Princess Protection Program

Chapters

The Train Station: Prologue
Observing Cupcakes and Reading Letters
Where The Yeti Lives
Just My Luck
Soap Suds and Villans
Put A Ring On It
Dragon Heart
Stars Apart
The Solider
Apologies Are In Order

The Train Station: Prologue

The sun gnawed at the tips of Twilight's hooves where they hung out at the end of the bed, unshielded from the blanket. She had already planned to wake up early, but she wasn’t as excited about it now. The alicorn moved to the other side and nuzzled her pillow, feeling cold even under the blankets, the morning air coming in through all the cracks and creases of her castle. Her eyes opened for only a moment, slowly coming out of her sleep to observe the shimmering crystal wall. No matter how much she tried to feel at home in her castle, it always feel cold and empty. Or at least, her bed felt more empty, and her room, like a part of it was missing. Twilight closed her eyes again and drew a shaky breath, trying to daydream before she would have to get up and begin her slow day.

Memories and thoughts flashed across her purple eyes, like clips in an old film being manually run by the gears of her mind. She thought of her adventures, the times she had with her friends, even the ones from a different world. With that, she hopped from the bed and walking out of her room with a frustrated snort, her shoulders tensing as she made her way to the door of her bed chambers. The alicorn made her way through the halls of crystal, her head hung, and her eyes staring at the different angles and reflections of the gem floors.

So quiet.She thought gloomily, soon passing by Spikes room with a casual turn of her head to peek inside.

Spike slept peacefully in the covers, snoring loudly with little drops of drool dangling from his scaly lip, his claw sloppily falling over the edge of the mattress. He had grown such an incredible size compared to how he had been many years ago. His scales much wider, his spines longer and proudly protruding out of his back, and his lengthy tail curled up and comfortably cuddled up against the dragon's side whilst he serenely slept. Twilight smiled tenderly, taking another peek before she began closing the door once more, then her smile faded. She wondered what this feeling had become, as it had developed since the last of her adventures ended. The mare's head shook softly, shooing the negative thoughts from her tired mind.

Too early for deductive reasoning. She reasoned with herself, sniffing the air and scrunching her nose in disappointment.

The air smelled of nothing but dust, and she intended to change the atmosphere before her day began. The alicorn set hoof through the kitchen door and over to the counter. She struggled to reach the bag of beans in the cabinet, and with much resistance to the desire to be lazy, she finally used her magic to get the sack of glory. Twilight leaned in and took a whiff of the bitter sweet scent of coffee beans, delivered just yesterday by her friend Applejack. It was one of Twilight’s favorite things and it always gave her the sense of peace and completeness she desired most when the dreadful morning affected her mood.

The lavender alicorn carried on the sacred task of brewing her most beloved drink. It replaced the castle’s dusty smell with that of an awakening pleasure for the morning. The day finally seemed to be kicking off as Twilight finished her making of the magical bean drink and proceeded to the table with her mug in levitation. The table was cold and sent a shiver through the Princess as she sat on the cold wooden chair of the kitchen dining table. Utter bliss enveloped her soul as she took the first sip of black coffee, the rim of the mug warming her bottom lip as the reviving substance strengthened her body, her energy coming to her once again. Twilight let a peaceful moan escape her as she relaxed further in her seat. It was a quiet moment, had it not been for the lonely creaking sound from her chair as she sat back up and stared across from her. An empty chair.

It’d be nice. She thought for an instant, then sighed. Perhaps I could conduct probabilities and solutions for a sufficient way to handle these restless feelings. Or maybe I could read a book...or-

“A little too early to be thinking out loud isn’t it?” A lilac colored unicorn walked in with her purple hair locks tangled and blue streaks in knots.

“Had I said all that out loud?” Twilight gave a sheepish laugh and smile, not realizing her thoughts had carried down the hallways. “Sorry Starlight, I was just caught up in some things and-”

“Don’t worry...I was awake anyway, I wasn’t able to sleep hardly at all last night.” Twilight played with her mugs edges, twisting it around and around, watching the liquid make waves from the center and then splash back. She hadn’t slept much either, being princess had many issues. Twilight had a student now, and a council of her own with her and her friends, and all the responsibilities of being royalty out ran her dreams, but then most of the time it felt like she had nothing to do but make lists and write letters. She hadn’t asked to be a princess, and certainly didn’t ask to have a Friendship Council. She was grateful for all that she had received, and was happy to be fulfilling her destiny, but she didn’t feel like she was living her true purpose.

Maybe I should just create a map of the stars, better than worrying about how lost I feel.She let out a small groan that wasn’t heard by Glimmer as the pupil carried on with her own task of retrieving some coffee. Twilight watched as Starlight pored creamer into the brewery, then remembered.

“Did you not sleep because you have somewhere to be today?”

Starlight froze for a second then giggled innocently, the turned over to meet her teacher's gaze with a small sheepish blush.

“Well, yes...I guess I am a bit nervous. It’s all so exciting…but...also pretty terrifying.”

“Yes…?” Twilight smirked, awaiting for her student to submit to her innocent game of teasing. The alicorn did have a way of seeing through ponies. It was one of the many things she had learned to do, and possibly her sister-in-law’s influence.

“I-well, I do have to admit that, now that we’re adults...I’m not sure if I see Sunburst as just a friend anymore…”

“Well, that's a reasonable feeling. I mean, you guys are perfect together, and you really blush brightly whenever he send you letters.”

“How do you know this stuff?” Starlight laughed at her silliness, her cheeks glowing a pinkish hue. Twilight giggled at the blush Starlight had, it was adorable, and she could see now just how much Celestia and Cadence enjoyed teasing her about Flash. The alicorn’s face paled a bit, but she still smiled tenderly towards her friend. The thought of her friends finding love without her was both a happy feeling, and as well a little depressing. But she would not accept her friends pushing away their chances as she did.

“Starlight, just know that I support you and am happy for you for building a relationship with him. Not only have you rekindled your friendship, but you have also grown quite fond of one another. I hope that it ends well for the both of you.” Starlight looked to Twilight and grinned excitedly, then proceeded further with a hug as a gesture of appreciation toward her teacher’s advice.

A small step on the crystal floor broke them apart, and they both turned to see the large sleepy dragon walking through the kitchen. He looked at the two of them and smiled sleepily.

“Did I miss something?”

“Hehe...no, just mare talk. Spike do you mind giving me my day planner?” Twilight said kindly, then pointed her hoof to the counter where a basket of fruit and paper pad sat.

“Sure thing…” The dragon hoofed her the pad and then continued on with his morning, getting his own coffee, and gems.

“Let’s see, to name off the chores, we have... getting more coffee beans from Apple Jack, but since she came a day early we won’t need to worry about that-” Twilight levitated a pen and marked off the chore with red ink. “Then we have to make a chores list for tomorrow, and plan a council meeting for Wednesday afternoon, and to keep in mind that Fluttershy was supposed to have tea with Discord that day so he’ll be joining us then. That also means I have to check Discord's list of chimera that have been causing trouble, and send it to Celestia ASAP. I'm hoping he actually got around to it...”

“He probably did, Fluttershy had been on his back about getting things done, not that specifically, but he’s been listening to her more often than not.” Starlight said taking a sip of coffee. Twilight nodded, then went back to reading off her checklist.

“I see, well I won’t worry too much about it then. Next we have to check on the reconstruction for the gazebo at Sweet Apple Acres. Rarity is planning for the next Ponyville Founding Day festival, and asked me to check up on some of the preparations and keep track. However, I think the first thing we should do is get Star to the train station.”

Starlight pulled her suitcase with her magic as she walked alongside Twilight and smiled nervously.

“You should stop worrying so much, it will be a fun trip and you’ll be able to catch up.” Twilight said to her pupil, nudging her in the side. The purple haired unicorn smiled back and took a deep breath. It felt like forever before they got to the train station. The smoke grazed the wood of the platform when the crystal train speedily made it’s way through to the station. Starlight looked out at the train as more ponies pulled out and rushed into Ponyville. She then took another breath and smiled, turning back to her friends.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you all in a week or so. I can’t wait to tell you both about it...and don’t worry Spike, I’ll be sure to bring back something for you.” She looked at the tall dragon, and at Twilight.

“We can’t wait either.” Twilight went in and hugged her friend, already missing the company. “Be safe.” She whispered. Starlight hugged her tighter before releasing the alicorn and stepping toward the train.

“Thanks guys, I’ll see you both soon!” Star pulled at her suitcase and walked out from underneath the shaded railway station and onto the train. It looked like she bumped into somepony by accident as she turned the corner, but then she continued on after a small apology.

“Think she’ll be okay?” Spike asked as they watched her take her seat and wave out the window to them.

“Yeah.” Twilight waved back with a tender smile.

“Will you?” Spike said in a knowing tone since taking notice to Twilight's sluggish attitude, she ignored him, but she was wondering that herself too.

Twilight began to turn slightly, ready to leave, until she saw a familiar guard come out. A pegasus dressed, in what looked like, and what could only be crystal armor. He walked out of the train a little nervous as he moved his head from side to side, as if trying to decide which way he should go. The alicorn stood and watched horrified as the train sped off once it had it’s passengers aboard safely. Twilight made no movement. None. She couldn’t. The blood was rushing to her ears and her heart was thumping rapidly. What was he doing here in Ponyville of all places? The pegasus stallion kept getting bumped into by others, apologizing each time. He looked to have a pack and a guitar on his back, almost like he was on a trip.

“Ah, sorry, heh...oh excuse me,...hi, uh, do you know where I can find-oh, n-nevermind...oh sorry-my bad, um, can you tell me where-oof!” The stallion, after running into a myriad of ponies, now hit his chin on the wood of the train station’s platform. He groaned, then opened his eyes. Lavender. He shot his head up and saw the Princess of Friendship staring at him.

“My apologies-” He scrambled to sit up once again, never leaving her eyes.

Twilight was stunned, her heart was racing and ached. This wasn’t the pony she had known, no-he wasn’t even a pony! This was wrong on so many levels.

Twilight tried to speak, but her tongue was tied. Instead all that came out was a sputtering mess of thoughts all trying to fall out at once.

“Wh-why...but-you, not-wha huh?” She looked at him with a scrunched muzzle and cute purple eyes.

Oh sweet Cadence, this mare is adorable. He looked at her, trying to hold back his goofy smile. She really was quite cute.

“Um, good morning Princess Sparkle." He greeted, more like a question to confirm he had the right mare. But of course he did, she was the alicorn in town, he mentally argued.

"I have come by order of Princess Cadence to accompany you and be your royal guard for the time being.”

“Wha-huh?!” Twilight looked at the pegasus with a shocked face.

What in the hay is he talking about?! Twilight consciously exclaimed, her brain hurting from the overwhelming anxiety from such an unprecedented situation. They both looked at one another and gulped in unison, all three individuals confused of the whole situation.

Author's Note

It's short but the newer chapters will be longer, this is just the prologue. Hope you enjoyed!

If you find any mistakes, please tell me! :twilightsmile:

With Love,
Lola

Observing Cupcakes and Reading Letters

Flash looked at the pretty alicorn, smiling nervously. He had been told by Princess Cadence to come to Ponyville with the purpose of helping another one of the Princess. He didn’t know too much about her, though. The pegasus recalled that he had met her a couple times before when she visited the Crystal Empire on occasion, but he couldn’t say he knew her personally. Flash understood that she was once a unicorn under the tutelage of Princess Celestia, she’d saved Equestria a few times and had become the Princess of Friendship, she was also family of his commander Shining Armor. Now, he would be Twilight’s personal guard for a temporary time, as instructed by Cadence.

He remembered then.

“Uh...here, this is from Princess Cadence. It’s a letter instructing you to let me-” Twilight wasted no time and brought the letter to her eyes to read deeper into this mess.

Her eyes moved rapidly and she made over twenty different faces while reading the synopsis of the letter.

As written,

Dear Princess Twilight,

This letter is an agreement of security transfer, considering that all but one of the Princesses for the defense and guidance of Equestria has at least one guard for protective purposes. As a Princess and your sister-in-law, I have sent one of my best to come and ensure your safety. Please be understanding and respectful towards your guard, he is there for your service and will be at your beck and call. If you feel that he does not suit your needs, you may send him back.

P.S. Go get him girly!

“But...uh...I-” Twilight stumbled on her words. How could she put this? She didn’t know where to begin with this!

“If I may,” Flash began, after which Twilight looked at him and nodded for the stallion to continue. “...I know I don’t look like much Miss Sparkle, but I’d be honored to lend you my services. Being unprotected when you are one of the most important mares in the country is something, as a guard, that I would not accept. We stallions of the protective services make it our goal to protect, secure, and love our princesses. Having the utmost respect for royalty is embedded in our code ma’am. I know, again, I may not be worthy and I am only one officer...but I assure you that you will always be safe under my watch. Just give me a chance to prove it.” The pegasus was standing at attention, with determination in his eyes. Though his words seemed almost rehearsed, and if not a bit dramatic.

Do I really even have a choice?

“Well, Flash. I will grant you access to my castle and you will be my personal guard...for now.” Flash seemed to look at her curiously, which Twilight took note of. Dear Celestia, she’d prayed that nothing was stuck in her teeth...or that she pronounced something incorrectly...or that she had spit when she had slipped her tongue. Maybe her mane was messed up and she had a cowlick? Twilight lit her horn and fixed her hair, even though it was perfectly fine. Why was he looking at her in such a way?

“You...know my name?” Twilight froze when the solider asked her inquisitively.

Of course I do. But you wouldn't know anything about that.

She tried to recall when he might have told her his name through introductions, but it had never come up. And he’d be too smart not to recognize that he hadn’t said his own name to her.

“I-well...that is, I do...I have met you many times before on my visits to the Crystal Empire...and my brother Shining has talked about you on occasion-you are a very talented officer and one of his best...as he has told me-” She bit her lip hoping he would take it and leave the subject alone.

“Oh, well I doubt I’m as good as he says. I guess I’m now only a bit disappointed is all…” Flash said, noticing Twilight’s nervousness. When he mentioned his disappointment, however, she looked at him also a bit curious.

“Disappointed?”

“Oh, yes...now I fear my introduction won’t be very good considering you already know my name.” Flash looked at her, a gleam of mischief in his eye.

“Well...I can’t recall your last name-” The alicorn looked up at him. She wanted to hear him say his name to her, to have that introduction.

“My name, Princess Sparkle…” He came closer and got her hoof and pecked it gently with his lips as I sign of respect, both ponies blushing lightly at the small contact between one another, “...is Flash Sentry.”

“That’s, uh...is a very strong name...officer…” Twilight said in slight shock, but smiled genuinely at him.

“Ahem-” Spike coughed behind the two ponies, the awkward third wheel feeling beginning to get to him.

“Twi, we need to get going and finish the list you prepared earlier...should he come along?”

“Oh, um...yes, of course!” She slipped her hoof away from the pegasus quickly, much to both ponies disappointment. “Flash, you will be accompanying me and my assistant while we run some errands through town. That is if you don't mind carrying you things until we're finished?”

“I’ve been training for battle since I was a yearling...I can handle it.” He smiled playfully, then walked slowly beside the alicorn, matching her pace.

He seemed different than the Flash she had met in the other world, the one she had danced with, and the one she had bumped into conveniently, though she never really conversed with him fully. She had only talked to him a few times, though there was a clear attraction, Twilight didn’t know Flash Sentry at all.

The alicorn looked over to his pack and noticed how large each side was, and the object resting on his back. The packs were no doubt filled to the brim with books and other knick knacks. Twilight could recognize the creases being made on the fabric were from the corners of leather binded knowledge. On another note, the object on his back looked like an instrument. It was a stringed, made up of wood being protected by a sheer, pale fabric that rested on Flash’s folded wings. They were quite big and strong looking, as well as everything else about him. As he walked, Twilight could see the strong muscles beneath his orangery fur flex and move handsomely.

The princess turned away and shook her head violently, then looked forward.

Calm down Twi. You know it would be wrong to play with such thoughts. You'd only be hurting yourself.

“Twi?” Spike spoke up when he noticed Twilight’s furious mumbling, her thinking was getting intense. Twilight recognized the voice of her dragon assistant and looked up at him.

“Oh, sorry Spike...I was just trying to think of...what we were going to do when we get back to the castle.” Spike nodded suspiciously, before pausing in the street as Twilight shuffled though her pack. The alicorn and her passe had stopped momentarily beside a market stand as Twilight made the list come to her with levitation, whilst Flash looked off in different directions, scanning everything.

"We should head to Sweet Apple Acres first, then perhaps pick up some groceries while we walk back home."

Flash came up beside Twilight after he had made small talk with her dragon friend. The pegasus wanted to know more about this mysterious, confident Princess. He was more intrigued than ever.

“Flash?” It slid off her tongue lightly, but it sounded bold and she made it stronger with her poised attitude, and assertive speech. She walked with grace and showed a sign or royal regalia. She was stunning.

“Flash?” Twilight repeated, this time turning to him.

“Hm? Oh!” Flash blushed, he had been thinking too deeply on this. Her figure and purple glow was setting him off and the way she held herself was something he wanted more of.

“I’ll give you the basic summary of why we’re here. My friend known as AppleJack is refurbishing a gazebo for an annual festival we have here in Ponyville to celebrate when it was founded." She explained cheerfully, excited at the sound of the event. Flash nodded, smiling as well.

"Sounds like a blast."

Twilight stepped hoof on the damp dirt of Sweet Apple Acres. Big Mac was supposed to be near the gate today to escort them to the structure that needed to be tended to. Twilight looked around and tried to find her escort, but there was none.

Well I didn’t exactly give notice…

“Howdy ya’ll!” A familiar country mare galloped up the path to meet her friends, and a new visitor it seems.

The mare herself, Flash noted, was orange like the juice itself. She had straw like hair that had recently been brushed into a bun and was being held up by a red band that was older than her by the looks of it. The hat seemed older too, possibly a family heirloom. The mare's eyes were green like the apples that grew on her trees. On closer inspection, he noticed her cutie mark and recognized her as the element of honesty.

“Hey AppleJack!” Twilight gave the mare a hug, and then talked in her friend's ear. “How are you?”

“Am doin’ just fine, Twilight, sorry for the wait-” Flash noted her country accent, it seemed to be modified a little to fit the generation, but was still thick with culture.

“Oh, you didn’t make us wait too long, I would have ventured on my own to find the gazebo, but I thought it was more logical to wait here for one of you ponies to see us first.” Twilight said standing back up, but still rested her hoof on AJ’s shoulder.

“Ah, yeah, Mac had to leave. He left early this morning on the Ponyville train and was headed for a rodeo.” AppleJack snuck a small peek at Flash who moved another inch closer to Twilight. He was strong built, and wore shiny armor. Who was this stallion?

“Uh, pardon me but ah was just curious…” AppleJack began, seemingly nervous, but also worried for a moment. Suspicious?

That’s not the first time…

Flash reminded himself.

“What is it?” Twilight questioned, only now noticing her friends observing glare towards the new guard.

“Well, I was just wantin’ ta know...who are ya?” The country mare pointed at the orange pegasus, as if accusing him of some wrongdoing. Twilight looked back at the stallion that had moved closer to her side now. The way he stood there next to her. It was so interesting how it made her feel.

"Ah..." The alicorn hesitated a moment.

"He's a friend."

Author's Note

EDIT:3/17/2018: Deleted a whole bunch, heh

Hope you enjoyed!

Tell me if you see any mistakes and I'll fix it! :twilightsmile:

Where The Yeti Lives

“He’s-” She paused. “-a friend.” Twilight nodded, as if she was confirming to herself rather than to Applejack.

The orange country mare stared at Twilight for the longest time. She was a bit suspicious of course, Applejack knew she had seen the stallion before. The Crystal Empire, the mare remembered, the time Twilight had lost her crown and disappeared into another world without the aid of her friends. Applejack took a small peek at the stallion, then smiled at him. AJ reached out her hoof to Flash, wanting to give a more warming welcome than she had when he first got there. The stallion lifted his hoof, left it in the air alone for a second, then accepted the acquaintanceship.

"Good to meet y'all partner." AppleJack smirked and shook hard, gripping Flash’s hoof with all her might and shaking him to the bone.

“A’m AppleJack, y’all can call me AJ, and this here farm is owned by me and the Apple folks. It’s a mighty good thing meetin’ ya here, we ponies here at Sweet Apple Acres sure do love makin’ new friends!” When the strong earth pony let go of Flash’s hoof, he was practically drilling a hole into the ground. Twilight suppressed her laughter toward the guard, and instead rested a hoof on his shoulder to make him stop vibrating.

"It’s nice to see y’all here and ready to be helpin’ with this here project for the festival.” The mare had the most sly smile, her words thick with hardworking country.

“I-I- um, it’s a pleasure to meet you too.” The orange stallion shook his head to make his eyes stop spinning, only to look exhausted. He smiled politely, then sent a pleading eye to Twilight which made her giggle silently. The alicorn soothed the soilder, speaking up at the grace of her guard’s silent pleas.

“AJ, I’m sorry we came a bit earlier than expected, but-”

“Oh, don’t ya fret about the little things Twi,” AppleJack undid her bun and let her long hair fall over her shoulder. She then quickly tied it in a ponytail loosely, as to not confine her hair like it had been in a bun. “I’ve been waitin’ for a moment to rest anyway.” The earth mare smiled at her friend, which filled Twilight with contentment. It was reassuring to always have an understanding friend, and also have an independent and honest pony to look up to at times.

“Lead the way then AJ." Twilight stated determined, she looked out at the orchard and focused her brow while viewing the small red specks in the leaves. AppleJack chuckled throatily and pointed out in the far distance.

“Down yonder.” AppleJack smirked. Twilight’s face fell and she heaved an aching sigh before looking at her friend pleadingly.

“Does it have to be so far?” The alicorn whispered in a voice of annoyance. Flash laughed aloud at Twilight’s rhetorical question before he covered his muzzle and suppressed anything else that might get him into trouble. Spike, however, didn’t hold back, but instead walked up to Twilight, not trying to hide his own chuckling.

“What’s the matter Twi? Can’t walk very far? Have you and Celestia been eating too much cake lately?” Twilight looked at the adolescent dragon with a glare.

“Don’t talk about Princess Celestia that way...or me for that matter…” She scolded.

“You have, haven’t you? During your little ‘meet up’s’ right?” Spike teased. Twilight snorted, stomping her hoof with a bright blush on her face. Then starting on her way down the road with Applejack by her side, her passe in pursuit.

“Twi?! I didn’t say you were fat or anything!” Spike yelled after her, in slight panic that he angered Twilight beyond gem dessert redemption.

