're certain of this, Shining Armor," Luna asked.

"Yes. I've never seen Cadence or Twily act like this before, and I have no idea about what might be going on."

"Well," Celestia said in her caring voice, "what do you know?"

"It's not really a 'know'," Shining said in embarresment and rubbing the back of his head. "More of a theory."

"What ever it is, it may be it," Luna said. "After all, something, even if it is wrong, may just get us on the right track."

"Right." Shining took a deep breath and said, "We think that someone might have messed with Cadence's memories and maybe even her personality, and put some kind of seal on the original, and that said seal has started weakening, letting some of the memories and her old personality out, but I doubt it. Cadence would never act like this."

The royal sisters shared a quick, worried glance, then Luna said, "And, if I may ask, who came up with this idea?"

"Chrysalis."

"And you trust her?"

"Well, yeah," Shining sid. "I mean, I know she ruined mine and Cadence's wedding, but that was eleven years ago, and she's proven that she's changed since then. The least I can do is trust her." Luna opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off. "And before you say something, Princess, I did consider myself being controlled, and had the doctors examine me. I'm not a fool."

"And what do you think happened with Twilight?" Celestia asked, concern for her student in her voice.

"If I had to guess, I'd say the same, but that still brings up the question of who cast the spell, not to mention when it was cast."

If Shining had been paying attention, he would have seen the solar alicorn breath a small sigh. "That is enough for now, Shining Armor," she said. "Luna and I will do what we can to investigate it and help."

"Than you, princess," Shining said before leaving to go with the others, who all waited at the entrance to the new corridor, which, for some reason, had stayed visible this time.

Once he was out of ear shot, Luna turned to her sister and said, "This may be an issue. We can't let them know. If they did, it may reignite the old war!"

"I know, Luna. I know. We are simply lucky with the current state of the investigation. But still, we must make an attempt at helping them, even if we don't wish for them to find out the truth."

"Then we should begin," Luna said. "We should go to the doctors that were there when Cadence went violent, and see if there was anything visual with her aside from her shooting flame spells."

"Agreed, and let's hope not," Celestia said as the two sisters made their way to the infirmary.

Shining, Chrysalis, and the others had made a small camp site at the entrance to the corridor, and were all doing something to pass the time and take their minds off the current circumstances.

Rainbow, Applejack, and Pinkie were playing a game of cards, while Rarity, Fluttershy, and Chrysalis talked about the fashion world, one of the interests the three had in common.

Shining walked over to where the card game was going on and took a seat. "So, anything happen?" he asked.

"Nope, just a whole lotta nothing," Rainbow said.

"Actually, there was some yelling or something," Pinkie said, "and we tried to open the doors, but couldn't. When we yelled in there to get there attention, they just asked us to go away, and that they'll be out when they're ready."

"So they're feeling better," Shining asked hopefully.

"Pinkie's just paraphrasin' it, Shining," Applejack said. "They said it in much harsher words, though, I'll admit, I wonder what they meant when they yelled 'Get out of our heads'."

"That was just Twilight," Rainbow said. "Cadence was actually calmer, telling Twi to do the same and, I quote, 'Let the memories in, Twilight. Let them come, and everything'll be okay'. If I had to guess from that, I'd say that Cadence is doing better and trying to help Twilight."

"So they aren't coming out?"

"Not yet, no," Pinkie said.

"To be fair, I doubt Twi would want to come out until she's certain whatever's going on isn't some kind of disease that can spread," Rainbow said.

Shining chuckled. "That does sound like Twily."

That night

As Shining and the others slept, deep in the corrdor they stood watch over, the door opened, and singular figure stepped out and snuck out of the hall and past the group, making her way to the kitchen.

As Twilight snuck past her friends and family, she stopped just in front of Pinkie. She covered the pink mare's mouth, causing her to jolt awake, and put a finger over her mouth, and Pinkie didn't make a noise. "Come on, Pinkie," she said. "I need some help. You in?"

Pinkie nodded. "Good," Twilight said, removing her hand. "Please, not a sound that the others can hear." With that, she made her way to the kitchen, Pinkie close behind.

After ten minutes of sneaking through the palace, the duo found the kitchen, and not a single pony was there. Once they had entered said part of the palace, Twilight, in a normal voice, said, "Okay, Pinkie. You can ask what's on your mind now. Slowly, please."

"Twilight, what's going on," Pinkie asked. "Why didn't you let the others know you're out? How come Cadence didn't come out?"

"In order: I'll show you when we're done here, what is going on is why, and because I snuck out while she was asleep. That good enough?"

"It'll do," Pinkie said with a smile. "So, what do you need help with?"

"I kinda need to get food into the area me and Cadence are in on the other side of the room, and for reasons I'll tell you and you only later, we can't exactly leave it for a six days starting tomorrow."

"Okay. I'll help," Pinkie said. "Just let me know what you're going to need."

"Mostly just bread and cheese, stuff that's filling in small portions."

"Right."

Five minutes later, the two mares walked out of the kitchen, each carrying about five pounds of bread and the same amount of cheese, each. The quietly made their way to where the others were, and entered the hall. Once they made their way o the doors, Twilight said, "Last chance, Pinkie. You sure you want to see it?"

"Only if I can help ya, Twi."

"But, Pinkie-"

"Save it, Twilight. We're in a relationship, and i know I can be illogical sometimes, but one thing that anypony would agree with me on is that you always help those you love, even if they don't want it. Besides, I can keep a secret. I just need to leave a note saying that I felt you needed help with something, and just came in using my abilities. It's not the craziest thing I've done before. We both know that."

Twilight sighed. "I hate the few times you make logical sense, Pinkie." She then smiled and gave Pinkie a small kiss on the nose. "I guess that's one thing I love about you, too." Pinkie smiled. "Now come on, we need to get in before one of the others wakes up for some odd reason."

"Right, would you mind holding the bread and cheese? I need to make that note."

Taking the food Pinkie hold in her magic, Twilight said, "Just be quick, okay, Pinkie."

Pulling a piece of paper and a quill out of her hair, Pinkie said, "Don't worry, I will be."

Not ten seconds later, the note was written and, with her unnatural speed, Pinkie left where she had been sleeping earlier, and made her way back to Twilight in less then ten seconds.

"Eat it, Rainbow," Pinkie said. "So, what exactly is the huge secret," Pinkie asked as she took the food she was carrying back in her arms.

"It's best if I show you," Twilight said as she used her magic to open the door, and the two stepped inside, the door, and it's secrets, closing behind them.

The next morning

Rainbow, sleeping next to Rarity, in just a shirt and underwear, woke up slowly. The first thing she noticed was her marefriend's arm draped over her. The second thing was Pinkie wasn't there. Oh, Pinkie's not there, she thought as she dozed off again. Three seconds later, her mind finally processed it. She jumped to her feet, waking Rarity up in the process.

"Dashie, what's wrong," Rarity asked groggily.

"PINKIE'S GONE!!"

The yell woke the others up, including Shining and Chrysalis, who, at some point in the night, had cuddled, and woke up to find themselves still like that, and quickly jumped away from the other, a blush on their cheeks. "Sorry," they both said.

"Rainbow, what do ya mean?" Applejack asked, wearing the clothes she wore yesterday.

"I mean she's not in her sleeping bag!"

"Ya mean the one with a note on it?"

"Yeah-wait, there's a note?"

"Why am Ah not surprised," Applejack said as she went to pick it up. "'Hey guys, I knew you'd be worried, so I wrote the note to let you all know I had a feeling Twilight needed help, so I just used my abilities to get in the room. No idea when I'm gonna be out, but see you guys later. Pinkie.'"

"Wait, she didn't tell us about this," Shining said. "Why didn't she wake us up to let us know."

"I guess because it's Pinkie being Pinkie," Applejack said. "Nothin' we can do now, but do more research and see if we can force that door open. I refuse to believe Twilight's gonna be okay 'til I see it myself."

"I agree with Applejack," Rarity, wearing a purple nightie with a blue bow(think rainbow rocks). "We need to find a way in there."

"But how?" Chrysalis said.

"I'll go ask Princess Celestia," Shining, wearing his guard outfit, said.

With that, he left and made his way to the palace's library.

Crystal Palace library

Celestia and Luna sat on opposite sides of a crystal table, both looking at, or, rather, pretending to look at, books on ancient memory spells.

"Sister, what if we can not prevent this?" Luna asked. "What then?"

Celestia sighed as she put her book on the table. "I do not know, Luna. Mother knows it was hard enough the first time. I don't think it can be done again."

"But then we'd have to do the one thing we swore we'd never do since then!"

"You don't think I don't know that!" Celestia yelled at Luna due to hours of frustration and worry. "I'm sorry, Luna," she said after realizing the look on Luna's face as one of fear. "My nerves seem to be getting the better of me right now."

"I understand, sister, but I do not wish to become like, like that again, not in this age when those sides of us have been forgotten. We barely contained them then, and we are weaker than we were then."

"I know, Lulu, I know," Celestia said. "We need to stop this before it gets to that point."

"And if it already has?"

There was a tense moment of silence before Celestia answered. "Then I'll do what must be done, Luna. You have suffered more then me, and it is time I repaid you for that."

Luna's eyes widened in alarm. "Sister, you can't mean-"

"I do," Celestia said, cutting her sister off. "I do mean it Luna." Celestia smiled. "It's funny. Ponies always assumed which of us was older, me. They are right, biologically speaking, I suppose."

"Ah, yes, that. I still remember it. The spell that caused me to revert back to a tiny filly, and left you as the elder."

"One of our eternal secrets."

"Yes. Yes it is."

It was then that Shining Armor walked into the library. He made his way to the able the two sisters sat at. "Have you found anything, yet, princess?" he asked.

"No we haven't," Luna said. "Why do you ask when you know we would let you know if and when we did?"

"Because last night, Pinkie somehow got into that room, and the others are worried she might get sick or something," he said.

Luna and Celestia shared a worried glance. "If that is the case, we will work harder to find something," Celestia said.

"Thank you, princess," Shining said as he bowed and left.

"I worry as to how Pinkie actually got into that room," Luna said once Shining had left. "We both scanned the door with our magic, and it negates any magic from allowing entrance except for one single spell that only a unicorn or alicorn could cast, I doubt even Pinkie Pie could find a way into it.

"Agreed," Celestia said. "And there are only a few still alive who know that spell, ourselves included."

"So should we open the door now?"

"No. If we did, who knows what Twilight and Cadence will do if the seal has been broken. We've wronged them once already, and I do not wish to again."

"Agreed," Luna said before going back to pretending to read.

A few hours later as the time came closer for the transition between day and night, the sisters got up from the table and returned the books. "Come on, Luna," Celestia said.

"I'm coming, Tia," Luna said as Celestia made it to the doors.

Luna caught up with her a few seconds later. "I know it has been thirteen years since what would be the best time to ask this, but do you not think we should tell Twilight's friends our secret, if only because they are the ones to give me the strength to return to the real me?"

"Unfortunately, it seems we may have to, because if we are to late with Twilight and Cadence, more of our secrets could come loose," Celestia said.

"Tomorrow, then."

five days later

It had been an eventful week for Twilight's friends. Starting off with Cadence and Twilight going into the room, then Pinkie. The next day, a bomb, if they knew what a bomb was, had been dropped when princesses Luna and Celestia had revealed to Rarity and the other Elements that, in fact, because of an accident when the two of them were kids, Luna had been reverted back to a baby, just a few days before Celestia had born, in fact, which meant Luna was actually the bigger sister.(1)

The three days after that had been uneventful, and now, Luna and Celestia, stood in front of the door, their horns lit with the spell needed to unlock and open it.

