Sweet Apples Under A Night Sky

Chapter Seven

Celestia awoke to a frantic knocking at her door. She grumbled and threw off the covers and braced herself for whoever was at the door. Anypony except...

"Princess Celestia!" his stuck up voice called from behind the door. "I demand you let me go at once! I am the royal nephew of the princesses, damn you!"

"Blueblood." Celestia growled and opened the door to see two guards trying to wrangle him away from the door.

"Princess. This intruder was caught-" one of the guards began.

"I am not an intruder! I am the royal nephew of the princesses and I wish an audience with them. So release me, you vile ruffians." Blueblood demanded.

Celestia sighed and motioned for the guards to release him.

He nodded in approval and glared at the two. "Well?" he demanded from them.

"That will be all, good sirs." Celestia smiled at the guards. They bowed and trotted off. Celestia turned to her adopted nephew. "Why are you here, Blueblood?"

Blueblood stiffened as he controlled his temper. "Dear Celestia, is it too much to ask to come visit the pony who raised me and took care of me?" he smiled.

Celestia shuddered slightly at his smile, his teeth far too white to be normal. She nodded her head and motioned for him to take a seat. "Won't you join me for a spot of tea, dear nephew?" she said through gritted teeth.

Blueblood bowed. "Of course, dear auntie." he replied mockingly.

The princess scowled as he brushed past her rudely and she closed the door behind him.

"Truth be told, auntie, I've been hearing... rumours floating around Canterlot lately." Blueblood said quietly. he'd have to be careful not to drop any names while exchanging this conversation with the princess. He wouldn't want his, so far only, source of information to be strung up now would he?

Celestia began to feel cold. "What kind of rumours?" she asked without a trace of emotion.

"Rumours about Princess Luna." he said, covering his mouth to hide the smile which had been brought on by Celestia's pale expression.

"I'm sure i have no idea what you are talking about." Celestia said afer a few moments contemplating what he had said. Oh mother and father, what has been going on in Canterlot lately? she wondered.

Blueblood sniggered. "I'm sure you don't, however I feel it would be in the best interests of everypony if you would kindly help me clear a few rumours up. Give the common rabble something else to talk about perhaps?"

Celestia stiffened at her nephew's proposal. "Hrrrrm." she grumbled.

Blueblood raised a hoof in protest. "I can understand if you wish not to, surely your humble nephew is too little for your big dealings." he muttered and stood up.

Celestia rolled her eyes. "Wait, Blueblood." she said resignedly.

Blueblood grinned to himself as he turned back to her, wiping the smile off in a mask of pity. "Yes?"

"Have I ever told you the story of your mother?" the princess asked quietly and matched his gaze.

Now this is different. Blueblood thought. "No. Enlighten me."

"Well, I'm sure you've been wondering just how exactly you are myself and Luna's nephew, we having no other brothers or sisters and thus no other blood relatives." Celestia responded, pulling out a large tome from the bookshelf.

Blueblood's eyes widened slightly. "Go on." he whispered and sat back down in the chair.

Got him now. Celestia smirked and carried on telling him. "Well, your mother was nothing but a simple servant in the lower halls of the palace."

Blueblood stood up in protest. "My mother would surely not be such common trash-"

"Sit. Down. Blueblood." Celestia growled.

The prince sat down, feeling cold at her glare and tone in her voice.

"She was. Do not interrupt or I shan't tell you." she warned as he opened his mouth again.

He shut it immediately and listened with an eager look on his face.

"That's better. Now your mother was a servant, working in the kitchens, when one day, she showed up for work heavily pregnant after a few months holiday. I told her to go home immediately but she would have none of it. Eventually myself and Luna took her up to Luna's chambers for some relaxation. Little did we know she would go into labour that night." she shook her head, having the mind of a god, she had an immense memory and remembered every single thing in vivid detail.

Blueblood watched with a gnawing sense of guilt at plotting his aunties downfall. He shook his head. Too late to go back now. he  told himself as Celestia continued.