“Not then, but now ya did.” Applejack pointed out honestly, of course. Spike only ignored this and walked up to Twilight.

“H-Hey, you know I was just kidding r-right?” He stammered, with a light hearted laugh.

“Really?” Twilight said in mock curiosity.

“Y-Yeah, so please don’t take it personally-” He said defensively. “-and take my gems away…” He whispered finally.

“What gems? You have gems?” Twilight said in surprise, an obvious joke.

“B-But....” Spike begged with crocodile tears. Flash was laughing silently, unable to suppress his wide smile. While Twilight and Spike bantered, the group had entered the orchard, AJ starting up a different conversation.

“Alright you two. So, wha ya here for, Flash?” Applejack asked casually, as she walked straight ahead through the trees on a beaten path.

“Well-” Flash began nervously. “I came here at Princess Cadence’s request...she said she wanted to try a new program...wanting Twilight to be protected. All I was told was to come down here without much else.” Flash walked nervously, he seemed downcast and out of focus all of a sudden. Twilight looked at his face as she walked beside him, she saw pain. It gave the Princess an unsettling feeling, till Flash lifted his chin once more and smiled over at her. All Twilight could account for in that moment was the number of things Cadence must be thinking and the possible outcome of this whole situation. Twilight had already made the decision not to enter a relationship with anypony, mostly because she was an alicorn and her lifespan would be longer than a spouse. She also wanted to center her attention on her role as Princess, even if that meant giving up her dreams.

When thinking about the letter, it made Twilight hope there could be something more, and she couldn’t help but speak up.

“Did Cadence mention anything else to you? Maybe a new task for me?” Twilight said hopefully. Having to do something entertaining, that was as well a responsibility, the alicorn could look forward to. Since Starlight would be gone for some time, Twilight would be left to do more duties than 'fun' tasks.

Flash looked to her, confused for a moment, and pressed his hoof to his chin in thought.

“I’m...sorry. I don’t have anything to give you. I was only instructed to watch over you and give you the letter. I’m sure if she had something for you to do, she'll send ya another letter.” Flash smiled sadly, noticing the disappointment etched on Twilight’s face.

Applejack noticed too, but smiled when she saw they had made it to the other side of the orchard. Trying to get Twilight’s mind off of things Applejack spoke up.

“Well, we’re here...that didn’ take too long, now did it?”

Twilight looked up and saw the weakest of wood standing shakily to hold up a shade with many holes. Vines covered the white painted wood, both dead and thriving. The flowery design etched into the wooden structure was sadly fading, and the structure itself was peeling.

“Wow...it's uh...” The purple alicorn walked up to it hesitantly.

"Ah know, it's a mess. This here thing's been standin' since Ponyville was founded, it's gotta be a century old, so ah'm surprised it's stayed up this long." Applejack touched it tenderly, sadly smiling as he hoof glided down the splintering old wood. "Granny Smith helped her Pa build it, it's been in our family ever since." The orange mare trailed off, lost in thought. Twilight's eyes softened, and she came up beside her dear friend with a sympathetic hoof on her strong shoulder.

"She would love to see it fixed up, I bet. So, when would you like to get started?" Applejack nodded and smiled, determined.

“Whenever suits ya scheduel, Twi."

“And where is it you’d like it to be?” Twilight inquired. The orange pegasus eyed her from afar with a solemn expression, lost in a memory almost as the two mares conversed. Their voices trailed off into a mumbling sound, as his eyes tricked him.

"I'll see you whenever ya want, lil Missy."

"Don't tease me, solider. I'm more than you ought to be messing with."

"You don't seem too scary to me."

Twilight then looked over her shoulder at the armored pegasus, her smile fading at the sight of his frown. He then noticed her concerned look toward him, and he waved with a small smile.

Perhaps he's bored.The alicorn assumed, looking back at her best friend.

"Um...I say we start rebuilding soon. Maybe next week.” Applejack nodded, confirming the date Twilight chose carefully. The purple mare then turned and walked toward the silent dragon.

“Spike, did you bring the paper and quills?” He smiled tenderly at her, then dug through his pack.

“As your number one assistant...how could I forget?” He chuckled and gave to her a yellow checklist with a quill, which was then enveloped in the mare's magic, Twilight immediately scribbling on the parchment.

“Well, I think we're done here then.” The alicorn said thoughtfully, a relieved sigh escaping her. "We'll be back next week to help with reconstruction."

The trio walked slowly on the route to home, the dim light of the sun fading quickly. Twilight, Spike, and even Flash carried several sacks of groceries and miscellaneous, the bags shuffling up against them, or flying gently as magic held them in a tired grasp. After tending to Sweet Apple Acres, the trio had made their way through town to shop and gather supplies, which had taken a lot of time out of their already long day.

"Almost home." Spike said ecstatically, though with a soft yawn.

“It's been a long day, though I do have some reading I can do at home.”

“Princess-” Flash spoke up after many hours of silence between the two of them. Twilight turned to him and smiled thoughtfully, awaiting for him to finish. “If you stay up I must too, but I would like to settle my things inside first and get my room situated.” He seemed more dull now, Twilight noticed, a tired smile pulled at his lips, his eyes drooped and his walk was one full of melancholy.

He must be exhausted.Yet, Twilight felt like he was slow-motioned for other reasons, a gut feeling told her his thoughts were disturbed by her or something else. Her brain, however, won her over and she only based his appearance and attitude on how sleepy he must be, like the rest of them. Twilight smiled in understanding and nodded.

“Of course, I’m sorry I’ve had you carry all your luggage the whole day.”

“No worries, as a soldier, we’re built to carry weight in extreme conditions...so this was nothing.” He wasn’t lying, but Twilight still felt guilt for her inconsideration.

“Well, still, we should have stopped by the castle before we left for the farm, but, at least we're here now-” Twilight looked ahead again at the sight of the gleaming crystal fortress. It stood high above Ponyville, and to Flash’s memory, it was almost identical to the rocks of the Crystal Empire. The sun was set at last and the cool night air hit the walls of the castle creating a whistle throughout the stained jewel. Twilight walked in first as Flash, then Spike followed in after her.

While the winter months were creeping in, the day wasn't so cold. However, the castle itself was colder than the Crystal Empire's wasteland. Twilight enjoyed Winter and all it had to offer, but it was better outside than it was inside, and the shaking stallion behind her proved that not everypony liked the cold. Flash shook and his teeth chattered, but he tried to play it cool. The castle was freezing! How could anypony live in these temperatures! Twilight smirked and walked over to him, leaving light clicks behind each step.

“Trained for the most extreme temperatures?” Twilight bit her lip holding back giggles. Spike gave no such mercy and chuckled throatily, but it was all in good fun. Flash only huffed in return, but then looked to Twilight with a teasing smile.

“Who lives here? The pony-eating yeti?” He jested.

Twilight laughed at that.

“You’ll get more used to it the longer you’re here. It's a big castle, so it doesn't warm up easily.” Twilight looked at the shivering pegasus for a moment, before Flash looked at her questionably.

“Am I going to get lost on the way to my bedroom? I don’t need to fight a monster to get across the hall do I?” Twilight only smirked back.

“Well, if you do, I think you’ll manage...being one of the best of soldiers from the Crystal Empire, you shouldn’t have any trouble at all!” She turned and began walking off, down one of the many crystal halls, leaving Flash still standing in the foyer with his luggage. He watched Twilight continue walking without him before she stopped and looked back.

“Are you coming?” She asked with a grin. Flash smiled tiredly in response, and stayed behind Twilight.

“Considering you are my guard I’d think you’d prefer stationing outside my door. There are two rooms outside of mine, and Spike is down the other hall-” Twilight thought back on how much Spike wanted his own room and to be more 'adult,' as he said. It made Twilight dismal, but proud to see Spike growing with little to no assistance from her. At one point Twilight helped him with almost everything, then he grew to be her assistant, and what seemed like over night, he was a handsome drake with potential. It made the motherly alicorn smile at how far Spike and her friends had come.

Twilight frowned at another thought, while her friends and Spike grew more, she was still the same. She had gained a castle, and wings, and of course a title as Princess. Yet, in spite of all this, she was still stuck, unchanging forever. She had thrown away all her dreams of being a teacher and a mage, and of course, finding love. It was impossible for her. She was devoted to a life of Magic and well being of Ponyville and the ponies within it. She saw how Celestia’s past relationship had almost ruined Equestria. A relationship for an alicorn was impossible. Part of it was the fact that they were immortal beings.

Cadence, her sister-in-law, had fallen in love and married Twilight’s brother, Shining, with the knowledge that they wouldn’t be together forever. Yet, through that trial, they both still married and now live in their Empire and watching over it with guidance and love. But the day that Shining dies is the day Cadence will be a lone ruler, unless she finds somepony else to take her heart. Cadence without love was unthinkable.

Twilight without love...was doable. She didn’t want to suffer with living on, when her “lover” had long since past, and the thought of remarrying over and over was disheartening. Besides that, Twilight had given up her dreams for her Princess duties, so what’s to say she shouldn’t give up her romantic life too? Her being Princess was important, and if she had to suffer grief through her reign as Celestia does, she wouldn't be able to control her emotions well enough to lead.

It didn’t escape her that she would outlive all her friends, Spike did have an exceptionally long lifespan, but loss in itself was heart breaking and grievous. At least she would be able to live on with them in her memory and it would be easier to find friends alike, but for a lover, a special somepony, it would be harder to find romance and to keep it without crying as she watched them age without her. Them, fading and growing old while she remained young for an eternity. She couldn’t live with that grief too, much less bear it more than once.

So she decided to give it up, on both love and her passions. It was her decision, and she knew she would be happier with it than she would with loss, but she still craved for that particular affection from somepony. Maybe that’s why it was so hard to keep herself from associating with her new guard.

“Here’s your room...bathroom is at the very end of the hall, turn left and there’s the opening to the kitchen. turn right and you'll see the Library. Tomorrow I’ll show you where the Council Room is, other than that it’s mostly spare bedrooms and a lot of closets.” Twilight watched Flash as he put his sack down and eyed the room. It was crystal, of course, but purple unlike the rest of the castle, assuming most of the bedrooms were color coded differently. It had a large bed that looked fit for a king, the lavish veronica colored cloths dropped off the side of the bed elegantly, and the pillows were even darker and silkier for extra comfort. The bed also had a large white canopy above it that draped down the posts of the structure. There was a dresser painted mauve to the side of the room on his right and a large closet to the left embedded in the walls. Mirrors and ribbons adorned the ceiling and the large bench that lay under the shadow of drawn window curtains. It was indeed a gorgeous bedroom.

“My friend Rarity wanted to decorate six bedrooms closest to the front of the castle, each has a theme for each Element Bearer. This is Generosity. The others are scattered along this hall and Spike’s, near the Council Room. The room next to mine is Pinkies, and I’ll warn you to not go in there...you’ll be ‘surprised’.” Twilight then noticed Flash’s look of worry and her face fell out of concern. “What’s the matter?”

Flash held his tongue for a moment, but then he sighed heavily.

“Not that I’m complaining but...do all the guest bedrooms...uh...are they all mare-like?” He looked to his assigned Princess and saw her brow furrow.

“Well, every other room that is furnished is mare-y because they’re for mares. Any other bedroom is unfurnished and is further away from my room.” She frowned as she said this.

“Oh, it’s fine....” Flash shook his head and flashed her a small smile of understanding. The alicorn mentally slapped herself for getting worked up. Of course a stallion wouldn’t want to stay in some purple princess room!

The mare laughed.

“Follow me, and bring your pack-” She turned in a hurry down the hall and to her left, where Flash recalled the kitchen to be. They saw the opening at what would have been a dead end if it weren’t for the rustic looking kitchen past the archway in the wall. For a moment Flash looked curiously at Twilight from behind thinking how strange it was to be going to the kitchen.

Is she making me stay in the cabinets? He suppressed a chuckle.

Twilight then turned suddenly to the left wall and disappeared within. Once Flash caught up with her, he soon realized it was an open door to a country styled bedroom.

“This is AJ’s room the mare you-”

“-met earlier, yeah I remember her, the cowpony.” Flash finished Twilight’s sentence as he massaged the wooden dresser to the right wall beside the door. The room was a clash of many different colors but the orange hinted everywhere amongst the walls and windows and bed covers gave it it’s own personal touch.

“Applejack insisted on helping Rare’s with decorating so it’s a bit more...original than the other rooms.” Twilight smiled nervously. “It’s more of a unisex room, so this might be better for you than Rarity’s ‘Purple Regalia’ guest.” She was right. Flash seemed more at home in the room, it gave a warm comfort and really made him feel less out-of-place than he was. The bed was decorated with five different colored green quilts and white laced pillows, the comforter underneath being a pantone orange. The bed had four simple wooden posts instead of curtains, while the windows were covered by yellow scratchy fabric.

Flash smiled approvingly.

“Much better, thank you. I’ll unload my things.” He dropped his sacks on the bed with a thump and began organizing the few clothes he had and all the books he had brought. Twilight’s curiosity peaked and she felt it was a better time to ask, anything that she could find in common with the guest stallion.

“That’s-uh-a lot of books you’ve got...what genre are they?” Flash put one of the books on the dresser and looked over at her hopeful eyes. He smiled, but then it saddened when he realized what she was hoping for.

“These? They’re only manuals and thick pamphlets. They’re for my training as a guard, one of them is for Wonderbolt exercising. They’re not exactly for magic or fun like you would probably be used to.” Twilight’s glee only faded to a matching sad smile. Of course he wouldn’t study things like she did, or have a deeper understanding of the world around him. He was a guard, he only studied for physicals and how to maintain emotional balance or develop acute skills. Twilight knew some things of combat training from the times Shining Armor studied for it. He studied magic too, but even then her own brother didn’t understand as much as she did.

The magic moved constantly like a little heartbeat that could accelerate, or slow down with large breaths. It was a delicate force that could be an instrument of either great power or destruction. All these things she knew and studied, the deeper science of it all, that no one else would understand as much as her. With the exception of the Alicorn Princesses. However, even then, Twilight knew more from wielding the elements and understanding all three magic fractions. Even Celestia found it hard to understand her own student at times.

While Celestia did teach Twilight personally, the once young unicorn dwelled in books and from less experience practicing it. Celestia tried to teach her more about wielding it first hoof, while Twilight tried learning more from literature, which did make her more knowledgeable of certain outcomes. Twilight’s teacher wasn’t as intellectual as Starswirl, but Twilight’s vast knowledge was very much comparable to his. It was before Twilight had become one of the Alicorns that she wanted to be a mage as great as Starswirl himself.

In the end, she gave up the thought. Though she dismissed a lifelong dream, it didn’t mean the knowledge of books and years of hardcore study vanished from her mind. All the learning from mages Gaia wide had not escaped, which made her the smartest Alicorn in the room in almost every aspect.

Twilight sighed heavily and smiled behind Flash, not willing to look him in the eyes.

“I see, either way, you must be pretty second-nature when it comes to your reflexes and senses. So don’t think you're less of a genius than someone else.” She came to the bedroom door and was about to leave until a thought on Flash’s previous statement, her backside in the hall and her head poking into the room. “You said you were still learning...I thought you had been a Leutinent for a few years in the Crystal Empire?”

Flash frowned slightly, his mind sluggishly computing what Twilight had asked. He didn’t want to think back on it, the times that he had traveled and had trained. He looked at Twilight from the floor to her eyes and he smiled sadly again.

“Actually, I do remember when we first met.”

Twilight looked at him questionably, curious why he was bringing that up instead of answering her question.

“You were there on a visit..that was the day...your crown was stolen...right?” Flash sighed.

Twilight nodded, she was looking at him with a concerned look, her brow furrowed. Flash had sat on top the bed, petting one of the manuals as he spoke, the alicorn watching him attentively.

"You're always learning, at least, that's how I feel. Sometimes, we make mistakes, and we try to learn from them so they never happen again." He whispered low, a hint of anger slithering through his words. She listened, a bit concerned at his tone of voice, and wondering what could possibly have happened to him.

“Was there some sort of accident?” Twilight asked suspiciously, not considering if it would be wrong to inquire about his personal life. This may be Flash, but the boy she knew was from a parallel universe and had different events transpire in his world than in Equestria. Flash looked up at that question and looked at her in surprise.

“N-no."

“Ah, sorry. That was rude of me, I shouldn't have asked.” Flash thought about it for moment and smiled, nodding.

"It's alright." Twilight didn't understand, and hoped that maybe at some point she could learn more about the mysterious pegasus.

“Well, uh...your watch starts after you finish getting everything settled. I’ll be in the library whenever you’re ready.” Twilight gently closed the door, sighing sadly, but continued walking down the hall toward the Library.

A turquoise aura eclipsed a quill as it gracefully swept across a page covered from header to dotted line with tax forms. Finally, after searching, the quill violently scribbled a signature on the bottom of the scroll.

Princess Mi Amore Cadenza~

The pink alicorn smiled tiredly as she dropped her quill in it’s home inkwell. A longing sigh escaped Cadence’s lips as she sat back in her chair with her eyes blissfully closed. She sat at her desk all throughout that day writing and filling out scrolls, luckily her spa day was tomorrow.

Then I can relax in peace and serenity-

Cadence’s previous daydreaming stopped abruptly when her ears picked up the soft whimpering next to her. She opened her eyes slowly and got up to the bassinet beside her desk.

“Oh, did somepony wake up so soon?” Cadence placed her hoof on the small filly wrapped up in lace covering. “Goodnight, Chrissy…” She cooed motherly, then nuzzled the infant till she fell asleep. She looked down at her offspring, the young filly was a light pink unicorn with a messy short blue mane and tail. Cadence smiled down at her second born proudly, before a knock on the door was overheard.

The Princess turned behind her, opening the door with her magic.

“Who is-Celestia?” Cadence’s aunt walked in with a smile etched on her face. “I-I didn’t realize you would be here so soon! I had only sent the message two days ago, I didn’t think you would come till the week was over! How was the Dragon Festival? Did you have to-” Celestia’s giggling interrupted Cadence, but the young alicorn didn’t mind in the slightest.

“Any excuse is a good one to visit my niece...and the news was extremely important as it was. But tell me, before we go on any further of most recent events-” Celestia mindfully looked over to the bassinet and leaned down to Cadence’s eyes and whispered. “How do you fare, my niece?”

Cadance's eyes sparkled at that.

“As well as I can, but I’m proud of my growing family.” Cadence nodded thoughtfully.

“So I take it Crystal is well?” Celestia, again, whispered.

“She is, and Flurry has been learning to control her magic better thanks to Sunburst’s lessons. He has really made our lives easier by helping Flurry.” Celestia nodded approvingly, then stood back up, and walked quietly over to Cadence’s desk. The young alicorn smiled as Celestia read through some of the scrolls and viewed the Empire’s progression.

“I’m happy to see everything is in order here. I knew sending you to govern the The Crystal Empire was a good decision.” Celestia made her way back to her niece who stood proudly, hearing such praise from her aunt. Cadence smiled brightly and hugged her aunt out of respect and love. She squeezed the tall white alicorn the tiniest bit, before loosening her embrace.

“Thank you, but if it wasn’t for Shining, Twilight and the group, I wouldn’t have made it this far.”

“You’re humble Cadence, that’s a lovely trait, but don’t forget your importance and what you do. At some point not everypony will be there for you.” Celestia smiled sadly as Cadence’s cheerful smile turned to one of grief.

“I-I know...but I should treasure what they do for me while it lasts-” Cadence looked to the floor as she said this, before she looked up at Celestia with sad eyes and a smile. “They’re important to me. I love them all.”

Celestia’s smile brightened and she hugged her niece tighter than she had when she arrived.

“I know, as do I. It is how I felt when my sister had left. That the grief almost took me away from my duties-” Celestia stood back from the embrace and looked down on Cadence, resting a comforting hoof on the young alicorn’s shoulder. “Yet, without her memory and the hope that I could bring her back, I never would have been able to run a nation on my own. It is these times you remember and never forget so you can always pull through.” Cadence felt the presence of love swimming in the atmosphere around her and Celestia.

Her horn tingled and her eyes could see a bright glow illuminating from Celestia. Her love shining through brightly from both pride and memory of her loved ones. Cadence smiled at the fierce affection, she was grateful for her family. Then a question came to mind.

“So Aunt Tia, if you're here because of my message, does that mean Aunt Luna is here too?” Celestia smiled at Cadence's question and nodded.

“She is indeed-” Celestia concentrated with a frown. “We believed it was necessary to have all the Princesses but one, present for this. We wouldn’t want anything to go wrong.” Celestia said as Cadence nodded in agreement.

“Yes, I understand. I hope to deal with this as soon as we possibly can.” Cadence whispered determined.

“Me too, my niece. Now tell me-” Celestia leaned in and whispered low for not even the scrolls on the desk to hear. “Where is he?”

Author's Note

EDIT: 3/17/2018

Woopee! Welp, that was an extra long break and now I'm back!

Soooo, you guys are probably really psyched about this story being back, and I am too. Buuut, there is something about this that has changed. I'm gonna leave it to you guys to judge, but I can assure you that it's going to be a good story, I hope XD

Just My Luck

Celestia, Luna, and Princess Cadence all walked alongside one another down a crystal hallway. It was quiet enough to hear the clink of each hoof and the clatter of plated armor behind them, and the nerves racking against them. Each princess looked ahead, and never once beside them, their own thoughts consuming their world so their eyes could only look forward. The Princesses only looked at the detail of the walls and the floor of the castle they were in. The light of the candles over head shimmering off the jeweled areas and illuminating the bright fractals, each detail eye popping. They turned down another familiar corridor to the right, taking no notice of the usually comforting surroundings.

How many turns had they made now? Well, it didn’t matter, more time to think. Soon after Celestia visited Cadence’s office and discussed the matter of importance that brought them there, they spared no time reaching Luna. She’d advised that they see the situation through and talk it over completely rather than basing plans through communication of Celestia’s letter to Cadence. It was better to talk about the plan first hoof, face to face, and the other two princesses agreed as well. It was the very reason they trotted down the hall, turning an infinite amount of corners it seemed.

There was no clock to tell the specific time, but each princess could hear the ticking of the seconds passing as they came closer and closer to their destination. It became apparent to the royal sisters that there would be no shortage of guards where they were headed as they were stationed in closer proximity now and the guards per perimeter had only increased since they began their long treck. Cadence’s breath hitched as she turned another corner, the princesses following her example.

