The next day after Twilight left the first initial tests to be analyzed, she sent Yin upstairs for a break. Just after the chimera fetched herself a glass of water, she heard a tremendous crash from the second floor. Leaping up the stairs, she found Rainbow Dash sprawled out on the floor, books and papers scattered around her haphazardly. Edging closer, Yin poked her tentatively. Groaning, Rainbow got to her hooves and pinned Yin with a serious look.

“Are you alright, Rainbow Dash?” Yin asked cautiously, to which she received a brief grin of assurance.
“I am here for an intervention.” Rainbow stated firmly. “Tonight Vinyl Scratch is hosting an awesome dance party in Applejack’s barn, and you are going. No buts,” Rainbow interceded before Yin could decline, shoving a blue hoof in her mouth.

“What’s all the commotion up here?” Twilight huffed as she and Dawn reached the top of the stairs.

“Apparently I am going to a dance party tonight,” Yin stated mildly, glancing at Rainbow in amusement. “In Applejack’s barn. Hosted by Vinyl Scratch, whomever that is.”

“You are too, Twilight!” Rainbow declared. “Everypony will be there, which means you too. You can spare a few hours at least. If either of you don’t show, I will personally drag you there. See ya there Dawn!” Before either of them could object, Rainbow was back out the window she had roughly entered through.

“Well, looks like we have plans tonight,” Yin stated with a hint of laughter. “I think a few hours of not worrying about it will do us all some good,” she affirmed before Twilight could refuse.

“But your stamina is practically--” Twilight argued before Yin stopped her with a shake.

“I can handle an hour or so if I take it easy, trust me,” Yin smirked. “Now, let’s get a bite to eat, and then we find a spot at which you feel comfortable pausing in your research, okay?” At Twilight’s defeated sigh, Yin clapped her companionably on the shoulder as she passed her down the stairs. Once out of sight, Dawn released the crazy grin she’d been hiding and whispered in her sister’s ear. Nodding mischievously, Twilight smirked as she penned a brief letter to Princess Celestia. If she came in disguise, it might be nice to see her mother having fun in a normal setting; especially at one of Vinyl’s parties. She’d have to let Pinkie in on it, though; otherwise there might be a disaster. Calling for Spike, Twilight let him in on her plan as he sent the letter to the Princess, snickering.

_ . . :*: . . _

Celestia was bored.
The day was dragging more than usual, and she fervently wished she could make her sun go just a little bit faster in its arc across the sky. Yinfâng had not sent a letter with her return date yet, and Celestia was missing her terribly. She tried thinking of some way to invite herself down there, but every idea she dismissed as transparent, desperate, or just plain stupid. Besides, she didn't want to interrupt Yin's bonding time with her daughters.

She sighed again as another completed form flitted over in a golden glow, landing gently on a stack of similar sheets of parchment. Just as she levitated the next packet, she felt and heard a familiar coalescing of magic pop into existence above her head. Trying not to get her hopes up too high, the princess grabbed it with her magic and unfurled it, a wide grin splitting her face as her eyes scanned the letter. Well, it might not be the huge breakthrough she was hoping for, but the break certainly sounded nice. Plus, she had an invitation to visit now! Still smiling to herself, she opened the next packet with considerably more enthusiasm.

She had a date tonight, after all!

__ . . . . . . : * : . . . . . . __

“Well here we are,” Twilight announced in a peppy voice. “I’m waiting for somepony, so I’ll meet you inside,” Twilight informed Yin, who just shrugged and entered the barn emitting a heavy bass rhythm. Glancing around, Twilight spotted Pinkie and scurried over. Whispering her plan in the party pony’s ear, a grin slowly split the earth pony’s face.

“Gotta hand it to you Twi, this is the best idea you and Dawn've had yet,” she giggled. “You think she’ll show?”