"We rushed the doctors and nurses up to Luna's tower, where the poor mare was in heavy pains." Celestia winced. "The doctor told us that her baby was premature and would likely have a bad case of something. Thnakfully he didn't. You didn't." she told him and touched his shoulder gently.

Blueblood shivered and recoiled. "And what happened to my... mother?"

Celestia shook her head sadly. "Unfortunately, the stress of a premature birth was too great for her and she passed away shortly after giving birth. So myself and my sister took it upon ourselves to raise you as we saw fit."

Blueblood stood up again. "I... I have to go now..." he mumbled and shuffled out the door.

Celestia watched him go with a sad look on her face, that changed immediately as soon as he closed the door on his way out. "Good. Maybe that will give you some humility, you ungrateful brat." she hissed and turned back to the tome she pulled out. A photo album of her and her sister. She smiled sadly as she saw how they had changed over the millennia they'd spent together, barring the recent thousand years of course.

"Oh I remember this one." she cried happily as she raised one of the photos up: a remarkable likeness between the two, except Luna had been darker and slightly smaller. Their mother had dressed them up in adorable costumes she had made, embarrassing the living daylights out of them.

She remembered the day this picture had been taken almost as if it was yesterday...

"But moooom." Luna groaned. "I hate this frilly stuff, 'Tia loves it, can't you just dress her up?"

"Hush little filly." their mother chuckled. "You look positively adorable."

"I know. That's why I hate it." Luna grumbled and pulled at the dress.

"Aw c'mon, Lulu. It looks lovely." Celestia laughed as she spun around in her white dress. "I feel like a princess."

"You are a princess, dear." their father chuckled and ruffled her mane. "Now come on, we've got lots of work to do, making the world habitable for ponies."

"Yes father." Luna and Celestia said together.

"Oh no not the camera." Luna hid behind her sister as her mother pulled out a large camera.

"Now, now Lulu, we want to put this in the photo album for all those happy memories you two will have. Say cheese." Mother grinned and began snapping away at them.

Luna turned a deep shade of red while Celestia flounced herself about and nudged her little sister. "Come on, baby sister, this is fun!" she laughed.

"Well I don't think so." Luna scowled.

Father frowned. "I think somepony needs... the treatment." he chuckled.

Luna backed up from them. "Oh no. Please no-"

Celestia pounced, tickling her sister in all her ticklish places. "Give up yet?" she demanded.

"Never!" Luna laughed as she gasped for air.

Mother and Father watched and laughed as their two fillies rolled about on the floor. His corporeal form wiping a tear away from his eye as he nudged his wife.

She looked back and wiped a few tears of her own away. "Girls? Come on, we're going to be late." she called to the two sisters.

Finally Celestia released her sister and helped her up. Luna's cheeks turning red from laughing so much. "I hate you you know that?" she giggled as Celestia used her wing to tickle her again one last time.

"I wuv you too wittle sister." Celestia grinned and nuzzled her baby sister.

Luna turned an even deeper shade of red as their mother snapped another photo of them being affectionate. "So adorable." she murmured and took Celestia's wing in her own.

Father extended his own and took Luna's.

The two sisters grasped each other's wings as all four of them walked across the landscape, Father occasionally making a mountain for their amusement...

Celestia realised she was crying when she finished remembering that happy time. She wiped the tears away from her eyes and turned back to her window. "Oh Luna... please come back." she murmured and threw herself on the balcony, draping herself over the banisters and watched the world go by.

***

Blueblood fought hard to keep his composure after leaving Celestia. She had sprung that whole situation on him completely out the blue, wounding his pride as he tried not to break down in tears in front of everypony as they parted for him. "Just a servant girl?" he whispered to himself as he reached the palace gates. "Impossible. My own mother would not have been such a common vermin." he hissed through gritted teeth, forgetting the guilt from before as he stormed home.

"Good day, master. I trust you got what you wished from the princess." the butler asked as he dusted off the prince's shoulders.

"Hardly. The dear princess sidetracked me." Blueblood muttered to him.

"Well, if it pleases sir, your wh- entertainment is already waiting for you." Twelve Trees chuckled.