Luna looked back at the others and said, "I would suggest you prepare yourselves. There is no telling what may be inside." With that, she returned her gaze to the door and, together, she and her sister cast the spell to open the door.

The spell hit the door, enveloping it in a blue and yellow aura on the left and right, respectively.

At first, nothing happened, but then, the door began to open slowly. Cries of "No, no, not yet," could be heard inside, but they did nothing to stop, or even slow, the doors. Once the doors were fully open, there was still a light, but id slowly faded. When it did, the view that was there shocked all, and confirmed Luna and Celestia's worse fears.

There in the center of what they could all see, was Twilight and Cadence with fearful, but also angry, the latter especially, expressions on their face. But what really got the attention was the one who held the two mares in his embrace, with a blank look on his face.

"Hello, Celestia. Luna. Chrysalis," he said, an undertone of anger in his currently otherwise deadpan voice.

Before any thing could be said, though, Pinkie walked in with a cake. She saw the others. "Oh, hey guys. Did you know Sombra and Cadence were Twilight's parents," she said with a smile.

"WHAT?!" her friends yelled.

"Step away from them, Sombra," Celestia growled.

Sombra, wearing black dress pants and a gray version of Shining's guard outfit, his horn not the curved, red tipped tooth like horn from ten years ago, but was a normal unicorn horn, said, "I will, when you remove the rest of the memory block you placed on my wife and daughter," he said, anger now in his voice and on his face, "as well as the one you placed on my, subjects and my sister, Chrysalis."(2)

Bloodshed

"How is she your sister?" Pinkie asked Sombra. "I mean, your a pony, and she's a changeling, so how?"

"Adoption," Sombra said, his newly revealed wife and daughter still in his embrace. He continued to look at Celestia, Luna and the othera, all but the two alicorns. "So, what will it be, Celestia?"

"No," Celestia said before Luna could say something. "Let them go, Sombra, and I'll let you live in exile."

"If you exile him, Celestia," Twilight said, notably not putting 'princess' in front of 'Celestia', "then you exile me too. He's my father, and I won't let you separate us again."

"And the same goes for me," Cadence said.

"Twilight Sparkle, Cadence," Luna said in a slight pleading voice, "please, snap out of it. You're being controlled."

"You're right, we are," Twilight said. "We are being controlled by Celestia."

"Twilight, what do you mean," Shining said. "Celestia's the pony you look up to the most."

"No, that was before my memories came back," she said, looking at Celestia with an accusing stare. "The memories of when Cadence and Sombra, my parents, ruled the Empire with compassion.

"And the war."

Celestia's eyes narrowed, while Luna's widened, the others looking in confusion. "What war?" Rarity asked.

"Why don't you tell them, Celestia? You've told them other secrets before," Sombra said. "If you don't, I will. Just release the seal, and I will leave with my family."

"No," Celestia said, but Luna surprised her.

She lit her horn, and three, slow streams of magic came from her horn. One each to Cadence, Twilight, and Chrysalis. "It's time we fixed this mistake, sister," Luna said.

"But Luna-"

"NO! I've had it with you keeping secrets, and I won't stand for it anymore. This one is already out, and we both sealed the memories, which means I too can release them."

As she finished speaking, the trails of magic wrapped around the heads of the three mares, and there were three separate flashes of light. When they faded, Chrysalis looked around a little before looking at Celestia, a snarl on her face. "You." She then tackled Celestia. "WHY? WHY DID YOU SEAL MY MEMORIES!?" she said, punching Celestia over and over, though the solar alicorn held her arms up.

"Because," Celestia said, grabbing Chrysalis' throat between punches and standing up. "You and your people are nothing more then animals," she said in a hat filled voice.

"Sister, stop," Luna said, the others all looking at the scene in surprised and shock. "She does not deserve this!"

"Yes, she does. It's because of her that Sombra took the Empire over in the first place."

"W-what do you mean, princess?" Fluttershy asked.

"Simple," Celestia said. "She used her mind control magic, and caused him to research dark magic." She tightend her grip on the changeling's neck, but was flung out of the room by a blast of black, in terms of color, magic.

"You will not harm my family again," Sombra said, going after her, Cadnece and Twilight close behind.

The three found Celestia at the entrance to the hallway, a large scrape on her arm, blood coming out. "Leave us be, Celestia. You attacked us. We did not want the war then, and we don't now."

"I won't submit," Celestia said, getting up on her legs and rubbing the wound n her right arm with her left, picking up blood as she did so. "Not until the Empire is free from the mind control.

Then, to the shock, and slight disgust, she brought her bloody hand up to her mouth, and licked it.

"SISTER, NO!!!" they heard Luna shout from behind, but before they could look back, a chilling laugh echoed through the entire palace. And it came from Celestia.

"HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA," she cackled. "It's been too long since I was brought out." As she spoke, Celestia's entire posture changed from her usual, neutral to caring one to a more threatening one. She looked at the three with a murderous smile on her face. "And it seem's the shadows have reunited. I can see why my other personality summoned me."

"Celestia, why?" Luna asked., stepping up next to Twilight.

"You know I am not her, Luna. I am Radiance, and we both know why Celestia asked for me."

"Uh, Luna, what's going on?" Cadence asked.

"Something not unleashed for a thousand years," Luna said.

"Indeed," Radiance said. "And I missed this freedom," she said, flexing her fingers. "So I think I'll give you traitors some time to live while I get ready. Ta ta," she said before disappearing in a flash of light.

"Uh, what just happened?" Pinkie asked from behind the four of them.

They turned, and saw Pinkie and the others standing at the entrance to the hall. Luna was the first to do something. She sighed and said, "If you all will follow me, I will explain everything about what just happened," she said as she began to make her way to the library.

In Canterlot, Radiance appeared in just outside the quarters of the guard captain. "Captain, wake up!" she yelled. "A threat has been made against Canterlot by the Crystal Empire, ad we must attack before they can do so to us."

Explanation

Luna, Sombra, Shining, Chrysalis, Cadence, Spike, and the bearers of the Elements made their way to the palace library. Fortunately, they did not encounter any palace guards.

They made it to the library and sat down at a table close to the door. "I suppose you all wish to know the truth as to what really happened with the Empire?" Luna asked the one dragon and the five bearers.

"I know I do," Spike said.

"Yeah, same here," Rainbow said.

"Then I shall start from the beginning," Luna said. "I suppose I will start with what is obviously not true. Sombra was a ruler on par with Celestia and I on how much he cared for his subjects, if not more so, as he often walked around the less fortunate parts of the Empire, and even invited some of those he met to a feast in the palace."

Sombra chuckled. "Yes. It was one of those where I met my beautiful wife," he said, taking Cadence's hand and kissing it, causing the pink mare to blush.

"Uh, question," Spike said. "In a book that Twilight found, it said you had a queen who was just as bad as you, if not worse, so, what exactly is right."

Luna sighed. "That, I imagine, would be my fault. "I did not wish for any ponies to speak out against my sister or I, so those that remembered parts of their real history, I twisted their perceptions of it, and made them see both of you a monsters, though not what you looked like in appearance." She hung her head. "I am truly sorry for what I did, and I will accept whatever punishment you three, Sombra, Cadence, and Twilight, see fit after I am done telling this.

"As for why we decided to attack the Empire. I have a feeling Sombra and Chrysalis know more then I," she said, causing those not a part of the Crystal royal family to look at them.

"I suppose we should start with why you're family adopted me, huh, Sombra?" Chrysalis said.

"Indeed," Sombra said. "One day, my father and her's, King Arthropod, were out hunting." This got looks of shock from those who didn't live in the empire at the time. "We couldn't exactly grow food up here," he said. "Regardless, they encountered an ice bear. They killed it, but not before Arthropod was badly injured. As he was dying, he asked my father, King Onyx, to take care of the only family he had left, which was Chrysalis. He adopted her, and that's how her and I are siblings."

"At that point in time," Chrysalis said, "my hive and the Empire were close allies. Equestria had a deeply ingrained fear and, if I had to guess, hate, of changeling kind."

"Indeed," Luna said. "When we first knew of this, Celestia and I simply thought of it as a single, small group of changelings, and let it pass. When word reached, however, of it being an entire hive, we immediately assumed that the leader of the hive, Chrysalis, was controlling it's ruler. Then we learned of Onyx's death, and we thought that Sombra was in leagues with her, which is not that far off, apparently, and was corrupted.

"When our forces first met, we did not realize the truth."

"It's also the one where you erased our memories and made my husband think we were dead," Cadence said.

"WHAT?" Shining yelled. "The princesses wouldn't do that!"

"I am afraid we did, Shining Armor," Luna said. "At the time, we thought Cadence was being controlled, and Twilight was simply following because of family. During the battle, Celestia and I were able to cast a sleep spell on the two. We brought them back to Canterlot, and erased their memories, as well as their ages to where they were both newborns, but that was unintended. Cadence woke first, which is why she is still the elder of the two.

"From there, the story is much the same as how you all know it. Celestia and I defeated Sombra, and took the Empire with him."

"There is one thing I'd like to know," Twilight said.

"Only one?" Spike muttered, though it was heard and got a glare from Twilight and chuckles from the others.

Twilight looked back to Luna and, simply to emphasize what she said, slammed her hands on the table. "Why did the shield my mother use make us see my father as the tyrant Celestia made him out to be?"

"If I had to guess," Luna said, "it is because she taught Cadence the spell that made it, and hid a part that made the user and those close to them see what the shield was meant to protect from. In this case, an evil Sombra."

"But what does that have to do with why you didn't want Celestia to lick her bloodied hand," Cadnece asked.

"That is better answered by another," Luna said before she lit her horn and was encircled in an orb of shadow. When it faded, there, where Luna sat, was Nightmare Moon, wearing old style battle armor.

"What!? How are you here!!?" Rainbow asked while all the others simply jumped.

"Because Luna asked me to help her in explaining what is going on with Celestia," Nightmare said. "It is a well kept secret that alicorns, natural alicorns, have three distinct personalities," she said, holding up three fingers.

She lowered all but the first. "The first one would be their natural personality. In this case, it would be the two princesses you know, Celestia and Luna."

She raised her middle finger. "The second is the nightmare form, which is always in the back of the mind. For Luna, that is me. For Celestia, it is known as Solar Flare."

She raised the third finger. "Then there is there bloodlust personality, which they use only in war. For Luna and I, as the third always blocks out the others, it is known as Eclipse. Celestia, as you know, is Radiance. This one is awakened only when the alicorn tastes fresh blood, whether it is theirs or another ponies matters not, and, physically speaking, is not that different from the natural personality. Mentally, they are much more murderous. They often leak through, and exert small control over the other two, and that is why Luna and I wished to make eternal night, and why Celestia wished to kill all of us. Radiance was in control, or at least manipulating her thoughts."

"So you aren't evil," Fluttershy asked Nightmare.

"Not to the degree I was upon our return. If anything, I am simply willing to kill if it is for the right reasons. Bloodlust alicorns, though, kill simply for killing."

"I can understand that," Twilight said, getting concerned looks from those not a par of her pony family and it's extended. "What? With my memories back, so are my old ethics, and every pony in the Empire thought that killing wasn't right, but would if it was for the right reasons."

"Which reminds me," Sombra said. "When are you going to restore the memories of our subjects?"