A tall door of black crystal dulled the rest of the hall, like an ugly painting that had been hung on a finely painted wall, or a weed that stood up dramatically while it killed the flowers around it. Celestia and Luna gaped at it, their nerves and animosity growing by the second, but Cadence reassured them with the swiftness with which they had turned the corner.

“Don’t worry, it’s only an illusion to scare you. He does have some of his magic back, but none of it is dark...that’s all disappeared for now.” Cadence smiled reassuringly. The other princesses nodded, accepting the small comfort, but neither released their breath. Cadence nodded as well, though her frown only deepened as she focused on the grave matter at hoof and ordered the guards to open the door. They hesitated, then thought better of it, and followed their orders to open the door by use of magic.

The room was dull, and the air still as Celestia and Luna walked in for the first time. Even as an Illusion though it was, it remained intimidating for everything to feel frozen and down cast. It screamed “Go away! Leave me to my own thoughts!”.

Or was the object in the middle of the room actually speaking to them?

A single light shined on the object that was kept in a glass, upside down box on a wooden pedestal.

“There he is… or what’s left of him...” Cadence whispered.

The princesses that had arrived recently were the first to come up to the object, they eyed it, their expressions worrisome. It was a horn, curved and threatening, and it was stained a loud red. It glowed momentarily, Luna flinched just the tiniest bit, while Celestia eyed the room, glowing gold as the horn shimmered a low powered glow.

“He tries to hold up the illusion as best he can, I’m not sure why since it’s draining his power and keeps him from coming back sooner. He’s been making it darker and still the whole time he has been in here.” Cadence said, coming up to the glass box and looking down at the horn in pity.

“Perhaps, thou knowest he is defeated and his pride is hurt. Now thy evil dweller is good for only small illusions and tricks of the eye?” Luna suggested deadpanned, also looking at the horn in pity.

“Maybe, but enough on the decorations, we must discuss what it is we must do with him.” Celestia lead, her voice strong and determined. “Cadence tell me what you know of this.”

Cadence nodded and stretched her hoof out to the sofa that was placed in the room and the table. The alicorns walked quietly and sat down ready to talk. Before saying anything on the task at hoof Cadence called for a guard and asked that he bring them tea, and Luna some coffee. While they waited, Cadence was silent, and all the alicorns eyed the horn in the center of the room. Only after the beverages were delivered to the princesses, did Cadence begin to speak.

“It was only a few days ago, I’d contacted you after we found him. A few years back, Twilight came to see me. We had gone down the very staircase that lead Twilight to the Crystal Heart. There we found King Sombra’s office and apparently his journal he wrote in while he had imprisoned the empire. We soon learned that he was actually not a pony but he was part of the Umbrum that had been locked away for quite some time underneath the empire. After Twilight and I had read the journal ourselves and left the office alone, I had locked it securely with a spell so no one could go down there but me.” Cadence paused, taking a sip of her tea, remembering what all had happened only a few days prior.

Cadence woke up hyperventilating and shaking. A nightmare had awoken her and she was left on her own at her desk. The princess grabbed her head with her hooves. She must have fallen asleep while doing her paperwork. She quickly rubbed her eyes awake and started reading her paperwork again before her thoughts went back to what she was dreaming about.

It was dark, she understood. The crystals were all black around her and she kept hearing voices. They were all deep and sad and they surrounded her and scared her. “Please-” It called out, as if it were dying, “Help me, please! Let me out! Help me, Princess!” It screamed in agony and fear. It was afraid, so very afraid. That’s when Cadence had woken up. She wanted to help that voice, to help the pony that was calling for assistance and was trying to escape from-something, whatever it was.

Cadence couldn’t think anymore on the paperwork and instead looked at her doors exit in thought, her hoofs touching tips and resting on her chin. She thought on the voice in the dream and how familiar, but distant it was. Strange. In that moment, she felt as if it was one of her subjects calling for her and she felt the fear engulfing the voice and her own body as everything swept into nothing. Her kingdom, her subjects, her family, all of these ponies she felt important that made her heart and magic strong.

Cadence’s magic allowed her the ability to see others’ feelings, whether it was love or something other, distinguishable by color. Love was white, pure and innocent, which she saw the most of, and often promoted. It’s what she was known for seeing and understanding best, but she could see other colors too. Angry and wrathful red, the royal blue of sadness, green of envy and jealousy, and sometimes she could see emotions swirling together as one. She could say she’s seen the most burgundy, which was pride, and the white love, blending together.

Other times the colors glowed depending on the intensity of the feeling, the stronger the feeling the more it’s color shined. To Cadence, it wasn’t just colors but like swirling, levitating fabric that was alive and moved in circular motions around one's heart, others feelings were more real to her and they seemed like living things that moved with the beat of their master’s heart.

It helped a lot when assisting her subjects, and even her husband and children. At one point, not too long ago, she had seen a certain guard with a dull glow of white and blue as he surveyed the halls. He had been like that ever since Twilight had left after retrieving her crown from which it was stolen. Cadence knew it was his love for Twilight, it had to be, so she sent him off and knew surely it would end well.

Or at least, she had hoped.

But of course! Cadence was (usually) always right when it came to love and emotion, so it would always meet the silver lining. She’d thought Twilight would change her mind, choose to follow her heart and not her head. What a stubborn princess she was indeed. Cadence’s family was so very important to her, no matter their personalities. It was all she had, it was something that she anchored to, even knowing she wouldn’t have them forever. She still loved them, despite that truth, and she always followed her heart.

That made Cadence reflect deeper on her dream, the blackness, the echos and screams, it greatly unsettled her. Her heart was telling her how real it felt and her head was contradicting such a claim.

It was dream! How could it possibly be real? Her brain argued.

I’m not sure, but something about it was off, like the voices were talking to us personally, like a message from somepony. We can’t just ignore it! Her heart retorted.

Of course, Cadence knew her dreams were never nothing but messages or reason. She knew her heart was right. But where could she begin to find the voice, if it wasn’t being heard now? She couldn’t just go back to sleep and talk to it, could she? No, she needed to find it, wherever it was trapped. Cadence thought harder on the surroundings of her dreams and realized that they were set inside the castle! Cadence got up quickly, out of her office, and out in the hall where she saw a guard stationed outside the door.

“Excuse me-” Cadence whispered politely to the corporal. The guard bowed respectively to which
Cadence only nodded mutually, noticing the immense burgundy fabric swimming around him. “Have you heard anything, maybe somepony calling for me in the past twenty minutes or so?” Cadence asked worriedly. Maybe her security would have heard a voice if it was real or not, maybe the voices from her dreams were echos from something her ears picked up on outside of them.

“No, M’lady. Fortunately, nothing has alarmed me. I haven’t heard anything but the castle’s usual creaks and groans through the night.” The guard answered truthfully. Cadence only frowned as she walked down one of the halls. The guard’s colors turned into one’s of concern and doubt, which was a mix of teal and forest green, he was confused as the bluish green fabric intertwined with the teal color of his worry. Cadence also was reminded of the respect she’d receive from her citizens as she watched another colored fabric, a navy blue, quickly swirl with the guards other emotions. The pony mind was one of complexity, but Cadence could always pinpoint the feeling that was the most heavy on one’s heart.

“Your highness, did you hear somepony call for you? Would you like me to join you?” He quickly added before Cadence walked off any further. The princess smiled and turned her head to see him before she turned the corner.

“No, you’re on break right now, I’ll be fine...just going to stretch my legs is all.” The guard watched, a bit more relaxed, as Princess Cadence turned the corner. She walked and turned numerous times, the halls lengthy and quiet enough for her thoughts to sing aloud with the clang of her horse shoes. It was dead silent, except for a little whistle, like a tune on the wind.

Cadence’s ear twitched to listen to it as it brushed through her mane and circled her, then it pushed her. She flinched as she looked behind her and realized it was black smoke, not the wind. It dissipated as soon as she turned to inspect it, and the air was still again. Cadence let out a sigh, she didn’t even know she was holding her breath. The smoke seemed familiar, it pushed her to move on in the direction she had been going. Forward. Towards the throne room. Had she even known that’s where she was going in the first place?

She looked to the throne room’s double doors, her brow furrowed in worry. Whatever pushed her must be from the voice she had heard earlier in her nightmare, it was calling to her now and she didn’t even realize it. The air suddenly picked up into a light wind and it brushed across her and through her mane again. It was soft, but it felt strange, like it was longing for something.

Why can I not see anything? Wait. Cadence paused and then lit her horn, she gasped. She had released a spell to see the feelings that she feared to see the most. She saw it everywhere in the castle. It stained the walls with its blackness and empty screams unheard to anyone but the princess who knew feelings. The smoke traveled everywhere to find anyone, somepony to save it from it’s agony. Cadence had long since tried to keep herself from seeing such colors, for she always wanted to see the good in everypony, and wished to only try and drive the good to do the best that it could. So now, watching her nightmare become that of reality, she could only gape and tear up at the sight of dark, black fear engulfing her castle, and she was the only one who could see it.

The black fabrics flew and slammed into the castle walls and crawled in and out of doors and from the floor. Most of the shadow and black fear came up from the floor and breezed around Cadence, trying to push her to the throne room.

Cadence stood for a moment, tears running down from her eyes and leaving wet tracks on her cheeks before she shook her head and looked around.

“I-I’m sorry! I don’t understand, where are you? What are you so afraid of?” She called out, her voice echoing off the crystal walls. All she heard was the small screeching of the fabric against the crystal walls and floor, like claws to a chalkboard. She looked around and then practically face hoofed when she realized the smoke was coming from down below. If the situation wasn’t so serious she would have laughed at herself for being so blind in that moment.

The Princess ran to the double doors and bucked them open. She looked to the floor, the shadows increased by triple in numbers. The pink alicorn made her way to where they were coming from most and quickly realized who had been calling to her. She should have known before, for it was blatantly obvious who the shadows belonged to. This time, however, the shadows were not casting fear on others, they were afraid themselves. The fabrics of somepony else's feelings were flying and could only be seen by the princess, they were not smoke spells of black magic. Cadence, painfully, used a tid bit of black magic to open the trapdoor and used a word from her voice to open it.

“Sunshine-” She whispered and the door opened painfully slow. Cadence hitched a breath when the door opened and the black fabrics flew out in a hurricane of wind and swirled around the throne room trying to escape. “Oh, no…” Cadence hurriedly ran down the staircase, taking much too long, realizing this, she flew down the path instead. Anything to spare a sliver of time. She glided, the shadows growing darker than any right they had to be, as she went deeper into the tunnel of endless stairs. Cadence finally reached the bottom, but the pony she expected to face wasn’t there. Instead, there was a door swinging within it’s frame, trying to pry itself open. The fabrics prior, seeping through whatever cracks and creases were around the door. Cadence knew how to open the door, from Twilight’s example, and shot a beam to it revealing the office of the former King Sombra.

She stepped forward, cautiously, as the fearful fabrics swirled around a foreign object lying on the floor. In all it’s glory it glowed, vibrating and sliding across the floor as if it was trying so very hard to get away from something. Cadence galloped over to it and quickly realized the relic was none other than Sombra’s horn, shining a bright gold and shaking, almost like shivering. The Princess felt pity for a moment and reached out to take it away from the darkness it was so afraid of only to be hissed at by another entity in the room.

Cadence now saw what was seemingly scaring Sombra’s piece of life. From a dark door of even darker crystal, blue deadly dry ice came through the tiniest bit from the bottom crack, reaching for Sombra’s horn. The alicorn watched as the small, sharp object quickly moved, having to stop every few moments as the smoke chased it. It was a sad game of cat and mouse and Cadence would not stand and watch a creature be terrorized. The majestic alicorn moved swiftly, hitting the smoke with a bolt of power as she quickly grabbed the horn with her hoof and moved for the door. She slammed it and locked it, heaving from the excitement of her night.

“Oh, yes...that will-” a voice breathed tiredly, pausing for a moment. “-keep them out, locking the door on the Umbrum...how could I forget that our one weakness is the wood of a door.” It remarked sarcastically. Cadence had all but stopped breathing when she first heard the voice from her nightmares echoing in real time, and off the walls. The alicorn clutched the horn to her chest, somehow determined to protect it, not even understanding it. She should be scared that it was a piece of the awful King that had enslaved her kingdom in the past, but her heart was beating with sympathy in that moment, and she had witnessed Sombra-or rather, Sombra’s horn, under attack by something obviously dangerous. Even though she was supposed to be afraid, she stood firm and held the object of importance in her hoof tight.

“Who’s there?” She demanded. “Are you the voice who called for help? In my dream?” Cadence didn’t consider where the voice was coming from only that it must be down there with her and possibly was associated with Sombra’s horn, it might want it for it’s own ends. Cadence frowned, trying to protect what she had found.

The room was silent for the longest time, before the horn glowed in the alicorn’s grasp.

“I admit...I wasn’t strong enough to ward them away from me...I will be, however...in the near future. On other matters...I appreciate you hearing me after I had been calling you for quite some time...I understand sitting on your pompous gluteus and eating cake is so much work for you princesses...I’m glad you had the time to steal me away from the creatures within the door.” The horn spoke. Cadence now recognizing the voice, lifted the glowing object to her eyes. Now, she was terrified. Her hooves shook as she held the creature.

“S-Sombra?” She said in a shaky breath.

Silence. Cadence relaxed a bit, realizing what he had said prior. He was weak, and...was he saying...thank you? At first she thought she would be seeing the shadowy form of the ex-King when she came down here, but in finding the horn she only thought of something possibly living, not Sombra himself. She didn’t realize how fearful she really was of him before this, but upon looking at him, her fear suddenly dwindled away into nothing.

“No, it is not Sombra...I am King Sombra…” The voice replied. Cadence frowned deeply at that and then placed the object down on the ground, looking at it for many moments. “I understand my appearance is devastatingly hoofsome...but don’t you think you have better things to do with me?” The horn glowed brighter with each breath and shimmered slowly as the strong voice spoke. Cadence only eyed it, lost in her own thoughtful haze.

Why Sombra could talk, she didn’t know. Why he was here, she didn’t know. What he wanted to do now that he was back once again, she didn’t know. She didn’t know anything. Cadence knew nothing of what was behind the door, she didn’t know of what was going on anymore, the only thing that told her she still had other things to keep to was the glowing horn on the floor...who was seemingly complaining.

“-and don’t even get me started on what happened last night! Dear Tartarus, you’d think somepony would save your flank out of at least pity, but no~” He sing songed his last words in a voice of aggravation. “You had to take a millennium to come down here!”

“Silence!” Cadence yelled, in the Luna Canterlot voice she had learned from the times spent with her aunt. The room then did get suddenly quiet as Cadence paced the floor. “H-how are you alive? What do you want? What are you doing here?!” Cadence asked all at once, only to get another awkward moment of silence from the disembodied Sombra.

Finally the horn glowed a bright gold and began to speak again.

“I am not a regular pony, I am a creature’s soul trapped within a frame that blends with the rest of this ugly world.” Cadence thought on that, disagreeing with it since she knew better that he wasn’t just any creature anymore, but she nodded for the sake of more information from the horn. “When you had-” He paused in recollection. “-defeated me, part of me survived and since I only need a little of my body to resurrect I am still well enough to live. I came to this place thinking it my safe haven...until I soon realized that my legion awaited me there and wished to torture me for my failure in seizing the empire. As for what I exactly want...” The room was silent for a moment, then the horn glowed again. “I don’t know anymore…”

Cadence sipped the last of her tea and looked at the concern etched on her aunts’ faces. She’d relayed the little misadventure to an audience which had remained deathly quiet through much of it. All three beings in the room listening, or at least two were.

“Sigh, He didn’t say anymore than that. I didn’t know what I should do with him then, but I knew I couldn't just leave him there. So, I took him to my quarters and watched him for any signs of black magic, but I didn't see anything throughout that time, so I knew it was safe to leave him in here alone. Of course, with security outside the door in case I missed something.” Cadence levitated her tea and set it down on the table in front of the sofa, then eyed the object in the middle of the room. Luna tapped her chin with her hoof before speaking up.

“Thoust say that he has no more black magic and is therefore defeated...I’d think better that thy niece would have left him there with his own kind.” Luna said spitefully, not intentionally at Cadence.

“Sister, you trust in Cadence’s decisions, let us hear what else she had to say about this.” Celestia placed a calming hoof on her sibling’s shoulder before nodding at Cadence to continue.

“Yes, perhaps I should have, but...I don’t know, I just couldn’t. He was afraid and he looked so...sick.”

“That thing is only a horn and is no good to our country, it is only a small vessel for whatever is left of the evil ruler...it is not even a real pony.” Luna spat.

“No, aunt Luna, he’s not just some object.” Cadence objected. “He is alive, but he is also weak and miserable.”

“As well it should be…” Luna whispered aggravatingly.

“Celestia, Luna...I think we should let him live in our world...he did say something about gaining his strength, perhaps he would become a real pony at some point. We are a land of second chances, we believe in the very principle of friendship and the act of forgiveness-”

“Thy country can not simply forgive and forget what thou hast done to thy kingdom and it’s citizens. It has destroyed countless dreams and it will do so again if thy niece and sister releases the Umbrum beast on our land...why doth thou not see it is dangerous and it should be locked away where it belongs.” Luna shouted angrily.

Cadence looked at her, her eyes wide and her pupils shrunk. Luna was right, it was dangerous, but even then forgiveness must be given to all creatures, not just a select few of ponies. Cadence opened her mouth to speak only to have Celestia lift her hoof.

“Cadence, I agree with Luna, Sombra is too dangerous to allow him to roam free.” Luna nodded in agreement. “Which is why we must reform him first.” Celestia smiled tenderly, to which Luna gawked at her sister.

“Thou sibling agree with Princess Cadence?! Why in the name of Tartarus should we trust that reformation is the best solution? Is it not equal in measure to throwing him back! Hast thou forgotten what he did to us?!” Luna demanded an explanation. Celestia smiled down at her sister.

“I do. It haunts me everyday, however Luna, I have to agree with Cadence. Sister, you of all ponies should understand forgiveness, for you too have suffered the ways of dark magic and what it does to somepony. Though Sombra is an Umbrum, that does not mean he is doomed to forever be evil. I don't know much about these creatures...however, they are still there and are trying to break through. If Sombra is willing, he could help us stop them once and for all. He is not all Umbrum after all, if Cadence’s account is correct, and what Twilight and her read is true, then Sombra has only a small piece of Umbrum in him. It won’t ever go away I’m sure, for that is his very being, but a creature like him has the future of doing great things for the good of harmony.” Celestia finished smiling down at her sister, understanding her concerns. Luna thought on it more before sighing in defeat.

“If thou thinketh right, I am in no position to deny it, for I do understand the darkness well. It is not only a practice of magic but a force that feeds off of us when it sees the chance. I was never a practitioner of such evil, but it still sought me out and took me, yet it was reversible. If Sombra is not all Umbrum, as you say, then he must have the chance to change his ways so the evil of magic will not come back for him. However, I caution we choose the right reformer for this.” Luna gazed over at the horn as Celestia began.

“Of course, I believe Cadence would be the best candidate for this seeing she understands-”

“I’m afraid not auntie-” Cadence interrupted, to which Celestia looked at her surprised.

“For many reasons it is a bad idea that I be the reformer. For one, he is not safe here, he is being sought after by both his kind and black magic...though the feeling of love is strong in this kingdom, I do not believe I would be able to protect him.” Cadence sighed. “Another is, I am frankly too busy to reform him, it would take so much out of my day and with a growing family and a kingdom to run, I don’t think Sombra would get the required attention he needs.” Celestia nodded in agreement, then tapped her chin in thought.

“I cannot either…” Celestia gave no explanation, but Cadence for a moment saw white fabrics swirling around her aunt, and the light blue hue of shame and guilt. Cadence didn’t want to question her aunt so instead she smiled.

“That’s alright auntie-” Cadence looked to Luna, but before Cadence said anything Luna spoke up.

“If thou thinketh me the best reformer you are very much mistaken and have spent too long at your desk, for my heart swims with hate towards this...stallion. I would not be any good either to him, I have not the patience for irresponsible creatures and too much work is to be done.” Luna looked off in a huff. Cadence watched the purple of Luna’s hate swim rabidly as she thought on who would be a good match for the ex-King. Then, an idea hit.

“Twilight...Twilight could do it!” Cadence said cheerfully. “Twilight has the patience and is the embodiment of magic and friendship! Surely she would be a good match for Sombra!” Celestia brightened at that and nodded.

“You are right, my niece. It is high time I gave Twilight a duty in helping her develop as a ruler. She is also quiet strong enough to have few guards there to assist her, but-”

“Yes, that seems logical enough, but no need to worry...I have already sent somepony to look after her every two weeks, however, since Sombra would be staying there with her we could extend the guard’s time there?” Cadence suggested.

“Hm, yes I suppose. Perhaps we should send a few more guards down there in case anything goes wrong...but I do have something that will make Sombra practically harmless.” Celestia looked to her sister and nodded, Luna understanding. “I believe this will work splendidly. For now, keep the Umbrum at bay and tomorrow we will give Sombra a new home.” The princesses looked to the horn, unbeknownst that Sombra had been listening the whole while and was now contemplating to himself.

Splendid, not only will I, the once evil overlord of the Crystal Empire, be forced to conform to the friendship cult, but I will also be bunking with the mare who caused me this grievance in the first place. I will live an eternity with the knowledge that my pride has been stripped of me not once, but three times...luck is not strong with me today…

Author's Note

So! Finally submitted this, yay! You guys need to give my editor a pat on the back because she helped a lot (as always ^^)

Yes, that's my headcanon for how Cadence sees love and feelings, and how her magic works.

Also, I was so happy I finally got to bring Sombra's seriously funny attitude! (heh, get it?!) I'm gonna go hide in a corner now...

Thanks for the patient wait! The next chapter is already being written!

Soap Suds and Villans

Spike walked into the hall drowsy. Waking up at five in the morning was not healthy for a dragon, he needed his beauty sleep if he was ever to get done with his chores later. The dragon yawned as he dragged his claws on the crystal floor, going down the hallway to Twilight’s room. He had gotten a letter from Celestia that was addressed to Twilight with the utmost emergency. Spike knew it was important, so he left his bed as quickly as he had burped up the letter and headed for the Princess’s bedroom.

The hall was cold and dark, the enchanted candles only illuminating small corners of the castle hallway. The adolescent dragon groaned slightly as his once warm claws walked the icy crystal hall. He came up to the door and knocked. When he received no answering call from the other side of the wooden barrier, he knocked again, this time calling out in a quiet inside voice.

“Twilight? You in-” Before he could finish, the door opened on its own, revealing an empty bed with folded blankets and a tied up canopy. Spike sighed heavily and turned back around, back into the hallway he had come from.