Blueblood shot him a look of malice. "Thank you Twelve Trees, but I fear it shan't be necessary today. Tell her to go home before I change my mind."

Twelve Tree's jaw fell agape. "A-at once master." he turned to go and find Corellia.

"The master says you are to go when you wish." he sneered at her.

Corellia looked up miserably and her ears pricked up. "What do you mean?"

"I mean go home idiot girl. Unless you wish to enjoy his company some more." Twelve Trees said harshly to her.

Corellia nodded stiffly and picked up her things, making sure to take a small loaf of bread with her.

Twelve Tree's expression softened a bit as he watched her shuffle off. "Poor girl." he muttered and began dusting the room absent mindedly.

Corellia hurried home as quick as she dared, taking extra care not to disturb the master, lest he should change his mind and take her tonight. She smiled happily as she broke free of the dark house and hurried home, thinking only of her guest.

She burst open the door and lay shook her bag off. "I'm home!" she called out to the darkness.

"Finally. I'm starved." a friendly voice chuckled.

She skipped merrily into her living room and smiled at Brandling, his wounds healing nicely and enjoying a small cup of tea.

"By Celestia, you're home early." he smiled.

Corellia giggled, giddily and gleefully. "The master didn't wish for me today, so I get to come home early."

Brandling's eyes darkened. "What do you mean, 'wished for you'?"

Corellia sank her ears back under his gaze. "I um..." she trailed off and brought out the loaf of bread she'd taken.

Brandling walked over to her and put a wing around her, "Alright, OK. Tell me in your own time." he cooed. "Now, what's for dinner?" he asked and clapped his hooves together.

Corellia smiled warmly and took the bread into the kitchen.

Brandling watched her go with a guilty feeling and look on his face. Just what has that stuck up pig been doing to her? he thought. I'll have to ask him next time I get some info for him. He groaned as his concious gnawed at him again. It's good pay for somepony like me. Shut up. He told the voice inside his head that protested he stop betraying the princess. It's good, dishonest work, that' easy and not dangerous. He chuckled to the voice of reason.

"Dinner's out." Corellia's sweet voice called out from the kitchen.

Brandling cracked his neck, wincing at the sharp pain that followed. "Great idea." he muttered to himself and trotted into the kitchen. He took a big sniff of the air and smiled at the mare opposite him. "It smells wonderful, Corry."

"Glad you think so Brandy." she giggled and poured some dandelion wine for them.

Why are you doing this? You'll just break her heart. And by the looks of it, that would probably push her over the edge. the voice of reason told him quietly.

I know. So why can't I leave? he thought back, silencing the voice for a time.

***

After dinner, they settled down in their chairs as she asked him more questions about living as a soldier in the royal army.

"Well, I'm more of a special operative, my Captain, Shining Armour, would kill me if I told you any of our secret missions and stuff." Brandling grinned.

Corellia sat with her mouth slightly open, the wine from before taking it's toll on her as she felt her eyelids drooping. And he looked devilishly attractive.

"Plus, all that business with Luna disappearing-" he clamped a hoof over his mouth as she took in what he'd said.

"Princess Luna's disappeared?" she asked, barely managing to control the volume of her voice.

Brandling walked over to her and took her by the shoulders. "You can't tell anypony, I'll be court-martialed. Or worse." he told her sternly.

She gazed into his orange eyes with a growing sense of... something.

Before he realized what had happened, she kissed him.

Brandling stood there for a moment, letting her kiss him before she gave a breath of wine-filled air and passed out.

He shook his head and laid her down. "Well, now what?" he asked the empty room.

Go see Blueblood. the voice told him.

"Why? What will that achieve? Besides, I don't want to ago anywhere near that stuck up little brat." he replied bitterly.

Then stay. Stay and wait for her to wake up and break her heart.

"That's not fair. I might decided to stay here with her." Brandling said defensively as he stroked Corellia's mane.

Third option: give up everything for her.

"You're no help, If I stay here, without a job, Blueblood can carry on doing whatever he wants to her as he pays her. And if I leave the army, I'll probably have my mind wiped by Celestia for the knowledge it contains. And if I go see Blueblood... I may end up doing something I regret." he muttered and paced about the room.

