Celestia stared at the dragon before her, an endless stream of questions running through her mind as she some form of order. Finally, she turned away, and attempted to calm herself.

"How...why are you here?" It was barely a whisper.

She could feel his gaze boring into the back of her head, likely still unhappy about his unceremonious introduction. "Just passing through." The bite in his voice was obvious. "Orders concerning Blackstone Dragons?"

Celestia couldn't turn back to face him. "I apologize, I'm afraid the orders are very old. They've never even been spoken aloud. I...I didn't know how else to handle what happened..." she steadied a breath, then conjured an image of the symbol on the ring, " 'Any Blackstone Dragons bearing this symbol are to be brought before me, Princess Celestia, at once.' I didn't want to say anything else, It's been so long, centuries, and most don't even know Blackstone is a place anymore, but I had to ensure that...that should contact be made, that I would not miss it"

There was a long pause, Celestia was sure he was trying to weigh the truth in her words. Then the low thud of his boots, and turning to her right she saw he had drawn up alongside her, much of the anger in his face having softened. Now, he merely looked tired.

"I suppose it's understandable, after everything. And I don't think even back then that many saw us as anything but an empire shrouded in myth." His voice was softer now, he'd accepted her explanation.

"I...I have to ask, after all this time..."

"I don't know." It wasn't a lie, it wasn't a dodge. His words were absolute, he couldn't answer her half-spoken question, though Celestia guessed he would have if he could.

Risking another sidelong glance, "Ironclaw, he would be your great grandfather, yes?" She paused, then continued at the nod, "did you ever get a chance to know him."

"No, he was already gone." Though still softer, Celestia was saddened to hear the touch of venom that tinged his words.

She turned back to the window, "That's a shame, he was a great dragon, and a close personal friend." She looked down, searching for the words before turning to fully face Callixis. "I know it's been centuries, but I hope that there is still some of the old friendship between our two families that we once shared."

A myriad of emotions flashed across the young Tsars face, just for a moment, before a sad smile finally found its way out, "My family has never had ill will towards you, Your Highness, even if circumstance has left us isolated."

Encouraged by his words, Celestia reached out and rested a hand on his shoulder, "I know you said you were just passing through, but I invite you to enjoy our hospitality. You have always been welcome here, family and people, and I would enjoy a chance to rekindle such an old friendship."

Callixis froze, seeming conflicted in his thoughts, "I'm sorry, Your Highness, I can't impose myself on you."

Celestia waved him off, "this isn't about imposing anything, it's clear you've done a lot of traveling, why not just have a chance to rest."

"I...I cannot be here in any official capacity..." though he attempted to protest, Celestia could see the relief in his eyes, and playful mischief managed to push away the sadness of the past.

"I wouldn't dream of it. The staff will know you are a welcome guest and nothing more. And besides, it is the least I can do after you saved me from that shouting match,"

"Yes," Callixis actually chuckled at what he had heard just outside, "I suppose you do owe me, Your Highness."

Celestia couldn't help but smile, "don't push your luck. Now, let us deal with the waves that little entrance caused."

As she walked forward she realized that Callixis had frozen and turned to look out the window.

"Um, actually, isn't it soon time to move to night?"

Celestia just waved the question away, "my sister can handle things for one evening." At this she saw his eyes grow wide, and realized that he wouldn't have heard.

"You...you're sister...you mean-"

"Yes! Yes, I can't believe I didn't realize. Yes, Luna has returned. Oh she'll love to meet you. She always did see you Tsars as a sort of crazy uncle, though you're a tad young for that particular title."

She turned and started to piece apart the seals, smiling at the mix of emotions she had unceremoniously dumped on the poor dragon.

Almost the instant that the final seal lifted the doors opened, and several columns of Royal Guards supported by the City Guards from earlier stormed into the room in column formation.

The lead pony, a white pegasus on the edge of going grey and wearing royal purple armor, stormed forward to where Celestia and Callixis were standing. Offering a quick military bow he snapped to attention.

"Your Majesty, the guard stands ready."

"Ready for what, Captain Pike?" Celestia calmly raised an eyebrow at the assorted guard now filling the room, noting that a few of the financiers from earlier had been brave or concerned enough to stay, hovering near the doors. Perhaps they weren't all so bad after all.

Clearly confused, the captain grasped at an explanation. "Well, that is to say, with the secret orders being active, well, what I mean is...."

Celestia held up a hand to stop his flustered attempt at an explanation. "I see now that perhaps I should have been a bit more tactful in the handling of this particular situation. Secrecy has held priority above all else. However, Mr. Callixis Steelwing here is a friend, not an enemy, and those orders are now officially rescinded."

The whole assembly stood in shock. After everything that happened, there actually WASN'T going to be an emergency. No panic, no damage control, and one of the most ominous orders ever issued to the guard had now been rescinded with Celestia SMILING at the result.

"Jenkins" Celestia called out calmly, already knowing what would come next.

"Yes Your Highness."

The entire assembly seemed to jolt with surprise, and Callixis had clearly used quite a bit of willpower to avoid going airborne as the grey on grey pony seemed to have somehow snuck up right behind him without anyone noticing.