Should’ve known… He thought to himself, referring to the conclusion that Twilight can’t be anywhere else but the library. Spike trudged the floor once again, his tail dragging behind him lazily. He finally made it to the entryway of the hall where the library was, with the addition of a guard sleeping up against the door frame. The said stallion was slumped over on the door frame, drool dangling from his bottom lip, moving sideways ever so often when Flash released a snore.

The young, adolescent dragon came up to the guard and coughed.

The stallion jumped up and pointed his spear at the dragon's neck, scared out of his wits. The blade mere inches away from Spike’s throat. Wherever Flash was hiding that in his luggage the day prior, and just now, Spike didn’t want to know. Instead, the dragon flared his claws up in defense, his palms stiff and sweaty from the excitement.

“Hey, woah, take it easy! I come in peace!” The dragon bared a cold sweat on his scaly brow. Flash’s eyes glared at him, but softened when he calmed down.

“Sorry, I didn’t recognize you for a second...my vision is kinda blurry right now…” Flash rubbed his eyes tiredly. His round, owlish, blue eyes had dark circles under them. “She was up ‘till late last night, and didn’t fall asleep ‘till at least two...I fell asleep only a short while ago…” Flash finished.

“Yeah, she does that a lot, you get used to it after a little while.” Spike came up to the door, but Flash stopped him from even touching it.

“Why are you here anyway, she’s probably way too tired to wake up right now.” The soldier had his hoof on the dragon’s shoulder, and eyed him with a surprisingly piercing gaze considering his exhaustion. It made Spike a little uneasy, but he made his face firm and held up a pink envelope for the guard to see.

“I got a letter from the Princesses, they said this letter needed to be given to Princess Twilight and read immediately by her. I need to see Twi now.” Flash let go of Spike’s shoulder and nodded, smiling tiredly. He came to the door and opened it for the dragon, revealing a magnificent library of pastel colored gem walls, with books stacked on every side. To Flash, it was new and something you didn’t see everyday, but to Spike it was an everyday room that he had been in many times and many nights with his alicorn mother. While Flash continued eyeing the place, as he probably had done the night before, Spike simply walked up to the sleeping alicorn seated at one of the small wooden tables.

The table held remains of last night’s work mess, each paper stacked perfectly into alphabetical order. Books were slightly scattered all around the alicorn, and scrolls rested by her bottom hooves and the cushioned chair. The alicorn herself was sound asleep. Her sleeping figure slumped over the table, shaking from the cold air, and breathing shakily. Spike glared at Flash for a moment. The guard didn’t even notice.

Some guard; didn’t even cover you up like I would usually do, knowing how cold it gets in here at night… Spike snorted, lifting a blanket on Twilight before shaking her awake lightly.

“Twilight, hey, I got a letter for you…” Spike continued shaking her, adding a little more pressure every time she didn’t respond. At last, she opened her eyes and squinted at the bright lights.

“Fla-oh-Spike…It’s just you…” Spike looked at her with shrewd eyes, and made his annoyance audible with a snort.

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?” Spike pouted, his bottom lip poking out angrily, but only succeeded in looking adorable to Twilight.

“Nothing Spike, I just thought you were somepony else.” She sat up and pulled the blanket over her shoulders, warming up to the cozy interior of the cloth up against her fur.

“Oh, right, like Flash...of course you’d want him to wake you up…” Spike didn’t seem to like the guard as much after seeing he didn’t care for Twilight overnight. Spike always covered Twi in a blanket when she studied, she would always forget to when she was enraptured in her studies.

“Spike, why are you so upset?” Twilight reached her hoof out in concern, but before she could reach Spike’s face he stopped her by putting a pink letter between them.

“Nevermind that, the real reason I came here at the flank-crack of dawn was to give you this…” Twilight looked at him with a knowing look for his language, but then grabbed the pink envelope with her magic, looking at it curiously.

“When did it come in?” She asked opening the top with her magic aura, her eyes focused on the envelope.

“Only about ten or so minutes ago...it came with a note saying you had to read it immediately.” Spike bowed his head reflexively, now looking at the ground in thought of the letters note.

“Hm...it smells like...perfume?” Twilight questioned the letter, mostly talking to herself. “Oh! It’s from Cadence! Cady is the only Princess out of all of us who sends pink envelopes and scented paper! She says opening a letter should be enjoyable and should always give you a feeling of happiness.” Twilight smiled cheerfully, her eyes closed as she pulled the scented paper out of the envelope.

“That sure sounds like something she would say.” Flash laughed light heartedly from the entryway of the library. Twilight only looked up at him for a second and blushed innocently, then looked down at the paper to read. All the ponies in the room watched Twilight smile brightly as she read the letter’s contents, every second her face growing brighter and brighter.

“Well?” Spike asked, smiling knowingly, he had already determined what it was just by watching Twilight's reaction.

“You won’t believe this! All the Princesses, including Cadence are coming here this afternoon! Apparently something has come up where we must all meet and discuss something...but-” Twilight flips the paper back and forth, showing front and back repeatedly as Spike and Flash looked at one another confused.

“But what, your highness?” Flash inquired, stretching out his wings as he spoke.

“Well, what exactly we’re going to talk about isn’t mentioned anywhere...I don’t really know why they're coming...or why this was only for me and the castle residence to know.” Twilight repeated thoughts from the letter in question. She laid the paper down on the table, folding it neatly as it floated down. “Usually Celestia would tell me to come see her and warn me there was a problem, never with really any specific detail, but at least I would know if it’s good or bad. I’ve never received something like this, especially from Cadence, I’m a little worried. Is it a problem, or is it just something that needs discussion?” Twilight rubbed her eyes tiredly, obviously in annoyance as well as sleep deprivation. Spike smiled and walked up to his friend, resting his claw on her shoulder.

“How about we worry when they get here? You’re exhausted, why don’t you rest before we clean up for their arrival? And you know what? I’ll get as many of my chores for today done before you wake up, so you won’t have to do much; sound fair?” Spike spoke gently, worrying, of course, for Twilight’s health. Her eyes swollen, her face pale from her lack of sleep. So much had happened recently, and Twilight hadn’t been able to do anything for herself, not even sleep.

Twilight sighed and hugged her dragon son tightly.

“Thanks Spike, I’ll only be a couple of hours, and Flash can help too.” Twilight looked at Flash, which he in return smiled half heartedly. He really just wanted to guard her door, but whatever his Princess wants, she’ll receive.

“Of course, I will.” He bowed his head respectively. The gang left the library and broke off from one another to their separate tasks.

Miles away from Ponyville, a train roared on the tracks with such speed the snow from each side of the train flew in opposition to the friction of metal and crystal. Cadence stood by the window and watched the Crystal Empire shrink in the distance, her eyes looking worriedly at the snow and shining crystal scenery gradually disappearing into nothing but mountain rock and ice. Once she could no longer see her home, she turned toward the inside of the train and it’s other passengers. Luna and Celestia stood by a jeweled box; small, ivory, crystalline jewels embedded in the top and sides of the container. Cadence eyed the jewels with content, feeling somewhat secure. Luna, however, was not so convinced, Cadence could tell by looking at her discomforted face.

“It will hold him. These crystals are enchanted and are designed to block any magic from leaving the capsule. We use it for force fields and to keep the Crystal heart safe.” Cadence said calmly, her smile gentle and natural. She wanted to try and comfort Luna as much as she possibly could to soften the weight of the situation. Luna only looked at the box with shrewd eyes and unease until finally, she turned away from it, no longer able to look at the hideous thing. Cadence sighed heavily, then walked over to Celestia who was staring out the window.

“Auntie…” Cadence acknowledged her beloved aunt as she stood by her and watched the snow as Celestia did.

“Cadence?” Celestia questioned. Cadence turned to see her aunt’s face with mild surprise and exhaustion in her eyes. Celestia was such a beautiful ruler, but that day she looked distressed and disheveled.

“Yes?”

“When you think of evil, what is the first thing that comes to mind?” Celestia paused, awaiting Cadence’s answer. Cadence took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Her mind wandered, searching for an answer, as she turned her head to watch the flying snow and mountain rock.

“I think of...what could have possibly happened for somepony to change dramatically enough to become an evil pony.” Cadence answered in a low whisper, eyeing Luna from the corner of her eye. The elegant blue alicorn soon left the cargo hold to a dining area instead.

“I feel the same way” Celestia said after a moment's pause. “At one point, I never thought of how the pony felt underneath all the powerful, wasted magic. I only looked at them as somepony evil who only wanted to inflict torture on others.” Celestia looked down at her hooves in thought. Cadence looked up at her aunt once again, this time in curiosity.

“Why does Luna hate Sombra so much, Celestia? Why doesn’t she want to reform him? Does she think the same way you had once?” Cadence questioned, slightly annoyed by not knowing Luna’s reasoning behind her feelings for the tyrant. Celestia smiled slightly at the questions, they reminded her of a little filly who wanted to know everything about the world around her.

“We were part of a family once, we had ponies who cared for us deeply...but,” Celestia paused for a moment, breathing deeply. She turned around and directed her attention at the box in the center of the train cart, “evil took it away. At that moment I felt like my world had dissipated, and the realization that everything must end came to me in the most horrible of moments. I had convinced myself that evil was evil, and there was nothing that could change it, that every creature who was or had been evil was somepony who was heartless and didn’t feel like others did. Like others do. I was proven wrong, however, when a dear friend close to me lost someone he cherished and it made him go mad. And again with my sister when she had become Nightmare Moon. I understood then that they were only broken down so much that they couldn’t find the strength to fight...they had suffered at one point, or they felt that it was something they were supposed to do and they had no choice.”

“So, Luna was once broken. Every villain had been, or is evil because they suffered.” Cadence concluded.

The white alicorn looked back at Cadence who had been watching Celestia’s face as she talked aloud, her strong but gentle voice carrying out in an echo throughout the empty cart. “Evil is its own being and only uses those of us who are broken as vessels to carry out its dark purposes. That’s why friendship is so important...that’s why we reform villains, because at some point, no one was there for them, but now they can have that friend to lean on and grow...and heal from their past.” Celestia looked back at the box with sympathy. “No pony is evil, they’re just lost and broken inside. What’s evil is believing the very thought that that’s what they're destined to do or to be and they have no control over their own fate. That they are to always suffer and life doesn’t give second chances.” Celestia pat Cadence’s head gently, while smiling calmly at her niece.

“If that’s true, why doesn’t Luna treat Sombra more sympathetically?” Cadence eyed her aunt worriedly out of concern for Luna.

“Because for some ponies, it's hard to forget.” Celestia removed her calming hoof from Cadence’s mane and instead planted it on the wooden floors of the train cart as Luna walked back in.

“Ye train’s chef has yet to add peanut butter cookies to the food cart. As if this trip isn’t devastating enough. Thou royalty can’t even indulge in delectable sweets.” Luna complained as she waltzed in the cart, her muzzle in the air with aggravation and disappointment. Cadence tried not to giggle at the site of an annoyed Luna, but instead nodded in understanding. She seemed too preoccupied with her rant to give their expressions a second thought.

“I’ll inform the chef once we arrive at Ponyville that peanut butter cookies should be added to the buffet.” Cadence smiled tenderly, her eyes closed. Luna only looked at her niece for a split second before turning back to a window, her head hanging low, and her shoulders tensing up in exasperation.

Celestia and Cadence watched for a time as Luna made her way to one of the windows, then looked back at one another with worried looks and tired eyes. Neither was looking forward to the long journey ahead.

Spike walked through the crystal halls of Twilight's castle with a mop in claw and a full bucket of soapy water being expertly balanced on his back. Flash wasn’t too far behind the young dragon, his armor off and a bandanna holding his blue mane back from his eyes. The two looked like the castle’s cleaning crew, as they carried supplies down the halls and through the corridors. Flash sped up faster beside Spike, their sizes noticeably different as they walked alongside one another. For every step the purple dragon took, Flash took two extra to keep up with the adolescent.

Flash eyed the dragon for a moment, before questioning him, breaking the silence around them.

“Why do you live among ponies?”

Spike smiled thoughtfully, before answering with slight nostalgia.

“They feel more like my family than any dragon I’ve met. I was born and raised by ponies, with ponies for as long as I can remember.” Spike banked a corner before setting down his cleaning supplies, motioning a pointed claw to a spot for Flash to set his things down too.

“So, what makes you so different compared to other dragons? I thought they grow greedy, and that’s how they get bigger. Why are you grown, but not greedy?” Flash’s curiosity and nervousness was noticeable around Spike. It was uncommon to see dragon and ponies working together, and even more strange for one to be living with one.

“I’m not greedy.” Spike said calmly, dumping his claw in the bucket of soap and wiping the suds across the window behind him with artistic movement.

“Then how do you grow?” Flash inquired, his body mimicking the dragons as he wiped down the corners of the window to free them of dust. Spike stifled a laugh of annoyance, and instead answered knowingly.

“This is as big as I’ll get. I grow slower due to my inability to be like other dragons and be full of greed. I started growing not too long ago, I would have grown slower if it wasn’t for Twilight’s studies into dragons. Apparently I’m not all dragon...according to Twilight’s books. When she learned that I was different she asked Zecora for help and I had to eat some weird stuff to help me grow faster.” Spike double dipped his rag back into the soap suds and stood up on his back legs to reach the higher corners of the window. Flash watched him for a second before he asked yet another question.

“What are you then?”

“I’m a pony and dragon hybrid; fifth generation to be exact. That means I’m more dragon than pony, but because of my heritage I don’t have to grow out of greed.” Spike explained, ringing out the rag, emptying the dirt from the previous window into the dirty bucket. He got back on all fours and pulled the buckets handle with the end of his tail across the floor to the next window in the hall.

“Is there a name for that kind of hybrid?” Flash kept up the conversation for as long as he could, not wanting the daunting high walls of the castle to get quiet and awkward.

“Not really...not that Twi knows of, I’m kinda one of the last of my kind. If there is any more like me they aren’t registered as Equestrian citizens. They’re might be more across the seas but we wouldn’t know. They were rare centuries ago, but not unknown to most ponies, mostly because it was a political taboo that ponies had to know about. So, consider me the last.” Spike looked at Flash with a proud, but somewhat sad smile, his sharp canines barely peeking through his scaly lips. The orange stallion looked at him with a return smile, his cheeks rising slightly and creating small dimples in his cheeks.

“That’s pretty neat, though. I’ve never met any kind of dragon, so it’s cool to be friends with one.” Flash chuckled lightly, his wings flapping a little with enthusiasm. Spike eyed the orange pegasus with a raised brow and a toothy grin.

“Am I really? I’m sure you’ve seen other creatures or something different than Equestrian beasts-” Spike’s words faded into a distant echo as Flash stood there with a blank, eye-wide face. His knees shook slightly and his forehead showed obvious signs of a cold sweat as Spike carried on talking. “I mean, you are a guard…er, a guard in training. You should’ve see more than a house trained dragon and Alicorn Princesses, right? Hm?” Spike stopped short when he had turned around to see Flash only standing in the center of the hallways staring wide eyed at the crystal floor. “Flash, buddy, you okay there-?”

“Huh? Yeah, I’m just-” Flash rubbed his neck, his eyes softening, but his head furrowed in frustration. Flash picked up his bucket and rag and speed walked down the hall. “I’m gonna go do the library!” He called out to the purple dragon, now alone in the empty hall.

Spike watched Flash turn a corner into a corridor, then scratched his scales on his head in confusion. The young dragon crossed his arms in annoyance after a moment's pause.

“It’s because I’m part dragon isn’t it?” Spike said under his breath with a small snort from his nostril.

Flash walked into the library with his back slumped down, head dragging just above the floor. The bottom rim of the bucket made a light screeching noise as it too met the ground. His tail and wings followed in the same depressing manner, his hooves leading him to the table Twilight had been at only an hour earlier. He dropped the bucket lazily on the table, and he sat down in the cushioned chair for a moment to rest. His head easily fit in the space between his front hooves crossed over one another on the table, his head comfortably leaning to one side so his tired eyes could watch the books across the room.

The orange pegasus studied the bookshelf carefully, noticing every little detail. The shelves were sorted by date published, all of them being the same genre, poetry. Beside the large, occupied shelves was a stack of boxes, full of more books. Flash stifled a laugh at the book horse he now shared a home with, her intelligence and love for reading fascinating to him. Flash turned his head to the other side, his eyes landing immediately on the spine of a large journal, an emblem of Celestia’s sun shining like gold as the medium sized book laid on it’s side.

Flash studied this too, the small cracks were clearly visible, determining its age could be spotted on even the spine of the book. Creases just as plain on each side from continued usage and turning of it’s yellow pages. The orange face of the pegasus concentrated harder on one scar the book had to display. It looked like a quick slice that could only have happened by a blade rather than simple aging. Flash recognized the angle of the cut immediately, his body reflexively sitting up to see the cover, it’s leather tearing and stretching.

The book was a faded red color with a depiction of Equestria’s sun within the center of the book. Remains of small strands of golden detail circled around the sun, but had discolored over time leaving only a small glimmer of what was.

Flash gently pet the cover with a shocked face, his pupils shrunk to the size of pin pricks. Memories flooded his mind with such speed he felt tears on the edge of his lids beginning to make their descent down his cheek.

“This is where you’ve been.” He whispered to the book, before looking up quickly and watched his surroundings. Flash eyed the book again with a worried face before he snuck it under his wing, grabbed his cleaning supplies and fled the library with Twilight and Sunset’s shared journal.

Author's Note

I know, it's short *hue hue* :raritydespair: I TRIED, ALRIGHT! :raritycry: Let's just say I've been kinda, sorta "distracted" :facehoof: so I haven't gotten anything done in a little while, plus the holidays too. I promise to be more frequent with my writing (and I know a lot of you want an update on B&E since that's the most popular out of my works right now). Aside from these factors that can be great and negative at the same time...some more positive than others...I'm getting done slowly :twilightsheepish:

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! May the cliff hangers and throwing banana people merge and revolt! Bye bye peoples, till our next waltz! (Yep, my sarcasm has been bumped up a few levels)

Put A Ring On It

“Flash? Flash! Hurry, we’re gonna be late to the train station!” Twilight called out from the foyer of her castle. Her purple figure standing regally next to her dragon, Spike, who carried her packs while they waited for a certain pegasus to come from his room. Twilight had been waiting and calling many minutes for her guard, to which she still had no response. Her and Spike were both ready to go to the train station to meet with the other three Princesses of Equestria, and if it weren’t for Flash’s unpunctual personality, they would have already left the castle steps.

“Flash?” Twilight called out again, each time making her increasingly annoyed. “Would you go see what’s holding him, Spike? I can’t have the Princesses waiting for us, we need to be there when they arrive.” Twilight asked more kindly, her head looking up at the tall purple dragon with a distressed face.

“Yeah, I’ll go see what’s up…” Spike lightly dropped the pack of essentials on the crystal floor with a low thud before exiting the foyer to one of the many hallways in the castle. He sped along as he made his way to Flash’s room across from the kitchen, which was considered to be Applejack’s guest room. The blue, wooden door was slightly opened, a crack allowed light from the room beyond to leak into the darker lit hallway. Not much else was visible to the adolescent dragon until his light knocking on the door had opened it into the room slightly.

“Hey Flash-?” The instant Spike had let the door squeak and slightly open, a rustle of bed sheets and a slam of a book could be heard. The entry to the room grew wider as the dragon stepped in to see Flash on his bed, his hooves up against the drawer of the apple wood nightstand.

“-uh” Spike paused for a moment, taking in the scene before continuing. “Yeah...sorry Flash, but, um...well, Twi has been calling you for the past five minutes. We’re ready to leave for the train station to go see the Princesses. You should totally tag along.” Spike added with a satirical tone and quick eyebrow lift. Though his sarcasm went unnoticed by the pegasus across the room. The orange stallion quickly hopped off his bed and fled for the door, trying his best to lessen his contact with the dragon. Spike watched the guard curiously, and before Flash could step a hoof out, the dragon smiled and purposely slid in the way.

“Hey bud, slow down there. What’s the matter?” The drake inquired, his scaley brow furrowed an inch, awaiting the stallion’s reply. The dragon blocking Flash’s exit acted genuinely out of concern, smiling gently and gazing at the pegasus. Even though Spike felt Flash was trying to make something vague and run away, the strangeness of his behavior seemed off from the guard's usual charismatic nature. It would be obvious to anypony that they weren’t close as friends, but Spike did feel the obligation to talk with him if there was a problem.

Flash looked up at Spike with the best mask of innocence he could muster, his eyes straining to keep his gaze on the dragon.

“Nothing, nothing’s wrong. I just figured you’d want me to hurry since Twi is in a rush.” The stallion reasoned. Spike looked at him with an intense focus, before looking ahead of the guard to the nightstand by the bed.

“What were you up to?” Spike’s voice lowered to a more quieter but equally bold tone. Flash was a bit taken aback by the intimidating disposition, his smile twitching slightly from the pressure.

“Nothing. Honestly, I was only reading.” Flash paused, before his eyes widened a bit and he smiled brighter. “I was reading one of my training manuals! I can get so into focus that I just kinda block out the rest of the world while I study. Sorry if that got in the way of Twilight’s plans.” The guard finished with an apologetic grin and innocently closed eyes. Spike looked at Flash in question, his muzzle opening to speak before a compelling and aggravated voice called out from the foyer of the large castle.

“Flash! Spike! You colts better hurry or I’m leaving your slow tails behind!” Twilight’s booming voice sounded throughout the large castle, every beat of annoyance in her voice being noted by the two stallions. They looked at one another with cringing faces before hurrying out of the room and galloping down the hall to the impatiently waiting alicorn.

Twilight, again, stood next to her dragon son Spike, with the addition of her guard. They both stood patiently on either side of the purple alicorn, eagerly waiting for signs of a train coming down the tracks. The group had only stuck around for a few minutes after arriving at the station. However, the waiting, plus Twilight’s consistent hoof tapping, was becoming increasingly unbearable and stirred anxiety within them.

The young princess hadn’t seen her royal family in quite some time, and even though she had grown comfortable to the customs of royalty, she still got nervous before seeing them. The excitement of waiting for them, and the added tension of reasoning thoughts as to why they were going to be arriving in Ponyville in the first place, compelled Twilight’s hoof to tap the wooden platform below her. Why were they coming? What was going on? Tap, tap. Why did Cadence send the letter, and not Celestia? Tap, tap, tap. Was this a regular get together that just seemed important? Or was this another noble task that Twilight had to complete? Tap, tap, tap, tap.