“I wouldn’t miss this for all the cake in the world,” said a familiar-- if higher pitched-- voice. Turning, the two mares spun to see a white-coated, blue-maned pegasus with pink and teal highlights approaching them. Grinning, Princess Celestia did a twirl for her daughter. “How do I look?” she grinned coyly at their astonished faces.

“Good enough to eat,” Pinkie muttered to Twilight, who could only nod dumbly. As they proceeded into the barn; they spotted the rest of their friends in a circle near the center of the barn, just outside the dance floor. Applejack was trying to cajole Rarity onto the dance floor, while Rainbow was tapping her hoof impatiently.

“There you are!” She exclaimed as the rest approached. “Who are you?” she asked Celestia, giving the pegasus mare a friendly but curious look.

“Hi I’m Solar Flair!” Celestia introduced herself cheerfully. “I’m a friend of Twilight and Dawn’s from Canterlot. I came out to visit on a whim, and Twilight told me to meet her here. I’ve never been to a party quite like this before,” she admitted timidly, looking around curiously. “The music is very interesting.”

“Isn’t it great?” Rainbow enthused, beaming. “Vinyl’s the best DJ ever. You ever heard stuff like this, Yin?” she asked the chimera playfully with a nudge. Celestia eyed her interestedly.

“Yes, actually, quite often.” Yin affirmed nonchalantly to everyone’s shock. “My big brother was a bit of a rebel while I was growing up, and he took me with him on his escapades into the underground club scene,” she explained. “I met all his band buddies there.”

“Your brother played in a band?” Rainbow asked excitedly.

“Ya have a brother?” Applejack asked curiously.

“Can you dance?!” Pinkie Pie squealed excitedly, to which everyone subtly perked up.

“Um, yes, yes, and I suppose?” Yin answered hesitantly. “I’m not really that good…” she tried to dodge, but Rainbow had already pinned her with one of those looks.

“Come on then, dance with me,” she demanded to Celestia’s ire as she moved a short distance away and started swaying to the beat. “Come on, you can do it,” Rainbow encouraged as the others started to join in, sans Fluttershy, Twilight, and Solar Flare. As Yin started to rock to a slowly swelling beat, Celestia watched her avidly while the others subtly gave her room to get comfortable. Yin was just bobbing her head until the beat hit an apex…and suddenly busted into a shuffling dance style as everyone’s jaws hit the floor. Spinning and shuffling, Yin never noticed the circle forming around her as she lost herself to the hypnotic beat. Celestia found her eyes pinned to the rippling muscle in Yin’s flanks as she twirled adroitly. Yep, she still had it. It was muted, but definitely, definitely still there.

Carefully watching Yin’s movements, the disguised alicorn quietly snuck off to a corner to practice a bit. No one paid her any heed as all eyes were on Yin at the moment. It didn’t take her any more than fifteen minutes before she had passably mastered a simple version of Yin's adroit claw and hoof-work. It was rather fun! Making her way back to the dance circle that had formed, she watched as various ponies now took turns showing their skills on the floor. Others had begun to dance at the fringe, and Celestia used this opportunity to edge closer to Yin. Sidling up to the chimera, she purred in her best seductive voice.

“Would you care to dance, hot stuff?” Chuckling to herself inwardly at the look of panic on Yin’s face, she smiled roguishly as Yin’s eyes widened in recognition before smirking. Celestia had often snuck out with her in this form back then, too. Of course, they never went anywhere as exciting as underground clubs. Perhaps she would have to--

“Certainly milady,” Yin snickered, gesturing with a bow toward the circle. Celestia found herself intercepted by her daughters and their friends, and waved her companion ahead as Yin reentered the circle to much cheering.

“Can you believe her?” Rainbow blustered. “She said she wasn’t any good!"

“She certainly can bust a move, can’t she?” Celestia agreed, hiding a giggle behind one hoof. “If you'll excuse me, I think I shall join her.” Before anyone could turn to gape at her, the disguised sun princess stepped out into the dance circle. Beyond shocked, the five friends could only watch as some pegasus they had barely met matched Yin on the dance floor while Twilight and Dawn shot each other incredulous looks. Though she was less skilled, her steps were sure as Yin slowed her pace some to match her movements. They were practically flirting out there, they were so close together!