"Please see Mr. Steelwing here to the northern tower suite."

"At once your majesty." He answered with a short bow at the waist.

"Now," Callixis tried to protest, "that really won't be n-" He was cut off by a stare from Celestia that felt far too much like his own mothers, and simply turned and waved the butler forward and followed quickly behind.

The assembled ponies watched the pair walk off, and slowly started to disperse. However, quite a few of the guards remained, and turned back to their sovereign.

"With respect, your Majesty I-"

"Captain Pike" Celestia cut in, "I recognize your concern that I have been compromised in some way."

Hanging his head a little the captain nodded.

"And so you should. You wouldn’t be doing your job if you just blindly did as you were told." This caught the Captain off guard. He found it difficult to question Celestia, having absolute faith in her and his few concerns usually being voiced out of habit. Celestia encouraging him to essentially question her judgement and decisions was not something he would have expected.

"But, you're Majesty-"

Again he found himself cut off, "Captain, your duty is is to protect, myself, this castle, and Equestria as a whole, though your actions. As Captain of the Royal Guard you are a leader, and must be free to act as one. However, I believe that your current concerns can be easily satisfied without a need for lengthy explanations and point/counterpoint discussions."

Nodding, more confidently this time, "Very well, thank you your Majesty. What did you have in mind?"

Smiling a little, the princess answered. "As you are well aware, neither my sister, nor anypony else, joined in our discussion." Pike nodded, the unicorns had very carefully monitored the field for any telltale fluctuations of an entity passing through the field. "Then I suggest you take the lieutenant and sergeant here with you to go see her. Tell her a Blackstone Dragon bearing an iron signet ring is staying in the northern tower suite, and judge her reaction. That should be all the answer you need."

The remaining guards all looked back and forth at each other for a moment as they considered their unusual orders, but quickly returned to attention, and Captain Pike nodded.

"As you wish your majesty. Will there be anything else?"

"No captain, that will be all. Thank you."

With a quick salute the assembled guards turned to resume their posts, with the lieutenant and sergeant quickly following Captain Pike on his way to see Luna. Turning back to the throne, Celestia allowed herself a small grin at how things had been solved.

The three guards found Princess Luna a few minutes later, herself walking towards the throne room, evening coffee in hand. Stopping a fee meters away they snapped to attention and saluted as she nodded in greeting.

"Ah, Captain Pike, and...w-I don't believe we've been introduced yet." She smiled at the two other guards, trying to continue to remain friendly and less formal that she used to be.

"Lieutenant Silverwing Your Majesty." The young pegasus quickly snapped back into salute for a moment.

"Sergeant Ironhoof, Your Majesty." The gruff city guard mirrored the movement.

Nodding to each of them Luna continued, "I don't suppose meeting the three of your here has anything to do with the earlier interruption of the changing, did it?" She asked, lifting her coffee for another sip.

Nodding, Captain Pike explained, "Yes Princess, there was an...unusual meeting between Princess Celestia and a dragon who was brought in. We were instructed to inform you that a Blackstone Dragon bearing an iron signet ring is staying in the northern tower suite."

While Pike and Silverwing had grown accustomed to such things, Ironhoof found himself unprepared to dodge the spray of coffee that resulted from the explanation, and was too shocked to notice the mug drop from the princesses' hand.

"You, you're serious!?" the guards collectively took a step back, the slowly growing manic smile on their princess giving them plenty of cause for concern. With a cautious nod from Pike it grew to a full grin, reminding him of his daughter on trips to the candy store.

"If you would excuse me, I have a matter to attend to." With that the guards had to catch themselves to avoid being knocked over by the force of the teleport.

They slowly looked back and forth among themselves. While this did little to explain what was going on, at least they could be fairly confident it wasn't a bad thing.

Callixis looked around the suite's living room/kitchen area, resisting the urge to shake his head at the opulence of it all. At least he could see why Celestia had picked this particular one, as the main windows showed a stunning view of the mountains and valleys to the north, a familiar site to any dragons.

"Dinner has already been served, but you may ring to have something brought up if you wish." Jenkins was just finishing the overview. A strange pony that one, Callixis wondered just where Celestia had found him. "Breakfast is served at eight AM sharp except on special occasions. If you do not wish to attend you may ring for food then as well, but expect a delay." Before Callixis could respond the butler had already started heading for the door.

"Um, thanks..." The dragon weakly called out, the end of the day finally wearing him down.

Just before the door was finished closing the grey earth pony poked his head through one last time, "I would recommend you brace yourself, sir."

And with that he was gone, leaving Callixis thoroughly confused. Just before taking a step to try to chase the pony down to ask why, he was thrown off his feet by the force of a very enthusiastic teleport, and barely recovered before he found himself looking up at the face of an apparently very…terrifying…Alicorn.

Author's Note

Art by http://cylnx.deviantart.com/ yet again! Not quite the original plan but I couldn't resist.

Spoilers: this one's OCxOC so don't take everything at face value.

Having said that, it's about time for more hilarity to ensue~

Lemme know what you think ^_^

Can also be read here: http://nikolai60.deviantart.com/