Go see your 'friend'.

Brandling stopped pacing. "There's an idea. The duke's always been a good friend and I'm sure he could help with my predicament." he smiled to himself as he gently kissed Corellia on the cheek before setting off. Down towards the Admantium estate. Only knowing a small fragment of Corellia's past.

***

Twilight sat huddled on her chair, while Rarity cuddled a sleeping Fluttershy on their own chair.

"Darling, you've got to tell the princess before it's tool ate." Rarity told the purple unicorn.

"I know, but I just can't face her, I've been such an idiot lately. And my stupid jealousy will probably get in the way." Twilight replied bitterly.

Rarity shook her head and gently moved Fluttershy aside. She leaned in closer to Twilight. "You must. Don't let any feelings get in the way if she may never return to the throne again. Think of Celestia." she said comfortingly.

Twilight chuckled dryly. "She may not even want to go back, the way I saw those two going at it." little did she know they'd already consummated their love for one another.

"Well, it is your duty to both princesses to tell her the truth." Rarity pouted as Fluttershy yawned.

"Did I fall asleep, oh I'm so sorry Twilight, this chair was just so comfy..."

"You were sleeping on me." Rarity chuckled, making Twilight giggle as well.

Fluttershy's cheeks turned a rosy red. "Oh. That's why it smelt so nice."

"Hush. Twilight, think about what I said, I've got to get this tired dear home." Rarity blushed and nuzzled Fluttershy as the pegasus lifted herself off and floated towards the door.

Rarity turned to Twilight. "Just think about it. I don't want you to do anything you'd regret, but at least think of the princess."

Twilight nodded her stiff neck. "I will Rarity. Thanks for the pep talk." she smiled and waked her to the door.

"Come on, Fluttershy, let's get you home." the white unicorn told the pegasus, who was drifting off to sleep standing up.

Twilight turned back into her house after she waved her two friends goodbye and looked at the time. "Wow, only six thirty?" she asked and yawned. "I'd better get some sleep before I do anything today." she mumbled and teleported herself up to her bed, groaning at the sudden use of magic after so little sleep.

She laid back and closed her eyelids for a few seconds. Then she was fast asleep, Owlowicious nestled atop her headrest and watched her like a silent guardian.

***

Big Mac woke up at the first light of dawn. he withdrew his leg from around Luna, who stirred slightly as he moved, but didn't wake. He quietly slipped out the bed and was about to go downstairs when he heard a creak from in front of him.

"That you, Mac?" Caramel's voice floated out from the shadowed hall.

"Eeyup." Big Mac grinned into the darkness. "Come into the light, 'Mel."

Caramel shuffled forwards, holding an ice pack over his left eye.

Mac's face fell. "What happened?" he asked and covered his mouth to stifle a grin.

"We uh... *cough* we got a bit... feisty last night." he smiled sheepishly. "How'd yours go?"

Mac grinned and patted his friend on the back "I think I was just knighted." he chuckled.

Caramel frowned at him, his one good eye looked suspiciously at the red stallion. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Remember when you said ah looked like ah'd just been kissed by Princess Luna yesterday?" Mac said smugly as they quietly crept downstairs, taking care not to wake the girls.

"Yeah?" Caramel asked as he sank into the sofa again.

"Eeyup." Mac grinned and laid back.

Caramel's jaw dropped and he dropped the ice pack. "Wha... how... but.... how?!" he stammered.

Big Mac shrugged. "Somethin' ta do with magic ah guess. Ah'm not complainin' though." he grinned again.

Caramel sat in stunned silence and slowly clapped his hooves together in a quiet round of applause. "Well done, Big Macintosh. You successfully banged a goddess. Lucky git." he chuckled.

Mac blushed and shoved his friend.

"Heh. So what's next for you two?" 'Mel asked.

"Ah'm not sure. Ah suppose ah've gotta get her to go back to Celestia an' get the whole not alicorn thing sorted out. Maybe ah'll go see Twilight today, ah'm sure she knows something' being the princess's student and all."