“I think the joke’s on us this time, Twi,” Dawn grinned as her sister face hoofed. When the two retired to get a drink, the others pinned them at an overturned half-barrel table. Joking, they all razzed Yin good-naturedly.

“I thought you said you weren’t very good at dancing!” Rainbow groaned humorously, hoofing Yin in the shoulder who just shrugged.

"That was really basic stuff. Trust me, if you ever see a Lóngrén dance, you would find mine pales in comparison." Rainbow just scoffed.

“And you!” she grinned at Celestia. “You got some pretty good moves yourself. I thought you said you’d never been to a dance party before!” Rainbow hoofed Flair in the shoulder as well, albeit more softly. The others chipped in their own compliments, though Dawn laid it on a bit thick with Flair, earning herself a raised eyebrow. A mare walked up to their group with a flirty smile on her face, asking Yin if she cared to dance. Flustered, the others just giggled at Yin’s obvious discomfort while Celestia frowned slightly at the interloper.

“Sorry, but she’s taken for the night,” Celestia intervened, twining a hoof around Yin’s forearm. “As penalty for breaking a promise she made with me earlier,” Celestia explained, smiling politely. Her eyes glared a very obvious warning though: ‘back off’. Huffing, the mare left the group to whistles and laughter.

“I gotta say sugarcube, that wuz somethin’ else,” Applejack giggled behind a mug of her own family’s cider. “Sure as sugar saved Yin’s hide, thas’ fer sure.”

“Yeah, I didn’t know you two were acquainted,” Pinkie Pie mused, a shrewd look in her eye.

“Princess Celestia introduced us a while ago,” Yin explained charmingly, sharing a knowing glance with ‘Solar Flair’.

“I’d like to catch up, I hope you don’t mind if I borrow her from you girls for a bit,” Flair asked politely as the others shook their heads and shooed the two off. Watching how closely the two walked off, Rarity smirked and leaned in toward the other girls.

“I think spring has sprung for our friend over there,” she gossiped, flipping her mane at the supportive grins of her friends.

“I think you’re right Rares. I’ve never seen Yin act mushy before. And Flair’s got the hots for Yin super bad,” Rainbow guffawed, waggling her eyebrows as she took a sip of her own mug. “Can’t blame her either, Yin’s got a nice pair of flanks on her.”

“Dash!” Twilight objected, blushing.

“Don’t be such a prude sis,” Dawn teased. “For an alchemical abomination of magic, she's pretty easy on the eyes.”

“This mean ya gonna give ‘er a go?” Applejack asked a little edgily.

“Aw, no one can replace you in my heart, AJ,” Dawn soothed with eyes half-lidded suggestively. “Besides, Flair would kill me. Came close enough to death once to not want a repeat of the experience, thank you very much.” Rolling her eyes, Dawn hid in her mug of cider to escape Applejack’s half-hearted glare. Trying not to grin at the overhead conversation, Yin and Celestia had wandered off to a quiet corner to talk and cuddle as best as they could.

“I’m rather surprised you are familiar with this kind of music!” Celestia smiled delightedly. “It’s certainly different from what I’m used to.” Grinning back, Yin smiled sheepishly.

“The underground club scene was well established in my younger years, and Lóngzhùzhái never had the same tech restrictions Qiling and Equestria had back in the day. It actually influenced a lot of my earlier music that you never heard from me. When we met, I was trying to learn something new. I…playing it hurt. Too many painful memories attached.” She smiled tightly before coughing lightly, drawing a worried look from her companion.

“Perhaps one day you can share that story with me. How are you holding up?” Celestia asked softly, concern writ on her face.