Flash eyed Twilight’s nervous twitching and incessant tapping before grazing her backside with his wing. The gentle touch made Twilight swiftly turn to Flash with a blush.

“Hey, it’ll be alright. They’ll be here soon. I’m sure it’s nothing you can’t handle-" Flash smiled kindly at her as his wing continued resting on her back. The alicorn blinked owlishly at the stallion, the nervous tick of her hoof coming to an abrupt stop at the first contact of his wing. "...whatever it is.” He added smoothly.

“Um-” She looked back at his feathers resting on her naturally and then back at him bashfully. “Thanks.” She spoke out of gratitude, before gasping quietly as the sound of fast chugging and steam made its way to her ears. The purple alicorn’s head jerked to the side so quickly her crown would have fell to the floor if she hadn’t caught it and held it tightly on her mane. Her eyes laid on the horizon of the tracks and the crystallized train that moved with such speed as it made its way to Ponyville’s lone train station.

Twilight studied the train just as well as she could from her distance, noting the sun’s reflection on the train and it’s beautiful shine it created on either side of the tracks. Blues, pinks, and purples of light and crystal brilliance casted their charms on the grass and tracks of Ponyville. The sight in and of itself was glorious enough, with the added efficiency of speed the train had, to make Twilight gape at the marvelous piece of Equestrian engineering.

“That’s the Crystal Express for the Crystal Empire. It’s the fastest train in history and at present. It’s usually used as Cadence and Shining’s train for personal routes and emergencies. I thought it was a little strange that Cadence had sent the letter, but now I’m more curious as to why they’re all coming from the Northern Mountains and not showing up separately.” Twilight watched the train slow itself down on the tracks as it pulled into the station, a loud whistle exclaiming the arrival of its destination to Ponyville for all its passengers.

Spike took Twilight’s words into recognition and shrugged unnaturally, nerved by the loud train and Twilight’s inquiries.

“Maybe they just thought it would be better to travel together?” The dragon suggested for the alicorn. The purple princess shook her head confused by the thought.

“Why would Celestia and Luna travel so much? That doesn’t make any sense. If they were travelling back from the Dragon Festival they would have gone back to Equestria’s mainland, it being the fastest way back home. A trip to the Crystal Empire then to Ponyville would have been inconvenient for them if it wasn’t for something important.” Twilight searched the train's windows, her eyes watching intensely as if she were expecting something to jump out at her. Finally, the purple gem doors slid open dramatically, dust from the bottom of the train airing outward and above her hooves as Cadence stepped out of the train car. The petite mare looked either way of the platform before noticing Twilight and her entourage smiling her way. The pink alicorn squealed with delight at the sight of her sister-in-law and galloped toward her. The two fell in an embrace, each holding the other tightly, the long months of little time to see the other fading faster the longer they held one another.

Twilight buried her muzzle in her sister’s shoulder, hugging just a little tighter, trying her best not to be emotional after not seeing her for so long.

“I missed you Cady…” The older alicorn kissed Twilight’s head gently, accepting all the love Twilight had to give. The little foal she once knew had aged and had become wiser over the years she had been princess, and the time they spent together was very limited. Yet, Twilight’s heart still conveyed nothing but pure love toward her old foal sitter. Cadence had always seen Twilight shine the best of her emotions, usually brighter than any other she had seen besides her husband’s. Princess Twilight continually showed her place as a princess, even by the smallest of acts, she always had the right emotions for every task and situation. Even during the toughest of moments, the small purple mare prevailed and knew the right way to feel.

Cadence watched the brightness of white swirl around Twilight, strengthening her unending faith that Twilight could undo what had been done long before their time. That even though the task may be difficult, the young alicorn would succeed in the end.

The mares released their holds on one another, allowing for an awkward pause to sneak its way into the meeting. Twilight stood proudly, smiling, expecting Cadence to mimic her and join in a small exchange they always had done when first seeing one another. However, Cadence only smiled half-heartedly, standing tiredly, then turned her head around toward the other two passengers from the train. Twilight’s smile dropped into a look of concern, never having been rejected a ‘Sunshine’ dance from Cadence.

I-It’s only a little unusual. I’m just used to it is all. There probably isn’t anything wrong and I’m just overthinking like I usually do.

Twilight’s thoughts were quickly interrupted by Celestia’s warm voice, and Luna’s presence.

“Twilight. I’m pleased to see you after so long.” Twilight smiled at her fellow princess and bowed respectively. “Oh Twilight, no need to bow, remember? You’re a princess now too, a hug will do just as good.” Twilight smiled brighter and gently hugged Celestia’s shoulders. In return, Celestia patted the young mare’s head. After embracing her past mentor, Twilight looked over at Luna thoughtfully. Luna gracefully nodded and made a pleasant face, which was the usual greeting they gave one another.

“We share a mutuality of you as well, Miss Sparkle. We-er-I...missed thoust frequent company greatly. If not for recent times and events, I would have come to visit quaint little Ponyville for more of you and your friends’ presence.” Luna struggled with her words, trying her best to not show too much of her excitement from seeing a friend but also using in-decade language. Twilight stifled a giggle and nodded once more.

From behind the group, a cough broke the conversation, as the attention of all three princesses turned to the only dragon and stallion on the platform.

“By the way ladies, we’re here too.” Spike grinned, gaining small laughs from the mares.

“We’re happy to see you too Spike.” Cadence added thoughtfully on the princesses’ behalf. The pink alicorn grinned at the dragon before changing her eyes focus onto the stallion beside Spike. She immediately recognized him as one of her subjects, and smiled brighter. “And you too, Flash. How have you been?”

“Hm? Oh, uh, I’ve been alright. I haven’t been here too long, but I’m enjoying Ponyville and its residence.” Flash nervously answered, not admiring the attention on him. The stallion’s blue eyes peered over at Twilight unconsciously, focusing on her tidy blue bun and tiara. Her dark hair and pastel colored streaks tucked neatly under her crown, and her bangs were pinned to one side of her head. She looked lovely this morning, definitely royalty, definitely earned. He looked down, again without thinking, his eyes now distracted with something else that wasn’t in his near presence.

I want to go back to reading it… The stallion wishfully thought.

Cadence eyed him, the edges of her face lifting in a pleasing manner. His aura glowed white dimly, and swirled around him slowly. Even though Cadence still noticed signs of sadness diving in and out from him, she watched the fabrics of love more attentively. The young alicorn looked over at Twilight who stood not that far in front of her, continuing to smile. It put Cadence at ease knowing that her sister would be protected and cared for through the trials ahead. At that thought, the alicorn’s face became more distressed, but she tried to keep her attitude as contented as possible.

“Twilight.” Celestia spoke up. The latter looked back at the tall regal princess, her eyes twinkling in admiration. Twilight grinned genuinely, but her face fell upon seeing Celestia’s seriousness etched in her features.

“Celestia?” Twilight asked worriedly.

“Princess Twilight, if it’s no inconvenience to you, may we proceed with our meeting in your castle’s council room?” Celestia inquired, her attitude suddenly reserved and professional. Twilight looked at her oddly, but nodded respectively.

“Yes, of course.” Twilight held out a hoof toward the direction of her castle as Spike and Flash came up on either side of the purple alicorn. “This way.” The princesses held their chins up and walked off the platform to their destination. Cadence, however, looked back at the train before joining the group in their walk to the castle.

“We’re leaving now. Bring the contained.” Cadence then peered at Twilight, her face deprived of happiness and instead replaced with melancholy. The pink princess allowed a pause before continuing off the train station platform, Twilight and her entourage staying a few moments behind. The stallion and drake looked at one another with furrowed brows, then at Twilight who watched guards file out of the train. One guard carried in his green magical aura a small box covered in cloth, which then was placed in a protective bubble as the guards circled around it, all walking in the direction of Twilight’s crystal tree castle.

Again, Spike and Flash looked at one another, then at Twilight. The Princess’s eyes were wide, her face in bewilderment and confusion.

“I don’t think this is intended to be a casual meeting.” Twilight concluded.

The room was magnificent, small fractal lights dangled from the ceiling off the ends of a tree’s roots, creating a show of reflections on the floor of the council room. There was a round table centered underneath the large tree, a multidimensional map spread across it to the edges of the crystal structure. Around the magical table, were a set of seven stone chairs, each having it’s own distinct mark on the head, minus one. One was a bit larger than the rest, it displayed a bold pink star identical to Twilight’s. The others had carbon copies of her friends’ cutie marks as well, and Equestria’s formally named ‘Elements of Harmony’. Fluttershy’s had her three innocent pink butterflies, Applejack’s seat was stained with her red apples, Rainbow Dash’s had her popularly known lightning bolt, Rarity’s chair fashionably displayed her three gems, Pinkie’s proudly captivated her trio of balloons, and the chair without any mark was Spike’s for him to seat at when the girls were over. The room had looked as normal as it had been last Twilight was in there, until the guards from before came into the room with the bubble protected case.

Twilight stood by next to the others with a face that could only be described as shaken. Celestia and Cadence eyed the squad of stallions as they set the box down on the table, Luna only looking at it with distaste. As the small crate was set down into place in the center of the map, the guard that had formed the bubble let the force fall, then gently unfolded the wraps from the box’s corners, allowing the chest to be free. Twilight inspected from a distance. It was a small dark purple box, the edges aligned with gold, and small ivory pearls and jewels lined the chest and covered the entirety of the lid.

The youngest of the alicorns looked over at the other princesses’ faces. They were deadpanned, melancholy, and disgusted at the sight of the jeweled box on the table in front of them. Twilight now more than ever felt her anxieties take hold of her mind, her whole body breaking out in sweat, and her eyes wide and stressed.

Finally, after the box was secure on the table, Cadence asked the guards to leave the room and wait outside. Flash figured that was also his cue to leave as well, but before he could Cadence spoke up.

“Not you Flash, you should stay here.” Flash’s ears drooped back a bit in annoyance, but he complied and waited right beside the exit. Cadence nodded, “Spike, please close the doors.” Her voice sounded tired, but stern. Spike did as he was asked and closed the double doors, walking backward into the room as they shut with a loud and low click. As he did so, Cadence made her way to the table and sat in one of the chairs surrounding its round edges, the others following suit. Unpurposely, they avoided seating next to one another, instead sitting across from the other or on the far sides creating an ‘X’ between the four of them. Twilight looked out across the large table to her company, waiting for one of them to speak and to break the awkward silence that haunted the council room. The tension was heavy, all eyes were on the box that had been neatly placed in the center of the entire room. Though the box was appealing to the eye, in no way were any of the princesses enjoying its presence. It casted a spell of intimidation and malaise, even when Twilight didn’t know what was in it, it gave her a feeling of sorrow.

“In this box a very weak, but once powerful creature, is being contained.” Celestia broke the quietness, her calm voice coming out clear and precise. Despite this, the lengthy time without words being spoken caused her voice to pierce the room like a knife, almost like a shriek or a loud ringing that made Twilight cringe for a second. Not only that, but what Celestia had just said contributed to the young mare’s bewilderment and shock that came to her face.

“What?” Twilight uttered quietly in disbelief, almost a whisper.

“I found him four days ago, in my castle...where me and you had once found his journal.” Cadence explained. Twilight’s eyes widened even further as realization of who Cadence was talking about dawned on her.

No. How?

Cadence continued her story after letting the news sink in for Twilight. “I had saw something horrific that led me to him, the halls were covered in...darkness. I could hear his screams. When I found him, he was being attacked by something...something that’s very dangerous to us and to Equestria.”

“The Umbrum.” Luna finished.

“Umbrum...the journal...Sombra…?” Twilight mumbled to herself, the sight a bit unnerving but also understandable to the other royals.

“Twilight?” Spike came up to the alicorn with a look of concern etched in his scaley features. He rested his claw on her shoulder, the gentle touch bringing Twilight back to the present. The lavender alicorn looked to her side at Spike, her face softening.

“I’m alright, Spike...just…a little shocked.” Spike nodded understandingly, then let go of her shoulder, but continued to stand near her chair. The dragon looked back to see if Flash would come join everypony else, but he was nowhere to be seen. Spike rolled his eyes, not too concerned or broken up about Flash’s absence as there were more important things to be thinking about.

Twilight, now more calmed, took a couple steady and deep breaths before speaking again.

“So...Cadence, you found him in his office, and he was being attacked by-?” Twilight trailed off, Celestia nodded.

“The Umbrum. By what Sombra had told Cadence in their encounter, Sombra’s species seeks vengeance on their champion. Sombra didn’t succeed in overthrowing Equestria, and if my reasoning is correct, not prevailing in releasing the Umbrum from their hell. Because he had failed, he is now wanted by his fellow creatures to be tortured, which would be barbaric of us if we let that happen.” The white alicorn’s explaining and reasoning was sound, no one dared object. A dead silence fell at the table, the only thing to be heard was a deep sigh from Spike, taking it all in.

“I see.” Twilight answered at last. “I wouldn’t wish torture on another creature...even if they had attempted to overthrow Equestria-” The lavender alicorn looked over at Luna soon enough to see the Princess of the Night look away with a face of shame and disgust. “--he wouldn’t be the first. But, why is he here? What do you plan on doing with him? And...how exactly is Sombra fitting in that box?”

Cadence would have giggled at the innocent question if it weren’t for the seriousness of the situation, so instead she sparked her magic, levitating the box toward Twilight.

“He isn’t in the form you remember, Twilight. He’s too weak to take any such form other than a piece of something he used to be.” The enchanted chest came to Twilight enveloped in Cadence’s blue aura, then was set down in front of the purple mare. Cadence slowly opened the chest, a golden magic cover sliding back seconds after the lid had been opened, the protection spell being released from the box. Inside was Sombra’s red tipped, black horn cushioned on top of white silk. Twilight looked at it confused, her feelings obvious to Cadence.

“I don’t understand.” Twilight stated in a shaky voice.

“I didn’t either.” Cadence said in a comforting tone before continuing. “This was the first thing he could latch onto at the moment of his defeat. He’s been using his own horn as a vessel all this time, trying to gain some of the strength he once had. Albeit, he’s still too weak to hold up a decent spell, let alone be strong enough to get his pony form back.”

“Interesting.” Was all Twilight could think to say to Sombra’s impressive survival. “Why is he here, Cadence?” The lavender alicorn continued looking at the horn, her face now deadpanned.

“We think thou hast already concluded the reason Equestria’s royalty have gathered here at thine castle, Princess Twilight.” Luna spoke boldly toward the youngest princess.

“Celestia?” Twilight didn’t bother to look up, instead she eyed the useless horn in front of her, waiting for Celestia to tell her what she didn’t want to hear.

“We wish to reform him, Twilight. We wish for you to reform him.” The eldest spoke with faith in her voice, knowing full well Twilight’s character, and predicting what she would say.

“No way.” Spike’s voice shook in disbelief. “You can’t have Twilight reform him! He’s the worst villain to have reformed next to Tirek!” The dragon spat in Twilight’s defense.

“Spike.” Twilight said calmly. “It’s my duty.” Spike looked at his alicorn mother with a face of bewilderment and discontent.

“You can’t...this is our home, Twilight! He’s evil, the real evil...he doesn’t deserve this…you don’t deserve this.” The adolescent dragon’s voice whimpered, knowing this battle had been lost before he had even objected to the idea.

“We had given Discord the same chance, and many after him. Sombra deserves that at least...at least a chance, Spike. It doesn’t matter how we feel about doing it, what matters is actually doing it and giving somepony else that second chance.” Twilight reasoned as Spike was becoming increasingly livid.

“You can’t forgive everypony, Twilight! He’s not like Discord or Starlight or the others! He consciously caused death to hundreds of ponies and enslaved the Crystal Empire to do his bidding! A pony like him shouldn’t even be given the chance to see the light of day let alone walk Equestria free!” Spike’s voice had risen, his blood boiling. He had to protect his family, and letting such a stallion into their home would break them apart. It already was.

“Everypony deserves forgiveness, Spike.” Twilight argued, but Spike wouldn’t have anything to do with what she had to say. Spike hunched down on all fours and walked out of the room, the door slamming hard against the frame, a chip from the gems on the side breaking off from the force.

“Twilight...I wish I could say there was another option, but there isn’t.” Cadence said sympathetically, her delicate hooves then being set at rest on the table. “If the Umbrum are after him, he can’t stay with me at the castle...and though this is mostly for his benefit, reforming him may help us understand how to keep the Umbrum from taking over Equestria. It’s my belief that if they were capable of inflicting pain on Sombra even from beyond their entrapment, then they are getting stronger. They’ve been locked away for so long, even before The Crystal Empire had been sealed away from the rest of the world. It’s only a matter of time before they grow too strong to keep behind the door and we need to know Sombra will help us in their defeat.” Cadence finished, her chin trying to stay high, but her body aching from restless sleep and stress. Twilight finally looked away from Sombra’s horn and at her sister-in-law at the far edge of the round table. It took a long moment of thinking in silence before Twilight spoke up. She looked over to Celestia from across her.

“What do you want me to do?” The white alicorn lowered her head in thought before answering her once prized pupil.

“We need Sombra to stay here in your castle while under reformation. It may take a little while as he’s one of the worst villains Equestria has had, and he hasn’t been in this world for a very long time nor seen what’s outside of The Crystal Empire.” Celestia informatively stated, her eyes now focused on the box containing the disembodied king.

“But what about his magic? He’s weak now, but couldn’t he just escape or wreck havoc on Ponyville once he gets his energy back?” Twilight pointed out, to which the others looked at one another with knowing expressions. Twilight eyed Cadence as she got up from her seat and made her way over to the lavender mare in silence. With her magic, the entry to the council room opened and through the door came yet another small box. This one was plain and wooden, but the saddening black paint that covered its exterior made Twilight look at it with a wince. Cadence pulled the small black box toward the table with her blue aura, the alicorn's face etched with determination. Finally, after what seemed like so long for the chest to travel in front of the youngest alicorn at the table, Cadence spoke.

“This will help with that.” Cadence moved Sombra’s horn to the side and let the black box softly land on the table in front of Twilight, the lid to the chest opening. Inside the simple black box were five rings, all the same except for one that was red while the others were gold. Each one had symbols etched in them, blue light shining dimly through the cracks of the writing. Twilight looked beside her at Cadence who had continued to explain. “These horn rings are enchanted with an old and powerful spell that isn’t used by any regular unicorn. This spell is usually considered dark magic to those who can’t wield it correctly, however, for an alicorn…it’s possible to control if they are strong enough in will and magic.”

“What’s the spell?” Twilight whispered, her eyes straining to read the small symbols.

“‘Tis a spell of binding. The spell has not been used in quiet some time for there was no need to use such a spell...until now.” Luna yet again frowned deeply at the horn visible to everyone at the table. Twilight looked up at the Princess of the Night with a look of utter shock and disgust.

“A binding spell?!” The young mare gasped, her volume reaching significantly higher than what it had been. Her voice echoed through the room, a call of guilt and shame hovering over the group. The princesses looked down in discomfort, their faces obviously stressed from the situation.

“We have no other choice Twilight, as you’ve said, what is to stop Sombra from terrorizing everypony once he gains his magic back? This isn’t as bestial as you think.” Celestia spoke softly and in a calm manner, trying her best to soothe the princess’s nerves. Cadence took it as her cue to begin explaining the logistics of the spell and their plan.

“These rings will be worn at all times by Sombra, Celestia, Luna, you, and me. They can’t be taken off unless the binded has completed his purpose of the spell, or one of the binders passes.”

“What will be his purpose?” Twilight questioned yet again.

“Former tyrant Sombra will have accepted harmony and peace for the rings to break and the spell to be nullified.” Luna answered, her scornful glare never leaving the horn unwatched.

“We will perform the spell once all the rings are placed on our horns. Once the spell is complete, each of us will be in control of Sombra’s magical usage, bodily movements, and speech. It’s a great responsibility, we must all be careful and only use these rings when absolutely necessary.” Celestia looked over at her sister from the corner of her eye, then looked at the rest with a determined brow. “This is for Sombra’s sake and for the protection of Equestria, we must be cautious of the powerful magic in these rings.” Celestia, with her magic, picked the rings out of the box and slid each of the gold rings on the princesses horns, the red one sliding gently down Sombra’s curved one.

“We will perform the spell now.” The white alicorn stood from her seat and faced forward with her chin high, the others following suit.

Once all the princesses were ready, Celestia lit her horn, then Cadence then Luna then Twilight, each of their auras glowing brightly. The light shimmered and spiraled down the crevices of each horn, growing more powerful and more bright as it swirled slowly. Finally, beams from all the princesses horns shot forward at Sombra, then upward in a pillar of light. Soon, the air rushed and became wind that swirled around the alicorns and their spell casting, picking them up off their hooves. Symbols that matched the ones on the rings appeared then faded away as if never existing, though none of the princesses would have noticed. Each of them lost in the magic of their spell.

Twilight’s eyes glowed white with powerful alicorn magic, as did all the others. Her mind ventured as it was overlaid with layers and layers of magic and feeling. Through the entirety she concentrated on Sombra and his reformation, him becoming a good stallion, someone to call a friend, and for a moment she saw it. She saw Sombra stand in front of her with a look of disdain, his eyes looking down on her. The place she was in was of course her mind, but the ambiance of the room made her feel like she was at different place. It was dark, but she could still see him so clearly. He looked at her, his expression deadpanned, and his eyes intimidating. Suddenly, without his mouth moving, his deep baritone voice echoed through Twilight’s head.

“The drake is right, Princess.” Sombra didn’t move, he stayed absolutely still, his mane blowing lightly without a breeze. It took a minute for Twilight to reply back to the figure in her mind.

“What are you talking about?”

“I don’t deserve this. I shall never change...you cannot change fate or destiny. It’s all chosen for us. My fate? I am destined to be evil, as you are destined to be a true ruler. Accept this, give up, lock me away from this world.” He sounded like he meant it, every word. Twilight shook her head in disbelief.

“You’re wrong!” Twilight felt the pain of her magic leaving her, her concentration fading as the spell was being cast and completed.

“Foolish mare.” Sombra faded away with the atmosphere in Twilight’s mind. What felt like hours was only minutes. Twilight’s face scrunched in concentration before the magic died out and her muzzle relaxed. The other princesses were gently set down on the crystal floor once again, their manes a mess and their bodies worn out. In the center of the table sat still Sombra’s curved horn, not even moved an inch from the spell he had just endured.

Celestia breathed heavily before speaking once again.

“It is done. We leave him with you Twilight.” The alicorn made her way for the door, exiting without using her magic to aid her. Luna also walked toward the door, but before she stepped out, she looked back at Twilight.