"I will, as soon as Twilight and Cadence answer my one question: How they were able to revive you?"

"I suppose you should know that," Cadence said, "seeing as how you explained what's going on."

"In that case, they," Twilight said, pointing to the others, "except Pinkie and Spike should leave, and Pinkie an dSpike because I consider them family. Plus, Pinkie was already there."

"But Twilight," Rarity said. "We're your friends."

"How many times must I say it, you stupid bitch? None of you are my friends, and you won't be!"

"But-"

"Out. Now!" Twilight said in an angry growl, her horn lighting.

"Ah think it best if we leave now, y'all," Applejack as she left, dragging Rainbow, who was fighting.

"C'mon, I want to hear this," the pegasus said.

"No, RD," Applejack said. "Come on, y'all."

With that, Rarity and Fluttershy followed, leaving just the royals, Spike, and Pinkie in the library. "Would you let Luna come back," Twilight asked Nightmare.

"Of course," Nightmare said as she turned back to Luna.

"Did she help you at all," Luna asked. "And I am also curious as to how you revived Sombra."

Cadence shrugged. "Really, he had a spell in that room in case something like his death was to happen with a revival spell ready, as well as what was needed. All that was needed was our magic."

"I did not know revival spells existed."

"I came up with it before the battle," Twilight said, shrugging. "Not a big deal, seeing as how spells were still being made in a large degree back then."

"True," Luna said. She sighed. "So, what is the punishment you three wish to inflict upon me?"

"We're, uh, gonna leave now," Spike said as he and Pinkie left.

The three other royals looked at each other, and huddled. They spoke in hushed whispers. When they broke and faced Luna, who had a somber expression on her face and she looked down at the table. "So, what have you decided?"

"We have decided," Sombra said, pausing for effect, "that you will be the personal servant to Cadence and I until we feel you have repais us for what you, and you alone, caused us a thousand years ago."

"Not something worse," Luna said, looking at them in surprise. "Like my wings being cut off, or my horn amputated. If anything, I owe that to Twilight because of what I did when Nightmare and I returned."

"As well as therapy sessions to get over your depression," Twilight said. "Luna, everypony's forgiven you for that. Except you. The fact you still want harm to come to you says so."

"I do not need therapy, I need to pay for what I did."

"And you have," Cadence said. "We'll drag you to a therapist if we have to. You don't have authority over us, but we do over you, Luna, and we order you to get some bucking therapy. If you want to pay for what you did with us, then you'll get some therapy, and stop complaining."

"Fine," Luna said.

"In that case," Sombra said. "Your first act as a personal servant is to restore the real memories of the crystal ponies."

With that, the four of them, with Luna trailing, made their way to the balcony that looked over a large part of the Empire. Cadence cast a spell that she had come up with shortly after the Empire's return, and when they arrived, just about the entire population was there. Intelligently, Sombra hid out of view.

"Citizens of the Crystal Empire!" Cadence started. "It has come to my attention that there have been grave crimes against us from Equestria, without Your prince and I knowing until now!"

At this, Luna cast the restoration spell, and it worked quickly. She nodded to Cadence when it was complete.

"Celestia took my husband from me, and erased my memories of my time here! She made me, unwittingly, kill my husband, your king, and passed it off as a victory for good and love, when it was a crime against basic instincts! She did it out of fear and hate, the very same emotions she lied to me about being removed!"

Sombra and Twilight walked out here, causing happy cheers from the crowd to ring out. "Now, we pay her back for the heartache she has caused us these thousand years!" Cadence yelled.

"TODAY!" Sombra yelled, causing the cheers to simply get louder, "WE STRIKE AGAINST THE FALSE HARMONY AND THE LIES CELESTIA HAS SPREAD, AND WE ENSURE NONE HAVE TO LIVE WITH THEM AGAIN!!"

First day

It had been a day since the truth as to Twilight's heritage had been revealed and Celestia, possibly under Radiance's influence, had awoken her bloodlust state, and said state was currently riling up, or at least trying to, all of Equestria against them. Fortunately, Sombra, Cadence, and Twilight had sent out messages to the closest cities to them, letting them know of the truth, and those cities and towns had quickly allied with them, and Radiance was not happy.

"Traitors, the lot of them!" she yelled as she sat with her, or, rather, Celestia's, generals in the war room, the table they sat around having a holographic projection of Equestria and the Crystal Empire, the latter and it's allies territory colored red, and the former and it's allies green. "When we retake the cites, I want a purge of the citizens!"

The generals, numbering three, looked at each other worriedly, as the princess they knew was nothing like this. "Uh, Ma'am," one of them, an earth pony stallion with lime green skin and a teal mane and tail, said. "Why? I mean, yeah they sided with the enemy, but I don't think that's worth killing them all. Who knows, there might be some ponies loyal to you in those cities."

"Nonsense," Radiance growled in Celestia's voice. "They are all traitors, and they deserve to die like the pigs they are!"

"Right," the second, a unicorn mare with skin and a black mane and tail with a streak of silver highlights. "Well, um, the griffons have gone fifty-fifty, as well as the buffalo and minotaurs. The changelings, as far as we know, are entirely with the Empire, as well as some dragons."

"Stupid beasts," Radiance muttered. "Then have messages sent to every town that is smart enough to stay with me that the guard contingents are to prepare defenses."

"Yes, your Highness," the mare said before rushing out.

"As for you two," she said to the first and second stallion, the former being a pegasus with white skin and a gray mane and tail. "Prepare the local guard, and make sure only those willing to kill are the ones that ship out. Now!"

The two rushed out, nearly tripping on each other, leaving Radiance alone. She lit her horn, the color being a bright blue, and lowered the illusion spell she put on herself, laughing as she did so. Her mane became a bright blue, and her eyes took on a darker shade of red, and her skin became gray.

"Oh, Celestia," she mused to herself, "If only you had the guts to remove the vermin you call family, this wouldn't have happened, and I'd still have puppet control over the Empire."

Back in the Empire, Luna, having woken up not an hour ago, had been dragged to the tailor's part of the palace, and was currently being fitted for her maid outfit.

"Is this really necessary?" she asked Cadence.

"Nope," she said. "Me and Sombra just like the idea of seeing you in a maid outfit." She giggled. "Plus, we both think you look sexy in an outfit like that." This caused Luna to blush.

"I am beginning to wish I hadn't asked for you three to punish me," she said, keeping her arms straight for her measurements.

"Oh, don't worry, Luna," Cadence said. "We won't try anything." Possibly.

"I thank you Cadence," Luna said. "How much longer?"

"Only another thirty minutes," the tailor, a light red unicorn mare. "Then, you'll have your new outfit with Miss Rarity helping me with making it."

"Well, at least it should be modest."

Cadence giggled. "Maybe, maybe not. Back in the day, Sombra and I had a thing for short skirts and low neck lines."

"Joy," Luna said sarcastically.

"Don't worry we won't do anything he first week. Pinkie promise."

"Well, at least I can be grateful for that."

"And. . . done," the tailor said. "You can relax now."

With that, Luna lowered her arms, and went to sit down next to Cadence.

"So, how exactly is Twilight Sparkle," Luna asked.

Cadence sighed. "Even with our memories back, it's still going to take some time for Twilight and I to adjust, Twily especially." She then chuckled a little. "Fortunately, Sombra and I know five ponies who we know will brighten up Twily's day."

"I assume they aren't the other Elements?" Luna said.

"No, they aren't," Cadence said.

"Well, let us hope that they do indeed help Twilight Sparkle, then."

Back in Twilight's personal room, which had been hidden when Sombra had banished the Empire so Celestia, or Radiance, Twilight was no longer sure as to who was in control then, couldn't take control of it, said lavender mare was currently going over the small book collection she had there, with Spike and Pinkie helping her.

As she was reorganizing a bookshelf, Twilight saw a small glint come off one of the spines.

"No, I don't."

Middle shelf, left side. Golden spine. Seriously, Twilight, why? Even a particular mercenary, who I will not name, would know which book I'm talking about.

"Fine," Twilight said, rolling her eyes as the other two snickered. She reached for the book, and was surprised to see that, on the cover, it had a picture of her and five other ponies, all of them in a park, smiles on their faces.

The one closest to her had yellow hair and a similar tail, with alabaster white skin and purple eyes wearing a bright, pink short sleeved shirt, and had an arm around Twilight. She looked a lot like Pinkie, except for the wings.

The one on Twilight's right in the photo was a unicorn stallion with green skin and black hair and tail with streaks of blue. He wore a sleeveless shirt, showing off his muscular arms and his cutie mark, a simple pick ax, and a small smile on his face, his red eyes having a small glint of cockiness.

Directly behind was Twilight was another pegasus, this one a stallion, with pink skin and bright red hair and tail, a laugh on his face. He wore a deep red shirt and a pair of black shorts.

To his left was a unicorn mare with blue skin and bright red hair and tail, her green eyes sparkling, She wore a work-out shirt and pants, her cutie mark being a lightning bolt.

The last one was an earth pony stallion with black skin and white hair and tail, his eyes being steel gray. His shirt was orange and hid his cutie mark, and his knee length shorts were red in color.

Under the six of them was a note.

To Twilight.

From your friends.

Twilight dropped the book, tears coming out of her eyes as she began to remember her first group of friends, the ones the war had taken away from her.

"Twilight, what's wrong?" Spike asked as he came over to Twilight, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"The book," Pinkie said as she picked it up. "Hm, if I had to guess, I'd say the five other ponies in the picture were ponies that were Twilight's closest friends from here in the Empire, and the memories of them are just now coming to her. Am I right, author?"

Bingo. And also, three. . . two. . . and (imagine spinning my arms around in front of me to the left and pointing at the door to Twilight's room.) a one.

"Your highness," a guard on the other side of the door said, "five guests to see you."

Before Twilight could say anything, Spike, him being a prince due to him technically being Twilight's brother, said, "Let them in," figuring they must be important.

The door opened, and five ponies walked in. The same five as the ones in the picture.

Twilight looked at them, and her face instantly brightened. "TWILIGHT!!" the five yelled in joy as they hugged their old friend, laughing as they embraced. "We thought you were dead," the white pegasus said.

"Me too, Surprise. Me too," Twilight said.(1)

She then remembered the others. "Oh, I guess I should introduce you guys to me little brother and my mare friend." She got up, and said, "Guys, this is my adoptive brother, Spike," she said, gesturing to Spike, "and Pinkie, my marefriend."

"Helloooo," Pinkie said.

"Spike, Pinkie, this is Breaker," the unicorn that had the pick ax cutie mark, "Doughnut," the pink stallion(2), "Flitter," the unicorn mare that had the lightning cutie mark, "one of my oldest friends, and a member of the guard, Lone Shadow," the black stallion, who gave a nod, "and Surprise." Twilight got a little quieter. "My old marefriend."

"Well, shit," Spike said, as well as Pinkie.

"Meh, it's alright," Surprise said, shrugging. "Her dad told us about the whole memory thing, and I can't really blame her." She chuckled. "Besides, Twily and I always entertained the thought of a herd."

"And there it is," Lone said, with a small smile and a shake of his head. "Blunt as always, Surprise."

"Definitely an ironic name, given her attitude," Flitter said.

"So," Doughnut said. "If she wants to be that way, I say let her!"

"Doughnut, we know that!" Breaker said. "I swear you can be annoying sometimes!"

"That only proves my point," Doughnut said in singsong.