“I’m alright,” Yin assured her. “Though I only have about one more dance in me with ample rest in between,” she confessed, looking a little put down. “If we find a cure, I’m going to have so much training to catch up on. I can already feel the burning ache in my everything,” she grumbled as Celestia giggled, tucking her head under Yin’s chin.

“Don’t you mean when we find a cure?” she murmured, nuzzling Yin’s neck. Sighing, Yin rested her chin on her love’s head gently.

“Tia…as much as I hope you find one…” Yin started hesitantly, knowing this conversation had a good chance of going sour.

“We will!” Celestia insisted, pulling her head from under Yin’s chin to pin her with a determined stare. “I won’t let you die, not like this. Just trust me, alright?” She plead as she buried her face in Yin’s fur, desperately seeking comfort. Whether to give it or receive it, she wasn’t sure; perhaps a little of both.

“Alright,” Yin conceded. They could talk about it later, if it came up again. After several more minutes of savoring eachother's company in relative silence, Yin distangled herself from their embrace. “Come on, I got one more dance in me. Care to share it?” she offered with a grin. Smiling, Celestia stood and joined Yin, the two sauntering back to the dance floor. While the two danced --albeit with less vigor on Yin's part-- Dawn sidled over to Twilight.

“I wonder what went on between them to make mom act like a blushing schoolfilly with a really bad crush around Yin all the time.” She observed, sipping her own cider.

“Indeed. I wonder what mom sees in Yin. I mean, when they first met Yin was a snow leopard. They’re basically predators, mom should have been instinctually wary of her, not attracted.” Twilight mused. Dawn laughed.

“I think I can get where she’s coming from.” She grinned lewdly. “Just think: all that raw power dominating you, the thrill of the ‘chase’. Can you imagine Yin stalking you across the sheets to ‘devour’ you with that sexy predatory grin on her face?” Dawn described dreamily, her focus on some faraway place Twilight did not want to go.

“Ugh, I now have an image of Yin I never wanted to have. Thanks a bunch,” Twilight groused with a facehoof.

“But it’s a nice image, yeah?” Dawn grinned cheekily. Twilight just mumbled incoherently, a bright red blush adorning her cheeks. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Twilight fidgeted and looked over at her sister, a serious expression on her face.

“Dawn? I checked the analysis again before we left…that drug…you noticed it to, right?” She asked hesitantly, unsure if this was the right thing to bring up at a time like this one. Sighing, Dawn nodded. “Do…do you think--” Dawn cut her off with a shake of her head.

“I brought it up with her last night. Whatever your thoughts are, keep ‘em to yourself, alright?” she sighed sadly. “She told me herself it’s not something she likes to talk about.” Twilight’s eyes widened briefly before narrowing dangerously at Dawn.

“So then…Yin was--” she started heatedly before Dawn shoved a hoof in her mouth.

“To. Your. Self.” The earth pony reiterated, glaring at her twin. Twilight glared back reproachfully, but nodded. A dance party was not the place to talk of such things, after all.

Unbeknownst to the two sisters, Applejack had wandered closer to the two and heard the tail-end of their conversation. She had no idea what they were talking about, but it had to do with Yin, and it didn’t sound good. Her eyes narrowed contemplatively. Now wasn’t the time, but she would have to confront Dawn soon. If Dawn knew what was going on with Yin, Applejack wanted answers. Quietly wandering away, she joined Rarity and Fluttershy at a different table.

“Hello darling,” Rarity welcomed her smile fading as she caught the troubled look on her friend’s face. “Whatever is the matter dear?” she asked leaning in a tad closer as her voice dropped slightly. Glancing around furtively, Applejack murmured to her to friends quietly.

“Ah think sumthin’s up with Yin. Ah get a feelin’ around her like she’s hidin’ sumthin’, and Ah reckon’ Dawn and Twi know what’s goin’ on.” She explained stiffly, her posture suggesting how uncomfortable she was with the whole situation. Fluttershy’s ears lowered slightly in alarm.