“I trust you Twilight Sparkle.” She began with a worried look, then it deepened into a frown that would be considered intimidating. “Don’t be afraid to teach the tyrant a lesson if he is to ever step out of line.” Her words were threatening and said with so much aggravation and utter hatred. Then she left. Cadence was the last to leave as she stayed behind to hug Twilight goodbye.

“I’ll miss you, Twilight. I know you can do this, I believe in you.” Cadence let go and smiled tiredly at her fellow princess, then she left the council room. The guards watched her leave the room before they too began to march after her and down the hall. Twilight looked out at the empty space, then back at the horn that sat proudly and perfectly still in the center of the room. She eyed it carefully, her face deadpanned with no ounce of feeling visible. The lavender mare eyed her throne before sitting down on its cushion, then just as before, continued to stare at the curved object in front of her. She stayed like this for the longest time, staring, almost like waiting for something to happen. The seconds, minutes, hour she sat there staring ticked away quickly as she observed what was now Sombra. Finally, she let out a sigh before looking back up at her untalkative company with a worried expression.

“What should I do with you?” She whispered, before reaching her hoof out to touch the object. She stopped herself for a moment out of hesitation, but then gently touched the horn. Twilight looked at it for a second more before pulling it closer to her. She held Sombra’s horn in her hooves as she released a bit more of her magic. The ring around her horn glowed dimly, as did Sombra’s. His horn shimmered gold, then the light faded from it returning to its original darkness as Twilight completed the small spell. From all the magic usage she had done that day, her energy was quite low, so she decided to go to her room to rest. The princess's magical aura enveloped Sombra's horn, placed it back in its chest, closed the lid, then carried it to Twilight's back for it to balance there.

"Let's get you settled then." With a quick yawn, the mare turned toward the exit and took one of many steps to her bed chambers.

Author's Note

Yaaaaaay! :yay:

Aye guys, I finished it! So, we're getting into more exciting territory now, aren't we? Sombra is finally at Twi's, Flash has got somethin' hidden from his precious princess, and Spike be mad bro. The Princesses are all on board, minus one...hmm. Why does Luna loath Sombra's existence? And when will Sombra get a body of his own anyway? Find out in future chapters of Princess Protection Program! See y'all later!

Also, my former editor will no longer be editing my stories. That's my job. I feel the need to grow on my own. However, I will not discredit my former editor's work. Her edited chapters will be mentioned in the description of this story. This also means that instead of an editor, I gotta proofreader. Consider it a pat on the back for his help by checking out his page, Gapeagle.

Anyway, thanks for reading guys!

With Love,
Lola

Dragon Heart

The room was quiet, all there was to hear were the shuffling noises of parchment being moved slowly to the next page of a book with also a small disturbance in the silence from the usage of magic. Twilight sat on top of a neatly stacked pile of cushions and pillows on the library floor of her castle, reading a rather thick book. It was a book on magic, which would come to no surprise to anypony if they knew the small alicorn. Twilight’s eyes scanned the words with half interest, its context being of no use to her in the slightest, but she pressed on and continued to read. It was the only way to keep her distracted from the awkward silence that tried desperately to get the alicorn’s attention. The lavender mare ignored it, putting one page after another to the side, trying her hardest to make noise. Twilight knew it was foolish to hate the peacefulness, she was in a library after all.

Her eye twitched slightly, her front hooves that balanced her book fidgeted nervously. The entirety of her body told her to look, but her mind raced anxiously. It wouldn’t be out of fear to not look, certainly not. Twilight wasn’t afraid, but nervous and tense from the thought of an awkward confrontation. But what was more awkward? Not looking and ignoring his presence, or acknowledging that he was in fact there? Her body quivered slightly, begging her to move and look up, to drop the useless book and walk away from the comfort of her pillows, and to marvel at her company. Twilight sighed internally, before pulling her hooves toward her chest, her book falling from her eyes and changing her center view.

Displayed in front of her was an open chest, Sombra’s misshapen horn standing upright and coming out from his small box. Twilight eyed him, her face worriedly studying the disembodiment and it’s large red stain. She hadn’t thought of speaking to him since taking him to her corridors, believing the quietness was desperately needed then, mostly for her own sake. However, now it was nagging her and made the alicorn worried for the pitiful creature in the chest. When she had taken him through the castle and to her room, she left him on the nightstand before going to bed herself, knowing well she would be safe. She didn’t think her magical exchange spell prior to that would help him regenerate overnight, but that was two days ago.

Twilight eyed the horn, her eyelids sagging over her pupils in a jaded manner. This time, she sighed aloud, her book flattening against her hooves completely as her head drooped. She contemplated her next course of action in the time her head hung there in more unbearable silence. She could talk to him again, break the ice. Celestia had mentioned in their meeting that Cadence and Sombra had spoken to one another, it wasn’t impossible to communicate. Or she could stay noiseless for the time she’s in the presence of Sombra.

The alicorn moved uncomfortably again. Part of her wanted to speak, and part of her wanted to leave Sombra alone. The latter won the argument that had played out in her mind.

“Do you like to read?” Twilight mumbled, too quiet for anypony to actually hear. The lavender mare mentally face hoofed, her snout scrunching in self disappointment. She coughed quietly, and cleared her throat. “Ahem, do you like to read, Sombra?” Her voice was still quiet, but it pierced the stillness like a sword against the wind, an echo following after her innocent question. What followed after that was dead air, not a single peep from Sombra for several seconds. Twilight’s ears folded back in mild annoyance.

I shouldn’t have expected anything. She huffed after her small thought, her magic fixing her book at an angle on her hooves for her to continue her idle reading. Just as she was doing so, one of the library doors opened slightly into the room. It caught Twilight’s attention soon enough for her to see Spike peek inside.

“Hey Twi.” He whispered, an apologetic grin on his face. The princess gave him a small, tired smile in return. Since Sombra had entered the castle, Spike had avoided discussion with Twilight. Easily not speaking to anypony in her presence, still carrying out every chore and task given to him. While not ignored, Twilight still was hurt by the sudden silence Spike gave. Finally, he seemed to be coming back around as he waited by the library door.

The dragon looked at her in sympathy before coming into the room, walking over to her. He turned his head to his side to see Sombra in mild interest. Whether his face was a look of disappointment or indifference, Twilight couldn’t say, but all she understood was the time it would take for Spike to soften to the new change.

“No movement yet, huh?” He deducted from Twilight’s tired, worried expression.

“Not a peep.” She sighed. Spike found a pillow to sit on and sat himself comfortably next to Twilight. It was silent for a moment, both ponies staring unconsciously at Sombra’s horn, before Spike leaned closer to Twilight and whispered.

“I’m sorry. Ya know….for how I reacted when they brought Sombra here.” Twilight shook her head casually, understanding well of how Spike felt and his right to feel the need to protect his family.

“Spike, you reacted normally. Any other normal pony in your situation would have acted the same...perhaps not as rash with their anger, but how you’re feeling is okay.” Twilight soothed, her hoof comforting the dragon’s shoulder with light rubbing.

“Still, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have shunned you for so long, Twi. You’re just doing what you think is right, what you’re good at. You’re taking on this huge job of reforming Sombra and befriending him, and in doing so fulfilling your destiny by being the Princess of Friendship.” There was a small pause then, Twilight looking away numbly. Spike sighed and continued. “I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did when you’re doing what’s right.” Spike pressed the apology with a bit of hesitance in his voice, still worried over the newest developments. Twilight moved closer and gently hugged Spike, giving him comfort.

“Don’t worry about it, Spike.” She whispered to him, which earned Twilight a reciprocating hug from the dragon. In a moments pause, they embraced and held close for several seconds before releasing one another. Spike thought it best to chat since Twilight had no luck with Sombra, and to try his best avoiding the topic of his disagreement, the dragon cleared his throat.

“Have ya heard anything from Starlight?” Twilight smiled at that. It hadn’t been long since Starlight left for her vacation to the Crystal Empire, but the young princess had already received plenty of letters.

“Of course! I’ve received a letter every other day, even though I was expecting one everyday. Still, her visit is going great! Apparently her and Sunburst have been going to the library almost everyday, which is exciting.” Twilight gleefully smiled.

“Oh yeah, loads of fun.” Spike added, a bit deadpanned.

“Yes. And surprisingly, she took the news of Sombra’s arrival in my last letter pretty well.” Twilight looked back at the horn that invaded their privacy, her joy being sucked away by the melancholy state of Sombra. Spike took note of this and quickly diverged the focus again to something else.

“So…uh, have you seen...Flash around?” Spike didn’t really want to talk about the guard, but he knew it would direct Twi’s attention off of Sombra for a bit.

“Oh, um-”Twilight nervously closed her book and put it to the side, her eyes searching for words that apparently hid between her hooves. “No I haven’t actually. He’s been a little distant since Sombra came back.”

Uhg, of course. Spike thought aggravatingly, both at Flash’s careless attitude toward Twilight and another reason to think of Sombra. Spike was beginning to wish both “guests” would have never arrived.

“I guess that's why I was so upset before…” Spike mumbled to himself, but regretted the statement as soon as Twilight acknowledged him.

“What? You're mad at Flash?” Twilight felt concerned at this. This was as much Spike’s home as it was hers. If he felt uncomfortable or angered by somepony, he should have told her about it. Whether this was a friendship problem Twilight would have to solve, or just change Spike needs help accepting.

“No, no…I'm not really mad with him, it's just-” Spike paused for a moment before continuing. “It's true, I'm oddly annoyed with him. I also don't like Sombra being here either.” Spike turned over to Twilight and kept explaining his feelings. “You know I'm usually for change, and for us to grow as a family. But, ever since these two showed up I feel more stressed and confused. Flash is someone you like, but you promised yourself you wouldn't be with any pony romantically because you didn't want to wound up hurt in the end. And Sombra? That jeopardizes our safety, our home, and all our friendships. Sombra is an evil and horrible stallion that has tortured and killed ponies! I didn't want you to have to try and save somepony that's past the point of saving. This change...it isn't worth the pain, I think. That's why I lashed out. On top of Flash moving in and potentially wrecking your heart, Sombra comes in and threatens to break you down completely.”

Spike went silent, leaving Twilight to her thoughts. Her eyes were wide and her heart raced; out of what feelings it was beating to she didn't quite know. She didn't expect Spike to feel this way, to feel so deeply for her and the place they called home. Everything was completely understandable and not at all in the field of unreasonable. He was right. Everything Spike said was absolutely right.

Spike the dragon waited in silence for Twilight to disagree with his argument, resting his head roughly on his wrists, laying down with a heavy snort of smoke coming from his nostrils. While he seemingly pouted quietly in indignation, Twilight thought to herself, her eyes searching for a way to contradict Spike. In a situation like this, where one can’t go back or simply give up, you think positively to assist the process of healing, trying to rid yourself of the stress and heartbreak life gave you. While Twilight knew exactly how she should make Spike feel, she couldn’t find one thing positive to say about the trials they both were facing.

Before this, prior to Flash and Sombra coming to Friendship Castle, everything was fine. Perfect even. Everything was planned, organized, predictable. Princess Twilight, Spike, and Starlight all called the peaceful castle their home where nothing completely stressing or new happened. Where you could retire not worried of the next morning knowing well that it was planned by lists, charts, and notes. Books occupied your time as well as occasional parties and get-togethers with friends that grew white hairs just trying to juggle love and life while making time for you. Where the map didn’t call you. The place where….nothing happened anymore. Where the adventures stopped, and that was it.

Before Flash and Sombra had shown up on the alicorn’s castle doorstep, it felt lonely. Even with Spike and Starlight living in her home, she had begun to go through the motions and lived with little excitement anymore. She had begun to crave and fantasize on new friendships, small romance, and adventure with no hope of receiving anything of the sort. All she had been doing was writing lists for the next week, reading, and making herself coffee to stay awake for more studying. True, the circumstances were not ideal, but they were something different from what she had been living for years. She couldn’t lose the small chance of making something with Flash, even if it would end in despair. She couldn’t lose faith in her task of reforming Sombra, even if it was a daunting one. Twilight knew she needed to make the most of this opportunity that has been placed before her.

“Spike, I think you’re looking at this with the wrong pair of spectacles.” Twilight smiled tenderly at the dragon right as he slowly turned his head and looked up at her from his wrists.

“Really Twi? C’mon…” He remarked a bit annoyed.

“No, I'm serious. I've never been this confused, this stressed, this excited for something in so long, Spike.” Twilight closed her eyes thoughtfully, lifting her chin in the air as she reminisced of all her adventures. “I remember fighting with villains, jumping through mirrors, traveling with my friends, learning new things, and growing as a pony. Then everything just stopped. Our friends grew older, we have too…and now our adventures are tales and...nothing really happens anymore.” Twilight paused, taking a breath of sudden sadness. “For the past year I’ve been contradicting myself, and just daydreaming, wishing for things to happen but then I’d be procrastinating. I’d try to convince myself that I was fine and there was nothing to do in changing my life...because it was indifferent.” Twilight held her book close to her hooves, cradling it as she brought all her feelings to the light for Spike to see.

“I’m sorry Twi, I didn’t know you felt this way.” Spike sympathetically whispered.

“I didn’t want you to. I didn’t want anypony to know how I felt because I thought all my friends would think it was something they did that made me feel this way. It’s all my fault. I can’t accept change until…heh, it stumbles out of a train and humbly bows at my hooves.” Twilight grinned thoughtfully, and Spike rolled his eyes with the tiniest of smiles etched in his scales.

“Spike, I know it's for the best to not entertain my feelings on Flash...but I can't deny him that friendship and send him away, nor can I deny the old feelings that are there. I know being immortal has this catch where you watch everypony age without you, I have to mourn a long life without you or the girls. Call me selfish, but I don't think that should stop me from living.” Twilight paused a second, as if waiting for Spike to point out a flaw, but nothing coming from him anytime soon. The lavender mare continued. “I also know that's it's dangerous to let Sombra into our home...but I miss the dangerous. I miss taking up tasks from the princesses and going on adventures for the sake of Equestria and everypony in it! This….what's happening…I think it's our newest adventure.” Twilight had spoken with passion and hope in her voice. Her wings tightly clenched to her sides, and her hooves pressed hard against the crystal floor. Her eyes had a forgotten fire that Spike hadn’t seen in the young princess in practically a decade.

The dragon sighed heavily and lifted his head, shaking it with a stifled chuckle.

“You're crazy, Twi.” Twilight blinked owlishly, before giggling herself. “I can't tell you what to do-” Spike began. “-and, I’m really sorry that I look at this so negatively. You should have this, you deserve to have this adventure. You've done so much for Equestria, but once all the trials disappear you miss it, and I know you’ve gotten bored of it. But you're the Princess of Friendship and the head of the Friendship Council. You have so many dreams and an eternity to live them…the adventures shouldn't stop because everyone around you is getting older. I’m just afraid of you or I getting hurt from this…” Spike concluded, to which Twilight leaned in once more and gave him a hug.

“If we get hurt, we’ll heal...we’ll be okay.” The two embraced for a moment longer, while across from them Sombra watched in anguish.

What a gruesome sight this lot is. Passion shouldn’t be wasted on meaningless things such as these. Sombra thought to himself, of course, he wouldn’t want anypony else curiously tampering with his horn in amazement at his speech produced with incomprehensible methods.

Magic. Sombra snorted. I need more time. More energy. More of her magic…perhaps it’s time to “grow”. He hummed, and suddenly, his horn glowed dimly. Twilight caught it from the corner of her eye and gasped, a purple light emanating from Sombra. The light grew brighter and brighter, consuming his horn in it’s purple aura.

“Sombra?!” Twilight jumped from her pillows and hastily skid across the crystal floor in front of Sombra’s box. The horn’s light then stopped growing, and now stayed as consistently bright as a lamp. A purple, enchanted lamp.

“What’s going on with ‘em?” Spike breathed out, a bit skeptical of the sudden magic surge Sombra was casting.

“I think he’s coming.” Twilight stated hesitantly, turning to look at Spike as he too looked at her.

Author's Note

Short and sweet, aaaannnd here comes Sombra! Finally, he'll play a bigger part in the story. So, now Spike has opened up all sentimental as well as Twi and everything seems to be out in the open. See what happens next in future chapters of Princess Protection Program! :D

With Love,
Lola <3

Stars Apart

Author's Note

Guess who's back 😉

Hope y'all can enjoy this <3

Lola

P.S. I would recommend going back and reading from the prologue to this newest chapter. There have been heavy revisions that change the story, and add more flow.

Stars Apart

The horn pulsated rapidly, and spun at a consistent slow rate in one spot on the silk cushion, still contained in its embellished confinement. Twilight cautiously observed it, concerned if not a bit panicked about the sudden change in its magical charge. The alicorn’s horn was enveloped in strong magic, intensely searching the horn for vital signs and checking its current state. While the spell operated every other second with an electric pulse, Twilight’s brows furrowed and the tiniest bead of sweat made its way down her forehead. She heaved an exasperated sigh before scrambling for a book amidst a myriad of similar thread binded literature. Within the same moment, Spike walked into the room with a silver tray. If Twilight hadn't been so caught up in her own anxieties, she would have observed the creamy ripples of tea reaching for the edge of each pink cup resting on Spikes platter. There was also an assortment of snacks, which wouldn't be enjoyed by the frantic alicorn. The dragon in the room stared silently at the alicorn as she quickly scanned pages and notes, stressed more so than she has been in awhile.

Impatiently, Flash came up to the adolescent drake and grabbed one of the three tea cups, as well as a freshly made triangular sandwich piece. The dragon eyed him a bit sternly, before Flash furrowed his brow and stated tiredly,

"Sorry. Haven't eaten yet this morning."

Spike relaxed and sympathetically nodded at the pegasus, then quietly made his way to Twilight and her books.

"Twi,...why don't you eat something...? You haven't had anything in your stomach for hours...."

"Spike, I'm busy. Food can wait till later." The alicorn retorted, almost angrily.

"Ya know, you're not gonna be able to think straight if you don't have something to give you some energy." His voice of reason countered Twilight's stressful rummage, and allowed her a moment to look at her son and the finely prepared tray. Her eyes softened as she looked at those precious, slit, green eyes begging her to rest for a minute.

"Sigh...Spike, I--"

"Come on....at least have some tea? I made it just how you like it, strong and creamy." He took a cup from the tray by the rim with his claws, serving it gracefully to the Princess. Her irises shimmered, the corners or her mouth wrinkling her cheeks in the smallest ways as they struggled to make a sign of gratitude. Twilight's horn enveloped in her magic as she grasped the cup in her hold and brought it to her lips after mouthing thankfulness to her assistant.

Flash watched as Spike came back to the stallion's side, after setting the tray on a nearby table, and then taking a sip of tea.

"How does the tea taste?" Spike asked the pegasus quietly.

"Oh...uh...hadn't tasted it yet." With that, the solider took a quick swig of the creamy substance before his face contorted into that of displeasure. The tea was still a bit hot, but as well had no sign of added flavor besides creamer.

"It's..."

"Bitter?" Spike finished for the stallion, his eyes mischievously watching Flash's hurt face.

"Tasteless. Almost like there isn't any sugar at all..." The soldier's orange, round face looked sadly at the dragon beside him with his lip a bit puckered.

"Twilight doesn't like sugar in her tea, or her coffee. Usually, she doesn't like cream either...tea is the exception." The drake explained, humored for a time at Flash's disappointment. The conversation of tea had died, and the anxious atmosphere crept in once more, leaving no pony free from it's hindrance. The armored pegasus gently put his cup back and observed the room about him, which seemed almost like it had darkened.

It was the early hours of the morning, Twilight had gone in full panic mode since the day before, frantically observing Sombra and searching desperately in her books for anything that could be of assistance. The alicorn made no exception to Flash, and had summoned him as soon as the chaos had begun yesterday. Neither Flash, nor anyone else in the room had gotten sleep the previous night, lest they were to change priorities and get chewed out by the tense mare.

With blurry, tired eyes, Flash looked on at everything in the room. It was a guest room, but oddly dark, even for a room with no windows. The candle sets on each wall struggled to keep lit, the bright orange flames dancing in the nonexistent breeze, like fabric being hit by natures wind. Despite the brightness of the candles, the corners of the aching room grew dark with caking blackness and shadow, like the colorful life from the crystals were being choked with disease. The floor closest to the embroidered case and its stand shared the same likeness, more so than the walls it seemed. With in every fractal of crystal flooring, a small tendril of black shadow, with no reflection of light, stretched outward from Sombra's confinement. The door even fearfully swayed back and forth within a small inch of space between the wall and the door's opening.

Flash shivered a bit before tiredly slouching down on a spot near the guest bed, resting slightly on the post of the framing. Everything was fairly quiet, yet the air was clouded with tension and eeriness. For awhile it stayed this way, till Twilight heaved yet another sigh of frustration before coming up to Sombra's horn and slumping down.

"Why can't you just tell me what's wrong?" Her lips whispered with no expectation for a reply. She looked at him with desperate eyes, moving slowly, observing the small grooves in his horn. Slid carefully on, his horn ring shimmered elegantly in the candlelight -- such beauty kept him confined and limited.

Twilight's eyes widened, then she laughed a little, which slightly unnerved Spike and Flash. She quickly shot up and grabbed a piece of pink paper, what looked like a letter, then came back to Sombra to stand firmly.The dragon to her left cautiously took a few steps forward to Twilight, before hesitantly asking,

"Uh, Twi, you alright?"

'Yes, Spike...I just had a realization!" She said in concentration, her horn producing a magical glow as she read the words on the parchment she held. Flash came out of his boredom at the sound of Twilight's change in mood, as he walked up to the two standing close to Sombra.

"What's going on?" The solider inquired, looking curiously to both his left and right to observe Spike and Twilight's facial expressions. One was filled with both confusion and worry, while the other was oddly determined whilst she speedily read through instructional writing.

"I've figured something. This whole time I thought there was an issue with Sombra himself. In reality, I believe this is technically my doing." Twilight explained, quickly looking at the two by her side, her hoof raised. They both looked at her with deep concentration, then at one another with dumbfounded faces.

"I don't get it." Flash stated bluntly, his head shaking slightly.

"Me neither." Spike mirrored the stallion. Yet another breath of air left the Princess, whether it was because of the boys or her own exhaustion, neither Spike or Flash knew.

"Basically," The alicorn pointed a purple hoof at the ring on the disembodiment.

"This is the issue. With this on, and without me allowing Sombra to use his magic to transform, I am hindering him. This is my doing, however, unintentional."

"So....how do we turn the thingy off then?" Flash questioned, rather like a foal in class questioning his teacher on the basics of a subject.