"Mmhmm." Caramel nodded thoughtfully.

They sat in silence for a while before Luna trotted downstairs followed by Applejack.

"Mornin' boys." Applejack grinned as she nestled down to Caramel and rested her head on his chest.

Luna did the same to Big Mac. "Hello." she whispered and kissed his cheek.

"Mornin'." Mac chuckled.

Caramel squirmed as Applejack tended his eye. "Sorry again, ah don't know what came over me."

"I do." Caramel grinned and AJ cuffed him over the head.

"Oh shut it." she said and kissed him on his black eye.

"Get a room." Big Mac laughed as Luna rested on his body, gently reaching up and stroking his mane.

"We did. It was awesome." Caramel laughed again and caught AJ's hoof. They wrestled for a bit as Luna and mac sat and laughed at them.

"How do they have so much energy?" Luna murmured and lifted her leg up as Caramel rolled under it.

"Beats me." Mac chuckled and held her close.

"Hmmph." Luna snorted and laughed, welcoming his warm breath on her neck.

"Listen, ah had an idea for today." Mac whispered to her.

"Oh?" Luna replied and looked up at him, batting her eyelashes.

"About yer ah... problem." he whispered.

Luna pulled away from him and sighed. "I know, I know. What's your idea then?"

"Ah'm gonna go see if Twilight knows anything. If she does ah'll ask her ta come an' see what we can do." Mac said.

Luna froze up and remembered what Applejack had said the night before: Ah have a feeling Twi liked him in that way too... "I..." she paused, not knowing what to say. Well, Twilight didn't know they'd spent the night together right? So she didn't know they were together now, right? "I think that's a great idea." she said finally.

You'll regret it later. a small voice told her.

She leaned up and kissed Mac on his chin, hearing a soft moaning from under the coffee table. She turned her astounded gaze towards it. "Are they..."

"Eeyup. Knock it off you two, Applebloom and her friends are comin'" Mac banged on the table, making the two love stricken ponies scurry out from underneath it.

"Applebloom! Ah was just..." Applejack looked around and only saw her brother and Luna curled up on the sofa. "Why you... sneaky evil. C'mon Caramel, let's go upstairs." she glared at Mac and dragged Caramel up the stairs by his tail.

Mac shrugged at his friend as if to say. "You'll thank me later."

When they had gone (with the accompaniment of bed springs), Luna turned to Big Mac and kissed him on the lips.

Mac sighed and pressed his own back. "Now ah should get goin'." he said when they broke off from one another.

Luna's heart deflated. "Oh... alright then." she murmured and hung her head.

Mac lifted her chin up and looked into her teal eyes. "Ah'll be back, don't you fret none."

She looked into his green, kind eyes and felt herself wanting him again. "Go, then. Hurry back." she whispered in a heavenly voice that made his hairs stand on end.

He pulled the door too, wishing he could just take her and go somewhere, but he knew that if he did, the fate of Equestria would be in peril. Probably.

Mac set off at a steady pace, through Ponyville and up to the library. He stood on the doorstep and knocked three times.

***

*Knock*

*Knock*

*Knock*

"Twilight? Ah need to talk to you about somethin'." Big Macintosh's voice called out.

Twilight felt her eyes flutter open and she yawned. She looked at the time and gasped. "Twelve thirty? Oh I overslept."

"Twilight Sparkle?" Big Mac's voice called again, making her spring out of bed. What's he doing here? she panicked and brushed her mane furiously.

Another knock.

"Just a second!" she called down, hoping he heard her.

She finished brushing her mane and fled down the stairs, gathering herself before opening the door with a smile. "Oh, Big Mac. What a pleasant surprise."

"Howdy, Twilight. Listen, ah need to talk to y'all about somethin' important." he said and glanced over his shoulder suspiciously.

"Actually I needed to talk to you too." Twilight said and ushered him in.

They sat down on the chairs that had been occupied by herself, Rarity and Fluttershy a few hours ago.

