Heirs

Luna went to her and Celestia’s private study. She knew that her sister was going to follow her to discuss what was happening. What better place than their study? Not only were they the only two ponies allowed in, they were the only two ponies that could get in. The study was enchanted so that only Luna and Celestia could enter and so that nopony else could use magic to know what was going on in it. It was so secure that the only thing that could get into the room was the small signal that only the guards knew how to cast. The only time they were permitted to use the spell was in extreme situations. Luna doubted that they would need to use it ever because either Tia or herself would usually be somewhere else and could take care of the situation. Even though they would sometimes both be in the room, like they would be soon, it would never be for too long. Luna sigh as she sat down. The study always made her feel happier when she was in it, so much so that she sometimes dreaded leaving it.

Celestia approached the study and smiled when she saw the door. She could always tell when Luna was in the study. There was a light shadow pressed against the door. Luna truly thought that the darkness associated with her destiny was a part of her, but Celestia knew the truth. If the Nightmare were part of her then it wouldn’t be stuck outside of their study. Princess Celestia’s thoughts brushed against how they could use enchantments to take the Nightmare out of her sister and Steven. She opened the door and walked into the blinding light that kept other ponies from seeing in. She hadn’t been to the study for a while and the aqua granite greeted her pleasantly. Celestia looked over at Luna sitting at the desk.

“Isn’t it great? Now Steven will have friends here in the castle.” Luna sighed and closed her eyes.

“Tia, didn’t you see the way Holo acted around Steven? She clearly has a crush on him.” Celestia closed her eyes, then opened them slowly.

“I know you love Steven and I wish the best for you. But maybe it wouldn’t be the worst thing if he ended up liking Holo back. They could rule together when we’re gone. Why don’t we just let Steven make the decision himself?” Luna snickered.

“I’m not even worried that he’d see her that way. I’m just afraid she’ll lie to him since he doesn’t remember his past.” Celestia nuzzled her sister.

“I’ll talk with her and make sure she doesn’t do any such thing, but I won’t tell her to leave Steven alone altogether.” Luna nodded, agreeing.

“And what of their cutie marks? We can’t just let them go around playing with Steven if there’s a chance that their horns could accidentally touch.” Princess Celestia took a few moments to thing deeply. She didn’t want to give them her own and they couldn’t give them Luna’s, for obvious reasons. Then a thought occurred to her.

“Luna, what if we don’t give them cutie marks?” Luna looked annoyed.

“But didn’t we just agree we don’t want Steven to accidentally give them his?” Celestia smiled.

“What I mean is what if I create a magic barrier over their horns?” Luna perked up and grinned devilishly.

“That’s perfect! Because then they won’t have a destiny here and I can kick them out if I want to with no repercussions.” Celestia looked angrily at her sister.

“I thought you closed the bridge between the worlds for good.” Luna frowned.

“I did...”

“Then it’s settled then?” Luna nodded and the two sisters hugged before leaving the study to carry out what they had planned.

There was a knock on the door before Luna poked her head in.

“You okay Steven?” Cadence said that he didn’t want to see anypony. Steven looked up at the door from the bed. Luna came in and sat next to him. He shied away from her before talking.

“I just don’t know what’s going on. Where did those other alicorns come from? It seemed like they knew me, but I’ve never seen them before.”

“Steven,” Luna hesitated as she was unsure how to explain it. “There is only one pony who seems to be able to explain the situation in words. Now since I’m not Twilight Sparkle I’m going to explain it to you a different way.” He looked at her and she surprised him by touching horns. What she knew flashed before his eyes as they widened. Steven sat there silent for a minute processing what he saw.

“...but why don’t I remember them?” Luna sighed.

“We honestly don’t know Steven. For some reason you lost your memories from before but they didn’t.” Steven pouted.

“Why do they get to know me if I don’t get to know me?” Luna wrapped her wing around him tightly.

“I don’t know Steven.” There was a knock on the door before Princess Celestia opened it a little.