"I don't think we turn it off." Spike figured, to which Twilight nodded.

"We can't, not until he's reformed....that was the agreement. The problem is seemingly calling out a spell, or something, to allow Sombra to use his magic, and thus transform. When the Princesses were here, all we did was activate the ring, so it's currently at it's strongest restriction without any exception. I just need to set some kind of....safe-lock or something to allow me control over the ring itself."

"Oh, alright." The solider smiled slightly, still a bit confused, but reasoned it would be best to let Twilight continue without trying to educate him.

"How do you plan on setting up the lock?" Spike's claw rested on his scaly chin in focus, as Twilight skimmed through the pink note in her magical grasp.

"According to Cady's latest letter from when she had returned home, I have to recite the spell itself only once, and then say a word of my choosing that will be used whenever I wish to allow Sombra free will." She, set the paper down carefully on the table closest to her, and stood ready, almost like she were going into battle.

"I have to say it aloud so Sombra can hear me too." She turned to the dragon and the pegasus with a cautious eye. "You guys may want to step back." Which they then did, their bums almost touching the next wall behind them.

The alicorn took a shaky breath, then inhaled again much deeper. Her eyes then shot open, the magic from within her moving in a wisp-like manner toward Sombra's horn.

"By the power within me, Princess Twilight Sparkle, I control you and your being. You shall not have free will, and will only do what is commanded of you!" Twilight exclaimed, almost as if she were yelling at Sombra's face.

"Only when I feel you may, will I grant you your will. Only when I know your intentions are not malicious, will you be given your rights. And only when you have changed will you be set free from these bounds." Spike and Flash awed, their mouths agape, as the mare's powerful voice bellowed.

"When you hear the word 'Stars' alone, you are privileged one freedom. Now, I grant your first right. Sombra, tyrant King of The Crystal Empire, you may transform!" The small, purple mare clashed a thundering stomp to the crystal floor, a loud echo circling the walls. The magic had dissipated, the horn's glow faded, everything went still, and the world went silent. After a moments pause, nothing occurred, and Flash hesitantly whispered to Spike.

"Was that it?"

Twilight's muzzle scrunched up in confusion, as she then grabbed the letter again.

"I don't understand, I thought that would work? Why didn't it--"

"He stopped glowing though, that's something right?" Spike comforted, before Twilight stress-fully shouted.

"Sombra! Transform!"

"Twi-" Flash sympathetically came to Twilight's shoulder, gently resting a hoof on her.

"I grant you this right! Stars!"

"I don't think it's going to w--" Spike didn't finish as a loud creak sounded from the bedroom door as it came to a close. The two ponies, and dragon, nervously looked on at Sombra's horn as it began to shift and deform. It took the appearance of thick, gooey ink, melting quickly and enlarging into several odd shapes. The oily substance moved about without a care for gravity, going every which way. It began to pop, and a revolting smell came out from its core making the ponies and Spike cover their snouts in distaste. Before long, the goo formed what looked like a pony’s mouth, which took a large gasp of air as if it had been drowning in the blackness of the oil.

“Agggghhh!!!” It screamed loudly, frightening everypony in the room. Twilight couldn’t help but tear up, scared, as she watched the first half of Sombra’s ink covered body pull out from the chest. The stand broke into pieces as the weight of the stallion increased. He began to crawl from the chest on the crystal floor, reaching a forming hoof out to Twilight, still gasping heavily for oxygen.

"Erraagghh haaagg yeeagghh!" Sombra exclaimed, before his ink-soiled torso collapsed to the ground in exhaustion. The black sludge began to burn into a dark smoke, a sizzle sound emanating from Sombra's ink figure. He screamed in agony, his face became more real as the black matter evaporated and was replaced with grey fur. The tyrant king, at last, opened his eyes to reveal gruesome red irises. They stared at Twilight's face of fear, as a single tear of pain fell down each of their faces. He stopped screaming, and instead held it back, pressuring his head to shake violently and his mouth to remain open to gasp for air. He continued to eye his reformer, as the rest of his body formed and burned in anguish, and whatever had already been completed shook terribly.

"I-" The stallion struggled. "I hate you. I hate you! I hate you, Twilight Sparkle!" The said mare cupped her snout, and tears fell from her round cheeks.

"I'm...so sorry..." She whispered to him, but he had already started screaming again, hindering him from listening to her.

What seemed like forever, was only a few minutes, before Sombra's body was finished and the last of the oily ink had dispersed into a tendril of black smoke from his hind hoof. His fleecy, muscular, scar covered body laid incredibly still on the cold crystal surface, nothing coming from him any longer. The trio, still standing in utter horror, couldn't pull their eyes off of the spectacle and the ex-King who was passed out on the floor amidst broken furniture. However, Twilight couldn't bare to stand and stare at him any longer. With eyes blurred by tear and discourse, she walked a few steps toward him. He breathed peacefully now, and seemed to be safe, which relieved her.

"Spike, Flash....put him in the bed. Make sure he's covered."

It was so cold. So very cold. It felt like ice grew on his very being, crawling desperately on him to reach no end. It was also dark. Sombra had opened his eyes for only a moment to view the world around him, before he closed them once more in fear, tightly holding the lids against his irises. Only for a second had he taken in the white wasteland engulfing him, and the pointed peaks that stood proud and deadly amidst the snow and ice. Though he couldn't see his body, he felt himself curl up reflexively, holding his face with his hooves as the bitter cold ate as his flesh. He shook violently while he whimpered uncontrollably, the snow from the dark clouds above falling on his little snout and in his black mane.

"I can't remember. I can't remember. I can't remember...." He repeated, his teeth chattering uncontrollably.

"What...what was I to do? Where is the outside? What is my name? I can't remember. I can't..." He hushed as his ears flicked to the sound of crunching snow close by. He made himself smaller in a desperate attempt to hide his noticeable self in the snow. It got closer and closer to him, before it stopped. He could feel his fur stand up as the feeling of another in his presence became more prominent. He could sense someone's hooves just beside his back. He cried. Tears falling down his round, chubby cheeks.

"Hush little one." A gentle, calming voice of a mare spoke to him, like a mother reassuring her foal. "Have faith, my child. 'Tis cold, but thoust will feel the warmth of flames soon. Come to me. I shall cover thee whilst we walk through the storm." The foal turned his head, over his shoulder to see glistening, golden shoes protecting her delicate pink hooves from the snow.

He awoke with a start. Sombra's body flew upright from the comfort of pillows under him, as he panted heavily, his eyes bloodshot. His grey hoof met his racing chest, trying to calm himself and breath. It must have been ages since he was cursed with a dream. But it wasn't a dream. It was a memory.

He solemnly looked at the purple sheets that graced his figure, the thought of snow and her pretty hooves never ceasing to leave his scarred mind. The stallion's breathing slowed and evenly he inhaled deeply as he looked about him. He was in a beautiful room, adorned with crystals and curtains, almost everything fashioning the color purple. Perhaps he was still in the Crystal Empire? He couldn't recall anything after the princesses had put him in that damned box, his confinement.

His cloven hoof met with his brow, frustratingly snorting.

"Hm."A mare's hum pulled him away from his aggravations. He turned slowly to his side to see a mare using a table to rest her head, her bum barely on the cushioned stool. Her hair was down and about her shoulders, beautifully rested on them. The mare's round cheeks were pink with tiredness, as she peacefully moaned, seconds of rest passing by.

"Intriguing." He whispered to himself, admiring her from afar, before he remembered. The stallion's eyes ventured, and observed her body. Her horn protruded from her neatly cut bangs, and her wings folded casually against her curved back, only the bottom portion of her cutie mark was visible to him. Sombra then quickly placed a hoof on his horn and irritatingly cringed at the feeling of a ring on him, which shocked his hoof with a magical pulse.

"Gah! Damn these insolent beings, with their damn rainbows and damn magic." He cursed under his breath, his hoof massaging his temples. He looked on at the Princess across the room with fiery irises, his nostrils flaring with resentment. The tyrant wanted nothing more than to blast her and turn her into obsidian for the harm she has caused him, but he knew it would be pointless. He fell back on the many pillows to his backside, and sighed loudly with exasperation.

Soon, the door opened quietly, and an odd looking creature walk in the room holding a tray. Sombra eyed the male specimen, before the scaley beast noticed him.

"Ah...um..." The thing uttered cautiously.

"Pray tell, beast, what horrifying creation approaches me?" Sombra stated nastily, his snout contorting into revulsion.

"Er....ever seen a dragon before?" Sombra looked at him with a straight face while Spike only chuckled nervously.

"I suppose not." The grey stallion folded his hooves against his chest, looking on at Spike with a stern glare.

"Ehm." The drake cleared his throat and continued on his path to the inn table beside Sombra's bed. "I-uh, well, I am considered a dragon. I'm also Twi's - I mean - Princess Twilight's assistant."

Sombra silently observed the purple scaley claws of the beast as he gracefully removed a cup of tea and a plate of some sort of meal to the wooden surface of the table.

"You think me foolish to actually consume these elements? First impression of your kind presumes low intelligence." Sombra swiftly averted his eyes from the dragon, to concentrate on the crystallized walls. Spike snorted indignant, before retorting harshly.

"Listen, you need to eat. Why would we do anything to harm you when we were told to help you?"

"You're mad." Sombra whispered under his breath, then cursed quietly to himself.

"Fine, don't eat the sandwich. At least have tea, though. It should make you feel much better....you feel tired and achy, right?"

Sombra twitched, his ear flicking before turning once again toward the hideous drake before him. Without a word he stared at the cup for a long moment, an awkward pause filling the room. The angry stallion then growled, and pouted, his hooves folding tighter as he stared up at the ceiling irate.

"I can't...I can't pick up the cup."

Spike bit back a chuckle at the tyrant's childish attitude. The dragon sympathetically grabbed the rim of the cup with his claws and graciously stretched it out toward Sombra. The ex-King looked at it, irritated to be served in such a manner, before taking it with his own hooves and smelling the warmth of the cups contents. He took a cautious sip, his eye looking at Spike harshly. The purple drake watched for any sign of thought from the stallion, but his face was expressionless. He set the creamy tea down between is legs on the sheets covering him, curiously observing the waves of tea that tried to leave the edge of the pink cup.

"It may be too bitter, would you like something sweeter?" Spike hesitantly questioned, but Sombra shook his head slightly.

"No need. This is fine."

It's actually quite delicious. Unexpected.

"Well, I've sort of always made tea the same way. It's how Twilight likes it..." Spike explained softly, his cheeks rising in the slightest way as he gave a small smile. With that, the drake walked over to Twilight's table and set another cup down, one that Sombra hadn't noticed was on the tray.

"So she likes to drink tea in the morning." Sombra whispered more to himself, but Spike shook his head and laughed a little.

"Naw, she likes coffee, black coffee. She thinks sugar ruins the flavor." Spike paused before looking over his shoulder at the alicorn.

"She should wake up soon to the smell of the coffee. By then she'll likely talk to you about what is going on and what will happen next. If you need us, just call for Flash outside the room, he guards the door." With that, Spike grabbed the empty tray and left without another word.

"Is he awake?" The orange pegasus inquired, noticing Spike's scaly body quietly exiting the room and shutting the door behind him.

"Yeah. Not sure how long he's been awake. He doesn't talk much, and for lack of a better word, he's rude."

"Wouldn't have expected anything else out of 'em. What happens next?"

"Not certain." Spike answered casually, then slowly walked down the hall. Flash vigilantly stared as the drake left the hall, and happily reached for his prized possession from his pack. The journal glowed an amber shine, as another entry was being made from the other end, the connection between the journal and it's writer unwavering. He had almost been caught with it when Spike surprisingly walked the hall before, and gifted Flash with a cup of sweetened tea.

A breath of relief escaped the pegasus as he gently caressed the leather binding and opened it.

Twilight,

It's been ages since we last spoke. How are you?

And if you have wondered, I am doing good. There have been many new revelations since the last time I've sent you a message.

Anyway, I hope you are alright. If you have the time, I would love to hear from you.

Regards
Sunset Shimmer

The Solider

Flash leaned against the wall lazily, his hoof grazing the pages of Twilight's journal. The stallion's face was solemn, as his half lidded eyes observed the past tares of missing pages. Almost unnoticeable, ripped, thick paper stuck out like mountains from the spine of the book. Small, brown threads traveled along side the paper alps. Delicately, the stallion stroked the lost story, his hoof gliding down the spine of the journal slowly. Flash consciously scolded himself, as if his inner being were stomping about in his very mind, yelling out and throwing a fit from the pain. At this point, he didn't even know why he still kept the journal; all it ever did was rehash old memories. The stallion could feel his muscles tense up, and his eyes closed reflexively before he quickly slammed the cover of the book and slid it in his pack beside him. He couldn't stand to read it right now. It seemed too soon, or maybe, it had been too long. Flash had spent many nights, reading till dawn, since swiping the journal from the library. He wanted to know how she was, the unicorn he thought he once knew.

Shouldn't waste my time. He thought to himself, trying to sweep away the memories of the yellow mare that taunted his mind. The pegasus fluffed his wings and dodged the temptations of the longing mind, his eyes veering out the nearest window of the castle. Equestria's sun had finally risen to a reasonable place in the sky and the pegasus guard himself felt a bit more rejuvenated from it. The guard lifted his chin so his face could feel the serene sunshine. His blue mane was damp from his earlier shower, little drops falling from him onto his crystal armor, and some loose water trickling down his lean, short-haired body. The young solider basked in the yellow calmness through the glass, and smiled a bit, his mind peacefully blank.

The door slammed beside him, and he stared at the irate alicorn with startled, large eyes.

"Tw-!"

"I can't believe the nerve of this-this prideful, stubborn, old stallion!" She complained, rather loudly, making Flash's ears flick back in annoyance.

"Sorry to hear that..." Was all the guard could muster. Though, Twilight was already neck deep in rage and wouldn't have paid much attention to any level of sympathy, no matter how low.

"I mean, for Celestia's sake he called me a 'bloated cake consumer' and that he refuses to cooperate with-!" Flash permitted his selective hearing to cut off the alicorn's streak of minor curses and irritated snorts. Blankly, he watched the princess act not so regally. If she weren't staring right at him, though she wouldn't actually pay attention to his facial ques, he would have rolled his eyes. He wasn't much for listening to mares' complaints and dramatizations.

"Would you like more coffee?" Flash interrupted the minor explosion of emotion; figuring it may be in the princess's best interest to sip on some caffeine, or perhaps gulp it down heavily.

"Wha-?" Twilight stopped mid-sentence and owlishly looked into the grey eyes of the obviously annoyed pony before her. Her ears fell back, a little aggravated herself that she was cut-off from explaining her troubles. Just as quickly had she expressed annoyance did she shake her feelings off and look at the stallion with a tiring expression.

"I already had a cup, thanks.” She paused for a moment before her head fell in a defeated manner. “Sigh. I'm sorry, I'm just a bit flustered by all of this, I didn't mean to...well...I don't want--"

"I'm just asking if you would like something to cheer you up a bit. You seem tense, so I just figured coffee would help." Flash yet again interrupted Twilight's frustrations, rerouting the conversation to hopefully more pleasant discussion.

"I doubt coffee would be a good substitute." At that moment, a low rumble from the empty pit in the mare's stomach ruptured crudely. Twilight looked at the ground embarrassed, holding herself with an awkward chuckle. "What I could use right now is some food."

The pegasus pondered on that for a moment, considering an idea of his. He then smiled, a bit mischievously, bringing his head down to her eyes, leaning in close.

"I could take you outta here and we can go get something to eat." He whispered, with a bit of determination in his tone, his brow risen with a smart look. Twilight eyed him curiously, but with a harsh breath mumbled.

"I can't. What about King Death Stare?" She scoffed, her eyes averting the tempting offer before her. The alicorn's face flushed a little at closer inspection of Flash Sentry. He was taller, yet close enough to her height, muscular, well maintained and his eyes anticipated excitement. Water still moved smoothly across his well groomed fur, making her throat run a bit dry. The alicorn’s eyes watched his, sinking in the depth and almost giving in to the impulsive behavior. Twilight huffed then, her aggravations distracting the heated thoughts. She then stressed her duties, but less sure of them. "I couldn't leave Spike here to tend to him. I need to watch after Sombra; he's my responsibility."

"Come on Twi." The stallion's eyes softened a bit, sympathetically calling her out with familiarity. A silence stuck to the conversation before Flash quirked a grin and teasingly raised his brow. "We all need a little break, and who said you're a foal-sitter."

"I know Flash, but the princesses--"

"Aren't here." He interrupted, continuing to present himself playfully to the stressed mare. The pegasus could see the night's work through the princess's weak expression, the messy mane, her swollen purple eyes, and even her precious lavender face, squandered by the tense atmosphere. "Don't be afraid to have a little fun. We'll only be gone for a few minutes. No harm in that, right? I don't think you should have to tell Spike or Sombra where you're gonna be for just a few minutes. Cut yourself some slack."

The alicorn went silent, considering the stallion's words for a moment with a fuzzy head, before smiling tiredly.

"Well, I guess just a few minutes wouldn't hurt my schedule." Flash closed his eyes, relieved, a large smile creasing the corners of his round, orange cheeks. He hummed at her, a small chuckle of amusement escaping him.

“However,” Twilight began, to which Flash’s smile then fell slightly. “I will not avoid Spike on this matter. He must know where I’m going, and to watch over Sombra’s room. As if leaving the tyra- I mean- the reformat doesn’t give me anxiety enough, I won’t be totally irresponsible.” She said strictly.

"Your call, Princess. Though, before we go out in public, you may want to--" Twilight watched Flash's hoof rise and gesture to her messy excuse for a mane, catching on to his observation.

"Ah, haha, I suppose you're right." Twilight lit her horn, a slow rhythmic aura enveloping it, humming softly as she brushed out her hair with her magic. The dark blue strands tugged lightly, and the colors of the mares streaks of pink and purple fell gently with the ocean of blue hair. It quickly bounced to it's natural state, on either side of her neck, and her bangs spaced away from her brow perfectly.

"Better?" She inquired of the pegasus, to which he responded with a silent nod of his head, his mouth slightly open. His mind had been lost when he observed Twilight fix herself, the imagination of the stallion swiftly coursing through him. The alicorn perked her wings and laughed lightheartedly. Flash coughed, subtly distancing himself from his thoughts, then turned to walk toward the library where Spike surely would be.

"I appreciate this, I really do.” Twilight said with a happy sigh, relieved to get away, not thinking of any consequences at the present. Flash smiled kindly, and spoke with a soothing voice.

“Of course. I’ve just noticed you’ve been kinda tired lately and how’ve you been running around like it’s the end of the world. I figured any pony acting like that could go for a break, and I’m happy to give you the company. And, I’m also obligated to, being your guard and all.” He chuckled, his eyes looking at his hooves as they pressed heavily against the crystal floors with a loud clang of each step.

“Oh.” Twilight murmured in slight disappointment. “Is that...the only reason?” She pressed, searching for something as if it were lost or not there to begin with.

“Oh, well, no...I mean...” Flash stumbled on his words, taken aback by her inquiries to his motives. Those curious eyes of his looked at her up and down heatedly, a small, mischievous grin forming. “There are other reasons.”

“Like?” She asked rather coyly, a twinkle in her eye.

“Well, like that we’ve never actually been properly ah-acquainted.” The Pegasus fumbled over his words a bit, trying to gain a naturalness.

“Ah, I see.” His efforts made her smile, and she couldn’t help but look at him for a moment.

“Hey guys.” Spike greeted, coming up to the pair in the hall.

“Um, Spike, would you mind looking after Sombra’s door for us while we go get something to eat. I wouldn’t ask if it were too much for you-“

“Oh...you and Flash?” Spike interrupted, his brow raised slightly.

“Yeah.” Flash stated dominantly. The Pegasus had caught on to Spike’s uneagerness to make him a part of the herd that was at Friendship Castle. Any intimacy Flash could gain with Twilight was surely dismissed by the adolescent dragon. Where it had seemed he would shake hoof and claw with the solider, Spike now seemed to lack joy in the guard’s presence. Twilight, too tired to take notice of Spike's demeanor, spoke with a yearning in her voice.

“It will only be for a little while, Spike. If it’s not possible for you to do it alone then I guess I could stay.” Twilight spoke tiredly.

“No, no it’s okay. You go. You both go. Have fun.” The scaley beast smiled a toothy grin at them, sharp teeth bearing a little too hard.

“Well, alright, thank you.” The alicorn said a bit unsure, her worries coming back. She tried to calm herself, breathing more slowly as her and Flash made their way to the large double doors of the castle and to a restaurant.

There was a break of awkward pause between the two of them, both not sure what to say to ignite a conversation. One was highly knowledgeable of science and math while the other was of physical training and survival skill. It seemed there would be nothing in common. Twilight tried her best to recall anything they had talked about before, but to no avail.

“You like books, right?” Twilight almost jumped in surprise at the sudden initiation.

“I-yes. I...I like books.” Twilight squeaked, stuttering a bit, another pause following.

“What’s you favorite type of book?” Flash questioned, developing the conversation as much as he could.

“I like...astronomy? The stars and planets....things that we can only see through a scope. I also enjoy history and artifacts too, though many might not guess it. It’s obvious I’m more of a mathmetition and science advocate.”

“Oh. Right, obvious.” Flash replied, shaking his head a bit and chuckling at the mares out of touch ways. The solider spoke again, digging more material from his mind. “I like fiction books. Daring Do, Anna Donkey, J.K. Reining....to name some of my favorites.”

“Oh yes, they’re pretty good. I may like non-fictional writings but from time-to-time, I find it relaxing to read a fiction work.” Twilight smiles politely to the stallion, to which he grinned and continued.

“I like moving pictures too, mostly the action types, they’re more interesting. It’s a great, um, I guess you’d say...innovation! Moving pictures.”

“I’ll admit it’s cool, I am more fond of plays though. Perhaps that’s old fashioned, hehe.” Twilight watched Flash’s face fall a bit. The alicorn felt the conversation fading but she continued. “M-my friend...Rainbow, she really likes the action films. She recently went to see the Daring Do based film, ‘The Crystal Horn.’”

“Oh? That’s neat, I haven’t seen it yet.” The two walked again in silence, both trying to figure what was causing such tension when they could talk just fine before. It seemed a regular conversation couldn’t be handled as well, like there was more pressure though no ex-tyrant or moody dragon hovered over them.

“This is a little tense, huh?” Flash said gently, coming clean.

“A little....I think I’m just nervous. Which is silly, I’ll admit. I’m the princess of friendship and all....but, it feels like I haven’t been out of that castle in a long time.” The lavender mare nodded and talked with more casualness.