Mac took a deep breath as Twilight watched him like Rainbow Dash watched Soarin'.

"Selene's not who she seems." he finally said.

Twilight already knew this f course, but decided to play along with him. "Oh really? How so?" she asked, putting on a puzzled expression.

"She's um... Princess Luna in disguise."

"Worked that out by yourself did you?" Twilight said, and winced at the harshness of her tone, but thankfully didn't notice.

Mac nodded. "Eeyup. Problem is, she doesn't know a way of turning back to normal. An' she doesn't know how long she'll stay like that."

Twilight sighed and put her tea down. "I know, Big Mac. Celestia told me a few days ago."

Mac's jaw opened slightly as he worked on what to say next.

Twilight quickly put a hoof over his mouth and shushed him. "I also saw you two yesterday." she said quietly and looked into his eyes.

Mac's green emeralds widened in small horror. "D-d-did y-y-you n-now?" he stammered.

Twilight nodded silently, longing for her lips on his.

"And um... you didn't tell anypony did you?" he asked and gulped nervously as Twilight's front hoof grazed his leg.

"Just Rarity and Fluttershy." she whispered and leaned in. Then reeled herself back and shook her head. "I... I'm sorry B-big Mac, I d-don't know what came over me just then." she stammered and turned away from him.

Realization spread all over Mac's face like butter on toast. "You... like me?" he asked.

Twilight nodded her head stiffly and sniffed.

Mac sat back in surprise. Two mares in two days? Geez Macintosh, slow down. his fathers voice told him in his head. He reached out and put a hoof on her shoulder. "Ah'm sorry Twilight, but ah'm-"

She cut him off as she planted her lips on his.

"In love... with... Luna..." he whispered and finished the sentence. Immediately wondering if what he just said was a lie.

"Sorry. Sorry, I'm so sorry." Twilight murmured over and over again and retreated far away from him, to the other side of the library tree house.

Big Mac sat for a few moments in stunned silence. He eventually got up and walked over to the small, weeping unicorn in the corner. "Hey... c'mere." he said kindly and sat down next to her.

She cringed as he put his forelegs around her and hugged her. "Listen, ah like you Twilight, but ah also like Luna. So we can't be together as long as ah'm with her." he told her.

Twilight sniffed and hugged him back. "I understand. I'm happy for you both, really." she murmured and just lay there for a while, listening to his heartbeat.

After a few minutes of silent rocking backwards and forwards, Mac released her and stood up. "SO, back to what ah came her fer in the first place." he smiled and helped her up.

Twilight sniffed again and tilter head slightly. "Why were you here in the first place?"

"Ah came to see if there was anythin' you knew about the disguise spell."

"Oh yeah. Oh yeah!" she cried and rushed past a bewildered Big Mac. She came back, holding a couple of letters above her head with her magic. "Celestia wrote these letters, they basically say that 'Selene' is a wanted pony now. But, I managed to convince the princess not to send any soldiers down here to arrest her."

Mac's face went deathly pale. "Why would she say Luna's wanted?" he whispered with a voice filled with fear.

Twilight shrugged aplogetically. "I think she's just worrying about her sister. Heck, I know Shining Armour would go down into Tartarus for me if i disappeared one day, and you and Applejack would go anywhere for Applebloom wouldn't you?"

Mac nodded. "Yes. Ah suppose ah would. Dis the princess say anything else?"

"Yes. If Luna isn't changed back to her regular form by the next full moon, she'll be stuck like a pegasus forever." Twilight sighed and hung her head. "I know I should've come sooner, but I kept getting... distracted." she blushed.

Mac blushed too and touched her shoulder. "It's alright. Ah know how you feel." he murmured, then coughed, trying to cover up what he said.

Twilight's ears pricked up at that. She looked at him questioningly but didn't say anything.

"Ah should get back to her now. Thanks fer yer help, Twilight." he smiled.

She smiled back and they shared an awkward moment of silence. Big mac nodded and walked out the door, closing it behind him.

Twilight sighed and crawled back to her bed. Her first kiss with the stallion of her dreams had happened alright, she just didn't know if she should be happy about it or not.