“Oh no. You don’t think it’s something bad, do you?” she asked nervously, unsettled by the gravity in Applejack’s voice.

“Ah’m afraid so, sugarcube. Ah feel like a tall tree in a lightnin’ storm. Jus’ waitin’ for that bolt to strike.” Rarity frowned slightly in thought.

“Do you think it has something to do with the Element of Honesty?” she questioned.

“Mebbe so Rares. All Ah know is they’re hidin’ somethin’ bad, an’ Ah wanna know what it is.” Applejack stamped her hoof lightly with frustration. The three decided to get together sometime tomorrow to discuss if further, before the rest of the gang, Yin, and Celestia rejoined them at the table.

“Thanks for dragging us here, I’ve had a great time,” Yin smiled. “Unfortunately Solar Flair needs to head back to Canterlot for work in the morning, and since I don’t want her to travel alone I’m going to accompany her there.”

“Hasn’t the last train already left though?” Rainbow asked amidst the groans of disappointment.

“Yeah, so we’re going to fly,” Yin explained before Pinkie got in her face.

“You can fly?! Why didn’t you tell me!” she gasped, grabbing Yin’s face in both hooves. Her cheeks mushed, Yin’s answer came out rather garbled.

“Hm put drgn, huff cus Hy cn fwi,” she slurred, slightly confused at everyone’s surprise.

“You have no wings though,” Rarity pointed out. “How do you stay in the air?”

“Well air dragons work differently,” Twilight clarified. “They’re innate magics allow them to ride air currents and walk on clouds much like pegasi. However, where pegasi magic is expressed through the wings and hooves, theirs is through their claws and lungs.”

“Basically, she can swim through air currents like fish swim through water,” Dawn interceded.

“How’s the lung thing work?” Rainbow asked, puzzled.

“It’s really quite fascinating,” Twilight said excitedly. “Their lungs work like a water diffuser, by taking in atmospheric air and condensing it into liquid. Their body heat then--” Dawn stuck a hoof in her mouth as the others chuckled.

“She breathes clouds,” Dawn simplified, to which the others gasped in delight.

“How simply marvelous!” Rarity gushed excitedly, Fluttershy and Applejack sharing her enthusiasm.

“Awesome! That means she has her own portable bed wherever she goes!” Rainbow exclaimed waving her hooves around excitedly. “Hey Yin! Can we see—hey, where’d she go?” Perplexed, Rainbow looked around for her friend, who was currently MIA.

“She and Solar musta left already,” Applejack concluded. “Snuck away while Twi was ramblin’, most likely. Can’t say I blame ‘em either.” Dawn nodded in agreement.

“One thing I’m glad we don’t have in common.” She rolled her eyes. “Besides, I think they want some ‘alone time’, if you get what I’ sayin’,” She waggled her eyebrows before a huge yawn threatened to unhinge her jaw. “Alright everypony, lets hit the hay.” As everyone wandered home, Applejack pulled Dawn aside.

“You stayin’ with me tonight, sugarcube?” She asked, hoping she might ask Dawn what was up on the way there.

“Aw, why, you miss me?” Dawn smiled lasciviously. “Sorry sweetheart, but I need to finish that project Twi and I are working on. It really is very time sensitive. I may be there all month.” Applejack’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“This ‘project‘ o' yours don’t have anythin’ to do with Yin now, does it?” She asked, eyeing Dawn carefully.

“W-Why would you think that? I mean sure, she helped us start it, but we can take it from here,” Dawn hastily diverted, trying to derail Applejack away from her current train of thought. “We were just curious about how artificial chimeras worked, and needed some blood samples. They only last so long, you know,” she grinned nervously. “Whelp, I gotta get back. See ya around Applejack!” With that, Dawn did a one-eighty and booked for Twilight’s library, leaving the slightly stunned earth pony in the dust.