"Right, regardless," Twilight said, "yeah, Pinkie, me and Surprise used to date, and-"

"It's alright, Twilight, I'm willing to try out being in a herd if you're interested in it," Pinkie said with her usual smile. "It sounds fun."

"Really?" Twilight said.

"Yep."

"Why am I not surprised?"

"Because I didn't say it," Surprise said, getting laughs from the group.

"Yeah, I guess not," Twilight said. "So, uh, what have you guys been doing?"

"Not much," Breaker said, shrugging. "I've mostly been working in the mines, Flitter's been training for the next games, Lone's been getting a squad together for the coming war, Doughnut's been doing his cleaning service, and Surprise has been working on the party for you coming back."

"Uh, Breaker, I told you not to say anything!"

"Well, it's too late, now isn't it?"

"Yeah, I guess it is," Surprise said, giggling. "Come on, Twily. Our usual restaurant is still open, and it's time we went there, only with two new ponies, or, rather one dragon and pony, this time."

Twilight smiled. "Sure."

"Actually," Breaker said, "add another pony there. I me a mare earlier, and I sorta asked her out there on a date."

"Really?" Doughnut said. "So did I."

"Who," Flitter said.

"You'll see," Breaker said cryptically.

Thirty minutes later, the group eight was standing in front of a diner akin to ones in the griffon kingdom, which was to say they had meat products.

"So, Break, who's the lucky mare?" Lone asked.

"That is a surprise with a lower case 's'," Breaker said.

"Same here," Doughnut said. "But I am pretty certain you guys are gonna like her."

"Why's that," Twilight said.

"Well, can't say the same for Breaker, but for me," Doughnut said, "she's kind, a little shy, a little introverted."

It was here that the two mares Breaker and Doughnut, respectively, were dating came into view.

"Oh, fuck me," Spike said as he saw them.

"Hey, sweetie," Breaker, who didn't hear Spike, said, walking up to Applejack and gave her a small peck on the nose. "How are you?"

"Hey, Break," Applejack said. "Ah'm doin' fine. " It was then she saw Twilight. "Oh, hey, Twi."

"Wait, you two know each other?" Breaker said.

"Yeah," Twilight said, crossing her arms. "We used to be friends, and, unfortunately, both of us are Elements, and I don't know a spell to break her connection with it."

"Why?"

"Long story," Spike said. "Best if we don't touch on it." His eyes widened. "Wait a minute. With how Doughnut described her, does that mean Doughnut's dating Fluttershy?"

Doughnut gasped as he and Fluttershy were holding hands. "How'd you know?"

"Logical guess."

"Right," Doughnut said.

"Great, two of you," Twilight said sarcastically.

"Twi, whatever's goin' on with us," Applejack said, "can ya put is 'side least for now?"

"I guess, if only because of Breaker and Doughnut," Twilight said.

"Thanks, Twily," Breaker said.

"Can we just go in now," the lavender alicorn said.

"Sure," Flitter said.

With that, the ten of them entered the restaurant and sat down at a booth close to the entrance. It wasn't that crowded, so they were able to get there quickly. The diner itself had a home-kind of theme, and the seats were a mix of polished wood, leather, and cushions to help drive that point home. "Nice place," Applejack said as they sat down.

"That's why it was our usual hangout back in the day," Lone said as the owner, an earth pony with beige skin, white hair and a white tail, walked over.

"Ah, my favorite customers," he said. "Hello, Princess Twilight. It is good that you have returned to your rightful place."

"Thanks, Hot Stove," Twilight said. "I'll take my usual."

"Same with the rest of us," Breaker said. He turned to face Applejack and added, "What do you want, sweetie?"

"Uh, what do ya got that doesn't have meat in it," Applejack asked Stove.

"Salads of various kinds, various sandwiches, just about anything those Equestrians have to eat."

"In that case, I'll take an apple salad."

"And I'l take a daisy sandwich, if it isn't too much trouble," Fluttershy said.

"Not at all," Stove said, letting out a hearty laugh. "That's a simple meal compared to the collective one I fix the others." With that, he left and made his way to the kitchen.

"So," Lone said as he leaned back. "How exactly did you guys meet?"

"Well, I was on my way to the palace," Breaker said, "and I was passing by the park when I saw Applejack sitting on a bench. I walked up and asked why she was there."

"I was there wonderin' what would happen ta Big Mac' and the others, what with, well, you know, and Breaker here told me that, as long as they didn't do anything, they'd probably be alright. He asked if I wanted to come with him to meet y'all, and ah told him sure, and here we are."

"And what about you, Fluttershy," Pinkie asked. "How'd you and Doughnut meet?"

"Oh, it was amazing," Doughnut said. "I was at the pet shelter, doing assistant work like I do every thursday, when Fluttershy walked in, asking to help. I said sure, we talked, and we connected like that."

"Bullshit," Flitter said. "I was there. You kept on stuttering. I'm the one that got your date up."

"Does it really matter, Flit," Lone said, using the nickname that annoyed the mare heavily. "Same result."

"Oh shut up, Lone," Flitter said with a small laugh.

"So, Lone, what have you been up to," Twilight said.

The stallion shrugged. "Just getting the new recruits ready. I, honestly, hope to see Celestia personally and kick her plot across the planet. I lost my position as guard captain because of her whole mind rape shit. Not kill, just make her wish she was dead."

"Personal reasons too?" Surprise said.

"Yeah," Lone said, getting a tear in his eye. "When Azure Shadow, my mare friend, joined the military, she was at the front lines of the fight in which we, as a nation, thought you had been killed, Twilight. Best I can tell? She tried to take on Celestia and Luna herself, but was killed. Luna's lucky I haven't killed her yet under the orders of your parents, Twily, even if she helped bring you and Queen Cadence back, and restore our memories."

"Makes you wonder," Flitter said a hand on her chin. "Did Celestia do something like that with the ponies that were or are rightfully her subjects?"

"Ah'd say no," Applejack said, "but then I'd be lying if ah said it ain't a distinct possibility with what happened yesterday."

"So , you do tell the truth at times when ponies lives aren't at stake," Twilight said. "It's a bucking miracle."

"Twi, you know that ain't true," Applejack said, but Twilight just ignored her.

Spike leaned over to ehr and said, "Just let it go, AJ. We both know how she can get."

"Right," Applejack said as Stove came back, their meals in tow on a cart, as well as six different drinks. "Sorry, new ponies and new dragon," he said. "I didn't know what you all wanted to drink. We got water, tea, soda, and non-alcoholic cider."

"I'll take that last one," Applejack said.

"I'll have a tea," Fluttershy said.

"Soda," Spike said, raising his hand. "Oh, and I forgot to say earlier that I'll have ham sandwich."

"Right," Stove said as he gave Twilight and the others. "What about you, miss?" he asked Pinkie.

"Oh, I'll have a soda, and do you have anything sweet?"

"No. Sorry."

"Oh, it's alright. I'll just have a ceaser salad."

"Right. I'll be right back," Stove said, returning to the kitchen.

"So, uh, Twi, what is it you're havin'?" Applejack asked, looking at the covered plate in front of Twilight.

"Oh, not much," Twilight said, removing the cover, revealing a steaming steak. "Just an arctic bear steak, cooked to meduim well with some garlic and hot pepper seasoning. My favorite food from here."

"You eat meat?"

"We can't exactly grow food here, Applejack," Surprise said.

"Yeah, dad said that when he told you and the others about when grandpa adopted Chrysalis," Twilight said, picking up a fork and knife from beside the plate and proceeding to cut the steak.

"I can't wait to see Stinger," Lone said. "Been a while. Good thing Changelings can live for a damn long time."

"You're friends with changelings?" Spike said.

"Yeah," Doughnut said. "They're amazing. They can literally be anything within reason. In fact, this one time, the six of us, Stinger, and his brother, Wasp, were visiting Queen Chrysalis' home and we pulled a prank on her that involved Stinger disguising himself as her father."

"Definitely a funny moment," Flitter said.

"Yeah," Twilight said with a smile as she put a piece of the steak in her mouth and began to chew. When she was done, she added, "Until Aunt Chrysalis found out. Then, it was just downright hilarious."

"Not for Stinger," Breaker said, which got the six old friends laughing.

"I'm a little surprised you aren't asking anything, Flutters," Spike said as the laughing died down.

"Oh, it's just because I don't want to intrude."

I'm seeing Twi's point with Fluttershy, Spike deadpanned in his thoughts. "Look, Fluttershy, you need to learn to be more assertive. I myself am beginning to think you're more then an introvert, which is someone who doesn't like social contact but can still function under that kind of pressure," like the author, if Pinkie's right, "but you break down under the slightest attention. You need help. I'm certain Twilight knows a pony who could help. Just try it. You do want to make things up with her, right?"

"Um, yes," Fluttershy squeaked out.

"Then at least ask her for the pony's name and address, and go for one session. You don't have to do more if you don't want to, but do one at least, okay?"

"Okay," Fluttershy said.

Spike smiled. "Alright then. Thanks," he said as Stove returned with the drinks and Spike and Pinkie's food.

"Here you all go. If there's anything wrong, just let me know."

"We will, Stove," Lone said as he took a bite out of his, if any Equestrian born pony could guess, arctic bear ribs. "Doubtful anything's wrong though. If there was, we wouldn't be ordering this stuff."

This got a small chuckle out of the owner. "Thanks, Lone. Oh, and Mister dragon-"

"My name's Spike."

"Right. Mister Spike, since you're a dragon, I put some gem flakes on your meal. I do hope you enjoy it."

"Seriously," Spike said with a disbelieving smile on his face, which got a nod. "Awesome. Thanks," he said before diving in.

"Well, I'll assume he likes it. You all can leave when you're done, just like always," Stove said, going to greet a new group of customers.

"Y'all eat for free?" Applejack said.

"Only because Twilight's a princess. Just the attention Stove gets is enough to make up for it. Plus, even then, if any of us come here, aside from Twi, obviously, we still have to pay," Doughnut said.

"So, like a tab," Pinkie said.

"Of sorts," Surprise confirmed.

"Plus this food is amazing," Spike said, having already finished his sandwich.

"That we already knew, Spike," Breaker said.

"So, Flitter," Pinkie said, "what is it you do, exactly?"

"Well, I was Queen Cadence's physical trainer before yesterday, and I'm hoping it stays that way."

"But you're Twilight's age," Spike said. "Well, were, given the whole reverse aging spell thing. Which reminds me, Twi, we need to see if Luna knows a counter spell for that."

"Asked this morning, Spike. She said she'd look into it during her free time when she wasn't doing what mom and dad say for her punishment." At Applejack and Fluttershy's looks, she added, "We decided that, until my mom and dad decide she's paid off her debt, she'd be their personal maid or servant, depending on what they ask. And before you say anything, yes, I am aware of the more questionable stuff then entails, and yes, they might do that, but no, not unless they are certain Luna is personally okay with it."

"I suppose that's good," Fluttershy said. "Uh, Twilight, if you don't mind me asking, how old are you, chronologically."

"Chronologically, about one thousand and twenty nine years old. The ponies of the crystal empire, even when their bodies aren't messed up by spells, live for about a hundred and fifty, and that's if they aren't the most healthy pony. Healthy, we can live for close to two hundred and fifty. And that's if we don't have strong magic in out system like the royal family, which the life expectancy is about five hundred years."

"Wow," was all Applejack said, her fork in her hand with a piece of lettuce hanging off it. "So, y'all can live for about five hundred years?"