***

Gotta choose one, son. Macintosh Sr told his son as he walked the road back to Sweet Apple Acres.

"Ah know, ah know." Macintosh Jr mumbled to the voice in his head.

Ah'm just sayin' before somethin' bad happens. Ah hope you understand what yer gettin' into. Ah'll leave now. Goodbye.

Mac sighed as his father said goodbye a second time and felt a tear trickle down his face.

As he arrived back at the farm he felt incredibly cold, as if somepony had just walked over his grave.

He pushed the door open and trotted into the living room, where Luna had fallen asleep on the sofa. He smiled and stroked her long, thick mane. Wondering if he would still lover her as much when she was back to normal.

"Of course ah would." he told himself, but something doubted him. Something purple. With a pink stripe. He shook his head as he leaned down and kissed Luna.

Her eyelids fluttered open and widened when she saw her crimson stallion. "Hello." she smiled as he kissed her again.

"Hey. I found somethin' out from Twilight." he said.

Luna sat up, eager to hear what she'd said.

Mac took a deep breath. "She said that Celestia visited her, making you a wanted pony. Thankfully, Twi managed to convince her not to come down here and arrest you." he paused for a breath and let his words sink in.

Luna's eyes swelled with tears at this news. "She w-wants me... arrested? For running away?" she whispered and felt faint.

Mac quickly put a hoof behind her and stopped her from falling over, "There's more." he said calmly, hating seeing her like this.

"More?" Luna whispered and huddled into him.

He nodded and carried on. "Twilight also said that Celestia said that if you don't get changed back to normal by the next full moon, you'll stay like this forever."

Luna gasped. That wasn't part of the plan. Her plan was to simply spend a few days as a pegasus, away from the worries of royal life. Now she was going to be stuck like this forever? She began hyperventilating as Mac brought a bag for her, fearing she was going to be sick.

She was a bit.

Mac winced as he heard her wretch and patted her on he back. "You alright?" he asked when she had finished.

Luna nodded and stood up shakily. "I need to go back." she whispered and gazed into his eyes, the moved for the door.

Mac started, fearing he'd lose her forever if she went back. He moved in between her and the door and blocked her path. She stared at him worriedly. "Big Mac?" she murmured and went to move past him. "I have to go back."

"No." Mac murmured, fear gripping his heart. "Ah don't know if ah'll lose you or not if you go back."

Luna stroked his face with a silky hoof. "I have to, my love." she whispered and kissed him.

Suddenly, a light shone in Big Mac's head. "Here's an idea!" he cried happily and kissed her back. "How about we have a going away party? So you can say goodbye to your friends. And me. Properly."

Luna saw how much this meant to him and hung her head resignedly. "Alright. For you." she whispered again and planted her face on his, tongues and all.

From the top of the stairs, Caramel sat and watched the two below. He smiled softly and trotted back to Applejack's room, where she was sitting up in bed, rubbing her eyes.

"They still at it downstairs?"

Caramel nodded as he climbed into the bed and put a hoof on her soft belly..

Applejack giggled softly as he tickled her. "What's that fer?"

Caramel gazed into her emerald green eyes with a look that said everything.

She gasped and tried to pull away form him gently. "You're really thinkin' about... us?"

"Yes. is that so bad?" Caramel murmured and kissed her neck.

"Well... no... ah just never pegged you as the type for... that." AJ confessed and kissed him back.

Caramel sighed. "Nopony does. That's why all my relationships have failed lately." he murmured sadly. "But when I'm with you..." he let the sentence hang in the air.

"Shhh." Applejack murmured and held him close.

They held each other in their forelegs for a while and gazed out her window at the sunrise. Contemplating baby names. Arguing. Laughing.

***

Blueblood sighed at the bickering nobles gathered around his conference table.

"I say we should strike when Celestia is least expecting it!" the Count Thrace VI shouted over the clatter of noise from the other houses.

"And let her think we are plotting! Nay! I say we attack immediately!" Duke Aurelius III shouted back.

"Without a plan of attack? Oh genius idea your grace." shouted the Duke Carim II.