“Well that hangs it! Dawn’s poker face ain’t any better’n Twi’s when she’s hidin’ sumthin’!” Applejack snorted and stamped a hoof. “Ah’ll get to th’ bottom o’ this yet!” Muttering, the orange pony turned and headed for her farm. She needed plenty of rest tonight, she had a meeting bright and early tomorrow with the others.

_ . . . :*: . . . _

High up in the air, Yin and Celestia were laughing as they recounted their adventures that evening.

“I can’t believe you picked it up so quickly!” Yin admired as Celestia blushed lightly.

“I always was good with my hooves, which was quite useful tonight. Did you see the look on Rainbow Dash’s face?” Laughing, Yin nudged the Princess playfully.

“I’m just imagining the look on her face if she discovers who ‘Solar Flair’ really is,” she teased, adopting a mock-horrified face. “I hooved the Princess Celestia, co-ruler of all Equestria and goddess of the SUN in the shoulder? Like a common work pony?” She gasped dramatically, which elicited a snort and rolled eyes from the still disguised alicorn.

“Really, my ponies are so ridiculously star-struck around me sometimes…”

“Sometimes? Try all the time,” Yin joshed with a roll of her own eyes. “Oh Princess, what whimsy may this lowly servant strive to fulfill for you?” she mocked playfully in a falsetto voice. “It would be my greatest honor to grant your every desire! May I perchance lick clean the slippers which grace your divine hoof? You need merely ring this bell and it shall be so!” Batting her eyelashes flamboyantly at the sun princess, Celestia shoved her in good-humored annoyance.

“They are not that bad,” she objected, giggling slightly.

“I have one word for you: Assam. She positively simpers at you. And have you seen the way that mare glares at me? You’d think--”

“HALT! Who goes there?” A stern male voice interrupted as two bat-winged pegasus guards intercepted them. “This is restricted airspace. Please leave immediately!” One ordered strictly while the other glared.

“At ease.” With a flare of brilliant white light, Celestia transformed back to her regal alicorn form, raising a hoof to order the two guards to stand down.

“Your Highness!” The one on the right blustered, clearly startled.

“Begging your pardon, Highness, we were unaware it was you,” the other fumbled as the two attempted to bow in mid-air.

“That’s alright. Please return to your posts.” With a salute, the two night guards flew somewhere above them as they continued their circuit of the castle air-space, their armor rippling as they seemingly vanished into the night sky.

“Pretty good enchantments on that armor,” Yin noted, impressed. "Compliments to your sister." As the two landed on their balcony, Luna appeared from the shadows, her face grave.

“I’m glad you are back sister. This seems to be an auspicious month for surprise visits from foreign dignitaries. The Sovereign Empress of Lóngzhùzhái and a small entourage have arrived, and wish to speak with you.” Yin stumbled a bit in surprise, her face a mask of shock.

“Mother is here?” she whispered, drawing a look of astonishment from the lunar Princess.

“Thy mother is a dragon queen?” She asked, mystified as to how a former snow leopard claimed familial ties with one so far outside her species and rank.

“It's...complicated. The short version is politics were involved, and she took me in as an adoptive daughter…” Yin explained distractedly as Luna nodded in understanding. “Why is she here? She never leaves father for so long…”

“Let’s go find out, shall we?” Celestia proposed, already headed for the Throne Room. As they entered the room through the great double doors, a host of serpentine dragons twice the size of Celestia bowed in greeting.

“Princess Celestia, it is wonderful to see you again,” a warm feminine voice welcomed. A bronze-scaled, pale golden-maned dragoness stepped forward, her branched horns gleaming dully in the light.

“And you as well, Empress Jia Li,” Princess Celestia welcomed equally warmly with a polite bow of her head. “What brings you to Equestria, your Majesty?”

“Grave news, I’m afraid. But first, I would like to introduce you to my eldest son, Crown Prince Sheng.” At this, a deep golden dragon with a fiery red mane stepped forward with a bow.

“It is an honor to meet you, Princess—YOU!” He suddenly roared, as he looked up at the Day Princess and caught sight of Yinfâng. Roaring angrily, he leapt forward and tackled Yin, flinging them across the room.