"Yep," Twilight said. "There is the occasional pony, earth, pegasus, or unicorn, that are like that, and they're adopted by my family. Really, just about everypony here at the table is like that, except you and Fluttershy. But with the Elements, maybe not."

It was then a crystal guard rushed into the diner and to the table. "Captain, your highness, King Sombra and Queen Cadence request both of you at the palace."

"Why, private?" Lone asked.

"The delegates from Stalliongrad and Manehatten have arrived."

"Uh, why is that a big deal," Spike said.

"Because, Spike," Lone said. "Those are two of the largest cities on the continent. King Sombra asked for them to send a delegate so they can better decide on who to side with in the coming war. If they aren't satisfied, then we'll lose two valuable allies."

"Then let;s hope they side with us," Twilight said as she and the others got up and left, heading for the palace.

Tour

As Twilight and Lone made their way to the crystal palace, Breaker and the others followed them. "So, any idea as to what's going to happen?" Breaker asked the others.

"Not a clue," Flitter said.

"Well, let's hope nothing bad happens," Surprise said as the group made it to the palace.

The guards at the entrance to the staircase that led into the actual palace stood at attention when they saw Twilight and Lone approaching. "Captain. Princess," the one in charge said. "King Sombra and Queen Cadence are waiting for you two with their guests in the throne room."

"Thank you, sergeant," Lone said. "And allow the dragon to pass. He's princess Twilight's brother."

"Sir," the guard said.

"Well, guess I'll be seeing you guys later," Spike said as he went to catch up with Lone and Twilight.

"See ya, Spike," Surprise, waving.

"So, what to do now?" Doughnut said.

Breaker shrugged. "Well, don't know about you guys, but I'm going to join the army. They're going to need as many ponies as possible."

"Same here," Flitter said. "What about you guys?"

"Probably," Doughnut said.

"If you guys are going to, I don't want to break up the group," Surprise said. "Count me in." She looked at the three other ponies. "What about you three?"

"I'm in," Pinkie said with a smile.

"Well, Ah'm just gonna stay here in tha Empire," Applejack said.

When they all looked at Fluttershy, the yellow mare just tried to hide behind her hair. "I think it's safe to say she won't be joining the army," Breaker said.

"Definitely," Flitter said.

Twilight, Lone, and Spike, made their way to the throne room. "So, Twilight," Lone said, "have you been to Stalliongrad or Manehatten?"

"Yeah. Me and the other Elements went to Manehatten a few times over the years, mostly for Rarity."

"Who?"

"Element of Generosity, and the one Spike used to have a crush on," Twilight said.

"Ah. What happened with you and the others exactly, anyway?"

"Best not to ask that right now, Lone," Spike said as the three reached the throne room doors.

"Got it," the stallion said as he opened the doors.

One change to the throne room had been the quick, and surprisingly well, construction of a second throne, so that Sombra and Cadence could each have a throne. The two, Sombra wearing a duplicate of what her wore the day before and Cadence wearing a simple dress that went perfectly with her pink skin and multi-colored hair. At the base of the two thrones were two ponies, one having the typical look of a large city and the other having light winter clothes on, which Twilight assumed were the two representatives.

"Ah, Twilight's here," Sombra said upon seeing the three of them. "As well as Captain Lone Shadow and our adoptive son."

The pony from Manehatten, one with beige skin, light blue hair and tail, looked at Twilight in surprise. "Princess?"

"Coco? Is that you," Twilight said in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"The mayor asked to come here to meet with the leaders. I didn't expect you to be here."

"You know her, Twilight," Sombra asked.

"Yeah. Me and the others met her when we went to Manehatten five years ago."

"I fail to see what this has to do with the tour, your highness," the Stalliongrad representative said.

"And just what is your name," Twilight asked him.

"Hot Steel."

"Then, Steel, I'd be happy to give both you and Ms. pommel here a tour of the Empire," Twilight said. "Our escorts being the guard captain and my adoptive brother."

"Then let's get it over with," he said.

"Then if the both of you would please follow me."

"We're coming too, Twilight," Cadence said as she and her husband got up from their thrones. "It's time we met with the citizens of our kingdom anyway."

"You got it, mom," Twilight said. With that, the group left the throne room, and made their way to the streets below.

As they made their way to the streets, Coco said to Twilight," Queen Cadence is your mom?"

"Long story, Coco," Twilight replied. "And yes, that mean's Sombra's my dad."

"Well, at least you three are back together."

"Yeah. Now we just need to make sure it stays that way."

The first stop on the tour was the part of the Empire that had the citizens that were poorer then the others, which didn't mean they were poor in the practical sense. They simply had less money, but had the essentials.

"As the both of you can see," Sombra said, "even where the citizens have less job opportunities, all of them thrive, unlike some ponies in Equestria. Ask any ponies here, and they'll say they're content with their life."

"And how do we know this isn't just a magical hologram," Steel asked.

"Like I said: ask any a random pony, and they'll say so."

"Okay then," Steel said. He pointed at a random pony wearing thick clothing and had a bow and arrow, indicating he was going out to hunt. "You! If you had to rate your living conditions from one to ten, ten being the best, and one being absolutely terrible, what would you say?"

"Well, sir, whoever you are," the stallion said, "I'd say a solid seven. Yeah, it could be better, but my family and I get by just fine, and we always have fresh food."

"You see," Cadence said. "The ponies here in the Empire have a better life then some in Canterlot, and I have seen ponies thers, so I know what I'm talking about."

"As have I, your Highness," Steel said. "But I will wait until the end of the tour to make my decision. I like to be as informed as possible."

"Of course, Mister Steel," Lone said. "If you'd please follow us."

With that, the group left that part of the Empire, and made their way to the more industry focused part of the Empire, which was also where the crystal guards were trained.

"Our industry, though old compared to others, is still efficent," Lone said. "For security reasons, I can't tell you what the production levels are."

"I can understand that," Steel said. "I can also see their is little pollution in the air."

"Yes, well," Sombra said, "we do take measures to ensure the ponies remain as healthy as possible, especially those that live near this district."

"That is something the citizens of Stalliongrad like," Steel said, a hand on his chin. "If I may ask, what would the Empire have to offer Stalliongrad if we decided to join with you?"

"That would depend on what you wanted," Twilight said. "We could easily give you some gemstones that can be found in our mines, but other then that, it would depend on resources."

"Of course. That makes sense, your highness," Steel said. "Is there anything else you wish to show me?"

"None we can think of, sir," Lone said.

"In that case, I'll need time to think on what I shall send the mayor."

"Me, too," Coco said.

"The the both of you are welcme to stay in the castle," Sombra said. "It is the least we can do for the two of you."

"I thank you for the offer, your highness," Steel said, bowing, "and I would gladly accept it."

"As will I," Coco said nervously.

"That is all we ask," Sombra said. "Now come. We have a feast being prepared, and I hoped you two would join us, and it would give my daughter and her friend to catch up."

With that, the group made their way back to the palace, each in anticipation of the feast.

Meanwhile

As Shining sat in the room Cadence and Sombra had given him, he lay on the bed, still in shock. He had hidden it well, he was the former royal guard captain, after all, but once he had gotten to his room, he , well, I refer to his crying in slice of life. Yeah.

If it had just been his sister being Sombra's daughter, he could have handled it, but the fact that Cadence, the one love of his life, was, not only Sombra's wife, but Twilight's mother, and it was Celestia, the princess he had followed for just about his entire career, that had caused it. Needless to say, his entire world view had been flipped, turned, and nuked all in the span of an hour. Can you blame him for crying.

He hadn't left his room since the day before, not even to eat.

He heard a knock on the door. "Shining, open up," he heard Chrysalis say. She had been outside his room for the length of time he'd been in it. "And stop acting like a baby, would you? It's pathetic and unbecoming of a guard."

"Did you miss the past day, Queen Chrysalis," he said. "I just just my wife, who turned out to be my little sister's mom, and she isn't even my little sister. The only reason I'm here in the palace is because I don't have any money to get a place of my own. I don't even have a job."

"Which is why I wanted to offer you one," Chrysalis deadpanned.

"What," Shining said through his crying.

"Yes, you heard me. I have an opening for guard, and I want it to be you."

"Chrysalis, I-"

Before he could say more, the changeling queen decided to bust his door off the hinges. "Just shut up and listen," she said. "Even if your life was just destroyed, I can say with certainty that Cadence and Twilight still care for you, and even Sombra is grateful to you for looking over them, even without knowing the truth."

"What does that have to do with you being here?" Shining asked, looking at her. "They could have come and told me themselves."

"Because I wanted to in person," Chrysalis said, looking away.

"And why's that?" Shining asked before he got a face, and lip, full of the changeling queen, who instantly backed away.

"Sorry, sorry sorry," she said. "I shouldn't have done that."

Shining looked away, a small blush on his face, as well as Chrysalis'. "Why?" he asked.

"Because, ever since Canterlot, I always was attracted to your honor, your skill and your personality," Chrysalis said. "My memories being returned simply gave me the courage to say so."

"Chrysalis, I'm certain there are other changelings-"

"No, there aren't," Chrysalis said sadly. "You see, most changelings, including those in my military, are female, and even if I was interested in mares, I can not reproduce with one of them, and the few males are all stupid, young, or something else that just doesn't make them good mates."

"Like what?"

"Thinking that if they mated with me, that means I actually love them, as even some changelings don't know how our biology works. Males, for the most part, but there are some females that are like that as well," Chrysalis said, sitting down on the bed, a sad look on her face. "Sometimes, I just wish the racism between ponies and changelings didn't exist entirely."

"You do realize most ponies have accepted the changelings, right?" Shining asked.

"And how many of them simply because of their princesses?"

"Okay, you have a fair point," Shining said before looking away. "I was actually one of those ponies before I got to know more about you."

"Don't you mean changelings in general?"

"No, I don't," Shining said as he put an arm around the changeling queen. "I mean you."

Her face immediately lit up, and she looked away. "Shining, I'm flattered, but I didn't think I'd be the one to change your views, given what happened seven years ago."

"As cruel as this sounds," Shining said, "does it really matter what happened then, given the current circumstances."

Chrysalis laughed, a pleasant sound, almost like a calm stream, at this. "No, I suppose not." She waited a second, then said, "I'm a little surprised you didn't try to go with Celestia when she escaped."

"I was tempted, but I wanted to look after Twilight and make sure she was okay," Shining said. He sighed and added, "Probably a good thing I didn't, huh?"

"Yes, I guess it is," Chrysalis said.

A minute of silence passed before Shining spoke. "Chrysalis, look at me," he said.

"What," she said, turning to face him, curiosity in her features, before her eyes widened in surprise upon feeling his lips upon hers. She pushed him away. "Shining, why? I didn't think-"

"Because you were the one who actually made sure I was alright, even when you could have only made it worse," Shining said. "Besides, out of everything that threatened Equestria, you are the only one who was doing it for a good reason, and it was to save your people. And I guess I'm willing to give you a chance."

"Really," Chrysalis asked.

"Yeah, I am," Shining said as one of the palace servants came by.

"Queen Chrysalis, Shining Armor, their Highnesses invite the both of you to dinner."

"Then let's go," Shining said, taking Chrysalis' hand in his. "Together."

"Together," Chrysalis repeated, looking at Shining with the first, truly genuine smile on her face in years as the two walke dout of the room, and made their way to the dinner hall.