“Steven, there are someponies that I would like you to meet.” She opened the door all the way to reveal Holo and Taiga. Then had already been talked to and understood that Steven would have to get to know them again. For this reason they resisted the temptation to jump on him again. Holo and Taiga walked up to the bed Steven and Luna were on.

“Hi Steven, I’m Holo and this is Taiga.” Holo had to turn her eyes away because she was too shy to make eye contact. Taiga on the other hand couldn’t stop looking at Steven. Luna looked at Steven and whispered.

“Since they’re not going anywhere, we were hoping that you could be friends. Maybe you could show them around a little.” Steven took a deep breath before responding.

“Okay, but can it wait until tomorrow? I want a little time to take this all in.” Luna nodded and looked at the two alicorns leaving the room. It was obvious that Taiga was happy, she didn’t even try to hide her emotions. Luna noticed a little smile on Holo’s downcast face. Hopefully she would warm up to living in Equestria.

Steven and Luna stayed in the bedroom while Celestia brought Holo and Taiga to the room they would be sharing.

“This is your room.” She opened the door to a huge room that already had two beds in it. Taiga ran and jumped on one of the beds.

“This one’s mine Holo!” Holo smiled and looked at the sun princess.

“This room alone is bigger than where we used to live. We really don’t need this much space.” The sun princess looked at her with gentle eyes.

“Nonsense, this is your home now. If there is anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask.” At Holo’s nod Celestia smiled. “Make sure you aren’t late for dinner, we always eat meals together.”

“Yes Princess.”

“Just call me Celestia.”

“Okay Celestia.” The sun princess shut the door behind her as she left. Holo laid on her bed and exhaled. Taiga jumped on Holo.

“Gotcha!” They wrestled for a minute before lying there, just the two of them.

“Hey Taiga, do you like it here?” Taiga closed her eyes and curled up against Holo.

“As long as I’m with you and Steven I love it.” Holo just stared at the roof.

“I mean like, really, do you think it’s nice here?” Taiga opened her eyes and spoke with excitement.

“Yea! Not only are you and Steven here, but we’re living in a castle with real princesses.” Holo looked at Taiga and smiled. They may have looked about the same age now, but Taiga was still much younger inside.

Princess Celestia kept an eye on everypony at dinner. Luna seemed to be okay, or at least that was what she was letting on. Steven looked like he was feeling more secure and she even saw him steal a glance at Holo and Taiga once or twice. It wasn’t like they weren’t doing the same though. Taiga didn’t even try to hide it, she was happy. Holo likewise seemed happy, but her smile was only slight. She seemed much shyer than her sister. Celestia decided to try to spark a conversation.

“How are you two liking your accommodations?” She couldn’t help but giggle a little as Holo had to quickly avert her eyes from Steven.

“Oh, they’re amazing. Thank you so much.” The answer didn’t give the impression of wanting to talk so Celestia didn’t push anymore.

Later that night Celestia was in her room getting ready to sleep. Holo and Taiga had gone to bed earlier as had Luna and Steven. She was about to get into her bed when she heard something in the hall. She peered out to see Holo sneaking to Luna and Steven’s room. Holo cracked the door open and peered inside. Celestia didn’t have to look to know what the scene looked like. Steven was probably curled up in bed against Luna. Her guess was confirmed when Holo’s eyes teared up and she ran back up the hallway. Celestia stepped into her path and stopped her. She spoke in whispers so as to not wake up anypony.

“Holo, come in my room. We need to talk.” Holo looked down and obeyed, embarrassed at being caught. Once inside Holo spoke up.

“I just wanted to see...back in the orphanage Steven and I slept in the same room with a couple others.” Celestia crouched down so she was on Holo’s level.

“I understand sweetie, but things are different here and it might be hard to get used to.”

“I know...”

“Okay then, off to bed. And I don’t want to find you sneak around late anymore, it might look suspicious to the patrols.” Holo smiled as Celestia patted her head and sent her off. Celestia sighed once Holo was gone. It would be hard to watch her deal with this.