“Sheng, NO!” The Queen screamed desperately as she sprinted to intercept the figures wrestling on the floor. When her guards moved to intercept, she frantically waved them away.

“It was you, wasn’t it?!” He thundered furiously as the chimera struggled underneath him. “What did you do to my sisters, monster!” He screamed, reaching a claw back to rake it savagely across Yin’s face.

“ENOUGH,” Came a voice laden with suppressed fury. A golden glow surrounded Sheng and ripped him off of Yin, who struggled to her claws and hooves, winded but no worse for wear. Trotting to her love worriedly, she was just beaten by the Empress who grabbed Yin to herself protectively.

“Why are you protecting her?” Sheng demanded lividly. “She’s that tyrant’s patsy—release me!” he struggled fruitlessly in Princess Celestia’s powerful aura. “I can see your drug-addicted palsy from here, scum! Was that your price, you--”

“No! Sheng, it’s not her fault. She’s your baby sister. She’s Yinfâng,” the Queen sobbed, clutching the trembling chimera to her chest sorrowfully.

“Wh-what?” he choked, all the fight draining from him as Celestia gently deposited him back on the floor, though she was careful to keep an eye on him. “Th-that can’t be, we-we saw the--Yin is dead!” he stuttered, gaze bouncing between his mother and sister. “Isn’t she…?” he asked timidly, eyes coming to a rest on his mother. At her subtle shake, he slowly dragged his gaze to Yin disbelieving.

“Hey big bro,” she offered tiredly, a wary smile pointed at the red-maned Lóngrén. “Been a while, Teakettle. You still haven’t learned how to keep a lid on it,” she grinned at him as his eyes widened in recognition. That was Yin’s special nick-name for him, a light jab at his quick temper and tendency to breathe steaming hot clouds when angry.

“Gods, Yin…what in the nine hells happened to you?” he growled, voice thick with tangled emotions.

“Sheng, language,” his mother chided before releasing her daughter. “Your Highnesses, I ask that my family and I have some time alone together; we have much to catch up on.” She asked respectfully, to which both royal alicorns acquiesced gracefully.

“Empress Hazuki, is here as well. She has begged asylum from her sister, and is the one who brought Yinfâng here. She will be in a room near to yours, your Majesty,” Luna disclosed as she summoned a guard to her. “The rest of your envoy will be stationed in a room located in the barracks. We shall see you all on the morrow.”

“Our thanks, Princess Luna. Come Sheng, Yinfâng.” With a bow, the Lóngrén envoy left the Throne Room, but not before Princess Celestia shared a gentle look with Yin before they departed, promising to meet with her later. All the way to the quarters granted them by the pony sisters, mother and son retained their composure while Yin figuratively sweated profusely under her coat. That was one thing she was somewhat glad she had retained; no sweat glands. She knew there was a shouting match in her near future, especially with her brother involved. Once the door closed, however, all self-control was lost as both rounded on Yin abruptly. Holding up a claw, Yin tapped an ear to tell her mother to place a sound-dampening spell on the room. Nodding tersely, her mother’s twin horns glowed golden for a moment before she suddenly swooped in and once again hugged Yin to her tightly, almost choking the air from her lungs.

“--”

“” Sheng shouted, interrupting his mother. “” Spinning to look at Yin furiously, he finally noticed she seemed to be having difficulty breathing in her mother’s grip. “” he deadpanned, looking at his mother pointedly.

“” she apologized sheepishly letting her daughter slip from her hold. Gasping for air, Yin coughed a few times before regaining control of her breathing and smiling reassuringly at her mother.

“” she admitted, before she was suddenly swept up in another hug, from her brother this time.

“” he choked, a few hot tears slipping down his elongated muzzle. “” Laughing, Yin clamped a claw around his mouth to stop the flood of questions.