Dinner

Sombra, Cadence, Twilight, Spike, Lone, and their two guests, Coco Pommel and Hot Steel, made their way to the palace dining room. "So, if I may ask," Steel said, "what are the cooks serving tonight?"

"A mix of normal Equestrian meals and some traditional Crystal Empire ones," Sombra said, "which, on our side, includes some meats."

"Yes, I read up on that on my way here," Steel said. "Much as I dislike the prospect of eating meat, I think, given you can't plant a lot up here, most ponies would be okay with it."

"Well, that's good," Lone said, "seeing as how our diet consists mostly of meat."

"Then why is it your teeth are more like a ponies, instead of a predator's?" Coco asked.

"Evolution," Twilight said. "Crystal ponies and Equestrian ponies all come from the same common ancestor, ours just evolved to eat meat and some plants."

"That makes sense," Steel said. "It is a shame many ponies these days believe that Celestia created ponies out of nothing when there is no scientific proof for it, or even magical proof."

"I know I believed that when I was a filly in Canterlot," Twilight said. "And she didn't even try to discount those rumors."

"She didn't with me, either," Cadence said. "I'm actually beginning to wonder as to the real reason she sent Luna to the moon, and that potion you drank simply showed you what you needed, not what was the truth."

"We can discuss that later, my dears," Sombra said as the group arrived at the doors to the dining room. "Now, it is time to eat."

With that, he opened the doors, and the group made their way to seats.

Sombra and Cadence sat at the head of the table, Twilight sitting on their left, Spike next to her. Lone sat on their right.

As drinks were brought in, Sombra said, "I do hope you'll forgive us, but I think it would be best to wait until some of out other guests have arrived."

"Of course, your majesty," Steel said. "If I may ask, who will be joining us?"

"The other Elements of Harmony, hopefully," Cadence said. "Them, as well as my sister in law and the former captain of the Canterlot guard, which is to say my husband before my memories were restored."

"Well, this is going to be interesting," Steel whispered to himself as he took his seat on the other end of the table.

They did not have to wait long for the first guests, Chrysalis and Shining, to walk in, the two holding hands.

"Well, that's interesting," Cadence said with a raised eyebrow.

"That it is," Twilight said as Chrysalis took her seat next to Spike, Shining sitting across from the changeling queen. "So, when did this happen?" she asked Chrysalis

"Just before we got here," Shining replied. "She brought me out of the crying fit I'd been in since, well, you know, and I guess we just let our barriers down."

"Well, Shining, I'm happy for you," Cadence said. "You too, Chrysi. You both deserve something nice after Celestia messed up all our lives."

"Thanks Cadence," Shining said, still looking at his new marefriend.

Up next to arrive was, much to Twilight's displeasure, was Rainbow and Rarity. They took seats closer to Coco, who instantly struck up a conversation with Rarity, and Steel, avoiding Twilight's gaze and snarl.

"So, Coco my dear, what have you been up to," Rarity asked Coco.

"Oh, not much," she said. "My business is doing well," she smiled. "Ironically enough, Suri's my assistant now."

"Oh, as much as she should be put in jail for her theft, I od hope you're treating her well."

"As much as I risk," Coco said, putting a hand on her forehead. "I'm afraid that if I give her too much to do, she'll screw me over and we'll be back to square one from when I met you, Rarity."

"Well, if you ever need help," Rarity said, "you know how to reach me and the others."

"Thanks, Rarity," Coco said. "Hello, Rainbow. How are you?"

"I'm doing fine," Rainbow said, smiling. "Especially as how I have the most awesome pony in the world as my marefriend. Well, next to me, that is." This got a chuckle from both fashion mares.

"Oh, Rainbow," Rarity said. "That is just so charming."

"Well, it is me, Rares," Rainbow said. "What'd you expect?"

"Oh, I don't know, maybe awesome?" This got a chuckle from the cyan pegasus.

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Well, I'm glad the two of you are doing well," Coco said before sighing. "I just wish I could find my special somepony."

"I'm certain you will in time, darling," Rarity said. "It's only a matter of time."

"But that's just it. I think I found them, but I'm not certain."

"Why's that," Rarity said as a waiter gave her a cup of tea and she took a small sip.

"Because, well, I kinda have feelings, strong feelings, for Suri."

Rarity spit out the drink, getting literally the attention of everyone else at the table. "What?"

"I'm just as surprised," Coco said. "I started to feel for her a few weeks ago after I helped her after she dropped some boxes. I just haven't had the courage to see if she has the same feelings, or at least is willing to give it a chance."

"I say go for it," Rainbow said. "If she says yes, then good for both of you, especially if it works out. If not, at least the two of you will have become closer. If she says no outright, then she's not right for you."

This got a look of surprise from Rarity. "Darling, why do you sound like a relationship councilor?"

Rainbow shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe because of you, Rares," she said, getting a chuckle from Rarity and a small groan from Twilight, which went unnoticed.

Just after this, the next group to arrive was Breaker, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Doughnut, the four of them sitting close to Twilight and those next to her.

"Ah, Breaker, Doughnut," Sombra said, "it is good to see you again."

"Hello, your highness," Breaker said as he and the others sat down. "Good to see the both of you as well."

"Breaker, how many times must we tell you," Cadence said, "you and the others don't need to call us by any special titles. You are Twilight's friends, after all."

"Force of habit from before, Cadence," Doughnut said. "Sorry."

"It's alright, Doughnut," she said with a smile. "Fluttershy, Applejack, how are you two doing?"

"We're doin' just fine, Princess," Applejack said, and Cadence didn't bother to correct her terminology with 'Princess'.

Fluttershy simply nodded in agreement, holding Doughnut's hand, which didn't go unnoticed by the pink alicorn.

"So, I assume you two are together," Cadence asked.

"Yep," Doughnut said. "Breaker and Applejack are, too."

"Doughnut, this is why the rest of us don't share secrets with you," Breaker said. "You can't keep them, or you're just plain terrible at it."

"Or he likes to do it to see our reactions," Twilight said with a smile. "He did it a lot before the war."

"Well, to be fair, if you guys want it kept secret, don't share it, or advertise."

"You did the same," Breaker said.

Doughnut opened his mouth to retort, but then shut it. "Touche," he said, which caused him, Twilight, Breaker, and Lone to laugh at the old memories.

"You know, Lone, you've been quiet since we got here," Twilight said, a hint of worry in her voice. "What's going on in there?"

"Nothing," he said in a somber mood. "Just think about missing friends." Aside from Azure Shadow, the six of them had lost quite a few friends in the first war, a thousand years ago, and many of them came to dinner with Twilight, Sombra, and Cadence when they were invited.

"Oh," Twilight said, also becoming somber. "Well, at least we're going to be able to avenge them, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess," Lone said with a small smile as Flitter arrived.

"Hey, guys," she said.

"Hey, Flitter," Breaker said. "I thought you'd be gone, doing your usual shit."

"Did you forget what her job is?" Cadence asked.

"Yeah, I am her personal trainer," Flitter said. "Of course I'd be here." She got a devilish smirk. "Plus, King Sombra and I do have a side agreement."

Applejack nearly spit out her own drink. "What? Princess, did ya hear her jus' now?!"

Cadence, with a smile of all things on her face, nodded and said, "Yeah. Even before the war, Sombra and I knew that we wouldn't always be able to satisfy one another, and, probably because of evolution, that's the way with most crystal pony couples, so we passed a law that couples could cheat on one another, but only if their other knew of it and was okay with it."

"So y'all are okay with infidelity?" Applejack asked in shock.

"Just about," Twilight said, putting her own opinion in this. "It's rare, but it's still there." She shrugged. "And besides Equestria's gender ratio is even more skewed than the Empire's, so they can't exactly take the moral high ground."

"But isn't Flitter your age, Twilight?"

"No, I'm in my late thirties," Flitter said.

"And besides, I'm certain Celestia's done it with stallions over the years, and she's over five thousand years old," Twilight said.

"She's right, AJ," Spike said. "We both know that."

"Besides, nothing saying we have to do that," Breaker said, kissing Applejack on the cheek. "And I'm happy with just you, AJ."

"Thanks, Break," Applejack said. "I needed to hear that."

"That's why I'm here for ya, babe."

The others arrived in small groups from there, each arrival marked by their own interesting conversations. Thirty minutes after the first group arrived, everypony had arrived, and the food was served.

"It looks delicious, your highnesses," Steel said as he saw his own meal, which was a simple salad accompanying a daisy and hay sandwich with some mayonnaise, pickles, and cheese on it. He took a bite, and his taste buds nearly exploded from the flavor. "This is the best thing I've ever tasted!"

"I am glad you think so, sir," the chef said. "I make only the best meals for when the royal couple, or couples, in this case," this got a few chuckles, "are having guests, regardless of the reason."

The others who hadn't had a meal prepared in the palace took bites of their own food. I thank every single deity that ever existed Pinkie's food didn't have any sugar in it. All of their eyes widened at the amazing flavors that bombarded their taste buds, and some nearly fainted from it.

Needless to say, they finished quickly. The only ones to show restraint was Twilight, Cadence, Chrysalis, Sombra, Twilight's original group of friends, and Spike.

They took their time to savor each bite, which was how the food was meant to be eaten. "Ah, delicious as always, Knife," Twilight said.

"Thank you, Ma'am," he said with a bow before returning to the kitchen.

With that, the rest of the dinner passed in silence, permeated only by some burps from those who had eaten quickly.

When everyone was done, Steel got up and said, "Well, your highnesses, I thank you for the meal, but I must leave. My family is expecting me to return as soon as possible, and my son wants me to bring him back a souvenir."

"Of course, Steel," Cadence said. "I do hope that you and the rest of Stalliongrad will ally with us."

"I'll recommend it to the mayor," Steel said. "Good day," he said with a bow of the head, then left.

"I have to go as well," Coco said as she got up, "and I'll give mine to the mayor as well." With that, the light tan mare got up and left, leaving the Elements, the royal couple(s), and Twilight's original group of friends.

"Well, it is getting late," Cadence said. "Rooms have been made ready for everyone." With that, she and her husband got up and made their way to the door. "We'll see you all tomorrow."

"Same here," Twilight said, and she, followed shortly by he others, left and made their way to their respective rooms.

A lovely night

As Sombra and Cadence made their way to their room, they held hands, simply happy to be together. "So, what are we going to do when it begins," Cadence asked. "Radiance could just as easily wipe our memories again, even kill us."

"Cadence, I won't let our family be separated again, not by war," Sombra said, bringing his wife closer. "I don't want to lose you or Twilight again."

"I know, but still, she did it once, who's to say she won't do it again, or worse."

"It won't, I swear," Sombra said. The two continued to walk before a crystal guard walked up to them.

"King Sombra, Miss Flitter is waiting for you."

Sombra winced. "Ah, I had forgotten about that," he said, kissing his wife on the forehead below the horn. "I'm sorry, my sweet."

"It's okay, Sombra," Cadence said. "You do need to get back into schedule, after all. Go. I can wait a few hours for you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," Cadence said with a giggle. "Now go. I'll be in our room."

"Of course, my love," Sombra said, giving Cadence a small kiss before walking off to the exercise room.

Cadence put on a smile, and made her way to the room the two of them shared. When she arrived, she opened the door and walked in, sitting down on the bed, and let the smile drop.

She had been hoping to spend at least one night with her husband before everything went to hell, last night having been full of work for the both of them. After all, it had been a thousand years since they last had any amount of time together.