"You dare mock me?" Aurelius demanded.

"I don't dare. I do!" Carim replied with a smirk as one of Aurelius soldiers leapt across the table at him, one of his own leaping to his lord's defence.

"Gentlecolts please." Count Obscurus said and raised his hooves. "If we are so drawn by fighting each other, can we not focus on the fake-princess?"

"I agree with the count. Down with Celestia! Up with the houses!" Thrace bellowed and stomped his hooves.

Blueblood tapped his own hoof impatiently. The only one I care about arriving isn't here yet, and I have to suffer these fools on my own until he does. He was of course, waiting for the Lord Duke Admantium I. He held the most sway in Canterlot besides the prince of course. If he agreed to Blueblood's plan, the other houses would fall into place.

A loud thumping sound could be heard in the hall outside the door.

Mr Twelve Trees opened the door and cleared his throat. "Lord Duke Admantium, The First." he called out and the other house leaders stood up respectfully.

Blueblood rose out of his seat and went to shake the Lord Duke by his hoof. "I am humbled by your presence sir." he said through gritted teeth. This old pony may have been the most powerful and influential in the underground market and organized crime around Canterlot, but here he was as common as his daughter. Speaking of which. Shouldn't she be here by now with food and drink? then he remembered: he'd sent her home early. Stupid. Now I'll have to find another way to entertain myself tonight.

He guided the wheezing old pony to his seat as the other nobles watched in awed silence.

"What are you all staring at?" Admantium growled.

The nobles hurriedly shifted their gazes from him to Blueblood.

"Happy with their full attention, he drew out his plans for the castle. "I have studied it time and time again, so I shall lead the inside assault, while you." he pointed to Duke Carim. "You lead the attack on the outside. Counts Thrace and Obscurus, your soldiers will assist Carim's. Duke Aurelius, your pegasi legions shall descend from the sky as the attack starts."

Aurelius nodded in approval, flexing his own wings.

Blueblood turned to the Lord Duke. "Sir, with your permission, I request that you gather the forces of the shadows under the houses banner."

Admantium nodded and swallowed. A large scar on his neck pulsed as he did so. "My finest friend and associate informs me that you plan for one of us to claim the throne when we are through." he asked, his voice like gravel.

Blueblood smile and leaned back, not caring how one of the Lord Duke's forces knows of his intentions. "That is true. I have no desire for the throne, merely to see Celestia bow at my feet." he dared not tell them of his plans involving Discord. They might not even work after all.

The other nobles murmured amongst themselves in surprise. "But, Prince Blueblood, surely only you would be suited for the throne?" Count Thrace asked.

Blueblood chuckled. "I'm selfish, careless, and reckless. I would make a terrible king. I leave it to one of your honourable souls to claim power when the princesses fall." he smirked.

The other nobles all looked rather flattered and pleased with his decision. Excellent. Appeal to their greedy nature, then swipe the rug from under their feet when they least expect it. "Now go forth and gather your soldiers, we attack in three days."

"We are ready for your word, good prince." Aurelius bowed respectfully and left the room, Thrace, Obscurus and Carim following behind him.

Admantium stayed behind. "My associate also tells me you have word of my... daughter." he growled, his soldiers behind him raised their weapons and surrounded their lord.

Blueblood froze and turned around. "Who?"

"My daughter. Corellia. Where is she?" Admantium growled and rose out his chair.

Blueblood took a step back. "I can assure you, I have no idea what you are talking about." he sputtered nervously as the soldiers moved towards him, one of them a big brute of a pony, easily Celestia's size.

"Boss, you want me to rough 'im up a bit?" the brute grunted in a thick Trottingham accent.

Admantium patted him on the side, "That won't be necessary, the prince obviously is telling the truth. I take my leave of you, Prince Blueblood." he smiled a crooked, yellow smile and left the room.

Blueblood sat and listened to his fast heartbeat as he watched the old pony walk away. He started breathing again after realizing he was holding it in.

He shook himself calm and turned to the map and began studying it some more. "Soon." he muttered quietly.