“Yeah. I know what you mean. Back in the Crystal Empire, I never did get out much. I knew few ponies but most ponies knew me. I focused a lot on my training....not really on a social life....though I can’t say the same for my yearling stage.” The pegasus chuckled, Twilight's giggle dancing along with his.

“I was the same way for a long time. Back when I was still in college, still just a young unicorn, studying under Celestia. I focused too much on my studies and never really developed friendships.” Twilight looked up at Flash and smiled nostalgically. “I moved to Ponyville and then, everything changed. I met my best friends, sprouted wings, and became a Princess.”

“That’s pretty climatic.” The two chuckled, Flash adding to the discussion. “You and your friends seem really close....what to you guys like to do together?”

“Oh many things! With the six of us and so many interests there’s a lot we can do with one another. We would go to plays, do sleepovers, travel, go to the spa-“

“Well, what do you do now?” Flash inquired, his interest somewhat peaked.

“Uh, well...” The lavender mare thought on it, her head lowering slightly every second that passed. “Not much. Once you’ve aged and you move or, you grow, you lose spare time.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be!” Twilight blurted, laughing awkwardly. “We’re still the best of friends! We may only see one another once a week or-or whatever but anytime we meet up ....it’s as if time hasn’t passed.” The alicorn walked at a slower pace, her smile never failing. She knew it hurt her to say that, she told herself that's how it's supposed to be. The subtle loneliness in her life was nothing if not normal for all ponies. Telling herself that made her feel better about it, and saving the memories of her friends made it easier. Though, at the present, she didn't feel as alone.

“Well, I wouldn’t know. I don’t have too many ponies I’d call friends. I’m too busy pumping iron.” The stallion made the princess chuckle as he flexed his leg in the air, baring a white grin and easy eyes.

“You say the strangest things.” Twilight giggled.

"Yes, well....it might also be because I'm starving." He masked the awkwardness and excitement with a joking demeanor. The pegasus stuck his tongue out in mock death, and sighed heavily, his stomach rumbling. Twilight looked to the side with a shy smile and began to walk for the door of the Crusty Hayfry, Ponyville's best hayburger joint. It was a bit loud when walking in, there seemed to be an outnumbered, imbalanced attendance, being more foals than adults. They ran about noisily, with utter chaos and fun, which made Flash reflexively hold back his ears and hang his head low in annoyance. Twilight, meanwhile, smiled at the young ones, some of them gasping in delight at the sight of a princess.

"Look, it's Princess Twilight!" One whispered to her filly friend, an excited twinkle in her eye. The lavender mare looked the child's way and smiled, which gained a girly giggle with exaggerated conversation.

"Wowie! Princess Twilight-" The young cashier said through braces, shocked to see royalty stroll through the restaurant. However, Twilight handled it whilst Flash observed from the alicorn’s side.

"Just Twilight is fine." The alicorn reassured the anxious teenager. However, the younger mare couldn't help but shakily nod and smile nervously.

"A-Alright....may I take your order?" Flash took lead, smiling politely, gingerly taking some bits from a place in his armor and sliding it across the counter.

"We'll just have two hayfry burger deluxe meals, with fizzy drinks."

"Ah, r-right....let's see." The young mare hastily tapped her little cashier box with a wooden pin, enveloped in her magical aura, sweat visibly dripping from her forehead. Embarrassingly, the small machine beeped loudly, making the employee squeak.

"Oh, fudge nuggets.” The maroon mare panicked, breathing unevenly. “I-I'm really sorry. This is kinda my...first time."

“Wouldn’t doubt it.” Flash whispered under his breath. Due to the chaos of the restaurant, no one could have heard his snide remark. Twilight again smiled and spoke softly to the cashier.

"Don't worry, you're alright. Take your time." Flash inwardly sighed and his eyes gazed at the cashier critically, which Twilight took notice of. The alicorn patted his hoof to reassure him, and he couldn't help but relax for her, acting more patient, only to please his princess.

"Right. And, with the fizzy drinks, um, which one's do you have in mind?" Twilight looked over at the large wooden sign, where the meals and drinks were displayed, eyeing them carefully.

"I think I'd like to try the orange, berry pop, please. Flash?"

"Oh uh, I'll have the cherry whip one."

The mare nodded and tapped the little buttons poking out of the metal box, to which the machine responded with a low beep, yet again.

"Fiddlesticks....” The mare mumbled, stressing more and more by the second. “I don't know why this thing is acting up, I'm t-terribly sorry. Let me just...uh, hehe, type that in again...." Flash's head fell, an annoyed sigh escaping him.

"R-right....and that will be fifteen bits."

"Fifteen??" Flash perked his head at that, shocked.

"Y-yes sir?" The young mare's sweat seemed to increase ten-fold, her smile failing to stay on her face, looking as though she was ready to run and hide.

"I-geez. Raising the prices, huh?” Flash angrily muttered.

“I-I don’t know mister solider, dude, sir. I’m j-just the cashier.”

“I don't even know if I have that much on me." He whispered to himself, acting as though he were handing over his kidney. The alicorn could tell this conversation was going nowhere and so took matters into her own hooves.

"Here you are." She stated casually, making bits appear out of mid air onto the counter, unnerving the cashier more than she already had been. The two grabbed their orders after having paid and made their way outside for one of the tables.

Twilight levitated a napkin to her muzzle and lightly dabbed her lips, clearing away any mess. Flash held a burp in his hoof and then pressed his chest in reaction, his wings flaring.

"That was good grub....though expensive." Flash stated, still slightly annoyed. He watched Twilight silently pile her trash and wrap leftovers in a clean napkin. She seemed upset, that the stallion had noted. Throughout the entire lunch, she was very quiet and hadn't spoken hardly at all. The pegasus coughed awkwardly in his hoof and leaned against the table, an apologetic smile forming on his face.

"So tell me, what exactly made you want to study magic?" Twilight eyed him for a moment, debating speaking at all. The alicorn wasn't happy with his attitude earlier, but her eyes softened. She submitted to the ideal that it would be better to try and have a good time instead of creating stress, which she could use less of.

"Well, I had went to a Sun Festival." Twilight answered, then continued to clarify. "I was living in Canterlot, and I hadn't started school yet. My parents said I could go to the Sun Festival with Shining Armor that year instead of staying with Grammy- er - my Grandmother. They figured I was old enough to go. I could be with a large crowd of ponies and be involved in the festivities. So, I went, excited as any other filly would be to see Princess Celestia." The alicorn paused, nostalgia seeping through her voice as she spoke her next words. "Watching that powerful, majestic performance set me on a determination route to success. I learned how to levitate before I could pronounce floccinaucinihilipilification." Twilight smiled sarcastically, taking a sip of her fizzy drink. She watched from the corner of her eyes as Flash chuckled.

"Yeah, because all little unicorn fillies know how to say a word like flocksenoseapilipication before learning basic magic." Twilight almost spit her drink at Flash's attempt to pronounce such a large word.

"You should hear yourself try to pronounce it." The alicorn playfully stuck her tongue out at the stallion, to which he let his head fall in mock defeat. "Now you tell me...." Twilight started. "What prompted Flash Sentry, strong, average intelligent stallion-"

"Hey!" The said pony dramatized a blade piercing his chest and produced a low deathly sigh, making Twilight giggle fondly.

"Hehe, to become a solider at my Brother's command?" She finished. Flash stopped laughing, and his face fell slightly at the inquiry. He fiddled with his now empty glass of drink, thinking.

"I, uh, was a delinquent....and your brother saved my life when I was younger." The air got thick, seriousness blowing away the humorous atmosphere that once had inhabited the conversation. Twilight waited for more detail on it, but Flash only stared at his empty cup, his eyes blank and lost.

"Wow, I never knew....what happened?" The alicorn pressed, wanting more context. She wanted to see more of Flash's seriousness; to observe his attitude and listen to his story.

"Well, I was just a foal. A jock, but also a delinquent of sorts. I didn't get in trouble, because adults thought I was too honest and casual. Really, I was just a kid that wanted to mess around and do stupid stuff, heh. I took a dare to go into the Everfree on the outskirts of Canterlot, the city where I lived with my Uncle. It didn't take long before I was running for my life from some beast." Twilight scooted to the edge of her seat as she looked on at the stallion with anticipating eyes. Excitement, dread, and curiosity written on her face. "I start coming closer to the edge of the forest, still....running." Flash scoots to the edge of his chair as well, coming closer to the mare across the table. "All of a sudden, this nerd like yearling comes from the edge and shoots a beam." At this point, both were near inches away from one another's face, tension growing as Flash continued with his story. "This guy started fighting with this monster, protecting me, and that's when the monster comes at me." Twilight gasps silently. "But, you're brother jumped over me and made this shield to protect me and him from the attack....ever since then, I've felt in debt your brother but also, I was inspired to protect others....like you." Flash came one more inch closer to Twilight's face before the alicorn came to her senses and backed away slowly.

"Wow, that's-that's amazing. What an incredible story." The lavender mare fiddled with her hooves, looking on at them with a blushed face. Shyly, she ignored Flash for a moment before looking up at the sun. "And, uh, you lived in Canterlot?"

"Yeah." The stallion tried shrugging off the tension and frowned a bit. "I trained there and worked for a little while before transferring to the Crystal Empire."

"What was that like?" Flash's mind went blank at that, and he could only chuckle awkwardly.

"Uh, ahem, heh. It was....interesting. I uh, learned a lot of....techniques." Twilight's ear flickered whilst he replied, and she curiously wondered the meaning behind that stretched word.

The sun had made it's way in a decent place in the sky and Twilight knew it was time to adopt her duties again and stash away this memory for safe keeping.

"Well....this has been a very riveting time, but unfortunately, I think we have to get back." The mare smiled tiredly and watched as the stallion smiled back and began to get up from the table.

"Princesses first." The stallion remarked; and so they went, back toward the castle.

Author's Note

Tension is growing between Twilight and Flash, while Sombra grows stronger now that he's back from the figurative dead. What will happen in the next chapter? Will Flash and Spike set aside differences and interests? Will Sombra comply and want to reform? Is Twilight falling into false complacency, or is this really a new great life in disguise?

More to be discovered in upcoming chapters of the Princess Protection Program!

Ope, look I actually uploaded something. :'D

It took me awhile to figure out what to do with this chapter, sorry for the very long wait! I would like to finish this story before moving on away from FimFiction (just some honesty there). I love this story, and I want to see it completed and questions answered. So, I'll try and upload more now, it should be smoother sailing since I already have the next chapter mostly done.

Also, no proofreader for the rest of this story (he's retired from pony) heh. As I am slowly doing. (I'm dangling on to my inner child as we speak). Anywho, hope y'all enjoyed!

Apologies Are In Order

A loud, awakening metal shriek harshly scratched the rod of the curtains as Twilight pulled them back to let the sun shine in Sombra's room for the first time. She waited there for a moment, soaking in the sun, giving her purple fur a soft glow. Then, she heard Sombra let out a groan, watching him pull the heavy comforter over his head to avoid the bright light. Twilight kept a tired frown as she walked slowly over to the bed.

"It's time to get up, I've given you three days to sleep and the doctor says it would be good for you to walk outside." She explained, in no way soothing over the matter.

"I prefer this bed over that ghastly, disruptive light thine ponies call the sun." He mumbled disgruntled.

He's such a foal. Twilight angrily spat to herself.

"We've been feeding you, dressing your bed, and serving you since you've been here - if you're to be reformed, you need to learn to care for yourself." There was not an ounce of empathy in Twilight's tone, as she had grown too exhausted from the stress of caring for the tyrant.

"I'd rather burn in Tarturas than become a frivolous pony living a worthless existence." He growled.

"Well, this isn't the game 'Would You Rather', this is life, and frankly I'm tired of cleaning up after you - get up!" She yelled at him, aggravated beyond composure. Sombra looked over his shoulder at the flaring princess with a glare, knowing full well how he was acting. He knew she was right, it would be better for him to move around. He had begun to feel his muscles cramp and sore, his mind melt from boredom, and his hair mat. He must get up.

"What of a shower or bath? Thoust wish me to walk out in public with such a neglectful look?" Sombra kept a straight face, but internally he felt like smirking. He watched Twilight's face contort into further annoyance.

"Do you just expect us to do things for you all the time? We aren't here to serve you, you are not a king here, you're an ignorant colt expecting to be coddled over. No, you will pull your own weight from now on." She scoffed at him, her nostrils stressing their size and the bags of her eyes deepening in color. Sombra, after only a short period of time being there, was taking a toll on everypony. Mostly on Twilight.

"Thine wish is to humiliate me further, then. Since my imprisonment here you have burdened me...." Sombra had plopped forward down on top the covers, folding his hooves in. He had gained enough rest to hold his head up properly, lifting his chin as high as his ego. He had to admit, the sun burned him a bit as it came through the window into his room. He hadn't seen the shine of its rays in thousands of years.

Twilight took a pause before turning, her eye twitching slightly. Sombra found her expression atrociously unnerving.

"I burdened you? I burdened you?! You selfish, arrogant, bullheaded tyrant! Do you lack all self-awareness?!? Do you just say whatever comes to your stupid head and make whatever stupid face you like?! You have no idea! You were once a King for Celestia's sake! A tyrant King, but a King nonetheless, and you should know of proper etiquette! The way you are so brash and incompetent is an insult to your time! It is far more than disappointing to see such a well versed stallion be so incredibly rude and ungrateful! I had expected you to be difficult, but you're about as unbearable as giving a cat a bath! I'm so sick of this! I'm exhausted from trying to show you my kindness, and all you do is complain! Enough! You will do as I say when I say you should do it without argument!" Twilight's horn began to glow with magic, the ring around it heating up, but the princess would not notice the sting. Sombra's eyes widened with unease as an uncomfortable force took hold of his muscles and bone. He felt his skin crawl at the feeling, his soft fur rising in irritation as his hooves began to move on their own. His flesh betrayed him, moving itself off the bed and towards Twilight. His tall body encompassed hers with a shadow, but the alicorn could not be intimidated. She stared him in the eyes with fury beyond apology, Sombra so very close.

"Apologize." She whispered deviously, her magic gaining a more reddish hue and her eyes irritating. Sombra felt his throat cringe and burn, a bitter taste eating away at his tongue.

"I'm sorry." He wheezed out, fighting what strength he had to not give the princess satisfaction, yet failing miserably.

"Good. Now, clean up and get dressed." She let her magic cool, and as she did the ring lost its glow and Sombra collapsed on the ground. His hooves shook and his eyes darted to them and the floor in slight panic. "Please..." Twilight whispered to him, her face looking straight ahead in a shocked stare with the the wall, a single tear rolling down her cheek. "Don't make me use this again on you... please."

Sombra looked up to see her tear fall from her chin with a look of surprise.

Why would she cry over me? I am nothing to her.

Twilight swiftly turned to meet the door and exit before she did anything worse than how she felt. Sombra's concern twisted into a dastardly smirk.

"Oh pretty princess..." Twilight stopped, "thoust only acted on her anger - it is, of course, only natural to feel rage. Thou hast put me in my place. Perhaps, me and thine majesty are not so different to each other?" Twilight remained still for a moment, before continuing to walk out the door, closing it softly. A few minutes had passed before Sombra's head suddenly began to pound in an immense inner turmoil. As he made his way to the bathroom to wash up, the pain subsided, as was the purpose of his binding to the princesses.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you Twi?" Spike pressed, Flash accompanying him.

"It's alright Spike, I need to be alone with him periodically. He'll likely stay closed off from us if we don't give a little leeway to him." Twilight prepared a pack with a bag of bits and a few scrolls, then placed it on her wings. "It won't take me long, I'll be back soon."

"Are you sure?" Flash questioned, noticing the beads of sweat rolling down the Princess's temple.

"I said I'm fine." She snipped, her brow furrowing. "Please, guys. I just-- I need to do this for him today...."

The boys looked at one another anxiously and irritated. They could tell something was off about her demeanor but neither of them wanted to press any further and hold regrets.

Twilight's heart had tensed up so heavily, knotting and twisting. Her stomach boiled, shooting burns up her throat, as her mind felt numbed with guilt. Using such a strong, potentially abusive power, created an inner battle with almost every organ and thought the Princess had.

He deserved it.

Twilight mentally shook her head at herself. Even though Sombra had done nothing but give the castle's inhabitants grief, it didn't seem to be that great of an excuse for her actions. She acted out of spite, rather than thinking about it. Seeing it as an opportunity to get back at him for his wrongs, even if it seemed a bit meager in comparison. It didn't matter his crimes or his arrogance when he was a reformant - somepony to learn friendship. What example of friendship does it set when you forcefully will somepony's body to your own bidding?

Some Princess of Friendship you've become! What would you expect when you can't even keep your own friends around?

"Twilight." Spike's inherently sharp, worried voice jabbed her intrusive thoughts. Twilight hummed in his recognition, only to be turned around toward the hall to see a well groomed black stallion. Something she hadn't noticed before was how fluffy and wavy his fur and mane are. Of course, being adept for a winter environment aided him in such a gruff appearance. Because of his origins leaning on well over ancient, he displayed olden unicorn qualities, which had become a recessive gene in the modern Equestria. His tail was long much like a lions, with a fluffed patch of hair to the tip. The stallion clacked his cloven hooves across the crystal flooring, the noise not even dulled by the brushed hair around them.

"Princess." He murmured with a sour expression. The black stallion kept his pride insistingly, keeping his chin high above her in what was a traditional display of nobility. Twilight felt her face heat, and her feathers irk and sprawl amongst themselves, unconsciously defending her own dominance, nervous by him.

"Good. You're clean." Was all the alicorn could muster, aggravatingly.

"Is that all thoust wish to say? Thine highness seems rather unnerved by thy presence."

"My presence." Twilight corrected.

"What?" Sombra raised a questioning brow.

"You need to learn how to speak more modern. Old Ponish is severely outdated, ponies won't understand you." The lavender mare explained, making her way to the door, then opening it with her aura. "Come on, you have a lot to learn."

Sombra hesitated for a moment, looking back toward his room. He kept his brows forward in determination, but Twilight noticed his eyes shrink as he looked back at her and the open world in front of him.

Does he... fear the outside? She hadn't considered before, it would have never crossed her mind if it weren't for this moment. After what was a mere few moments, Sombra strut for the door, his knees high as he walked. For the first time in awhile, Twilight genuinely smiled.

Sombra and Twilight walked alongside one another, the sun beating down on their backs. The Princess could feel sweat building under her pack making her wings a bit uncomfortable. The stallion beside her noticed, but only could look away.

"Thoust has told me once more that my language is forgotten. What has become of it?" Sombra said abruptly, in a loud yet deep voice.

"Ah well, this isn't exactly your time period. We say things like 'you' and 'me.' Saying anything else in place of them is confusing to others. Do you understand?" Twilight questioned, genuinely curious if he got it. Sombra simply looked at her and snorted grumpily.

"Ponies. Forgetting such pleasantries and arts for convenience."

"It's not that it's forgotten Sombra, just, fixed or tweaked."

"Why would thou fix a thing which possesses no brokenness?" This made Twilight give a quick, muffled giggle.

"Either way, you have to change. Change isn't a choice, I'm afraid. Though we might not like it, it is important for us ponies to learn how to adapt. I'm sure you're no stranger to change either, Sombra."

"... I am not... a stranger to change... as you are not." Twilight gave a sad smile, knowing there was definite truth behind that statement, even though the stallion speaking it would likely never know what change his Princess had been going through.

"That's very good. What do you think?" Sombra paused for a moment, then snorted once again.

"Pitiful."

"Eh... heh..." The mare awkwardly laughed in response, not well assuming where the conversation would go from there. Sombra eyed her for a moment, then the heavy pack, again. "Now I just need to teach you manners...." A smirk grew wide on her face, finding humor in her bluntness.

"Why would... I... privilege others with royal pleasantries? They are not our equals...." Twilight hesitated her next step, eyeing Sombra suspiciously.

"Our?" The stallion once again eyed her backside, but this time merely and quite obviously viewed her wings.

"Yes. Thoust is royal."

"I realize that but... even though I am royal, I couldn't ever see my life as more important than another pony. Everyponies life hold value and purpose..."

"Then no one is special, every pony then become of equal value."

"No, we are special and different. Each pony is unique to each other. Even if two ponies have a cutiemark that relates to the same thing, there will never be more than one of the same mark." Twilight and Sombra had all but stopped, both looking at one another, eyes full of knowledge.

"Cutiemark." Sombra whispered. ".... such a distant concept."

Twilight looked deeper into his eyes before shamefully watching the wind blow dirt slowly past her hooves, her fur gracefully sweeping with it. It seemed she didn't have any of the right words to say that day. Everything she had taught or considered didn't seem as good as it once had been. Had she already lost all faith in what she preached? How could she teach things she herself inertly questioned? Even though Sombra was wrong and confused about such things, recent events had made her question her own morality. The guilt ate away at her, creating the burn in her throat to worsen, she couldn't speak. She had feared what she would say next that could so easily be refuted with little hesitation. She earnestly tried to swallow it down, furthering her head closer to the ground.

"I'm sorry for this morning, and for my insensitivity to your... not having a cuteimark." Sombra raised a brow curiously, his ears pressing forward, listening intensely. "I see everyone as my equal, and you need to. I should have showed you a better example of that earlier." There was a deathly silence in the air, despite the crowd of ponies gathered in town. Twilight waited for nothing in particular, but just continued to watch the dirt.

"Apologizes." Twilight looked up at the tyrant with a start, her eyes wide from surprise.

"What?"

"I shan't repeat it." Sombra snapped angrily. "Clean thine ears so thoust may hear the King speak. Hmph."

"Okay... but... why?" The lavender mare could only hold a startled face at him, completely consumed with shock at the sudden chivalry.

"I have not acted as a King should.... " He mumbled, looking off, away from the wide-eyed alicorn beside him. The wind lightly blew his mane to cover he cheek. They had finally been shaded by clouds, and the sun cooled. Twilight smiled small at him, though he couldn't see it.

"It's okay."

Author's Note

Author's Note:

Is Sombra and Twilight attempting to make amends? Is there a friendship growing between them... or maybe more? What about her and Flash? What will happen with these three in the upcoming chapters of the Princess Protection Program? Will Sombra be reformed soon, or will he prove a bigger challenge than even Twilight isn't ready for? Find out in the next updates!

Look what quarantine made! :')

Sorry for the REALLY long hiatus~ I'm going to try my best to upload more, I already have a pre-written chapter. Hope y'all enjoy this!