She heard a knock on her door. "Come in," she said. The door opened, and Luna, wearing a maid outfit with a skirt that went to the middle of her thighs and a low cut top, which somehow managed to still be considered decent. "Hey, Luna," Cadence said.

"Hello, Cadence," Luna said. "If I may ask, where's Sombra?"

"Taking care of personal business," Cadence said, looking at Luna. "You actually look nice in that outfit, Luna."

"In what way?" Luna asked.

"Well, in an attractive way, I guess," Cadence said, causing Luna to blush. Cadence chuckled at the sight. "Don't worry, I won't order you to do anything unless you want me to. You can sit down if you want."

"Thank you," Luna said, sitting down on the only furniture in the room, that being the bed. A few, tense seconds of silence passed before she said. "You wanted to spend time with him tonight, didn't you?"

"Yeah, I did. With everything going on, this was supposed to be a night of just the two of us. But something came up, and it's just me. And you, obviously."

"You want release, don't you," Luna asked. "Please, don't bother lying. I know what the side effects of the spell you used to revive him are, and that tonight would have been the first time you would have been able to just be with him. That, plus I can read your face like a book."

Cadence sighed. "Yeah I do, and I don't know any spells to at least lessen that feeling. Well, except for a shower," Cadence said, getting up and making her way to the shower. "There's a second one, if you want to take a shower too, Luna."

Luna got up. "Thank you, Cadence. Where is it?"

Cadence winced a little. "It's in the same room as mine. You can wait until I'm in, if you want."

"I think I will," Luna said. "Just let me know when I'm clear."

"I will," Cadence said as she entered the bathroom.

True to her word, it had two showers, both of equal size. Really, between the two there was no difference, but Cadence just preferred the left one. It might have been because that was the one in which she and Sombra had their first physical moment, and where Twilight was conceived.

She took off her dress, revealing her beige, lace bra and similarly colored panties. Her bra was just barely able to contain her rather sizable bust, just short of what we in the human world would call DD, and her panties were tight on her ass, not because it was big, but because they were small. She reached behind her back and unclasped her bra and let it fall down, letting her large mounds hang freely. She slid her panties down, and kicked them to the side.

She used her magic to get the shower faucet going and warm the water. Once it had warmed up, she stepped inside and closed the shower door. "Okay, Luna. You can come in," she said just loud enough for Luna to hear.

She heard the door open and Luna walk in, as well as the rustling of clothes that indicated she was stripping. A few seconds after, she heard Luna yell, "WORK, YOU INCOMPETENT PIECE OF GARBAGE!!"

It's a good thing the shower doors were enchanted to resist breaking, of the one for Cadence's shower would have just broken from the vibrations in the air form Luna's yell. "What is it?" Cadence asked.

"The faucet for this one isn't working," Luna said. "I'll have to shower with you," she said, which caused Cadence to, well, caused her brain to blue screen for a few seconds.

Before she could reject, though, the shower door opened, and Luna walked in, closing it behind her. Luna had a bust similar to Celestia's, which was to say D.(1) Her ass was just right, in Cadence's opinion, or at least what was currently functioning. Not to big, not to small, just right.

When Cadence regained her senses, she couldn't help but stare, something Luna saw. "Staring is rude, you know, Cadence." This caused the pink alicorn to blush and turn away.

"Sorry," she said in a way similar to Fluttershy. "It's just, I never thought I'd see you, well, that."

"It is of no matter or concern, Cadence," Luna said. "Besides, I can't very well say anything. You plot is surly the finest I've seen in my life."

"What?!" Cadence nearly yelled, spinning around to face Luna eye to eye. "You call me rude for staring at you, and yet you're the one staring at me!"

"Well I can't help it if I find you attractive," Luna said before her eyes widened, as well as Cadence's.

"Wait, you actually find me attractive?" Cadence asked. "When did this happen?"

"When I first met you," Luna said, "before I learned of you and Shining. I had been able to hide it, but I was devastated."

Cadence gasped. "That's why you weren't at the wedding?"

"Indeed. It's also partly why I decided to restore your memories: to help you, and hopefully gain some of you favor, Cadence. You are the most beautiful mare I have ever met, and I would do anything to be with you." With the last sentence, she took Cadence's hands in hers. "Please, just give me a chance."

Cadence was silent for a time, which made Luna slightly fearful at her answer, but smiled when she got it. "Well, Sombra and I always did want a herd," Cadence said. "Plus, you do look beautiful like this," she said, removing one hand and caressing Luna's left breast, making her gasp at the contact. "Like that?"

"Indeed I do," Luna said. "Perhaps we should take this to the bed?"

"No, I always liked doing it in showers. Why else do you think there's a wide back with a seat?"

"So you could sit and stretch," Luna said.

"Well, I guess that is one use," Cadence said, pushing Luna back towards the aforementioned seat. "Now, seeing as how you still have that debt to pay, how about you give your princess something to eat?"

Luna, sitting down on the seat and spreading her legs, revealing her wet, either from arousal or the shower, maybe both, Cadence couldn't tell, said, "Of course, my princess."

Cadence grinned, and knelt down on the wet shower floor, her face hovering just in front of Luna's slit, which was thick with the scent of arousal, which Cadence took a whiff of. "Oh, Luna, that smell," she said, her own arousal becoming obvious. "If I had known you were like this, I would have ordered you to do this while we were in the tailor room."

"I didn't know you wanted it that badly, Cadence," Luna said as she played with her own rack.

"Only with a mare as beautiful as you," Cadence said just before she began licking the other alicorn's slit. "Mmm," she said. "That's a good taste, Luna." She then continued to lick, which made Luna moan in pleasure and use a hand to stroke Cadence's hair.

"Ohh, yes, Cadence," she said. "Please. Please make me happy to be your maid."

Cadence didn't say anything, but instead simply began to finger herself and push her tongue into Luna's slit, making her moan even louder.

"Ah, yes, Cadence," Luna moaned out. "Please, eat me. Eat me like a buffet."

Cadence did nothing but increase the speed of her tongue, causing even louder and more frequent moans.

After nearly five minutes of it, Cadence pulled out and looked Luna in the eyes, which had a lustful look to them, both mares panting. "I think it's time you got something to eat, Luna," Cadence said, licking Luna's juices off her lips.

Luna smiled, and sat up on shaky legs, with Cadence taking her spot on the seat and spreading her legs. "Now, eat."

Luna simply smiled, then dove in, causing Cadence to gasp loudly as Luna's hands found their way to the pink alicorn's rack and began to fondle them.

"Ahh, yeeeesss," Cadence said as she squeezed Luna's hands. "Luna, don't stop, please."

Luna, whose tongue was deep in Cadence, looked up at Cadence, a mischievous glimmer in her eyes. She lit her horn, and almost instantly, Cadence moaned so loud from the pleasure, it was heard in the main hall, or would have been, had anypony been there. The feeling from the spell was of a million tongues all over and inside her, nearly making her cum all over Luna's muzzle and tongue.

Almost as soon as it was cast, Luna stopped the spell and pulled back and getting to a position she could face Cadence fact to face. "I do think it best if we take this to the bed now," she said, to which Cadence could only nod. She turned off the shower, the two got out, leaving their clothes in a pile, and used their magic to dry off, making sure to put special attention to their slits.

Once that was done, the two left the shower room and went to the bed. Once their, Cadence pushed Luna down on to her back and climbed on top, straddling the lunar alicorn's waist. She bent down and kissed Luna, who fervently returned it, the two tongues wrestling for control over the other.

"Are we interrupting something?" the two heard, which made them stop and turn their heads toward the door. "No, please, don't let us stop you," Sombra said, Flitter next to him, a slightly surprised look on her face.

A lovely night-Pt 2

Cadence smiled. "What took you so long, Sombra," she asked, still on top of Luna, who had a slight worried look on her face. "I thought you'd be here sooner."

"I wanted to give you two some time together," Sombra said as he strode over to where the two mares lay and planted a kiss on Cadence's lips. He then looked at Luna. "Having fun?" he asked.

"Uh, yes," Luna said sheepishly, which got a small chuckle from Cadence, who got up off Luna and stood up on the floor.

"Don't worry, Luna," she said, her rack hanging free. "He actually had a fantasy of walking in on me doing it with another mare.

"And bucking her until she can't walk," Flitter said, taking off her light blue, skin tight leotard. "That's how we started. I was drunk, Queen Cadence was drunk, we did it, King Sombra walked in, and, well, we've been doing this since then." Flitter slid her leotard down to her feet, revealing her small but perky breasts and wet slit. She kicked it to the side, and walked over to Cadence, who put her arms around her shoulders. "Hey, Cadence," she said. "Missed you." Flitter placed her own hands on Cadence's plot. "And I especially missed these."

"I missed you too, Flitter," Cadence said, kissing the other mare as her husband began to strip and walk over to Luna, her mouth agape at the sight before her.

What she saw was a large member, about nine inches long, ans four wide. It was, with out a doubt, the largest cock Luna had ever seen in her life. "Like what you see," he asked, to which Luna could only nod. "I thought you would," he said as he lined himself up with Luna's wet slit. He pushed against it slowly, and entered, earning a moan from Luna.

"Oh, yes, Sombra," Luna said as Cadence and Flitter made their way to the shower room. "Please, buck me and make me your sex toy."

"No," Sombra said. "I don't do this for the fun of it, Luna. I do this only when I have feelings for a mare."

"So that means," Luna asked, Sombra still in her but not moving.

"Yes," he said, smiling. "Just like Cadence, I do have feelings for you, Luna. I'm just not that good at saying it."

"Then let's make love right here," Luna said. "I'll admit, you are a handsome stallion, Sombra."

"Thank you, Luna," he said as he began to thrust, filling Luna to the hilt and causing her to moan.

"Ohhh, yeeeeesssss," she said. "It feels perfect." Indeed, for Luna, it was perfect. It filled her just right, and stretched her lower lips to a degree that wasn't painful, but comfortable. "Faster, please, Sombra."

Sombra said nothing, only increased the frequency of his thrusts, causing Luna to moan even louder. "Ohh, yes," she nearly yelled, playing with her mounds. "This is the best bucking I've ever had, Sombra," she said.

"I'm glad you think so," he said as he leaned down and gave Luna a small kiss. "It's a shame, then, that Cadence and Flitter decided to shower together, then."

"Why?" Luna asked.

"Because the two of them can do wonders together," he said. "I speak from personal experience, there."

"I can imagine," Luna said just as Sombra gave a particularly hard thrust, making Luna arch her back and moan. "Ah," she gasped. "Oh, yes, right there, Sombra. Faster, please."

Sombra further increased the tempo, now making one of Luna's moans and/or gasps of pleasure indistinguishable from the previous. Eventually, he said, "I'm about to cum, Luna!"

"Cum in me," she said. "Please, I want to have a child with you, Sombra."

"Whatever you want, Luna," he said just before he released his seed in the lunar alicorn. Once he had finished, he pulled out of Luna, and laid beside her.

"I do wonder what Twilight will think of this," Luna said.

"Knowing her, a mix of anger and happiness, anger being mixed with surprise."

"Why anger," Luna asked.

"Because when she found out about what happened with Flitter, who was in her early twenties when it happened, by the way," Sombra said, "Twilight nearly exploded at not being told, and I quote, 'having a new mommy'." Sombra chuckled. "Funny thing is, though, she was sixteen then."

"I fail to see the humor there," Luna said. "I imagine I'd have to have been there."