“” Sobering her expression, she wiggled out of his grasp to look him in the eye. “” Once he nodded solemnly, she sighed, her eyes clouding again in sadness. “” Here Yin sobbed a bit, choking out the words. “” she explained to a horrified Sheng as his mother wept quietly at the reminder that she had lost half her children, and had her youngest transformed irrevocably. “” Taking a deep breath, Yin closed her eyes. “” She finished, as Sheng narrowed his eyes dangerously.

“” He probed, pinning his sister with an intense look.

“” she begged quietly, a blush of shame on her face. “” Turning, Yin fled the room, tears slipping down her face. Once outside the door, she gathered herself as best as she could, she trudged slowly down the hall with her head hung low. So lost in her thoughts, she never heard the gentle chiming of golden-shod hooves stop in front of her.

“Oh, excuse me…!” she apologized looking up at the pony she just ran into, only to come face to face with a pair of expressive violet eyes.

“Care for some tea?” Princess Celestia offered sympathetically, kissing her lightly on the cheek. Smiling weakly at the snow-white alicorn, Yin nodded as the Princess led her away to their special balcony.

Ordering for both of them, Celestia dismissed Assam before conjuring a large plush cushion for them to curl up on. Staring vacantly at her tea, Yin just curled into the tightest ball she could while burrowing under the wing Celestia draped over her miserable form.

“Was it really so bad?” she asked gently, to which Yin buried her face in the multi-hued mane rippling next to her.

“I couldn’t tell him to his face Tia. I just couldn’t. And I never told mother about it being...hazardous to my health. She will not take that well,” Yin mumbled, muffled slightly by the hair in her face. Humming gently in sympathy, Celestia draped her neck over Yin’s in an equine hug.

“It’ll be alright, you’ll see. Now drink up, tea makes everything better,” Celestia joked lightly, which earned her a watery grin before Yin reached for her mug.

Tensing suddenly, Yin leaped to her hooves, startling the Princess with her sudden movement. Hackles up, Yin scanned the area with an intensity that unsettled Celestia. Tail swishing agitatedly, Yin pinned her love with a perturbed expression.

“Get inside and call the guards, as many as you can. Something is headed this way, and it is not friendly,” she instructed, her ears flat to her skull. Hesitating, Celestia paused to scan the surroundings with her magic. Feeling something malevolent headed her way, she closed her eyes to better identify the aura that was rapidly growing nearer.

“NOW!” Yin suddenly roared, jerking her out of her trance. Spinning, Celestia bolted through the glass doors, shouting for the Royal Guard to take battle formations. Yin suddenly sprung past her, urging her toward the Throne Room where she would be more protected, before shouting in a foreign language; Celestia assumed to warn her family, or for the Lóngrén guards from earlier. Twenty yards behind, Celestia couldn’t help but admire the grace with which Yin ran despite having two different appendages at the ends of her legs.

Hearing glass shatter down the hall, Celestia felt her fear rocket as thunderous wing beats rapidly approached her. Sprinting faster, she saw the throne room ahead of her and her Guard ponies running toward her with alarm in their faces. Whirling abruptly, Yin made a complete one-eighty and started tearing desperately toward her, wild fear in her face. Celestia could hear a terrible cawing shriek behind her, panic spurring her on. Roaring ferociously, Yin launched herself in the air just as the presence screeched, clearing Celestia’s spiraled horn and clashing with something just behind her.

Sliding to a stop, Celestia looked behind her to see her love tangled with an abhorrent creature she had not seen the like of in over a millennia. Everyone in the hall could only watch with stunned horror as the snarling mass of silver fur and ebon feathers wrestled on the floor, which was rapidly gaining ink and crimson smears. Just before any unicorn guards could release the magic they had been building up, a wet snapping sound immediately halted the fight, both figures slumping still amongst a mess of blood and feathers.

Author's Note

Here you go, some action and a bit more plot to chew on.

...I just realized how that sounded. Gonna be a bit before we get there.