"That's right on the dot," Cadence, coming out of the shower room with Flitter behind her, said. The two mares laid down on the bed, sandwiching Luna and Sombra. "She had never called me 'mommy'. Mom and mother, yeah, but not that, and same with the male equivalents for Sombra."

"Now I see he humor, but only barely," Luna said, chuckling. "Wait, did she walk in on you three?"

"Nope," Flitter said. "Next morning, with us having our underwear on."

"To be fair, though," Cadence said, "she and Surprise had been dating at that time, and she had, when she was six, accidentally walked in on Sombra and I. So she probably knew what was going on, any way."

"It's a thousand years too late to think back to that detail," Sombra said. He sighed, closing his eyes. "Well, good night, everypony." With that he closed his eyes, and began to sleep.

"Good night, my husband," Cadence said, wrapping her arms around him and doing the same.

Flitter had already gone out here, leaving only Luna awake, but only barely. As her eyes closed, she felt, for the first time in years ever since her return, truly happy.

Betrayl

Luna was awoken by shouting and yelling. She had been sleeping after last night's events, one of the most peaceful sleeps she had had since her return, happy to have found somepony other than her sister who loved her. For lack of a better term, it made her feel complete.

She slowly opened her eyes, the first thing in her sight being her lovers from the previous night, Sombra and Cadence, getting dressed in what she realized was combat armor.

"What's going on," Luna asked, still with nothing on.

"Somepony detonated a magic bomb in the financial district," Sombra said. "We're going to help the guard get to the bottom of it."

"We made sure to have the guards make a set of armor for you, too, Luna," Cadence said. "They should be finishing it soon."

"I thank you," Luna said, "but why? I thought I was to be your maid until I repaid the debt."

"All of the castle staff has some form of combat training, should the palace ever come under siege," Cadence said. "Even the maids."

"And besides, after last night," Sombra said, "I think you paid the debt off."

Luna blushed. "I thank you two, then." She then looked around the room. "Where is Flitter, if I may ask?"

"She went to get Twilight and the others," Cadence said. "Those six always did work together when ever possible."

"And how is it I didn't hear the guard alert you three earlier, or even the explosion?"

"For the first, you're a heavy sleeper," Sombra said.

"And a soundproofing spell for the second," Cadence added. "We want to sleep in if possible."

"That I can understand," Luna said. "After all, back in night court, I never got much attention, and wanted to sleep in during the night as much as possible."

Cadence chuckled. "Don't worry, there a re a lot of opportunities to sleep in in the Empire. We don't have as many greedy nobles as Equestria."

"Well, when is my armor supposed to arrive?"

"In the hour," Sombra said.

"Then don't wait for me, you two," Luna said. "Go on, I'll catch up when I am dressed."

"You sure, Luna," Cadence said. "Who ever did this might try to hurt you."

"You forget, Cadence, I'm still an alicorn, and only a fool would try to take me when I'm fully awake and they are by themselves."

"Yeah, I guess," the pink alicorn said, putting on her helmet. "Come on, Sombra," she said to her husband, making her way to the door. "We should get there as soon as possible."

"Coming," he said as he put his helmet on as well, and the two left the room.

The scene at the financial district where the bomb had detonated was grizzly, to say the least. The stores near the center had been blown apart, almost nothing left standing. That, however, wasn't the worst. No, that honor, if that's even the right word, belonged to the body picies strewn about, many charred and blackened from the explosion, and all were in pools of blood. If there was any good, it was that the victims had died instantly, being spared the pain.

"I winder who would do such a thing," Twilight said as she and her friends from the Empire, each wearing armor that matched their skin, surveyed the carnage.

"Some heartless bastard, that's who," Breaker said as he knelt down in front of what used to be a clothes shop. "I mean, I can see it with a military target, but civilians! Only ponies with no morals would do that."

"Definitely," Surprise said. "Had to have been some plothole loyal to Celestia, though how they're loyal to her, I have no clue."

"Probably was loyal to her during the war," Lone said, his arms crossed. "We all know that some of the Crystal citizens were loyal to her then. Not much of a stretch to think some of them still are."

"Yeah," Flitter said. "Remember my brother? He was, and probably still is, one of them."

"My old marefriend was, too," Breaker said. "That's the reason why we broke up."

"What happened to her, anyway?" Twilight asked.

"No idea," breaker said, shrugging. "Don't really care."

"Well, wouldn't hurt to put them under the suspect list," Lone said. "Any possibility is a good one, at this point." With that, he brought a quill and a scroll from his pack and wrote down two names, which made a current total of ten suspects. "Though I'd like it if there were less."

"All of us would, Lone," Cadence said as she and Sombra walked up. "That would make everything easier."

"Hey mom, hey dad," Twilight said as she walked up to and gave her parents a hug. "So I guess you had fun last night?" she asked, a slight mischievous grin on her face.

Sombra chuckled. "Yes, we did, and that's all you're getting from us."

"And me," Flitter said with a small laugh.

"Oh, I know," Twilight said as she let go. "Just thought I'd try."

"Well, what have you six discovered," Cadence asked.

"Not much," Doughnut said. "The explosion used sensitive crystals, so we can't use magical signature to trace it back to who ever did it, any witnesses there might have been are either in the hospital or, well," he said, gesturing to the various body parts strewn around. "This."

"The most we are able to find, though," Breaker said, "is a slight, and I mean slight, magical signature indicating who ever placed the explosives was using an illusion spell."

"Which has been taken into consideration with the suspect list," Lone said, crossing off a few names, "leaving only three suspects: Breaker's old marefriend, Flitter's brother, and Mythic Dawn."

"Great," Twilight said. "Her." Mythic Dawn was a mare who had tried to take Twilight's place as personal magic student of the royal family, believing she was royal blood. Really, her personality was an interesting mix of Trixie, Blueblood, and the vainer side of Rarity. Yipee.

"I'll send guards to bring them to the palace, if we can find them," Lone said. "as well as those I crossed off. Even if they didn't do it, they might know who."

Sombra nodded. "Do it, Lone. Twilight, Luna should be here soon. I want you to stay here and give her the basics of the police side of guard work."

Twilight nodded. "You got it, dad."

"As for the rest of you, help Lone bring them to the palace. I want to know who did this as soon as possible."

"Right," the rest of them said, saluting, before going Lone gave them the addresses of one each, and they headed off.

Interrogations

"So, who do you think did it?" Cadence asked Sombra, who shook his head.

"I don't know, Cadence," Sombra said.

The two of them sat in the observation room, so that they could watch the interrogations. The room was bare, for the most part, with the only thing in there being a couch in front of the viewing window for comfort. Twilight's friends had brought in those on Lone's list of suspects and individuals who might know something of the explosion from earlier, and the first was Breaker's old mare friend, Crystal Rose. The glass had been strengthened as a result.

The door on the other end opened up, and Crystal, a unicorn mare with dark blue skin, purple hair and tail. She wore an outfit typical of a volleyball player, as that was her job.

She took a seat on the far side of the room, with Lone taking the seat opposite her, a folder in his hand.

"So, Rose, do you know why you're here?" he asked.

"Well of course i do," she said. "That explosion from this morning, and you think I did it."

"Rose," Lone said, "I don't think that, I'm just doing my job."

"Then you can tell who ever ordered you to interrogate me to buck off," she said in anger, as she got mad fast, "because I didn't do it. I don't even know what was used to make that happen."

"You do know King Sombra and Queen Cadence issued the order to bring you in, right?"

"Yeah, I do, and I stand by what I said earlier."

Lone sighed. "Look, Crystal, I want to help you out, I do, but you keep making it harder. Now, where were you this morning?"

"I was home, getting this," she said as she stretched a part of her outfit with er fingers and let it snap back in place, "on."

"Any one to confirm that?"

"Yeah," she said. My parents. They had to move in with me, even if we differ on certain opinions. We may disagree on stuff, but we still help each other out. Ask 'em/ You met them, Lone. You know they wouldn't lie, even if it meant I'd get punished for something they thought I did."

She was right. Lone had met her parents, and, though they were as infuriating as physically possible, maybe more so, they, and their family, for that matter, wouldn't lie just for revenge. If they did, it was because themselves didn't want to get in trouble, and he knew Crystal and her parents weren't exactly close.

"Right," Lone said. "So, Crystal, what kind of spells are you able to do. I don't care how well, so long as you can."

Crystal rolled her eyes. "Fine, if it'll convince you I didn't do anything," she said. "Basic levitation, like any unicorn, short range teleportation, and small scale illusion spells, meaning I can only make illusions as large as a frog."

"Any thing else?" Lone asked.

"No," she said. "Now, can I please leave. My team's got a match soon, and they need me if we're going to have a chance at winning."

"You can leave," Lone said, "but stay in the Empire should we need you to come in again."

"Oh, I will," she said, getting up. "And you can make sure I won't give a shit then." With that, she walked. Once she was gone, Lone slumped over and rubbed his forehead.

"Honestly, what did Breaker ever see in her before they broke up?" He rubbed his forehead for another second before saying, "Next one." The door opened, and in walked Astral Thunder, a unicorn stallion, and Flitter's brother. He wore a workout shirt, which revealed his cutie mark, a single set of dumbbells, and workout shorts. His skin color was white, his hair and tail being silver.

"Hello, Lone," he said. "Been a while."

"Take a seat, Astral," Lone said. "This should only take a second." Astral took a seat, and Lone began to ask the usual questions. "So, where were you earlier today?"

"Home," Astral said, his arms crossed.

"Anypony to confirm that?"

"Pony, no, Griffon, yes." The Empire had a small Griffon population, but they mostly kept to themselves. "My girlfriend, Quick Wing. We had just gotten back from our date at the diner that you guys usually hang out at. Ask Stove."

"We will," Lone said.

"And before you ask, Lone, I may not like Sombra and Cadenza as rulers, but I have dialed that back a bit tince the old days. I wouldn't do this. We both know I'm not that good with explosives. Remember chemistry?"

Lone shuddered. "Yeah. Fair point," he said. "But that still doesn't clear you, Astral. For all I know, you could have been practicing it in your free time when you aren't exercising."

"Then put me under observation. Hell, put me in a cell, just let Quick know I did it of my own will. Anything so you'll know I had no part in what happened."

"You sure about that, Astral?" Lone asked. "How do I know you won't try to do anything there?"

"You don't," Astral said. "Call it a show of trust. I trust you and the guard to not prematurely accuse anyone, and you trust me not ot do anything crazy. If I do, then you can do whatever you want to me, deal?"

Lone thought on it for a few seconds before saying, "Deal." He got up and made his way to the door. "Lieutenant, escort Astral Thunder ot the holding cells, and give him his own, but make sure some one's watching over him."

"Sir," the guard said as Astral walked out of the room before he was escorted to the holding cells.

"I swear, why did it have to be me on this duty," Lone said. "Might as well get this over with. Bring her in!" he yelled, and, a minute later, Mythic Dawn, a teal blue unicorn mare with hair similar to Shining Armor's who wore an elbow length shirt that blended in with her skin and a pair of white, knee length shorts.

"Oh," she said, crossing her arms. "You."

"Hello, Mythic," Lone said in a tone that suggested he was already annoyed. "Shall we get started?"

Notice

I just thought I would let you guys know I'm putting this story on Hiatus right now. It's not lack of ideas, but rather the fact I'm working on seven other stories right now. Once I have more time, I'll continue, as this story isn't cancelled. For those who were looking forward to a new chapter, I am sorry, and will try to make the next few ones for this story something to make up for it.